CANADA
Get ready to watch the reigning Olympic champions Canada go for gold again. After a poor World Cup performance saw them exit in the group stage, Canada will be looking to find some success at this summer's Olympics, something they have been able to do time and time again. Their historic success at the Olympics has seen them take home bronze in 2012 and 2016, as well as gold in 2021. With a recent passing of the guard, a new generation of players will look to step into the leadership shoes. Prepare to watch these athletes take on some of the best competition in women’s soccer, as they look to add another medal to their collection.
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Why Canada?
The reigning gold medal winners will be looking to make their mark again this Olympics. Despite their often poor performances at the World Cup, Canada always seems to turn it around at the Olympics. Canada is a top ten team and regular fixture at the Olympics, but one that has historically struggled to win over the US anything in their confederation.
Their road to gold last year was not a smooth one, beating Brazil on penalties in the quarter finals, infamously beating the US with one goal from a penalty, and beating Sweden to gold in a penalty shoot out, with the tying goal coming off a penalty kick. Their ability to always find a way back into the game, often through a penalty, makes them a team that you can never count out. Their success in penalties has not been as consistent as of late, will they be able to turn it around when it really matters? And will penalties be enough in an increasingly competitive landscape?
Canada has seen a recent changing of the guard with the retirement of veteran players, including all time leading international goal scorer Christine Sinclair. It will be interesting to see how players step up and fill the void left in a team that relies a lot on youth.
Canada: Route to Qualifying
The road to Paris was a common one for Canada, coming in second in the CONCACAF Championship, losing to the U.S., but winning their play-offs. They placed second in the 2022 CONCACAF Championship, gaining qualification to the World Cup and a play-off match for the second Olympics spot against the third place team, Jamaica. Canada beat Jamaica 4-1 on aggregate over two legs.
Coach's Corner: Bev Priestman in Focus
Bev Priestman has been Canada’s head coach since 2020, winning gold in her first major international tournament with the team. Priestman previously coached for Canada’s youth teams and was assistant coach for England women’s national team until 2020 when returned to Canada, this time at the national level. Her breadth of experience on the women’s side instills confidence, as does her commitment to the Canadian team, having played under previous coach John Herdman as a child.
Key Players
Politics & Controversy
Below are just a few of the politics surrounding and controversies facing the Canadian Women's National team this summer.
1. The Players’ Association filed a lawsuit against Canada Soccer for “negligence and breach of fiduciary duty,” will this lawsuit overshadow the team this summer?
2.The disparity between the men’s and women’s teams prompted a strike, will this disparity continue to disadvantage Canada this summer?
4. With the recent retirement of many key veteran players, how will younger players step up and fill the void of leadership?
3. Without a professional league in Canada, the team integrates youth early, will this lead to more experienced youth or an inexperienced team?
5. Despite coming off a bad World Cup, Canada always seems to pull it out at the Olympics, how will they respond this time?
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