by Emma Burke (13/7/24)
Above: Defending the gold medal that they won in Tokyo – Canada. Photo: Canada Soccer.
When Canada take to the field at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games it will mark their fifth consecutive appearance at the competition and will see them going out to defend the gold medal they won in Tokyo. This comes following a disappointing World Cup run last year, where they exited the tournament at the group stage.
Squad List
Goalkeepers: Kailen Sheridan, Sabina D’Angelo.
Defenders: Kadeisha Buchanan, Ashley Lawrence, Jayde Riviere, Vanessa Gilles, Jayde Rose, Sydney Collins.
Midfielders: Jessie Fleming, Quinn, Julia Grosso, Simi Awujo.
Forwards: Adriana Leon, Janine Beckie, Nichelle Prince, Jordyn Huitema, Cloe Lacasse, Evelyn Viens.
Alternate Players (only allowed to play if any of the above are injured): Lysianne Proulx (GK), Shelina Zadorsky (DF), Gabrielle Carle (DF), Deanne Rose (FW).
Head Coach
North-East England-born Bev Priestman has been Canada’s head coach since 2020, and only one year into her tenure, took the nation to its greatest footballing achievement so far, an Olympic Gold Medal in Tokyo.
At the start of the year, Priestman put pen to paper with the Canadian Soccer Association, signing a contract that will keep her in position through to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Olympic History
Canada first qualified for the Olympics in 2008 travelling to Beijing and making it to the quarter-finals before being knocked out by the USA who would go on to win the gold medal. In 2012 they went to the London Games where they would play in one of the most iconic games in women’s football history, their semifinal match against the USA, where they lost 4-3 in a thrilling and controversial game. Canada would go on to win the bronze medal in 2012 for the first time defeating France 1-0.
They appeared in the 2016 Olympic games in Rio, where they swept the group stage, including defeating Germany for the first time in 22 years. Canada progressed through the quarterfinals after defeating France, but a defeat in a rematch with the Germans in the semifinal saw them sent to the third-place match again winning the bronze medal by defeating the Games’ host Brazil.
Most recently, Canada had their most successful Olympic tournament yet at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The games were delayed until 2021 due to the global pandemic, with Canada playing group games against Japan, Chile, and Great Britain.
Priestman’s side defeated Brazil in the quarterfinals on penalties, and the USA in the semifinal with a 1-0 win that marked their first win over their neighbours in 20 years. The final, played against Sweden ended in a 1-1- draw, and Canada eked out the win through penalties that ended 3-2 in their favour. This saw the North Americans win the gold medal for the first time in their federation’s history.
How they Qualified
Canada secured their place at the Paris 2024 Olympics through the CONCACAF Olympic Qualification Playoff, where they played a two-legged series against Jamaica. There were doubts regarding whether Canada would make it to Paris, as they had a disappointing World Cup run, compared to Jamaica’s unexpectedly strong performance. Canada won both games, 2-0, and 2-1, finishing with an aggregate score of 4-1, and a plane ticket to Paris.
Strengths
Canada routinely use the same back three in Kadeshia Buchanan, Jade Rose, and Vanessa Gilles, and by building this familiarity they have been able to develop strong working partnerships in defence. The choice to use a back three gives Priestman’s side the ability to focus more on attack with extra players available to pursue goal-scoring options.
Development Areas
Canada has options when it comes to scoring, plenty of them, but when it comes to creating a solid attacking partnership, they’re still just off the mark.
This is a relatively new problem for the nation, as having the greatest international scorer of all time Christine Sinclair, who made scoring look like child’s play for over a decade, but with her international career winding up at the end of 2023, and her pace struggling to beat younger defenders, Canada has had to find something new. It still doesn’t look like they’re any closer to finding a solution to the Sinclair-sized hole in their frontline, but they’re going to have to find one, and soon.
Key Players
Jessie Fleming
One of Canada’s most popular players, and is absolutely key to their success. Her work in central midfield allows Canada’s play to flow from the backline into attack. As the team’s current captain, Fleming embodies what it means to play for Canada and what it means to be a leader. Humble and driven, Fleming is a player who can always be found stepping up when her team needs her.
One to watch
Simi Awujo
While she’s only 20 and is still yet to play professionally, Awujo has come forward as an emerging star for Canada. Awujo was eligible to play for the United States (where she was born), Nigeria (where her parents were born), and Canada (where her mother is a citizen). With 17 appearances for Canada to her name, and a goal too, her vision in central midfield, passing ability, and physicality have made her almost indispensable to Canada, and she definitely has a bright future ahead of her.
Success would be
Gold. They’ve done it before, and are capable of doing so again.
Prediction
Canada should make it out of their group alongside France and provided they come playing to win and not playing it safe as they did at last year’s World Cup, they could go all the way. Given they have come away with a medal three times already, a podium place would not be surprising.
Fixtures
25th July Canada v New Zealand, 5pm, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne.
28th July Canada v France, 9pm, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne.
1st August Canada v Colombia, 9pm, Stade de Nice, Nice.
All kick-off times are French time.
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