Canada Soccer

Canada was not able to convert a second-half penalty and had to settle for a scoreless draw against Nigeria in their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Group B opener from Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Thursday.

Captain Christine Sinclair had her penalty attempt saved by Nigerian keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie in the 50th minute, after the spot kick was awarded by VAR.

Sinclair was fouled by Nigerian defender Francisca Ordega in the box, the referee initially waved off the penalty claims, but was then asked to review the play by the Video Assistant Referee.

Nigeria’s Deborah Abiodun was sent off after a VAR check in stoppage time for a dangerous foul on Ashley Lawrence.

Australia currently leads Group B after defeating Republic of Ireland 1-0 in their opening match.

In the wake of a busy June, the Canadian men have moved up two places to No. 43 in the latest FIFA world rankings.

The top 11 teams are unchanged with World Cup champion Argentina at No. 1. France, Brazil, England, Belgium, Croatia, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal and Spain complete the top 10.

There were 62 matches played since the last edition of the world rankings in June with Canada taking part in six of them.

John Herdman's team went 2-2-2 during that time period, with both losses coming to the 11th-ranked U.S. The Americans beat Canada 2-0 in the CONCACAF Nations League final and 3-2 in a penalty shootout in the Gold Cup quarterfinal.

Canada moved into third place among CONCACAF teams, overtaking Costa Rica. The Canadians' highest-ever ranking was No. 33, reached in February 2022.

Gold Cup champion Mexico jumped two places to No, 12, with Switzerland and Morocco each falling one spot to No. 13 and No. 14, respectively.

Gold Cup runners-up Panama made the biggest climb, vaulting 12 places to No. 45, after defeating the U.S. in a penalty shootout in the semifinal. Jamaica moved up five places to No. 58 after reaching the Gold Cup semifinal, where they fell 3-0 to Mexico.

Costa Rica fell four rungs to No. 46th — and dropped to No. 5 in CONCACAF behind Panama. Guatemala moved in the other direction, up nine spots to No. 107.

At the lower end of the table, there was upward progress for the Cayman Islands (No. 193, up four places), Gibraltar (No. 198, up four), Aruba (No. 199, up four) and Liechtenstein (No. 200, up four).

The Canadian women's national team is preparing for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand. After winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Canada enters the tournament as one of the favorites to claim the title. However, the team's roster has undergone some significant changes since the Olympics, which could impact their chances of success. Key players like Janine Beckie and Desiree Scott will be sidelined due to injuries, while Stephanie Labbé and Erin McLeod have retired. On the other hand, the team welcomes new talent in rising stars Olivia Smith, Simi Awujo, Julia Grosso, and Adriana Leon, who are eager to make their mark on the World Cup stage.

Injuries have dealt a blow to Canada's World Cup campaign, with Janine Beckie, a key forward, sidelined due to an ACL tear suffered during a pre-season match. Desiree Scott, a veteran known for her aggressive play, will also be absent due to knee surgery. The retirement of goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé, who played a crucial role in Canada's Olympic success, leaves a void that will be filled by Kailen Sheridan, an accomplished goalkeeper who is regarded as one of the best in the women's game. Erin McLeod, another goalkeeper, has also retired, passing on her role as a reliable backup to Sabrina D'Angelo. Despite these challenges, Canada introduces new talent in Olivia Smith, an 18-year-old rising star who has chosen to forgo her NCAA eligibility to play professionally.

The upcoming Women's World Cup will provide an opportunity for emerging talents like Olivia Smith and Simi Awujo to shine on the international stage. Smith's lethal finishing ability and game-winning mentality make her a valuable addition to the squad, while Awujo, a promising young player, aims to make her mark and secure a spot for the Paris Games next summer. Rising star Julia Grosso, who scored the game-winning penalty in the Olympic final, will now transition from a substitute to a starting player, utilizing her speed and skill to contribute to Canada's attack. Adriana Leon, who had limited minutes in Tokyo, is now in top form and will join the starting lineup, using her goal-scoring prowess and dribbling ability to create opportunities.

As Canada heads into the Women's World Cup, the team will need to adapt to the changes in its roster. The legendary Christine Sinclair, one of the greatest players in Canadian history, may take on a playmaking role due to her age, while younger talents step up in the starting lineup. The team's Group B matches against Nigeria, Ireland, and Australia will provide tough competition, and Coach Bev Priestman emphasizes the importance of adapting to different styles of play while leveraging their strengths. With a blend of experience and fresh talent, Canada's performance in the tournament will be eagerly watched as they aim to make their mark and contend for the title.

With the Women's Fifa world cup starting shortly, how far do folks here think Canada will progress?

Any particular teams we would like to avoid meeting in the knockout rounds?

CANADA

GK- Milan Borjan | SRB / FK Crvena zvezda (Red Star Belgrade)

GK- Tom McGill | ENG / Brighton & Hove Albion FC

GK- Dayne St. Clair | USA / Minnesota United FC

CB- Moïse Bombito | USA / Colorado Rapids

CB- Scott Kennedy | GER / SSV Jahn Regensburg

CB- Zachary Mcgraw | USA / Portland Timbers

CB- Steven Vitória | POR / GD Chaves

CB- Dominick Zator | POL / Korona Kielce

FB- Samuel Adekugbe | TUR / Galatasaray SK

FB- Zachary Brault-Guillard | CAN / CF Montréal

FB- Richie Laryea | CAN / Toronto FC

FB- Kamal Miller | USA / Inter Miami FC

M- Ali Ahmed | Vancouver Whitecaps FC

M- Stephen Eustáquio | POR / FC Porto

M- Victor Loturi | SCO / Ross County FC

M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC

M- David Wotherspoon | Unattached / sans club

F- David Junior Hoilett | ENG / Reading FC

F- Charles-Andreas Brym | NED / FC Eindhoven

F- Lucas Cavallini | MEX / Club Tijuana

F- Liam Millar | SUI / FC Basel

F- Jacen Russell-Rowe | USA / Columbus Crew

F- Jacob Shaffelburg | USA / Nashville SC

Canada fell 2-0 to the United States in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League, the second edition of a tournament which replaced international friendlies in the region and put another trophy in the mix for men's national teams.

But in the moments after the loss, a frustrated John Herdman, the Canadian men's coach since 2018, challenged the country's soccer organization to be better as it prepares to co-host the men's World Cup in 2026.

"We've got to get serious about winning a World Cup [in 2026]. When you play at home you get a chance to win it," Herdman said in reference to Canada Soccer, which has undergone a complete overhaul of its leadership.

"We've brought a World Cup to our country and we're not serious about winning it," he added, his voice rising. "And you see how close that team is tonight. Tactically, we were there. Chances, shots, we were there. The margins were so tight tonight, so tight. We've got to get real. We've got to get real. And quick.

"Because these players, they deserve it. They deserve their shot. The country deserves it. All the people that worked to bring it [the World Cup to Canada] deserve the shot. Let's get after it. We're close."

Canada captain Atiba Hutchinson calls an end to his distinguished playing career Sunday. He's looking to leave with a trophy.

The 40-year-old midfielder has already said goodbye to his longtime Turkish club team, via a social media post this week saying: "Thank you Besiktas, forever in my heart."

He will close his Canadian chapter at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas where the 47th-ranked Canadian men take on the 13th-ranked U.S. in the CONCACAF Nations League final. The winner lifts a cup and collects a cheque worth around US$1 million.

20:30 PM EST

Location:

Allegiant Stadium,Paradise, Nevada

Notes:

• Canada defeated Panama 2-0 in their semi final
• USA defeated Mexico 3-0 in their semi final

Sunday is D-Day for the Canadian men's national team. A win in the Concacaf Nations League final on Sunday would clinch the program's first trophy in 23 years, and it would be even sweeter knowing it came against the U.S. in Las Vegas. A victory would not only be a crowning achievement for this group of players, it would also be a massive boost looking ahead to a home World Cup in 2026.