Canada WNT in control in first of two games against Sweden
24 November 2014
In their penultimate game of 2014, Canada’s Women’s National Team looked like a confident group of players that are fired up about hosting the world in 2015.
That appearance was reflected in the performance and result as the Canadian team were scarcely under too much trouble and got the goal they needed to pick up a 1:0 win over Sweden in the first of Women’s International Friendlies between the two nations.“I thought it was a game that Canada dominated in possession with a team that looked like they were trying to impose themselves,” said Head Coach John Herdman. “We knew Sweden would be direct and trying us on the counter. We had a 15-minute period after halftime where we wobbled, but outside of that, I thought we were in control of the game.”
Herdman stated before the game that the team’s shifting gears from a development phase to one where the performance should result in wins on a FIFA Women's World Cup stage. Monday was a close game at times but was one where Canada deserved the result and found the breakthrough they needed to snatch it.
Sweden came back after the halftime interval and asked a few questions of the Canadian back line. But each time, Canada handled those situations relatively comfortably and dictated the outcome of the game very well.
“I thought what was great is the girls, tactically, just adjusted, and weathered the storm. I thought we got back hold of the ball again, which changed the momentum of the game,” said Herdman. “Towards the end, we had a couple of one-on-ones with their goalkeeper. This is a solid performance and I really am proud of what these girls have put in.”
Goalkeeper Erin McLeod picked up the clean sheet in her 100th appearance at the international 'A' level for Canada. McLeod is the 12th Canadian to join the centurion club for Canada and is the second goalkeeper after Karina LeBlanc.
Canada will want a similar performance on Wednesday night (24 November, 22.00 ET / 19.00 PT) when they’ll look to wrap up the year on a high in a rematch with Sweden at Long Beach State University. Fans will be able to follow live on Twitter @CanadaSoccerEN.
Canada WNT look to build momentum as 2014 ends
Posted on 23 November 2014 in Women's National Team / Olympic Team
Canada’s Women’s National Team may be completing their 2014 calendar behind closed doors but the preparation is just as intense as if they were playing in front of thousands.
On Monday, Canada will play Sweden in the first of two Women’s International Friendlies near the California coastline as both countries continue their preparations for June’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.
“You’re starting to ramp it up and change gear. We’ve been developing for a two-and-a-half year period but your best now has got to be good enough,” said Canadian Head Coach John Herdman. “That’s the reality. It’s not about being better than the player next to you. It’s about being good enough to win a Women's World Cup in a once in a lifetime opportunity in Canada.”
The last time the teams met was in 2012 at the Olympics in London. On that day, Sweden jumped out to an early 2:0 lead but Canada fought back through two goals from Melissa Tancredi and Canada scored a valuable point that booked them a spot in the tournament’s quarterfinals.
These teams generally have had pretty even games and Monday's is expected to be no different. And with coaching staffs from both teams needing to start making some decisions with the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 approaching, both games should be feisty encounters.
“You want to see them put a performance in that’s closer to be something that could get you through to the latter stages of a FIFA Women's World Cup,” said Herdman. “That’s what we’ve got to be pushing towards now. We’ve changed gears in the environment a bit. The players are being put under more pressure as they have to start moving from an improve phase to a perfect phase.”
Both games take place behind closed doors with Monday’s action taking place on the campus of Loyola Marymount University and Long Beach State University the venue for Wednesday night’s game.
Fans will be able to follow the matches live via Twitter @CanadaSoccerEN and read a full match report on canadasoccer.com.
On Monday, Canada will play Sweden in the first of two Women’s International Friendlies near the California coastline as both countries continue their preparations for June’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.
“You’re starting to ramp it up and change gear. We’ve been developing for a two-and-a-half year period but your best now has got to be good enough,” said Canadian Head Coach John Herdman. “That’s the reality. It’s not about being better than the player next to you. It’s about being good enough to win a Women's World Cup in a once in a lifetime opportunity in Canada.”
The last time the teams met was in 2012 at the Olympics in London. On that day, Sweden jumped out to an early 2:0 lead but Canada fought back through two goals from Melissa Tancredi and Canada scored a valuable point that booked them a spot in the tournament’s quarterfinals.
These teams generally have had pretty even games and Monday's is expected to be no different. And with coaching staffs from both teams needing to start making some decisions with the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 approaching, both games should be feisty encounters.
“You want to see them put a performance in that’s closer to be something that could get you through to the latter stages of a FIFA Women's World Cup,” said Herdman. “That’s what we’ve got to be pushing towards now. We’ve changed gears in the environment a bit. The players are being put under more pressure as they have to start moving from an improve phase to a perfect phase.”
Both games take place behind closed doors with Monday’s action taking place on the campus of Loyola Marymount University and Long Beach State University the venue for Wednesday night’s game.
Fans will be able to follow the matches live via Twitter @CanadaSoccerEN and read a full match report on canadasoccer.com.
Related News
Canada WNT announces roster for series v Sweden
Posted on 20 November 2014 in Women's National Team / Olympic Team
Canada’s Women’s National Team continues its string of Women’s International Friendlies against the top teams in the world when they’ll take on Sweden for a pair of matches to take place in California, USA.
Head Coach John Herdman has selected 24 players to be in contention for the series that takes place on Monday 24 November (kickoff at 14.00 local / 17.00 ET) and Wednesday 26 November (kickoff at 19.00 local / 22.00 ET).
“It’s a large squad. We’ve taken pretty much all our residency-based players that are physically able to contribute in the game,” said Herdman. “That’s pretty much our widest squad that we’re taking in.”
The squad sees the return of a few familiar faces like Brittany Baxter, Selenia Iacchelli, and Robyn Gayle while Allysha Chapman retains her place in the team after looking sharp in the two matches against FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 Champions Japan in October.
The team arrives into Los Angeles, CA, USA on Friday 21 November and will get a few days of training in prior to the first game.
The staff has some big decisions on the horizon. With 2015 just around the corner, players are hoping to make their case for inclusion in the Canadian team as preparations reach the home stretch towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.
As the new year rolls over, it’s coming down to crunch time for the players, as well as those responsible for selecting those that will be involved.
“When we get to Christmas time, we’ve got some assessments we want to make about the squad we take in January. This is a chance for people to get game time under their belt before we begin again next year and it gets more serious,” added Herdman.
The matches take place just over a week before the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 Official Draw takes place at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau Quebec on Saturday 6 December.
Fans will be able to follow the matches live via Twitter @CanadaSoccerEN and read a full match report on canadasoccer.com.
CANADA
GK- Stephanie Labbe | SWE / KIF Orebro
GK- Erin McLeod | USA / HoustonDash
D- Kadeisha Buchanan | USA / West Virginia University
D- Allysha Chapman | SWE / Eskilstuna United DFF
D- Robyn Gayle | USA / Washington Spirit
D- Carmelina Moscato | USA / Seattle Reign FC
D- Marie-Eve Nault | SWE / KIF Orebro
D- Rebecca Quinn | USA / Duke University
D- Rachel Quon | USA / Chicago Red Stars
D- Rhian Wilkinson | CAN / Comètes de Laval
D- Sura Yekka | CAN / Brams United
D- Emily Zurrer | SWE / Jitex BK
M- Brittany Baxter | unattached / sans club
M- Jessie Fleming | CAN / London NorWest SC
M- Selenia Iacchelli | unattached / sans club
M- Kaylyn Kyle | USA / Houston Dash
M- Ashley Lawrence | USA / West Virginia University
M- Sophie Schmidt | USA / Sky Blue FC
M- Desiree Scott | ENG / Notts County
F- Josée Bélanger | CAN / Comètes de Laval
F- Jonelle Filigno | USA / Sky Blue FC
F- Adriana Leon | USA / Chicago Red Stars
F- Christine Sinclair | USA / Portland Thorns FC
F- Melissa Tancredi | USA / Chicago Red Stars
Head Coach John Herdman has selected 24 players to be in contention for the series that takes place on Monday 24 November (kickoff at 14.00 local / 17.00 ET) and Wednesday 26 November (kickoff at 19.00 local / 22.00 ET).
“It’s a large squad. We’ve taken pretty much all our residency-based players that are physically able to contribute in the game,” said Herdman. “That’s pretty much our widest squad that we’re taking in.”
The squad sees the return of a few familiar faces like Brittany Baxter, Selenia Iacchelli, and Robyn Gayle while Allysha Chapman retains her place in the team after looking sharp in the two matches against FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 Champions Japan in October.
The team arrives into Los Angeles, CA, USA on Friday 21 November and will get a few days of training in prior to the first game.
The staff has some big decisions on the horizon. With 2015 just around the corner, players are hoping to make their case for inclusion in the Canadian team as preparations reach the home stretch towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.
As the new year rolls over, it’s coming down to crunch time for the players, as well as those responsible for selecting those that will be involved.
“When we get to Christmas time, we’ve got some assessments we want to make about the squad we take in January. This is a chance for people to get game time under their belt before we begin again next year and it gets more serious,” added Herdman.
The matches take place just over a week before the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 Official Draw takes place at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau Quebec on Saturday 6 December.
Fans will be able to follow the matches live via Twitter @CanadaSoccerEN and read a full match report on canadasoccer.com.
CANADA
GK- Stephanie Labbe | SWE / KIF Orebro
GK- Erin McLeod | USA / HoustonDash
D- Kadeisha Buchanan | USA / West Virginia University
D- Allysha Chapman | SWE / Eskilstuna United DFF
D- Robyn Gayle | USA / Washington Spirit
D- Carmelina Moscato | USA / Seattle Reign FC
D- Marie-Eve Nault | SWE / KIF Orebro
D- Rebecca Quinn | USA / Duke University
D- Rachel Quon | USA / Chicago Red Stars
D- Rhian Wilkinson | CAN / Comètes de Laval
D- Sura Yekka | CAN / Brams United
D- Emily Zurrer | SWE / Jitex BK
M- Brittany Baxter | unattached / sans club
M- Jessie Fleming | CAN / London NorWest SC
M- Selenia Iacchelli | unattached / sans club
M- Kaylyn Kyle | USA / Houston Dash
M- Ashley Lawrence | USA / West Virginia University
M- Sophie Schmidt | USA / Sky Blue FC
M- Desiree Scott | ENG / Notts County
F- Josée Bélanger | CAN / Comètes de Laval
F- Jonelle Filigno | USA / Sky Blue FC
F- Adriana Leon | USA / Chicago Red Stars
F- Christine Sinclair | USA / Portland Thorns FC
F- Melissa Tancredi | USA / Chicago Red Stars
About Canada Soccer
Canada Soccer, in partnership with its membership and its partners, provides leadership in the pursuit of excellence in soccer, both at the national and international levels. Canada Soccer not only strives to lead Canada to victory, but also encourages Canadians to a life-long passion for soccer. For more details on Canada Soccer, visit the official website at canadasoccer.com
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