A lot of eyes will be on the Canadian women’s team at the 2023 FIFA World Cup to see whether or not it can build upon its Olympic success.
As the reigning Olympic champions, Canada will have a big target on its back at the tournament that will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to Aug. 20. Canada has won three consecutive Olympic medals, including gold in Tokyo in 2021, but it has yet to really break through at the World Cup – its best showing was a fourth place finish in 2003. Since then, the Canadians have failed to get out of the group stage on two occasions and won just a single knockout match.
Ranked No. 7 in the world, Canada will compete in a first-round group with Australia (No. 10), the Republic of Ireland (No. 22) and Ivory Coast (No. 66). Canada faces Nigeria on July 21 in Melbourne, Ireland on July 26 in Perth, and co-hosts Australia on July 31 in Melbourne.
Who are the 23 players that will try to guide Canada to World Cup glory this summer? Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of coach Bev Priestman’s squad that was officially unveiled on Sunday.
GOALKEEPERS
Sabrina D’Angelo (Arsenal), Lysianne Proulx (SCU Torreense) and Kailen Sheridan (San Diego Wave FC).
Since Stephanie Labbé’s retirement last year, Kailen Sheridan has comfortably held down the starting goalkeeper’s job with Canada and goes into this World Cup as the undisputed No. 1. Sheridan was voted the NWSL goalkeeper of the year and named to the league’s Best XI in 2022, and she is having another solid season in San Diego in 2023. Sheridan has 35 caps and has played in all four matches for her country this year (three as a starter), and she’s generally considered among the best goalkeepers in the world.
Sabrina D’Angelo’s stock has risen since her move in January to Arsenal from Swedish club Vittsjö GIK, but not enough to displace Sheridan as Canada’s starter. D’Angelo has 13 caps, the last of which came vs. Japan in February. However, she only lasted 30 minutes after suffering a leg injury during an on-field collision with a Japanese player. She might get a chance to play in one of Canada’s group stage games, though. Barring an emergency, third stringer Lysianne Proulx (uncapped) won’t see any action at the World Cup.
DEFENDERS
Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea), Gabrielle Carle (Washington Spirit), Allysha Chapman (Houston Dash), Vanessa Gilles (Olympique Lyonnais ), Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea), Jayde Riviere (Manchester United) and Shelina Zadorsky (Tottenham Hotspur).
Having recently been sidelined with injuries, Vanessa Gilles is firmly back in the national team fold after first breaking out as a starter at the Tokyo Olympics. The Gilles-Kadeisha Buchanan centre back pairing has been the bedrock of Canada’s back line ever since the team won the gold medal in 2021. They perfectly complement each other with their technical skill, athleticism and reading of the game, and they’re a big reason why opponents struggle to break down Canada.
If coach Bev Priestman decides to play with three centre backs, look for Shelina Zadorsky to fill that spot. Zadorsky and Buchanan was Priestman’s go-to duo in central defence before Gilles displaced Zadorsky as a starter at the Tokyo Olympics.
Ashley Lawrence will slot in as the starting right fullback in the back four, unless Priestman opts to deploy her in midfield. Lawrence is one of Canada’s best and most important players, and a debate has raged amongst pundits for several years as to what is her best position. But given the team’s lack of fullback depth, that’s where her services will be needed the most at the World Cup. Also, given Priestman’s recent tendency to use a double pivot in the centre of the park, using Lawrence in midfield doesn’t seem likely. Veteran Allysha Chapman or speedy youngster Jayde Riviere will serve as the counterbalance to Lawrence on the left side of the defence.
Earlier this week, Canada Soccer announced that Jade Rose would miss the World Cup due to an undisclosed injury. It’s a bit of a blow for the Canadian team. Rose, a 20-year-old who hasn’t yet turned pro, carries herself with a confidence that belies her age and lack of experience. She can also play in a number of positions, so Canada will miss her versatility. Rose’s absence opened the door for Gabrielle Carle to earn a roster spot.
MIDFIELDERS
Simi Awujo (University of Southern California), Jessie Fleming (Chelsea), Julia Grosso (Juventus), Quinn (OL Reign), Sophie Schmidt (Houston Dash) and Olivia Smith (unattached).
Priestman has largely used a 4-2-3-1 formation in recent international windows, which featured Jessie Fleming and Julia Grosso paired together as a double pivot in central midfield. The duo worked well together at times, playing progressively and directly, while also tending to their defensive responsibilities. At other times, Grosso seemed out of her element and not nearly enough involved in Canada’s buildup play.
They’re both key players for their pro clubs and have become increasingly important for Canada over the last two years, and Fleming will more than likely take over as captain when Christine Sinclair retires. So, they’ll both start at the World Cup, regardless if Priestman decides to use the double pivot or not. If Priestman goes back to the more familiar 4-3-3 setup she used when she first took over as Canada’s coach, she’ll simply add Quinn into the midfield mix. Their two-way ability, tireless work rate and technical skills has made them an invaluable cog in Canada’s midfield.
Sophie Schmidt will be playing in her fifth and final World Cup, and with 221 caps she ranks second in all-time appearance for Canada, behind only Sinclair. Look for Schmidt to be the first substitute for Canada if Priestman wants to lock things down in a game. Teenager Simi Awujo will provide Canada some energy and an attacking spark off the bench.
Veteran Desiree Scott, nicknamed “The Destroyer,” underwent knee surgery earlier this year and has yet to play this season for her NWSL club, and she hasn’t suited up for Canada since last November. The defensive midfielder’s leadership and physical presence will be sorely missed. Rather than select Marie-Yasmine Alidou D’Anjou, coach Priestman selected teenager Olivia Smith who has yet to turn pro. Alidou D’Anjou is coming off a successful club season in Portugal, so her omission was somewhat surprising
FORWARDS
Jordyn Huitema (OL Reign), Cloé Lacasse (SL Benfica), Adriana Leon (Portland Thorns FC), Nichelle Prince (Houston Dash), Deanne Rose (Reading FC), Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns FC ) and Evelyne Viens (Kristianstads DFF ).
Christine Sinclair is going strong at age 40 and is set to compete in her sixth (and her last?) World Cup this summer. Canada’s iconic captain has seen her national team role change over time, and over the last little while has mostly been used as a “false nine” as part of an attacking trio up front. That role seems to get the best out of her, as it allows her to drop back deeper and get more involved in Canada’s buildup play.
Which two attackers she’ll be playing between is the interesting question. Presumably, Jordyn Huitema will line up on the right side of the front three. The 22-year-old’s game has progressed since her move to the NWSL from Paris-Saint Germain last summer. But she only has one goal in her last 13 games for Canada, and questions linger as to whether she is really a “big-game” player.
Left-sided attacker Adrian Leon barely played for Manchester United in her debut season at Manchester United, and didn’t see much playing time on loan with the Portland Thorns. But the veteran striker is an experienced campaigner at international level, and ranks third in scoring among all active players (and sixth overall) with 28 goals.
Both Deanne Rose and Nichelle Prince ruptured their Achilles tendons last year. Rose only recently returned to action at club level, while Prince has yet to play in a competitive game since first getting injured. One can’t help but wonder if they’ll be fully match-fit at the World Cup.
Evelyne Viens and Cloé Lacasse have impressed in their limited appearances for Canada, but will more than likely be used as depth options at the World Cup. The absence of Janine Beckie, who tore her ACL back in March, hurts Canada in a lot of ways. The Portland Thorns forward is Canada’s fourth all-time leading scorer (36 goals) and one of the team’s most vocal leaders. She’s also incredibly versatile, as she can line up as a forward, a winger and a fullback.
John Molinaro, one of the leading soccer journalists in Canada, has covered the game for over 20 years for several media outlets, including Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is currently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a website dedicated to in-depth coverage of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer.
