Analyzing Canada’s 2023 Women’s World Cup roster position-by-position 

Numerous eyes shall be on the Canadian ladies’s workforce on the 2023 FIFA World Cup to see whether or not or not it may construct upon its Olympic success.

As the reigning Olympic champions, Canada can have an enormous goal on its again on the match that shall be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to Aug. 20. Canada has received three consecutive Olympic medals, together with gold in Tokyo in 2021, however it has but to essentially break by means of on the World Cup – its greatest displaying was a fourth place end in 2003. Since then, the Canadians have did not get out of the group stage on two events and received only a single knockout match.

Ranked No. 7 on the earth, 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 gamers that may attempt to information Canada to World Cup glory this summer season? Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of coach Bev Priestman’s squad that was formally unveiled on Sunday.

GOALKEEPERS  
Sabrina D’Angelo (Arsenal), Lysianne Proulx (SCU Torreense) and Kailen Sheridan (San Diego Wave FC).

Since Stephanie Labbé’s retirement final 12 months, Kailen Sheridan has comfortably held down the beginning goalkeeper’s job with Canada and goes into this World Cup because the undisputed No. 1. Sheridan was voted the NWSL goalkeeper of the 12 months and named to the league’s Best XI in 2022, and he or she is having one other strong season in San Diego in 2023. Sheridan has 35 caps and has performed in all 4 matches for her nation this 12 months (three as a starter), and he or she’s usually thought-about among the many greatest goalkeepers on the earth.

Sabrina D’Angelo’s inventory has risen since her transfer in January to Arsenal from Swedish membership Vittsjö GIK, however not sufficient to displace Sheridan as Canada’s starter. D’Angelo has 13 caps, the final of which got here vs. Japan in February. However, she solely lasted half-hour after struggling a leg damage throughout an on-field collision with a Japanese participant. She would possibly get an opportunity to play in one in all Canada’s group stage video games, although. Barring an emergency, third stringer Lysianne Proulx (uncapped) received’t see any motion on 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 just lately been sidelined with accidents, Vanessa Gilles is firmly again within the nationwide workforce fold after first breaking out as a starter on the Tokyo Olympics. The Gilles-Kadeisha Buchanan centre again pairing has been the bedrock of Canada’s again line ever because the workforce received the gold medal in 2021. They completely complement one another with their technical ability, athleticism and studying of the sport, and so they’re an enormous motive why opponents battle to interrupt down Canada.

If coach Bev Priestman decides to play with three centre backs, search for Shelina Zadorsky to fill that spot. Zadorsky and Buchanan was Priestman’s go-to duo in central defence earlier than Gilles displaced Zadorsky as a starter on the Tokyo Olympics.

Ashley Lawrence will slot in because the beginning proper fullback within the again 4, until Priestman opts to deploy her in midfield. Lawrence is one in all Canada’s greatest and most vital gamers, and a debate has raged amongst pundits for a number of years as to what’s her greatest place. But given the workforce’s lack of fullback depth, that’s the place her companies shall be wanted essentially the most on the World Cup. Also, given Priestman’s current tendency to make use of a double pivot within the centre of the park, utilizing Lawrence in midfield doesn’t appear doubtless. Veteran Allysha Chapman or speedy teenager Jayde Riviere will function the counterbalance to Lawrence on the left aspect of the defence.

Earlier this week, Canada Soccer introduced that Jade Rose would miss the World Cup as a consequence of an undisclosed damage. It’s a little bit of a blow for the Canadian workforce. Rose, a 20-year-old who hasn’t but turned professional, carries herself with a confidence that belies her age and lack of expertise. She also can play in plenty 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 current worldwide home windows, which featured Jessie Fleming and Julia Grosso paired collectively as a double pivot in central midfield. The duo labored properly collectively at instances, taking part in progressively and immediately, whereas additionally tending to their defensive tasks. At different instances, Grosso appeared out of her ingredient and never almost sufficient concerned in Canada’s buildup play. 

They’re each key gamers for his or her professional golf equipment and have change into more and more vital for Canada during the last two years, and Fleming will greater than doubtless take over as captain when Christine Sinclair retires. So, they’ll each begin on the World Cup, regardless if Priestman decides to make use of the double pivot or not. If Priestman goes again to the extra acquainted 4-3-3 setup she used when she first took over as Canada’s coach, she’ll merely add Quinn into the midfield combine. Their two-way capacity, tireless work charge and technical abilities has made them a useful cog in Canada’s midfield. 

Sophie Schmidt shall be taking part in in her fifth and last World Cup, and with 221 caps she ranks second in all-time look for Canada, behind solely Sinclair. Look for Schmidt to be the primary substitute for Canada if Priestman desires to lock issues down in a recreation. Teenager Simi Awujo will present Canada some vitality and an attacking prompt the bench. 

Veteran Desiree Scott, nicknamed “The Destroyer,” underwent knee surgical procedure earlier this 12 months and has but to play this season for her NWSL membership, and he or she hasn’t suited up for Canada since final November. The defensive midfielder’s management and bodily presence shall be sorely missed. Rather than choose Marie-Yasmine Alidou D’Anjou, coach Priestman chosen teenager Olivia Smith who has but to show professional. Alidou D’Anjou is coming off a profitable membership season in Portugal, so her omission was considerably shocking

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 goes sturdy at age 40 and is ready to compete in her sixth (and her final?) World Cup this summer season. Canada’s iconic captain has seen her nationwide workforce function change over time, and during the last short while has largely been used as a “false nine” as a part of an attacking trio up entrance. That function appears to get one of the best out of her, because it permits her to drop again deeper and get extra concerned in Canada’s buildup play.

Which two attackers she’ll be taking part in between is the attention-grabbing query. Presumably, Jordyn Huitema will line up on the appropriate aspect of the entrance three. The 22-year-old’s recreation has progressed since her transfer to the NWSL from Paris-Saint Germain final summer season. But she solely has one purpose in her final 13 video games for Canada, and questions linger as as to if she can be a “big-game” participant.

Left-sided attacker Adrian Leon barely performed for Manchester United in her debut season at Manchester United, and didn’t see a lot taking part in time on mortgage with the Portland Thorns. But the veteran striker is an skilled campaigner at worldwide stage, and ranks third in scoring amongst all lively gamers (and sixth total) with 28 objectives.

Both Deanne Rose and Nichelle Prince ruptured their Achilles tendons final 12 months. Rose solely just lately returned to motion at membership stage, whereas Prince has but to play in a aggressive recreation since first getting injured. One can’t assist however surprise in the event that they’ll be absolutely match-fit on the World Cup.

Evelyne Viens and Cloé Lacasse have impressed of their restricted appearances for Canada, however will greater than doubtless be used as depth choices on the World Cup. The absence of Janine Beckie, who tore her ACL again in March, hurts Canada in quite a lot of methods. The Portland Thorns ahead is Canada’s fourth all-time main scorer (36 objectives) and one of many workforce’s most vocal leaders. She’s additionally extremely versatile, as she will line up as a ahead, a winger and a fullback.

John Molinaro, one of many main soccer journalists in Canada, has lined the sport for over 20 years for a number of media retailers, together with Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is at the moment the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a web site devoted to in-depth protection of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer.  

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