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

Plenty of eyes will likely be on the Canadian ladies’s staff on the 2023 FIFA World Cup to see whether or not or not it could possibly construct upon its Olympic success.

As the reigning Olympic champions, Canada could have an enormous goal on its again on the event that will likely 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 way of on the World Cup – its greatest exhibiting was a fourth place end in 2003. Since then, the Canadians have didn’t get out of the group stage on two events and received only a single knockout match.

Ranked No. 7 on this planet, Canada will compete in a first-round group with Australia (No. 10), the Republic of Ireland (No. 22) and Nigeria (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 can 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 yr, 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 yr and named to the league’s Best XI in 2022, and she or he 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 yr (three as a starter), and she or he’s usually thought of among the many greatest goalkeepers on this planet.

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 harm throughout an on-field collision with a Japanese participant. She may get an opportunity to play in one among 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 not too long ago been sidelined with accidents, Vanessa Gilles is firmly again within the nationwide staff 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 for the reason that staff received the gold medal in 2021. They completely complement one another with their technical talent, athleticism and studying of the sport, they usually’re an enormous purpose 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, except Priestman opts to deploy her in midfield. Lawrence is one among Canada’s greatest and most necessary gamers, and a debate has raged amongst pundits for a number of years as to what’s her greatest place. But given the staff’s lack of fullback depth, that’s the place her companies will likely be wanted probably 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 possible. Veteran Allysha Chapman or speedy teen Jayde Riviere will function the counterbalance to Lawrence on the left facet of the defence.

Earlier this week, Canada Soccer introduced that Jade Rose would miss the World Cup as a result of an undisclosed harm. It’s a little bit of a blow for the Canadian staff. 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 may play in various 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 effectively collectively at occasions, enjoying progressively and immediately, whereas additionally tending to their defensive tasks. At different occasions, Grosso appeared out of her component and never practically sufficient concerned in Canada’s buildup play. 

They’re each key gamers for his or her professional golf equipment and have develop into more and more necessary for Canada during the last two years, and Fleming will greater than possible 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 skill, tireless work price and technical expertise has made them a useful cog in Canada’s midfield. 

Sophie Schmidt will likely be enjoying in her fifth and ultimate 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 needs 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 yr and has but to play this season for her NWSL membership, and she or he hasn’t suited up for Canada since final November. The defensive midfielder’s management and bodily presence will likely 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 robust at age 40 and is about to compete in her sixth (and her final?) World Cup this summer season. Canada’s iconic captain has seen her nationwide staff function change over time, and during the last couple of minutes has largely been used as a “false nine” as a part of an attacking trio up entrance. That function appears to get the very 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 enjoying between is the fascinating query. Presumably, Jordyn Huitema will line up on the correct facet 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 aim in her final 13 video games for Canada, and questions linger as as to if she is known as 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 enjoying time on mortgage with the Portland Thorns. But the veteran striker is an skilled campaigner at worldwide degree, and ranks third in scoring amongst all energetic gamers (and sixth total) with 28 targets.

Both Deanne Rose and Nichelle Prince ruptured their Achilles tendons final yr. Rose solely not too long ago returned to motion at membership degree, whereas Prince has but to play in a aggressive recreation since first getting injured. One can’t assist however marvel 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 possible be used as depth choices on the World Cup. The absence of Janine Beckie, who tore her ACL again in March, hurts Canada in a variety of methods. The Portland Thorns ahead is Canada’s fourth all-time main scorer (36 targets) and one of many staff’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 coated the sport for over 20 years for a number of media shops, together with Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is at the moment the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, an internet site devoted to in-depth protection of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer.  

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