Canada's Soccer Team Battles Setbacks and Renewal for Olympic Quest

Following a disappointing performance in last year's Women's World Cup, the Canadian national soccer team is prepping for the 2024 Olympics. Coach Bev Priestman admits the team lost its way but is now focused on rebuilding. Challenges include a simmering labor dispute and key player retirements, but new talents are stepping up.

Even coach Bev Priestman acknowledges the Canadian national team lost its way last year.

Two years after a triumphant Olympic gold win in Tokyo, the Canadians faced a tough setback at the Women’s World Cup, failing to advance past the group stage for the first time since 2011. Ranked No. 6 by FIFA, Canada dropped to No. 10 after the tournament.

Amid a complex backdrop of ongoing labor disputes with Canada Soccer, the team managed temporary compensation deals for 2022 and the World Cup, but tensions escalated to a $40 million lawsuit accusing board members of negligence.

Complicating matters further, the women demand equal pay to the men's team, similar to the U.S. women’s team’s 2022 agreement, while Canada's men also lack a labor contract. Priestman admits last year's turmoil and takes responsibility for the team's on-field struggles. “I think the biggest thing is, we played it safe. I played it safe,” said Priestman.

Captain Jessie Fleming echoed the sentiment, acknowledging dissatisfaction with their World Cup performance. Yet, since September, Canada has bounced back, suffering only one regulation loss. Key changes include the retirement of Christine Sinclair, the top international career scorer, and veteran Sophie Schmidt stepping down.

Younger talents like Fleming, Jordyn Huitema, and Julia Grosso are stepping up, with the Olympic roster deadline looming on July 3. The team faces a tough Olympic challenge, starting against No. 28 New Zealand on July 25, then No. 3 France, and No. 23 Colombia. “When you stood on the sideline, I think you see things in these players that — listen, we might win, we might lose. But there’s values out there of never say die, of being a good teammate,” Priestman said. “These are all things that are in the DNA of this squad.”