Canada Soccer

The inaugural season kicks off April 16th with Calgary facing Vancouver.

Personally, I have to wait for April 27th, when AFC Toronto faces Ottawa Rapid FC.

Can't wait for kick-off!

It's the Whitecaps' fifth appearance in the Champions Cup and their first time facing Saprissa, the most successful club in Costa Rica, with 40 domestic titles.

In addition to qualifying, the CanM17 squad set a new record for most consecutive wins (6).

With the team having qualified for five of the last seven U17 World Cups, it's a good window into the growth of the game here in Canada.

Some lads to keep an eye on!

Noonan talks about player sales, CPL expansion, pro/rel, growth of League1, and a few other things.

Kelowna & Windsor are front runners for 2026 expansion, but Kingston is a strong possibility.

Is this community only for the national teams & news related to Canada Soccer (the organizing body), or should it also include CPL / NSL / L1Canada / MLS (Canadian Teams), and/or youth/grassroots soccer across the country?

I know some Canada Soccer communities (Reddit / FB) tend to be restrictive on that. I don't want to post news about non-national teams here if it isn't welcome, and I also don't necessarily want to create new communities if it is (why fracture an already small community?).

Embroiled in the Paris Olympic drone-spying scandal that has already cost Canadian women's head coach Bev Priestman her job, Herdman resigned Friday as coach of Toronto FC.

With the scandal not going away, Herdman opted to step aside rather than have the matter around his neck like an albatross.

Canada Soccer announced July 31 it had retained Sonia Regenbogen from the law firm of Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark to handle the review of the Olympic incident "and subsequently, any related matters of a historic nature."

A former Canada women's and men's coach, Herdman has been linked to a culture of spying within Canada Soccer. The fact that he did not speak to Regenbogen added fuel to the fire when the report finally came out.

Herdman declined to publicly address such allegations, citing the "integrity of the investigation." But he maintained his record was clean at the Olympics and World Cups.

The Netherlands defeated Canada 4-0 in a soccer friendly, with three of the goals scored in a 13-minute span during the second half. Jesse Marsch made his debut as Canada's head coach. The goals were scored by:

• Memphis Depay (50th minute)
• Jeremie Frimpong (57th minute)
• Wout Weghorst (63rd minute)
• Virgil van Dijk (83rd minute)

Canada started strong but struggled as the match progressed, with the Dutch dominating possession (61%) and outshooting Canada 20-6 (11-2 in shots on target). Alphonso Davies, making his debut as captain, played a key role but faced challenges defensively.

The Canadian lineup featured several changes from their last match and had an average age of 25. Despite the loss, Marsch emphasized that playing against top-tier teams like the Netherlands and France, whom they face next, is crucial for the team's growth and preparation for the 2026 World Cup.

Key defensive plays in the first half by Eustaquio, Johnston, and Cornelius prevented early Dutch goals, and a close shot by Larin marked Canada's best offensive effort. Canada is preparing for its Copa America campaign, while the Netherlands and France are gearing up for Euro 2024.

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher stopped three penalties and scored one herself to help the U.S. win a shootout after Canada rallied twice to tie it 2-2 after extra time in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup semifinals on a dramatic, soggy night in San Diego.

Lindsey Horan, Sophia Smith and Naeher scored from the spot for the second-ranked Americans. Quinn, who goes by one name, was the lone Canadian to score from the spot with Naeher denying Adriana Leon, Jordyn Huitema and Jessie Fleming.

American Korbin Albert sent her kick over the crossbar.

Canada came back twice with goals in the 82nd minute from Huitema and the 127th minute from Leon, also from the penalty spot.

Smith gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead with a 99th-minute goal. American Emily Sonnett pumped the ball forward and Rose Lavelle outjumped Canadian defenders Jade Rose and Vanessa Gilles to head it towards an unmarked Smith in the penalty box to hammer home.

Canada pressed in the dying moments and there was more late drama when Naeher took out Gilles as they both contested a high ball in the box, sending Mexican referee Katia Garcia to the pitchside monitor.

Garcia pointed to the penalty spot and Leon beat Naeher to tie it up for her sixth goal of the tournament

It had seemed like Canada's tournament would end in a 1-0 loss on a rain-drenched pitch at Snapdragon Stadium, thanks to teenager Jaedyn Shaw's 20th-minute goal.

But Huitema rescued Canada, heading home an Ashley Lawrence cross after some dogged work by Leon on the edge of the U.S. penalty box. It was Huitema's 21st goal in 78 appearance for Canada.

The Canadians kept coming and the U.S. was hanging on in second-half stoppage time.

Just moving the ball was an adventure, especially in the first half. Conditions improved as the rain subsided after halftime, which saw stadium workers use squeegees to reduce the surface water.

But the damage was done for Canada early as the 19-year-old Shaw became the first U.S. woman to score in her first four starts.

Canada Soccer announced today the 23 #CANWNT players that will represent our nation at the inaugural edition of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup, scheduled from 20 February to 10 March.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Bev Priestman, Canada’s journey at the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup will begin in Houston, Texas, where all three of their group stage matches will be played at Shell Energy Stadium. In Group C, Canada will face El Salvador or Guatemala on Thursday 22 February at 21:00 ET, Paraguay on Sunday 25 February at 17:00 ET, and Costa Rica on Wednesday 28 February at 18:00 ET. After the round-robin stage, the group winners, runners-up, and the two best third-place finishers will advance to the Quarterfinals, set to take place in Los Angeles, California.

CANADA’S SQUAD

Canada’s three goalkeepers for the tournament are Sabrina D’Angelo from Arsenal FC, Lysianne Proulx from Melbourne City, and Kailen Sheridan from San Diego Wave FC. ​

Defenders selected for this series are: ​ Kadeisha Buchanan from Chelsea FC, Gabrielle Carle from Washington Spirit, Sydney Collins from NC Courage, Vanessa Gilles from FCF Olympique Lyonnais, Ashley Lawrence from Chelsea FC, Jayde Riviere from Manchester United FC, Jade Rose from Harvard University, and Shelina Zadorsky from West Ham United FC. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Midfielders joining the team are: ​ Simi Awujo from University of Southern California, Jessie Fleming from Portland Thorns FC, Julia Grosso from Juventus FC, Quinn from Seattle Reign FC, and the versatile Olivia Smith from Sporting CP.

Rounding out the squad are forwards Jordyn Huitema from Seattle Reign FC, Cloé Lacasse from Arsenal FC, Clarissa Larisey from BK Häcken FF, Adriana Leon from Aston Villa WFC, Nichelle Prince from Kansas City Current, Deanne Rose from Leicester City FC, and Evelyne Viens from AS Roma. ​

The game was Canada's to lose, careless when playing out from the back, terrible hand ball call, substitutions didn't really make any impact. Copa American qualification still possible but we seem to always want to do things the hard way.

A sold-out crowd of 6,421 soccer fans in Halifax watched Canada defeat Brazil 2-0 in women's soccer at the Wanderers Grounds. Ashley Lawrence made a crucial cross to Jordyn Huitema for the first goal, and Deanne Rose scored the second. Goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo earned a shutout for Canada.

This match was the second of two friendlies between Canada and Brazil, with Brazil winning the first. Christine Sinclair, a Canadian soccer star, made a special appearance in this match. She is set to retire after two more games in her home province of B.C. Canada has officially qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Christine Sinclair, the iconic captain of Canada's women's soccer team, initially contemplated retirement after winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She continued to chase success at the World Cup but was disappointed by Canada's performance. Consequently, Sinclair has announced her retirement from international football at the end of the year.

Sinclair holds the record for the most international goals scored with 190 goals in 327 senior appearances. She plans to play one more season for the NWSL Portland Thorns. Sinclair will bid farewell to the national team by playing four more games in Canada.

Throughout her illustrious career, Sinclair has been a symbol of Canadian soccer, known for her consistent goal-scoring ability and dedication to the team. She is considering a coaching role after retiring.

Sinclair's career spanned several decades and included multiple Olympics, including a bronze medal in 2016. Her famous hat trick in the 2012 London semi-final against the United States remains an unforgettable moment in Canadian soccer history.

Despite challenges and evolving roles, Christine Sinclair leaves an enduring legacy in Canadian soccer.

Canada Soccer's Men's National Team Head Coach, John Herdman, has resigned from his position and will now take on the head coaching role with Toronto FC.

Herdman's departure marks the end of a remarkable tenure in Canadian soccer. During his time as head coach, he achieved significant milestones, such as leading the Women's National Team to consecutive Olympic bronze medals and guiding the Men's National Team to their first FIFA World Cup qualification in 36 years.

Charmaine Crooks, President of Canada Soccer, acknowledged Herdman's unparalleled contribution to Canadian soccer and wished him success in his new role with Toronto FC.

Herdman expressed his gratitude for the past 12 years and the connections he formed through various international events. Mauro Biello will serve as the interim Head Coach, with Herdman assisting in a seamless transition. The search for a new Men's National Team Head Coach will commence promptly.

Alongside Herdman's departure, Assistant Coaches Simon Eaddy and Eric Tenllado, Lead Scout Alex Dodgshon, and Head of Performance Dr. Cesar Meylan will also be leaving Canada Soccer, and they were recognized for their contributions.