Priestman had to make some tough decisions in choosing roster to defend women's soccer gold
National team coach believes 18 players have balance
When the roster dropped for Canada's soccer team on July 1, it came with a sense of anticipation.
As Canada, the reigning Olympics champions, head back to defend their title, there are nerves, excitement, and confidence among the players. But the reaction from Canadian fans and some in the soccer community is more tense.
Now, there will always be chirping about any roster and opinions from the interwebs that flow along with them. Everybody is an expert, right?
Asking questions and getting answers is part of the process ahead of any major tournament and that's exactly what media calls are for. Professionals in the space study the roster and ask about the composition of the team, the process of selection and even how some players who did not make it took the news.
Canada opens its Olympic tournament Thursday July 25 at 11 a.m ET against New Zealand. Watch it live here:
In a call with coach Bev Priestman after the roster was revealed, there were queries about players' injuries and updates plus insight into those selected.
Priestman confirmed "it did come right down to the wire" for players like Sydney Collins, Nichelle Prince and Quinn who had been injured earlier this year.
WATCH | Priestman offers insight into team's approach ahead of Paris 2024:
When the roster was announced on television, Priestman said that she had to pick "the best team — not the best players." I thought about that a lot.
"Balancing positional needs are in the system that we play and a couple of components is pace in the number nine role. It came right to the wire," she said later.
Let's be clear that Priestman doesn't have to explain herself. She's the boss and she makes the decisions. Priestman is the head coach of the program for a reason. She has witnessed historic ups and some deep downs.
It's up to her expertise to put together a squad that she best feels can represent Canada and get the job done. That job is defending the Olympic title. Priestman has talked before about the new system in which they play, how the players have adapted and there is confidence and camaraderie among the squad.
Priestman explained the way that the players were assessed and all the factors required to consider them.
"Everyone on this call might have selected a different 18," she replied. "It's a complex way of working through the games and what you might see. It was different and the principle of picking the right team and the right balance of team. I know when we've looked good in this shape and when we haven't."
One might argue that having too many excellent players for the Olympics roster is not a bad problem for Canada Soccer to have — particularly young ones. This despite a report last year that said youth development for girls' soccer in Canada has not been flourishing.
After an abysmal result at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia, Canada's most storied soccer player, Christine Sinclair said, "I think more of it is like a wake-up call for our federation — the lack of a professional league, the lack of support for our youth national teams."
The good news is that Canada's professional women's team, Northern Super League, is set to kick-off in April 2025.
WATCH | Diana Matheson explains origin of Northern Soccer League:
It's been a time of excitement and possibility for many young players. My daughter plays on a U Sports team and said the chatter among the young women she plays with about the potential of playing in the league is very real. It's not an option they've had before. It makes them dream bigger.
But all this enthusiasm doesn't mean that there won't be a sense of turmoil or any emotional response from fans. Women's sport expects that. It wants and requires that.
Canadians need to be dialled into women's sports and after a year that has seen some of the most exciting advances for professional women's sport in Canada with the first incredibly successful PWHL season that began in January, the development and launch of the NSL, and recently announced WNBA expansion team coming to Toronto in May 2026.
In all, that brings us to this moment. A lot of eyes will be on this team, their coach and arguably their result.
Priestman is not shy about needing to pick the best set of players that can have the most expertise, experience for this kind of tournament, and work with a very demanding schedule.
WATCH | Priestman optimistic ahead of Olympic title defence:
Canada has preliminary matches on July 13 against Australia and July 17 against Nigeria.
The Olympic competition begins July 25 against New Zealand then they face Colombia and France.
I wouldn't say this is a 'Group of Death' – that would be Group C with Spain, Brazil and Japan. And I think Canada will do well against New Zealand and has to be very deliberate about playing Colombia, whom they have not played against since before the 2012 London Olympics.
Part of that atmosphere is tradition and something as consistent as a meal tradition. Quite a few of the players I spoke with – including Jade Rose, Janine Beckie, Deanne Rose, Adriana Leon, Jayde Riviere, and Simi Awujo – all confirmed they are excited about the traditional pancake and maple syrup breakfast.
I also asked them what word they would use to describe going to the Paris Olympics. An overwhelming majority said "excited."
Priestman said the same.
She was measured and transparent about the work that is being done, and what the expectations are. What more can she do? What we can do is decide to trust in her, support the team and hope their best days are on the pitch against the toughest competition.
As for those who are stressed and anxious about the team clad in red and white, I can only advise that they keep calm and drink maple syrup.
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