Canada hopes to become only the second side to win the Gold for back-to-back times at the Olympics in their fifth appearance. Winning the Tokyo Olympics was historical for the Canucks but the underperformance in the 2023 Women’s World dimmed a lot of lights of that glory. The team suffered a humiliating 4-0 loss to co-hosts Australia to exit from the group stages putting Bev Priestman under pressure. However, the manager stayed in her role and managed to produce optimism.
After securing qualification for the Paris Olympics 2024, Canada has lost just one game and conceded only six goals. It seems the side is clicking with Priestman’s solidity once again while the problem with scoring is also looking to end as they have not failed to score since October last year. The team hopes to keep the positive momentum going with their Olympics-winning squad which will be required to escape from Group A containing New Zealand, tricky Colombia and host France.
History
Canada is the defending Gold medalist after finally reaching the end of the line at Tokyo following consecutive Bronze medal campaigns. The defensive solidity of the Canucks was the real factor behind their success in the 2020 edition played in 2021 without losing a game. Qualifying with Great Britain in their group, Canada edged out Brazil on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes in the quarterfinals before upsetting record winners the USA in the semis with a 75th-minute spot-kick goal from Jessie Fleming in the 1-0 win. Bev Priestman’s side beat another heavyweight in Sweden again from the spot 3-2 in the showpiece following a 1-1 draw.
Qualification for Olympics 2024
Canada had to come through the playoffs to qualify for the Paris Olympics after finishing as runners-up in the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Championship. The side beat Jamaica in the semifinals of that tournament, an opponent they faced again in the double-legged playoffs. Winning the first leg away by 2-0, Canada went behind Drew Spence’s goal past the half-hour mark but made a swift comeback for a 2-1 win (4-1 on aggregate) with Cloe Lacasse equalising before the break and Jordyn Huitema scoring the winner just five minutes into the second half.
Canada Squad for Olympics 2024
Goalkeepers: Kailen Sheridan (San Diego Wave), Sabrina D'Angelo (Arsenal)
Defenders: Sydney Collins (North Carolina Courage), Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea), Jayde Riviere (Manchester United), Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea), Jade Rose (Harvard Crimson), Vanessa Gilles (Lyon)
Midfielders: Quinn (Seattle Reign), Julia Grosso (Chicago Red Stars), Simi Awujo (USC Trojans), Jessie Fleming (Portland Thorns)
Forwards: Evelyne Viens (Roma), Cloé Lacasse (Arsenal), Jordyn Huitema (Seattle Reign), Adriana Leon (Aston Villa), Nichelle Prince (Kansas City Current), Janine Beckie (Portland Thorns)
Alternate: Lysianne Proulx (Bay FC), Shelina Zadorsky (West Ham), Gabrielle Carle (Washington Spirit), Deanne Rose (Leicester City)
Captain: Jessie Fleming
Head Coach: Bev Priestman
13 out of the 18-team roster for the 2024 Olympics won the Gold medal in the last edition, while captain Jessie Fleming, alongside Janine Beckie, Kadeisha Buchanan, Ashley Lawrence, Nichelle Prince, and Quinn are participating in their third consecutive Olympics. The squad is filled with experience but has four players making their debut in the tournament Simi Awujo, Sydney Collins, Cloé Lacasse and Jade Rose. The forward line looks much more measured than the Women’s World Cup whereas going to a back three is the best decision Priestman has taken in the build-up to the Olympics
How will Canada lineup at the Olympics 2024?
Canada Fixtures for the Olympics 2024
Thursday, 25 July 2024
Canada vs New Zealand - Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint Étienne (20:30)
Monday, 29 July 2024
France vs Canada - Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint Étienne (00:30)
Thursday, 1 August 2024
Colombia vs Canada - Stade de Nice, Nice (00:30)
Prediction
Provided France is strong enough to grab the top spot in the group, the fight for second place is certainly between Canada and Colombia although two best-third place teams will also progress to the quarterfinals. The Canucks will want to finish in the top two of their group and they are favourites to do so despite Las Cafeteras’ mind-blowing run to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup last year. However, finishing second will ensure them a clash against Japan or Brazil in the next round if Spain fails to win Group C. The team’s challenge will be to maintain solidity against these highly technical sides which might hinder their progress into the competition.
