Following a 3-0 loss to the United States in July, Canada’s women’s national soccer team is gearing up for international friendlies in Europe against Switzerland and the Netherlands. Coach Casey Stoney emphasized the importance of mental readiness, competition in training, and improving ball control as the team reconvenes.

“It’s about coming in, competing in training, making sure that we’re at the right mental levels, and being prepared to play against top opponents,” Stoney said. She described the defeat to the second-ranked Americans as “a reality check for everybody.”

Areas of Improvement Highlighted by Stoney

Stoney stressed that Canada must reduce unopposed turnovers, improve connections around the ball, and remain resilient during transitions. “We still want to be hard-working and hard to beat, but we need to be better with the ball,” she said. The coach also noted that strategic scheduling of opponents could better prepare Canada for matches against top-ranked teams.

Under Stoney, a former England captain, Canada has recorded six wins, two losses, and one draw, currently holding the ninth spot in the FIFA rankings.

Key Players Return, Young Talent Joins

The 24-player roster reflects a mix of experienced players and emerging talent. Defender Sydney Collins returns after overcoming multiple injuries. She fractured her ankle in February 2024 and later broke her left leg ahead of the 2024 Olympics, but has now resumed play with NWSL side Bay FC.

Goalkeeper Emily Burns, midfielder Florianne Jourde, and 17-year-old forward Kaylee Hunter receive their first senior team call-ups. Burns, currently with FC Nantes, has been recognized among the top goalkeepers in the French league. Jourde, a Canadian youth international, recently signed with Paris Saint-Germain after collegiate soccer at USC. Hunter, a prolific scorer for AFC Toronto, joins the squad in a key No. 10 role after her club declined to release her for the U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Stoney highlighted Hunter’s role in the team, noting the squad’s positional needs: “It was a great opportunity to bring her in and give her experience for the senior team.”

Returning Stars and Absences

Star forward Olivia Smith returns after missing the previous window due to injury. Meanwhile, several notable players remain sidelined: goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx (Juventus), defenders Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea) and Vanessa Gilles (Bayern Munich), and midfielder Simi Awujo (Manchester United). Buchanan, recovering from an ACL injury, has experienced a recent setback.

Midfielder Kayla Briggs and forward Annabelle Chukwu were unavailable for selection due to college commitments, while Ottawa Rapid’s D.B. Pridham, despite leading the Northern Super League in goals, was not included due to the league’s developing status compared with top professional leagues.

Squad Composition and Age Profile

The Canadian squad has an average age of 25.2 years, ranging from 17-year-old Hunter to 33-year-old Adriana Leon. Stoney’s selection emphasizes both experience and development, with players competing in top leagues such as the NWSL, European clubs, and youth leagues.

Goalkeepers: Sabrina D’Angelo, Kailen Sheridan, Emily Burns

Defenders: Ashley Lawrence, Shelina Zadorsky, Jade Rose, Sydney Collins, Gabrielle Carle, Jayde Riviere, Zara Chavoshi, Marie Levasseur

Midfielders: Jessie Fleming, Marie-Yasmine Alidou, Julia Grosso, Emma Regan, Florianne Jourde, Kaylee Hunter

Forwards: Jordyn Huitema, Adriana Leon, Nichelle Prince, Olivia Smith, Janine Sonis, Evelyne Viens, Holly Ward

Upcoming Fixtures and Historical Context

Canada will face No. 24 Switzerland on October 24 at the Swissporarena in Lucerne, followed by a match against No. 11 Netherlands on October 28 at Goffertstadion in Nijmegen. Historically, Canada has an unbeaten record against Switzerland in five meetings, including a 1-0 win at the 2015 Women’s World Cup round of 16. Against the Netherlands, Canada has lost only once in 14 matches, with the last encounter—a scoreless draw—occurring in March 2020 at the Tournoi de France.

The team is scheduled to face No. 8 Japan twice during the November FIFA window, offering further opportunities to test their progress and strengthen squad cohesion ahead of major tournaments.

Casey Stoney remains focused on improving the team’s technical execution and mental resilience. By blending veteran leadership with young, promising players, she aims to create a competitive squad capable of challenging the world’s top teams. Her approach balances immediate results with long-term player development, ensuring Canada continues to be a strong contender in women’s international soccer.