The last time Canada played France, over 38,000 spectators were on hand in São Paulo’s Arena Corinthians during the 2016 Olympics. A Sophie Schmidt goal in the 56th minute propelled Canada into the semifinals, and the Reds went on to claim the bronze medal.
This time around, the stakes aren’t as high. Monday’s match in Rennes is just a friendly, but it does feature two of the world’s top teams, with Canada currently ranked fourth by FIFA. The French are ranked fifth.
Here’s a closer look at Canada vs. France throughout the years.
9 — Nine players on Canada’s roster are suiting up in the National Women’s Soccer League this season. Rebecca Quinn is the only rookie, and she has the distinction of being the highest selected Canadian in the history of the NWSL college draft (third overall by the Washington Spirit in 2018).
11 — Combined, 11 players from Canada and France are club teammates. Ashley Lawrence suits up for Paris Saint-Germain, while Kadeisha Buchanan is a member of Olympique Lyonnais. Last season, Christine Sinclair and Amandine Henry were teammates in Portland and captured the NWSL championship together. Henry has since returned home to France and is playing alongside Buchanan in Lyon.
12 — Sinclair is 12 goals shy of tying Abby Wambach’s record of 184 international goals. She edged closer last month scoring three times during the Algarve Cup in Portugal.
13 — Monday’s game at Roazhon Park in Rennes marks the 13th meeting between the two nations. Canada has a record of five wins, five losses and three draws against France dating back to 1995.
18 — In 168 appearances for Canada, Sophie Schmidt has found the back of the net on 18 occasions. Her first goal came against France during a 2005 friendly where the Canadians won 2-0. The midfielder was only 16 at the time and taking part in just her fourth match.
25.83 — Average age of the Canadian roster. There are three teenagers: Julia Grosso, Jordyn Huitema and Deanne Rose. Jessie Fleming recently graduated from the teen group, turning 20 in March.
50 — Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe is one appearance away from the 50-cap milestone. She first debuted for the senior team in 2008 and has earned 20 shutouts over her career. The 31-year-old recently embarked on a new journey by trying out for the men’s Premier Development League Calgary Foothills FC team. She’s already played an exhibition match and earned a clean sheet.
92 — In the 92nd minute on August 9, 2012, Diana Matheson scored Canada’s historic bronze-medal clinching goal versus France at City of Coventry Stadium. Goalkeeper Erin McLeod was brilliant, keeping a potent French offence at bay. Post-game, McLeod said, “Everybody put their body on the line for the [1-0] win against France.” Matheson’s last-minute winner and McLeod’s performance were just two of the many highlights of Canada’s showing at the 2012 London Olympics. The current roster features five members of that bronze medal team (Matheson, McLeod, Sinclair, Schmidt and Desiree Scott).
188 — The most experienced player on the French squad is defender Laura Georges. The 33-year-old has suited up in 188 matches for Les Bleus.
270 — Number of minutes Erin McLeod has played with her new professional club, FF USV Jena in the Frauen-Bundesliga. Sportsnet recently chatted with the veteran goalkeeper about her new German adventure and what it’s like returning to the Canadian fold after a serious knee injury.
2019 — France is hosting the next edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The 24-team tournament runs next summer across nine stadiums, including Roazhon Park — the setting of Monday’s game. The stadium will host a total of six World Cup matches, including a semifinal.
0 comments:
Post a Comment