Even coach Bev Priestman acknowledges the Canadian national team lost its way last year.
After disappointing 2023, defending Olympic champion Canada has steadied heading into Paris Games
Even coach Bev Priestman acknowledges the Canadian national team lost its way last year.
Two years after winning Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games, the Canadians were humbled by a poor performance at last summer’s Women’s World Cup. Canada failed to advance out of the group stage for the first time since 2011.
“Had an unbelievable 2021 and arguably 2022, of some really good runs. And for whatever reason, I think we know that we lost our way and I lost my way, I would say, in terms of my values and principles and being able to see the woods for the trees," said Priestman, who is now preparing her team for this year’s Olympics, where Canada begins play on July 25.
Canada was ranked by FIFA at No. 6 in the world going into the World Cup, then fell to No. 10 afterward.