Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports
The Casey Stoney era of the Canada women’s national team hit a small speed bump on Tuesday when their unbeaten streak of 23 matches was snapped following a disjointed 1-0 loss to Argentina. Emphasis on the “small” bit. It was Canada’s first loss since Stoney’s appointment as head coach on January 13, bringing the record under Stoney to 3-1-1.
Canada has outscored their opponents 13-2 under Stoney. The competition hasn’t exactly been the stiffest, but given the morale around the program in the wake of last year’s drone scandal, you take the victories where you can get them.
The former San Diego Wave head coach has brought a refreshing no-nonsense approach to Canada. Players know where they stand with Stoney. There aren’t any mixed messages.
“She’s a straight shooter for sure,” Racing Louisville and Canada forward Janine Sonis (née Beckie) told The Equalizer in Vancouver. “She’s super professional, incredibly talented and very knowledgeable. I think it’s helpful when you have a coach that’s played at the same level that you’re playing at.
“She was a great player and had a very successful career. When you hear her speak and you listen to her teach you know that’s coming from experience. She makes the game really easy to understand which is a very special skill as a coach and one that I don’t think a lot of coaches have. We’re incredibly lucky to have her.”
Having a fresh set of eyes at the national team level and putting the drone scandal from the 2024 Paris Olympics in the rearview mirror is something Canada needed to do. Trust has been rebuilt. Players aren’t afraid to take chances, or make mistakes on the pitch. They are encouraged to play with the aggressiveness that Stoney wants to see and not be worried that a turnover is going to cost them playing time.
Canada is not playing on eggshells with Stoney at the helm.
“She’s very professional,” Portland Thorns and Canada midfielder Jessie Fleming told reporters in Vancouver following training earlier this month. “Very diligent, very clear in what she expects from us on the pitch and off the pitch. Straight forward.
“You respect her pretty quickly just by the career that she’s had as a player. The way that she talks to the group. The way that she works in the environment. She’ll tell us how it is, tell us straight, but it’s in a way that’s done with respect. You want to listen to her.”
Canada’s tactics have shifted with Stoney implementing more of an aggressive, attack-minded approach. Canada historically sat back, played strong defense and capitalized on scoring opportunities when opposition turned the ball over. This has significantly changed.
The Canadians want to dictate the match and play on the front foot by holding possession, attacking on the flanks with speed and using their height advantage to score off of set pieces. Canada was able to do that in the first half against Argentina in Vancouver. A Vanessa Gilles header off a set-piece led to Jade Rose pouncing on a rebound to score her first career goal. Adriana Leon helped make it two-nil in the first half on Friday when she attacked down the flank, took on pair of defenders and set up Nichelle Prince for a goal.
“We’re incredibly versatile in the way that we can play,” Sonis said. “We’ve played in literally every single formation possible. The core of our team is really used to playing in different structures. [Stoney has] come in and I think she’s chosen a structure that suits the skills of our players and allows for things on this team that people are really good at to shine.”
When Canada is playing to the best of their abilities they can compete with anyone. Defense has always been a source of strength for Canada. In Stoney’s first five matches with Canada, the team has conceded two goals.
At the other end of the pitch, scoring continues to be hit or miss. Canada’s conversion rate in the final third is inconsistent. On Tuesday night in Langford, British Columbia, Canada’s finishing against Argentina eluded them. Chance after chance was squandered as Canada was shutout at home. Tactically, Stoney knows there’s a lot more Canada can do to improve finishing their scoring chances.
“I think we had chances one on one that we did take,” Stoney said following the match. “I think it’s about being calm in those moments. Sometimes we’re getting into areas we can cross earlier and there’s space to attack rather than trying to get to the by-line and pick people out. Obviously it’s about getting the right numbers in and around the box. We’ve got to work on combination play and make sure that we can continue to do that in different areas. We’ve got to be able to change speed and tempo in the final third. When there’s less space, more bodies. It’s just a continuation of the work we need to do.”
Canada will potentially return to the pitch in the next international window which runs May 26 through June 3. Canada has yet to announce a match in that window. Canada will renew pleasantries with U.S. Soccer when the North American rivals meet on July 2 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
