CanWNT squad revealed ahead of international friendly against Spain

2024-10-16

Benedict Rhodes, CanPL.ca Contributor (@BTFR17)

The Canadian women’s national team squad for the upcoming friendly against World Cup champions Spain was revealed on Wednesday, as the team reconvenes for the first time since the Olympic Games in Paris this summer.

Canada won all three of their group games at the Olympics, including beating the hosts France on a goal from Vanessa Gilles in the 12th minute of stoppage time, but were knocked out in the quarterfinals by eventual bronze medallists Germany.

The squad looks the same as the Olympic team for the most part, with just three of the players who went to Paris not included this time around — Jayde Riviere, Desiree Scott, and Quinn, with Riviere and Quinn missing out unavailable for selection due to injury. Sydney Collins also misses out as she recovers from a fractured left leg, suffered in a pre-Olympics friendly in her first match back from fracturing her right leg in February.

Two players have been drafted into the team, forward Olivia Smith and midfielder Emma Regan.

Regan has three caps for Canada and was part of the setup for the Summer Send-Off Series, a pair of international friendlies against Mexico in June before the team left for the Olympics, but did not make the final squad. Smith, who was a surprise omission from the Olympic team, has enjoyed life at new club Liverpool — including scoring the club’s first-ever WSL goal at Anfield this past weekend.

Our first-ever WSL goal at Anfield 🙌

A brilliant strike from Olivia Smith in front of her family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UV3fVbEWGQ

— Liverpool FC Women (@LiverpoolFCW) October 14, 2024

Andy Spence, who took over coaching duties from Bev Priestman following her removal from the Olympic team after revelations that the team used a drone to gain a competitive advantage before and during the Olympics, will remain in charge of the team on an interim basis. Jen Herst and Neil Wood return to the coaching staff as well.

Katelyn Collar, head coach of Whitecaps FC Girls Elite, joins the staff as an interim technical assistant, Maryse Bard-Martel joins the staff as an interim performance analyst, and national team legend Diana Matheson joins the staff in an interim team support role.

Canada will take on Spain on Friday, October 25 at Estadio Francisco de la Hera. It will be the fourth meeting between the two nations, with the most recent one being a 1-0 Spanish win at the Arnold Clark Cup in February 2022. The match will be available to watch live on OneSoccer.

Full Canada roster: