In the wake of tensions gripping Canada football, Bev Priestman side kick off their 2023 SheBelieves Cup with a date against rivals USA at 7 p.m. ET at Exploria Stadium.
With more focus put on off field issues than those on it, CanWNT players seem intent on driving their message home with players turning up for for their training session wearing their training tops inside out. Veteran Sophie Schmidt took to Twitter to state their standpoint insisting that they were still playing for the badge but just that their “federation was letting them down.”
“The crest is over our heart. We are so proud & honoured to play for Canada but right now we feel as though our federation has let us down. That’s the reason why we have it the other way around. We know Canadians are behind us, support us & can understand that,” Schmidt.
On the field of play, focus is on giving more players a chance to impress as they look to give coach Priestman more option for future assignments. Notable absentees in Desiree Scott and Nichelle Prince have given coach Priestman a chance to have a look at new faces in Simi Awujo and Jenna Hellstrom, who aim to make the final roster for this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The off-field turmoil tormenting Canada and the on-field stability characterizing the USA camp seem to place the later as early favorites to grab maximum points in this match-up.
