A pretty eventful month considering not much is going on with the team other than World Cup preparations. Here's a run down of what Big Red has been up to in March:
Cyprus Cup preparations begin
- March 2nd- Canada took on Scotland in their first match of the Cyprus Cup. Zurrer scored the winning goal giving Canada a 1-0 win.
- March 4th- Canada faced Carolina Morace's former team, Italy in their second match. Capturing the game winner for Canada was Mississauga's own Jonelle FIligno. Another 1-0 win for the red and white.
- March7th- Needing a win or draw to defend their title, Canada squared off against England and snagged a 2-0 win. Goals scored by Brittany Timko and Christine Sinclair.
- March 9th- Taking on Holland, Canada entered its fourth consecutive Cyprus Cup final. Playing under unpredictable weather, Filigno buried the ball in the back of the net on a Dutch miscue. Netherlands equalized on a rare Matheson mistake. In extra time Zurrer's "sick" goal captured Canada's third Cyprus title in four years.
Women's World Cup comes to Canada
- March 3rd- FIFA officially announced Canada home to the 2015 Women's World Cup.
- Canada was the lone remaining bid.
- Reportedly set to begin mid-June to mid-July.
- Tournament will expand from 16 to 24 teams and from 32 to 52 matches in 2015.
- Canada will also host FIFA women's U-20 tournament in 2014.
- Minimum six cities will stage matches. Edmonton, Halifax, Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver are potential host sites. (check out All White Kit's site for venue info http://www.allwhitekit.com/?p=5327#more-5327 )
- Toronto was a part of original bid but pulled out due to Pan American Games commitments set to begin July 10, 2015.
- Toronto still a potential host for U-20 tournament in 2014.
- Official host cities are expected to be announced late 2011 early 2012 after FIFA has conducted a series of reviews on potential venues.
Canada moves up in FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking
- March 18th- Previously ranked ninth, Canada moved up three spots to sixth in the world.
- Gained 54 points in a three month span, more than any other nation.
- Since the previous ranking, Canada has earned 8 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss.
- Canada isn't far behind the top 3 with only 148 points away from No. 1, USA.
WPS pre-season
- Three Canadians hit will the pitch for their Women's Pro Soccer club in 2011.
- Sinclair (Burnaby, BC), Chapman (Ajax, Ontario) and Kelly (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) have all signed with WNY Flash.
- Rumours lingered around that Sophie Schmidt denied to enter the WPS draft yet her name is listed under MagicJack's roster. Official rosters are set to e announced March 31st, so we will wait and and see.
CSA-Morace update
- Negotiations between the CSA and Morace continue to keep current head coach at least until the 2012 London Olympic Games.
- A proposal, including compensation for the women's team has been presented to Morace.
- When CSA president, Dominic Maestracci was asked on the relationship between the governing body and Morace, he responded "It's better."
- No details on what was proposed.
- Let the waiting game begin. Again.
Birthdays
- Also wanna wish Karina LeBlanc a happy birthday. 8 year vet of the team. Great role model and leader. 8 more years, Karina!
Right now the team is in Rome preparing for this summer's Women's World Cup in Germany. Camp includes 24 players and will run from March 23rd to April 20th. Asset player, Josee Belanger is missing from this camp due to an injured ankle. On the other hand, new names have been called up. Bryanna McCarthy, Chelsea Buckland and Brooke McCalla. The team is expected to play in a friendly versus Sweden on April 2nd. Kick off 12pm local time. Good luck!
Players at camp:
GK- Stephanie Labbé | SWE / Piteå IF
GK- Karina LeBlanc | USA / Unattached/ sans club
GK- Erin McLeod | USA / Unattached/ sans club
D- Melanie Booth | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
D- Candace Chapman | USA / Western New York Flash
D- Robyn Gayle | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
D- Bryanna McCarthy | CAN / Toronto Lady Lynx
D- Rhian Wilkinson | NOR / Lillestrøm SK Kvinner
D- Emily Zurrer | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
M- Chelsea Buckland | USA / Oregon State University
M- Kaylyn Kyle | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
M- Diana Matheson | NOR / Lillestrøm SK Kvinner
M- Brooke McCalla | CAN / Master’s Futbol Academy
M- Carmelina Moscato | Unattached / sans club
M- Marie-Eve Nault | CAN / Ottawa Fury
M- Sophie Schmidt | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
M- Desiree Scott | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
M- Brittany Timko | Unattached / sans club
F- Jonelle Filigno | USA / Rutgers University
F- Christina Julien | CAN / Ottawa Fury
F- Amélia Pietrangelo | CAN / Comètes de Laval
F- Jodi-Ann Robinson | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
F- Christine Sinclair | USA / Western New York Flash
F- Melissa Tancredi | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
*Update: Confirmed on MagicJack's roster, Sophie Schmidt will be joining Wambach and crew. 4 Canadians in the WPS now! Also, Belanger hurt her ankle in January. No confirmation weather she'll be joining the team in Rome. However, seeing her name missing from the list, I am assuming she is recovering.
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