With a paucity of meaningful competition, the United States Women’s National Team has played an ambitious friendly slate, most recently defeating Ireland twice (4-0, 4-0). The summer grind continues, with Emma Hayes leading her side against Canada in the Allstate Continental Clásico, renewing the rivalry for the first time in over a year. Amid some turnover, the 2020 Olympic gold medalists have performed to the expected standard but failed to recapture those same soaring heights or claim another competitive tournament title. Washington, D.C.’s Audi Field – a 20,000-seat soccer-specific stadium located in the Buzzard Point neighborhood with a recently installed Bermuda grass surface – hosts the fixture.
This is the 67th all-time meeting between the two programs, with the USWNT holding a 53-4-9 advantage and claiming the most recent rendezvous in a shootout in the final of the 2024 SheBelieves Cup (2-2 [5-4]). Ranked eighth internationally by FIFA, Canada opened the year by winning the Pinatar Cup in Spain, drawing with China (1-1), topping Mexico (2-0), and defeating Chinese Taipei (7-0). Recent friendly results include a split with Argentina (3-0, 0-1), two victories over Haiti (4-1, 3-1), and a win against Costa Rica (4-1).
Following the suspension and subsequent firing of Bev Priestman, the Canadian Soccer Association appointed Casey Stoney to the manager role in January, signing her to a “three-year deal that runs through the next World Cup with an option for 2028.” The retired defender earned 130 caps with England before entering the technical box, working at Chelsea, Manchester United, and San Diego Wave, being let go from the third position in June of 2024 in the midst of a seven-match losing streak. She is seeking to “change the mentality” of the program while also “widening the playing pool,” noting that the depth chart “hasn’t been great.”
Stoney named a 23-player roster for the friendlies against Costa Rica and the USWNT. Lysianne Proulx withdrew due to “a shoulder injury” and was replaced by Noelle Henning. Two of the call-ups compete in the domestic Northern Super League, while 10 are on the books in the National Women’s Soccer League and eight are at various European clubs. Notable exclusions “due to injury” include Kadeisha Buchanan, Sydney Collins, Cloé Lacasse, Jayde Riviere, and Olivia Smith, with Quinn, Deanna Rose, and Bianca St-Georges also absent. Desiree Scott retired from the international game following the matches against Haiti.
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GOALKEEPERS (3): Kailen Sheridan (San Diego Wave), Sabrina D’Angelo (Aston Villa), Noelle Henning (Michigan State)
DEFENDERS (7): Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea), Shelina Zadorsky (West Ham United), Gabrielle Carle (Washington Spirit), Vanessa Gilles (Bayern Munich), Jade Rose (Manchester City), Marie Levasseur (Montpellier), Zara Chavoshi (Orlando Pride)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Jessie Fleming (Portland Thorns), Julia Grosso (Chicago Red Stars), Simi Awujo (Manchester United), Marie-Yasmine Alidou (Portland Thorns), Emma Regan (AFC Toronto), Kayla Briggs (Michigan State Spartans)
FORWARDS (7): Adriana Leon (San Diego Wave), Janine Sonis (Racing Louisville), Nichelle Prince (Kansas City Current), Jordyn Huitema (Seattle Reign) Evelyne Viens (Roma), Holly Ward (Vancouver Rise), Annabelle Chukwu (Notre Dame Fighting Irish)
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Since taking over, Stoney has mainly deployed her squad in a 4-4-2 formation, building through the flanks with overlapping runs. The new tactics are an “aggressive, attacking-minded approach” with a desire to “dictate the match and play on the front foot” as opposed to “sitting back and capitalizing on [turnovers].” With more reliance on the press, there is a balance between “getting to the final third in quick and direct fashion” but without “rushing” or “forcing long balls.”
For now, Kailen Sheridan is the presumed number one for Canada, continuing to play under her former club manager and providing a high level of influence during the build-up phase with her excellent distribution. She is a composed and athletic shot stopper with quick reflexes that enable her to cover the frame with ease and solid hands that typically avoid surrendering ugly rebounds. However, Sabrina D’Angelo has also been making several appearances and could receive a chance to be the starter, getting regular minutes at the club level after two seasons as a back-up with Arsenal. The 32-year-old Aston Villa goalkeeper is active in coming off of her line with the ability to handle the chaotic moments, whether forced into improvisation or double saves.
West Ham United’s Shelina Zadorsky is praised for “her confidence on the pitch and ability to build an attack from the backline,” providing “technical ability on the ball” and shrewd decision-making. In addition to her physical defending that prevents turns and inroads from wingers, she can also make a massive impact in the attacking third, particularly when out-jumping opponents for set pieces. Vanessa Gilles was named Canada Soccer’s 2024 Player of the Year after scoring twice during the Olympic Games while racking up three consecutive Première Ligue titles with Lyon. The impactful Québécois embodies old-school ethos by regularly distributing perfect tackles and shoulder challenges, bullying attackers, and also dominating in the air with constant headed clearances. Despite her senior international debut coming in 2021, Jade Rose has yet to make a professional appearance, having spent her entire collegiate career at Harvard and earning First Team All-Ivy League in all four seasons; however, with a recent four-year deal at Manchester City, her “pace, strength, tough tackling, and composure” will soon be on display in a top competition. Her athleticism and aptitude on the ball enable her to move forward and add an additional body in advanced areas, which can be useful when withstanding and beating the first line of the opponent’s press.
The Washington Spirit’s Gabrielle Carle is a versatile option who pushes up and down the touchline, whether playing the key pass in the final third or making a crucial stop to shut down a transition. She can beat opponents off the dribble, avoiding the initial pressure before turning up the field and progressing, oftentimes breaking toward the center. Ashley Lawrence can be deployed at a variety of positions but does her best work at fullback due to her “speed and comfort on the ball,” which have seen her adapt seamlessly to Chelsea. Total Football Analysis describes her “[transformation] into a winger when advancing,” excellent distribution, and utilization of “physical strength in an efficient way to take advantage of opponents.” Marie Levasseur of Montpellier contributed two goals and three assists last season in France while also registering regular defensive actions and winning her fair share of aerial duels. The 28-year-old Québécois has excellent pace and can break out into the counter with endless cutback moves and a feel for distribution and finding teammates in the box.
Jessie Fleming remains a key player for Canada well into her second decade as a senior international, displaying “a knack for running long distances at high intensities” and “moving into spaces at the perfect moment.” The 27-year-old Portland Timbers box-to-box midfielder is an “Energizer bunny that never stops working” with a high number of tackles per match and a constant desire to drive at opponents. The Chicago Stars’ Julia Grosso can fit into a defensive or attacking role and “plays an important [part] in progressing the ball toward the opponent’s goal,” displaying “control in small spaces.” Coaches praise her for wanting to be in the driver’s seat and “understanding the tempo of the game,” reading the situation and determining whether to push forward or reduce the intensity. Emma Regan has seen her international standing rise over the past year and made an ambitious move from HB Køge to the newly established Northern Super League side AFC Toronto. She can hit curling shots from distance with her left foot but also line up on defense with a “versatile, technically gifted, and aggressive nature” that enables her to “anticipate on and off the ball” and “create plays.”
Janine Sonis, née Beckie, of Racing Louisville has excellent long-range distribution with a pinpoint pass to a streaking forward or an early cross into the box. She can provide the necessary dynamism on the outside of the formation with aggressive running, cuts inside on the transition, and the occasional searching shot from distance. After making her senior international debut in 2022, Marie-Yasmine “Mimi” Alidou emerged as a key player over the past year, with Soccer Wizdom noting her “close ball control, defensive hard work, and great vision.” The 30-year-old Portland Thorns winger glides around the field and can finish in bunches while also helping to “control the central third” and step into a playmaker role. Vancouver Rise’s Holly Ward is in her first season of professional soccer after a four-year career at the University of Texas, including nine goals and eight assists as a senior, and reached another milestone with her first international finish against Haiti. Whether making grinding physical runs on the edge or cutting inward to finish off a cross, her constant buzzing around the area helps to force the issue and give headaches to the opponent. There is also Kayla Briggs, who transferred from Providence College to Michigan State University and made her debut earlier this year against Argentina, earning praise for her performance. Observers note her recent emergence with dynamic solo progression, fearlessness and confidence when running at defenders, and advantageous pace that puts her in scoring positions and “reinvigorates” a stale attack.
While not always the most productive presence, Nichelle Prince has an intuitive ability to open up space for herself and teammates with crafty off-ball movement, helping to “develop scoring opportunities.” The 30-year-old Kansas City Current forward is equally comfortable in the center or on the wings, operating with tight dribbles through traffic or breaking out into empty space on the counter. The San Diego Wave’s Adriana Leon is a “dynamic attacking presence and proven playmaker with technical quality, creativity, and relentless work ethic,” scoring 44 goals for Canada. She weaves through opponents with speed and guile, plays intelligent and inventive passes to teammates, and possesses a powerful strike that enables her to score from outside of the box. Jordyn Huitema of the Seattle Reign is still trying to hit that next level and deliver on her early promise, with steady but somewhat underwhelming production for club and country. Nevertheless, the still-young attacker is considered the future of the program, with a “high ceiling” and a tireless work rate that includes pressing, forcing of turnovers, and successful aerial duels.
The USWNT has endeavored to play a crowded schedule in order to prepare for the future, with new introductions to the squad and different tactical quirks. Canada can provide another test, as the programs have a long history of hard-fought battles, regardless of whether the match is competitive or a friendly. The hosts should claim the result, but there is unlikely to be any great celebration or soul-searching regardless of the final scoreline.
The match is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2nd at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, 4:30 p.m. Pacific. Viewing options include TNT, truTV, Max, Universo, Peacock, and FUBO TV (free trial).
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