1 BIG question each CanWNT star faces in NWSL this season

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The NWSL season kicks off on March 25, and there’s no shortage of homegrown talent.

15 Canadians are represented on 10 of the 12 teams in the league, with stars such as Jordyn Huitema (OL Reign) and Kailen Sheridan (San Diego Wave) looking to make an impact across the 22-game season.

Moreover, Christine Sinclair and Janine Beckie – two talented and experienced players – will look to defend their 2022 championship title with the Portland Thorns, while veteran Desiree Scott (KC Current) will look to build upon the record-breaking season she had last year.

What’s even more exciting is that the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is only a few months away. This is an opportunity for up-and-coming players including Gabrielle Carle (Washington Spirit) and Jordyn Listro (Orlando Pride) to demonstrate why they deserve a spot on Bev Priestman’s roster.

Read on for everything you need to know about Canadians in the NWSL ahead of the World Cup, and what they might need to do to represent Canada on the world’s stage this summer.

ANGEL CITY FC

Vanessa Gilles

Will Vanessa Gilles find the consistent playing time she needs before her loan expires ahead of the World Cup?

Last September, French giants Olympique Lyonnais scooped up the 27-year-old defender on a one-year loan from Angel City.

Since then, she’s impressed the club’s president Jean-Michel Aulas with her athleticism and technical ability, helping the squad record 10 clean sheets and only concede a single goal in 11 matches. It’s no wonder Aulas made a statement expressing his desire to keep Gilles at the end of the season.

Perhaps this declaration is a sign that the Ottawa native will record more minutes in Division 1 Féminine this year. Playing for one of the top female teams in the world will improve Gilles’ fitness and form ahead of the World Cup – something Priestman will be looking for.

Chicago Red Stars

Bianca St-Georges

Does her unique position as a high-flying right wing-back mesh with the CanWNT tactical approach, or does she have to adapt her club game to get Priestman’s attention?

After the pandemic and a series of injuries paused the beginning of her professional career, Bianca St-Georges is back to full form and has emerged as a trusted starter for the Chicago Red Stars.

The 25-year-old from Saint-Félix-de-Valois, Que. played in 15 matches and scored two goals for her club last season, and will look to continue the trend in 2023. She hopes more NWSL minutes will help her earn a place on the Canadian roster this summer, but her spot will have to be earned. However, the defender can create chances and is explosive up and down the flanks, which could put her in the running for a World Cup place.

Houston Dash

Allysha Chapman

How can Allysha Chapman compete against younger full-back players for a position in the starting XI this World Cup?

While the 34-year-old may be one of the older athletes on the Canadian squad, she’s showing no signs of slowing down. For example, the Oshawa native is an important player for the Dash, starting 14 games and helping to record six clean sheets in the 2022 season.

In order to get minutes during this year’s World Cup, Chapman will have to prove she can sustain her strength and endurance on the backline for the full 90 minutes. A strong start to the club season could be just the ticket. Additionally, her tenacity and fearlessness will be important to maintain if she wants to earn her spot as a starter this summer.

Devon Kerr

How can Devon Kerr fight for a starting position with the Dash and prove to Priestman why she deserves to join the national team?

Currently, Kerr is the backup keeper for Houston losing out Jane Campbell, who’s quick and commanding. However, the Toronto native is a hard worker and is dedicated to her craft – something that Priestman admires. In order to have a shot at making the World Cup squad, Kerr will have to prepare herself both physically and mentally, as if called upon she’ll have to be able to step up and perform at her best.

Nichelle Prince

Will Nichelle Prince be able to come back from her injury with her usual consistency and pace before the World Cup squad is named?

Last November, the 28-year-old ruptured her Achilles tendon in an international friendly versus Brazil. Since then, Canada’s seen other forwards or attacking midfielders rise to the occasion, such as Adriana Leon, Jessie Fleming and Janine Beckie. If she’s back on the grass in time, the Ajax-born striker will have to keep up with her usual productivity and ability to finish, which could be tricky after so much time off. However, if she shows Priestman she’s back in full form for the Dash, she could be an important player during Canada’s World Cup campaign.

Sophie Schmidt

As the World Cup is Sophie Schmidt’s last international competition, how can the veteran use her experience both with the Dash and Les Rouges to help lead Canada to World Cup success?

The midfielder is Canada’s second most capped player with 220 appearances. While her spot on the national team is pretty much solidified, the 34-year-old’s role has likely changed from a crafty starter to a trusted substitute. For Houston, we’ve seen Schmidt create chances and strike well all while providing her usual confidence and leadership. These qualities will bode well for Canada in latter parts of World Cup matches, as she can provide a sense of stability and energy off the bench.

Kansas City Current

Desiree Scott

How will Desiree Scott prove to Priestman that she can add value off the bench this World Cup?

Like Schmidt, Scott is a seasoned veteran who can use her passion and experience to re-energize her teammates when needed. As the heartbeat of the Current, the midfielder led her club to a record 13-match unbeaten streak last season, losing to the Portland Thorns in the NWSL final after finishing last overall in 2021.

Part of this dramatic success can be attributed to the 35-year-old’s infectious positivity and drive. If she can keep up these traits, combined with her ability to command and control play, she’ll be an integral member of the Canadian squad this summer.

North Carolina Courage

Sydney Collins

Just how good can Sydney Collins be for club and potentially for country?

Drafted eighth overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft out of the University of California – Berkley, Collins is an unknown quantity on this list as a rookie, but her college resume does offer a promising glimpse at what we can expect from her this year and beyond. She brings to NC Courage experience, having played 85 games (starting 84) over 5 years at the college level. She's also earned an invite to the CanWNT camp, but did also represent the USWNT at the U-17 and U-23 levels. So... we'll have to see if she's got what it takes, and if she'll don the red of Canada, too.

NJ/NY Gotham FC

Victoria Pickett

How can Victoria Pickett become more effective for Gotham this season, and will that be enough to catch the attention of Priestman ahead of the World Cup?

Despite being called up to the Canadian camp for the 2023 SheBelieves Cup, the 26-year-old didn’t make the final cut. She’s an exciting and smart player, but she has to compete with the likes of Jessie Fleming and Julia Grosso, who Priestman favours. Moreover, although the midfielder got more minutes in the 2022 NWSL season, she didn’t record any goals or assists. In order to come into the national team again, Pickett will have to have a focussed and productive start to the 2023 season and use her pace and mentality to make an immediate impact.

OL Reign

Jordyn Huitema

Will Jordyn Huitema’s inconsistency to score against top opponents be a problem when Priestman selects the starting XI this World Cup?

While Huitema will surely make this summer’s squad as she’s an important member to Les Rouges, the forward hasn’t necessarily showcased her ability at a high level. However, the Chilliwack native is young, and at only 21 she’s proven her ability and desire to be a fruitful member of the team. For Reign this season, Huitema will have to use her quick feet and height in the box to score goals. If she can prove to Priestman that she can be an attacking threat, she may get more minutes this World Cup.

Quinn

How can Quinn’s experience in both centre-back and midfield add dynamism to Canada’s tactical approach ahead of the World Cup?

While the 27-year-old is predominantly a midfielder now, Quinn’s defensive history has allowed them to disrupt the opposition’s attack and turn it into a scoring threat for Canada. As one of the most consistent players for Priestman, Quinn knows how to progress the ball and stay composed while maintaining possession. More minutes in the NWSL over the last few years has strengthened Quinn’s ball control and passing accuracy, which makes them an additional scoring threat as well – something that could come in handy this World Cup.

Orlando Pride

Jordyn Listro

How does Jordyn Listro need to adapt her club game to have a shot at making the World Cup roster amidst fierce competition?

The natural number six is in a tricky position as she has to compete with the Fleming/Grosso partnership, which is Priestman’s go-to. Even then, players like Quinn would likely get the call-up instead. However, the Toronto native’s best shot at making the squad is keeping up with her smart and simple play. While she is a solid and commanding player, she might not have much time before the tournament to impress Priestman. Performing consistently well for Orlando right off the bat could be her only hope.

Portland Thorns

Janine Beckie

What lessons does 2023 hold for Janine Beckie after suffering season-ending ACL injury?

The 28-year-old was set to be an important piece for both Portland and Canada this year, combining strength and speed to make a difference. Before the World Cup, it was vital for Beckie to get valuable minutes alongside captain Christine Sinclair – her Portland and Canadian teammate. Consistently playing together at the club level would have allowed Beckie to better understand how, where and when Sinclair likes the ball for attacking opportunities – and vice-versa. But, instead, Beckie will be using the year to recover from a serious knee injury, ruling her out for club and country.

Christine Sinclair

What will Christine Sinclair’s role be for Canada this World Cup – a commanding starter, or a game-changing substitute?

The Burnaby native has been a mainstay for her club and country over the course of her career, scoring a record number of goals and being the highest capped player. But while her knowledge of the game has grown the last couple years, the skipper’s ability to perform with pace and aggression for the full 90 minutes has perhaps regressed. However, the 39-year-old will be expecting to have a massive World Cup campaign as it’s likely the last of her career. It’s possible that Sinclair will be honoured with a position in the starting XI due to her leadership, experience and ability to create chances. It’s also likely that she could be brought in later in the match for stability. Perhaps how she performs at the beginning of the NWSL season will give hints as to where we’ll see Sinclair in Priestman’s squad this summer.

San Diego Wave

Kailen Sheridan

How can Kailen Sheridan build upon her explosive performance against Brazil in the 2023 SheBelieves Cup ahead of the World Cup?

In the wake of Labbe’s retirement, the 27-year-old became the starting keeper for Canada and has showcased her ability to make big saves time and time again. On the club side, Sheridan has been huge for San Diego last season, taking home the 2022 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award and only conceding 20 goals. If she continues to perform well under pressure and make solid goalkeeping decisions, she’ll have a bright future for both club and country and will no doubt make an impact during this summer’s World Cup.

Washington Spirit

Gabrielle Carle

How will Gabrielle Carle use her learnings from her time in Europe to make an impact for both club and country this year?

The Quebec native signed a two-year deal in December, moving her professional career from Sweden to the USA. While she was a regular starter for the Kristianstads, the 24-year-old felt she was a better fit for the NWSL and saw it as an opportunity to grow as a player and a person. In Europe, the defender improved her speed, determination and versatility, which she’ll use to make an immediate impression on the NWSL and to strengthen Washington’s backline – which will surely catch Priestman’s attention.