GANGUE-RUZIC: How W Gold Cup informs Bev Priestman's 18-player CanWNT squad for Paris 2024
After a bright start, the CanWNT’s inaugural W Gold Cup campaign came to a frustrating end on Wednesday, as they fell on penalties to the United States on a flooded pitch at San Diego’s Snapdragon Field.
Following heavy rain that made the field nearly unplayable from the start of the game, both teams persisted and combined for an entertaining clash, one that saw the US narrowly win 3-1 on penalties after the game finished 2-2 through extra time.
Despite the result, Canada will be pleased with the fight that they showed in the game, however, doing well to come back from down a goal twice, responding to a 20th-minute opening goal from Jaedyn Shaw with an 82nd-minute goal from Jordyn Huitema, before cancelling out a 99th-minute Sophia Smith extra-time goal with a dramatic 127th-minute Adriana Leon penalty.
That’s an anti-climactic way to end that, as 🇨🇦 converts just 1 of 4 PKs to lose 3-1 after drawing 2-2 in ET
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) March 7, 2024
Overall, though, great fight from this #CanWNT/#CanXNT team, even if that game felt like a waste given that we really weren’t able to learn much from it
Yet, that wasn’t enough for them to win in the end, leaving them to end their Gold Cup journey earlier than they would’ve hoped. After they’d looked like a favourite to win it all, given that they’d cruised through the group stage and quarter-finals by outscoring opponents 14-0 along the way, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Now, however, they must take what they learned and apply it to what awaits them, as they now get set to tackle the She Believes Cup in April, which along with to-be-determined friendly windows in late May and in July, will serve as their final preparations for the Olympics later this summer.
And at the moment, that’s the next big task that awaits this team. Of course, they were also using this Gold Cup as a chance to prepare for the Olympics, but with a trophy on the line, they split their focus between those two tasks.
With this Gold Cup over, it’s now full steam ahead into Olympics preparation, however, as Bev Priestman continues to figure out what her 18-player team might look like for that tournament in Paris later this summer.
So with that in mind, here’s a look at what the race toward Olympic spots looks like after this Gold Cup, giving an idea of what to watch over the next three windows as Priestman gets set to put the final touches on her roster.
Locks:
Kailen Sheridan, Sabrina D’Angelo, Kadeisha Buchanan, Vanessa Gilles, Ashley Lawrence, Jessie Fleming, Quinn, Adriana Leon, Nichelle Prince, Cloé Lacasse
Up first, there are those who are all but guaranteed to be at the Olympics, assuming all goes as planned between now and late July. All key pieces in Bev Priestman’s new-look 3-4-2-1, it’ll be hard to imagine these 10 names missing out, as they represent the core of this new set-up, and should be locks to be among the two goalkeepers and 16 outfielders that Priestman can pick.
In goal, there’s not much debate about the two goalkeepers that Priestman will select this summer - Kailen Sheridan has been excellent as Canada’s #1 goalkeeper and is expected to carry the load in Paris, while Sabrina D’Angelo has been an excellent backup. There is some debate whether or not D’Angelo could supplant Sheridan, as her ball-playing skills make her a fit to start in Priestman’s 3-4-2-1, but even if that happens, these two will remain in the Olympic squad.
WHAT A SAVE 🧤
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) March 3, 2024
Kailen Sheridan comes up HUGE for the #CanWNT to prevent a late goal by Costa Rica, with this game inching toward the final whistle of regular time 👀
Can Canada find a goal in these dying moments? pic.twitter.com/l3ARFvkYB0
Then, at centre back, the two certainties are Kadeisha Buchanan and Vanessa Gilles, as Canada’s two rocks at the back from the 2021 Olympics will stick together this summer. Having adjusted well to the formation switch, with Gilles doing well in the middle of the back three, and Buchanan able to play on both sides, the bigger question will be who ends up joining them as this tournament goes along, as these two have been rocks for Priestman.
Moving up the pitch, Ashley Lawrence is a lock at wing back, as she’s continued to shine in this new formation thanks to the offensive freedom she’s been given. As a result, she’s generated five assists in 11 games since the formation change, all while remaining a responsible figure defensively, proving to be a tailor-made fit for this new set-up.
Shifting to the middle, Jessie Fleming and Quinn are the locks there, as the pair have been relied upon heavily to carry the load in the middle. From Fleming’s ability to cover ground and impact the game in the final third, to Quinn’s defensive ability and ball progression from deep areas, they complement each other quite nicely, bringing the balance Canada needs in midfield to make this formation tick.
Then, up front, the preferred front three appear to be Adriana Leon, Nichelle Prince and Cloé Lacasse, who have formed a nice trio in recent games. With Prince leading the way as a #9, and Leon and Lacasse playing just off of her as inverted wingers, the mix of Lacasse’s speed and 1v1 ability, Prince’s all-around game and Leon’s scoring ability has made them a nice fit together, making them Priestman’s preferred attacking trio. 
Virtually certain:
Jade Rose, Shelina Zadorsky, Jayde Riviere, Julia Grosso, Jordyn Huitema
Up next, however, is a group of those who are all but certain to make it to Paris, but haven’t quite fully nailed on their starting spots, for whatever reason.
To start, there are centre backs Jade Rose and Shelina Zadorksy, who could both play starting roles in Paris, as each has proven to complement the pair of Buchanan and Gilles quite nicely in different ways. From Rose’s ball-playing skills and athletic ability to Zadorsky’s passing and aerial ability, they’ve been able to give Priestman different looks at the back, with Rose thriving in wide-open games where Canada’s needed speed, while Zadorsky brought calm in games where Canada’s sat a bit deeper.
Because of that, it seems like Priestman will bring both to Paris, allowing her to use them as matchup options. Of course, she might choose to bring just one, as it could be a lot to use four out of 16 outfield spots on centre backs, but given that Canada’s playing a back three, that extra depth could be useful, especially since Rose can also play full back, giving them versatility elsewhere.
Meanwhile, at full back, despite not getting much time in this 3-4-2-1, it would be a big surprise not to see Jayde Riviere at these Olympics, as she remains a key piece on this team. The only thing that has slowed her down, and could put her at risk of missing out, is injuries, as she’s missed out on two of the last four camps with various knocks.
Heading into the Olympics, that’s worth noting, as the smaller squad puts an emphasis on needing players completely and healthy fit, with players needing to be ready to handle tough conditions, short turnarounds between games and more. For what it’s worth, Riviere hasn’t dealt with any major injuries as of late, so it’s expected she’s fit and ready to go for Paris, but that’s something to monitor.
Then, in midfield, expect 2021 gold medal hero Julia Grosso to be at the Olympics, even if her role within this new system seems uncertain. Despite having become a backup midfielder in Priestman’s 3-4-2-1, it feels like she could still have the potential to be a very useful piece at the Olympics, as she can be a very useful piece off the bench, and could very well still become a starter in this formation once she figures things out.
Lastly, Jordyn Huitema should be one of the forwards on this squad, as she’s found a fit in this new system, scoring five goals in the 11 games since the switch after scoring just three since the start of 2021. Plus, she’s starting to score in big games, too, which has been a criticism she’s seen in the past, as seen in this tournament when she scored a commanding header in that semi-final against the US.
GOAL 🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) March 7, 2024
JORDYN HUITEMA.#CANWNT 1-1 #USWNT.
Game. On.
🔴 Watch LIVE on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/U0Cj0VJkn4
So while there have also been games where Huitema’s struggled to impose herself, she’s found more consistency in her performances, which should make her a key piece in Paris. 
Knocking on the door:
Sydney Collins, Gabrielle Carle, Simi Awujo, Olivia Smith, Clarissa Larisey
Now, however, is where things get interesting, as these are the players who are currently making the biggest push for spots at the bottom of the roster.
To begin, there’s the logjam at full back, where Sydney Collins and Gabrielle Carle have put up an excellent battle over the last few months.
First, Collins got an early head start in this race, shining over the last three windows of 2023, as she was an immediate fit at left wing back in the 3-4-2-1 after being asked to fill in for an injured Riviere last September. As a result, she continued to get looks there even with Riviere's return, shining with her ability to get up and down the pitch, showing a strong tactical understanding of what’s needed in that role.
But she suffered a big blow heading into this Gold Cup, as she fractured her ankle in the pre-tournament camp, and that’s where Gabrielle Carle stepped up, earning a big look at left wing back in this camp. And to her credit, she shone in that audition, playing in all five games, starting four of them, including both knockout matches, doing well with her ability to defend and progress the ball.
Because of that, it’ll be interesting to see what happens at that wing back position, as it feels like Riviere, Carle and Collins could all have good claims to be in the squad, with the final decision coming down to injuries (for Riviere and Collins), fit (Priestman could choose left wing backs Collins and Carle over Riviere since she’s more naturally a right wing back), or how their respective form looks over the next few months. Safe to say, it’s a tough decision.
Moving up the pitch, Simi Awujo has made a massive push to make the Olympic squad, and is now a favourite to be included after Priestman made the big call to start her against the US, showing how much trust she already has in the 20-year-old midfielder. An excellent ‘destroy and progress’ midfielder, she’s been an excellent fit alongside Fleming, doing well to give Canada great balance on both sides of the ball, especially in terms of their ball progression, which could push her into the Olympic squad.
Meanwhile, up front, Olivia Smith and Clarissa Larisey showed well in this Gold Cup, and will look to sneak their way into the squad out of a crowded battle up front. Smith has the edge right now, as she was excellent in this tournament as both a starter and off the bench, but Larisey has shown that she can make things happen in limited minutes, too.
GOAL 🇨🇦🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) February 25, 2024
OLIVIA SMITH with the gut-punch! 🥊
The #CanWNT go up 2-0 over Paraguay in this Concacaf W Gold Cup clash as Smith goes for POWER with her shot 💥
🔴 Watch LIVE on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/0dYpVtgckg
As a result, expect big auditions for the pair of them over the next few windows, allowing them to build off what they showed in this tournament. 
Work to do:
Deanne Rose, Marie-Yasmine Alidou, Evelyne Viens
Elsewhere, there are a few names who will have lots of work to do over the next few months to crack that Olympic squad, which should be interesting to monitor.
To begin, there’s Deanne Rose, who seemed like a lock for this roster two years ago, but has fallen down the order after dealing with injuries the past two seasons. Now, after a quiet Gold Cup, it feels like there’s a chance she will miss out on the Olympics altogether, which is a shame given how dominant she was for club and country not that long ago.
Because of that, she’ll look to re-find that form over the next few months, as she can be a difference-maker up front, but just needs to find her confidence again.
Otherwise, despite being in excellent form for her club, Marie-Yasmine Alidou continues to be on the outside looking in for this Canadian team, as she made just one appearance in this Gold Cup, and has just two caps to her name despite earning multiple call-ups since the start of 2022. As a result, her big goal will be to get on the field in any capacity for Canada between now and the Olympics, and show the game-breaking ability that has seen her shine for Benfica this year.
Lastly, Evelyne Viens continues to be in a strange spot for this Canadian team. Despite scoring for fun at the club level, she didn’t start a single game this tournament, making several cameos off the bench.
GOAL 🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) March 3, 2024
EVELYNE VIENS with the go-ahead goal in the 104th minute! 🤯
The #CanWNT go up 1-0 over Costa Rica in extra time of this Concacaf W Gold Cup quarter-final: Can they hold on?
🔴 Watch LIVE on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/FeiihtpuoT
Yet, as she does, she still found the net within those limited minutes, scoring Canada’s winning goal in the quarter-finals against Costa Rica, but that ended up being her big moment in a tournament where it was felt she could’ve had more. Therefore, it’s hard to tell where she stands heading into the Olympics, as there’s no doubt that she can find the net, but she just doesn’t seem to be trusted to start games, and given that she’s behind Prince and Huitema at the striker position, that could see her miss out in favour of one of the wingers. 
Wild cards:
Desiree Scott, Janine Beckie
Lastly, it’s important to not forget about a pair of Canadian veterans when making this Olympic squad, as despite not playing in a year with knee injuries, Janine Beckie and Desiree Scott have every chance at making this Olympic squad if they can find their pre-injury levels.
Because of that, they’ll be the two names to watch over the next three windows, where they’re expected to feature, with both having returned to pre-season training for their respective clubs.
They’ll face an uphill battle to make this squad, as they need to prove they’re fully fit again, but with four and a half months until the Olympics, that gives them plenty of runway to do that.
At the moment, Beckie is the favourite to make it between the two, as her versatility and leadership have made her a key piece under Priestman, but it remains to be seen where she’ll slot in as her two main positions are the ones with the most logjam at the moment - full back and winger.
Compared to Scott, who is battling for minutes at a midfield position that’s much thinner for Canada, it’s going to make things tough for Beckie, but it’s hard to imagine betting against her. 
Projecting a final squad:
With that in mind, here’s a look at what that final squad could look like based on what we know today.
As expected, all 10 locks are in, but only four of the five “virtually certain” players join them, as Jayde Riviere is left out given that her playing in her natural position would make her Ashley Lawrence’s backup, whereas Gabrielle Carle is naturally a left wing back, and slots in at the moment.
Otherwise, Simi Awujo and Olivia Smith make it out of the “knocking on the door” section along with Carle, as they all get rewarded for strong Gold Cups.
Lastly, it’s hard to bet against Beckie and her versatility, allowing her to make it despite being a “wild card”, as it feels like she’ll quickly win back her spot over the next three windows.
But this is far from a certain projection, so keep an eye on a few players.
I guess it's a good thing that this is difficult.
— Oliver Platt (@plattoli) March 7, 2024
Would be very surprised to see Priestman leave behind any of the 14 I've got as locks. Add Collins if she's fit.
From there I think you're picking one WB (if not Collins), one CM, and two attacking players.#CanWNT pic.twitter.com/JYSy108Dgs
For example, Sydney Collins and Jayde Riviere are still strong candidates to make it, and could easily slot in depending on how the next few months go, while Desiree Scott will make a big push in midfield, and the forward line remains a wild battle in which the likes of Evelyne Viens, Clarissa Larisey, Deanne Rose and more could all have something to say.
Yet, this just shows the complexity of the task that awaits Priestman, especially when it comes to picking players 14-18, with the next few months hopefully providing her clarity in that regard.
As seen here, certain things are taking shape, but some big final decisions remain for the Canadian boss as she begins to get this team ready to defend their gold medal this summer.
