KEY TAKEAWAYS: CanWNT offer a glimpse of what 2025 could look like in friendlies vs. Iceland, Korea Republic
It was a fitting way to end 2024.
After opening their final window of the year with a frustrating 0-0 draw vs. Iceland on Friday, the CanWNT made sure to cap this camp off on a high note Tuesday, as they defeated South Korea 5-1 in their final match of 2024.
Just the fourth time they’d scored three or more goals in a game in 2024, with all three of those games coming at the Gold Cup back in late February and early March, it felt like a much-needed outburst for this Canadian team to end off the year.
One that has answered a lot of questions about the future of their team and how it might look going forward as they get set for a new head coach in 2025, they offered a glimpse of what the next year might hold in a commanding showing.
Led by some key performances from some newer contributors, some who have struggled to play a role in this Canadian team this year, it certainly will provide plenty for the next manager to chew on when they’re hired.
Yet, that was the theme of the camp - looking forward. For a team entering a generational shift and dealing with a bunch of injuries, this was the perfect opportunity to start the transition, something they were able to do with this victory.
With that in mind, here’s a look at what stood out from this camp.
Newer names step up in a big way:
When looking at the players who stood out across the two games, there were some of the usual suspects.
Despite being without usual centre back partners Jade Rose and Kadeisha Buchanan, Vanessa Gilles was excellent, as usual, showing why she might indeed be the favourite for Canada Soccer’s CanWNT player of the year, while Julia Grosso, Jayde Riviere and Jessie Fleming were some of the other names who also impressed.
GOAL 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) December 3, 2024
Vanessa Gilles makes it 4-1 for the #CanWNT vs. Korea Republic, quickly responding to the concession of a goal off a corner kick with a set piece header of their own 😆
🔴 Watch LIVE on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/uC4iKVYSzr
Yet, that’s not surprising to see, especially when it comes to Gilles and Fleming - those are two key leaders on this team and will remain so throughout this transition.
What was more exciting to see, however, was the play of the likes of Marie-Yasmine Alidou, Emma Regan, Olivia Smith, Jeneva Hernandez-Gray, Lysianne Proulx, Megan Reid and Nyah Rose, who all shone at various points throughout this camp.
Given that those names had entered this camp with less than 20 combined caps to their name, with 11 of those being Smith’s as Hernandez-Gray, Proulx, Reid and Rose had entered this camp with zero to their name, this was exactly what this Canadian team wanted to see from this group of players.
This team knows it’s a good side - they were competitive at this summer’s Olympics despite dealing with a scandal that had a big impact off the field, and could’ve very well medalled for a fourth straight Olympic tournament had they not struggled with penalties so much this year.
But as they turn their sights to the 2027 World Cup, they must start to look at new faces who could help them at that tournament, helping lead a generational shift that could push this team to another level.
And in this camp, they got a look at some names who can help do that.
For example, up front, Alidou showed that she can be an option between the lines that Canada doesn’t have, something she proved with a top-class goal in the South Korea match, which capped off an excellent camp for her. Along with a top camp for Smith (more on her in a second), that’s just further expanded Canada’s growing forward depth.
GOAL 🇨🇦🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) December 3, 2024
WHAT A HIT 😎
Marie-Yasmine Alidou makes it 2-0 for the #CanWNT vs. Korea Republic as she shoots from way out and finds her target 🎯
🔴 Watch LIVE on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/sTwOWOLMzt
Then, in the middle, Regan put in a top performance as a #6 against South Korea, looking like the sort of holding midfielder that could partner nicely with Fleming or Grosso and get the most out of them, doing well to offer a steady presence on and off the ball. For a team that has sometimes struggled to both destroy and progress in the middle, she did both of those things quite well, which was encouraging to see.
Emma Regan is giving something for the next #CanWNT/#CanXNT head coach to think about with her performance today. Just the perfect performance as a #6 today in 🇨🇦's midfield For a team that has struggled with that midfield balance at times, she could be key to helping free up Fleming/Grosso/Awujo
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@alexgangueruzic.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 10:31 AM
Meanwhile, the back, Megan Reid showed that she’s an option to look at as a centre back, while Lysianne Proulx is someone who will look to push for more minutes in goal long-term, with both of them options to step up as those in front of them start to age.
Lastly, in terms of youth, there was also the play of Hernandez-Gray and Rose, who were at the U20 World Cup this summer, doing well to come in for their debuts and show no fear, with Hernandez-Gray even grabbing an assist.
GOAL 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) December 3, 2024
Adriana Leon makes it FIVE for the #CanWNT, up 5-1 on South Korea for her 41st goal and the last for Canada in 2024 😎 pic.twitter.com/fzddWTuq5i
Overall, those are all positives Canada can take out of this camp, as some new players showed they could play a big role going forward, something the new coach will be happy to see.
Is it time for Smith to lead the attack?
Speaking of Smith, however, she certainly had a performance to remember against South Korea - she scored once, assisted another, and forced an own goal in the win, directly contributing to three goals.
Not only that, but she was dangerous every time she got the ball, generating eight shots and creating three chances, giving Canada the attacking spark they lacked against Iceland.
Having come off the bench against Iceland, generating three shots in 23 minutes of action, she did well to pick up where she left off against South Korea while finding a way to hit another gear.
In particular, her goal was a piece of art - despite picking up the ball in midfield while surrounded, she willed herself into the box with a mix of finesse and skill, before picking out the bottom corner with an expert finish.
GOAL 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) December 3, 2024
Olivia Smith makes it THREE for the #CanWNT as she bullies her way through a number of South Korean defenders before burying her effort with a low drive 💪
🔴 Watch LIVE on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/itRoi2F8LJ
Yet, that was a good way to sum up Smith’s game on the day - she wanted to make things happen, and was willing to fight to make it happen.
With that, she capped off quite the year for her with Canada - she scored three goals and had two assists in just over 400 minutes of action in 2024, having entered this year without a senior goal contribution previously.
But for those who have followed her progress over the last year and a half, that’s not surprising to see - ever since she made the move to Sporting CP last summer, and then into this summer with her move to Liverpool, she’s continued to develop at a rapid pace.
That’s why many were hoping Smith would be included in Canada’s Olympic squad this summer, with her name being seen as a big omission. When seeing a game like this, one can certainly back up that sentiment, as you can only wonder what she could’ve done for this Canadian team in that tournament.
What a game from Olivia Smith for the #CanWNT/#CanXNT. Shows that she's ready for a big 2025 with her country In 90', she had: 1 goal 1 assist 1 OG assist 8 shots 4 chances created 1 dribble 49 touches 16/22 passes (73%) 2 fouls won 1 tackle Top, top showing
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@alexgangueruzic.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 11:01 AM
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Now, however, it feels like she won’t be missing out on many tournaments going forward, especially after her performance in this camp.
In fact, the big question will be to see how much of a role she ends up playing in the near-future, something that the new manager will look to answer. Before, one would’ve likely said she plays a support role in the attack as she continues to develop, but when seeing how she’s progressed for Liverpool and her play in this camp, it feels like she might already be starting to outgrow that role and is ready for prime minutes as an offensive leader on this Canadian team.
Because of that, keep an eye out for her heading into next year, especially if she can keep finding form for Liverpool.
Able to play all over for Canada - in this camp, she thrived as more of a striker, but has played out wide and as a #10 - that will help her find her place under a new manager, who will be able to count on her in different roles.
For a Canadian team that has long looked for offence, they’ll certainly be encouraged by the work of the 20-year-old, who after long looking like the future of this attack has started to show that she might now be the present, too. 
What could 2025 look like?
Speaking of 2025, however, this camp showed a glimpse of what next year could look like for this Canadian team, in different ways.
First, against Iceland, they showed what things could look like if they don’t change much - there, they struggled to find much of a rhythm in that game, looking like a side out of ideas and lacking creativity, looking like a stagnant side.
Despite having more of the ball, they were unable to take advantage of that, leading to a frustrating result.
Against South Korea, however, they showed what things could look like if they made the right changes to freshen up the squad - there, they looked lively and dynamic, dominating the game on both sides of the ball.
Given that they went with a more experimental lineup against South Korea, playing a younger team, that’s encouraging to see.
GOAL 🇨🇦
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) December 3, 2024
Olivia Smith opens the scoring for the #CanWNT vs. Korea Republic with a fortuitous shot on net that just squeaks by the 'keeper... 😅 pic.twitter.com/hugLtgSyJL
Of course, it’s worth noting that Iceland is a very good side, one that could be a dark horse for the 2027 World Cup, while South Korea has had a tough second half of 2024, but there’s still lots to learn from the South Korea match.
In particular, it shows what Canada should be looking for in their managerial search - finding someone who can play like that regularly has to be top of mind.
This team has and will remain defensively solid, but they need to find a way to be more dangerous in the attack, both in possession with their build-up play and out of it with their pressing. They’ve got the pieces to do that, as they showed in this game, but have struggled to get them to execute.
Yet, that’s why this South Korea game will be one they look back at fondly, as they showed a glimpse of what they could do in that sort of system, doing well to look like a top side.
Because of that, look for this to offer a potential blueprint for next year. There, finding someone who can make that sort of soccer become a regular occurrence is a must, as it feels like that’ll be what allows Canada to do the most damage in 2027, especially as they continue to produce more and more dynamic attackers and midfielders, the exact sort of players you need to thrive in that system.
For a team built on its defensive foundation for the last 10 years, it’ll go a long way towards helping them take that next step, which is key.
