Canada finished in second place at the 2022 Concacaf W Championship after they were defeated 1:0 in the Concacaf Final in Guadalupe, NL, Mexico. Already qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023, Canada will now advance to an Olympic playoff series against Jamaica in September 2023 in order to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“What you have seen tonight is FIFA World Cup champions against Olympic champions,” said Bev Priestman, Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team Head Coach. “It was a great game and we knew it was going to be tight. There are fine margins at this level. We use these moments to reflect on the game to push forward and these moments help you when it really matters in the FIFA World Cup.”
Kailen Sheridan made save after save throughout the match to keep Canada in the match. Warrior-like performances by Kadeisha Buchanan and Vanessa Gilles were not enough to stave off the Americans. Forward Alex Morgan, named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, scored the one goal on a penalty in the 78th minute.
Sheridan, who conceded only one goal in five matches, won the Concacaf Best Goalkeeper Award while Julia Grosso won the Concacaf Top Goal Scorer Award. Canada also won the Concacaf Fair Play Award.
“It’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it and for me we never said die,” said Priestman. “We pushed and pushed and pushed and would do anything to make our country proud. Unfortunately, the result didn’t go our way, but I think some of the things that you got to see in the game inspire that next generation.”
Canada Soccer Media Release
Photo credit: Canada Soccer
