Carlsberg Moments of the Month – August 2023

canw17 qualify for Concacaf Championship

Canada Soccer’s Women’s U-17 National Team has secured their place in the Concacaf Championship after dominant wins over Dominica and Bermuda. The team’s commanding performances, with a 21-0 victory against Dominica and a 9-0 win against Bermuda in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, demonstrated their strength in the Group F series.

Coach Emma Humphries highlighted the camp’s value in assessing players from various Development Centres. With 19 different players featured, including seven debuts, and 11 different goal scorers, the matches underscored Canada’s deep and versatile talent pool.

Since August 16, the team has been in the Dominican Republic as part of an integrated Women’s National Team Program. These matches serve as valuable experience for emerging players, setting the stage for the Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship and looking ahead to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, and the broader aspirations of Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team

canm15 top Group C in Concacaf Championship

Canada won Group C at the 2023 Concacaf Boys’ Under-15 Championship with three wins in three days at the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Canada won 4:1 over hosts Dominican Republic, 2:0 over Guatemala, and 1:0 over Panama.

“There’s so much for which to be proud of,” said Mike Vitulano, Canada Soccer’s Boys’ U-15 Coach. “The boys are growing daily as they continue to learn our tactical identity and cultural framework. Our staff have done a tremendous job giving this talented group a foundation in our Men’s National Team Program for the years ahead.”

This marks the first time in three attempts that Canada have won all three of their group matches at the Concacaf Boys’ Under-15 Championship, albeit also the third time in a row that they had advanced to the knockout phase.

Canada Soccer announces TELUS She CAN Coach with 20 participating clubs
The TELUS She CAN Coach program is a national coach recruitment, development, and training initiative designed specifically for women, to address the challenges they face regarding soccer participation in Canada. The program aims to support new and entry-level women coaches, with the desired outcome of increasing the registration of women and girls in soccer while balancing the gender gap in participation nationwide.

Canada Soccer is partnering with Alberta Soccer and Soccer Nova Scotia for the initial phase of the TELUS She CAN Coach. During the first phase, Clubs from these two provinces were eligible to complete the application process. The selected clubs from both provinces have demonstrated the ability to participate in the program, have a leader who prioritizes the inclusion of women and girls, have a committed staff member who will oversee the program’s operations, and hold a Canada Soccer Club License.

CANMNT announce October friendly vs. Japan

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team will face FIFA number 20 ranked Japan in an international friendly this upcoming 13 October 2023. The clash, officially named the Mizuho Blue Dream Match 2023, will be contested at the Denka Big Swan Stadium, in Niigata, Japan.

Canada will use the October window as part of its ongoing preparation for the 2023/2024 Concacaf Nations League which serves as the qualifier for Concacaf teams participating in the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024. Canada has been drawn directly into the quarter-final stage of the Concacaf Nations League which will be played in a home-and-away format during the November FIFA Match Window.

John Herdman departs #CANMNT
“Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team Head Coach, John Herdman, has stepped down from his position,” announced Canada Soccer. Herdman, the most successful head coach in Canada Soccer history, will be taking on the head coaching duties at Toronto FC.

“John Herdman is the most successful head coach in the history of Canada Soccer. From leading the Women’s National Team to back-to-back Olympic bronze medals… John’s contribution to the game in Canada is unmatched,” said Charmaine Crooks, President, Canada Soccer.

Herdman’s time with Canada Soccer included 101 ‘A’ International Matches as head coach of the Women’s National Team and 58 ‘A’ International Matches as head coach of the Men’s National Team. Notable highlights include leading the Women’s National Team to their first Pan American Games gold medal in 2011 and the Men’s National Team to their first Men’s FIFA World Cup qualification in 36 years.

“I’d like to thank the men’s national team players — without being part of the team, it’s difficult to understand the sacrifices, the pain and the amount of work that has gone into achieving what has been achieved over the past five years,” added Herdman.

Canada Soccer also announced that Mauro Biello had been appointed to serve as interim Head Coach. The search for the new Men’s National Team Head Coach began immediately.