The Canada women’s soccer team may have beat the USWNT a few years ago to win a gold medal and best the #1 team in the world, but things aren’t looking as bright for them right now. Despite some great results in the last few years, showing just how much soccer has improved in Canada, the entire organization was rocked by a scandal that has the team nervous for their future in the Olympics this summer.
But, what happened? Was it that bad? In short, yes — so egregious, that the organization has removed the head coach from her position indefinitely.
Coach for Canada Team Removed from Position During Olympics
The Canadian women’s soccer coach, Bev Priestman, has officially been removed from her role just yesterday by Canada Soccer, the overarching governing body and organization. It wasn’t a financial issue with the club, player complaints, or contract disputes — but something far more scandalous. She has been accused of flying a drone to spy on another team so they could gain an advantage in their upcoming match.
Priestman may have resorted to unsavory tactics in the past, too, if this rumor proves to be true. We may never know. But we do know that the 2020 Olympic gold medal team has now had a shadow cast over their recent accomplishments and their upcoming Olympic bid.
The Canada women’s team will now be managed by the assistant coach for the rest of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The now-gaffer, Andy Spence, has been forced to prematurely step into the role and take over as the head coach starting immediately.
Canada Soccer surely has a lot to say and think about this matter, but they are trying to keep it professional in interviews so the players can focus 100% on the upcoming games at hand. “In light of these new revelations, Canada Soccer has made the decision to suspend Women’s National Team Head Coach, Bev Priestman for the remainder of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and until the completion of our recently announced independent external review,” report stated.
Keeping it short and sweet — well, maybe not that sweet — is the way to go. Especially when the details of what happened are a bit murky. The rumor is that Priestman was in charge of flying a drone by a Canada soccer team member over the New Zealand training session days before they played against one another in the opening match of the Olympic games.
Canada Women’s Team in the Olympics
Canada won their opening match against New Zealand 2-1 just yesterday, but the drone scandal has eclipsed their first game victory. Canada had numerous talented players take the field in the starting eleven, most notably Cloe Lacasse, Janine Beckie, Ashley Lawrence, Quinn, Adrina Leon, Kadeisha Buchanan, and Jessie Fleming who used to play for Emma Hayes’ side, Chelsea FC, in the FA WSL.
Despite New Zealand springing first through an incredible goal from Mackenzie Barry, the Canada women’s team rallied from behind to score two goals and capture the three points. Ashley Larence started a great move down the sideline, effortlessly beating her defender, and passing it to Prince, who then played a perfectly timed through ball to Lacasse who slotted the ball home for the first goal.
The second half saw the teams level, with desperation clear in their playing styles. However, Canada’s Fleming, the midfield maestro, was able to slip past a pinpoint perfect shot to give her team the three points and see them headed into the next game with confidence. Hopefully, the drone incident won’t distract the team too much from their upcoming match. They will face off in a really tough game against France this upcoming Saturday to see who will earn six points and be at the top of Group A heading into the third match.
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