Page 85 - Soccer360 Issue 107

WOMEN’S GOAL SCORING LEADERS
Katoto FRA (5) Swanson USA (4) Banda ZAM (4) Schüller GER (3) Rodman USA (3) Smith USA (3) Carley AUS (2) Giles CAN (2) Munoz COL (2) Putellas ESP (2) Portilho BRA (2) Santos COL (2)
DID YOU KNOW?
Marta was Named FIFA Player of the Year a record (male or female) five consecutive times from 2006-2010.
the IOC have yet to lay down any further punishment it is possible that CANWNT may have their medal rescinded.
While the drone incident at the Paris games may have been solved, the Canadian Soccer Association’s issues continue to grow. After finally resolving their equal pay dispute with the women’s team, the CSA once again finds themselves in hot water in a situation that may cost them both in terms of trophies and in the pocketbook.
Financially, the CSA is already in dire straits operating on a $4 million dollar deficit in 2022. In order to hire Jesse Marsch as their men’s head coach the CSA had to work
out a financial arrangement with Major League Soccer footing part of the bill leading to the men’s team being rebranded
as MLS Canada. The CSA’s money woes
will certainly worsen with the appointment of another women’s head coach to
replace Priestman and should FIFA impose additional fines.
All of this spell’s catastrophe for the Canadian Soccer Association and their Women’s National Team. While more changes are certainly in store at the executive level it is the players and the supporters that will be affected the most. Denied the chance to fairly defend their title by the machinery of their own FA, CANWNT’s successes are now all thrown into question.
SOCCER360 83
ABOVE:
Canada
Coach Beverly Priestmangot suspended from the Olympic Tournament
ABOVE RIGHT:
Irene Parades from Spain
RIGHT:
Sophia Smith for her country, USA
BOTTOM (OPPOSITE PAGE): Vanessa Gilles for Canada
WOMEN’S
TOURNAMENT BEST
XI (CON’T)
Defender Irene Paredes (Spain)
Led Spain’s possession of the back, speeding up and slowing down play depending upon what her team
needed her to do. Her ability to pick
out teammates throughout the pitch helped open up play throughout their run to the bronze medal match. She also netted the equalizer for La Roja to send them into extra-time and eventually defeat Colombia 4-2 in the Quarterfinals. contribute to the attack, scoring their opening goal in their 3-0 win over Australia.
Midfielder Lindsay Horan
(United States)
Faced with mixing a new fresh group of players with veteran mainstays Horan thrived creating linkages from both sides of the pitch through the midfield. Her steadying presence and calm demeanor helped the US maintain their composure throughout the knockout round and earn back their gold medal.
Midfielder Gabi Portilho (Brazil)
Broke the hearts of the French supporters in the Quarterfinals, burying the go-ahead goal in the Quarterfinals to lift Brazil into the Semifinals. She followed it up with an equally impressive effort in the semifinals hammering home their second of the match in their victory over Spain.
Midfielder Sophia Smith
(United States)
Smith alternated between the attacking midfield and forward positions for the United States, providing help through the midfield and linking up with
Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson throughout the entire tournament.