{"id":46003,"date":"2023-02-16T00:00:17","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T05:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/?p=46003"},"modified":"2023-02-16T00:00:17","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T05:00:17","slug":"canwnt-shebelieves-cup-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2023\/02\/16\/canwnt-shebelieves-cup-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"CanWNT SheBelieves Cup Preview: Spirited Amongst Tensions"},"content":{"rendered":"

PREVIEW- <\/strong>The Canada Women\u2019s National Team participates tomorrow in their first match of the SheBelieves Cup against the United States, but much of the attention surrounds the fierce tension between the team and its federation in Canada Soccer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With many of the Canadian players willing to play in the Cup after previously wanting to strike, many will look with curious eyes at how the CanWNT will respond to their situation on the field as they prepare to play \u201cin protest\u201d.<\/p>\n

CanWNT SheBelieves Cup Preview: Playing In Protest<\/h2>\n

Focus On The Field, or Off It?<\/h3>\n

Three members of the CanWNT came out<\/a> on Tuesday to speak to the media about their predicament. The players in question, Christine Sinclair, Janine Beckie, and Sophie Schmidt, all reiterated their strong will to continue to fight for their team, and for their worth. But many noted how exhausted they looked already before a ball has been kicked.<\/p>\n

This morning, players were seen wearing their training tops inside out. The Canada Soccer badge and Nike Badge were not visible, but their outline was noticeable on the opposite side. Veteran leader Schmidt explained<\/a> that they were still playing for the badge. It was just that their \u201cfederation was letting them down, ” which is why it was on the other side.<\/p>\n

Bev Priestman, head coach of the Women\u2019s team, attended a press conference that mostly focused on the off-field issues, including speculation of her own future. Priestman stated<\/a> she was committed to the team, but that she did have regular opportunities available to her since the Olympics win.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, midfield star, Quinn, noted that while they want to focus on the games at hand.<\/p>\n

“Unfortunately for us, we can’t just focus on football right now. We have to focus on things that are bigger than our team, bigger than ourselves and what we’re fighting for,” Quinn said in a short media scrum<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Given all this outside noise, it will be interesting to see how Canada performs in their opening match<\/p>\n

Rotated Roster Gives Opportunity For Fringe Players<\/h3>\n

With this invitational tournament falling outside the typical FIFA windows, the CanWNT SheBelieves Cup roster<\/a> is composed of an even split of European and Domestic players in the NWSL. Nevertheless, it is filled with strong players across the pitch.<\/p>\n

Some new faces appear in Simi Awujo and Jenna Hellstrom, who come in to round out the squad after injuries to Desiree Scott and Nichelle Prince. This cup might prove to be a great opportunity for these players who do not have many caps to show Priestman why they deserve to be called up for the 2026 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this year.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>