Canada Soccer tabs U20 women’s coach Cindy Tye interim bench boss for senior friendlies

Canadian under-20 coach Cindy Tye has been appointed as the interim head coach for Canada’s upcoming women’s friendlies against Iceland and South Korea. This decision comes in the aftermath of the recent independent report into the Olympic drone-spying scandal, which resulted in head coach Bev Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander, and analyst Joey Lombardi receiving one-year suspensions from FIFA.

Tye, a 52-year-old from Truro, N.S., expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead the team in the upcoming matches. While she is excited about the upcoming challenges, she clarified that she is not interested in the permanent head coaching position due to her full-time commitments as the associate athletic director and women’s head coach at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Having previously coached Canada at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Tye brings a wealth of experience to the role. She will be supported by assistant coach Neil Wood and a dedicated staff including Katie Collar, Jen Herst, and Maryse Bard-Martel.

The upcoming friendlies against Iceland and South Korea present an opportunity for Tye to work with a mix of experienced players and rising talents. The roster includes players like Janet Okeke and Nyah Rose, who are receiving their first senior call-ups after impressive performances at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Despite the absence of key players like Kadeisha Buchanan and Jordyn Huitema due to injury and personal reasons, the Canadian team remains confident ahead of the matches. With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talents, Tye is optimistic about the team’s performance in Spain.

The FIFA window in November marks Canada’s final camp of the year, with North American-based players entering their off-season and European-based players returning to club competition. The matches against Iceland and South Korea will provide valuable opportunities for the team to test their skills and build chemistry ahead of future competitions.

As Tye takes on the role of interim head coach, she aims to provide support to the team during this transitional period and continue her work with the under-20 group. With her vast experience both as a player and coach, Tye is poised to lead the Canadian women’s team with dedication and passion in the upcoming friendlies.