Casey Stoney’s first test as Canada women’s soccer coach set against China, Mexico, Taiwan
Canada’s women’s national soccer team is gearing up for their first tournament under the guidance of new coach Casey Stoney. The team is set to compete in the Pinatar Cup in Spain next month, facing off against China, Mexico, and Taiwan.
Stoney, who was appointed as the head coach of the Canadian team on January 13th, will be leading the squad in their matches against some tough opponents. Canada, currently ranked sixth in the world, will kick off the tournament against China, ranked 17th, on February 19th. This will be followed by matches against Mexico on February 22nd and Taiwan on February 25th.
All three games will take place at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia. Initially planned as closed-door matches, organizers have now confirmed that spectators will be allowed to attend for free, adding an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.
Stoney expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming games, stating, “I’m really excited to get started. This camp is the first step in building the foundation for what we want to achieve in 2025 and beyond. Each of these teams will present unique challenges, and it’s a great opportunity to assess the players and see where the team is at.”
The former England captain takes over from Bev Priestman, who departed from Canada Soccer following the drone-spying scandal at the Paris Olympics last summer. Canada has a solid track record against their upcoming opponents, with a 8-14-5 record against China, a 23-2-3 record against Mexico, and a single previous meeting with Taiwan resulting in a 2-0 loss for Canada.
The Pinatar Cup, which began in 2020, will see Canada make their debut in the tournament alongside teams from around the world. Past winners include Scotland, Belgium, Iceland, and Finland, making it a prestigious event for women’s soccer.
As Canada prepares to take on these formidable opponents, fans can expect an exciting showcase of talent and determination from the team under the leadership of Casey Stoney. Stay tuned for updates and results from the Pinatar Cup as Canada looks to make their mark on the international stage.
