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Priestman Makes Difficult Decisions In Naming Pre-World Cup Roster
By Today Bev Priestman named 25 players to a preparation camp roster for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
It won’t be easy, but the women’s national team head coach will have a lot of difficult decisions to make. She already decided to not name Bianca St. Georges or Gabrielle Carle on the roster.
“If I could have named 23 I would have,” Priestman said. “As a coach and even for the players, the more clutter you can get rid of before Australia the better.”
The team will depart down under on the 28th of June and will play a game against the Lionesses of England in a match that will be behind closed doors on July 14.
Priestman confirmed she will name her final roster on July 9, giving her about two weeks to whittle down her list to 23 – though she says there is a standby list in case of emergencies.
There are players on this list that are coming back from injury, most notably Desiree Scott and Nichelle Prince, while Deanne Rose has returned to action playing for Reading in England.
“I want to leave it as long as I possibly can. You look at Desiree Scott and what she brings to this team and her leadership, that’s why we want to leave it in regards to those two players.”
A name that we had not seen on a Canada roster since the Arnold Clark Cup was Marie-Yasmine Alidou, so I asked Priestman about her decision to name her.
“She has been in and out of the roster. She played really well in Portugal and I see huge potential in what she can bring, she is athletic and technical,” Priestman answered.
I also inquired whether the decision or the discussion was had to bring Janine Beckie along in a leadership group role but Priestman decided otherwise.
“We had some deep discussions and at the end of the day we landed on Janine not coming, but she is determined to get back as soon as she can. She is working tremendously to come back.”
She was also asked to give her input about the preparatory game they’re set to embark upon ahead of the World Cup.
“I think the game against England will be a great test for us. We get to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world.”
FIFA also announced on Thursday that they will be injecting more financing into the Women’s World Cup: now players will be paid directly, and the amount will depend on how far they go in the tournament.
“I think it is outstanding. It is what these players deserve and for some players, this can be life-changing. When you work all your life and make a World Cup, you should be rewarded.”
“It’s a great move that will beat a lot of players salaries in their club environment.”
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Two players who were named to the preparation roster but won’t be at the camp are Clarissa Larisey and Evelyne Viens who both play in Sweden and won’t be released before July 10.
“I had calls with both of their clubs to get them released earlier, but they have a game and won’t be released before – essentially I will have to select a roster without them being present.”
Canada will open their FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament on July 20 against Nigeria in Melbourne at the Rectangular Stadium before facing Ireland in Perth and coming back to Melbourne to face host country Australia.
Header Image Photo Credit: Canada Soccer