Latest news with #CanadianNationalTeam
CBC
4 days ago
- Sport
- CBC
Zak Madell talks to Anastasia Bucsis about his wheelchair rugby success and road to retirement
In 2011, at the age of 17, Zak Madell made his debut on the Canadian national team. Madell then went on to compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games, helping the team to secure a silver medal. The four-time Paralympian has been a valuable asset to Wheelchair Rugby for 13 years, raising the profile of the sport in Canada and worldwide.
Globe and Mail
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
Canadian women head to Washington, D.C. to face top-ranked U.S. team
After struggling to corral No. 43 Costa Rica before pouring in four late goals in a 4-1 win, Canada steps up in class Wednesday when it faces the top-ranked U.S. in Washington, D.C. Eighth-ranked Canada is 4-53-9 all-time against the U.S. in a rivalry that dates back to 1986 when the Canadian women's program was established. The Canadians have not won on American soil since Nov. 11, 2000. 'It's a good test for us. But it's one I think we should be looking forward to,' Canada coach Casey Stoney, a former England captain, told a news conference Tuesday. 'There'll be no fear in our dressing room. We're going to go out there and have a go.' In their most recent meeting, last April at the SheBelieves Cup in Columbus, Ohio, the two teams played to a 2-2 draw before the U.S. won a penalty shootout 5-4. The Americans also won by penalty shootout in the game before that, the CONCACAF W Gold Cup semifinal in March 2024. Canada's last win over the U.S. was a 1-0 decision in the Tokyo Olympic semifinal in August 2021. That was the Americans' first loss to their northern neighbours since March 2001, in the group stage of the Algarve Cup. Friday's win over Costa Rica improved Stoney's record at the helm to 6-1-1 with the lone loss a 1-0 setback April 8 at the hands of No. 32 Argentina in Langford, B.C. — 'a game we should never lose,' said Stoney. Stoney says Wednesday's contest should show 'what grit and determination and resilience and belief we've got.' 'We're playing against the world No. 1. We know the rivalry is there. It's been there for many years. And we want to have a go. I think we're coming here to see what we're made of. Also for me to analyze how much work there is to do, the areas we need to improve and our key strengths that we keep developing.' Emma Hayes' record as U.S. coach is 20-2-2 since her debut on the sidelines in June 2024, with 2-1 losses earlier this year to No. 4 Brazil and No. 7 Japan. The American women are coming off back-to-back 4-0 wins over No. 25 Ireland, with the second win Sunday counting as the team's 600th in the 40th year of the U.S. women's program. Hayes fielded completely different lineups in the two wins over Ireland with captain Lynn Biyendolo the only player with more than 10 caps in the second game. The 10 other starters — including two debuts in midfielder Sam Meza and left back Izzy Rodriguez and two teenagers in 19-year-old Olivia Moultrie and 18-year-old Jordyn Bugg — averaged just 4.1 caps per player. Stoney and Hayes, a fellow Brit, have history. 'I played obviously against Emma as a player, coached against her (Hayes with Chelsea) at Manchester United, albeit we had very different budgets back then,' said Stoney. 'And now I'm really looking forward to playing against her team. I think she's done a great job here in the U.S. 'Success in such a short space of time is a testament to her as a coach and as a leader and what she's done in the game. So a huge amount of respect for Emma and what she's achieved. But it will about what we do as Canada (on Wednesday).' Canada is missing the injured Kadeisha Buchanan, Sydney Collins, Cloé Lacasse, Jayde Riviere, Olivia Smith and Lysianne Proulx. The game against the U.S., a meeting of the last two Olympic champions, is dubbed the Allstate Continental Clásico. The Continental Clásico is an annual event that has seen U.S. Soccer hosting a top-tier opponent from North, Central or South America. The previous two Clásico matches featured the U.S. men's team. 'I feel the rivalry. I feel the intensity of the game,' Stoney said. 'But we just play the game. We don't need to play the occasion. We're playing against a good team. We're going to have to be very good on our day to win, which we can be. But yes, there's definitely an edge to this game for sure.' The forecast for Wednesday evening at Audi Field calls for 27 C and the chance of a shower.
National Post
10-06-2025
- Sport
- National Post
With a year to go, FIFA World Cup countdown begins for ambitious host Canadians
It was for too early for a dress rehearsal and, with the main course still 12 months away, not yet appetizer time, either. Article content But when Canada's men's national team convincingly defeated Ukraine 4-2 at BMO Field this past weekend, it certainly was an opportunity to unofficially launch the build to what by any measure will be the biggest year for elite soccer in this country. Article content Article content One year from Wednesday, the largest FIFA World Cup in history will kick off with a pair of games in Mexico. The following night, the other two host nations — Canada and the United States — lift the curtain fully with games on their own respective soil. Article content For coach Jesse Marsch's Canadian side, the debut in the world's most-watched sporting spectacle begins with a Toronto date against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. An automatic qualifier as one of the three host nations, Canada's second consecutive World Cup appearance — and just third overall — the opportunity to advance (and win a game for the first time in the event's history) is a tantalizing possibility. Article content While a year may seem far in the distance with plenty of construction left to be done both at BMO Field and its surroundings, and considerable building to take place on Marsch's ambitious roster, the host squad's win to kick off the four-team Canadian Shield held some palpable significance. Article content 'The final destination, which is the World Cup, is what is important,' Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustaquio said following Saturday's convincing triumph over the European visitors. 'The games from now on are going to be very tough. We have strong opponents coming up. We're going to be in Europe. We're going to play in the States. Article content Article content Article content While still a glorified friendly, the 4-2 win over Ukraine — a team positioned five spots ahead of them at No. 25 in the latest FIFA world rankings — certainly was an opportunity for Canada to take their first strides at forging an identity. Marsch made it clear that preparations over the next 12 months will be critical in establishing a style that will stand up against opponents from different corners of the globe. Article content The opposition in the Shield, a four-game glorified friendly (two for each participating country) dressed up as a tournament, were meant to replicate the diversity in style the Canadians are likely to face 12 months from now. Article content 'This is exactly what we wanted out of this calendar year and this tournament,' Marsch said. 'To try to get as many opponents that will challenge who we are, what we do. You can grow from these situations. Article content 'We all play a lot of matches against opponents in our region. But looking ahead to the World Cup, it's now imagining types of opponents you could be getting from all around the world and what those games feel like, what those opponents play like, the tactical nuances. For our players to experience what it is like to play in these types of games is important for our overall development.'
National Post
09-06-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Danielle Serdachny seeks better fit away from Ottawa: ‘We'll be really upset that we lost her'
From the moment the PWHL announced its expansion rules during its championship series last month, one Ottawa player was destined to walk out the door. Article content Danielle Serdachny, fresh off signing a two-year deal with PWHL Seattle, didn't mince words in her first media appearance with her new team. Her rookie season in Ottawa fell short of expectations. Article content Article content 'It was more on the disappointing end,' the 24-year-old forward said. 'I didn't have as much as an impact as I hoped I would.' Article content Drafted second overall last summer after a dominant five-year career at Colgate University, Serdachny arrived in the nation's capital with big expectations. The Charge needed scoring and the Canadian national team forward looked poised to provide it with her elite speed and vision. Article content But even with big-game experience playing with the Canadian national team at world championship, Serdachny struggled in her adjustment to the PWHL. Skating in all 30 regular-season games, she compiled only two goals and eight points, tied with fellow rookie Mannon McMahon for ninth on the Charge. Article content Originally playing in a top-six role with power-play time, Serdachny slowly tumbled down the lineup until she found herself buried on the fourth line for nearly all of Ottawa's eight-game playoff run. Article content Meanwhile, Sarah Fillier — the only player drafted ahead of her last year — shared the league scoring title and earned a forward of the year nomination. In contrast, Serdachny looked out of place in Ottawa's defence-first, grinding style of play. She showed glimpses of the blazing speed and puck control that they drafted her for, but more common were the turnovers and lack of finish. Article content Article content The arrival of Seattle and Vancouver to the league couldn't have come at a better time. For Serdachny, a change of scenery and a healthy dose of opportunity is absolutely part of the equation to unlocking what many feel is superstar potential. Article content Article content 'This fresh start will be really, really good for me and a new opportunity to play under a new staff and with new teammates,' Serdachny said. 'Just hoping I can continue contribute in any way.' Article content Ottawa general manager Mike Hirshfeld has no doubts that she'll find her way — and make the Charge regret losing her even more than they already do now. Article content 'We were really optimistic about her future,' he said. 'We think she's got the potential to be one of the best players in this league, so it's disappointing when you lose that talent from your roster.' Article content With the ability to protect just three players from the expansion roster-building process, Hirshfeld and the Charge just couldn't take a chance protecting Serdachny over established difference-makers in Gwyneth Philips, Emily Clark and Ronja Savolainen.
CBC
04-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
For Canadian volleyball player Lui, Pride month represents chance to inspire younger generation
When Justin Lui came out as gay to his Stanford University volleyball teammates in 2020, he remembers feeling two very strong emotions: anxiety and relief. Lui was in his sophomore year, socially distancing from his teammates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when he decided to share his truth on a team email thread. "I remember writing the email, sending it, feeling this like a sigh of relief, but also an anxiety about how people respond and feel about it," he told CBC Sports. "Then I went immediately outside, and I went for a walk … I just walked around my neighborhood, and then came back, and that's when I saw a bunch of messages." Lui, a Libero — or defensive specialist — for the Canadian senior men's national volleyball team, said he was quickly met with messages of support, love, and encouragement for his bravery. The benefits of Lui's vulnerability quickly transcended into his performance, and experience, on the court, propelling him into becoming both a stronger volleyball player on the court, and a better teammate. "I felt more confident on the court. Volleyball is a super interpersonal sport, and so when I was able to come out and approach my teammates now as this authentic, genuine self," said the Pickering, Ont., native. "I think we're able to build better chemistry." As for the progress in sport, Lui feels a cultural shift happening into a much more inclusive space for the LGBQT community. "I'm getting messages from younger athletes saying they feel comfortable coming out and they want to talk to me about their process of coming out. Things like that, to me when I was younger, seemed so foreign," he said. "I think it's just becoming more normal for people to see people who are LGBTQ in sports and who are top athletes." WATCH: Lui recalls how he told his teammates: Team Canada men's volleyball player shares experience coming out as gay 38 minutes ago Duration 1:00 A positive Olympic experience This feeling carried him into his Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games where he represented Canada in men's volleyball. "After we qualified in 2023, and heading into 2024, It was between me and another libero who were competing for the spot, " he said. "I think in the past, that pressure would have been a lot for me and made me worse, but I think in this case, it was able to make me better." Lui adds that having gone through adversity prior to this had made him stronger, and able to take the pressure off himself. Despite the team finishing 0-3 in the tournament and 10th in the world, Lui says the experience was "amazing." "When I was in Paris, I told myself, you just want to have fun, enjoy yourself, play the best you can, not putting too much expectation on yourself," he said. "And I wouldn't be able to give myself that self-talk if I hadn't come out previously." Making his mark for Pride month While Lui likely won't be able to celebrate Pride in Toronto this year, as he'll be on the road with Team Canada for the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL), he's creating his own way for people to celebrate. For the past few years, Lui and his family have distributed t-shirts to his close family and friends to wear in support of him at VNL. This year, to marry the excitement of both the VNL starting on June 11, and Pride month, he's selling custom Pride themed t-shirts and hoodies through CanuckStuff, a Canadian merchandise brand.
