But, Desiree Scott, who was one of 12 Canadians on the rosters of NWSL clubs this past season, and retired Canadian national-team forward Dr. Melissa Tancredi believe that there’s a good possibility we’ll see one and maybe two Canadian pro franchises launch soon.

On a day when Canada Soccer honoured five retiring veterans — Kaylyn Kyle, Lauren Sesselmann, Robyn Gayle, Josee Belanger and Jonelle Filigno — it was the kids who made themselves count.  Janine Beckie, age 22, had a hat trick, 16-year-old Jordyn Huitema had two and 18-year-old Deanne Rose opened the scoring.

Janine Beckie figured in on Canada’s first two goals of its 3-1 win over Costa Rica Thursday night in Winnipeg, though she didn’t end up on the scoresheet.

Matheson said that she believes NWSL coming to Canada is a more reasonable choice for developing the women’s domestic game.

Both Paul Stalteri and Amy Walsh believe that Canadian soccer players — be it boys or girls, men or women — need more chances to play professionally.

Melissa Tancredi made her Canadian national-team debut as a defender. But, thanks to some encouragement from Christine Sinclair, she was moved to forward — and a magical career had begun...

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For sure, it’s an embarrassing own goal — but keepers have to be the most mentally tough players on the pitch and, in some bizarre way, we can argue that giving up a goal like that in a friendly will actually be good for Sheridan down the road; that it will only force her to understand that you’ve got to forget the bad goals and remain in the moment.

The goal that gave the Canadian women's national team a 1-o win in Sweden Thursday was a perfect example of the three-pronged attempt that coach John Herdman will have at his disposal over the next few years.

But Leila Ouahabi’s long-range goal just four minutes into Wednesday’s final was all the Spanish side would need. Spain shocked Canada 1-0 in the Algarve Cup final. Spain entered the Algarve Cup for the first time in 2017 — and ended up winning the tournament.