“It’s a single bid. It’s Canada, at this moment. It’s Canada, the Canadian Soccer Association that will be bidding, and we will continue along that line. There really have been no discussions on joint bids, either Mexico or the United States. It’s not a position we’re taking. It is a straight bid from the Canadian Soccer Association.”

Over the past two NCAA seasons, Janine Beckie has scored at a torrid pace for Texas Tech. Now, her addition to the Canadian team ahead of the U-20 Women's World Cup provides coach Andrew Olivieri with an interesting trump card.

James Moorhouse, the technical director for USA Soccer, said Edmonton is special to his side. In 2002, the United States beat Kara Lang, Christine Sinclair and the Canadian team in the final of the U-19 Women’s World Championship, the forerunner to the Women’s World Cup. Commonwealth was packed as the home fans hoped for the upset.

At first glance, you’d think that moving to the W-League from the NWSL represents a major step down. But, Canadian national-team veteran Rhian Wilkinson opted to leave the Boston Breakers behind and return to her native Quebec. Now playing in Laval, she speaks about her decision to leave Beantown and her future in the game...

Sura Yekka is still in high school; and she has the chance to do something that’s a true rarity in either men’s or women’s soccer. She’s already represented Canada at U-17 World Cup; she’s expected to be one of Canada’s stars at this summer’s U-20 World Cup. And, she’s likely to make the senior squad for next year’s Women’s World Cup. Three World Cups at three age levels in just over a year. How many other players could boast such a feat?

Canada had that very challenge on Wednesday night at BC Place; a high-profile Women’s World Cup tuneup against the Germans. And, even though the scoreline was a respectable 2-1 for the visitors, you’d have a hard time feeling good about this match if you were a Canadian supporter.

The second issue of Plastic Pitch, out today, features a 16-page section on Canada's bid for the World Cup.

And now there's bad news on the injury front. And that comes from 27-year-old midfielder Selenia Iacchelli — the former University of Nebraska captain who overcame a series of injuries to work her way back into the senior national-team picture.

And, while it’s difficult to go out the U-17 Women’s World Cup, at least it’s better to lose 3-2 — and show some real positive offensive glimpses — than go out to one of those oh-so-Canadian 1-0 or 2-0 defeats, where the commentators will say that we showed great heart but couldn’t create many chances.

But, instead of folding, the Canadian side showed some resolve. Yes, the Canadians had to defend deep. It was the nature of being down to 10 players. But, there were some wonderful defensive performances. And the Canadian side held on for a 2-1 win.