But Canadian Soccer Association General Secretary Peter Montopoli, who is with the FIFA contingent as they tour the Women’s World Cup 2015 sites, said that the expectation is that the training grounds used by the world’s top national sides will be up to the same quality as the artificial surfaces in the stadiums.

The Eddies and the Alberta Soccer Association announced a new Regional Performance Centre will be launched, and that centre will link to the Excel Program, which helps identify talent for the Canadian national program. Sergio Teixeira will be the FC Edmonton ladies’ coach, and 20 players from age 14-16 have been recruited to take part in the program.

Toronto’s BMO Field, which wasn’t part of the 2015 Women’s World Cup bid but was brought into the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup as a replacement for Ottawa, will get Canada’s first two matches, Aug. 5 and Aug. 8, 2014. Montreal will host Canada’s third group-stage match, on Aug. 12, and Olympic Stadium will also get the final.

Sticking out like sore thumbs on the roster are FC Dallas academy defender Eric Davies and Philadelphia Union Academy forward Matt Greer. Both play for American clubs. Neither were part of the Canadian team at CONCACAF qualifying.

The grass vs. turf debate was a topic of debate once again on Wednesday, during a sponsored conference call with three members of the women’s national team — Rhian Wilkinson, Erin McLeod and Diana Matheson — and Women’s World Cup communications officer Sandra Gage.

The Canadian Soccer Association confirmed Tuesday that forward Simeon Jackson, who came on as a sub in Sunday’s shocking Gold-Cup opening loss to Martinique, has left the team. The former Norwich City striker, who is unattached, is off to Europe to pursue a “club commitment” there. Jackson’s departure has the blessing of current Canadian men’s national-team coach Colin Miller.

But, by making no secret of Canada’s intentions, we’re the first country in CONCACAF to plant our flag. And that’s important.

“It doesn’t matter — for me or one of the 41 members, whether it's the United States, Mexico or Canada, I believe it is too important for us to host the World Cup in 2026,” Webb said emphatically. “And that will have been 32 years, which would have been the longest time since World War II that we have not hosted the World Cup as a confederation.”

"Football is the same in Canada, Japan, Europe. What happens on the pitch is the same in all countries," Floro said. "For me [football is being] able to play anywhere, in any condition."

What Miller does now is that Martinique recently beat the Portland Timbers U-23 side by a 2-1 count, and that it is a good technical side. Steve Gustan and Stephane Abaul scored for Martinique against Portland’s youth side. Abaul plays for one of Martinique’s most recognized teams, Club Franciscain.