A knee injury and then a broken foot derailed Diana Matheson’s preparations for the Women’s World Cup — her participation at the tourney was reduced to a single sub appearance, in Canada’s quarter-final loss to England. But, now back to full health, the midfield magician has made a major impact on her NWSL club, the Washington Spirit

Issue 5 of Plastic Pitch, out now, represents our most pain-staking effort. This issue is a labour of love, of passion for the Canadian game — and asks questions about our Canadian identity within the game. It should easily become the most talked-about issue we’ve put out.

When the NWSL was founded, the Canadian Soccer Association was in on the ground floor; the CSA agreed to subsidize the contracts of 16 Canadian players, who would all be assigned to various teams in the new women’s league. But, that relationship isn’t quite as rosy as it was a couple of years ago — and Canada is no longer using its full allocation...

“Until two to three years ago, the relationship was non-existent,” says Montagliani. “Basically, we were a foregone conclusion to our friends from the south. But we have strengthened our relationship, first with the USSF, and now we have better relationships at the MLS level, and the NASL level. Our relationships are improving but, remember, it’s been just two or three years.”

According to the CSA, “Canadian National Team players will remain in the Centralized Development Program to begin and train in that environment throughout the season, but will have the opportunity to participate in the first three to four NWSL matches before the start of the FIFA Women's World Cup. The NWSL will also a take brief 12-day break during the group stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 in Canada.”

She’s Canada’s all-time leading scorer, but she only scored once for the national team in 2014.

Canadian midfielder Desiree Scott has earned “Destroyer” as a nickname because of her aggressive nature. She will be a big part of Canada’s national team at the upcoming Women’s World Cup.

"But, after the World Cup, the options are open. But I did really enjoy it in England and, yes, I would go back."

“Absolutely. We believe that, after 2015, the interest will be there for at least one city to be a part of NWSL,” said Montopoli. “The interest will merit it…. It certainly presents an opportunity for an owner (in Canada) to be part of NWSL. We have had those initial discussions with NWSL but we’re currently waiting to see the success of 2015 before we get there.”

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...