EDMONTON – The FIFA Women’s World Cup is just 47 days from opening in Edmonton on June 6.
Today, Canada’s Head Coach John Herdman spoke at an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
His presentation was motivational in nature, but opened the window for soccer fans to see how he’s getting his soccer club ready for this huge event.
Herdman and Soccer Canada will announce the roster next week, which has progressively changed since Canada won bronze at the summer Olympics in 2012. Some older players have retired, while youngsters were drafted in.
“You’ll see a nice balance between some young and senior players and that’s really important for the chemistry and dynamics of the sport,” said Herdman.
Herdman has a big job right now, making sure these girls aren’t drawn in by the magnitude of the tournament on their home soil.
“It’s the simplicity of day by day,” says Herdman. “We’re adding things, we’re removing things, we’re making you stronger, more organized, more connected, and if we stick to the process, when the big day comes, we’ll be ready for it.
“The players are starting to get a bigger sense of the purpose behind what they’re actually competing in this World Cup for, and the reasons why winning it are important to our country.”
Herdman told media Monday he believes Canada can win the title on home soil, but not without the help of fans.
“History tells us we’re the underdogs. But when you come and you’ve got 55,000 people behind you every game, you start becoming the favourites because that sort of support goes a long way.
“Look Edmonton, we need 55,000 people. If I could promise you a World Cup on our own, I’d tell you just to sit at home and watch it.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for people here. It’s never coming back in our lifetimes.”
Herdman lights up when he talks about Captain Christine Sinclair, who he told the luncheon is one of the greatest female athletes of all time. At the age of 31, Sinclair is in the twilight of her career, and playing in Canada for the World Cup is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“I think the reality for Christine is you’ll never get this back again. She’ll have dreamed of doing something like this and it almost feels like there’s a fate about what’s gonna happen here for her. Playing the final in her home town, oh wow!”
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