National Team

While the Senior National Team played two friendlies against Haiti this window, Jeneva Hernandez Gray and Janet Okeke were with the the U20s competing in the CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship to qualify for the U20 Women’s World Cup next year.

© Canada Soccer

Canada’s first game against Haiti acted as a retirement celebration for veteran Desiree Scott. Scott would leave the field in the 55th minute with 188 caps, four assists, and three Olympic medals for Canada. Canada sent her off in style with a 4-1 win; Adriana Leon scored a brace and Shelina Zadorsky and Olivia Smith had the other two goals, Janine Sonis had the assist on all four.

Then there was a game of firsts for Canada in their 3-1 win over Haiti. Holly Ward had her first start for Canada, scoring her first goal and earning her first assist, Évelyne Viens scored her first brace, Jessie Fleming had her first multi-assist game, and Zara Chavoshi made her debut – earning her first start at the same time.

© Canada Soccer

Jeneva Hernandez Gray and Janet Okeke were with the U20 squad to help secure Canada’s spot in the 2026 U20 Women’s World Cup. In their first group stage match against Panama, Okeke played 72 minutes and Hernandez Gray played the first half, scoring one goal and earning one assist in their 7-1 win. The second group stage game against Nicaragua proved to be a battle as Canada went down to 10 early after receiving a red card; Okeke and Hernandez Gray both played the full game in the 4-1 win. In the last group stage match against Mexico, which included a two-hour rain delay, Okeke played the full game and Hernandez Gray played 88 minutes – Canada fell 4-2, finishing second in their group.

© Canada Soccer

In the semi-final, Canada defeated the Americans 1-0 – their first win over the Americans at the youth level since 2008; Hernandez Gray played the first half and Okeke played the full game.

The Canadians moved onto the final, where they faced their group stage opponent Mexico. After 120 minutes of play, Canada came away with a 3-2 win, winning the CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship for the third time, and the first since 2008. Janet Okeke played the full game and Jeneva Hernandez Gray played the first half.

© Canada Soccer

USA

In the first game back from international break, Racing Louisville defeated the Utah Royals 3-2. Sonis played 63 minutes and earned one assist for Racing, and Bianca St-Georges played 64 minutes and scored one goal for the Royals. Cloé Lacasse remained unavailable for the Royals due to injury. Jordyn Huitema was unavailable with an excused absence for the Seattle Reign in their 2-1 win over the San Diego Wave. For the Wave, Kailen Sheridan was in net and Adriana Leon played 62 minutes.

Nichelle Prince was unavailable due to a thigh injury for the KC Current in their 2-1 win over Gotham FC. Chavoshi was an unused substitute for the Orlando Pride in their 1-0 win over the Houston Dash.

In the Portland Thorn’s 1-0 loss to Bay FC, Mimi Alidou played 63 minutes and Jessie Fleming entered in the 78th minute. Megan Reid had the start for Angel City and played the full game and Julia Grosso was unavailable with a lower leg injury for the Chicago Red Stars in the 2-2 draw. Gabby Carle played the full game for the Washington Spirit in their 3-1 win over the North Carolina Courage; Sydney Collins remained unavailable for the Courage due to an ankle injury.

Sweden

Carly Wickenheiser was an unused substitute for BK Häcken in their 5-0 win over Linköpings FC.

Canada

© Northern Super League

The Ottawa Rapid had a strong showing against AFC Toronto and came away with a huge 4-0 win. Scott played the full game for the Rapid and Emma Regan played the full game for Toronto. Later, the Vancouver Rise would suffer a 2-0 loss to the Montréal Roses. For the Rise, Quinn played 63 minutes and Ward and Samantha Chang played the full game, and for the Roses, Latifah Abdu played 64 minutes. 

Player of the Week: Janine Sonis

Goals: 9 (Hernandez Gray x 1, Leon x 2, Smith x 1, St-Georges x 1, Viens x 2, Ward x 1, Zadorsky x 1)

Assists: 9 (Fleming x 2, Hernandez Gray x 1, Sonis x 5, Ward x 1)

Leave a comment

Trending