Late July, 2024.
The words, courtesy of a national legend, ring loud and clear.
“We are right there with you…. take six points from us, fine…. let’s go get nine…. Go Canada.”
And so, the Canadian Women’s Soccer team, currently competing at the Paris Olympics in dramatic and stressful circumstances, do just that.
Thank you, Diana Matheson.
The diminutive midfielder sees and does it all over a glittering seventeen-year career. First capped in 2003, she goes on to represent Canada on a staggering 206 occasions. There are countless magic moments along the way, including winning a gold medal at the 2011 Pan-Am tournament.
Likewise, she also plays with distinction in three World Cups and three Olympic Games. Memorably, at London 2012 in the bronze medal match, she slots home the injury time winner vs France.
There are difficult patches as well. Two ACL tears take their toll, while a serious foot injury forces her retirement in 2020. As a result, she misses out on her team’s Olympic gold medal effort in Tokyo a year later.
Regardless, her legacy lives on. Speedy, skilful and indefatigable. Relentlessly hounding opponents when not in possession of the ball. Gritty, determined, reliable.
Best of all, proud, strong, and steadfast when adversity strikes.
Thus, her pointed comments carry special meaning during a turbulent and tumultuous week that no one could have anticipated or predicted.
Canada, the defending Olympic champions, arrives in France looking to repeat its 2021 Tokyo performance. Tricky games, vs New Zealand, then the host French, then Colombia, to first be negotiated. Three points available for a win. The top two teams from the pool advancing to the knockout playoff rounds.
Then, suddenly, without warning, everything goes sideways.
Focus shifts dramatically, Canada dogged by allegations of cheating. Of flying a drone high above a New Zealand practice session, basically spying on the opposition.
The punishments come thick and fast. FIFA, the sport’s ruling body, and the Olympic Committee itself, combine to drop the hammer. Canada is assessed a crippling six-point penalty, the equivalent of two pool victories. Moreover, the Canadian federation cops a $313,000 fine. Three coaches, one of them the head coach, suspended immediately and then banned for a year.
The investigation digs deeper. From published emails and discussions, patterns of drone use in previous years emerge. In a statement, Canada Soccer acknowledges to “feeling sick.” The Canadian government reacts by planning to withhold future funding from the women’s program. A late attempt to appeal the six-point penalty is rejected by a court of arbitration.
Against this sickening backdrop, the team plugs away. Sleepless nights hamper preparation for New Zealand. The lead assistant coach takes the helm. Rumours, conjecture and innuendo swirl, the players at times unfairly scapegoated for the cheating accusations.
Yet, buoyed by support from Matheson and a number of other former players, all that matters is the on-field performance. Nothing less than three straight wins are required to overcome the six-point hole.
Perhaps not surprisingly, with the world watching, Canada begins hesitantly vs New Zealand. A defensive error allows the Kiwis to take an early lead. However, a late first half equalizer changes the momentum. A second goal, scored by Evelyne Viens in the 79th minute, secures a critical, edgy 2-1 triumph.
Next up, France. Though arguably not on par with previous Olympic scandals, the drone/spying incident remains very much a hot media story, most definitely front-page news.
The game begins. Canada in tough, the French a deep, highly skilled squad, backed by manic support in St. Etienne. The noise reaches a crescendo when, after waves of pressure, a home goal just before half time produces a deserved goal. 1-0.
Still, Canada just refuses to go away. Captain Jesse Fleming swoops in to equalize in the 58th minute. Play swings back and forth, Chances at both ends. An injury to the French netminder causes a lengthy delay. The game reaches the 90-minute mark, the score still knotted 1-1. A draw will eliminate Canada from playoff contention. Given the point deductions, only a victory will suffice.
Heroes emerge. In a frantic, tense, 13 minutes of added time, both teams have opportunities to win. Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan makes a critical, highlight reel save. Then, somehow, someway, Canada scores with one minute remaining. Appropriately, in eerily similar fashion to Matheson’s goal against the same opponents twelve years earlier, a composed Vanessa Gilles slides in a rebound. 2-1, final score.
One last step remains. Canada travels to Nice. A slick and dangerous Colombian side lies ready, also desperate to advance. The Canadians control the action from the start, but finishing touches lack polish. Time ticks away, no score at halftime.
The breakthrough duly comes on the hour mark. An inch perfect free kick by Fleming finds Gilles in the penalty box. Rising imperiously over two defenders, she heads home decisively. A second game winner in succession. 1-0 just enough to stave off elimination and keep alive Canadian hopes to repeat as Olympic champion.
The three performances are a tremendous example of grit and courage. Of finding reserves of energy. Of remaining mentally strong. Of clawing out of a massive hole. Of players keen to defend reputations, speaking of their desire to represent Canada with pride and distinction. Of playing through a scandal that rocks the country to the core.
I think back to the comments from Matheson. Of her taking the point deduction in stride, zeroing in on the controllables. Of doing what is required. No complaining, no excuses. Just total focus on the nine points on offer. Every single one of them required in a quest for a fourth straight Olympic medal.
The words, and their deeper meaning, send a powerful message. Apply not just to sport, but to all manner of life situations.
Saturday, August 3 looms on the immediate horizon. An athletic and well organized Germany waits in the quarterfinals. For Die Nationalef, its first elimination playoff game.
Yet, for Canada, by every measure, its fourth.
I expect another sterling, combative Canadian performance. And, while a loss may sting, it won’t really matter. Because what these women have already accomplished, for what they have already overcome, is pure gold.
Editor's note:
Saturday, February 3. After a scoreless regulation and extra time, Germany defeats Canada (4-2) in a penalty kick shootout.
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