2026 SheBelieves Cup: Scouting Canada
· Yahoo Sports
The United States Women’s National Team has a big year ahead and is seeking to set the tone by winning the SheBelieves Cup for the eighth time in the 11th edition of the competition. The tournament run opened with a victory against Argentina (2-0), led by goals from Lindsey Heaps and Jaedyn Shaw. Next on the schedule is the program’s biggest rival, Canada, with the two sides once again facing off and attempting to determine the region’s top dog. The match is set for ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio, a 20,585-seat soccer-specific stadium with a natural grass playing surface.
This is the 68th all-time meeting between the two programs, with the USWNT holding a 54-4-9 record and claiming the most recent result in a friendly last summer (3-0). Ranked 10thinternationally by FIFA, Canada had a solid start to 2025 by winning the Pinatar Cup and taking four out of the next five friendlies. However, Les Rouges (The Reds) ended the year dropping five consecutive matches, including defeats to Switzerland (0-1), the Netherlands (0-1), and Japan (0-3, 0-1). The current tournament run opened with a victory against Colombia (4-1).
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Replacing Bev Priestman, Casey Stoney was hired in January of last year to lead Canada on a three-year deal that goes through the next World Cup and has an additional option for 2028. The 42-year-old retired defender had a lengthy playing career that included 130 caps for England before moving into the technical area. She had stints in charge of the Women’s Super League’s Manchester United and the San Diego Wave in the National Women’s Soccer League, claiming the 2023 Shield and 2024 Challenge Cup as well as the 2022 Coach of the Year award with the latter outfit before being fired in June of 2024 in the midst of a seven-match losing streak.
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Stoney named a 24-player roster for the SheBelieves Cup, a group that is missing a few notable talents. The National Women’s Soccer League is home to 13 of the call-ups; additionally, six are on the books of European clubs and four compete in the domestic Northern Super League. Notable absences include Sabrina D’Angelo, Shelina Zadorsky, Ashley Lawrence, Jayde Riviere, and Adriana Leon. Olivia Smith withdrew due to a concussion and was replaced by Megan Reid.
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GOALKEEPERS (3): Kailen Sheridan (North Carolina Courage), Emily Burns (Nantes), Melissa Dagenais (Ottawa Rapid)
DEFENDERS (7): Jade Rose (Manchester City), Vanessa Gilles (Bayern Munich), Sydney Collins (Bay FC), Marie Levasseur (Montpellier), Gabrielle Carle (Washington Spirit), Brooklyn Courtnall (Bay FC), Megan Reid (Denver Summit)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Julia Grosso (Chicago Stars), Simi Awujo (Manchester United), Jessie Fleming (Portland Thorns), Emma Regan (Denver Summit), Marie-Yasmine Alidou (Portland Thorns), Kaylee Hunter (AFC Toronto)
FORWARDS (8): Jordyn Huitema (Seattle Reign), Evelyne Viens (Roma), Nichelle Prince (Boston Legacy), Janine Sonis (Denver Summit), Holly Ward (Vancouver Rise), Delaney Baie Pridham (Ottawa Rapid), Annabelle Chukwu (Notre Dame Fighting Irish), Cloé Lacasse (Utah Royals)
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Stoney utilizes a 4-3-3 and has sought to “implement more of an aggressive, attack-minded approach” that enables the team to “dictate the match and play on the front foot by holding possession, attacking on the flanks with speed, and using their height advantage to score off of set pieces.” The versatile squad is playing in “a quick and direct fashion” with a style that relies upon “timing and execution,” which can bring feast or famine depending on the performance of the opponent. According to One Soccer, the team has “been asked to defend much more aggressively” and “press higher up the field.”
Still considered one of the best in the world at her position, Kailen Sheridan is the presumed starter with elite “distribution and shot-stopping ability” that fit the manager’s desire to “play aggressively offensive football.” The 30-year-old North Carolina Courage goalkeeper projects a cool confidence in her decision-making and is willing to come far off her line in order to participate in possession. She describes herself as “progressive” due to continually adding tools to her overall game and improving her already quite stellar distribution, which adds a necessary outlet in the build-up. Her footwork on saves is impeccable with nary a step wasted when charting the best path to the ball and taking the quick initial jump before shifting into a quick dive.
After a full collegiate career at Harvard University, Jade Rose signed with Manchester City and quickly ascended to a starting role, thriving in the club’s trademark pass-heavy system and recovering possession. She has a solid read on the play and takes the sharpest route when tracking back to put out danger, with a physical edge to make attackers regret attempting to go shoulder to shoulder. Bayern Munich’s Vanessa Gilles is the reigning and two-time Canada Soccer Player of the Year and has already scored three goals this season for her new club, embodying the two-way nature of the position. Tough in the tackle and aggressive in the air, her play can set the tone with constant wins and challenges that eliminate potential threats when parking the bus or chasing down pacey players on the break. Los Angeles-born Brooklyn Courtnall received her first senior call-up and can “keep up with an attacker’s pace,” displays “confidence in one-on-one scenarios,” and has “quick thinking, adaptability, and hustle.” The 23-year-old Bay FC centre-back is “versatile, dynamic, and has a great understanding of the game,” imbuing the base of the formation with “a reliable and commanding” presence along with “tactical awareness.”
Montpellier’s Marie Levasseurfills the stat sheet with several tackles, interceptions, blocks, clearances, and aerial victories per match with a desire to throw herself into the danger spots. The Québécoise can also enter into the attack and has a feel for making the correct play in the box with intelligent runs and a first touch that puts her in the right area to advance. Gabrielle Carle is a “consistent” presence and has emerged as “one of the most versatile defenders and underrated players” in the NWSL with “strong passing ability” and “key one-on-one” shutdowns. The 27-year-old Washington Spirit fullback is always ready to push into the final third, driving into the open space and hitting early crosses into the box to an onrushing teammate. The versatile Sydney Collins has recovered from “a string of injuries” to return for club and country, bringing a dogged athleticism and a willingness to throw herself into challenges. She has a fairly long frame and can deploy on the inside and the outside of the line, chasing down wingers and shining when contesting one-on-one situations in isolation.
Jessie Fleming provides a stabilizing presence in the engine room with physical ball winning, the ability to withstand pressure, intelligent passing through the lines, and a testing long-distance shot. The 27-year-old Portland Thorns midfielder hits most of her distribution long and is one of the more prolific creators in the NWSL, while also harboring the ability to deploy at winger. Denver Summit’s Emma Regan is praised as “versatile and intelligent” with “leadership, composure, and competitive drive,” having received Midfielder of the Year during last season in the Northern Super League with AFC Toronto. She has a high level of tactical nous, can play through the opponent’s swarming tackles, and takes control of proceedings with tricky dribbling and a willingness to make attempts on goal from anywhere. Julia Grosso of Chicago Stars completes the trio and takes on the progression responsibilities, whether making solo runs or playing the ball to teammates, also sliding to the outside and hitting crosses. Total Football Analysis notes that her game has “a bit of versatility,” takes a lot of touches during the match, and is “strong aerially,” despite a need to improve in “positioning and 1v1 duels.” Simi Awujo competes with Manchester United and is growing into a greater role with Canada, displaying a dynamic two-way presence to deliver from one phase to the next in an instant. Her repertoire includes quick turns out of trouble, a willingness to go shoulder-to-shoulder with anyone, a full heat map, and the composure to finish when given the opportunity.
Former United States youth international Janine Sonis has the versatility to line up on the front and back lines, with a blue-collar style that sees her racking up aerial duel victories and interceptions. The 31-year-old Denver Summit wide player has phenomenal field vision with the talent to accomplish her designs, a quick step out of a standing position, and a bag of tricks to avoid challenges. Evelyne Viens has been “on fire” with Roma in Serie A, displaying her intense pace, powerful strike, and penchant to convert in stride with a single touch, often from a difficult angle. Total Football Analysis notes her ability to “cover almost the entirety of the opponent’s half with and without the ball” and adaptability to varying styles due to her quickness, agility, and movement. Boston Legacy’s Nichelle Prince continues to be a regular for Canada, adding “pace, intelligence, and versatility” along with an “on-ball prowess” to the squad, providing a necessary dynamism. She reads the space well, particularly in a crowded box by knowing when and where to move in order to unlock that crucial yard of space, and can press with a sudden step to the defender. Marie-Yasmine Alidou of the Portland Thorns had her big international breakthrough in 2025 with 12 caps and a hat trick in the Pinatar Cup, thriving by finding “gaps in the middle and making things happen.” The manager is a fan of the Montréalaise’s game that includes a powerful left foot, a distinct vision, palpable athleticism, and a willingness to get on the end of service and fight for headers.
With a need for someone to lead the line, Holly Ward appears to have thrown her hat into the ring and picked up several starts, finding the back of the net in friendlies against Haiti and Costa Rica. The 22-year-old Vancouver Rise forward netted the game-winning goal to claim last season’s Northern Super League title in the 2-1 win over AFC Toronto, slotting home her shot after a footrace into the box. She has pace for days and can also serve as the set-up player with eight assists in her debut professional campaign, adding to her “energy and end product” that could give her “a long-term role as the program evolves.” The British Columbian can also line up on the wing and make angled runs into the center, which gives her the chance to latch onto the end of crosses and head home her efforts. Seattle Reign’s Jordyn Huitema is still seeking her breakout but provides a baseline level of production and intense defensive work rate that should guarantee her call-ups for the next decade. Standing at five feet, 11 inches tall and improving as a target presence, her game is dictated by finesse, skill on the ball, and the speed to press opponents before the pass arrives.
The rivalry is once again being renewed, albeit with one program in a much stronger position than the other. The USWNT is on the rise and should be in line to challenge for the upcoming World Cup and Olympics, while Canada is still seeking direction under the new manager and far from the peak. Expect a comfortable victory for the hosts, but perhaps there is a surprise or two in the offing.
The match is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4th at 10:30 p.m. Eastern, 7:30 p.m. Pacific. Viewing options include TBS, truTV, Universo, HBO Max, Peacock, and FUBO TV (free trial).