The Wait Is Over

Passing the Torch

The same day that the Dahlkemper trade to Washington is finalized, a major happening in the international soccer world occurs in Vancouver.

Canadian Soccer Association General Secretary Peter Montopoli: Thank you for coming to today's press conference. Questions will be taken at the conclusion of  both persons' remarks. This is a monumental day in Canadian soccer. Following a third consecutive Olympic medal, the road to the 2023 World Cup is going to take a detour as our beloved coach, John Herdman, is staying true to his word and stepping away. I will let him speak, as well as allow him to introduce his successor.

John Herdman: When I took over the reins of the Canadian Women's National Team following the 2011 Women's World Cup, never in my wildest dreams did I think we would accomplish as much as we have. 2011 Pan Am Games gold, 2012 and 2016 Olympic bronze medals, 2020 Olympic silver medal, and 2019 fourth-place finish at the Women's World Cup. Although I still feel as though I have much to give to this organization, I promised when I signed my last contract that I would depart following the 2020 Olympics. The time has come to bring Canadian leadership to the Canadian game, and to make good on my beliefs about women leading women in sport. It gives me immense happiness to introduce to you the new head coach of the Canadian Women's National Team, Rhian Wilkinson.

Rhian Wilkinson: Thank you, John. Wow. When I began playing for the National Team in 2003 I never believed that I would be standing here today taking charge of it. First things first, I must thank John for giving myself and others the opportunity to gain experience on the administrative and coaching side of the National Team program. I also want to thank my iS4 teammates, Karina Leblanc, Diana Matheson, and Christine Sinclair, for picking up the slack when I would be gone for youth national team events or scouting trips for the senior team. Finally, I want to thank the fans who have always been supportive of me, whether as a player or now as a coach. The challenge ahead of us between now and the 2023 Women's World Cup is stiff, but doable. We have lost a significant amount of talent and experience over the past four years, but we have also brought in a new generation of players that have already begun standing out on the international stage. As our younger players begin getting more professional experience in NWSL and overseas, our ceiling as a program will rise and we will have the wherewithal to win either a World Cup title or an Olympic gold medal. I am overjoyed to be your National Team coach and together we will write une epopee des plus brilliants exploits (an epic tale of the most brilliant exploits).

Montopoli: We will now take questions.

"Coach Wilkinson, how much turnover should we expect between now and 2023?"

Wilkinson: I would expect some turnover, but not as much as in previous cycles due mainly to having brought in so many new players in previous ones.

"Coach Herdman, how does it feel to know that you have met all the challenges you laid out for the national team program nine years ago?"

Herdman: Don't be putting me out to pasture just yet. I still have a number of good years ahead of mine and new challenges to take on. What they are or where they will be, I don't know. As for my record, all credit goes to all the strong women that were part of my nine years here, who bought into my philosophy of openness and distributed leadership and took on the challenge to elevate this program to a level where we could compete against the very best teams in the world, and ultimately to carry forth the torch when my time would come to an end.

"Coach Herdman, what's next for you?"

Herdman: I said that I didn't know where the next challenge would be. I could go back across the pond, I could take over an NWSL team, I could move into the men's game somewhere. I'm willing to listen to any reasonable offers, so people, blow up my cell phone.

"Coach Wilkinson, there appears to be a logjam at goalkeeper. Stephanie Labbe has been the starter in each of the last three major tournaments for Canada, but Sabrina D'Angelo and Kailen Sheridan have had excellent seasons recently for North Carolina and Sky Blue FC. With almost three years to go until the Women's World Cup, are you looking to transition the #1 shirt from Labbe to one of the others, as she will be nearly 37 at the time of that competition, or will it be a fight between the three and whoever is playing the best at the time will be the starter?"

Wilkinson: I will address your age-related insult first. Steph Labbe is one of the fittest goalkeepers, or players, that Canada has ever produced. She keeps herself in very good shape and so long as she is getting first-team minutes somewhere, I don't see any reason to change course. With her in net, we have achieved finishes of third, fourth, and second, the best three-tournament run in the history of the Canadian Women's National Team. If there is a significant drop-off in her form over the next couple of years, we'll re-evaluate the plan. Otherwise, she is our starter.

Montopoli: Thank you for coming. Both John and Rhian will be available for one-on-ones if you have additional questions.

SOCCER

Canadian Soccer Association - Named Rhian Wilkinson head coach of Women's National Team.