CanWNT 1-0 Cameroon

It is kind of wild to think that just four years ago Canada hosted the world at the 2015 FIFA women’s World Cup.

A lot has changed since that tournament. A well hosted 2015 tournament helped Canada secure the 2026 World Cup as part of a united bid with Mexico and the United States. The women’s national team has since shot up the rankings as well, to 5th in the World.

The team pulling on the red strip (which is now made by Nike), has changed as well. Only nine players are returning from the last tournament, where Canada relied on players from their bronze medal winning London 2012 team.

That made them one of the oldest teams at that tournament. This group, however, is the fifth youngest in France. For comparison that 2015 group had nine players who were older than 30. This group only has three.

One of those elder statesman still looms large, however. All eyes will be on Christine Sinclair from the get-go. She is now only four goals away from breaking Abby Wambach’s record for most all-time in international soccer.

With four goals in seven games this year, she also still remains the key to Canada’s attack. However, it is defensive organization that is the true hallmark of this Canadian squad Canada has allowed just a single goal this year.

The expectations around this group, at least externally, have also changed in four years. Whereas there was inflated hype over this group hosting the tournament in 2015, this team comes in rather unheralded. In fact, Canada aren’t even the highest rated team in their group per oddsmakers as the Dutch lead the way in that category.

However, the potential with this team is most certainly there. Sinclair has said this is the best national team she has ever been a part of, and isn’t usually someone to make bold proclamations.

Today Canada kicks off its 2019 campaign against Cameroon. This will be the first ever international meeting between Canada and Cameroon, who are just their second World Cup after qualifying for the first time in 2015. They were able to surprise at that tournament, reaching the knockout stages.

With a number of players plying their trade in the french leagues, they could prove to be a tricky opponent should Canada not be careful. With a number of upsets already taking place at this tournament, Canada will want to avoid a similar fate.

How to watch:

Match date/time: Monday, June 10, 3:00 p.m. ET

TV channel: TSN

Live stream: TSN GO

Lineups:

Game Thread:

92’ - Job done for Canada. Final score 1-0. Onward and Upward!

85’ - Substitution Cameroon:

78’ - Great Chance for Sinclair!

75’ - Canada Substitution - Prince out, Rose in.

69’ - Stats for you:

67’ - Double sub for Cameroon.

57’ - Second half going much the same as the first - end to end but lack of quality in the final third on both sides. Proper defensive battle this.

4:00PM - Second Half begins...

HT - Canada breaks the deadlock at the death to go into the break up by one. It took 7 practice corners but finally Canada scores on a set-play because they were getting choked by Cameroon’s deep block in the run of play.

42’ - Michelle Prince comes OH SO CLOSE to opening the scoring.

44’ - GOAL! Canada 1 - 0 Cameroon Buchanan! It was coming!

3:00PM - and we’re off!!!

2:53PM - Here come the National Anthems!

2:44PM - Who’s excited?????!!!!???? ME. M. E. That’s who! Loving the TSN panel, Love seeing Luke Wileman play off NOT Steven Caldwell for a presto-change-o. Only a quarter hour to kick-off!!