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The Canadian Soccer Association held a press conference Thursday in Vancouver to announce that they have reached an agreement with women’s head coach John Herdman, extending his contract to 2020. Herdman was previously under contract with the CSA until 2016.
This puts speculation that Herdman would jump ship to his native England following the end of Hope Powell’s 15 year reign as England head coach.
Although extending his contract through the next two World Cup and Olympic cycles seems like a bit of a risk, Herdman has shown that he is up to the tough task of transitioning the CanWNT from their 2012 Olympic success onwards to preparation for the 2015 Women’s World Cup. Additionally, Herdman will likely be the one to lead Canada through the post Christine Sinclair era that is yet to come.
"I am thrilled to know that I have the support from the Canadian Soccer Association to not only build a strong Women's program but also to have the opportunity to implement it and see it through after the Canada 2015," Herdman commented Thursday. "We now have the clarity to move forward, focus on our performances and put in place the stepping stones to truly leaving a lasting legacy for women's football in Canada."
Herdman has already given first caps to eleven new players in 2013.
Sophie Schmidt and Erin McLeod expressed their excitement today about Herdman’s contract extension.
Thursday’s press conference also served to announce another friendly this fall on home soil (I mean turf). The CanWNT will play a friendly against Mexico on November 24th at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium.
Mexico is ranked 24th in the world by FIFA and their last meeting with Canada was on January 27th, 2012 in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualification tournament. Canada won the meeting 3-1, sending the team to London.
With Canada already set to face the Republic of Korea at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium on October 30th, the CSA is starting to deliver on their promise to host friendlies in each of the World Cup sites between now and 2015.
Additionally, the CSA announced on Tuesday that the CanWNT will face the Americans (yes, again!) in a friendly on January 31st, 2014 at a venue in the States that is yet to be announced. This match will be an especially important friendly, serving as a benchmark to how well the team is progressing against the best in the world ahead of the World Cup.
Onwards to Canada 2015!
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