Stephanie Labbe: Guess who’s back?
Well, today was officially the first day back between the pipes today with my gloves on since I tore my PCL three and a half weeks ago! The fact that I am moving the way I am, with no feeling of pain or weakness still amazes me. Back on May 1, when I suffered my injury, naturally, I NEVER thought I would be doing as much as I am at this time. Since I woke up on May 2, I had a goal to be back for World Cup, and I haven’t looked back once. (more…)
Stephanie Labbe: Just believe …
For the first time in my life, I have been faced with an injury that has kept me out of play for longer than a week and a half. On May 1, in our game vs Kristianstad, I suffered a knee injury 25 minutes into the game. I did everything I could to keep playing, but two corners and five minutes later, I had to come out. It was no longer possible for me to continue, and it was only fair to the rest of the team. I got an MRI, and I am just waiting on our doctor to confirm the results before announcing it, but what I can say is this is something I am determined to fight through, and I wont let it hold me back. (more…)
Stephanie Labbe: Canadian teammates/friends visit Piteå
After the game in Stockholm with my three great Canadian friends/biggest fans
It has been a very interesting week here in Piteå. Something I never thought would happen happened! My double lives collided, head on! The Canadian team has been on break for the past week and a half, and fortunately for me, three of my close friends from the team decided Sweden was where they wanted to spend their break! Carmelina, Kaylyn, and Marie-Eve hopped on the plane and began their trip to the north. (more…)
Stephanie Labbe: The “double life” of a national team keeper
Since the end of the 2009 Damallsvenskan season, we, Piteå IF, have been looking forward to our first game back in the Damallsvenskan. We had a very successful 2009, winning Division 1, and earning our spot back in the top league. It was a year of very hard work, but it paid off, and our moment is here. We had our first game back in the league on Wednesday vs. Linköping, away. They finished among the top of the table last year, and were recently knocked out of the Champions League in the semifinal. They are a strong, fast, talented team, that we knew would be very tough, not only from their recent successes, but from playing them two years ago. (more…)
Stephanie Labbe Video Blog: When in Rome Part 2
This is part two of Stephanie Labbe’s video blog from Rome. She continues her tour of Italy with some of her Canadian teammates, and even drops by a Serie A game with keeper Karina LeBlanc. Marie-Eve Nault provides the footage again. Enjoy part two, and if you missed it click here for part one.
Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby names roster for friendly vs. Canada
Sweden Women’s National Team Head Coach Thomas Dennerby has named his squad for the April 2 friendly against Canada. The two teams will play in Rome. Both teams will compete in this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. Sweden is in Group C with the U.S., North Korea, and Colombia. Canada is in Group A with Germany, France, and Nigeria. (more…)
Stephanie Labbe: My life in Piteå!
Piteå "downtown"
Since returning last week from Holland, where I had met up with my Swedish club, Piteå, I have finally had the chance to settle back into my little niche here. It is so great to be with my team and bonding and hanging out with them. It is hard being away for so long, as you gain a lot with one team, but then miss out on some with another. Sometimes I feel like I am living a double life! Either way, its been great to be back, and play some friendly games in our gear up for the start of the season!
This past weekend, we played two games, the first against a Norwegian club, Trondheim, in which we won 3-1. We played well and created many chances offensively. The second game was against Umeå IK. It was a hard-fought game both ways, ending in a 3-3 tie. PKs were done to ultimately give Umeå the win on the sixth shooter. It was a tough loss, but some really positive things coming out of the game for us! (more…)
FIFA Women’s World Rankings announced, Japan and Canada make history
FIFA announced the latest Women’s World Rankings this morning, and although the top three remained unchanged (U.S., Germany, Brazil), Japan and Canada made history. The Japanese women’s team moved up to No. 4, its highest-ever FIFA World Ranking, while the Canadians jumped three spots to No. 6, its highest ranking. (more…)
U.S. wins Algarve Cup, Canada claims Cyprus Cup title
The U.S. Women’s National Team won its eighth Algarve Cup title with a 4-2, come-from-behind win over Iceland, while the Canadian Women’s National Team knocked off Holland, 2-1 in overtime, to win its third Cyprus Cup in the last four years. Japan and France finished in third place at Algarve and Cyprus, respectively. (more…)
Canadian National Team talks about 2015 World Cup
Hours after FIFA made the official announcement Thursday that Canada was awarded the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Canadian Women’s National Team keepers Karina LeBlanc and Erin McLeod and forward Melissa Tancredi shared their thoughts about the announcement with Our Game Magazine all the way from the Cyprus Cup.
“I think it is an amazing time for Canada,” LeBlanc said. “I am so excited for not only our national team but our country as a whole because for all the young boys and girls who will get to watch and be a part of this event, it will change their lives forever. For all the people who played this sport in the past, and also right now in the present, this will be a proud moment. Knowing how our country backs our athletes, it will be a dream come true for every soccer player.” (more…)
Canada awarded 2015 Women’s World Cup
FIFA officially announced today that Canada will host the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In the months leading up to the announcement, Canada was in the running against Zimbabwe, but since Zimbabwe pulled out of the running earlier this week, all Canada needed was FIFA’s official word. (more…)
Historic day at both Cyprus Cup and Algarve Cup
Kelly Smith won her 100th cap with England and scored in a 2-0 win over Italy at the Cyprus Cup, while Iceland beat Sweden for the first time ever, shocking the No. 4 FIFA ranked team in the world, 2-1, at the Algarve Cup in Portugal. In other action today at Algarve, the U.S. Women’s National Team beat Japan (2-1), Norway beat Finland (2-1), Denmark beat China (1-0), Portugal beat Wales (3-1), and Romania beat Chile (2-0). In Cyprus, Canada, France, South Korea, and the Netherlands won, while Russia and Mexico played to a scoreless draw. (more…)
With boycott lifted, Canadian Women’s National Team focuses on Cyprus Cup
The Canadian Women’s National Team planned to boycott all international games leading up to the 2011 Women’s World Cup unless the Canadian Soccer Association mended its relationship with coach Carolina Morace, who announced last month that she was stepping down after the World Cup. Although the situation between the the CSA and Morace hasn’t been resolved, the Canadian Women’s National Team will play, beginning with Wednesday’s game against Scotland to kick off the 2011 Cyprus Cup. (more…)
Canadian Women’s National Team seeks answers in regards to Coach Morace and compensation
Retaining their coach and receiving compensation they feel they deserve. That’s what the players on the Canadian Women’s National Team want, and they want the two issues resolved in a timely fashion. Head Coach Carolina Morace announced last Friday that she was stepping down after the 2011 Women’s World Cup. Morace, who has been with the team since 2009 and has a contract that runs through the end of the 2012 Olympics, said in an email that, “The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) has a strategy to achieve their goals that differs from my strategy.” (more…)
Kara Lang talks about the CSA reform and the state of Canadian women’s soccer
Former Canadian Women’s National Team forward Kara Lang talked to Our Game Magazine about the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) reform following the Special General Meeting in Ottawa, which took place Saturday, Feb. 5. The 24-year-old Lang, who recently retired from soccer, also discussed coach Carolina Morace’s surprise announcement that she’s stepping down, the World Cup, and the future of Canadian women’s soccer. (more…)
Canadian Women’s National Team Coach Carolina Morace to step down after World Cup
The Canadian Soccer Association confirmed Friday that Canadian Women’s National Team Coach Carolina Morace will step down following the 2011 FIFA World Cup. Several media outlets received an email from Morace confirming the news. Morace said: “I am staying to execute my plan over the next few months because my players have worked hard and deserve to be prepared in the best way possible for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany.” (more…)
Stephanie Labbe returns from China and returns with another blog
Canadian keeper Stephanie Labbe landed back home after her team’s flight to Canada from China following the Four Nations Tournament. Labbe and the Canadian Women’s National Team finished with a 2-1 record in China. On the final day of the tournament, Labbe and Canada shut out Sweden, 1-0. (more…)
Aaran Lines looking forward to 2011 WPS season for more reasons than one
Two days after the WNY Flash announced they acquired Marta’s contract, Head Coach Aaran Lines talked about the five-time FIFA World Player of the Year, how he and his staff compiled a team that features three national team captains, the 2010 WPS Rookie of the Year, some of the best internationals, and a handful of young talent. “I think if you go through our squad, not only have we brought in quality players, right next to their level of ability is their character,” Lines said. “And that’s important to Emma (Hayes), myself, and everyone here. Every player is coming to the club because they want to be here.” (more…)
The U.S. wins Four Nations Tournament in China
It all came down to the final day of the Four Nations Tournament in Chongqing, China to decide a champion, and with the U.S. Women’s National Team’s 2-0 victory over China, the U.S. won the tournament. Canada beat Sweden, 1-0, earlier in the day, so it came down to tiebreakers as both teams were tied for first place with 2-1 records. The first tiebreaker was initially goal difference, followed by goals scored, and then head-to-head, but that was changed prior to the tournament, according to U.S. Soccer. Head-to-head was the first tiebreaker, and since the U.S. beat Canada, the U.S. was crowned tournament champions. (more…)
Four Nations Tournament tiebreaker scenarios
All four teams in the Four Nations Tournament in Chongqing, China have a chance to become tournament champions. After two games, the U.S., Canada, Sweden, and China all have 1-1 records. Monday, the U.S. plays China and Sweden takes on Canada. Certain results will lead to a number of tiebreaker scenarios that will ultimately decide the champion. (more…)
Stephanie Labbe and Marie-Eve Nault check in again from China
Canadian Women’s National Team defender Marie-Eve Nault and keeper Stephanie Labbe return with their second blogs from the Four Nations Tournament in Chongqing, China. Canada, Sweden, China, and the U.S. all play Monday in the final day of competition and all four teams have a shot at winning the tournament. Here’s more from Stephanie and Marie-Eve. (more…)
Cyprus Cup expands to 12 teams, includes five teams that will play in 2011 World Cup
The Cyprus Cup, which will take place from March 2-9 in Larnaka, Cyprus, features 12 teams this year. There will be three groups of four teams. The competing nations this year include five that are going to the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup: defending Cyprus Cup champions Canada, England, France, New Zealand, and North Korea. The other teams in the Cyprus Cup this year include Italy, Scotland, the Netherlands, South Korea, Russia, Northern Ireland, and Switzerland. (more…)
