WASHINGTON -- Canada head coach Casey Stoney delivered a scathing assessment of her team’s 3-0 loss to the United States at Audi Field on Wednesday, branding the performance "inexcusable." Stoney emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, "Talk is cheap." She challenged the team to move beyond discussions about future World Cup aspirations and instead focus on executing their game plan. "We can keep talking about winning the World Cup, we can talk about the things that we are going to do. We can keep talking about what we're going to do, or we can actually put things into action," Stoney declared. The USWNT capitalized on set pieces, scoring all three goals from a free kick, a corner kick, and a throw-in. Forward Jordyn Huitema described the outcome as "disappointing and unlike us," highlighting a perceived lack of effort and execution.
Stoney acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating, "I think we looked two yards short on everything." She attributed the defeat to a combination of factors, including repeated turnovers, a failure to execute the game plan, and a lack of commitment. A key criticism was the team’s reliance on crosses, despite a strategic directive to minimize them. Stoney also pointed to a failure to effectively press the USWNT and lose numerous individual duel’s. The score opened in the 17th minute when Sam Coffey expertly dispatched a loose ball following Rose Lavelle’s free kick. Shortly before halftime, Claire Hutton rose above the defense to head in Lavelle’s corner kick, uncontested. In the closing minutes, Yazmeen Ryan capitalized on a throw-in to secure the final goal.
USWNT coach Emma Hayes praised her veteran players for maintaining the team’s desired style of play. Hayes noted, "We didn't play another game." Stoney expressed concern over her players’ fitness levels, highlighting the fact that many were not consistently starting for their clubs. She stated, "I have a problem: my players aren't. Some of them are out of season, which it showed, and not playing enough minutes for their clubs, so that needs to change." This inconsistency, she believed, directly impacted performance. Stoney stressed the importance of increased playing time for her players at their respective clubs, asserting, "Get playing or you won't get picked." She aimed to send a clear message: sustained club involvement was crucial for team success.
Looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup, Stoney emphasized the need for significant improvement, stating, "We want to try to build toward 2027; we need to be a hell of a lot better than we were tonight." The match served as a critical measuring stick for both teams, particularly regarding the integration of newer, less experienced players. Stoney, accepting responsibility for the loss, confirmed that it would necessitate a reevaluation of her strategic approach. "Tonight, we were miles off," Stoney conceded. "It’s almost [like] the games we had in prep for this haven't prepared us. This is the first top opponent we played, and it shows where we're at."
