Thu, Jul 3, 2025
AFC Toronto, Canada Soccer, CANWNT, Northern Super League, Vancouver Rise FC
Four Different CANWNT Goal Scorers in a 4-1 Win at BMO Field
raheemfarhanbashirJune 29, 2025
Four Different CANWNT Goal-Scorers on June 27
ANALYSIS – After a lacklustre first half, the CANWNT really played well in the second half. There were in total four goal-scorers for the national team, with two of them scoring their first-ever national team goal.
Four Different CANWNT Goal Scorers with a Home Win at BMO Field
Holly Ward Continues Her Strong Form for the CANWNT/CANXNT
Holly Ward was a standout player in Friday’s 4-1 win over the USWNT. She had some good touches with the ball throughout the game and created scoring opportunities for her teammates. This included scoring chances such as:
Ward created scoring chances for her teammates. This included her cross to Adriana Leon, who was unable to convert on the scoring chance.
Ward’s speed drew a yellow card, as her speed led to Costa Rica’s Emily Flores getting a yellow card.
She also scored probably the goal of the match as her shot found the top corner to give her team the slight edge. This is what AFC Toronto captain and CANWNT/CANXNT player, Regan, said about Ward:
“Amazing, really amazing goal. She likes to act like she’s nervous before these games and then she comes out and scores so yeah I’m really really proud of her she’s really happy for her she’s been doing so well in the NSL doing so well in training here so I think as much as I can give her the confidence to keep doing that out.”
She also scored what was then the go-ahead goal for the national team. Ward scored her first-ever goal against Haiti back on June 4 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and got the player of the match for that game. There is also a legitimate argument that she deserved the player of the game against Costa Rica in Friday’s game. In addition, Ward set up Regan’s goal that was scored late in the game.
Also, expect Regan and Ward to face each other two more times against each other in the NSL/SLN. AFC Toronto will travel to face Vancouver at Swangard Stadium at 10:0pm ET (7:00pm PT) on July 24. They will face each other off again on August 17 at York Lions Stadium in Toronto, Ontario at York Lions Stadium on August 17.
CANWNT Substitutes Played Really Well
The momentum started to shift when the substitutes came onto the field. In particular, Marie-Yasmine Alidou might have had the biggest impact. She was the one who drew the foul inside the box, which resulted in Shelina Zadorsky scoring the game-tying goal. The Costa Rica head coach, Benito Rubido, commented on that goal and how that changed the game, scored by Zadorsky:
“So, 1-1 is not the same as 0-1. So, when we received the penalty and the score for us, it was like, okay, this is going to be tough for us.” But we tried. We are happy because we see that doing things right, we can compete. And we will see for the following months if we can keep evolving.”
The feelings that Rubido had during the game ended up being true. After that, Canada had several scoring chances and scored three more goals. Alidou also had a chance of her own in the second half, as well as almost helping substitute Annabelle Chukwu score her first-ever goal for the national team.
AFC Toronto and CANWNT Player Emma Regan
Alidou also assisted in Zara Chavoshi’s goal, which was her first-ever goal for the national team. In addition, Emma Regan, another substitute in Friday’s game, scored her first-ever goal for the national team a few minutes later for the national team. There was a lot to be positive about for the national team on Friday.
Other Factors: NSL Players Step Up
There were three NSL players that were called up for the CANWNT/CANXNT, with two of them making a difference in today’s game.
Ward continues her in-form performance for the national team, being possibly the best player on the pitch along with other players such as Shelina Zadorsky and Alidou. Furthermore, AFC Toronto captain, Regan, scored her first-ever goal for the national team late in the game.
Head Coach Casey Stoney: Former Lionesses Captain
Furthermore, the game also celebrated other factors such as Diana Matheson’s induction into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, as well as Pride Night. One particular celebration that happened before the game was Nichelle Prince, who, before the game, celebrated her 100th appearance for the national team. The author of this article asked CANWNT/CANXNT head coach, Casey Stoney, about Nichelle Prince and how she did in the game against Costa Rica:
“A hundred caps is a hell of an achievement. Like I got it, and I know how hard it was to do that, so to be able to play 100 times for your country is incredible,” Stoney said. “I thought she played well when she came on tonight; she had a really positive impact.”
Prince, the Kansas City Current forward, has been with the national team since 2013 and has scored 17 goals for the national team. She has also won one Bronze Medal and one Gold Medal at the Summer Olympic Games. Casey also mentioned that Prince came on the field as a substitute, making a meaningful impact for the national team.
Costa Rica Played Well in the First Half
A lot of credit must also be given to Costa Rica, as they troubled Canada with their speed and counterattack. Some of these plays include:
Priscila Chinchilla drew a foul for her team, which resulted in a goal scored by María Paula Salas getting a free header to score the opening goal of the game.
Chinchilla had a great chance to score but did not get a good shot off, and CANWNT goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan saved the shot.
Katherine Alvarado had a great chance early in the game, and her shot hit the post.
The Costa Rican head coach, Rubido, was happy with the team’s performance, while the team was unable to keep that same level in the second half, there are things the team is doing well:
“We are happy because we see that doing things right, we can compete. And we will see for the following months if we can keep evolving.”
Games Coming Up For The CANWNT
READ MORE: 2025 Northern Super League Season: Big Storylines
There is one more FIFA international friendly that Canada must play. This is against their biggest rivals, the U.S., on July 2 at 7:30pm ET. There were questions asked about the U.S., to which Holly Ward said this:
“I think we have a lot of confidence, we’ve grown a lot as a team, and obviously the U.S. is a really quality opponent. So, it’s going to take a lot of bravery and courage, and I think that’s exactly what it’s going to be.”
She is definitely right, as the game is against the defending Olympic champions, the U.S. The game on Wednesday will take place at Audi Field in Washington, District of Columbia, and it will be shown live in Canada on OneSoccer.
Report by Maria Ocampo and Gabriel Jimenez Rights reserved for Frequency5FM and Sports Blogs.
