In the silence leading up to the Women’s World Cup, Soccer Canada continues to fail the women’s national team

This is a column by Shireen Ahmed, who writes opinion for CBC Sports. For more information on CBC opinion sectionplease see the Frequently asked questions.

We are less than 60 days away from the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the biggest women’s soccer tournament in the world.

But despite all the hype and excitement that should be spreading from coast to coast, Canada’s women’s national team has been unusually quiet. The team has no home games before it leaves, and the only thing on Soccer Canada’s social media account is the announcement of its World Cup opener against Nigeria on Thursday, July 20, in Melbourne.

No fuss, no fanfare, no pre-World Cup set-ups. Nothing.

The only news I’ve seen lately is that world-class Canadian defender Ashley Lawrence is making a (yet to be confirmed) move from her current pro team, French Division 1 Paris Saint-Germain, to chelsea of the Super League in the United Kingdom

Lawrence has been in France for over seven years. The talented winger saying on what drew her to Europe: “The way we experienced football here, how we played it. And it was an environment in which I wanted to evolve.”

Lawrence has played for Paris St.Germain, won the French league title and has been praised as one of the most dangerous players on the pitch. His ability to switch from defense to playmaking makes him unique and essential to Team Canada.

This is very exciting for Canadian women’s soccer fans because it puts her on the same team as fellow nationals Jessie Fleming and Kadeisha Buchanan, a trio that is extremely impressive. In 2021, both Fleming and Lawrence were nominated for the Women’s Ballon d’Or, soccer’s most prestigious award.

But this is the only player news we’ve heard lately and in a team this talented, we should hear more about the team.

The only recent news about the women’s team that reached the international press was its fight against Soccer Canada, fighting for equity and equal pay, and testifying in front of the Heritage Committee in Ottawa. It was hardly the run-up to the World Cup that this team deserves.

I spoke with former national team player and Canadian Soccer Hall of Famer Amy Walsh, who is now part of Major League Soccer’s CF Montreal soccer development team. Walsh noted that the fanfare the Canada men’s team received ahead of the 2022 Men’s World Cup in Qatar was in “stark contrast to what has been offered to women’s soccer.”

Before the Canadian the expected return of men to the World CupSoccer Canada released a documentary on YouTube and a lot of press, which I can confirm because I have been interviewed several times on this topic.

Walsh said the onus for expanding the team will likely fall on the athletes themselves rather than full public support.

“To make the case for equality, you can’t just talk about a proposed historic CBA. If you can’t offer fairness on a daily basis, and I’m not talking about the pay dispute in the background, you’re doing football a disservice.” Walsh said of Soccer Canada’s efforts to promote the team.

The lack of a farewell game is terrible for me. I remember when the Canadian women played Mexico before the 2019 World Cup in France. I was covering that game and my daughter was in the stands with her girls’ soccer team. The excitement was palpable as fans chanted and cheered their “heroes” at the sold-out BMO Field in Toronto.

My then 17-year-old daughter was waiting for me while I interviewed the players after the game. She is a goalkeeper who plays in the Ontario League1. She is naturally tenacious. But at that moment she was dazzled. in front of her was Steph Labbe.

My daughter prattled all the way home about meeting her goalie idol. We will both never forget that interaction and even though the players meet hundreds of fans, these moments empower their fans. My son was so motivated and inspired to keep playing.

Watching the women play at home generates a pride that cannot be underestimated. Taking that power away from the fans is almost cruel. No other children will have the opportunity to watch them play at home. His most recent game came in April, a 2-1 loss to France at Le Mans.

LOOK: Canada falls to France:

Jordyn Huitema scores in Canada’s loss to France

Jordyn Huitema scored Canada’s only goal in a 2-1 friendly loss to France in Le Mans, France.

Players seeing the fans and feeling their exuberance is part of preparing for the game. They are about to face extremely talented European teams in an expanded tournament. Any support is not only necessary but very important. Not getting this from your own federation is still amazing.

There were some discussions about “squeezing ina home game before the women leave for Australia. Walsh said a farewell game might seem “pointless” but it really matters to players who have been public how much such attention is appreciated.

There are movements and intentions to try to reconnect and unite all teams under the long-term Canadian soccer banner. But any help for the women’s team so close to the World Cup seems impossible.

While there are initiatives and campaigns on the horizon from individual players, the background of support for the entire team is far too muted. There must be emphatic support.

Canada Soccer should be working overtime to make up for the lack of public attention and that means connecting with players or staff and creating opportunities for stories and amplification.

Right now, the field seems eerily quiet. This team is loved by its fans. With all the momentum surrounding women’s sports in Canada and the proposed Canadian soccer league given a “go“Support for this team should be out loud on all media fronts and driven by Soccer Canada.

The team that has advocated for these paths and for a sustainable future of women’s soccer in Canada should get the highest level of support possible. I’d like to think of a possible support for the women’s team as a piece of classical music that reaches a crescendo just before the tournament begins on July 20.

At this point it seems that nothing has been composed and, apart from a few bars, the theater is too quiet.