LANGFORD — A disappointing loss for Canada's women's soccer squad could be helpful going forward, says the team's head coach.
“You don’t want to lose, but I think adversity’s important," Casey Stoney said after Canada dropped a 1-0 loss to Argentina in a friendly matchup in Langford, B.C.
"A little bit of struggle’s really helpful because it lets us know where we’re at, what we need to continue to do."
An aggressive Argentine side smothered Canada's offence en route to a 1-0 victory in a friendly game in Langford, B.C., on Tuesday.
"I don't think it was for a lack of effort. I don't ever criticize this team for effort," Stoney said. "It's just about the details, some individual errors that were in key moments where it could have been better, and about being clinical in the final third.”
Seventh-ranked Canada was the heavy favourite heading into the game, having beat No. 33 Argentina 3-0 in another friendly at Vancouver's B.C. Place on Friday.
But Argentina brought an aggressive brand of soccer to Starlight Stadium, home of the Canadian Premier League's Pacific FC.
The visitors pressed hard, tackled frequently and smothered Canada's offence to take their first victory in eight meetings between the two countries.
“You have to credit them — their tactics worked," Stoney said.
“We couldn't get any rhythm, we couldn't get any kind of speed to our plays. There was so much stop-start, which became frustrating. And we've got to recognize in those moments, we've got to use the ball to be able to create rhythm and speed. So, rather than trying to force the ball forward, we've got to move the opponent. And I don’t think we did that well enough.”
Canada had early chances, including in the seventh minute when Deanne Rose rushed up the field, split a pair of defenders and went one-on-one with Argentina 'keeper Solana Pereyra, only to send a shot into the goalkeeper's legs.
Argentina pushed and came close in the 22nd minute with a set play at the top of the penalty area. Sophia Dominguez took the free kick, sending the ball pinging off the crossbar.
Another set play opened the scoring in the 34th when Argentina was awarded a free kick near the touchline. This time, Yamila Rodriguez stepped up and sent the ball soaring toward the front post where it slipped under Canada's diving 'keeper Sabrina D'Angelo and in for the lone goal of the game.
Canada had chances to equalize on a number of free kicks, but struggled to create chances inside the penalty area.
“Just not making the most of those moments and being ruthless and giving ourselves a cutting edge," Stoney said. "Because, if we go in front, it's probably a different game. But once you go behind on a pitch like this, against a team like that that's just going to slow the game down every time the whistle goes, it's going to be difficult.”
Janine Sonis sprinted down the field in the 77th minute on a breakaway, but Pereyra came well out of the box and took the shot off her arm, resulting in a red card.
The Argentine 'keeper stalled in leaving the pitch, arguing the call before Renata Masciarelli eventually took over the goal.
Canada was quick to test the substitue goalkeeper with a free kick in the 80th minute. Captain Jessie Fleming stepped up and sent the ball into Masciarelli's midsection.
The lineup Stoney fielded Tuesday was vastly different than the one that beat Argentina on Friday.
D'Angelo started in place of Kailen Sheridan, while 19-year-old forward Kayla Briggs made her first-ever appearance for the senior national team and was given "performance of the match" honours. Midfielder Holly Ward also got her first cap, coming off the bench in the 64th minute.
“It was an opportunity to look at some different players," Stoney said of the changes. "And I think that was a positive."
The result marked the team's first loss under Stoney, who was appointed head coach in mid-January. Canada has a 3-1-1 record during her tenure.
Canada's coaching staff will assess a variety of aspects of the game, including whether there were too many changes to the lineup, how they can use a small field differently, and how they can create more from set pieces, the coach said.
“We review the wins, we'll review the draws, and we'll review the losses," Stoney said.
Canada's next friendly will be on July 2 when they face the United States in Washington, D.C.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2025.
The Canadian Press
