The rivalry, if you can even call it that, couldn’t be any more lopsided.
In 10 all-time meetings at senior level between the Canadian and German women’s teams, Canada has suffered 10 losses and has been outscored 36-11.
But that hardly matters to John Herdman ahead of Canada’s upcoming international friendly against Germany.
While the Canadian coach would no doubt love to earn a result in Wednesday’s affair in Paderborn, he remains focused on the big picture: preparing his team for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be staged in Canada.
Wednesday programming alert: Watch Canada vs. Germany in an international women’s friendly live on Sportsnet ONE. Coverage begins at noon ET/9am PT. | TV schedule
With that in mind, and like he did in a recent 3-0 loss to the no. 1 ranked United States in Toronto, Herdman will use this game to give some youngsters he’s called into camp some valuable playing time.
Going up against a two-time World Cup winner in Germany is a precious learning experience for some of Canada’s youngsters, and that’s why Herdman said he’s committed to get them onto the pitch on Wednesday. Among Canada’s prospects who could see action are defender Rachel Melhado (a 20-year-old from Mississauga, Ont.), and forward Melissa Busque (23, from St. Bruno, Que.)
It’s the first call up to the senior team for both players who recently came through the Canadian Soccer Association’s EXCELeration program — camps primarily for 18-23 year olds who are outside of the college system, are in their off season, do not have contracts to play professionally, or who are otherwise inactive.
“She’s come in with a real air of confidence and very rarely do you get this,” Herdman said of Busque, who made her debut in the Canadian youth program when she was 15.
“(Newcomers) tend to have a quiet few days and keep their heads down but she’s been on the (training) pitch and every time she’s got the ball she’s been running at people, she’s been showing little skills that to be honest, I have not seen from players that have come in.”
Herdman has been just as impressed with Melhado, who previously featured for Canada’s U-18 and U-20 sides.
“She’s a very solid, young lady. She’s settled into the environment quite nicely. She had a spell with the U-20s last year. I got to know her then and she broke through (the CSA) program and she’s here and you couldn’t tell that it’s here first tour,” Herdman stated.
He later added: “It’s quite exciting because I think there’ll be some tough selection decisions around the game and it gives us an opportunity to get as many players on the pitch as I can.”
Danica Wu, according to Herdman, is another youngster to keep an eye on.
The 20-year-old midfielder made her national team debut in the loss to the U.S. earlier this month when she came on as a late substitute. Herdman heralded the Edmonton native’s technical ability and said she has the potential to be the next Diana Matheson.
“She’s the sort of player that I’ve been looking for,” Herdman admitted.
“She sees the game very well, she’s got very (good) feet. … One of the challenges she’s always going have is the physical side (of the game). But I’m hoping in these next few years she can prove that that’s not going to be a major drawback for her.”
The Soccer Show with Nigel Reed: Tune in to Sportsnet 590 The FAN’s every Thursday at 8pm ET to listen to The Soccer Show, Canada’s foremost soccer weekly co-hosted by Nigel Reed and ex-NASL champion Bob Iarusci. For more details and to listen to past shows, CLICK HERE
While giving youth a chance is foremost on his agenda, Herdman also wants to see how much his team has progressed since the recent loss to the U.S. He knows his team can defend, but he maintains Canada has to show more ingenuity and fearlessness when on the attack.
“If anything, we improved massively on our defensive capabilities against the U.S., but we lost a lot going forward. I think what we’ve seen from our players in the U.S. game is that they became very conservative,” Herdman explained.
“No matter how hard you try to hold out, if you don’t put something into the back of the net you’re playing with death (against top teams like the U.S.).”
To that end, Herdman wants to see the team’s veterans step up their game, especially in the offensive third of the field.
“The girls are very clear that in these big games against better opposition that they will have to do things that are special and they have to be prepared to do those little things that only they can do,” Herdman offered.
“Like a Christine Sinclair putting one in the top corner, a Diana Matheson beating three players on the dribble, and a Desiree Scott not only tackling and winning the ball, but to travel with it and release one of our midfielders.”
That’ll be easier said than done against a German team that is currently ranked no. 2 in the world.
“In preparing for this game, you start to realize just how good the Germans are. Technically, they are so efficient and tactically well drilled. They’ve been with the same coach for many years now and you can see in almost every facet of the game they have it covered,” Herdman said.
NOTES: Herdman said there has been a delay by FIFA in issuing a decision over defender Rachel Quon’s international eligibility. A native of the U.S., Quon has a family connection that allows her to play for Canada and has recently trained with the Canadian team, although FIFA must still grant final approval. Herdman said he expects Quon to be cleared to play for Canada in time for its friendly against South Korea on Oct. 30 in Edmonton…