Sophie Schmidt reflects on sterling national team career, issues with CSA

After 224 appearances, Olympic Gold and Bronze medals, and a certifiable claim as one of the most talented players of her generation, Sophie Schmidt has retired from the Canadian national women’s team.

The Houston Dash midfielder joined The FAN Morning Show to discuss Canada’s tumultuous World Cup stint, the problems that continue to plague the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), and to reflect on her illustrious career with the national team.

Schmidt was forthright when asked what led to Canada’s exit in the group stage, pointing to preparation issues in the leadup to the tournament as a reason for the disappointing result along with injuries to important squad members, including Janine Beckie and Desiree Scott.

“We lost a couple of key players leading up to the tournament, which happens to every country, but we got hit really hard in that regard,” said Schmidt.

“And then the whole fight for equity off the field with Canada Soccer. All of that happening took a lot of energy away from the team. We had maybe five games leading up to the World Cup, and to be honest, in my opinion, that's not enough. She Believes (Cup), we were a disaster; we were all over the place. And then we only had two games, two FIFA windows leading up to the World Cup. That's not good enough for a national team to find your form, your stride.”

The fight for equity with the CSA often steered discussion away from the team’s exploits on the pitch, but Schmidt and her teammates do not regret the decision to further their cause, even amidst increased scrutiny.

“The timing of all of this is quite unfortunate, but it had to be done,” she said. “The fight had to happen, and I'm glad it did. But at the same time it took a toll, and we paid the price. I'm not saying that’s the entire reason for our performance at the World Cup, but I definitely think it's a large factor.”

England and Spain, the two teams vying for World Cup glory in Sunday’s final, have also encountered issues with their soccer federations, highlighting a problem that remains persistent across the women’s game.

‘We're definitely not alone in this in this struggle,” Schmidt stated. “I think because of the massive growth of women's soccer globally, you're starting to see it in the headlines and in the forefront.”

Those two nations do, however, boast top-flight women’s domestic leagues. That’s something Canada lacks, and it’s something Schmidt acknowledges as a major reason why the Canadian program risks falling further behind their peers.

“That would be a massive, massive help,” said Schmidt of a women’s professional league in Canada.

“Just in terms of just developing future players for Canada, I think our system is broken at the moment. Players are going elsewhere to develop or they're just dropping out completely. I think that (a league) would be huge for us.”

Schmidt’s belief is shared by many, and it’s why there is excitement for ‘Project 8,’ a planned Division I professional women’s soccer league co-founded by former national team player Diana Matheson.

While Canada’s early exit from the World Cup was visibly devastating for the team’s veterans, the time elapsed since has allowed Schmidt to reflect on her superb national team career and how far the program has come thanks to people like herself and Christine Sinclair.

“There are just moments where it's like, ‘gosh, this is why you do it,’ said Schmidt.

“My heart is just filled with so much pride and joy. There are definitely moments of disappointment, but I think the good stuff definitely outshines the bad. And I think even right now, in the fight that we're in, there's so much good yet to come. I think that's the exciting part.”

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