RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: CanWNT fall 1-0 to Switzerland to kick off October window

For the first time under Casey Stoney, the CanWNT have lost back-to-back matches, as they fell 1-0 to Switzerland in Lucerne on Friday.

After falling 3-0 to the USWNT in July, this was a big blow for the Canadians, who were hoping to get back to winning ways in the first of two European-based friendlies in this October window. 

Instead, they were left frustrated once again, as a first-half goal from Switzerland’s Alayah Pilgrim would end up powering her side to a massive victory over this Canadian side. 

To start this game, Canada almost took the lead inside two minutes, as Janine Sonis did well to take down a dangerous long ball at the edge of the box, immediately sending a chip towards the Swiss goal, but her attempt clipped the top of the net. 

Meanwhile, at the other end, Switzerland attacker, Pilgrim, nearly pounced on a Canadian mistake, as she worked her way into the box and fired a low shot, but Kailen Sheridan easily got down to save the shot. 

Soon after, though, Pilgrim would eventually find the net, as Canada was unable to keep out her next effort. After a dangerous ball in the box from Sydney Schertenleib, the ball fell to Pilgrim, and she calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner with her left foot to make it 1-0. 

Moments later, Switzerland almost doubled their lead, too, as Riola Xhemaili fired a dangerous shot towards goal after receiving a nice cutback, but her shot was only narrowly kept out by a good block from Shelina Zadorsky. 

To Canada’s credit, they almost found an equalizer in the 19th minute, as the ball fell to Janine Sonis inside Switzerland’s box, but she’d be unable to quickly fire the trigger, allowing Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng to close down the angle to make a save on the shot Sonis would eventually fire towards goal. 

Unfortunately, shortly before half-time, Canada suffered a big blow, as Olivia Smith had to come out with a leg injury, continuing her injury woes for Canada. 

Despite that, Canada continued to push without her, and they had another fantastic chance in the 45th minute, as Jayde Riviere found Sonis with a fantastic through ball, but once again Sonis was hesitant to shoot, allowing Peng to make another great save on her shot. 

Then, deep into first-half stoppage time, Adriana Leon tried to take matters into her own hands, slaloming through a couple of defenders before playing a nice 1-2 with Marie Yasmine Alidou, but she sliced her dangerous shot just wide of the goal from a good position.  

After the break, Canada continued to push and had another great opportunity, as Jessie Fleming found Sonis with a nice pass into the box, but Sonis was unable to keep her first-time shot on target. 

From there, though, the game would slow down, as Switzerland started to defend their lead, and did so quite well. Because of that, Canada’s next big chance didn’t come until the 86th minute, as the ball fell to Sonis after Canada won the ball high up the pitch after a Swiss mistake, but she slammed her shot into the post, continuing an unlucky performance in front of goal. 

Eager to get anything out of this game, Canada continued to mount a late push for a goal, as Florianne Jourde almost found a teammate with a dangerous low cross, one only kept out by a fantastic defensive intervention from a Swiss defender, before Fleming fired a dangerous shot just over the goal from outside the box. 

Ultimately, that’d be the final chance Canada would get in this game, as they were left to suffer defeat from there. 

While this wasn’t a bad result, on paper, this will be a tough performance for Canada to digest, as they never really felt close to getting a draw or win, even despite the chances they generated. 

In particular, they were unable to handle the physicality the hosts brought to the game, which allowed them to control the tempo of the game, and that made it hard for Canada to grab a foothold in this game. 

Because of that, the big goal for Canada heading into the second game of this window will be for them to control more of the initiative in that match against the Netherlands, allowing them to have a bigger impact on both sides of the ball. 

Box Score:

Lineups:

Canada: Sheridan; Riviere, J Rose, Zadorsky, Carle (Lawrence 65’); Fleming, Regan (Jourde 65’), Grosso (Huitema 46’), Sonis; Smith (Alidou 37’), Leon (Prince 76’)

Switzerland: Peng; Beney, Calligaris, Stierli, Maritz, Riesen (Wandeler 64’); Reuteler, Wälti, Xhemaili (Vallotto 46’); Schertenleib (Csillag 84’), Pilgrim (Egli 46’)

Goals:

12’ – Alayah Pilgrim (Switzerland)

Discipline:

45+2’ – Yellow: Janine Sonis (Canada)

68’ – Yellow: Leila Wandeler (Switzerland)

Player of the Match:

Alayah Pilgrim, Switzerland

The Swiss forward was lively in her 45-minute cameo to start the match, scoring her team’s opening goal while also generating three shots, as she was a threat to score on several occasions. 

What’s Next: 

Canada will play the second game of this window on Tuesday, October 28th, as they’ll take on the Netherlands in Nijmegen (10:30 a.m. PT/1:30 p.m. ET); you can catch that match LIVE on OneSoccer.