This is a column by Shireen Ahmed, who writes opinion for CBC Sports. For more information about CBC's Opinion section , please see the FAQ . With the FIFA Women's World Cup coming up quickly, the Canadian women's team is gearing up for what is their biggest tournament since winning the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo in the summer of 2021.
They are a team that has pulled their greatest strengths together and combined them in the most effective way possible under the guidance of head coach Bev Priestman.
In addition to the turbulent times with its governing body, Canada Soccer, the team was dealt some hard blows with injuries reducing the bench availability of some of its stalwarts.
The women's team has been dealing with injuries that have not only sidelined Janine Beckie with an ACL tear, but forced Desiree Scott, Deanne Rose, Nichelle Prince and Kadeisha Buchanan to sit out during a friendly match against France in April.