Deanne Rose's injury a blow to Canadian women's 2023 World Cup preparations

Overcoming setbacks is nothing new for Canadian women's team forward Deanne Rose.

Rose, a native of Alliston, Ont., made the decision in 2014 to quit the sport after being cut from Canada's Under-15 team, which at the time was overseen by current senior team coach Bev Priestman. A promising career appeared to have ended before it even started.

But her life took an unexpected turn when she was invited to train with Canada's Under-17 side in 2015. Things went so well that by the end of the year she earned her first cap for Canada's senior side as a 16-year-old. She's been a mainstay of the national team ever since, her rise to the top as an Olympic champion capping off an amazing comeback that is a tribute to her strength of character. 

However, Rose, now 23, will have to show similar resolve as she faces a major injury crisis. Last weekend, she was forced off the pitch a mere 20 minutes into Reading FC's opening match of the English Women's Super League season against Manchester United. Scans later showed Rose ruptured her Achilles. Reading issued a public statement on Thursday that was short on details, saying only that Rose "will be out of action for an extended period." 

"I really don't have many words to describe the disappointment that I'm feeling," Rose said in an Instagram post. "However, I have the determination, faith and a mindset to come back stronger both mentally and physically." 

The timing of the injury could not be worse for Rose, who played NCAA soccer for four seasons at the University of Florida before turning pro last year. While Reading finished a disappointing eighth place in the WSL in 2021-22, Rose impressed in her rookie campaign by scoring five goals in all competitions, firmly establishing