Modern day fullback: Ashley Lawrence's evolution key to Canada's World Cup journey

The term "modern day fullback" is so liberally tossed around in the soccer world that it's easy to lose sight of what it actually means. 

The duties of a fullback have changed as the sport has evolved. Previously, fullbacks were merely defenders who focused on closing down opposing wingers, and supporting their centre backs while maintaining a solid defensive shape.

Today, fullbacks are expected to do this while also contributing to the attack and build-up play, and making probing runs down the flanks. 

But it hasn't come easy for Lawrence, who is a midfielder by trade. She had to go through extensive on-the-job training while playing for her pro club Paris Saint-Germain and the Canadian national team.

"It took about a year to really learn the position as a whole. But the more and more I played it, the more I enjoyed it, and I was able to bring my personality to [it]. Now I can't imagine playing anywhere else," Lawrence said.

Lawrence, a 27-year-old Toronto native, will be front and centre for Canada when it hosts South Korea this Sunday at Toronto's BMO Field. The Canadians are using that international friendly to prepare for next month's CONCACAF W Championship in Mexico, which serves as the qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The CONCACAF tournament is doubly important because the winner will also directly qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, while the second- and third-place nations will square off in a playoff in September for the region's other Olympic berth.

If Canada is to go all the way in the tournament and automatically qualify for the Paris Olympics, Lawrence is one of the players who'll have to be at her very best for Canada. 

"Ashley is so dangerous when going