Canadian soccer has scored big, netting a former Italian star to coach its women’s team and help in its bid to host the 2015 World Cup.
Calling it “a very significant milestone in the development of women’s soccer in our country,” Peter Montopoli of the Canadian Soccer Association announced the hiring of Carolina Morace Thursday.
“Our goal is very clear, winning medals on the international stage,” Montopoli told a news conference at BMO Field. Montopoli added that the hiring of Morace, a FIFA ambassador appointed by its president Sepp Blatter, is “certainly a step in the right direction” as Canada prepares to bid to host the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
While Canada has already informed FIFA of its interest in hosting 2015, the bid process isn’t expected to begin until sometime next year or 2011.
Morace, who turned 45 yesterday, takes over from Evan Pellerud, who stepped down after nine years in 2008 year following Canada’s quarter-final loss at the Olympics.
Morace played her first game for the Italian women’s team at age 14 and finished with 105 goals in 153 games. In 1995, she was FIFA’s female player of the year. In 1999, she became the first woman to ever coach a professional men’s team in Italy.
“The CSA wants to win and I agree,” Morace told reporters.
