When Carolina Morace took over the head coaching position of the Canadian women’s soccer team she knew she saw a lot of promise. But she also knew she was in for a lot of work.
“It’s a challenge,” she said. “That’s why I took the job — for the challenge.”
Morace was in Toronto yesterday to promote her home coaching debut, which will take place May 25 against Japan at BMO Field. She said it’s her goal to make the women the “No. 1 team” for Canadians.
The game should sell itself, she suggested.
“I started following soccer by watching TV and I enjoyed the movement of the game,” she said.
“People love players like Cristiano Ronaldo or (Lionel) Messi. They are attracted to them because they are technical players. They are creative. I think we can teach some of that movement, but we need people (in Canada) to love the game.”
According to Morace, Canada started to play that kind of technical game at the recent Cyprus Cup, where it finished with the silver medal, losing 3-1 to England in the final.
“The girls are already playing the new way,” Morace said through an interpreter.
“There are no more long balls. The ball is at their feet.”
In addition to the May 25 game, Morace said the team is planning to play a two-game series with the United States and a tournament in Mexico this summer.
