Herdman Impressed — Despite Bowing Out

Canada and Vancouver hosted the World and won the hearts of thousands of supporters, even if they couldn’t grab the illustrious World Cup Trophy on home soil –er turf.

The build-up to the final game was electric and anyone and everyone that either likes soccer or not was captivated by this event.

It’s a team event and not even Canada’s Christine Sinclair could pull this off, but it wasn’t for lack of trying and try she did.

Under the leadership of Head Coach John Herdman, the team pulled together and had some impressive proud moments at this Championship that he (John) mentioned to the media in an interview.

His biggest is the embrace with Christine Sinclair after she scored on a stoppage-time penalty for a 1-0 win over China in the tournament opener June 6.

Herdman stated “The memory that I’ve worked hard for and I’ll carry forever now is the celebration with Sinclair the opening game and I mean the pressure on us in that game and for her to do what she did. And then she called my name and ran towards us.”

He continued “She’s one of the greatest women I’ve ever met and to have someone in that “moment of time” for her to share that along with her 154^th International goal with you and the players was just priceless.”

There is no question that the pressure was indeed on Team Canada

And they knew it from the minute it was announced that Canada would be the host Nation, Herdman and his team, were under pressure to produce.

Eventually the eighth-ranked Canada saw its departure from the tournament in a 2-1 quarter-final loss to No. 6 England.

The final match was set and it would see the second-ranked United States meet No. 4 Japan, the defending World Cup champion play for the Championship in front of a capacity size crowd at BC Place.

Thanks to Soccer Canada and Team Canada for pulling this event off, as let’s face it – there were many skeptics leading up to this!

It’s in the past and regardless of a Trophy or not – our team are Champ’s in our hearts.