(Langford) Sophie Schmidt prepares to say goodbye alongside Christine Sinclair
Sophie Schmidt said she hadn’t thought about the emotions that will surface when she puts on the Canada jersey for the last time, Tuesday in Vancouver, during a friendly soccer match against Australia.
“I hope it won’t be a big mess,” the midfielder said happily on Thursday. But it will definitely be a special occasion and I am so grateful to be able to share this moment with [Christine Sinclair et Erin McLeod].
“It will be a special moment for me, for the team, but also for the country. I can not wait to be there. »
Schmidt, who was selected 224 times, will join Sinclair and McLeod in the spotlight at BC Place. The match will mark Sinclair’s swan song on the international stage, as McLeod, who will be a spectator at 40, announced her international retirement in January. She played in 119 games for Canada.
Schmidt was only scheduled to play in the second game of this short two-game series against the Australians, but an injury to Julia Grosso forced head coach Bev Priestman to call on her services for Friday in Langford, Colombia -British.
The 35-year-old from Abbotsford, British Columbia, was returning from Houston, Texas, where she played for the Dash of the NWSL, when she got the call from Priestman.
Schmidt arrived at the camp with her dogs Leia and Oats.
“Luckily we were in a dog-friendly hotel,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt has long been part of the core of the Canadian soccer team.
“Sophie is one of the most genuine and real people I’ve ever met,” said forward Janine Beckie, who is in camp despite recovering from a knee injury. It was nice to have her back in this environment. It brings experience and calm. She is so positive. And at the same time, she’s a fantastic player. »
“So to see her back on the field, for the players that are playing right now, it’s so incredible. Everyone missed his character and personality. »
Schmidt announced his intention to retire after last summer’s World Cup, while Canada Soccer was in the midst of a dispute with its players, both men’s and women’s.
“I am angry, frustrated and heartbroken,” she said at the time.
Initially, Schmidt, who represented his teammates at the negotiating table, wanted to withdraw on a whim in February, on the eve of the SheBelieves Cup.
Schmidt, who said she was “shaken to the core” by the labor dispute, said Sinclair convinced her to stay and continue the fight.
“She dissuaded me [de partir] said Schmidt, who has not played since a 4-0 loss to Australia on July 31 at the World Cup. But she does not regret her decision to retire.
“I always had in mind retiring after the World Cup and given how quickly things went downhill with [Canada Soccer] and all that, I just pulled the trigger. It was the right decision for me personally. »
Like Sinclair, who wants to play one final season with the Portland Thorns, Schmidt is continuing his professional career.
After playing in Sweden and Germany, she has played with Houston since 2018 and has a contract valid until the end of 2024.
And even though Canada must play in the preliminary phase of the Gold Cup in Houston in February, Schmidt is not changing his mind.
“I will be in the stands to support,” she said. I will be excited to be able to see them at work in my backyard. »