Everything you need to know about No. 8 CanWNT at the Paris Olympics

The GIST: The No. 8 CanWNT begin their gold medal defense tomorrow, taking on No. 28 New Zealand at 11 a.m. ET in one of the first games of the Paris Olympics. Before our women’s soccer tourney primer hits your inbox tomorrow, here’s a deep dive on the red and white.

Canada’s making headlines for the wrong reasons: Yesterday, a “non-accredited member” of the Canada Soccer support team was detained in France after allegedly using a drone to spy on New Zealand’s practice session.

• The Canadian Olympic Committee is currently reviewing next steps with the International Olympic Committee, Paris 2024, Canada Soccer and FIFA. Not a good look.

Head coach Bev Priestman is relying on a veteran squad: Priestman is running it back in France, originally selecting 13 players from the gold-medal winning Tokyo Games squad to compete.

• Priestman clearly prioritized experience with this roster, an intentional choice to boost Canada’s confidence after a disappointing group stage exit at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC).

CanWNT’s top impact players: Following Christine Sinclair’s retirement from international play, midfielder Jessie Fleming is the captain now, directing play in the center of the pitch. Apart from Fleming, goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan can be counted on for big time saves, while winger Ashley Lawrence will be relied upon to make crucial plays and stymy opponents’ attacks.

• Unfortunately, defender Sydney Collins fractured her leg in a pre-tourney friendly against Nigeria last Wednesday and has been replaced by Gabrielle Carle, whose alternate spot was filled by veteran defender Desiree Scott, a tough cut from Priestman’s original roster.

Group stage gameplan: Canada was drafted into very hard Group A, alongside New Zealand, No. 2 France, and No. 22 Colombia. CanWNT should beat the Football Ferns tomorrow, but to overpower Les Bleues and Las Cafeteras, Canada needs to find their offensive spark, as scoring goals that aren’t penalty kicks isn’t exactly their strong point. Onwards and upwards.