TORONTO — While the opposition wasn't the toughest, Canada put on a show at BMO Field in the team's final home game before next month's FIFA Women's World Cup.
The Canadians defeated Mexico 3-0 in front of 19,610 fans at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon, giving the team a boost before it heads across the Atlantic Ocean for final preparations prior to its opening World Cup match June 10.
Powered by goals from Jessie Fleming, Christine Sinclair and Adriana Leon, Canada was dominant from the opening whistle until the last kick of the game. It was an expected performance given the disparity between the two sides, with the Canadians ranked fifth in the world and Mexico at 26th.
"It's a winning performance but also a winning outcome," Canada coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller told reporters. "I think we showed the depth of the squad and also some of the key players of this team, Christine being one, Desiree Scott, Jessie Fleming — just being at that level where we need them to be heading into the World Cup."
Beckie ➡️ Sinclair ➡️ Fleming.
— Rudi Schuller (@RudiSchuller) May 18, 2019
Tic-tac-goal. #CanWNT 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/GIrB1UEu7w
Heiner-Møller was especially pleased with how well the team played despite employing a new formation and using all six substitutions allowed in the friendly match. It showed just how many weapons Canada has at its disposal ahead of the biggest tournament in women's soccer.
"If you look at the performance in the first 45 [minutes], you go 'you know what, that's a great lineup.' And then you look at the last 5-10 minutes in this match and you go, 'you know what, this is a great lineup.' That's a big difference. If you just have the [starting] XI and then nothing [else], then you would be in trouble. But we've actually got some players that can come on the pitch [from the bench] and have an impact. That's a big advantage."
The Canadian interchangeability showed on the field on Saturday, as players roamed around freely and displayed some impressive passing movements in the lead-up to the three goals. Beckie and Sinclair were each involved in the first two goals, showing how their partnership in attack has grown in recent months.
Goal No. 181 for @sincy12.#CanWNT 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/qc1bXe7hCf
— Rudi Schuller (@RudiSchuller) May 18, 2019
With the depth Canada has in its ranks, 35-year-old Sinclair says the team has never been more ready to challenge in big tournaments.
"My time on the national team has been a rollercoaster," Sinclair said. "I can honestly say I've been waiting my entire career for this team in that we're so talented and have the depth to be able to compete at World Cups and Olympics, and that excites me. We're just so much more talented than we ever have been."
Canada remains undefeated in 2019 with five wins and two draws in seven games. The Canadians will face Spain in Pamplona on May 24 before heading to Montpellier, France, ahead of their first World Cup match vs. Cameroon.