Canada Targets Denmark Win as Olivia Smith Leads Attack

Canada will seek a more decisive attacking performance against Denmark in their second international women's soccer friendly at Toronto's BMO Field on Monday afternoon. Head coach Casey Stoney wants the ninth-ranked Canadians to convert more chances after Olivia Smith's late goal earned a 1-1 draw against the 12th-ranked Danes in Montreal on Friday.

According to The Canadian Press, Canada dominated possession in the opening match, controlling 69 percent of the ball and recording 21 shot attempts to Denmark's nine. Both teams registered six shots on target, but Canada did not score until Smith struck with her left foot in the 84th minute.

The rematch offers Canada another opportunity to assess its attacking execution against a highly ranked opponent. The two matches also provide preparation ahead of the CONCACAF W Championship, where Canada is scheduled to face No. 54 Panama in a quarterfinal on Nov. 28.

Stoney identified decision-making and patience in the final third as priorities following the first meeting. She wants Canada to build attacks more deliberately instead of sending crosses into the penalty area without enough teammates positioned to capitalize.

"There was some good play, we created some good chances," Stoney said following Friday's match. "We do need to be more clinical. I feel like a broken record, I keep saying that, but we do."

The coach said Canada sometimes delivered the ball into the box before creating favorable conditions for a scoring opportunity. She called for more circulation, better movement to draw defenders out of position and greater willingness to shoot from distance when appropriate.

"We crossed the ball when we didn't necessarily need to, when we didn't have enough numbers in the box, and just crossing into areas without any quality," Stoney said. "We've got to play back around, pull them out, wait for the right moments to slip people in and possibly shoot from distance a bit more."

Canada's finishing remains a central concern as the team prepares for upcoming qualifying competition. According to The Canadian Press, Stoney is still seeking her first victory against a top-15 opponent since becoming Canada's head coach in January 2025.

"It's the final third where we really, really need to improve because we got in there a few times, and it's like (we missed) execution or decision-making or that final end product, so that's definitely what we will be focusing on going into Monday," Stoney said.

Smith's equalizer also highlights her importance to Canada's attack as the national team adjusts to the departure of several established players. TSN's Oct. 12 coverage examined whether a healthy Smith could become a decisive player for Canada as the team looks toward the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

Canada midfielder Marie-Yasmine Alidou said the team is approaching the Denmark rematch with the intention of winning. She also emphasized the value of facing a strong opponent before the next competitive tournament.

"We're going for the win. We want to win, absolutely," Alidou said. "It's good preparation for us, and even more so because it's a high-ranked team."

Denmark has already qualified for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup after finishing first in its UEFA qualifying group ahead of Sweden, Serbia and Italy. Canada entered the rematch with an all-time record of 3-3-1 against Denmark, according to The Canadian Press.

The CONCACAF W Championship will determine qualification opportunities for both the 2027 Women's World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Canada's match against Denmark also coincides with the expected 100th and final international appearance of left back Allysha Chapman.