First half goals from Jade Rose and Nichelle Prince along with a second half dagger by Julia Grosso powered the Canada women’s national team to complete a dominating 3-0 rout of Argentina in their first-of-two friendly matches at the BC Place in Vancouver on Friday.
The win helped the Reds – playing their first match in Vancouver since team legend Christine Sinclair’s retirement in 2023 – extend their impressive unbeaten streak against their South American opponents to seven games.
Using an old-school 4-4-2 formation, Canada began the match in aggressive fashion with the untested combination of strikers Adriana Leon and Prince proving too hot for Argentina to handle. The duo surely ruffled some feathers by creating a flurry of chances early on.
The efforts paid off for Canada in the 24th minute when a free kick from Leon led to Jade Rose making the breakthrough by forcing the ball into the net for her first senior team goal.
Nichelle Prince then put the Canucks 2-0 ahead in the 39th minute after receiving the ball in the penalty box from Leon, who beat a couple of defenders with some scintillating footwork to leave the home fans mesmerized.
Adriana Leon celebrates Nichelle Prince’s goal against Argentina in Vancouver Friday, April 4, 2025. Photo courtesy Canada Soccer
The Kansas City Current forward scored her 17th goal for the senior team on her second attempt after her first shot was initially well-saved by Argentina goalkeeper Solana Pereyra.
The final nail in Argentina’s coffin came in the 87th minute when Vancouver-born Julia Grosso came off the bench in the second half and slotted in a delicate left foot goal to celebrate her homecoming in stupendous manner.
The 24-year-old Chicago Stars FC player last played for Canada in the Pinatar Cup, scoring one goal in two matches.
Stoney pleased but wants more on and off the field
The victory also marked coach Casey Stoney’s first outing on home soil, a successful one. However, the former England skipper who led Canada to lift the Pinatar Cup in Spain last month, is not getting too ahead of herself and feels that there’s still a lot more work to do.
“We always have to be obviously happy when we’ve won and celebrate the wins. (But) I think there’s still lots of work for us to do,” said Stoney during the post-game media conference. “I’m pleased with certain aspects, and there’s lots to be done in terms of improving. Realistically, we’ve had five training sessions, if you add up all the training sessions we’ve actually had, that’s not a lot.
“The fact that the players are really trying in terms of what we’re asking of them, that’s really pleasing. I think they’re having a go. … There is lots of work to do, but I think we’re in a positive place.”
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Stoney was also appreciative of the announced 12,000+ strong crowd at BC Place who cheered for the team. The former San Diego Wave manager has maintained that she wants the team to play with more intensity and believes that home support is a big factor in achieving that.
“I thought the crowd was good. I’d love to see more people here supporting the team. I think we can drive attendances a lot more. This team deserves it,” she said. “The atmosphere was good. Can it be better? Absolutely. But the fans that were here were incredible.
“I would really like to urge the fans to get out and support this team. Obviously, the more we can get support behind the team, the better, and it’s exactly what the players deserve.”
Adriana Leon masterclass for Canada
Coach Stoney also highly praised 32-year-old Leon, whose fancy footwork and creativity were critical in inspiring Canada to put on a dominating display and leave Argentina clueless.
“Leon was excellent tonight. One of the best performances I’ve seen from her,” said Stoney. “I thought her timing of coming off the front, getting turned, receiving, creativity in around the box, is what we need.”
Leon, who was part of the Canadian Olympic gold winning squad at the Tokyo Olympics, scored a goal in the 48th minute after netting a superb defense-splitting pass from Prince, only for the goal to be ruled out offside.
She proved to be a total menace for the Argentinians throughout the match by making some sensational sprints on the left flank. Her deft footwork to beat the defenders would have put her on the scoresheet in the 63rd minute if it weren’t for a brilliant save by keeper Pereyra.
Canada, who are still unbeaten under Stoney, will now head to Langford, BC, on Vancouver Island where they’ll face Argentina in the second match of this two-match friendly series on Tuesday.
