MURCIA — Canada coach Casey Stoney leaves the Pinatar Cup with a trophy in hand and a better idea of the talent at hand.
"I think there's been some questions answered — in both ways," Stoney said.
Marie-Yasmine (Mimi) Alidou put up her hand with a hat trick Tuesday as sixth-ranked Canada won the four-team women's soccer tournament with a dominant 7-0 victory over No. 42 Taiwan.
Alidou, who plays her club football in Portugal for Benfica, needed just 32 minutes to complete her hat trick at the Pinatar Arena. The 29-year-old from Saint-Hubert, Que., now has five goals in eight appearances for Canada.
Jordyn Huitema scored twice while Megan Reid and Clarissa Larisey added singles for Canada, which led 5-0 at the break. Two of the goals came via penalties.
It was one-way traffic for the Canadians, who had 70 per cent possession and outshot Taiwan 19-2 (11-0 in shots on target) with an 8-0 edge in corners.
"It was about keeping professional standards against a team we knew we were expected to beat … I'm disappointed we didn't score more goals, if I'm honest," said Stoney. "We could have had a little bit more intensity in the second half in terms of our attacking play but we made changes at halftime. That's going to make a difference."
Canada drew No. 17 China 1-1 and blanked No. 31 Mexico 2-0 earlier in the tournament. Taiwan lost all three games, outscored 15-0.
With Mexico (2-1-0) posting a 2-0 win over China (1-1-1) earlier in the day at the Pinatar Arena, the Canadians needed a win to lift the trophy.
Alidou, defender Gabby Carle and midfielder Emma Regan leave Spain with their reputations enhanced. And 20-year-old attacker Olivia Smith continues to impress.
Stoney said she wanted to see her entire roster in action at the tournament and was true to her word, with only Simi Awujo and Jade Rose not seeing action. Awujo picked up a knock in training while Rose was not expected to play at the tournament as she continued her recovery from a prior injury.
Stoney has more players to see with Canada missing the injured Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea), Sydney Collins and Bianca St-Georges (North Carolina Courage), Cloe Lacasse (Utah Royals), Deanne Rose (Leicester City) and Quinn (Vancouver Rise) in Spain.
It marked Canada's first time at the Pinatar Cup, previously won by Scotland, Belgium, Iceland and Finland.
The Canadian women have not lost in regulation time in 22 matches dating back to a 1-0 loss to Brazil in Montreal in October 2023. Canada had gone 14-0-8 since then with three of the draws turning into penalty shootout losses (two to the United States and one to Germany) and one into a shootout win (over Brazil).
Stoney made six changes to her starting lineup with only captain Jessie Fleming, Jayde Riviere, Smith, Reid and Huitema retaining their places. The starting 11 came into the game with 661 total caps, down from a combined 750 for the Mexico matchup and 690 for the China contest.
Alidou opened the scoring in the fourth minute after a Nichelle Prince pass put her behind the defence. Taiwan goalkeeper Wang Yu-ting made the first save but could not control the rebound and Alidou took advantage.
She added her second from the penalty spot in the 14th minute after Wang was judged to have taken Prince down in the penalty box. Huitema made it 3-0 in the 26th minute, knocking home a well-delivered Smith corner with Reid attracting attention from defenders.
Alidou completed her hat trick, looping the ball home off the side of her boot after Taiwan failed to clear a corner to make it 4-0. Reid, who had come up for another corner, scored her first for Canada in first-half stoppage time after Taiwan failed to deal with a Fleming cross.
Reid, a California native whose mother was born in Canada, gave up soccer after playing at the University of Virginia to pursue a career as a paramedic. She then returned to the sport, joining the NWSL's Angel City for the 2022 pre-season as a non-roster invitee and remains with the team.
Ella Ottey and Carly Wickenheiser came in to start the second half to earn their second caps. Samantha Chang, Larisey, Adriana Leon and Nyah Rose, Jade's younger sister, followed off the bench.
Leon joined the San Diego Wave on Tuesday, leaving England's Aston Villa to return to the NWSL on a two-year deal with a mutual option for 2027.
Huitema made it 6-0 from the penalty spot in the 49th minute after Smith was taken down dribbling into the Taiwan penalty box. Larisey's header from a Riviere cross ended the scoring in the 75th.
Out of substitutes, Canada finished with nine players with Larisey and Riviere, both taking a knock, leaving in the dying minutes.
Stoney told reporters Monday that she hopes the Canadians can play at home during the March-April international window.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 25, 2025.
The Canadian Press
