Teammates lobby for Labbé
Canadian players make case for netminder to win top goalkeeping award
When Stephanie Labbé was named a finalist for the award that goes to the best goalkeeper in women’s soccer, she was quick to share the credit for her success.
“Couldn’t have done this without being pushed and inspired by some of the best in the business in our (Canadian national team) goalkeeper’s union,” she tweeted after the FIFA shortlist was announced.
The union is a bond among ’keepers who are both supportive teammates and rivals for playing time. In the competitive Canadian program, that also includes Erin McLeod, Kailen Sheridan and Sabrina D’Angelo.
All of them expect Labbé’s name to be called when the winner of the FIFA honour is announced Monday in Zurich.
The other finalists are Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger, who plays for Chelsea FC Women, and Chile’s Christiane Endler, who spent time with Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais between Oct. 8, 2020 and Aug. 6, 2021 — the time frame for this award.
“Grateful and honoured,” Labbé tweeted when she learned she was in the running.
Her case for the honour speaks for itself.
Labbé went 15-8-5 for club and country over 10 months with 16 clean sheets — eight for Sweden’s FC Rosengård, where she went unbeaten in 10 matches. She finished second in the Swedish league in wins (nine) and third in shutouts despite playing just half a season before the Tokyo Olympics, following by a move to PSG.
In Tokyo, Labbé also went unbeaten despite a rib injury in Canada’s opener. She faced 12 penalty shots over the course of the Games and saved five, including two against Brazil in a quarterfinal shootout and two more in the Olympic final shootout against Sweden.
Canada won Olympic gold for the first time in no small part because of her performance. She was clutch when the team needed her most.
“She influenced the results of so many games,” McLeod said.
“I think for that alone she should win the award ... she won us some of those games.”
Tactically, McLeod adds, Labbé defies the notion that goalkeepers just stand back and don’t really know the game, also contributing with the ball at her feet and ability to distribute.
D’Angelo, who was working her way back into the national team fold after an ACL tear that required surgery, didn’t spend much time with Labbé this past year, but did play against her in Sweden. She agreed that Labbé’s strengths are footwork and tactical thinking.
And a knack for coming up big in the biggest moments.
“She’s consistently ... doing the little things right and making the big saves,” D’Angelo said.
Goalkeeping has long been an area of strength on the Canadian team, which makes for stiff competition for the No. 1 spot.
“Her ability to stay mentally strong and keep her No. 1 position through it all leading up to the Olympics ... and not let the pressures of other goalkeepers come into play, I think that’s huge,” D’Angelo added.
Sheridan was the most likely to be called upon for Olympic duty had Labbé faltered. But what Sheridan calls a “weird relationship” among members of their unofficial union was hardly cutthroat. She credits Labbé with creating a competitive, challenging environment that allows all of the netminders to improve while maintaining a healthy relationship.
“Everybody just trusts her...” Sheridan says of Labbé. “She’s always got their back.”
Off the field, Labbé has been an advocate for mental health awareness and shared her own struggles with anxiety, including during the Olympics.
To McLeod, co-founder of The Mindful Project devoted to positive thinking, that makes Labbé even more worthy of whatever accolades come her way.