Latest news with #AnnabelleChukwu
CBC
30-06-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Teenage forward Annabelle Chukwu already turning heads with Canada, Notre Dame
Just 18, Annabelle Chukwu is already turning heads The young forward has a Canadian record 39 goals in 42 international youth-level appearances, surpassing the previous Canadian youth record of 27 goals (set by former Canada captain Christine Sinclair) in September at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. Sinclair scored her 27 goals in 19 youth international matches from the U-19 to U-21 levels from 2001 to 2002. On Friday, Chukwu made her senior debut off the bench in the 64th minute of Canada's 4-1 win over Costa Rica at Toronto's BMO Field and quickly made her presence felt. In the 74th minute, she rose above a Costa Rican defender at the far post to head a Jade Rose cross into the path of Vancouver Rise forward Holly Ward, who roofed a right-footed shot for a 2-1 lead. After scoring four late goals to dispatch No. 43 Costa Rica, the eighth-ranked Canadian women have a far stiffer challenge Wednesday when they take on the top-ranked U.S. in Washington, D.C. Canada coach Casey Stoney calls Chukwu "incredibly technically gifted" and a striker who is "unplayable at times." "Talent like that is quite rare," she added. The current call-up is her third from the senior side. "Every single time, I never know what to expect but I'm just grateful for the opportunity and grateful to learn, develop and grow. Be surrounded by players that I look up to," said the soft-spoken Chukwu. Stoney likes what she sees. "Annabelle's been great. She's a very exciting young player," said the former England captain. "She's definitely like a rare talent and I think has just got a real special quality. If you're a fan, you'd pay to come and watch her play." Canada defender Jade Rose, a Harvard grad who just signed with England's Manchester City, says Chukwu is a handful. "She is an incredibly skilful player," said Rose. "She is one of those players that surprisingly speeds up when they have the ball at their feet. She can hit some crazy stepovers. "She is honestly an up-and-coming talent and I'm so grateful to have her in this environment. Not only to challenge me but I'm happy that she's on our team and not anyone else's." Chukwu, whose twin sister Isabelle has also represented Canada at the under-15 and under-17 level, has been a force at youth level. Led U20 team to Concacaf title On June 6, she led Canada to the Concacaf Women's Under-20 Championship in Costa Rica, scoring the winning goal in the 122nd minute in a 3-2 win over Mexico after extra time. Chukwu beat two defenders at the byline and then, from an almost impossible angle, roofed the winner as the clock counted down in stoppage time. It was the fifth goal of the tournament for Chukwu, who plays collegiate soccer at Notre Dame. Chukwu, who turned 18 in February, is quick to deflect praise on the U-20 triumph. "Credit to the team. I think we stuck together throughout the whole tournament. We learned, we grew from Game 1 to the end. It was a team effort," she said." Chukwu was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference third team and ACC All-Freshman team in 2024 with Notre Dame despite missing six games due to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. She scored three goals and added two assists in 16 appearances for the Irish, including 12 starts. "I love the school. I love the coaches, the team, the playing style," she said. "I think I've really been able to grow as a player and develop my game there. I'm excited for Year 2 Born in England, Chukwu was nine when her family moved to Ottawa for work. Both parents are of Nigerian origin, although her mother was born in England. As such, she also has British and Nigerian citizenship. She talked briefly with English soccer officials but says playing for Canada "just felt right," given that's where she started playing the game at age 10. Eight years on, she is trying to stay in the moment when it comes to soccer.
CTV News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Teenage forward Annabelle Chukwu already turning heads with Canada and Notre Dame
Canadian forward Annabelle Chukwu, centre, takes a shot in Canada's 4-1 win over Nicaragua, in this handout photo from the CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship in Alajuela, Costa Rica on May 31, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canada Soccer **MANDATORY CREDIT** Just 18, Annabelle Chukwu is already turning heads The young forward has a Canadian record 39 goals in 42 international youth-level appearances, surpassing the previous Canadian youth record of 27 goals (set by former Canada captain Christine Sinclair) in September at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. Sinclair scored her 27 goals in 19 youth international matches from the U-19 to U-21 levels from 2001 to 2002. On Friday, Chukwu made her senior debut off the bench in the 64th minute of Canada's 4-1 win over Costa Rica at Toronto's BMO Field and quickly made her presence felt. In the 74th minute, she rose above a Costa Rican defender at the far post to head a Jade Rose cross into the path of Vancouver Rise forward Holly Ward, who roofed a right-footed shot for a 2-1 lead. After scoring four late goals to dispatch No. 43 Costa Rica, the eighth-ranked Canadian women have a far stiffer challenge Wednesday when they take on the top-ranked U.S. in Washington, D.C. Canada coach Casey Stoney calls Chukwu 'incredibly technically gifted' and a striker who is 'unplayable at times.' 'Talent like that is quite rare,' she added. The current call-up is her third from the senior side. 'Every single time, I never know what to expect but I'm just grateful for the opportunity and grateful to learn, develop and grow. Be surrounded by players that I look up to,' said the soft-spoken Chukwu. Stoney likes what she sees. 'Annabelle's been great. She's a very exciting young player,' said the former England captain. 'She's definitely like a rare talent and I think has just got a real special quality. If you're a fan, you'd pay to come and watch her play.' Canada defender Jade Rose, a Harvard grad who just signed with England's Manchester City, says Chukwu is a handful. 'She is an incredibly skilful player,' said Rose. 'She is one of those players that surprisingly speeds up when they have the ball at their feet. She can hit some crazy stepovers. 'She is honestly an up-and-coming talent and I'm so grateful to have her in this environment. Not only to challenge me but I'm happy that she's on our team and not anyone else's.' Chukwu, whose twin sister Isabelle has also represented Canada at the under-15 and under-17 level, has been a force at youth level. On June 6, she led Canada to the CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship in Costa Rica, scoring the winning goal in the 122nd minute in a 3-2 win over Mexico after extra time. Chukwu beat two defenders at the byline and then, from an almost impossible angle, roofed the winner as the clock counted down in stoppage time. It was the fifth goal of the tournament for Chukwu, who plays collegiate soccer at Notre Dame. Chukwu, who turned 18 in February, is quick to deflect praise on the U-20 triumph. 'Credit to the team. I think we stuck together throughout the whole tournament. We learned, we grew from Game 1 to the end. It was a team effort,' she said." Chukwu was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference third team and ACC All-Freshman team in 2024 with Notre Dame despite missing six games due to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. She scored three goals and added two assists in 16 appearances for the Irish, including 12 starts. 'I love the school. I love the coaches, the team, the playing style,' she said. 'I think I've really been able to grow as a player and develop my game there. I'm excited for Year 2 Born in England, Chukwu was nine when her family moved to Ottawa for work. Both parents are of Nigerian origin, although her mother was born in England. As such, she also has British and Nigerian citizenship. She talked briefly with English soccer officials but says playing for Canada 'just felt right,' given that's where she started playing the game at age 10. Eight years on, she is trying to stay in the moment when it comes to soccer. 'I'm really not someone who looks too far ahead, but I'd love to play professionally. I'll see where the game takes me … I'm pretty happy being at school, but I'm not sure what the future holds. I'm open.' By Neil Davidson.
CTV News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Canada scores four late goals to defeat Costa Rica 4-1 in women's soccer friendly
Canada's Evelyne Viens, right, tries to reach a cross as Costa Rica goalkeeper Noella Bermudez and Fabiola Villalobos look on during first half international women's friendly soccer action in Toronto, on Friday, June 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young TORONTO — A poor start turned into a happy ending Friday as late goals by Shelina Zadorsky, Holly Ward, Zara Chavoshi and Emma Regan lifted Canada to a 4-1 comeback win over a resolute Costa Rica in an international women's friendly Friday. The goals came in the 70th, 74th, 82nd and 86th minute as the eighth-ranked Canadians finally found an answer for No. 43 Costa Rica. And they offered a glimpse of things to come with a first Canada goal for Chavoshi and Regan, a second for Ward and a senior debut for under-20 captain Annabelle Chukwu, an 18-year-old star in the making. A small but enthusiastic crowd announced at 10,105 cheered Canada on at BMO Field. But while the Canadian women had 81 per cent possession in the first half, they were unable to unlock the Costa Rican defence and went into the break trailing 1-0. 'I wasn't pleased with our first-half performance at all,' said Canada coach Casey Stoney, flanked by her two daughters. 'I thought we turned the ball over in silly areas, made technical errors, didn't keep enough positional discipline which kind of played into their hands a little bit.' Some changes in style of play and talent from the bench helped turn the tide. 'Real character in the second half. We really committed to what we wanted to do. First half not good enough,' said Stoney. The Canadians now head to Washington, D.C., for a stiffer test against the top-ranked U.S. on Wednesday. 'We've got a much tougher test on (Wednesday). It's a whole another level of opponent we're playing,' said Stoney. 'If we don't start well, we could come unstuck.' Some desperate Costa Rican defending and errant Canadian attacking preserved the Costa Rican lead until the 70th minute when Zadorsky, from the penalty spot, ended the Canada misfiring. It was goal No. 7 in 112 appearances for the veteran centre back. Substitute Mimi Alidou won the penalty, taken down by Costa Rican defender Fabiola Villalobos. Ward made it 2-1 in the 74th minute, turning and curling in a lovely shot after Chukwu, who has scored a Canadian-record 39 goals in 42 youth internationals, headed a Jade Rose cross her way. It was a second goal in three appearances for Ward, a 21-year-old Vancouver Rise forward who became the first Northern Super League player to score for Canada — in the 3-1 win over Haiti on June 3 in Montreal. Chavoshi made it 3-0 in the 82nd minute, heading home a corner for her first Canada goal in her second appearance. Regan, with an elegant shot from just outside the penalty box, padded the lead in the 86th minute. 'I thought we scored some good goals,' said Stoney. 'I thought we could have created more.' Costa Rica's Maria Paula Salas opened the scoring against the run of play in the 27th minute off a free kick. Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan failed to get a hand to the well-flighted delivery from captain Katherine Alvarado, allowing an unmarked Salas to head the ball home at the far post. Chavoshi committed the foul that led to the free kick, pulling back Priscila Chinchilla after the Costa Rican attacker nutmegged her just outside the Canadian penalty box. The goal prompted a Canadian team huddle in front of goal, one of several on the night. Canada had won all 17 previous meetings with Costa Rica, outscoring the Central Americans 52-6. But they needed a 104th-minute goal to win 1-0 the last time they met, in March 2024 in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup in Los Angeles. Canada had blanked Costa Rica 3-0 in the group stage at the tournament. Stoney fielded a strong lineup that included Sheridan, Zadorsky, Jessie Fleming, Ashley Lawrence, Adriana Leon, Evelyne Viens and Julia Grosso. In all, the starters had a combined 756 caps going into the game. Canada could have had three goals in first-half stoppage time with headers from Leon and Zadorsky and a Fleming shot all missing the target. Costa Rica lost midfielder Alexandra Pinell to an injury just before the break. Canada outshot Costa Rica 8-3 (3-2 in shots on target) in the first half. Canada, which improved to 6-1-1 under Stoney, was missing injured defenders Kadeisha Buchanan, Sydney Collins and Jayde Riviere, and forwards Olivia Smith and Cloé Lacasse. Friday's game was a special 'Pride Celebration' match, the third in as many years for the Canadian women who wore a special kit featuring Pride-themed numbers. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025 Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
Canada mounts late comeback to beat Costa Rica 4-1 in women's soccer friendly
A poor start turned into a happy ending Friday as late goals by Shelina Zadorsky, Holly Ward, Zara Chavoshi and Emma Regan lifted Canada to a 4-1 comeback win over a resolute Costa Rica in an international women's friendly Friday. The goals came in the 70th, 74th, 82nd and 86th minute as the eighth-ranked Canadians finally found an answer for No. 43 Costa Rica. And they offered a glimpse of things to come with a first Canada goal for Chavoshi and Regan, a second for Ward and a senior debut for under-20 captain Annabelle Chukwu, an 18-year-old star in the making. A small but enthusiastic crowd announced at 10,105 cheered Canada on at BMO Field. But while the Canadian women had 81 per cent possession in the first half, they were unable to unlock the Costa Rican defence and went into the break trailing 1-0. 'I wasn't pleased with our first-half performance at all,' said Canada coach Casey Stoney, flanked by her two daughters. 'I thought we turned the ball over in silly areas, made technical errors, didn't keep enough positional discipline which kind of played into their hands a little bit.' Some changes in style of play and talent from the bench helped turn the tide. 'Real character in the second half. We really committed to what we wanted to do. First half not good enough,' said Stoney. The Canadians now head to Washington, D.C., for a stiffer test against the top-ranked U.S. on Wednesday. 'We've got a much tougher test on (Wednesday). It's a whole another level of opponent we're playing,' said Stoney. 'If we don't start well, we could come unstuck.' Some desperate Costa Rican defending and errant Canadian attacking preserved the Costa Rican lead until the 70th minute when Zadorsky, from the penalty spot, ended the Canada misfiring. It was goal No. 7 in 112 appearances for the veteran centre back. Substitute Mimi Alidou won the penalty, taken down by Costa Rican defender Fabiola Villalobos. Ward made it 2-1 in the 74th minute, turning and curling in a lovely shot after Chukwu, who has scored a Canadian-record 39 goals in 42 youth internationals, headed a Jade Rose cross her way. It was a second goal in three appearances for Ward, a 21-year-old Vancouver Rise forward who became the first Northern Super League player to score for Canada – in the 3-1 win over Haiti on June 3 in Montreal. Chavoshi made it 3-0 in the 82nd minute, heading home a corner for her first Canada goal in her second appearance. Regan, with an elegant shot from just outside the penalty box, padded the lead in the 86th minute. 'I thought we scored some good goals,' said Stoney. 'I thought we could have created more.' Costa Rica's Maria Paula Salas opened the scoring against the run of play in the 27th minute off a free kick. Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan failed to get a hand to the well-flighted delivery from captain Katherine Alvarado, allowing an unmarked Salas to head the ball home at the far post. Chavoshi committed the foul that led to the free kick, pulling back Priscila Chinchilla after the Costa Rican attacker nutmegged her just outside the Canadian penalty box. The goal prompted a Canadian team huddle in front of goal, one of several on the night. Canada had won all 17 previous meetings with Costa Rica, outscoring the Central Americans 52-6. But they needed a 104th-minute goal to win 1-0 the last time they met, in March 2024 in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup in Los Angeles. Canada had blanked Costa Rica 3-0 in the group stage at the tournament. Stoney fielded a strong lineup that included Sheridan, Zadorsky, Jessie Fleming, Ashley Lawrence, Adriana Leon, Evelyne Viens and Julia Grosso. In all, the starters had a combined 756 caps going into the game. Canada could have had three goals in first-half stoppage time with headers from Leon and Zadorsky and a Fleming shot all missing the target. Costa Rica lost midfielder Alexandra Pinell to an injury just before the break. Canada outshot Costa Rica 8-3 (3-2 in shots on target) in the first half. Canada, which improved to 6-1-1 under Stoney, was missing injured defenders Kadeisha Buchanan, Sydney Collins and Jayde Riviere, and forwards Olivia Smith and Cloé Lacasse. Friday's game was a special 'Pride Celebration' match, the third in as many years for the Canadian women who wore a special kit featuring Pride-themed numbers.
CBC
18-06-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Annabelle Chukwu, a prolific scorer at youth level, called up by Canada senior side
Canada coach Casey Stoney has called up teenage forward Annabelle Chukwu, who has scored a Canadian record 39 goals in 42 international youth-level appearances, for games against Costa Rica and the U.S. in the upcoming FIFA international window. The eighth-ranked Canadian women host No. 43 Costa Rica on June 27 in a special Pride Celebration game at Toronto's BMO Field before heading south to face the top-ranked U.S. on July 2 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. "This [international] window is an important step forward for our group as we continue building toward our goals," Stoney said in a statement. "Playing at home, especially during Pride Month, means a great deal to this team and gives us an incredible opportunity to connect with more of our fans and honour the values that matter most to us. "Facing Costa Rica will be a true measure of our progress, and immediately after, we step up to a world-class challenge against the world's top-ranked team, the U.S.A., which is exactly where we want to be." Chukwu, a freshman at Notre Dame, was called up twice before by former Canada coach Bev Priestman but has yet to win a senior cap. The 18-year-old, who was born in England but grew up in Ottawa, has been a force at the youth level. Chukwu's highlight-reel goal in the 122nd minute lifted Canada to a 3-2 win over Mexico in the championship game at the CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship earlier this month in Costa Rica. She surpassed the previous Canadian youth scoring record of 27 goals, set by former Canada captain Christine Sinclair, in September at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. NSL players on Canada's team Stoney's 23-woman roster includes two Northern Super League players in AFC Toronto's Emma Regan and Vancouver Rise FC's Holly Ward. Other collegiate players are Harvard's Jade Rose and Michigan State's Kayla Briggs. In all, there are eight players aged 24 or younger. Veterans include captain Jessie Fleming, Vanessa Gilles, Julia Grosso, Jordyn Huitema, Ashley Lawrence, Adriana Leon, Nichelle Prince, Kailen Sheridan, Janine Sonis and Shelina Zadorsky. Zara Chavoshi, a 22-year-old Orlando Pride defender who made her senior debut June 3 in the 3-1 win over Haiti in Montreal, gets another call-up. So does 28-year-old Montpellier defender Marie Levasseur, who ended a 33-month absence from the senior side when she earned her 11th cap in the game against Haiti. Vancouver Rise veteran midfielder Quinn, who has won 106 caps for Canada, was not selected. Canada has won all 17 previous meetings with Costa Rica, outscoring the Central Americans 53-6. But they needed a 104th-minute goal to dispatch Costa Rica 1-0 the last time they met, in March 2024 in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup in Los Angeles. Canada also needed a spectacular save from Sheridan, who had been a spectator for most of the match, in second-half injury time to preserve the win. The Canadian No. 1 kicked out her right foot to deny substitute Alexa Herrera in a rare Costa Rica attack. Canada had blanked Costa Rica 3-0 in the group stage at the tournament. Canada is 4-53-9 all-time against the U.S. in a rivalry that dates back to 1986 when the Canadian women's program was established. The Canadian women have not won on American soil since Nov. 11, 2000 (a 3-1 friendly win in Columbus, Ohio). In their most recent meeting, last April at the SheBelieves Cup in Columbus, Ohio, the two teams played to a 2-2 draw before the U.S. won a penalty shootout 5-4. The Americans also won by penalty shootout in the game before that, the CONCACAF W Gold Cup semifinal in March 2024. Canada's last win over the U.S. was a 1-0 decision in the Tokyo Olympic semifinal in August 2021. That was the Americans' first loss to their northern neighbours since March 2001, in the group stage of the Algarve Cup. The Canadian women are 5-1-1 under Stoney and are coming off a pair of wins over No. 50 Haiti in the May-June international window. Unavailable due to injury are defenders Kadeisha Buchanan, Sydney Collins and Jayde Riviere, and forwards Olivia Smith and Cloe Lacasse. Canada's roster Goalkeepers: Sabrina D'Angelo, Aston Villa (England); Lysianne Proulx, Juventus (Italy); Kailen Sheridan, San Diego Wave (NWSL). Defenders: Gabrielle Carle, Washington Spirit (NWSL); Zara Chavoshi, Orlando Pride (NWSL); Vanessa Gilles, Bayern Munich (Germany); Ashley Lawrence, Chelsea (England); Marie Levasseur, Montpellier HSC (France); Jade Rose, Harvard University (NCAA); Shelina Zadorsky, West Ham United (England). Midfielders: Marie-Yasmine Alidou, Portland Thorns (NWSL); Jessie Fleming, Portland Thorns FC (NWSL); Simi Awujo, Manchester United FC (England); Kayla Briggs, Michigan State University (NCAA); Julia Grosso, Chicago Red Stars (NWSL): Emma Regan, AFC Toronto (NSL). Forwards: Annabelle Chukwu, University of Notre Dame (NCAA); Jordyn Huitema, Seattle Reign (NWSL); Adriana Leon, San Diego Wave (NWSL); Nichelle Prince, Kansas City Current (NWSL); Janine Sonis, Racing Louisville (NWSL); Evelyne Viens, AS Roma (Italy); Holly Ward, Vancouver Rise FC (AFC).
