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Calgary Herald
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Canada gears up to face U.S. in 'very big' Rugby World Cup qualifying match at McMahon Stadium
Article content McMahon Stadium a mecca for Canadian rugby? Article content The venerable arena becomes just that this weekend for the national senior men's 15s squad, when it becomes a major focus on the world stage and for the country's sporting enthusiasts. Article content It's Canada versus the rival United States in a key match to help determine a coveted entry into the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Article content 'It's a very big one,' said Calgary's Matt Oworu, of the Friday night game between North American enemies at McMahon (7 p.m., TSN2). 'It puts us in a position to qualify for the World Cup, and it's something that we all see as very important — not just the players but everyone involved. Like it's like the highest achievement for any player across all sports outside of the Olympics. Article content Article content 'It's really important for us.' Article content Article content It truly is arguably the biggest night in this current four-year window between World Cups for the national men's rugby program. Article content At stake is a leg up in the push to make the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, which arrives a handful of years after heartbroken Canada fell short in vying to attend the 2023 edition. Article content 'It's massive,' added Calgary's Ben Lesage, one of the squad's stars since arriving on the scene in 2016. 'A few weeks ago, our Canadian women's team beat the States in rugby in Ottawa. So they got the better of them there. So I think we're sort of trying to draw inspiration from some of those other Canadian teams that have sort of rallied around Canada and that cross-border rivalry to do the same thing. Article content 'The rivalry with the U.S. is big regardless, but this year especially because of what it means, so it makes it all the more important on Friday.' Article content Article content The game is the first of the Pacific Nations Cup schedule, which features Canada, the U.S. and Japan in World Cup qualifying action. Article content The top two teams from this event advance in the qualifying process. Article content And with Japan coming in as a powerhouse, the cold hard truth is the loser of Friday's U.S.-Canada tilt would have to upset Japan in a subsequent game to stay in contention for a World Cup opportunity. Article content 'Winning this game doesn't guarantee you qualification in the Rugby World Cup, and that's something that everyone needs to be aware of,' said Canada head coach Stephen Meehan. 'But it does put you in a good position. Article content 'So if you go on and start talking about all the ramifications behind everything all the time, well then it's easy to take your eye off what matters now. And so we've got to concentrate on our performance Friday.'
Calgary Herald
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Pipe dream 'is finally here' in city, as Calgary Wild FC makes debut Sunday
If you ask the local players, they'll confirm Sunday's debut of women's professional soccer in Calgary is as surreal as it gets. Article content Wild stuff, if you will. Article content But … yes … after decades of believing it was nothing more than a pipe-dream, the kick-start of female pro footie in this city has finally arrived, with Calgary Wild FC taking to the new turf of McMahon Stadium for its first home game — ever — in the Northern Super League (5 p.m., TSN2). Article content Article content 'The day's finally here, and I couldn't be happier,' said excited star Grace Stordy, one of a handful of area stars — joining attacker Taegan Stewart, midfielders Christie Gray, Keelyn Stewart and Caleigh Boeckx, fellow defender Talia White and goalkeeper Sarah Keilty-Dilling — on Wild FC. Article content 'I mean … you heard rumours about this league like almost seven years ago now, and you were excited then, and then it took forever,' continued Stordy. 'So I personally lost a little bit of hope. But as soon as it was announced, you know it's coming and the day is finally here. So I couldn't be happier.' Article content And that's likely to be forefront come Game 1 on Mother's Day — an apt date for the Wild debut, to be sure — against visiting Ottawa Rapid FC. Article content Article content 'I hope so,' said 23-year-old Stordy, expecting a loud proud crowd come Sunday. 'You'll hear my mom, Pam, scream … she's loud. Article content 'I think we have some fiery fans, and I'm excited to see the turnout for this Sunday,' added Stordy. 'It's knowing, win or lose, you have a support system that is all for you. It's really special. And it's a good feeling, because you know, the lows are lows, but that just makes the highs even higher. Article content Article content 'Feeling just very grateful to have the city behind us.' Article content Stordy & Co. are led by captain and talented midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard, while English coach Lydia Bedford, 37, is the Wild manager. Article content And their shared believe is the fans will embrace the on-field style of the Calgary crew of 23 women, boosted by its efforts in the first three games despite a couple of unwelcome results. Article content 'I think we're really brave in the way we want to play,' said Dougherty Howard, 29. 'I think you've seen glimpses of it so far, and I think it's only going to get better as we have more time together and continue to grow into the season. But the style of football we want to play is very possession-oriented, and you have to be brave to play that way. Article content 'We're going to show you an exciting brand of soccer,' the captain continued. 'We hope to have the ball a lot, and I think as a fan, you always like when your team has the ball and we can control the game. Article content 'There's risk that comes with it, but it's so rewarding when it does come together and you can see and enjoy, as a spectator, really beautiful soccer. And I think we've been able to show that and are working hard to be able to show that through longer stretches in the game.'
