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In a historic debut on the international stage, Canada Soccer’s Women’s Futsal National Team completed an impressive tournament run to win the inaugural Concacaf W Futsal Championship and qualify for the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup Philippines 2025™.
The team features strong Saskatchewan representation with Ala Erica Hindmarsh, Fixo Jade Houmphanh and Goalkeeper Jadyn Steinhauer all making an impact throughout the tournament under the tutelage of long time U of S Women’s Soccer Coach and Team Canada Assistant Coach Jerson Barandica-Hamilton.
Team Canada’s first test was against Costa Rica on April 29th where they fell 3-2 in a close contest as they got their first taste of international futsal competition.
Canada would next take on Honduras April 30th cruising to a 6-0 victory and setting the stage for a massive match between Canada and long-time rivals USA for a spot in the semi-finals.
Canada started the match against the Americans strong taking a 2-1 lead into half time before Erica Hindmarsh scored a beautiful goal near the midway point of the second half to help seal the victory for the Canadian’s and secure a spot in the semi-finals against undefeated Mexico.
Canada would go down early in the semi-final facing a 3-0 deficit at the half. Despite the adversity Canada would start the second half strong as Jade Houmphanh used her left foot to fool the Mexican keeper and get the comeback started. Canada would go on to score three goals in the first five minutes of the half to tie the game at three. Canada would add another later in the half to take their first lead of the contest 4-3. Canada would take their lead into the final minute where Mexico would score a heartbreaking goal with 1.8 seconds remaining to tie the game at four and send it to extra time. Ten minutes of extra time would solve nothing, and the game headed to penalty kicks.
Penalty Kicks was full of Saskatchewan flavour as Jade Houmphanh scored on her PK attempt while Jadyn Steinhauer stood strong between the pipes for Canada stopping two attempts to secure the come back victory for Canada, a spot in the CONCACAF Championship Final against Panama and a berth in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup Philippines 2025. An incredible accomplishment for our four Saskatchewan representatives and for Canada!
Riding the momentum of a huge semi-final victory Erica Hindmarsh scored early against Panama and Canada never looked back cruising to an 8-2 victory to claim the inaugural CONCACAF Women’s Futsal Championship.
Canada swept the tournament awards as they were awarded the tournament Fair Play award, Esther Brossard of Quebec took home the tournament’s MVP and Top Scorer awards, and Lea Palacio of Quebec was named the tournaments Top Goalkeeper.
The future of Futsal in Canada is bright and Saskatchewan is leading the way thanks to coaches like Jerson and athletes like Erica, Jade and Jadyn. The Saskatchewan Soccer Association is incredibly proud of the way you represented our province and our country. Congratulations and best of luck at the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup Philippines 2025, our province will be watching you with pride!
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