Herdman expected to be named new women's soccer team coach

The Canadian Soccer Association is expected to name John Herdman as head coach of Canada's national women's team on Thursday.

The CSA has scheduled a conference call for what it calls "an important announcement regarding the women's national team program."

A source told The Canadian Press that Herdman, former coach of the New Zealand women's team, is the man chosen to replace Carolina Morace.

Herdman had made the short list when Morace was hired, the source said.

Herdman, who was born in England, is New Zealand's director of football development. The Ferns are currently ranked 24th in the world.

Herdman arrived in New Zealand in 2003 and took on the role as coach development manager for New Zealand Football. He led the women to the 2006 U-20 World Cup before being named head coach of the senior team in 2007.

Under Herdman the Ferns have appeared in the last two Women's World Cups. At this summer's competition in Germany, New Zealand had two losses and a tie.

New Zealand also advanced to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing where the team was 0-1-2.

Peter Montopoli, the CSA's general secretary, said last week a new Canadian coach would be in place before exhibition games against the U.S. on Sept. 17 and 22.

Morace resigned suddenly following Canada's disastrous performance at the World Cup in Germany.

The Canadian women were ranked sixth in the world and had sky-high expectations when they began the World Cup on June 26. Their dreams crashed when three loses resulted in a first-round exit.

Canada managed just one goal during the tournament and has since dropped to eighth in the world rankings.

Morace turned in her resignation in July during an internal review. Under the 47-year-old Italian's guidance the women had a 25-11-5 record.

The CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament will be held in Vancouver in January. The tournament will attract eight teams including Canada, Mexico and the United States, plus three from the Caribbean and two from Central America.

The top two countries earn spots in the London Games

The 2015 Women's World Cup will be held in Canada. The tournament will feature 24 teams, an increase from the 16 that competed in Germany.

View the original article here