Canadian teammates make the case that Stephanie Labbé wins FIFA’s top goalkeeper 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.

“Could not have done it without being pressured and inspired by some of the best in the business in our (Canadian national team) goalkeeping union,” she tweeted after the FIFA shortlist was announced.

The union is a band among ‘guards’ who are both supportive teammates and competitors for playing time. The competitive Canadian program also includes Erin McLeod, Kailen Sheridan and Sabrina D’Angelo.

All of them expect Labbé’s name to be mentioned when the winner of the FIFA honor is announced in Zurich on Monday.

The other finalists are Ann-Katrin Berger from Germany, who plays for Chelsea FC Women, and Chile’s Christiane Endler, who spent time with Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais between October 8, 2020 and August 6, 2021 – the time frame for this award.

“Grateful and honored,” Labbé tweeted when she heard she was in the race.

Her cause for honor speaks for itself.

Labbé scored 15-8-5 for club and country over 10 months with 16 clean sheets – eight for Sweden’s FC Rosengård, where she was unbeaten in 10 matches. She finished second in the Swedish league in victories (nine) and third in exclusions, even though she played only half a season before the Olympic Games in Tokyo, followed by a move to PSG.

In Tokyo, Labbé also went undefeated despite a rib injury in Canada’s opening match. She faced 12 penalties over the course of the Games and saved five, including two against Brazil in a quarter-final and two more in the Olympic final against Sweden.

Canada won Olympic gold for the first time in no small measure because of its performance. She was clutch when the team needed her most.

“She’s influenced the results of so many games,” McLeod said. “I just think for that she should win the award … she won us some of those matches.”

Tactically, McLeod adds, Labbé defies the idea that goalkeepers just stand back and do not really know the game, and also contributes with the ball at her feet and ability to spread.

D’Angelo, who was working back to the national team after an ACL tear that required surgery, did not spend much time with Labbé in the past year, but played against her in Sweden. She agreed that Labbé’s strengths were footwork and tactical thinking.

And an aptitude to emerge great in the greatest moments.

“She consistently does … the small things right and makes the big savings,” D’Angelo said.

Goalkeeping has long been a strength of the Canadian team, providing fierce competition for the No. 1 spot.

“Her ability to stay mentally strong and maintain her No. 1 position through everything that leads to the Olympics … and not let the pressure from other goalkeepers into the game, I think it’s great,” added D’Angelo.

Sheridan was most likely to be called up for Olympic service if Labbé faltered. But what Sheridan calls a “strange relationship” between members of their unofficial union was hardly murder. She recognizes Labbé by creating a competitive, challenging environment that allows all netizens to improve while maintaining a healthy relationship.

“Everyone just trusts her …” says Sheridan van Labbé. “She always has their back.”

Off the field, Labbé was a proponent of mental health awareness and shared her own struggles with anxiety, including during the Olympics. For McLeod, co-founder of The Mindful Project dedicated to positive thinking, it makes Labbé even more worthy of any awards that come her way.