Canadian forward Olivia Smith, a prominent player, sustained an injury during a 1-0 defeat against Switzerland and has now returned to her club team in England for treatment on a hip pointer. The 21-year-old athlete from Whitby, Ont., will be focusing on her recovery at Arsenal in London as confirmed by Canada Soccer.
In a related development, teenage forward Kaylee Hunter, aged 17 and hailing from Calgary, has departed from the national team due to an injury sustained before the Swiss match in Lucerne. Hunter, who did not participate in the game, has gone back to AFC Toronto to continue her rehabilitation.
Following their loss to Switzerland, the ninth-ranked Canadian women’s team is gearing up to face the 11th-ranked Netherlands in Nijmegen on Tuesday. This match is part of their upcoming fixtures as they are scheduled to play two games against the 8th-ranked Japan during the November FIFA window to wrap up the year 2025.
Olivia Smith, who joined Arsenal from Liverpool in July for a record transfer fee of one million pounds ($1.87 million), was injured during her first start for Canada. The injury occurred in the 32nd minute of the game against Switzerland when she fell heavily after a challenge with Swiss defender Viola Calligaris. Smith had to be assisted off the field with medical attention after spending some time on the pitch.
Canada’s head coach, Casey Stoney, expressed concern about the treatment Smith received during the match and hopes opponents are not targeting her. Smith, a talented player who has been named Canada Youth Player of the year in 2019 and 2024, has scored three goals and provided three assists in 19 senior appearances for Canada.
Kaylee Hunter, who has been in impressive form with 14 goals and three assists in the current season of the Northern Super League, was called up to the senior national team after AFC Toronto declined to release her for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. Hunter has been a standout performer at the youth level since her international debut at the age of 15.
