Ian Bridge Named Women’s U20 Head Coach

The Canadian Soccer Association announced today that it has appointed Ian Bridge as the new women’s U-20 head coach. Mr. Bridge, who has served this year as an assistant coach on both the women’s national and U-20 teams, will lead Canada to this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Chile 2008.

Coach Bridge previously led Canada to three FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cups – Canada 2002, Thailand 2004 and Russia 2006. Bridge helped Canada win a silver medal at the inaugural Canada 2002 championship, Canada ‘s best-ever finish at a FIFA event. He spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons as an assistant with the national team.

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Chile 2008 runs 19 November to 7 December. At Chile 2008, Canada will open the tournament with group-stage matches against Japan (20 November), Congo DR (23 November) and Germany (27 November). Should Canada qualify, it will then play in the quarter-final match on 1 December, the semi-final match on 4 December, and the final on 7 December.

Canada’s women’s U-20 team, whose title sponsor is Winners, won the 2008 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship in June. It also won the Torneo 4-Naciones (Four Nations Tournament) in Melipilla , Chile in September.

Former head coach Bob Birarda has since parted ways with the Canadian Soccer Association. The departure was a mutual decision which the Association and Mr. Birarda agreed was in the best interest of both parties. The Association wishes Mr. Birarda all the best in his future endeavours.