Canadian Stephanie Labbé receives support from the FIFA award from within
When Stephanie Labbé was named finalist for the award for best goalkeeper in women’s football, she was quick to share the credit for her success.
“Could not have done this without being pushed and inspired by some of the best in the industry in our (Canadian national team) goalkeeping association,” she tweeted after FIFA’s shortlist was announced.
The association is a band among goalkeepers who are both supportive teammates and rivals for playing time. The competitive Canadian program also includes Erin McLeod, Kailen Sheridan and Sabrina D’Angelo.
Everyone expects Labbé’s name to be announced when the winner of the FIFA award is announced on Monday in Zurich.
The other finalists are Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger, who plays for Chelsea FC Women, and Chilean 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 found out she was standing up.
Her argument for the honor speaks for itself.
Labbé went 15-8-5 for club and country for 10 months with 16 zeros – eight for Sweden’s FC Rosengård, where she went undefeated in 10 matches. She finished second in the Swedish league in wins (nine) and third in shutouts despite playing only half a season before the Olympics in Tokyo, followed by a move to PSG.
In Tokyo, Labbé also went undefeated despite a rib injury in the Canadian premiere. She received 12 penalties during the course of the games and saved five, including two against Brazil in a quarter-final shooter and two more in the Olympic final against Sweden.
Canada won Olympic gold for the first time, not least because of her performance. She was the connection when the team needed her the most.
“She influenced the results of so many games,” McLeod said. “I think she should win the prize just for that … she won some of those matches for us.”
Tactically, McLeod adds, Labbé defies the notion that goalkeepers only stand back and do not really know the game, and also contributes the ball at her feet and ability to distribute.
D’Angelo, who worked her way back into the national team after an ACL demolition 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 are footwork and tactical thinking.
And an ability to come up big in the biggest moments.
“She consistently does … the small things right and makes the big saves,” D’Angelo said.
Goalkeeping has long been an area of strength in the Canadian team, which gives fierce competition for first place.
“Her ability to stay mentally strong and maintain her No. 1 position through it all until the Olympics … and not let the pressure from other goalkeepers get into the game, I think it’s huge,” added D’Angelo.
Sheridan was most likely to be called to Olympic service if Labbé faltered. But what Sheridan calls a “strange relationship” between members of their unofficial union was hardly murderous. She credits Labbé for having created a competitive, challenging environment that allows all online reminders to be improved while maintaining a healthy relationship.
“Everyone just trusts her …” Sheridan says of Labbé. “She always has their back.”
Off the field, Labbé has been an advocate for mental health and shared his own struggles with anxiety, including during the Olympics. For McLeod, one of the founders of The Mindful Project dedicated to positive thinking, it makes Labbé even more worthy of all the awards that come her way.
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