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The Canadian football scene has experienced a real boom recently due to the great success of its national teams, especially the senior women's team.

The outstanding performance of Canadian women's soccer players has raised the country's profile and led to recent successes at last year's Tokyo Olympics, when they won the gold medal in women's soccer. The Canadian women's national soccer team has always been a force to be reckoned with in women's soccer, as the North American country has produced many notable female soccer players. However, here are the best Canadian female soccer players in 2022.

1.Christine Sinclair

Sinclair is arguably Canada's greatest female soccer player of all time. The 39-year-old is currently captain and main striker for her country's national and club team, the Portland Thorns. She earned an impressive 308 caps for the Canadian women's national team and competed in 5 FIFA Women's World Cups and 4 Olympic Games.

With an incredible 189 goals in 22 years, she is the greatest international goalscorer of all time, whether male or female. She has received several awards and recognitions at home and abroad.

2. Kadeisha Buchanan

Keisha, as she is affectionately known, is a central defender who plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais. The Toronto native made 113 appearances for the Canadian national team, scoring points. She was part of the women's Olympic team that won the historic gold medal at the Tokyo 2024 Olympic Games soccer tournament. Buchanan has been named Canadian Soccer Player of the Year three times and was also named FIFA World Cup Best Young Player 2015. Kadeisha Buchanan played a crucial role in PSG's victory over Barcelona's women's team to secure the 2022 UEFA Women's Champions League. The 26-year-old is one of the best football defenders in the world.

3.Ashley Lawrence

Ashley is a left-back who plays for French women's team Paris Saint Germain. The 27-year-old is a solid defender who has won 105 caps throughout the year. She was part of the squad that competed in the last Tokyo Olympic Games. She made crucial blocks and interceptions throughout the tournament, helping Canada win its first Olympic gold medal in soccer.

4. Jessie Fleming

The 24-year-old midfielder plays for English club Chelsea FC. The Ontario-born player made her senior national team debut at just 15 years old. However, she played an impressive 99 times for Canada. Fleming was part of the victorious Canadian team at the Tokyo Olympics. His crucial goals in the semi-final and final helped them win the gold medal. Jessie Fleming is currently considered one of the best midfielders in women's football in the world.

5. Janine Beckie

Beckie is a forward for the American National Women's Soccer League team Portland Thorns. The 27-year-old Canadian played 85 games for the senior team and scored 34 goals. She was also part of the team that won gold at the Tokyo Olympics.

As the 2024/22 European League seasons come to an end, clubs are quickly turning their attention to transfers and new contracts.

This season, some of football's biggest names are out of touch in June 2022, while others have already signaled their intention to move elsewhere. For some players, MLS represents a good final opportunity to play competitive football before retiring from football.

In the US, it may be football that attracts big names and headlines, but football is becoming increasingly popular, especially now that punters can bet on their favorite team. Since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, many US sportsbooks have launched dedicated football betting apps. According to gamble-usa.com/sports-betting/apps/soccer/, BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel are some of the prominent names in the US betting industry.

In this article, we take a look at the five biggest names that could move from Europe to MLS this summer.

1. Angel Di Maria

Paris Saint-Germain striker Angel Di Maria has been a constant presence at the highest level of European football for 15 years. The Argentine has also played for PSG since joining the French giants from Manchester United in 2016.

However, after almost 300 appearances for the Ligue 1 club, Di Maria will not receive a contract extension beyond the 2024/22 season. His contract expires in June 2022 and it appears the Argentina international is considering leaving France.

According to rumors, the 34-year-old player is interested in moving to MLS. However, American League teams could face competition from the likes of Juventus to secure Di Maria's signature this summer.

2 Luis Suárez

Luis Suárez's contract with Atlético Madrid ends in June 2022 and the player and the club have not reached an agreement on a new contract. With the 35-year-old a free agent, there is interest from Europe and MLS in signing the Uruguayan for next season.

Ultimately, Suarez showed he still has goals this season. The striker scored 11 goals and provided three assists in 44 matches under Diego Simeone. Therefore, Premier League teams also seem interested in the 35-year-old. Rumors are circulating about Suarez reuniting with his former teammate Steve Gerrard at Aston Villa

But MLS teams also appear interested in securing Suarez's services for 2022/23. Ever since Gonzalo Higuaín warned Suárez that life in MLS was no walk in the park, rumors have swirled about Uraguayn's possible move to the United States.

3 Gareth Bale

After almost a decade of ups and downs at Real Madrid, Welsh star Gareth Bale is set to leave the Bernabeu this summer. After just five appearances for Los Blancos in the 2024/22 season, MLS teams appear interested in bringing Bale to MLS.

DC United are reportedly the leading candidates to sign the 32-year-old on a free transfer. However, competition could come from Europe as Tottenham and Welsh club Cardiff City are also keeping an eye on the situation.

4.Giorgio Chiellini

Although important Italian player Giorgio Chiellini still has a year left on his contract at Juventus, the defender recently signaled his intention to leave the club. Chiellini has been part of the Juventus team for 17 years, but decided to leave the club at the end of the 2024/22 season.

However, the Euro 2024 winner has not signaled his intention to retire from football completely. As a result, MLS clubs have shown interest in signing the 37-year-old this summer. Currently, LAFC appears to be more interested in bringing Chellini to the league.

5. Ivan Perisic

Perisic's contract situation at Inter has been dragging on for months, but it now appears that the Croatian will leave Milan in the summer. With 34 appearances, seven goals and seven assists, the winger has been the cornerstone of Inter's success this season.

Perisic has had a great career so far and has even played in a World Cup final. Okay, maybe Croatia lost, but he still played a great game and Croatia were unlucky not to win.

But even if the 33-year-old wanted to stay in Milan next season, the club are ready to let the Croatian international leave on a free transfer this summer. Perisic has reportedly turned down offers from MLS, Qatar and Türkiye, with several clubs interested. However, with a stay at Inter looking less likely, the striker could be persuaded to move to the US in the coming months.

Being captain of a football team is a big job that requires multitasking. A captain's role includes, among other things, defending the club and his teammates on and off the field, speaking to referees, communicating regularly with the media and fans, setting an example, speaking to management and the manager. to support.

Newer team members (future young players and newly transferred players) are welcomed and instructed by the captains. In short, the role of captain of a football team goes far beyond what happens on the field.

While some captains are very vocal, others like to talk with their feet.

HOME FOOTBALL BLOG presents the 10 best football captains in 2022.

1. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Sergio Ramos' departure leaves Real Madrid with an important leadership role to play, but every experienced member of the squad has stepped up.

Although Marcelo is Real's official captain, Karim Benzema has to regularly wear the captain's armband due to his inability to establish himself in the starting eleven. The French striker is not a very vocal captain like Ramos, but he leads from the front and lets his goals speak for themselves.

Remarkably, Karim Benzema has scored 44 goals and 15 assists in 44 games across all competitions this season. His contributions and leadership led Real Madrid to the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League final. He is one of the biggest candidates for the Ballon d'Or in 2022.

2. Sebastian Rode (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Eintracht Frankfurt have just completed a memorable fairytale journey towards the Europa League title. The German team surprisingly defeated Barcelona in the semi-finals at Camp Nou!

Captain Sebastian Rode was instrumental in the Frankfurt race. His leadership qualities and determination were on display in the final against Rangers when he suffered a serious head injury, but continued to play bravely with his head poorly bandaged and having to change his bloody shirt.

3. Joaquin (Real Betis)

Real Betis incredibly won the Copa del Rey this season – their first since 2005.

Captain Joaquin – who is now 40 years old and one of the oldest football players still active – was part of the team that won the title in 2005.

Joaquin's experience and leadership abilities greatly benefited the team, as he played 35 matches across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists.

4. Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

Liverpool are on course to win an unprecedented quadruple or treble. They have already secured the League Cup and the FA Cup. They enter the final game of the EPL season one point behind Manchester City and have reached the UEFA Champions League final, where they will face Real Madrid.

While players like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota are widely acclaimed, captain Jordan Henderson is an integral part of the team but is rarely noticed. Henderson has made an astonishing 55 appearances in all competitions so far this season! He also contributed 3 goals and 7 assists.

5. Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)

Senegal made history by winning the AFCON for the first time earlier this year, defeating Egypt on penalties. The Teranga Lions also secured a place in the next FIFA World Cup in Qatar by defeating Egypt again in a hard-fought game.

The Senegalese national team is made up of superstars, most of whom play abroad, which means dealing with these players' egos is not easy. Like the coach, team captain Khalidou Koulibaly also deserves credit for rallying the team into a formidable unit to deliver intense pressure when it counts most.

6. Raúl Albiol (Villareal)

Villareal shocked everyone by beating Manchester United in the Europa League final last season. Some of us thought we were lucky, but the Yellow Submarines proved us wrong as they battled their way to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals this season. They eliminated giants Juventus and Bayern Munich.

Villareal's robust defensive system against big teams is very impressive and their defensive leader is captain Raul Albiol. The former Real Madrid centre-back's experience proved very useful.

The 36-year-old has made 42 appearances in all competitions this season.

7. Lorenzo Pellegrini (AS Roma)

José Mourinho led AS Roma to a historic UEFA Europa Conference League final. Because of their status, Mourinho and Tammy Abraham made headlines. But Roma's success is a collective effort and the credit goes to captain Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Pellegrini has scored 13 goals and 6 assists in 38 games across all competitions this season.

8. Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)

Lionel Messi's departure left a huge void at Barcelona. Taking on the Argentine's role as captain was never going to be easy and Sergio Busquets was tasked with doing just that.

Barcelona have had a turbulent season, but have at least secured qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League – something that seemed unattainable before Xavi's appointment.

Captain Busquets was instrumental in preventing the season from faltering, setting a good example for the team's young players.

Sergio Busquets played 50 matches in all competitions, scoring 3 goals and providing one assist. He was consistent for the team and, being one of the few players who was never injured, he played a significant number of games for the Catalans.

9. Dimitri Payet (Olympique de Marseille)

Marseille recovered from last season's disappointments by reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League and, more importantly, secured a return to the UEFA Champions League by finishing third in Ligue 1.

Their always impressive captain, Dimitri Payet, was the brains of the team and led impressively.

Payet scored 16 goals and provided 11 assists in 45 games across all competitions.

10. Fernandinho (Manchester City)

Replacing the legendary Vincent Kompany as Manchester City captain was never going to be easy, but Fernandinho has done a good job in that regard.

This season – his final season at the Etihad Stadium – Fernandinho made 32 appearances in all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists as Manchester City reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and were on the verge of winning the Premier League.

Winning the EPL trophy could be Fernandinho's last act as a Man City player and captain.

Notable mentions:

• Marquinhos-PSG
• Hugo Lloris-Tottenham Hotspurs
• James Ward Prowse-Southampton
• Conor Coady – Wolves
• Ciro Immobile – Lazio