Music: {allcanada} CANADA SOCCER EXTENDS COACH HERDMAN'S CONTRACT THROUGH 2020

Thursday, September 5, 2013

{allcanada} CANADA SOCCER EXTENDS COACH HERDMAN'S CONTRACT THROUGH 2020

VANCOUVER - The Canadian Soccer Association has given women's head coach John Herdman a vote of confidence, extending his contract through the 2020 Summer Olympics.

The news comes just over two weeks after Herdman said he would listen if he was approached about the vacant women's coaching job in England, his home country.

The Canadian women's team has had considerable success since Herdman arrived in 2011. Canada won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics and gold at the 2011 Pan American Games.

Herdman had originally been under contract through the 2016 Olympics.

CSA general secretary Peter Montopoli said the organization continues to "believe that John has the leadership and vision to develop the clear pathway this country needs to grow women's football in addition to world class performances on the pitch."

Canada is hosting the 2015 women's World Cup.

"I am thrilled to know that I have the support from the Canadian Soccer Association to not only build a strong women's program but also to have the opportunity to implement it and see it through after the Canada 2015," Herdman said in a statement. "We now have the clarity to move forward, focus on our performances and put in place the stepping stones to truly leaving a lasting legacy for women's football in Canada."

Meanwhile, Canada also announced it will host a friendly against Mexico on Nov. 24 in Vancouver.