Canada leaves France without an Olympic soccer medal, but the 22 indefatigable players lost on their own terms

Minutes after the Canadian women’s soccer team took down Colombia, winning the third of three must-win games to complete an improbable Olympic group stage sweep, goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was asked what could stop her team.

“Just us, man,” Sheridan told Radio-Canada’s Christine Roger. “We’re the only thing in our way.”

A six-point penalty from FIFA, levied after a drone spying-scandal involving head coach Bev Priestman and two staff members, couldn’t stop them. There’s no indication the players were involved, but they were the ones who bore the brunt of FIFA’s punishment.

As the noise got louder around them, the 22 players on the Canadian team did their best to shut the world out. They used that belief in each other to propel the team to two come-from-behind wins, when many had already counted them out.

At times on Saturday, it looked like the Canadians might have what it takes to defeat a strong German side and advance to the semifinals. But they couldn’t convert on their chances, and the defending Olympic champions’ story ended when the Germans outscored them on penalty kicks.

WATCH | Breaking down Canada’s loss to Germany on the CBC Sports Primetime panel:

The Canadians are leaving France without an Olympic medal, but they lost on their own terms. They lost in a shootout, by the slimmest of margins, and not because of a penalty that was out of their control.

“What we’ve accomplished through this much adversity is incredible,” forward Cloé Lacasse told Roger. “The individuals on this team have shown so much character throughout this tournament. Everything was against us from the very beginning.”

Creating a bubble

Andy Spence, thrown into the role of head coach after Priestman’s departure, said he felt his team was “dominant” during the second half and in some extra time. They played strong football and did it with heart, he said.

“Ultimately, I can’t be any prouder of the group of players and staff,” he said.

It’s not the first time Canada’s women’s soccer team has relied on each other’s strength to persevere.

Last year, members of this team spoke to a Parliamentary committee about how a long battle for equal treatment with their…