Diana Matheson

Diana Beverly Matheson (born April 6, 1984) is a Canadian international soccer player. She represents Canada on the Canada women's national soccer team and currently plays for Utah Royals FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She previously played for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL and Team Strømmen in the Toppserien, the top division league in Norway. She is best known for scoring the bronze medal-winning goal for Canada in the 92nd minute against France at the 2012 Summer Olympics. She also won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and gold medal at the 2011 Pan American Games with the senior national team.

Diana Matheson

Diana Matheson in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Diana Beverly Matheson
Date of birth	(1984-04-06) April 6, 1984
Place of birth	Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height	1.53 m (5 ft 0 in)[1]
Playing position(s)	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Utah Royals FC
Number	10
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2004–2007	Princeton	57	(26)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2010	Team Strømmen	32	(11)
2013–2016	Washington Spirit	67	(23)
2017	Seattle Reign FC	0	(0)
2018–	Utah Royals FC	21	(2)
National team^‡
2003–	Canada	206	(19)
Honours Women's soccer Representing  Canada Olympic Games 2012 London Team 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team Pan American Games 2007 Rio de Janeiro Team 2011 Guadalajara Team
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of August 24, 2018 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of March 10, 2020

Early life

Born in Mississauga, Ontario, Matheson attended White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville, Ontario, where she received Principal's Award for athletics and academics. As a member of the Ontario provincial team from 1999 to 2002, she won the national championship in 2001 and was runner-up in 2002. She was captain of the team in 2002. Playing for the Oakville Women's team, Matheson was a 2002 Ontario Cup champion and club national women's champion.[2]

Princeton University, 2004–2007

Matheson majored in economics at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey, and was voted Ivy League Player of the Year in 2007 and Princeton Women's Athlete of the Year in 2008.[2][3]

As a freshman in 2004, Matheson was a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection and was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year. She earned first-team All-America and first-team All-Mid-Atlantic Region honours and was one of 12 finalists for SoccerBuzz Freshman of the Year. She was a three-time Ivy Rookie of the Week. During her sophomore year, she scored five goals, second-most on the team, and had a team-high of seven assists (ranked third in the Ivy League). She was one of only two unanimous first-team All-Ivy selections. Matheson earned SoccerBuzz first-team all-region and NSCAA second-team all-region honours. After missing the season-opening trip to Florida to play with the Canadian national team, she started all 14 games the rest of the season. As a junior in 2006, Matheson co-captained the squad and led the Tigers with eight goals and five assists for 21 points despite missing five games to train with the Canadian national team. She was a unanimous selection for first-team All-Ivy. As a senior, Matheson missed the first seven games to play in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China. After returning from the tournament, she earned a point in seven straight games of the 10 played and broke Princeton's single-game and career assist records with a four-assist performance against Rutgers. Serving as co-captain of the team, she was Princeton's third four-time first-team all-league honoree and seventh Player of the Year.[2]

Club career

Team Strømmen, 2008–2010

Diana Matheson played the second half of the 2008 season in Oslo, Norway, with Team Strømmen, becoming a runner-up in the Toppserien league and also in the annual Cup competition. She rejoined the same club for the 2009 season running from April to October, and for the first half of 2010 until national team duties called her away. She can be seen in a video made by her Norwegian team.[4]

Washington Spirit, 2013–2016

In early 2013, it was announced that Matheson would be joining the Washington Spirit as part of the NWSL Player Allocation, a team in the newly founded National Women's Soccer League.[5] She made her debut during the Spirit's inaugural match on April 15, 2013 against the Boston Breakers.[6] Her first NWSL goal came on a late penalty in the club's home opener against the Western New York Flash on April 20, 2013.[7] At the conclusion of the 2013 season, it was announced that Matheson had been selected as a midfielder to the NWSL 2013 Best XI First Team.[8]

Matheson helped lead the Spirit to its first ever playoff berth in 2014 with eight goals and six assists during the regular season.[9]

After joining the team late in 2015 due to injury and participating in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Matheson scored three goals and had two assists in just nine games.

In 2016, she scored four goals, tied for second most on the team. Matheson currently holds the records for most goals scored (23) and most assists (12) for the Spirit all-time.[9] In 2016 the Washington Spirit advanced to the NWSL Championship game against the Western New York Flash. After extra time the game was tied 2–2 and advanced to penalties. Matheson was the fifth penalty taker for the Spirit, Washington was trailing 2–3 and needed to score to keep the match going. Her penalty was saved by Sabrina D'Angelo, securing the win for the Flash.[10]

During the off-season, the Washington Spirit traded many of their veteran players. In January 2017, Matheson was traded to the Seattle Reign in exchange for Arielle Ship and Seattle's third round pick in the 2018 NWSL College Draft.[11]

Seattle Reign, 2017

Matheson torn her ACL while training with the Canadian National team in February and she would miss the entire 2017 season.[12] At the 2018 NWSL College Draft she was traded to the Utah Royals in exchange for Yael Averbuch and Utah's third round draft pick.[13] Matheson never appeared in a game for Seattle.

Utah Royals, 2018–present

Matheson appeared in 21 matches for Utah in 2018, she scored 2 goals. She returned to Utah for the 2019 season however she suffered a foot injury with the Canadian National team that would require surgery forcing her to miss the 2019 season.[14]

International career

Matheson in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup

As a regular player for Canada, Matheson is remarkable for possessing the speed and skill to hold her place in an international team that is known for its physical approach to the game, despite having a height of only 5 ft 0¼. Matheson made her national team debut at the Algarve Cup in March 2003.[2] Matheson participated in the 2007 Women's World Cup, she appeared in all three of Canada's group stage matches, they finished third in their group and did not advance to the knockout round. In 2008, Matheson was named to her first Olympic Team, she appeared in all four matches for Canada as they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the United States.[15]

Matheson played in her second consecutive World Cup in 2011, Canada once again did not advance past the group stage.[16] At the 2011 Pan American Games, Matheson helped Canada win the gold medal against the defending champions Brazil. The gold medal match was tied 1–1 after extra time and went to penalties. Matheson was the first player to take a penalty for Canada and scored, Canada defeated Brazil 4–3 on penalties to win their first ever Pan American Games gold medal.[17][18]

Matheson was once again named to Canada's Olympic squad in 2012, where she played every minute of Canada's six matches.[19] After Canada defeated the host team Great Britain in the quarterfinals, they suffered a last minute loss in extra time to the United States in the semifinals. In the bronze medal match against France, Matheson scored the game winning goal in the 92nd minute to defeat France 1–0, and secure Canada's first ever medal in women's soccer at the Olympic Games.[20][21][22][23]

In October 2014, Matheson suffered a torn ACL in a friendly match against Japan. This injury put her participation in the 2015 World Cup, which was being held in Canada, in doubt.[24] Matheson recovered in time to be named to Canada's squad for the World Cup. She was only fit enough to make one substitute appearance for Canada, she played the final 28 minutes in their quarterfinal loss to England.[25]

Matheson was named to her third Olympic team in 2016, where Canada won the bronze medal for the second consecutive Olympics.[26] Matheson earned her 200th cap for Canada on October 14, 2018, 181 of those caps were starts.[27]

In May 2019, Canada Soccer announced that Matheson had been ruled out of the 2019 World Cup due to a foot injury that would require surgery.[28]

International goals

	Key (expand for notes on “international goals” and sorting)
Location	Geographic location of the venue where the competition occurred Sorted by country name first, then by city name
Lineup	Start – played entire match on minute (off player) – substituted on at the minute indicated, and player was substituted off at the same time off minute (on player) – substituted off at the minute indicated, and player was substituted on at the same time (c) – captain Sorted by minutes played
#	NumberOfGoals.goalNumber scored by the player in the match (alternate notation to Goal in match)
Min	The minute in the match the goal was scored. For list that include caps, blank indicates played in the match but did not score a goal.
Assist/pass	The ball was passed by the player, which assisted in scoring the goal. This column depends on the availability and source of this information.
penalty or pk	Goal scored on penalty-kick which was awarded due to foul by opponent. (Goals scored in penalty-shoot-out, at the end of a tied match after extra-time, are not included.)
Score	The match score after the goal was scored. Sorted by goal difference, then by goal scored by the player's team
Result	The final score. Sorted by goal difference in the match, then by goal difference in penalty-shoot-out if it is taken, followed by goal scored by the player's team in the match, then by goal scored in the penalty-shoot-out. For matches with identical final scores, match ending in extra-time without penalty-shoot-out is a tougher match, therefore precede matches that ended in regulation
aet	The score at the end of extra-time; the match was tied at the end of 90' regulation
pso	Penalty-shoot-out score shown in parenthesis; the match was tied at the end of extra-time
	Light-purple background color – exhibition or closed door international friendly match
	Light-yellow background color – match at an invitational tournament
	Pink background color – Continental Games or regional tournament
	Orange background color – Olympic women's football tournament
NOTE on background colors: Continental Games or regional tournament are sometimes also qualifier for World Cup or Olympics; information depends on the source such as the player's federation. NOTE: some keys may not apply for a particular football player

Goal	Date	Location	Opponent	Lineup	#	Min	Score	Result	Competition
1	2003-06-15[m 1]	Mazatlan, Mexico	Mexico	Start	1.1	90	5350.03005 3–0	5350.03005 3–0	Friendly
2	2007-05-06[m 2]	Nanjing, China	China PR	Start	1.1	30	4950.01005 1–2	4950.01005 1–2	Friendly
3	2007-07-14[m 3]	Rio, Brazil	Uruguay	45. on 46' (off Lang)	1.1	53	5350.03005 3–0	5750.07005 7–0	Pan American Games
4	2008-06-14[m 4]	Suwon, South Korea	Argentina	Start	1.1	25	5150.01005 1–0	5550.05005 5–0	Peace Queen Cup
5	2010-02-20[m 5]	Larnaka, Cyprus	Poland	56. off 56' (on Gayle)	1.1	45	5350.03005 3–0	5350.03005 3–0	Friendly
6	2010-03-03[m 6]	Nicosia, Cyprus	New Zealand	Start	1.1	71	5150.01005 1–0	5150.01005 1–0	Cyprus Cup
7	2010-09-30[m 7]	Toronto, Canada	China PR	85. off 85' (on McCalla)	1.1	23	5150.01005 1–0	5250.03005 3–1	Friendly
8	2010-12-09[m 8]	São Paulo, Brazil	Netherlands	Start	2.1	55	5350.03005 3–0	5550.05005 5–0	Torneio Internacional
9					2.2	67	5450.04005 4–0
10	2011-06-07[m 9]	Telki, Hungary	Hungary	Start	1.1	87	5150.01005 1–0	5150.01005 1–0	Friendly
11	2012-07-14[m 10]	Châtel-Saint-Denis, Switzerland	New Zealand	79. off 79' (on Timko)	1.1	30	5150.01005 1–0	5250.02005 2–0	Friendly
12	2012-08-09[m 11]	Coventry, UK	France	Start	1.1	92	5150.01005 1–0	5150.01005 1–0	Olympic tournament
13	2013-03-06[m 12]	Larnaka, Cyprus	Switzerland	Start	1.1	79	5250.02005 2–0	5250.02005 2–0	Cyprus Cup
14	2014-03-07[m 13]	Larnaka, Cyprus	Italy	Start	1.1	33	5150.01005 1–0	5250.03005 3–1	Cyprus Cup
15	2014-03-12[m 14]	Nicosia, Cyprus	Republic of Ireland	Start	1.1	56	5050.01005 1–1	5150.02005 2–1	Cyprus Cup
16	2015-12-13[m 15]	Natal, Brazil	Trinidad	Start	1.1	10	5050.01005 1–0	5450.04005 4–0	International Tournament
17	2016-02-14[m 16]	Houston, USA	Trinidad	Start	1.1	24	5050.01005 1–0	5650.06005 6–0	Olympic qualifier: Group B
18	2018-10-08[m 17]	Edinburg, USA	Cuba	Start	1.1	72	5050.01005 12–0	5650.06005 12–0	CONCACAF Women's Championship
19	2020-03-10[m 18]	Calais, France	Brazil	53. on 53' (off Riviere)	1.1	74	5050.01005 1–2	5650.06005 2–2	Tournoi de France

Honours

Canada

• Summer Olympic Games: Bronze Medal, 2012 at London, 2016 at Rio de Janeiro
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, 2012[29]

See also

• List of women's footballers with 100 or more caps
• List of Princeton University Olympians
• List of Olympic medalists in football
• List of 2016 Summer Olympics medal winners
• List of 2012 Summer Olympics medal winners
• List of players who have appeared in multiple FIFA Women's World Cups
• List of 2011 Pan American Games medal winners

References

1. 2015 World Cup
2. "Diana Matheson player profile". Princeton University. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
3. "Diana Matheson profile". CBC. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
4. Soccerfun
5. "Player distribution sees NWSL take shape". FIFA. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
6. "Spirit surrender late goal for season-opening draw in Boston". April 15, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
7. "Capacity crowd of 4,569 witness history in home opening 1–1 draw". April 20, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
8. "Spirit midfielder Diana Matheson named to NWSL Best XI first team". August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
9. http://washingtonspirit.com/persons/diana-matheson/
10. "2016 NWSL Championship: Washington Spirit vs. Western New York Flash". October 13, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
11. Steven Goff (January 23, 2017). "Washington Spirit trades Diana Matheson to Seattle Reign". Washington Post.
12. Susie Rantz (February 28, 2017). "Diana Matheson will miss 2017 season with ACL tear". Sounder at Heart.
13. "Canadian WNT Diana Matheson Joins Utah Royals FC". January 18, 2018.
14. "Veterans Diana Matheson, Erin McLeod ruled out of World Cup squad through injury". May 17, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
15. "Canada Olympic Medal Count". Retrieved August 11, 2019.
16. "Canada announces roster for Germany 2011". June 16, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
17. "Canada Brings Home Pan American Gold". All White Kit. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
18. "No shortcomings for Oakville's Diana Matheson". Northumberland News. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
19. "Canada WNT nominates roster for London 2012 Olympics". June 25, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
20. "Canada wins historic Olympic soccer bronze". CBC News. August 9, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
21. "Canada Gets Some Redemption, Scores In Stoppage Time For Bronze". Sports Grid. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
22. "Matheson's bronze-winning goal a score for Oakville soccer". Toronto Sun. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
23. "Best Olympic Moments 08/09". MSN Canada. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
24. "Diana Matheson out with torn knee ligament". October 29, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
25. "Diana Matheson wins battle to make Canada's World Cup roster". April 27, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
26. "Sinclair leads Canadian women's soccer team to Rio for Olympic Games". June 20, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
27. "Diana Matheson joins Canada's 200 Club". October 14, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
28. "Matheson and McLeod ruled out of FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 through injuries". May 16, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
29. "Olympic and Paralympic athletes to receive Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal". Official Canadian Olympic Team Website | Team Canada | 2016 Olympic Games. December 19, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2017.

Match reports

1. "Canada vs Mexico – 2003-06-15". Canada Soccer Association.
2. "Canada vs China PR – 2007-05-06". Canada Soccer Association.
3. "Canada vs Uruguay – 2007-07-14". Canada Soccer Association.
4. "Canada vs Argentina – 2008-06-14". Canada Soccer Association.
5. "Canada vs Poland – 2010-02-20". Canada Soccer Association.
6. "Canada vs New Zealand – 2010-03-03". Canada Soccer Association.
7. "Canada vs China PR – 2010-09-30". Canada Soccer Association.
8. "Canada vs Netherland – 2010-12-09". Canada Soccer Association.
9. "Canada vs Hungary – 2011-06-07". Canada Soccer Association.
10. "Canada vs New Zealand – 2012-07-14". Canada Soccer Association.
11. "Canada vs France – 2012-08-09". Canada Soccer Association.
12. "Canada vs Switzerland – 2013-03-06". Canada Soccer Association.
13. "Canada vs Italy – 2014-03-07". Canada Soccer Association.
14. "Canada vs Republic of Ireland – 2014-03-12". Canada Soccer Association.
15. "Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago – 2015-12-13". Canada Soccer Association. December 12, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
16. "Canada vs Trinidad and Tobago – 2016-02-14". Canada Soccer Association. February 14, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
17. "Canada vs Cuba – 2018-10-08". Canada Soccer Association. October 8, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
18. "Canada vs Brazil – 2020-03-10". Canada Soccer Association. March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2020.

External links

• Official website
• Diana Matheson – FIFA competition record
• Canada Soccer player profile
• Washington Spirit player profile
• Diana Matheson at the Canadian Olympic Committee
• Diana Matheson at the International Olympic Committee
• Diana Matheson at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)
• Princeton player profile