Canadian goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo says players are closer than ever, despite Olympic spying scandal [Video]

Amid a drone spying scandal involving Canada Soccer coaches at the Paris Olympics, Team Canada goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo says the players have become closer — and more determined — than ever. 

“It’s been a special week,” D’Angelo, who hails from Welland, Ont., told CBC Hamilton on Friday, two days after the team’s win against Colombia that sent them to Saturday’s quarterfinals. 

“The unexpected happened and we were devastated, frustrated, angry… I think it’s brought out the best in us in a really bad situation.” 

Just as the Olympics began in late July, the team learned that head coach Bev Priestman and two staff members were implicated in spying on other teams and suspended, while Canada’s women’s team was stripped of six points.

That meant the team needed to win three straight victories to earn the necessary points to survive the group stage.