gaetane thiney

You know the feeling when you misplace your passport, lose your iPod or get your heart broken? Well take those feelings, multiply them by 100, then add a two hour night's sleep (and then waking up wishing it was all a bad dream). That's how I feel right now.

To say I'm not disappointed would be lying. Our team has worked way too hard over the past two years and six months leading up to this World Cup for it to come down to an off night.

The first question I got asked after walking off the field was: "Was the residency program worth it?"

The only answer I have to that is "yes," unequivocally.

The team has grown as a whole and now understand what it takes to be top-level athletes. It's unfortunate our journey had to come to an end because of one bad game.

So, what happened? Our first 20 minutes against France were great: we were pressing them high in their end and got two solid opportunities, but the bounces weren't going our way.

When they got their first goal I felt as if it was a downwards-spiral from there.

We panicked, and before we knew it we were down four goals with two minutes left in the game.

As a whole, we knew that our performance didn't display the type of soccer we've learned to play.

We are a team that pressure for 90+ minutes, move the ball around, work for each other if one of us is having that "off" game, and we are determined to never give up. On Thursday we did not show that.

And we know it. I think that's why this hurts that much more.

Canadians in sport are known for their passion and drive to represent their country with pride. That's one of the reasons our team can leave this tournament with our heads held high.

Our team is filled with so many amazing individuals. Not only do we carry ourselves proudly on the field, but even when we take our jerseys off and step away from the game for a night or more, we still know, in the backs of our minds, how truly lucky we are to be playing for and representing our country at this level.

Our fans have been fantastic throughout the tournament via Facebook, Twitter and email!

Getting to experience this World Cup as a 22-year-old and seeing how much fan support we have is mind-boggling. We had families come to our hotel all dressed in Canada gear just wanting to have conversations with us. And they weren't related to anyone on the team!

They just came over to support women's soccer, and seeing them made me even prouder to call Canada home.

Now, I play not only for myself and for my loved ones, but for that little eight-year-old girl who's watching us on TV back home, hoping one day she can put on a Canadian jersey.

I guess it really hit me at this tournament, because I used to be that little girl watching the Sinclairs and Moscatos and dreaming to be them one day.

As much as I want to turn back time and play France again, I can't.

History is called history for a reason. It's in the past, and the past can't be changed; only learned from. So when we step out on the field against Nigeria on Tuesday, we will be playing with all our hearts for everyone back home (hopefully with no more noses broken or eyes cut open)!