The Canadian Soccer Association officially announced their 23-player roster for the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Canada this summer.
Head Coach John Herdman unveiled his roster in Vancouver Monday afternoon exactly 40 days before Canada’s opening game of the tournament.
It came as no surprise that Christine Sinclair was named the captain of the squad as Canada’s all-time leading scorer will lead the line on home soil. Sinclair has scored 153 goals in her career, third all-time.
A host of other veterans will lineup with Sinclair, as goalkeeper Erin McLeod, midfielders Desiree Scott, Sophie Schmidt and forward Melissa Tancredi were also named to the roaster.
Those players will look to lead by example as Canada try to shake off the bronze medal finish at the 2012 London Games and try to win it all.
In total, 15 players from that roster three summers ago make the return to try and accomplish redemption.
To go with several key experienced players, Canada have also named several young players that may play a key part in their country’s run.
A 19-year-old centre back by the name of Kadeisha Buchanan may be relied on to step up and be an important squad player despite her inexperience. She was 14 when Canada won bronze, but 17-year-old midfielder Jessie Fleming now finds herself as one of the players to represent her country.
Despite still being on the road to recover from a torn ligament in her knee, Diana Matheson was named to the squad. Arguably Canada’s second biggest attacking threat, Herdman and staff will be hoping the 31-year-old will be fully fit for the start of the tournament.
The Red and White kickoff the World Cup in Edmonton against China on June 6th. Canada will also face-off against New Zealand and the Netherlands to around out Group A action.
Canada’s complete World Cup roster:
Goalkeepers: Stephanie Labbé (unattached), Karina LeBlanc (Chicago Red Stars) and Erin McLeod (Houston Dash).
Defenders: Kadeisha Buchanan (West Virginia University), Allysha Chapman (Houston Dash), Robyn Gayle (unattached), Carmelina Moscato (unattached), Marie-Eve Nault (unattached), Lauren Sesselmann (Houston Dash), Rhian Wilkinson (unattached) and Emily Zurrer (unattached).
Midfielders: Jessie Fleming (London NorWest SC), Selenia Iacchelli (unattached), Kaylyn Kyle (Portland Thorns FC), Ashley Lawrence (West Virginia University), Diana Matheson (Washington Spirit), Desiree Scott (Notts County Ladies) and Sophie Schmidt (unattached).
Forwards: Josée Bélanger (unattached), Jonelle Filigno (Sky Blue FC), Adriana Leon (Chicago Red Stars), Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns FC) and Melissa Tancredi (Chicago Red Stars).