Canadian women prepare in Europe

March 3, 2008

CSA & Whitecaps FC

Canada's women's national team have named a 24-player squad for their pre-Olympic qualifying trip to Europe.

Even Pellerud’s side will play five games over the next two weeks, three of which will be part of the 2008 Cyprus Cup tournament that begins on Wednesday.

12 of the 24 players to make the trip to Europe come from the Vancouver Whitecaps. They includes teenage prospect Julie Armstrong, who earned her first-ever call-up to a Canadian team back in January when she traveled to China for the Four Nations Tournament. The squad also includes four members of the 2007 Whitecaps women’s team in Kaylyn Kyle, Jodi-Ann Robinson, Clare Rustad, and Sophie Schmidt.

Canada begin their Cyprus Cup campaign when they face Russia on Wednesday before taking on Japan on Friday. Their final tournament game will be March 12 against an opponent yet to be named. Before that final match, Pellerud’s side will play an international friendly against Scotland in Cyprus on March 10. The 2008 Cyprus Cup is a six-nation tournament, with Canada drawn in one of two groups of three teams.

Before completing their European trip, Canada will play an international friendly against France in the Paris suburb of Meaux on March 14. As of last December, France sat in seventh place in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings.

Canada’s senior women’s team, whose title sponsor is Winners, is currently training full-time in Vancouver, BC. Next month in Mexico, Canada will be looking to qualify for the Olympic Women’s Football Tournament for the first time in association history.

Starting this week, Canadian fans and clubs (from all walks of sport and life) are encouraged to send their support to the team via mail (Women’s national team, 580-375 Water Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 5C6), fax (778.330.1396) or email believe@soccercan.ca). Clubs are especially encouraged to mail signed team photos or short video messages.

Canada squad (Whitecaps players and staff in bold)
Julie Armstrong - Delta, BC
Melanie Booth - Burlington, ON
Candace Chapman - Ajax, ON
Jonelle Filigno - Mississauga, ON
Martina Franko - Squamish, BC
Robyn Gayle - Mississauga, ON
Randee Hermus - Langley, BC
Kristina Kiss - Ottawa, ON
Kaylyn Kyle - Saskatoon, SK
Stephanie Labbé - Stony Plain, AB
Kara Lang - Oakville, ON
Karina LeBlanc - Maple Ridge, BC
Alexandra Marton - Aurora, ON
Diana Matheson - Oakville, ON
Erin McLeod - Calgary, AB
Jodi-Ann Robinson - Richmond, BC
Clare Rustad - North Vancouver, BC
Sophie Schmidt - Abbotsford, BC
Christine Sinclair - Burnaby, BC
Melissa Tancredi - Ancaster, ON
Brittany Timko - Coquitlam, BC
Amy Vermeulen - Saskatoon, SK
Amy Walsh - St-Hilaire, QC
Rhian Wilkinson - Baie d‚Urfé, QC

Head Coach: Even Pellerud
Assistant Coach: Ian Bridge
Assistant Coach: Bob Birarda
Goalkeeper coach: Paul Rogers
Team Manager: Les Meszaros
Strength and conditioning coach: Andrew Clark
Equipment Manager: Maeve Glass
Athletic Therapist: Becky Swan
Massage Therapist: Nicole Stephen
Physiotherapist: Judy Russell


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