Canada unveil women's Olympic squad

July 15, 2008

CSA & Whitecaps FC

Canada's women's national team head coach Even Pellerud has named his 18-player squad for next month's Beijing Olympics.

The Norwegian tactician, who will step down from his position at the end of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament in China, unveiled his squad  at an open training session at Kinsmen Field in North Vancouver, BC, on Tuesday morning.

Pellerud named 18 players for Canada's first-ever trip to the Olympics, with a dozen of those players coming from the Vancouver Whitecaps women's team. In particular, five players in Jonelle Filigno, Randee Hermus, Sophie Schmidt, Christine Sinclair, and Emily Zurrer have all appeared during the current USL W-League season with Vancouver. The Scandinavian coach also named four alternates, with current Whitecaps forwards Jodi-Ann Robinson and Amy Vermeulen being two of Pellerud's optional quartet.

Also making the trip to Beijing is Whitecaps head coach Bob Birarda, as he will assist Pellerud and fellow assistant coach Ian Bridge at the tournament, while Whitecaps assistant coach Marc Rizzardo will also travel to China as one of two physiotherapists in the women's team staff.

Canada will start their quest for Olympic gold in Group E, with their first game against Argentina in Tianjin on Wednesday, August 6. Pellerud's side will then play hosts China on Saturday, August 9, in Tianjin before finishing their group campaign on Tuesday, August 12, against European powerhouse Sweden in Beijing.

Eight teams from the three groups of four will advance to the quarter-finals, with all four games to take place on Friday, August 15. The four winners will reach the semifinals, with both games set for Monday, August 18. The Bronze and Gold medal matches take place on Thursday, August 21, in Beijing.

CLICK HERE for more information on the 2008 Women's Olympic Football Tournament.

CANADA'S WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM - WOMEN'S OLYMPIC FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT - BEIJING 2008

(Whitecaps FC players and staff in bold)

1 Karina LeBlanc - G - Maple Ridge, BC
2 Amber Allen – F - Pitt Meadows, BC
3 Emily Zurrer - D - Crofton, BC
4 Clare Rustad - D/M - Salt Spring Island, BC
5 Robyn Gayle – D - Mississauga, ON
6 Sophie Schmidt – M - Abbotsford, BC
7 Rhian Wilkinson - F - Baie d’Urfé, QC
8 Diana Matheson – M - Oakville, ON
9 Candace Chapman – M - Ajax, ON
10 Martina Franko - D - Squamish, BC
11 Randee Hermus – D - Langley, BC
12 Christine Sinclair - F - Burnaby, BC
13 Amy Walsh - M - St-Hilaire, QC
14 Melissa Tancredi – F - Ancaster, ON
15 Kara Lang - F - Oakville, ON
16 Jonelle Filigno – F - Mississauga, ON
17 Brittany Timko - D/M - Coquitlam, BC
18 Erin McLeod – G - Calgary, AB

ALTERNATES
Kristina Kiss - D/M - Ottawa, ON
Stéphanie Labbé – G - Stony Plain, AB
Jodi-Ann Robinson – F - Richmond, BC
Amy Vermeulen - F - Saskatoon, SK

STAFF
Head Coach: Even Pellerud
Assistant Coach: Ian Bridge
Assistant Coach: Bob Birarda
Scout: Paul James
Goalkeeper coach: Paul Rogers
Team Manager: Les Meszaros
Equipment Manager: Maeve Glass
Medical Lead and Team Doctor: Dr. Andrew Pipe
Physiotherapist: Marc Rizzardo
Physiotherapist: Judy Russell
Therapist: Garret Kusch
Massage Therapist: Nicole Stephen
Strength and conditioning coach: Andrew Clark
Sport Psychologist: Kristen Barnes

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