Canada’s women’s national team has decided to start 2014 with a massive challenge as they head to Frisco, Texas to take on heated rivals the United States for their first game of the new year on January 31.
For that challenge, Canadian head coach John Herdman has opted to bring a very experienced squad into northwest Texas and Toyota Stadium, the home of FC Dallas of Major League Soccer. Included on the roster are eight Whitecaps FC alumnae, including goalkeeper Erin McLeod; defenders Carmelina Moscato and Emily Zurrer; midfielders Brittany Baxter, Kaylyn Kyle, Sophie Schmidt, and Desiree Scott; and striker Christine Sinclair.
“The objective is to see if we can get a result. It’s always the same end whether we can put that performance together that can upset the world number one,” said Herdman. “We’ve got a few new faces back and you’ve got the young players in with Kadeisha Buchanan and Sura Yekka and we’ll have another crack at doing what not too many teams can do.”
Much of the squad that took part in December’s Torneio Internacional de Futebol Feminino in Brazil is back with only a handful of changes.
The team arrives into Texas on January 26 in advance of the game that kicks of at 6 p.m. PT (January 31).
The game will be carried live on Sportsnet World and will be replayed later on Sportsnet One.
CANADA
GK- Stephanie Labbé | SWE / KIF Örebro DFF
GK- Karina LeBlanc | USA / Chicago Red Stars
GK- Erin McLeod | USA / Houston Dash
D- Kadeisha Buchanan | USA / West Virginia University
D- Carmelina Moscato | USA / Seattle Reign FC
D- Marie-Eve Nault | SWE / KIF Örebro DFF
D- Lauren Sesselmann | USA / Houston Dash
D- Rhian Wilkinson | Unattached / sans club
D- Sura Yekka | CAN / Brams United
D- Emily Zurrer | SWE / Jitex BK
M- Kaylyn Kyle | USA / Boston Breakers
M- Diana Matheson | USA / Washington Spirit
M- Sophie Schmidt | USA / Sky Blue FC
M- Desiree Scott | USA / FC Kansas City
M- Brittany Baxter | unattached
F- Adriana Leon | USA / Chicago Red Stars
F- Christine Sinclair | USA / Portland Thorns FC
F- Josee Belanger | Unattached / sans club
F- Jonelle Filigno | USA / Sky Blue FC
