The Canadian Soccer Association announced today the women’s national team roster for the upcoming pre-tournament camp in Larnaka, Cyprus in advance of the 2012 Cyprus Women’s Cup.
Among the 26 players selected by head coach John Herdman for the 10-day camp are 16 players who have played for Whitecaps FC, including: goalkeeper Erin McLeod, defenders Candace Chapman, Carmelina Moscato, Shannon Woeller, Emily Zurrer, Melanie Booth, Robyn Gayle and Chelsea Stewart, midfielders Kaylyn Kyle, Ranee Premji, Sophie Schmidt, Desiree Scott, Brittany Timko and Chelsea Buckland, and strikers Christine Sinclair and Melissa Tancredi. 14 of these players were on the roster for the recent CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament in Vancouver, while Kyle, Premji and Woeller also played for the ‘Caps during the 2011 W-League season.
Canada opens their Cyprus Cup campaign on February 28 with a match against Scotland. This marks Canada’s fifth participation at the Cyprus Women’s Cup, today a 12-team tournament featuring key international teams from around the world. Canada has reached the championship final every year, bringing home trophies in 2008, 2010 and 2011. Canada’s all-time record at the Cyprus Women’s Cup is 13 wins, one draw and one loss.
From last year’s Cyprus Cup-winning squad, 19 of 22 players are in Cyprus with hopes of defending the Canadian title. Sinclair is Canada’s all-time leader in this competition with 11 goals in 15 matches.
Canada are currently preparing for the London 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. The 12-team women’s competition runs July 25 to August 9. The official draw for the competition will take place on April 24, 2012.
CANADA
GK- Stephanie Labbé | SWE / Piteå IF
GK- Karina LeBlanc | Unattached / sans club
GK- Erin McLeod | SWE / Dalsjöfors G.o.I.F.
CB- Candace Chapman | Unattached / sans club
CB- Carmelina Moscato | SWE / Piteå IF
CB- Shannon Woeller | USA / Rutgers University
CB- Emily Zurrer | SWE / Dalsjöfors G.o.I.F.
FB- Melanie Booth | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
FB- Robyn Gayle | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
FB- Bryanna McCarthy | CAN / Toronto Lady Lynx
FB- Marie-Eve Nault | CAN / Ottawa Fury
FB- Lauren Sesselmann | Unattached / sans club
FB- Chelsea Stewart | USA / UCLA
FB- Rhian Wilkinson | NOR / Lillestrøm SK Kvinner
M- Kaylyn Kyle | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
M- Alyscha Mottershead | USA / Syracuse University
M- Kelly Parker | Unattached / sans club
M- Ranee Premji | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
M- Sophie Schmidt | Unattached / sans club
M- Desiree Scott | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
M- Brittany Timko | Unattached / sans club
F- Chelsea Buckland | USA / Oregon State University
F- Tiffany Cameron | USA / Ohio State University
F- Christina Julien | SWE / Jitex BK
F- Christine Sinclair | Unattached / sans club
F- Melissa Tancredi | SWE / Piteå IF
