Canada name squad for Women’s World Cup

Majority of 2012 Olympics bronze-winning team retained by the hosts for June-July event

OTTAWA: Hosts Canada added a touch of youth to an otherwise familiar roster for the 2015 Women’s World Cup on Monday in a bid to build on the bronze medal won at the 2012 Olympics.

Captain Christine Sinclair and Diana Matheson, who scored the bronze medal-winning goal in extra time, were among those named to Canada’s 23-player roster for the June 6-July 5 tournament.

A total of 15 players from the 2012 squad return for the World Cup, which opens with Canada taking on China in Edmonton, one of six Canadian cities where games in the 24-team event will be played.

John Herdman, who was named head coach of the Canadian squad two months after they finished last at the 2011 Women’s World Cup without registering a single point, said he challenged all the players to be even better after their Olympic breakthrough. “They all committed wholeheartedly to this vision, and competition for each position was fierce,” said Herdman.

Sinclair, who has 153 international goals for Canada, heads a veteran core that includes goalkeeper Erin McLeod, midfielders Matheson, Desiree Scott and Sophie Schmidt and forward Melissa Tancredi.

“There are a lot of the same players but Herdman has completely changed our team and completely changed each individual player,” said Sinclair. “And with him as our head coach, anything is possible.”

Also included is a mix of youth with defender Kadeisha Buchanan, and midfielders Ashley Lawrence and Jessie Fleming all back for a second-straight FIFA competition after being members of last year’s team at the U20 Women’s World Cup.

After playing the tournament’s opening game against China, Canada will play New Zealand on June 11 before wrapping up the group stage against the Netherlands on June 15.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2015.

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