Canada announces soccer roster for Germany 2011

Canada has announced its official roster for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011. Coach Carolina Morace has selected 21 players eligible to play in the world’s biggest women’s sporting event, which runs this 26 June to 17 July in nine German cities.

All 16 national rosters will be officially posted this Friday 17 June on FIFA.com, including those of Canada’s opening round opponents Germany (26 June in Berlin), France (30 June in Bochum) and Nigeria (5 July in Dresden).

This will mark Canada’s fifth-consecutive participation in the FIFA Women’s World Cup dating back to 1995. The team has also already qualified for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 when the event will be hosted by Canada.

Of note on the Canadian roster, goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc has been selected for her fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup, making her just the second Canadian to earn that distinction. Canada’s only other four-time FIFA Women’s World Cup participant is Andrea Neil, now an assistant coach (along with Elisabetta Bavagnoli) on coach Morace’s staff.

Canada’s captain and all-time leader in appearances is Christine Sinclair, now taking part in her third FIFA Women’s World Cup. Sinclair ranks amongst the top-5 all-time global leaders in international goals, with 116 to her credit in 159 career matches.

Canada’s vice-captain is Diana Matheson, who ranks second amongst active players with 122 career appearances for Canada. Sinclair, Matheson, Erin McLeod, Brittany Timko and Rhian Wilkinson are all taking part in their third FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Sinclair, Matheson, Timko (101) and Wilkinson (100) are all part of Canada’s century club. An additional seven players have made 50 or more appearances. Counting all 21 players, this squad has made 1,244 player appearances at the international level, an average of nearly 60 matches per player.

Nine players are taking part in their first FIFA Women’s World Cup. The youngest players are Jonelle Filigno (still only 20) and Chelsea Stewart (just turned 21), both of whom have won Canadian U-20 Player of the Year honours in recent years.

Of the nine first-time participants at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, three are actually taking part in their first-ever FIFA event: Christina Julien, Marie-Eve Nault and Kelly Parker. The other six players have all previously taken part in at least one FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Along with Canada’s official list of 21 players, coach Morace has selected four alternates that would be selected in case of injury before the opening match.

Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners and presenting sponsor is Teck, has a 2011 record of 10 wins, one draw and two losses in 13 matches. This marks the first time Canada has won 10 or more games in back-to-back seasons. Canada also enters the FIFA Women’s World Cup as the reigning CONCACAF champions, having won the confederation title back in November in Cancún, Mexico.

CANADA

Number | Position | Name | Current club

1- GK- Karina LeBlanc | Unattached / sans club
2- D- Emily Zurrer | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
3- M- Kelly Parker | USA / Atlanta Beat
4- M- Carmelina Moscato | Unattached / sans club
5- D- Robyn Gayle | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
6- M- Kaylyn Kyle | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
7- M- Rhian Wilkinson | NOR / Lillestrøm SK Kvinner
8- M- Diana Matheson | NOR / Lillestrøm SK Kvinner
9- D- Candace Chapman | USA / Western New York Flash
10- F- Christina Julien | CAN / Ottawa Fury
11- M- Desiree Scott | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
12- F- Christine Sinclair | USA / Western New York Flash
13- M- Sophie Schmidt | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
14- F- Melissa Tancredi | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
15- F- Jodi-Ann Robinson | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
16- F- Jonelle Filigno | USA / Rutgers University
17- D- Brittany Timko | Unattached / sans club
18- GK- Erin McLeod | USA / magicJack
19- M- Chelsea Stewart | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
20- D- Marie-Eve Nault | CAN / Ottawa Fury
21- GK- Stephanie Labbé | SWE / Piteå IF
CANADA | ALTERNATES

Beanlands, Rachelle | 1993 | Ottawa, ON, CAN | Gloucester Dragons
Booth, Melanie | 1984 | Burlington, ON, CAN | Burlington YSC
Buckland, Chelsea | 1990 | North Delta, BC, CAN | Walley SA
McCalla, Brooke | 1987 | Pickering, ON, CAN | Pickering

CANADA | STAFF

Head of Delegation / Chef de délegation : Clive Wilkinson
Head Coach / Entraîneure-chef : Carolina Morace
Assistant Coach / Entraîneure adjointe : Elisabetta Bavagnoli
Assistant Coach / Entraîneure adjointe : Andrea Neil
Goalkeeper Coach / Entraîneur des gardiens : Max Colucci
Fitness Coach / Préparateur physique : Mario Familari
Video Coordinator / Vidéaste : Sian Bagshawe
General Manager / Gérant d’équipe : Misty Thomas
Equipment Manager / Gérante de l’équipement : Maeve Glass
Doctor / Docteur : Dr. Pietro Braina
Doctor / Docteur : Dr. Salvatore Delogu
Physiotherapist / Physiothérapeute : Leonardo Raveggi
Physiotherapist / Physiothérapeute : Fabrizio DiFrancesco
Massage Therapist / Massothérapeute : Shoko Nagai
Staff / : Andy O’Brien