Nuke Soccer

Canada’s women’s national team announced its roster for the upcoming Four Nations Tournament today. Coach Even Pellerud has selected 21 players for Canada’s trip to China and the four-team, three-game tournament.

Canada will face the United States on 16 January, hosts China on 18 January, and Finland (Suomi) on 20 January.

“This tournament and the three excellent opponents provide an amazing start to the Olympic season,” says head coach Pellerud. “The Canadian team will gain valuable match fitness early in the year, which is more crucial than ever due to the early April CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament in México.”

Canada’s women’s national team – whose title sponsor is Winners – is in its second phase of preparations for the CONCACAF Olympic Qualification Tournament. After last September’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, Canada opened its first residency camp in Vancouver in November. After a short Christmas break, the team regrouped in Vancouver last week.

“We are heading to the Four Nations Tournament with a strong team, but also a very young team,” says Pellerud. “A number of our World Cup veterans are not available due to injury-recovery programs and school commitments.”

Canada’s women’s national team is currently ranked ninth in the world (and second in their confederation) by the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Rankings. Canada will need to finish amongst the top-two teams in the upcoming CONCACAF Olympic Qualification Tournament to earn a berth in this summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing.

“Some of our younger talents are piling up,” says Pellerud. “Quite a few of these youngsters will enjoy their first international senior experience in China, specifically Kaylyn Kyle, Jonelle Filigno, Alexi Marton and Monica Lam-Feist, Julie Armstrong and Taryn Boudreau.”

VIEW PLAYER PROFILES
1 — Karina LeBlanc Maple Ridge, BC
2 — Amy Vermeulen Saskatoon, SK
3 — Melanie Booth Burlington, ON

4 — Taryne Boudreau Edmonton, AB
5 — Jonelle Filigno Mississauga, ON
6 — Alexandra Marton Aurora, ON

7 — Rhian Wilkinson Baie d’Urfe, QC
8 — Monica Lam-Feist Kelowna, BC
9 — Candace Chapman Ajax, ON

10 — Martina Franko Squamish, BC
11 — Randee Hermus Langley, BC
12 — Christine Sinclair Burnaby, BC

13 — Kaylyn Kyle Saskatoon, SK
14 — Melissa Tancredi Ancaster, ON
15 — Clare Rustad North Vancouver, BC

16 — Julie Armstrong Delta, BC
17 — Brittany Timko Coquitlam, BC
18 — Erin McLeod St Albert, AB

19 — Sophie Schmidt Abbotsford, BC
20 — Stephanie Labbé Stony Plain, AB
21 — Jodi-Ann Robinson Richmond, BC