Canada coach John Herdman named his roster for the World Cup. (Photo: Canada Soccer)
Midfielder Diana Matheson and defender Lauren Sesselmann are both on Canada’s 23-player roster for the World Cup, which coach John Herdman announced on Monday.
Both players have been recovering from torn left ACL injuries. Sesselmann recently played a match in the NWSL for the first time since 2013, but Matheson is farther out and still a concern for the World Cup, which begins on June 6. Matheson broke a metatarsal in her right foot while recovering from a torn ACL sustained in October.
Canada’s roster also includes 17-year-old midfielder Jessie Fleming, who last year played in both the U-17 and U-20 World Cups.
“Today marks the culmination of three years of dedicated work from the team and we are pleased with the final selection,” Herdman said. “After the Olympics, we challenged the players to shed an old skin and strive to be even better as a team, and as individuals. They all committed wholeheartedly to this vision and competition for each position was fierce. Ultimately, we feel that this group of 23 makes us the best team we can be across our four corners of the game. They fully deserve this honor.”
FULL ROSTER
GK- Stephanie Labbé | unattached / sans club
GK- Karina LeBlanc | USA / Chicago Red Stars
GK- Erin McLeod | USA / Houston Dash
D- Kadeisha Buchanan | USA / West Virginia University
D- Allysha Chapman | USA / Houston Dash
D- Robyn Gayle | unattached / sans club
D- Carmelina Moscato | unattached / sans club
D- Marie-Eve Nault | unattached / sans club
D- Lauren Sesselmann | USA / Houston Dash
D- Rhian Wilkinson | USA / Portland Thorns FC
D- Emily Zurrer | unattached / sans club
M- Jessie Fleming | CAN / London NorWest SC
M- Selenia Iacchelli | unattached / sans club
M- Kaylyn Kyle | USA / Portland Thorns FC
M- Ashley Lawrence | USA / West Virginia University
M- Diana Matheson | USA / Washington Spirit
M- Desiree Scott | ENG / Notts County Ladies
M- Sophie Schmidt | unattached / sans club
F- Josée Bélanger | unattached / sans club
F- Jonelle Filigno | USA / Sky Blue FC
F- Adriana Leon | USA / Chicago Red Stars
F- Christine Sinclair | USA / Portland Thorns FC
F- Melissa Tancredi | USA / Chicago Red Stars
