ALSO IN TODAY’S ROUNDUP, BREAKERS’ PRESEASON SUCCESS CONTINUES AND GERMANY AND CANADA ANNOUNCE ROSTERS
Erin McLeod is playing again after her third ACL tear. (Copyright EriMac Photo for The Equalizer)
Longtime Canadian #1 Erin McLeod is finally back on the pitch after suffering her third ACL tear last year. Initially injured in a tournament in Brazil in December 2015, the knee was aggravated further in February 2016 during CONCACAF Olympic qualifying in Texas before finally giving way while playing for FC Rosengard during last year’s Champions League quarterfinal against FFC Frankfurt, forcing her to miss the Rio Olympics.
The goalkeeper has spent time with FC Rosengard’s U19 and reserve squads, and has been training with the first team for almost a month. She joined the team on the bench for their Champions League quarterfinal against FC Barcelona Femini, coming full circle. McLeod will also train with Canada during the team’s friendlies against Germany and Sweden next month as she looks to make her way back onto the team.
“I couldn’t be more grateful for another chance,” she told TSN Sports.
{More: UWCL Roundup: Morgan, Lyon Through}
BREAKERS TAKE PRESEASON GAME OVER NEW ENGLAND FUTBOL CLUB
Natasha Dowie got an assist in Boston’s second preseason game. (photo copyright Linehan Photography for The Equalizer)
The Boston Breakers defeated the New England Futbol Club U15 boys, 5-1, yesterday to extend their preseason winning streak. The teams played three 30-minute periods with Boston swapping players in the third period. Midfielder Rosie White started off the scoring in the 40th minute when she collected a deflection off forward Natasha Dowie after a cross from forward Emilie Haavi. Dowie picked up an assist on the second goal when she laid off a pass to defender Brook Elby, who found the back of the net in the 45th minute. Striker Adriana Leon grabbed her fourth preseason goal three minutes later before NEFC scored a goal of their own. Leon added an assist in the 65th minute off an Ifeoma Onumonu goal, and White completed her brace in the 73rd minute to wrap up the game.
“When everyone comes back from international duty, we’ll have some work to do, but it was a really, really positive night,” said head coach Matt Beard. “It’s like night and day with the team in comparison to last year, so I’m really, really pleased.”
Boston lineup (first and second periods): Abby Smith; Christen Westphal, Megan Oyster, Kylie Strom, Brooke Elby; Rosie White, Amanda Da Costa, Allysha Chapman; Adriana Leon, Natasha Dowie, Emilie Haavi
Boston lineup (third period): Sammy Jo Prudhomme; Christen Westphal, Megan Oyster, Kylie Strom, Brooke Elby; Rosie White, Margaret Purce, Allysha Chapman; Adriana Leon, Natasha Dowie (Hayley Dowd, 70’), Ifeoma Onumonu
GERMANY AND CANADA NAME SQUADS
Both Germany and Canada have announced their squads for an upcoming friendly in Germany next month. The meeting will be the first for the gold and bronze medalists since the Olympics. Canada will also play silver medalists Sweden three days prior.
Germany Roster:
Goalkeepers (4): Laura Benkarth (SC Freiburg), Carina Schlüter (SC Sand), Almuth Schult (VfL Wolfsburg), Lisa Weiß (SGS Essen)
Defenders (8): Anna Blässe (VfL Wolfsburg), Johanna Elsig (FFC Turbine Potsdam), Kathrin Hendrich (FFC Frankfurt), Josephine Henning (Olympique Lyon), Isabel Kerschowski (VfL Wolfsburg), Leonie Maier (Bayern München), Babett Peter (VfL Wolfsburg), Felicitas Rauch (FFC Turbine Potsdam)
Midfielders (6): Pauline Bremer (Olympique Lyon), Sara Däbritz (Bayern München), Kristin Demann (Hoffenheim), Sara Doorsoun (SGS Essen), Dzsenifer Marozsán (Olympique Lyon), Carolin Simon (SC Freiburg)
Forwards (5): Mandy Islacker (FFC Frankfurt), Hasret Kayikci (SC Freiburg), Turid Knaak (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Anja Mittag (VfL Wolfsburg), Lena Petermann (SC Freiburg)
Canada Roster:
Goalkeepers (3): Stephanie Labbé (Washington Spirit), Sabrina D’Angelo (North Carolina Courage), Kailen Sheridan (Sky Blue FC)
Defenders (7): Lindsay Agnew (Washington Spirit), Allysha Chapman (Boston Breakers), Ashley Lawrence (Paris St-Germain), Marie Levasseur (University of Memphis), Hannah Taylor (Eastside FC), Kadeisha Buchanan (Olympique Lyonnais), Shelina Zadorsky (Washington Spirit)
Midfielders (6): Jessie Fleming (UCLA), Rebecca Quinn (Duke University), Sophie Schmidt (FFC Frankfurt), Desiree Scott (FC Kansas City), Gabrielle Carle (CS Lévis-Est & Québec Soccer REX), Sarah Stratigakis – (Aurora United FC)
Forwards (6): Jordyn Huitema (Whitecaps FC Girls Elite BC Soccer REX), Nichelle Prince (Houston Dash), Deanne Rose (Scarborough GS United), Adriana Leon (Boston Breakers), Janine Beckie (Houston Dash), Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns FC)
