Captain Christine Sinclair is one of four Canadians over the age of 25 who will face the USWNT next week. (photo courtesy Canada Soccer)
John Herdman has called in six teenagers as part of a 19-woman roster that will face the United States in friendly matches on November 9 and 12. An additional nine players are 25 and under leaving only four players over the age of 25. Chief among them is captain Christine Sinclair who most recently played for Portland Thorns FC in their NWSL Championship win over the North Carolina Courage.
“Sinclair’s leadership, and experience against the US, will be a key factor in the lead up to this game as we integrate a host of new faces into the squad,” Herdman said.
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Part of the reason for the influx if youth is that the matches are being played outside the FIFA window which has eliminated most European based players including Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence.
There are four new faces. One of them is FC Kansas City midfielder Maegan Kelly. The others are Julia Grosso, Jayde Riviere, and Ariel Young, none of whom has celebrated an 18th birthday. That leaves three teenagers already armed with international caps—Jesse Fleming, Jordyn Huitema, and Deanne Rose.
The full Canada roster is:
Goalkeepers (3): Sabrina D’Angelo, Stephanie Labbe, Kailen Sheridan
Defenders (6): Lindsay Agnew, Allysha Chapman, Rebecca Quinn, Jayde Riviere, Ariel Young, Shelina Zadorsky
Midfielders (4): Jesse Fleming, Julia Grosso, Maegan Kelly, Desiree Scott
Forwards (6): Janine Beckie, Jordyn Huitema, Adriana Leon, Nichelle Prince, Deanne Rose, Christine Sinclair
