By: Alyssa Ally
Carolina Morace has selected the 21 players she feels are fit and ready to take on the world in Germany at the Women’s World Cup. Injury rumours were put to rest and few surprises were made as the roster was announced today.
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Worried fans breathed a sigh of relief when Candace Chapman’s name was listed among those selected. It had been reported three weeks ago the back line staple had injured her foot while training with her WPS club, Western New York Flash. As one of the more valued defenders with her athleticism and deep familiarity with the powerhouse teams, she will be vital to running Canada’s backline.
Steph Labbe, who also experienced a recent injury scare, spent five weeks rehabilitating her knee after tearing the posterior cruciate ligament. She was cleared by doctors just a couple of weeks ago and will now take part in her first Women’s World Cup.
Completing their own comeback trail are Erin McLeod and Kelly Parker, who are now both considered fully fit. McLeod who injured her knee in February 2010 and made her return in January 2011 at the China’s Four Nations Tournament has been working out the kinks ever since. But with Parker, who recovered from her foot injury in April, there was still some lingering doubt she would make the final cut. With her WPS club, Western New York Flash, Parker barely got any playing time. She was then traded to Atlanta where she saw slightly more minutes. But it wasn't until June when she rejoined her Canadian teammates in Rome for their final preparation matches was she was able to solidify her place with a combination of rehab and a full schedule of playing time.
The exclusion of veteran defender Melanie Booth is the biggest eyebrow raiser. After competing at the World Cup in 2007, she was cut this time around while 21-year-old, Chelsea Stewart got the green light.
This team features Canada’s youngest World Cup squad yet with an average age of 25.5. Nine women will experience soccer’s biggest tournament for the first time while Maple Ridge native, Karina LeBlanc will participate in her fourth World Cup and Captain Christine Sinclair will play in her third.
Canada opens the tournament versus the host nation Germany on June 26th. They’ll then go on to play France on June 30 and finish off group play on July 5th.
Women’s World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers:
Karina LeBlanc | Unattached
Erin McLeod | Unattached
Steph Labbe | Pitea IF, Sweden
Defenders;
Emily Zurrer | Vancouver Whitecaps
Candace Chapman | Western New York Flash, USA
Rhian Wilkinson | Lillestrom SK Kvinner, Norway
Marie-Eve Nault | Ottawa Fury
Robyn Gayle | Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Chelsea Stewart/M | Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Midfielders: Kaylyn Kyle | Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Diana Matheson | Lillestrom SK Kvinner, Norway
Carmelina Moscato | Unattached
Kelly Parker | Atlanta Beat, USA
Sophie Schmidt | Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Desiree Scott | Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Brittany Timko/F | Unattached
Forwards:
Christine Sinclair © | Western New York Flash, USA
Melissa Tancredi | | Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Jonelle Filigno | Rutgers University, USA
Christina Julien | Ottawa Fury
Jodi-Ann Robinson | Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Alternates: GK: Rachelle Beanlands D: Melanie Booth F: Chelsea Buckland F: Brooke McCalla
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Alyssa Ally writes about the Canadian Women’s National team, the WPS and women’s soccer in general. You can find her stuff at cdnwomenssoccer.blogspot.com
Follow her on Twitter at @cdn_chica