By: Alyssa Ally
Canadian women’s soccer finds itself in a nice place to be in heading into this summer’s World Cup – flush with options. Carolina Morace has a lot to choose from and short time to do it.
Her defensive line is pretty much fixed. And the forwards are a lock. But the keepers might be her most difficult decision.
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I can’t remember the last time Rhian Wilkinson and Candace Chapman didn’t start or play the entire 90 on the backline. Since the arrival of Emily Zurrer and Marie-Eve Nault making her comeback, Morace has stuck with them.
The mid section is a little more difficult to distinguish who she’ll make her starter. I believe Diana Matheson and Kaylyn Kyle are a lock. Right wing is a toss up. Morace used to go with Sophie Schmidt but more recently has been starting Carmelina Moscato. Parker may be the better option. She hasn’t been with the squad since September 2010, but has shown a lot of promise. As a very versatile player, quick, skillful, great ball mover, poise on the ball she has a better first touch than both Moscato and Schmidt.
Parker currently plays in the WPS with the WNY Flash as a forward. With Josee Belanger injured and out of the running, Kelly Parker could also play up front.
Morace will have no problems choosing forwards. Christine Sinclair will get the start to each game. Depending on the formation, likely starters will be rising star Jonelle Foligno and tough go-getter Tancredi.
However, choosing a starting goalkeeper will be Morace’s toughest decision and not a bad problem to have. Karina LeBlanc is undoubtedly the most experienced ‘keeper making her fourth World Cup appearance. Erin McLeod coming off a knee injury is a little rusty but getting better day by day. Stephanie Labbe is considered Canada’s “1c” ‘keeper however she is the most active out of the three, currently playing with Sweden’s Damallsvenskan league club Pitea IF. But she confirmed through her Twitter account Sunday that she had injured her knee and was preparing to see a doctor about it.
Last December Labbe got the start vs. Marta and crew and captured the win for Canada - twice in the same week. Either way, the 10 players in front should feel comfortable with any one of the three.
55 days until kickoff.
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Canada’s likely Women’s World Cup Roster
Starting lineup:
GK- Labbe
D- M-E Nault
Chapman
Zurrer
Wilkinson
M- Parker
Matheson
Kyle
F- Sinclair
Tancredi
Foligno
Deep bench:
GK- LeBlanc
McLeod
D- Booth
Gayle
Stewart
M- Moscato
Schmidt
Timko
F- Julien
Robinson
Reserves:
McCarthy
McCalla
Scott
Bucklan
Pietrangelo
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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