Hard as it may be to believe, the Olympics are nearly here -- as evidenced by the release of Canada's 18-player squad in the women's soccer tournament. Big Red faces a daunting opening match (against reigning World Cup champions Japan) on July 25, before going to battle with South Africa and Sweden.
Head coach John Herdman's roster selection is as follows:
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GK- Karina LeBlanc
GK- Erin McLeod
CB- Candace Chapman
CB- Carmelina Moscato
CB- Emily Zurrer
FB- Robyn Gayle
FB- Lauren Sesselmann
FB- Chelsea Stewart
FB- Rhian Wilkinson
M- Kaylyn Kyle
M- Diana Matheson
M- Kelly Parker
M- Sophie Schmidt
M- Desiree Scott
F- Jonelle Filigno
F- Christine Sinclair
F- Melissa Tancredi
F- Brittany Timko
As one would expect in a tournament of this magnitude, there are no huge surprises or brand-new faces. Still, the list does present a few intriguing points of consideration:
- At the striker position, Christina Julien is out, while Jonelle Filigno is in. Herdman said in the run-up to the Olympics that Filigno would only be included on the roster if her ankle injury was sufficiently healed that she would be able to contribute. If healthy, which this move suggests that she is, Filigno likely presents a more dangerous attacking option than Julien, who has occasionally been let down by a lack of clinical finishing in the past year.
- Another attacking option would have been Chelsea Buckland, but she will unfortunately be out for the Olympics and beyond after tearing the ACL in her left knee several weeks ago.
- After being left off the qualifying tournament roster in favour of 22-year-old Shannon Woeller, Emily Zurrer has earned her way back onto the senior roster. Zurrer, who turns 25 next month, has plenty of experience with the national team, including patrolling the Canadian backline during the 2008 Olympics.
- Speaking of Olympic experience, 12 of the 18 players on the roster took part in the Beijing Games. The Olympic neophytes are Lauren Sesselmann, Chelsea Stewart, Desiree Scott, Kaylyn Kyle and Carmelina Moscato.
So what do you think? Does Herdman have it right? Any glaring omissions from the roster? And how will this team do when it's all on the line next month?
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