CanWNT v USWNT / Photo by Canada Soccer
May 8th’s friendly in Winnipeg marks Canada’s first match on home soil in 2014. The game, at Investors Group Field, is the team’s first time playing in Manitoba’s capital in over a decade. In 1999, the Canadian team played matches at Red River College as part of the Pan American Games. Prior to that, the last CanWNT match in Winnipeg was against the USA in 1990.
This match is the fifth time the Americans have faced the red and white on Canadian soil. Their last meeting in Canada was nearly a year ago, on June 2, 2013 in Toronto (3-0 US win). Since then, they faced one another this past January in Texas (1-0 US win).
Game details:
May 8th in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Kickoff – 17.00 PT/ 18.00 MT / 19.00 local / 20.00 ET
The match will air live in Canada on Sportsnet One and Sportsnet World (replay on Friday). American fans will be able to watch on ESPN3 or espnW.com.
Notes:
– Investors Group Field has a capacity of 33,000 and is one of six 2015 Women’s World Cup venues.
– This friendly marks the first time midfielder Desiree Scott has ever played in front of her hometown fans.
– Camp for Canadian players officially begins on May 5th.
– The Americans named 22 players to their roster on Wednesday.
– Some tickets are still available.
Roster:
GK- Karina LeBlanc | USA / Chicago Red Stars
GK- Erin McLeod | USA / Houston Dash
D- Kadeisha Buchanan | USA / West Virginia University
D- Robyn Gayle | USA / Washington Spirit
D- Carmelina Moscato | USA / Seattle Reign FC
D- Rebecca Quinn | USA / Duke University
D- Rhian Wilkinson | CAN / Comètes de Laval
D- Sura Yekka | CAN / Brams United
M- Kaylyn Kyle | USA / Houston Dash
M- Diana Matheson | USA / Washington Spirit
M- Sophie Schmidt | USA / Sky Blue FC
M- Desiree Scott | ENG / Notts County Ladies
M- Jessie Fleming | CAN / London NorWest SC
M- Ashley Lawrence | USA / West Virginia University
M- Brittany Baxter | USA / Seattle Sounders Women
F- Jonelle Filigno | USA Sky Blue FC
F- Nkem Ezurike | USA / Boston Breakers
F- Adriana Leon | USA / Chicago Red Stars
F- Christine Sinclair | USA / Portland Thorns FC
F- Josée Bélanger | CAN / Comètes de Laval
F- Melissa Tancredi | USA / Chicago Red Stars
About the author:
Sandra Prusina is a journalist and broadcaster based out of Calgary, Canada. She has covered women’s soccer since 2010. She’s also a segment reporter for Olympic Broadcast Services, traveling to Vancouver, London and Sochi to work for the host broadcaster.
Northern Kick 
That means 3 out of 4 likely starting U20 defenders are on this roster.
The worry is the forwards. Sinclair has been struggling. Filigno may have lost a step with all her leg injuries. She’s not the same kind of forward threat she was. Leon has been promising at times but has a hard time putting a shot on net. Ezurike has hardly any minutes so far.
Good thoughts, Stephen. In my opinion, Josee Belanger is a wild card because she’s ridiculously skilled. I think if she can get accustomed to the international game once again, it’ll work. The key for that to happen is for her to remain healthy and play as much as she can during the W-League season.