Youth dominates fall 2015 senior camp

Photo by Canada Soccer / Ian Jackson

As Canada prepares for a December tournament in Brazil and 2016 Olympic qualifications, John Herdman and his coaching staff have brought together a group of players for camp in Vancouver.

While there’s a veteran player at every position (Erin McLeod, Rhian Wilkinson, Diana Matheson, Sophie Schmidt, Christine Sinclair and Melissa Tancredi), there’s also a great focus on youth. The two youngest are just 16, with Kennedy Faulknor and Deanne Rose.

Striker Summer Clarke returns from an absence from the national program.

With Texas Tech eliminated from the NCAA Championship, expect striker and Pan American Games standout Janine Beckie to join the squad soon.

GK – Sabrina D’Angelo | USA / Sky Blue FC
GK – Stephanie Labbé | CAN /
GK – Erin McLeod | USA / Houston Dash
CB – Shelina Zadorsky | SWE / Vittsjö GIK
FB – Allysha Chapman | USA / Houston Dash
FB – Kennedy Faulknor | CAN / Unionville Milliken SC
FB – Rhian Wilkinson | USA / Portland Thorns FC
M – Diana Matheson | USA / Washington Spirit
M – Deanne Rose | CAN / Scarborough GS United
M – Sophie Schmidt | GER / FFC Frankfurt
F – Gabrielle Carle | CAN / AS Chaudière-Est
F – Summer Clarke | USA / Louisiana State University
F – Marie Levasseur | USA / University of Memphis
F – Christine Sinclair | USA / Portland Thorns FC
F – Melissa Tancredi | USA / Chicago Red Stars

The following players currently competing in NCAA play may enter the camp and competition dependant on the results of their current season:

F – Janine Beckie | USA / Texas Tech
D – Kadeisha Buchanan | USA / West Virginia University
M – Ashley Lawrence | USA / West Virginia University
F – Nichelle Prince | CAN / Ohio State University
D – Rebecca Quinn | USA / Duke University

“We’ve reviewed and analysed the team post FIFA Women’s World Cup, so we are in the process of building towards the Rio Olympics,” John Herdman said in a Canada Soccer media release. “We’re looking at this camp as an opportunity to assess a group of young players from our EXCEL program, and from the Pan Am Games.

 

 

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About the author:

Sandra Prusina is a journalist and broadcaster based out of Calgary, Canada. She has covered women’s soccer since 2010, including the 2012 Olympics and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She’s also a segment reporter for Olympic Broadcast Services, traveling to Vancouver, London and Sochi to work for the host broadcaster.