Defending champion Canada names soccer squad for Paris Olympics
Canadian women's national team coach Bev Priestman is relying on familiar faces going into the Paris Olympics.
Priestman unveiled her 18-player roster for this summer's women's soccer tournament, picking a largely veteran squad that includes 13 members of the side that captured gold in Tokyo three years ago.
Fifteen of the players featured in the World Cup last year. Iconic former captain Christine Sinclair and midfield stalwart Sophie Schmidt have since retired from international soccer.
"We know the rich history this program has at the Olympic Games," Priestman said in a statement. "Many moments have inspired the young players in this group, not just in what was achieved but in how they achieved it. Those values and behaviors will continue to be critical factors in this team's success."
Priestman elected to include Sydney Collins, Nichelle Prince, and Quinn, all of whom have battled injuries and were in a race against time to be fit for Canada's defense of its gold medal. Collins fractured her ankle in February, Prince injured her calf at the CONCACAF W Gold Cup, and Quinn is returning from a knee problem. The former's inclusion likely kept Gabrielle Carle out of the squad. Carle was among four alternates who'll travel with the team and could be called up in case of injury. The 25-year-old defender is joined on that list by Lysianne Proulx, Shelina Zadorsky, and Deanne Rose.
Olivia Smith, the versatile teenager who can play both in midfield and attack and is coming off an excellent debut season with Sporting CP in Portugal, is arguably the most surprising omission from Priestman's team.
Canada, the only nation to reach the podium in women's soccer in each of the last three Olympic Games, opens its title defense on July 25 against New Zealand. It will close out Group A action with matches against host nation France and Colombia.
Canada's Olympic squad
Goalkeepers: Sabrina D'Angelo (Arsenal), Kailen Sheridan (San Diego Wave)
Defenders: Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea), Sydney Collins (North Carolina Courage), Vanessa Gilles (Lyon), Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea), Jayde Riviere (Manchester United), Jade Rose (Harvard)
Midfielders: Simi Awujo, (USC), Jessie Fleming (Portland), Julia Grosso (unattached), Quinn (Seattle Reign)
Forwards: Janine Beckie (Portland Thorns), Jordyn Huitema (Seattle Reign), Cloe Lacasse (Arsenal), Adriana Leon (Aston Villa), Nichelle Prince (Houston Dash), Evelyne Viens (Roma)