Sabrina D'Angelo is no stranger to playing for her home country.

Since the age of 14, when the Welland native made her debut for the Canadian youth soccer program, she has represented Canada on the international stage at the junior level, as well as winning Olympic bronze with the women's team at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Now D'Angelo is taking the next step in her national career as one of three goalkeepers on the national team in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.

D'Angelo, who attended University of South Carolina on an athletic scholarship after graduating from Notre Dame College School, learned she made the Canadian team while on a bus in Sweden travellingto a game with her Swedish club team, Vittsjo GIK.

"All I wanted to do after that call with my coach was call my parents and share the moment with them," the 26-year-old daughter of Gerry and Bonnie D'Angelo recalled as the Canadian team travelled to France from a pre-World Cup training camp in Spain.

"I wish I was physically there to tell them the news because they've been my rocks throughout the years and the ones who believed in me and my dreams every step of the way."

For D'Angelo, the selection process for the World Cup was more stressful than the Rio Games. In 2016, she was in the beginning stages of her senior career, but this time around, D'Angelo has been in and out of training camps as one of the four goalkeepers fighting for the three open spots on the Canadian roster.

"The experience has been amazing. It's always an honour to represent this country and wear the crest over my heart," D'Angelo said.

In the leadup to the World Cup group round, D'Angelo said the team has focused on fine-tuning "the little things."

"The brand of soccer that Canada is playing is passionate and inspiring, and I'm excited for the world to see it."

After playing professionally in the United States, D'Angelo made the move to Sweden, calling it "one of the best decisions I could have made for my career and myself personally." She said it forced her out of her comfort zone, and gave her an opportunity to play consistently at the club level.

But D'Angelo doesn't believe the experience playing overseas will give her any fresh insight into the World Cup competition. There is a vast difference between club play and international play.

"When you're with your national team, there are so many other variables that come into play," she said.

Each country has a unique style. A team such as Japan will look to connect short passes and play around the opposition, while the American game is more "physical and transitional."

Teams prepare by reviewing field and identifying team tendencies.

"We need to be aware of the opposition key threats and know where our opportunity to hurt them would be. Our adaptability as a team is a huge strength of ours, so being able to make in-game changes is definitely an advantage from our end," D'Angelo said.

As a backup keeper, D'Angelo has to be ready at any moment to step in, as she did when goalkeeper Erin McLeod injured her knee before the Rio Games. D'Angelo said the team's intense goalkeeping sessions keep her prepared physically, while film sessions help with mental repetitions.

But whether she is on the bench, on the field or in training, D'Angelo wants to make sure she is "the best teammate possible."

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"In the end, I just strive to be the best version of myself every single day, and I think that is the main thing that helps keep me prepared."

D'Angelo sees this opportunity on this World Cup team as precisely that: an opportunity.

"She continues to learn from fellow McLeod, who took D'Angelo under her win when she joined the national team, and Stephanie Labbe, the No. 1 keeper. D'Angelo credits Labbe with evolving goalkeeping in Canada."

Being on the team also gives D'Angelo the chance to train and play alongside national team captain, and Canada's leading scorer, Christine Sinclair.

"Getting to play alongside Sinc has been an honour. She is one of the best players in the world, but at the same time one of the most humble and down to earth humans in the world," D'Angelo said.

"We have so many great Canadians on our team, and when I take a step back and realize what talent I'm surrounded by, I'm in awe."

As part of Group E, Canada will play Cameroon on Monday at 3 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, in Montpellier, France, followed by New Zealand on Saturday, June 15, at 3 p.m. in Grenoble, and the Netherlands on Thursday, June 20, at noon in Reims.

The 2019 Women's World Cup wraps up with the gold medal game Sunday, July 7.

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