TUKWILA, WA – Canada WNT has announced its preliminary roster for its International Friendly against Korea Republic scheduled for this Wednesday 30 October (19.00 local kick-off) at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, AB. Sounders Women star, Melissa Busque, is one of just three forwards called in, including superstar, Christine Sinclair. This marks the 2nd call up to the full national team for Busque, her first coming against Germany last summer. From Seattle Reign FC, called up are Carmelina Moscato and Emily Zurrer.

This 18-player preliminary roster put together by Head Coach John Herdman will most likely see additional young faces added to the mix by the start of the camp on Thursday 24 October.

The squad features 13 players who were part of Canada’s bronze-medal-winning roster at London 2012.

Sura Yekka, a 16-year-old defender from Mississauga, Ontario, has earned her first call-up to a Canada senior camp after having participated in a couple youth camps earlier this year.

Canada last faced Korea Republic in January 2013 at the Yongchuan Cup International Women’s Football Tournament, when a new-look Canadian squad was defeated 1:3.

Of the 18 players named to the current roster. 12 were in uniform when the two countries last faced off.

“South Korea will be a tough test for us,” said Head Coach John Herdman. “Our 1:3 lost to them in January this year and their recent win over Japan has shown we will need to be on our game to get a result while still developing our new playing models.”

The match in Edmonton will be Canada’s first women’s fixture at Commonwealth Stadium since a 2005 friendly against Germany. The contest between Canada and Korea Republic will be a precursor to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 as Canada will play the Opening Match in Edmonton.

“This event provides the team with an excellent opportunity to develop the processes and systems around playing in the stadium where we’ll play our opening match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and to continue to learn how to play at home,” added Herdman.

The Canada-Korea Republic match is on Wednesday 30 October and will be broadcast across Canada live from Edmonton on Sportsnet One (18.00 PT). Canada has an all-time record of 3W-0D-1L against Korea Republic in four matches dating back to 2000.

CANADA

GK- Stephanie Labbé | SWE / KIF Örebro DFF

GK- Karina LeBlanc | USA / Portland Thorns FC

GK- Erin McLeod | USA / Chicago Red Stars

D- Robyn Gayle | USA / Washington Spirit

D- Carmelina Moscato | USA / Seattle Reign FC

D- Marie-Eve Nault | SWE / KIF Örebro DFF

D- Lauren Sesselmann | USA / FC Kansas City

D- Rhian Wilkinson | USA / Boston Breakers

D- Sura Yekka | CAN / Brams United

D- Emily Zurrer | USA / Seattle Reign FC

M- Kaylyn Kyle | USA / Boston Breakers

M- Diana Matheson | USA / Washington Spirit

M- Sophie Schmidt | USA / Sky Blue FC

M- Desiree Scott | USA / FC Kansas City

M- Brittany Timko | unattached

F- Mélissa Busque | USA / Seattle Sounders Women

F- Adriana Leon | USA / Chicago Red Stars

F- Christine Sinclair | USA / Portland Thorns FC