Tournament details:

January 11-15, 2015

China, Shenzhen Stadium

Matches:

January 11th v Korea Republic

January 13th v Mexico

January 15th v China

Canada roster:

GK – Erin McLeod | USA / Houston Dash

GK – Stephanie Labbe | SWE / KIF Örebro

GK – Karina LeBlanc | USA / Chicago Red Stars

D – Kadeisha Buchanan | USA / West Virginia University

D – Allysha Chapman | SWE / Eskilstuna United DFF

D – Carmelina Moscato | USA / Seattle Reign FC

D – Marie-Eve Nault | SWE / KIF Örebro

D – Rebecca Quinn | USA / Duke University

D – Rhian Wilkinson | CAN / Comètes de Laval

D – Sura Yekka | CAN / Brams United

D – Emily Zurrer | SWE / Jitex BK

M – Jessie Fleming | CAN / London NorWest United

M – Kaylyn Kyle | USA / Houston Dash

M – Ashley Lawrence | USA / West Virginia University

M – Sophie Schmidt | USA / Sky Blue FC

M – Desiree Scott | ENG / Notts County

F – Janine Beckie | USA / Texas Tech University

F – Josee Bélanger | CAN / Comètes de Laval

F – Nkem Ezurike | USA / Boston Breakers

F – Jonelle Filigno | USA / Sky Blue FC

F – Adriana Leon | USA / Chicago Red Stars

F – Christine Sinclair | USA / Portland Thorns

F – Melissa Tancredi | USA / Chicago Red Stars

Notes:

Canada last took part in the Four Nations Cup in 2013, where the team finished with a 1-1-1 record. That squad featured a number of senior debuts; the 2015 version does not. Janine Beckie will look for her second senior appearance after making her debut in the fall during a closed-door friendly against Sweden.

Karina LeBlanc rejoins the team after a nursing an injury that kept her off the pitch against Japan (October 2014) and Sweden (November 2014).

In terms of significant injuries, Diana Matheson has undergone ACL surgery and is aiming for a June return in time for the Women’s World Cup. Lauren Sesselmann’s recovery continues. She is likely to accompany the team to the Cyprus Cup (March 2-12).

Canada last faced South Korea in late October of 2013 and earned a 3:0 victory with goals from Christine Sinclair, Brittany Baxter and Adriana Leon.

Canada and Mexico’s most recent meeting was a 0:0 finish (November 24 2013).

Canada defeated China 1:0 in their last match (January 12 2013). Adriana Leon scored the winning goal in her senior debut.

Major milestones are approaching for a number of players. Kaylyn Kyle and Melissa Tancredi both have 92 caps, while Sophie Schmidt is one appearance away from 125. Christine Sinclair is two goals away from 150.

Quotes:

John Herdman on 23-player roster

“The team is starting to form as we get closer to the FIFA Women’s World Cup. We’ve been able to get access to our young players who have been pretty much locked in the NCAA system for the past three or four months. But we’ve added those players to the squad and the Centralized Development Program (CDP) group to evaluate them and their readiness.”

John Herdman on their match versus China, who they will also face in the opening match of the Women’s World Cup

“We’ve been thinking about this for the last few weeks in how to approach that particular fixture and we’ve got some ideas on either going to try and go for a confidence booster or try to keep our cards up our sleeve. We may try to go for a balance of those when choosing our lineup and the tactics we use.”

About the author:

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