CanWNT names squad for Christine Sinclair’s final two matches, against Australia in December

2023-11-23

Benedict Rhodes, CanPL.ca Contributor (@BTFR17)

Canada Soccer and head coach Bev Priestman revealed on Thursday the Canadian women’s national team squad that will host Australia for two matches in British Columbia in December.

Les Rouges will take on Women’s World Cup semifinalists Australia on Friday, December 1 at Starlight Stadium in Langford, BC — home of the Canadian Premier League’s Pacific FC — and on Tuesday, December 5 at BC Place in Vancouver, for a pair of friendlies as they continue their preparation for next summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. Priestman has selected 25 players for the December camp, which will also serve as a farewell to a trio of Canadian icons.

The two matches will most notably be the final two in the Canadian national team career of the great Christine Sinclair, who after over 300 appearances for the national team and a record 190 international goals, has decided to step away from the national team at the end of the year. BC Place isn’t far from Sinclair’s hometown of Burnaby, British Columbia, giving her one final opportunity to play for her country in front of friends, family, and the fans who have watched her career unfold over the past two decades.

Also included in the squad is longtime national team midfielder Sophie Schmidt, who despite retiring from international duty after the Women’s World Cup this summer, will make one final appearance in the December 5 game in Vancouver, alongside her longtime teammate Sinclair. Not playing, but still being honoured, is fellow Olympic champion and longtime Canada goalkeeper Erin McLeod, who announced her retirement from international duty in January.

Sophie Schmidt and Christine Sinclair. (Photo: Canada Soccer).

For the most part, the rest of the squad offers no surprises. Quinn and Jordyn Huitema are in the squad fresh off a deep run in the NWSL playoffs, where they fell to NJ/NY Gotham FC in the final, while Olivia Smith, Evelyne Viens, and Cloé Lacasse are among the European-based players in the squad, coming into camp in good form with their clubs as well.

Earning her first senior call-up for Canada is young Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Jeneva Hernandez Gray. The 17-year-old from Coquitlam, BC, won a bronze medal with Canada at the 2022 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship in the Dominican Republic, and later represented Canada at the U-17 Women’s World Cup in India. In total, she has scored twice and assisted four goals over 20 appearances between the U17 and U20 national teams.

“To play another two games against tier one opposition as part of our Paris 24 preparation is exactly what we need,” said Priestman in a press release. “The squad is naturally evolving and tactically getting great exposure before heading into a busy but exciting Olympic Games year.

“These games are not only critical in our journey but also provide a great platform and occasion to send off three Canadian legends the way they deserve, at home in front of many fans with friends and family present and some of their best mates on the pitch.”

Janine Beckie and Desiree Scott remain out of the squad with injuries, but will join the team to train and continue their road to recovery. Emma Regan and Deanne Rose are also dealing with injuries at the moment, and were unavailable for selection.

Here is the full Canadian squad: