With the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup now officially in the rearview, attention for members of the Canadian team turns to their professional and school environments, with star players competing on multiple fronts across the world in the build-up to their international call-ups to Kenneth Heiner-Moller’s camps, friendlies, and tournament qualifying fixtures.
Here’s how to keep track of Canada’s players:
National Women’s Soccer League (USA)
Allysha Chapman, Lindsay Agnew, Nichelle Prince, and Sophie Schmidt all suit up for the Houston Dash. Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe is a member of the North Carolina Courage, while Kailen Sheridan plays for Sky Blue FC. Shelina Zadorsky is in season two with the Orlando Pride, Desiree Scott is with the Utah Royals and Canadian captain Christine Sinclair will look for a third NWSL title with the Portland Thorns. The top four teams in the standings at the end of the regular season qualify for the playoffs. This year’s championship match will be played Oct. 27 at Sahlen’s Stadium in Cary, North Carolina.
Division 1 Féminine (France)
Four Canadian players suit up professionally in France’s Division 1 Féminine. Kadeisha Buchanan has been with Olympique Lyonnais since 2017, Rebecca Quinn will be playing her first full campaign at Paris FC, and Paris Saint-Germain has Ashley Lawrence and Jordyn Huitema in their ranks. The youngster Huitema is forgoing college and going straight into a pro environment after inking a four-year deal. Lyon and PSG have qualified for the 2019-20 UEFA Women’s Champions League, and Lyon are the defending champions. The knockout stage begins in September.
Damallsvenskan (Sweden)
Goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo signed on with Vittsjö GIK last winter. Jenna Hellstrom has played in Sweden since 2017, most recently joining KIF Örebro. Also suiting up in Damallsvenskan’s 12-team league is defender Shannon Woeller, a member of Eskilstuna United DFF. The season continues through the summer months and will wrap up in late October.
FA Women’s Super League (England)
Two members of the Canadian national team suit up in England: Janine Beckie for Manchester City and Adriana Leon with West Ham United. The 2019-20 campaign kicks off later this year. England’s primary cup competition is the SSE Women’s FA Cup with Beckie’s club holding the most recent title. Man City will also play in the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League after qualifying by finishing second in the domestic league table last season.
Women’s International Champions Cup
The competition is in the semi-final stages with Kadeisha Buchanan and Lyon slated to face Atletico Madrid on Aug. 15. Stephanie Labbe and her NC Courage have a date against Janine Beckie and Manchester City later that day. Both matches, along with the final on Aug. 18, will be played in Cary, North Carolina.
NCAA (USA)
Jessie Fleming (UCLA) is embarking on her senior year, while Gabrielle Carle (Florida State) is a junior. Fleming will likely be in the running for the MAC Hermann Trophy, and Carle’s squad is coming off of the 2018 NCAA Championship. Julia Grosso‘s sophomore year at the University of Texas at Austin kicks off shortly, Deanne Rose is back at the University of Florida, and as for Jayde Riviere, she is committed to the University of Michigan, a program that’s seen several Canadians over the years, including Shelina Zadorsky. The 2019 College Cup will be played in December in San Jose, California.