All eyes will be on the Canadian women’s soccer team at Paris 2024 as they look to defend their Olympic gold medal.
Although the squad has entered a new era with the retirements of Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt and Stephanie Labbé, 13 players from the team that won gold at Tokyo 2020 will return for Paris 2024.
Among them, six players (Janine Beckie, Kadeisha Buchanan, Jessie Fleming, Ashley Lawrence, Nichelle Prince and Quinn) will participate in their third consecutive Olympic Games after winning bronze at Rio 2016 and gold at Tokyo 2020. Kailen Sheridan, Vanessa Gilles, Jayde Riviere, Julia Grosso, Jordyn Huitema, Adriana Leon and Evelyne Viens will take part in their second consecutive Olympic Games. Goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo, who was a member of the bronze medal-winning team at Rio 2016, will also be competing in her second Olympic Games.
Simi Awujo, Sydney Collins, Cloé Lacasse and Jade Rose will make their Olympic debut.
READ: Team Canada women’s soccer team to bring values to Paris 2024
In addition to the 18-player roster, four alternates will travel, train with the team and be available in case of injuries to the starters. The alternates include goaltender Lysianne Proulx, defenders Gabrielle Carle and Shelina Zadorsky, and forward Deanne Rose.
The group will count on midfielder Jessie Fleming to provide leadership and also produce goals, while she will act as team captain. Fleming played 90 minutes in five of six matches at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic tournament. She scored several crucial goals en route to the gold medal, including the semi-final winner against the United States and a penalty shot to tie the gold medal game against Sweden. Since making her international debut at just 15 years old in 2013, Fleming has played in 132 international matches, including 117 as a starter, scoring 19 goals and making nine assists for the Canadian women’s soccer team.
“It’s always an honour to be part of this team and an even greater privilege to represent Team Canada in Paris,” said Fleming. “We’ve grown a lot as a team over the past year and we’re confident we can repeat the success we’ve had in the past at this tournament.”
Fleming will be joined in midfield by Julia Grosso, whose shootout goal against Sweden gave Canada the gold medal. She will be looking to make as big an impact in her second Olympics as she did in her first.
The only player to have spent more time on the court than Fleming at Tokyo 2020 is Kadeisha Buchanan, who didn’t miss a minute of action during the Olympic tournament. She will be a crucial part of Canada’s defence.
She will be joined by Jade Rose, who will be making her Olympic debut and was named Canada Soccer’s 2023 Young Player of the Year. Currently playing for Harvard University, Rose has quickly become a key part of Canada’s defence since making her 2021 debut as an 18-year-old, racking up 21 appearances, including 20 as a starter, and one assist.
“It is truly an honor and privilege to be named to this team and to compete in my first Olympic Games,” said Rose. When I think back to 2012, it was this team that inspired a 9-year-old girl to strive for excellence. And the fact that these dreams came true 12 years later is beyond anything I could describe. »
“We talk about it often, but the bond and trust that exists within this team is unmatched. I believe that this has allowed us, over the course of this year, to become more and more versatile, whether it’s by adding variety to our style of play, by putting players in different positions or by seeing the younger generation take their place in the big moments.”
“Overall, we were able to create an environment in which players can be courageous: courageous in pushing themselves day in and day out in practice, courageous in their choices on the field, and courageous in trusting themselves to bring what they have to offer. they know how to do better. And it is this bravery that will allow us to reach the level reached by this team three years ago. I can’t wait to get started, let’s go Canada! ”explained Rose.
Kailen Sheridan will be called upon to protect the Canadian cage. After serving as a substitute at Tokyo 2020, Sheridan took on the starting goalkeeper role, including at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Olympic Qualifiers and the CONCACAF Gold Cup. She will be supported by Sabrina D’Angelo who will act as second goalkeeper.
Team Canada’s attacking group includes veteran Janine Beckie, who will return to the team after missing the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympic qualifying due to injury.
“I am extremely excited to finalize the group of players who will represent Team Canada at Paris 2024,” said Bev Priestman, head coach of Canada Soccer’s women’s national team. “This was a very difficult task, which demonstrates the immense talent present in this program. However, I firmly believe that we have assembled a team that combines experience and youth, tactically balanced, with exceptional athleticism and remarkable soccer talent. »
“With close matches, intense heat and tier 1 opponents, it was crucial to form a balanced team capable of handling these critical factors for the upcoming tournament,” added Priestman.
“We know the rich history of this program at the Olympic Games. There have been many moments that have inspired the young players in this group, not only in what has been accomplished, but also in how it has been accomplished. These values and behaviours will continue to be critical factors in the success of this team,” mentioned the head coach.
Canada qualified for the Olympics in September 2023 after defeating Jamaica in a two-game home-and-away series in the 2023 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers.
Canada has managed to reach the knockout stage in its four previous appearances at the Olympic Games, winning two bronze medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016, then gold at Tokyo 2020. Canada is the only country to have reached the podium in women’s soccer at each of the last three Olympic Games.
Team Canada will be part of Group A for the next Olympic tournament, a group which also includes France, Colombia and New Zealand. Their first match will take place on Thursday July 25 against New Zealand.
Team F athleteseminin Team Canada soccer match in Paris 2024
Guardians
Sabrina D’Angelo (Welland, ON)
Kailen Sheridan (Whitby, ON)
Defenders
Kadeisha Buchanan (Brampton, ON)
Sydney Collins (Beaverton, Oregon, É.-U.)
Vanessa Gilles (Ottawa, ON)
Ashley Lawrence (Caledon East, ON)
Jayde Riviere (Markham, ON)
Jade Rose (Markham, ON)
Environments
Community Rest (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
Jessie Fleming (London, ON)
Julia Grosso (Vancouver, BC)
Quinn (Toronto, ON)
Attackers
Janine Beckie (Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA)
Jordyn Huitema (Chilliwack, C.-B.)
Cloé Lacasse (Sudbury, ON)
Adriana Leon (King City, ON)
Nichelle Prince (Ajax, ON)
Evelyne Viens (Old Lorette, QC)
Substitutes
Gabrielle Carle (Lévis, QC)
Lysianne Proulx (Boucherville, QC)
Deanne Rose (Alliston, ON)
Shelina Zadorsky (London, ON)
