Elias Laradi
On Wednesday (February 7th) Bev Priestman released her roster for the 2024 W Gold Cup being hosted in the US and she admitted it was one of the toughest rosters she has had to make.
"I don't know about you but trying to get this to a 23(-player) roster was very hard," Priestman told the media via Zoom. She is looking to give more opportunities to younger players.
The tournament begins on February 20th and will culminate with the final on March 10th and the roster has an average age of 26 with 11 players who are aged 25 and younger.
"What you see post-World Cup from us is blooding the likes of a Simi (Awujo) starting games and Jade Rose. All these sorts of players who are very young but are ready to take the reins,"
"I think that's what you'd expect to see now in the Gold Cup (and) moving forward (to the) Olympics — getting them ready, cap accumulation, but 2027 what does this team also look like?"
A major transfer announced a few weeks ago was Jessie Fleming moving from Chelsea in the WSL joining Janine Beckie and Christine Sinclair with the Portland Thorns in the NWSL for a record transfer fee.
Fleming will look to take the reigns after Sinclair retirement from international play and look for her to captain this young team. Clarissa Larisey and Deanne Rose return after coming back from injury.
Canada which is currently ranked 10th in FIFA Women’s world rankings is grouped with Costa Rica (43rd), Paraguay (50th), and either Guatemala (80th) or El Salvador (104th).
Guatemala and El Salvador will face off in a playoff on February 17th in Carson, California.
Canada will play all three games in Houston, Texas at Shell Energy Stadium and the team will hold a pre-camp from the 12th to the 18th. Desiree Scott will be at the pre-camp after coming back from injury while Beckie who is recovering from knee surgery wasn’t called upon.
Priestman hoped both were going to be ready for the W Gold Cup but she confirmed more time is needed for both to be ready.
"We had to take the bigger picture decision for both of those players," said Priestman.
Jayde Riviere is also uncertain to play after being subbed out in the first half of her last game with Manchester United against Brighton.
"Fingers crossed that Jayde will be with us but there's every chance that she may not be," said Priestman.
If Canada advances past the group stage they will move from Houston to Los Angeles, California to play quarterfinals at BMO Stadium.
Canada has won five of their last six games since returning from the World Cup in Australia. The team finishes 2023 with a record of 7-5-1 and has only conceded two goals since the World Cup and has secured three straight clean sheets.
Here is Canada’s pre-camp roster:
Goalkeepers: x-Laurence Gladu, Kailen Sheriden, Lysianne Proulx.
Defenders: Gabrielle Carle, Sydney Collins, x-Megan Reid; Jade Rose.
Midfielders: Simi Awujo, Jessie Fleming, Quinn, x-Desiree Scott.
Forwards: Jordyn Huitema, Clarissa Larisey, Nichelle Prince
Canada's CONCACAF W Gold Cup Roster
Goalkeepers: Sabrina D'Angelo, Arsenal (England); Lysianne Proulx, Melbourne City (Australia); Kailen Sheridan San Diego Wave (NWSL).
Defenders: Kadeisha Buchanan, Chelsea (England); Gabrielle Carle, Washington Spirit (NWSL); Sydney Collins, North Carolina Courage (NWSL); Vanessa Gilles, Olympique Lyonnais (France); Ashley Lawrence, Chelsea (England); Jayde Riviere, Manchester United (England); Jade Rose, Harvard University (NCAA); Shelina Zadorsky, West Ham (England).
Midfielders: Simi Awujo, USC (NCAA); Jessie Fleming, Portland Thorns (NWSL); Julia Grosso, Juventus (Italy); Quinn, Seattle Reign (NWSL).
Midfielder/Forward: Olivia Smith, Sporting CP (Portugal).
Forwards: Jordyn Huitema, Seattle Reign (NWSL); Cloé Lacasse, Arsenal (England); Clarissa Larisey, BK Häcken FF (Sweden); Adriana Leon, Aston Villa (England); Nichelle Prince, Kansas City Current (NWSL); Deanne Rose, Leicester City (England); Evelyne Viens, AS Roma (Italy).
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