Will travel to Europe to compete in twelve-team Cyprus Cup

CHICAGO, Ill. – Canadian Women’s National Team Head Coach John Herdman has called up Red Stars players Karina LeBlanc, Adriana Leon and Melissa Tancredi to the 24-player roster that will be traveling to Europe to compete in the Cyprus Cup in March. The Canucks will take on Scotland, Korea Republic and Italy in the group stage of the tournament, which marks an important step in the side’s preparations for this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

While Canada legend LeBlanc looks to challenge for the starting spot in goal, both rising star Leon and two-time World Cup and Olympics veteran Tancredi hope to make a case for inclusion in their team’s front line.

“This Cyprus Cup has a clear outcome and that clear outcome is building that team cohesion similar to what we did in the Four Nations (in China), where we built a depth in the squad,” said Head Coach Herdman. “In Cyprus, it’s about the cohesion in the group of players to go and win football matches.”

Competing in Group A, the Canadians open the tournament on Wednesday, March 4, against Scotland at GSP Stadium in Nicosia. They’re back in action against Korea Republic on Friday, March 6, at GSZ Stadium in Larnaca, followed by a Monday, March 9, clash with Italy back in Nicosia.

Canada has won the Cyprus Cup three times and will be looking to bring back the championship for the first time since 2011. The squad looks to build on a good start to the year that saw them earn three wins in China en route to winning the Bao’an Cup.

“We’ll be only three months out from a World Cup, with probably only a few more games after this tournament,” offered Herdman. “We’re starting to define the players’ roles and responsibilities in the team environment and the team culture.”

Canada’s finish in the group will determine in which placement match the side will compete on Wednesday, March 11. Last year the Canucks came in second in Group A and defeated the Republic of Ireland 2-1 in the tournament’s fifth-place match.

Chicago fans may follow their Canadian trio’s Cyprus Cup games live on Twitter via the handle @CanadaSoccerEN. All international stars are expected back for the NWSL club’s big April 18 home opener against Sydney Leroux, Megan Rapinoe, Hope Solo and current Shield holders Seattle Reign FC. Single-game and season tickets ($145) may be purchased by calling 773-698-6001 or by clicking here.

Canada Women’s National Team Roster by Position:

GK- Stephanie Labbé | SWE / KIF Örebro
GK- Karina LeBlanc | USA / Chicago Red Stars
GK- Erin McLeod | USA / Houston Dash
D- Kadeisha Buchanan | USA / West Virginia University
D- Allysha Chapman | USA / Houston Dash
D- Robyn Gayle | unattached
D- Carmelina Moscato | unattached
D- Marie-Eve Nault | SWE / KIF Örebro
D- Rebecca Quinn | USA / Duke University
D- Rhian Wilkinson | USA / Portland Thorns FC
D- Emily Zurrer | SWE / Jitex BK
M- Kaylyn Kyle | USA / Portland Thorns FC
M- Jonelle Filigno | USA / Sky Blue FC
M- Jessie Fleming | CAN / London NorWest SC
M- Desiree Scott | ENG / Notts County Ladies FC
M- Sophie Schmidt | unattached
M- Selenia Iachelli | unattached
M- Ashley Lawrence | USA / West Virginia University
F- Josée Bélanger | CAN / Comètes de Laval
F- Janine Beckie | USA / Texas Tech University
F- Christina Julien | GER / FF USV Jena
F- Adriana Leon | USA / Chicago Stars
F- Christine Sinclair | USA / Portland Thorns FC
F- Melissa Tancredi | USA / Chicago Red Stars