On to China

Another championship, anyone?

  This week, the CANwnt travelled to China to play in the 4 Nations Cup. There they will play Sweden, USA and host China. Take a look at Morace's selection:

GK- Stephanie Labbé | SWE / Piteå IF | Stony Plain, AB, CAN
GK- Karina LeBlanc | USA / Chicago Red Stars | Maple Ridge, BC, CAN
GK- Erin McLeod | USA / Washington Freedom | Edmonton & Calgary, AB, CAN
CB- Candace Chapman | USA / Western New York Flash | Ajax, ON, CAN
CB- Robyn Gayle | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Mississauga, ON, CAN
CB- Sophie Schmidt | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Abbotsford, BC, CAN
CB- Emily Zurrer | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Crofton, BC, CAN
RB- Christine Exeter | USA / University of Louisville | Pickering, ON, CAN
RB- Brittany Timko | Unattached / sans club | Coquitlam, BC, CAN
RB- Rhian Wilkinson | NOR / Lillestrøm SK Kvinner | Baie d’Urfe, QC, CAN
LB- Melanie Booth | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Burlington, ON, CAN
LB- Marie-Eve Nault | CAN / Ottawa Fury | Trois-Rivières, QC, CAN
CM- Laura Chénard | CAN / Amiral de Québec | Ste-Luce, QC, CAN
CM- Kaylyn Kyle | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Saskatoon, SK, CAN
CM- Diana Matheson | NOR / Lillestrøm SK Kvinner | Oakville, ON, CAN
CM- Carmelina Moscato | Unattached / sans club | Mississauga, ON, CAN
F- Josée Bélanger | CAN / Amiral de Québec | Coaticook, QC, CAN
F- Jonelle Filigno | USA / Rutgers University | Mississauga, ON, CAN
F- Christina Julien | CAN / Ottawa Fury | Williamstown, ON, CAN
F- Taylor Patterson | | Edmonton, AB, CAN
F- Jodi-Ann Robinson | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Richmond, BC, CAN
F- Desiree Scott | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Winnipeg, MB, CAN
F- Christine Sinclair | USA / Western New York Flash | Burnaby, BC, CAN
F- Melissa Tancredi | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Ancaster, ON, CAN

  Two players are making their debut with the CANwnt, Taylor Patterson and Christine Exeter. They have both played under Morace in the youth programs and will get the opportunity to play with the best in Canada.

  Canada will kick off its first game against host nation, China on the 21st of January at 18.35 local / 06.35 ET / 03.35 PT. Then they will go on to play the last nation to qualify for the WWC,  USA on January 23rd 19.05 local / 07.05 ET / 04.05 PT. Finally they will finish off group play against Sweden on January 25 15.35 local / 03.35 ET / 00.35 PT. No web cast has been found for these matches as of late but I am sure someone will find one.

  Our ladies are coming off a huge 2010 season. Confidence is on their side with a 10 game winning streak and 3 championship titles. By looking back on the previous matches Canada has played against each of these nations, we see that Canada defeated China in Toronto this past September in what I could only call the beginning of something great for this team as we saw them flourish and really play exciting football for the first time under Morace. There was a 3-3 draw in a friendly match on home turf for the States. The last time Canada played Sweden was way back in 2006 where they won 4-2. Now of course that does not mean that Canada are the favourites here. What is on paper means nothing in reality. Clearly each team has made changes, perhaps developed further and may have gotten better. These are simply just facts that have been laid out in front of you. Make your own calls.