Houston Dash goalkeeper Erin McLeod and midfielder Kaylyn Kyle have been called up by the Canada Women’s National Team for the Four-Nation Cup in Shenzhen, China, it was announced today.
Head coach John Herdman selected 24 players to take part in the tournament as Canada prepares to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup later this year. Canada will begin the tournament against Korea Republic on Jan. 11, then faces Mexico on Jan. 13 and finishes against China on Jan. 15. Canada and China are also grouped together in Group A for the World Cup.
McLeod, 31, has earned 100 caps for Canada at the senior level. The St. Albert, Alberta, native is just the 12th player to reach the century mark for Canada, doing so with a shutout win against Sweden on Nov. 24. McLeod, team captain for the Dash, was named Team MVP and Players’ Player of the Year after making 83 saves in 20 appearances (19 starts) during the 2014 season.
Kyle, 26, has made 92 appearances for the national team, scoring six goals. A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Kyle made 19 appearances (18 starts) and tallied two assists for the Dash during the 2014 NWSL season.
Canada Women's National Team Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS (3): Stephanie Labbe (KIF Orebro), Karina LeBlanc (Chicago Red Stars), Erin McLeod (Houston Dash)
DEFENDERS (8): Kadeisha Buchanan (West Virginia University), Allysha Chapman (Eskilstuna United DFF), Carmelina Moscato (Seattle Reign FC), Marie-Eve Nault (KIF Orebro), Rebecca Quinn (Duke University), Rhian Wilkinson (Comètes de Laval), Sura Yekka (Brams United), Emily Zurrer (Jitex BK)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Jessie Fleming (London NorWest SC), Kaylyn Kyle (Houston Dash), Ashley Lawrence (West Virginia University), Sophie Schmidt (Sky Blue FC), Desiree Scott (Notts County)
FORWARDS (7): Janine Beckie (Texas Tech University), Josée Bélanger (Còmetes de Laval), Nkem Ezurike (Boston Breakers), Jonelle Filigno (Sky Blue FC), Adriana Leon (Chicago Red Stars), Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns FC), Melissa Tancredi (Chicago Red Stars)
