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Olympic champion Canada has announced its women’s soccer team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with 13 of the 18 players selected from the team that won gold in Tokyo three years ago.

Bev Priestman has recruited six players – Janine Becky, Kadisha Buchanan, Jessie Fleming, Ashley Lawrence, Nichelle Prince and Quinn – to compete in their third consecutive Olympics, having also won bronze at Rio 2016.

Kailyn Sheridan, Vanessa Gil, Jade Riviere, Julia Grosso, Jordyn Huitema, Adriana Leon and Evelyn Viens are also among the list of gold medalists in Tokyo.

Three Olympians were introduced into midfield for the first time Simi Owujo, 20, defender Sydney Collins, 24, and forward Chloe Lacasse, 30.

Goaltender Gabriel Karl, defenders Lysiane Proulx and Shelina Zadorski and forward Dean Rose have been named as the four “alternates” who will travel and practice with the team and could be available in the event of injury.

This is Canada’s first Olympics without soccer star Christine Sinclair after she retires from international soccer in 2023. Sinclair, who scored 190 goals in 331 games for her country, making her the all-time leading international goalscorer in soccer, represented her country at four Olympic Games. . . Canada did not qualify for the women’s Olympic soccer tournament until 2008.

In addition to Sinclair, midfielder Sophie Schmidt is also retiring from international football in 2023. The duo are two of six players not included in the 18-man roster that Priestman is part of for the 2023 World Cup alongside Rose, Zadorski and Sporting Lisbon midfielder Olivia Smith and Houston Dash defender Alisha Chapman, who gave birth to a baby boy in February.

Becky, a two-time Olympic medalist, missed the 2023 World Cup with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury but will return for the Paris Games after making 14 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) appearances with the Portland Thorns in 2024.

Collins, Prince and Quinn, who all struggled with injury before the Olympics, are also included.

“It was a very difficult task, which reflects the incredible talent in this program,” Priestman said. “However, I believe we have a team that combines experience and youth, has a balanced position and has tremendous athleticism and football skills.
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“With two consecutive matches, intense heat and high-level competition, it is essential to build a balanced team that can manage these important factors in the upcoming tournament.
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“We know the rich history of the program at the Olympic Games. There are many inspiring moments for the young players in this group, not only in what they have accomplished but also in how they have accomplished it. Those values ​​and behaviors will continue to be an important factor in the success of this team.

Canada opens its Olympic campaign against New Zealand on July 25. They also drew with France and Colombia in the first group.

Priestman’s team won gold in Tokyo with a penalty shootout victory over Sweden in the final, after knocking out world champions USWNT in the semi-finals.

However, they were eliminated from the World Cup last summer in the group stage, becoming the first Olympic champions to do so. Canada has faced off-field issues leading up to the tournament after announcing in February a dispute with Canada Football over cuts to the program’s budget.

List of Canadian women’s soccer teams at the Olympic Games

Goalie: Sabrina D’Angelo (Single), Kailyn Sheridan (San Diego Wave)

Defender: Kadisha Buchanan (Chelsea), Sydney Collins (North Carolina Courage), Vanessa Giles (Lyon), Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea), Jade Riviere (Manchester United), Jade Rose (Harvard Crimson)

Midfielder : Simi Ojo (USC Trojans), Jesse Fleming (Portland Thorns), Julia Grosso (singles), Quinn (Seattle Reign)

Attacker: Janine Becke (Portland Thorns), Jordin Heitema (Seattle Reigns), Chloe Lacasse (Arsenal), Adriana Leon (Aston Villa), Nichelle Prince (current Kansas City), Evelyn Viens (Roma).

(Naomi Baker/Getty Images)