Scott, Beckie rejoin Canada for SheBelieves Cup after long knee injury layoffs
Desiree Scott and Janine Beckie return after prolonged knee damage layoffs to affix Canada at subsequent month’s SheBelieves Cup.
The four-team match, which runs April 6-9 in Atlanta and Columbus, additionally options the fourth-ranked U.S., No. 7 Japan and No. 10 Brazil.
The 36-year-old Scott earned the final of her 186 Canada caps in November 2022 in a 2-1 win over Brazil. Like Beckie, the Kansas City Current midfielder missed the 2023 NWSL season after knee surgical procedure.
The 29-year-old Beckie, who has 36 objectives in 101 appearances for Canada, underwent surgical procedure to restore a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her proper knee after happening in a Portland Thorns pre-season recreation in March 2023.
Both gamers joined the Canada squad in December forward of a pair of B.C. friendlies towards Australia that marked the worldwide swansong for longtime captain Christine Sinclair. They didn’t see motion however continued their “return to play” protocols with the squad.
Earlier this month, Beckie celebrated her return to motion with a pair of objectives in a dropping trigger as Portland misplaced 5-4 to Kansas City of their NWSL regular-season opener.
Scott stays on Kansas City’s injured checklist.
The Canadian ladies face Brazil on April 6 whereas the U.S. performs Japan. The winners meet three days later to determine the title whereas the losers face off for third place.
Priestman named 23 gamers for the SheBelieves Cup, a roster she should trim to 18 for the Paris Olympics the place Canada will open defence of its title in Group A alongside No. 3 France, No. 23 Colombia and No. 28 New Zealand.
Adding to the potential Olympic participant pool are Sydney Collins, Nichelle Prince and Jayde Riviere, who’re unavailable for the SheBelieves Cup because of damage.
“Now that we know our Olympic path and with the Games getting closer, everything we do now is with Paris 2024 in mind,” Priestman mentioned in a press release. “Our recent W Gold Cup tournament experience was critical in the development of how we play, roster evolution and tight turnaround processes and the SheBelieves will continue to build on that.”
Canada made it to the semifinals of the W Gold Cup, dropping 3-1 to the U.S. in a penalty shootout after additional time completed knotted at 2-2.
Adriana Leon was the match’s main scorer with six objectives whereas Olivia Smith gained the Best Young Player Award. Leon, midfielder/captain Jessie Fleming and fullback Ashley Lawrence have been named to the match’s Best XI.
Beckie joins a well-stocked assault that additionally contains Leon, Smith, Jordyn Huitema, Cloe Lacasse, Clarissa Larisey, Deanne Rose and Evelyne Viens.
The roster options 9 gamers from the NWSL, 12 from groups in Europe (together with from England) and two from NCAA ranks.
Canada has an 11-11-9 all-time document towards Brazil. The groups final met in a pair of friendlies in October with Brazil successful 1-0 in Montreal and Canada successful 2-0 in Halifax.
it marks Canada’s third journey to the SheBelieves Cup.
The Canadian ladies completed fourth at 1-2-0 in 2023 in the course of the top of labour unrest with Canada Soccer. The Canadian ladies have been third in 2021, additionally at 1-2-0.
The match is tied to the SheBelieves marketing campaign, initially launched within the run-up to the 2015 Women’s World Cup “to encourage young women and girls to reach their dreams, athletic or otherwise.”
Priestman hopes to play 4 extra video games after the SheBelieves Cup upfront of the Olympics.
Canada
Goalkeepers: Sabrina D’Angelo, Arsenal (England); Lysianne Proulx, Bay FC (NSWL); Kailen Sheridan, San Diego Wave (NSWL).
Defenders: Kadeisha Buchanan, Chelsea (England); Gabrielle Carle, Washington Spirit (NSWL); Vanessa Gilles, Olympique Lyonnais (France); Ashley Lawrence, Chelsea (England); Jade Rose, Harvard (NCAA); Bianca St-Georges, North Carolina Courage (NSWL); Shelina Zadorsky, West Ham (England).
Midfielders: Simi Awujo, USC (NCAA); Jessie Fleming, Portland Thorns (NSWL); Julia Grosso, Juventus (Italy); Quinn, Seattle Reign (NSWL); Desiree Scott, Kansas City Current (NSWL).
Midfielder/Forward: Olivia Smith, Sporting CP (Portugal).
Forwards: Janine Beckie, Portland Thorns (NSWL); Jordyn Huitema, Seattle Reign (NSWL); Cloe Lacasse, Arsenal (England); Clarissa Larisey, BK Häcken FF (Sweden); Adriana Leon, Aston Villa (England); Deanne Rose, Leicester City (England); Evelyne Viens AS Roma (Italy).
