CanWNT squad revealed for upcoming friendlies vs. Brazil

Canada NT

Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team (CANWNT) have announced their squad for the upcoming October 2023 international matches against Brazil. Canada will first face Brazil on Saturday 28 October in Montréal at Stade Saputo and conclude the series on Tuesday 31 October in Halifax at Wanderers Grounds. The two matches will serve as preparation after securing their spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in last month’s home-and-away Concacaf W Olympic Play-In qualification series win against Jamaica.

“With our qualification for Paris 2024 confirmed, we will use our fall window to see and assess more players in the environment,” said Bev Priestman, Women’s National Team Head Coach. “I’m excited to get the group back together, welcome back in some returning injured players, and for us to build on the good work done in the September window. Now everything we do has to have Paris 2024 in mind.”

The opening match of the Canada-Brazil series will kick off at 14:30 ET on 28 October, presented by GE Canada, marking Canada’s return to Montréal for the first time since defeating New Zealand in October of 2021 as part of Canada’s Celebration Tour following the historic Gold Medal achievement at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Tickets for the Canada-Brazil match in Montreal are moving quickly with fans encouraged to secure their seats HERE. Groups of 10+ are eligible for discounts of up to 30%, for complete ticket information and to submit a group ticket order click HERE.

The second leg of the series, set for a 19:30 AT kick off on 31 October in front of a sold-out crowd in Halifax, presented by Carlsberg, will represent a return to the Maritimes for Canada Soccer’s Senior National Teams for the first time since the CANWNT defeated China PR 1-0 in Moncton on a goal from Canadian legend Christine Sinclair in the spring of 2012.

Canada was the fifth nation to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, joining the hosts France, Concacaf champions USA, and CONMEBOL’s top-two nations Brazil and Colombia. A further seven nations have yet to qualify for a field of 12 nations that will participate at next year’s big event, with Canada the reigning Olympic champions from 2021. Canada has a long history with Brazil having first faced them in 1996. Both teams have been well matched throughout the years with Canada holding a record of 10 wins, nine draws, and 10 losses against Brazil. The last time the two teams met was on 19 February 2023 at the She Believes Cup, when Canada posted a 2:0 victory over Brazil with goals coming from Vanessa Gilles and Evelyne Viens.

CANADA’S SQUAD

One new face in this squad is goalkeeper Melissa Dagenais, from University of Miami, receiving her first call-up to Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team. Midfielder Emma Regan from HB Køge will return to the senior national team after last being called up in 2018, when she earned her first cap during Canada’s 12:0 win against Cuba in the second group stage match of the 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship. Defender Jayde Riviere from Manchester United FC and forward Deanne Rose from Leicester City FC will both return to the team after missing out on the 2023 September FIFA international window due to injury.

Canada’s four goalkeepers for the camp will be Melissa Dagenais from University of Miami, Sabrina D’Angelo from Arsenal FC, Lysianne Proulx from Melbourne City, Kailen Sheridan from San Diego Wave FC.

Defenders selected for this series are: Kadeisha Buchanan from Chelsea FC, Gabrielle Carle from Washington Spirit, Sydney Collins from NC Courage, Vanessa Gilles from FCF Olympique Lyonnais, Ashley Lawrence from Chelsea FC, Jayde Riviere from Manchester United FC, Jade Rose from Harvard University, Bianca St-Georges from Chicago Red Stars and Shelina Zadorsky from Tottenham Hotspur.  

Midfielders joining the team are: Marie-Yasmine Alidou D’Anjou from SL Benfica, Jessie Fleming from Chelsea FC, Julia Grosso from Juventus FC, Quinn from OL Reign, and Emma Regan from HB Køge.

The rest of the squad will feature forwards: Jordyn Huitema from OL Reign, Cloé Lacasse from Arsenal FC, Adriana Leon from Manchester United FC, Nichelle Prince from Houston Dash, Deanne Rose from Leicester City FC, Christine Sinclair from Portland Thorns FC, Olivia Smith from Sporting CP, and Evelyne Viens from AS Roma.

BROADCAST INFORMATION   
Both matches will air live and exclusively on OneSoccer, available on the fuboTV Canada platform, as a linear channel on Telus’s Optik TV (Channel 980), as well as online at OneSoccer.ca and through the OneSoccer app, with the Saturday afternoon match starting at 14.30 ET / 11.30 PT and the Tuesday night match starting at 19.30 AT (local) / 18.30 ET / 15.30 PT. Fans will find extended coverage across Canada Soccer’s digital channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube featuring the hashtag #CANWNT