Who will lead the CanWNT attack at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup?

The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup is just over a week away from kicking off, and the Canadian Women's National Team have submitted their final 23-player squad ahead of the tournament in Australia / New Zealand.

With the pre-tournament camp in full swing and all the final details nearly ironed out, the attention and focus now turns to CanWNT manager Bev Priestman and, specifically, how she will deploy the many talents and their various skill-sets and profiles – and most importantly, which of the abundance of forward options is best suited to lead the attacking line.

This roster features plenty of seasoned World Cup pros and six new faces making their tournament debut, so now that we know who's in, let's dive into who's most likely to earn a starting role up top, shall we?

Jordyn Huitema (OL Reign)

As many people imagined when she first burst onto the CanWNT scene in 2017, Jordyn Huitema is looking more prepared than ever to play a massive role at this year's World Cup, and finally fulfill her potential as Canada's next great striker.

Coming off Canada Soccer's Player of the Month honors in May, Huitema most recently made her mark in Canada's pre-tournament friendly vs. France, where she was one of the lone bright spots and found the back of the net in an eventual 2-1 defeat. Huitema has also found herself more and more comfortable in NWSL, notching 6 goals in 15 games across all competitions this season for OL Reign to build on the three she scored last season, when she left Paris Saint-Germain to join the Seattle-based outfit midway through their 2022 campaign.

Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns)

The all-time international goal scoring queen is back for her sixth FIFA World Cup, but this could be the first time in a few tournaments where we don't see Christine Sinclair headlining the first team.

At 40-years-old, Sinclair has put in an iconic shift for club and country, and although the veteran is still as clinical and as composed as ever on the ball, her role has evolved in a few ways for Canada and for the Portland Thorns. Whether she's a super-sub or a deeper midfield playmaker, Sinclair has had to adapt as the game evolves around her, too ... but don't rule out the GOAT yet, either. She's as fit as ever (and perhaps fitter than ever, if initial impressions are to believed) and can still be a game-changer.

While we might not see Christine Sinclair start every single game in this World Cup, her experience and leadership will be pivotal in gearing the squad up to face the tough tasks in this tournament, and on the pitch, Sinclair can still find the back of the net as well as drop deep and contribute to the build up. Not a bad weapon to have in your back pocket for Bev.

Cloe Lacasse (Arsenal WFC)

The newly-minted Arsenal striker recently completed her move out of Benfica, a transfer that could prove one of the biggest for Canadians this summer, but before Cloe Lacasse settles into life in England, she'll have a shot at international glory as she looks to continue to raise her stock at this year's FIFA World Cup.

As the aforementioned Christine Sinclair enters the twilight stages of her career, a large mantle will be left behind for the rest of the Canadian attack force to fill, and one of the most fitting at the moment would have to be Lacasse.

Coming off an incredible campaign in both domestic and Champions League play for Benfica where she would tally 33 goal contributions in just 41 total appearances, Lacasse's confidence couldn't be higher at the moment – and that happens to be one of the most valuable qualities in a great attacker. Her progress into the Canada team was slower than she'd like, sure... but the role is up for grabs, and if anyone's going to grab for it, it's her.

Nichelle Prince (Houston Dash)

Making her 2nd appearance at the FIFA World Cup, Nichelle Prince enters this tournament with a better understanding of international play this time around. As such, Prince will definitely get an opportunity to put her talents on display in Australia & New Zealand, bringing speed, tenacity and physicality to the wing.

But could she also find success up top? Bev Priestman will need to be versatile in her own tactics at times, and while Prince isn't traditionally used as an out-and-out striker for Canada, it is a role she has figured into at Houston. Her pace and trickery could be just what's needed to break down some more stubborn backlines, and in a tournament setting, sometimes you'll find a configuration that just works and you go with it. Might this be it?

Evelyne Viens (Kristianstad)

Evelyne Viens has made her mark around the world in recent years, playing club football in three separate countries since 2020 and succeeding at all of them, the adaptability is a great sign from the forward who now will have another new squad to slot into with Canada at the World Cup.

This year Viens has tallied 6 goals in 7 matches on loan at Damallsvenskan (Swedish League) club Kristianstad, the former 5th overall pick in the 2020 NWSL draft could make a return to Gotham FC after a positive showing at the World Cup, where Viens should be able to put her technical and goal scoring abilities on display. Like Lacasse, her time with the national team hasn't been as fruitful as she would have liked, but just like Lacasse, Viens has an opportunity to grab a spot up top with some solid form. Tournaments tend to bring out the best in players you might not expect to thrive, so a forward in a sudden burst of top form could be key here, too.

Adriana Leon (Manchester United)

Featuring in Canada's last two World Cup runs, Adriana Leon knows what to expect coming into a tournament as daunting as this one.

Unfortunately, she's not entering this tournament with the best of club situations, as the Manchester United forward/winger didn't enjoy the best campaign so far for Portland in NWSL, after struggling to even get playing time in England. Still, she brings years of experience as well as belief from her manager that she can still get it done for the team, and that might be all Leon needs to get right back on track at the World Cup.

The one key to her success is that her club form has never hampered her ability to contribute for Canada. Even in the middle of her Manchester United freeze-out, Leon came into camp and scored goals. Priestman and the rest of the Canadians will be counting on that resiliency at the World Cup, too.

Who carries the torch for Canada?

Looking through all of Canada's options it seems that if Bev Priestman indeed moves on from Sinclair as her starting striker, a combo effort from Jordyn Huitema and Cloe Lacasse might be the best way to carry the load.

The pace, power and energy that Huitema provides should open up areas for Cloe Lacasse to do what she does best and did so often for Benfica this past season.

Along with their ability, starting these two up front will likely give Priestman the best chance of pivot to a different set up later in the match, with veteran as well as young energetic options to turn to if things aren't going to plan.