By Canadian Press

Orlando Pride’s Amanda Allen included in Canada U-20 squad for European friendlies

Mar 27, 2024 | 9:25 AM

Orlando Pride forward Amanda Allen, who has already been capped by the Canadian senior side, is among the 24 players summoned by Canadian under-20 coach Cindy Tye for games against the United States and Germany next month.

The internationals, both in Verl, Germany, are preparation for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, which runs Aug. 31 to Sept. 22 in Bogota, Cali and Medellin.

The Canadians will face the U.S. on April 7 at Stadion am Furlbach before taking on Germany on April 9 at Sportclub Arenal Verl.

“This project has a couple of objectives,” Tye said in a statement. “Obviously, it is an important part of our preparations ahead of the World Cup. It also allows us the opportunity to assess new faces in the environment. We are excited to get started and test this group against top competition.”

Allen signed with Orlando in April 2023, becoming the Pride’s youngest-ever signing and debutante, making her first NWSL appearance on May 6 against Racing Louisville at 18 years two months 15 days.

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She came off the bench against Brazil in November 2022 to earn her one senior cap to date.

The 24-player roster features 15 returning players from the 2023 CONCACAF Under-20 Qualifiers, plus seven under-17 players. Charlie Codd and Maya Hindson will represent Canada for the first time.

This camp marks the first time Tye has had her team together since Canada qualified for the FIFA showcase in early June by defeating Costa Rica 5-3 after extra time to finish third at the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship in the Dominican Republic.

Anabelle Chukwu scored twice in extra time to lift the Canadians to victory.

Chukwu and Olivia Smith, who was also at the CONCACAF U-20 tournament, are not in Tye’s squad.

Smith, who plays professionally for Sporting CP in Portugal, has eight caps with the Canadian senior side and is in contention for a spot on Bev Priestman’s Olympic roster.

Chukwu, who turned 17 in February, has yet to win a senior cap but was called into camp as an injury replacement for Canada’s series against Jamaica in September.

Mexico, which scored in the 92nd minute to dispatch the Canadians 2-1 in the semifinal, won the CONCACAF championship with a 2-1 win over the U.S.

This summer’s U-20 Women’s World Cup is the first with an expanded 24-country field.

Canada has been to eight of the previous 10 FIFA U20 World Cups. Its best finish was runner-up in 2022 when it hosted the inaugural tournament, then an under-19 competition.

The Canadian women failed to advance past the group stage last time out in 2022 in Costa Rica, losing to South Korea (2-0), France (3-1) and Nigeria (3-1). Canada failed to qualify for the FIFA tournament in 2010 and 2018.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Sofia Cortes-Browne, National Development Centre Ontario; Faith Fenwick, Gonzaga University (NCAA);   Noelle Henning, National Development Centre Ontario.

Defenders: Mya Archibald, University of Illinois (NCAA); Jadea Collin, National Development Centre Ontario; Clare Logan, Notre Dame (NCAA); Zoe Markesini, Princeton (NCAA); Janet Okeke, North Carolina State (NCAA); Renee Watson, Michigan State (NCAA).

Midfielders: Kayla Briggs, Providence College (NCAA); Jeneva Hernandez Gray, Vancouver Whitecaps FC; Anna Hauer, Memphis University (NCAA); Maya Hindson, Arsenal academy (England); Florianne Jourde, USC (NCAA); Thaea Mouratidis, Providence College (NCAA); Alanna Raimondo, Kent State (NCAA); Sadie Waite, University of Nebraska (NCAA).

Forwards: Amanda Allen, Orlando Pride (NWSL); Audrey Chelsie François, Harvard (NCAA); Charlie Codd, Notre Dame (NCAA); Kaylee Hunter, Vancouver Whitecaps FC; Rosa Maalouf, Ottawa South United; Ella McBride, Providence College (NCAA); Nyah Rose, SMU, (NCAA).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2024.

The Canadian Press