By Canadian Press

Canada coach Bev Priestman calls up three youngsters for Brazil women’s friendlies

Oct 31, 2022 | 10:13 AM

Canada coach Bev Priestman has called up three members of the Canadian under-17 team to join her squad for a two-game series in Brazil in the November international window.

It’s the first senior invites for fullback Ella Ottey and forwards Amanda Allen and Annabelle Chukwu. All three were among Canada’s top performers at the recent FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India, where the young Canadians failed to make the knockout round after going 0-1-2 in pool play.

The seventh-ranked Canadian women, who are building towards next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, are riding a four-game win streak ahead of the friendlies against No. 9 Brazil on Nov. 11 in Santos and Nov. 15 in Sao Paulo. 

“The group is excited to get back together again for one last push of 2022 against a top team,” Priestman said in a statement. “With some of the roster realities it provides us with an opportunity to invite and assess some young talent who recently represented Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. 2022 has really given me the opportunity to develop squad depth for 2023 and 2024, which is fantastic and exactly what we know helps teams be successful in tournament football.”

Captain Christine Sinclair and fullback Ashley Lawrence return after missing the last Canada camp in October.

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The 39-year-old Sinclair led the Portland Thorns to the NSWL title on Saturday in a 2-0 win over fellow Canadian Desiree Scott and the Kansas City Current.

Sinclair and Scott are two of the eight NWSL players in the 25-player Canadian squad.

Unavailable for the November camp are Janine Beckie (Portland), Vanessa Gilles (Olympique Lyonnais, France), Deanne Rose (Reading, England), Allysha Chapman (Houston Dash), Simi Awujo and Zoe Burns (USC) and Jayde Riviere (University of Michigan). 

Both Canada and Brazil have qualified for next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Canada has an 8-9-9 record against Brazil since they first met in 1996.

The most recent meeting was at the Tokyo Olympics where the Canadians prevailed 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the quarterfinal game finished knotted at 0-0. Canada also downed Brazil 2-1 in the bronze-medal game at the 2016 Rio Olympics

The Canadian women are 10-2-3 this year and have won four straight since losing 1-0 to the U.S. in the final of the CONCACAF W Championship in Mexico in July.

Canada defeated Australia 1-0 and 2-1 in September in Brisbane and Sydney, respectively. Last month, it beat Argentina 2-0 and Morocco 4-0, with both games in Spain.

CANADA 

Goalkeepers: Sabrina D’Angelo, Vittsjo GIK (Sweden); Lysianne Proulx, SCU Torreense (Portugal); Kailen Sheridan, San Diego Wave (NWSL).

Defenders: Kadeisha Buchanan, Chelsea (England); Gabrielle Carle, Kristianstads DFF (Sweden); Ashley Lawrence, Paris Saint-Germain (France); Marie Levasseur, Fleury FC (France); Ella Ottey, National Development Centre Ontario; Bianca St-Georges, Chicago Red Stars (NWSL); Sura Yekka, Le Havre AC (France); Shelina Zadorsky, Tottenham (England).

Midfielders: Jessie Fleming, Chelsea (England); Julia Grosso, Juventus (Italy); Quinn, OL Reign (NWSL); Sophie Schmidt, Houston Dash (NWSL); Desiree Scott, Kansas City Current (NWSL); Christine Sinclair (capt.), Portland Thorns (NWLS).

Forwards: Amanda Allen, National Development Centre Ontario; Annabelle Chukwu, National Development Centre Ontario; Jordyn Huitema, OL Reign (NWSL); Cloe Lacasse, SL Benfica (Portugal); Clarissa Larisey, Glasgow Celtic (Scotland); Adriana Leon, Manchester United (England); Nichelle Prince, Houston Dash (NWSL); Evelyne Viens, Kristianstads DFF (Sweden).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2022.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press