Here's who I have making the cut:
At #1 in goal for Canada, Stephanie Labbe.
After Erin McLeod's injury in 2016, Labbe was tasked with filling some pretty big shoes, but lived up to the task, helping Canada earn their second consecutive bronze medal. Since then, she's kept the starting spot and hasn't looked back. In 2019, Labbe became an NWSL Champion helping backstop the North Carolina Courage to yet another championship. At the Olympic Qualifying Tournament earlier this year, Labbe earned the Golden Glove Award for being the best goalkeeper at the tournament.
The #2 spot goes to the only natural left-back on the team, Allysha Chapman. Chapman was a late bloomer earning her first cap for Canada in 2014 at the age of 25. For the past five years, she has been Canada's starting left-back. With the Tokyo Olympics likely being her last tournament, it would be a surprise to not see Chapman on the team.
The heart of Canada's backline is #3 center-back, Kadeisha Buchanan. Not only is she Canada's best defender, but she is also one of Canada's best players. Ever since she graduated from West Virginia , she has been honing her skills at arguably the best club in the world, Lyon. At the age of 24, she has already won three Champions League titles. Getting minutes at a club like Lyon is difficult, but she still gets to train with world class players day in and day out.
Coming in at #4 is center-back Shelina Zadorsky. Zadorsky has formed a great center-back pairing with Buchanan since the 2016 Rio Olympics. Often viewed as the "weak link" of the backline, Zadorsky has greatly improved for both club and country over the past few of years. While she may not be as good of a 1v1 defender like Buchanan, she makes up for it with her vocal presence on the pitch.
One of the most versatile players on the team is #5 Rebecca Quinn who can play as either a midfielder or center back. With over 50 caps to her name, she is a reliable substitute off the bench. In Rio, she came up big for Canada having to fill in for both Buchanan and Zadorsky on the backline.
Forward Adriana Leon checks in at #6. After making the 2015 World Cup team, Leon did not receive another call-up until 2017. That year she went on to have her best year as a professional, scoring 6 goals for the now defunct Boston Breakers and tallying another 6 assists. In 2018, she was a runner-up for the Concacaf Women's Championship golden boot, scoring 6 goals to help Canada qualify for 2019 World Cup. Leon is a player who can change the dynamic of a game by providing a spark off the bench.
One of Canada's youngest players is #7 Julia Grosso. At just 19 years of age, she has already earned 20 caps for #CanWNT. In 2019, she became an All-American after scoring 8 goals and tallying another 8 assists for Texas in a shortened college season due to national team duties. Despite her young age, she has already shown that she can serve as a valuable substitute in midfield.
The hero of the 2012 Olympics gets #8. Although missing the 2019 Word Cup and 2020 Olympic Qualifiers due to injury, Matheson made her return to the team in March playing in all 3 games at the Tournoi de France and scoring a crucial goal against Brazil that sparked a comeback after being down by 2 goals. Her presence in midfield has been greatly missed and if Canada hopes to make the podium in Tokyo, her veteran leadership should be on the team.
Instead of potentially going on to win an NCAA Championship with Stanford, #9 Jordyn Huitema decided to go pro and signed a 4 year contract with PSG. The young forward helped Canada clinch their ticket to Tokyo by scoring the lone goal against Mexico in the semi-final match at the 2020 Olympic Qualfiers. With 7 goals in the tournament, she went on to claim Golden Boot honors. Recently, Canada has struggled to score goals. Hopefully Huitema can change that as she earns more playing minutes.
The reigning Canadian Female Soccer Player of the Year makes the team at #10. Ashley Lawrence is by far Canada's best player at the moment. She is extremely versatile being able to fill in at right back, left back, and in midfield. No Starting XI for Canada is complete without her.
"The Destroyer" keeps #11. Desi Scott has earned this nickname for breaking up plays and doing the clean-up work as a defensive midfielder for Canada for the past decade. While she doesn't always get the recognition for her excellent play, it does not go unnoticed by true Canadian fans.
No one has scored more goals than #12 Christine Sinclair. At the 2020 Olympic Qualifiers, she passed Abby Wambach after scoring goal #185. While she is set to turn 37 this June, she has proven that age is just a number.
Another veteran checks in at #13. Sophie Schmidt has been part of Canada's midfield since 2005 and amassed almost 200 caps. While she has been said to be inconsistent as of late, Sophie always shows up when she needs to.
Before having an amazing 2019, it was hard to see #14, Jayde Riviere making the World Cup, let alone the Olympics. However, she has proven against top opposition multiple times that deserves not only a spot on the team, but she also deserves consideration for a starting spot. She still has a ways to go, but has definitely opened some eyes along the way.
One of Canada's best players at the 2019 World Cup was #15, Nichelle Prince. Unfortunately, she got injured during the tournament and went on to miss the remaining NWSL season. In 2020, she made her return to the team. Although the forward pool has tough competition, Prince should definitely be a part of it given her speed and technical skills.
While many Canadian fans blamed #16 Janine Beckie for a disappointing exit from the 2019 World Cup, Beckie finished 2019 strong for both club and country. For Man City, she took on an unexpected role as right back and actually excelled at it. At the moment, she hasn't played outside back for Canada, but it's great knowing that it's an option now.
Already a veteran at the age of 22, #17 Jessie Fleming has been touted as one of the best young players in the world. She has already represented Canada in two World Cups and one Olympic Games. While her pro destination is uncertain at the moment, it is certain that Fleming's future is bright.
In 2019, #18 Sheridan was one of the best goal keepers in the NWSL, leading the league in saves after missing playing time due to the World Cup. Over the years, she has continued to improve , earning her the back up spot to Labbe.
Along with the 18 players that I named to the roster, there are 4 alternates that also get to go to Tokyo in case of injury.
The four alternates I would choose are: GK Sabrina D'Angelo, CB Vanessa Gilles, F/MF Deanne Rose, and F Evelyne Viens.
Making the case for each of them:
1. GK Sabrina D'Angelo- She's currently the third-string keeper and in the worst case scenario, I believe she could hold her own. D' Angelo is an experienced keeper who is currently in her 6th season of playing as a professional. In 2016, she was named the NWSL Final MVP after saving multiple penalties in the penalty shootout against the Washington Spirit. Currently, she plays for Swedish club Vittsjo and last season they finished in the top 4 in their league.
2. CB Vanessa Gilles-After being called up in early 2019, Gilles did not earn her first cap until the fall. Most recently in March, she earned her first start for Canada in the Tournoi de France against Netherlands. She looked strong in her first showing for Canada and almost scored her first international goal, but the nerves got to her. Despite not scoring, she's a solid option on the backline and will soon become a regular on the team.
3. F/MF-Deanne Rose- In Rio, Deanne Rose was listed as a midfielder, but since then her role on the team has been as a forward. Under John Herdman, she earned over 40 caps and really seemed to shine. However, after an injury and coaching change, Rose has not looked the same. In the 2020 Olympic Qualifiers, she showed signs of her old self. While I did not name her to my 18, I believe she is worthy of an alternate role.
4. F Evelyne Viens- This pick might seem unrealistic given the fact that Viens has never been called into a Canadian camp, but I believe that her time is coming. After having had a successful college career at USF, scoring 73 goals in 77 games, she was drafted to Sky Blue at 5th overall in this year's draft. While she has yet to debut for Sky Blue due to the Coronavirus, fellow Canadian and Sky Blue teammate Kailen Sheridan believes that Viens will do well in the NWSL eventually earning a call up to Canada's Senior team.
Honorable mentions: F/M/LB Gabby Carle and F/OB Jenna Hellstrom.
