Women stars close out WPS season in USA

Canada’s women’s national team has opened camp in Alliston, ON, but a few key players have stayed back with their clubs to close out the Women’s Professional Soccer season. Christine Sinclair and Candace Chapman of FC Gold Pride as well as Karina LeBlanc of Philadelphia Independence are still in the WPS playoffs. Sinclair and Chapman are already through to the WPS Championship final on Sunday 26 September (14.30 ET / 11.30 PT), but LeBlanc and the Independence still have to get through Thursday’s Super Semifinal to meet FC Gold Pride.



“Of course we will be watching (because) the winner will face us in the WPS Championship,” said Canadian and FC Gold Pride forward Christine Sinclair, who spoke to the media on Thursday before her team’s training session. “All year, (though), we have not worried about who we are facing. We have such a strong team, our goal has been to make our opponents adjust to us.”



Sinclair and Chapman are looking forward to the WPS Championship, but they are also looking forward to joining the team in Toronto next week. Canada faces China PR in one week on Thursday 30 September at BMO Field in Toronto. Tickets to the home Women’s International Friendly match are available via Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.ca / 416.872.5000), the BMO Field box office, and the Ontario Soccer Association (group sales).



The Women’s International Friendly match, presented by Winners, is part of Canada’s preparations for the upcoming CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifier, the main qualification route for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011.



“We are looking forward to playing at home at BMO Field,” said Sinclair. “The fans are always amazing and they have always supported our team. We are excited to show our fans the progress we have made as a team (since last year).”



This 2010 WPS season, Sinclair helped FC Gold Pride go from worst to first in the league standings. Sinclair led the league in assists while new addition Marta led the league in goals and won Most Valuable Player honours.



“The last half of the season, we have really clicked,” said Sinclair. “Not just her and I, but as a team we have such dangerous forwards. They can’t stop us all (and) we have scored a ton of goals.”



Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners and presenting sponsor is Teck, will train in Alliston, ON from 21-28 September. The team arrives in Toronto on 28 September and plays two nights later against China PR at BMO Field. The match will be broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet (19.30 ET / 16.30 PT).