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Canada Soccer's 100th June 03, 2012

Association announces All-Time Canada XI – women’s team

Eleven players selected as part of Canadian Soccer Association’s 100th anniversary

The Canadian Soccer Association has unveiled its All-Time Canada XI for both men’s and women’s teams. The two teams of 11 players were selected by fans as part of the Canadian Soccer Association’s centennial celebrations. The All-Time Canada XI women’s team features goalkeeper Erin McLeod, defenders Rhian Wilkinson, Martina Franko, Candace Chapman and Janine Helland, midfielders Geraldine Donnelly, Andrea Neil and Diana Matheson, and forwards Charmaine Hooper, Christine Sinclair and Kara Lang.

The Canadian Soccer Association celebrates its 100th anniversary throughout the 2012 calendar year. While soccer (football) has been played in Canada since 1876, the Canadian Soccer Association (or the Dominion of Canada Football Association as it was known in the day) was inaugurated on 24 May 1912. As part of the centennial celebrations, the Canadian Soccer Association will unveil the “Top-10 Moments” in Canadian soccer history as well as engage soccer fans to select the “All-Time Canada XI” teams for men’s and women’s football. The celebrations will culminate with Canada’s two Centennial Matches – a Women’s International Friendly on 30 May in Moncton and a Men’s International Friendly match on 3 June in Toronto.

Tickets to Canada’s 3 June Centennial home match – as well three FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June, September and October – are available via Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.ca / 1.855.570.7500) with full details at CanadaSoccer.com/seetheerise. Also to celebrate Canada’s 100th anniversary, Canada’s men’s and women’s national teams will wear a special blue Centennial Kit tailored by Umbro. The kit will be worn exclusively by the men on 3 June and by the women for a second Centennial match on 30 June at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, UT, USA. Limited quantities of Canada’s Centennial clothing line – including jersey, anthem jacket and cap – are available exclusively at CanadaSoccer.com.

 

All-Time Canada XI

Men’s XI | Women’s XI

Erin McLeod

Goalkeeper | Edmonton & Calgary, AB

Erin McLeod has represented Canada at three FIFA Women’s World Cups, including a fourth-place finish at USA 2003. She has also represented Canada at one Women’s Olympic Tournament. She is a two-time runner-up in voting for Canadian Player of the Year honours. In 2002, she won a silver medal at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2002.

Rhian Wilkinson

Full Back | Baie d’Urfé, QC

CONCACAF champion Rhian Wilkinson has represented Canada at three FIFA Women’s World Cups, including a fourth-place finish at USA 2003. She has also participated in one Women’s Olympic Tournament and won gold, silver and bronze medals at the Pan American Games. In 2011, she became the eighth women’s footballer to make 100 appearances for Canada.

Martina Franko

Centre Back | Squamish, BC

Martina Franko represented Canada at one FIFA Women’s World Cup (China 2007) and one Women’s Olympic Football Tournament (Beijing 2008). Starting with her debut in 2005, she made a career-high 41 consecutive appearances for Canada. At the international level, she also won two CONCACAF silver medals.

Candace Chapman

Centre Back | Ajax, ON

CONCACAF champion Candace Chapman has represented Canada at two FIFA Women’s World Cups and one Women’s Olympic Tournament. She has also won a gold medal at the Pan American Games and a silver medal at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. At the professional level, she won-back-back Women’s Professional Soccer titles in 2010 and 2011.

Janine Helland (née Wood)

Defender | Edmonton, AB

Janine Helland represented Canada at two FIFA Women’s World Cups, including Canada’s first participation at Sweden 1995. A two-time runner-up for Canadian Player of the Year honours, she won silver medals at two CONCACAF tournaments. From 1995 to 1998, she played in 17 consecutive Canada matches.

Geraldine Donnelly

Midfielder | Port Moody, BC

CONCACAF champion Geraldine Donnelly was an original member on Canada’s national team, also scoring the program’s first two goals on 9 July 1986. She left international football as Canada’s all-time leader with 71 appearances, including participation in two FIFA Women’s World Cups. In 1998, she helped Canada win the CONCACAF Women’s Championship.

Andrea Neil

Midfielder | Vancouver, BC

Andrea Neil was the first Canadian to feature in four FIFA Women’s World Cups, with the highlight a fourth-place finish at USA 2003. Over an 18-year career, she set a national record by making 132 international appearances. She also won four CONCACAF silver medals. In 2012, she became an honoured member of The Soccer Hall of Fame.

Diana Matheson

Midfielder | Oakville, ON

CONCACAF champion Diana Matheson has represented Canada at three FIFA Women’s World Cups, including a fourth-place finish at USA 2003. She set a national record in 2006 after making 45 consecutive appearances for Canada. She has participated in one Women’s Olympic Tournament and won a gold medal at the Pan American Games.

Charmaine Hooper

Forward | Ottawa, ON

CONCACAF champion Charmaine Hooper represented Canada at three FIFA Women’s World Cups. An original member of Canada’s national team in 1986, she went on to set national records with 129 appearances and 71 goals. At USA 2003, she was a FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament all-star. In 2012, she became an honoured member of The Soccer Hall of Fame.

Christine Sinclair

Forward | Burnaby, BC

CONCACAF champion Christine Sinclair is a seven-time Canadian Player of the Year. She also Canada’s all-time leader in appearances and goals scored. She has participated in three FIFA Women’s World Cups and one Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. She has also won back-to-back Women’s Professional Soccer titles, winning championship MVP honours in 2011.

Kara Lang

Midfielder | Oakville, ON

CONCACAF champion Kara Lang represented Canada at two FIFA Women’s World Cups, including a fourth-place finish at USA 2003. She led Canada in minutes played in her first two seasons and also co-led Canada with 11 goals scored in 2003. In 92 appearances for her country, she scored 34 career goals. She also won a silver medal at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

 

More Canadian Soccer History

Men’s football : 1876-1912 | 1912-1945 | 1946-1954 | 1955-1958 | 1959-1970 | 1971-1974 | 1975-1978 | 1979-1982 | 1983-1986 | 1987-1990 | 1991-1994 | 1995-1998 | 1999-2002 | 2003-2006 | 2007-2010 | 2011-2014
Women’s football : 1982-1992 | 1993-1996 | 1997-2000 | 2001-2004 | 2005-2008 | 2009-2012