.svg){kind=icon}
#CANWNT
Canada Soccer have officially recognised four accomplished Women’s National Teams captained by Christine Sinclair as Canada Soccer Teams of Distinction. These four teams all won either a Concacaf confederation title or an Olympic medal at the international “A” level, from the Concacaf Championship in 2010 to the Olympic Gold Medal at Tokyo in 2021.
The Canada Soccer Team of Distinction award recognises Canadian soccer teams that accomplish a first or significant feat in our sport. The award recognises adult teams at the international, major amateur, or professional level. Along with these four teams, there are now 18 Teams of Distinction recognised by Canada Soccer and the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame.
While the typical waiting period for a Team of Distinction is 10 or more years after the accomplishment, all four teams will be specially recognised in 2023 in celebration of Christine Sinclair’s remarkable international career.
Sinclair captained Canada to their second Concacaf Women’s Championship in 2010 with a perfect record of five wins and no goals conceded in Cancún, Mexico. She scored the championship-winning goal from the penalty spot on the last day of the competition, a 1-0 win over hosts Mexico. Across the tournament, they beat Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Mexico in the group phase, beat Costa Rica in the Semifinals to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, and then beat Mexico again in the Final.
Sinclair then captained Canada to a historic Bronze Medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the nation’s first team-sport Medal at the Summer Olympic Games since 1936. Sinclair was the tournament’s top scorer with six goals and she ignited the nation with her hat trick in the Semifinals against the United States. Canada sealed their place in history with a 1-0 win over France on the final day of the competition.
Four years later, Sinclair captain Canada to another Bronze Medal, this time the nation’s first back-to-back team-sport Medals at the Summer Olympic Games in more than 100 years. Sinclair co-led Canada with three goals, including the medal-winning goal in the 2-1 win over the hosts Brazil on the final day of the competition. Across that tournament, Canada won five of their six matches and notably beat confederation champions Australia, Germany and Brazil.
Finally in 2021 at Tokyo, Sinclair captain Canada to an Olympic Gold Medal when they beat Sweden on kicks from the penalty mark. It was Canada Soccer’s first title in a world tournament. Sinclair scored Canada’s first goal of the tournament in a draw with Japan, helped Canada beat the Americans in a memorable Semifinals match, and then drew the penalty which led to Canada’s 1-1 equaliser against Sweden in the Gold Medal Final.
Canada Soccer Teams of Distinction – Women’s National Teams to be recognised in 2023
2010 CONCACAF : Josée Bélanger, Candace Chapman, Jonelle Filigno, Robyn Gayle, Christina Julien, Kaylyn Kyle, Stephanie Labbé, Kara Lang, Karina LeBlanc, Diana Matheson, Brooke McCalla, Carmelina Moscato, Marie-Eve Nault, Sophie Schmidt, Desiree Scott, Christine Sinclair, Chelsea Stewart, Melissa Tancredi, Rhian Wilkinson, Emily Zurrer. Head coach / entraîneur : Carolina Morace.
LONDON 2012 LONDRES : Melanie Booth, Candace Chapman, Jonelle Filigno, Robyn Gayle, Christina Julien, Kaylyn Kyle, Karina LeBlanc, Diana Matheson, Erin McLeod, Carmelina Moscato, Marie-Eve Nault, Kelly Parker, Sophie Schmidt, Desiree Scott, Lauren Sesselmann, Christine Sinclair, Chelsea Stewart, Melissa Tancredi, Brittany Timko Baxter, Rhian Wilkinson, Emily Zurrer. Head coach / entraîneur : John Herdman.
RIO 2016 : Janine Beckie, Josée Bélanger, Kadeisha Buchanan, Gabrielle Carle, Allysha Chapman, Sabrina D’Angelo, Jessie Fleming, Stephanie Labbé, Ashley Lawrence, Diana Matheson, Marie-Eve Nault, Nichelle Prince, Quinn, Deanne Rose, Sophie Schmidt, Desiree Scott, Kailen Sheridan, Christine Sinclair, Melissa Tancredi, Rhian Wilkinson, Shelina Zadorsky. Head coach / entraîneur : John Herdman.
TOKYO 2020 : Janine Beckie, Kadeisha Buchanan, Gabrielle Carle, Allysha Chapman, Jessie Fleming, Vanessa Gilles, Julia Grosso, Jordyn Huitema, Stephanie Labbé, Ashley Lawrence, Adriana Leon, Erin McLeod, Nichelle Prince, Quinn, Jayde Riviere, Deanne Rose, Sophie Schmidt, Desiree Scott, Kailen Sheridan, Christine Sinclair, Evelyne Viens, Shelina Zadorsky. Head coach / entraîneur : Bev Priestman.
Canada Soccer Teams of Distinction – Honour Roll (by year of accomplishment)
1888 ALL CANADA – Canadian touring team to the United Kingdom
1904 CANADA / Galt FC – Gold Medal champions at the St. Louis 1904 Olympic Games
1907 Calgary Callies FC – The People’s Shield champions in 1907
1924 ALL CANADA – Canadian touring team to Australia
1928 Westminster Royals FC – Dominion of Canada Football Championship winners
1933 Toronto Scottish FC – Dominion of Canada Football Championship winners
1976 Toronto Metros-Croatia – North American Soccer League winners
1979 Vancouver Whitecaps FC – North American Soccer League winners
1984 CANADA MNT – Quarterfinalists at the Los Angeles 1984 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament
1986 CANADA MNT – First Canada team at the men’s FIFA World Cup at Mexico 1986
1989 CANADA MNT – Gold Medal winners at the Jeux de la Francophonie 1989
1995 CANADA WNT – First Canada team at the women’s FIFA World Cup at Sweden 1995
1998 CANADA WNT – Confederation champions at the 1998 Concacaf Women’s Championship
2000 CANADA MNT – Confederation champions at the men’s 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup
2010 CANADA WNT – Confederation champions at the 2010 Concacaf Women’s Championship
2012 CANADA WNT – Bronze Medal winners at the London 2012 Olympic Games
2016 CANADA WNT – Bronze Medal winners at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
2021 CANADA WNT – Gold Medal winners at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021
Share Article