Nike Cup Squad Released

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – The Canadian Soccer Association today announced the list of players who will represent Canada at the Nike Cup tournament in Portland, Oregon on May 5 and 7. The competition will be Canada’s second under the leadership of head coach Even Pellerud following their fifth-place finish at the Algarve Cup in March.

The two-game tournament will see the Canadians face Korea on May 5 while the host Americans will play Mexico. The winners will face-off in the final on May 7 while the losers will play for third-place. Canada has never faced Korea in international competition before.

Canada’s roster features 13 players from the Algarve Cup squad, which finished the tournament on a high note with back-to-back wins over Finland and Denmark. The competition will see the return to action of veteran national team member Silvana Burtini (who is second all-time on Canada’s scoring list with 30 goals in 44 appearances). Burtini has not played for Canada since last summer’s World Cup after missing the Algarve Cup due to injury. The roster also features two newcomers in Kelly Haxton and Christine Latham, both from Calgary.

“It’s still a squad influenced by my need to test and evaluate the players,” said Pellerud. “I am keeping some experienced players to balance the squad. I’ve taken some players who made their debut at the Algarve Cup to get another look. In this group we have taken many young strikers and of course we’re happy to have Burtini back. The team is dominated by young, fast players, especially at the striker position.”

Nike Cup Schedule
May 5t
Canada vs Korea t6:00 p.m. PAC (Civic Stadium, Portland)
USA vs Mexico tt8:30 p.m. PAC (Civic Stadium, Portland)
May 7t
Winners vs Winnerst11:30 a.m. PAC (Civic Stadium, Portland)
Losers vs Loserst2:00 p.m. PAC (Civic Stadium, Portland)

CANADIAN WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM FOR NIKE CUP 2000
For more info see Player Pool under National Teams

Nicole WrighttGK
Karina LeBlanctGK
Randee HermustD
Cindy WalshtD
Katie LeetD
Sharolta NonentD
Andrea NeiltM
Amy WalshtM
Breanna BoydtM
Isabelle HarveytF
Kristina KisstF
Christine SinclairtF
Isabelle MorneautD
Marie-Claude DiontD
Silvana BurtinitF
Tanya FrancktD
Kelly HaxtontF
Christine LathamtF


For more information please contact:
Morgan Quarry (613) 237-7678 ext.: 230 or media@soccercan.ca

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