Women’s team to sign autographs at Winners College Park store

Fans will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the stars of the Canadian women’s national team on Saturday 23 May at the Winners store at College Park (444 Yonge Street). The team will be in store from 10.00 to 12.00 to sign autographs and meet Canadian soccer fans.



Winners Chief Operating Officer Doug Mizzi will be on hand to welcome the team and to speak to Winners significant involvement in Canadian soccer. Winners, as title sponsor, provides valuable support to the Canadian women’s national team.



Soccer fans visiting the downtown Winners store will get to meet some of the best players in the world, including FIFA World Player of the Year finalist Christine Sinclair. The lineup features many of the stars that helped Canada qualify for it’s first-ever Women’s Olympic Football Tournament berth in 2008.



The first 75 youth to arrive will be presented with an adidas soccer ball. Kids can then get their soccer ball signed by their favourite players. In addition, fans can collect a free team picture card commemorating the team’s visit to Toronto. Each picture card measures 4′ x 6′ and is limited to 250 copies.



Canada is set to begin a new era for women’s soccer in Canada as new head coach Carolina Morace leads her Canadian squad into the first home match of her tenure against the 2008 Olympic champions USA. Canada will take time out from their preparations for their 25 May match against the USA to visit the Winners College Park location.



Canada’s 25 May opponent was originally scheduled to be Japan. Just this week, Japan canceled its North American trip to USA and Canada. The two sides worked quickly to bring USA to Toronto for the 25 May match. USA, reigning Olympic champions, are already scheduled to host Canada on 19 July (Rochester, NY) and 22 July (Charleston, NY).



The 25 May Canada-USA match is presented by Winners. Tickets are still available at $15-$35 each through Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.ca / 416.872.5000). Tickets already in circulation marked Canada-Japan are valid for the Canada-USA match. The match, which kicks off at 19.00 on Monday 25 May at BMO Field, will be shown on all four Sportsnet channels from coast to coast.



Canada, whose title sponsor is Winners and whose presenting sponsor is Teck, has one of the best women’s programs in the world. In 2009, Canada has started its season with two wins, one draw and one loss, finishing second at the 2009 Cyprus Women’s Cup in March. Canada’s all-time home record is 26 wins, 5 draws and 16 losses. Canada currently has a six-game unbeaten record (3-3-0) at home.