Matheson and McLeod back for Algarve Cup

Veteran soccer stars Diana Matheson and Erin McLeod will return to the Canadian lineup for the Algarve Cup later this month.

Neither player was summoned for last month’s camp in Spain and friendly win over Norway as a precaution. While both have suffered long-term knee injuries, Matheson had been sidelined by a toe issue while McLeod was dealing with a foot problem.

Matheson, a 34-year-old midfielder from Oakville, Ont., has 201 caps for Canada. The 35-year-old McLeod, a goalkeeper from St. Albert, Alta., has 116 caps.

McLeod last played for Canada at the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament last October. McLeod’s last outing was at the 2018 Algarve Cup.

“The return of Matheson and McLeod is great for the team both on and off the pitch,” coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller said. “Both veterans are important people within our team and important players with tremendous experience on the international stage.”

Christine Sinclair captains the team. The 35-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., who has 275 caps, is just six goals off retired American Abby Wambach’s world record of 184.

Eight members of the 23-woman roster play club soccer in Europe.

Canada, ranked fifth in the world, will open its Algarve Cup campaign against No. 22 Iceland on Feb. 27 before playing No. 20 Scotland on March 1. It will wrap up play with a ranking match March 6.

The Portugal event represents Canada’s final tournament in advance of the Women’s World Cup, which starts in June.

Canada’s Algarve Cup roster has an average age of 25.5. There are five players with more than 100 international appearances: Sinclair (275), Matheson (201), Sophie Schmidt (177), Desiree Scott (136) and McLeod (116). Teenagers Julia Grosso, Jordyn Huitema and Deanne Rose are also on the roster.

Canada finished fifth at last year’s tournament.