Vancouver defender Woeller earns callback as Canada hosts Costa Rica

Vancouver defender Shannon Woeller, summoned by coach John Herdman as an injury replacement in April, has earned a callback for Canada’s games against Costa Rica in Winnipeg and Toronto.

The fifth-ranked Canadians play No. 30 Costa Rica at Investors Group Field on June 8 and Toronto’s BMO Field on June 11.

Woeller is part of a 19-woman roster that closely resembles the group Herdman took to Europe in April when Canada defeated No. 6 Sweden 1-0 and lost 2-1 to top-ranked Germany.

Teenagers Gabrielle Carle, Marie Levasseur, Sarah Stratigakis and Hannah Taylor were in the European squad but are not included for these home matches. Herdman says they will be busy with youth international competition.

There are three teenagers in the squad: 16-year-old Jordyn Huitema of Chilliwack, 18-year-old Deanne Rose and 19-year-old Jessie Fleming.

Captain Christine Sinclair leads a roster whose average age is 23.6.

Prior to winning her 17th cap in a her brief appearance off the bench against Germany, Woeller had not played for Canada since March 2012. But Herdman says he liked what he saw of the 27-year-old centre back, who plays club soccer for FF USV Jena in the German top-flight.

“Shannon’s one of those good stories where we’ve asked her to go and let her career tell the story,” said Herdman. “She was playing in Iceland, Norway, and now she’s broken into the top level of German football and done well there with Jena, getting consistent game time, some good results and has a contract to go back there again.”

Woeller was added to the squad in Germany, partly for convenience given the team was staying in her adopted home. But Herdman says she has earned her way back into the squad.

“It’s a nice story and it’s great to have Shannon back,” he said.