Seasoned squad for Germany friendly
Canada will have its first-choice lineup for coach’s home debut
Kenneth Heiner-Moller makes his home debut as Canadian women’s soccer coach on June 10 against Olympic champion Germany. And the 47-year-old Dane is bringing his big guns to Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Field.
In addition to captain Christine Sinclair and her 267 caps, Heiner-Moller has summoned four others who have a century or more national team appearances: goalkeeper Erin McLeod (116) and midfielders Desiree Scott (133), Sophie Schmidt (169) and Diana Matheson (194).
Defenders Kadeisha Buchanan (76), Ashley Lawrence (61) and Allysha Chapman (51), midfielder Jessie Fleming (52) and goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe (50) all have 50 or more caps.
The new face, at least to the public, is Heiner-Moller, who was an assistant to John Herdman when the Canadian women won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He was elevated to the top job in January when Herdman took charge of the Canadian men’s program.
Heiner-Moller is much more laid-back than Herdman.
“I don’t mind the spotlight but I don’t need it,” he said in an interview.
Teenagers on the 20-woman roster are 17-year-old Julia Grosso, 18-year-old Emma Regan and 19-year-old Deanne Rose. Regan and Gross are both from the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite program. Rose, who has 33 caps, plays for the University of Florida.
The Vancouver-based HeinerMoller elected to leave 17-yearold striker Jordyn Huitema with the under-17 squad, which is preparing for the June 6 resumption of the CONCACAF women’s under-17 championship.
Other than Huitema, HeinerMoller said he got everyone he wanted.
Canada is 1-5-0 all-time against Germany. The lone win came in preliminary play at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Germany is No. 3 in the most recent FIFA rankings and Canada is No. 4. The U.S. ranks No.1, with England second.