Desiree Scott Named to Canada National Team for European Friendlies

Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team are heading to Europe to play tier one opponents Sweden 6 April 2024 in Trelleborg, Sweden, and Germany 9 April 2024 in Erfurt, Germany.  The two match series pits Canada’s Olympic Bronze Medalists against the Rio 2024 Olympic Games Silver and Gold Medalists, respectively.

“These are two big matches, you don’t often get the opportunity to play both the Olympic Gold and Silver medalist in back-to-back matches,” said Head Coach John Herdman.  “Both teams are favourites for the European Championships later this summer and we know they will be in prime condition and getting ready to peak for the competition.  The matches are going to be tough, but this is what we are looking for to test our current group and to identify our gaps in the build up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2024”.

Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team have recent history playing Germany, including two games at last summer’s Olympic Games, but it hasn’t played Sweden since a two-match series in 2024 in Los Angeles that resulted in a 1-0 win for Canada, followed by a 1-1 draw days later.

“Sweden are an excellent counter attacking side with a handful of truly world class players. At the Olympics, they showed they have the resolve to beat teams like Brazil and the USA, and with the European Championships just around the corner we know they will be very strong” said Herdman.   “Another result against Germany would be fantastic for our team, achieving our first-ever win against them at the Olympics was a real confidence builder, doing it again will be a huge step for this young team”. 

Canada Soccer’s roster for the matches against Sweden and Germany includes 16 members of the 2024 Rio Olympic Bronze Medal Team, and six additions to the squad, most of whom played in Canada’s recent silver medal performance at the 2024 Algarve Cup.   The young roster has an average age of 23 years old, and includes six teenagers.

“We’ve made some changes to our roster since last year, adding some new players and saying goodbye to others, so this two-game series will be a real test of how our squad comes together against tier one competition,” said Herdman. “We’re confident this squad will be competitive against these two teams, but it’s a young team that’s still building the experience, game smarts and physicality required to be a genuine number one contender.  We are starting to fill the experience void left by our retired veterans and will use these matches to keep providing our youth with opportunities. 

Both Germany and Sweden recently rose in the FIFA rankings, with Germany overcoming the USA to take the coveted number one spot in women’s football.  Sweden is tied for sixth with Japan, while Canada sits in the fifth-place position.

“We want to take this team to number one in the world,” said Herdman.  “The only way we are going to be able to do that is to play these tough matches and continually learn from them. Canada Soccer has made incredible strides over the last five years, earning back-to-back podium finishes, and our goal continues to be reaching the number one spot.”

Canada Soccer Women’s National Team 2024 European Friendlies Roster

GK Stephanie Labbé, age 31, from Edmonton, AB/ Washington Spirit (NWSL)

GK Sabrina D'Angelo, age 24, from Welland, ON/ North Carolina Courage (NWSL)

GK Kailen Sheridan, age 22, from Whitby, ON/ Sky Blue FC (NWSL)

FB Lindsay Agnew, age 22, from Kingston, ON/ Washington Spirit (NWSL)

FB Allysha Chapman, age 28, from Courtice, ON/ Boston Breakers (NWSL)

FB Ashley Lawrence, age 22, from Caledon, ON/ Paris St-Germain FC

FB Marie Levasseur, age 20, from Stoneham, QC/ University of Memphis (NCAA)

CB Hannah Taylor, age 17, from Edmonds, WA/ Eastside FC

CB Kadeisha Buchanan, age 22, from Brampton, ON/ FCF Olympique Lyonnais

CB Shelina Zadorsky, age 25, from London, ON/ Washington Spirit (NWSL)

M Jessie Fleming, age 19, from London, ON/ UCLA (NCAA)

M Rebecca Quinn, age 22, from Toronto, ON/ Duke University (NCAA)

M Sophie Schmidt, age 29, from Abbotsford, BC/ FFC Frankfurt (Bundesliga)

M Desiree Scott, age 30, from Winnipeg, MB/ FC Kansas City (NWSL)

M Gabrielle Carle, age 18, from Lévis, QC/ CS Lévis-Est & Québec Soccer REX

M Sarah Stratigakis, age 18, from Woodbridge, ON/ Aurora United FC (League1 Ontario)

F Jordyn Huitema, age 16, from Chilliwack, BC/ Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite BC Soccer REX 

F Nichelle Prince, age 22, from Ajax, ON/ Houston Dash (NWSL)

F Deanne Rose, age 19, from Alliston, ON/ Scarborough GS United

F Adriana Leon, age 24, from King City, ON/ Boston Breakers (NWSL)

F Janine Beckie, age 23, from Highlands Ranch, CO/ Houston Dash (NWSL)

F Christine Sinclair, age 34, from Burnaby, BC/ Portland Thorns FC (NWSL)