Beckie’s move from American program to Canadian program highlights U-20 roster

Janine Beckie

Over the past two NCAA seasons, Janine Beckie has scored at a torrid pace for Texas Tech. Now, her addition to the Canadian team ahead of the U-20 Women’s World Cup provides coach Andrew Olivieri with an interesting trump card.

Beckie’s name was on the team roster for the U-20 Women’s World Cup, which was announced Wednesday morning. And Beckie, a former member of the American youth program who joined the Canadian system earlier this year, was on it. And, yes, before you even need to ask — she is the sister of defender Drew Beckie, the current Ottawa Fury member who played with Canada’s U-23s in qualifying games for the 2012 World Cup.

In fact, U-20 Women’s Team coach Andrew Olivieri said that Drew’s input was key in helping his sister decide to play for Canada.

Both Drew and Janine have Saskatchewan roots, but their family moved to Colorado when they were young.

But, with Nichelle Prince scoring 12 goals in 19 games for Ohio State, and Beckie scoring 26 times in 45 career games for Texas Tech, the side has some interesting offensive options. I spoke with Olivieri about Beckie’s move from the U.S. program to the Canadian program, part of the U-20 Women’s World Cup preview you can find in the new issue of Inside Soccer.

CANADA 1- GK – Kailen Sheridan | USA / Clemson University

2- D – Sura Yekka | CAN / Brams United

3- D – Kinley McNicoll | USA / University of Wisconsin

4- D – Kylie Davis | CAN / Comètes de Laval

5- D – Kadeisha Buchanan | CAN / Ottawa Fury FC

6- D – Rebecca Quinn | USA / Duke University

7- M – Ashley Campbell | CAN / Toronto Lady Lynx

8- M – Jessie Fleming | CAN / London NorWest SC

9- F – Nichelle Prince | CAN / Toronto Lady Lynx

10- M -Ashley Lawrence | CAN / Ottawa Fury FC

11- F – Janine Beckie | USA / Texas Tech University

12- D – Victoria Pickett | CAN / Glen Shields

13- D – Lindsay Agnew | USA / The Ohio State University

14- M – Vanessa Grégoire | CAN / Comètes de Laval

15- D – Jordane Carvery | CAN / Glen Shields

16- M – Sarah Kinzner | CAN / Calgary Foothills

17- F – Amandine Pierre-Louis | CAN / Comètes de Laval

18- GK – Marie-Joëlle Vandal | CAN / Dynamo de Québec

19- F – Valérie Sanderson | CAN / Comètes de Laval

20- M – Emma Fletcher | USA / Louisiana State University

21- GK – Rylee Foster | CAN / Woodbridge SC