NWSL allocation, Algarve Cup roster: New Canada coach puts heavy emphasis on offence

It’s been a busy day of announcements regarding the Canadian women’s national team. The roster for the Algarve Cup was unveiled, featuring seven forwards out of the 23 players named. Maybe new coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller has been studying post-Second World War Eastern European tactics and is looking to start at least four strikers, or maybe he’s going to go way out there and show us off Canada’s new-look 1-3-6.

I mean, it’s un-Canadian to have a roster that has only two centre backs, but seven forwards, right?

The tournament begins February 28, with Canada taking on the Swedes, who should provide the toughest opposition. Canada will also play Russia and South Korea.

As well, Canada Soccer announced the names of the 11 players who have been allocated to the NWSL. Through the program, Canada Soccer can allocate up to 16 Canadian-national-team eligible players to the U.S. based top-tier women’s league. Canada Soccer subsidizes the salaries of the selected players.

Canada has not used its full allocation since the 2013 season.

Included in the group of 11 is Rebecca Quinn, who went third overall in the NWSL draft, the highest ever draft selection spent on a Canadian player.

The Algarve Cup and the NWSL allocations are included below.

 ALGARVE CUP ROSTER (Call this Appendix A)

GK Stephanie Labbe, age 31, from Stony Plain, AB
GK Erin McLeod, age 34, from St. Albert, AB/ FC Rosengård (Damallsvenskan)
GK Kailen Sheridan, age 22, from Whitby, ON/Sky Blue FC (NWSL)
FB Lindsay Agnew, age 22, from Kingston, ON/ Houston Dash (NWSL)
FB Allysha Chapman, age 29, from Courtice, ON/ North Carolina Courage (NWSL)
FB Ashley Lawrence, age 22, from Caledon, ON/Paris Saint German (Division 1 Féminine France)
FB Shannon Woeller, age 28, from Vancouver, BC/ FF USV Jena (Frauen-Bundesliga)
CB Shelina Zadorsky, age 25, from London, ON/ Orlando Pride (NWSL)
CB Kadeisha Buchanan, age 22, from Brampton, ON/ Olympique Lyonnais (Division 1 Féminine France)
M/CB Rebecca Quinn, age 22, from Toronto, ON/ Washington Spirit (NWSL)
M  Maegan Kelly, age 25, from Kansas City, MO & Toronto, ON/ FC Kansas City (NWSL)
M Desiree Scott, age 30, from Winnipeg, MB/ Utah Royals FC (NWSL)
M Sophie Schmidt, age 29, from Abbotsford, BC/ FFC Frankfurt (Frauen-Bundesliga)
M Jessie Fleming, age 19, from London, ON/UCLA (NCAA)
M Diana Matheson, age 33, from Oakville, ON/Utah Royals FC (NWSL)
M Julia Grosso, age 17, from Vancouver, BC / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite/ Canada Soccer
Regional EXCEL Super Centre (British Columbia)
F Christine Sinclair, age 34, from Burnaby, BC/ Portland Thorns (NWSL)
F Deanne Rose, age 18, from Alliston, ON/ University of Florida Gators (NCAA)
F Janine Beckie, age 23, from Highlands Ranch, CO/ Sky Blue FC (NWSL)
F Adriana Leon, age 25, from King City, ON/ Sky Blue FC (NWSL)
F Nichelle Prince, age 22, from Ajax, ON/ Houston Dash (NWSL)
F Jordyn Huitema, age 16, from Chilliwack, BC/ Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite/ Canada Soccer
Regional EXCEL Super Centre (British Columbia)
F Jenna Hellstrom,  age 22, from Sudbury, ON/ FC Rosengård (Damallsvenskan)

NWSL ALLOCATIONS (CALL IT APPENDIX B)

FB Allysha Chapman, age 29, from Courtice, ON/ North Carolina Courage
CB Shelina Zadorsky, age 25, from London, ON/ Orlando Pride
M Rebecca Quinn*, age 22, from Toronto, ON/ Washington Spirit
M Desiree Scott, age 30, from Winnipeg, MB/ Utah Royals FC
M Diana Matheson, age 33, from Oakville, ON/Utah Royals FC
F Christine Sinclair, age 34, from Burnaby, BC/ Portland Thorns
F Janine Beckie, age 23, from Highlands Ranch, CO/ Sky Blue FC
F Adriana Leon*, age 25, from King City, ON/ Sky Blue FC
F Nichelle Prince, age 22, from Ajax, ON/ Houston Dash
GK Sabrina D’Angelo, age 24, from Welland, ON/ North Carolina Courage
GK Kailen Sheridan, age 22, from Whitby, ON/Sky Blue FC