PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair and goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc were named to the preliminary roster for the Canada Women’s National Team for an upcoming international friendly against Korea Republic on Oct. 30, it was announced today.
The Canada Women’s National Team plays host to Korea Republic on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton; kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. (Pacific).
The match in Edmonton will be Canada’s first women’s fixture at Commonwealth Stadium since a 2005 friendly against Germany. The contest between Canada and Korea Republic will be a precursor to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup as Canada will play the tournament’s opening match in Edmonton.
Canada, which has earned a 4-5-2 overall record during the 2013 calendar year, suffered a 3-1 loss against Korea Republic in January at the Yongchuan Cup International Women’s Football Tournament.
Sinclair, 30, has the third-most international goals in women’s soccer history (145) and helped guide Thorns FC to a win in the inaugural National Women’s Soccer League championship match on Aug. 30, scoring the final goal in a 2-0 win over the Western New York Flash. The former University of Portland standout registered eight goals and two assists while appearing in 20 of 22 regular-season matches for Thorns FC. Sinclair has earned seven caps for the Canada Women’s National Team in 2013, most recently playing 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss against Germany on June 19. Sinclair has logged a career total of 197 international caps
LeBlanc, 33, was one of the top goalkeepers in the NWSL during the 2013 season, finishing with a league-best 11 wins and placing second overall in saves (92) and third in shutouts (7) during the regular season. LeBlanc made seven saves during the NWSL championship to help preserve a shutout in the victory. LeBlanc has made 105 appearances for Canada, including two caps in 2013.
Sinclair and LeBlanc are two of 13 players on the Canada Women’s National Team roster representing the National Women’s Soccer League.
