PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair and goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc were named to the Canada Women’s National Team roster for the 2013 Torneio Internacional Cidade de São Paolo from Dec. 11-22 in Brasilia, Brazil, it was announced today.
Canada begins the round-robin style tournament against Scotland on Dec. 11 before facing Chile on Dec. 15 and host nation Brazil on Dec. 18. The top two teams in the four-team group will square off for the championship on Dec. 22, while the two teams not qualifying for the final will play in the third-place game.
Canada won the 2010 Torneio Internacional Cidade de São Paolo in its one, and only, previous appearance in the competition. The annual tournament, now in its fifth year, began in 2009. Brazil, ranked No. 4 in the FIFA World Rankings, has won the competition three times.
Sinclair, 30, recently started and played 90 minutes for Canada in a scoreless draw against Mexico on Nov. 24 at BC Place in Vancouver. Sinclair has made nine appearances for Canada during 2013, scoring three goals. The former University of Portland standout registered eight goals and two assists while appearing in 20 of 22 regular-season matches for Thorns FC this year.
LeBlanc, 33, played the second half against Mexico to help Canada record the shutout in its last match. One of the top goalkeepers in the NWSL during the 2013 season, LeBlanc finished with a league-best 11 wins and ranked among league leaders in saves (92) and shutouts (7). The Maple Ridge, B.C., native has made three appearances (2 starts) for Canada this year.
Thirteen of the 20 players named to the roster represent teams in the NWSL.
