MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Jordyn Huitema Called up Again to Canada Women's National Team

Published on March 30, 2017 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


Canada Soccer announced on Wednesday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite BC Soccer REX striker Jordyn Huitema has been called up to the women's national team for two upcoming friendlies in Europe. Canada will play Sweden on April 6, 2017 in Trelleborg, Sweden, and Germany on April 9, 2017 in Erfurt, Germany.

"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."

Huitema, 15, rejoins the women's national team after making her debut earlier this month in the 2017 Algarve Cup final against Spain. The native of Chilliwack, BC earned a start and played 41 minutes.

The two match series pits Canada's Olympic Bronze Medalists against the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Silver and Gold Medalists, respectively.

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 2014 in Los Angeles that resulted in a 1-0 win for Canada, followed by a 1-1 draw days later.

"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 2019".

"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 2016 Rio Olympic Bronze Medal Team, and six additions to the squad, most of whom played in Canada's recent silver medal performance at the 2017 Algarve Cup. The young roster has an average age of 22.4 years old, and includes seven teenagers.

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 2017 European Friendlies Roster

GK Stephanie Labbé, age 30, from Edmonton, AB/ Washington Spirit (NWSL)

GK Sabrina D'Angelo, age 23, from Welland, ON/ North Carolina Courage (NWSL)

GK Kailen Sheridan, age 21, from Whitby, ON/ Sky Blue FC (NWSL)

FB Lindsay Agnew, age 21, from Kingston, ON/ Washington Spirit (NWSL)

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

FB Ashley Lawrence, age 21, from Caledon, ON/ Paris St-Germain FC

FB Marie Levasseur, age 19, from Stoneham, QC/ University of Memphis (NCAA)

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

CB Kadeisha Buchanan, age 21, from Brampton, ON/ FCF Olympique Lyonnais

CB Shelina Zadorsky, age 24, from London, ON/ Washington Spirit (NWSL)

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

M Rebecca Quinn, age 21, from Toronto, ON/ Duke University (NCAA)

M Sophie Schmidt, age 28, from Abbotsford, BC/ FFC Frankfurt (Bundesliga)

M Desiree Scott, age 29, 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 15, 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 18, from Alliston, ON/ Scarborough GS United

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

F Janine Beckie, age 22, from Highlands Ranch, CO/ Houston Dash (NWSL)

F Christine Sinclair, age 33, from Burnaby, BC/ Portland Thorns FC (NWSL)

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