Defender Sydney Collins has made a comeback from injury, and goalkeeper Emily Burns, midfielder Florianne Jourde, and forward Kaylee Hunter have received their first senior call-ups for the upcoming FIFA October international matches for Canada. Coach Casey Stoney has announced a 24-player squad to take on Switzerland on Friday and the Netherlands on October 28.
Collins, who last played for Canada in December 2023 against Australia, has faced injury setbacks recently. After fracturing her ankle in February 2024 and breaking her left leg before the 2024 Olympics, she joined Bay FC in August following a trade from North Carolina.
Burns, who plays for FC Nantes in France, is a top goalkeeper nominee in the French league and has previously played for Dijon, Saint-Etienne, and Calgary’s Foothills FC. Jourde, a 20-year-old Canadian from Montreal, recently signed with Paris Saint-Germain after a collegiate soccer career at USC and with AS Laval. Hunter, a 17-year-old forward from Calgary, has been in stellar form for AFC Toronto in the Northern Super League.
Star forward Olivia Smith, who moved to Arsenal from Liverpool for a record one million pounds, is back after missing the last international matches due to injury. Notably absent this time are goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx, defenders Kadeisha Buchanan and Vanessa Gilles, and midfielder Simi Awujo.
The Canadian team, led by Stoney, is gearing up to face Switzerland and the Netherlands, aiming to maintain their positive record against both teams. With an average squad age of 25.2, the team is looking to bounce back from their recent defeat against the U.S. Stoney emphasized the need for a quick reset and physical preparedness for the upcoming challenges.
Canada has a strong historical record against Switzerland and the Netherlands, and Stoney’s team is determined to continue their winning streak. With a focus on regaining their form and performance level, the Canadian women are looking to build on their recent experiences under Stoney’s leadership.