TORONTO — Christine Sinclair leads a squad infused with youth for a pair of women's soccer friendlies against Brazil as Canada gears up for the Rio Olympics in August.
The Canadian captain is one of five players over 30 on the 20-woman squad, which looks to be the template coach John Herdman will work on in choosing his Olympic roster. The others are defenders Rhian Wilkinson and Josee Belanger, midfielder Diana Matheson, and forward Melissa Tancredi.
There are 11 players 23 and younger including teenagers Jessie Fleming (18), Deanne Rose (17), and Gabrielle Carle (17).
The average age of the team is 25.2.
Canada, ranked 10th in the world, hosts No. 8 Brazil at Toronto's BMO Field on Saturday and Ottawa's TD Place on June 7.
"Playing against Brazil is a true Tier 1 test," Herdman said in a statement. "Their attacking style and prowess is something we are going to have to be able to cope with defensively, but at the same time, as a group we have to find a way to win against a team that will be one of the favourites to medal in Brazil this summer."
Canada's all-time record against the South Americans is 5-6-5 since 1996. The Canadians won the last meeting, 2-1 in the Algarve Cup final in Portugal in March.
Brazil won three of the previous four, with one scorelesss tie. Three of those contests were in Brazil.
Sinclair will be adding to her Canadian-record 241 caps and 162 goals. The 32-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., trails American world record-holder Abby Wambach by 22 goals.
Fifteen other members of the squad have scored in Canadian senior colours, with 104 goals between them
Stephanie Labbe, the 29-year-old from Edmonton who has taken over from the injured Erin McLeod as No. 1 goalkeeper, has 13 clean sheets.
Canada Roster
Goalkeepers: Stephanie Labbe, Edmonton, Washington Spirit (NWSL); Sabrina D'Angelo, Welland, Ont., Western New York Flash (NWSL); Kailen Sheridan, Whitby, Ont., Clemson University.
Defenders: Kadeisha Buchanan, Brampton, Ont., West Virginia University; Rebecca Quinn, Toronto, Duke University; Shelina Zadorsky, London, Ont.; Washington Spirit (NWSL); Josee Belanger, Coaticook, Que., Orlando Pride (NWSL); Allysha Chapman, Courtice, Ont., Houston Dash (NWSL); Rhian Wilkinson, Baie-d'Urfe, Que., unattached.
Midfielders: Jessie Fleming, London, Ont., London NorWest Optimist SC; Ashley Lawrence, Caledon, Ont.; West Virginia University; Diana Matheson, Oakville, Ont., Washington Spirit (NWSL); Deanne Rose, Alliston, Ont.; Scarborough GS United; Sophie Schmidt, Abbotsford, B.C., FFC Frankfurt (Germany); Desiree Scott, Winnipeg, FC Kansas City (NWSL).
Forwards: - Janine Beckie, Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Houston Dash (NWSL); Gabrielle Carle, Levis, Que, Dynamo Quebec; Nichelle Prince, Ajax, Ont., Ohio State University; Christine Sinclair (capt.), Burnaby, B.C., Portland Thorns FC (NWSL); Melissa Tancredi, Ancaster, Ont., KIF Orebro (Sweden).
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