W-League Feature
Friday, August 10, 2012
TAMPA, Fla. - The 2012 FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup kicks off on Sunday, August 19 in Japan, and both the U.S. and Canadian teams will feature a large contingent of current and former W-League standouts. Each of the final 21 on Canada’s roster sharpened their game in the W-League, while seven of the U.S. team members have W-League history.
Canadian-based W-League teams have long served as a feeder ground for the country’s national teams, and 2012 is no exception with W-League talent comprising the majority of the Bronze Medal-winning Olympic squad and the entire U20 team hoping to turn in a similar performance in Japan.
Canada is drawn into Group C with Argentina, North Korea and Norway and opens on August 20 against the Argentines in Kobe. The U.S. is in Group D with defending champions Germany, China and Ghana, and also opens on the 20th against Ghana in Hiroshima.
Canada’s U20 World Cup history has been somewhat of a roller coaster ride, having reached the final in 2002 (losing to the U.S.) and the quarterfinals in 2004, only to bow out in the group stage in 2006 and 2008, and failing to qualify in 2010.
Champions in 2002 and 2008, third in 2004 and fourth in 2006, the U.S. has a proud history at the U20 World Cup. However, it is coming off its worst performance to date in 2010, falling in the quarterfinals against Nigeria. This year’s squad is looking for redemption.
W-League 2012 FIFA Women’s World Cup Participants
Canada
| Name | Position | Team | Seasons |
| Caroline Beaulne | M | Laval | 2012 |
| Catherine Charron-Delage | M | Laval | 2009-12 |
| Dayle Colpitts | GK | Ottawa | 2010 |
| Colorado Rush | 2012 | ||
| Sabrina D’Angelo | GK | Toronto | 2010-12 |
| Kylie Davis | M | Laval | 2011-12 |
| Constance de Chantal-Dumont | M | Laval | 2009-12 |
| Christine Exeter | F | Toronto | 2010-11 |
| Nkem Ezurike | F | Laval | 2010-12 |
| Jade Kovacevic | D | Toronto | 2012 |
| Vanessa Legault-Cordisco | M | Laval | 2009-12 |
| Adriana Leon | F | Toronto | 2010-12 |
| Rachel Melhado | D | Toronto | 2010-12 |
| Christabel Oduro | M | Toronto | 2010 |
| Hamilton | 2011-12 | ||
| Geneviève Richard | GK | Laval | 2008-11 |
| Hamilton | 2012 | ||
| Jenna Richardson | F | Vancouver | 2010-12 |
| Sarah Robbins | M | Laval | 2009-10, 2012 |
| Mélissa Roy | D | Quebec City | 2011-12 |
| Jaclyn Sawicki | M | Vancouver | 2011-12 |
| Nicole Setterlund | D | Vancouver | 2012 |
| Danica Wu | M | Laval | 2009-10, 2012 |
| Shelina Zadorsky | D | Toronto | 2011 |
U.S.
| Name | Position | Team | Seasons |
| Crystal Dunn | D | Long Island | 2011 |
| Maya Hayes | F | New Jersey Rangers | 2011 |
| New Jersey Wildcats | 2012 | ||
| Kassey Kallman | D | Minnesota | 2009 |
| Sarah Killion | M | Fort Wayne | 2007-09 |
| Jami Kranich | GK | Connecticut | 2009 |
| Mollie Pathman | D | Cary | 2009 |
| Becca Wann | F | Richmond | 2009 |
| Fredericksburg | 2012 |
Canada & U.S. Schedules
All matches will be streamed live on ESPN3.com.
August 20
U.S. vs. Ghana, 3 a.m. ET
Canada vs. Argentina, 6 a.m. ET
August 23
U.S. vs. China, 6 a.m. ET
Canada vs. Norway, 6 a.m. ET
August 27
U.S. vs. Germany, 3 a.m. ET
Canada vs. Korea DPR, 6 a.m. ET
August 30-31
Quarterfinals, 3 a.m. & 6:30 a.m. ET
September 4
Semifinals, 3 a.m. & 6:30 a.m. ET
September 8
Final, 6:20 a.m. ET