Sinclair leads Canada to Tokyo 2020 qualifiers

Christine Sinclair ready to lead Canada to its fourth Olympic games appearance

January 23, 2020 By Juan Aguerrevere

Topics: Christine Sinclair, Canada, USWNT, Concacaf Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Concacaf, Mexico, Brazil 2016, Tokyo 2020, Abby Wambach, Sweden

Christine Sinclair and Canada are ready to march down to the U.S. and battle for its fourth consecutive Olympic games qualification.

Canada has never beaten the United States in a Concacaf Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament final having lost three in a row.

A penalty shootout after a 1-all draw separated the Canadians and Americans in Mexico 2008 with the U.S. winning the duel 6-5. In Canada 2012, the home team suffered its worst loss at a qualifying final, 4-0, to the United States. And in USA 2016, the home team claimed the title once again for the fourth time in a row and third time against its neighboring nation. Despite losing to the USWNT in the finals in 2016, Canada had the last laugh when the USWNT was knocked out by Sweden in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Olympics. The Canadians claimed Bronze for the second year in a row while the Americans did not claim a medal for the first time in the Olympic football tournament.

Sinclair is nearing the end of her career at age 36, but she is in the cusp of breaking Abby Wambach's all-time goalscoring record of 184 goals – the Canadian captain sits at 183. With a squad that features a mix of young and energetic up and coming stars and experienced players, Canada has what it takes to make this their year.

Canada roster for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Kailen Sheridan, Sabrina D'Angelo, Stephanie Labbé

Defenders: Allysha Chapman, Ashley Lawrence, Jayde Riviere, Kadeisha Buchanan, Rebecca Quinn, Shelina Zadorsky,

Midfielders: Desiree Scott, Gabrielle Carle, Jessie Fleming, Julia Grosso, Sophie Schmidt,

Forwards: Adriana Leon, Christine Sinclair, Deanne Rose, Janine Beckie, Jordyn Huitema, Nichelle Prince

Fixtures, dates, times and broadcast information

A first or second-place finish will secure Canada a spot on the semifinal, but that will not be enough to qualify for the Olympic football tournament. The finalists will become Concacaf's representatives in Tokyo 2020.