With the NWSL and Sweden’s Damallsvenskan set to kick off this weekend, we take a look at Canadian players in both leagues—and their chances of making the World Cup (WC) roster.

These players have all been called-up in the past two years.

Damallsvenskan

BK Häcken

Clarissa Larisey: Having impressed at Celtic FC, Larisey recently made the move to Sweden in order to prove her mettle against tougher opponents. With injuries to Janine Beckie, Deanne Rose, and Nichelle Prince, Bev Priestman has limited winger options. Larisey will want to prove that she can be relied upon as an impact sub with her killer pace and goal-scoring ability. She has one goal in five caps, and she will want to show Priestman she deserves a solid audition during the April camp.

Kristianstads

Evelyne Viens: As one of two goalscorers for the national team in 2023 and with limited options at the number nine position, we will almost surely see Viens on the WC roster this summer. She has four goals and one assist in seventeen caps for country—with two goals coming against powerhouses Brazil and England. Canada will need her to be in top goal-poaching ability come this summer with a relatively inexperienced frontline. Viens will look to build off her impressive last season for club, where she was second in the Damallsvenskan for goals scored (21).

Vittsjö

Sarah Stratigakis: Stratigakis was last called up to the national team in October 2022. She has scored one goal for country (SheBelieves Cup 2021). Likely a long shot for this WC, Stratigakis will look to have an impressive season so she can make a move for a midfield spot following Sophie Schmidt’s imminent international retirement.

Sura Yekka: Yekka was a solid substitute when most of Canada’s backline was out injured last autumn. However, now that most of the defensive mainstays have returned, Yekka will find it tough to make a case for the WC. She was left off of the pre-tournament camp for SheBelieves in February, with Priestman instead selecting the usual options—and even utilizing Jade Rose as a fullback. Yekka is a solid defender who is very capable of having a strong first season with this team, and could very well see herself back in the mix between the WC and next year’s Olympics.

NWSL

Chicago Red Stars

Bianca St-Georges: St-Georges was called up to the pre-tournament camp before this year’s SheBelieves, but she didn’t make the final roster. She is on the periphery of the WC roster and will want to make a solid impact for the Red Stars this season. Her 2022 club season ended on a sour note as she went off for a straight red card for poor behaviour. St-Georges will want to prove to Priestman that she can keep the fouls to a minimum and add to offensive play—things that Priestman will be looking to bring to Australia.

Gotham FC

Victoria Pickett: Pickett is a versatile midfielder with pace and great dribbling skill. She was recently called up to the pre-tournament camp for SheBelieves 2023 but didn’t make the final roster. In her first full season with Gotham FC, Pickett will want to make an immediate impact by controlling play and putting in solid defensive shifts. While unlikely, it is not unreasonable to think that she may nab a midfield spot this summer—especially if Desiree Scott does not recover from her injury as expected. Like Stratigakis, with a strong season, Pickett will likely be in the mix for the Olympic qualifiers in September after Schmidt’s retirement.

Houston Dash

Allysha Chapman: Chapman is a tried and true defender. She is very experienced with 95 caps, and she is well-known for her pace and physicality. Chapman played an important role at Tokyo 2020 and then slowly became a substitute as opposed to a member of the starting XI. She did have an injury last year, but if she stays fit, Priestman tends to favour Chapman over Carle and St-Georges. In other words? A fullback spot this summer is Chapman’s to lose.

Devon Kerr: If Kerr goes to the World Cup, it will be as the third-place keeper after Kailen Sheridan and Sabrina D’Angelo. While neither she nor Lysianne Proulx, the current third keeper, has an international cap, Proulx plays consistently on the professional level. Kerr will need to have an outstanding season to oust Houston’s current first-choice keeper, Jane Campbell, and make a case for herself. At the moment, she is a long shot at making the WC.

Nichelle Prince: Unfortunately, not much is known about Prince’s timeline to return to the pitch after her Achilles injury in November. She has posted clips of her running on a treadmill, but that’s the most information that has been released. Houston has her listed on their season-ending injury list, and it looks unlikely she’ll make the WC roster as a result. Priestman has stated that she is hoping Prince will be back; her experience and pace are attributes that Canada will miss if she is unable to recover in time for July. Hopefully, Prince recovers well, and quickly, so that Canada and Houston can regain a skilled, experienced player.

Sophie Schmidt: As Houston’s MVP for the 2022 NWSL season, Schmidt is an integral player for club. Based on last season’s play, we should expect to see Schmidt feature a lot for club in 2023. A quiet, experienced leader, her ability to calm the play and score a few screamers should earn her a spot on this year’s WC roster. We already know this summer will be Schmidt’s last few outings in a Canada jersey—she may not start, but expect to see her feature off the bench.

Kansas City Current

Desiree Scott: Scott is currently nursing an injury to her left knee, but she has stated that she is on track to make a full recovery in time for the WC this summer. Her leadership on the pitch is extremely important, and Priestman will no doubt hope that Scott will be fit to fly to Australia. As co-captain for KCC, Scott shores up her club’s backline and is a key player on the team. After all, there is also no one who can do exactly what Scott does for both club and country—destroy.

OL Reign

Jordyn Huitema: After making the move to OL Reign, Huitema has been playing more consistent minutes. She is proving herself to be not only a goalscorer but someone who is improving all aspects of her game: off the ball movement, hold-up play, and smart passes inside the box. Huitema proved this for Canada last year, notching five assists in 2022. Along with Viens, Huitema is one of two people who are true number nines since Sinclair moved to the midfield. Huitema has worked on improving her game since not being named to the original Tokyo 2020 roster, and I expect we’ll see her in Australia.

Quinn: Quinn needs more consistent game time to prove that they can be a consistent defensive midfielder in Priestman’s starting XI—especially if Scott isn’t fully fit come July. Quinn has a great ability to move the ball, and manager Laura Harvey often relies on Quinn. Quinn is a surefire lock for the WC. The real question is how many minutes they’ll earn at the WC upon arrival.

Orlando Pride

Jordyn Listro: With two caps and no call-ups since 2021, it is highly unlikely that Listro makes this WC squad. She is a strong player with great physicality, and after joining the Orlando Pride midway through 2022, she’ll look to have a strong full season with the team. If she performs well, Listro may catch Priestman’s eye for a call-up after the WC looking toward next year’s Olympics.

Portland Thorns

Janine Beckie: There’s not much to be said other than the loss of Beckie during the WC due to an ACL tear is a massive, massive blow for club and country. This would have been her first full season with the Thorns, and she would have been a key piece to help them defend their 2022 NWSL championship. Moreover, Canada doesn’t have a replacement for her experience and versatility. She will be sorely missed, but with an Olympic tournament next year, Beckie will surely be back in the line-up once she has healed. As someone who was definitely on Priestman’s roster, she leaves big cleats to fill.

Christine Sinclair: Canada’s ever-consistent captain, there is little doubt Sinclair will make the roster for Canada this summer. What is in doubt is how she can best be utilized: in the starting XI or as an impact sub. However she is deployed—for both club and country—Sinclair will look to bring leadership and some of her goal-scoring prowess to the pitch.

San Diego Wave

Kailen Sheridan: There’s little doubt in anyone’s mind that Sheridan is Canada’s number one keeper. After last year’s impressive for the Wave in their inaugural season, Sheridan will no doubt look to improve upon her play. Whilst she still has some issues with distribution, her shot-stopping ability makes her one of the best keepers in the world. Sheridan should feel comfortable going into the WC squad as Canada’s number one.

Washington Spirit

Gabrielle Carle: Carle moved to the NWSL with the WC in mind. Carle has travelled to two Olympics with Canada (alternate, 2016; original alternate, 2020) and earned a spot on the 2019 WC roster, but didn’t play in France. As a player who has been on the verge of an international breakthrough for some time, Carle will want to have an impressive season with the Spirit to prove to Priestman that she can make a case to be a solid player for Canada this summer. Given the Spirit’s depth challenges, Carle should have plenty of time to audition.