The metamorphosis of the Canadian women's national soccer team has been startling and nothing short of amazing.

For years, Canada was regarded as one of the top sides in the women's game, but it regressed when it bowed out in the first round of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup and could not advance beyond the quarter-finals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Since taking over as coach in early 2009, Carolina Morace has whipped Team Canada into shape, instilling the virtues of maintaining possession and playing one-touch soccer. Morace's arrival marked a distinct tactical switch for the Canadian women's team. Under Morace, the Canadian team is playing a stylish, technical and direct brand of soccer — something that was in full evidence when Canada defeated China 3-1 in a recent friendly in Toronto.

Now riding a bit of momentum, Canada hopes to win the upcoming CONCACAF tournament in Mexico and qualify for next year's FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. Considering how well the team has responded and is playing under the Italian manager, Canada looks a good bet to secure a World Cup berth.

"The first year and half with Carolina as a coach was an adjustment for us and in that China game it showed what we are capable of and the progress we have made under her. Hopefully we can bring that into the CONCACAF tournament," says Christine Sinclair the captain.

Canada has announced its roster for the upcoming 2010 CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Cancún, Mexico. Coach Carolina Morace has selected 20 players for the eight team tournament which kicks off for Canada this 29th October against Trinidad and Tobago. Canada also plays Guyana on 31st October and host Mexico on 2nd November. The semi-final stage will be played on 5th November and the championship final on 8th November.

Twelve of Canada’s 20 players have taken part in a CONCACAF women’s championship ('national A') in the past. Six of the young call-ups have taken part in a CONCACAF women’s youth championship, while Christina Julien and Brooke McCalla are taking part in their first ever CONCACAF tournaments.

Chelsea Stewart and Jonelle Filigno are the two youngest players on the team. Both are recent Canadian U-20 Players of the Year (Filigno in 2008 and Stewart in 2009).

Coach Morace waited until the last day allowed to make her final selection because of the competition and improvements within the camp. Two players could not recover from injury in time and were therefore not included on the final list. Midfielder Kelly Parker and right back Brittany Timko were both late cuts because of injuries. Teenager Gurveen Clair from Washington State University was the last goalkeeper cut. Also in Cancún but not named to the final team was goalkeeper Erin McLeod, who suffered an injury in club play earlier this season.

CANADA
1- GK- Karina LeBlanc|USA /Chicago Red Stars| Maple Ridge, BC, CAN
2- D- Emily Zurrer|CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC |Crofton, BC, CAN
3- F- Josée Bélanger | CAN / Amiral de Québec | Coaticook, QC, CAN
4- M- Carmelina Moscato |Unattached | Mississauga, ON, CAN
5- D- Robyn Gayle|CAN/ Vancouver Whitecaps| Mississauga,ON, CAN
6- M- Kaylyn Kyle |CAN/Vancouver Whitecaps FC|Saskatoon, SK CAN
7- D- Rhian Wilkinson|NOR/Lillestrøm SK | Baie d’Urfe, QC, CAN
8- M- Diana Matheson|NOR / Lillestrøm SK | Oakville, ON, CAN
9- D- Candace Chapman | USA / FC Gold Pride | Ajax, ON, CAN
10- F- Christina Julien | CAN / Ottawa Fury | Williamstown, ON, CAN
11- M- Desiree Scott|CAN/Vancouver Whitecaps |Winnipeg, MB, CAN
12- F- Christine Sinclair|USA/FC Gold Pride|Burnaby, BC, CAN
13- M- Sophie Schmidt|USA/Univy of Portland | Abbotsford, BC, CAN
14- F- Melissa Tancredi|CAN/Vancover Whitecaps|Ancaster,ON, CAN
15- M/F- Kara Lang|CAN/Vancouver Whitecaps |Oakville, ON, CAN
16- M- Jonelle Filigno|USA/State Univy of NJ|Mississauga, ON, CAN
17- M- Chelsea Stewart|USA/Vanderbilt University|The Pas, MB, CAN
19- F- Brooke McCalla|CAN Master’s Futbol Acad|Pickering,ON,CAN
20- D- Marie-Eve Nault|CAN/Ottawa Fury | Trois-Rivières, QC, CAN
22- GK- Stephanie Labbé|SWE/Piteå IF|Stony Plain, AB, CAN

Head of Delegation / Chef de délegation : Clive Wilkinson
Head Coach / Entraîneur-chef : Carolina Morace
Assistant Coach / Entraîneure adjointe : Elisabetta Bavagnoli
Assistant Coach / Entraîneure adjointe : Andrea Neil
Goalkeer Coach / Entraîneur des gardiens : Max Colucci
Video Coordinator / Vidéaste : Sian Bagshawe
Fitness Coach / Préparateur physique : Mario Familari
Team Manager / Gérante d’équipe : Daniel Michelucci
Equipment Manager / Gérante de l’équipement : Maeve Glass
Nutritionist / Nutritionniste : Pietro Braina
Physiotherapist / Physiothérapeute : Judy Russell
Massage Therapist / Massothérapeute : Nicole Stephen
Translator / Traductriste : Deborah Ferrero