Thorns' Sinclair, Kyle, Wilkinson named to Canadian Squad

Portland Thorns forward Christine Sinclair, midfielder Kaylyn Kyle, and defender Rhian Wilkinson have been named to the Canadian roster by head coach John Herdman, the Thorns and Canadian Soccer Association announced Monday.

Canada will be participating in the annual Cyprus Cup for the eight consecutive edition.  The most successful international side in the tournament, Canada is a three-time winner (2008, 2010, 2011) and three-time runner up (2009, 2012, 2013), but are coming off a fifth place finish in 2014.

Canada has been placed in Group A, with Italy, Scotland, and South Korea.  They open against Scotland on March 4, South Korea on March 6, and close out the group stage against Italy on March 9, with placement matches taking place on March 11.

Sinclair, 31, the Thorns and Canadian captain, has made 217 appearances, with 151 international goals.  In January, she earned BaoAn Cup MVP after scoring 3 goals and leading her national to a tournament title.

Thorns newcomers Kyle and Wilkinson are mainstays of the Canadian squad.  Kyle, 26, has made 89 appearances for her nation, including two matches in the BaoAn Cup.   Wilkinson, 32,  has made 156 international appearances and played the full 90 in two matches of the BaoAn Cup

After the Cyprus Cup, Canada will return to action on April 9, traveling to France for an international friendly in  Bondoufle, France.

The Thorns' season opener against the Boston Breakers.on April 11 at Providence Park.

Portland Thorns Press Release-

SINCLAIR, KYLE, WILKINSON NAMED TO CANADA WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER FOR CYPRUS CUP
Thorns FC trio to join Canada for Cyprus Cup from March 4-11

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC today announced that forward Christine Sinclair, midfielder Kaylyn Kyle and defender Rhian Wilkinson have been named to the Canada Women’s National Team roster for the Cyprus Cup from March 4-11.

Playing in Group A, Canada opens the tournament on Wednesday, March 4, against Scotland at 7:30 a.m. (Pacific) before facing Korea DPR on Friday, March 6, at 4:30 a.m. (Pacific) and Italy on Monday, March 9, at 4:30 a.m. (Pacific). The tournament concludes with placement matches on Wednesday, March 11.

Sinclair, 31, appeared in 23 matches (22 starts) for Thorns FC during the 2014 NWSL regular season, recording seven goals and one assist, while leading the NWSL in shots (77) and shots on goal (40). The captain of the Canada Women’s National Team, Sinclair registered three goals in her first three matches of 2015 with Canada and was named the BaoAn Cup tournament MVP. Sinclair eclipsed the 150-goal milestone during the three-game tournament in China and now has 151 career international goals in 217 matches.

Kyle, 26, has 89 international caps and most recently featured in two matches during the BaoAn Cup, starting and playing all 90 minutes in a 2-1 win over Mexico on Jan. 13. A new addition to Thorns FC as part of the National Team player allocation process, Kyle played for the Houston Dash in 2014, appearing in 19 matches (18 starts).

Wilkinson, 32, a newly allocated player for Thorns FC in 2015, has earned 156 international caps with the Canada Women’s National Team. At the BaoAn Cup, Wilkinson started and logged all 90 minutes in wins against Korea DPR on Jan. 11 and China PR on Jan. 15. In 2014, Wilkinson played for the Laval Comets of the USL W-League and previously played in the NWSL for the Boston Breakers during the 2013 season.