#wwcq

CP’s touch here is so good

The Canadian Women's National Team is facing Germany on Sunday, June 10 at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, ON. On the roster are four players 20 years of age or younger, including fullback-turned-midfielder Julia Grosso.

The Vancouver, BC native is among the generation of youth players who have come through the ranks of John Herdman's development program. Grosso was 13 years old when she was called into a national team identification camp in 2014. At the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Jordan, Grosso was noted by the FIFA Technical Study Group as one of Canada's key players.

When asked of her best qualities, Grosso told the Women's World Football Show that it's her ability as, "an attacking threat, threading the ball and my passing... combinations through the middle."

While Sunday marks the team's first home match under head coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller, the change in leadership hasn't worried the 17-year-old.

"It's a change, but he's been the assistant coach [under Herdman], so we've known Kenneth and his strategies. It's positive either way. I think he's doing a really great job and we're continuing to go forward."

With five appearances on the full national team since making her debut in November 2017, Grosso is embracing the challenge of playing at a much quicker pace.

"With the youth national team, you usually get a few touches, but with the full team, you have to play and move [with quicker decision making]."  

Canada, ranked fourth in the world, and Germany, ranked third, are both preparing for their respective Women's World Cup qualifiers in the fall.

In addition to potentially representing Canada at her first WWC, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite product is getting ready for her freshman season with the University of Texas, alongside CanWNT fullback Emma Regan.

"I leave at the end of July,” said Grosso, "I'm looking forward to getting started with them. There's someone on the [CanWNT] who's going with me, so it's nice to travel with someone [I know]."

A sold out crowd of 24,000 is expected. A Fan Festival in the plaza of Tim Hortons Field begins at noon, including appearances by former CanWNT players and 2012 Olympic bronze medalists Candace Chapman and Jonelle Filigno. Prior to whistle, Chapman will be honoured on the pitch, celebrating her induction into the 2018 Canada Soccer Hall of Fame.