ORLANDO, Fla. (June 21, 2016) – Orlando Pride defender Josée Bélanger has been named to the Canada Women’s National Team roster for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, it was announced today. Bélanger will be a part of Canada’s 18-player roster, which will open Olympic play against Australia on August 3 (2 p.m .ET) in São Paulo. In addition, Pride midfielder Kaylyn Kyle has been named one of four alternates for the squad.
This is Bélanger’s first call-up to an Olympic roster. The 30-year-old was a part of Canada’s FIFA Women's World Cup squad in 2015, which advanced to the quarterfinals, ultimately bowing out to England. Bélanger has seven goals and seven assists in 50 senior international appearances, 40 of which were starts.
Earlier this year, Bélanger had three assists in Olympic qualifying, including two in Canada’s 6-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in Houston, Texas, on February 14.
A native of Quebec, Bélanger has started every match for the Pride this season for a total of 724 minutes. Kyle, 27, will continue training and playing with the Pride, only joining CanWNT if necessary. The Saskatoon native has made eight appearances for Orlando this season, six of them starts.
The Pride return to Camping World Stadium with two matches this week, first hosting the Houston Dash at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, followed by a 5 p.m. ET match against Portland Thorns FC on Sunday.
