Ashley Lawrence recalled by Canada for June friendly

Ashley Lawrence is back in the fold for the Canadian women’s team following a six-month absence. 

Coach Casey Stoney on Wednesday revealed her 26-player roster for Canada’s upcoming friendly vs. Costa Rica, and included in her squad list is Lawrence, a veteran fullback who was a key member of the gold medal-winning team at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. 

Canada will face Costa Rica in an international friendly on June 9 at Estadio Rafael “Fello” Meza in Cartago. Prior to that match, the Canadians will travel to San José, Costa Rica for a training camp that kicks off on May 31.  

Lawrence, 30, was left off Canada’s roster for the SheBelieves Cup in March in the United States before being recalled for the inaugural FIFA Series in Brazil last month. However, she never competed in South America as she had to withdraw from the team due to injury.  

Now Lawrence is fully fit and in fine form, coming off a successful debut campaign with French club OL Lyonnes following her move from English side Chelsea last July. Lyonnes won this season's Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue, will play in this weekend’s French league final, and was a finalist in last week's UEFA Champions League. Lawrence had a goal and three assists in 16 French league games this season, while also featuring in eight Champions League matches. 

Lawrence ranks eighth in all-time appearances for the Canadian women’s team, having earned 151 caps (127 starts) since making his international debut in 2013, scoring eight goals and tallying 19 assists along the way. Her last outing for Canada came in a 1-0 road loss to Japan on Dec. 2, 2025. Since then, Canada has played six times, winning three with a pair of losses.  

Aside from Lawrence, midfielder Jordyn Listro (Tampa Bay Sun FC), also returns to the national team for the June window for the first time since June 2021. And there’s also a first call-up for Washington Spirit defender Élisabeth Tsé, who represented Canada at the 2022 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica.  

The most recognizable names on Canada’s latest roster are captain Jessie Fleming and fellow midfielder Julia Grosso; goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan; defenders Vanessa Gilles and Kadeisha Buchanan; fullback Janine Soinis; and forwards Nichelle Prince and Olivia Smith.   

Defender Gabrielle Carle, and forwards Jordyn Huitema and Holly Ward are included in this latest Canadian squad after missing the April international window due to injury. Two Northern Super League players made the cut: forward Delaney Baie Pridham (last season's league MVP) and goalkeeper Melissa Dagenais, both from Ottawa Rapid FC.  

Unavailable for next month’s game due to injury are forward Adriana Leon and fullback Jayde Riviere, while AFC Toronto midfielder Kaylee Hunter (last season’s NSL rookie of the year) and forward Annabelle Chukwu will be in Spain with the under-20 team in June for matches against England and Japan. Also absent from this Canadian squad is Vancouver Rise FC midfielder Quinn (106 caps) whose previous national team appearance was last April.  

Canada is No. 9 in the current FIFA world rankings, 33 spots above Costa Rica. The Canadians have won all 18 of their games vs. Las Ticas, including a 4-1 victory on June 27, 2025, at Toronto's BMO Field in their previous encounter.    

The game on June 9 serves as preparation for the Concacaf W Qualifiers from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5 in Texas which is the region's qualifying tournament for next year's World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 LA Olympics.   

“We’re continuing to raise our standards every time we come together, and I’m looking forward to seeing this group do that again in this window. This squad gives us a good mix and an opportunity for players to show where they’re at. Playing away in Concacaf is always a tough test, and an important part of our preparation as we continue building toward qualifiers in November,” Stoney said in a media release  

Stoney’s team has been idle since April when it beat Zambia and South Korea in its opening matches of the FIFA Series, before suffering a 1-0 loss to host nation Brazil.  

Canada's previous home match was last summer's contest vs. Costa Rica – since then Les Rouges have played 11 consecutive road games.  

CANADA’S ROSTER  

Goalkeepers: Melissa Dagenais (Ottawa Rapid FC), Sabrina D’Angelo (Aston Villa) and Kailen Sheridan (North Carolina Courage). 

Defenders: Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea FC), Gabrielle Carle (Washington Spirit), Élisabeth Tsé (Washington Spirit), Sydney Collins (Bay FC), Vanessa Gilles (FC Bayern Munich), Ashley Lawrence (OL Lyonnes), Jade Rose (Manchester City), Janine Sonis (Denver Summit FC), and Shelina Zadorsky (West Ham United FC). 

Midfielders: Simi Awujo (Manchester United), Jessie Fleming (Portland Thorns FC), Julia Grosso (Chicago Red Stars), Jordyn Listro (Tampa Bay Sun FC), Emma Regan (Denver Summit FC), and Carly Wickenheiser (North Carolina Courage).  

Forwards: Marie-Yasmine Alidou (Portland Thorns FC), Jordyn Huitema (Chicago Red Stars), Cloé Lacasse (Utah Royals FC), Delaney Baie Pridham (Ottawa Rapid FC), Nichelle Prince (Boston Legacy FC), Olivia Smith (Arsenal), Evelyne Viens (AS Roma), and Holly Ward (Seattle Reign FC).