Orlando Pride defender Josée Bélanger has been named to the Canadian women’s national team roster for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, the club announced Monday. Canada will play Australia on Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. ET in São Paulo to open Olympic play.
Per the release, this is Bélanger’s first Olympic appearance for her country. In 2015, the Coaticook native was on Canada’s international squad for the 2015 FIFA World Cup. That team made it to the quarterfinals, ultimately losing to England. In 50 appearances and 40 starts for the senior international team, Bélanger has recorded seven goals and seven assists.
In Olympic qualifying matches this year, Bélanger recorded three assists, including two in a 6-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. This season for the Pride, she has started all nine games with 724 minutes played. The Pride are 4-5-0 (12 points).
