Canada will be down a pair of highly experienced veterans when it heads to France for next month's FIFA Women's World Cup.
Goalkeeper Erin McLeod and midfielder Diana Matheson have been ruled out of the squad because of injury, Canada Soccer confirmed Thursday. The pair have combined for 321 caps for Canada and played together for the bronze medal-winning team at the London 2012 Olympics. Matheson also won bronze at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
"Its extremely disappointing not to be able to join Canada at the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019," Matheson said in a statement. "Unfortunately, despite great support from Canada Soccer and Utah Royals FC, I am unable to play through this injury and will be undergoing surgery as soon as possible to start the recovery process. I look forward to cheering on our team from home along with the rest of Canada."
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Matheson, 35, has a toe injury. The 36-year-old McLeod is dealing with plantar fasciitis.
“I have had a nagging injury that has hindered my ability to push my limits — which is the main reason I love what I do, it makes me feel alive," McLeod said in a statement. "So in my heart I know it’s time for me to get healthy because I still believe I have more soccer to play. This is a special group which is why it is even harder to step away. They will do incredible things and continue to make history.”
Both players have had to deal with a laundry list of injuries over their careers. Each has suffered torn knee ligaments and undergone subsequent surgeries. When healthy, they have been integral to the national team program: McLeod is the all-time appearance leader for a Canadian goalkeeper and has participated in four World Cups; Matheson is also a veteran of four World Cups and is second to Christine Sinclair in all-time caps for Canada with 203.
Canada will kick off its World Cup with a match against Cameroon on June 10.