Coach: John Herdman

Previous appearances: 2 (2004, 2008)

Best finish: Winner (2008)

Olympic qualification: 1 (2008)

International honors: CONCACAF women's champion (1998, 2010); Pan American Games women's champion (2011)

Key players: AT Christine Sinclair, M Rhian Wilkinson, G Karina LeBlanc

After a first-round exit from the 2010 Women's World Cup under coach Carolina Morace, Canada responded to new manager John Herdman with an undefeated run at the Pan Am Games in Guadalajara and its first title, equalizing on Christine Sinclair's goal with three minutes remaining and outlasting Brazil on penalties. Having finally ended a seven-game losing streak against the United States in September, but still winless against its southern neighbor since 2001 - a streak of 24 matches - Canada will have the home-field advantage at the Women's Olympic qualifying tournament in Vancouver, where it is unbeaten in three matches.