With a new coach and a revamped squad, England go into the Women’s World Cup seeking to atone for the disappointment of their group-stage exit at the 2013 European Championship.
England have reached the quarter-finals at the last two World Cups, but they failed to win a single game at the Euro in Sweden two years ago, which cost long-standing coach Hope Powell her job.
They breezed through qualifying for the World Cup, but with women’s soccer now fully professional in England following significant investment from the Football Association, the pressure is on to deliver.
“We’re aware of that pressure and that sense of responsibility is important to us,” coach Mark Sampson said. “We want to feel that.”
Welshman Sampson, 32, was appointed in December 2013 and picked up where caretaker manager Brent Hills had left off by overseeing a near-flawless qualifying campaign.
“The Three Lionesses” won all 10 of their games to finish top of UEFA qualifying Group 6, scoring 52 goals and conceding just one, in a 2-1 win over Ukraine in Lviv.
Sampson, who once worked under Everton manager Roberto Martinez at Swansea City, favors an expansive passing game and has set his team the target of reaching the semi-finals for the first time.
He has asserted his authority by sidelining long-serving Arsenal Ladies midfielder Rachel Yankey, while all-time leading scorer Kelly Smith announced her international retirement in February.
Chelsea midfielder Katie Chapman and Arsenal forward Lianne Sanderson have both returned to the fold following long international absences caused by disagreements with Powell.
Meanwhile, eight players will be playing at a World Cup for the first time — Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Jade Moore, Jordan Nobbs, Jo Potter, Toni Duggan, Fran Kirby and Jodie Taylor.
With 241 caps between them, Arsenal pair Alex Scott, 30, and Casey Stoney, 33, are the veterans of the back four.
Versatile defender Stoney captained England before Manchester City’s Steph Houghton took over and has become a figurehead for the campaign to drive homophobia from the sport after coming out as gay last year.
A combative holding midfielder, 32-year-old Chapman spent four years in the international wilderness and can expect a warm welcome in North America following her time with the Chicago Red Stars.
Playing alongside Chapman is Liverpool’s Fara Williams, a goal-scoring midfielder who is England’s most-capped player with 133 appearances to her name.
A difficult upbringing meant that Williams, 31, was homeless for six years earlier in her career. She now volunteers for charities helping the homeless.
If Sampson’s side are to thrive in Canada, much depends on Chelsea’s 28-year-old speedster Eniola Aluko, who was England’s top scorer in qualifying with 13 goals. Her brother is Hull City striker Sone Aluko.
A relative newcomer to the international scene, Manchester City wide player Duggan, 23, has scored 14 times in her first 25 appearances, including 10 goals in qualifying.
“A World Cup is the pinnacle of every player’s career and we want to enjoy every moment,” Houghton said. “We worked so hard to get to the World Cup. Now we just can’t wait to get started.”
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