From Vancouver Whitecaps FC, to PSG and OL Reign, Juventus, and Manchester United.
Already Olympic gold medalists. And still each only 22-years-old.
On Thursday, Canada’s women's national team will begin their quest to win the country’s first ever FIFA World Cup title (7:30 p.m. PT vs. Nigeria, Whitecaps House viewing party at the Hollywood Theatre). There are a number of Whitecaps FC connections on the team, including BC-born veterans Sophie Schmidt and Christine Sinclair, who both won W-League titles with the ‘Caps.
More recently though, it’s been the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy developing talent for the Red & White.
Three grads are on the roster with fullback Jayde Riviere, midfielder Julia Grosso, and striker Jordyn Huitema.
Get to know the 'Caps Triple Js.
Jordyn Huitema
The native of Chilliwack, BC oozes with confidence and is undoubtedly one of the most talented attacking players our country has to offer. In her four years with the ‘Caps, Huitema showed enormous potential, notably helping Canada win the Concacaf U-15 championship in 2014, and became the first Canadian to score for the U-17, U-20, and senior national team in the same calendar year in 2017. After graduating from the ‘Caps, Huitema started her pro career at French powerhouse PSG, helping them win their first league title in 2021. Today, Huitema is starring for NWSL side OL Reign, already scoring six goals in 2023.
Julia Grosso
Grosso has had a similarly meteoric rise from her humble beginnings as a young player in Vancouver. Grosso joined the ‘Caps as a 14-year-old, playing five years in the program. She too won the Concacaf U-15 title with Canada in 2014, and was a Best XI player at the Concacaf U-17 Championship in 2016. After graduating from the ‘Caps she had a terrific collegiate career with the University of Texas Longhorns, and today is a rising star in Europe for renowned Italian club Juventus, who she helped to win the domestic treble in her first season, while being named Serie A midfielder of the year this past season. And of course, who could forget her winning shot to capture Olympic gold in 2021.
Jayde Riviere
The native of Markham, Ontario joined the ‘Caps for three seasons from 2017-2019, and regularly showcased her talent at both ends of the pitch. In 2016 she played in both the Concacaf U-15 and U-17 championships, as well as the FIFA U-17 World Cup later that year. Only one year later she had already made her debut for the senior national team. After the ‘Caps, she had an outstanding four-year career with the University of Michigan Wolverines. Today, Riviere is seeing out a childhood dream by playing for Manchester United in England.
To get the latest updates on the 'Caps future professional women's soccer team to play in Canada's first domestic women's pro sports league, sign up for the newsletter at whitecapsfc.com/project8.
