Goalkeeper Erin McLeod in good company for B.C. Place Stadium farewell

Erin McLeod joins Christine Sinclair and Sophie Schmidt in the spotlight Tuesday at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver.

But unlike the other two, the 40-year-old goalkeeper from St. Albert, Alta., won't be suiting up for the friendly against Australia.

"I'm just really happy to be there, to be honest," said McLeod, who announced her international retirement in January after 119 senior appearances and 47 clean sheets. "The thought of dressing hadn't even crossed my mind until Sophie was talking about if she was going to dress or not.

"Not for me. I'm just super-happy to be there and support the team and Sophie and Sinc and get to see a lot of former players. And then acknowledge Sinc for what she's done for the country."

McLeod is also close to Schmidt, whom she calls "an absolute joy."

"Sophie has the ability to brighten a room. She's so just unique and her authentic self … Salt of the earth, that one," said McLeod.

The 35-year-old Schmidt, who plays for the NWSL's Houston Dash, announced earlier this year that she was retiring from international football after this summer's World Cup. But she agreed to pull on the Canadian jersey twice more to go out the same night as the 40-year-old Sinclair, who announced in October that she would retire from the international game after the December international window.

Sinclair and Schmidt both came on as substitutes on Friday's 5-0 win over Australia in Langford, B.C., earning cap No. 330 and 225, respectively.

McLeod still has one more year on her contract with Iceland's Stjarnan W and plans to spend it as a player-coach, doing analysis and prepping videos for the team. She is also taking her UEFA B coaching licence and has already started a goalkeeping academy in Iceland.

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