Jessie Fleming, Kadeisha Buchanan front Canada roster for CONCACAF women's Gold Cup

Midfielder Jessie Fleming, recently acquired by the Portland Thorns, and former Chelsea teammates Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence are among 23 players called up by Canada coach Bev Priestman for the CONCACAF W Gold Cup.

The inaugural women's Gold Cup is scheduled to run Feb. 20 to March 10 in the United States.

Canada, ranked 10th in the world, has been drawn in Group C with No. 43 Costa Rica, No. 50 Paraguay and either No. 80 Guatemala or No. 104 El Salvador.

The Guatemala-El Salvador matchup is one of three playoff games scheduled for Feb. 17 in Carson, Calif. The other two are No. 51 Haiti versus No. 103 Puerto Rico and No. 87 Guyana versus No. 107 Dominican Republic.

The playoffs will fill the final three spots in the 12-team tournament field.

Canada will play all three group games in Houston's Shell Energy Stadium, opening against Guatemala or El Salvador on Feb. 22 before facing Paraguay on Feb. 25 and Costa Rica on Feb. 28.

Before the CONCACAF competition, Canada will hold a Feb. 12-18 camp in Texas for out-of-season players and to assess new talent and those returning from injury.

Players in season in Europe will join the Canadian team for the tournament.

"We are excited to maximize every opportunity where we can get on the grass and work with players ahead of this key tournament," Priestman said in a statement. "It's critical in terms of readiness that we physically prepare the out-of-season group for tournament play, but I'm also excited to connect with individuals on and off the grass in a unique smaller squad setting."

Veteran midfielder Desiree Scott, who is returning from a long-term leg injury, will attend the pre-camp as will University of Pennsylvania goalkeeper Laurence Gladu and Angel City