Versatile defender Sydney Collins back with Canada after string of injuries

Defender Sydney Collins returns from injury while goalkeeper Emily Burns, midfielder Florianne Jourde and teenage forward Kaylee Hunter get their first senior call-ups for Canada’s upcoming games during the FIFA October international window.

Coach Casey Stoney named a 24-player roster to face No. 24 Switzerland on Friday at the Swissporarena in Lucerne before taking on the 11th-ranked Netherlands on Oct. 28 at Goffertstadion in Nijmegen.

Collins, who collected the last of her six Canada caps in December 2023 against Australia, has been injury-plagued in recent times.

The versatile defender fractured her ankle in February 2024 in camp with Canada ahead of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup. She returned in time to be called up for the 2024 Olympics but had to withdraw from the squad after breaking her left leg in the buildup to the tournament.

North Carolina traded Collins to Bay FC in August for $60,000 US in 2025 intraleague transfer funds. She has been starting at centre back for Bay FC.

Burns, who plays for FC Nantes in France, was a nominee for the French league's top goalkeeper and twice won top honours in the French second tier. The 28-year-old from Sherwood Park, Alta., previously played for Dijon and Saint-Etienne in France and Calgary's Foothills FC.

The 20-year-old Jourde, a Canadian youth international from Montreal, signed with Paris Saint-Germain in July after playing collegiate soccer at USC following a stint with AS Laval.

The 17-year-old Hunter has 14 goals and three assists this season for AFC Toronto of the Northern Super League. The Calgary-born forward has been a scoring sensation at youth level, making her international debut at 15.

Star forward Olivia Smith, who moved from England's Liverpool to Arsenal in