CDS graduate ready to lace up for Canada in FIFA World Cup

May 27, 2015 · 0 Comments

Adriana Leon (centre) fights for the ball against Scotland’s Megan Sheddon right, and Leanne Crichton, during a match in Brazil in 2014.
Associated Press Photo

By Jake Courtepatte
Under the tutelage of a budding Canadian junior women’s soccer program, Adriana Leon grew up watching Christine Sinclair lace up the boots for Team Canada for three straight FIFA World Cups.
Next month, she will be on the field alongside her idol in her first World Cup, on home turf no less.
Growing up in Maple, Ontario, Leon’s parents moved the family to King City when she was 16 years old in 2008. She was still attending classes at The Country Day School the first time she was called up to represent her country internationally, playing in the U-20 World Cup a year later.
Since then, her career has taken her to all corners of the globe, from Cyprus, to Japan, to Germany, and Brazil.
It was in 2012 that she joined the senior squad and got the opportunity to play alongside Sinclair. She scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over China PR, and has found the back of the net four times since on the senior team.
Standing at 5’3,” Leon’s size and reach are more comparable to that of international teammate Diane Matheson, who stands just over five feet, than that of the 5’10” Sinclair.
But to Leon, it’s not the size that matters, but rather the effort you put into your craft.
“I would describe myself as an aggressive ball of energy,” said the 22-year old forward.
All that energy must have been crucial for the multi-sport athlete, who played competitive hockey as well in the off-season growing up.
“I honestly don’t know how I did it,” said Leon, who claimed that it must have been due to the dedication of her mother in driving her to all her different practices and games. She spent a handful of years with the Toronto Aeros AA program, as well as stints with the Vaughan Flames and Willowdale Red Wings.
The skill to be a multi-sport athlete can be quite advantageous, as Leon believes that her skills on the ice can easily be translated to the pitch.
“As a hockey player you’re aggressive, and I think in soccer that’s also an important element of the game … it’s definitely had an impact on my soccer game.”
And just as she had her idols on the pitch, there were also her idols on the ice.
“Has to be Steve Yzerman.”
Leon was a player on both the rugby and volleyball programs at The Country Day School as well.
This Friday marks the women’s team’s final friendly match before heading to the big stage, hosting England. Canada is set to face off against China to open the World Cup on June 6, at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.