Canadian women's soccer team turns to youth for Olympic qualifier

It is a big week for the Canadian women's soccer team as they make their way to Houston, Texas, for the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament. The team looks a little different than the one Canadians cheered on during the World Cup last June.

• John Herdman, Canadian soccer coach, blends in youth for training camp
• Christine Sinclair leads Canadian soccer team into Olympic qualifier

There will be some familiar faces, with veteran Christine Sinclair still leading the charge, but head coach John Herdman made sure to also infuse the team with fresh blood.

Get to know some of the young women who will be representing Canada in Texas:

Sabrina D'Angelo

Twenty-one-year-old Sabrina D'Angelo may be young, but her 'celebrity' status among fans is definitely strong.

After earning 29 shutouts for the University of South Carolina, D'Angelo was selected by the Western New York Flash in the NWSL draft. 

Way to represent Canada!

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Janine Beckie

Even though her roots are Canadian, Janine Beckie has mad love for her Texas Tech Red Raiders.

No wonder she has nine appearances, four starts and three goals for team Canada — look at those skills! #ImpressedByTheBest

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Kadeisha Buchanan

From the whip and the nae nae to the dab and all the way to hitting the quan, we promise dancing queen Kadeisha Buchanan has you beat on all fronts.

But all dancing aside, this girl has some serious skills on the field. You know you're the player to beat when at the age of 19 you receive the Best Young Player Award at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

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Gabrielle Carle

When you're the baby of the group but your older sisters are team Canada vets, you've a lot to prove. 

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Upon her debut for Canada in the 2014 FIFA U-17 World Cup, this young star stole the show at the age of just 15. With all her experience from previous tournaments, this youngster is one to watch out for.

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Ashley Lawrence

When you meet someone who is positive and smiling about everything in life, you've either met an angel or Canada's sweetheart, Ashley Lawrence.

In 2011 and 2012 this dynamic midfielder won Canadian Player of the Year honours, but she didn't rest on her laurels. She was hungry and strived for her first goal with the senior Canadian women's national team on an international stage when Canada played Holland in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Nichelle Prince:

In the Canadian soccer world it's said if you get a picture with Kara Lang, you could be just like her when you grow up. We don't know if it's just superstition but this theory seems legit, seeing as Nichelle Prince did happen to snag a photo. 

Snapchat juggling skills and a game-winning goal against Finland in the U-20 World Cup, plus being a major reason Canada advanced through the group stages means Prince is some serious #SoccerGirlGoals right now.

Jessie Fleming

She's been pegged as the next Christine Sinclair and at the age of 17 she was already a World Cup vet. But when you have other talents aside from being a national team athlete, you know you are one cool chick.

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Fleming is the second-youngest player with the senior national team, behind Kara Lang. She made her debut at the age of 15 and 278 days. #Young&Legit

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Rebecca Quinn

We are sure Rebecca Quinn's schedule is made up of practices, games, workouts and homework and just when you think she has no time left in her day, she makes time for family. #FOE

One thing we can assure you is Quinn had a busy 2015. In addition to being a top player at Duke University and helping the Blue Devils find their way to a national championship, she also played for Canada at the Pan Am Games and is a solid presence at senior women's training camps.

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Shelina Zadorsky

We promise this is Shelina Zadorsky … just in Snapchat style! With one of the most down-to-earth personalities, this Snapchat sensation is one to follow on all social media platforms.

Zadorsky's last senior team appearance was on Jan. 20, 2013. But when they say "hard work pays off," it really does. This young athlete went the extra mile in every way to make sure her name appeared on the final CONCACAF roster. Respect!

You can watch these players and the whole women's team live in the Rio 2016 qualifying tournament beginning Thursday, Feb. 11 at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBCSports.ca and in the CBC Sports app.