Behind the scenes with the Canadian national women's soccer team

We asked the Canadian national women's soccer team to tell us about some of their pre-tournament jitters, and how words of encouragement affect their game. Here's what they had to share:

How do you celebrate a win?
"Usually by singing Celine Dion … After one of our big wins last year, or a couple of years in the Cyprus Cups, we had the stereo system in the locker room and we popped in Celine Dion and started singing at the top of our lungs. And that's usually, as a team, what we do. If anybody walked by they'd think: What a bunch of crazy Canadians. I can't sing worth anything, but I am singing at the top of my lungs."
- Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, 31 years old, from Maple Ridge, B.C.

"A lot of dancing, music … (and, after a tournament) Celine Dion's Power of Love, that's a good one."
- Forward Melissa Tancredi, 29, Hamilton, Ont.

"Usually in the locker room we end up singing some kind of Celine Dion song … You can thank Karine LeBlanc for that one."
- Forward Christine Sinclair, 27, from Burnaby, B.C.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten from a coach?
"Just to be confident in my own skill and my own ability and just to believe in myself. As a girl growing up you're not expected to be boisterous or look into yourself and be who you are, it's always like 'stay in the back, be a team player.' For a coach to come up to you and say 'you're better than you think you are,' and to push it out of you is the best advice I've ever gotten."
- M.T.

The team's pre-game rituals
"Music is a must. And, for me, when I put my shin guards on and my cleats, and even when I get my ankles taped, it's always left side first …"
- M.T.

Page 1 of 2 - Find out more pre-game rituals and what the team likes to eat on page 2!