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Christine Sinclair and John Herdman ready to lead Canada at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

John Herdman and Christine Sinclair, Canada (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn)
John Herdman and Christine Sinclair, Canada (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn)

VANCOUVER – Everything John Herdman and Christine Sinclair have done since 2011 they came together with the Canadian women's national soccer team has been done with the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in mind.

Now with the start of the tournament within sight, it's time for the two to go on their greatest adventure yet.

Canada's 23-woman World Cup squad was unveiled Monday in Vancouver led by Sinclair and her 153 career international goals. She's been at this for Canada for awhile, Sinclair made her debut with the national team as a 16-year-old in 2000, and she'll turn 32 during the tournament in June. The 15 year journey has been full of ups-and-downs, but none lower than the last-place finish at the 2011 World Cup in Germany which left Sinclair, in her own words, broken. She was drained and in dire need of a reboot. Little did she know she wouldn't have to wait very long to get it.

Herdman, who coached New Zealand's women between 2007 and 2011, took over the team two months after the World Cup disappointment. The results turned almost immediately. He was on the sidelines when a re-energized Canadian side and their captain Sinclair won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. The 39-year-old Englishman brought new life to a veteran group. Most importantly, he reinvigorated Sinclair's career.

"There's a lot of the same players but [John] has completely changed our team and completely changed each individual player," said Sinclair. "And with him as our head coach anything is possible."

It's what gives Canada the most reason for optimism heading into their World Cup opener against China on June 6 in Edmonton. It's not just that Sinclair is a great player or that Herdman is a great coach; it's the relationship the two have that lifts everyone else around them, a relationship that has continued to grow since the moment they meet and has never mattered more than it will this summer at home.

This is what they've been building toward and it has the potential to be special.

More FIFA Women's World Cup coverage from Yahoo Canada Sports:

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Israel Fehr is a writer for Yahoo Canada Sports. Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter.