Wisconsin Soccer Central

Lauren Sesselmann (Green Bay Notre Dame) will start the new year in California, and she hopes her 2012 will include a summer trip to England.

The Atlanta Beat defender was one of 20 players named to the Canadian national team roster for next month's CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The team will spend time training in California before heading north to Vancouver, British Columbia, for the tournament.

Sesselmann, 28, is one of 14 players on the roster who were part of the Canadian team that won the Pan American Games in October. She has earned eight international caps, all in the past four months, after acquiring dual citizenship last year – her father was born in Canada.

Canada opens Olympic qualifying against Haiti on Jan. 19, then faces Cuba on Jan. 21 and Costa Rica on Jan. 23 in Group A play. The United States, Mexico, Guatemala and Dominican Republic make up Group B, with the semifinals Jan. 27 and the final Jan. 29.

The two finalists earn spots in the London Games, which are July 27 to Aug. 12.