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TORONTO - Christina Julien is one of a select few Canadians whose soccer skills led them to Russia. Veteran defender Ante Jazic spent time with Kuban Krasnodar before signing with the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy. And some prospects like Joseph Dichiara have earned contracts. Juliens club ties to WFC Rossiyanka stand out on a Canadian national team whose players are largely spread around the National Womens Soccer League in the U.S. "Its been an experience, thats for sure," the 25-year-old from Cornwall, Ont., said with a smile. "Theres been a lot of ups and downs. "Its such a privilege to be able to go to Russia and live there and just experience their lifestyle. You take the good with the bad, you get that experience while youre there." Julien, an alternate with the Canadian team at the London Olympics, is back in camp with Canada preparing for Sundays soldout friendly with the U.S. at BMO Field in Toronto. Its the first time the two North American rivals have met since the top-ranked Americans defeated No. 7 Canada 4-3 after extra time in last years thrilling Olympic semifinal. Julien is clearly up for anything, as per her Twitter bio: "Olympian, Team Canada Soccer #10, Professional Athlete, World Traveller, & Lover. Who knows?" That sense of adventure landed her in Russia in March, after being at the Cyprus Cup with Canada. Her agent got her a tryout at the club, which was looking to beef up its roster ahead of the quarter-finals of the Womens Champions League. Julien had been sidelined by injury so she was looking to get back in action. She went to Russia and impressed the club, earning a contract. Julien saw action in eight games including both legs of the 4-1 aggregate loss to Germanys Wolfsburg, which went on to win the final 1-0 over Frances Lyon. Rossiyankas roster was global with internationals from Brazil, Nigeria and South Africa among other countries. Deep-pocketed owners were willing to pay for talent. "Its really good football," said Julien. "They were training on a daily basis." The team was based about 45 minutes outside Moscow — "or three hours with traffic," she said with a laugh. Julien lived in the Russian capital and loved it. "I was blown away," she aid. "No expectations going in. Its one of the most gorgeous cities Ive ever seen." Language was an issue. Few people speak English, so Julien learned a few Russian words to get by. Her Russian team has three games left in its season, but two are taking place while shes on duty with Canada so Julien isnt sure if she will be back. Her next goal is to play in France when the season starts later this summer. Previously she had played for Jitex BK in Gotenborg, Sweden, and the Ottawa Fury. Julien was forced to look outside of North America after she was not one of the Canadian internationals allocated to the NWSL. "Its really hard to get in there if youre not allocated," she said. Overseas, clubs tend to take care of room and board, with whatever they pay you basically becoming spending money, according to Julien. The 2012 Olympics were bittersweet for Julien, who as an alternate got to experience everything but play. "I was very lucky to be there," she said. "But on the other hand I wanted to be playing. You have that dream." Julien, a member of Canadas 2011 World Cup squad, lost her spot to Jonelle Filigno, who missed qualifying through injury. "Probably the hardest decision to make was Christina Julien, coach John Herdman said at the time. "Shes been a big part of the team, helped us through the qualifiers, played nearly every game in my tenure. He called it a "football decision, saying Filigno "showed that little bit more. "Ive got no doubt that Christina will come back fighting and this will be a great learning curve for her, he said. Named an Olympic alternate, Julien didnt get a bronze medal, which prompted her family and the local paper back home to raise a ruckus. "Theyve going to have my back no matter what happens," she said proudly of Cornwall. "Cornwalls awesome, a great city." She got an imitation medal when the Canadian team was honoured at a Toronto FC game after the Olympics. "I felt good about that," she said. "It was nice of them."Cheap Jerseys . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. Wholesale Jerseys . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. http://www.cheapjerseysnflwholesale.com/ . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. Wholesale Jerseys China . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. Cheap MLB Jerseys . Patrice Bergeron and Daniel Paille scored 20 seconds apart a few minutes after Stamkos was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a broken right leg, and the Bruins beat the Lightning 3-0 on Monday afternoon.Gareth Bale has been named Welsh player of the year for the fourth successive time.The Real Madrid forward picked up the award - his sixth in seven years - at the 2016 Football Association of Wales (FAW) awards on Tuesday night. Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey both missed training today with the Wales squad before their World Cup Qualifier against Serbia Bale became the first player since 2004 to score in all three group games of a European Championship in the summer and is now only three short of equalling Ian Rushs record 28-goal tally for his country. Manager Chris Coleman received an FAW special award after guiding Wales into the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France.Stoke midfielder Joe Allen, who was named in the official Euro 2016 team of the tournament, claimed two trophies at the cereemony held in the Vale of Glamorgan.dddddddddddd Wales vs Serbia November 12, 2016, 7:15pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Allen was named the players player and fans player of the year, with Reading defender Chris Gunter collecting the media choice award.Ethan Ampadu, who made his Exeter debut in August at the age of 15 and has been capped at Under-17 level, received the young player award. Chris Coleman guidd Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals Natasha Harding was named womens player of the year and her Liverpool team-mate Sophie Ingle collected players player and fans favourite trophies.Brighton Ladies Bronwen Thomas was voted best young player and Phil Baker, who has spent 11 years at Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints, was named clubman of the year.Watch Wales v Serbia on Saturday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7:15pm.Also See:Collins out of Wales squadTadic is Serbias BaleColeman: Im still hauntedWales fixtures ' ' '