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." Cavaliers Jerseys Outlet . They hope to persuade the other team owners and commissioner Roger Goodell to put pressure on Redskins owner Daniel Snyder to drop the nickname they find offensive. "Given the way the meeting transpired," Ray Halbritter, an Oneida representative and leader of the "Change the Mascot Campaign," said Wednesday, "it became somewhat evident they were defending the continued use of the name. Womens Cavaliers Jerseys . With the short-handed Warriors needing help from someone -- anyone -- to stop a three-game skid, ONeal returned from right knee and groin injuries that had sidelined him for four games and put up season highs with 18 points and eight rebounds. It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. http://www.cheapcavaliersjerseyschina.com/ . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. Goalie Roberto Luongo, getting the call in place of Game 1 starter Carey Price, was solid when needed in making 23 saves for the shutout. Authentic Cavaliers Jerseys . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Discount Cavaliers Jerseys . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. NEW YORK -- Daniel Murphy keeps turning those Citi Field boos into booms.Murphy hit his seventh home run this year against the team that let him go last winter, lining an early drive off the facing of the upper deck and leading the Washington Nationals over the New York Mets 3-2 Sunday.That guys the real deal. Hes definitely a cyborg right now, winning pitcher Gio Gonzalez said.You dont know what to throw him, he said. You might have to throw him pingpong balls.Murphy tops the majors with a .348 batting average at the All-Star break, boosted by the damage hes done to the Mets. He homered three times and drove in 10 runs as the NL East leaders took three of four in this series, opening a six-game edge over New York.Murphy, as usual, deflected any notion hes the main reason his team is soaring.Carry it? No, no, no, he said. The list is too many. Just a small piece of it.As for his own impressive first half that includes 46 extra-base hits and 66 RBI?I would say Im surprised, Murphy said.Murphy connected in the first inning for his 17th homer this year. Overall, he is 22 for 52 (.423) with 21 RBI vs. his old club.I dont think its just against us. Hes hitting like .350, losing pitcher Steven Matz said.I dont have any answer, he said.If theres any consolation for Mets manager Terry Collins, hell soon have Murphy back on his side, albeit for just a day -- Collins is guiding the NL team in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night in San Diego, and Murphy is on the squad.The Nationals posted their 54th win, matching the 1994 Montreal Expos for the most in franchise history before the break.Very pleased with the first half we had, said first-year Nationals manager Dusty Baker. We know we can get even better.Jose Reyes hit two home runs for the Mets, including a leadoff shot in the first inning. He connected in his first two at-bats, then took three wild swings his next time up and struck out.Gonzalez (5-8) pitched into the sixth as the Nats won their third straight against the Mets and beat them for the ninth time in 13 matchups this year. The lefty had lost seven of his previous eight decisions, but regained his touch in a ballpark where hes now 8-1.Tanner Roark made hhis first relief appearance of the season, replacing Gonzalez and retiring seven straight batters.dddddddddddd He went seven innings last Wednesday for a win.Jonathan Papelbon pitched the ninth for his 19th save in 21 chances. His 368th career save moved him past Jeff Reardon into ninth place on the all-time list.Matz (7-5) fell to 0-4 in his last eight starts. He gave up an RBI single to All-Star Wilson Ramos in the third that put Washington ahead 3-1, and left after the seventh.It took Murphy less than two months to go from valued ex-player to villain at his former home. Murphy drew two standing ovations and got a video tribute when he returned for the first time in mid-May.The longtime second baseman whose playoff slugging helped the Mets reach the World Series last year got jeered every time he came to the plate on this afternoon. He managed to make at least one new fan, however -- after chasing down a popup that landed in foul territory, he pointed to a young person in the stands and tossed the souvenir that way.TRAINERS ROOMMets: OF Yoenis Cespedes (strained right quadriceps) hasnt started since getting hurt Friday night. Collins said it was unlikely the slugger wouldve been able to pinch-hit. ... OF Alejandro De Aza twice knocked himself down with foul balls in the fourth. He got checked and stayed in.LOOKING AHEADNationals star Bryce Harper has played vs. every opposing team in the majors except Cleveland, but could see Indians pitcher Corey Kluber in the All-Star Game -- in the next month, the Nats take on Cleveland four times. Major league wins leader Chris Sale could start for the AL, and Harper has faced him once, in the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field. Lined out to third, he remembered.UP NEXTNationals: Open a nine-game homestand next Friday, starting with Pittsburgh. The Dodgers and Padres later visit Washington.Mets: Start a three-game series at Philadelphia on Friday. RHP Noah Syndergaard, who left his last start with arm fatigue, will pitch at the back end of the rotation coming out of the break, Collins said. Wholesale Jerseys 2020 Cheap NFL Jerseys Throwback Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Hoodies Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys Discount Jerseys ' ' '