Jessie Fleming has matured as Canada's main protagonist

If the Arnold Clark Cup has shown anything it’s that more and more the Canadian women’s side has become Jessie Fleming’s team.

With Christine Sinclair ruled out of the tournament, Fleming has stepped up and admirably filled in as the club’s leader, highlighted by the Reds’ opening 1-1 draw against England that saw her wear the captain’s armband for the first time in her national team career. At the same time, Fleming has further demonstrated that she’s become an invaluable figure on the pitch as a tireless midfielder creator through which the team’s attack flows.

It’s taken a while for Fleming to get to this point in her career. But after years of onlookers waiting for her to finally break out and fully live up to her potential, the 23-year-old native of London, Ont., has finally arrived and established herself as a key cog in the Canadian midfield.