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." Paul Aguilar Mexico Jersey . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. Jurgen Damm Mexico Jersey . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. http://www.mexiconationalshop.us/Miguel-Layun-Mexico-Jersey-Soccer/ . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. Guillermo Ochoa Jersey . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Jesus Molina Mexico Jersey .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. CLEVELAND -- Sometimes youve just got to make it up as you go along, and thats exactly what the Houston Astros are doing.Day-to-day is a good description for us right now in September, manager A.J. Hinch said. Weve got guys here who didnt expect to be starting or even in the big leagues right now, so were just trying to get through this series.An injury to ace Dallas Keuchel has caused a shakeup in the Astros starting rotation. Tuesday they recalled Brad Peacock from Triple-A Fresno so he could start Tuesdays game against the Indians. That start was supposed to go to Keuchel, but he was scratched and is out indefinitely with left shoulder inflammation.Joe Musgrove was supposed to start Thursdays series finale in Cleveland, but David Paulino was also recalled from Fresno on Tuesday and he will make his major league debut Thursday. Musgroves start has been pushed back to Friday.Despite all the maneuvering, the Astros have pitched well in the first two games of the series, winning them both and outscoring Cleveland 10-5.The Astros have won three in a row overall and will try to make it four in a row Wednesday when they send Doug Fister (12-10, 3.91) to the mound against Clevelands Carlos Carrasco (10-7, 3.06).Fister has struggled of late. In his last five starts he is 2/3 with a 6.23 ERA. In one start against the Indians this year he pitched seven innings and gave up two runs and six hits. In 15 career starts versus Cleveland he is 5-3 with a 2.72 ERA.Carrasco has been pitcching well lately.dddddddddddd In his last three starts he is 2-1 with a 1.40 ERA, with 28 strikeouts and two walks in 19 innings. He has not faced the Astros this year. In five career appearances -- four starts -- against Houston he is 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA.The Indians need a good start from Carrasco because their offense has been spinning its wheels in the first two games against the Astros. In the first inning Tuesday night the Indians had runners at second and third and no outs, with the middle of the order coming up, but failed to score.That was a big turn of events. We have runners at second and third and no outs and dont score, and then they come back with three (in the top of the second), manager Terry Francona said.Indians cleanup hitter Mike Napoli was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the game. Napoli leads the Indians in home runs with 30, but he has hit only one since Aug. 11. The Indians could use some more production from their cleanup hitter.Francona, however, is familiar with Napolis player profile and the manager is willing to wait for the big bang he knows is coming.Hes getting his hits. He just isnt hitting them out of the park, Francona said. His home runs tend to come in bunches. We know, with his swing, there are some strikeouts in there, but were willing to wait for the good because we know it far outweighs the not so good. ' ' '