CANADIANS ABROAD: Evelyne Viens caps off debut season with Roma in style | Cyle Larin comes up big for Mallorca
Evelyne Viens put a bow on a strong debut season in Italy on Friday as Roma defeated Fiorentina on penalties in the Coppa Italia final, giving them a league and cup double.
And much as she did in Serie A, in which she scored 13 goals en route to winning the Golden Boot along with the league title, Viens played a big role in Roma’s Coppa Italia success, scoring in leg two of the semi-finals and then a late equalizer in the final, helping them win that game despite trailing 3-1.
Massive & clutch goal for Evelyne Viens, who scored a 90th-minute equalizer for Roma in the Coppa Italia final, helping Roma come back from down 3-1 vs Fiorentina
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 24, 2024
She's got 18G/7A in 23/24 now, as Roma pushes for a domestic double in ET#CanWNT/#CanXNTpic.twitter.com/Cp67Lg3fWv
Yet, it’s a perfect way to cap off a strong debut season in Italy for Viens, who finished with an impressive 18 goals and seven assists in all competitions, putting together an excellent season.
Not only that, but she grew in some key areas, too, while also proving that she can score consistently for a top club in a top-five league (based on UEFA’s club coefficients).
For example, one big area of growth was her ability to play multiple positions for Roma, as she split her time between playing on the wing and as a #9, having mostly done the latter in past stops. For a player, that can be pivotal to help growth, helping add key areas to their game.
Then, another one was on the creative side of the game, as her seven assists are more than what she generated in her last three seasons combined (six), which is huge given that she entered this Roma stint with just eight assists in her professional career.
In particular, she thrived at getting to the byline with her speed and then cutting it back, an avenue she used to much success on several occasions for Roma this season. Along with growth in her hold-up play, those two factors were key to her success in that department.
Lastly, she took some strides forward defensively, especially when she played on the wing, as she was often asked to drop deeper out of possession than she might have otherwise been used to. For someone who has played a lot as a #9, that adjustment will only help her when she’s playing the #9, and she started to show that as the year went on.
But of course, for all of the improvements she made, she also continued to do what she’s very good at - score goals. After scoring 34 goals in 45 games across one and a half seasons at her last stop with Kristianstads in Sweden, many wondered how her translation would fare at a club like Roma, who is in a tough league, and also had Champions League duty to navigate.
Evelyne Viens scored 2 beautiful goals for Roma today in a 4-3 win vs Inter Milan, showing great speed, skill and finishing on both
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 5, 2024
She's now got 15G/7A for Roma in 23/24 after a 3G/3A week
Surely she gets some #CanWNT/#CanXNT minutes this summerpic.twitter.com/OErjgUvOfl
Despite those challenges, she stood tall in front of all of them, scoring 13 times in 24 league appearances, three times in eight Champions League showings and twice in four Coppa Italia games, remaining consistent no matter the opponent or competition.
Plus, how she scored the goals is quite impressive. For all of the goals she scored, none of them were from the penalty spot, making her totals look even better.
Instead, she often scored her goals with her speed and ability to get in behind defenders, as well as by getting on the end of crosses, especially the cutbacks that Roma liked to create.
Just look at Evelyne Viens' 2nd goal of the day for Roma, as she takes this ball down perfectly before slotting it into the far corner. Expert finish#CanWNT/#CanXNTpic.twitter.com/TbxxVsOHUH
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 5, 2024
Not only that, but she scored several goals with both feet, too, showing her ability to be dangerous in different ways, making it tough for defenders and goalkeepers to read her.
So overall, it was a strong season for Viens, which she’ll now hope to parlay in a big Olympics for the CanWNT this summer.
Having scored just five times in 29 appearances for Canada, most of them as a substitute, she enters this summer as arguably Canada’s most in-form forward, and with her knack for clutch goals, such as the one she scored in the Coppa Italia final, one can only wonder if she could score some big goals at the Olympics if given the chance.
Clutch from Evelyne Viens, who scored a late winner for Roma vs Juventus, all but sealing the Serie A title for Roma
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) April 15, 2024
Viens now has 12G/4A (all comps) in her debut season in🇮🇹
She continues her push to make Canada's Olympic squad#CanWNT/#CanXNTpic.twitter.com/qS1mkxXcZ4
On the fringes of the Canadian squad when she arrived at Roma, which is likely a reason why she’ll have made that move, her play has certainly made her a pretty certain lock to be at the Olympics, her second straight participation at that tournament for Canada.
Yet to score at a major tournament for Canada, however, failing to score at the 2021 Olympics and 2023 World Cup, she’ll want to change this summer, and one can imagine she’ll get the opportunity to do so now.
Now, the biggest thing to watch will be what role she does that in.
First, there’s the question about if she settles as a regular starter, or a super sub, having spent most of her tenure as the latter, but if she starts, it’ll be interesting to see where.
With Canada now playing in a 3-4-3 with a fluid front three, Viens could slot anywhere across the frontline based on what she showed for Roma, so it’d be interesting to see if she plays as more of a #9 or a winger.
It’s a huge top of the table Serie A clash today, as Roma faces Juventus, and Evelyne Viens has gotten in on the action to help Roma lead 3-0
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) February 4, 2024
Great finish from her for her 10th in all competitions, as she snaps a 5 game goalless run#CanWNT/#CanXNTpic.twitter.com/6b4Y0rs2Pi
Having shown good chemistry with Jordyn Huitema in the past, it could make sense for her to play as a winger with Huitema up front, but she could also be tasked to lead the line with two natural wide players alongside her, such as Adriana Leon and Cloé Lacasse.
Either way, her flexibility gives Canadian head coach Bev Priestman options, which can only help her case to play a big role this summer.
Coming off the season that she had, she feels poised to make some noise now, starting with Canada’s June friendlies, and then continuing onto the Olympics later this summer.
Quick hits:
Vanessa Gilles picked up her third trophy for Lyon last week, as they defeated PSG in the new D1Arkema playoff final to claim the league title. She’ll now look to make it a double this weekend when Lyon takes on Barcelona in the Champions League final on Saturday, May 25th.
A 3rd trophy with Olympique Lyonnais for Vanessa Gilles, as her side won D1Arekema’s new-look playoff vs PSG to claim the league title today
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 17, 2024
They’ll now look to make it a double next week in the #UCL final vs Barcelona, as Gilles looks for her 1st UCL title#CanWNT/#CanXNT https://t.co/5PhQJ4WRme
Meanwhile, Janine Beckie continued her strong start to 2024 for the red-hot Portland Thorns, nabbing an assist in a 2-0 win over the Houston Dash. Now, the Thorns have won six straight games under interim head coach, Rob Gale, formerly of Valour and the Canadian youth national teams, and he’s done well to do so while relying on his Canadian trio of Beckie, Jessie Fleming and Christine Sinclair, much to the joy of the Thorns Canadian supporters.
Janine Beckie had an assist last night, as the Portland Thorns stayed red-hot with their 6th straight win in NWSL play
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 18, 2024
She’s now got 3G/1A in NWSL action for the Thorns in 23/24#CanWNT/#CanXNT
pic.twitter.com/Mh33DFoFfa
Elsewhere, Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence ensured they finished off the 2023-2024 season with a trophy, as they clinched the WSL title with a 6-0 win over Manchester United, capping off the Emma Hayes era on a high note.
3rd Chelsea trophy for Kadeisha Buchanan, and a 1st for Ashley Lawrence, as they won the WSL title today with a commanding win over Manchester United
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 18, 2024
They end off the Emma Hayes era with a trophy, finishing 23/24 on a high note#CanWNT/#CanXNT https://t.co/mvQxnl2v9r
Over in Scotland, Junior Hoilett capped off his strong half-season with Aberdeen on a high note, getting an assist to give him two goals and nine assists in 15 games for the club. One has to imagine he’s on the next CanMNT squad, which will be announced early next week.
ICYMI, Junior Hoilett capped off his strong half-season with Aberdeen this weekend, nabbing another assist in a 2-2 draw with Ross County
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 21, 2024
That gives him 2G/9A for the club in just 15 games
Certainly did what he could to push for Copa América#CanMNTpic.twitter.com/mVhi6T53zy
As rumours surrounding his future continue to swirl, Alphonso Davies closed out his Bayern Munich season on a high note, scoring in a 4-2 loss to Hoffenheim. He’ll now get set for his first CanMNT camp under Jesse Marsch, as he’ll be relied upon heavily at the Copa América, even with his club future remaining in the balance.
Alphonso Davies is finishing off his 23/24 season on a high note for Bayern Munich,
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 18, 2024
scoring in their season finale vs Hoffenheim with a tidy finish
He’s now got 3G/6A in 23/24, as he looks to enter the Copa América on a bit of a scoring run#CanMNT
pic.twitter.com/NpXqrc5nx4
With the Concacaf Champions Cup final rapidly approaching, Jacen Russell-Rowe continues to find form for the Columbus Crew, as he scored a beautiful goal off the bench in a 3-1 win. He’s now got 5 goals and one assist in all competitions, continuing his strong start to the 2024 season.
What a goal from Jacen Russell-Rowe, who scored the insurance marker in a 3-1 #Crew96 win over the Chicago Fire
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 19, 2024
Nice touch and finish from a tight angle to make it 5G/1A in all competitions, as he continues a strong 2024 campaign#CanMNT
pic.twitter.com/qM8WmyiCax
After a slump, Cyle Larin picked the perfect time to score his first La Liga goal since January, slotting home in a 2-2 Mallorca draw with Alméria, one that assures Mallorca’s survival in La Liga for next season. It’s been a mixed season for Larin, who shone in Mallorca’s surprise run to the Copa Del Rey final, but hasn’t been able to replicate that form in league play, something he’ll look to change next year.
ICYMI, Cyle Larin scored in a 2-2 draw that assured survival for Mallorca in La Liga
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 21, 2024
It's been a season of ups and downs for Larin, from the Copa Del Rey final to his minutes, but this puts him up to 7G/3A in all comps with 1 game to play#CanMNTpic.twitter.com/Gn4MGWx1OA
Until then, however, his next battle will be to prove to Marsch that he has a big role to play in his CanMNT squad going forward, amid concerns that his style of play might not mesh with his new National Team coach.
