CANADIANS ABROAD: Junior Hoilett is on fire for Aberdeen FC | Jayde Riviere wins 1st Manchester United trophy
It was a four-day sequence to remember for Junior Hoilett with Aberdeen, as they continued to tackle the relegation group in the second phase of the 2023-2024 Scottish Premiership campaign.
First, he put in a big performance in a 4-0 drubbing of Hibernian, generating assists on his team’s second and third goals to help them secure a key road victory to push them up the table.
Then, he had a game to remember just days later, as he pulled the strings in a dominant 5-1 Aberdeen win over Livingstone, finished with an eye-popping two-goal and two-assist performance.
Not a bad way to score your first Dons goal 🎯#StandFree | @jnrhoilett 🔴 pic.twitter.com/xXF3b1jC1l
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) May 16, 2024
With that, he’s now put together quite the resume in his short stint in Scotland, where he only signed earlier this year - he’s now got two goals and eight assists in just 14 games, which is quite the run for any attacker.
Especially for a 33-year-old who was without a club for multiple months after ending his short-term adventure with the Vancouver Whitecaps last fall, in which he didn’t have a goal or an assist in nine appearances for the club. Along with a quiet stint in 2022-2023 for Reading in the English Championship, where he had just a goal as the club was relegated, it had felt it was a sign that Hoilett had started to slow down, which is why this renaissance has come out of nowhere.
Another 2 assist game today for Junior Hoilett, as Aberdeen defeated Hibernian 4-0
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 12, 2024
Hoilett now has 6 assists in 13 games for Aberdeen👀
With expanded Copa América squads, he's making a strong case to make that team with his experience+creativity#CanMNTpic.twitter.com/jahny3iU8A
There was a reason he was left out of the CanMNT’s most recent squad, which was in the March window when they took on Trinidad & Tobago in a crucial Copa América playoff, given that he was yet to generate a goal or an assist in a handful of Aberdeen performances at the time.
Now, however, this latest stretch indicates that a return to the CanMNT could be back in order for the veteran. With the Copa América right around the corner and squads for that tournament set to expand to 26, he seems like the perfect candidate to earn a spot in that team based on his form.
There, he’ll also provide some key leadership to the group, something that new CanMNT head coach Jesse Marsch certainly won’t mind having around given how young this Canadian team is, one would think.
Of course, the big question is how Hoilett would fit into Marsch’s system, one that demands a lot of direct, transitional play in the attack, and pressing off the ball. A big skill of Hoilett’s is that he can slow the game down and dictate the pace, which might not gel with Marsch’s demands.
At the same time, that doesn't mean he can’t play a role as a super sub, as the quality he can bring on crosses and set-piece scenarios could be useful late in games where Canada’s trailing or tied, while his ability to hold onto the ball could be key when they’re leading.
Plus, there could be an avenue for him to slot in as a starter if Marsch uses inverted wingers or a #10, as he can slot into either role, with left-wing making sense if Alphonso Davies is at left-back, and the #10 role making sense if Marsch wants more speed out wide.
And when looking at his numbers in Scotland, you can see why he’s made a push to be included in this Canadian squad, as he’s averaging 0.15 goals and 0.55 assists per 90 minutes, doing so on 0.22 Expected Goals (xG) and 0.36 Expected Assists (xA), showing how effective of an offensive piece he’s been for Aberdeen. Averaging 2.12 shots, 2.21 key passes, 3.03 successful dribble attempts and 4.6 passes into the box, he’s been doing a good job of getting the ball to dangerous areas, helping set up his teammates for goals.
⚽ 2 goals.
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) May 16, 2024
🅰 2 assists.
Junior Hoilett 🫡#StandFree 🔴 pic.twitter.com/7J3M5pX29v
On a Canadian team filled with dangerous strikers such as Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Iké Ugbo, Theo Bair and more, that service could prove to be useful, as chances will be at a premium against the top teams that await them at the Copa América and in the build-up to that tournament.
Of course, the big question is how Hoilett’s production in the Scottish league will translate over to matches like that, which is certainly valid given that Aberdeen’s been in the relegation group of the second phase, but it’s worth noting that one of his best showings was against Celtic in the Scottish FA Cup semi-finals, so he still has that big-game ability in him.
Because of that, it feels like there’s a strong chance Hoilett can claw his way into that Canadian team. Even if he’s on a limited role, he’s certainly earned it, especially in a 26-player squad.
And that’s important to note. A lot of focus has been there on this Canadian team to get younger, and rightfully so as they focus on 2026, but it’s also important they continue to reward those in form and make the pool competitive, something that Hoilett’s inclusion could help them do.
For the young players in the squad, it’ll only help them to learn from him, especially seeing how he’s battled to find his form again, and that could be invaluable as Marsch goes about setting the culture of his team going forward.
Quick hits:
Jayde Riviere has her first trophy for Manchester United, as she played 78 minutes for them in their 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup final last weekend. Given her injuries this year, it’s great to see her out and playing in a game of this magnitude, and she did quite well on the day, completing 25/29 passes (86%), winning 9 out of 12 duels, making three interceptions, and four clearances in a balanced performance.
Special day for Jayde Riviere, who lifted her 1st trophy with Manchester United today, as they defeated Tottenham in the FA Cup final
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 12, 2024
Riviere played 78', which is great to see after her injuries
Will be good to see her back in #CanWNT/#CanXNT camppic.twitter.com/cBhIQv5jY4
Yet, this shows why Riviere’s biggest obstacle at making Canada’s Olympic squad this summer isn’t her play, as she continues to play well when she sees the field, but injuries continue to keep her off the field. Hopefully this can be a sign that she’s ready for a big summer, as she’s someone who Canada will want on the field in big games, despite the depth they have at wing back.
Chandra Davidson and Marie-Yasmine Alidou also won a trophy this week, as Benfica beat Racing Almada in Liga BPI play to earn the Portuguese League title, giving the club a third trophy this year after winning the Taça da Liga and the Supertaça (Alidou won all three, Davidson won the Taça da Liga and the Liga BPI trophy).
Marie-Yasmine Alidou has her 3rd Benfica🏆, and Chandra Davidson has her 2nd, as Benfica won the 🇵🇹league today
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 11, 2024
Alidou now has the Super Taça, the Taça Da Liga and League; Davidson has the latter 2
The Taça de Portugal remains, too👀#CanWNT/#CanXNTpic.twitter.com/SpgDIKin3c
They now go for a domestic quadruple next week when they play that same Racing Almada side in the Taça de Portugal final, which is something to watch, as the pair of Canadians look to finish off their first seasons at Benfica in style, showing why they’re players to keep an eye on long-term.
Alistair Johnston also won a trophy this week, as Celtic beat Kilmarnock 5-0 to clinic the Scottish Premiership title, with Johnston nabbing an assist in the win. With that, Johnston now has four trophies for the club, and will now chase a fifth when Celtic plays Rangers later this month in the Scottish FA Cup final. That wouldn’t be a bad way for him to enter his first camp under Marsch, one could say.
Alistair Johnston and Celtic won the Scottish Premiership title today, defeating Kilmarnock 5-0 to clinch the🏆
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 15, 2024
Johnston had an assist to Daizen Maeda to put him up to 1G/7A in 23/24, as he earns his 4th trophy with the club
Great to see!#CanMNTpic.twitter.com/N14on7Er8K
2023-2024 Serie A champion Evelyne Viens has a big weekend ahead - she currently sits with 12 Serie A goals after scoring in Roma’s 3-1 loss to Juventus on Monday, two ahead of second place, who has 10, meaning she can clinch the Golden Boot this week. Given that she has five goals in her last five games, it’s a strong bet she does so with a goal or two, as well, which would cap off an excellent first season in Italy for the forward, who is making a strong push to make Canada’s Olympic squad with her play.
ICYMI, it's the final weekend of Serie A action, and Evelyne Viens can take home the Golden Boot
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 15, 2024
She currently leads the league with 12 goals after scoring vs Juventus on Monday, putting her 2 ahead of 2nd place
Something to watch👀#CanWNT/#CanXNTpic.twitter.com/TCHj1k1F7Z
Lastly, speaking of in-form Canadian forwards, Jonathan David continued his strong season for Lille, scoring a brace in a 2-1 win over Nantes to put his side one game away from booking a Champions League spot, which they can do this weekend.
Plus, David hit some cool benchmarks with that brace - he remains 2nd in the Ligue 1 Golden Boot race with 19 goals (although he won’t catch Kylian Mbappe and his 27 goals), his 17 non-penalty goals mark his best league season in Europe (even including his Gent years), and the 35 goal contributions he has in all competitions (26 goals and 9 assists) is his best of any season he’s had.
Hot start today for Jonathan David, who has a brace for Lille early in their clash vs Nantes, as Lille's #UCL push continues
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) May 12, 2024
David now has 19 goals in Ligue 1 play (which is 2nd in L1), and 26G/9A in all competitions
Finishing 23/24 strongly#CanMNTpic.twitter.com/Pupc7VCtSU
With just one game left, look for him to push for a second straight season with 20 Ligue 1 goals, as Lille tries and makes the Champions League, capping off potentially his last season with the club on a high note.
