Form Guide: A weekend full of GOALS for CanWNT players
While the Canadian men's national team were making noise with their impressive 3-0 victory over Romania this weekend, players from the Canadian women's national team made their share of headlines as well.
It seemed like just about every player in the national team pool either scored or assisted on a goal, or multiple, over the weekend, making it one to remember as the women’s season kicked off across Europe.
Here are the top stories to note from an impressive week for CanWNT ballers:
Smith marks Arsenal debut with stunning strike
After becoming the first player in women’s football history to command a million-pound transfer fee, Olivia Smith had a lot of expectations on her as she made her debut for Arsenal this past weekend.
It is fair to say that she did not disappoint. Just 29 minutes into her debut against London City, she beat her defender and unleashed a thunderous cross-goal strike into the top corner. Arsenal would go on to win the match 4-1, and Smith was given the Player of the Match award.
After scoring seven FA WSL goals last season and winning the PFA women’s Young Player of the Year, Smith is looking to reach another level in 2025-26. Early returns, it is safe to say, are incredibly positive.
For more on Smith's debut, read Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic's ICYMI.
Fleming forces huge own goal in big Portland win
While Jesse Fleming wasn’t officially on the scoresheet this weekend, she delivered one of the most important moments of the Portland Thorns' season so far.
In the 90th minute against Racing Louisville on Saturday, Fleming got onto a cross which she volleyed goalward. Jordyn Bloomer got a toe to the ball, but it deflected off of Louisville defender Ellie Jean and into the net.
Had they lost or drawn, Portland would have been in a precarious spot near the league’s playoff line. With the win, they now have a three-point cushion on ninth-place Houston Dash. Fleming played the full 90 in this crucial match.
Roses race their way to a victory🌹
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 6, 2025
Portland Thorns battle it out to a 2-1 win against Racing Louisville with the help of a 90th minute own goal.#LOUvsPOR recap presented by @Nationwide pic.twitter.com/Qdmu1OlAaH
Gilles scores in league debut with Bayern
Another Canadian who made a high-profile European move this off-season was central defender Vanessa Gilles.
One of the best at her position in World football, Gilles left Lyon after an outstanding season where she scored seven goals in all competitions for the French champions.
Gilles is already off the mark in Germany, scoring a towering header off of a corner kick, which stood as the winner in Bayern’s season-opening 2-0 win over Leverkusen on Saturday. Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic broke down Gilles Bayern debut in ICYMI.
In other news…
Julia Grosso scored and added an assist for Chicago Stars in their 5-2 win over Orlando Pride on Sunday.
Clarrisa Larisey scored a goal and added an assist in a big 3-0 victory for Houston Dash against San Diego Wave. Adriana Leon had the start for San Diego in that match, while Kailen Sheridan was beat three times on five shots. For more on how Larisey is adapting the NWSL and Houston, read AGR's ICYMI.
First start, first NWSL goal 💥
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 8, 2025
Clarissa Larisey grabs the lead for the Houston Dash! pic.twitter.com/OrBjUHkkQL
Quinn had a goal and two assists for Vancouver Rise in a stunning 6-0 victory over Calgary Wild.
Annabelle Chukwu scored a hat-trick for Notre Dame in a 3-0 victory against Michigan State, and fellow national teammates, goalkeeper Noelle Henning and Kayla Briggs.
Carly Wickenheiser scored for BK Häcken in a 1-1 draw with Kristianstad in Sweden.
Jayde Rivière recorded an assist and went 90 minutes in a 4-0 win for Manchester United over Leicester City on Sunday.
Nichelle Prince had an assist after coming on in the 68th minute for KC Current in a 2-0 victory over Bay City FC.
Sabrina D’Angelo had the start but came off at the half through injury in a 0-0 draw for Aston Villa against Brighton.
Gabriel Carle went the full 90 in a 2-0 win for the Washington Spirit against Jordyn Huitema and the Seattle Reign.
Sydney Collins made her first start since returning from a lengthy absence with injury, going the full 90 for Bay FC as a central defender in a 2-0 loss to KC Current. Could she see her way back into a Canada camp quickly?
Shelina Zadorsky went 90 minutes for West Ham, who lost 1-0 to her former side, Tottenham, on Sunday.
Jade Rose went 90 minutes for Manchester City in her FA WSL, and professional, debut, a 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Friday.
Ashley Lawrence started for Lyon in a 3-1 win over Marseille on Sunday.
Emma Regan played 90 minutes for AFC Toronto in a 1-0 victory over the Halifax Tides.
Marie-Yasmine Alidou was a 64th-minute substitute for Portland Thorns in their 2-1 win over Racing Louisville.
Flourianne Jourde made her debut for PSG, starting and playing 77 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Lens on Saturday.
Janine Sonis played 90 minutes in Racing Louisville’s 2-1 loss to Portland on Friday.
Cloé Lacasse started and played 64 minutes in Utah Royals’ 1-1 draw with North Carolina Courage
