FORM GUIDE: A big week for Canadians in Europe, Buchanan scores against Barcelona & Gilles wins French title

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It was a big week for Canadians across Europe, particularly in France. 

Vanessa Gilles won yet another French title, Jonathan David played his final match for Lille, and Ismaël Koné scored a screamer against his former club. 

There are also multiple players making their case to be included in this summer’s Gold Cup squad with some strong performances of late. 

Here are the biggest stories from Canadian players this past week: 

Koné, Buchanan score big goals in Europe

Several Canadian men’s national team players will finish their 2024-25 campaigns on a strong note following some big goals across Europe this weekend. 

In Spain, Tajon Buchanan scored the winner for Villarreal against La Liga Champions Barcelona in a 3-2 result, which secured a Champions League spot for the Yellow Submarines. It was Buchanan’s first goal since joining the Spanish club on loan and an important confidence booster after a trying season. 

Then, in France, Ismaël Koné had what must have been a cathartic moment against his parent club, Marseille, scoring with an absolutely stunning strike early in a 4-2 loss for Rennes. Whatever his future holds in France or beyond, it was a demonstration of his incredible talent. 

Vanessa Gilles adds another French title in final game with Lyon

Canadian women’s national team star defender Vanessa Gilles added yet another trophy to her impressive cabinet with Lyon in France this past weekend after they beat PSG 3-0 in the final to clinch her third French title in three years with the club. 

Gilles had an incredible season this year, scoring a stunning nine goals and two assists in all competitions, from central defender. 

The match also marks the end of Gilles' loan from Angel City in the NWSL. However, she has expressed in the past that she would prefer to play in Europe instead of returning to America. What’s next for one of the best central defenders on the planet is a big story to watch in Canadian soccer. 

Are Theo Corbeanu, Luca Petrasso putting themselves into the Gold Cup conversation? 

Jayden Nelson wasn’t the only young Canadian international who returned home from Europe this off-season looking for a fresh start in MLS.

Following five seasons in Europe spent across a multitude of clubs and countries, Theo Corbeanu signed with hometown Toronto FC this off-season. After a bit of a slow start, the 23-year-old has heated up in recent weeks. In his past seven games in all competitions, Corbeanu has now scored four goals and added two assists. That included a pair against CF Montréal in a 6-1 win this past weekend. Could it be enough to have Marsch give him a look this summer and return to the national team fold? 

On the other side of that match in Montréal this past weekend, one of the bright spots for CF Montréal this season has been 24-year-old Luca Petrasso. He set up his side’s lone goal in that 6-1 loss, having scored his first MLS goal earlier in the week against the Columbus Crew. Given Canada’s lack of depth at left-back could he be an option this summer as well? 

In other action: 

CANMNT 

Tani Oluwayesi opened the scoring in a 3-0 victory over St. Louis CITY with a clever backheel, going 84 minutes in that match, He also came off the bench in Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to Houston Dynamo for Minnesota United. 

Promise David scored his 17th of the season, Union Saint-Gilloise can win the league next weekend with a victory over Gent. 

Cyle Larin added his seventh goal of the season for Mallorca late in a 2-1 loss against Getafe. 

Alistair Johnston added his 12th assist of the season for Celtic on a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw with St. Mirren on Saturday. 

Jacen Russell-Rowe scored his fifth of the season against CF Montréal in a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. He came off the bench in the 59th minute in a 1-1 draw with FC Cincinnati on Saturday. 

Dayne St-Clair had a bit of a mixed week, first making four saves in a losing effort to the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday. However, he then made three saves to keep his league-leading seventh clean sheet of the season this weekend against St. Louis CITY.

Max Crépeau has been much improved for the Portland Timbers lately. He kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, making two saves, before making five against Seattle this weekend in a 1-1 draw. 

Derek Cornelius was an unused sub against Rennes this past weekend. 

Moïse Bombito played the full 90 on Saturday in a dominant 6-0 victory over Brest on Saturday. 

Niko Sigur played 90 minutes and put in a strong performance in a big 2-1 victory for Hajduk Split against Rijeka. 

Stephen Eustáquio was not in the team for Porto in a 3-0 victory over Nacional. 

Jacob Shaffelburg started and played 78 minutes against New York Red Bulls on Wednesday in a 2-1 win for Nashville, before coming off the bench in the 70th minute in a 0-0 draw with D.C. United on Saturday. 

Ali Ahmed played the full 90 for the Whitecaps in a 0-0 draw with Austin FC. 

Mathieu Choinière came on in the 67th minute for Grasshopper against Yverdon midweek in a 5-0 victory. He did not appear in Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Sion. 

Jonathan David went 72 minutes in his final match with Lille, a 2-1 win over Reims. 

CANWNT 

Kailen Sheridan made two saves and earned a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Gotham FC. Adriana Leon started and played 62 minutes. 

Ashley Lawrence was an unused substitute during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup Final, but lifted another trophy. Neither Jayde Rivière (injured) nor Simi Awujo (unused sub) appeared for United. 

Gabrielle Carle played 90 minutes for the Washington Spirit in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Utah Royals FC on Saturday. Bianca St-Georges came off the bench for Utah in the 70th minute. 

Emma Regan played 90 minutes for AFC Toronto in a 1-0 win over the Halifax Tides. 

Julia Grosso played the full 90 for Chicago Stars in a 2-0 loss to North Carolina Courage. 

Jessie Fleming came off the bench at half-time for the Portland Thorns in a 4-0 victory over the Houston Dash. 

Marie-Yasmine Alidou picked up an assist for Portland in their 4-0 win over Houston, playing the full 90. 

Evelyne Viens played the final 45 minutes for Roma in a 4-0 loss to Lysianne Proulx (unused sub) and Juventus in the Coppa Italia final. 

Janine Sonis started and played the first 58 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Jordyn Huitema and Seattle Reign. Huitema played 86 minutes in the win.