Form Guide: CanMNT striker race heating up, Fleming stars in NWSL decision day
With the Canadian women’s national team returning to their respective clubs this weekend, some big domestic playoff games and plenty of action across Europe, it was a busy week for national team ballers across the globe.
In particular, Canadians had some big performances in NWSL’s decision day, the MLS Cup playoffs, and the historic first NSL playoff match over the weekend.
Here are the biggest stories for Canadian players this past week.
Promise David remains in scoring form as CanMNT striker race heats up
Last week, we looked at how the striker race is heating up a little bit for the Canadian men’s national team, with Daniel Jebbison and Theo Bair both putting in strong performances in recent weeks.
In Belgium, meanwhile, Promise David has continued to be just as prolific as always with Union Saint-Gilloise. On Wednesday, he scored in a 3-0 Belgian Cup victory against Tubize. He then followed that up by scoring his fifth league goal for USG in a 4-1 win over Zulte Waregem.
He now has seven on the season in all competitions, with a big matchup for USG on Tuesday coming up in the UEFA Champions League against Atlético Madrid.
Jessie Fleming stars in huge regular-season finale win for Portland
There was plenty of drama on the final day of the NWSL season and right at the centre of it was a massive performance from Jessie Fleming for the Portland Thorns.
With Portland taking on the Houston Dash on Sunday, Fleming scored a goal and added an assist in a 2-0 victory for the Thorns. That massive result moved them all the way up the table to third place. As a result, they will now host the San Diego Wave in the first round of the playoffs – kicking off on November 9.
An important Decision Day goal 🙌
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 2, 2025
After a little chaos in the box, Jesse Fleming's shot hits the back of the net for her second of 2025! pic.twitter.com/ENuktdZCJ6
In other news…
CanMNT
Jacen Russell-Rowe had a goal and an assist for the Columbus Crew in a 4-0 demolition of Cincinnati at home.
Tani Oluwaseyi scored a hat-trick for Villarreal midweek in the Copa del Rey against fifth-tier side Ciudad de Lucena. He also came off the bench for the Yellow Submarines at the weekend against Rayo Vallecano.
Ralph Priso scored a huge equalizer for the Vancouver Whitecaps as they eliminated FC Dallas on penalties. Ali Ahmed played 84 minutes before being replaced by Jayden Nelson.
Nathan Saliba picked up an assist in a 2-0 Belgian Cup victory against Ninove. He then played 58 minutes over the weekend in a 3-1 win over Mechelen in the league.
James Pantemis made a pair of saves as the Portland Timbers defeated San Diego FC on penalties on Saturday.
Dayne St. Clair had a strong start to the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs, making four saves during regulation, before denying Seattle again in penalties as Minnesota United prevailed.
Derek Cornelius started and came off in stoppage time midweek in a 1-0 win for Rangers against Hibernian. He also played the full 120 minutes for Rangers in a heartbreaking 3-1 Scottish Cup semifinal loss to Celtic.
Joel Waterman and the Chicago Fire were eliminated from the MLS Cup playoffs following a 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. Waterman played the full 90 minutes in the match.
Niko Sigur went 90 minutes for Hajduk Split on Sunday in a 0-0 draw with Slaven Belupo.
Luc de Fougerolles went the full 120 minutes in the centre of a back three in FCV Dender in a 4-2 extra-time victory over Chareloi in the Belgian Cup. He was an unused sub in a 2-1 loss to Club Brugge on Saturday.
Ismaël Koné started and played 85 minutes for Sassuolo against Cagliari on Thursday in a 2-1 victory.
Stephen Eustáquio was an unused sub for Porto in a 2-1 win against Braga.
Tajon Buchanan came off the bench in the 63rd minute in a 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano in league action on Saturday.
Jacob Shaffelburg came off the bench in the 63rd minute in Nashville SC’s 2-1 victory over Inter Miami.
Cyle Larin was an unused substitute for Feyenoord in a 3-1 win over FC Volendam.
Jonathan David came off the bench in the 85th minute in a 2-1 victory for Juventus against Cremonese.
CanWNT
Kaylee Hunter came on at the half in a 2-0 win over Montreal Roses, scored in the 70th minute in a big result for AFC Toronto.
Nichelle Prince came off the bench to score the match-winner for regular-season winners KC Current against San Diego FC in a 2-1 victory. It was her first goal of the season.
Evelyne Viens picked up an assist in a 3-0 victory for Roma over Inter Milan.
Sabrina D’Angelo was in net for a wild 3-3 draw between Aston Villa and Everton.
Kailen Sheridan started in goal for San Diego FC in their 2-1 loss to KC Current, making one save. Adriana Leon came off the bench in the 83rd minute for a short cameo.
Ashley Lawrence was not in the squad for Lyon in a 1-0 win over Paris FC.
Gabrielle Carle came off the bench and played 45 minutes in a 1-0 loss for the Washington Spirit to the Utah Royals.
Jayde Rivière started and went 60 minutes in a 3-2 win for Manchester United against Brighton. Simi Awujo came off the bench for the final half hour.
Jade Rose started for Manchester City in a 1-0 victory over West Ham. Shelina Zadorsky started and played the full 90 for West Ham in the loss.
Emma Regan went the full 90 as AFC Toronto won the first leg 2-0 over Montreal Roses in the NSL Playoff semifinal.
Florianne Jourde came on at the half for PSG in a 2-0 victory over Le Havre.
Janine Sonis played 90 minutes in a huge 1-0 victory for Racing Louisville against Bay FC. That result clinched Louisville a playoff spot for the first time.
Jordyn Huitema came off the bench and played 45 minutes as Seattle drew 1-1 with Orlando Pride.
