Form Guide: Quinn makes history in NSL; Jonathan, Promise David both bag braces in Europe
A historic first weekend in the Northern Super League saw several Canadian women’s national team players write their names in the history books.
Plus, Canadian men’s national team strikers are in top form, and Alistair Johnston hit a special milestone this season with Celtic, showing just how excellent he has been for the Scottish club.
Here are the biggest stories for Canadian footballers this week:
Jonathan David ends mini-slump with huge performance against Auxerre
In the midst of his stunning goal for the Canadian men’s national team against the United States, Jonathan David had quietly gone four matches without appearing on the scoresheet for Lille. It was only the second time this season he’s gone that long without a goal.
Well, that dam certainly burst on Sunday against Auxerre, when David exploded for two goals and an assist during a 3-1 victory. David’s first goal was particularly impressive, a left-footed strike which curled into the top corner.
The win was also huge for Lille, who move within a single point of Monaco for the third and final Champions League spot in France with four matchweeks remaining.
Fellow Canadian striker Theo Bair started for Auxerre, and was removed in the 66th minute. David, meanwhile, now has 16 goals and four assists on the Ligue 1 campaign, and sits third in the Golden Boot race.
Quinn, Boychuk make history in the NSL
Quinn has made a few entries in the history books over their already impressive career, but this past week they added another: first ever goalscorer in the NSL. When the Vancouver Rise won a penalty in the league’s inaugural match against the Calgary Wild this past Wednesday, only one player who was ever stepping up.
The Canadian national team midfielder calmly converted their effort and the Rise held on for a 1-0 victory, and after 106 matches and six goals for their country, Quinn is certainly already living up to their ‘face of the league’ status.
Then on Saturday, former Canadian youth international striker Tanya Boychuk scored in a 1-0 victory for her Montréal Roses against AFC Toronto at BMO Field. Boychuk is one of many players who moved home to join the fledgling league and could parlay a strong NSL performance into some national team buzz. For the 24-year-old, it’s an excellent start.
The first-ever NSL goal.
— Northern Super League (@NorthernSuperLg) April 17, 2025
Quinn writes history! pic.twitter.com/OvrZq907FI
Alistair Johnston hits double digits in assists on the season with Celtic
On Sunday, Celtic Football Club moved one step closer to another piece of silverware as they booked a spot in the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen after a comprehensive 5-0 victory over St. Johnstone.
The match featured a milestone moment for Canadian Alistair Johnston, who earned his tenth assist in all competitions with a stunning ball on Celtic’s fifth goal of the match, scored by Jota.
It has been really promising for both club and country to see Johnston progress this much in the attacking area of his game, and certainly will be welcome for the Canadian attack to see him chip a few more of those lethal crosses into the box during this summer’s action.
In other action…
CanMNT
Promise David scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Genk in Belgium. He now has 21 goals in all competitions.
Theo Corbeanu opened his MLS account with a lovely goal in Toronto FC’s 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake.
THEO OPENS HIS HOMETOWN ACCOUNT 👏
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) April 20, 2025
0-1 | #RSLvTOR | #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/lhWnbhKC4T
Dayne St. Clair picked up his fifth clean sheet of the MLS season, tied for the league lead, after making four saves against FC Dallas.
Moïse Bombito did not appear for Nice in their 2-1 victory against Angers on Sunday.
Derek Cornelius was an unused substitute in Marseille’s 5-1 victory over Montpellier on Saturday.
Stephen Eustáquio played 90 minutes as a central defender in a 2-1 victory over Famalicão on Friday.
Mathieu Choinière was an unused substitute for Grasshopper in a 1-0 loss to Winterthur on Saturday.
Ismaël Koné was an unused substitute for Rennes in a 2-1 victory over Nantes.
Jonathan Osorio went 87 minutes for Toronto FC in their 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Ali Ahmed went 90 minutes and picked up a yellow card in a 0-0 draw with St. Louis FC on Saturday.
Jacob Shaffelburg came on as a half-time substitute in a 3-0 loss for Nashville SC to the Seattle Sounders.
Cyle Larin had the start and went the full 90 for Mallorca in a 0-0 draw with Leganes on Saturday.
CanWNT
Olivia Smith scored in the second minute of a 2-1 victory for Liverpool over Brighton & Hove Albion, but came off at the half with an injury after being on the end of a horror tackle.
Vanessa Gilles played 90 minutes in a Champions League semi-final first-leg 2-1 victory over Arsenal for Lyon.
Kailen Sheridan only needed to make a single save in a comfortable 4-1 victory for San Diego Wave over Racing Louisville on Saturday.
Sabrina D’Angelo started for Aston Villa in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tottenham, making three saves.
Jayde Riviere went 90 minutes for Manchester United in a 0-0 draw with West Ham on Saturday. Shelina Zadorsky also went 90 for West Ham in that match.
Ashley Lawrence was an unused sub in Chelsea’s 4-1 loss to Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Gabriel Carle went the full 90 at left-back in a 1-0 victory over Orlando Pride for the Washington Spirit on Saturday.
Emma Regan captained AFC Toronto and went 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Montréal Roses on Saturday in the club’s inaugural match.
Julia Grosso started and played 79 minutes for Chicago Stars in a 1-0 loss to the Utah Royals on Friday. Bianca St-Georges played 84 minutes for Utah in the victory.
Jessie Fleming started and went 90 minutes for the Portland Thorns in a 1-0 loss to Seattle Reign FC. Marie-Yasmine Alidou was a 78th-minute substitute for the Thorns.
Nichelle Prince played 70 minutes for KC Current in a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dash.
Adriana Leon started and played the first half in a 4-1 victory for San Diego Wave over Racing Louisville. Janine Sonis came on as a substitute for Louisville in the 56th minute.
