Form Guide: Evelyne Viens on fire heading into CanWNT camp for Japan friendlies

With Canadian men’s national team players returning from the international break, and members of the CanWNT playing their final club matches before a pair of high-profile friendlies in Japan, there was plenty of action this past week for Canadian ballers. 

Here are the top stories from this past week: 

Evelyne Viens in top form heading into national team camp

Heading into the final international window of 2025 for the Canadian women’s national team, they are looking to score their first goal since June. 

If there is a leading candidate to end that drought right now, it is Evelyne Viens. The Roma striker has been prolific in recent weeks. She scored in each of her past two matches, in the league against Como and in the Champions League against Leuven and had an assist against rivals Lazio the week prior. 

With two goals and three assists in total in November, and Canada’s questions up top, especially without Olivia Smith in camp, Viens should be the leading candidate to start against Japan on November 29. 

CanMNT strikers stay hot after international window 

Both Tani Oluwaseyi and Promise David left Canada camp this past week and went right back to scoring big goals for their clubs. 

Oluwaseyi added his second league goal of the campaign after backheeling a deflected cross from Tajon Buchanan in the 83rd minute, which stood as the winner for Villarreal against Mallorca. The goal earned a big three points for the Yellow Submarines, who sit third in La Liga, three points behind leaders Real Madrid. 

David, meanwhile, opened the scoring for Union Saint-Gilloise against Cercle Brugge with his sixth league goal of the season. As Jonathan David continues to struggle for both club and country, it is encouraging to see other Canadian attackers stepping up during this stretch. 

In other action… 

CanMNT 

Dayne St. Clair and Minnesota United’s season came to an end after a 1-0 loss to San Diego FC in the MLS Cup conference semi-finals. Still, it was a strong campaign for St. Clair, who took home MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honours. 

Alfie Jones went the full 90 as Middlesbrough drew 1-1 with Oxford United on Saturday. They remain second in the Championship table. 

Luc de Fougerolles was not in the lineup against Royal Antwerp as FCV Dender picked up their first victory of the Belgian League season. 

Derek Cornelius is going to see a specialist about a muscle injury he suffered while on international duty for Canada. He has been ruled out at least through the end of 2025 as CanMNT’s backline injuries pile up. 

Niko Sigur was a substitute in a stunning 5-0 loss for league leaders Hajduk Split against Rijeka. 

Stephen Eustáquio went the full 90 in midfield for Porto during a 3-0 Taça de Portugal victory over SU Sintrense. 

Ismaël Koné played 72 minutes in a 2-2 draw with Pisa for Sassuolo. 

Ali Ahmed started and went 82 minutes in the Vancouver Whitecaps' victory on penalties against LAFC. He was replaced by Jayden Nelson, who scored a penalty in the shootout. 

Jonathan David came off the bench in the 88th minute in a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina on Saturday. 

CanWNT 

Kayla Briggs scored for Michigan in a 1-0 win over Wake Forrest in the NCAA tournament as Michigan State advanced to the round of 16. They then beat Colorado 2-1 to move on to the quarter-final. Canadian goalkeeper Noelle Henning made seven saves in that match. 

Emily Burns made three saves in a 2-1 victory for Nantes against Fleury in France. 

Ashley Lawrence went 90 for Lyonnes in a 5-0 victory over Strasbourg, she picked up an assist in the dominant win. 

Jayde Riviere and Simi Awujo both started for Manchester United in their 5-2 Champions League loss to Wolfsburg. 

Gabriel Carle unfortunately missed the 2025 NWSL Final with injury as the Washington Spirit lost 1-0 to Gotham FC. It was Washington’s second consecutive final but they came up short both times. 

Vanessa Gilles had the start and played 76 minutes for Bayern Munich in a dominant 5-1 victory over Hoffenheim. She also came off the bench in a 3-1 win over PSG in the Champions League. 

Jade Rose went the full 90 as Manchester City kept a clean sheet against Nottingham Forrest in the Women’s League Cup. Deanne Rose played the final 20 minutes in that match for Forrest. 

Annabelle Chukwu and Notre Dame were stunned by Ohio State in the NCAA tournament, ending their season. 

Olivia Smith played 63 minutes for Arsenal in a 2-1 Champions League win over Real Madrid.