Quebec striker Évelyne Viens was selected for the Canadian soccer team for the Paris Games.
For three years, the player from AS Roma has often been relegated to a “super substitute” role. Except that for 12 months, no Canadian has scored more goals than her in major championships. During an exhibition match between the Canadians and the Mexicans presented in Montreal this spring, Viens was the best of her team, with two assists. She also finished at the top of the scorers in the Italian league.
In Paris, she will be part of a contingent of six attackers. The others will be Janine Beckie, Jordyn Huitema, Cloé Lacasse, Adriana Leon and Nichelle Prince. In midfield, we will find captain Jessie Fleming, as well as Quinn, Julia Grosso and Simi Awujo. The defense will be made up of Kadeisha Buchanan, Sydney Collins, Vanessa Gilles, Ashley Lawrence, Jayde Rivière and Jade Rose. Sabrina D’Angelo and Kailen Sheridan will be the goalkeepers.
The young Olivia Smith, brilliant at the last Gold Cup, was not selected. Quebecers Gabrielle Carle and Lysianne Proulx are confined to replacement roles.
The Canadians, reigning Olympic champions, will face the French, Colombians and New Zealanders in the first round.