One thing Canadians have gotten really good at is scoring a plethora of goals every single weekend. It has been very enjoyable to watch.

Whilst many players have run out of fuel at this point of the season, Evelyne Viens has not had to make a gas station stop with her engine still running just as smoothly as it was months ago. Stealing the show in Italy with goals and assists just sums up part of Viens’ start to the month of May. In England, Jayde Riviere has made it back on the pitch at the perfect time. And Christine Sinclair sure is making the most of the time she has left with the Portland Thorns. Sincy can’t stop finding the net.

Player of the week: Evelyne Viens 

Evelyne Viens started her season in Italy with a bang and is making sure she ends things on the same wave. AS Roma were crowned champions of Italy last week, with four more league games to play, but that didn’t spare them from still having to face tough opposition. The league title is Viens’ first club trophy, and she has been a crucial piece of the puzzle in this achievement. Three goals and three assists in two dramatic wins this week, proved that. 

On Wednesday, fresh off the weekend celebrations, Roma travelled to Sassuolo who sit 5th in the Championship playoffs. The Italian champions haven’t conceded a goal when facing the Neroverdis since 2020 and were clear favourites. Viens was back in Roma’s starting lineup for the midweek battle and featured in the action straight away. 

The visitors went up after only five minutes through Valentina Giacinti, who struck again for the brace only moments later through the magical work of Viens. Attacking from the right flank, the Canadian spotted Manuela Giugliano and sent in the perfect pass to set up Roma’s third goal in the opening 20 minutes. It was a long evening for Sassuolo.

Sloppy defending and poor goalkeeping from Roma saw the home side get one back before halftime. A goal from each side on the return of play in the second half set up fans for what was going to be an intense final half-hour. With two assists under her belt, Viens slotted home her team’s fifth after pressing to win the ball and clinically finishing her shot.

A set of changes from both teams brewed a great comeback. In a matter of three minutes, Sassuolo struck thrice bringing the scoreline to an even 5-5.

But, great hold-up play and another nicely threaded ball by the Viens was the perfect set-up for Laura Feiersinger to net the last-minute winner.

Unfortunately, Roma fans did not get a stress-free game on the weekend. Hosting a dangerous and in form Inter Milan side, the Italian wolves needed a fast start, which is exactly what Viens delivered putting her side in the lead in the opening 15 minutes.

A back-and-forth battle was highlighted by midfield battles, aerial duals and counterattacks, which ultimately saw the visitors lead for over half an hour with all three of their goals scored in the first half. The Canadian once again came to the rescue with an unstoppable rocket from the right flank to tie the game. Giancinti knocked down the winner minutes later. 

Viens was Player of the Match and named in the Team of the Week for Sunday’s battle. The Canadian’s clinical work in front of goal has always been a skill to praise, yet her winning mentality and vision to create goals in unfavourable positions have been essential to Roma’s recent success.

Watch Roma’s 6-5 victory over Sassuolo.

Watch Roma’s 4-3 victory over Inter Milan. 

Moment of the Week: Jayde Riviere returns to the pitch 

The CanWNT injury list just got shorter.

Riviere has missed the last two international windows with two different injuries that sidelined her for both club and country. In the most recent Manchester derby on March 24, the Canadian sustained a thigh injury that forced her out for over a month. This weekend, away against Liverpool, the young full-back made her return to the pitch. 

Though the travelling fans did not get to see their side perform well, Riviere’s introduction into the game in the 60th minute was a great sight. Arguably one of Manchester United’s best-performing players being back before their FA Cup final next week, means they are one step closer to beating Tottenham for a trophy.

Goal of the Week: Christine Sinclair vs Washington Spirit

For the third WCA edition in a row, Sinclair has her name written in one of the categories for finding the net. Looking to continue on the positive streak of wins, Portland Thorns hosted an impressive Washington Spirit at home. All three Canadians in Jessie Fleming, Janine Beckie and Captain Sinclair were in Rob Gale’s starting XI.

Sam Coffey quickly found the net in under five minutes to get her second goal of the season. The early lead certainly made the Spirit hit the gas pedal and engage more aggressively. Off a set piece delivered by 21-year-old Isabella Obaze, Sinclair patiently waited for the cross and pounced on the ball to double Portland’s lead. 

For the rest of the game, the main discourse surrounded Sinclair’s longevity in the sport and unmatched ability to continue finding the net decades after making her professional debut.

The visitors pulled on back in the latter stages of the game, but the win for the Thorns is their fourth in a row lifting Portland into the Top 5, a point ahead of North Carolina Courage who sit in fifth. Sinclair has contributed two goals and an assist in the last three games. Having the weight of international soccer off and getting to make the most out of her final year in Portland has produced joyous displays of football.