Recently rebranded NJ/NY Gotham FC situates themselves in one of the richest regions for exporting women’s soccer talent in the United States. A number of players in Saturday’s Championship – and scores of individuals past and present – can track their sporting lineage to the New Jersey / New York metropolitan area. For second-year Canadian […]

Recently rebranded NJ/NY Gotham FC situates themselves in one of the richest regions for exporting women’s soccer talent in the United States. A number of players in Saturday’s Championship – and scores of individuals past and present – can track their sporting lineage to the New Jersey / New York metropolitan area.For second-year Canadian forward Evelyne Viens, the situation is a bit different. “Growing up, soccer was just more for fun,” said Quebec native, Evelyne Viens. “At home, we don’t have any professional leagues and it was hard to know about college soccer. Playing professionally – that was just a dream when I was growing up. I’ve always loved the game, but I was never really able to dream of playing it at the highest level because it’s not an opportunity that is known as it should be.” Viens, however, was able to make the next level – heading to the University of South Florida, despite not knowing much English. Four years later, she left the record goal scorer in program history, and turned the impossible possible by being drafted fifth overall in the 2020 Draft. “It was a great challenge,” said Viens of her rookie season. “The level of play was much faster than what I was used to in college, but at the same time we had only six, seven games in the bubble. Normally you have a twenty-four game season to adjust, so I really had to jump in and work hard to merely get the most out of it. It was a challenge to have that little amount of time with this new style, but I certainly enjoyed it.” Following the Challenge Cup, uncertainty abounded about where sports in the United States would head next. As Viens weighed her options, Paris came calling. “For me, the most important thing was to get adjusted and to get professional games so I can continue to improve,” said Viens. “That was my goal, Paris FC came along to give me that chance. It was a wonderful chance to play at a top level – I speak French, and that was an easy transition for me. I was lucky as Canadians could still go Europe, so I had an easy time getting there.” [Empty Body] In the French capital, Viens was quite comfortable culturally – but was challenged on the field with a style of play different to what she had enjoyed previously. “The U.S. has a much more transitional style of play, more physical,” said Viens. “France is based much more in technical skills, so being there I was able to improve my technical side. I wasn’t behind, but I caught up to the high technical level there. In your career, wherever you are, you just have to reflect and see what you can get better on and how. I brought my own touch and own flare when I could. A few starts in, the striker in me came out, and I was improving and contributing to Paris FC. It was a good mix.” Viens left Paris FC with a remarkable eleven goals in fourteen matches and was regarded as one of the best strikers in Division 1 Féminine. That return put her on a radar she never thought was possible – the Canadian National Team. In February, she received her first cap in the SheBelieves Cup against the United States. “It’s difficult to put into words this feeling,” reflected Viens. “When the coach says you are entering, it is something just truly amazing. I was proud to represent my country, and I think getting more time in camp gave so much new stuff to work on. My second camp was way better; on the field I feel more comfortable with team. I’m excited to get to represent such a big country. I’m proud to be Canadian, proud to fight for all my teammates and my country.” [Empty Body] In total, Viens has made five appearances for the Canadians in 2021, netting two goals. It is a monumental step forward in the young forward’s career, and one she says only motivates her more to get more females into sports back home. “I remember having female coaches that inspired me through my journey; they didn’t make the national team, but they were a great role models,” said Viens. “It’s important to have female representation. Bianca St. Georges and I are the only two Quebec natives that play in this league. It’s important for us to represent the province and show young girls there that it’s possible to go to the next level.” On the international level, Viens now finds herself in the mix for her biggest challenge yet. With the Tokyo Olympics coming up this summer, the young forward finds herself amongst those in contention to head to Japan.

****“It is crazy to even discuss it when a year ago I was not in the picture for a call-up whatsoever,” said Viens. “Now, amidst the pandemic, I’m in a pool of names that might make it. We’ll see about the next camp, but if I get the chance to represent my country one of the biggest events in women’s soccer, it would be an amazing feeling. Representing Canada and fighting for a medal for my country would be a surreal experience.”

At club level, Viens returned to Gotham FC, which has been led Freya Coombe; a manager who has not only helped the club’s turnaround culturally, but has instilled a possession-based style of play that teams across the league have found difficult to break down this spring. When asked about her Head Coach, Viens had high praise. “Freya has created a culture where we want to be winners,” said Viens. “We have a possession-oriented system, where we move the ball and try to find solutions. Freya has started it, and it’s reflected in the leaders on this team. We want to win, and when something doesn’t go our way, we’re going to sit down and figure it out. Everyone is following the movement, and everyone is all in. Every player is in this group wants to win and is going to push each other to do so. That’s pretty unique.” Viens and Gotham now reached a new point in their journey – the Challenge Cup Championship. A new barometer for club and player alike, Viens is ready to go. “I’m excited for this team,” beamed Viens. “We have a good style of play; I honestly love watching us. We have a great team that moves the ball and creates opportunities, and now we have a chance to win a Championship. This is our desire; we want to be the best team in this league and playing in a final means we’re getting there.”