Latest news with #VanessaGilles
CBC
29-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Canada's Vanessa Gilles ready to hunt for soccer trophies with new club Bayern Munich
Social Sharing While winning and having fun can often go hand in hand, they are not always synonymous. Just ask Vanessa Gilles, fresh off a successful soccer season filled with pressure and high expectations playing for a French league powerhouse. Sure, Lyon went unbeaten in 24 league and playoff matches and the Canadian international played all 90 minutes of a 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain for her third straight Women's Champions League title, but there were trying times. "Winning a trophy is probably the most fun you'll ever have in a career, so I don't take that for granted," the defender told CBC Sports' Andi Petrillo from Winnipeg, where she is preparing for Saturday's international friendly against Haiti with the Canadian national women's team. "Football-wise, it was very hard, confidence-wise, getting [in a] rhythm and feeling good on the pitch. When the expectation is excellence, it's very hard to live up to." It was an eye-opener, added the 29-year-old Ottawa native, who often needed to remind herself to enjoy the game. "When you have the pressure and expectations [placed on you] to be at your best, we're just human," she said, "whether you're Christine Sinclair [the world's top goal scorer among both women and men] or a 12-year-old. It was a huge reminder for me this year." Next season, the pressure and expectations will follow Gilles to Germany, where she will play for FC Bayern Women, which was knocked out of the Champions League by Lyon in the quarterfinals. The team also cruised to a third consecutive Bundesliga title after finishing the season with a 19-1-2 record. Gilles, a centre back who was born in Chateauguay, Que., was sold to Bayern Munich after three seasons with Lyon while on loan from Angel City FC of the National Women's Soccer League. She will join her new team July 1 on a contract that runs through June 30, 2028. "If I followed my heart, I would have stayed at Lyon," said Gilles. "My best friends are there … I love the country, I love the club, the fans are great. "But how Bayern made me feel appreciated [during negotiations] made a huge difference." WATCH | Gilles excited to join Bayern, a team 'striving to be better': Vanessa Gilles excited for Bayern move, pays tribute to Desiree Scott 8 minutes ago Duration 8:57 A return to North America was not an option, Gilles stressed, given the current political climate in the United States, where the country is more politically divided than it has been for years. But she didn't rule out playing in the U.S. or Canada once her contract expires. Gilles called Bayern Munich a "team with incredible coaches" that enjoys being together, loves winning and plays collectively. Incoming head coach Jose Barcala was an assistant with Girondins Bordeaux, Gilles's first team in France after leaving Cypriot club Apollon Limassol. "I don't think I've ever enjoyed football as much or felt as confident on the ball as I have whenever I've played under [Barcala], learned from him and [participated in] his [daily training] sessions, so that's something I'm excited to get back to." Gilles said of the 43-year-old Spaniard. "I want to be part of a team striving to be better, and to lift trophies." WATCH | Gilles leads Canada over Mexico at Pinatar Cup in February: Vanessa Gilles scores game-winner as Canada blanks Mexico at Pinatar Cup 3 months ago Duration 1:16 First, she'll cherish teammate and veteran midfielder Desiree Scott's final appearance in Canadian colours on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET at Winnipeg's Princess Auto Stadium. It will mark cap No. 188 for Scott, who made her Canadian senior debut in 2010. Known as "The Destroyer" for her ability to break up opposing attacks, the 37-year-old ended a brief retirement to play this season for Ottawa Rapid FC of the Northern Super League. Scott competed in three World Cups (Germany 2011, Canada 2015, and France 2019) and three Olympic Games, winning bronze medals in London in 2012 and Rio in 2016 and gold in Tokyo in 2021. "The rock in the middle [of the pitch] that dictates tempo and denies everything," Gilles said of Scott. "When you play at the highest level, having leaders that make you feel seen and heard, and make you feel appreciated and valued, there's not that many in the world that have that skill. … and the ability to be empathetic and treat everybody like they mean a lot from Day 1."
CBC
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
NSL midseason highlights, plus Bayern's new star, Vanessa Gilles
This week on Just Soccer, Canadian star Vanessa Gilles joins us to talk about her big move to Bayern Munich and what's next in her career. Plus, we break down the top goals, standout players and biggest moments from the NSL season so far.
CBC
20-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canadian defender Vanessa Gilles joins Bayern Munich after soccer success in France
Canadian international defender Vanessa Gilles, who spent the last three seasons with France's Lyon on loan from Angel City FC of the NWSL, has been sold to Bayern Munich. Angel City said the 29-year-old centre back from Ottawa will join the German side on July 1 once her loan with Lyon concludes. Her contract with Munich runs through June 30, 2028. "Vanessa is a player who always gives 110 per cent on the pitch. That's the kind of character that fits in perfectly with FC Bayern and our philosophy," said Francisco De Sa Fardilha, technical director for the Bayern women's team. "She's one of the best central defenders in the world, as far as tackling and defending in the penalty area are concerned. "She also has plenty of experience at the very highest level. Vanessa has won the Olympic Games with her country, Canada, and has also played in the Champions League final. In that respect, she'll definitely help us in the big games, particularly in Europe." Gilles has won 51 caps for Canada and is one of the first names on Canadian head coach Casey Stoney's team sheet. Dominant in the air, Gilles has scored eight goals for Canada. "Everyone knows Munich, everyone knows the history of this great club," Gilles said. "I'm looking forward to working with a team that has represented high ambitions for many years. That's a very good fit for my goals, be it at domestic level or in the Champions League. In addition, the family environment around the whole club impressed me a lot from the start." The Bayern women are coming off their third straight Bundesliga title, and seventh in all, after finishing the season with a 19-1-2 record. Bayern, knocked out of the women's Champions League by Lyon in the quarterfinals, won every league game in the second half of the season. WATCH | Gilles leads Canada over Mexico at Pinatar Cup in February: Vanessa Gilles scores game-winner as Canada blanks Mexico at Pinatar Cup 3 months ago Duration 1:16 Bayern is also home to Canada captain Alphonso Davies, a star fullback with the men's team. Since joining Lyon, Gilles has made 77 appearances, with nine goals and five assists in 6,644 minutes played. She helped the club to the UEFA Champions League title in 2022 and French league titles in 2022 and 2024. Gilles, who scored Angel City's first-ever regular-season goal on April 29, 2022, played collegiate soccer for the Cincinnati Bearcats between 2014 and 2017. She joined Cypriot club Apollon Limassol before moving to France with Girondins Bordeaux, where she worked under incoming Bayern coach Jose Barcala. She signed with Angel City in January 2022, before being loaned out to Lyon in September that year.
CTV News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
After success in France, Canadian defender Vanessa Gilles joins Bayern Munich
Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius, background, fights for the ball with Lyon's Vanessa Gilles during the women's Champions League semifinals, second leg, soccer match between Olympique Lyonnais and Arsenal at OL Stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
CBC
22-02-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Goals from Gilles, Leon help Canada beat Mexico at Pinatar Cup for 1st win under Casey Stoney
Social Sharing Casey Stoney has her first victory as Canada coach, but it came with some bruises as the sixth-ranked Canadian women survived a physical challenge from No. 31 Mexico to win 2-0 Saturday at the Pinatar Cup in Murcia, Spain. Vanessa Gilles celebrated her 50th cap with a goal and Adriana Leon added a late strike to give Canada the win. Mexico had more scoring chances in the first half at Pinatar Arena but the game changed after Mexican defender Annia Mejia was sent off for a second yellow card in the 40th minute. "Thy were extremely physical," said Stoney. "At one point I actually said to the fourth [official] my player safety was a concern to me." The Canadians broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when Olivia Smith's corner found Jordyn Huitema, who headed it over to Gilles to head home. It was an eighth goal for the 28-year-old centre back from Ottawa and the fourth in her last eight matches. WATCH | Gilles scores winner as Canada blanks Mexico at Pinatar Cup: Vanessa Gilles scores game-winner as Canada blanks Mexico at Pinatar Cup 2 hours ago Duration 1:16 Playing in her 50th cap for Canada, Vanessa Gilles scored the game-winning goal in the 51st minute, as Canada beat Mexico 2-0 at the Pinatar Cup in San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain. Gilles, who made her senior debut in November 2019, has become one of the first names on the Canadian team sheet. "I said at the end of the game it's not easy to get one cap. So to get 50 is quite the achievement," said Stoney, a former England captain who won 130 caps. "She's a big leader and a big part of this group. "I'm just really pleased for her — sealed it with a win, a goal and a clean sheet." The shutout went to goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, her 30th in 52 starts (and 57 appearances) for Canada. Leon scored her 42nd goal in her 123 international appearance, doubling the lead in the 89th minute when she knocked the ball into an empty goal after a nice buildup by Nichelle Prince and Evelyne Viens. Canada had 64 per cent possession and outshot Mexico 13-11 (5-3 in shots on target) after being outshot 6-4 (3-1 in shots on target) in the first half. Adriana Leon seals Casey Stoney's 1st win as Canada's head coach 2 hours ago Duration 1:37 Canada drew No. 17 China 1-1 in Stoney's debut as Canada coach on Wednesday, while Mexico blanked No. 42 Taiwan 4-0. China defeated Taiwan 4-0 earlier Saturday. The Canadians wrap up tournament play Tuesday against Taiwan. Smith, a 20-year-old who plays in England for Liverpool, got some rough treatment from Mexico before exiting around the hour mark. Stoney said she had planned for Smith to play the whole game but pulled her off early "to protect her ΓÇ° (after) she got kicked after kicked after kicked." "She's such a talent. She's so dynamic in terms of what she does in (terms of) creativity. It's like, how can we just consistently get her in the right areas so she can perform? And then how can the officials look after her a bit better?" Canada improved to 24-2-3 all-time against Mexico, the third-ranked team in CONCACAF behind the top-ranked Americans and No. 6 Canada. But Stoney warned they were a step up from China and she was proved right until Mexico went a player down. Revamped Canadian roster Stoney revamped her roster from the China game, which saw seven players unavailable after arriving from North America the previous day. Only Gilles, Gabby Carle, Julia Grosso and Janine Sonis (formerly Janine Beckie) retained their starting spots. Jessie Fleming reclaimed the captain's armband from Gilles. Angel City defender Megan Reid, a 28-year-old from California whose mother was born in Canada, won her second cap in partnering Gilles at centre back. The Canadian lineup went into the game with a combined 750 caps, up from 690 for the starting 11 against China. Mexico lost defender Greta Espinoza to injury after an awkward collision on a second-minute corner. Four minutes later, Mejia was cautioned for a nasty studs-up tackle on Smith. And the Mexican should have been shown another card in the 35th when she cynically bodied Huitema to the turf but went unpunished by Hungarian referee Katalin Sipos. But Mejia got the second yellow minutes later, scything down Leon from behind. "Eventually [the referee] did something about it but I thought it was too late," said Stoney, who had been unimpressed by Sipos' officiating in the win over China. Veteran defender Shelina Zadorsky replaced Reid to start the second half, followed by Emma Regan, Viens, Prince, Ashley Lawrence and Marie-Yasmine Alidou off the Canadian bench. Canada is missing the injured Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea), Sydney Collins and Bianca St-Georges (North Carolina Courage), Cloe Lacasse (Utah Royals), Deanne Rose (Leicester City) and Quinn (Vancouver Rise). Midfielder Simi Awujo missed the game after picking up a knock in training. It's Canada's first time at the Pinatar Cup, previously won by Scotland, Belgium, Iceland and Finland. The Canadian women have not lost in regulation time in 21 matches dating back to a 1-0 loss to Brazil in Montreal in October 2023. Canada has gone 13-0-8 since then with three of the draws turning into penalty shootout losses (two to the U.S. and one to Germany) and one into a shootout win (over Brazil).
