PORTRAIT N°10 - EVELYNE VIENS
Evelyne Viens, international player, was born in Canada and now plays in France at Paris FC. We asked her a few questions in order to learn a little more about her career and what drives her on a daily basis. She answers us in French in the text (translated below in English):
When did you start playing football?
I started playing football at a very young age. I was 5 years old and I played for the club in my region (Mistral Laurentien).
Which clubs do you play in?
I started soccer at the Laurentian Mistral until I was 14 years old. I played at the regional competitive level before going to play for the Haute-Saint-Charles club near home at the provincial competitive level. Next, I played at the school level at Cégep Garneau (18-19 years old) in addition to continuing with the Haute-Saint-Charles club. I then went to play in the NCAA in the United States for the University of South Florida (USF). During my summers, I played semi-pro in Quebec for the Dynamo de Quebec. Finally, I was picked up by Sky Blue FC in the NWSL (professional league in the United States). I am currently on loan to Paris FC.
How do you feel when you play?
For me football has become my profession, but it will always remain my favorite sport. When I get the chance to be on the field, I take nothing for granted and I'm always grateful to do the job that I love. Having the chance to develop myself in a team environment and to live unique experiences is a unique opportunity. On the field, I feel emotions that I cannot compare to a normal life. I have a competitive spirit and a pressure to perform that I can find nowhere else. The chance to be on a soccer field allows me to always be looking for new challenges and to express myself in my own way on the pitch.
Your best memory of a game? Or a competition?
There are several moments that have marked me during matches or competitions, but there are two that will be forever etched in my memory. The first is in my senior year at USF in the conference tournament and in the NCAA tournament. Every game was 'win or die' and the team was extremely united. We beat every team that beat us during the regular season. We won our conference tournament and finished in the Sweet Sixteen (top16 teams in the US in NCAA). The second moment is when we won against the rival UCF (University of Central Florida) conference team which allowed us to be the regular season champion of our conference. It was a defining moment as all my family was present in the stands to share the moment with me.
Your best memory off the field?
This is a difficult question to answer given that there are so many. One of the highlights is that one year we went on a roadtrip with three of my teammates in the middle of the United States. We visited Colorado, Utah and Nevada. Football has taught me that it is good to play sports and develop, but personal relationships are extremely important and these memories will be etched forever. It was one of the best time of college as I traveled with my best friends.
Do you have a player you love the most ?
I really like player Christen Press who represents the United States National Team and is currently at ManUnited. She is a complete player and has a lot of qualities.
The music you are listening to motivate you (if it is the case)?
I have a lot of songs that I listen to before a game. My playlist is not fixed, but I like listening to background music that has a good beat. I don't have a specific song, it changes with every game.
The woman who inspires you the most?
With no doubt, my mother. She is a brave woman and always there for everyone. She is my pillar and the most important woman in my life. She is always there to support me and she inspires me with her determination, her listening and her personality. She manages to have a complete balance in her life.
What is your dream ?
I want to continue to evolve in football. Become a complete player and set up professionally. I would also like to represent Canada with the national team in the future.