Page 65 - Soccer360 Issue 106

WITH THE END OF THE EUROPEAN SEASON UPON US, IT IS TIME TO LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE TOP PERFORMANCES FROM CONCACAF PLAYERS FROM ACROSS THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GAME. AS HAS BECOME STANDARD FASHION
OF LATE, PLAYERS FROM NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA AS WELL AS THE CARIBBEAN HAVE CONSISTENTLY SHOWN THEMSELVES TO BE A POSITIVE FORCE FOR THEIR EUROPEAN CLUB TEAMS. HERE ARE TEN PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED IN EUROPE DURING THE 2023-2024 CAMPAIGN.
LINDSEY HORAN (LYON/UNITED STATES)
Provided a consistent attacking spark all season for Lyon, leading the team to the UEFA Women’s Champions League final and the Division 1 Feminine title. With the Summer Olympics fast approaching and the U.S. looking to reclaim gold Horan should be in prime form for national team duty.
Operating out of the defensive midfield, McKennie led Juve’s defensive backline to another Champions League appearance. He also showed a willingness to build possession and a knack for holding onto it when Juve were looking to hold onto a lead.
The American captain had another strong season in Italy, scoring ten goals for Milan through early May. The question is now: can he lead them to a title? They haven’t won Series since the end of 2022 and haven’t won the Champions League since 2007. It will be a big summer for Milan, who need to surround Pulisic with the right pieces so they can climb the standings.
The striker, whose nickname is Bunny, has hopped her way to the top of the scoring table in the FA Women’s Super League. Her knack for goals in big moments has helped spark City’s
run to the top of the table. The FWA Footballer of the Year is only 27 but already has 55 goals for Jamaica.
EVELYNE VIENS (AS ROMA/CANADA)
The 27-year-old striker from Quebec has turned a strong first season with Roma into Serie A title and a more regular spot with the Canadian Women’s National Team. Her goal in extra time at the CONCACAF W Gold Cup lifted Canada past Costa Rica 1-0 and into the semifinals.
WESTON MCKENNIE
(JUVENTUS/UNITED STATES)
CHRISTIAN PULISIC
(AC MILAN/UNITED STATES)
KHADIJA SHAW
(MANCHESTER CITY/JAMAICA)
ABOVE CARDS, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, STARTING FROM THE TOP ROW:
Lindsey Horan Weston McKennie Christian Pulisic Khadija Shaw Evelyne Viens
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