Viens, Sky Blue FC have yet to score in two NWSL Challenge Cup matches
By OfficialFloridaFC
Evelyne Viens was in the starting XI for Sky Blue FC on Saturday afternoon, but it wasn’t enough for her club to produce its first win in the NWSL Challenge Cup.
She played 45 minues in Sky Blue FC’s 1-0 loss to the Utah Royals during the tournament’s Qualifying Round.
Viens made her professional debut in a scoreless draw against OL Reign on June 30. Saturday, the No. 5 overall selection in the 2020 NWSL College Draft was deployed as a center forward in Sky Blue’s 4-1-4-1 system.
The two-time United Soccer Coaches All-American was the Bulls’ leading scorer for four straight seasons, and graduated as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 73 goals. The 23-year-old Canadian made her professional debut in a scoreless draw against OL Reign on June 30.
Saturday, Viens was relegated to 14 touches with no shots during her 45-minutes on the pitch. Her teammates, Jacksonville native Mandy McGlynn, and former Delray Beach Atlantic star Mandy Freeman remained on the bench for Sky Blue FC.
Viens was not the only player with Florida ties to appear in the NWSL Challenge Cup this week.
Former University of Florida central defender Christen Westphal played all 90 minutes for the Portland Thorns in a scoreless draw against the Chicago Red Stars on July 1. Westphal made two key passes, one tackle and did not concede a foul.
Meggie Howard, another former Gator, played 59 minutes in midfield for the Washington Spirit in her club’s 2-0 loss to the North Carolina Courage on July 1. The Largo resident, who graduated from St. Petersburg Catholic in 2013, made four tackles and completed 85.7 % of her passes in the heart of midfield for the Spirit.The two-time All-American made her professional debut in a June 30 scoreless draw against OL Reign.
