Vanessa Gilles

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Vanessa Gilles

| image = Vanessa Gilles 2022-01 (cropped).jpg

| image_size = 200px

| caption = Gilles with Angel City in 2022

| fullname = Vanessa Brigitte Gilles{{cite web|url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce5/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf|title=Women's Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020 Squad Lists|work=FIFA}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|3|11}}

| birth_place = Châteauguay, Quebec, Canada

| height = 1.74 m{{Canada Soccer player|id=4954}}

| position = Centre-back

| currentclub = Lyon
(on loan from Angel City)

| clubnumber = 21

| youthyears1 = 2012–2014

| youthclubs1 = Ottawa Capital United SC

| collegeyears1 = 2014–2017

| college1 = Cincinnati Bearcats

| collegecaps1 = 82

| collegegoals1 = 17

| years1 = 2017

| clubs1 = West Ottawa SC

| caps1 = 9

| goals1 = 2

| years2 = 2018

| clubs2 = Apollon Limassol

| caps2 = 11

| goals2 = 10

| years3 = 2018–2021

| clubs3 = Bordeaux

| caps3 = 65

| goals3 = 4

| years4 = 2022–

| clubs4 = Angel City

| caps4 = 7

| goals4 = 1

| years5 = 2022–

| clubs5 = → Lyon (loan)

| caps5 = 45

| goals5 = 11

| nationalteam1 = France U23

| nationalyears1 = 2018

| nationalcaps1 = 1

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalteam2 = Canada

| nationalyears2 = 2019–

| nationalcaps2 = 51

| nationalgoals2 = 8

| club-update = February 24, 2025

| ntupdate = April 4, 2025

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Women's football}}

{{MedalCountry|{{CAN}}}}

}}

Vanessa Brigitte Gilles (born March 11, 1996) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a centre-back for Première Ligue club Lyon, on loan from National Women's Soccer League team Angel City FC, and the Canada national team.

Early career

Originally a tennis player, in her teenage years, Gilles quit the sport to switch to soccer. After briefly attempting to play as a goalkeeper, she became a defender.{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-centre-back-vanessa-gilles-making-case-to-be-part-of-canadian-olympic/|title = Centre back Vanessa Gilles making case to be part of Canadian Olympic roster}} She played for FC Capital United in Ottawa, Ontario, winning a league title in 2013. At the 2013 Canada Summer Games, she won a bronze medal with Team Ontario.{{cite web |title='I was crying': Former teammate, coaches watch Ottawa defender's gold-medal win |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/vanessa-gilles-former-coaches-gold-medal-1.6132864 |website=CBC.ca |access-date=December 23, 2021}}

College career

Gilles then attended the University of Cincinnati in the United States, playing for the Cincinnati Bearcats from 2014 to 2017. She was named 2015 American Athletic Conference Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Tournament and, in 2016, became the first Bearcats women's athlete to earn all-conference first team accolades in both the preseason and postseason in American Athletic Conference history.{{Cite web|url=https://gobearcats.com/sports/womens-soccer/roster/vanessa-gilles/3616|title = Vanessa Gilles – Women's Soccer}} In 2017, she was named American Athletic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year. When she won an Olympic gold medal in 2021, she became the fifth athlete in Bearcats history to do so.{{Cite web|url=https://gobearcats.com/news/2021/8/6/womens-soccer-vanessa-gilles-canada-claim-gold-in-epic-win-over-sweden.aspx|title = Vanessa Gilles, Canada Claim Gold Medal in Epic Win over Sweden}}

Club career

= West Ottawa SC =

In May 2017, Gilles joined League1 Ontario side West Ottawa SC. She scored two goals in nine appearances in the regular season,{{cite web|title=Vanessa Gilles|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/roster_players/23230934|publisher=League1 Ontario|access-date=October 20, 2019|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717032801/https://www.league1ontario.com/roster_players/23230934|url-status=dead}} and was selected to the 2017 League1 Ontario All-Star third team.{{cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/883452|publisher=League1 Ontario|date=February 6, 2018|access-date=October 20, 2019|title=Four League1 Alumni Sign High-Profile Pro Contracts}} She was also selected to represent League1 Ontario in the All-Star game against the Team Ontario squad competing in the 2017 Canada Games.{{cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/816138|publisher=League1 Ontario|date=July 25, 2017|access-date=October 20, 2019|title=Final Selection Announced For 2017 Women's All-Star Match Versus Canada Games' Team Ontario}}{{cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/817470|publisher=League1 Ontario|date=July 26, 2017|access-date=October 20, 2019|title=2017 Women's League1 Ontario All-Stars Defeated In Penalties By Canada Games' Team Ontario}}

= Apollon Limassol =

In January 2018, Gilles signed a short-term contract with Cypriot First Division side Apollon Limassol.{{cite web|url=https://gobearcats.com/news/2018/1/19/womens-soccer-gilles-signs-professional-contract-with-apollon-ladies-fc.aspx|publisher=University of Cincinnati Athletics|date=January 19, 2018|access-date=October 20, 2019|title=Gilles Signs Professional Contract with Apollon Ladies FC}} She made her professional debut for the club on January 14, starting in a 1–1 draw with Anorthosis Famagusta. She scored 10 goals in 11 appearances for the club in the regular season,{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/vanessa-gilles-took-different-path-towards-canadian-womens-team/|first=Sandra|last=Prusina|website=Sportsnet|date=May 20, 2019|access-date=October 20, 2019|title=Vanessa Gilles took different path towards Canadian women's team}} and made three appearances in the Cypriot Women's Cup tournament, helping Apollon Limassol win the final against Pyrgos Limassol on penalties.{{cite web|title=APOLLON LIMASSOL VS. PYRGOS LIMASSOL 2 – 2|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2018/05/06/cyprus/womens-cup/apollon-limassol/barcelona-fa/2784395/?ICID=PL_MS_01|website=Soccerway|access-date=October 20, 2019}}

= Bordeaux =

In July 2018, Gilles signed a two-year contract with Division 1 Féminine side Girondins de Bordeaux.{{cite web|url=https://www.girondins.com/fr/vanessa-gilles-rejoint-les-girondins|publisher=FC Girondins de Bordeaux|date=July 16, 2018|access-date=October 20, 2019|language=fr|title=Vanessa Gilles rejoint les Girondins|archive-date=October 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020190523/https://www.girondins.com/fr/vanessa-gilles-rejoint-les-girondins|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://gobearcats.com/news/2018/7/20/womens-soccer-gilles-signs-with-girondins-de-bordeaux-in-french-first-division.aspx|publisher=University of Cincinnati Athletics|date=July 20, 2018|access-date=October 20, 2019|title=Gilles Signs with Girondins de Bordeaux in French First Division}} In May 2020, she signed a two-year extension with Bordeaux.{{Cite news|url=https://www.lapresse.ca/sports/soccer/2020-05-26/vanessa-gilles-obtient-une-prolongation-a-bordeaux|title=Vanessa Gilles obtient une prolongation à Bordeaux|newspaper=La Presse |date=May 26, 2020}}

= Angel City FC =

After 3.5 years at Bordeaux, Gilles transferred to expansion NWSL club Angel City FC for an undisclosed fee. She signed a contract for 2022 with an option for 2023.{{cite web|url=https://angelcity.com/blogs/press/angel-city-football-club-signs-canadian-olympic-gold-medalist-vanessa-gilles|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217183108/https://angelcity.com/blogs/press/angel-city-football-club-signs-canadian-olympic-gold-medalist-vanessa-gilles|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 17, 2021|title=Angel City Football Club signs Canadian Olympic Gold medalist Vanessa Gilles|website=Angel City FC|date=December 17, 2021}} On April 29, 2022, in Angel City's first NWSL match, Gilles scored the first goal in Angel City history to secure a 2–1 victory against North Carolina Courage.{{Cite web |agency=The Canadian Press |date=2024-12-20 |title=Jonathan David, Vanessa Gilles named Canada Soccer Players of the Year |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/jonathan-david-vanessa-gilles-named-canada-soccer-players-of-the-year/ |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=Sportsnet.ca |language=en}}

== Lyon (loan) ==

In September 2022, Gilles signed for Lyon on a season-long loan.{{cite web |title=Arrivée sous forme de prêt de Vanessa Gilles |website=Angel City |accessdate=August 1, 2024 |url=https://www.ol.fr/fr/actualites/arrivee-sous-forme-de-pret-de-vanessa-gilles-angel-city |date=September 19, 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Transferts : Vanessa Gilles (Angel City) prêtée à l'OL |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transferts-vanessa-gilles-angel-city-pretee-a-l-ol/1355099 |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=L'Équipe |language=fr}} Her loan was later extended until June 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://www.angelcity.com/news/article/defender-vanessa-gilles-extends-loan-to-lyon|title=Defender Vanessa Gilles Extends Loan to Lyon|website=Angel City}}

On December 20, 2024, Vanessa Gilles has been named the 2024 Canadian Women’s Player of the Year, earning the honor for the first time in her career.{{Cite web |title=Jonathan David (Lille) nommé joueur canadien de l'année, Vanessa Gilles (OL) également récompensée |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Jonathan-david-lille-nomme-joueur-canadien-de-l-annee-vanessa-gilles-ol-egalement-recompensee/1527851 |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=L'Équipe |language=fr}}

International career

Although born in Quebec, Gilles was eligible to play for France as her father was born in Paris.{{cite web|title=Vanessa Gilles|url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/?pid=4954&t=profile&|publisher=Canada Soccer Association|access-date=October 26, 2019}} In November 2018, Gilles was called into the France U23 camp, and played for Les Bleues in a 5–2 victory against Belgium.{{cite web|url=https://gobearcats.com/news/2019/1/10/womens-soccer-vanessa-gilles-receives-call-from-canadian-womens-national-team.aspx|publisher=University of Cincinnati Athletics|date=January 10, 2019|access-date=October 20, 2019|title=Vanessa Gilles Receives Call From Canadian Women's National Team}}

= Canada =

On January 18, 2019, she made her unofficial debut for Canada in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Switzerland.{{cite web|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1147660/reve-vanessa-gilles-equipe-nationale-soccer|website=Radio-Canada.ca|first=Jonathan|last=Jobin|date=January 18, 2019|access-date=October 20, 2019|language=fr|title=Le début d'un rêve pour Vanessa Gilles avec l'équipe nationale}} On November 10, she made her official debut in a 3–0 victory against New Zealand at the 2019 Yongchuan International Tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-wnt-win-3-0-over-new-zealand-to-close-out-2019-international-season-p162488|publisher=Canada Soccer Association|date=November 10, 2019|access-date=November 10, 2019|title=Canada WNT win 3:0 over New Zealand to close out 2019 international season|archive-date=November 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110183003/https://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-wnt-win-3-0-over-new-zealand-to-close-out-2019-international-season-p162488|url-status=dead}}

She was named to the Canadian national team for the 2020 Summer Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/news/canada-soccer-unveils-womens-national-team-roster-for-the-tokyo-2020-olympic-games/|title=Canada Soccer unveils Women's National Team roster for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games|publisher=Canadian Soccer Association|date=23 June 2021|access-date=23 June 2021}} She scored the decisive penalty shootout goal for Canada in the quarterfinals against Brazil.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/gilles-labbe-lift-canada-to-olympic-semifinal-after-penalty-kicks-win-over-brazil-1.5529064|title = Gilles, Labbe lift Canada to Olympic semifinal after penalty kicks win over Brazil|date = July 30, 2021}} Although her penalty shootout attempt in the final of the tournament against Sweden hit the crossbar, Canada won the game and she would earn her first Olympic gold medal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/aug/06/canada-win-olympic-title-after-julia-grosso-decisive-kick-sinks-sweden|title = Canada win Olympic title after Julia Grosso sinks Sweden in shootout|website = TheGuardian.com|date = August 6, 2021}} She was named to the roster for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/news_article/show/1278938|title=Former L1O players Smith and Gilles are heading to the Women's World Cup|date=July 11, 2023|work=League1 Ontario}}

Gilles was called up to the Canada squad for the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, where Canada finished as runners-up.{{Cite web|url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada-announce-squad-for-the-2022-concacaf-w-championship/|title=CANADA ANNOUNCE SQUAD FOR THE 2022 CONCACAF W CHAMPIONSHIP|website=canadasoccer.com|date=24 June 2022}}

Gilles was called up to the 23-player Canada squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.{{cite web |title=Canada Soccer unveils FIFA Women's World Cup squad for Australia & New Zealand 2023 |url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada-soccer-unveils-fifa-womens-world-cup-squad-for-australia-new-zealand-2023/ |website=Canadian Soccer Association |date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709175922/https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada-soccer-unveils-fifa-womens-world-cup-squad-for-australia-new-zealand-2023/ |archive-date=9 July 2023 |url-status=live}}

Gilles was called up to the Canada squad for the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup, which Canada finished as semifinalists.{{cite web |title=Canada Soccer Unveils 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup Roster |url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada-soccer-unveils-2024-concacaf-w-gold-cup-roster/ |website=Canadian Soccer Association |access-date=7 February 2024 |archive-date=7 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207163842/https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada-soccer-unveils-2024-concacaf-w-gold-cup-roster/ |url-status=live }}

Gilles was a member of the Canadian national team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.{{cite web|url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada-soccer-and-canadian-olympic-committee-unveil-womens-national-team-roster-for-the-paris-olympic-games/|title=Canada Soccer and Canadian Olympic Committee unveil Women's National Team roster for Paris Olympic Games|publisher=Canada Soccer|website=www.canadasoccer.com|date=1 July 2024|access-date=1 July 2024}}

Personal life

On March 20, 2019, Gilles spoke at the United Nations in New York City, as part of the 63rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.{{cite web|url=https://gobearcats.com/news/2019/3/21/womens-soccer-vanessa-gilles-speaks-at-un-womens-commission-event.aspx|publisher=University of Cincinnati Athletics|date=January 21, 2019|access-date=October 20, 2019|title=Vanessa Gilles Speaks at UN-Women's Commission Event}}

For the first twelve years of her life, her family lived in Shanghai, before returning to Canada to live in Ottawa.{{Cite web|url=https://fr.besoccer.com/info/tournoi-de-france-la-canadienne-vanessa-gilles-globe-footeuse-de-combats-802732|title=Vanessa Gilles, "globe-footeuse" de combats|website=fr.besoccer.com}} She graduated high school from École secondaire publique Louis-Riel and then graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati with a major in criminal justice and a minor in IT.{{Cite web|url=https://onfr.tfo.org/la-franco-ontarienne-vanessa-gilles-championne-olympique-de-soccer/|title = La Franco-Ontarienne Vanessa Gilles championne olympique de soccer| date=August 6, 2021 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ledroit.com/tokyo-2021/nos-athletes-a-tokyo/une-franco-dottawa-propulse-le-canada-en-demi-finale-9672c7abdb26d5729162c8a31e3bfffc|title=Une franco d'Ottawa propulse le Canada en demi-finale|date=July 30, 2021}}

Career statistics

= Club =

{{updated|February 24, 2025}}.{{cite web|title=Vanessa Gilles|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/vanessa-gilles/566057/|website=Soccerway|access-date=October 20, 2019}}{{cite web|title=Vanessa Gilles|url=http://www.cfa.com.cy/En/player/54/221528|publisher=Cyprus Football Association|access-date=October 20, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.statsfootofeminin.fr/joueur.php?joueur=10617|title=Vanessa Gilles|website=Footofeminin.fr|access-date=October 20, 2019|language=fr}}

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|League !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="2"\|League !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
West Ottawa SC \|League1 Ontario \|2017 \|9	2	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	9	2
Apollon Limassol \|Cypriot First Division \|2017–18 \|11	10	3	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	14	10
rowspan="5"\|Girondins de Bordeaux \|rowspan="4"\|D1 Féminine \|2018–19 \|20	1	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	21	1
2019–20 \|16	0	3	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	19	0
2020–21 \|19	1	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	20	1
2021–22 \|10	2	0	0	4	2	colspan="2"\|—	14	4
colspan="2"\|Total !65	4	5	0	4	2	0	0	74	6
Angel City FC \|NWSL \|2022 \|7	1	6	1	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	13	2
rowspan="4"\|Lyon (loan) \|rowspan="3"\|Première Ligue \|2022–23 \|13	3	3	0	6	1	colspan="2"\|—	22	4
2023–24 \|18	3	2	1	11	3	1	0	32	7
2024–25 \|14	5	0	0	5	2	0	0	19	7
colspan="2"\|Career total !45	11	5	1	22	6	1	0	62	14
colspan="3"\|Career total !126	24	19	2	26	7	1	0	168	34

= International goals =

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
class="wikitable"
1.	February 20, 2022	Carrow Road, Norwich, England	{{fbw\|GER}}	align="center" \|1–0	align="center" \| 1–0	2022 Arnold Clark Cup
2.	April 9, 2022	BC Place, Vancouver, Canada	{{fbw\|NGA}}	align="center" \|2–0	align="center" \| 2–0	Friendly
3.	February 19, 2023	Geodis Park, Nashville, United States	{{fbw\|BRA}}	align="center" \|1–0	align="center" \| 2–0	2023 SheBelieves Cup
4.	April 6, 2024	Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States	{{fbw\|BRA}}	align=center\|1–0	align=center\| 1–1 {{pso\|4–2}}	2024 SheBelieves Cup
5.	July 28, 2024	Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne, France	{{fbw\|FRA}}	align=center\|2–1	align=center\| 2–1	rowspan=2\|2024 Summer Olympics
6.	July 31, 2024	Stade de Nice, Nice, France	{{fbw\|COL }}	align=center\|1–0	align=center\| 1–0
7.	December 3, 2024	rowspan=2\| Pinatar Arena, San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain	{{fbw\|KOR}}	align=center\|4–1	align=center\| 5–1	Friendly
8.	February 22, 2025	{{fbw\|MEX}}	align=center\|1–0	align=center\| 2–0	2025 Pinatar Cup

Honours

Apollon Limassol

Cypriot Women's Cup: 2017–18

Lyon

Division 1 Féminine: 2022–23
Coupe de France Féminine: 2022–23

Canada

Summer Olympics: 2021

Individual

CONCACAF W Championship Best XI: 2022{{Cite web |date=July 19, 2022 |title=Dumornay, Lavelle and Shaw headline CMU20 Best XI |url=https://www.concacaf.com/women-s-championship/news/dumornay-lavelle-and-shaw-headline-cwc22-best-xi/ |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=CONCACAF |language=en}}

References

External links

[https://gobearcats.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3616 Vanessa Gilles] at University of Cincinnati
{{Canada Soccer player|4954}}
[http://www.cfa.com.cy/En/player/54/221528 Vanessa Gilles] at Cyprus Football Association

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Category:1996 births

Category:Living people

Category:Canadian women's soccer players

Category:Expatriate women's footballers in France

Category:Women's association football defenders