Canadian centre back Vanessa Gilles poised to reach new heights with Lyon

Just when you think Vanessa Gilles' amazing ascent has stopped dead in its tracks, the Canadian women's team defender finds a way to reach new dizzying heights. 

Originally a tennis player growing up in Ottawa, Gilles switched to soccer as a teenager and eventually earned a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati, leaving her mark on the program by winning several individual honours. Gilles turned pro after school, first signing with Cypriot side Apollon in 2018 before moving to French club Girondins de Bordeaux later that year. 

She made her national team debut for Canada in 2019, and only had six caps to her credit going into last the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She was a bench player at the start of the tournament, but by the time Canada won the gold medal, she had displaced veteran Shelina Zadorsky in the starting line-up. She still holds down a starting role for Canada to this day, having established herself as one of the best centre backs in the world.

Gilles won universal plaudits for her performances in Tokyo, earning the nickname "The Magnet" from her teammates. With her stellar showing at the Olympics, Gilles announced her presence to the rest of the world and made a lasting impression on many notable observers, including Canada Soccer Hall of Famer Amy Walsh, who earned 102 caps for the Canadian women's team from 1997 to 2009. 

"The way she played, and the composure, wherewithal and veteran mentality she injected into the back line during Canada's run to the gold medal in Tokyo was so impressive," Walsh told CBC Sports. 

Now, Gilles is ready to take on even more. Last week, the 26-year-old joined Olympique Lyon on loan from the NWSL's Angel City FC until the end of the French club's 2022-23 season. The Canadian