At 24, Gabrielle Carle is on track to become one of Canada’s most experienced players.
• Also read: Évelyne Viens, the goal machine
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Lévisienne will compete in a World Cup for the second time, having also competed in the tournament in France four years ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
That all seems a long way off, especially since she was lucky enough to win the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which were finally held in 2021 due to the pandemic.
“You can’t control everything in life and you have to know how to adapt to make life easier during this time,” admits the one who displays an enviable calm.
“Now I know what it takes to win a gold medal, what mentality it takes to win a tournament of this importance.”
Experience
When we spoke to Carle, she had only been in Australia a few days and was still suffering from the 2pm jet lag. She hadn’t had time to soak up the atmosphere of the World Cup.
But this experience may be different than what she experienced when she first participated.
“It’s the second but it’s still a World Cup, I’m preparing in a similar way. I believe this event will be bigger and better known than 2019 and I am very excited to be a part of it.
“2019 was my first experience, everything was new, it was great and I didn’t really know what to expect. This year I arrive much calmer and more concentrated.”
Return
Gabrielle Carle spent her college career with the Florida State Seminoles. She then went to Sweden, where she played for Kristianstads DFF.
“Sweden as my first professional experience was perfect for me, a good mix of technique and physical play.”
She has been back in North America for a few weeks since joining the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
“In the NWLS it’s more physical, there’s a lot of switching play and the level is very high, especially with the strikers.
“As a defender it gives me competition every weekend, it gives me a lot of experience and it often equates to playing an international match with the quality of players we have.”
With her boyfriend
For Gabrielle Carle, this World Cup is all the more special because she will experience it with her good friend Évelyne Viens, who was also with her in Tokyo.
“It’s unbelievable to experience a World Cup. Doing it with your best friend is something not many people can do.”
Hailing from L’Ancienne-Lorette, just minutes from Lévis, Viens was also Gabrielle Carle’s team-mate in Sweden, where the forward still plays.
It is therefore a unique opportunity that they can experience the greatest moments of their careers together.