It’s that time once more. Time of course to take a deep dive into the week of Canadian soccer and pick out only the best of the best. I hear that we may have another first-time winner for the second week running. You gotta be ready for anything around here.

Here is your latest ‘Canadian of the Week!’

Jessie Fleming

It’s Jessie Fleming, of course!

Fleming’s Chelsea ran riot against Everton in the Women’s Super League on Sunday, May 7, coming out with a 7-0 win over the Toffees as they fight until the end for the league title. The Canadian midfielder bagged a goal and assist in the first half to push Chelsea to just four points behind league leaders Manchester United.

The assist came first, as Fleming smartly laid off the ball at the top of the box for teammate Sophie Ingle to latch onto in the 44th minute. With her back to goal, Fleming made the right decision on the ball and perfectly delivered it in the path of her midfield partner.

Only a couple minutes later, Fleming popped up in the penalty area once more, this time finding a finish of her own to bring Chelsea into half-time with a five-goal cushion.

The midfielder found a pocket of space from 12 yards out and just about got enough on her first-time shot to see it beat Everton’s goalkeeper.

Fleming had her fingerprints all over the dominant performance, amassing two clearances, four recoveries and three progressive passes in her 90 minutes on the pitch. Her goal was just her third of the 2022-23 WSL season, as the midfielder has taken a step back for her club when it comes to pushing onto the attack, instead playing a more defensive-minded role for the Blues.

Chelsea have another must-win league match against Leicester City before they face off against Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup final this coming Sunday. Fleming should continue to be the centre of it all.

Honourable mentions

It’s back-to-back honourable mentions for Jordyn Huitema as the Canadian striker is heating up in front of goal for the OL Reign of the NWSL.

Huitema used her head to get the Reign’s second goal of the night in a 2-0 result over the Houston Dash on Saturday, May 6. After having a first-half chance called back by VAR, Huitema would not be denied in the end, scoring her second goal in as many league matches after getting on the end of Veronica Latsko’s cross into the box.

And over in Sweden, it’s difficult not to take notice of Derek Cornelius and his Malmö side.

The centre-back starred in two league wins this past week, first drubbing Varberg 6-0 away from home on Wednesday, May 6, and then holding off AIK with a 3-1 scoreline on Sunday. Cornelius has started in all seven league matches for his new club and has only conceded four goals along the way. It’s been a great start to life in Sweden for the left-footed defender, with Malmö already having created a five-point gap atop the Allsvenskan table.

Lastly, it is only right that Jacob Shaffelburg gets a mention for his strong display against the Chicago Fire on Saturday.

Hany Mukhtar rightly stole the headlines after nabbing a hat trick, but Shaffelburg was once again immense for his team. The 23-year-old winger won five of his seven ground duels and connected on three key passes, including a big chance-creating action in the 66th minute when he played Mukhtar through on goal. Shaffelburg then won a penalty for Nashville after being brought down after dashing through on goal himself just a minute later.

Don’t be surprised if the former TFC man earns a Canada call-up this summer, because he’s earned it.