She was one of the players of the match, during the victory of PSG against Saint-Étienne (4-0). A role more and more visible in the Parisian team that will need the versatile Canadian side for the challenges that await it at the end of the season. The opportunity for us to meet her and talk about her first weeks in Paris.

"It was an important match for us. We've been getting ready all week and as you know, we do not take anything for granted. As far as I was concerned, it was good to have two assists, and to help the team and to gain a victory with the team, we were very happy to continue moving forward. "

"It's been a month now, and I'm pretty good at it. These changes, countries, teammates, but everyone was very welcoming, they accepted me what allowed me to excel in the field but also outside.

(...)

Football Hearts - When we talk about you, the first thing we see is your speed, your energy on the ground. For you, is that what defines you as a player on the field?
Ashley Lawrence - I think that's one of the dangers when people look at me among different players. Each player has her strengths and margins of progress. So for me, speed is one of the things that stands out and one of the things my opponents will watch for. But there is also my vision of the game, when I have the ball in my feet, I am able to make the right pass, to find my teammates.

So, on the one hand when I do not have the balloon to make me available, so that my teammates can find me. But also when I have the ball, be able to make combinations and find my teammates. So it's on all of its aspects. "

CDF - These qualities of speed, these athletic qualities, it is often something that one associates with football in North America. How do you see the difference between what you have experienced in Canada, in the United States and the game here in France?
A.L - Yes, I think the two ways of playing are clearly different. In North America, it's more athletic, speed, power. Here in Europe, it's more technical, the ability to pass, dribble, play short. And for me, this is one of the main reasons that led me to choose the PSG because it is a challenge for me. It pushes me to think faster, play faster and so I have the combination of my speed and my power but also develop my technical side. The combination of these two aspects is formidable, and I think it's a great mix.

CDF - These aspects that you want to work in your game, what made you choose between playing NWSL and coming to Paris?
Yes, I went to school in the United States so for me the NWSL is a great championship, they have some of the best players [in the world]. But I wanted to go to a different way of playing (...) and maybe one day I will see myself playing in NWSL but for now I am here in Paris.

CDF - Last week, you missed your first game with the Canadian team for a long time [Canada played a friendly against Mexico last weekend, along with the 13th day of D1 note]. What did it take you to have to follow your teammate's match remotely?
A.L - I really wanted to be there with my teammates, but I could talk to the coach, the staff, my teammates and I took the time to understand my approach / my reasoning. I think that in the future, with Canada [Kadeisha] Buchanan and I here in Europe, they will use the FIFA windows and plan training camps on the scheduled dates for the national team reunion. These are adjustments that will probably be made so that in the future I hope I do not have to miss matches or training sessions with them.

Obviously, what is important for me is the PSG and help this club to win matches, win titles but also on the other side with my country, and help the development [of his national team].

CDF - Just to talk about Kadeisha Buchanan, who is your team-mate in the national team, who has also been in the university championship in recent years. How does it feel to find you opponents in the fight for the title in France after playing so long together?
A.L - I think at this point I was just happy for her because I knew she had made the decision that was best for her. When you've played together for so long, it almost feels like it's a normal thing.

I think that when we finished our years at university, we had to make decisions for our professional careers and there are so many factors that come into play. For me, I always wanted to play in Europe, I told him I spoke, she wanted to play in Europe, France, Germany. As well as the other, we imagined it for ourselves. In the end, if we find ourselves in the same team, it's great but in the end, going to Lyon, it was the best decision for her, so I was happy for that reason.

It will be exciting for the future I think because we are in two of the best teams in Europe and we will meet again face to face so it will be nice enough to see it on the other side.