The Northern Super League (NSL) has concluded its inaugural regular season, captivating soccer fans across Canada. This league showcases the country’s first professional women’s soccer teams, featuring six clubs: AFC Toronto, Ottawa Rapid FC, Vancouver Rise FC, Montreal Roses FC, Calgary Wild FC, and Halifax Tides FC. The regular season, consisting of 25 matches, wrapped up in late October. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, set to begin this weekend.
NSL Playoff Format and Dates
The playoffs comprise two-legged semifinal matches. Each club will face off in home-and-away series. If the aggregate score is tied after both matches, the game proceeds to extra time, followed by penalties if needed.
- Semifinal Matchups:
- Leg 1: AFC Toronto vs. Montreal Roses FC, November 1 at Stade Boréale
- Leg 2: Montreal Roses FC vs. AFC Toronto, November 9 at York Lions Stadium
- Leg 1: Vancouver Rise FC vs. Ottawa Rapid FC, November 4 at Swangard Stadium
- Leg 2: Ottawa Rapid FC vs. Vancouver Rise FC, November 8 at TD Place Stadium
The winners will meet in the final on November 15 at BMO Field in Toronto, competing for the Diana B. Matheson Cup. This trophy honors Diana Matheson, a former Canadian women’s national team midfielder and pivotal figure in establishing the NSL.
Toronto and Montreal: A Clash of Strengths
AFC Toronto enters the playoffs with a robust offense, having scored 42 goals during the regular season, while Montreal’s defense is notable for conceding just 23 goals. Toronto finished as the regular season champions, securing the Supporters’ Shield with a record of 16 wins, 3 draws, and 6 losses, 12 points clear of the competition. Conversely, Montreal concluded the season with a 10-6-9 record, finishing fourth.
This matchup is particularly intriguing as it pits Toronto’s formidable attack against Montreal’s strong defense. AFC Toronto players Kaylee Hunter and Esther Okoronkwo were crucial, combining for 22 goals, while Emma Regan maintained a consistent presence throughout all matches.
Player Highlights
Key Players from AFC Toronto
- Kaylee Hunter: The 17-year-old forward, named NSL Rookie of the Year, scored 14 goals this season.
- Esther Okoronkwo: Contributed significantly to Toronto’s offensive success with her goal-scoring prowess.
Key Players from Montreal Roses FC
- Stéphanie Hill: The 23-year-old center back was instrumental in Montreal’s defense and scored five goals.
- Goalscoring Challenges: Montreal struggled offensively, netting 30 goals, with nine matches resulting in shutouts.
This playoff series promises to deliver thrilling encounters as Toronto aims to leverage its offensive strength while Montreal seeks to bolster its defense. The contrasting styles of play will make for compelling matches as both teams vie for the championship title.
Other Notable Performers in the NSL
In addition to the Toronto and Montreal highlights, other teams showcased impressive talent throughout the season. Ottawa Rapid FC finished strong, with 41 goals scored and 26 conceded, while Vancouver Rise FC concluded with a similar points tally to Ottawa but fell short on goal differential.
With several players making significant contributions this season, the NSL playoffs are set to be an exciting culmination of competitive soccer in Canada.
