Montreal Roses FC capitalized on an early chance and held on to defeat AFC Toronto 1-0 in both clubs’ first-ever Northern Super League match in front of over 14,000 fans at BMO Field in Toronto Saturday.
“Although we didn’t get the goal, we didn’t get the result, I think we were pushing until the end, and I think that’s a very important message,” said Toronto captain Emma Regan post-game..
Photo gallery: Montreal Roses beat AFC Toronto in Northern Super League
With the two teams kicking off their inaugural 2025 NSL campaign, there was an understandable blend of plenty of nerves and excitement from both sides. And perhaps the standard of play was affected as a result – understandable in the early stages of the new league. But both teams were energetic and showcased the potential of the league.
Montreal strike early
Featuring six Canadians in the opening lineup, Toronto went with a 3-4-3 formation, opening up the wide channels to run into. Montreal opted for a 4-3-3 formation, anticipating pressure from Toronto and creating a low block in the defensive end.
In the 2nd minute, nerves would get the better of Nyota Katembo as she played an errant back pass through her defensive line, sending Montreal’s Tanya Boychuk alone on goal. Boychuk made no mistake one-on-one with Toronto goalkeeper Sofia Manner, calmly passing the ball into the bottom right corner to put the visitors ahead 1-0 in front of a stunned home crowd.
“You saw it. It was a simple pass,” admitted Toronto coach Marko Milanović post-game. ”There was no pressure. Nyota is a top player, and it was all nerves at that point,”
The game had a frenetic pace with early defensive mistakes and giveaways from Toronto. Montreal had a couple of chances from Latifah Abdu, as she picked off loose balls, drove past defenders, and forced a save from Manner on the right side.
Loading ...Toronto also showed their pace early on with the experienced Victoria Pickett in the middle of the field, easily gliding past defenders, and Esther Okoronkwo and Colby Barnett making runs down the flanks. Toronto’s first chance of the game came from an Okoronkwo cross into the path of Barnett, whose shot sailed over the bar.
Around halfway through the first half, Toronto found other scoring opportunities. A cross from Nikayla Small into the edge of the six-yard box found the head of Shaina Ashouri, who placed the header just wide of the top right corner. Moments later, a loose ball in the middle of the field was picked up by Emma Regan, whose left curling shot from outside the box forced Montreal goalkeeper Anna Karpenko to make a diving save to her left. Toronto’s front three of Small, Okoronkwo, and Ashouri settled into the game well, utilizing space and creating several goal-scoring opportunities. Toronto also developed several plays through centre-back Hong Hye-Ji, who looked solid commanding the Toronto back line.
AFC Toronto press but can’t find equalizer
At the start of the second half, Toronto continued to push on their attack, and Montreal looked to soak up the pressure. Regan had an early opportunity to tie the game, but her well-struck shot from the top of the box was denied by the crossbar.
In the 50th minute, Montreal had an opportunity to extend their lead, but the shot was sent just over the bar. At the other end, defensive pressure from Ashouri forced a turnover, where Small threaded a through ball into the path of Okoronkwo. Coming off her line, the ball bounced off Karpenko and towards the feet of Regan, but Regan’s shot was denied once again by Karpenko in tight.
Regan isn’t exactly known for her goal-scoring abilities, but she had Toronto’s best chances of the afternoon. She controlled the midfield line, as she has done throughout her career, being a solid defensive presence, winning battles, and creating open space in the play.
At the 61st minute, Toronto sent on Kaylee Hunter, a Canadian youth international who turned 17 earlier this year in her professional debut. She was electric, infusing the attack with energy and showcasing attacking potential up front.
“She’s the future definitely. She’s someone with crazy potential,” said Milanovic.
Toronto kept pushing in the final stages of the match. In the 75th minute, a corner from Barnett found Ashouri, whose header was again just wide of the goal. In the 82nd minute, a looping through ball from Aoi Kizaki almost sent Pickett alone on goal, but the ball was quickly scooped up by Karpenko. There was a final chance for an equalizer in the last minutes as a cross by Ashouri into the six-yard box found Hunter, but her header was partially blocked and easily saved by Karpenko.
Montreal Roses FC beat AFC Toronto 1-0 in Northern Super League action at BMO Field in Toronto Saturday, April 19, 2025. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
Although Toronto had a majority of the possession and outshot Montreal 15-4 in the game, Montreal was able to stifle the Toronto attack, staying in a low block in the second half. Montreal’s experienced midfield group, led by captain Mégane Sauvé, created a compact middle, denying space in behind for Toronto. Montreal’s youthful backline was also defensively solid, with key blocks from Hailey Whitaker and Julia Leas, staving off multiple Toronto chances. Karpenko was a standout in goal for Montreal, making several key saves and looking like a possible contender for the number one job on the Canadian women’s team.
With the performance of Boychuk and Karpenko and the substitution of Hunter along with several others, these early opportunities represent what the NSL was created for: to develop and create a pathway for young Canadians to play professional soccer on home soil. It’s clear that these games have already made an impact to inspire young girls to chase their dreams, as Regan saw someone in the crowd with a handmade poster of her and said, “That used to be me in the stands, cheering on Team Canada. So, it’s cool. A full-circle moment,”
“I really hope that as a league we’re going to keep showing what we showed today, what we showed in Vancouver,” said Montreal coach Robert Rositoiu. “A good show, to convince more young girls that they can dream. It’s on.”
Both teams will head on the road next Sunday, April 27. AFC Toronto will travel to Ottawa to face Ottawa Rapid FC in their season opener, while Montreal will travel to Burnaby to face Vancouver Rise FC.
