The inaugural Northern Super League Final is set to create lasting memories, regardless of the eventual victor. If AFC Toronto and Vancouver Rise FC can replicate the excitement of their journey to the Canadian professional women’s soccer championship, the event will be truly unforgettable.
Vancouver secured a playoff spot with a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Halifax on Sept. 27, followed by a 2-1 victory over Ottawa Rapid FC in the first leg of the semifinals. The thrilling second leg ended 4-3 in favor of Rise FC, with midfielder Sofia Hagman scoring the decisive penalty kick after a shootout, resulting in an aggregate score of 3-3 from the two matches.
Rise FC’s impressive regular season performance included an 11-6-8 record, marked by an eight-game unbeaten streak. AFC Toronto, on the other hand, dominated the standings with a record of 16-6-3, finishing 12 points ahead of Vancouver. Toronto enters the Final on a five-game winning streak, showcasing strong form with eight wins and a draw in their last nine matches.
The NSL Final, scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. at BMO Field, will be broadcast nationally on CBC and live-streamed on CBC Sports and CBC Gem at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Toronto’s journey to the Final included a convincing 4-1 win over Montreal Roses, with Esther Okoronkwo netting a hat trick in the semifinals. Vancouver seeks redemption after a previous 7-0 loss to Toronto, where Kaylee Hunter and Okoronkwo shone with two goals each. The Final promises to be a tightly contested match between two formidable teams with balanced attacks.
The highly anticipated Final is expected to draw significant economic activity and a large crowd, with the Ontario government investing in promoting women’s participation in sports. The event will be part of a broader festival celebrating women’s sports, featuring community events, concerts, and conferences.
The success of the inaugural NSL season has paved the way for potential expansion, with talks of adding a seventh team in 2027. The league’s co-founder, Diana B. Matheson, expressed excitement over the positive response from players and fans, emphasizing the quality of play and the desire to celebrate women’s professional sports in Canada.