History Makers: The Kick-Off of the NSL

Calgary Wild and Vancouver Rise played the first-ever NSL match at BC Place. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Gauthier. 

There is officially a professional women’s soccer league in Canada! The Northern Super League has officially begun, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Calgary Wild FC played against Vancouver Rise FC in the first-ever NSL match on April 16th, 2025. Rise midfielder Quinn scored the first-ever NSL goal off a penalty. The match ended in a 1-0 win for Vancouver. 

On April 19th, Montréal Roses FC and AFC Toronto played their first game at BMO Field. Roses forward Tanya Boychuk scored the lone goal in the game, giving Montréal their first win. 

Halifax Tides played their first match at home against Calgary Wild FC. After being held off the scoresheet in Vancouver, Calgary scored 4 goals against the Tides. Meikayla Moore scored the Wild’s first-ever goal, followed by a goal by Meggie Dougherty-Howard and a two-goal performance by Kahli Johnson. The Tides' first-ever goal was scored by Marika Guay. 

The Halifax Tides play at the Wanderers Ground. Photo courtesy of James Bennett.

Ottawa Rapid FC played their first-ever match on April 27th against AFC Toronto, winning 2-1. Rapid midfielder Lee Min-A scored the team's first-ever goal, with former Canadian Women’s National Team midfielder Desiree Scott scoring the Rapids' second goal. Toronto’s Kaylee Hunter scored in the 94th minute, marking the team’s first-ever goal despite the 2-1 loss. 

Also on April 27th, the Rise and Roses played each other at Swangard Stadium for both teams’ second match. Hailey Whitaker, Alexandria Hess, and Latifah Abdu scored for Montréal, with Quinn scoring another penalty for the Rise.

AFC Toronto’s Kaylee Hunter scoring against Rapid goalkeeper. Photo courtesy of Ottawa Rapid FC.

With each team playing at least one game so far, the league standings are as follows:

1. Montréal Roses FC

2. Calgary Wild FC

3. Ottawa Rapid FC

4. AFC Toronto

5. Vancouver Rise FC

6. Halifax Tides FC

The NSL season continues all throughout the summer and well into the fall, with the season ending in October. There are a number of games left to see history, so find your local team and support history in Canada as the NSL will get bigger and better!

Edited by Neha Grewal