Roses defeat AFC in first pro women’s soccer game in Toronto

DANIEL CARRERO/INTERMISSION SPORTS

By Daniel Carrero

Photos and graphics by Daniel Carrero

Today, history was made for women’s soccer in Canada.

Montreal Roses FC defeated AFC Toronto 1-0 in the second-ever Northern Super League (NSL) game at BMO Field on Saturday.

An early goal from Tanya Boychuk was all the Roses needed to take their inaugural game. But beyond the score, this game meant so much more. It meant the first time Toronto saw a professional women’s soccer team play on home soil.

“Before the game we took a second and just said ‘Wow this is a very cool moment for women’s soccer in Canada,’” said AFC Toronto captain Emma Regan. “Although the result didn’t go our way, I think it’s just a first step in a very long season that is quite historic in itself. We are just going to use this as motivation and bounce back next week.”

The NSL, which was first announced on Dec. 22, 2022—then provisionally known as Project 8 for co-founder Diana Matheson’s number from her playing days with Team Canada—kicked off on March 16 with Vancouver Rise’s 1-0 victory over Calgary Wild. While the game at BC Place was historic—thanks to the 14,018 fans who set an attendance record for a professional women’s soccer game—the Toronto game was set to break that record.

Two days before kick-off, AFC announced that 14,500 fans were going to fill the lower half of the BMO Field. At the onset of the game, as fans slowly filled the stadium with red scarfs featuring “AFC Toronto” on them, the moment became real.

When the ball started moving, the whole stadium felt a moment of relief. History was being made once again at BMO Field, the site of many momentous moments for Canadian national teams and Toronto FC. AFC Toronto players were visibly nervous from kick-off, as the pressure of the overwhelming atmosphere took hold on the team. 

Montreal took advantage of those nerves and wasted no time—the Roses opened the score less than 90 seconds in. Boychuk found some space on the left-hand side of the pitch, after Toronto’s Nikayla Small misplaced a pass back. The 24-year-old forward took a strong low-driven shot, scoring the first and only goal of the game. 

“I am very proud of getting the first goal and making history, having the first Roses win, but I think we can do better,” said Boychuk. From there, Toronto could only attempt to put their tactical scheme into action for the first time ever.

AFC kicked off things with a tight 3-4-3 formation, featuring striker Esther Okoronkwo leading the attack with support from Shain Ashouri and Small on the wings. Nyota Katembo roamed the right wing of the pitch as a subtle defender and applied consistent pressure to Montreal’s high-energy squad, while Colby Barnett took on the same role on the left wing.

The Roses, with their 4-2-4 formation while in possession, did not give in and used their one-goal advantage to control the rest of the game.

In the second half, AFC’s confidence grew, allowing their tactical scheme to become more visible and persistent.

“Our wide centrebacks, in the first half I thought they reacted well to the pressure at times with the distances as the ball was being played at the back, so that’s the adjustment we made,” said AFC head coach Marko Milanovic. “Just a little more patience and little adjustments like that.”

Despite adjusting tactically, AFC couldn’t find the back of the net. Montreal goalkeeper Anna Karpenko kept everything under control with her composed saves and timely anticipations.

“She kept us in the game, she made consistent saves again and again,” said Montreal’s Mégane Sauvé. “She has a great work ethic so I know she was going to get it done there.”

Looking for a fresh pair of legs, AFC subbed 17-year-old Kaylee Hunter into the game. The young forward showed the fans sparkles of her talent, which Milanovic took note of.

“She made a really good impact coming on the field and gave us a bit of a thread in behind that we didn’t have before,” said Milanovic. “[Hunter] is the future, she’s someone with crazy potential and we all look forward to seeing how she’s going to develop.”

The south side of BMO Field kept cheering for the whole game, their harmonious drumming persistent and echoing to showcase the passion of the 14,518 fans who attended the game.

While the score remained 1-0 for almost the entire 90 minutes, Regan recalled moments that will always be engraved in her mind.

“A fan had a poster that he drew of me. I think it looked a little bit better than how I probably looked after that game,” said Regan with a laugh. “There was a lot of my family in the crowd, some friends and some cool posters from people I’ve never met, so that was very special.”

In the last minutes of the game, a communal group of young fans kept on cheering and saying “Let’s go Toronto, let’s go,” which Regan found familiar.

“That used to be me in the stands cheering on Team Canada, so it’s cool. Full-circle moment,” she said.

UP NEXT: AFC Toronto will play their second game of the season against Ottawa Rapid FC, who will host their inaugural match at TD Place Stadium in the nation’s capital. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. on April 27.