Limited-edition design by Erika Flores to be unveiled on matchday, with posters available for fans
Toronto, ON (May 6, 2026) — AFC Toronto continues to build matchdays that reflect the city it represents, with Asian Heritage Day on May 10 offering a moment rooted in identity, creativity, and community — anchored by a custom poster created in collaboration with returning artist Erika Flores.
At the centre of the match is Flores’ latest collaboration with the club, building on her work from AFC Toronto’s inaugural season. For Asian Heritage Day, she has created a bespoke illustration that will be released as a limited-edition poster, with 3,500 copies available free to fans in-stadium for pick up at the end of the match, on a first-come basis while quantities last — extending her practice into a tangible expression of heritage, visibility, and belonging within the game.
The artwork explores dual identity through two athletes rendered in distinct styles — one in detailed line work and the other in silhouette — connected by a continuous line that reflects the shared experience of navigating multiple cultures, a perspective shaped by Flores’ experience as a Filipino-Canadian. The illustration also draws inspiration from a landmark moment in women’s football history, with the pose of the athlete referencing Sarina Bolden’s celebration after scoring the Philippines’ first-ever goal at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup during the nation’s debut tournament appearance.
“This piece is about what it means to exist between identities — to not always feel fully one thing or another, but to still carry pride in all parts of who you are,” said Flores. “The two athletes represent that shared experience, connected through a continuous line to show that even across different backgrounds, there is something that ties us together. I wanted to weave in elements of my own Filipino culture, while also reflecting the broader Asian community — because sport has this unique way of bringing those stories together and giving them a place to be seen.”
Layered throughout the poster are cultural references that deepen that narrative. Filipino symbolism appears through elements like the sun from the national flag, the Philippines' national flower (the sampaguita), palm leaves, and 'tsinelas' (flip flops/sandals) — the last being a nod to humble beginnings and the reality of playing sport without access to traditional equipment. These details are both specific and universal, reflecting shared experiences across cultures.
The design also expands to represent the broader Asian community, incorporating visual cues such as henna-inspired patterns to reflect South Asian cultures and chrysanthemum flowers tied to East Asian symbolism. At its core, the poster centres the idea of unity — with a multi-coloured soccer ball acting as a globe, representing how the game connects cultures across borders.
Through this work, Flores continues to explore representation as something lived, layered, and evolving — using sport as the medium through which those stories can be seen, shared, and carried beyond the match itself.
Where Identity and Football Intersect
That same lens carries through to dedicated photoshoot featuring AFC Toronto players Victoria Pickett, Samantha Chang, and Kaela Hansen, styled by Jenn Park Krulik. The shoot moves beyond traditional matchday visuals, using fashion and styling as a way to explore identity, individuality, and cultural expression within the game.
What does it mean to you to be part of a match that celebrates Asian Heritage?
“It’s amazing to be on a team that chooses to highlight and honour a community that I am so proud to be part of. Toronto and the GTA is such a diverse place, so it’s special to have a chance to let my community feel valued and appreciated,” said Samantha Chang.
“Being part of a match that celebrates Asian Heritage is really special to me,” added Kaela Hansen. “As a half Filipina athlete, it’s an opportunity to represent my culture on a bigger stage and celebrate the diversity that makes the game so powerful. It means a lot to help create space where people who share similar backgrounds can feel seen, represented, and proud.”
How do you personally connect to your heritage, and how has that shaped your journey in the game?
Samantha Chang: “The biggest way my heritage has shaped my journey are the values and traits passed on to me from my Korean side. My dad and his siblings didn’t know any English, they ran a family convenience store growing up and they all made such successful lives for themselves. Those values of working hard for everything and being humble along the way are why I am where I am now. Also my grandparents lived through such difficult times during and after the Korean war, and I believe the bravery and resilience they had then is passed on through my whole family. I don’t take for granted that the opportunities I have now are because they wanted to give their kids a better future. All I ever want to do is make my family proud.”
For Kaela Hansen, “I connect to my heritage through my family, especially through the values and traditions that have been passed down to me. Growing up in Canada with Filipino roots has given me a unique perspective and a strong sense of identity. It’s shaped my journey by instilling resilience, work ethic, and pride in where I come from—qualities that I carry with me every time I step onto the field.”
What was your creative approach to styling this shoot?
“My creative approach was to find a delicate balance between honouring these beautiful traditional garments and infusing them with a fresh perspective,” said Jenn Park Krulik. “I wanted to treat each look with the respect it deserves while also showing that traditional clothing can live effortlessly in a modern, high-fashion context.”
“I bridged the gap between culture and fashion through accessories, giving each look an editorial edge. I sourced one-of-a-kind pieces and styled them in unexpected ways, incorporating a vintage brooch, statement earrings, and a silk fringe scarf worn as a belt, while keeping the gowns as the focal point. It truly was a dream assignment!”
What did you want each player to express through this work?
“For these three players, it was their first time wearing their own cultural garments,” explained Jenn Park Krulik. “Seeing them in awe of the designs and craftsmanship, and step into the role of a goddess, was exactly what I envisioned for each of them. I wanted them to feel empowered and proud of their heritage, while also representing a new generation of athletes who are expressing one of the many facets of their identity. The goal was for each player to honour their roots while defining their personal style in a modern way.”
The result is a layered approach to matchday – one that connects what fans see on the pitch with what they experience around it, anchored by storytelling that feels both personal and collective.
Asian Heritage Day is designed to move beyond recognition and into reflection – creating meaningful connections between players, artists, and fans through storytelling that extends into the matchday experience itself.
Matchday Experiences Include:
• Limited-edition Erika Flores posters available free to fans post-match, while quantities last
• Asian Heritage Day-inspired match presentation and in-stadium storytelling
• Halftime performance by Soaring Eagles, featuring a traditional lion dance accompanied by live drummers
Match Details:
Asian Heritage Day
AFC Toronto vs. Montréal Roses FC
May 10, 2026 | 1:00 PM ET
BMO Field
Join the Action and secure your ticket here.
About Erika Flores
Erika (she/her) is a self-taught Toronto illustrator, poet, and multi-media artist. She is best known for her work with major sports leagues and teams, such as designing AFC Toronto’s Inaugural Away Jersey.
Erika believes that representation begins with recognition - particularly through seeing yourself in the culture you consume. As the proud daughter of Filipino immigrants (who are the biggest basketball fans), Erika’s work is rooted in heritage, culture, and joyful resistance - weaved together in creative storytelling that centres marginalized voices and uncovers the art that lives within athleticism and sport. Her biggest hope is that you see yourself - and your story - reflected somehow in her work.
About AFC Toronto
AFC Toronto is a founding club in the Northern Super League, Canada’s professional women’s soccer league. Following a first-place finish and Supporters’ Shield-winning inaugural campaign in 2025, the club continues to build momentum in its second season — driven by a commitment to high performance, meaningful community connection, and the long-term growth of the women’s game in Canada.
Rooted in Toronto and guided by its ethos — Run It Our Way — AFC Toronto exists not only to compete at the highest level, but to create a platform where girls and women can lead, grow, and thrive both on and off the pitch.
Media Contact
Christina Miller
Director, Public Relations, Media & Communications
AFC Toronto
cmiller@afctoronto.ca
