MATCHDAY STORYLINES

FINDING A RHYTHM

AFC Toronto remains undefeated in their last three after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Halifax Tides FC on Saturday at Wanderers Grounds. Midfielder Colby Barnett netted her first Northern Super League goal in the sixth minute, holding up as the winner in a match dominated by relentless defense on both sides of the pitch. Toronto held 51 per cent of possession with a 10-7 edge in shot attempts, including 4-2 on target.

Goalkeeper Sierra Cota-Yarde remained stalwart between the posts, and defender Sarah Rollins, in her first career start, made a vital intervention in the 80th minute to preserve the clean sheet. Rollins’ performance earned her NSL’s Rookie of the Week honours. Midfielder Nikki Small, who engineered Barnett’s lone goal of the match, also received a deserved nod as one of the league’s 3 Stars of the Week.

Toronto, on their three-game unbeaten run, are tied with second-place Ottawa Rapid FC and Vancouver Rise FC with seven points. Ottawa has played one less game.

INTERNATIONAL DUTY
AFC Toronto’s Emma Regan, Sierra Cota-Yarde, Kaylee Hunter, April Lantainge, and Noelle Henning have been called up to their respective national teams for the June international window. Captain Emma Regan is set to represent Canada and goalkeeper Sierra Cota-Yarde returns with Portugal, while forward Kaylee Hunter, midfielder April Lantainge, and goalkeeper Noelle Henning will participate with the Canadian Under-20 team.

Regan returns to the Canadian Women’s National Team for the third time in 2025, joining her nation for a pair of friendlies against Haiti. The first match will take place at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg on May 31 before the two sides meet again at Stade Saputo in Montreal on June 3. Cota- Yarde sets off to join Portugal, for the second time this year, as the team prepares for their upcoming friendlies.

Hunter, Lantainge, and Henning all join Canada’s U-20 squad for the upcoming Concacaf U-20 Women’s Championship, where group winners and runners-up will advance to the semifinals and qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

MATCHDAY PREVIEW

KEYS TO THE MATCH - THE FIRST REMATCH

The top of the table tightens as AFC Toronto prepares for a high-stakes rematch against league- leading Montreal Roses FC, this time on the road. Both clubs have emerged as early contenders in the inaugural Northern Super League season, but this clash carries added weight: a chance for Toronto to earn a statement result and climb the season standings.

Toronto enters the match riding a surge of confidence after a gritty 1-0 win in Halifax. With sharp midfield play, growing attacking cohesion, and a balanced defensive structure, Marko Milanovic’s squad continues to evolve week over week. A win here wouldn’t just close the gap in the standings, it would mark another major milestone in Toronto’s push for consistency and competitive edge.

The first meeting between these two clubs was more than just a match - it was a moment of history. In front of a sold-out home crowd of 14,518 at BMO Field, AFC Toronto hosted the Roses in their season opener, narrowly falling 1-0 despite dominating stretches of the game. Toronto outshot Montreal 15-4 (6-2 on target) and pushed hard for an equalizer after an early giveaway led to Tanya Boychuk’s decisive goal.

This time, Toronto brings sharper form and greater composure into the rematch. Shaina Ashouri, Aoi Kizaki, and Colby Barnett continue to drive the attack, while the midfield battle, led by the likes of Nikki Small and Esther Okoronkwo, will be crucial in dictating pace. The defensive unit, boosted by the recent debut of Sarah Rollins, will need to stay disciplined against a Montreal team hungry to bounce back from its first loss.

Expect a chess match in the middle of the park and high-tempo wide play from both sides. Montreal remains at the summit with 10 points and proven depth across the pitch, but Toronto’s ability to generate chances, control tempo, and press intelligently makes them a legitimate threat and a team capable of spoiling the Roses’ homecoming.

Every point matters in the tight NSL leaderboard, and for AFC Toronto, this isn’t just about revenge, it’s about raising their ceiling, testing themselves against the best, and writing the next chapter in their rapidly building identity.