AFC Toronto Falls 4-0 to Visiting Ottawa Rapid FC
AFC Toronto’s first signing, Jade Kovacevic, made her Northern Super League debut
Toronto, ON (June 7, 2025) – AFC Toronto saw their four-match unbeaten streak come to an end on Saturday afternoon, as they fell 4-0 to the visiting Ottawa Rapid FC at York Lions Stadium in Toronto. The Northern Super League first-ever signed player, Jade Kovacevic, made her highly anticipated NSL debut for AFC Toronto as a second-half substitute.
Ottawa opened the scoring early in the first minute by D.B. Pridham then continued to capitalize on miscommunications and miscues by the defense. Pridham notched the NSL’s first ever hattrick and Stella Downing recorded her first career NSL goal.
Captain Emma Regan on the loss: “I think you can look at a tactics board all day, but if you don't really want to win, that's what happens. And I think they wanted it more than us today.”
Head coach Marko Milanovic on Jade Kovacevic’s debut: “It was great to see Jade on the field. It's been a long time coming. She's been through a lot – the entire preseason and now beginning of the season – she's had multiple injuries and finally she's back. I think she looked great when she stepped on the field and we were planning to give her about 20-25 minutes regardless of the result. We're happy that she's here.”
The team faced an organized and aggressive defensive effort by the Rapid FC that AFC was unable to break through. The club now heads to the west coast to face Vancouver Rise FC at Swangard Stadium on Wednesday, June 11 at 10 pm ET.
BATTLE OF ONTARIO: In the second of their five meetings with Ottawa Rapid FC, AFC Toronto are 0-0-2.
JADE KOVACEVIC: The Northern Super League’s first signing made her debut as a second-half substitute.
UP NEXT: AFC Toronto are on the west coast visiting Vancouver Rise FC at Swangard Stadium on Wednesday, June 11 at 10 pm ET (Stream on TSN+)
MATCH SUMMARY
AFC Toronto - 0 Ottawa Rapid FC - 4
Venue: York Lions Stadium
Referee: Sheila Couture
Assistants: Melissa Snedden, Amanda Kwan Fourth Official: Angelina Baldino
Referee Observer: Justin Tasev Attendance: 2,482
SCORING SUMMARY
AFC Toronto: 0
Ottawa Rapid FC: D.B. Pridham (1’); D.B. Pridham (20’); Stella Downing (27’); D.B. Pridham (60’)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
43’ - Yellow: D.B. Pridham (Ottawa Rapid FC) 50’ - Yellow: Choo Hyojoo (Ottawa Rapid FC) 80’ - Yellow: Nicola Golen (Ottawa Rapid FC)
STARTING LINEUP & STATS
AFC Toronto Starting Lineup:
GK Sierra Cota-Yarde (Portugal) DF Hong Hye-ji (South Korea) DF Sarah Rollins (Toronto, ON) DF Ashley Cathro (Victoria, BC) MF Nikayla Small (Pickering, ON) MF Emma Regan (Burnaby, BC)
MF Colby Barnett (USA)
MF Victoria Pickett (Barrie, ON) MF Aoi Kizaki (Japan)
FW Shaina Ashouri (USA)
FW Esther Okoronkwo (Nigeria)
Substitutes: Sofia Manner (GK), Madison London (GK), Croix Soto (DF), Kaela Hansen (DF), Jade Kovacevic (MF), Cloey Uddenberg (MF), Nyota Katembo (MF), Kaylee Hunter (FW), Melisa Kekic (FW)
Total Shots: 9 Shots on Goal: 3 Fouls: 4 Offsides: 2 Corner-Kicks: 5 Saves: 3
Video Highlights of Opening Game
Media can access video highlights from the opening match on the Northern Super League YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernSuperLeague
Match Summary
A complete summary of the match facts and stats can be viewed at:
https://www.nsl.ca/games/toronto-ottawa-2025-06-07
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More from head coach Marko Milanovic: This was our worst performance of the year. There's no question about that. I never felt we had full control of the match, which in, in most of our other games, we've had that control when it came to possession and creating chances. Not that we didn't create, we did create a few chances, but overall it was, it was poor.
Midfielder Victoria Pickett: I think we honestly have to take in the negatives. It was a poor performance. We need to look at what we can fix for the next game and move forward, and take the positives as well. But to be blunt, there were more negatives than positives. I think as long as we put our best foot forward for the next game, focus on the next game, figure out what we can do, fix those issues, we'll be good for that.
