MATCHDAY STORYLINES
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
AFC Toronto will look to bounce back as they hit the road to face Vancouver, opening a four- game road trip following their 2-1 loss to Montreal Roses FC. Toronto’s five-game winning streak came to an end Friday night despite a late push, highlighted by Victoria Pickett’s first Northern Super League goal – a stunning strike from distance that beat Montreal’s goalkeeper, Anna Karpenko, in the top corner. With the winning streak snapped, AFC is eager to respond with a strong performance away from home to maintain their position near the top of the table.
AFC has been strong away from home all season, boasting the league’s best road record with five wins as the visitors. As they begin this four-game stretch away from Toronto, AFC will look to continue their consistent play on the road and set the tone early in Vancouver.
IRON WOMEN
Colby Barnett and captain Emma Regan have been the definition of consistency for AFC Toronto this season, leading the Northern Super League with 1,170 minutes played each. The pair has yet to miss a single minute of action, anchoring the midfield and backline with reliability, leadership, and composure. Their ability to perform at a high level week in and week out has been pivotal to AFC’s success, setting the tone for the team’s resilience and competitive edge.
Barnett’s importance to the club was recently underscored with her contract extension through 2027, a move that solidifies her place at the heart of Toronto’s midfield for years to come. Her extension reflects the trust and belief AFC has in her ability to drive the team’s success now and in the future.
MANNER OF EXCELLENCE
Sofia Manner has been a steady and commanding presence in net for AFC Toronto, delivering crucial performances during the club’s recent run. After making three key saves in the match against Montreal, Manner now sits second in the Northern Super League with 26 total saves, showcasing her sharp reflexes and composure under pressure. Her ability to read the game and come up big in critical moments has been vital to Toronto’s success, providing the defensive backbone needed to stay competitive at the top of the standings.
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
KEYS TO THE MATCH - UP FOR THE CHALLENGE
AFC Toronto begins its longest road swing of the season with a visit to Vancouver, eager to bounce back from last week’s narrow 2-1 loss to Montreal. After playing three games in seven days, including a storm-affected trip to Halifax, the club has taken the chance to rest, regroup, and refocus. A win in Vancouver would not only restore momentum but further cement Toronto’s reputation as one of the league’s best road teams, having already picked up five wins away from home, more than any other club in the NSL.
What stands out heading into this four-game stretch isn’t just the team’s quality but their mindset. Head coach Marko Milanovic emphasized that they’re not viewing the trip as a grind, but as an opportunity.
“We’re not looking at it as a challenging stretch at all. We look forward to it... We really look forward to traveling together and experiencing new cities and some of the away crowds.”
That unified approach is echoed throughout the squad, especially by defenders like Ashley Cathro and Kaela Hansen, who stressed the importance of off-field connection and maintaining strong habits between games.
Another key? Depth. With some rotation expected, players across the roster will be called on to contribute. Toronto’s versatility has been a major strength, and several players have thrived in different combinations.
“We’ve already done it a few times before now, so we know how to better recover and the things we need to do better to make sure that we're ready for each game,” said Kaela Hansen.
The challenge Vancouver poses shouldn’t be overlooked – particularly with Shannon Woeller leading the league in touches and passes – but Toronto’s focus remains inward. With a strong foundation built on chemistry, depth, and belief, this road trip is less about survival and more about showing who they are.