AFC Toronto vs. Montreal Roses FC - Semi-Final Leg One Match Preview 11/01
NSL AFC Toronto

AFC Toronto vs. Montreal Roses FC - Semi-Final Leg One Match Preview 11/01

Published on October 31, 2025 under Northern Super League (NSL)
AFC Toronto News Release


PUT A BOW ON IT

AFC Toronto closed out their historic inaugural regular season campaign in winning fashion at home, defeating the Montréal Roses 2-1 on Sunday, Oct. 19 to finish atop the Northern Super League table with 51 points. The victory capped a seven-match unbeaten run and cemented Toronto's place as the league's first-ever Supporters' Shield winners with a 16-6-3 record. It was a fitting finale for a team that has set the pace all season long: breaking records, building momentum, and establishing themselves as the standard in the NSL's debut year.

In front of their home crowd at York Lions Stadium, Montréal opened the scoring early but Sarah Stratigakis buried the equalizer before halftime, while midfielder Nikayla Small netted the decisive goal late in the second half - her fifth of the season. Esther Okoronkwo provided the assist on the winner, her seventh of the year, securing the NSL's assist title. The result sets the stage for an immediate rematch, as the two clubs now prepare to meet again in the first leg of the semifinals with a championship chase ahead.

ROAD WARRIORS

No team in the Northern Super League traveled better than AFC Toronto this season. The Supporters' Shield winners posted a league-best 10-2-1 record away from home - claiming victories in every stadium they visited. Montréal's Stade Boréale has been no exception: Toronto earned all three points in both trips to Québec this season, and they'll look to make it a perfect three-for-three as the semifinals kick off on the road.

"We've been comfortable traveling in general - our away record has been absolutely incredible this year," said head coach Marko Milanović. "There's something about us being together, traveling together, spending so much time together that brings us even closer and really locks us in before games. We've won pretty much everywhere we've played this season, so we feel confident stepping into this environment again."

HISTORY BEGINS (AGAIN)

It's a full circle moment for these clubs as the inaugural Northern Super League Playoffs officially kick off this week with AFC Toronto facing Montréal Roses FC in the first leg of a historic semi-final series - a fitting next chapter for two clubs that opened their campaigns together back in April and now collide with a place in the first-ever NSL Final on the line. Toronto enters as Supporters' Shield champions and the league's most consistent side, while Montréal look to defend home turf and disrupt the momentum of a team built for big moments. Every pass, tackle, and chance now carries playoff stakes as AFC Toronto set their sights on turning a record-setting regular season into a championship run.

MATCHDAY PREVIEW

KEYS TO THE MATCH - LOCKED IN

AFC Toronto enters the semifinals embracing a laser-focused mindset: win the day. After a record-breaking regular season, the Supporters' Shield winners know that none of their accomplishments matter if they can't execute when it counts most. Montréal has proven to be a worthy rival throughout the season series, and with the margins so tight in playoff football, Toronto's ability to stay disciplined and decisive in key moments will be crucial.

Despite securing top spot in the league, AFC hasn't had a smooth lead-up to the semifinal opener. National team call-ups and youth international duty left the squad stretched thin during training, forcing others to step up into bigger roles. "We've trained great, but at times only had 12 or 13 outfield players," said head coach Marko Milanović. "It was a very, very difficult period, but we know nobody cares about that. We know we're good enough to come out and play our best soccer." Toronto's depth has been a strength all year, and this moment is its biggest test yet.

Familiarity breeds intensity in this matchup. These clubs are meeting for the sixth time this year, and there are no secrets left between them. Tactical wrinkles may appear - perhaps a surprise set piece or rotational tweak - but the foundation remains unchanged. "We played them five times. They know us, we know them," Milanović said. "Teams that try to change too much at this point won't be successful... We're prepared for this game like it's a one-game playoff."

On the field, the deciding factor will be execution in the fine details: decision making in the box, winning individual battles, managing momentum swings. For Toronto, controlling transition moments and limiting Montréal's counter-attacking threats will be key, while continuing to generate high-quality chances in the attacking third. Clean sheets have become the team's identity late in the season, and protecting that structure will be essential away from home.

Call it a rivalry, call it a clash of titans - either way, the stakes speak for themselves. "There's always going to be little rivalries when you play a team that many times," said defender Zoe Burns. "They have a ton of talent on their team. We have a ton of talent on ours. So really it just comes down to who's better on the day and hopefully that's us."

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Northern Super League Stories from October 31, 2025


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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