The Montreal Roses have advanced to the Northern Super League final after winning their semifinal series against the Vancouver Rise with a 5-2 aggregate score. This victory eliminates the defending champions from the playoffs and sets the stage for a championship clash against AFC Toronto in Ottawa this Saturday.

How did the Montreal Roses advance?

Montreal established a commanding lead during the first leg of the series with a 3-0 victory in Burnaby, B.C. In the second leg played in Montreal, the Roses fought to a 2-2 draw to secure their place in the final.

Read also Montreal Roses chase historic double after dominant shutout

The match in Montreal saw several key moments:

  • Noemi Paquin opened the scoring for Montreal in the 39th minute.
  • Jessica De Filippo, the NSL Player of the Year, equalized for Vancouver in the 41st minute.
  • Latifah Abdu scored for the Rise during first-half injury time.
  • Lisa Perchesky scored the crucial equalizer for Montreal in the 78th minute.

A clash of league leaders

The upcoming championship match will feature a battle between the league's most dominant teams. The Roses finished the regular season at the top of the standings, earning the shield for their performance. They will face an AFC Toronto side that secured its place through an 8-2 aggregate victory over the Ottawa Rapid.

This matchup is particularly significant as it pits the 2025 shield winner against the 2026 shield winner. While the Roses are entering their second season, they have already demonstrated high-level consistency, having secured the supporters' shield during the regular campaign.

What to expect in the NSL final?

The single-game final is scheduled for November 14 at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. ET. The match will be broadcast on RDS and will determine the winner of the Matheson Cup.

FAQ

Where will the final be played?

The championship game will take place at a neutral site, TD Place Stadium in Ottawa.

Who is AFC Toronto playing?

Toronto will face the Montreal Roses to compete for the Northern Super League title.