Sports
Northern Super League 2025 Regular Season Schedule Released
The wait is over. The inaugural season of the Northern Super League is set to make history, bringing professional women’s soccer coast to coast in Canada. With six clubs ready to take the pitch, fans can expect an electric first season filled with high-stakes matchups, star-studded rosters, and unforgettable moments.
From landmark stadium debuts to rivalry clashes and must-see marquee signings, let’s break down the key dates, player duels, and can’t-miss moments of the 2025 campaign.
Opening Weekend: A Grand Kickoff in Iconic Venues
The first-ever NSL match sets the stage in Vancouver on April 16, where Vancouver takes on Calgary at BC Place in front of what is sure to be a massive, history-making crowd. Calgary, featuring Meikayla Moore, Grace Stordy, and Sonia O’Neill, will be looking to spoil Vancouver’s home debut. The hosts will counter with a star-studded lineup featuring Quinn, Shannon Woeller, and Jessica DeFillippo—expect a battle between Vancouver’s dynamic midfield and Calgary’s aggressive attacking play.
Just three days later, BMO Field hosts the first-ever NSL match in The 6 as AFC Toronto faces the Montreal Roses on April 19. With Emma Regan, Victoria Pickett, and Mya Jones leading Toronto’s midfield and Jade Kovacevic and Leah Pais in the attack, they’ll have to break through a tough Montreal squad featuring Latifah Abdu, Tanya Boychuk, and Mégane Sauvé. Expect a fierce, physical battle every time these two meet.
The Rivalries Begin: Who Will Claim Early Supremacy?
Toronto vs. Montreal – The Battle of the 401
These two powerhouses meet three times this season, including the April 19 showdown at BMO Field. Toronto’s goal-scoring duo of Kovacevic and Pais will need to find a way past Montreal’s defensive unit, led by Gabrielle Lambert and Noémi Paquin. Keep an eye on Toronto’s Croix Soto and Aoi Kizaki to be key defensive figures in containing Montreal’s attack.
Vancouver vs. Calgary – Western Canada Showdown
Vancouver and Calgary will be pushing for dominance in the West, with their second meeting on June 8 in Calgary potentially shaping playoff positioning. Calgary’s Farkhunda Muhtaj and Jaclyn Sawicki will go toe-to-toe with Vancouver’s technical and speedy attack, featuring Nikki Stanton, Samantha Chang, and Jessica Wulf.
Ottawa vs. Halifax – The East Coast Energy Clash
With a Canada Day weekend showdown on June 30, this battle will showcase some of the league’s biggest stars. Ottawa’s Julia Benati, Desiree Scott, and Susanne Haaland will have to break through Halifax’s defensive unit, led by Kiley Norkus and Anika Tóth. Meanwhile, Gunny Jónsdóttir and Milly Clegg will look to spark Halifax’s attack.
Key Player Matchups to Watch
Jade Kovacevic (Toronto) vs. Charlotte Bilbault (Montreal)
A high-profile battle between an elite striker and a world-class defensive midfielder, this duel will be crucial in determining which club comes out on top in the Toronto-Montreal rivalry.
Erin McLeod (Halifax) vs. Sofia Manner (Toronto)
A matchup between two elite goalkeepers who will be pivotal for their teams. McLeod’s experience and leadership will be tested against Toronto’s rising star Manner, who is set to make her mark in the NSL.
Grace Stordy (Calgary) vs. Jasmyne Spencer (Vancouver)
A clash of physicality and skill—Stordy’s defensive acumen will be crucial in stopping Vancouver’s attacking speedster, Spencer, who thrives on taking on defenders one-on-one.
Emma Regan (Toronto) vs. Quinn (Vancouver)
Two of Canada’s brightest midfield talents go head-to-head in a battle of vision, control, and physicality. Regan’s ability to dictate play for Toronto will be tested by Quinn’s defensive presence and quick transitions for Vancouver.
Gunny Jónsdóttir (Halifax) vs. Desiree Scott (Ottawa)
A clash between two veteran midfielders known for their leadership and defensive capabilities. Expect hard challenges and smart positioning as they battle for control in the center of the pitch.
Season Breakdown
Each Northern Super League club will play 25 regular season matches. For the inaugural season:
- Ottawa, Calgary, and Halifax will play 13 home and 12 away matches.
- Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver will each play 12 home and 13 away matches.
- All six clubs will compete in a single-table format with the standard point system: three points for a win, one for a draw, zero for a loss.
At the end of the season, the top four teams will compete in a home-and-away semifinal format. The higher-seeded club will host the second leg. The two clubs with the higher aggregate score will advance to the championship match on November 15.
Where to Watch the NSL in 2025
All 75 Northern Super League regular season matches will be available nationally across multiple platforms. TSN will air 20 regular season games, while CBC will broadcast eight.
French-language coverage will be available for all Montreal Roses matches. RDS will broadcast 21 matches, while Radio-Canada will air four matches live on ICI TÉLÉ and ICI TOU.TV.
In addition to linear broadcasts, a ‘Game of the Week’ will stream on CBC Gem and NSL.ca, while 24 additional matches will stream on TSN+ and NSL.ca.
Get Ready: The 2025 Season Starts Now
With an elite mix of domestic and international talent, six passionate clubs, and a new era of Canadian women’s soccer, the 2025 Northern Super League season is set to be an unmissable ride.
DOWNLOAD the 2025 NSL Regular Season Schedule
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC part ways with head coach Anja Heiner-Møller
Vancouver Rise FC announced on Monday that the club has parted ways with head coach Anja Heiner-Møller. Rise FC will be led on the field for the remainder of the 2026 season by the continuing coaching staff of Iain Darbyshire, Katie Collar, and Erin McNulty. Darbyshire will take on the role of interim head coach.
Heiner-Møller, the first head coach in Rise FC history, departs the club with an 18W-18L-8D record in the Northern Super League (NSL) regular season, as well as a memorable playoff run in the inaugural season that ended with a first ever NSL championship.
“We are grateful to Anja for her many contributions to the club, making history as an important part of Rise FC winning the inaugural Diana B. Matheson Cup,” said Robyn Gayle, Rise FC chief soccer officer. “This was a difficult decision and we wish Anja the very best. We have built high expectations, and it’s on all of us, staff and players, to continue raising the standards to meet them. We are focused on moving forward and making a strong push to finish the season successfully.”
Darbyshire joined Rise FC as an assistant coach prior to the start of the 2026 season after serving as Cardiff City FC head of women’s & girls football since July 2020. Under his leadership, Cardiff City FC Women enjoyed a period of unprecedented success, winning eight trophies in six years.
Collar has been with Rise FC since the team started in 2025, after previously leading the Rise FC Academy (formerly Whitecaps FC Girls Elite). Under Collar, the academy won the League1 BC (now BCPL) title in three straight seasons, as well as two straight League1 Canada Inter-Provincial Championships, and the 2023 FIFA/Blue Stars Youth Cup.
McNulty, a UEFA A licensed goalkeeper coach, serves as assistant coach and goalkeeper coach. Following a playing career in Canada, the United States, and Europe, McNulty moved into coaching, including prolonged success with the Rise FC Academy alongside Collar.
Both Collar and McNulty have also spent time coaching with Canada’s national team programs.
Rise FC return to play this coming Sunday, September 13 in a crucial home match against Ottawa Rapid FC at Swangard Stadium. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m. PT.
Message from Anja Heiner-Møller:
“To the fans of Vancouver Rise FC,
My time as head coach has come to an end.
I am proud of what we have built and accomplished, and most importantly from my end, I have done it being true to my values as a coach and human being. I feel that we have shared those values and the passion for this city, Rise FC and sports in general.
I want nothing else than success for Vancouver Rise FC, and I am grateful for the time I had leading this team from the very start of the inaugural season of 2025, the journey to winning the Championship of 2025 and to the tight battle of making the playoffs in the season of 2026.
I am very aware that fans of Vancouver Rise FC are special and you are a big part of this club. We appreciate you and all the things you do for the team. You are supportive, kind, enthusiastic and dedicated, and we have felt your support from the beginning.
Thank you for your support and all the best in the future!
Anja”
Sports
Toronto Tempo Bringing WNBA Action to Vancouver for Two-Game Series
WNBA basketball is coming to Vancouver this summer as the Toronto Tempo bring two regular-season games to Rogers Arena as part of their inaugural season.
The Tempo will face the Portland Fire on August 21 before taking on the Las Vegas Aces on August 23. The two games will give basketball fans across British Columbia a chance to see Canada’s WNBA team play on the West Coast.
The Vancouver series is part of the Tempo’s push to build a team that represents fans across the country. The franchise has already made its mark in its first season, including a record-setting stop in Montreal.
The Tempo’s regular-season showcase at Montreal’s Bell Centre drew 20,996 fans, setting a new WNBA regular-season attendance record. The Vancouver games continue that effort to bring the team closer to fans outside Toronto.
“From the beginning, our vision has been to build a team that represents all of Canada,” said Teresa Resch, President of the Toronto Tempo. “The support we’ve seen from fans across the country has been incredible, and we’re excited to bring the energy of the WNBA to Vancouver.”
Resch added that the games are a chance to celebrate basketball on the West Coast and connect with communities across the country.
Vancouver has a long history with basketball and has produced elite players at various levels. The Tempo’s visit gives local fans a chance to see professional women’s basketball in their own city, while providing young athletes with another opportunity to see the sport at its highest level.
The Tempo will stay in Vancouver beyond the court. The team will host Tempo Live at Rogers Arena on Saturday, August 22. The free community event will feature interactive basketball activities, clinics, exclusive merchandise and family-friendly programming.
Tickets for the Tempo’s August 21 game against Portland and August 23 matchup with Las Vegas are on sale now through Ticketmaster.