Get to know each of the Northern Super League clubs

CBC Sports | Posted: April 16, 2025 11:59 AM | Last Updated: April 16

Canada's new women's professional soccer league officially launches this week

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Caption: The inaugural Northern Super League season kicks off on Wednesday night when Vancouver Rise FC hosts Calgary Wild FC. (Courtesy: Northern Super League)

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The Northern Super League, Canada's new women's professional soccer league, officially kicks off this week.

Here's what you need to know about each of the six franchises that will play in the NSL's inaugural season.

Halifax Tides FC

Head coach: Lewis Page

Key players: Erin McLeod, Milly Clegg

Home pitch: Wanderers Grounds

First match: Saturday, April 26 vs. Calgary Wild FC

WATCH | Historical moments that inspired NSL players to become professional athletes:

Media Video | Historical moments that inspired NSL players to become professional athletes

Caption: Set to become key role models in Canadian soccer, Northern Super League talents take a moment to reflect on what moments inspired them to become professional players.

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Montréal Roses

Head coach: Robert Rositoiu

Key players: Mégane Sauvé, Latifah Abdu

Home pitch: Centre Sportif Bois-de-Boulogne

First match: Saturday, April 19 at AFC Toronto

WATCH | NSL co-founder Diana Matheson on what to expect in the inaugural season:

Media Video | 'Top 5 league in the world': Diana Matheson on NSL

Caption: Northern Super League co-founder Diana Matheson tells CBC Sports what to expect in the upcoming inaugural season, and is excited to build a league with Canadian fans.

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Ottawa Rapid FC

Head coach: Katrine Pedersen

Key players: Desiree Scott, Susanne Haaland

Home pitch: TD Place Stadium

First match: Sunday, April 27 vs. AFC Toronto

WATCH | NSL players on what a professional women's league in Canada means:

Media Video | ‘You now can see what you can be’, Desiree Scott reflects on importance of the Northern Super league

Caption: 2020 soccer gold medallist Desiree Scott and other NSL players talk about what a professional women’s league in Canada means.

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The NSL begins its inaugural season Wednesday with Vancouver Rise FC hosting Calgary Wild FC. The 10 p.m. ET match will be available at CBCSports.ca and on the free CBC Gem streaming service.

AFC Toronto

Head coach: Marko Milanović

Key players: Jade Kovacevic, Croix Soto

Home pitch: York Lions Stadium (BMO Field will host their inaugural match)

First match: Saturday, April 19 vs. Montreal Roses

WATCH | Jade Kovacevic is the 1st player signed to the NSL:

Media Video | Jade Kovacevic is the 1st player signed to the Northern Super League (NSL)

Caption: Canada's first domestic professional women's soccer league has its first player.

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Calgary Wild FC

Head coach: Lydia Bedford

Key players: Farkhunda Muhtaj, Meikayla Moore

Home pitch: McMahon Stadium

First match: Wednesday, April 16 at Vancouver Rise FC

WATCH | Ranking every NSL team name, logo:

Media Video | Ranking every NSL team name, logo

Caption: CBC Sports' Brittany MacLean and Shireen Ahmed rank their favourite logos from the Northern Super League.

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Vancouver Rise FC

Head coach: Anja Heiner-Moller

Key players: Quinn, Shannon Woeller

Home pitch: Swangard Stadium

First match: Wednesday, April 16 vs. Calgary Wild FC

WATCH | Quinn ready to lead NSL's Vancouver Rise and 'beat' Toronto:

Media | Quinn ready to lead NSL's Vancouver Rise and 'beat' Toronto

Caption: Canadian National team player Quinn talks excitement for the upcoming NSL league after signing with Vancouver Rise FC.

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