EDITORIAL – AFC Toronto, like all of the Northern Super League (NSL) teams, played its first-ever season in the NSL/SLN. After a slow start, AFC climbed back into the standings and showed why they won the first-ever NSL Supporters’ Shield. This achievement highlights why the 2025 AFC Toronto season was a success, despite not winning the Diana B. Matheson Cup.
2025 AFC Toronto Season: Earned NSL Supporters’ Shield Champions
Strengths
Esther Okoronkwo, Kaylee Hunter, and Nikayla Small All Played Well Together
When watching the games for AFC Toronto, one notices the way all three players worked together. One can notice this in leg two of the NSL playoffs, where Kaylee Hunter was creating lots of great scoring chances for Okoronkwo.
Hunter talked about the chemistry between her and Okoronkwo after beating the Halifax Tides FC on June 21, 2025.
This quote came after Hunter and Okoronkwo had an assist on each other’s goal against the Tides:
Marko Milanović, the AFC Toronto head coach, also talked about the partnership between the two players when AFC Toronto eliminated the Montreal Roses FC from the NSL playoffs, according to the AFC Toronto YouTube Account on November 11, 2025:
Hunter scored 16 goals, and Okoronkwo scored 11 goals. This is while Okoronkwo led the league with eight assists, while Hunter provided four assists for her club. They, Nikayla Small, and others played a big role in why AFC won the NSL Supporters’ Shield.
READ MORE: Kaylee Hunter: Promising Canadian Teenager for AFC Toronto
Nikayla Small Should Be a Candidate to Make the CANWNT/CANXNT Roster
What Nikalya Small did with AFC Toronto this year should mean potential call-ups for the CANWNT/CANXNT. She was tied for second in the NSL with six assists and tied for eighth in the league with six goals scored.
This is what Milanović said about Small and what she meant to the team back in June, according to the AFC Toronto website:
There are already some players in the NSL getting called up to the CANWNT/CANXNT, with three being called up this year from AFC Toronto, who were: Kaylee Hunter, Emma Regan, April Lantaigne, and Noelle Henning. The future is bright for AFC.
READ MORE: Nikayla Small: A Standout AFC Toronto Midfielder
Defence Was Solid
AFC Toronto’s defence was excellent. They gave up the fewest goals of any of the NSL teams. AFC’s head coach, Marko Milanović, talked about Croix Soto after the game against the Calgary Wild FC:
“I thought Croix was very good today. One of her best games, you heard Sarah mention how well she communicates with the rest of the back line. That’s something that we can’t hear. Even we, on the bench, can’t hear it, but she does organize the backline quite well, and those spaces between the lines become much smaller when she does that.” Markonović said.
Markonović praised Soto’s way of organizing the backline, highlighting her ability to organize the defence. She deserves massive credit for it; however, there are also other players who have stepped up, such as Kaela Hansen, Zoe Burns, Sarah Rollins, and Lantaigne.
Negatives
AFC Toronto Was 0-0-3 at BMO Field
With how successful AFC Toronto was throughout the year, the one place they surprisingly struggled at was with BMO Field. In both the Montreal Roses FC and two of the Vancouver Rise FC games, they had trouble converting their scoring opportunities. The other team did, though, and that played a massive role in AFC having a winless record at BMO Field.
This is what Milanović said about the game and not being able to finish those scoring chances in the NSL Final, according to the Northern Super League Website:
READ MORE: Tanya Boychuk Creates Montreal Roses History at BMO Field
Games of the Year
Winning Against the Kansas City Current in the World Sevens Football Campaign Tournament
This win was a big deal not just for AFC Toronto, but also for the Northern Super League/Super Ligue du Nord. Yes, it was 7-on-7 soccer, but it still counted. This win showcased the level that the NSL could reach with time, effort, and patience.
The league is not going to be one of the best leagues in the world in year 1. However, there is no reason why it cannot be five or ten years from now. This is what Small said of the club’s performance at the tournament, according to the AFC Toronto website:
“I’m so proud of how we performed at this tournament,” said AFC Toronto midfielder Nikayla Small. “It’s a tremendous honour to represent Toronto and the Northern Super League on the global stage. We’ve accomplished so much in our inaugural season, and I can’t wait to keep it going next year.”
AFC Toronto Hoists the Supporters’ Shield After Ending The Regular Season With A Win
AFC Toronto’s last regular-season game was a celebration. It was known before the game began that they would win the NSL Supporters’ Shield. Still, AFC Toronto was not complacent and won the game over the Montreal Roses FC.
Even while conceding the first goal of the game, AFC came back from behind to win the game 2-1. Esther Okoronkwo was key in making that happen, as she created a lot of scoring chances for her teammates and assisted in Sarah Stratigakis’ game-tying goal. Moreover, the evening was not about any one player, but what the club accomplished, as mentioned by Markovic.
“We feel amazing. It’s a really rewarding feeling. Winning the league was our main goal from day one; we made that very clear.”
READ MORE: AFC Toronto Celebrated Win On An Unforgettable Afternoon
Co-Players of the Year: Esther Okoronkwo and Emma Regan
Esther Okoronkwo is RB Sports’ co-player of the year. Her play throughout the year highlights her ability to not just score goals but also dish out assists. She stepped up when her team needed it most as well, which was highlighted by her hat-trick in the NSL semi-final matchup against the Montreal Roses FC. She also led the league in assists and the team in scored goals during the regular season.
READ MORE: Esther Okoronkwo: AFC Toronto’s Leading Goal Scorer
There is also, of course, the captain of AFC Toronto, Emma Regan. Regan was the only player in AFC to play every single minute of every regular season game with Toronto. She scored three goals and played a huge role in the success of the team. Regan showcased her leadership skills as she said this about her team in the post-game interview, according to the NSL YouTube Page on November 15, 2025:
“We win, and we lose as a team, and I think for me it’s never on any one person, we play a team sport for a reason,” Regan said.
Milanović also said this about Regan after the game against Vancouver, which might indicate what type of captain Regan is:
“Very proud of our captain, here.”
Season Overview and Summary
Grade: A+
Yes, AFC Toronto did not get the ultimate prize of the Diana B. Matheson Cup. Still, they did win the NSL Supporters’ Shield and got a win to remember in the World Sevens Football Campaign Tournament against the Kansas City Current. Expect this team to continue to battle for trophies next year as the calendar gets closer to 2026.
Photo Provided by AFC Toronto on October 19, 2025.
