ANALYSIS – The Montreal Roses ended AFC Toronto’s five-game winning streak with a 2-1 win at York Lions Stadium. It was a well-deserved win as Montreal looked like the better team, especially in the first half. This and Montreal’s strong defensive play were a big reason why they won the game over AFC Toronto.
Montreal Roses Ended AFC Toronto’s Large Winning Streak
AFC Toronto’s Passing Can Be Better
At certain points of the game, AFC Toronto was missing the final pass. Two examples of this include:
- A pass from Nikayla Small had too much power to it.
- Lauren Rowe made a good run and delivered a cross, which had too much power to it.
As one of the broadcasters said live on TSN, AFC Toronto had the right idea and knew what to do; however, the execution at times was lacking, and it played a role in them losing to Montreal at home.
Montreal Roses FC’s Defence Was Solid
Saying that, Montreal Roses FC’s defence was solid throughout the game. The structure of their defence was solid, and there were two big defensive plays that were made during the game. These plays included:
- Lucy Cappadona made a good sliding tackle to prevent Kaylee Hunter from getting a clear shot at goal.
- Jodi Smith made a key tackle within the box to keep AFC Toronto scoreless at that point in the game.
AFC had some trouble breaking down the Roses’ defence as the Roses always seemed to have numbers on the defensive end of the ball, with a few notable exceptions.
Even the goal AFC scored came more from a fantastic strike by Victoria Pickett rather than Montreal’s defence having trouble containing AFC’s offence.
Montreal Roses FC Was More Clinical in Scoring Goals than AFC Toronto
AFC Toronto had a few chances to score. The one to note was early in the game when Hunter received the ball. However, she could not settle the soccer ball initially, which eliminated the goal-scoring opportunity. This is while the Roses took advantage of their scoring opportunities, including:
- Latifa Abdu was at the right place at the right time to score the opening goal of the match for the Roses.
- Mégane Sauvé scored her first-ever NSL/SLN goal, with a fantastic strike from 20-30 yards out, which ended up being the game-winning goal.
After the game finished, this is what Sauvé said about the goal when asked by the media about it:
“I mean, I don’t think I thought that just shot the ball and it went in,” Sauvé said as she talked more about taking the chances that are given to her. “With myself, not taking enough shots, so I think that it is a good thing to just take your shot for the best.”
The goal Sauvé scored was also her first-ever goal in the NSL/SLN, which made the game extra special for the Roses’ Quebec-born defender.
Other Talking Points: AFC Toronto and the Montreal Roses FC Are At The Top Of The Table
It was a big game on Friday, as the game was being televised nationally in Canada, including on TSN and RDS, as well as being streamed in the U.S. with ESPN+. A big reason for that was Diana Matheson and Adam Von Koeverden announcing on TSN that the NSL/SLN Final will take place at BMO Field on Saturday, November. 15 in Toronto, Ontario.
This is a big announcement for the women’s soccer community in Toronto, which has a rich history of providing high-level CANWNT/CANXNT games at BMO Field.
READ MORE: Tanya Boychuk Creates Montreal Roses History at BMO Field
With yesterday’s results, AFC Toronto and the Montreal Roses FC are the top two teams in the NSL/SLN. AFC Toronto currently has 25 points with 13 games played, while the Montreal Roses FC has 21 points with only 12 games played.
With the top four teams making the NSL/SLN playoffs, both teams are in a prime position to make the NSL/SLN playoffs. It is important to note, though, that only about half the games have been played in the NSL/SLN season. On top of that, AFC will not have a home game until August 17 at BMO Field against the Vancouver Rise FC.
Marko Milanović talked about the challenge of going on the road for almost a month before coming back home to Toronto:
“We like to be on the road, we are looking forward to being together more on the road, and also just looking for the challenge.”
READ MORE: Ottawa Rapid FC Dominated AFC Toronto at York Lions Stadium
There might be some reason why Milanović is looking forward to being on the road. AFC Toronto are the best team in the league right now, with a large part of that being their road record. They have won five straight games on the road after losing in the Ottawa Rapid FC’s home opener back on April 27.
READ MORE: AFC Toronto and CANWNT Player Profile: Emma Regan
Other Factor: Potential Fatigue
AFC did not look like the better team to start the game. The performance in the first half was not up to par, as Marko Milanović said:
“We played more soccer in the first five minutes of the second half than the entirety of the first half.”
It is also important to note the fatigue that AFC Toronto had during the game. While the head coach and the players were not making excuses for the loss, the club had a tough schedule, playing three games in only eight days.
Games Coming Up For Both Teams
READ MORE: Nikayla Small: A Standout AFC Toronto Midfielder
Both AFC Toronto and the Montreal Roses FC only have one game left in the month of July. For AFC Toronto, they will travel west to face the Vancouver Rise FC at Swangard Stadium at 10:00 pm ET (7:00 pm PT). This is while the Montreal Roses FC will host the Calgary Wild FC at Stade Boréale in Laval, Quebec, at 7:00 pm ET.
The game between AFC and the Rise will be broadcast live on TSN+, ESPN+, and nsl.ca. This is while the Roses’ game against the Wild will be broadcast live on CBC Gem, nsl.ca, and RDS.
If one wants to see the AFC Toronto post-game press conference, the link is provided here.
Photo Credit: Creo Visions/AFC Toronto on July 18, 2025.
