NSL Final Set with No Clear Favourite

From snowfall to a shootout, the Semi-Finals had it all with AFC Toronto and the Vancouver Rise coming out on top. They will head to BMO Field on November 15th for the inaugural Diana B. Matheson Cup.

How We Got Here 

AFC Toronto clinched the inaugural Supporters' Shield, finishing first overall in the regular season. Then the Ottawa Rapids, Vancouver Rise, and Montreal Roses locked in their playoff spot. The last week of the season, teams played for positioning, leaving AFC Toronto facing the Montreal Roses and the Ottawa Rapids facing the Vancouver Rise in the semi-finals. 

AFC Toronto vs Montreal Roses

The playoffs kicked off in Montreal, where AFC Toronto got the first-ever NSL playoff win. In the game, Nikki Small recorded the first-ever playoff goal in the 7th minute. From there, it was a hard-fought defensive battle, but NSL Rookie of the Year, Kaylee Hunter, found a way to break through, doubling Toronto’s lead, ultimately leading AFC Toronto to a 2-0 win. 

Game 2 headed back to York Lions Stadium on Sunday, or so we thought, but after some heavy snowfall in the area, the match was postponed till Monday night. Well, there was still some snow in play, AFC Toronto thrived with Esther Okoronkwo scoring a natural hat trick in the first half. The Montreal Roses found a way to break through Toronto's defence and goaltending scoring in the 74th minute, but it was too little too late. Toronto capped off the night with a goal from Lauren Rowe in the 83rd minute, bringing Toronto to a 4-1 win, bringing the series to 6-1. 

Ottawa Rapids vs Vancouver Rise 

The series kicked off in Vancouver, where the Rise became the first NSL team to get a playoff win at home. With Latifah Abdu scoring back-to-back goals in the 14th and 21st minutes. The Rise held the 2-0 lead until Ottawa’s D.B. Pridham struck in the 66th minute, cutting the lead in half. Vancouver was able to hold their lead through their defensive play and goaltending to get the win at home. 

Game 2 brought the series to Ottawa on Saturday, which was an absolute thriller. D.B. Pridham opened the scoring in front of the home crowd, leaving Ottawa with a 1-0 lead entering the half. Defender Nicola Golen doubled the Rapids' lead just minutes into the second half. This lead would last another 35 minutes before Holly Ward got Vancouver on the board, cutting Ottawa’s lead in half, and that was all Vancouver needed to tie the series,  leading to a shootout. 

Ottawa got two on the board off the bat with D.B. Pridham and Jyllissa Harris finding a way past Morgan McAslan. Up next, it was Nikki Stanton who got Vancouver on the board, bringing the score to 4-2, again tying the series. Then it was Melanie Forbes for Ottawa on the board, but Nedya Sawan responded for Vancouver, keeping their playoff dreams alive. After that, it was Emily Amano who added to Ottawa’s count, before Mariah Lee responded for Vancouver. The Rise then pulled away with goals from Latifah Abdu and Sofia Hagman, to push Vancouver to an 8-6 series win, to clinch their ticket to the Finals. 

AFC Toronto and Vancouver Rise Regular Season Matchups

In their 5 matchups, the teams are 2-2-1, leaving no clear favourite for the Final, with players from both teams stepping up. While AFC Toronto has continued their winning streak into the playoffs, the Vancouver Rise have found their rhythm in the post-season. 

The Finals will be played at BMO Field in Toronto, where AFC Toronto is 2-0, including a loss to Vancouver. Leaving the question, will Toronto finally be able to break through at BMO Field? Or will Vancouver continue to Rise? There’s only one way to find out: Tune in Saturday, November 15th, at 2 PM EST.