The York Lions Stadium will host not one, but two Division 1 Canadian soccer teams in April. AFC Toronto will be joining York United to play at the stadium. AFC Toronto will be playing in the inaugural season of the Northern Super League (NSL), Canada’s women’s soccer league co-founded by Canadian soccer legend Diana Matheson which will span from April 16 to Nov. 15.
The NSL will feature six teams from all across Canada: The Vancouver Rise, Ottawa Rapid FC, Halifax Tides FC, Montreal Roses FC, Calgary Wide FC, and AFC Toronto. With teams spanning coast to coast, the NSL is set to usher in a new era of women’s sports in North America.
The league was created to provide a long-overdue professional platform for Canadian women’s soccer players, fixing a gap that has existed despite Canada’s success on the international stage, including two gold medals in 2008 and 2020 and finishing fourth in the 2003 FIFA women’s world cup.
One key matchup to watch will be AFC Toronto vs. Montreal Roses FC. The historic Toronto-Montreal rivalry will extend to the NSL, adding a new chapter alongside the Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens, Toronto FC vs. CF Montréal, and the Argonauts vs. Alouettes.
AFC Toronto’s roster is taking shape with notable signings, including Kaylee Hunter, who played a key role in Canada’s qualification for the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup set to take place next year in Poland. The team has also added international talents such as Esther Okoronkwo, who represented Nigeria in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. These additions, along with other international and domestic stars, strengthen AFC Toronto’s squad for the upcoming season.
The man in the dugout for AFC Toronto will be Marko Milanović, a UEFA A Coach License holder with experience as “the head coach of DeRO United FC in the League1 Ontario women’s division.” With a wealth of experience and a tactical mindset, Milanović will be tasked with shaping the team’s identity and preparing them for top-tier competition. Under his guidance, AFC Toronto has already begun training, laying the groundwork for what promises to be an exciting debut campaign.
AFC Toronto has already begun training, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting journey. As they gear up to take the field at York Lions Stadium, Toronto will become a battleground where skill, passion, and the dreams of a new generation take centre stage. This isn’t just the birth of a league — it’s the start of a movement. Fans across the country won’t miss a moment, as the NSL’s debut season will be broadcast on CBC, RDS, and TSN, bringing Canadian women’s soccer to a national audience like never before.
