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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
2020 soccer gold medallist Desiree Scott and other NSL players talk about what a professional women’s league in Canada means.
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:
Canada’s first domestic professional women’s soccer league has its first player.
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:
CBC Sports’ Brittany MacLean and Shireen Ahmed rank their favourite logos from the Northern Super League.
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:
Canadian National team player Quinn talks excitement for the upcoming NSL league after signing with Vancouver Rise FC.
