Kickoff: Friday, October 2 · 7 p.m. · Stade Boréale, Laval 

Broadcast: RDS, TSN Premium & ESPN+

Tickets: Available starting at $28 at en.rosesmtl.ca/tickets 

With just three matchdays remaining in the Northern Super League regular season, the Montréal Roses can secure a defining piece of their postseason picture on Friday night. Hosting Ottawa Rapid FC at Stade Boréale, the Montreal side has the opportunity to mathematically guarantee a top-two finish in the standings while knocking their Ontario rivals out of the race for top spot in the process. 

Leading the league with 40 points (11-4-7), the Roses hold a three-point cushion over AFC Toronto (37 points) and four over Ottawa (36 points). A victory on Friday would elevate Montreal’s total to 43 points - a benchmark unreachable for every other team in the circuit except Toronto. A draw, meanwhile, would leave the door open. 

Lambert ready for the challenge in goal

Following the season-ending knee injury suffered by Anna Karpenko in Halifax on Sunday, Gabrielle Lambert officially steps into the starter’s role between the posts. The Saint-Hyacinthe native needed no time to prove her readiness: called into action midway through the first half in Nova Scotia, she stopped all four shots faced on target to preserve a vital 0-0 clean sheet. 

A UQTR product, Lambert brings nearly a decade of European experience to the net following stints in France and Germany. Announced in late 2024 as one of the first two signings in franchise history alongside Charlotte Bilbault, the goalkeeper takes over the position just as the stakes reach their peak. 

A clash of contrasting styles

Friday’s matchup promises a compelling tactical battle between the league’s second-meaning defense and its most high-powered attack. With 44 goals scored, Ottawa Rapid boasts the most potent offense in the NSL, led by DB Pridham (8 goals) and Keera Melenhorst (6 goals). On the flip side, the Ontario side has conceded 41 goals in 22 matches - the highest total among playoff contenders. 

This marks the fourth meeting of the season between the two rivals, with recent history showing razor-thin margins: all three previous matches were decided by a single goal (2-1 and 3-2 victories for the Roses in Ottawa, and a 2-1 win for the Rapid at Stade Boréale). For Montreal, success will hinge on dictating the tempo, managing space, and neutralizing the visitors’ direct counter-attacking threat.

Depth and defensive stability

Head Coach Maryse Bard-Martel receives a timely boost in squad depth ahead of the run-in. Stéphanie Hill’s gradual return adds valuable reinforcement to the centre defense, while Anna Heilferty earned a solid start of the campaign last Sunday in Halifax. Meanwhile, consistency remains a hallmark of this squad: four players have started all 22 regular-season matches - Lucy Cappadona (1,912 minutes), Anne-Valérie Seto (1,886 minutes), Elyse Bennett (1,829 minutes) and Charlotte Bilbault (1,502). 

Up front, Elyse Bennett continues to stalk the top of the league’s scoring charts with 11 goals, just one behind Vancouver’s Jessica De Filippo (12 goals). 

Broadcast & Match Info

• Match: Montréal Roses vs. Ottawa Rapid FC
• Date & Time: Friday, October 2, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Stade Boréale, Laval.
• Broadcast: Live on RDS, TSN Premium, and ESPN+

An international window will follow Friday’s fixture. Mimi Alidou has been confirmed for Canadian national team duty, with additional call-ups to be announced by the club shortly. The Roses will return to action on Saturday, October 17 at 2 p.m. in Halifax, before concluding their regular season at home on Friday, October 23 at 7 p.m. at Stade Boréale. 

Tickets for Friday’s clash are available now starting at $28 at en.rosesmtl.ca/tickets.