Sunday, August 16 at 3 p.m. at BMO Field: Live on TSN, RDS2 & ESPN+

Two points separate the Montréal Roses and AFC Toronto in the Northern Super League standings. On Sunday, the clubs meet for a fourth time this season, and this time second place is on the line. 

Maryse Bard-Martel takes charge as interim head coach. It is not new territory for her: in late June she already led the team for two matches. She returns to a role she has held before, with a group she has worked with daily since the start of the season.

The setting should suit them. It is away from Stade Boréale that the Roses have produced their best work this season: on the road, they have yet to lose, with 5 wins and 2 draws in 7 outings. All three of their defeats have come at home. 

The opponent

Stiff opposition awaits. AFC Toronto (7-4-4, 25 points) are unbeaten in their last four, a run that began at Stade Boréale on July 23 with a 2-0 win over the Roses. Toronto then beat Calgary Wild FC twice, including an emphatic 6-0 on August 1, before earning a 2-2 draw at league-leading Ottawa Rapid FC on August 9.

The two sides look remarkably alike on paper: 28 goals scored and 17 conceded for Montreal, 26 and 15 for Toronto. In the table, the difference is two points. 

The season series is just as tight. A 1-0 Roses win at BMO Field on May 10, a 1-1 draw at York Lions Stadium on June 13, then that 2-0 home defeat in July. Neither side has taken control. 

What to watch

Second place. A Toronto win would move them above the Roses in the standings. With 10 matches left in the regular season, every point is starting to carry weight. 

Elyse Bennett. The Roses forward shares the lead in the NSL scoring chart with 8 goals. 

Anna Karpenko. The Montreal goalkeeper ranks 3rd in the NSL with 43 saves and 5 clean sheets this season, including one in the first meeting with Toronto at BMO Field. 

A trip at the right time. 5 wins, 2 draws, no defeats away from home this season. If the Roses are looking to get back on track, this is the place to do it.

Broadcast

Sunday, August 16, 2026 · 3 p.m. ET · BMO Field, Toronto

Live on RDS2, TSN & ESPN+ 

Next home match: The Roses return to Stade Boréale on Sunday, August 23 to host Calgary. Tickets are on sale at en.rosesmtl.ca/tickets