Friday, July 23 at 7 p.m. at Stade Boréale: Tickets on sale now at en.rosesmtl.ca/tickets
The Montréal Roses return home on Thursday to host AFC Toronto after a brief trip on the road. On the back of three straight wins, the Roses (7-2-3, 24 points) sit second in the table and continue their pursuit of league-leading Ottawa Rapid FC. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. at Stade Boréale.
The match could also mark an anticipated moment: Mimi Alidou’s debut in a Roses jersey. The Montreal-born midfielder, eligible since July 20, returns to play in front of her own city after a decorated career in Europe and the United States.
Montreal arrive after a 2-0 win in Calgary, where two defenders, Lucy Cappadona and Hailey Whitaker, scored their first goals of the season from set pieces. It was a fifth clean sheet for Anna Karpenko, and a third straight win for the side.
The opponent
AFC Toronto come to Stade Boréale sitting fourth, with a 4-4-3 record (15 points), but on a run of two straight losses. Toronto lean on Lauren Rowe, tied for third in the NSL scoring chart with five goals.
The clubs have already met twice this season, both times in Toronto: a 1-0 Roses win at BMO Field on May 10, then a 1-1 draw at York Lions Stadium on June 13. This is the first meeting of the season at Stade Boréale.
What to watch
Mimi Alidou’s debut. The Montrealer could play her first minutes for the Roses in front of her home supporters.
The league’s best defence. The Roses have conceded 11 goals in 12 matches, the fewest in the competition, and hold the second-best goal differential (+13), one behind Ottawa.
Tanya Boychuk. The co-captain sits third in the NSL scoring chart with five goals.
Elyse Bennett. Seven goals this season, just behind the league’s leader.
A meeting of chasers. Both sides remain within range of the top, but heading in opposite directions: the Roses on three straight wins, Toronto on two straight losses.
Broadcast
Thursday, July 23, 2026 · 7 p.m. ET · Stade Boréale, Laval
Live on RDS, CBC Gem & NSL Youtube
BE THERE: tickets are on sale starting at $28 at en.rosesmtl.ca/tickets.