Montreal Roses FC handed AFC Toronto their first loss in six matches on Thursday night, earning a hard-fought 2-1 victory at York Lions Stadium. Goals from Latifah Abdu and Mégane Sauvé gave Montreal just enough breathing room before a late strike from Victoria Pickett narrowed the gap. The result snapped Toronto’s five-game win streak, the longest in league history to date, and reaffirmed Montreal’s hold on second place in the standings.

The energy at York Lions Stadium was high from kickoff, with fans on both sides bringing the noise for a top-of-the-table clash. After a back-and-forth opening stretch, it was Montreal who found the breakthrough. In the 30th minute, midfielder Latifah Abdu pounced on a loose ball at the top of the box and curled a right-footed strike into the top corner to give the visitors a 1–0 lead. 

Toronto responded with pressure, pushing numbers forward and testing the Montreal back line with a handful of quality chances, but goalkeeper Anna Karpenko stayed sharp to protect the lead going into halftime.

Roses Stay Composed as Late Push Falls Short
In the second half, Montreal doubled their lead in the 68th minute when Mégane Sauvé timed her run perfectly and finished a low cross to make it 2-0. The goal came at the end of a crisp team buildup, showcasing Montreal’s fluid passing and composure under pressure.

Toronto refused to go quietly. Just nine minutes later, Victoria Pickett pulled one back for the home side with a powerful finish from the edge of the area, her third goal of the season. The final stretch saw a flurry of chances and late corners for Toronto, but Montreal held firm, with defenders Lara Schenk, Stéphanie Hill, and Lucy Cappadona anchoring a composed defensive effort to see out the win.

Halftime Spotlight: NSL Final Set for BMO Field
During halftime, fans were treated to a major announcement: the inaugural NSL Final will be held at BMO Field in Toronto on Friday, November 15. With the playoffs just months away and the table stacked in a way that any team could run it all the way, the news sparked excitement throughout the stadium and across the country. Fans can now register for ticket pre-sale access at nsl.ca/final.

Match Stats

• Possession: Montreal narrowly edged possession 51% to 49% in a tight, evenly matched contest.
• Total Shots: The Roses led slightly with 12 shots to Toronto’s 11, capitalizing with efficient finishing.
• Passing Accuracy: Both teams showed strong midfield control, with Montreal completing 74% of passes to Toronto’s 73%.

Looking Ahead
Montreal Roses FC improves to 6-3-3 on the season and stays in second place, continuing to build momentum. They’ll return home to host Calgary Wild FC on Friday, July 26. AFC Toronto, still sitting atop the table with a 8-4-1 record, will look to bounce back quickly when they head west to face Vancouver Rise FC on Wednesday, July 24 in a marquee midweek matchup.

For full match statistics, lineups, and a play-by-play feed, visit the official NSL game page.

The countdown to history is on.
Want to be there when the first-ever NSL champion is crowned? Sign up now for exclusive pre-sale access to the NSL Final at BMO Field on November 15.
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