Super Saturday is here, and the stage couldn’t be set more perfectly. Three matches, six clubs, and 270 minutes of soccer that could tilt the playoff race, tighten the title chase, and write new headlines in the league’s young history.
Toronto’s march toward a first-place finish is facing its fiercest challenger yet. Vancouver’s historic unbeaten run has put them within striking distance of the league leaders. Ottawa are looking to keep pace with the top two while fending off a charging Montréal. And out West, Calgary’s season hangs in the balance as they fight to stay in the playoff picture.
Here’s your guide to a massive Week 22.
Halifax Tides FC vs. Ottawa Rapid FC
Saturday, September 13 – 12:00 PM ET
📍 Wanderers Grounds | 🎥 CBC Gem, NSL.ca
Halifax return home knowing they can play spoiler. The Tides (3-12-3) have struggled to find consistent results but remain dangerous when they click; just ask Ottawa, who they stunned earlier this season for Halifax’s first win of the campaign. Megumi Nakamura and Saorla Miller continue to be the heartbeat of the attack, capable of punishing mistakes if given space.
Ottawa (8-6-5) come in sitting third, eager to shake off last week’s scoreless draw against Montréal. It was the first time since early August that the Rapid failed to find the back of the net, and with DB Pridham leading the league in goals, they’ll be looking to reassert their offensive punch quickly.
What to Watch: Halifax’s crowd at Wanderers Grounds always makes this a tricky road trip, and if they can get the first goal, momentum could swing their way. But Ottawa’s ability to break games open with quick, incisive attacks will be the key; this is a must-win if they want to keep pressure on Vancouver for second place.
AFC Toronto vs. Vancouver Rise FC
Saturday, September 13 – 2:00 PM ET
📍 York Lions Stadium | 🎥 CBC
The marquee match of the weekend and maybe the season. Toronto (12-6-2) have sat atop the table for ten straight weeks, but the gap is closing. Vancouver (9-5-5) are unbeaten in eight, with six of those matches ending in wins, and their 6-0 dismantling of Calgary last week announced them as true title contenders.
This season series has been all about fine margins: Vancouver hold two wins and a draw, with Toronto taking just one victory. Both sides are stacked with firepower, combining for ten of the league’s top fifteen goal scorers.
What to Watch: Expect a chess match early, then fireworks late. Toronto will try to slow the game down and control possession, while Vancouver’s high-tempo, all-action attack will look to pull them into a shootout. A Rise win would turn the title race into a sprint; a Toronto win could all but shut the door on second place.
Calgary Wild FC vs. Montréal Roses FC
Saturday, September 13 – 4:00 PM ET
📍 McMahon Stadium | 🎥 RDS, TSN, ESPN+
Calgary’s backs are against the wall. The Wild (6-11-2) have dropped three straight and now sit nine points outside the playoff line with just five matches left. Their defensive struggles have been costly, they lead the league in goals conceded, and missing four players, including centre-back Meikayla Moore, won’t make things easier.
Montréal (8-6-5) sit fourth, one point behind Ottawa, and know this is a chance to solidify their playoff footing. They’ve taken two of three against Calgary this season, with Tanya Boychuk and Stephanie Hill leading the charge in attack.
What to Watch: Calgary will need a near-perfect performance, especially in midfield, to keep Montréal from dictating tempo. If players like Kahli Johnson or Meggie Dougherty-Howard who lead for Calgary in goals scored can find moments of quality in front of goal, the Wild could spring an upset and keep their season alive.
Playoff Picture
Clinching Scenarios:
• Toronto can clinch the first playoff spot with a win or draw against Vancouver OR with a Calgary loss or draw against Montréal.
• All six clubs remain in contention for a playoff berth, though Calgary’s margin for error is rapidly shrinking.
Supporters’ Shield Race:
• Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Montréal are in a four-way battle for the regular-season crown.
The Takeaway
Week 22 has everything: underdogs with nothing to lose, a top-of-the-table clash with title implications, and a desperate playoff fight out West. Whether you’re watching from the Maritimes, the Prairies, or the Pacific coast, Super Saturday is set to deliver a day of drama that could reshape the standings.