On Sunday, May 11, Calgary Wild FC kicked off their inaugural home game with a action-packed 0-0 draw against Ottawa Rapid FC. The match was extra special as it also coincided with Mother’s Day, a day the Wild players celebrated by having their moms in town to support them and walk out to the field with them. The team paid special tribute to Sonia O’Neill, the only mother on the squad, with a dedicated locker space for her daughter. Despite the scoreline, the atmosphere at McMahon Stadium was electric as Calgary marked a milestone in women’s soccer in the city.
Defensive Battle in Front of a Supportive Crowd
A crowd of 8,556 fans filled McMahon Stadium to witness the Wild on home turf. Both teams showcased strong defensive performances, with Ottawa controlling 57% of possession and registering 17 shots, four of which were on target. Calgary created a notable opportunity in stoppage time when forward Christie Gray set up Taegan Stewart, whose attempt sailed over the crossbar.
Match Statistics
- Possession: Ottawa held 57% of the ball, dictating much of the play.
- Shots: Ottawa outshot Calgary 17-6, including a 4-0 edge in shots on target.
Clearances: Calgary made 34 clearances to keep the clean sheet intact in front of their home crowd.
Looking Ahead
The draw leaves Calgary Wild FC with a record of 1-2-1 as they prepare to host the unbeaten Montreal Roses FC on Sunday, May 18. Ottawa Rapid FC, now 1-1-1, will return home to face Vancouver Rise FC on Thursday, May 15.
For detailed match statistics, lineups, and a play-by-play feed, you can visit the official NSL game page: