We are over the halfway mark for the NSL's regular season, and the teams keep bringing the heat! Unexpected victories were the theme for last week, so let's get into it.
Calgary Wild 4-3 Ottawa Rapid (August 15, 2026)
This was the win that was on nobody's bingo card. The Calgary Wild, the team at the bottom of the standings, took the win from league leaders Ottawa Rapid FC.
The Wild showed beautiful coordination in the first half, with the first goal coming when Serita Thurton expertly lobbed the ball to K. Johnson, who headed the ball in with ease to give the game its first goal and put the Wild in front. But Kahli Johnson and Serita Thurton were not done, as the second goal saw Kahli Johnson pass the ball to Serita Thurton, who made an absolutely daring shot from the right side and put it into the back of the net.
Ottawa were down but not out. Showing more coordination and fluidity, Rapid FC took possession and, in a scramble in front of the Wild's goal, Jung Min-Young took an incredible shot right at the centre of the goal to bring the game to 2-1. Ottawa were still on the back foot until the 45th minute, when M. Rollins charged into the battle in front of the Calgary Wild's goal and sent the ball into the back of the net, tying the game at 2-2.
Not to be held back, the Wild took control again in stoppage time before halftime, with Serita Thurton adding yet another goal to send the Wild into the break leading 3-2.
The second half saw more fight from both sides, each team working to take control of the game. The major blow for Ottawa came when D.B. Pridham earned a second yellow card in three minutes in the 58th minute and was sent off. This put Ottawa on the back foot, and the Calgary Wild, still riding high on their goals and hard work, saw Jorian Baucom achieve the Wild's fourth goal of the game.
Ottawa battled to stay in the game, and as the clock ticked down, the Calgary Wild gave Ottawa a lifeline through a penalty. Jylissa Harris took that spot-kick and pulled Ottawa to within one in the 85th minute, but it wasn't enough. With five minutes remaining and four minutes of stoppage time, the Calgary Wild held on for a thoroughly shocking result.
Vancouver Rise 2-1 Halifax Tides (August 15, 2026)
The Vancouver Rise have faced some significant challenges this season, with last year's champions falling to the bottom two of the league, just behind AFC Toronto.
Vancouver came out with some changes for this game, with Audrey François making her first start and with Anaïs Oularbi and Jaime Perrault added to the back line. The Halifax Tides kept their winning line-up from their victory against the Montréal Roses, keeping Julia Benati in the starting eleven.
Both teams brought energy to the field, and the Halifax Tides were quick to apply pressure, with Julianne Vallerand taking a shot at just five minutes, only for the ball to be neatly caught by Morgan McAslan.
The first half continued with a series of duels across the field, the Halifax Tides fighting to find their target with the Vancouver Rise defending every step of the way. McAslan proved her mettle as a shot-stopper twice in the 15th minute. Not to be deterred, the Tides kept up the pressure and were rewarded when Jordan Rhodes was able to get the ball in to put the Tides in front.
The rest of the first half was marked by a series of defensive fouls from both sides, with Audrey François earning the first yellow card of the match in the 45th minute.
The second half was no less scrappy, with both teams trading fouls back and forth. The second goal of the game came from Bout delivering an extraordinary cross to Jessica De Filippo, whose neat header levelled the score at 1-1.
The second yellow card of the match was earned by Halifax Tides defensive midfielder Karima Lemie, just another in a series of fouls traded back and forth as each team battled for the winning goal. It came down to the wire in stoppage time as Latifah Abdu sent the ball to Jessica De Filippo again, who guided it into the net to put the Rise in front at 2-1.
Not giving up, the Halifax Tides kept pushing right until the end, with Peterson sending the ball from the midfield line to Jordan Rhodes, who was right at the top of the box and attempted to head it in, only to be stopped by the post.
It was a nail-biting finish, with the Vancouver Rise taking a hard-fought victory.
AFC Toronto 0-2 Montreal Roses (August 16, 2026)
Sunday's matchup between AFC Toronto and the Montréal Roses arrived with some dramatic tension for both sides. The Montréal Roses came into their first match following the dismissal of Robert Rositoiu, with Maryse Bard-Martel taking the reins and keeping the normal line-up for the Roses.
Meanwhile, AFC Toronto had Olivia Chisholm in place of Cloey Uddenberg, who was suspended for violent conduct. This was very much a story of two teams managing significant challenges.
Whatever stress the teams were experiencing from these changes was immediately hidden in the energy both sides brought. The Montréal Roses made two attempts on goal within the first ten minutes, the first shot taken by Hailey Whittaker, which was stopped by Sabrina D'Angelo, and the next attempt blocked by AFC Toronto's Sarah Rollins. Anna Karpenko came out on top for the first half, expertly demonstrating her shot-stopping with four saves.
This was also another game marked by defensive fouls throughout, and for Toronto, one of those fouls proved costly. S. Rollins' attempt to stop Elyse Bennett in the penalty area resulted in a penalty taken by Marie-Yasmine Alidou, which was put away effortlessly to give the Montréal Roses the lead in the 55th minute.
Toronto attempted to regain ground with Sarah Stratigakis passing the ball up to K. Hunter, who took the shot only to be stopped again by Anna Karpenko.
The energy between the two teams hit a critical point in the 68th minute, with Shelina Zadorsky scoring to bring the game to 1-1, only for that goal to be called back for offside — a decision that left even the commentators scratching their heads.
Determined not to let that be their last chance, AFC Toronto kept working to get the ball to the Montréal Roses' goal, but the Roses were not holding back. Anna Karpenko proved to be the shot-stopper of the game, but Lisa Pechersky and Elyse Bennett combined dramatically, with Pechersky managing to send the pass up to Bennett while falling, and Bennett finishing past the hosts' tight defence in the box.
With the score at 2-0, Toronto were scrambling to fight back, but it was the Montréal Roses' day to show their bloom, and the game closed with their victory.
For the hosts, it's 1 draw and 5 losses at BMO Field since the inaugural season.
Final thoughts
My personal predictions for this week were so far off that they might as well have been for a completely different league. The NSL continues to prove over and over that these teams have talent, determination, and are all ready to put everything on the table for the win. Aptly, it was Calgary that was the wild card, and showings like this are what will make things energetic for the rest of the season to come.
Next up...
Ottawa Rapid FC vs Vancouver Rise at TD Place (August 22, 2026)
The 2025 champions will be taking on the 2026 league leaders. It's the third matchup between these two teams, and the question is whether Ottawa will let their recent loss drag them down, especially without D.B. Pridham on the field. Meanwhile, can the Vancouver Rise stay grounded after their recent victory, and can they push through to clinch a spot in the final four before it's too late?
Halifax Tides vs AFC Toronto at Wanderers Grounds (August 23, 2026)
The Halifax Tides and AFC Toronto have had two tight matches, with AFC Toronto coming out with a narrow 1-0 victory in their 5 July 2026 matchup. AFC Toronto should have Cloey Uddenberg back from suspension, so the question is whether that gives AFC Toronto the edge they need, or whether the Halifax Tides will come ready to wash them out.
Montréal Roses vs Calgary Wild at Stade Boréale (August 23, 2026)
The Calgary Wild have been running wild this week, so the Montréal Roses may need to come out with their thorns at the ready. While it is likely too late for the Calgary Wild to clinch a spot in the final four, there is every reason in the world to chase every win they can to prepare for next season, while the Montréal Roses will be looking to stay in the top two.
