TORONTO — You always remember your first, even when it doesn’t turn out exactly the way you thought or hoped it would. 

AFC Toronto marked its official Northern Super League debut on Saturday by coming out on the losing end of a 1-0 decision to Montreal Roses FC at BMO Field. The announced attendance of 14,518 eclipsed the crowd of 14,018 fans who took in the league’s first-ever match at BC Place earlier this week when Vancouver Rise FC defeated Calgary Wild FC.  

Toronto is a crowded and demanding sports market with teams from the NHL, NBA, Major League Baseball, CFL and MLS all vying for attention. You only get one shot at making a first impression, so you have to put your best foot forward. Even though AFC Toronto lost in its debut, it still managed to put on an entertaining spectacle and display the kind of grit that fans in this city expect to see from their sports franchises.  

Down a goal after only two minutes, the hosts put the squeeze on the visitors for most of the second half and furiously pressed for an equalizer right until the end, eventually running out of time to send their fans home on a happy note. 

“Although we didn’t get the goal, we didn’t get the result, I think we were pushing until the end and I think that’s a very important message,” Toronto captain Emma Regan told reporters after the loss. 

If Saturday was anything to go by, then the famous Toronto vs. Montreal sports rivalry has found a new home in the NSL.  

Even though the game was short on goals, it was still a spirited and physical affair, not unlike the many memorable Toronto FC-CF Montreal games from the past. Tough tackles were the order of the day from the new NSL rivals as tensions nearly boiled over on the pitch, while both sides simultaneously attacked with vigour and intent. 

Among the many dignitaries in attendance for this match was Canadian women’s team coach Casey Stoney, who was impressed with what she saw in the first installment of the Toronto-Montreal rivalry in the NSL. 

“I hope this league turns into a really competitive, fast league, and athletic, with teams that combine [those traits] all at the same time, because it’s only going to help Canadian football. It’s only going to help the national team, it’s going to help the development of the players,” Stoney said.   

The fervent pace of the game was matched by the electric atmosphere inside BMO Field. Fans watched with intent, hanging on every passage of play with unbridled passion. A small group of fans pounded on their drums for the full 90 minutes, providing a unique soundtrack for the product on the field. Supporters in the sound stands were in outstanding voice, chanting and singing all the way through while waving giant flags bearing the home team’s colours of maroon and vermilion. 

While the gameday experience was special for the fans, the actual standard of play remains a work in progress, but that’s to be expected coming from two teams who were making their professional debuts.  

There were moments of genuine quality throughout the match, but they were somewhat overshadowed by too many misplaced passes and sloppy turnovers, as well as some poor possession play. 

In fact, it was a horrendous blunder that led to the game’s only goal inside the opening two minutes. Toronto midfielder Nyota Katembo was under no pressure deep inside her half, but she played an atrocious back pass that landed at the feet of Boychuk. The Montreal forward pounced on the mistake, taking a quick touch inside the box and then firing a low shot past goalkeeper Sofia Manner.  

“You saw it. It was a simple pass. There was no pressure. Nyota is a top player, and it was all nerves at that point,” Toronto coach Marko Milanović said.

There’s bound to be other bumps in the road along the way for the NSL as it attempts to find its foothold. It shouldn’t get discouraged. It’s all part of the process. England’s Women’s Super League started out in a humble fashion in 2010. Since then, it’s grown by leaps and bounds to the point where it’s established itself as one of the best pro women’s leagues on the planet.  

“I think the launch of this league is ahead of where I’ve seen the other leagues launch. So, be patient,” Stoney offered. 

What’s encouraging for AFC Toronto is how it has already made an impact and forged a bond with its fans, including the thousands of young girls who watched Saturday’s match. Regan, a native of B.C., caught a glimpse of one youngster in the crowd holding up a handmade poster with a drawing of her. 

“That used to be me in the stands, cheering on Team Canada. So, it’s cool. A full-circle moment,” Regan said. 

In so many ways, that’s what Saturday’s game and what this league is all about — to serve as inspiration for the next generation of young girls in this country to take up soccer.  

Children need real-life heroes to look up to and admire, and the NSL has taken a solid first step this week in ensuring the future of the women’s game in Canada. 

“I really hope that as a league we’re going to keep showing what we showed today, what we showed Wednesday [in Vancouver]. A good show, to convince more young girls that they can dream. It’s on,” Montreal coach Robert Rositoiu said.