Northern Super League: Women’s Pro Soccer Rises in Canada | OneFootball

The launch of the Northern Super League (NSL) marks a monumental milestone for women’s professional soccer in Canada. With just one match played, the momentum is already undeniable. The upcoming clash between AFC Toronto and Montreal Roses FC on Saturday, April 20, at BMO Field is completely sold out, a powerful testament to the growing appetite for women’s soccer in the country.

Earlier this week, on Wednesday, April 16, Vancouver Rise FC hosted Calgary Wild FC at BC Place in front of 14,000 fans. The night ended in dramatic fashion with a 1–0 victory for Vancouver, sealed by a penalty goal from Canadian international and fan favorite, Quinn.

A Dream Realized

But this moment is about more than just a match — it’s the realization of a vision years in the making.

At the heart of that vision is Diana Matheson, a former Canadian international who saw a glaring gap in the national soccer landscape. During the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, it became painfully clear that Canada — a global powerhouse in the women’s game — lacked something essential: a domestic professional league. Of the 32 nations competing, only Canada and Haiti were without one.

Diana Matheson of Canada celebrates with supporters (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)

Having played professionally in Norway and the U.S., Matheson knew what a vibrant, well-supported women’s league could look like. After hanging up her cleats, she pursued an MBA at Queen’s University and joined forces with fellow trailblazer Thomas Gilbert. Together, they sketched out the early blueprint for the NSL — starting quite literally on a napkin.

That napkin idea quickly turned into real action. With a bold vision, they secured investors, sponsors, and ownership groups who were committed to building a sustainable, competitive league. One of the most groundbreaking features? A $1.6 million salary cap per team and a minimum salary of $50,000 — a clear commitment to equity and professionalism that immediately attracted marquee talent like Desiree Scott, Christie Gray, and Quinn.

The Six

The NSL’s inaugural season features six founding clubs:

With just one match in the books, the energy is already palpable. A sold-out stadium. Thousands of fans. Star players. A league built on values of equity, opportunity, and community. The Northern Super League isn’t just making history — it’s reshaping it.

And this is only the beginning.