Season two of the Northern Super League wraps up this weekend with a trio of matches, all of which has major implications on the playoff and NSL Shield picture. The second half of the season has seen a major shock with Calgary Wild coming back from basically dead to come very close to the fourth and fifth place teams. On the other hand after winning the 2025 Matheson Cup, Vancouver has slid down the table and may not make the playoffs.
Top Three
1st - Montréal Roses | 11-9-4, 42 points
Final Match: vs Ottawa on Friday, 23 October at 6pm CT (7pm ET)
After finishing last season in fourth place the Roses built up their roster over the offseason into an NSL power. Montréal started the season with a five match unbeaten run before immediately hitting a four match winless skid. During the summer they brought in MTL native Mimi Alidou from the Portland Thorns (NWSL). Since joining the Roses she has scored four goals and the club has only lost two matches. The Roses enter the final round on a nine match unbeaten run, including five draws in a row. To win the NSL Supporters' Shield all the Roses need is a draw or better on Friday night at Stade Boréale.
2nd - Ottawa Rapid | 12-4-8, 40 points
Final Match: @ Montréal Roses on Friday, 23 October at 6pm CT (7pm ET)
Last season Ottawa Rapid finished in second place with 39 points before getting bounced in the playoff semi-finals. This season has been very similar with the Rapid being in second place with 40 points and one match to play. Ottawa could and should really be in first place, but a seven match winless skid, including six straight losses, took their toll on Ottawa. Since 9 August the Rapid have managed only two wins, both against teams in the bottom two. Even then a win would give Ottawa the NSL Shield, but a loss could drop them to third pending the result of Monday's AFC Toronto/Halifax match.
3rd - AFC Toronto | 10-8-6, 38 points
Final Match: vs Halifax Tides on Monday, 26 October at 6pm CT (7pm ET)
Last season Toronto won the NSL Supporters' Shield before falling to Vancouver in the Matheson Cup final. This season AFC Toronto are down in third and the shield is out of reach, though second place is well within their reach. Toronto has had a season that many teams would be happy to have. No extended losing streaks, a guaranteed spot in the playoffs, and a seven game unbeaten run. Toronto could move up to second place with a win on Monday night, provided that the Roses are able to dispatch Ottawa on Friday night.
Bottom Three
4th - Halifax Tides | 7-7-10, 28 points
Final Match: @ AFC Toronto on Monday, 26 October at 6pm CT (8pm Atlantic)
From winning the wooden spoon in 2025 with just 16 points to now looking at a playoff bid, 2026 has been a turnaround season for the Tides. Now with 28 points, Halifax has the edge at making the playoffs over Vancouver due to the Tides better goal difference. If just two draws turned into wins Halifax would have clinched their spot. But the Tides strength has receded since mid-August as the club have only won a single match in their last nine played. That win came over a month ago against Vancouver and now Halifax has to win to make the playoffs, provided the Rise do that a day earlier. Should Vancouver fall on Sunday afternoon, then Halifax will have a playoff spot wrapped up before they even kick off in Toronto.
5th - Vancouver Rise | 8-4-12, 28 points
Final Match: vs Calgary Wild on Sunday, 25 October at 3pm CT (1pm PT)
2026 has been a rough season for the defending Matheson Cup champions. Losing a handful of key players in the offseaseason mean the Rise had to rebuild in only their second season. Outside of Calgary the Rise have the most losses of any team in the league and it is somewhat a shock the Rise are in the final round with the playoffs still on the line. That has a lot to due with Halifax's struggled as Vancouver has not gone more than three matches unbeaten. With a -9 goal differential the Rise have to defeat Calgary or the defending champs will be sitting at home this November.
6th - Calgary Wild | 5-6-13, 21 points
Final Match: @ Vancouver Rise on Sunday, 25 October at 3pm CT (2pm MT)
Calgary's season has been the single most surprising of any club in the league. After finishing last season in 5th with 29 points, manager Lydia Bedford stepped down to take the managerial role for the English U23 women's squad. Sinead McSharry was then appointed as interim manager and went 0-2-7 in the role. Australian Leah Blayney took over the squad on a permanent basis, losing her first five matches in charge. But once the transfer window opened, Calgary rebuilt themselves and turned around the season in a flash. Since that extended losing streak the Wild have lost just one of their last ten matches played, that being to second place Ottawa. While Calgary might be the only team eliminated from playoff contention the Wild can still play spoiler. Defeating Vancouver on Sunday afternoon will take the Rise out of the playoffs and end Calgary's season on a high note.
