Montreal Roses aim to retake NSL’s top spot in record-breaking game

The NSL’s current attendance record was set back in April 2025 when an announced crowd of 14,518 took in AFC Toronto’s first game at BMO Field.

The Roses (9-4-4) will be the latest club to set a new high for fans at a professional women’s sports game in Montreal, coming after the PWHL’s Montreal Victoire and WNBA’s Toronto Tempo each broke records in their own leagues.

Stade Saputo — home of Major League Soccer’s CF Montreal — carries extra significance for Rose players who grew up in Quebec. Until last year, it was the only professional soccer stadium in the province and served as the primary breeding ground for many young athletes’ top-level aspirations.

“I used to come watch when they were called the (Montreal) Impact, and I have great memories here. It’s a historic club and a historic pitch; it’s who we watched growing up,” said Marie-Yasmine Alidou, who’s played at the stadium with Canada’s women’s team.

“It’s a privilege to be able to take the field here and compete. For some of the younger players or those who haven’t been there before, it’s a magical experience, so they have to appreciate the moment and let the emotions sink in.”

Not only will Montreal be playing on a grass pitch at home for the first time, but the dimensions could be a decisive factor.

Stade Boréale’s 105-metre by 68-metre playing surface is in line with the global average and the NSL’s recommendations, but Stade Saputo is 110 metres by 70 metres, making it one of the biggest in North America.

The size could require a different style of play — one that may favour the Roses’ possession-based philosophy.

“We have a very technical midfield. It’s fun to play together, and it’s even more fun on a nice grass pitch where the ball rolls really well,” said Alidou. “I have a couple of magic tricks in my pocket, so tomorrow we’ll be able to see them.”

While the game is a special moment for many, the realities of the NSL season still weigh heavily on the Roses.

Despite coming out of the gate flying with a new offensive style of play and high-profile signings, Montreal suffered a sharp mid-season dip that cost them the top seed and saw them fall as far as eight points back of the first-placed Ottawa Rapids (10-4-3).

A shocking W Canadian Championship exit to League 1 Ontario side Simcoe County Rovers on Aug. 12 saw the end of Robert Rositoiu’s tenure as head coach.

The Roses have since regained their form and are within two points of first place once again.

“Yes, there are new responsibilities, but all the experiences I’ve had in my life in different roles have prepared me for the one I have now,” said interim head coach Maryse Bard-Martel. “We want to show courage and creativity, but also what a united team can accomplish. Perfection is not real, so we aim for excellence.”

The Tides (6-8-3) head into Saturday’s matchup sitting second-last in the NSL standings following a 2-0 loss to Toronto last week.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 28, 2026.

Elias Grigoriadis, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Montreal Roses aim to retake NSL’s top spot in record-breaking game

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