AFC Toronto expects new signing Sofia Manner to be commanding presence in goal

AFC Toronto can look forward to a commanding presence in goal in the form of six-foot-one Sofia Manner.

The 27-year-old Finn arrives via transfer from the National Women's Soccer League champion Orlando Pride.

"One of the things we were looking for is a goalkeeper that can really command her area," said Toronto sporting director Billy Wilson. "We think that there's still a gap in the game in North America in dealing with those crossed balls and being able to dominate the penalty area.

"Someone as commanding as Sofia is really appealing to us. She's got some good experience as well."

Manner signed with Orlando in December 2023 but saw little action behind Anna Moorhouse, who took over the starting job after veteran Canadian Erin McLeod left the club following the 2022 season. McLeod has since signed with the NSL's Halifax Tides FC.

Moorhouse started all 26 games during the 2024 regular season, setting a league record with 13 clean sheets as Orlando finished atop the regular-season standings at 18-2-6.

Manner made her Orlando debut in a 5-3 penalty shootout win over CF Monterrey in the NWSL X Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup last summer.

Manner joined Orlando from FC Honka in the Finnish women's first tier where she was nominated for the league's Goalkeeper of the Year and Best Player Award after recording 10 shutouts in 23 games across all competitions.

"I think what we're getting with Sofia is someone who has got a good pedigree, someone who's got good professional experience and comes at a good age," said Wilson. "Twenty-seven years old for a goalkeeper is nowhere close to reaching her peak yet. As we know, goalkeepers mature a little bit later.

"But for the last year she's been part of a winning culture and that was very