NSL players understand the soccer spotlight as league enters 2nd season amid FIFA World Cup

A new season is dropping soon, as the kids like to say. Kickoff for the second season of Canada’s Northern Super League begins Friday, April 24 in Vancouver. 

There have been some notable changes to rosters with some NSL players being picked up by the U.S.-based National Women’s Soccer League, namely AFC Toronto’s captain Emma Regan and Vancouver Rise’s Holly Ward. Both players have also been selected by Casey Stoney for Canada’s national team.

In what may have been the most surprising move, Samantha Chang moved from the Rise, where she won a championship and was team captain, to AFC Toronto. Unfortunately, she tore her ACL in preseason training and will not start the season.  

Beyond the shuffling of rosters and movement, there is also a sense of refreshed identity being established in the league. 

The NSL is not a shiny new thing. It is an established league with blooming traditions and more cultural impact to come. But it is still growing. It needs to be enticing and connect with fans all over the country. 

This year is massive for soccer in Canada with the men’s World Cup just around the corner, and the NSL is looking to take advantage of the soccer-mania. The league will continue to play throughout the tournament as Canada co-hosts the biggest spectacle of soccer in the world. 

In Canada's two host cities, Vancouver and Toronto, the Rise will play at Swanguard Stadium, and AFC Toronto will play at York Lions Stadium before moving to the newly renovated BMO Field after the tournament.

Jessica De Filippo of the Vancouver Rise believes that NSL players have a role in establishing soccer culture in Canada.

“[NSL] sports culture communities are filled with individuals who are passionate, driven, competitive and loyal,”