NSL Week 23 results: More changes in the playoff picture as Toronto and Ottawa progress | OneFootball

Week 23’s results delivered a major shift in the NSL playoff race as two more teams secured their places in the postseason. AFC Toronto booked their spot with a convincing 3–0 win over Ottawa Rapid at York Lions Stadium. The result also lifted them into second place.

Ottawa joined them shortly after. The Rapid didn’t play on Sunday, but Halifax and Montréal’s 0–0 draw gave Ottawa enough to officially clinch a playoff berth.

Now, only one spot remains with Vancouver Rise and Halifax Tides still fighting for it. With the regular season nearing its end, every point matters.

AFC Toronto 3–0 Ottawa Rapid

AFC Toronto controlled the game from the opening whistle.

The hosts pressed high and created chances early. Ottawa goalkeeper Mollie Eriksson had to make several important stops to keep her team level.

Ottawa struggled to play through Toronto’s pressure. The Rapid spent long stretches trying to escape their own half.

Toronto finally broke through in the 44th minute. Lena Silano pressured Eriksson inside the box and forced a mistake. She won the ball and quickly finished into the net to give Toronto a 1–0 lead just before halftime.

Silano doubled the advantage shortly after the restart. Nikayla Small won the ball back and immediately put Ottawa under pressure. Silano reacted first and finished the chance for her second goal of the night.

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Ottawa needed a response. The Rapid started to push higher and repeatedly tested Toronto goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo. They thought they had found their breakthrough in the 69th minute.

Min-a Lee forced a save from D’Angelo, and Keera Melenhorst reacted fastest to the rebound. She smashed the ball into the net, but the assistant referee raised the flag. The goal came back for offside. Toronto remained in control.

The hosts put the game beyond doubt in the 82nd minute. Sarah Stratigakis collected the ball near the top of the box and unleashed a powerful strike. The shot flew into the top corner and left Eriksson with no chance.

Toronto finished the night with three goals, three points and a playoff place. For Silano, it was a breakthrough performance. Her brace helped Toronto secure one of their biggest results of the season.

Halifax Tides 0–0 Montréal Roses

Halifax needed a win but instead they had to settle for a point.

The Tides started with plenty of energy. They pushed forward early and created several promising opportunities but couldn’t find the finish. Montréal also faced an early setback.

In the 27th minute, Roses goalkeeper Anna Karpenko suffered an injury and had to leave the game (later confirmed to be an ACL tear). Gabrielle Lambert came on and immediately faced pressure from Halifax.

Although she had big boots and gloves to fill, she handled it well. Lambert made several important saves and kept Montréal level through the first half. The teams went into the break at 0–0.

The second half brought more intensity. Montréal began to find more space in midfield. Chloe Minas helped control the tempo and gave the Roses a stronger presence in possession.

Lambert continued to deal with Halifax’s attacks. She took a boot to the chin during a challenge with Jordyn Rhodes but stayed in the game and continued to command her box.

Montréal nearly found the winner in the 77th minute. Mimi Alidou fired a shot toward the corner, but Halifax goalkeeper Anika Tóth reacted quickly. She launched herself across goal and made an excellent diving save.

The Tides pushed late but couldn’t find the goal they needed.

The final whistle confirmed a 0–0 draw. Halifax earned a point, but the result also had wider consequences for the playoff race. The draw officially sent Ottawa Rapid into the playoffs.

Calgary Wild 3–1 Vancouver Rise

Calgary wanted to finish their home schedule on a high. Vancouver had other plans.

The Wild started aggressively. They created chance after chance and looked dangerous in the final third.

Vancouver absorbed the pressure and waited for an opportunity to counter.

Mia Pante used her pace to beat her marker and reach the end line. She then delivered a dangerous cross into the box that met Alex Lamontagne who had timed her run perfectly.

She met the ball with a side volley and sent it into the back of the net. Vancouver took a 1–0 lead against the run of play. The Rise held onto their advantage through the rest of the first half.

Calgary came out of the break with a completely different level of urgency. The equalizer arrived within minutes.

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Meggie Dougherty Howard delivered a dangerous corner into the box. Taylor Otto rose above the defense and headed the ball home for her first NSL goal.

The match was level at 1–1, but Calgary didn’t slow down. Dougherty Howard then gave the Wild the lead herself.

She stepped up for a free kick and sent a powerful effort toward the near corner. Jessica Wulf got a hand to the shot, but she couldn’t keep it out. Calgary led 2–1.

Vancouver now had to chase the game. That created space for the Wild to attack again. Jorian Baucom took advantage in the closing stages. She produced a clever touch over Kaela Hansen before finishing the move with a brilliant strike. The goal made it 3–1.

Vancouver crumbled and couldn’t find another response. Calgary eventually closed out their final home match with three unanswered second-half goals and a memorable comeback win.

One playoff spot remains

Week 23 settled two more pieces of the playoff puzzle. AFC Toronto and Ottawa Rapid are through.

The final spot remains between Vancouver Rise and Halifax Tides. Both teams have everything to play for.

One will make the playoffs while the other will miss out. Only time will tell who clinches the final spot: the defending champions or the team that was once written off.

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