The Montreal Roses — the professional women’s soccer team — capped off a historic inaugural season in the Northern Super League with a fourth-place finish, the league’s best defensive record, and enthusiastic fan support.
Team leaders say a solid foundation was laid on and off the field as the club prepares for an even more ambitious 2026 season.
Annie Larouche, president of the Montreal Roses, highlighted the deeper meaning behind the team’s success, emphasizing its community impact.
“The Roses goes beyond what happens on the pitch. It’s an ecosystem. It’s the community. It’s a movement and everyone is part of this movement. Our partners, our investors, the players, our fans, the media. It’s important, and we really feel the whole community behind us. This is the heart of the Roses. This whole ecosystem is the heart of the Roses,” she said.
The inaugural season was both demanding and defining. In just 18 months, the Roses evolved from an ambitious concept into a cornerstone of professional women’s soccer in Canada. Competing in a league ranked among the world’s top five, drawing over 275,000 spectators, and offering some of the highest salaries globally, the Roses quickly established themselves as a professional and inclusive organization deeply rooted in the Montreal community.
After securing a playoff spot, finishing fourth in the regular season with 10 wins, nine losses, and six draws, the Roses narrowly missed advancing past the semi-finals against AFC Toronto.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, head coach Robert Rositoiu explained that the season was primarily about laying the groundwork for long-term success.
“To be honest, we are one way to finish second, but we do the same season in a sense that even if we finish second I will tell you the same thing. We needed more cold-blooded finishing, more goals, better performances in terms of results in front of our fans to continue to educate and bring the players that we had at their first professional contract. Almost half of them, a lot from here, and we needed to show them the way and they responded well, and now it’s about raising those standards and continuing to improve in all aspects of the game for next season, so the list is long.”
He also stressed the importance of establishing a clear identity on the field.
“Season was good for the most part. It was important to lay down the foundation, and we did that, the identity of play and some good results in the right moments. A season that we had challenges to, and I think those are important. We always wanted the best and want to be excellent and perfect, but the reality is we have challenges, and it’s looking good for next season.”
Despite finishing with the league’s best defensive record — conceding only 23 goals in 25 matches — Rositoiu identified opportunities for improvement in attack:
“I think we will do brief things but specific things. Yeah, we have to be a bit more consistent and with intent when we attack the box, when we attack the opponent’s goal and to arrive there with more numbers, and so that’s on me, and we have to work it during pre-season, during next season, to be able to create even more chances, score more goals, that’s definitely one. But also reinforce what we already done well. For example, we finished the best defense on the league, but we cannot sit on that. We need to go back, revisit the details, because the teams are going to be ready for us next season on that aspect, and so we just need to reinforce everything that we’ve done well and to improve what hasn’t been good.”
Individual recognition reflected the team’s success in developing local talent. Stéphanie Hill, a defender from Dollard-des-Ormeaux in her first professional year, earned a spot on the Northern Super League Team of the Season. Rositoiu reflected on the lessons learned from the inaugural campaign:
“Our initial goal was clear: reach the playoffs in our first season. That said, our ambition went well beyond that. This first year provided valuable learning about the level of competition in the league. We will take all the lessons from this season to come back better prepared, stronger, and hungrier in 2026.”
The 22-player roster reflected Montreal’s diversity, with 14 Canadians — 10 from Quebec — and eight international players. Nine Canadians, including seven Quebecers, signed their first professional contracts.
Marinette Pichon, Sporting Director, spoke on the team’s vision for blending local talent with world-class players.
“We set out to build a team that truly represents Montreal and Quebec while meeting the standards of an elite league. Watching our young players compete alongside seasoned internationals proves we can both develop our own talent and attract world-class players to our project. This first season shows that we’re capable not only of developing our own players, but also of convincing world-class talent to join our movement,” she said.
Forward and co-captain Tanya Boychuk shared her personal reflection on the season.
“I would say I’m super grateful for it. I think there’s a lot of good learning lessons and takeaways from it, but obviously we fell short of what we wanted to do and to raise the trophy, and yeah, we just weren’t good enough, so it was a little disappointing at the end, but very grateful for everything and all the lessons that we learned.”
She added that the team faced major challenges throughout the year.
“I think our group was really resilient throughout the year. We obviously had a great start to the season, and then going to not winning and not scoring for a little bit is really tough. There were also a couple of injuries on the team, so that doesn’t always help, but I think the major challenge was at the end of the season, when we needed to peak and we needed to be at our best, and we weren’t switched. Which comes back and stabs us in the back.”
Looking ahead to 2026, Boychuk expressed optimism and determination.
“I’m really excited for next season because, as you’ve heard, we have most of the girls returning, which makes it really easy to transition for the other players that are new, and I’m excited about next season because we’re going to work harder, we know exactly what we need to work on, and we just want to be pushed on and off the field.”
The Roses also worked to create an unforgettable experience for supporters at Stade Boréale. Larouche reflected on the challenges and successes of starting from scratch.
“It went very well. It’s starting from a blank page. It’s always a challenge. And I think we did well. We do need to make some adjustments. When you start from scratch, there’s a lot of things that you don’t know. You’re just being reactive, and you listen to the fans. You listen to the players. You want to put the players in the best conditions possible. But it needs constant adjustment, and we’re working hard on 2026 to make sure that we level up the fan experience.”
She also discussed planned stadium improvements.
“We will make adjustments to the stadium. We hurt the fans. We did reach our goal of over 3,400 in attendance per game, but the sales are a little bit lower. So what we understand is that people are buying the cheapest tickets. So we want people to be in the stands. So we need to make adjustments. And that’s one of the big adjustments that we will be making. Of course, the federal government, the help that we’re getting from the federal government, will definitely help in adding a little touch. Maybe not everything in 2026, but it’ll go towards infrastructures such as the turf, the pitch, electricity, giant screens, and much more. So good times ahead.”
Larouche also addressed concerns about the stadium being in Laval
“Well, it’s an adjustment because, you know, as we were saying, it works for the Victor and the Rocket because Place Bell has been there for years. So people are used to going to the arena. Stade Boréale is pretty, it’s fairly new. So, you know, people need to get used to it. But we will always make sure that we put the players in the best conditions possible and that we have the best experience possible for the fans. So we will always be looking for the best place,” she said.
Boychuk also emphasized the importance of bringing professional female athletes to the community.
“I think having these professional female athletes in front of you in your backyard. Personally, I never got that growing up, so having that is very, very special, and yeah, I just want the city to stay behind us and support us and trust us that next year will be better.”
Supporters flocked to Stade Boréale, Canada’s first stadium purpose-built for a professional women’s team. Over 45,000 tickets were sold throughout the season, including playoffs, with an average of 3,380 per game.
Larouche praised the dedication of the fan base.
“They’re always there to cheer you on. They’re absolutely amazing. I said it, and I’ll repeat it. They’re the heart of this team. We are so thankful. It’s a huge thank you. Merci. Their support is exactly what we need to, you know, move forward.”
She added her perspective on the fan experience.
“What a privilege, honestly. Every day I walk into the facility, I truly feel so grateful. I think that we’re really lucky with the resources, the investors, our owners. I’ve never seen such a great support system, honestly, and that trickles into the fans. I think their experience to come to games and the whole setup on game days is so special. I’ve been telling my parents, I was like, ‘I want to be a fan at this game.’ It looks like you guys are having so much fun. So yeah, I want to challenge the fans to keep coming out, keep supporting us, because without them, we wouldn’t be able to do half of what we’re able to do without them.”
The May 3 home opener sold out at 5,040 fans, and the September 27 match drew 4,595 supporters, demonstrating fan loyalty throughout the season.
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Off the field, the Roses created over 30 full-time positions, welcomed 11 interns, and mobilized more than 200 volunteers. More than half of the full-time positions are held by women. The team made 56 community appearances, including hospitals, festivals, and youth events, distributing tickets to underserved communities and inspiring the next generation of athletes.
“In just over a year, we’ve built a professional organization that meets the highest industry standards. This first season confirmed that enthusiasm for women’s soccer exists in Quebec and that it’s sustainable. What we’ve built together – with our employees, partners, investors, and fans – isn’t a one-time project, but a lasting structure on which we’ll continue to grow. The future of the Roses is bright, and this is just the beginning,” said Larouche, President.
Season tickets for 2026 are on sale, and the club plans new signings during the February transfer window. Boychuk shared her excitement about the returning squad:
“We have most of the girls returning which makes it really easy to transition for the other players that are new and I’m excited about next season because we’re going to work harder, we know exactly what we need to work on and we just want to be pushed on and off the field.”
Rositoiu thanked supporters for their loyalty.
“Honestly, a big thank you for the fans. Our stadium has been warmed by their presence, and I really hope that they come again, and I really hope that we gave them good emotions because that’s why we do what we do.”
“I just want to say thank you, honestly. I think this whole project has been a big puzzle. I see it as a puzzle where there are so many different pieces, and every piece has to fit. It starts with the media and goes with the investors, supporters, players, and coaching staff. We’re really lucky with the pieces we got. Next year we have to perform, and that’s the last piece in the puzzle,” Boychuk added.
