Soccer is always evolving, but sometimes it changes so subtly that few notice in the moment. On Wednesday night, it was clear; the women's game had shifted as Vancouver Rise FC defeated Calgary Wild FC 1–0 to begin the Northern Super League.
Washed in Vancouver’s spring sun, Canadian soccer entered the pro women’s soccer space for the first time. While Canada’s women’s national team regularly ranks among the world’s best, it was one of only two nations at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup yet to establish its own pro league.
Canada international Quinn scored the NSL’s first goal from the spot, after fellow CanWNT midfielder Holly Ward drew the penalty. The 14,018 fans in BC Place fell silent before pure catharsis broke out as the ball nestled into the goal.
“I think the game was bigger than I was expecting,” Quinn said, signing in the new league after an extensive career with the NWSL’s Seattle Reign. “I’ve been in some really big games, so I thought this would be easy to handle, but stepping onto the pitch… it just kind of sunk in how much work's been done to get to this moment.”
NSL Brings the Next Step in Canadian Soccer's Growth
Supporters lined up outside the stadium before the match, which took place on the same pitch where the U.S. women’s national team won the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Palpable excitement surrounded the grounds, with fans – including Canadian women’s national team head coach Casey Stoney – carrying signs and a pre-match display, clad with merchandise, before kickoff.
Many in the newly-founded supporters group clamoured to offer the loudest cheers to the starting lineups. After all, they were witnessing a globally shifting moment for women’s soccer.
For former players and fans, it was a chance to see what they never thought was possible. For those on the pitch, it was the actualization of a dream they never knew could become reality
“I was waiting for this game for a while now, and I’m happy I got the opportunity to play,” said Calgary goalkeeper Stephanie Bukovec, who played professionally in Europe before joining the Wild. “It was a surreal experience playing on home soil… but an amazing experience to be a part of history.”
From Dream to League in Three Years
While neither team had been able to scout their opponents and had endured an 11-week preseason, the game never felt like any other. It was evident that the NSL opener meant something special to generations of Canadian soccer players.
“Walking out was such a surreal moment for me, and I’m sure there will be more moments like that,” added Quinn, who, for the first time in their career, only heard the Canadian anthem before a match. “I said something to our team before the game that we’re only going to hear the Canadian anthem today before the match, and that’s pretty neat.”
