Long live all the magic we made

The GIST: The first-ever Northern Super League (NSL) champion will be crowned when No. 1 seed AFC Toronto and No. 3 Vancouver Rise FC meet tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET. Ahead of kickoff, here’s what you need to know about the NSL’s historic inaugural season and, of course, the winner-take-all match.

🇨🇦 NSL already fostering CanWNT ambitions: Canada’s first pro women’s soccer league was founded, in part, to create a stronger pipeline for the national team — and one season in, they’re already seeing success.

• Seven NSL players received senior team callups this year, including six (!!!) who are competing in the Final: Toronto’s Emma Regan and Kaylee Hunter, and Vancouver’s Holly Ward, Quinn, Samantha Chang, and Latifah Abdu. So slay, eh?

👀 Tomorrow’s clash pits an offensive juggernaut vs. a defensive powerhouse: The highest-scoring team in the league, Toronto are the squad to beat. They haven’t dropped a match since August 17th, and their hunger for goals remains insatiable. Case in point? Forward Esther Okoronkwo scored a 26-minute hat trick to clinch Toronto’s spot in the final.

• But Vancouver can’t be counted out. Players to watch include aforementioned forward Ward, who played hero in Rise FC’s second semis game, and goalkeeper Morgan McAslan, who led the league in saves. Can you say “brick wall?”

The GIST: The 112th Grey Cup kicks off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, featuring the West Division champ Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. the East Division–winning Montreal Alouettes. And if the title tilt is anything like the first four postseason games, we’re in for an absolute treat. Let’s dig in.

🟢 Why the Roughriders will win: The best squad in the CFL all season long, Saskatchewan’s combination of depth and experience is their biggest strength. And it all starts under center: Thirty-nine–year-old quarterback (QB) Trevor Harris is aiming to cap off an illustrious CFL career with his first Grey Cup win as a starter after leading the league in completion percentage.

• But if the Riders want to end their 12-year Grey Cup drought, it’ll take more than Harris alone. Enter: Running back A.J. Ouellette, who’s been virtually unstoppable while logging his second career 1K-yard rushing season. Talk about a one-two punch hammer.

🔵 Why the Alouettes will win: Montreal’s depth rivals their foes, but their title hopes could hinge on the left hamstring of QB Davis Alexander. Already a tricky injury to manage, the crisp weather in Winnipeg certainly won’t help. Still, Alexander’s been spectacular, tossing 10 touchdowns in seven starts. Oh, and he’s a perfect 13-0 in his career as a starter.

• Not to mention, after appearing in the last four East Divisional Finals, the perennial powerhouse Alouettes are playing for their second Grey Cup in three years. It’s far too early to call the Alouettes a dynasty, but a win on Sunday would place them in elite company.

🤔 Our prediction: This game features the league’s deepest rosters, top statistical defenses, and best-coached teams, meaning it could go either way. While it’s the first time the Riders’ defense will see Alexander’s skillset up close — he didn’t play in either regular-season game against Saskatchewan (a series the teams split) — we’re giving the Riders a slight hamstring-related edge.

🏆 It’s trophy season in the Northern Super League (NSL). On Saturday, either Vancouver Rise FC or AFC Toronto will become the first-ever NSL champion, a crowning achievement for the first pro women’s soccer league in Canada — and none of it would be possible without BMO.

• BMO is the official bank and the broadcast partner of the NSL — no surprise considering the bank’s 20-year commitment to growing the game in North America.

• To learn about BMO’s partnership with the NSL, check out our full editorial, featured in our Soccer Help Desk.

The GIST: ICYMI: The four teams competing in this weekend’s NWSL Playoffs semis are the four previous league champs dating back to 2021. With postseason experience everywhere you look and the No. 1 seed already stunningly eliminated, the only thing to expect is the unexpected.

🔥 No. 2 seed Washington Spirit host No. 3 Portland Thorns at Rowdy Audi tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET: Portland is peaking at just the right time, anchored by their strong midfield, which includes all-time greats Sam Coffey and Jessie Fleming.

• However, it’s not easy to lead an offensive attack in one of the NWSL’s loudest arenas — much less score on a keeper like the Spirit’s Aubrey Kingsbury. Which side will prevail? Tune into CBS in the U.S. or TSN5 in Canada to find out.

💪 Underestimated No. 4 Orlando Pride takes on underdog No. 8 Gotham FC Sunday at 3 p.m. ET: Legendary Pride forward Marta has ears everywhere — and she heard folks counting the defending champs out after a wishy-washy regular season. But can an Orlando team finding its stride counter Gotham’s momentum after forward Jaedyn Shaw and the Bats pulled off the greatest upset in league history? ABC in the U.S. or TSN5 in Canada will have your answer.

☝️ One more thing: Yesterday, MLS voted to shift its schedule and align itself with the international soccer calendar beginning in 2027. Most pro men’s and women’s leagues worldwide play on a summer-to-spring schedule, while MLS and the NWSL are on a spring-to-winter schedule.

• Notably, the NWSL’s landmark 2024 CBA eliminated limitations on season start and end dates, which means a shift could also be on the table for the top women’s league in North America. Watch this space.

🎓🏈 Vanier Cup playoffs: Université de Montréal Carabins vs. St. Mary’s Huskies — Tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET — CBC

• The Carabins stunned perennial powerhouse Laval in the RSEQ title game, earning a spot in the Uteck Bowl against the AUS champs, an underdog Huskies squad that hasn’t been to a Vanier Cup final in 22 years.

• Then, the Mitchell Bowl kicks off at 3:15 p.m. ET with the Canada West champion Saskatchewan Huskies hosting the OUA–winning Queen’s Gaels, who are undefeated on the road this season. Hut, hut, here we go.

🏒 NHL: Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — CityTV

• Led by forward Cole Caufield’s 12 goals on the season, the Habs are averaging nearly four lamp lights per game, on par with their Hockey Night in Canada foe. All to say, expect a high-scoring affair in this Original Six showdown.

🏈 NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Buffalo Bills — Sunday at 1 p.m. ET — DAZN

• Both of these postseason mainstays are on the rebound after tough losses — and we have some questions, like which MVP–caliber QB, the Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield or the Bills’ Josh Allen, will lead his team to redemption…and will they be wearing gloves?