NSL Week 2 round-up: Chaos and clean sheets amidst champions trying to redeem themselves

Then came the moment that seemed to drain whatever belief remained. Just minutes after halftime, Bennett’s dangerous delivery bounced off the crossbar and fell perfectly for Boychuk to head home from close range for Montreal’s third.

Still, Vancouver continued to search for something. Quinn tested Anna Karpenko from distance while substitute Josie Longhurst nearly found a late consolation goal before a last-ditch block denied her. Montreal never really looked emotionally rattled, even during Vancouver’s better spells.

Noémi Paquin’s late goal was won after pressing high and capitalizing on a turnover, reminiscent of Jessica De Filippo’s 35-yard goal from last season.

Montreal’s confidence is what stood out most.

For all the conversation around tactics and scorelines, there was something undeniably human about the atmosphere surrounding the Roses. Players fed off it visibly. Even the pre-match presentation and halftime performances provided the essence of a club aiming to create something bigger rather than just a football match.

Two games into their existence, Montreal already feels emotionally established.

For Vancouver, though, the questions are becoming harder to ignore. Possession has not translated into enough real attacking danger so far and defensively, the margins look fragile once games start opening up emotionally.

There is still quality there, especially through Reyes and Lopéz, but Rise FC need to step up to prove themselves as the champions that they are.

Ottawa finally unleashed their attack

Elsewhere, Ottawa produced the wildest (no pun intended!) game of the weekend in a 5-2 win over Calgary Wild.

The match somehow felt chaotic almost immediately.

Melanie Forbes scored after just 35 seconds before Calgary quickly turned the game around through Mariah Dougherty Howard and Taegan Stewart. Then Ottawa exploded.

Keera Melenhorst completely transformed the afternoon on her 23rd birthday, scoring twice and adding an assist in front of the home crowd at TD Place. Florence Belzile and Choo Hyojoo also scored as Ottawa overwhelmed Calgary during a frantic first half.

What made Ottawa impressive was not just the goals themselves, but the speed and aggression of their attacking play once momentum shifted. Delaney Baie Pridham linked transitions brilliantly and Ottawa suddenly looked capable of overwhelming teams once confidence started flowing through the group.

For Calgary, though, there are already concerns defensively. Five goals conceded, repeated transition breakdowns and visible emotional fragility once the match turned against them will worry a side still trying to establish consistency.

Toronto and Halifax quietly showed another side of the league

While the weekend’s headlines naturally centred around goals, AFC Toronto and Halifax Tides offered something completely different in their 0-0 draw at BMO Field.

Honestly, the match probably deserved more appreciation than scoreless games usually receive.

Both teams defended with real structure and discipline. Toronto controlled stretches territorially while Halifax looked increasingly comfortable absorbing pressure and countering selectively. Goalkeepers Sierra Cota-Yarde and Rylee Foster both produced important saves, while defenders on both sides repeatedly disrupted promising attacks before they fully developed.

After the match, AFC Toronto head coach Marko Milanović admitted disappointment with the result while still recognising the defensive positives.

“We expect to win every game that we play in,” he said. “We’ll take the point, and obviously a shutout is nice.”

That balance probably reflected the game itself.

Toronto looked organised and emotionally stable throughout, something defender Sarah Rollins pointed to afterwards while discussing the team’s defensive identity.

“It’s always our standard to get a clean sheet,” Rollins said. “Our goal as defenders and goalies is a clean sheet every single game, especially at home.”

There was also quiet maturity in the way younger players handled the occasion. Olivia Chisholm described her start to the season as feeling ‘really good’ largely because of the support around her within the squad.

Toronto has already shown its sense of collective identity.

Halifax, meanwhile, seem far more competitive than many expected heading into the season. They may not dominate possession or overwhelm teams but there is structure and patience to their performances already.

Not every important game needs chaos. Sometimes a scoreless draw can still reveal something meaningful about where teams are heading.

Two weeks in and it already seems to be a completly different outlook as compared to last season.

Montreal look emotionally connected and increasingly dangerous. Ottawa feels explosive going forward but vulnerable defensively. Toronto appears balanced and composed. Halifax is organised and difficult to break down. Vancouver still feels stuck between control and creativity, while Calgary are entertaining but fragile once momentum turns against them.

More than anything though the league is beginning to feel emotionally authentic.

The crowds are reacting naturally. Players are carrying visible pressure and confidence from week to week. Supporters are already developing expectations rather than simply appreciating the novelty of professional women’s football existing in these cities.

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