Montreal Roses score historic home opener win

The Montreal Roses and their fans celebrated their 2–1 victory over Ottawa Rapid FC at Laval’s Stade Boréale.

The net rippled, the crowd roared, and the Montreal Roses made history with their first win on home soil.

The Roses celebrated their 2–1 victory over Ottawa Rapid FC at Laval’s Stade Boréale. The team remains undefeated in the Northern Super League with three wins in a row.

For young fans in the stands, the dream kicked off long before the first whistle.

“It’s my dream to maybe play one time in my life here at this stadium, maybe in the future,” said Maika Leclerc.

“I want to be part of the Roses team when I grow up,” added Leighton Myers.

This moment was years in the making, and not just for the players.

“I grew up playing soccer. I never imagined this would happen,” said Jillian Lalonde. “I wish it would have happened when I was a kid, but it’s so exciting to see all the little kids around, knowing that this is a path they can take.”

“I also played soccer as a kid, went to Impact games, but didn’t think I would ever get the chance to see this,” said Stephanie Lee.

“Oh, I’m so excited for this day. We’re going to have so much fun,” said Sandra Buchanan.

The Roses are part of the new Northern Super League, a coast-to-coast commitment to women’s professional soccer in Canada.

For decades, women players trained at high levels, only to hit a wall, with no pro team at home.

But now? That’s changing, says the team’s president.

“It’s a movement. The community wants to see this,” said Annie Larouche, president of the Montreal Roses. “We want to have an equal chance. We want to give an equal chance to women to be able to be pro athletes, and not have to do anything else.”

And fans are ready to fill the stands.

“Soccer is a huge sport in Montreal, so I’m happy to be celebrating women’s sports in Montreal,” said Cue Kamoso.

“My daughters are soccer players, and I’m a nonna soccer fan,” said Carole Monaco.

With all that support and skill, the Roses made it clear: the league is creating a legacy made to last.

With files from CTV News Montreal’s Erika Morris