✍️ Fleur Dias
Another game, another deadlock. Montréal and Calgary both left Stade Boréale with a point on Sunday afternoon, after another battle that arguably should have tilted in Montréal's favour.
Before kick-off, the Roses took a moment to send support to one of their own. The players walked onto the pitch holding midfielder Ismaël Koné's jersey, sending out a "get well soon" message for the Montréal-born star. Koné suffered a broken tibia and fibula during Canada's 6-0 FIFA World Cup victory over Qatar on Thursday and underwent successful surgery that will rule him out for the remainder of the tournament.
A weather delay pushed back kick-off, but Calgary wasted no time once play began. Despite controlling possession and creating chances, Montréal had to settle for a 1-1 draw. The visitors struck first through Kahli Johnson before Evelyn Badu scored her first goal for the club to pull the Roses level.
Johnson found the breakthrough in the 10th minute, silencing the home crowd and forcing Montréal to chase the match.
Making her first start since returning from international duty with Ghana, Badu announced herself in Roses colours in the 29th minute. The forward found the back of the net and managed to inject life into Montréal's attack. Her celebration carried extra meaning as she sprinted toward the sideline to embrace first assistant coach Maryse Bard-Martel, who was leading the team in place of head coach Robert Rositoiu.
From there, the game tilted heavily in Montréal's favour. They controlled 62 percent of possession and outshot Calgary 21-9, keeping up the pressure, but nothing ever came of it. Calgary goalkeeper Katelin Talbert came up with multiple saves, while the Wild defence absorbed everything Montréal threw at them.
For all of their attacking intent, the Roses struggled to find the decisive touch in the final third.
At the other end, goalkeeper Anna Karpenko had a relatively quiet afternoon but delivered when called upon.
With another match looming just four days later, the Roses rotated heavily. Several players stepped into expanded roles, while 17-year-old Marilou Harvey once again earned second-half minutes as Montréal leaned on its depth.
The draw leaves the Roses with a 4-1-3 record and still firmly in the title race. They remain second in the NSL standings, just one point behind league leaders Ottawa Rapid FC.
While disappointment lingered after failing to turn dominance into victory, Bard-Martel saw plenty to build on.
"I'm really proud of the effort, focus, and commitment the players showed today," she said after the match. "Several took on different roles and filled them very well, and the team stayed together from start to finish."
"There were good moments and tougher ones. What we take from it is that we need to manage the spells where we lacked rhythm and sharpness in transition so we can go and get all three points. This is a performance we can build on."
The Roses won't have to wait long for another opportunity.
They return to Stade Boréale on Thursday night for a top-of-the-table clash against Ottawa Rapid FC. Rositoiu will again be away completing his CONCACAF Pro Diploma, with Bard-Martel set to lead the team from the touchline once more.
✍️ Traci Morrissette
Physicality was the theme of the day for the Montreal Roses versus the Calgary Wild on Sunday, June 21st, at the Roses' home Stade Boréale. Both teams came out onto the field ready to dominate; the Calgary Wild looking for their first win, and the Montreal Roses looking to hold their position in the standings.
However, the Montreal Roses were not at their full - Coach Robert Rositoiu was out completing his Concacaf Pro Diploma, while First assistant coach Maryse Bard-Martel took the reins. The team was also missing Lisa Perchersky and Tanya Boychuck.
For the first half, the Roses kept pressure on the Wild both offensively and defensively - driving the ball towards Wild Goalie Katelin Talbert, though with their shots going wild. However, despite the Roses keeping ball possession 63% of the first half, it was still the Wild’s Kahli Johnson who got the first point of the game.
From there, it was clear the Roses were determined to keep the Wild at Bay, with Roses goalie Anna Karpenk fast at work with stunning catches and blocks on goal, assisted expertly by Lucy Cappadona.
While the Roses defence was able to keep the Wild from connecting further shots to the goal, the offensive grouping of Chloe Minas, Evelyn Badu, Elyse Bennet, Haylee Whitaker, and Charlotte Bilbault kept Wild goalie Katelin Talbert on her toes. After a great deal of pressure, Evelyn Badu equalized the score at twenty-nine minutes.
Statistically, this game should have been a decisive Roses win, as they had more shots and maintained possession for the entire game. Their passes were accurate, their interceptions were on point, and they were clever in their defence.
Frustratingly, though, while they had multiple shots, they went off the crossbar, the side bar, or just over the goal. While the Roses' talent is unquestionable, it was as if they were a well-oiled machine missing critical parts.
It is going to be a question of whether the Roses' next match against Ottawa on Thursday will continue to show those chinks in their armour, or if they will rally and continue to hold the number two spot in the standings.
