AFC Toronto earns first win with 2-1 triumph over Calgary

(PIERRE-PHILIPE WANYA TAMBWE/INTERMISSION SPORTS)

By Daniel Carrero

Photos by Pierre-Philipe Wanya-Tambwe

AFC Toronto grabbed its first-ever Northern Super League (NSL) victory on Thursday, defeating Calgary Wild FC 2-1 in their first game at York Lions Stadium.

Calgary—who have yet to play at their home ground, McMahon Stadium—arrived at the matchup on form after defeating Halifax Tides FC 4-1 on Saturday, scoring three goals from set pieces. Toronto, who lost their first two NSL games against Montreal Roses FC and Ottawa Rapid FC, fitted into their tactical system and won their first game at their everyday stadium.

“They're obviously very, very dangerous on set pieces. We knew that coming in,” said head coach Marko Milanovic. “They got one in late, but we were able to hold on and enjoy this win that was a long time coming.”

AFC lined up with their usual 3-4-3 formation, with two-time Rookie of the Week Kaylee Hunter in the starting 11 after scoring Toronto’s first-ever goal in injury time against Ottawa on Sunday. Milanovic also changed the back three, allowing Croix Soto and Ashley Cathro to make their AFC debuts.

“We believe in all our players, there was always going to be rotations because we played Sunday, Thursday, and we travelled, so there were always going to be changes, regardless of the score,” said Milanovic.

Calgary, on the other hand, lined up with the exact starting 11 from their victory over Halifax—a 4-3-3 formation which relied heavily on set pieces, led offensively by defender Meikayla Moore. 

The game kicked off and Toronto went straight to work, grasping lots of possession and intensity. The efforts of Hunter, Small, Esther Okoronkwo and Colby Barnett to get crosses into the box posed a threat early in the match.

Calgary found their stride 15 minutes into the match, taking advantage of Toronto’s pressure high in the pitch and sending balls over the top of the defence after regaining possession. From that point to the end of the game, the Wild dominated in possession, shots and passes.

Despite the visitors’ game development, Okoronkwo had other plans in mind. The Nigerian international found herself in a 1-on-1 situation against Calgary’s goalkeeper Stephanie Bukovec following a through-pass from Nikayla Small. Okoronkwo struck a low-driven shot to the left side of the net for a 1-0 advantage, sending AFC into the lead for the first time in the match and in their history.

“I knew eventually we were gonna score goals, especially because me and [Small] have had a couple of times [in practice] where we connected,” said Okoronkwo. “I just knew it was a matter of time, and we're gonna find the back of the net.”

Calgary tried recovering from the goal with cross attempts that brought them closer to the net, but beyond a free-kick straight to the wall from Meggie Dougherthy Howard in the 39th minute, the Wild couldn’t get ahold of the game. They remained behind 1-0 going into halftime. 

“I think we dominated possession for almost all of the game, and in the first half created enough chances to have probably put the game to bed, but didn't finish them,” said Calgary’s head coach Lydia Bedford.

Going into the second half, AFC kept momentum in their favour, led by their tidy defence and keeping Calgary away when set plays took place.

Toronto’s unrelenting efforts on defence paid off in the 54th minute. Okoronkwo found herself unmarked in the top-right of the pitch, and with a slight touch with her left foot to settle the ball, she released a strong curved shot to the top left corner of the net—where Bukovec couldn’t reach.

“We haven't won a game. And it was refreshing being 2-0 up. We needed it,” said Okoronkwo of her highlight reel goal.

Toronto didn’t stop their pressure at the 2-0 mark. Looking to secure the win in the 62nd minute, midfielder Colby Barnett took a chance from outside the box that hit the crossbar.

With the 2-0 disadvantage, Calgary had to react and subbed in Caleigh Boeckx, Maddy Wilson and Jenaya Robertson to tilt the game their way.

After a couple of attempts from set pieces, Wild finally succeeded in the 86th minute. Howard sent a lobbed cross into the penalty box, where Moore connected just enough to redirect the ball into the net and beat Sofia Manner.

“Momentum is a funny thing, right? A team scores, and they become even more alive. So you just have to hold on at those moments,” said Milanovic.

With the score close at 2-1, AFC locked down any possibility and used possession to their advantage to let injury time pass.

Despite a rainy and windy evening in Toronto, AFC gave fans at York Lions Stadium a happy ending.

“It means a lot, because even with the rain, they came out and supported. They didn't have to, it was freezing, it was cold,” said Okoronkwo. “It was a little motivating for us when we saw them, and they were cheering us on.”

UP NEXT: AFC Toronto will play their second game at York Lions Stadium against Vancouver Rise FC on May 11. Kick-off is set at 2 p.m.