Ottawa keeps momentum after late equalizer
OTTAWA — Ottawa Rapid FC stretched its Northern Super League unbeaten streak to a record 10 games after a dramatic 2-2 draw with AFC Toronto at TD Place on Aug. 9. The result preserves the league lead for the city’s team and maintains momentum as the season approaches the run-in to playoffs.
The opening goal came early, when forward Melanie Forbes put Ottawa ahead in the 12th minute. The sequence began after a failed clearance by Toronto defender Zoe Burns; forward Kayla Adamek intercepted and sent a cross into the box where Forbes was on hand to finish.
Toronto fought back, levelling in the 33rd minute through a deflected effort from midfielder Sarah Stratigakis. The remainder of the first half saw both sides press for advantages, setting up a competitive second half.
- Ottawa took the lead through Melanie Forbes (12')
- Toronto equalized via Sarah Stratigakis (33')
- Both teams finished with 2-2 after a stoppage-time header by Nicola Golen
The match turned contentious in the 62nd minute when Ottawa forward Choo Hyo-Joo and Toronto midfielder Cloey Uddenberg were both sent off following an altercation. The dismissals reduced each side to 10 players and heightened the tactical chess match that followed.
With the score tied 1-1, the visitors then capitalized on an Ottawa defensive lapse. In the 75th minute Kayla Adamek was judged to have fouled Toronto forward Colby Barnett inside the penalty area, and Shelina Zadorsky converted the resulting penalty to give AFC Toronto a 2-1 lead.
"It took a single moment of inattention," the match summary said, describing the turning point that produced the penalty.
Not content to yield, Ottawa produced a stirring finish. In stoppage time, Johanne Fridlund delivered a free kick from the right side of the box to Nicola Golen, who headed the ball into the net to force a 2-2 final score — a result that preserved Ottawa’s unbeaten run and its position atop the league table.
Standings and playoff picture
The draw left Ottawa at the summit of the six-team Northern Super League with 33 points from a 10-3-2 record. With only 10 regular-season matches remaining, the club is in a strong position to secure a top-four finish and home advantage in the early playoff rounds.
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ottawa Rapid FC | 33 |
| 2 | Montreal Roses FC | 27 |
| 3 | AFC Toronto | 25 |
| 4 | Halifax Tides FC | 21 |
| 5 | Vancouver Rise FC | 16 |
| 6 | Calgary Wild FC | 5 |
The NSL’s playoff format will seed the top four teams: first plays fourth and second faces third in two-legged series. The winners will advance to a final scheduled for Nov. 14 at TD Place.
Ottawa’s campaign has been fuelled in part by its leading scorer, Delaney Pridham, who is positioned as a contender for the league’s Golden Boot. While the draw denied the city three points, the single point keeps the Rapid atop the table as the schedule tightens.
With the league entering its decisive phase, Ottawa heads into its Aug. 15 match against Calgary Wild FC — a fixture the standings suggest should favour the Rapid — seeking to protect its record run and consolidate control of the top seed as playoff week approaches.
For supporters around the city, the result was both a reminder of the team’s resilience and a signal that margins will be fine in the coming months. The draw at TD Place preserved a streak that has become a rallying point for a club aiming to bring a national title back to Ottawa.
