Montréal sports history unfolded on a record-breaking Saturday afternoon at Stade Saputo, where the Roses de Montréal claimed a 1-0 victory over the Halifax Tides in front of 17 077 spectators, according to regional reporting by Radio-Canada. The result propelled the club to the top of the Northern Super League standings with 34 points, edging past the CF Rapide d’Ottawa.
A Record-Breaking Afternoon at Stade Saputo
The fixture marked the first home match for the Roses at Stade Saputo, drawing an attendance of 17 077 fans that established a record d’assistance for a Northern Super League match. According to reporting by Radio-Canada, the previous record of 14 518 spectators had been set on April 19, 2025, at BMO Field during a matchup against AFC Toronto. With a seating capacity just over 19 600, the nearly full venue echoed with chants and sustained volume from the opening whistle, surpassing the venue’s typical professional soccer averages for the city.
“It’s definitely one of the best days we’ve had with this club, for sure. Breaking the record, having so many people in the stands, the whole city of Montréal coming out to support us,” defender Mégane Sauvé told Radio-Canada.
Late Breakthrough Secures the Top Spot
Despite commanding possession and generating the bulk of the scoring chances through the opening 45 minutes, Montréal struggled to find a clinical finish against a resilient Halifax backline. Marie-Yasmine Alidou and Lisa Pechersky repeatedly tested the Tides’ defense down the left flank before the halftime whistle.
The tactical turning point arrived in the 68th minute. Halifax defender Sheyenne Allen, already carrying a yellow card, was issued a second caution by the match officials and dismissed from the pitch. Operating with a numerical advantage, the home side capitalized quickly. In the 76th minute, Alidou whipped a corner kick into the penalty area where Anne-Valérie Seto rose above the defense to direct a header past the goalkeeper, breaking the deadlock and sending the Stade Saputo crowd into celebration.
“I don’t remember exactly what happened. I just remember the ball going into the back of the net, the fans surrounding me, the relief I felt. I am so happy to have been able to represent my city like this,” Seto told reporters after the match, as cited by Radio-Canada.
Standings Impact and Upcoming Schedule
With the three points secured, the Roses leapfrogged CF Rapide d’Ottawa into first place in the Northern Super League table with a total of 34 points. However, Ottawa maintains a game in hand and was scheduled to face AFC Toronto the following Sunday.
Defensively, Anna Karpenko anchored the clean sheet for Montréal, neutralizing late pushes from Halifax to preserve the narrow lead through stoppage time. The squad will now turn its attention to the remainder of the regular-season schedule as the battle for the league title intensifies.
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