Northern Super League adds franchise in Winnipeg

Winnipeg will join the Northern Super League as its seventh franchise in 2027, the league announced Monday.

The club is co-founded by former Canadian women’s national team player Desiree Scott and Rob Gale, a former Canada Soccer youth national team coach who most recently served as head coach of the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League.

Scott, a four-time Olympian and Olympic gold medallist, will serve as vice-president of community and player experience, while Gale will take over as chief sporting officer.

“It is an honour to bring professional women’s soccer of this calibre to Winnipeg and to join a trailblazing organization like the Northern Super League,” Scott said in a statement.

“As a former player, I know exactly what an elite sporting environment looks like and what athletes need to succeed. We are building a club rooted in the community, backed by a premier development pathway, and ready to compete from our very first whistle in 2027.”

The club’s name, crest and home venue will be announced at a later date.

The Northern Super League launched in 2025 with founding clubs in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.

Winnipeg will become the league’s first expansion franchise.

Hundreds gathered at the Forks for the announcement with an overwhelming sense of pride for Winnipeg and excitement for the next chapter for womens sports.

“It’s really exciting cause I actually have an opportunity for when I grow older so I can play on a professional team, so I’m really happy about it,” said Everleigh McLaughlin, FC Northwest

Lyla Lagimodiere, also with FC Northwest, said, “Not only does it pave the way for girls that are younger, but it also paves the way for girls that our age who are looking to explore and continue our soccer journey.”

Danielle McLaughlin, a soccer mom, said, “So happy to have this coming to Winnipeg and creating the opportunity for girls, especially at this age where lots of kids and girls essentially leave sport; this is the motivation for them to stay in and have a long career potentially with something playing something they love doing.”

Lily Simpson, with FC Northwest, said, “I mean, this is awesome, right? It was such a good turnout for everyone here, and I think it’s only gonna get better with more people knowing what’s happening, and I think it’s awesome.”

Bre Horn said, “I think it’s great too. It builds a lot of new pathways for girls our age in sport to keep going and keep playing the sport.”

Nish Jayaranjan added, “Having an outlet for older or younger kids to go professional without having to leave Manitoba is a big deal.”

NSL president Christina Litz told CBC Sports that the league wants to have eight teams by 2028.

“We know what impact having a pro women’s team has on inspiring the next-gen players and we have said from the beginning that we want our league to be a catalyst for Canadian talent across the country.”

Earlier this month, an international firm invested $30 million CAD into the league, which was founded by Canadian soccer great Diana Matheson.

–with files from Sportsnet