AFC regarded to its roots Thursday, asserting the signing of three native gamers who’ve gone on to make their mark exterior of Toronto.
AFC regarded to its roots Thursday, asserting the signing of three native gamers who’ve gone on to make their mark exterior of Toronto.
The brand new Northern Tremendous League aspect has added goalkeeper Sierra Cota-Yarde, defender Sarah Rollins and midfielder Ivymae Perez.
All three performed for the North Toronto Soccer membership led by members of the AFC Toronto administration and training staff.
“Recruiting local talent is important for us and we aim to sign high potential players ready to be a part of Canadian history,” AFC Toronto sporting director Billy Wilson, who was North Toronto’s technical director, mentioned in a press release. “Ivy, Sarah and Sierra are gamers we all know very properly from their time enjoying for North Toronto Soccer in League1 Ontario and fill us with a whole lot of confidence.
“We’re proud to supply an area the place native gamers can confidently proceed their careers and are excited to see them make the step into the skilled sport.”
In different NSL strikes, the Vancouver Rise signed Canadian midfielder Samantha Chang and the Montreal Roses added goalkeeper Anne-Marie Laroche and winger Claire Monyard.
The Ottawa Fast signed Nigerian worldwide Ngozi Okobi-Oke. The 31-year-old ahead, a veteran of two World Cups, arrives from Spain’s FC Levante Las Planas.
The 21-year-old Cota-Yarde joins Toronto from Southern Methodist College after earlier stints with Prairie View A&M and Arkansas. The five-foot-11 ‘keeper has represented Portugal on the under-19 and under-23 and made her senior debut in February 2024 in opposition to South Korea.
“To have the ability to come again house is one thing I by no means thought I’d have the chance to do,” mentioned Cota-Yarde. “With the ability to promote soccer to youthful Canadian gamers is unbelievable; they now have one thing to work towards and I’m proud to be part of this challenge.”
Rollins, a 19-year-old centre again, gained the U-Sports activities championship twice with the UBC Thunderbirds and was named U-Sport Rookie of the 12 months in 2023. She anchored a backline that went unbeaten final 12 months en route to a different nationwide title.
She joined North Toronto in 2018, enjoying underneath Wilson and Marko Milanovic, now AFC Toronto head coach.
“AFC Toronto opened a complete different realm of alternative for me to proceed my profession and I’m actually excited to take this subsequent step,” mentioned Rollins. “I used to be born and raised in Toronto, so coming residence and dealing with acquainted workers like Billy and Marko is wonderful. They helped me get to the extent I’m right now and I’m excited to develop with the membership.”
Perez, 23, has been a mainstay for North Toronto the final two years and performed 4 seasons for the Toronto Metropolitan College Daring the place she was named MVP in 2022-23.
“It was arduous to say no to this chance. I by no means thought I’d have the ability to play for a professional staff that’s proper at residence,” mentioned Perez. “I knew Billy and head coach Marko from my time with North Toronto Soccer; I belief them with every little thing. Signing my contract was tremendous emotional and I’m excited to hopefully be a constructive position mannequin for different native gamers.”
The 24-year-old Chang arrives in Vancouver from Denmark’s HB Køge. A former Canadian youth worldwide, she gained a senior cap in opposition to Argentina in February 2021 on the SheBelieves Cup.
“Among the finest midfielders within the Danish league this 12 months,” mentioned Rise sporting director Stephanie Labbé.
“Sam was one of many first gamers I thought of when beginning to construct our roster due to her composure and technical skill,” she added. “She performs with a forward-thinking mentality, at all times searching for threatening passes and how you can affect assaults.”
Chang performed collegiate soccer on the College of South Carolina, making 83 appearances with 9 targets and eight assists and successful two SEC championships.
Laroche, a 24-year-old from Alma, Que., is making her skilled debut with the Roses. Away from the pitch, the previous Laval College ‘keeper has labored as a scientific nurse in little one psychiatry.
Monyard, 24, performed at Florida Worldwide College. A biochemistry graduate, she is planning a profession in anesthesiology.
The brand new six-team NSL kicks off April 16.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Jan. 23, 2025.
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
