Given that there was a reduction in matches played over the last month, we decided to combine the last international window (held end of June) with the entire month of July.
CanWNT
To begin the international window, Canada played Costa Rica in a friendly match in Toronto. Costa Rica looked like they might win their first senior match against Canada; however, the team turned the game around in the second half. Shelina Zadorsky converted a penalty kick awarded in the 70th minute to equalize the game at 1-1, and then the floodgates opened for Canada. Holly Ward then scored unassisted to give Canada the lead. Zara Chavoshi and Emma Regan both scored their first goals for country in the last ten minutes of the game, giving Canada the win by a final score of 4-1. Chavoshi’s goal was assisted by Mimi Alidou, and Regan’s by Marie Levasseur. This game also marked Annabelle Chukwu’s senior debut for Canada.
In not-so-good news, Canada was thoroughly played off the pitch by the Americans in a 3-0 loss held in D.C. Ward and Chukwu looked lively coming off the bench, but their substitutions (and others) were left too late to really make a difference. This was coach Stoney’s first test against top ten opposition; hopefully, the bad result gives her more information so this team can compete with other top teams in 2026 and 2027.
Canada
The NSL returned to action after the international break with a Battle of Ontario, where this time, AFC Toronto won 3-0 over Ottawa Rapid. Regan played the full match for Toronto, and Noelle Henning, recent first-time senior team call-up, was a youth designated player on the bench. Desiree Scott played the full match for Ottawa. Montreal also started with a win; Latifah Abdu played the full match for the Roses in a 1-0 victory over Halifax. In the final match of that opening week, Vancouver Rise lost 2-1 to Calgary Wild. For Vancouver, Samantha Chang, Quinn, and Ward all played the full match, with Chang earning an assist.
In week two, Toronto won their next match, a 1-0 victory over Halifax; Regan once again played all ninety minutes. However, they fell 2-1 in their next match to Montreal. Regan and Abdu both played the full match for their respective teams, with Abdu scoring one of Montreal’s goals. Then, Ottawa returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Calgary. Scott played 64 minutes for Ottawa in their win. Lastly, Vancouver won handily over Halifax by a score of 6-0. Once again, the Canadian trio of Chang, Quinn, and Ward played the full ninety. Quinn scored one goal and earned one assist, and Ward scored a brace in addition to her one assist.
The next week, Chang got herself on the score sheet, scoring a brace for Vancouver in their 2-1 win over Toronto. Ward, Chang, and Regan all played ninety minutes for their respective teams, but Quinn was unavailable. Then, Scott played 71 minutes for Ottawa in their 1-0 victory over Halifax. Abdu got on the scoresheet for another week, scoring one goal in 85 minutes for Montreal in their 2-0 win over Calgary.
Finally, in this most recent week of play, Halifax and Montreal played to a 1-1 draw. Abdu once again scored for Montreal, and she played the full match. AFC Toronto won 2-1 against Calgary, thanks to a game-winning goal from Regan, who played the full match.
Lastly, Vancouver and Ottawa played to a thrilling 3-3 draw. For Ottawa, Scott started and played 61 minutes. The Vancouver trio showed up once again for their team: all three played the full match, with Quinn scoring one goal, Chang earning an assist, and Ward scoring one goal and earning an assist.
USA
This past week, the NWSL reconvened after a month off from official league play. To start, Racing Louisville lost 2-0 to Kansas City Current. For Louisville, Janine Sonis played the full match, and for Kansas City, Nichelle Prince entered as a late substitute in the 87th minute. Chicago Stars earned a surprising point against Gotham FC with a 1-1 draw. For Chicago, Julia Grosso played the full match, and earned the assist on Chicago’s goal.
Then, Seattle Reign won their match against Angel City by a score of 2-0. Jordyn Huitema entered in the 64th minute for Seattle, and Megan Reid was an unused substitute for Angel City.
Adriana Leon and Kailen Sheridan both started for San Diego in their scoreless draw with North Carolina. Leon played 57 minutes, and Sheridan earned the clean sheet. New Houston Dash signing Clarissa Larisey was unavailable for her new team yet as they drew 2-2 with Bay FC. Portland Thorns and Washington Spirit played a close match, with Washington scoring a late winner to win 2-1. For Portland, both Alidou and Jessie Fleming started the match; Alidou played the first half, and Fleming played seventy-two minutes, also earning the assist. Gabrielle Carle played 87 minutes for Washington.
In the last match of the weekend, Orlando Pride and Utah Royals played to a 1-1 draw. Chavoshi did not feature for Orlando. For Utah, Bianca St-Georges played seventy-eight minutes, and Cloé Lacasse remained unavailable due to her ACL injury.
POTW: Holly Ward
Goals: 15 (Abdu x 3, Chang x 2, Chavoshi x 1, Quinn x 2, Regan x 2, Ward x 4, Zadorsky x 1)
Assists: 9 (Alidou x 1, Chang x 2, Fleming x 1, Grosso x 1, Levasseur x 1, Quinn x 1, Ward x 2)
Rise Higher 
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