Opening week of Northern Super League gets positive reviews [Video]

Week 1 of the Northern Super League is done, to positive reviews. Now the hard work really begins.

High-profile opening games at Vancouver’s B.C. Place Stadium and Toronto’s BMO Field drew announced crowds of 14,018 and 14,518.

Vancouver Rise FC raised the curtain on the six-team league with a 1-0 win over Calgary Wild FC on Wednesday, thanks to a Quinn penalty. And Montreal Roses FC hung on for a 1-0 victory over AFC Toronto on Saturday after Tanya Boychuk turned a defensive blunder into a ninth-minute winner.

Kevin Blue, CEO and general secretary of Canada Soccer, believes the new league will have a lasting effect.

“I think certainly (it will) solidify and continue to accelerate Canada as a global leader in women’s football,” he told reporters at halftime of the Toronto game.

Blue, who was also at the Vancouver opener, paid tribute to league co-founder Diana Matheson.

“It’s just amazing what Diana has been able to …