'A perfect fit': Roses FC unveiled as name of Montreal's Northern Super League franchise

Montreal's Northern Super League team has officially been named Roses FC, a decision that came after months of careful consideration, says team president Annie Larouche.

"We began this process last November," Larouche explained. "It wasn't just a quick decision made by a few of us at a table. We worked hard to find a name that works in both French and English."

The women's professional soccer team unveiled its name and logo on Tuesday night at an event in Montreal's Old Port, where the club's blue, red, and gold colors were projected throughout the venue. Among the notable attendees were hockey star Marie-Philip Poulin, Super Bowl champion Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, CF Montreal captain Samuel Piette, and league co-founder Diana Matheson.

The team’s crest features a blue rose, with the words "ROSES," "MTL," and "FC" in gold lettering above it. The font is inspired by Montreal’s iconic "Farine Five Roses" sign near the Lachine Canal.

Larouche shared that the name selection process involved collaboration with two committees: one focusing on branding and the other seeking input from a diverse group of people. "When the agencies suggested this name, it just felt right," she said. "It's bilingual, feminine, yet strong. It represents roots and thorns, aligning perfectly with what we wanted to build."

In English, the team will also be called the "Montreal Roses," while in French it will go by "Les Roses de Montreal."

Team founders Isabele Chevalier and Jean-Francois Crevier revealed that they considered at least 40 names before narrowing it down to one. "We probably funneled it to five, then finalized the choice," Crevier said. Chevalier added, "Even then, we went back and forth with another iteration."

Roses FC was the last of the league’s founding franchises to reveal its identity, joining teams like Vancouver Rise FC, Ottawa Rapid FC, Halifax Tides FC, Calgary Wild FC, and AFC Toronto.

While the team has not yet disclosed where they will play when the NSL kicks off its 25-game inaugural season in April, Larouche mentioned that an announcement is expected by the end of the year. The team is considering various venues across Montreal and may take inspiration from the city's Professional Women’s Hockey League, which utilized multiple arenas during its first season.

"We might do something similar for our first year, or maybe even longer," Larouche said, noting that they want to find a venue that fits. "You don’t want a huge stadium that's empty."

On the field, French soccer legend Marinette Pichon, who scored 81 goals in 112 international games, has been appointed as sporting director, and the club recently hired Robert Rositoiu as head coach.

Next on the agenda is player recruitment, and Pichon shared that announcements are imminent. "To be honest, we’re in a very good place," she said. "We’ve already secured some players, and we're in the final stages of contract signings."

Pichon emphasized the importance of giving local talent opportunities, saying, "We’ve focused heavily on Quebec and Canada because we want these girls to progress without needing to go abroad to Europe or the U.S."

Each NSL team will have a $1.5 million salary cap for rosters of 20 to 25 players, with a minimum salary of $50,000. Teams can also have up to seven international players and one marquee player whose salary will count as only $75,000 against the cap.

By comparison, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the U.S. raised its salary cap from $1.375 million to $2.75 million for 2024.

While Pichon remains optimistic about recruiting Canadian Olympians like Evelyne Viens (currently with AS Roma) or Gabrielle Carle (Washington Spirit), she acknowledges it might take time. "Players like Evelyne or [centre back] Vanessa Gilles are currently in top leagues, but in a few years, I’m sure they’ll want to bring their experience and expertise here to help elevate the league."

Still, Pichon and Larouche are staying in touch with these stars and hope to bring them on board in the future. "They're closely watching what's happening in Canada and want to be part of it," Pichon said.