Approaching the Scale of Wembley Stadium in Quebec, Nearly Achieved
Stepping onto the Stade Boreal in Laval, Quebec is like stepping into the heart of the story for the Montreal Roses soccer team. The synthetic turf might be the same one the players train on, but this field's history goes back much further than just the Roses.
Before the 5,200-seat stadium stood tall, before the name "Rosé Boreal" was announced, and long before Latifah Abdu scored the first professional women's soccer goal in Quebec, this humble field witnessed numerous chapters unfold in the history of Quebec soccer, much like a small-scale Wembley Stadium for the Beautiful Province.
Megan Sauve, a former player who first set foot on this ground, shares her sentiments, "It's somewhat of an emblematic field in Quebec. The big tournaments often are held here, and it feels great coming back and seeing it in a different light because it's changed so much."
National high-performance center (CNHP) workouts, Quebec team gatherings, and years of the AS Blainville women's team under the coaching of Robert Rositoiu have all taken place on this field. For Rositoiu, the head coach of the Roses, it's as much his home as it is for the players. "Every time I finished an adventure on this field, I had the feeling that it wasn't the last one. If we could play all our matches here, I'd be in!"
The Roses' first experience at a packed Stade Boreal in their inaugural home game was a victory, thanks to the energy of the fans that carried them through the second half to a 2-1 win. "When it starts to vibrate, because [the stands] are close, it's just special," Rositoiu describes it.
The tales and events that have marked the surface of Stade Boreal have left their impact upon the Roses, but they welcome it. "We know where the ball can bounce more on the field, which is a technical advantage," Rositoiu points out.
The Roses also enjoy the convenience of having their team quarters located right next door at the Laval Multi-Sports Complex, ensuring consistency in their training and gameplay. Since they will not be changing surfaces or locations, it eliminates some of the pre-match stress and allows for a more focused performance. As goalkeeper Anna Karpenko puts it, "It's a big advantage, and the stadium is the perfect size. The environment, the crowd, everything was great [during their first match]."
With their home turf backing them, this dynamic team is not content with just playing well. As captain Meagan Sauvar assures, the Roses' ambitions are grander. "In Montreal, we always aim for first place. But we also think long-term. Our goal is to make the playoffs, then go for the championship. It's no use being first in the season if we can't perform afterwards."
With their sights set on higher ground and home field advantage to boot, the Roses prepare to take on the Halifax Tides this Saturday. Despite the team still showing signs of improvement, Rositoiu and Sauve agree - there's so much more potential yet to be reached.
- Robert Rositoiu, the head coach of the Montreal Roses, finds a sense of familiarity with the Stade Boreal, which he considers as much his home as it is for the players.
- For Meagan Sauve, a former player, the Stade Boreal is an emblematic field in Quebec, hosting numerous big tournaments over the years.
- In sports analysis, Robert Rositoiu points out that the uneven bounce of the ball on the Stade Boreal's field provides a technical advantage for the Roses.
- The convenience of having their team quarters located right next door at the Laval Multi-Sports Complex ensures consistency in the Roses' training and gameplay, eliminating some pre-match stress and allowing for focused performances.
- Meagan Sauvar, the captain of the Roses, asserts that the team's ambitions go beyond striving for first place in the season. They aim to make the playoffs and ultimately win the championship, aiming for long-term success in the European and Champions League.
