Calgary Wild FC enters the 2026 Northern Super League season with a renewed sense of purpose and a catchy mantra: 'Flip the table.' After missing the playoffs in their inaugural campaign last year, the city's first professional women's soccer team is determined to turn things around.
Building on Continuity
Interim head coach Sinead McSharry emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity from Season 1. 'We’ve been using the phrase, “Flip the table,”' she said ahead of Saturday's season opener against Montreal Roses FC at McMahon Stadium. 'We want to be in the playoffs. We want to be in the final. We want to make a dent. I think we want to be the actual “Wild” card.'
The team returns 18 players from last year's roster, including top goal-scorers Meggie Dougherty Howard (6 goals), Kahli Johnson (4), and Meikayla Moore (3). Local stars Grace Stordy, Talia White, Caleigh Boeckx, Keelyn Stewart, Andersen Williams, Taegen Stewart, and goalkeeper Sarah Keilty-Dilling are also back.
Chemistry and Confidence
Captain Meggie Dougherty Howard highlighted the value of team chemistry. 'We have a strong group of returners. For the most part, it is relatively the same team from last year, so we already have relationships that we’ve started building last year, and those have only gotten stronger throughout pre-season,' she said. 'Having that chemistry on the field already versus last year, when we were building from scratch, is very helpful for Year 2.'
The team also benefited from a pre-season tour overseas, which helped fuel their competitive fire. 'I have a chip on my shoulder,' Howard added. 'Not making the playoffs was very disappointing. So coming into Year 2, I feel like we have a statement to make.'
New Leadership
McSharry, previously an assistant, stepped into the head coach role after original coach Lydia Bedford accepted a position leading England's under-23 women's team. Despite the change, McSharry is focused on fostering individuality within the team. 'We’ve tried to really encourage individuality in a team sport, which is just creating a sense of freedom,' she said.
The Wild ended the 2025 season with nine wins and two draws in 25 games, falling short of playoff qualification. With a strong core and a unified mindset, they aim to improve in all areas: scoring more goals, earning more points, and attracting more fans. The season opener against Montreal Roses FC kicks off Saturday at 5 p.m. at McMahon Stadium, broadcast on TSN2.
