The newest franchise in the Northern Super League is aiming to be a thorn in the side of their opponents when the league kicks off in 2025.
Montréal’s entry in Canada’s new professional women’s soccer league unveiled their name and crest during an event on Tuesday, October 8. They’ll be known as the Roses de Montréal.
The name is inspired by the roses found both in the Montréal city logo and in the city’s coat of arms. But instead of red, the rose in the club’s crest is a mythical blue rose that “evokes making the impossible possible and making your wildest dreams come true,” according to the team’s press release. “It recalls the city’s creative spirit and echoes the colour of the fleurdelisé. Here it is in full flower, stylishly asserting itself, even daring to break through the shield, demonstrating a fighting spirit and the ability to remain solid and unshakeable on the pitch.”
The blue rose appears overtop of a black shield with a thin gold outline. “ROSES” is spelled out in a gothic font at the top of the shield, with “MTL” underneath on the left side and “FC” on the right side.
“The typography, an assertive font is reminiscent of roses’ thorny stems and the letters in the iconic Montreal Farine Five Roses sign. It adds presence and power to the club and its voice,” the club says.
Aside from blue, black and gold in the crest, the Roses’ color scheme also includes red and white. The red and blue together are meant to “symbolize our diverse cultural heritage shared by Quebec and Canada,” the club says. “They are deeply rooted in the history of our sports teams, and appeal to our sense of belonging. Their unique, vibrant shades convey the city’s effervescence, its culture, its cultural diversity and its passion for sport. They evoke both the warmth of its population and the cold of its winters.”
“We began this process almost a year ago with our creative agencies Cossette and GRDN, and a clear vision: to become a club for all Montrealers. Over the past year, people from a wide variety backgrounds, not just soccer fans, were interviewed to ensure an inclusive, informed perspective.”
— Isabèle Chevalier and Jean-François Crevier, co-founders and investors, Roses de Montréal
The NSL is expected to kick off its inaugural season in April 2025 with six clubs. Along with Montréal, other teams include: