AFC Toronto needed a few days to recover after their tough 2-1 loss to Vancouver Rise in the Northern Super League final last month. "We had a couple of days drinking," joked head coach Marko Milanovic, his sense of humor still intact despite the championship disappointment.
Now, the team is ready for a new challenge. They're heading to Florida for the first North American edition of the World Sevens Football tournament, with an impressive $5 million prize pool up for grabs.
AFC Toronto earned their spot as the NSL regular-season leaders. They'll compete against heavyweight clubs including Mexico's Club America and Tigres Femenil, NWSL's Kansas City Current and San Diego Wave, plus top South American sides Flamengo, Deportivo Cali, and Nacional.
Seven-a-Side Format Brings New Challenges
The tournament features 30-minute games on smaller pitches with unique rules. There are no offsides and unlimited rolling substitutions, making for fast-paced action.
"It basically looks like an indoor soccer game, played outside," explained Milanovic, who was named NSL Coach of the Year. "The biggest adjustment is no offsides, because our backline is used to having that protection."
While defenders might struggle with the rule change, it's a dream for forwards. Nigerian international Esther Okoronkwo, fresh from winning the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, is expected to thrive in this format.
The tournament runs Friday through Sunday at Beyond Bancard Field in Davie, Florida. AFC Toronto starts Group 1 play against Tigres before facing Flamengo and Kansas City. Only the top two teams from each group will advance to Sunday's semifinals.
Moving Past the NSL Final Disappointment
Toronto dominated the NSL regular season with a 16-6-3 record. They dispatched Montreal Roses 6-1 on aggregate in the semifinals, but fell short in the final despite outshooting Vancouver 16-8.
"The first week after was rough," admitted Milanovic. "I still overhear conversations about a missed call or a missed chance from the final. But we're over it now."
He takes pride in how his team performed, even in defeat. "I would have taken it much worse if we weren't prepared or if we played poorly. We just didn't score on the day, and that happens sometimes."
For bettors watching this tournament, AFC Toronto's offensive firepower makes them an intriguing option. Their attacking style could flourish in the no-offside format, potentially making their games high-scoring affairs.
The tournament requires clubs to share prize money with players and staff, adding extra motivation for everyone involved. With Bayern Munich winning the inaugural tournament in Portugal earlier this year, AFC Toronto will be eager to bring the North American edition's trophy back to Canada.
