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NSL AFC Toronto Defeats Vancouver Rise FC 3-1 at Swangard Stadium
Lauren Rowe continued her impressive scoring run on Sunday, leading AFC Toronto to a 3-1 victory over Vancouver Rise FC at Swangard Stadium. The forward found the back of the net for the fourth consecutive match as Toronto improved to 3-3-2 on the season and climbed into fourth place in the Northern Super League standings with 12 points.
The result gives AFC Toronto the edge in the season series between the two clubs after each side had won one of their previous meetings.
Vancouver came out with plenty of energy and looked like the stronger side during the opening stages. The Rise nearly opened the scoring just four minutes into the match when Abdu broke in alone on goalkeeper Sofia Manner, but Manner came up with the save before the rebound drifted wide. The home side continued to control possession and create chances, forcing Toronto into several mistakes while pressing high up the pitch.
Midfielder Sura Yekka was influential throughout the opening half, helping Vancouver recover possession and move the ball forward as the Rise dictated much of the early play.
Despite Vancouver’s strong start, Toronto made the breakthrough in the 34th minute. After Rowe had an earlier goal ruled out for offside, her shot took a deflection off Vancouver defender Jessika Cowart and found its way into the net. The goal was officially recorded as an own goal, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
The Rise answered just three minutes later through a moment of individual brilliance. Anaïs Oularbi curled a direct free kick into the net in the 37th minute for Vancouver’s first goal scored directly from a free kick this season, sending the teams into halftime tied 1-1.
The second half was more evenly contested, but Toronto proved far more clinical when opportunities presented themselves.
In the 62nd minute, Manner launched a long ball from her own end that found Rowe behind the Vancouver defence. The forward finished confidently to restore Toronto‘s lead and extend her scoring streak to four straight matches.
Toronto goalkeeper Sofia Manner played a major role beyond her work between the posts. Her distribution repeatedly turned defensive situations into dangerous counterattacks, and she was credited with assists on both Toronto goals in the second half after sending long, accurate balls over Vancouver‘s midfield.
Vancouver‘s comeback hopes took another hit late in the match when Cowart was forced off with an apparent shoulder injury in the 87th minute. Having already used all of their substitutions, the Rise finished the match with just 10 players.
Toronto sealed the result in stoppage time as Kaylee Hunter drove through the Vancouver defence, beating two defenders before calmly finishing past the goalkeeper for her second goal of the season to make it 3-1.
Although Vancouver controlled large stretches of possession and generated several quality chances, the Rise were unable to convert their opportunities consistently. Toronto, meanwhile, made the most of its transition game, with Rowe continuing her outstanding run of form and Manner’s long-range distribution proving to be one of the biggest differences on the day.
The victory extends AFC Toronto‘s unbeaten streak to four matches, while Vancouver Rise FC will look to regroup after another performance where strong spells of play failed to translate into points.
Check out our favourite photos of the match below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
VANCOUVER RISE FC v AFC TORONTO
All Photo Credit: Aly Mae
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NSL Vancouver Rise FC Stun Halifax Tides FC With Last-Minute Winner
Drama took over Swangard Stadium on Saturday night as Vancouver Rise FC rallied from a 1-0 deficit to beat Halifax Tides FC 2-1, with Jessica De Filippo scoring the winner deep into stoppage time.
Rise nearly opened the scoring inside the first two minutes. De Filippo found herself at the edge of the six-yard box, but her first-time effort sailed over the bar.
Vancouver continued to create chances. Ten minutes later, Anna Bout slipped Anaïs Oularbi through on the left, with Oularbi cutting the ball back for De Filippo. Her sliding attempt just missed the pass.
Halifax had a chance of its own moments later, but Rise goalkeeper Morgan McAslan came up with one of the saves of the night. She stopped Julia Benati’s point-blank effort before quickly smothering the rebound.
The Tides eventually broke through in the 18th minute. Benati sent Rhodes in behind the Vancouver defence, and Rhodes finished past McAslan to give Halifax the lead.
Rise pushed for an equalizer before halftime. Bout tried her luck from distance in the 30th minute, but her shot skipped wide of the far post.
Vancouver‘s pressure picked up as the half progressed, with crosses repeatedly sent into the Halifax box. Just before halftime, Myla Ewasiuk met an Oularbi free kick with a header, but Tides goalkeeper Anika Tóth was ready for it.
Rise came out of the break with renewed pressure, bringing Latifah Abdu into the match to add another attacking option. Her impact was almost immediate.
Camila Reyes found Abdu behind the Halifax defence, sending the forward in alone against Tóth. Abdu slipped as she took her shot, though, leaving Tóth with an easy clearance.
The equalizer finally arrived in the 56th minute. Bout delivered a cross into the box, and De Filippo rose to meet it, powering her header past Tóth to make it 1-1.
Vancouver kept coming in search of the winner.
Josie Longhurst nearly put Rise ahead in the 74th minute when she popped the ball up just outside the box and launched an ambitious volley. She got plenty of power behind it, but the effort went just wide.
Abdu came even closer seven minutes later. After turning two defenders, she unleashed a volley that forced Tóth into a fingertip save.
De Filippo then came within inches of a second goal when her header was deflected onto the post and out.
With the match moving into stoppage time, the pressure from Rise finally paid off.
Abdu found space on the left and floated a cross toward the penalty spot. De Filippo brought the ball under control before firing it into the net, sending Swangard Stadium into a frenzy and completing the comeback.
The win gives Rise another dramatic result at home as the club continues its push through the season.
Vancouver Rise FC will return to action on Saturday, August 22, against Ottawa Rapid FC in Ontario. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. PT. The team then returns to Swangard Stadium on Saturday, August 29, to host Calgary Wild FC at 3 p.m. PT.
Tickets are available through Vancouver Rise FC.
Check out our favourite photos of the match below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
NSL VANCOUVER RISE FC v HALIFAX TIDES FC
All Photo Credit: Jason Martin
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NSL Vancouver Rise FC Suffer Late 3-2 Loss to Calgary Wild FC in Pride Game
Vancouver Rise FC suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Calgary Wild FC on Saturday afternoon at Swangard Stadium, surrendering two goals in added time after taking a 2-1 lead late in the second half.
The match was the Rise’s Pride Game, giving the club a chance to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community alongside the action on the pitch.
The opening half was a tight affair, with both teams spending much of the first 45 minutes battling for control in midfield.
Maithe Lopez created the first real opportunity for Vancouver, firing a left-footed shot that Calgary goalkeeper Katelin Talbert was able to handle. Anna Bout and Lopez continued to threaten from the wings, forcing Talbert into several punches as Vancouver sent crosses into the Wild box.
The game opened up just before halftime. Vancouver goalkeeper Morgan McAslan held onto a long-range effort from Taegan Stewart before Talbert responded at the other end, making a kick save on a hard shot from Lopez near the edge of the box.
Latifah Abdu had Vancouver’s best chance of the half in stoppage time. After chesting down a lobbed pass from Yuka Okamoto, Abdu fired a low shot that narrowly missed the far post.
The teams went into halftime tied 0-0.
Calgary needed less than three minutes after the restart to break the deadlock. The Wild were awarded a penalty, with Stewart stepping up and calmly converting to give Calgary a 1-0 lead.
Vancouver nearly answered immediately. Two minutes later, Abdu got onto the ball inside the box and went for goal, but her effort was blocked wide.
McAslan then kept the Rise within striking distance in the 53rd minute. Jorian Baucom managed to slip behind the Vancouver defence and fired towards goal, only for McAslan to react quickly and make the save.
That stop proved to be a turning point. Just two minutes later, Vancouver found its equalizer. Bout played the ball down the left for Abdu, who drove forward before spotting Jessica De Filippo making a late run into the box. Abdu cut the ball back, and De Filippo took a touch before driving a low shot past Talbert to make it 1-1.
The momentum had swung firmly toward Vancouver, and the Rise struck again soon after.
Camila Reyes collected a loose ball and sent a cross deep into the Calgary box. De Filippo was once again in the right place, redirecting the ball past Talbert to give Vancouver a 2-1 advantage.
With the lead in hand, the Rise made changes in an effort to manage the final stages and hold onto all three points.
The match took another dramatic turn when Calgary appeared to have a chance to get behind the Vancouver defence. Tori Tumeth made a last-ditch tackle to stop the attack, but the defender was shown a red card after the challenge was judged to have denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Down to 10 players, Vancouver had to defend its lead with the game entering its final stages.
The Rise looked set to see out the match, but Calgary produced a stunning late comeback. The Wild scored twice in added time, turning a 2-1 Vancouver lead into a 3-2 defeat and leaving the home side empty-handed after a match that had appeared to be slipping in their favour.
The loss was a particularly frustrating one for Vancouver after the Rise had fought back from a halftime deficit and taken control of the match in the second half.
Vancouver Rise FC will look to bounce back on Saturday, August 15, when Halifax Tides FC visit Swangard Stadium for a crucial matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT. Buy ticket here.
Check out our favourite photos of the game below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
VANCOUVER RISE FC vs CALGARY WILD FC
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer