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NSL Vancouver Rise FC Fall 3-1 to Ottawa Rapid FC Despite Strong Start at Swangard Stadium
Vancouver Rise FC controlled long stretches of play on a hot Sunday afternoon at Swangard Stadium, but Ottawa Rapid FC capitalized on their chances to claim a 3-1 victory.
The home side came out flying and nearly opened the scoring inside two minutes. Jessica De Filippo drove into the penalty area and forced a deflection behind for a corner before creating two more dangerous opportunities in the opening 10 minutes. One effort sailed just over the crossbar after a clever pass from Anaïs Oularbi, while another chance narrowly missed after a low cross from Anna Bout flashed across the face of goal.
De Filippo continued to be Vancouver‘s biggest threat throughout the first half. In the 16th minute, she slipped past two defenders for a one-on-one opportunity, but Ottawa goalkeeper Melissa Dagenais anticipated the attempted chip and made the save.
Vancouver maintained the pressure, with Latifah Abdu nearly breaking the deadlock midway through the half after a loose ball fell kindly inside the box. Her volley, though, drifted just over the bar.
Despite spending much of the opening half defending, Ottawa struck first against the run of play in the 28th minute. Min-A Lee found space outside the area and beat goalkeeper Jessica Wulf with a long-range effort to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Rise FC continued pushing for an equalizer. Abdu came close again in the 40th minute after Camila Reyes played her through on goal, but Dagenais was equal to the shot.
The breakthrough finally came just before halftime. After Vancouver won possession inside Ottawa‘s penalty area, De Filippo reacted quickest to a loose ball and curled a composed finish into the top corner in the 43rd minute, sending the teams into the break level at 1-1.
Vancouver carried that momentum into the second half, controlling possession early after the restart. Ottawa, however, struck again on the counterattack just five minutes into the half. Johanne Fridlund released D.B. Pridham behind the defence, and the striker calmly finished to restore the visitors’ advantage.
Wulf kept Vancouver within striking distance with an excellent save from distance near the hour mark, and substitute Jaime Perrault provided an immediate spark after entering the match. The midfielder won possession high up the pitch and delivered several dangerous crosses as Rise FC searched for another equalizer.
The turning point came in the 72nd minute when Kennedy Faulknor was ruled to have fouled Pridham inside the penalty area. The defender was shown a red card, leaving Vancouver down to 10 players, and Pridham converted the resulting penalty to extend Ottawa‘s lead to 3-1.
Rise FC refused to give up. Maithé López nearly set up Abdu for a quick response, and Vancouver continued pressing late in the match, with Abdu, López and Perrault all forcing Ottawa‘s defence into key blocks. The visitors held firm through the closing stages to secure all three points.
The loss leaves Rise FC looking to bounce back on Thursday, June 18, when they travel to face Halifax Tides FC. Vancouver returns to Swangard Stadium on Sunday, June 28, for a home matchup against AFC Toronto.
Check out our favourite photos of the game below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
VANCOUVER RISE FC v OTTAWA RAPID FC
All Photo Credit: Aly Mae
Sport Photos
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
Sport Photos
FWC26 The Voyageurs Lead a Sea of Red to BC Place Before Canada vs. Switzerland
On June 24, Vancouver streets were filled with red and white as Canadian soccer supporters gathered for one of the biggest matches in the country’s history. Hours before Canada‘s FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage meeting with Switzerland at BC Place, fans joined The Voyageurs for their traditional march to the stadium.
The procession began near Main Street, where supporters carrying Canadian flags, banners, and scarves quickly transformed the neighbourhood into a sea of red. Chants echoed through the streets as drums kept the rhythm, drawing cheers from passersby and creating an incredible atmosphere.
The Voyageurs have long been the heartbeat of Canadian soccer support, following both the men’s and women’s national teams across the country and around the world. Their organized marches have become a matchday tradition, bringing together longtime supporters and families attending their first international match.
One of the most touching moments of the march was the tribute to Canadian midfielder Ismaël Koné. Many supporters carried signs featuring the number 8, while others held them high as the procession made its way toward BC Place. The gesture came after Koné suffered a broken leg during Canada’s previous match against Qatar, an injury that ended his World Cup campaign.
With Vancouver serving as one of the host cities for FIFA World Cup 2026, moments like these have become just as memorable as the action inside BC Place. The march showcased the passion surrounding Canadian soccer and highlighted the growing connection between the national team and its supporters.
By the time fans reached BC Place, the energy was impossible to ignore. The sea of red carried its optimism into the stadium, creating a memorable atmosphere before kickoff. Canada ultimately came up just short, falling 2-1 to Switzerland, but the support on display throughout the march showed the growing passion behind the national team. Win or lose, the gathering was another reminder that Canadian soccer culture continues to grow with every match.
Check out our favourite photos of the march below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
CANADA v SWITZERLAND PRE-MATCH MARCH
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer