Sport Photos
NSL Vancouver Rise FC Hold Off AFC Toronto for Second Straight Win at Swangard Stadium
In front of a lively crowd at Swangard Stadium, Vancouver Rise FC continued their strong run of form on Saturday with a 2-1 win over AFC Toronto.
The victory marked back-to-back wins for Vancouver, who looked sharp from the opening whistle and controlled long stretches of the match with confident passing and quick movement through midfield.
Rise FC wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. In the 11th minute, Tori Tumeth pushed a ball forward down the right side that Toronto failed to properly clear. The loose ball fell kindly to Latifah Abdu near the edge of the box, and the forward made no mistake, blasting her finish into the roof of the net to give Vancouver an early 1-0 lead.
The home side kept pressing. Mia Pante nearly helped double the advantage after a strong run down the left flank saw her beat a defender before cutting a pass back into the middle for Jessica De Filippo, though the chance slipped away when the delivery arrived just behind the striker.
Vancouver’s attacking pressure eventually paid off again midway through the first half. A slick passing sequence between Camila Reyes and De Filippo opened space for Abdu inside the penalty area, where she was brought down for a spot kick. Captain Quinn stepped up in the 33rd minute and calmly buried the penalty, sending Toronto goalkeeper Danielle Krzyzaniak the wrong direction to make it 2-0.
Abdu nearly added another moments later after chasing down a lofted ball into the box, but her chipped effort drifted over the crossbar.
Toronto came out with more urgency after halftime and nearly cut into the deficit early in the second half. Kaylee Hunter forced Jessica Wulf into a strong save before Victoria Pickett struck the post on the rebound, allowing Vancouver to escape the sequence still holding a two-goal cushion.
Rise FC responded by settling back into possession and continuing to dictate play. De Filippo came close to extending the lead after Abdu slipped her through on goal, but the forward’s tight-angle shot missed the target after rounding the goalkeeper.
As the match entered its closing stages, Toronto pushed hard for a comeback. Vancouver’s defence stood firm through a series of late chances, throwing bodies in front of shots and protecting the box during a frantic final stretch.
Toronto eventually found a late consolation goal in stoppage time through Cloey Uddenberg, but the comeback attempt arrived too late as Rise FC closed out the 2-1 result.
Despite Toronto finishing with more shots overall, Vancouver controlled possession for much of the afternoon and looked composed through most phases of the match.
Rise FC return to action on May 30 when they travel to Montreal to face Roses FC. The club returns home to Swangard Stadium on June 14 for a matchup against Ottawa Rapid 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 AFC TORONTO
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
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