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

Vancouver Rise FC came up just short on a cloudy Saturday afternoon at Swangard Stadium, falling 1-0 to Halifax Tides FC after an own goal proved to be the difference. The match was played under overcast skies with a bit of rain coming and going throughout the afternoon.

Before kickoff, Rise FC took a moment to celebrate inaugural NSL champion Mariah Lee, who played her final game with the club. Lee announced earlier this week that she is retiring from soccer and will be attending NYU School of Law to pursue a career in law.

Once the match got underway, Halifax came out with early pressure and forced Rise FC into some defending. Goalkeeper Morgan McAslan was ready for the challenge, making several smart saves in the opening minutes to keep the game scoreless.

Rise FC began to settle into the match after the first 10 minutes. Anaïs Oularbi sent a dangerous free-kick cross into the box, with Jessica De Filippo nearly getting a touch on it before an outstretched heel from Tides FC goalkeeper Anika Toth kept the ball out.

Five minutes later, Tori Tumeth came close from a corner-kick routine. Quinn curled a cross toward the back post for the defender, but Tumeth’s header came from a tight angle and went straight into the hands of Toth.

Camila Reyes had two chances of her own. Her first came from a free kick just outside the box, with her shot taking a deflection off the wall and going behind for a corner. Around the 25th minute, a loose ball fell to Reyes at the edge of the area, but her left-footed half-volley sailed over the crossbar.

The two sides continued to trade attacks as the first half progressed, with neither defence giving the other much room to work.

Rise FC nearly forced the game’s opening goal late in the half. A slick team move found Jaime Perrault on the right side of the box, where the winger beat her marker before driving a cross into the penalty area. A Tides FC defender got a touch to the ball and sent it just over the crossbar.

The first half ended scoreless, with both sides still searching for a breakthrough.

Rise FC came out with purpose after the break. De Filippo nearly redirected a cross from Anna Bout, but her header skimmed just past the near post.

The game’s only goal came soon after, though it was an unfortunate one for Rise FC. A Tides FC corner was whipped into the box and De Filippo got the final touch, inadvertently redirecting the ball into her own net to give Halifax a 1-0 lead.

Rise FC responded by pushing players forward in search of an equalizer. Substitute Racquel Partovi nearly found it in the 80th minute, cutting inside from the left before curling a shot toward the top corner. Toth came up with a big save to keep Halifax in front.

Partovi came close again in the dying minutes, sending a diving effort agonizingly wide of the post. De Filippo then had another opportunity, heading a ball into the side netting as Rise FC continued to press.

The late chances weren’t enough, though, as Halifax held on for all three points. Rise FC had several opportunities to get back into the match but couldn’t find the finishing touch they needed.

Vancouver will have little time to dwell on the result, with Montreal Roses FC coming to Swangard Stadium on Wednesday, July 29. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT. Tickets are available here.

Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

NSL VANCOUVER RISE FC V HALIFAX TIDES FC

All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer