Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Book Spot in NSL Final After Wild Penalty Shootout Win Over Ottawa
It was a thriller at TD Place on Saturday night, as Vancouver Rise FC edged Ottawa Rapid FC 5–4 on penalties after a 3–3 draw on aggregate to advance to the NSL Final presented by Toyota.
Rise came out swinging. Holly Ward nearly opened the scoring inside ten minutes, cutting in from the left and forcing Ottawa keeper Melissa Dagenais into an early save. Samantha Chang hit the post moments later off a clever corner routine, and Jessica De Filippo’s rebound was smothered by Dagenais. Ward stayed active, creating another chance shortly after, but her low shot skimmed just wide.
At the back, Jasmyne Spencer made a crucial sliding block in the 27th minute, but from the ensuing corner, Ottawa took the lead through D.B. Pridham’s header. Rise pushed for a quick reply — De Filippo and Spencer both had decent looks — but couldn’t find the target. Ward kept pressing with dangerous runs down the left, yet the equalizer didn’t come before halftime.
Down on aggregate, Rise came out determined in the second half. Latifah Abdu almost leveled early after a clever flick from De Filippo, but her shot went straight at Dagenais. Ottawa then struck again in the 51st minute through Melanie Forbes, swinging the tie in their favor. Dagenais stayed busy, denying De Filippo on a deflected shot and later stopping Abdu’s free-kick effort that was ruled offside anyway.
Rise kept pushing and were finally rewarded in the 85th minute. Mariah Lee whipped in a perfect cross from the right, and Ward rose above the defense to head home the crucial equalizer, making it 3–3 on aggregate. She nearly gave Rise the lead again minutes later, but Dagenais was there to stop her once more.
With the score level after 90 minutes, the match headed into extra time. Ward came close again with a curling effort that missed by inches, while Pridham rattled the crossbar for Ottawa. Both sides traded chances — De Filippo was denied by another big Dagenais save — but neither could find the winner.
It all came down to penalties. After Rise missed their opening kick, goalkeeper Morgan McAslan turned hero, making two huge saves to swing momentum back Vancouver’s way. Sofia Hagman then stepped up and buried the decisive spot kick, sealing Rise FC’s dramatic win and sending them to the NSL Final.
Vancouver Rise FC now move on to face their next challenge in the NSL Finals presented by Toyota next Saturday, November 15, in Toronto. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET.
Sports
Toronto Tempo Bringing WNBA Action to Vancouver for Two-Game Series
WNBA basketball is coming to Vancouver this summer as the Toronto Tempo bring two regular-season games to Rogers Arena as part of their inaugural season.
The Tempo will face the Portland Fire on August 21 before taking on the Las Vegas Aces on August 23. The two games will give basketball fans across British Columbia a chance to see Canada’s WNBA team play on the West Coast.
The Vancouver series is part of the Tempo’s push to build a team that represents fans across the country. The franchise has already made its mark in its first season, including a record-setting stop in Montreal.
The Tempo’s regular-season showcase at Montreal’s Bell Centre drew 20,996 fans, setting a new WNBA regular-season attendance record. The Vancouver games continue that effort to bring the team closer to fans outside Toronto.
“From the beginning, our vision has been to build a team that represents all of Canada,” said Teresa Resch, President of the Toronto Tempo. “The support we’ve seen from fans across the country has been incredible, and we’re excited to bring the energy of the WNBA to Vancouver.”
Resch added that the games are a chance to celebrate basketball on the West Coast and connect with communities across the country.
Vancouver has a long history with basketball and has produced elite players at various levels. The Tempo’s visit gives local fans a chance to see professional women’s basketball in their own city, while providing young athletes with another opportunity to see the sport at its highest level.
The Tempo will stay in Vancouver beyond the court. The team will host Tempo Live at Rogers Arena on Saturday, August 22. The free community event will feature interactive basketball activities, clinics, exclusive merchandise and family-friendly programming.
Tickets for the Tempo’s August 21 game against Portland and August 23 matchup with Las Vegas are on sale now through Ticketmaster.
Sports
Toronto Tempo Could Make WNBA Attendance History in Montreal
The Toronto Tempo are on the verge of making WNBA history when they bring their Cross-Canada Series to Montreal next month.
The Tempo will face the Atlanta Dream at the Bell Centre on July 10, with the possibility of setting a new attendance record for a WNBA game. If the game sells out, more than 22,000 fans would fill the arena, surpassing the current WNBA regular-season attendance record of 20,711 set by the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena in 2024.
A packed Bell Centre would also eclipse the WNBA playoff attendance record of 22,076, which was established during Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals between the Detroit Shock and Los Angeles Sparks before being matched in Game 5 of the 2007 WNBA Finals between the Phoenix Mercury and Detroit Shock. It would mark the largest crowd ever for a professional women’s basketball regular-season game, breaking the previous record of 21,490 set during an Unrivaled game in Philadelphia earlier this year.
The potential milestone comes during the Tempo‘s inaugural WNBA season and would add another chapter to the continued growth of women’s basketball in Canada.
“Playing two games in Montreal this summer is a huge moment for the Tempo and for basketball in Canada,” said Tempo President Teresa Resch. “From the beginning, we’ve said we want to be Canada’s team, and bringing the WNBA to Montreal is an important part of that vision. There is such a strong and passionate basketball community in Quebec, and we’re excited to connect with fans there in a meaningful way. We can’t wait to experience the energy inside the Bell Centre and continue growing the game across the country together.”
The Cross-Canada Series will offer more than basketball. Throughout the weekend, the Tempo will host community events, youth programs and fan experiences aimed at growing the sport across Quebec.
The team is partnering with Ball Her Way and the Mathurin Family Foundation to increase access to basketball for young athletes, including a girls’ 3-on-3 tournament presented by Canadian Tire featuring teams from Montreal and Quebec City. The Tempo say more community investments and programming in the Montreal area will be announced in the coming months.
Fans can take part in Tempo Live at the Bell Centre on July 11. The free event will include interactive basketball activities, community clinics, exclusive merchandise and family-friendly entertainment.
The weekend concludes on July 12, when the Tempo host the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty at the Bell Centre at 3 p.m. ET as part of the Cross-Canada Series.
Tickets for both Montreal games are available through Ticketmaster.