Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Sign Canadian International Latifah Abdu
Vancouver Rise FC announced on Saturday that the club has reached a transfer agreement with Montréal Roses FC for Canadian forward Latifah Abdu.
“We’re excited to welcome Latifah to the club,” said Interim Sporting Director Robyn Gale. “She brings quality and a fierce competitive edge, and she has already shown in this league the type of impact she can make. Her presence will strengthen our group while adding another dangerous element to our attack.”
Abdu, 23, joins from fellow Northern Super League side Montréal Roses FC after registering 1312 minutes in 16 matches for the Québec side, where she scored six goals and registered one assist. Her six goals place her third highest scorer in the NSL, emphasizing her clinical nature in front of goal.
“I’m proud to be joining Vancouver Rise FC” said Abdu on her signing. “I want to thank all those that made this happen, and I’m grateful to stay in the NSL. I am looking forward to participating in this new project and growing with my new teammates.”
Before joining Roses FC, Abdu played in France for three years. She began with FC Metz (D2) in 2022, scoring four goals in 10 matches. A transfer to RC Strasbourg (D2) followed, where she scored 12 goals in 18 matches during the 2022/23 season. This led to a move to D1 side Dijon FCO for the 2023/24 season. She then started the 2024/25 season with EA Guingamp (D1), before returning to Montréal in January.
“We are very excited about the signing of Latifah [Abdu],” said Rise FC Head Coach Anja Heiner-Møller. “She is an excellent forward that has shown her qualities already in the Northern Super League and we are looking forward to adding her to the club”.
In her youth, Abdu was a standout in the Première ligue de soccer du Québec (PLSQ). She scored 10 goals over two seasons with Lac Saint-Louis and CS Monteuil before a brief stint with France’s ASJ Soyaux. Upon returning to play for CS Mont-Royal Outremont, she won the 2021 PLSQ Golden Boot and the Ballon de Bronze award as the league’s third-best player, which led to her return to Europe.
As part of the agreement and out of respect for her former team, Abdu will be ineligible for selection in 2025 regular season matches against Roses FC.
Latifah Abdu
Pronunciation: La-TEE-fah Ab-DOO
Position: Forward
Height: 5-07
Date of Birth: October 18, 2001 in Montréal, Québec, Canada
Hometown: Montréal, Québec, Canada
Citizenship: Canada
Status: Domestic
Previous Clubs: Montréal Roses FC (Canada), EA Guingamp (France), FCO Dijon (France), RC Strasbourg (France), FC Metz (France), CS Mont-Royal Outremont (Canada), ASJ Soyaux (France)
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Reveal 2026 “After Dark” Home Kit
Vancouver Rise FC has revealed its new “After Dark” home kit for the 2026 Northern Super League season, pulling inspiration straight from the natural setting that surrounds its home at Swangard Stadium.
The design pays tribute to Central Park in Burnaby, with visuals that reflect the quiet, layered beauty of the park at night. Tree silhouettes stretch across the kit, creating a sense of depth and movement—meant to mirror the experience of looking up through the canopy after dark.
The club says the concept ties closely to its motto, “Stronger by Nature,” grounding the team’s identity in the environment that surrounds it. The design blends all crest colours with added tones that bring warmth and balance, giving the kit a look that feels both rooted and refined. Paired with classic shorts and socks, it leans into tradition while still telling a clear local story.
A key detail returns on both the After Dark kit and the club’s secondary “Sunshine Kit” for 2026. A Gold Pointed Star sits on the left sleeve, marking Vancouver Rise FC as the inaugural champions of the Northern Super League. The patch represents the league’s top honour and signals the club’s early place in its history.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley praised the design and its connection to the community, pointing to the pride residents have in their parks and green spaces. He added that seeing Central Park reflected in the team’s identity makes the return to Swangard Stadium for the new season feel even more meaningful.
The After Dark kit leans heavily into place and atmosphere. It’s less about flash and more about identity—something that feels tied to where the team plays and who shows up for them.
Pre-orders for both the After Dark and Sunshine kits are now available through the club’s official store, with options for delivery or in-stadium pickup.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Transfer Holly Ward to NWSL Side Seattle Reign FC
Vancouver Rise FC has made a major statement about its player development pathway. The club announced Friday that winger Holly Ward has been transferred to Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League for an undisclosed fee.
The move marks the first time a Rise FC Academy graduate has been transferred out of the club, setting a new benchmark for the organization and the broader Northern Super League.
Sporting director Stephanie Labbé called the transfer a defining moment. She pointed to Ward’s rise through the system as proof that the league is doing what it set out to do—create real opportunities for Canadian players.
Ward’s journey with the club began in 2018 when she joined the Rise FC Academy, then known as the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy. Seven years later, she returned home to sign her first professional deal ahead of the 2025 season.
The 22-year-old from North Vancouver wasted no time making an impact. She started 27 of 28 matches in her rookie campaign, scoring eight goals and adding five assists. Her biggest moment came in the league’s inaugural final, where she scored the winner in a 2–1 victory over AFC Toronto to secure the Diana B. Matheson Cup.
Speaking about the move, Ward described her time in Vancouver as a dream realized. Playing professionally in her hometown and helping deliver a championship made the experience hard to leave behind, though she expressed excitement about the next step in her career.
Her breakout season didn’t go unnoticed at the international level. Ward earned her first senior call-up to the Canadian women’s national team and made history on June 3 by becoming the first NSL player to score for Canada in a match against Haiti.
Head coach Anja Heiner-Møller praised Ward’s growth and character, highlighting her attacking ability, work ethic, and presence in the locker room. She noted that Ward’s development—from academy prospect to national team contributor—reflects the strength of the club’s environment.
The transfer is a significant step for Rise FC as it begins to participate in the global player market, something the club sees as key to long-term growth. It also reinforces the idea that young Canadian players can develop at home and still reach top leagues abroad.
Rise FC now turns its focus to the upcoming season. The club will open its 2026 campaign with a championship rematch against AFC Toronto on April 24 at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. PT.
Fans can purchase single-match tickets or explore package options, including season memberships that cover all 13 home games and flexible ticket bundles built around the home opener.