Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Sign Canadian National Team Star Quinn
Vancouver Rise FC announced on Thursday that the club has signed Canadian national team midfielder Quinn ahead of the inaugural season in the Northern Super League (NSL).
“I’m so excited to come home and play professional soccer in Canada,” said Quinn. “With Vancouver Rise FC, we hope to inspire a new generation of talented young athletes in Canada and beyond.”
Quinn – Vancouver Rise FC midfielder:
- More than 200 appearances for club and country
- Olympic gold medalist with Canada at Tokyo 2020, and bronze medalist at Rio 2016
For more information, follow @VancouverRiseFC on social media and visit vanrisefc.com. - Six seasons with Seattle Reign FC, winning the NWSL Shield in 2022
- Highest drafted Canadian in NWSL history, going third overall to Washington Spirit in 2018
Quinn joins as one of Canada’s most accomplished players, making more than 100 appearances for the country and helping the Red & White win their first gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, as well as a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics. In 2018, Quinn was named to the Concacaf Best XI.
“Quinn is a trailblazer, someone who has forged their own path, and created history along the way,” added Stephanie Labbé, sporting director of Vancouver Rise FC. “Having Quinn be a part of Vancouver Rise FC is a game changing moment, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have someone of their quality on the pitch. With two World Cups, three Olympic games, and two Olympic medals to their name, they will elevate the level of our team, and continue to be a role model for so many young athletes in our country. Quinn is bold, and real, and everyone who crosses paths with them understands the power of being authentically you, and how that can elevate yourself and everyone around you. I am so proud that our supporters get the chance to cheer for someone of their quality, and I know Quinn will be a force to be reckoned with in our league.”
Most recently, Quinn spent six seasons playing with Seattle Reign FC in the NWSL. Over that time, they started 63 of 85 appearances while helping Reign FC win the NWSL Shield in 2022. Quinn originally became the highest drafted Canadian in NWSL history, going third overall to Washington Spirit in the 2018 NWSL College Draft and starting 16 of 17 appearances in their rookie season.
In-between time in the NWSL, Quinn spent two seasons playing in Europe, first with Paris FC in 2019, and then during a loan from Reign FC to Swedish side Vittsjö GIK in 2020.
The now 29-year-old has been an inspiration globally, becoming the first openly non-binary transgender athlete to both compete, medal, and become a gold medalist at an Olympic Games in 2021, and to play at the FIFA World Cup in 2023.
The Toronto native played college soccer at the University of Duke, winning ACC Midfielder of the Year in 2017. Quinn was also selected to the United Soccer Coaches First Team All-America team, All-ACC First Team, and a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.
In their youth, Quinn played for North Toronto FC.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC part ways with head coach Anja Heiner-Møller
Vancouver Rise FC announced on Monday that the club has parted ways with head coach Anja Heiner-Møller. Rise FC will be led on the field for the remainder of the 2026 season by the continuing coaching staff of Iain Darbyshire, Katie Collar, and Erin McNulty. Darbyshire will take on the role of interim head coach.
Heiner-Møller, the first head coach in Rise FC history, departs the club with an 18W-18L-8D record in the Northern Super League (NSL) regular season, as well as a memorable playoff run in the inaugural season that ended with a first ever NSL championship.
“We are grateful to Anja for her many contributions to the club, making history as an important part of Rise FC winning the inaugural Diana B. Matheson Cup,” said Robyn Gayle, Rise FC chief soccer officer. “This was a difficult decision and we wish Anja the very best. We have built high expectations, and it’s on all of us, staff and players, to continue raising the standards to meet them. We are focused on moving forward and making a strong push to finish the season successfully.”
Darbyshire joined Rise FC as an assistant coach prior to the start of the 2026 season after serving as Cardiff City FC head of women’s & girls football since July 2020. Under his leadership, Cardiff City FC Women enjoyed a period of unprecedented success, winning eight trophies in six years.
Collar has been with Rise FC since the team started in 2025, after previously leading the Rise FC Academy (formerly Whitecaps FC Girls Elite). Under Collar, the academy won the League1 BC (now BCPL) title in three straight seasons, as well as two straight League1 Canada Inter-Provincial Championships, and the 2023 FIFA/Blue Stars Youth Cup.
McNulty, a UEFA A licensed goalkeeper coach, serves as assistant coach and goalkeeper coach. Following a playing career in Canada, the United States, and Europe, McNulty moved into coaching, including prolonged success with the Rise FC Academy alongside Collar.
Both Collar and McNulty have also spent time coaching with Canada’s national team programs.
Rise FC return to play this coming Sunday, September 13 in a crucial home match against Ottawa Rapid FC at Swangard Stadium. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m. PT.
Message from Anja Heiner-Møller:
“To the fans of Vancouver Rise FC,
My time as head coach has come to an end.
I am proud of what we have built and accomplished, and most importantly from my end, I have done it being true to my values as a coach and human being. I feel that we have shared those values and the passion for this city, Rise FC and sports in general.
I want nothing else than success for Vancouver Rise FC, and I am grateful for the time I had leading this team from the very start of the inaugural season of 2025, the journey to winning the Championship of 2025 and to the tight battle of making the playoffs in the season of 2026.
I am very aware that fans of Vancouver Rise FC are special and you are a big part of this club. We appreciate you and all the things you do for the team. You are supportive, kind, enthusiastic and dedicated, and we have felt your support from the beginning.
Thank you for your support and all the best in the future!
Anja”
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.