Vancouver Rise FC’s Historic Debut Lights Up the NSL Playoffs
You know, it’s been such a thrilling year for women’s soccer in Canada — and nowhere is that more evident than with Vancouver Rise FC. The team has just wrapped up its very first season in the brand-new Northern Super League (NSL), and what a debut it’s been. For the first time, a professional women’s team from British Columbia not only made it to the playoffs but also got the chance to host a match right at home in Burnaby’s iconic Swangard Stadium.
The atmosphere leading up to that playoff clash was electric. Ticket confirmations buzzed into inboxes, fan groups organized their pre-game parties, and kids were already rehearsing the chants they’d yell when their favorite players hit the pitch. But beyond the excitement, this moment meant something bigger — it was living proof that women’s professional soccer in B.C. wasn’t just possible, it was thriving.
In their inaugural NSL season, Vancouver Rise FC finished third out of six teams, with an 11-6-8 record. That’s no small feat for a club built entirely from scratch just a year ago. Under head coach Anja Heiner-Møller’s guidance, the team went on an eight-game unbeaten streak over the summer, showing off their resilience and sharp attacking style. Club president Sinead King called it a season to be proud of, especially given how they managed to bring together 25 new players and find their rhythm midway through the year.
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And it’s clear they found that rhythm — with big wins, back-to-back 6–0 scorelines, and a playoff-clinching draw in Halifax. Even when injuries hit, the team never lost its balance. Goalkeeper Morgan McAslan was a rock between the posts, securing nine clean sheets and taking home the NSL’s first-ever Golden Glove award.
The club’s rise — no pun intended — has been about more than just results. It’s been about building something from the ground up. King, who joined in 2024 as only the second employee, recalled how the early days meant handling everything from sponsorships to HR policies to securing a stadium. Her choice of Swangard was brilliant — a place full of local history, surrounded by trees and mountains, where families have long gathered to watch soccer.
Fans responded in droves. Rise FC averaged nearly 4,000 supporters per match and drew over 14,000 to their opening game at BC Place — the largest crowd of the NSL season. That day, Canadian international Quinn scored the league’s very first goal, setting the tone for what this league could become.
Players like 21-year-old forward Holly Ward and seasoned midfielder Jessika Cowart perfectly embodied the team’s spirit — humble, hardworking, and proud to be part of something bigger than themselves. Ward, a North Vancouver native, said she never dreamed of playing pro soccer in Canada when she was younger. Now she’s doing it, scoring goals and representing her country.
Whether or not Rise FC lifts a trophy this season, they’ve already achieved something historic. They’ve shown that fans care deeply about women’s soccer — and that community and passion can turn a brand-new club into a movement. For Vancouver Rise FC, the foundation has been laid, and the future looks nothing short of inspiring.
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