WHERE TO WATCH:
BROADCAST: Watch on CBC Gem or on NSL.ca
TICKETS: Available here.
The sun is shining and summer’s here, which means it’s time for Vancouver Rise FC to get back on the pitch!
Rise FC will travel to Calgary on July 12th to face Calgary Wild FC for the third time this season. Rise FC will be looking to maintain their undefeated record against Calgary, having played to a 1-1 draw at home on May 24 and securing a 1-0 victory in the inaugural Northern Super League match last April.
GUNNING FOR THREE POINTS: It’s been a little while since Rise FC have shown off their skills in league play, but they come back into league action off the back of an extremely impressive performance against Montréal Roses FC at home at the end of June. In that match, Rise FC were unlucky to not come away with all three points despite dominating the chances and possession. The home side created an impressive 14 shots with 7 of them on target, with Roses FC ‘keeper Anna Karpenko having to pull off some incredible saves to keep her team in it.
Now against Wild FC, Rise FC will want to continue that momentum they built and bring everything they got to Calgary in their first-ever visit to Alberta this season.
WARD & COWART ON STRONG FORM: Despite Rise FC being on break, a couple of stars got to translate their skills from club to country this past week, keeping them sharp ahead of Saturday’s league game against Wild FC.
Forward Holly Ward made her second career start for Canada in their 4-1 victory against Costa Rica on June 27th, putting in another Player of the Match performance thanks to her winning goal in the 74th minute. She then got a taste of playing against one of the world’s top teams, coming off the bench for Canada against the US on July 2nd and making an immediate impact.
Meanwhile, Cowart played three consecutive 90’s for the Philippines in their qualifiers for the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup, helping them keep three clean sheets and finish first-place as they qualified for next year’s tournament.
LOOKING TO EXTEND THE GAP: Despite the season not even at its half-way point, Rise FC are looking to secure their spot in playoffs. Currently in 4th place on 12 points after 10 matches, Rise FC hold the last play-off spot, but have Wild FC and Halifax Tides FC nipping at their heels That means that Saturday’s match will be a perfect opportunity for Rise FC to extend the gap between themselves and the chasing pack by getting a further three points over Wild FC.
But it’s not just about looking below! Rise FC can climb as high as third if other results go their way this Matchweek as well, meaning that their hunt for first place is very much still on the cards for this ambitious group with a championship mentality.