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It’s time to hit the road!

Sunday’s match against AFC Toronto will be Vancouver Rise FC’s first match away from home after three straight matches in Vancouver. Coming off that big 1-0 win against Halifax Tides this past Monday, Rise FC will have to prove that they can perform on the road as they look to keep their momentum going into Matchday 4.
LOOKING FOR THAT FIRST ROAD WIN: Until this point, Rise FC is the only team to have not played an away match in this inaugural Northern Super League season. With three home games and six points gained out of a possible three, the team goes into this first away trip with some deserved confidence. And while the new experience of travelling to the other side of the country can be seen as a bit of a taxing endeavour, Head Coach Anja Heiner-Møller prefers to see it as a real bonding opportunity 

“It will be a new situation for us, and it will be different with the time change and all,” admitted the Danish coach. “But we’re looking forward to just spending time together and traveling together, with the whole team and staff.”

That bonding could prove to be crucial as they travel to an AFC Toronto side that has looked dangerous in the last few weeks, and is looking to get back-to-back wins at home.

KEEPING THAT SCORING RUN GOING: Rise FC has been consistently scoring so far this season. Aside from first-place Montréal Roses FC, Rise FC is the only team to have scored in all of their first three matches of the season. Star player Quinn has been able to score each time when called upon from the penalty spot, and just last game, Jasmyne Spencer popped up with ascreamer to score the game winner against Halifax. But for coach Heiner-Møller, she knows her team can do more and wants them to start to become even more tenacious when they’re on top.

“In games like these, where we’re dominant on the ball, we need to close this game a little earlier,” explained Heiner-Møller. “We have more [to give], I don’t think we have made the big jump yet, but it’s definitely there.” 

With AFC Toronto having conceded four goals in the first three matches, Rise FC will certainly be looking to score multiple goals for the first time this season, and no better time to do it than on their first away trip.

CHASING THAT TOP SPOT: Despite it being early in the season, Rise FC is already battling it out for the top spot in the league. Currently on six points, only Montréal Roses FC have a better record than Rise FC with a perfect record of three wins and nine points. Rise FC will need to ensure that they get something out of these two away matches in Toronto and later in Ottawa this month to keep pace with what is looking like a formidable foe in Montréal.

With the league as tight as it is, goals and goal difference will likely be a major factor in determining who finishes where this season. That means Rise FC will want to keep their trend of clean sheets going while adding even more goals to their tally to make sure that their stake in
the title race is as strong as possible, even in these early stages.