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VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Rise FC (8W-5L-5D) continue their two-game homestead with a date against Calgary Wild FC (6W-10L-2D) on Saturday at Swangard Stadium. Rise FC will be looking to put pressure on first-place AFC Toronto with another win as they fix their sights on the regular season title.  

REPLICATING THE OPENER: It has been some time since that momentous victory against Calgary Wild FC in April for the league opener at BC Place. Since then, Rise FC have tied (1-1 at home in May) and lost (2-1 away in July) to Wild FC, meaning that this upcoming match gives them the chance to taste victory against Wild FC for the first time since that home opener. But it won’t be easy, as Wild FC are looking to snap a losing streak after back-to-back 2-0 defeats to AFC Toronto and Rapid FC. With Wild FC eight points from the playoff cutoff, Calgary will be wanting to turn their fortunes around against Rise FC.  

Rise FC will need to draw on everything they’ve learned during this remarkable run to overcome a determined Wild FC side and push their unbeaten streak to eight matches  

SEVENTH HEAVEN: Rise FC are on a historic run of form right now, as they are seven games unbeaten (5W-2D). The run dates all the way back to July 19th, in that impressive 6-0 win over Halifax Tides FC. Since then, the team has beaten four out of the five NSL teams, with only Wild FC remaining for Rise FC to cap off a perfect run. As well, throughout this streak fans have seen some Rise FC players step up massively, with Holly Ward and Lisa Pechersky scoring some incredible goals from the wing, Quinn creating some clever assists from midfield, and Samantha Chang rifling in goals from distance.  

All in all, the whole team has risen to the occasion at the perfect time as they enter the final stretch of the regular season.  

AIMING FOR FIRST PLACE: Rise FC have benefited from this strong run of form by climbing up the table in the NSL. After last week’s 2-1 victory over Roses FC, Rise FC are in second place on 29 points after 18 games played. Trailing them is both Roses FC and Rapid FC on 28 points after 18 games played, showcasing how tight the table is for those playoff spots. However, Rise FC are focusing now on closing the gap to AFC Toronto in first place. Toronto are currently on 35 points but have played one match extra meaning that should Rise FC win their game in hand, they will only be three points behind first place.  

With the team in outstanding form and just seven matches left in the league, it’s safe to say that Rise FC are firmly in the title race for the regular season championship.