VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Rise FC have a quick turnaround this week as they travel to Halifax Tides FC for an early-morning match-up on Thursday.
NO TIME TO REST: Rise FC might have just had a grueling match in the heat against Ottawa Rapid FC this past Sunday, but the team has little time to dwell on that result as they have to turn their attention to Halifax Tides FC in another tough test on Thursday. Rise FC fans will need to set their alarms as the team faces Tides FC at 7 a.m. PT for the home side’s school-themed match. Nevertheless, Rise FC will be looking to maintain the undefeated record that they have at Wanderers Grounds, which they extended to four straight matches after last month’s 2-1 victory. In that match, De Filippo and Quinn both scored to kick-start Rise FC’s season and give them their first win of 2026. Despite tasting defeat against Rapid FC, Rise FC will nonetheless be confident for this upcoming match, after a strong showing vs. Rapid FC and three straight wins beforehand that prove that they’re still one of the league’s toughest sides to beat.
SHARPENING THOSE SHOOTING BOOTS: Rise FC might have lost 3-1 to Rapid FC this past Sunday, but the stats tell a different story to the result. Rise FC were dominant in the first half, coming out of the gate firing and outshooting Rapid FC 15 to two before the break. Jessica De Filippo and Latifah Abdu had many chances to score inside the first half-hour, yet despite the former scoring to equalize before halftime, head coach Anja Heiner-Møller recognized after the match the need to be more clinical in those moments. “The biggest difference today is that we need to score on our chances, and they can’t score on their few chances,” she explained. “We need to make sure we close the game when we have that momentum.” Should Rise FC replicate that performance with a little bit more ruthlessness in front of goal on Thursday against Tides FC, then a return to winning ways could be in store.
ANNA BOUT BOSSING: One Rise FC player that has been quietly putting in some of the league’s most consistent performances so far has been midfielder Anna Bout. The 25-year-old has been ever present for Rise FC so far this season, playing every single minute available in the first seven matches. The Canadian has been putting in the miles in both defence and attack, as she ranks second in tackles and sixth in chances created across the whole league. Now having recorded her first Rise FC goal and an assist this season, Bout is slowly starting to show exactly why she has been one of Rise FC’s most crucial players so far this season.