PREVIEW – The 2026 NSL season starts with the Vancouver Rise FC v AFC Toronto game at Swangard Stadium. This game also commences the official start of the 2026 NSL season.
Vancouver Rise FC v AFC Toronto: A Rematch of Last November
Vancouver Rise FC
The Vancouver Rise FC are the defending Diana B. Matheson Cup winners after defeating AFC Toronto at BMO Field late last year.
The success of the Rise in 2025 also meant that Holly Ward, a forward, signed a contract with the Seattle Reign FC. She is one of just a few players who made the transition from the NSL to the NWSL. This is what the Rise head coach, Anja Heiner-Møller said about the resilience of the team that won the NSL Cup last year, which included coming from behind to win the game 2-1, according to the Canadian Press:
“The resilience in this team is just amazing,” said Vancouver coach Anja Heiner-Møller.
The Rise signed five players to the roster in the off-season. One Canadian that fans might be interested in is player, Sura Yekka, according to the Rise website:
“Sura plays with calmness on the ball and is constantly looking to impact the game offensively,” praised Rise FC Head Coach Heiner-Møller. “She is a fast-thinking player that is decisive in her actions when defending and a strong player that wins many duels.”
The right-back, who was born in Toronto, and grew up in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), has achieved success in Europe. She played with MSV Duisburg (Women, Germany), Le Havre AC (Women, France), Vittsjö GIK (Sweden), and Djurgårdens IF Fotboll (Women, Sweden). In fact, with Djurgårdens IF Fotboll in Sweden, it was a place she excelled at as she scored two goals in 23 appearances. In addition, she has also played 18 games for the CANWNT/CANXNT.
Other players that joined the team include North Vancouver native, Mia Pante and Laval, Quebec, native, Audrey Francois. In addition, they also added two Colombian players, who are Camila Reyes and Maithé Lopéz.
AFC Toronto
AFC Toronto is the defending NSL Supporters’ Shield champions, as they finished with the best record in the inaugural NSL season. This is what AFC Toronto head coach, Marko Milanović. said about this:
“We feel amazing. It’s a really rewarding feeling. Winning the league was our main goal from day one; we made that very clear.”
READ MORE: Kaylee Hunter: Promising Canadian Teenager for AFC Toronto
The chemistry between Kaylee Hunter and Esther Okoronkwo was apparent throughout the whole of the 2025 NSL season, as they played a big role in AFC scoring the most goals. Nikayla Small and Emma Regan also played well. In addition, the defenders, led by Croix Soto, allowed the fewest goals in the 2025 NSL season.
A player to watch out for with AFC Toronto is Canada Soccer’s 2025 Young Player of the Year (Girls), Olivia Chisholm. This is what was said on the AFC Toronto website:
“Olivia is one of the brightest young talents in Canada,” said Billy Wilson, AFC Toronto Sporting Director. “Olivia has been with us since last summer, we know her extremely well, and we’re proud that she has chosen to begin her professional career at home with AFC Toronto.”
READ MORE: AFC Toronto Holds on to a 2-1 Win Over The Calgary Wild FC
Chisholm played one game for AFC Toronto on October 4 against the Calgary Wild FC. She will play a lot more games throughout this year, especially with the unfortunate news of Samantha Chang’s injury and also the departure of their first-ever captain, Emma Regan, who now plays for the Denver Summit FC of the NWSL.
READ MORE: 2025 AFC Toronto Season: NSL Supporters’ Shield Champions
AFC Toronto also signed two American players recently. One was forward, Mia Fontana, who signed her first-ever professional contract with AFC. The other American is a defender named Jordan Brewster, who has professional playing experience at the highest levels of women’s soccer in Mexico, the U.S.A., and Sweden.
Head-to-Head
The head-to-head between AFC Toronto and the Vancouver Rise FC is pretty even at 2-3-1 (two wins, three losses, and one draw). On the road, AFC Toronto has lost one game and won one game. AFC travelled twice on the road to face the Rise at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia (BC).
Vancouver Rise FC president, Sinead King, said this about it, according to William Johnson for The Georgia Straight website at BC Place (first-ever game in the 2025 NSL season):
“We could lose a game and still get a standing ovation,” King said. “That says everything about the connection between this team and the community.”
READ MORE: Vancouver Rise FC Wins The First-Ever Diana B. Matheson Cup
The Vancouver Rise FC would win that game 1-0 over the Calgary Wild FC, thanks to a Quinn goal. The sentiment for this home opener, at Swangard Stadium, ironically, could be similar. This will be the first time Vancouver has played a game in British Columbia since winning the first-ever Diana B. Matheson Cup on the road against AFC Toronto at BMO Field. This is because they will likely celebrate the championship win before the game begins and have accomplished their goal for 2025.
How To Watch The Game and Captains of Both Teams
The captains of the Vancouver Rise FC for this year are Shannon Woeller and Quinn. Woeller was the first-ever captain of the team and has an important presence for the Rise. Meanwhile, Quinn are an important player for the team, as they have played over 100 games for the CANXNT/CANWNT and scored Vancouver’s first-ever goal in the NSL.
READ MORE: 2026 AFC Toronto Season: Who Steps Up as the New Captain?
Both teams will play each other at 10:00 pm ET (7:00 pm PT). This will take place at Swangard Stadium, as the game will also be televised nationally on TSN and shown in the U.S. on ESPN+.
Photo Credit: Northern Super League on November 15, 2025.
