PREVIEW – The Vancouver Rise v AFC Toronto game will happen at Swangard Stadium for the second time within two months.
Note: Win-Loss-Tie Record as seen below.
Vancouver Rise v AFC Toronto: AFC Looks to Get Two Road Wins at Swangard Stadium
Vancouver Rise FC (2-0-3)
After winning the Diana B. Matheson Cup last year, they did not start the NSL well this year. They started by losing three straight games. This included losing 2-1 to AFC Toronto at Swangard Stadium and then losing two games on the road, both by the scoreline of 4-0 to the Montreal Roses FC and the Ottawa Rapid FC.
They, however, were able to get some points on the board after beating the Halifax Tides FC 2-1 at the Wanderers Grounds. This victory meant that the Rise earned their first three points of the 2026 NSL season.
This is what Rise FC defender Tori Tumeth said about it, according to Anna Burns of The Williams Lake Trillium:
AFC Toronto (3-1-1)
AFC Toronto’s woes at BMO Field continue. They now have one draw and four losses to show for BMO Field. The latest loss was a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Montreal Roses FC. AFC Toronto head coach, Marko Milanović, thought the club played well, but did not finish on their scoring chances, according to the AFC Toronto website:
“I thought we played well enough to score one, maybe even two goals,” said head coach Marko Milanović. “Tough one, definitely, because I thought we deserved more, but at the same time you have to take your chances. I don’t think that’s luck, we just need more quality in front of goal.”
READ MORE: Kaylee Hunter: Promising Canadian Teenager for AFC Toronto
They had some great scoring chances, such as with Kaylee Hunter and Lauren Rowe. However, it was also a tough loss to take. Montreal’s Elyse Bennett received a pass from Evelyn Badu, and then Bennett delivered a great individual play to get past the AFC defender and shoot the ball past the goalkeeper in the dying minutes of the game.
Players To Watch
READ MORE: Nikayla Small: A Standout AFC Toronto Midfielder
There are players to watch for both teams. With AFC Toronto, Kaylee Hunter is always a player to watch out for. A forward that is now starting to be a regular on the CANWNT/CANXNT will be a player that the Vancouver Rise FC will have to be aware of.
Hunter also works well with AFC Toronto midfielder and captain, Nikayla Small.
Small can create scoring chances for her team and expect the same for the game on Saturday.
This is what Billy Wilson, technical director of AFC Toronto, said about Nikayla Small, according to the AFC Toronto website:
“Nikayla has shown a high level of consistency in how she performs and prepares,” said Billy Wilson, Technical Director, AFC Toronto. “She understands the game, she’s reliable in key moments, and she’s someone the group trusts. Those qualities make her a natural fit to take on this role.”
The Vancouver Rise FC has many players that made the national team. Obviously, co-captain well-known CANWNT/CANXNT midfielder, Quinn, were a player to watch out for as they scored the game-winning goal against the Halifax Tides FC just this past weekend.
Of course, their other co-captain, Shannon Woeller, is a defender, well-regarded in the Northern Super League. She is also known as the first-ever captain of the Rise last year.
READ MORE: 2026 AFC Toronto Season: Who Steps Up as the New Captain?
Head-to-Head Matchups
The head-to-head between these two clubs is extremely tight. It is 3-3-1. In fact, both teams have already met each other once before this year, when AFC Toronto spoiled Vancouver Rise FC’s Diana B. Matheson Cup party on April 24, 2026, at Swangard Stadium.
In that game, AFC won 3-2, with Esther Okoronkwo scoring the game-winning goal (she will not be available for this upcoming game because of injury), avenging the loss of the 2025 NSL Final.
READ MORE: Vancouver Rise FC v AFC Toronto: A 2025 NSL Final Rematch
This win also improved AFC Toronto’s all-time record at Swangard Stadium to two wins and one loss against the Vancouver Rise FC.
This was an effort that AFC Toronto head coach Milanović applauded, as the team came from behind to win the game (Source: AFC Toronto website):
“I thought it required a lot of character to come back,” said head coach Marko Milanović, on his team’s resilience. “We were in a tough spot at one point, down 2-1, but the girls found a way, and I’m really proud of that.”
There will be hope for some of that character as they face the Vancouver Rise FC on May 23.
How To Watch The Game
Fans can watch the game at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia (BC). It will take place on May 23 as the game will be shown on CBC Gem and YouTube.
Photo Credit: Northern Super League on November 15, 2025.
