What a year for Vancouver-based soccer teams.
Not only are the Vancouver Whitecaps in the midst of their best season since joining the MLS, but Vancouver Rise FC just made history.
Rise FC battled back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat AFC Toronto 2-1 in the first-ever Northern Super League Final.
Vancouver was the underdog heading into this match. They finished third in the regular season standings among the six teams in the NSL with an 11-8-6 record. AFC Toronto was the best team in the regular season with a 16-6-3 record.
Early on in the inaugural NSL Finals, AFC Toronto clearly looked like the favourite. They took a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute and largely controlled play.
However, the tide turned towards the end of the first half.
First, there was a weather delay in the 37th minute that stalled Toronto’s momentum. When play finally resumed, AFC Toronto nearly took a 2-0 lead, but defender Jasmyne Spencer kept the ball out of the net.
Jasmyne Spencer comes up with a goal-saving block 😱
Could this be a turning point for Vancouver? 👀 pic.twitter.com/J7B4fDd6Hs
— Northern Super League (@NorthernSuperLg) November 15, 2025
That turned out to be a turning point in the game.
In the 53rd minute, Nikki Stanton tied the game off a corner that Toronto keeper Sierra Cota-Yarde was unable to handle.
Game on! A Vancouver corner finds the back of the net! ⚽ pic.twitter.com/19rUYrggWh
— Northern Super League (@NorthernSuperLg) November 15, 2025
Shortly thereafter, Holly Ward would score the first championship-clinching goal in NSL history.
Holly Ward goes all the way, Rise lead! pic.twitter.com/tbhXTOH7rg
— Northern Super League (@NorthernSuperLg) November 15, 2025
Her teammates mobbed her in jubilation, and Vancouver shut the door the rest of the way.
“I’m honestly slightly overwhelmed. This is so cool,” Ward said following the win. “I’m just so happy and honoured to be a part of this team and this inaugural season. “I’m so proud of us and what we’ve done this season.”
Rise FC keeper Morgan McAslan was named Finals MVP, after only one goal got by her despite Toronto getting eight shots on target. Vancouver scored on two of its three shots on net during the match.
“This is everything we’ve been working for the whole year,” McAslan said after being named MVP.
“Everything I’ve been working for since I was young. I just never thought this was possible. When I was younger, I never got to see this representation, so to be able to do this tonight is incredible.”
McAslan also gave a shout-out to the Rise FC fans who traveled from Vancouver to Toronto for the match at BMO Field.
“They’ve made up their own chants, they have flags, they flew out all the way to Toronto to support us,” she said. “We’re so thankful for the crows and everyone who came out to support us.”