Vancouver Rise FC spoiled the festivities at BMO Field with a 1-0 victory over league leaders AFC Toronto on Saturday night, part of the Canadian National Exhibition celebrations. Jessica De Filippo’s strike just before halftime proved decisive, as the Rise earned a statement win on the road to keep pace in the playoff race.

The breakthrough came in the 45th minute, moments after the interval. Holly Ward found space on the right and whipped in a teasing cross that fell perfectly for De Filippo. The forward met it with a clean volley, sending the ball past the Toronto keeper and giving Vancouver a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

Toronto Press, Rise Hold Firm
The second half saw Toronto chase the equalizer, pushing numbers forward and dictating much of the play. They finished with 55% possession and a 14-12 edge in shots, but the Rise defence stood tall under pressure, turning away waves of attacks.

Vancouver, meanwhile, carved out counterattacking opportunities of their own but ultimately relied on resilience to secure all three points. It was a night that showcased their grit and composure, especially in front of a packed BMO Field crowd.

Match Stats
Possession: Toronto held 55% of the ball, keeping the Rise penned in at times, but lacked a finishing touch.
Total Shots: The home side fired 14 efforts to Vancouver’s 12, but De Filippo’s strike was the only one to find the net.
Passing Accuracy: Toronto led in precision at 82% to Vancouver’s 74%, but Vancouver’s direct play and clinical moment made the difference.

Looking Ahead
Toronto remain top of the table at 10-6-2 despite the loss and will have next week off to regroup before resuming their campaign. Vancouver move to 6-5-5 and stay in fourth place, setting up a crucial clash when they travel to Ottawa to face the Rapid on August 24.

For full match statistics, lineups, and a play-by-play feed, visit the official NSL game page.