✍️ Baltej Bining
Hello everybody, and welcome back to TrueNorthFoot's weekly column about Vancouver soccer, Vancouver Weekly!
For the first time in what feels like an eternity, all four professional soccer sides in the city were in action, as all sides barring the Vancouver Rise were in action twice over the past week.
This is Vancouver Weekly!
Vancouver Whitecaps
We are so back, everybody!
The Vancouver Whitecaps returned to action this past week in the Canadian Championship quarterfinals, taking on Cavalry FC on Wednesday and Monday.
After securing a 4-1 win at Swangard Stadium last week, the Whitecaps took care of business last night, drawing 1-1 to clinch a semifinal spot, where they will face CF Montréal in early September.
Now, the attention turns back to the MLS, as on Thursday, the Vancouver Whitecaps will head to the East Coast for the first time in 2026, taking on the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field, with kickoff set for 5:30 pm PT / 8:30 pm ET, in a game where Polish legend Robert Lewandowski is set to make his debut for Chicago.
Vancouver FC
So close, yet so far for Vancouver FC.
Vancouver FC were also in action during this Canadian Championship quarterfinal stage, as they took on CF Montréal on Wednesday and Sunday.
After narrowly being defeated in the first leg at Willoughby Stadium by a 2-1 scoreline, CF Montréal repeated that scoreline at home despite an early red card being issued to defender Efraín Morales that left the hosts reduced to 10 men for the majority of the match.
A stunning free kick from Brandan Craig, followed by a long-range chip from Daniel Ríos, sealed the tie, and it remained that way despite a late goal from Morey Doner.
It shouldn't be the end of the world for Martin Nash's side, as they were the underdogs in this matchup and weren't played out of the park, as they also haven't had a bad league campaign, which sees them a single point away from the fourth and final playoff spot.
On Friday, they will take on FC Supra at the Stade Boréale, in a game which could prove to be crucial as they sit three points behind the Eagles with two games in hand.
Kickoff for that game is at 4:30 pm PT / 7:30 pm ET.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
It's a week in which Rich Fagan's side experienced both sides of the potential outcomes in soccer.
On Tuesday, WFC2 took on Ventura County FC at Swangard Stadium, and after Issak Luna opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half, Yuma Tsuji scored a left-footed stunner from distance to equalize.
AN ABSOLUTE SCREAMER FROM YUMA TSUJI 💥@wfc2 draw level early in the second half!
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) July 8, 2026
📺 @OneFootball, https://t.co/X8W22JsRvf: https://t.co/ZEK7OGK8xv pic.twitter.com/chMCoy9F37
WFC2 would take control after that equalizer, as Daniel Ittycheria scored a brace to give WFC2 a 3-1 lead, which included a one-on-one finish after a quick free kick from Yeider Zuluaga sent the 22-year-old in.
Despite a late goal from Oluwakayode Aina, it meant nothing in the end as WFC2 grabbed a much-needed win.
The same couldn't be said on Saturday, as despite an opening goal from Yeider Zuluaga, an equalizer from Felix Ewald, and a late winner from Jesús Barea handed Real Monarchs SLC a second win against WFC2 this year in Utah.
Adding salt to the wound was the first-half injury to promising talent Sahil Deo, who suffered an ankle sprain after colliding with goalkeeper Sam Rogers.
It will be a bye weekend for WFC2 before returning to action next week on Wednesday, taking on Austin FC II at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 6:00 pm PT.
Vancouver Rise
Anja Heiner-Møller's side has snapped its losing skid!
After going four games without a win, the Vancouver Rise have taken down the Calgary Wild to end the streak, grabbing a 4-2 win at McMahon Stadium!
It was a game of firsts, as Mariah Lee got her first goal of the season through a penalty, while loanees Mia Pante and Maithé López got their first goals in Vancouver Rise colours.
There was some concern, however, as defender Surra Yekka departed the match due to injury in the second half, with the severity remaining unknown.
Next up is a trip to Ontario, as they take on AFC Toronto at York Lions Stadium on Saturday, with kickoff set for 1:00 pm PT / 4:00 pm ET.
That's it for Vancouver Weekly, as it was an action-packed week that had its moments! Three of the Vancouver sides will have three games this week, so can we witness a 3-0-0 record?
Thank you for reading Vancouver Weekly, and we will see you next week, Vancouverites!
