Rise surprise AFC Toronto with 1-0 NSL road win

TORONTO — Jessica De Filippo pounced on a misplayed ball in the first minute of the second half to score the winning goal as the short-handed Vancouver Rise surprised first-place AFC Toronto 1-0 in Northern Super League action at BMO Field on Sunday.

Despite playing one player short for the entire second half — Jasmyne Spencer was ejected from the match for fouls in the 29th and 39th minutes and earning a red card — the visitors were able to contain the Toronto offence.

Rise goalkeeper Morgan McAslan made six saves to record the clean sheet. Vancouver improved to 6-5-5, while Toronto slipped to 10-6-2.

Toronto controlled possession for 54 per cent of the match, and outshot the visitors 14-12, including 6-6 on-target.

Toronto took eight of the match’s 10 corners. Esther Okoronkwo hit the post in the 59th minute for the hosts, who also rattled a bar off the crossbar in stoppage time.

“It’s a very disappointing result for us, especially playing 11 versus 10 for more than a half,” said Toronto coach Marko Milanovic. “We created enough chances to score but it just wasn’t meant to be. Credit to Vancouver, they defended really well and put their bodies on the line.”

Attendance was announced as 7,771.

UP NEXT

Vancouver: Visits Ottawa Rapid on Sunday, Aug. 24.

Toronto: Hosts Calgary Wild on Saturday, Aug. 30.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 17, 2025.

The Canadian Press