Vancouver Rise FC head coach Anja Heiner-Moller watches play during a NSL match against Toronto AFC in Burnaby, British Columbia, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Vancouver Rise head coach Anja Heiner-Moller walks on the field after an NSL match against the Calgary Wild, in Burnaby, B.C., on Saturday, May 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Jamaica's Chantelle Swaby (4) clears the ball as United States' Catarina Macario (20) defends during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Vancouver Rise FC head coach Anja Heiner-Moller watches play during a NSL match against Toronto AFC in Burnaby, British Columbia, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
AP
Vancouver Rise head coach Anja Heiner-Moller walks on the field after an NSL match against the Calgary Wild, in Burnaby, B.C., on Saturday, May 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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Jamaica's Chantelle Swaby (4) clears the ball as United States' Catarina Macario (20) defends during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
VANCOUVER - Reinforcements have arrived for the Vancouver Rise.聽
The Northern Super League club signed a pair of defenders this week, bolstering their ranks ahead of a crucial matchup with the visiting Halifax Tides on Saturday.
Chantelle Swaby comes to Vancouver after spending last season with Leicester City in the Women's Super League, while Kaela Hansen joins the Rise after playing for NSL side AFC Toronto.
Both athletes bring important attributes to a team that's pushing to put itself in the playoff picture, said head coach Anja Heiner-Moller.聽
"Chantelle comes in with a great physique and also a player that has the confidence to play. So adding that to our game is really perfect," she said.
鈥淜aela is a player that wants to play. She fits really well into the style of play, very curious in terms of how we want to play. She鈥檚 a brave player on the ball and she wants to come in and make an impact as a centre back.鈥澛
Swaby, 28, brings ample experience to the Rise, having played in the 好色tv Women's Soccer League, the Scottish Women's Premier League and France's top division.聽
Along the way, the Jamaican international has learned how to stay level headed in heightened game situations.
鈥淚 think obviously with my experience and my years of playing, (I bring) just a level of calmness and a sense of just wanting to calm the game down," Swaby said. "And just being able to be vocal and that voice on the back line for the team.鈥澛
For 26-year-old Hansen, joining the Rise means a move back home.聽
鈥淚 definitely feel like I was hoping to eventually come home. I鈥檓 obviously excited it gets to be now," said the product of Burnaby, B.C. "I鈥檓 excited to play in front of a home crowd and it鈥檚 also a plus that I鈥檓 close to my family again, too. So I feel like it鈥檚 a very special moment, for sure.鈥澛
The moves come after Vancouver lost Mariah Lee to retirement last month. The veteran forward opted to step away from her professional career and attend law school in New York.
Vancouver also said goodbye to goalkeeper Kirstin Tynan this week, loaning her to the Tides for the rest of the season.聽
The moves come as the NSL-defending champion Rise (5-9-1) look to climb into a post-season berth. The club sits five points back of Halifax (6-6-3), which held the fourth and final playoff spot heading into Saturday's matchup.
This stretch of the season is "super important," said Vancouver forward Jessica De Fillippo.聽
"I think we鈥檙e all aware of that," she said. "We want to get back to the playoffs like we were last year. I think we have a lot to show, still, from this group of people. We want to show our fans and the league that we鈥檙e able to compete until the end of the season.鈥澛
This report by 好色tvwas first published Aug. 14, 2026.
