Firstly, what a night from our supporters and owners. Swangard vs Valour was incredible and then the Herculean effort by travelling pirates was incredible. It’s never enough to simply say thank you based on the effort you all put in but, until we can give you all a high five, this must do. Thank you and congratulations on changing the face of Canadian soccer.
This week’s opponent
Match Week 4 continues at our home stand, this week against Unity FC from Langley.
Saturday, May 20
- TSS Rovers Women (0-2-1, 7th) v Unity FC Women (2-0-0, 3rd) @ Swangard at 1:30pm
- TSS Rovers Men (1-1-1, 4th) v Unity FC Men (0-0-2, 7th) @ Swangard at 4:00pm
Unity FC from Langley is coming to visit this week. Unity have started the season strong in the Juan de Fuca Plate standings, currently sitting third behind Nautsa’mawt and the Whitecaps. Last week they had a bye week and, after two games, their women’s team is undefeated and their men’s team is winless. Unity’s roster is made up of players primarily from Trinity Western University, but on the men’s side, Victory Shumbusho formerly of Varsity FC and the Highlanders, and nearly a 2017 TSS Rover, will start up front for them.
Last week’s recap.
Check out the view from the Beer Garden with Kyrsten Downton covering the matches vs. Harbourside
Women’s Team
Rovers 2 Harbourside 3
It was a heartbreaking loss at the death for our women’s team last week. Nikki Virk had an incredible game and opened the scoring in the 22’ and nearly had a second as she rang a beautiful curling shot off the crossbar as the half ended. Harbourside tied it up at 52’ but with her first touch of the game, Jessica Merk slotted home the go-ahead goal six minutes later. Harbourside answered with a goal at 67’ and what looked like a well fought draw was spoiled by Harbourside’s winner on the last kick of the game.
We welcomed TSS Rovers debuts for Lauren Ebel and Devon Kavanagh, and we welcomed back Maya Rogers and Jess Merk to another year of Rovers football.
Men’s Team
Rovers 4 Harbourside 0
Coming off their tough loss against Pacific FC, the men’s team knew they had something back in League 1, as the only way to get back into the Voyageurs Cup is by winning the league. Darren Russcher’s side did exactly that with a dominating performance against the Vancouver Islanders. Erik Edwardson started scoring in the 27’ and scored again at 67’ and 84’ to secure TSS Rovers’ first League 1 hat trick in history. Matteo Polisi added another in the 90’ and we cruised up the table into fourth place. It was a dominant performance for the men, and just the kind of game we needed.
Voyageur’s Cup
Our man James Siddall has the coverage of our trip to Victoria
After it was all said and done, and a fine effort by the lads, there is much to celebrate for the club. The lasting memories, a vision realized, performances to be proud of, and a legacy of what is possible for the rest of the communities in Canada. The club from top to bottom did a fantastic job. Be proud pirates. You were amazing.
- AFTN Photo gallery from our Voyageurs Cup game v Pacfic FC
- One Soccer youtube discussions
- One Soccer post game interviews from Pacific FC match
- One Soccer highlights
- Celebration you have to see (twitter)
- if you need more check out AFTN twitter and of course your mighty Rovers social handles!
News shorts
In response to huge levels of interest, the club has reopened share sales to the community. Spread the word. If everybody brings one more owner, the power of the community grows exponentially. Only 15 days left!
Investor link: https://www.frontfundr.com/tssrovers
Erik Edwardson has created two vlogs about his experience playing in the Canadian Championship. Here’s his vlog from the Valour match, and the one from Pacific.
Rovers Community Giving Fund
Prideraiser 2023
This year our Swanguardians will once again be participating in the North America-wide PrideRaiser fundraising for 2SLGTBTQ+ organizations. Rainbow Refugee will be the recipient this year and through a matching donation, every dollar pledged per goal scored in June will be doubled. More details coming soon.
Pledge for Goals – Goals That Give
Update: Former gaffer Will Cromack pledges $50 a goal for the season.
We are up to TEN goals on the board! Building a stronger community takes everyone. Why not have a bit of fun and support the Rovers Community Giving Fund with a pledge for every goal the men and women score this year. Pledge, donate, get a tax receipt instantly. Have your money doubled and the Fund will make your fun go to work in our community.
Pledge & Donate Now
Our Club in Kenya! The Awasi Rovers
New kit, building a new field, creating new offices, and supporting a generation of young children play the beautiful game. Teaching Excellence has just crossed the border.
Support here: https://my.charitableimpact.com/groups/awasi-rovers-football-academy
We are playing a lot of football at home this month as Swangard will be under renovation for much of July. This is your chance to come out and see your club in our iconic home, so come cheer on your Rovers….
Forza Rovers!#WeAreRovers
#TogetherStandingStrong
#TogetherOne
