After a bye week afforded to us by the withdrawal of Highlanders at the beginning of the season, we are back in action for Father’s Day at Swangard. Two weeks ago we fought Unity to two 2-2 draws for both teams, meaning that we are still undefeated at Swangard. It’s our fortress. Come on out and help us keep the points flowing
This week’s opponent
June 16, 2024
v Harbourside
Swangard Stadium
- TSS Rovers FC Women (1-1-3, 6th) v Harbourside FC Women (0-2-5, 7th), 1:30 pm
- TSS Rovers FC Men (3-2-0, 1st) v Harbourside FC Men (2-1-4, 5th) 4:00 pm
Last season, Harbourside joined the league as the third community-based club in League 1 BC. With the withdrawal of Victoria Highlanders, Harbourside, based in Nanaimo, became the only Vancouver Island-based team in the league.
Last week, they played Unity FC and found out what we did against the club from Surrey: Unity are a decent team, and their women’s team, especially, last year’s Championship runners-up, will give you a run for your money. Harbourside’s men’s team lost 3-1, and their women’s team lost 3-0. Harbourside is capable of more, but their visit to Swangard this weekend will be another challenge for them. The women go into the weekend still seeking their first win of the season.
Harbourside men might be the most international team in the league, sporting players who hale from Scotland, Egypt, Greece, Morocco, Venezuela, Australia, New Zealand, and even Hains Junction, Yukon. The women’s team is, like us, composed of much more homegrown talent. It’s been a tough start for the Islanders who will be hoping to redeem their recent form and try to get a result at Swangard. We will be there to meet them on our home turf, looking to come off our bye week rested and ready to keep the TSS Rovers undefeated streak at home intact.
Last week’s recap
Women’s Team
Rovers 2-2 Unity
Full Match Replay
The women’s game would kick off the night, with TSS looking to record their second win of the season. Their performances have improved since losing 5-1 to Unity back on May 11. The visitors are early play-off contenders; they’re fresh off a 2-0 home win against Rivers FC last Sunday.
Jenna Baxter and Jenieva Musico both went close in the opening 15 minutes for TSS, as the home side made the more dominant start. It was against the run of play that the first goal would come, though. Jenaya Robertson darted forward to the edge of the box before threading a perfectly timed pass into Charity Field, who slotted it past Kirstin Tynan for 1-0 Unity on 18 minutes.
The half continued with a further flurry of TSS chances as Baxter had two good attempts saved by Joven Sandhu. Unity protecting their one goal advantage going into halftime.
The chances did amount to something 20 minutes into the second half. Baxter, who had been the home side’s biggest threat of the night, picked up a loose ball and drove forward, laying off to Vanessa Tome, who struck past Joven Sandhu to level the game.
When Amanda Scott came on for Maddy Mah with five minutes to go, it was her first involvement that should have sealed the deal for TSS. She won the ball back on the edge of the box before letting Baxter take control to give TSS a 2-1 lead. It was a short-lived one. Moments after the restart, Unity struck back through Ainsley Ewasiuk to tie the game and ruin TSS’ chances of a second home win in a row.
It finished 2-2, and although TSS gave it up late, their performance was a stark improvement to the 5-1 loss at Unity weeks earlier. They have eradicated many of the needless mistakes and look more of a team. Confidence is growing.
Men’s Team
Unity FC 2-2 Rovers
Full match replay
The men’s encounter began with an unusually slow start by TSS, who found themselves behind in five minutes. Joel Badger struck powerfully from 20 yards, beating TSS keeper Justyn Sandhu and sending the ball into the bottom left corner. TSS falling behind for the first time this season.
The constant drumming from the Swangardians could not deter a second Unity goal, and what a goal it was. Victory Shumbusho, with his back to goal, controlled an incoming ball with his chest before performing a spectacular overhead kick, leaving the TSS defence rooted as the ball found the back of the net.
The lead was halved when Ali Zohar headed the ball past Mihai Hodut and into the path of the ever-present Devin O’Hea. The TSS forward sent the ball through the legs of David Hicks giving TSS hope as the halftime whistle blew.
TSS head coach Brendan Teeling raced down the tunnel at the break, obviously dissatisfied with his team’s display. A double change at the restart saw TSS convert to a back-three; now they started to see more of the ball, and Unity were happy to sit back and hit the home side on the counter.
Kian Proctor had a great chance to level for TSS after a tidy piece of skill and quick turn of pace allowed him space, sending a shot just wide.
The leveler came on 71 minutes through Michael Hennessy. Matteo Polisi’s curling freekick was headed off the post by Nik White and fell kindly to Hennessy, who tapped in to make it 2-2.
Unity began to probe again, looking dangerous, especially through Shumbusho. Nothing was converted, though, and the game finished all square. A fair result on the balance; it could’ve gone either way towards the end, with both sides searching for the winner. TSS remain top and unbeaten, while Unity remain fourth.
News shorts
Brendan Quarry has created an incredible piece of art from what has become an iconic TSS Rovers moment: Matteo Polisi’s second goal celebration against Valour in the 2023 Canadian Championship. LImited edition prints of this piece are available in the TSS Rovers Fan Shop, along with Rovers gear, scarves, hoodies and t-shirts. Wear your Rovers love with pride.
There will be no live stream of our matches this week, but they will be uploaded to the League 1 BC YouTube channel within 48 hours or so after the match.
Our Swangaurdians are once again participating in the North America-wide Prideraiser, and you can join! As they have done the past two years, TSS Rovers supporters are raising money for Rainbow Refugee, an important organization that provides settlement services and support for LGBTQ+ refugees fleeing persecution due to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and HIV. All supporters are invited to pledge an amount per goal scored in the month of June. All money raised will be matched by a donor and you will receive a tax receipt for your donation. Learn more at the Swangardians website and pledge today!
