League1 BC club TSS Rovers produced an upset at Swangard Stadium Wednesday defeating Canadian Premier League club Valour FC 3-1 in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship.
Valour FC looked heavy favourites before the match – facing the semi-pro team from BC. But TSS Rovers were undaunted by their professional opponents, and have now been rewarded with a quarterfinals berth in the national soccer championship.
Polisi opens scoring for TSS Rovers
Despite the majority of possession, Valour didn’t look like scoring in the first-half, seemingly lacking a finisher on the night.
The deadlock was broken in the 39th minute when Matteo Polisi buried a shot in the back of the net for his first of the game.
Rovers doubled their lead three minutes later, when Ivan Yepes converted to end the half on a high at 2-0. And the result was all but assured when Matteo Polisi scored his second goal in the 62nd minute.
And it could have been even more embarrassing for Philip Dos Santos’ club, when Matt Chandler used his arm to block a shot, giving Rovers a penalty. But Polisi failed to convert for his hat-trick. Anthony Novak converted a penalty in the 88th minute for Valour.
But the night belonged to TSS Rovers and their ecstatic fans.
TSS Rovers coach praises goal scorers
“There is a rare game out there played around the world where you might only get one or two chances, no matter who you’re playing and how you’re playing,” said TSS Rovers coach Will Cromack after the game. “So we talked about it, you got to take your chances.
“We have some lethal guys on our team. And what they did off the ball was incredible, but they knew they’re gonna get their chances, and that we had guys that can take them, and that’s important.”
TSS Rovers progress to the next round where they’ll face either Pacific FC or Cavalry FC in May.
-with files by Stuart Gradon
TSS Rovers vs Valour FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Swangard Stadium Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Photo: John May/Total Soccer News
TSS Rovers vs Valour FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Swangard Stadium Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Photo: John May/Total Soccer News
TSS Rovers vs Valour FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Swangard Stadium Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Photo: John May/Total Soccer News
TSS Rovers vs Valour FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Swangard Stadium Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Photo: John May/Total Soccer News
TSS Rovers vs Valour FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Swangard Stadium Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Photo: Hazel May/Total Soccer News
TSS Rovers vs Valour FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Swangard Stadium Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Photo: Hazel May/Total Soccer News
TSS Rovers vs Valour FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Swangard Stadium Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Photo: Hazel May/Total Soccer News
TSS Rovers vs Valour FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Swangard Stadium Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Photo: Hazel May/Total Soccer News
