Preview: Whitecaps FC host Christine Sinclair and Portland Thorns at BC Place

The Caps League1 BC women's team consists mainly of young players between the ages of 15 and 17 from the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy, part of the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy system, and is reinforced by some more experienced newcomers.

Now they face the three-time NWSL champions Portland Thorns.

Portland is one of the founding members of the NWSL and has been playing since 2013.

And since then they have been led by the GOAT, Christine Sinclair. They have won the NWSL title in 2013, 2017 and 2022 and the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.

Sinclair isn't the only Canadian. Current Canadian national team star midfielder Jessie Fleming also plays for the Thorns, who are coached by long-time Canadian youth international player and former CPL coach Rob Gale, with former Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy coach Mike Norris as technical director and a another Canadian soccer legend in Karina LeBlanc as general manager.

Heading into their final group game, the 'Caps are still in the race for promotion from Group B – an incredible achievement for this young group. Should they be eliminated, they will continue to play local games for the remainder of 2024 as they prepare for the 2025 League1 BC season where they will attempt to defend both their league and domestic titles.

In 2025, many young players and the entire community will look forward to cheering on Vancouver Rise FC as they play for the first time in Canada's first professional women's soccer league – the Northern Super League (NSL). For more information about Vancouver Rise FC and to make a deposit for season tickets, visit vanrisefc.com.