TSS FC Rovers
ClubnameTSS FC Rovers
Upright1.1
Short nameTSS Rovers
Founded1997
2017 (semi-pro team)
StadiumSwangard Stadium
Burnaby, British Columbia[n 1]
Capacity5,288
Coordinates49°13′51″N 123°01′16″W
ChrtitleGeneral manager
LeagueBritish Columbia Premier League
Season2025
PositionL1BC, 2nd (men)
L1BC, 4th (women)
Current2025 League1 British Columbia season
Websitehttp://www.tssfc.ca/adult
Pattern b 1_arsenalh0204
Shorts 1000000
Socks 1000000
Pattern la 2_black
Pattern b 2_greystripes3
Pattern ra 2_black
Body 2000000
Shorts 2000000
Socks 2000000

TSS FC Rovers, commonly referred to as TSS Rovers, are a Canadian soccer team based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada that play in the British Columbia Premier League, the third tier of soccer in Canada.[n 1] Established for the 2017 PDL season by general manager Will Cromack and head coach Colin Elmes, the Rovers are the under-23 team of the TSS Academy, one of the largest soccer schools in British Columbia's Lower Mainland.[1]

History

Founding

TSS (Total Soccer Systems) Academy was founded in 1997, based in Richmond, British Columbia.[2]

PDL and WPSL era

In late 2016, TSS purchased the rights to the Premier Development League franchise of the Washington Crossfire, and in the spring of 2017 fielded their first squad.[3][4] The club has a supporters group called the "Swanguardians,"[5] alluding to the Rovers' new home, Swangard Stadium, which was previously the home stadium of the Vancouver Whitecaps before the Caps joined the MLS.[4] The team has a stated policy of fostering Canadian talent, or players eligible for the Canadian men's national teams, stating every player must be "either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or refugee or immigrant with an intent to one day wear the Maple Leaf."[6][7]

In 2018 the women's team was founded to play in the WPSL. Notable signings included Canada WNT players Jordyn Huitema and Julia Grosso.[8] In 2018, the men's team signed its first non-Canadian, Dutchman Nick Soolsma, a former Toronto FC midfielder, as player-coach.[9]

The club competed with the Victoria Highlanders for the Juan de Fuca Plate, awarded annually to the best PDL/USL League Two club in British Columbia.[10] The Rovers won it in 2018 and 2019.[11]

In 2020, the club updated their logo to include a sword fern, a plant indigenous to coastal BC.[12]

British Columbia Premier League era

On November 1, 2021, it was announced that the club would be playing in the inaugural season of British Columbia Premier League (BCPL) (named League1 BC at the time).[13] In addition, TSS decided to emulate those German clubs that were partly owned by their fans, giving the fans voting rights and a say in the direction of the team.[14][15] Fans will own 49% of the team through this initiative.[16] After finishing second in the league standings in their first season, the men's team went on to defeat Varsity FC on penalty kicks in the Championship Final,[17] thereby qualifying for the national 2023 Canadian Championship.[18]

TSS Rovers made their first appearance in the Canadian Championship on April 19, 2023, at Swangard Stadium, where they defeated Valour FC 3–1, becoming the first semi-pro team to knockout a professional team in Canadian Championship history.[19][20] They were then defeated by another CPL club, Pacific FC, in the quarter-finals.[21] TSS Rovers would finish the 2023 BCPL season in second place before falling to the eventual playoff winners, Whitecaps FC Academy, in the semi-finals.

On April 19, 2024, it was announced that TSS Rovers would participate in the 2024 Canadian Championship to replace Victoria Highlanders FC, who had withdrawn from the competition.[22] They were drawn against Pacific FC for the preliminary round, where they drew 1–1 in normal time, with Pacific scoring a game-tying goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time, before being defeated 5–4 in penalty kicks.[23] In 2024, the Rovers won the BCPL regular season title, which qualified them for the 2025 Canadian Championship.[24] On August 4, 2024, TSS Rovers defeated Altitude FC 3–2 in the BCPL playoff championship, making them the first team in BCPL history to complete the league double.[25][26]

At the 2025 Canadian Championship, TSS faced off against Valour FC in the preliminary round. The game ended in a 1-0 win for the CPL side. The 2025 BCPL season was tightly contested with TSS and Langley United leading the standings for much of the season. In the final match week, TSS would lose to Kamloops United FC after an 84th minute winner. After Langley won on the last match day, TSS saw themselves finishing in second place, one point behind of the league winners and narrowly missing out on the 2026 Canadian Championship.

Club culture

Supporters

The team is supported by The Swanguardians,[5] a small group of supporters who stand at the south end of the pitch and support the team with banners, smoke displays, and original chants made primarily from Canadian songs.[27][28] The group was formed in 2017 shortly after the founding of the team, and continues to support its former players in their college, professional, and national team careers on social media through their #AlwaysARover hashtag.

Rivalries

TSS Rovers participates in the Ironworkers Derby which is contested against Altitude FC.[29] The derby is so named due to the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge which connects the North Shore, where Altitude FC's home field is located, to the rest of Greater Vancouver. The two teams met in the 2024 British Columbia Premier League Playoff Championship, where TSS Rovers came out on top and completed the double.

The team also participates in the Burnaby Derby, since 2024 when Burnaby FC joined British Columbia Premier League. The inaugural matches of the derby were held on June 24, 2024, where the Burnaby FC women's side won their match, while the men's teams drew 0-0.[30]

Year-by-year

Men

YearDivLeagueRecordRegular seasonPlayoffs[a]Juan de Fuca Plate[b]Canadian ChampionshipTop scorerRef
20174USL League Two[c]3–3–86th, NorthwestDid not qualifyRunner-upNot eligibleDaniel Davidson (5)[31]
20185–2–74th, NorthwestDid not qualifyWinnerZach Verhoven (5)
20193–2–96th, NorthwestDid not qualifyWinnerMatteo Polisi (6)[32]
2020Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021Did not enter due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions
20223British Columbia Premier League[d]6–4–22ndChampions2ndNot eligibleErik Edwardson (10)[33]
20239–2–32ndSemi-finals2ndQuarter-finalsMassud Habibullah (8)[33]
20247–3–21stChampions2ndPreliminary roundMassud Habibullah (7)[33]
202510–2–42nd–4thPreliminary roundIvan Mejia (14)[33]
  1. ^ Beginning in 2025, British Columbia Premier League competition will not hold a playoff competition
  2. ^ The Juan de Fuca Plate became a combined men's and women's competition beginning in 2022
  3. ^ The USL League Two was known as "Premier Development League" until 2018
  4. ^ The British Columbia Premier League was known as "League1 British Columbia" until 2026

Women

YearLeagueRecordRegular seasonPlayoffsJuan de Fuca Plate[b]Interprovincial ChampionshipTop scorerRef
2018Women's Premier Soccer League3–2–24th, Northwest––N/AJenna Baxter (5)[34]
20194–0–45th, Northwest––[34]
2020Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021Did not enter due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions
2022British Columbia Premier League6–3–34thDid not qualify2ndDid not qualifyClaire Ye (5)[35]
20236–3–54thSemi-finals2ndDid not qualifyDelana Friesen (7)[35]
20245–2–54thSemi-finals2ndDid not qualifyJenna Baxter (5)[35]
20257–4–54th–4thDid not qualifySofia Faremo (6)[35]

Notable former players

The following players have played at the professional or senior international level either before or after playing for the PDL/WPSL/L1BC team.

Men

Women

Honours

Men

Major

Champions (1): 2022, 2024
Champions (1): 2024

Minor

Winners (2): 2018, 2019
Runners-up (1): 2017

Combined

Runners-up (1): 2022, 2023, 2024

Notes

  1. ^ TSS as an organization are based in Richmond, but their British Columbia Premier League teams play their home matches in Burnaby.

References

  1. ^ "TSS Academy Roots". TSS Rovers
  2. ^ "Richmond-based TSS part of BC Premier League expansion". Richmond News. February 6, 2020.
  3. ^ McColl, Michael (January 10, 2017). "Everything you need to know about TSS FC Rovers – BC's newest PDL team". Away from the Numbers
  4. ^ "Vancouver TSS Rovers". Protagonist Soccer. September 30, 2019.
  5. ^ "Swanguardians". Swanguardians. September 27, 2025.
  6. ^ Wells, Nick (May 31, 2017). "How Two Friends Launched Their Own Football Club". In Bed with Maradona
  7. ^ Prest, Andy (June 4, 2019). "Vancouver TSS Rovers bring soccer passion to Canada". North Shore News
  8. ^ McColl, Michael (April 4, 2018). "Canadian National Team players Jordyn Huitema and Julia Grosso headline first TSS Rovers WPSL roster". Away from the Numbers
  9. ^ McColl, Michael (April 13, 2018). "TSS Rovers new addition Nick Soolsma looking to "help the team with my experience"". Away from the Numbers
  10. ^ McColl, Michael (May 27, 2018). "The 2018 Juan De Fuca Plate kicks off in Victoria with TSS Rovers out for revenge". Away from the Numbers
  11. ^ "Highlanders Come Up Short Against TSS FC Rovers". Victoria Highlanders. July 6, 2019.
  12. ^ Jacques, John (February 14, 2021). "Elmes: There Will Be No Canadian Teams In USL This Year". Northern Tribune
  13. ^ "League1BC welcomes TSS Rovers as a founding License Holder". BC Soccer Association. November 1, 2021.
  14. ^ McColl, Michael (January 17, 2022). "TSS Rovers looking to build "real partnership" with local community as share issue affords opportunity to own part of new BCPL sides". Away from the Numbers
  15. ^ Adams, J.J. (January 14, 2022). "Dreamed of owning part of a pro soccer team? Vancouver's TSS Rovers gives you the chance". The Province
  16. ^ Vickers, Aaron (January 19, 2022). "You can own part of this Metro Vancouver soccer team for less than $300". Daily Hive
  17. ^ "League1 BC season concludes with two dramatic finals". BC Soccer. August 2, 2022.
  18. ^ Jacques, John (November 3, 2022). "League1 BC Announced As New Entrant In Canadian Championship". Northern Tribune
  19. ^ Bedakian, Armen (April 20, 2023). "THE MIRACLE OF BURNABY: TSS Rovers stun Valour FC in magical CanChamp night (RECAP + HL)". OneSoccer
  20. ^ Rhodes, Benedict (May 8, 2023). ""The party is still going": Inside TSS Rovers' rise from youth academy to CanChamp quarter-finalists". Canadian Premier League
  21. ^ Vallejo, Felipe (May 12, 2023). "Like Lightning In A Bottle: The Story of the Rovers". Away from the Numbers
  22. ^ "Update to Participation of League1 British Columbia in the 2024 TELUS Canadian Championship". Canadian Soccer Association. April 19, 2024.
  23. ^ Dheensaw, Cleve (May 1, 2024). "Pacific FC gets past TSS Rovers on penalties in dramatic cup win". Times Colonist
  24. ^ Parkes, David (July 17, 2024). "League1 Canada Men's Review: Week 12". Northern Tribune
  25. ^ McColl, Michael (August 4, 2024). "Make Mine A Double: TSS Rovers out to make more League1 BC history in Men's Championship game". Away from the Numbers
  26. ^ Mahmoudi, Nelson (August 7, 2024). "League1 Canada Men's Review – Week 15". Northern Tribune
  27. ^ Corrigan, Chris (May 31, 2018). "A Supporting Life: What it means to support TSS Rovers". Away from the Numbers
  28. ^ Adams, J.J. (June 9, 2019). "TSS Rovers supporters putting their dollars where their hearts are". The Province
  29. ^ "Ironworkers Derby 2023 - Altitude FC vs TSS Rovers". June 17, 2023.
  30. ^ "Rovers Enjoy Success in Pivotal Games". TSS FC Rovers. July 13, 2024.
  31. ^ "TSS Rovers Stats". Canadian Soccer History Archives
  32. ^ "Vancouver TSS Rovers Stats". Canadian Soccer History Archives
  33. ^ "League1 British Columbia Standings". Canadian Soccer History Archive
  34. ^ "WPSL Standings". Women's Premier Soccer League
  35. ^ "League1 British Columbia Women Standings". Canadian Soccer History Archive