TSS FC Rovers

TSS FC Rovers are a Canadian soccer team based in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada that play in League1 British Columbia. 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]

TSS FC Rovers
Short nameTSS Rovers
Founded1997
2017 (semi-pro team)
StadiumSwangard Stadium
Burnaby, British Columbia
Capacity5,288
General managerWill Cromack
CoachAdam Day
LeagueLeague1 British Columbia
2021Did not play (COVID-19)
WebsiteClub website

History
Club logo from 2017 to 2020

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

In late 2016, they purchased the rights to Premier Development League franchise of the Washington Crossfire, creating a team in British Columbia fielding their first roster in the spring of 2017.[3][4] They have a supporters group called the "Swanguardians" in reference to the Rovers home stadium Swangard Stadium, who previously attended Vancouver Whitecaps games when they played out of Swangard Stadium, prior to their joining the MLS. When these supporters heard about the Rovers returning soccer back to the iconic stadium, they came out in support with much fanfare.[4] The team has a stated policy of fostering Canadian talent, or players eligible for the Canadian men's national teams.[5]

2018 saw the founding of the women's side to play in the WPSL, notable signings included Canada WNT players Jordyn Huitema and Julia Grosso.[6] In 2018, the men's side saw the team's first truly non-Canadian signing in Dutch, former Toronto FC midfielder Nick Soolsma as a player-coach.[7]

The club competed with the Victoria Highlanders for the Juan de Fuca Plate, which was awarded annually to the best PDL/USL League Two club in British Columbia.[8] The Rovers won it in 2018 and 2019.[9]

In 2020, the club updated their logo to include a sword fern, an indigenous plant to coastal BC.[10]

On November 1, 2021 it was announced that the club would be playing in the inaugural season of League1 British Columbia.[11]

Year-by-year
Year Level League Record Regular season Playoffs Juan de Fuca Plate[12] Top scorer Ref
2017 4 Premier Development League 3–3–8 6th, Northwest Did not qualify Runner-Up Daniel Davidson (5) [13]
2018 5–2–7 4th, Northwest Did not qualify Winner Zach Verhoven (5)
2019 USL League Two 3–2–9 6th, Northwest Did not qualify Winner Matteo Polisi (6) [14]
2020 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Did not play due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions

Notable former players

The following players have either moved on to the professional ranks after playing for the PDL team club, or played professionally before joining the club.

Supporters

The team is supported by The Swanguardians, 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.[15] 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.

References
  1. "About TSS Academy".
  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. "How Two Friends Launched Their Own Football Club".
  6. "Canadian National Team players Jordyn Huitema and Julia Grosso headline first TSS Rovers WPSL roster – AFTN". aftn.ca. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  7. "TSS Rovers new addition Nick Soolsma looking to "help the team with my experience" – AFTN". aftn.ca. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  8. 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.
  9. "Highlanders Come Up Short Against TSS FC Rovers". Victoria Highlanders. July 6, 2019.
  10. Jacques, John (February 14, 2021). "Elmes: There Will Be No Canadian Teams In USL This Year". Northern Tribune.
  11. "League1BC welcomes TSS Rovers as a founding License Holder". BC Soccer Association. November 1, 2021.
  12. "Official Homepage of the Juan de Fuca Plate". Juandefucaplate.ca. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  13. "TSS Rovers Stats". Canadian Soccer History Archives.
  14. "Vancouver TSS Rovers Stats". Canadian Soccer History Archives.
  15. "A Supporting Life: What it means to support TSS Rovers – AFTN". Retrieved January 27, 2021.
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