MLS
RISE FC SIGN CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL DEFENDER ARIEL YOUNG
Given the recent changes to rosters for various pro teams it’s a welcome addition to hear that the Vancouver Rise FC made it official by announcing they have signed Canadian International Defender and Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy graduate Ariel Young.
The signing comes prior to the inaugural season in the Northern Super League (NSL) which has soccer fanatics in the area “pumped up” and eager for the opening kick-off.
We have received the following from the Rise and wanted to share.
Enjoy the read:
“We’re excited to sign Ariel, the first Rise FC player to come through the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy program,” said Stephanie Labbé, sporting director of Vancouver Rise FC. “She has just finished her first professional season in Denmark, and we are excited to bring her back to Vancouver with that experience.”
From 2018 to 2019, Young played in the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy in Vancouver. Earlier this year, the 23-year-old started her professional career with Fortuna Hjørring in Denmark’s top flight Elitedivisionen.
Prior to moving to Denmark, Young had a strong collegiate career at the University of Central Florida, including a 2021 season where she was a unanimous selection to the American Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team.
At the international level, Young made her debut for Canada’s senior women’s national team as a 16-year-old in 2017, subbing on in an international friendly versus the United States. In 2018, Young also represented her country at the Concacaf U-17 and U-20 Women’s Championship tournaments, and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
In her youth, the native of Ottawa, Ontario played at Nepean Hotspurs and Ottawa Fury.
For more information on Vancouver Rise FC, visit vanrisefc.com.
Ariel Young
Pronunciation: air-ee-ull
Position: Defender