The Vancouver Rise unveiled their marquee signing on Friday.
Canadian international Quinn was announced on Thursday. They join the Rise after five years with the Seattle Reign of the NWSL. They are moving up the I-5 and will play a massive part in the Rise’s inaugural season.
The 29-year-old midfielder is also a prominent member of the Canadian women’s national team. They were part of the 2016 team that won a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics and the gold medal-winning team at Tokyo 2020. (Held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
Quinn spent four years at Duke University playing with the Blue Devils from 2013 to 2017. They have played for the Toronto Lynx of the now defunct USL-W league, NWSL’s Washington Spirit, Sweden’s Vittsjö GIK (on loan from Seattle in 2020) and the Reign.
Now Quinn gets to be a pioneer, not only of the Rise but the Northern Super League and women’s soccer in Canada.
A Marquee signing
It was clear that the Rise needed a marquee signing, and Quinn fits the bill.
“It was really important for us to get a marquee player that helps elevate the quality of other players that we can attract to Vancouver,” said Rise president Sinead King. “So just the calibre and talent that Quinn brings to the team is really important to set the tone for our team.”
“It’s a surreal experience for me,” said Quinn. “We want this league to grow and to grow quickly. Having familiar faces being able to fill the stands and… grow that excitement for women’s professional soccer, for me is so exciting.”
They shared their excitement for the new women’s professional soccer league in Canada.
“Growing up in Toronto, I think every opportunity the national team came to town, I was begging my parents to take me,” said Quinn. “It was the only opportunity I got to see professional soccer players in action. I didn’t understand growing up what the career path would look like for me. I knew I wanted to play on the national team. But I didn’t even dream of playing professionally because I didn’t understand that because it had never been in my home backyard.”
“I think as a national team, we’ve always wanted to build a league in this country, and it’s been honestly so sad that we haven’t had one. It’s just such an incredible opportunity for young athletes to finally see themselves and what their future can look like on the pitch.”
A leader
As mentioned, Quinn brings a ton of experience for club and country. Being a leader for young players was a big factor in their decision to come to Vancouver.
“I’m just so excited for the young generation that’s coming in,” said Quinn. “That really has been the motivational force for me. Being a leader more on the national team now and being in the leadership group is something that I really value and that I can bring to the teams that I’m on. It always excites me when we get a young player on the national team and just to see the quality of the players coming in.”
“It’s just so crazy. I was not that good at 16. To see these young players, I think it’s exciting to see what I can give to them now and while they’re starting their careers.”
A trailblazer
Quinn has been known for being a trailblazer as a non-binary athlete. They came out as non-binary in 2020 and they were the first non-binary athlete to compete at the Olympics in 2021 and win a gold medal. In 2023, Quinn was the first non-binary player at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I think it’s an exciting thing being the first trans-non-binary athlete in women’s soccer and the NWSL,” they said about being a trailblazer. “I think it pushed that league to reassess their policies and reassess the ways that they can be more inclusive. This is just another aspect that will push this league to be the most inclusive league in the world.”
Love for the West Coast
Quinn didn’t have to go too far after leaving Seattle. Despite being from Toronto, they shared their love for Vancouver and the West Coast.
“I fell in love with this coast, sorry to the East Coast,” said Quinn with a smile. “We also spent time with the national team in Vancouver back in 2015, and I absolutely loved the city. It’s the place I’ve always wanted to be when I was older, and so this is just such an amazing step. Settling down in Vancouver and being able to play for the team here, it’s just so exciting. It’s honestly (been) a dream since I was little.”
Quinn also was asked about the history of women’s soccer in Vancouver, especially regarding the rise of the Vancouver Whitecaps Girls Elite Academy and the Whitecaps women.
“Growing up when I was looking at the national team, Vancouver was understood to be the top spot to be with the rich history of the national team, the rich history of the Whitecaps and the Whitecaps women,” they said. “I think it’s such an exciting time to build on that history. The opportunity that the Academy got this past summer was a really incredible one to see that young talent go against some of the best players in the world and they stood their own. So I think we got to see sparks of what the future looks like.”
As for the Vancouver weather, Quinn would much rather have rain than snow.
“I hate the cold, and so when I moved to the West Coast, I thought anything is better than snow,” they said. “The wet seasons, they’re testing for sure, but I’ve gotten a lot of really good rain gear. My dog and I, put our rain jackets on and we go out in the morning, and it’s something that I’ve grown to love for sure.”
Quinn will be an integral part of the Rise’s inaugural season, and they hope they can help Vancouver rise above as quickly as possible.
