Carleton’s Dream Game
Portland Fire forward Bridget Carleton, 29, celebrated an 82-79 win over the Toronto Tempo in Vancouver on Friday. The game drew 12,414 fans to Rogers Arena and ended Toronto's 12-game losing streak.
Carleton, a two-time Olympian from Chatham, Ontario, said the experience was "surreal". "I would never have imagined this when I was a kid growing up in Canada," she told reporters. She scored nine points in the first six minutes and finished with 12 points, helping the Fire take an early lead before Toronto rallied.
Tempo’s Comeback and Fan Support
Toronto, 11-25, clawed back from a 13-point deficit to win. Centre Isabelle Harrison credited the crowd for the momentum, noting the noise at Rogers Arena was so loud that head coach Sandy Brondello struggled to communicate during timeouts. Harrison highlighted the respect Canadian fans have for hard-working players.
The game was part of the Tempo’s Cross Canada series, which also included a record-setting 20,996-attendance loss to the Dallas Wings at Montreal’s Bell Centre in July. Brondello said the team’s mission is to build a fan base across the country and make players household names.
Growing WNBA Presence in Canada
Carleton reflected on the evolution of women’s basketball in Canada. "Seeing women professional athletes playing so close to home, the sky's the limit," she said. The Tempo will stay in Vancouver for the weekend, hosting a fan festival on Saturday before facing the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday.
Toronto guard Brittney Sykes praised the growing fandom, noting the team’s expansion into Canada has brought new opportunities for young girls. "I just want us to keep putting out a really great product for these little girls and every little kid to believe that they can make it to the next level," she added.
The WNBA’s expansion into Canada continues to showcase the sport’s growth and the increasing visibility of professional women’s basketball across North America.
