Editor’s Note: As 2017 winds down, I’m taking some time off over the holidays to enjoy friends, family, and of course, soccer! News updates will happen a bit more sporadically between now and January 2, 2018. Follow us on Twitter, and you’ll know when we update the site. Thank you for all of your support over the past year. I wish you and yours nothing but the best for the holiday season and 2018! – Bill Currie
Episode 235 – The AFTN Soccer Show (A Bit Of Bully) – AFTN
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, so that means the football news is quietening down a little bit. Still stuff happening though in both Whitecapsland and the world of MLS, and we chat about some of the main talking points in this week’s show.
Whitecaps Getting Their Transfer Business Done Early; Optimizing Team – Eighty-Six Forever
It’s not even Christmas yet and the ‘Caps have already signed five players. Strikers Anthony Blondell, Kei Kamara, and Myer Bevan, Midfielder David Norman Jr. and Goalkeeper Brian Rowe. Carl Robinson stated that he knew what players he wanted to sign and it seems that’s actually the case.
MLS announces details for 2018 MLS Player Combine and SuperDraft – Whitecaps FC
Major League Soccer today announced the details of two prominent January events that annually showcase the best and brightest young stars hoping to break into MLS.
MLS invites 22 players to 2018 Caribbean Combine – MLS
Major League Soccer announced on Monday a group of 22 player who have been invited to participate in the 2018 MLS Caribbean Combine, which will take place from Jan. 9-11 at the Sawgrass Hotel and Suites Sports Complex outside Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
MLS expansion: Nashville appears set to join league – SN
The MLS2Nashville bid group sent a notice to media outlets Tuesday morning of “an important announcement on the future of soccer in Nashville” to be held Wednesday afternoon, with MLS commissioner Don Garber and other luminaries set to attend.
MLS teams learn their opponents for the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League – MLS
Toronto FC, fresh off a historic treble that saw them clinch all three domestic trophies on offer in 2017, will begin their quest to become the first MLS team to win the CCL by facing the Colorado Rapids.
Trial By Fire: Preseason Critical As Colorado Rapids Draw Toronto FC in SCCL – Last Word on Soccer
The first round of the 2018 Scociabank CONCACAF Champions League is set. The Colorado Rapids draw Toronto FC in the only MLS vs. MLS match up of the Round of 16.
TFC depth, new format could help MLS achieve CCL glory in 2018 – SBI
Major League Soccer has achieved more than many could’ve imagined over the last five years, but there’s still one glaring hole on the league’s resume.
Belmont Park decision expected Wednesday, sources say – Newsday
The site will either be the new home of the New York Islanders or the New York City FC soccer team.
Orlando lands Allen from NYCFC, signs Pinho, re-signs Powers – MLS
Orlando City SC made a trio of roster moves on Monday, announcing that they acquired right back R.J. Allen in a trade with NYCFC, signed striker Stefano Pinho from NASL club Miami FC and re-signed midfielder Dillon Powers.
RSL signs U.S. U-20 defender Aaron Herrera to Homegrown contract – SBI
On Friday RSL announced the club’s signing of Aaron Herrera, 20, who becomes the Claret and Cobalt’s 14th Homegrown Player after three years with the University of New Mexico.
Timbers name Giovanni Savarese head coach – Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers have named Giovanni Savarese as the club’s head coach entering the 2018 MLS season, it was announced Monday.
Nanaimo United in contention as soccer season pauses – Nanaimo News Bulletin
Nanaimo United set itself up this fall so that it can have a strong finish to soccer season.
Former Penticton Pinnacles Football coach sues club – Kelowna Capital News
Former Pinnacles Football Club Association head coach and executive director Ezra Cremers has put forward small claims action on the club.
Howieson, Abdulai, Stockdale named to Burnaby Sports HOF – SFU
Former women’s soccer coach Shelley Howieson, track and field super star Ruky Abdulai and John Stockdale of the SFU water polo club will be inducted into the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame.
Energy FC names Steve Cooke Head Coach and Technical Director – Energy FC
Energy FC today named Steve Cooke as the team’s new Head Coach and Technical Director.
Inside the Royal wedding: How Utah’s NWSL team came together in 15 days – Four Four Two
Royals’ brass tells FourFourTwo about the two intense weeks that led the NWSL to Salt Lake City.
Anita Asante to rejoin Chelsea Ladies from Rosengard – Sky Sports
Former England midfielder Anita Asante is to rejoin Chelsea Ladies, the Women’s Super League club have announced.
France 2019 dreams come into view for referees – FIFA
The road to the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 is proceeding with great strides for the teams aiming to qualify, but also for the match officials. FIFA in cooperation with the confederations recently developed a revised list of 35 referee and 69 assistant referee candidates – representing all six confederations and 56 countries – for the biggest tournament in women’s football.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Who has the better Clasico record? – SN
It feels as if it has been a while, but the biggest game in world football returns this weekend.
Antoine Griezmann: Atletico Madrid to report Barcelona to Fifa – BBC Sport
Atletico Madrid are to report Barcelona to Fifa over an alleged illegal approach for striker Antoine Griezmann.
Morgan and Navas take CONCACAF’s top awards, CAF call for Mane and Salah – Inside World Football
Tis the season to be merry, for gifts, family and, naturally, Player of the Year awards. Sunday saw the CONCACAF Premios Univision Deportes awards ceremony in Miami whilst the Confederation of African football has announced the nominees for its 2017 awards.
Jose Mourinho: Lee Johnson buys ‘£450 bottle of wine’ for Manchester United boss – BBC Sport
Bristol City boss Lee Johnson hopes a “£450 bottle of wine” will entice Jose Mourinho to sit down with him after Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final.
Rooney scores penalty, misses another in Everton’s win over Swansea – Sportsnet
Wayne Rooney had one penalty saved and scored another in Everton’s 3-1 win over last-place Swansea in the Premier League that maintained the team’s resurgent form under recently hired manager Sam Allardyce on Monday.
Mane: Liverpool ‘very lucky’ to be getting £48m man Keita – SN
Liverpool can consider themselves “very lucky” to have won the race for Naby Keita’s signature, says Sadio Mane.
Problems with goal-line technology system in French league – Sportsnet
Goal-line technology entered soccer after a goal was wrongly disallowed at the 2010 World Cup. FIFA is focused on fast-tracking the next phase of technology — video assistant referees — for the 2018 World Cup.
Olympiakos back on top at halfway stage of Greek season – NBC Sports
Marko Marin‘s 63rd-minute goal gave defending champion Olympiakos a 1-0 win Sunday over Giannena as it returned to the top of the Greek league.
Barnsley: Consortium completes takeover of Championship club – BBC Sport
A consortium including a Chinese billionaire and the baseball boss who inspired the Hollywood film ‘Moneyball’ have taken control of Barnsley.
Javi Martínez: The Bandit – The Players’ Tribune
Shortly after 2 a.m. on a balmy September night in 2012, a drunk man climbed over the fence of Athletic Club’s Lezama training center in the eastern outskirts of Bilbao. Inside the compound, he headed straight towards the first-team dressing room, intent on raiding a particular locker containing prized possessions. But the stumbling intruder was stopped by a heroic security guard and wrestled to the ground. The two men continued tussling on the floor for a few more seconds under the starry night until the club employee, to his surprise, recognized the would-be thief as a recently departed player. Yes, it’s true … it was me.