BC Soccer News, Monday, December 12, 2016

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

2016 MLS CUP

TORONTO FC 0  SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC  0

(SOUNDERS FC WIN 5-4 ON PENALTIES)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2016

BMO FIELD, TORONTO, ONT.

Seattle Sounders win first MLS Cup in franchise history in dramatic penalty kick shootout over Toronto FC – Sounders FC
For the first time in franchise history, the Seattle Sounders are MLS Cup champions. Seattle battled Toronto FC to a scoreless deadlock through 120 minutes in Saturday’s MLS Cup final at BMO field, but eventually prevailed 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout, capped by a finish from resurgent Panamanian center back Roman Torres.

Stefan Frei’s transcendent save sparks Seattle Sounders to first MLS Cup – SI.com
Here’s one great thing about sports—and, especially, about soccer. You can slog through a night of mostly nothing, of missed chances and utterly unmemorable exchanges, and then out of nowhere comes a moment so transcendent that you know it’ll be seared into your cortex for as long as you roam this earth.

‘I’m just a little bit numb’ — Toronto FC comes to terms with heartbreaking MLS Cup defeat – SN
For such a beloved game, soccer can be extremely cruel. Consider the case Toronto FC, which seemed like a team of destiny this year after it rode its way through a rollercoaster playoff campaign to the brink of the MLS Cup, only to have it snatched away on its own turf by the slimmest of margins.

Did Sounders deserve to win MLS Cup? Doesn’t matter, they did – MLS
For 120 minutes on a bitterly cold December night at BMO Field, with Major League Soccer’s ultimate prize on the line, the Seattle Sounders failed to register a single shot on goal.

Sounders fans welcome MLS Cup champs back from Toronto – Seattle Times
Sounders FC fans greeted the new MLS Cup champions on Sunday afternoon with songs, scarves, flags — and a sousaphone — after the team’s return flight from Toronto touched down at Boeing Field.

Seattle Sounders’ MLS Cup Champions March and Rally to take place on Tuesday, December 13 – Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC claimed the first MLS Cup in team history on Saturday evening with a penalty-kick shootout victory over Toronto FC at BMO Field. With the club preparing to return to Seattle and celebrate its title, plans are being made throughout the greater Seattle metropolitan area for the organization to mark this milestone achievement with its fans.

Toronto, Seattle set markers for fruits of ambition as MLS evolves – Four Four Two
In the aftermath of MLS Cup on Saturday night at BMO Field, one team was left to wonder how to rebound from a devastating loss. Another flew home to celebrate with its fans. Each should feel as though its ambition and approach was validated.

Toronto FC: The best team in Canada, but not Canada’s team – CBC
This is a team built by Americans, for Americans. There were eight of them in the TFC starting lineup, including captain Michael Bradley. They were selected by an American coach who reports to an American GM who, in turn, takes his cues from an American president.

Toronto FC ‘just getting started,’ coach Vanney says – Toronto Star
In early May when Toronto FC played its first game ― and earned its first win ― of the season at BMO Field, Greg Vanney wished the result would give credence to the club’s renascence after nearly a decade without success.

Toronto FC will be back, almost intact, for another title shot – Toronto Sun
The stadium’s Tunnel Club was more serene than usual on Saturday night. Dropping a home MLS Cup on penalties will do that to an organization, its fans and its players, none of which showed at Toronto FC’s post-championship party at Muzik nightclub.

Let the offseason begin – Whitecaps FC
Seattle Sounders FC emerged as MLS Cup champions on Saturday night, defeating Toronto FC in penalties to conclude the 2016 MLS season. That means the offseason is officially upon us. And it’s going to be wild. Here’s a rundown of what to expect this week.

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? – Soccer Shorts
Is this a Winter of Discontent for fans of the Whitecaps? More like a winter holding their heads in their hands and hoping the world would go away I suspect but sooner or later we all have to dive into the freezing cold pool of reality whether we have lanolin covering our bodies or not.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Brett Levis inspires next generation of soccer players – Global
In between games at the SISCO tournament at the SaskTel Sports Centre, young soccer players had a chance to meet one of their idols, Brett Levis, and even have him sign some of their swag.

Ex-Whitecap Thorrington now leading L.A. FC into MLS for 2018 – The Province
About a year ago, John Thorrington was hired as executive vice-president of soccer operations for Los Angeles FC, who join MLS in 2018.

Minnesota United acquire center back Joseph Greenspan from Rapids – MLS
Minnesota United acquired the third member of their MLS roster on Sunday, completing a trade for towering defender Joseph Greenspan with the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Minnesota’s Third Round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

Fans could bring guns into stadiums under proposed bill in Washington state – The Guardian
The bill was proposed by Republican representatives Matt Shea, David Taylor and Bob McCaslin and would prevent stadium operators from stopping members of the public with licenses to carry concealed firearms from entering their venues with weapons. Stadiums affected would include the Seattle Mariners’ Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, the home of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and MLS’s Seattle Sounders.

Train With Champions TWU Spartan Female Soccer Academy

BC SOCCER NEWS

UFV women’s soccer program to host ID camp – UFV
University of the Fraser Valley women’s soccer head coach Rob Giesbrecht is hosting a player identification camp on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017.

From soccer balls to yoga mats: Student-run charity works to combat child poverty – CTV
When the principal of East Vancouver’s Florence Nightingale Elementary School sees her students racing around the fields with new soccer balls, she knows exactly who to thank: YNOTFORTOTS, a unique charity founded by students at the University of British Columbia.

PHOTOS: CANADA WEST WOMENS FINAL, UBC 3, TWU 0, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

VMSL PHOTOS: Richmond FC Hibs 1, ICSF Columbus FC 0, November 5, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

Tickets now on sale for Canada Soccer Women’s National Team celebration match 4 February in Vancouver – CSA
Individual tickets to the Canada v Mexico Women’s National Team Bronze Medal celebration match on 4 February 2017 in Vancouver are now on sale to the public. Complete ticket information can be found at CanadaSoccer.com/Tickets.

MWSL PHOTOS: Van United Primas 0, Fraser Valley Action 2, October 30, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

PHOTOS: GNAC Women’s Soccer: SFU 1 Concordia U. (Ore.) 0, October 20, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

BC Soccer Assoc. Releases their 2015-2016 Year in Review – BCSA
After another successful year of soccer in British Columbia, BC Soccer Assoc. is pleased to release their 2015-2016 Year in Review.  The creation of the BC Soccer Club Charter Program, delivery of a FIFA Live Your Goals Festival, along with the numerous Grassroots Festivals across the province and Coach Education highlight some of the major successes this past year.

BC Soccer Assoc. Delivery of Coach Mandate – BCSA
IMPORTANT:  If you are coaching in the ages U6-U12 you are required to complete the age appropriate course(s) even if you have a higher level of certification (ie. Soccer for Life, B pretest, C License, B License or A License). In order to enable our membership to deliver on the coaching mandate, BC Soccer Assoc. will be scheduling Learning Facilitator training sessions to assist organizations to have qualified individuals to deliver in-club coach certification courses to their coaches.

2016 BC Soccer Provincial Cup Photo Galleries – BC Soccer Web
Westhills Stadium & Goudy Park in Langford hosted the 2016 BC Soccer Adult Provincial Cup Finals. It was a thrilling weekend of soccer on Vancouver Island that saw seven champions crowned. Richmond FC & Surrey Pegasus qualified for the National Championships this Fall in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Both Coquitlam Metro-Ford Masters & Classics sides qualified for the Western Canadian Masters Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In all, it was a clean sweep for teams from the VMSL & MWSL. Monique Lamoureux & Bill Currie from BC Soccer Web were on location that weekend, capturing the all the action.

Free Physiotherapy Clinical Trial for Achilles Pain at UBC – UBC Centre for Hip Health & Mobility
Do you have Achilles pain? Interested in free Physiotherapy? If yes, join our clinical trial to look at the effectiveness of intramuscular stimulation (IMS), a form of acupuncture therapy, in treating Achilles tendon pain.

The BC Soccer Web Guide to Empire Field – BC Soccer Web
Empire Fields and Plateau Sports Park is the lofty and formal name given to Vancouver’s newest addition to the soccer scene. Yet, anyone who’s ever kicked or carried both kinds of footballs around these parts knows the place by heart.

Introducing BC Soccer Web Syndication – BC Soccer Web
You can now add BC Soccer Web news to your website simply by adding our new RSS Feed! Find out more.

Send your Soccer News to BC Soccer Web! – BC Soccer Web
BC Soccer Web is the hub for soccer in British Columbia. We want to share your soccer news with the entire province, and you can help by letting us know! We want your match reports, club news, league standings, and info on upcoming tournaments and clinics. Whether you submit links to existing news on the web, or your own original writing, we want to share it with the soccer community in B.C.

Connect with Soccer in British Columbia! Advertise on BC Soccer Web today!

CANADA SOCCER NEWS

Victoria Soccer Club president Karl Weidle has died – Edmonton Journal
Karl Weidle is known for building the Victoria Soccer Club from the ground up. On Twitter, the soccer club announced his death with deep sadness. “His legacy is undeniable,” the club tweeted. In June, the 83-year-old was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

Grassroots Practices You Can Use – Learn to Train (Week 40) – OSA
The Player Development department continues to put together a practice for coaches to use with their players across the province of Ontario. Each week will focus on one of the three LTPD development stages at the Grassroots level, which includes Active Start, FUNdamentals, and Learn to Train.

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Sources: Jacksonville Armada leave NASL, target USL move – Empire of Soccer
Several months ago, the Jacksonville Armada began a cost-cutting operation. Staff numbers were reduced. Spending, examined. At the time, the thought was that ownership was beginning to take a more responsible, realistic approach to the team’s overall spending — particularly in the face of a difficult year of operations. But the reason was much deeper than that.

An uncertain league future awaits Puerto Rico FC — an interview with president Thomas Payne – Medium
Lately, reports of league collapse have also emerged, and it would come at a horrible time for PRFC — a team in its infancy.

Forbes, Gomez Lead Returnees to Rhinos – USL
The Rochester Rhinos announced on Friday the club had exercised contract options on 10 players from its 2016 squad, including USL Golden Glove winner Tomas Gomez and All-League selections Kenardo Forbes and Joe Farrell.

Sky Blues, City slip up – Round 6 review – W-League
Sydney FC missed the opportunity to grab outright top spot in the Westfield W-League after failing to take advantage of Melbourne City’s maiden defeat in the competition.

Pupils dismiss “rubbish” FA document on girls’ football – EuroSport
Primary school pupils have criticised a Football Association document which suggests girls could be encouraged into football by using bibs that “smell nice”, having breaks so players can tweet and playing music during sessions.

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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

FA reform: Former chiefs say ‘elderly white men’ block change – BBC Sport
The Football Association is outdated, held back by “elderly white men” and unable to counter the power of the Premier League, say five former executives of the governing body.

UCL draw: Arsenal woe, Barcelona wary, Man City and Leicester pleased – ESPN FC
Monday’s draw was a familiar sight for fans of both clubs and Bayern will be feeling confident. The Gunners meet Bayern again after facing them in the group stage last year and being dumped out of the round of 16 stage by the Germans in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

EPL notes: Liverpool draws with West Ham, Chelsea pulling away and more – Fox Sports
The notion that good defenses win league titles has rather fallen out of fashion, but this weekend’s Premier League action divided into two groups of matches. Those in which at least one team knew how to defend and those in which neither team looked comfortable at the back. Chelsea is looking like a likely champion because it doesn’t give up careless points.

Cavani’s brace rescues PSG in draw with leader Nice – Sportsnet
Edinson Cavani’s goals at one end are carrying a Paris Saint-Germain side that is conceding them with alarming regularity at the other.

Club America exorcises demons of previous Club World Cup in resilient win – SN
A double from Silvio Romero helped Las Aguilas come back from a goal down to top Korean side Jeonbuk Motors 2-1, and move into a Club World Cup semifinal against Real Madrid.

Torino fail to scale the mountain as Juventus tower above derby rivals – The Guardian
With joint-second placed teams Roma and Milan squaring off on Monday night, we thought we’d hold the main part of the Serie A blog for Tuesday morning. But there was some pretty significant action over the weekend, too, so here’s an extended edition of talking points to keep you going until then.

Tevez scores twice to settle Superclasico – SN
Carlos Tevez scored a match-winning double in what could be his last Superclasico as Boca Juniors won a thriller 4-2 at River Plate.

Manchester United face St Etienne in Europa League, Spurs play Gent – ESPN FC
Manchester United will take on St Etienne in the Europa League’s round of 32, while Tottenham Hotspur will face Gent and Villarreal have been drawn against Roma.

Melbourne Victory’s football made at times to look elegant in its simplicity – The Guardian
For the second time in a month Tony Popovic won the tactical battle against Kevin Muscat but lost the war. Two 3-0 scorelines in five rounds against the same opponent indicates a gulf in class, but in both encounters Western Sydney Wanderers enjoyed more possession, attempted more shots, and appeared the side in greater control of the mid-pitch exchanges. But history is written by the winners, and Melbourne Victory’s ruthless efficiency in front of goal is a story worth telling.

NSCAA All-Americans: NCAA Division I Men – Soccer America
Men’s College Cup runner-up Wake Forest placed three seniors on the 2016 NSCAA NCAA Division I Men’s All-America first team.

Kurdish militants claim responsibility for deadly Turkey bombings outside soccer stadium  – Toronto Sun
The twin car-and-suicide bombings Saturday night near the Besiktas stadium enraged top officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who vowed to hunt down the perpetrators. The attack was the latest large-scale assault to traumatize a nation confronting an array of security threats.