WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Columbus Crew SC 1, Portland Timbers 2 | MLS Cup Match Recap – Timbers.com
Before the 2015 MLS Cup final, Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter wrestled with the question of whether he believed in destiny, ultimately deciding that hard work begets success.
Portland Timbers win MLS Cup with 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew – The Oregonian
The Portland Timbers jumped up and down at midfield, as thousands of Timbers fans looked on from the stands, waving flags and singing in a moment of pure elation.
Timbers cap memorable 2015 with MLS Cup title – SBI
The champagne fumes were overpowering. The music was blaring. There was dancing, singing, joking, beer guzzling, and even a FaceTime call to an old teammate. The Portland Timbers were on cloud nine, having just capped a strong and memorable 2015 with an MLS Cup trophy that few on the outside thought was obtainable as recently as two months ago.
MLS Cup recap: Portland wins sloppy final – Empire of Soccer
It wasn’t a shimmering example of the league’s play, but the 2015 MLS Cup produced a lot of entertainment. The Portland Timbers held on to a 2-1 lead they claimed early in the match, and won their first title on the road in Columbus.
Timbers deserved winners of dramatic MLS Cup – Sportsnet
A goal within the opening 30 seconds, blown calls by the refs, a bit of controversy and a number of shots that went off the posts and crossbars—the 2015 MLS Cup was one of the most memorable in recent history, providing plenty of drama and entertainment.
Porter’s perseverance and Timbers’ faith pays off with MLS Cup – Goal
Disappointing results earlier in the season never shook Caleb Porter’s faith in his Portland Timbers, who lifted their first MLS Cup title on Sunday.
Portland Timbers set the tone in MLS Cup victory over Columbus Crew SC – MLS
Portland were already selling out with their high press, and you can see one of their defensive leaders pushing his team even higher. They were determined to, at the very least, land a couple of body blows in the game’s first couple of minutes. Instead they landed an uppercut, and the hosts never really recovered.
Portland Timbers’ game plan to attack early paid off says Valeri, Porter – ESPN FC
The Portland Timbers had a plan to attack early in their first MLS Cup appearance. They didn’t expect it to work to perfection so quickly.
Columbus Crew SC goalkeeper Steve Clark takes blame for Timbers’ opener: “This is completely on me” – MLS
Steve Clark is usually one of the surest goalkeepers in MLS when the ball is at his feet. But with MLS Cup on the line on Sunday night at MAPFRE Stadium, all it took was on long touch, one lapse in concentration for that to become moot.
Columbus Crew SC fans stayed behind to cheer on a dejected Kei Kamara – MLS
As crews set up the stage and the Portland Timbers rushed to the south end of MAPFRE Stadium to celebrate their first MLS Cup title with their supporters, Columbus Crew SC’s Kei Kamara sat on the grass in the north end watching a celebration he’s never been part of.
Columbus Crew supporters throw beer cans at Portland Timbers players during MLS Cup Final – The Oregonian
Columbus Crew supporters hurled more than a dozen cans onto the field after Portland Timbers winger Rodney Wallace scored in the seventh minute of Sunday’s MLS Cup Final.
Marrudo: ‘Assistant Referee did not see ball leave play’ – Soccer America
MLS Cup 2015 was decided — the deciding second goal was scored by Portland — after a ball played out of bounds by Portland. The Crew’s Tony Tchani assumed the ball was out and dribbled to play it back it when Portland’s Darlington Nagbe took the ball and started the play that led to the Timbers’ second goal in their 2-1 win.
MLS Cup highlights the league’s officiating woes – the11.ca
On Sunday, referee Jair Marrufo and his crew had a stinker of a game that simply can’t be overlooked. Portland’s 2-1 triumph over Columbus in MLS Cup will likely be held up as the new standard for everybody who believes the quality of officiating in North America simply isn’t good enough.
Timbers’ Paulson, Crew’s Precourt owners for MLS’s present, future – SI.com
Presumably none of the old-guard MLS owners who arrived for the league’s owners meetings and the MLS Cup final were lamenting this week’s death of former Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland. But Merritt Paulson, the 42-year-old owner of the Portland Timbers, isn’t like most MLS owners.
MLS playoff format is an outlier in world soccer — and that’s a good thing – Washington Post
If soccer purists had their way, the MLS season would have ended six weeks ago when the New York Red Bulls raised the Supporters’ Shield for their endurance across a 34-match campaign.
MLS Board of Governors announce support for expansion, new policies for 2016 – Whitecaps FC
Following Saturday’s Major League Soccer Board of Governors meeting in Columbus, MLS announced its support for future expansion to 28 clubs, with a process and timeline to be unveiled at a later date.
Where Will MLS Expand Next? – Northern Pitch
On Saturday, the day before the MLS Cup Final, the league made official what just about everyone knew to be inevitable. MLS would expand beyond 24 teams. After the runaway success of the last round of expansion, it was clear that there was more untapped interest in MLS.
Busy week ahead in MLS: ‘There has certainly been a lot of discussion’ – Whitecaps FC
As of Monday, teams are once again able to make trades within MLS. Free Agency begins on Tuesday. The Waiver Draft is on Wednesday. And Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft is on Friday.
Breaking down the possible player moves as MLS offseason action is set to kick off – The Province
Major League Soccer won’t get the Free Agent Frenzy treatment afforded other sports leagues.
Midfielder Russell Teibert undergoes successful left ankle surgery – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Friday that midfielder Russell Teibert underwent successful surgery for a bone spur in his left ankle this morning. Teibert is expected to make a full recovery prior to the start of the 2016 training camp.
NYCFC announces roster cuts, returnees – and trialists – Empire of Soccer
NYCFC announced today that it has also declined the contract options for Ned Grabavoy, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Jeb Brovsky and Pablo Alvarez.
One-on-one with Garber: Miami, FIFA corruption, promotion/relegation and more – Goal
Goal USA’s Ives Galarcep spoke with MLS commissioner Don Garber about a wide range of topics, including MLS expansion, FIFA/CONCACAF corruption, and much more.
MLS gaining global stars, but still lagging on travel – TSN
Never in the history of MLS have so many footballers of global renown made the switch to our shores. Ownerships willingly forked out lavish salaries. Paradoxically, throughout the season the teams flew on commercial airlines traveling in economy, save the few times they were permitted to charter. A matter recently bought up in the media by Montreal Impact star Didier Drogba, one of the members of MLS’s outstanding Class of 2015 DPs.
2015 Montreal Impact Season Review – Red Nation Online
When I wrote my preview it was pre-Drogba, Frank Klopas was in charge of the club, and I was both analytical and critical of the Impact squandering upcoming opportunities for 2015 season. This included predicting America CF would win the CONCACAF Champions League and the Impact themselves would not make the 2015 MLS playoffs and instead struggle at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with new expansion clubs New York City FC and Orlando City.
Vieira could manage Man City after developing with NYCFC – SBI
Patrick Vieira may have just taken the head coaching position at New York City FC, but one Manchester City official is already considering him as an option to succeed current manager Manuel Pellegrini.
MLS at 20: How football in the USA is thriving at last – BBC Sport
Everybody works for the same company, you can never leave no matter how bad you are, you spend eight months deciding who wins only to play for two more months to decide somebody else has won and you do all this while every other player in the northern hemisphere is on the beach.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
VISL Scores for Week 13 and Upcoming Matches – VISL
Week 13 in Division 1 only had 1 surprise as Lakehill defeated Nanaimo to earn some valuable points near the bottom of the table.
Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency play to 1-1 draw against Houston Dynamo – Whitecaps FC
Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency wrapped up their participation at the 2015 USSDA Winter Showcase with a 1-1 draw against Houston Dynamo on Sunday.
U-16 Residency earn second straight win at USSDA Winter Showcase – Whitecaps FC
Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency earned their second straight victory at the 2015 USSDA Winter Showcase. It was the sixth consecutive victory overall for the Northwest Division leading U-16s.
Wolves roar against Pacific United – Tri City News
The Coquitlam Metro-Ford Wolves maintained their position at the top of the Vancouver Metro Soccer League Premier Division standings after taking down Pacific United 5-1 last weekend.
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CANADA SOCCER NEWS
CONCACAF U-20 women’s championship: Canada in semifinals – CBC
Taylor Pryce had a hat trick as Canada’s women’s under-20 team routed Jamaica 7-0 on Sunday in the qualifying round of the CONCACAF women’s under-20 championship in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
Canada’s Women’s National Team release Natal 2015 Roster and schedule change – CSA
Canada’s Women’s National Team has arrived in Natal, Brazil and will take the pitch for the international tournament starting December 9th.
How Canadian College and University soccer is hurting young soccer players – and what can be done about it – Red Nation Online
In the Canadian college/university system, the play-offs and National Championships are microcosms of the competitive season, with multiple 90+ minute matches scheduled over a very short period of time, including several instances of back-to-back matches, as well as periods of time with 3 games played over just 4 days.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
USWNT: Rapinoe tears ACL before final Victory Tour games – Empire of Soccer
U.S. Women’s National Team and Seattle Reign midfielder Megan Rapinoe has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee. The non-contact injury occurred during training in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Dec. 4. An MRI scan confirmed the injury and Rapinoe will return home to Seattle to prepare for surgery.
USWNT match in Hawaii canceled due to field conditions – SI.com
Former U.S. soccer star Julie Foudy tweeted a photo showing the turf being lifted just under where goalie Hope Solo would have been standing. Jenny Taft of Fox Sports 1 also reported that small pieces of sharp plastic were found mixed in with the rubber pellets normally found in artificial turf.
“Equal Footing” by the U.S. WNT – The Players’ Tribune
“We have the best fans in the world, and we wouldn’t have won the World Cup without their support. To us, that’s just a fact. They made the trek to Canada. They made us feel like we were playing at home in every match. And most of all, they made us feel like, by winning the World Cup, we were a part of something much bigger than ourselves. And that’s why it was such a difficult decision for us to cancel our match vs. Trinidad and Tobago — and one that we did not take lightly at all. Here is what happened.”
U.S. Soccer continues to treat the USWNT worse than they do the USMNT – Stars & Stripes FC
The disparity between the way U.S. Soccer treats the men and the way they treat the women is clear as day. And this isn’t just a matter of economic equality or the way the two teams are presented. This is about how seriously they take the quality of play and health of the players.
Were the US women’s soccer team right to boycott their own victory tour? – The Guardian
When the US women’s national team threatened to boycott a friendly in Hawaii on Sunday (the game was subsequently called off), it was not the first time the players had complained about playing conditions.
PENN STATE WINS NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP – NWSL
Penn State are national champions for the first time in program history. The Nittany Lions topped Duke 1-0 in the 2015 NCAA Division I College Cup final on Sunday with senior midfielder Raquel Rodriguez scoring the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute and redshirt senior goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom producing a three-save shutout.
Penn State outlasts Duke 1-0 for College Cup title – NCAA
In a game highlighted by strong defense, it was a lone goal by Penn State defender Raquel Rodriguez that tipped the balance – and the 2015 women’s College Cup national championship to the Nittany Lions. It is the first women’s soccer title in the school’s history.
Lucy Bronze named FA women’s player of the year – BBC Sport
England and Manchester City defender Lucy Bronze has been named player of the year at the Football Association Women’s Football Awards.
Westfield W-League Round 8 Review – Westfield W-League
Derby weekend in the Westfield W-League ended in more glory for Melbourne City and parity between the Sydney rivals.
U.S. ready to bounce back at CU20W – CONCACAF
With a young squad in Honduras for the 2015 CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship, it’s not a stretch to say the United States has a team with a number of players short on international experience.
Bundesliga player officiates girls’ match as punishment for referee insult – Fox Sports
The 22-year-old, a Turkish youth international Kerem Demirbay has repeatedly apologized for allegedly directing sexist comments towards referee Bibiana Steinhaus after being sent off during his side’s 2. Bundesliga victory over FSV Frankfurt last week.
Busacca: Male and female referees have to work together – FIFA
“Men and women have to work together, because we are convinced that this should be our philosophy. The game is the same, the decisions they take are the same, and thus the preparation for the referees and assistant referees should be, too,” said Busacca. “That is why in all our seminars – starting with two important elite ones in February 2016 – we will present exactly the same information and we’ll organise activities to discuss and analyse situations together; men and women referees”.
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NASL & USL NEWS
Brett Levis working hard to continue his rise with Vancouver Whitecaps and make the “hardest jump” from USL to MLS – AFTN
Brett Levis signed his first professional contract with Vancouver Whitecaps’ USL side back in February of this year, and after a stellar debut season, the 22-year-old will be back in a ‘Caps jersey for 2016.
Bournemouth’s Glenn Murray heads home to pile more misery on Chelsea – The Guardian
The former Wilimington Hammerhead stuns Chelsea with his winner on Saturday.
S2 Announce Return of Anderson, Samuel – USL
S2 announced the return of the two internationals on Friday as part of a number of roster moves for Ezra Hendrickson’s side. Anderson had four goals in 16 appearances for S2 as the side reached the 2015 USL Playoffs, while Samuel had two goals and one assist in his lone appearance for the club as his season ended prematurely due to injury.
Harrisburg City Islanders: President Lopes leaves, replacement to be announced “shortly” – Penn97
On Wednesday, the City Islanders announced that President Tiago Lopes would be leaving his position in Harrisburg. Lopes came to City Islanders in 2012 after working with Manchester United and USL as Associate Director of International Relations. He became acting President of the Harrisburg City Islanders in 2014.
What USL Got Wrong in 2015 – Steel Army Blog
Part two off our off-season filler takes a look at three things USL got wrong this past season. All of these are things that were preventable and need to be corrected or avoided going into 2016. You’ll also notice that everything we list here can be summed up in the idea of ‘being more professional. For as much as the league took positive strides to look more professional, now is the time to make more than superficial changes and operate a more professional league.
Report: San Francisco NASL team to be announced in 2016 – SI.com
The North American Soccer League has accepted Ricardo Stanford-Geromel’s San Francisco-based expansion bid, and the team is expected to be announced as early as February, Evan Ream of Davis Enterprise reports.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Just Deny It: Nike knows nothing about bribes, but it did pay Traffic affiliate $40m – Inside World Football
In the wake of last Thursday’s superseding indictment, issued by the US Department of Justice, in the FIFA corruption cases, Sportswear company Nike has once again issued a statement to the effect that it is cooperating fully with authorities and to insist its officials were not aware of any bribery or wrongdoing in connection with the millions the company sent to a Swiss bank account.
Fifa: FBI probing Sepp Blatter role in $100m bribery scandal – BBC Sport
The FBI is investigating the role played by Fifa president Sepp Blatter in a $100m (£66.2m) bribes scandal, a BBC investigation has discovered.
Leaked memo on FIFA gig gives Platini a thin lifeline to stay in the game – Inside World Football
A leaked memo published in a French newspaper on Sunday should clear Michel Platini’s name and allow him to bid for the FIFA presidency in February, according to his legal team.
Chelsea not ‘too big, too good’ to be relegated – Sportsnet
No doubt, the reigning English champions have stumbled through the first four months of the schedule by losing eight (yes, eight!) of 15 matches. Sitting 15th in the table and 14 points out a top four spot, Chelsea looks like a long-shot for Champions League football next season. But relegation? Surely they’ll avoid the drop, no?
Pumas and Tigres reach Liga MX final after dramatic wins– ESPN FC
Pumas will face Tigres in the two-legged Liga MX final on Dec. 10 and 13 after the pair edged their respective semifinals, with both matches going right to the wire.
Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp ‘worries’ Sir Alex Ferguson in Man United rivarly – ESPN FC
Sir Alex Ferguson admits he is worried Jurgen Klopp’s “fantastic personality” could see Liverpool once again become a threat to Manchester United.
Newcastle upsets Liverpool 2-0 in Premier League after another own goal from Skrtel – canada.com
Martin Skrtel scored his seventh Premier League own goal as relegation-threatened Newcastle upset Liverpool 2-0 on Sunday.
Bayern Munich average across the board in loss at Gladbach – ESPN FC
Shock. Horror. Bayern Munich slipped to their first league defeat of the season, falling 3-1 at Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.
The FIFA Club World Cup in numbers – FIFA
The fans making their way to Japan are counting down the days to the start of the 12th FIFA Club World Cup, when the champions of the six confederations and the host nation’s title holders will vie for the biggest club title of all, with Osaka and Yokohama staging the tournament’s eight games.
Racing Club, Independiente showcase the best, worst of Argentine football – ESPN FC
On Sunday, two Argentine clubs had one place left to fight for in the 2016 version of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent of the Champions League — and the dispute for it could hardly have been more evocative.
A-League fans boycott a genuine game-changer – here’s why – Sydney Morning Herald
It wasn’t long ago that active fans were seen as little more than highly-trained happy-clappers eager to part with hundreds of dollars in exchange for the right to cheer “their” team. The idea of a boycott, or walkout, or any kind of protest was – at least in this country – unthinkable. Perhaps even un-Australian. But this is a new era and the old rules no longer apply.