WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Vancouver Whitecaps: The Hunger Games edition – Soccer Shorts
There may be no “I” in the word team but you can definitely make “me” out of it and, for all the undoubted truth that the Whitecaps squad are a tightly knit bunch of players, they are still playing in a professional sport in which they compete against each other for starting spots and salaries.
The Make or Break Year for Octavio Rivero – Eighty-Six Forever
With a new supporting cast of players, Octavio Rivero won’t be the only one counted upon to score goals for the Vancouver Whitecaps, and after his performance down the stretch last season, that’s obviously a good thing. Rivero ,the 24 year old Uruguryan striker that showed so much damn promise at the beginning of 2015, is a major question mark heading into this year as the Whitecaps try to solve some well known scoring problems.
PODCAST: Soccer Talk with Tyler Green and Simon Fudge – Feb.14 – LibSyn
On this episode, Tyler and Simon discuss why it was time for Gershon Koffie to move on from Whitecaps FC after the midfielder was traded to New England Revolution on Thursday. With Koffie gone, what does this mean for Vancouver’s other defensive midfield options like Deybi Flores and Russell Teibert?
Whitecaps FC confirm home kickoff times for 2016 MLS regular season – Whitecaps FC
The season kicks off at BC Place with the home opener at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 6 versus Didier Drogba and Montreal Impact at 2:30 p.m. The other two Sunday home dates are against Cascadia Cup rivals, including Seattle Sounders FC on October 2 at 5 p.m., and the Decision Day tilt versus defending MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers on October 23 at 1 p.m.
Mauro Rosales moves on – Whitecaps Fan Blog
For years I watched Rosales playing for the Seattle Sounders and thought to myself “I wish we had a player like him”. Rosales was a real thorn in our side in Cascasia derby matches with Seattle and came to be known as “the ‘Caps killer” for all of the goals he scored on us. With his penchant for sinking our ship you would think we would hate him too much to have him, but we got him and loved him.
Antonio Nocerino to join Orlando City, says AC Milan CEO Antonio Galliani – ESPN FC
Midfielder Antonio Nocerino is set to join Orlando City in Major League Soccer, AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani said. Nocerino has been heavily linked to a move to MLS this winter, and Galliani said the 30-year-old has found a new club in Florida, where he will reunited with former Milan teammate Kaka.
Colorado Rapids boost fullback depth with acquisition of Montreal Impact’s Eric Miller – MLS
The Colorado Rapids kept up their busy offseason on Sunday by acquiring fullback Eric Miller from the Montreal Impact in exchange for a 2018 first round SuperDraft pick and an undisclosed sum of general allocation money.
Nigeria striker Martins joins China’s Shanghai Shenhua – BBC Sport
Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins has joined Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua in a multi-million dollar deal, BBC Sport can reveal. The 31-year-old makes the switch from Seattle Sounders, where he scored 43 goals in 84 appearances for the MLS club he joined in March 2013.
Toronto FC announce first round of roster cuts ahead of Florida tournament – Waking the Red
With the 2016 Major League Soccer season now less than a month away Toronto FC’s roster is finally starting to take shape. The club announced their first set of cuts today as four players were sent down to join Toronto FC II, including centreback Skylar Thomas, draft pick Mitchell Taintor, Luca Uccello and Raheem Edwards.
Toronto FC: Jozy Altidore Aiming to Take TFC to the Next Level – Tip of the Tower
Thanks to a new training regime and diet, Jozy Altidore is looking forward to helping Toronto FC improve on last season’s inaugural playoff appearance.
D.C. United acquire Luciano Acosta from Boca Juniors – DC United
D.C. United have signed Argentinian midfielder, Luciano Acosta, as a Discovery Signing on loan from Boca Juniors of the Argentine Primera División, using Targeted Allocation Money. Completion of this transaction is pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 Visa.
Chicago Fire fans are right to be hot after Harry Shipp trade, but … – MLS
They have every right to be hot. After seeing their club consistently place among MLS’s best in their first 10 years of existence, Fire supporters have had basically nothing to cheer about this decade. Chicago have qualified for the playoffs only once in the six years since Denis Hamlett was dismissed after leading the team to consecutive Eastern Conference Championship appearances in 2008 and 2009, and just endured two particularly soul-sucking years under ex-head coach Frank Yallop.
Christian Bolaños bags his first Vancouver Whitecaps goal as a “hybrid” WFC2 open their preseason with win over UBC – AFTN
We never thought we’d see the day when we’d be sitting watching Christian Bolaños and Blas Pérez in a Vancouver Whitecaps kit playing against UBC Thunderbirds at Thunderbird Stadium in a monsoon! But that was our Saturday night.
Nigel de Jong earns rave reviews after first preseason appearance for the LA Galaxy – LA Galaxy
Nigel de Jong’s preseason debut drew glowing reviews after the LA Galaxy’s 1-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes in Las Vegas. The Dutch defensive midfielder went 54 minutes on Saturday night helping the Galaxy win the California Clásico Cup at Cashman Field. Despite only arriving in the United States on Wednesday, De Jong didn’t miss a beat in his minutes in a Galaxy jersey, as he showcased his wide range of skills.
A touch of gray, but no end in sight for Houston Dynamo’s young at heart DaMarcus Beasley – MLS
DaMarcus Beasley still hears a few jokes about being a little grey in the beard in the Houston Dynamo locker room. That’s fine by the 33-year-old US international. It’s part of what keeps him around the game for as long as he’s been.
Michael Arace commentary | Crew handles jersey hate skillfully – Columbus Dispatch
One problem is the Columbus flag presents a difficult color scheme — gold, light blue and white — with which to work. The jersey itself is not awful. Yellow stripes gradating over a white background is not a brutal look.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
VISL – Jackson Cup: Play-in Round & Upcoming 1st round – VISL
Overall, things went according to odds makers, but there is no doubt that the game that had extra focus was the game between Saanich Fusion Div 1 & Vantreights Div 2.
Sedgwick named new Timberwolves’ women’s soccer coach – UNBC
A new face will patrol the University of Northern British Columbia women’s soccer Timberwolves’ sideline this season. Neil Sedgwick, a former professional soccer player who has coached all over North America, has been named to the position, replacing former head coach Andy Cameron, who coached the team for its first four CIS seasons.
Soccer job goes to Sedgwick – Prince George Citizen
A former professional soccer player with extensive coaching experience has been hired to lead the UNBC women’s soccer program as it tries to find its footing in Canadian Interuniversity Sport.
Six Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX players called up to Canada U-17 national team – Whitecaps FC
Canada Soccer National EXCEL 14-17 director and U-17 head coach, Bev Priestman has named the 20 players who will represent Canada in Grenada at the CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship Grenada 2016.
Ten Count with Whitecaps Residency and Canadian defender Quinn Bredin – AFTN
He may still only be 18-years-old, but Quinn Bredin’s footballing journey is one that has taken him many, many miles. It has taken him from a small boy growing up in St. George, Ontario to crossing over the Atlantic Ocean and having tryouts with numerous big English clubs and playing semi-professionally with an English non-league club all, before he was 16 years old. Let’s put that in perspective, what where you doing at 16 years old?
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
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Send your Soccer News to BC Soccer Web! – BC Soccer Web
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CANADA vs. MEXICO, March 25, 2016 @ BC PLACE STADIUM. Buy Tickets Today!
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CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Sinclair surpasses Mia Hamm becoming 2nd all-time international scorer in 6-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago at Olympic qualifier – CSA
Canada’s Women’s National Team all but secured a spot in the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship Texas 2016 semi-final with its 6-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago, the team deemed the biggest threat to Canada in Group B. Only a loss to Guatemala on the 16th combined with a double-digit victory by Trinidad and Tobago over Guyana could knock Canada out of the group stage.
Christine Sinclair passes Hamm as Canada reaches semis of Olympic qualifying – Toronto Star
A 6-0 win over its highest-ranked round-robin opponent, Trinidad and Tobago — a team that has impressed at the last two Women’s World Cup qualifiers — didn’t just clinch a spot in the semifinals, coach John Herdman said, it also made a statement that the Canadians were focused on getting the job done.
Sinclair scores 159th, Canada beats Trinidad & Tobago in Olympic qualifier – Global News
Christine Sinclair scored her 159th career goal, passing American Mia Hamm for second on the women’s career list, and Canada defeated Trinidad and Tobago 6-0 on Sunday in a group stage match of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament.
Canada women win 6-0 while playing in unusual 2-4-4 formation – ESPN FC
Who needs defenders anyway? Canada’s women’s team certainly don’t after thrashing Trinidad and Tobago 6-0 in an Olympic qualifier on Sunday. And they did it all with just two players on the back line, using a rarely 2-4-4 formation.
Canadian women’s team channels… Hungary’s Golden Team? – the11.ca
When Canada Soccer tweeted out the starting XI for Sunday’s Olympic qualifying match, it was like a flashback to the early ‘50s. Had Canadian national women’s team coach John Herdman connected with his inner Magical Magyar? The throwback 2-4-4 formation shown on the team sheet would have made Gusztav Sebes proud.
Late-blooming Josee Belanger has become a key to Canadian women’s attack – Toronto Star
Josee Belanger’s breakout year came later in her career than most athletes but when the winger-turned-fullback’s time in the spotlight finally happened, it didn’t disappoint.
Canada Soccer wraps up dual men’s youth camp in Burnaby – CSA
It was a positive week for the future of Canada Soccer with 55 players participating in a pair of men’s national youth camps in Burnaby, BC. Canada Soccer Technical Director Tony Fonseca had his full complement of youth coaches working with the players for both a Men’s U-17 evaluation camp (30 players) and Men’s U-15 western identification camp (25 players).
Barrie Soccer Club starts new three-on-three league – Barrie Advance
The Barrie Soccer Club has started a new indoor three-on-three league for competitive players aged eight to 18.
BC Youth Soccer Player Development
(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our new section on BC Youth Soccer Player Development; a new resource designed to help youth coaches and players. Throughout the week, we’ll feature news, drills and videos from the most noted professionals in the field of player development. If you have any articles or resources you enjoy, send them our way, and we’ll share them with the BC Soccer community.)
Learn from the Pros: Finishing With Pedro Ribeiro – Orlando City SC
Forward Pedro Ribeiro gives you tips on finishing the ball.
US to mount multiagency study of health risks of synthetic turf – SF Gate
Following increasing concerns about the safety of recycled tire material used on synthetic turf fields, the Obama administration announced Friday a multiagency federal study to look into potential health risks.
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WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
WFC 2 Score Pre-Season Win Over UBC – Eighty-Six Forever
The Vancouver Whitecaps USL affiliate, the creatively named WFC 2, opened their 2016 pre-season campaign with a victory, topping university squad UBC 2-0 at Thunderbird stadium on Saturday night. It’s the first of eight pre-season matches for Vancouver, which will take them till mid-march.
Experienced USL striker Kyle Greig keen to “put myself out there” with move to WFC2 – AFTN
Vancouver Whitecaps 2’s prime areas of concern last season were clear for all to see – they didn’t score enough goals and had a “porous” defence as head coach Alan Koch described it to us.
Ball’s vision for FC Edmonton: One club, one culture – the11.ca
Jay Ball showed up for work as the new general manager of FCE at the beginning of last week. But he and the team agreed not to announce his appointment till last Thursday, to give him a couple of days where he could fly under the radar and assess what the team most needed on the business side of things.
Markets NASL Should Target That MLS Won’t – Part I: The Big League Cities – Midfield Press
Soccer in America is a growth industry. Major League Soccer, the North American Soccer League and the United Soccer League are all expanding. Even the fourth tier NPSL and PDL are adding teams each year. The American soccer landscape has transformed in the past decade.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Guyana tops Guatemala for first CONCACAF win – The Equalizer
Guyana won its first-ever game in a senior women’s CONCACAF competition on Sunday, rallying to defeat Guatemala, 2-1 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Charlton Athletic hit eight at West Ham to close FAWPL gap – The FA
Charlton Athletic closed the gap to FA Women’s Premier League South leaders Brighton & Hove Albion with a comprehensive 8-0 win at West Ham.
Ireland Round-Up: UCD seal home win – Continental Tyres Women’s National League
UCD Waves got back to winning ways by landing a 4-1 win over Cork City WFC. Orlagh Nolan opened the scoring for UCD, heading Julie-Anne Russell’s cross past Cork goalkeeper Trish Fennelly after four minutes.
Lloyd’s goal just barely lifts USWNT past Mexico – The Equalizer
The U.S. women entered Saturday talking about wanting to score “as many goals as possible,” but in the end they were lucky to score one.
Sunderland Ladies kick off pre-season with a draw – Vavel
The Lady Black Cats produced a well contested but goalless affair North of the border against Scottish champions Glasgow City.
SAG women’s football final: India beat Nepal 4-0 – The Himalayan Times
India on Monday beat Nepal 4-0 in the 12th South Asian Games women’s football finals. At the match being played at the South Asian Games women’s football gold cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex in Shillong of India, the hosts scored two goals each in the first and the second halves.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
VIDEO: CBS 60 Minutes examines FIFA Scandal – CBS News
CBS News’ 60 minutes examines the FIFA Scandal and its implications for sports.
Welbeck strikes late as Arsenal beats Leicester – Sportsnet
Arsenal and Tottenham grabbed late winning goals against title rivals on Sunday to move two points off the lead as the race to win the English Premier League tightened up.
Van Gaal doubts Man United’s top-4 chances after latest loss – Montreal Gazette
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal cast doubt on his team’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League after a 2-1 loss at relegation-threatened Sunderland in the Premier League, placing the Dutchman under fresh scrutiny on Saturday.
Vincent Kompany: Man City would be ‘stupid’ to give up title chase – BBC Sport
Manchester City “would be stupid to forget their history” and not fight for the title, says Vincent Kompany.
Liverpool agrees to sign Schalke defender Matip – Sportsnet
Liverpool has reached an agreement with Schalke to sign Cameroon defender Joel Matip at the end of the season, in the English club’s latest effort to shore up its problems at centre back.
Sunderland reduce adult season-ticket prices to as low as £18 per game – The Guardian
Sunderland have announced season-ticket price reductions at the Stadium of Light for next season. The cost of an adult season ticket will start at £350, which averages at £18 per game in the top flight, and would still compare favourably if the Black Cats are relegated to the Championship.
Mihir Bose: Clubs should treat fans not as customers but investors – Inside World Football
There can be no football without fans. But this is as much a cliché as taking each game at a time and the various other sound bites football managers and chairmen come up with. The fact is the role of fans has changed since football became a business and neither clubs nor fans have really appreciated that.
Five things we learned in Liga MX Round 6 – Goal
The leaders stayed at the top, though one of the title favorites fell. There were plenty of lessons to learn in Round 6 of Liga MX — Goal’s Jon Arnold takes a look at five.
FFA give fans right to appeal bans in sweeping review to A-League banning notices – Sydney Morning Herald
Football fans will be given the chance to appeal any venue bans after the Football Federation of Australia board ratified an overhaul over its controversial banning process.
Melbourne Victory face fine and potential loss of points over disruptive fans – Sydney Morning Herald
Melbourne Victory are poised to be fined and potentially lose premiership points as Football Federation Association acted on Victory fans that the club insisted were not welcome at their games lighting flares at the derby on Saturday.
How football is trying to tackle the growing issue of players’ mental health – The Guardian
Footballers are more likely to suffer from mental health issues than the general population. This is what people in the game are trying to do about the problem
VIDEO: Lionel Messi PENALTY PASS to Luis Suarez – Barcelona 6-1 Celta Vigo – YouTube
If you’re Messi & Suarez, you can get away with this. Otherwise, don’t try this at home.
Neymar: Lionel Messi’s penalty pass was meant for me, not Luis Suarez – ESPN FC
Barcelona forward Neymar said Lionel Messi’s penalty pass to Luis Suarez in Sunday’s 6-1 win over Celta Vigo was meant for him instead.