WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Vancouver Whitecaps: New Year, New Them, New Us – Soccer Shorts
The New Year promises to be an exciting time for both the Vancouver Whitecaps and (more importantly) this blog because I will be introducing levels of innovation and insight rarely seen in the current media climate and, to kick off these innovations, I’m introducing a brand new concept which I hope will even catch on amongst the wider public.
How the Vancouver Whitecaps Could Play a 3 Center Back Formation – Eighty-Six Forever
The solution to getting Morales, Techera, Bolanos, Manneh, Rivero, and Kudo on the field together without sacrificing defense. Is it possible?
SuperDraft: History of the 16th overall pick – Whitecaps FC
Barring a trade, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will pick 16th in the first round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. That will be the club’s lowest-ever pick in the first round, which is the price to pay for enjoying their best MLS season to date in 2015.
Josh Yaro leads the way as Georgetown trio shine in Combine performance tests – MLS
It may come as no surprise that Georgetown’s Josh Yaro – a potential No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2016 MLS Superdraft – led the way. The Ghanaian-born defender finished second in the speed test, with a 3.93-second 30-meter dash, and came in No. 3 in the power test with a 31.5-inch vertical leap.
MLS Combine: Observations after first two rounds of games – SBI
More goals, less nerves, and better soccer. Day 2 of the 2016 MLS Combine is in the books, and it was drastically better than the first round of matches. Stocks have gone up and down after two days of action, and here are how some of players have done so far.
The Combine Interview: SuperDraft decisions often come down to this – MLS
“You’d be shocked how many kids don’t watch the league. For me, that’s kind of a little bit of a turnoff. You’re here at a Combine for MLS, you should know the players in the league, the players at the position you play, who you’re going to be competing with. If you have no idea who plays center midfield for the Philadelphia Union and you’ve never heard of Mo Edu, it puts up a little bit of, not of a red flag, but it’s something that you weigh in.”
Jack McInerney agrees to deal with Portland Timbers – sources – ESPN FC
The reigning MLS Cup champions Portland Timbers are poised to acquire out-of-contract forward Jack McInerney from the Columbus Crew SC in exchange for an unspecified amount of allocation money, sources have told ESPNFC.com.
Impact still waiting for final verdict on Drogba dilemma – SBI
The Montreal Impact are trying to be patient as they work through their current dilemma with Didier Drogba, but the time is fast approaching when they will need a final answer on Drogba’s future in MLS.
Ethan Finlay Gets a Contract Extension from Columbus Crew SC – Columbus Crew
When you score 23 goals and add 20 assists in two seasons and are statistically in the same company as Robbie Keane and Bradley Wright-Phillips, it only makes sense that Ethan Finlay should get a contract extension. Columbus Crew SC announced on Monday morning that the winger has indeed inked an extension with the Black & Gold.
Real Salt Lake: Terms agreed upon to bring Yura Movsisyan back to RSL – Salt Lake Tribune
Yura Movsisyan appears to be returning to Real Salt Lake. The Tribune learned through league sources Sunday that terms have been agreed upon to bring the 28-year-old Spartak Moscow striker back to Major League Soccer and RSL after spending the last six seasons professionally both in Denmark and Russia.
Timewasting: MLS Team Of The Week #27 – David Bowie XI – AFTN
As regular readers and listeners will know, we love our music just about as much as our football here at AFTN. It’s just a piece of nonsense, and it’s not even all that particularly funny or good, but as it now stands it’s my tribute, in my own way, to one of my favourites, so sit back, get your make up on, dig out some tracks and enjoy today’s “MLS Team Of The Week” – the The David Bowie XI.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
2016 VISL Allstar Games – VISL
Great day yesterday at Layritz. The rain stayed away, the sun was out, was a little breezy at times, but all good! Facilities that Prospect Lake have been working on are ever so close to being complete, a great place to call home for them forsure! The Prospect Lake people that hosted put in a lot of time – guys like Adriano Sumberac, Darren Massey, Mike Akam, Kevin Watson, Chris Cheng and others were there Friday and Saturday taking care of business.
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.
CANADA vs. MEXICO, March 25, 2016 @ BC PLACE STADIUM. Buy Tickets Today!
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
PLASTIC PITCH 8: Featuring our in-depth look at what the brutal Canadian economy means for Canadian teams – the11.ca
The Canadian dollar may soon plummet under the 70-cent US mark. That impacts Canadian businesses that have to do large portions of their businesses in the United States. That includes the five Canadian major professional soccer clubs. We look at what the low dollar will mean to the Ottawa Fury, FC Edmonton, Toronto FC, the Montreal Impact and the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Blend of youth, veterans for Canada in latest camp – Equalizer
John Herdman named his 23-player roster for this months Canada women’s national team training camp in Vancouver, and it features a blend of veterans and youth players, much like last month’s roster.
Quinn looks to be Canadian women’s team mainstay – Sportsnet
The Christmas holiday season couldn’t have come soon enough for Canadian defender Rebecca Quinn. Quinn, a 20-year-old Toronto native, is coming off an extremely busy 2015 that included her playing at the Pan American Games, a run to the final of the NCAA National Championship with Duke, and training camps with the Canadian senior women’s team.
Canadian Veteran Tancredi Signs in Sweden – BC Soccer Web
Canadian Women’s National Team veteran Melissa Tancredi is headed back to Sweden. On Friday, she signed with KIF Örebro DFF of the Sweden’s top women’s league, the Damallsvenskan. Beyond her 2015 World Cup duties, she spent her recent seasons with Chicago Red Stars of NWSL.
Why Players Are Suddenly Committing to the Canadian National Team – Waking the Red
Canada has long struggled to convince anyone with other options to play for the national team. In 2015, however, that all changed and that trend looks to be carrying over into the new year.
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.)
DEVOS: THE TRUTH ABOUT LONG-TERM PLAYER DEVELOPMENT – TSN
There have been a number of articles published recently, questioning the logic behind the Canadian Soccer Association’s Long-Term Player Development program (LTPD), the soccer-specific adaptation of Sport Canada’s Long-Term Athlete Development program (LTAD).
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NASL & USL NEWS
Miami FC Adds Former Canadian National Team and MLS Fitness Coach to Technical Staff – Miami FC
Miami FC announced today that Paolo Pacione will be Miami FC’s Head of Performance and Fitness Coach. Pacione will be contributing his talent and expertise to ensure that Miami FC players are in top shape. He will work alongside Alessandro Nesta, Miami FC head coach, and Mauro Pederzoli, technical director, and will primarily focus on maintaining the team’s overall fitness and health needs.
Yallop Excited for New Challenge with Arizona – USL
When Arizona United SC’s ownership group reached out to Frank Yallop to gauge his interest in their vacant head coaching position, the heightened plans they laid out for the club definitely made an impression on the former MLS and Canadian National Team coach. So much so that Yallop is at the MLS Combine this week as the club’s head coach, and looking forward to building a strong squad alongside the people that sold him on their vision for soccer in Arizona.
FC Dallas announces USL affiliation with Oklahoma City Energy FC – FC Dallas
FC Dallas and Oklahoma City Energy FC have agreed to a two-year affiliation, the clubs announced today.
VIDEO: Can Rochester be “Soccer Town USA” again? – Rochester First
The Rhinos have fallen on hard times – again. The Clark family of Utica is giving up the team, as it’s not making money. The United Soccer League pulled the Clarks’ franchise and the city terminated their lease at the stadium.
Strikers Look Strong in Narrow Defeat to Schalke 04 – Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Despite a strong showing, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers were bested by German powerhouse FC Schalke 04 by a score of 2-0 in the clubs first match in the 2016 Florida Cup.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
England Women’s boss Mark Sampson signs new deal – Vavel
After an incredibly successful 2015, in which he led the Lionesses to a third place finish at the Women’s World Cup, the former Bristol Academy manager has extended his contract with the team.
Westfield W-League Round 13 Review – Westfield W-League
The final round in the Westfield W-League will be highlighted by a three-way battle for the fourth and remaining semi-final position.
Chelsea Ladies complete double signing of Jade Bailey and Becky Spencer – Vavel
Chelsea Ladies have completed the signings of Jade Bailey and Becky Spencer. The Blues, who won the WSL 1 and FA Women’s Cup in 2015, are preparing well for the 2016 season, having already signed Karen Carney from Birmingham City.
PSU’s Rodriguez wins 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy – Equalizer
Penn State forward Raquel Rodriguez won the 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy on Friday in St. Louis, Mo., crowning her as the best women’s college soccer player of the past season.
WNL Cup Round-Up: Three-star display by Shels – Continental Tyres National Women’s League
Shelbourne got their Continental Tyres Women’s National League Cup off to a great start against Galway WFC in heavy rain at the AUL Complex.
2016 NWSL OPEN TRYOUTS – NWSL
With the NWSL preseason beginning in early March, clubs have announced the dates and times for their 2016 Open Tryouts, which will take place in the coming weeks.
Lloyd, Sauerbrunn become US women’s team captains – Salt Lake Tribune
Midfielder Carli Lloyd and defender Becky Sauerbrunn have been chosen captains of the U.S. Women’s National Team. The duo was selected Saturday by U.S. coach Jill Ellis.
Soccer Legend Holds Court: Wambach Talks FIFA, Youth Safety and Retirement – Valley News
Abby Wambach looks you in the eye. She asks that you have the courtesy to return the favor. Speaking to about 100 volunteers (and at least a few soccer fans) at former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign office in Lebanon, NH on Saturday morning, Wambach emphasized contact. The recently retired scoring star of the U.S. national women’s soccer program, still reflecting the glow of last summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup triumph in Canada, Wambach’s ideas of contact aren’t limited to the role of campaign volunteer.
Heather O’Reilly’s Passion for Soccer Remains Intact – ASN
The 31-year-old has 227 caps but her enthusiasm for the U.S. women’s national team is as strong as ever. As John D. Halloran learned, O’Reilly is determined to help bring home Olympic gold this summer.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Messi preparing for fifth Ballon d’Or – Goal
Barring a huge surprise, Lionel Messi will win the Ballon d’Or for a fifth time Monday. The Argentine attacker has missed out on the honor to Cristiano Ronaldo in the last two editions, but is now preparing to reclaim his prize – and it could be his for the foreseeable future.
Messi to miss Rio Olympics, focus on Copa America – Goal
Messi was a part of the Argentina team that won a gold medal in Beijing in 2008, but Gerardo Martino does not feel it would be wise to select him as one of the country’s three over-23 players later this year.
Alan Pardew feels FA Cup is being ‘devalued’ as third round dates should be changed – Vavel
There have long been calls that the Cup is losing its magic, as top clubs are more focused on their respective Premier League and European journeys, rather than concentrate on English football’s oldest Cup competition.
FA Cup: Reports & highlights from FA Cup third round weekend – BBC Sport
League Two Oxford United produced the shock of the FA Cup third round when they knocked out Swansea City at the Kassam Stadium.
The case for a Premier League winter break is now irrefutable – The Telegraph
The medical argument over cumulative player fatigue, injury and over-load has long been won. The evidence is indisputable from the sports medical science community, especially when it comes to how England – and the other home nations – fare in international tournaments.
Aston Villa executives fly out for crisis talks with Randy Lerner after Wycombe embarrassment – The Telegraph
Aston Villa’s board will have crisis talks on Monday with owner Randy Lerner under pressure to save the club’s season from further embarrassment.
Milos Ninkovic and Filip Holosko partnership carrying Sydney FC A-League derby hopes – Sydney Morning Herald
It is the combination that’s taken four months in the making but Milos Ninkovic hopes his partnership with marquee Filip Holosko can lead Sydney FC to another derby success over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Olympic qualification adds extra spice to the AFC U23 Championship – AFC
With the AFC U-23 Championship now acting as the qualifiers for the men’s football tournament at the Olympic Games, this month’s event in Doha offers the teams the chance to follow in the footsteps of Japan in 1968 and Korea Republic in 2012 when the pair both claimed medals.
Saudi-Iranian AFC Champions League ties under threat as tensions rise – Inside World Football
Rising tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia following the execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, are spilling over into the political arena, with Saudi clubs keen for their fixtures against Iranian clubs in the Asian Champions League to be moved to neutral territory, whilst the Iran Football Federation (IFF) insists their country is safe to host matches and they are happy to play in Saudi Arabia.
David Bowie’s message was important: Wenger leads soccer’s tributes to music icon – Goal
David Bowie died on Monday after an 18-month fight against cancer, with the Arsenal boss among those involved in the sport paying their respects.
PSG asks rapper MIA to stop using its brand – Sportsnet
Paris Saint-Germain has threatened rap artist M.I.A. with legal action if the singer does not stop using the French soccer club’s image in a video clip for her song “Borders.”