BC Soccer News, Thursday, April 20, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

 PORTLAND TIMBERS  vs.  VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

CASCADIA CUP / MLS MATCHDAY #7

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017, 1:00 PM

PROVIDENCE PARK, PORTLAND, OR

TV: CTV & TSN 1, 2 ,4, 5   RADIO: TSN 1040  ONLINE: TSN GO

The Bug back buzzing for Whitecaps – The Province
Cristian Techera had already scored in a game earlier this month when he made a crucial play that went largely unnoticed. Always keen to go forward, the pint-sized Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder — Techera stands just five foot two — tracked back some 40 yards into his own half to block what could have been a dangerous cross.

‘Caps hoping 2017 is better for Calm, Cool, and Captain Kendall – Red Nation Online
Captain Kendall Waston, that’s correct. The ‘Towering Tico’ has proudly worn the captains armband for Vancouver Whitecaps FC this season. A surprise to some fans after an underwhelming campaign last season. Waston was suspended four different times, and was often seen leaving the pitch more than actually playing on it.

Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: Players to watch – Oregonian
Diego Valeri leads the Timbers with five goals and three assists this season, including one game-winning goal and two game-winning assists.

Portland Timbers’ diverse roster finds unity on the field – Oregonian
The Portland Timbers walked onto the field on opening day with players representing 10 different countries featured in their starting lineup.

MLS Disciplinary Committee suspends Portland’s Fanendo Adi for one game – MLS
Adi will serve the suspension during the Timbers’ next match on Saturday, April 22 against the Whitecaps.

MLS Discipline: Panel overturns Gonzalez Pirez red card – Soccer America
Atlanta United lost its match against Montreal last weekend but has won an appeal of a red card that dismissed Leandro Gonzalez Pirez.

Reyna stands in solidarity with native Peru during ‘difficult time for the country’ – Whitecaps FC
Yordy Reyna has been feeling a bit helpless as of late. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder/striker suffered a fractured foot in February after a bright – albeit brief – start to the preseason and his tenure in Vancouver.   He’s been forced to watch from the sidelines ever since. Even worse, he’s been forced to watch from afar as his home country Peru is plagued by a series of devastating floods and mudslides that have claimed the lives of more than 100 people and left approximately 200,000 homeless, according to recent reports.

Tactical change could jump-start Sounders attack – Prost Amerika
We’ve seen it twice now – Will Bruin comes on late as an attacking sub to try and help the Sounders claw back a result.

New England Revolution 0, San Jose Earthquakes 0 | 2017 MLS Match Recap – MLS
The New England Revolution and San Jose Earthquakes faced off in midweek MLS regular season action, playing to a 0-0 draw at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday.

Montreal’s Anthony Jackson-Hamel wins AT&T MLS Goal of the Week for Week 7 – MLS
It went down to the wire, but young Montreal Impact standout Anthony Jackson-Hamel edged out New York City FC star David Villa to snare the AT&T MLS Goal of the Week prize for Week 7.

TFC’s Nick Hagglund impressing as Moor’s temporary replacement – Sportsnet
Just be yourself. That was the simple yet sage advice that veteran defender Drew Moor gave youngster Nick Hagglund ahead of Toronto FC’s visit to the Columbus Crew last weekend.

Jonathan Spector is Exactly What Orlando City Have Been Missing – MLS Multiplex
Compared to the last two seasons, Orlando City looks to be a new team and a good part of that is due to Jonathan Spector.

MLS will soon be among world’s best – Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio – ESPN FC
Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio believes Major League Soccer is on the right track to becoming one of the best leagues in the world. The Colombian was in Los Angeles on Tuesday to promote Mexico’s game on May 27 against Croatia and took a tour of LAFC’s facilities, which included a virtual exhibition of what the 2018 expansion club’s new stadium will look like.

LAFC sets out to create the MLS 3.0 standard – SI.com
It would be fitting if it was considered the club’s first trophy. There was no competition or tournament associated with it, but the dented metal sign decorating the reception area’s front desk definitely represents a triumph. Workers discovered the scuffed placard during the early days of clearing and construction on the southeast corner of Exposition Park. It turns out there was no soccer permitted on the grounds near the old Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, which was demolished last year.

L.A. Galaxy’s Jermaine Jones lists his home field in Encino for $4.5 million – LA Times
Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Jermaine Jones has put his place to kick it in Encino up for sale at $4.45 million. If the gated Mediterranean estate looks familiar that’s because it was previously owned by actors Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott. During the couple’s ownership, the house was regularly featured in their reality show, “Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood” (2007-11).

MLS PHOTOS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 Seattle Sounders FC 1, April 14, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

3v3 Live Soccer Tour Comes to Canada

BC SOCCER NEWS

LMG’s Martin wins VISL President’s Trophy – Cowichan Valley Citizen
In addition to boasting the Div. 1 and Div. 2 league champions and the cup-winner at the masters level, Cowichan Valley soccer also produced several individual award winners when the Vancouver Island Soccer League handed out the hardware on April 7.

Get To Know Your TSS Rovers: Kerman Pannu – AFTN
Kerman Pannu may not be a name familiar to many TSS FC Rovers fans outside of those that have followed UBC Thunderbirds’ fortunes these past two seasons, but the attacking midfielder has scored goals wherever he’s played, and he’s looking to now continue that in his first crack at PDL play.

Double draws in soccer opener – Northern View
Nothing was decided on opening day for the Charles Hays Secondary School girls’ soccer team, as the Rainmakers came away with two ties in a playday hosted in Prince Rupert.

Prince Rupert Minor soccer debuts U5 division, kicks off season – Northern View
Prince Rupert’s most popular sport is officially underway for the season. Nearly 600 youths signed up for Prince Rupert Youth Soccer Association (PRYSA) this year, which is only slightly lower than average participation. This year, the association introduced a new division, U5, which has approximately 50 kids signed up.

NEXT KYSA PRO-D DAY CAMP SET FOR MONDAY – KYSA
The Kamloops Youth Soccer Association is holding a Pro-D Day Soccer Camp on Monday, April 24th.

Evergreen Premier League moving closer to April 30 season kick off – GoalWA
The Evergreen Premier League kicks off its fourth season as Washington’s elite men’s statewide soccer competition on Sunday April 30 with matches  in Olympia, Bellingham and Kent.

BC Soccer Women’s Provincial Cup Draw Monday April 3, Men’s Provincial Cup Draw April 13 – BCSA
Complete brackets and results for the 2017 Women’s and Men’s Provincial Cup Tournaments.

2017 VISL JACKSON CUP PHOTOS: Nanaimo Utd. 2 Cowichan LMG 1 (XT), April 2, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

FVSL PHOTOS: Pakenham Cup Final, PMO Rangers 1 PMO Lordco Gunners 0, April 1, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

REVIEW: The Miracle Mile. Stories of the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games – BC BookLook
Author Jason Beck is curator of the BC Sports Hall of Fame in BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, and convenor two years ago of an excellent exhibition about the 1954 Games. In his first book, he proves to be a meticulous researcher, a compelling story-teller, and a crafty realist who knows how to hook his readers. Watch how, two pages into the book, he uses filmic technique to evoke the arriving athletes’ youthful buzz and give period colouring and costuming, but then smartly moves his camera in to introduce his stars.

TSS Rovers launch website & 2017 Season Ticket Campaign – TSS Rovers
TSS FC Rovers play their inaugural season in the PDL at iconic Swangard Stadium. Season Tickets are $70 for Adults, $49 for U12 Youth.

Becoming a BC Soccer Referee – BCSA
Whether you are an experienced referee new to British Columbia or if you are new to the discipline of refereeing BC Soccer Assoc. has a clinic and a pathway for you.  The minimum age to become a referee is 12 years old (small sided) and 14 years old (11-a-side). Please enjoy the short video showcasing some Referee programs that BC Soccer offers and continue below for more on how to become a referee in BC!

To our Readers: A Choice – BC Soccer Web
Soccer has brought us to the United States many times. It’s a great place with decent people. We especially look forward to our Cascadia trips to Seattle and Portland. They’re incredible cities with wonderful supporters. That’s why it was so disheartening to see chaos and fear take hold in the airports and borders of our neighbours to the south.

Victoria Highlanders 2017 Season Passes now on sale – Highlanders FC
Support local soccer on Vancouver Island. Join the excitement of Highlanders FC PDL Soccer!

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

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.

 Premium Classified Advertising on BC Soccer Web Starting at 50 cents per day!

CANADA SOCCER NEWS

Alberta Soccer Supporting Female Leaders at 3rd Annual Women in Soccer Conference – SIRC
On May 5-7, Alberta will see the return of the annual Women in Soccer Conference. This all-female event, which is designed to inspire, equip, strengthen, and unite women in sport, is the only one of it’s kind in Canada.

NWT Soccer scores with first full-time hire – CBC
NWT Soccer Association has hired their first full-time executive director, thanks to a new three-year funding model from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA).

Register for the UBCO High-Performance Summer Training Camp in Kelowna

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE

WFC2  vs.  SAN ANTONIO FC

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017, 3:00 PM

BUY TICKETS

THUNDERBIRD STADIUM, VANCOUVER, BC

LIVESTREAM: WHITECAPSFC2.COM

WFC2 face tough test versus USL-best San Antonio FC – Whitecaps FC
Whitecaps FC 2 face their toughest test of the young USL season this weekend, when San Antonio FC roll through town brandishing a league-best 3W-0L-1D record.

WFC2 striker Gloire Amanda quickly showing he belongs after signing first pro deal – AFTN
Whitecaps Residency striker Gloire Amanda became the seventh teenager on the WFC2 roster when he signed his first pro deal at the end of last month.

Whitecaps FC welcome David Edgar to the broadcast booth for WFC2 – Whitecaps FC
If you’re a Whitecaps FC fan tuning in to the WFC2 match this Saturday at Thunderbird Stadium, you will see a familiar face in the broadcast booth. ‘Caps defender David Edgar will be making his broadcast debut, serving as the colour commentator for the match alongside Brendan Batchelor’s play-by-play.

Watson’s experience vital as FC Edmonton aims for first win against Puerto Rico – FC Edmonton
Centre-back Albert Watson’s experience with FC Edmonton from season’s past is critical to the Eddies as they look to rebound from a slow start to the 2017 season.

Coming Home – Local players Eddie Edward and Jamar Dixon are excited to return to TD Place this weekend – Ottawa Fury
Jamar Dixon remembers the feeling of knowing he was finally coming home after a long journey through parts of North America and Europe. He was in Finland playing for FF Jaro of the Finnish Veikkausliga and he had a game the day before he was being transferred back to Ottawa.

FCC, Rowdies End Even in Front of 15,227 – USL
FC Cincinnati and the Tampa Bay Rowdies played to a 1-1 draw in the USL Game of the Week in front of 15,227 fans at Nippert Stadium as the hosts hit back late in the first half after Tampa Bay’s early goal.

Fate of NASL Strikers Is Far From Settled – Empire of Soccer
As speculation about possible expansion in the North American Soccer League continues, there has been little information about the status of the now-dormant Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Playing the lower division soccer game in the USA – US Soccer Players
Nature abhors a vacuum. So, it seems, do American soccer’s ample supply of investors and opportunists. By virtue of US Soccer’s decision to sanction both the USL and NASL as Division II for the 2017 season, there is now a vacuum at the third level of the American soccer pyramid. A status occupied by the USL from 2011 through 2016 is now empty. Cue the rush to fill it.

USL PHOTOS: WFC2 3 SOUNDERS2 0, Saturday, April 8, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

Women’s Champions League semi-final preview – UEFA
The semi-final first legs are played on Saturday and we bring you ten things you need to know about each of the ties as Manchester City face Lyon and Barcelona take on Paris-Saint-Germain.

NWSL: USWNT’s Mallory Pugh is turning pro. Who gets her? – MLS Multiplex
After starring for the US Women’s National Team and enrolling at UCLA, Mallory Pugh is headed pro. Will it be NWSL or Europe?

Pugh skipping college may forecast the future of U.S. women’s soccer – Four Four Two
Mallory Pugh’s decision to leave UCLA and pursue professional soccer opportunities qualifies as a shocker on the surface, but it isn’t, in reality. For now, it’s a path that remains the exception rather than the rule.

Orlando Pride raising standards during second NWSL season – Orlando Sentinel
Last year was tough. They knew it would be, an inaugural National Women’s Soccer League season during an Olympic year. Top players came and went, and the team never really felt settled. This year is different.

USWNT: Some details emerge on new CBA, negotiations – The Equalizer
Two weeks ago, U.S. Soccer and the United States Women’s National Team Players’ Association announced they had come to terms on a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. The deal came after months of tense negotiations and feuds that occasionally spilled into the public arena.

Women’s Super League 1 – Spring Series Preview – Redbrick
The FA Women’s Super League 1 returns for the Spring Series on 22 April as Bristol City host Reading in the opening fixture of the weekend. Whilst WSL 2 has been in full swing for a few weeks with Durham and London Bees leading the table at this early stage, the top-tier of women’s football is back for a six-week mini season.

WSL Spring Series preview: all eyes on Carli Lloyd while Arsenal look strong – The Guardian
The six-week competition aims to smooth the transition to a winter season but the early announcement of England’s Euro 2017 squad lessens its usefulness

FIFA aims to end gender inequality, aid women’s I-League – Times of India
Bedeviled by gender inequality for long, world football’s governing body FIFA aims to kick out for good, the ugly side of the ‘beautiful game’.

Heffernan hopes for more Youths’ international recognition ahead of Shels test – Irish WNL
Wexford Youths Women manager Laura Heffernan has challenged her squad to catch the eye of national team boss Colin Bell ahead of the weekend’s game against Shelbourne Ladies.

The World According to Weimer: A Little Traveling Music – Empire of Soccer
“Games bring out a different type of joy in people. It’s truly as if we’re brought back to our childhood once a week. I get giddy and a little nervous, but the good kind of nervous. My mom always said she knew if I was excited/nervous/anxious for a game because I didn’t stop talking the entire car ride. Now that I think of it, she always tried to put the music up louder in car rides. …”

Strong Independent Women’s Clubs Who Don’t Need Men’s Clubs – Copa90
The Women’s Champions League semifinals begin Saturday, and the four remaining teams are just as unsurprising in the women’s tournament as it would be in the men’s: Manchester City, Barcelona, PSG, and Lyon. But there are plenty of women’s clubs around Europe that are proving you don’t need a successful men’s club counterpart — or even a men’s club counterpart at all — to find success.

NWPL season nears as clubs gear up with weekend friendlies – GoalWA
The second season of the Northwest Premier League (NWPL) will kick off Sunday April 30 around the state of Washington. The elite, amateur statewide league is entering year number two with plenty of momentum thanks to two new clubs and a revamped format that now includes ‘parity’ scheduling and a post-season.

Europa League Preview: Man United hosts Anderlecht, Lyon travels to Besiktas, and more – SBI
The UEFA Europa League quarterfinal round concludes on Thursday as eight teams look to continue their fight for a semifinal berth.

Messi made to look human by Juventus’ defensive giants – SN
On what the Gazzetta dello Sport predicted would be a “Night of Giants”, every single player clad in a black-and-white shirt stood tall as Juventus withstood everything Barcelona threw at them to progress to the last four of the Champions League with impressive ease.

Monaco beats Dortmund to reach Champions League semifinals – Sportsnet
Rising teenage star Kylian Mbappe and resurgent forward Radamel Falcao scored early goals as free-scoring Monaco beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 to reach the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday.

Why Monaco should fear nobody in final four – UEFA
As swashbuckling Monaco qualify for the semi-finals for the first time since 2004, David Crossan examines why their European adventure could extend all the way to Cardiff.

El Clasico: Sunday’s ‘world all-star game’ is must-win for Barcelona – Soccer America
The capital of the soccer universe? Right now, it’s Madrid. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have reached the UEFA Champions League semis for the third time in four seasons. And on Sunday, Real Madrid hosts El Clasico, which is expected to draw worldwide TV viewership of more than 600 million — while giving Barcelona a chance to save its season.

Previews of every Premier League game – Week 34 – NBC Sports
Six Premier League are coming your way as the run-in continues and the FA Cup semifinals see a slightly reduced schedule.

Pulisic’s father reacts to attack on Borussia Dortmund’s bus – SI.com
In the wake of the attempted terrorist attack on the Borussia Dortmund team bus last week, Mark Pulisic opened up about the traumatic experience for his son, U.S. midfielder Christian Pulisic, and for his family.

Liguilla Race in Liga MX is Going Down to the Wire – Futebolcidade
After taking a closer look at the Liga MX relegation battle earlier this week it is time to look further up the table to examine the race for the Liguilla. As previously mentioned on this page Liga MX is unique as it not only splits the season into an Apertura (opening stage), and Clausura (closing stage), but also uses playoffs, known as Liguilla in Mexico, to determine the championship in Liga MX.

OFFICIAL: AFC to seek neutral venue for DPR Korea vs Malaysia – SN
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that it will seek a neutral venue for the Asian Cup qualification group match between DPR Korea and Malaysia, which is scheduled to take place on June 8 2017.

AFC to launch AFC Referee Academy – AFC
The AFC Referees Committee met on Thursday at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and approved the establishment of a new AFC Referee Academy.

Mexican legend Blanco fears for life, denies ordering assassination – SBI
The life of Mexican legend Cuauhtemoc Blanco has taken a twisted turn. Blanco, who is currently the mayor of Mexican town Cuernavaca, spoke out publicly on Tuesday to deny allegations that he ordered the assassination of Juan Manuel García Bejarano, who was shot dead in April. Speaking at a city hall meeting, the former Chicago Fire star says he now fears for the safety of himself and his family.

Premier League revenues soar but clubs still make a loss – BBC
Premier League clubs posted record revenues of £3.6bn in 2015-16, but still struggled to make a profit.

Pogba earns 736 times more than average Manchester United fan – SN
Manchester United star Paul Pogba earns over 700 times that of an average British fan of the club, according to new research released this week.

What is the last thing a football club needs? A stadium with ski jumps – The Guardian
Playing football matches at a Winter Olympics ski-jumping venue might sound smart, but it has left Gangwon FC with a ludicrous ground they don’t need.