VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
MLS releases full list of eligible players for 2016 Waiver Draft – MLS
The Waiver Draft will be held on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 12 pm PT. The Waiver Draft will consist of players who are not eligible for Re-Entry or Free Agency and are either out of contract and have not been issued a Genuine Offer or have not had their 2017 options exercised.
Jordan Smith among players available in Thursday’s Waiver Draft – Whitecaps FC
Major League Soccer today announced the list of eligible players for the 2016 Waiver Draft, including former Vancouver Whitecaps FC defender Jordan Smith.
A look at the most interesting players available in the MLS Waiver Draft – SBI
The MLS Waiver Draft tends to be fairly tame. Last season’s edition saw just one player picked, as a majority of teams usually opt to supplement their rosters through other mechanisms. However, there are always diamonds in the rough for a team willing to take a chance.
Former Dynamo forward Giles Barnes hopes to leave 2016 behind – Houston Chronicle
Barnes, 28, has one guaranteed year and one option year left on his contract that according to the MLS Players Union includes a salary of $700,000 per year. He said he has heard that a couple of overseas clubs have been in contact with Vancouver about a possible transfer.
MLS announce initial list of 2017 MLS Player Combine invitees – Whitecaps FC
Major League Soccer today announced the initial 53 NCAA DI college players invited to participate in the 2017 adidas MLS Player Combine.
Atiba Harris targeting MLS Cup in 2017 – FC Dallas
Through his 12-year MLS career, Atiba Harris has achieved many things, but he has never had the luxury of spending three straight seasons with the same team. That will change in 2017, as FCD and Harris have come to terms bringing back the versatile veteran for another season at Toyota Stadium.
Report: MLS has improved racial, gender hiring practices – Sportsnet
Major League Soccer made improvements in both its racial and gender hiring practices, according to an annual report by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport.
‘Dude needs some help’ – CFL players blast Giovinco for field complaints – SN
Sebastian Giovinco doesn’t seem like the most popular player in CFL circles at the moment. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the Toronto FC star cited the club’s new arrangement to share BMO Field with the Toronto Argonauts as a possible explanation for his cramping issues in the MLS playoffs.
MLS dodged storms in Toronto, but how long until snow falls at a final? – Four Four Two
The league got lucky in Toronto, but storms hitting after Saturday’s final were a reminder: It’s only a matter of time until an orange ball is needed at MLS Cup.
An early look at Toronto FC’s offseason needs this winter – Waking the Red
With information trickling out, we can start to guess what the Reds might be looking for in the transfer market.
Progress report: The National Training Center is moving along – The Blue Testament
We checked in with Sporting Kansas City’s David Ficklin (VP of Development) to see how progress is going on the National Training and Coaching Development Center. Ground was broken back in July as U.S. Soccer, Sporting KC, Children’s Mercy and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County all partnered to make it a reality.
Whitecaps FC to hold third annual clearout sale at Langley Events Centre – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will hold a clearout sale on Saturday, January 7 at the Langley Events Centre, offering savings up to 70 per cent on player-worn equipment and merchandise.
Train With Champions TWU Spartan Female Soccer Academy
BC SOCCER NEWS
BC Soccer Assoc. and TSS Resolve Legal Action – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is pleased to advise the membership that the Association and TSS have reached a resolution of the claims made by TSS against BC Soccer Assoc. and the legal action has been dismissed by consent of the parties.
Washington Crossfire PDL rights reportedly sold to group in Vancouver, BC – Goal WA
The Premier Development League (PDL) Washington Crossfire have apparently had their rights in the league sold to an unknown group in Vancouver, BC. If this is later confirmed by some sort of official announcement, it would be the second year in a row that a former Washington state PDL side has “moved” to Canada.
Youth soccer updates – The Northern View
Prince Rupert Youth Soccer Association (PRYSA) held its annual general meeting last month and several updates came out of that.
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.
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CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Christine Sinclair named female selection for the 2016 Canadian Players of the Year award – CSA
Canada Soccer announced that Christine Sinclair has been voted the Women’s National Team winner for the 2016 Canadian Players of the Year award. Sinclair from Burnaby, BC was honoured from a vote shared by Canadian media (50%) and Canadian coaches (50%).
New players’ association a watershed moment for women’s soccer team – Sportsnet
Eighteen players on the team recently voted in Toronto to unanimously form a group that is believed to be the first of its kind in Canada. In doing so, the women’s team members now have a players’ association to protect their interests and advance their agenda in dealing with Canada Soccer.
Brampton’s Buchanan for MAC Hermann Trophy – Toronto Sun
Canadian international Kadeisha Buchanan is a finalist for the women’s MAC Hermann Trophy for a second straight year.
2016 NCAA soccer Division 1 All-Canadian team – Red Nation Online
Canadian soccer players continue to make an impact on the NCAA Division 1 men’s soccer scene. Sigma FC alumni Kwame Awuah and Chris Nanco were the big names going into the 2016 season, performed well and should be considered as picks for the 2017 MLS Draft, despite both players being on the smaller side.
Tabla and Fleming win 2016 Canadian U-20 Players of the Year – CSA
Ballou Tabla and Jessie Fleming have been named 2016 Canadian U-20 Players of the Year. Canada’s two footballers won the honour from a vote shared by national team coaches (50%) as well as Canadian clubs and coaches (50%). Tabla of Montréal, QC plays for Impact Montréal FC while Fleming of London, ON plays for UCLA.
RDC athletes relish the opportunity to volunteer in the community – Red Deer Express
Student athletes at Red Deer College have a lot on their plates. For many people, balancing athletics and academics would be a very difficult task. But many RDC athletes not only keep up with that busy schedule, they add to it by dedicating themselves to volunteering in the community and by coaching youth teams in communities around Central Alberta.
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WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
WFC2 coach Alan Koch leaves for FC Cincinnati – Eighty-Six Forever
Alan Koch has left his head coaching position at WFC2 to become assistant coach and director of scouting with FC Cincinnati. Koch recently lead WFC2 in only their second year to the USL Western Conference finals.
D.C. United planning to launch USL team in 2018 – USL
D.C. United has submitted an application to the United Soccer League to own and operate a secondary squad in the Washington area starting in 2018, the Insider has learned.
While others fret over NASL crisis, FC Edmonton sets ticket-sales record – the11.ca
The New York Cosmos have released all of their players. The Jacksonville Armada have released players and have publicly stated that the club is exploring all the avenues necessary to ensure the club survives. The Carolina RailHawks have rebranded as North Carolina FC and have made MLS the team’s clear goal. Meanwhile, in Edmonton…
Sources: NASL aiming for 8-10 team league in 2017 – SBI
Despite both confirmed and reported exits of several teams from the league, the NASL is still pushing to take the field in 2017.
“Keep The Faith:” Cosmos chairman Seamus O’Brien addresses the fans – Empire of Soccer
In recent months, Cosmos fans have taken to several different mediums to get a response from ownership about the viability of the league. There have been personal letters sent to O’Brien, statements issued on behalf of fans and supporters, and more recently, there was even a demand for sale of the franchise.
Armada denies reports of club releasing all players – WTLV
The Jacksonville Armada soccer team is denying internet reports that they released all of the team’s players Wednesday and are preparing to shut down.
A Game of Chicken: Steep Price of Exit Fees Dictating NASL’s Future – Fifty Five One
Depending on the day, hour, or minute, the NASL is either headed off a cliff Thelma and Louise-style or poised for a comeback. Those close to the decisions have reported both scenarios in the last week. Behind the confusion is a Reservoir Dogs-style stalemate, largely due to the high price of exit fees involved with decamping from NASL to USL.
Minneapolis City Joins the NPSL as Part of Rebranded North Conference – Fifty Five One
Semi-pro Minneapolis City SC is leaving the Premier League of America for the National Premier Soccer League, and will begin play in the latter’s rebranded North Conference, formerly the Midwest Region’s Central Conference.
Freddy Adu is searching for a new soccer team … again – Washington Post
Freddy Adu, the one-time American soccer prodigy, has bounced around the planet for a decade seeking a place to play regularly. Now he is on the move again. Adu, 27, is not expected to rejoin the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2017, multiple sources said Wednesday. His contract expired this offseason.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
In women’s soccer, going pro isn’t as glamorous as it seems and more are retiring early – Fox Sports
Jazmine Reeves was surprised to see her name splashed across major news outlets. “Why a pro athlete retired early to work for Amazon,” the headline from ABC News read. “A 22-year-old rising women’s soccer star is retiring to take a job at Amazon,” the one from Sports Illustrated said.
Heath to ESPN: “I am very happy here in the U.S.” – The Equalizer
In an interview on ESPN after winning U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, Tobin Heath said she is happy playing in NWSL.
Nigeria women’s football team plea: ‘Pay us what we’ve worked for’ – The National
Nigeria’s national women’s football team, the Super Falcons, demonstrated outside parliament on Wednesday to demand they receive unpaid bonuses for winning Africa’s international championship an eighth time.
Scolari to face young female coach in Asian Champions League – WSOC TV
History-making coach Chan Yuen-ting says it will be her honor to match wits with World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Real overcome America to reach final – FIFA
Real Madrid progressed to the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup final after defeating Mexico’s Club America 2-0 at the International Stadium Yokohama. Karim Benzema bagged a late first-half goal while Cristiano Ronaldo sealted the deal with a second deep in second-half injury time as Los Blancos set up a meet J.League champions Kashima Antlers in the global club showpiece event on Sunday 18 December.
500 up! Ronaldo’s goal completes Madrid set as Real tee up dream finish to 2016 – SN
Cristiano Ronaldo has completed the set for Real Madrid. Already the all-time top goalscorer in the history of the Spanish side with 376 strikes before Thursday’s game against Club America, the Portuguese had failed to net in only one competition for Los Blancos: the Club World Cup. But he changed that on Thursday – and he did it with the 500th strike in his club career.
Luis Suarez signs new contract at Barcelona with huge release clause – NBC Sports
Luis Suarez is staying at the Nou Camp. The Uruguayan striker, 29, has signed a new five-year contract at FC Barcelona which runs until 2021.
Manchester United finally show some signs of life under José Mourinho – The Guardian
One defeat in 11 games shows an upturn under the latest manager but problems remain with the reliance on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Michael Carrick, both 35.
‘It’s not football’ – Modric wants FIFA’s video referee scrapped – SN
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric hopes that FIFA’s video replay technology will be scrapped after the Club World Cup. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, which allows match officials to examine replays of potentially decisive incidents, is being tested in the finals in Japan this week.
Premier League mid-week matches bring early Xmas cheer to clubs – Inside World Football
The Premier League pre-Christmas rush of matches – three games in eight days – has had very little impact on attendance levels, with eight clubs reporting over 93% of their stadiums full.
NSPCC football abuse hotline receives over 1,700 calls in 3 weeks – The Guardian
Many calls to charity phone line, which was only set up three weeks ago, have resulted in referrals to police or another agency.
Study incorrectly compared wages between Serie A and MLS players – ESPN FC
A study that attempted to show that Serie A players earned less than MLS players was incorrect. The study, as cited by ESPN FC and other outlets last week, claimed that more players in MLS earned over €100,000 ($105,769) per week than in Serie A.
Roma can win Scudetto, insists Perotti – Four Four Two
Roma winger Diego Perotti is confident Luciano Spalletti’s men are good enough to win the Serie A title as they prepare to take on Juventus.
Pizarro to Chivas, Marchesin to Club America steal Liga MX draft spotlight – ESPN FC
Believe it or not, the next Liga MX season is almost underway. That’s right, the 2017 Clausura will begin on Jan. 6, less than two weeks after Tigres or Club America are crowned champions of the 2016 Apertura on Christmas day.
The Anti-Sports Personality of the Year awards 2016 – The Guardian
Before the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year awards on Sunday celebrate the best of 2016, here are our anti-heroes from the sporting world this year.