CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canada’s Road to Russia 2018 continues in Vancouver bolstered by significant international broadcast rights agreement with Univision – CSA
Canada’s road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ will again pass through Vancouver, with the proverbial 12th man called to build a fortress of #CanadaRED support. This time, it will be Canada v Mexico at BC Place on Friday 25 March 2016 with kick off scheduled for 19:00 PT/22:00 ET.
B.C. Place to host Canada’s World Cup qualifier vs Mexico– TSN
The Canadian men’s national team is returning to Vancouver for a crucial World Cup qualifier. Canada Soccer announced Thursday that the country’s home game against Mexico on March 25 will be played at B.C. Place Stadium.
Canada MNT climbs 14 spots to #88 in FIFA World Rankings – FIFA
The Latest Men’s FIFA World Rankings.
CONCACAF U-20 Women’s Championship: Canada searching for new stars – CBC
The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup has been a springboard for several young players who would go on to star for Canada, something defender Bianca St-Georges is well aware of.
Canada building foundation through Papua New Guinea 2016 Qualifiers – CSA
Canada will begin their journey at the 2015 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship on Thursday night when they face Trinidad and Tobago in the opening match of the group phase in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The tournament serves as the qualification route for next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016.
Three League1 Ontario Players Called To Canada U20 Women’s Team – League1 Ontario
On the road to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016, Canada have announced their 20-player roster for the 2015 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship.
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WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Spencer Richey makes ‘no excuses’ while developing with the ‘Caps GK union – Whitecaps FC
The ‘Caps took notice, snagging Richey in the third round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft last January. The Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention goalkeeper could have gone to a different club – what if his hometown Seattle Sounders FC picked him earlier in the round? As fate would have it, Richey would get his passport and move up north on the I-5 to Vancouver, where he now is under the tutelage of a wealthy array of soccer minds.
Run to MLS Cup final holds special meaning for Jack Jewsbury, Portland Timbers’ MLS originals – Portland Timbers
When the team celebrated in a champagne-soaked locker room Sunday night at Toyota Stadium after beating FC Dallas in the Western Conference Championship, Jewsbury said he and a few of the other original Timbers shared their thoughts on how rewarding the run has been for them.
Kei Kamara hoping to grab first MLS Cup after past brushes with the title – Goal
Twice in his career, Kei Kamara has watched teams he began the calendar year with lift MLS Cup titles. He will be hoping to lift his own on Sunday.
2015 MLS Cup: How Gastón Sauro has quickly improved Columbus Crew SC defense – MLS
One other factor that has helped fuel Columbus’ run to the MLS Cup has been the addition of Gastón Sauro. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound center back made just four starts in the regular season (his first one ended after just seven minutes) but has helped solidify a struggling back line.
A day with Portland’s tifo creators: ‘We do it for the players’ – The Guardian
The Timbers’ choreographed fan displays are a sight to behold. Caitlin Murray meets the tifo-makers – but they’re keeping quiet on their plans for the MLS Cup.
Don Garber: MLS will continue playing games on FIFA dates – ESPN FC
Major League Soccer will continue to play games during FIFA’s international fixture windows next season, MLS commissioner Don Garber confirmed on Wednesday before adding that the league could rethink that approach for 2017 and beyond.
MLS commissioner says MVP Sebastian Giovinco one of ‘most important’ signings in history – Toronto Sun
Despite having a season to remember, the league’s top player cared more about dropping that result. Despite having 40 million (as in dollars) reasons to smile, Giovinco seemed to hate losing every match more than everyone else.
Bringer of Hope: Giovinco’s MVP Season Reinvigorated a Battered Fan Base – Vice Sports
Toronto FC striker Sebastian Giovinco was unsurprisingly named Major League Soccer’s 2015 MVP. He led the league in both goals (22) and assists (16), and played a huge part in finally dragging TFC to the team’s first-ever playoff appearance in its painful nine-season history.
Cuts, Cuts, and More Cuts: The Sounders Are Looking to Get Younger – Prost Amerika
Today, Sounders FC announced that it has declined the contract options of the following players: Micheal Azira, Chad Barrett, Andrés Correa, Leo Gonzalez, Marco Pappa, Troy Perkins, Gonzalo Pineda, Zach Scott and Thomás.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Division-leading Whitecaps FC Residency teams fly south for USSDA Winter Showcase – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 and U-16 Residency teams take their division-leading records with them when they travel to the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Florida for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) 2015 Winter Showcase from December 3 to 7.
Central shines in BC bronze battle – Burnaby Now
Pride, determination and passion won out over exhaustion Saturday as the Burnaby Central Wildcats doubled up Tamanawis 4-2 to claim third place at the B.C. AAA boys soccer championships.
From grassroots soccer to CIS national champion – Delta Optimist
Nicole Sydor brought the curtains down on her university soccer career in storybook fashion. The Tsawwassen Soccer Club product helped the UBC Thunderbirds capture just their sixth CIS national championship in the school’s 100 year history with a 3-0 win over conference rival Trinity Western University in the gold medal game. UBC lost just once this season in 24 matches to advance to the nationals for the first time since 2010.
Grassroots of Sooke soccer – Sooke News Mirror
Future soccer stars get their feet grounded in Sooke Soccer Club’s Sandlot program. Sandlot is fun, small-sided, team-oriented soccer for younger players. The program has slowly progressed from one group to three separate groups (Under 4, Under 5 and Under 6) where the focus is on basic skills and having fun.
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NASL & USL NEWS
Eddies announce that Fordyce and Nyassi will be with the team in 2016 – the11.ca
FC Edmonton announced Wednesday that it has re-signed Daryl Fordyce, the club’s all-time leading scorer. The club has also brought back winger Sainey Nyassi.
FC Edmonton announces return of Fordyce, Nyassi for 2016 season – FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton announced, Dec. 2, the re-signing of Daryl Fordyce as well as Sainey Nyassi, pending league approval. As per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Houston picks Cabrera to coach USL’s RGVFC Toros – Soccer America
The Houston Dynamo have appointed former U.S. U-17 and Chivas USA head coach Wilmer Cabrera as the first head coach of the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, its hybrid affiliate set to join the USL in 2016.
Bethlehem Steel FC Sign Union Academy Product Derrick Jones – Philadelphia Union
Bethlehem Steel FC agreed to terms with midfielder Derrick Jones to become the club’s first-ever player signing, the team announced Thursday. Jones, a dual-national citizen who moved to Philadelphia from Ghana four years ago, was signed directly from the Philadelphia Union Academy where he spent the last three seasons. Per club and league policy, additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Indy Eleven hires globetrotter Hankinson – Soccer America
Indy Eleven has named globetrotting American coach Tim Hankinson as its new head coach. Jurgen Sommer was fired in the middle of the 2015 season and replaced by Tim Regan on a temporary basis. Hankinson has coached in MLS (Tampa Bay and Colorado), the NASL (San Antonio) and old USISL (Charleston and Raleigh). He is one of the few American coaches who have worked abroad, spending time at clubs in Iceland, India and Jamaica and working in Guatemala with its U-17 national team.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Don Garber sees more MLS, WoSo crossover – The Equalizer
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber says he can see every MLS club own a women’s team “at some point.” The comments were part of a wide-ranging interview on the state of MLS with SI‘s Grant Wahl.
Roche: Lloyd is the best – FIFA
Stephanie Roche’s spell at Houston Dash may have been fleeting, and ultimately ended in disappointment, but she was in the USA long enough to see the remarkable dedication and commitment that has seen FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year nominee Carli Lloyd reach the very pinnacle of the women’s game.
Cho So-hyun, Leading by Example – Keeper Notes
In the aftermath of South Korea’s successful campaign at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Keeper Notes went to Korea to look at the state of the women’s game. Our look at WK-League and the role it played in Korea’s World Cup success can be found here. What follows is our interview (through a translator) with national team captain, Cho So-hyun.
USWNT to Face Ireland in San Diego to Open 2016 – USSF
The US Women’s National Team will face the Republic of Ireland on January 23 in San Diego to open the 2016 schedule.
Thorns FC name Nadine Angerer as goalkeeper coach – Timbers.com
Portland Thorns FC today announced the addition of recently retired Thorns FC and Germany Women’s National Team goalkeeper Nadine Angerer as Portland’s goalkeeper coach for the 2016 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.
Beard nominated for NAB Young Footballer of the Year – Westfield W-League
Football Federation Australia (FFA) and NAB, together with Brisbane Roar FC are proud to announce Angela Beard as the November nominee for the Westfield W-League, NAB Young Footballer of the Year 2015/16 Award.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
FIFA Corruption: Top Officials Arrested in Pre-Dawn Raid at Zurich Hotel – NY Times
Swiss authorities began a new series of pre-dawn arrests Thursday in the broad investigation, led by United States officials, into corruption in international soccer. Sixteen people were expected to be charged by day’s end, law enforcement officials said, nearly doubling the size of an already huge case that has upended FIFA, soccer’s multibillion-dollar governing body.
Hawit, Napout named as two FIFA officials arrested – Goal
CONCACAF president Alfredo Hawit and Juan Angel Napout, president of CONMEBOL, have been named as the two FIFA officials arrested Thursday.
CONCACAF Statement on the arrest of its President – CONCACAF
The Confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) was made aware of the arrest of several international football officials that took place this morning in Zurich and that included the confederation’s acting and statutorily appointed President, Mr. Alfredo Hawit.
Fifa is not corrupt, and neither am I, insists acting president Issa Hayatou – The Guardian
The acting Fifa president Issa Hayatou has insisted that neither he nor the organisation is corrupt, despite a fresh wave of arrests of senior officials.
FIFA reforms will restore credibility – acting president Issa Hayatou – ESPN FC
Acting FIFA president Issa Hayatou has insisted that football’s world governing body is moving in the right direction after a series of reforms were announced in the wake of two more senior officials being arrested as part of the ongoing corruption investigations.
FIFA Executive Committee unanimously approves extensive reforms – FIFA
The Executive Committee has today unanimously approved a set of proposals from the 2016 FIFA Reform Committee to pave the way for significant and much-needed changes to FIFA’s governance structure. The recommendations will be put before the Congress as proposed statutory changes for approval at its extraordinary session in Zurich on 26 February.
Squad lists released for Club World Cup – FIFA
With the FIFA Club World Cup fast approaching, the official squad lists have been released for six of the seven clubs competing in Japan. FIFA.com takes a look at some of the stars who are set to shine in Osaka and Yokohama.
U.S. Soccer focuses on transparent Copa America amid confederation arrests – SBI
Following the arrests of CONCACAF’s and CONMEBOL’s presidents on Thursday, U.S. Soccer shared a statement to ensure that the presidents’ arrests in no way represent the federation’s involvement in hosting Copa America Centenario.
Faces of the FIFA Scandal – SI.com
Ever since police raided the Baur au Lac Hotel in Zurich on May 27, 2015, the ongoing FIFA scandal has engulfed more and more of world soccer’s most influential people. From FIFA president Sepp Blatter down to sports marketing executives, a number of heavy hitters have been implicated, indicted and arrested in the corruption investigation that has turned the world’s governing body of soccer on its head. Here are the names and faces involved in this on-going scandal.
FIFA deficit may reach $100 million – Inside World Football
The crisis engulfing FIFA looks to be taking its toll on the football governing body’s finances, with reports emanating from Zurich on Wednesday night to the effect that the 2015 deficit will be worse than budgeted.
FIFA defers decision on expanding World Cup to 40 teams – ESPN FC
FIFA is to consider expanding the World Cup to 40 teams but a final decision on the change has been deferred. The proposal was being discussed on Thursday by FIFA’s executive committee as part of a package of reforms for the world governing body.
Liverpool to win the Premier League? It sounds far from crazy now, Jürgen – The Guardian
Liverpool’s thrashing of Southampton, resurgence under Klopp and restored belief suggest they could make up a six-point gap to the leaders and take title.
Liverpool boss ‘now gets’ Daniel Sturridge hype – BBC Sport
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he now understands the expectation surrounding Daniel Sturridge after he scored twice in the League Cup win over Southampton.
U.S. Soccer Federation releases new player safety initiative called R2R – ESPN FC
The U.S. Soccer Federation officially unveiled a series of player health and safety initiatives on Wednesday aimed at reducing injuries for players of all ages and promoting safe play on and around the field — and preventing concussions was a major part of the equation.
From Benzema to Ronaldo and Cheryshev: How Real Madrid is becoming a laughing stock – Goal
Los Blancos fielding an ineligible player in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday is the latest blot on a season which is threatening to unravel.
Slick Melbourne City put five past Central Coast Mariners in A-League – The Guardian
A Harry Novillo brace helped Melbourne City to a 5-1 disposal of Central Coast to surge to fourth on the A-League ladder. John Van ‘t Schip’s men on Thursday night became the first team in A-League history to score five goals in consecutive games with Bruno Fornaroli, Stefan Mauk and Aaron Mooy also netting.
Ticket Stats Tell us About America’s Thirst for European Soccer – Vice Sports
If you’re planning a trip to the old country and want to catch a European soccer match, you’re not alone. Soccer tourism has become big business in Europe’s top leagues. Ticketbis, a European ticket reseller (think Stubhub, Europe), recently released statistics on who’s buying.
Five years later: Looking back at the day Russia, Qatar World Cup bids won – SI.com
Despite the connection of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids to FIFA corruption, there are no indications that either Russia or Qatar will lose its hosting rights.