Photo provided courtesy of Prost Amerika.
WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Perez, Rivero score for ‘Caps in 2-0 preseason win over Portland – Whitecaps FC
Newcomer Blas Pérez scored his first goal in a Vancouver Whitecaps FC uniform and Octavio Rivero opened his account for the preseason in an entertaining 2-0 win over Portland Timbers on Wednesday night at Providence Park.
VIDEO: Portland vs Vancouver preseason highlights – Whitecaps FC
Whitecaps FC defeat Portland Timbers 2-0 in preseason action in the Simple Invitational.
Portland Timbers Fall 2-0 to Full Strength Vancouver Whitecaps – Timbers.com
The Portland Timbers faced off against the Vancouver Whitecaps tonight and came up short, losing 2-0 to the Caps in their second match of the 2016 Simple Invitational. The Timbers fielded a team entirely comprised of bench and T2 players, and came up against a Vancouver side that had the majority of the Whitecaps’ first choice starting XI on the pitch by the end of the match.
No result, but youth is served in ‘positive’ 2-0 Timbers loss – Portland Tribune
Wednesday night wasn’t ever going to be about the result. For both the Portland Timbers and the Vancouver Whitecaps, it was a chance to give some new and young faces time together on the field. But the Timbers probably would’ve preferred a better result anyway.
Sink or Swim? Whitecaps First Team Edition – Eighty-Six Forever
With less than two weeks to go until the Vancouver Whitecaps kick off their 2016 campaign, the squad additions are all but done and just a possible exit or two left to be sorted. The Whitecaps squad is filled with both talent and question marks at every position on the pitch. Here are seven players who I believe to be facing a sink or swim season in 2016.
Whitecaps backup, 2.0? Tornaghi playing and waiting for a deal – The Province
The Vancouver Whitecaps backup goalkeeper has played precisely zero MLS minutes since David Ousted made his debut for the club in a 1-1 tie at the Portland Timbers in August of 2013. So, sure, the No. 2 man between the posts in Vancouver might not seem of pressing concern.
VAVEL USA Exclusive Interview With Vancouver Whitecaps Forward Erik Hurtado – Vavel
With the 2016 MLS season around the corner, the 5th pick of the 2012 MLS Super Draft Erik Hurtado sat down with VAVEL USA Soccer writer Ivan Sanchez-Carrasco for an one-on-one interview.
Fixtures Gone By: A look at Vancouver Whitecaps MLS streaks and trends – AFTN
Every team has that fixture that they see coming in the schedule that makes them shudder with fear. Games where the ball always seems to be rolling uphill and the goalkeeper has glue on his gloves. For some reason in football, these habits of winning and losing tend to stick around even when staff and personnel move on.
PODCAST: From the Backline #117 – FTBL
Ep.117 talks Whitecaps, Voyageurs Cup & Supporters Culture.
Marco Bustos excited by what lies ahead for Vancouver Whitecaps youth movement: “With a group of young guys like this, we can easily win MLS” – AFTN
Marco Bustos is a veritable old man in Vancouver Whitecaps’ locker room during preseason these days. “Finally!”, laughs the 19-year-old Residency graduate when it’s pointed out to him that he’s no longer the youngest player involved in the ‘Caps first team squad any more.
New Whitecap Fraser Aird’s two-way play turns some heads – Vancouver Sun
With his boyish face, short brown hair and pasty white skin, Fraser Aird seems like an outlier among the rainbow of colours on the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore questionable for season opener – MLS
The opening day of the 2016 MLS season is inching ever closer, but with it comes injury news. Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney said following TFC’s preseason draw against Montreal on Wednesday that striker Jozy Altidore may not be available for the opener on March 6.
Hamilton goal helps TFC tie Impact in pre-season – Sportsnet
The Montreal Impact and Toronto FC will head home from MLS pre-season this weekend playing a waiting game with their star strike force.
Impact ties TFC 1-1, Drogba could see action Saturday – Montreal Gazette
The Montreal Impact and Toronto FC played to a dull draw Wednesday night in a penultimate pre-season tilt sorely lacking star power.
Toronto FC demotes five as roster becomes clear – Waking the Red
Five players are heading down to USL as Toronto FC’s roster for the 2016 season is now all but set. The good news is that a trio of young Canadians are still with the first team.
Impact planning to manage Didier Drogba’s minutes – SBI
Drogba joined the Impact for preseason training last week in Florida, and is gearing up for his first full campaign in MLS. It is widely expected that the powerful striker will pick up where left off in 2015, when he arrived in the summer and took the league by storm, but he turns 38 early in March and maintaining a high level over an entire season is not the same or as easy as doing so for just a couple of months.
LA Galaxy 0, Santos Laguna 0 | CONCACAF Champions League Match Recap – MLS
The LA Galaxy achieved a hard-fought result on Wednesday at StubHub Center, playing Liga MX side Santos Laguna to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the teams’ CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series.
Galaxy battle Santos Laguna to goal-less draw in CCL quarterfinals – SBI
The new-look LA Galaxy opened their 2016 campaign with five new starters, but the same goal as every year – to become the first MLS side to win the CONCACAF Champions League. To do so, they will now need to gain a result on the road in Mexico, after battling the Liga MX defending champion Santo Laguna to a 0-0 draw at StubHub Center on Wednesday night.
LA Galaxy have it all to play for in Mexico after scoreless draw with Santos Laguna – LA Galaxy
The LA Galaxy’s hopes of qualifying for the next round of the CONCACAF Champions League rest in their hands after their scoreless draw with Santos Laguna on Wednesday.
Steven Gerrard becomes football columnist at The Telegraph – The Telegraph
LA Galaxy’s Steven Gerrard will be writing monthly columns, beginning this weekend with a preview of the Capital One Cup Final between Manchester City and Liverpool – a fixture in which he gave some of his most career-defining performances.
Tigres UANL 2, Real Salt Lake 0 | CONCACAF Champions League Match Recap – MLS
Real Salt Lake wasted their few chances in front of goal, and Tigres UANL handed them a 2-0 loss in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals series on Wednesday night. Tigres UANL came out on top at home thanks to second-half goals from Jose Rivas and Jurgen Damm. Rivas scored the winner via a header in the 67th minute, and Damm added to the lead four minutes from the end of regulation with a shot from point-blank range.
CCL Quarterfinals – first leg recap, highlights: Bad week for MLS teams – Empire of Soccer
Major League Soccer’s difficulties against Mexican opposition appears to be continuing in 2016. In four MLS vs. Liga MX quarterfinal matchups, American clubs lost two games in Mexico and were held to draws on home soil in the other two.
Union hold on for draw despite red card – Prost Amerika
First match, first red card. If Ilsinho was looking to make an impression upon the Philadelphia Union supporters he certainly did it. Shortly after joining the Union the Brazilian international made his presence felt in perhaps a way that the club did not envision. Despite a red card the Union were able to hold on to a 0-0 draw against the New York Red Bulls at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, Florida.
Caldwell and Koffie get first preseason runout together in Revs’ win over Dynamo – New England Revolution
Deep-lying central midfielders Scott Caldwell and Gershon Koffie – both projected as potential starters for the Revolution – played alongside each other for the first time in a preseason match, as they continued to form a budding partnership through the opening 45 minutes.
VIDEO: Canadians deserve more jobs in MLS! – YouTube
Red Card host Anthony Totera goes off on the lack of jobs offered to Canadians by MLS clubs.
Minnesota United FC reveal renderings for new 20,000 seat stadium – MLS
Fans in Minnesota on Wednesday got a first glimpse at what their team’s new stadium might look like when Minnesota United FC released new renderings for their planned facility in the Snelling-Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
TWU Spartans hire Shearon to lead men’s soccer – Canada West
Trinity Western University announced the hiring of Mike Shearon as the Spartans men’s soccer head coach Wednesday. Shearon, who was previously the associate head coach with the Spartans, will begin his head coaching duties immediately.
Torres chosen for Whitecaps reserves – News Kamloops
Oriol Torres, a soccer player who played for TRU after moving here from Spain, has been selected to join the WFC2 preseason with the Whitecaps reserves. Torres completed his fifth and final year of university eligibility this past fall with TRU.
Comox Valley United’s Jackson Cup hopes crushed by Westcastle – Comox Valley Record
Call it a “cupset.” Comox Valley United was blanked 1-0 by Westcastle in Round #1 Jackson Cup play Feb. 21 in Victoria.
Villa falls in Jackson Cup tournament – Powell River Peak
Powell River Villa soccer club lost 6-0 against Cowichan United 1 in the second round of the Jackson Cup Sunday, February 21. After receiving a bye for the first round of the long-running Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL) tournament, Villa drew the top-ranked opponent for the second round.
Breakthrough season for AC Richmond – Richmond News
Club enjoys unbeaten run to capture First Division in Richmond Senior Soccer League.
Youth soccer clubs find silver lining – Sooke News Mirror
The Under 18, U15 and U14 Sooke Soccer Club girl teams went on a silver streak in the Lower Island Soccer Association final cup play.
Winter complicates life on soccer pitch – Squamish Chief
Much of the time when it snows here, rain or mild weather is soon to follow, melting much of the white stuff. This winter, though, the snow stuck around for longer than expected, including one place it was not welcome – the turf field at Brennan Park.
BC Soccer Assoc. is Now Accepting Candidates for its Board of Directors – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors for terms commencing June 11, 2016. Prospective candidates are invited to review the information provided on the BC Soccer web site www.bcsoccer.net. Candidates who provide notice to BC Soccer Assoc. of their intent to stand for election by May 1, 2016 will have their applications circulated to the membership in early May.
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.
CANADA vs. MEXICO, March 25, 2016 @ BC PLACE STADIUM. Buy Tickets Today!
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
#CanadaRED support pushes ticket sales past 35,000 – CSA
More than 35,000 tickets have been sold for Canada Soccer’s crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Qualifiers match in Vancouver on Friday 25 March. The international match, presented by Bell, at BC Place promises an incredible home atmosphere, with growing sales underlying #CanadaRED’s 12th man support for the Canada’s Men’s National Team.
VIDEO: MONTAGLIANI AIMS TO CLEAN UP MESS AT CONCACAF – Sportsnet
Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani is running for CONCACAF president on a platform of cleaning up the mess. He tells Prime Time Sports how he hopes to do that.
Alberta Soccer Assoc. 2016 Women in Soccer Conference – Registration opens March 7th – Alberta Soccer Assoc.
Workshops with a focus on building skills/knowledge for women in leadership, coaching & refereeing. April 9 in Calgary.
PODCAST: Canadian Soccer Experiment Ep.2 – Soundcloud
We’re back, surprisingly! On this episode, we dive deep into Canada’s performance at the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament, and answer some questions from the Twitterverse. Also we both run into problems with food.
VIDEO: Paul Peschisolido discusses the importance of a new Canadian soccer league – YouTube
Former Canada Men’s National Team player Paul Peschisolido joins Red Card host Anthony Totera to discuss the importance of a new coast-to-coast Canadian soccer league.
In Depth | Kaylyn Kyle Motivated by Family and Love For the Game – Orlando City SC
Being on a close-knit team can be like having a second family and the city in which you play for, a second home. For Kaylyn Kyle, the experienced midfielder of Orlando Pride, family is everything. Originally from the city of Saskatoon, in the province Saskatchewan, Canada, Kyle grew up immersed in sports. Her father and mother both athletes, along with her sister, another talented soccer star.
IMFC Academy report – Wins for the U18 and U16 teams – Montreal Impact
The Impact U18 faced Concordia University last Sunday in its preparation for the second part of the USSDA season. Yoann Damet’s team won 4-1 with goals from Michel Djaozandry, Brandon Onkony, Junior Camara Souleymane and Giovanni Pulitano.
Coca-Cola Canada donates clothes, cleats and soccer balls to ProAction Cops and Kids’ soccer program at Zion Heights Junior High School – Inside Toronto
Coca-Cola Canada donated a surplus of soccer gear valued at $10,000 to the Leslie Street and Cummer Avenue school Monday, Feb. 22 to enhance the program that has been running four years for nearby youth at the Sparroway Toronto Community Housing complex. Coca-Cola’s FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign contributed soccer gear from last year’s World Cup campaign.
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.)
3 Myths that are Destroying the Youth Sports Experience for our Kids – Changing The Game Project
Many parents are simply trying to sort out the myths and facts of athlete development. They are told what to do by other parents and coaches if they want their children to have success in sports. Yet the path that so many children are following, and in many cases are forced to follow, is not the best path to develop as an athlete, nor as a human being. In fact, their chosen path does just the opposite.
How To Not Be ‘That Parent’: Chilling Out On The Sideline – ESPN W.
I don’t remember my coach’s name, or most of my teammates. I do remember two things with perfect clarity. One: We sucked. And two: I remember the rides home from the games. Twenty minutes in my mom’s Pontiac station wagon, my sweaty 10-year-old self fogging up the glass while my parents kindly explained, in great detail, everything I’d done wrong. I dug my fingernails into my palms and bit my cheek while they talked. The rides home were worse than losing.
BC Soccer Leagues & Clubs – Share your News With The BC Soccer Community!
WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
Cincinnati Grabs Dramatic Victory against NYCFC – USL
Harrison Delbridge scored a stoppage-time winner as FC Cincinnati took its first victory in club history with a 2-1 win against New York City FC of Major League Soccer on Wednesday night at the IMG Suncoast Pro Classic.
Rangers get Late Goal, Earn Draw with Columbus – USL
A late goal by Mark Anthony Gonzalez earned the Swope Park Rangers a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew SC on Wednesday night, keeping the Rangers undefeated at the Desert Diamond Cup at the Kino Sports Complex.
Rayo OKC Signs U.S. International Robbie Findley – NASL
Rayo OKC has signed Robbie Findley to a contract for the 2016 season, the club announced Wednesday. Findley saw action in the 2010 World Cup with the U.S. men’s national team.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Moya Dodd: Why more women at Fifa is crucial to governing body’s reform – The Guardian
On Friday, Fifa’s members will vote on a package of reforms, part of which will elevate gender inclusion and women’s football to first-order priorities. Six of the 37 seats on the new Fifa Council – 16% – will be reserved for women, and continental confederations and members will be obliged to constitute their legislative bodies with gender equality in mind. Properly implemented, these measures can begin to infuse the game with gender fairness – a key ingredient in reforming an overwhelmingly male institution.
Michelle Heyman will not return to Flash – The Equalizer
Australian forward Michelle Heyman announced via Twitter on Friday that she would not be returning to the Western New York Flash. The Flash later announced Heyman had been waived. The popular 27-year old joined the Western New York side after the World Cup last summer and had a goal and an assist in nine matches, all starts.
USWNT star Mallory Pugh ready for Rio as coach Jill Ellis looks to the future – The Guardian
The US women’s team breezed through Olympic qualifying in impressive style – and now US Soccer is looking to the 2019 World Cup and beyond.
Cruz, Rodriguez sound off on Costa Rica federation – The Equalizer
Costa Rica had a strong chance to compete at the Rio Olympics, however they fell to Canada 3-1 thanks to a pair of fantastic volleys by Christine Sinclair. The Costa Rica program has come a long way in four years. Players like Shirley Cruz are four years older and young Raquel Rodriguez has helped Costa Rica add another dangerous scoring threat to the squad. However it’s not all fantastic with the Costa Rican Football Federation.
Manchester City Women Launch Official Supporters Club – MCFC
The Club, which is run by Chairperson Sarah Bland and already has 55 members, will allow fans to meet on a regular basis, organise tickets and travel and discuss all things MCWFC.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Can One of the Dirtiest Corners of Global Soccer Clean Up Its Own Act? – Bloomberg Business
U.S. criminal charges and CONCACAF records reviewed by Bloomberg News offer the fullest details of the financial mismanagement that continued long after the 2011 resignation of president Jack Warner, whose indictment in May helped dethrone Blatter at FIFA. Warner’s successor, Jeffrey Webb, pledged reform and declared success in 2014, saying “The new CONCACAF is built on trust and transparency.”
CONCACAF Member Associations Unanimously Pass Landmark Statutes Reforms – CONCACAF
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) today announced that its Member Associations voted unanimously to approve a comprehensive package of reforms, which were first outlined in the CONCACAF Reform Framework and later drafted by CONCACAF’s Statutes Reform Committee, at the Confederation’s XXII Extraordinary Congress. CONCACAF’s revised statutes will become effective immediately as the Confederation and its Member Associations begin implementing the reforms.
Manchester City comes of age in Champions League – Sportsnet
The Round of 16 has tripped up City in the past, but this time they weren’t staring at mighty Barcelona across the table, but rather modest Dynamo Kyiv, who hadn’t played a competitive game since December due to the Ukrainian league’s winter break.
10-man PSV holds on for draw vs. Atletico Madrid – Sportsnet
Ten-man PSV Eindhoven battled to a 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday, comfortably surviving more than 20 minutes after a red card for striker Gaston Pereiro.
Ex-Arsenal and France star Pires retires – Goal
The World Cup winner has confirmed his retirement after a senior career that started in 1993, having been a free agent since his time at Indian side Goa came to an end.
Manchester United vs FC Midtjylland Preview: Reds face second test in defining week – Vavel
With FA Cup progression confirmed, Manchester United turn their attentions to the Europa League, and the task of overturning a 2-1 deficit against FC Midtjylland.
Manchester United and the problem of moving on from an all-powerful leader – The Guardian
A look at clubs such as Manchester United after Sir Matt Busby and Dynamo Kyiv after Valeriy Lobanovskyi shows that it can often take more than a decade to recover from the departure of extraordinarily successful managers.
Notts County put up for sale by chairman – The Football League Paper
Notts County chairman Ray Trew has written an open letter to fans announcing his decision to put the club up for sale. Trew confirmed he will step down as chairman due to his family being subjected to ‘foul, mindless abuse’ in recent weeks by fans irate at the club’s form.
That’s shoe biz: Adidas bets $43M that it’s found soccer’s next superstar – Goal
Juventus star Paul Pogba, 22, agreed to the massive 10-year deal that will make him the face of Adidas’ new laceless boots.
Italian manager claims Lega Pro club would only hire him ‘if I paid them a fee’ – The Guardian
The former Napoli defender Gennaro Scarlato has claimed that an Italian third-tier club refused to hire him as their new manager unless he paid them a fee first.
AFC Executive Committee leads support for Shaikh Salman – AFC
Asian football gathered in Zurich on Thursday to show their united support for Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa’s FIFA Presidency campaign.
Platini openly backs Infantino and vows to fight the FIFA ‘bureaucrats’ – Inside World Football
Banned UEFA president Michel Platini insists he will do everything he can to clear his name as he accused those now in charge of FIFA of being “bureaucrats” who engineered his downfall after seeing his eight-year suspension reduced by two years by the FIFA Ethics Committee.
Fifa election: Sheikh Salman must win the vote – and destroy governing body in the process – The Telegraph
However facile this sounds, the worst outcome for Fifa would be the best one for football: a presidential election victory for Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa that would hasten the demise of Sepp Blatter’s failed state.
Fifa’s new museum: a nerds’ nirvana untouched by its grubby reality – The Guardian
Fifa’s new museum in Zurich boasts its share of footballing attractions, but to open a £100m monument to itself at a time like this is yet another beyond parody moment.
Malawi: Japanese Player Nakamura Presented to Wanderers Fans – AllAfrica
Hundreds of Mighty Be Forward Wanderers supporters converged at Kamuzu Stadium on Tuesday morning to welcome Japenese new catch Genki Nakamura, who trained with the rest of the squad for the first time since he jetted in the country last week.
Liversedge: The team that have not played at home since Halloween – BBC Sport
There is little worse than getting ready for a game, going through your pre-match rituals and then having the disappointment of it being postponed. Spare a thought then for ninth-tier side Liversedge. The Yorkshire outfit have not played a match at their Clayborn home since 31 October, 115 days ago.