BC Soccer News, Thursday, February 9, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

MLS PRESEASON

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. MINNESOTA UTD.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017, 5:00 PM

PROVIDENCE PARK, PORTLAND, OREGON

LIVESTREAM: WHITECAPSFC.COM

Preview: ‘Caps in Portland for ‘last push’ before 2017 season – Whitecaps FC
The ‘Caps kick off the annual Timbers Preseason Tournament on Thursday against MLS expansion side Minnesota United FC (5 p.m. PT at Providence Park – watch live on whitecapsfc.com).

Let’s Talk About Jakob Nerwinski – Eighty-Six Forever
Although not officially signed, Nerwinski featured heavily in Wales. Of course, this was at least in part due to Williams being injured. However, the injury emphasizes the importance of Nerwinski being a capable defender for the Caps.

Whitecaps three things: Who plays up top, where does Davies go? Williams stability – The Province
Like winter turning to spring, the Whitecaps are now in the second phase of their pre-season, moving their base, again, to Portland. This is the fourth year in a row that the Caps have rounded off their pre-season prep in the Rose City.

Will new initiative see Atiba Hutchinson and other Canadian players heading to MLS as DPs? – AFTN
Vancouver have eight, so do Montreal, while Toronto have seven. We’re talking about Canadian players on their MLS squads. If you look at the 28 places available to each team, that’s a 27% Canadian content on the three MLS teams.

MLS Players Union joins NFLPA in opposing Illinois Senate Bill – Empire of Soccer
Major League Soccer Players Union director Bob Foose said the Union has joined the NFL Players Association in opposing a proposed measure in the Illinois State Senate that would limit the age eligibility of professional athletes to receive workers compensation from 65 to 35.

Impact see midfielders Ballou, Choiniere as potential stars – Sportsnet
Asked about the pair this week, coach Mauro Biello said: “I don’t think we’ve seen talent like that in Quebec in the last 30 years.”

Timbers think Blanco’s experience will help him adjust to MLS quickly – MLS
It has been less than a week since Blanco joined his new side, first meeting up with the Timbers during their preseason camp in Tucson, Ariz., then returning with the team to Portland for his first days in the Rose City.

Union officially acquire former Akron playmaker Adam Najem – SBI
The Philadelphia Union seek to build off a successful 2016, and add another piece in their offseason quest to do so.

MLS Moves: Loons add to European contingent – Soccer America
Danish winger Bashkim Kadrii has been signed to a loan deal by MLS expansion club Minnesota United FC.

Steve Zakuani ends comeback attempt with Seattle Sounders – MLS
Steve Zakuani formally ended his attempted comeback with the Seattle Sounders on Tuesday, announcing in a lengthy Instagram post that he won’t play for the club this year.

TFC feels complete with return of Bradley and Altidore – Toronto Star
Signings, rumours, cross-country trips, wins and losses have come in a flurry since Toronto FC kicked off its pre-season training not three weeks ago.

How can MLS teams sign players? The ultimate roster rules flowchart – SI.com
The rules for acquiring players in Major League Soccer are famously byzantine, so much so that it can be hard for fans to know exactly how their club has acquired its players, how it has kept players around, or why it can’t do either of those things. How, for example, were the LA Galaxy able to sign Joao Pedro as a Special Discovery Player? What even is a Special Discovery Player?

THE SOCCER TOUR LAUNCHES WITH 34-WEEK ROAD TRIP OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA – The Soccer Tour
Soccer enthusiast Steven Bernasconi to spend 2017 on a cross-continent tour to experience games in all 22 major league markets, film and produce soccer-themed travelogue.

New meaning to ‘hot tots’ — man accused of raiding Timbers stadium for snacks – Oregonian
Police say a man who lives in a downtown apartment building showed up to  Providence Park in Wednesday’s wee hours with a reusable shopping bag and possibly a mission to restock his kitchen with junk food.

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BC SOCCER NEWS

A NWSL team in Vancouver? Canada WNT are all for it – Equalizer
An NWSL franchise in Canada is something that is long overdue. If Canada is going to continue to produce and develop top talent, players need an opportunity to stay in Canada and play professionally. The NWSL has done wonders for the women’s game, and it’s time Vancouver and Canada Soccer bring a team to compete in the NWSL.

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.

FVSL All-Stars to face WFC2 in March – BC Soccer Web
January snow and ice in the Lower Mainland put the brakes on the annual clash between the Fraser Valley Soccer League All-Stars and the best from the VISL this year. That hasn’t stopped the FVSL from planning an ambitious All-Star series in March.

BC Soccer Assoc. is Now Accepting 2016-2017 Awards Nominations – BCSA
We are pleased to inform everyone that BC soccer Assoc. is currently accepting Awards nominations until the submission deadline date of March 31, 2017. Selection of the award recipients is based on many factors including the individual’s commitment, community involvement and willingness to give back to the game. This year any BC Soccer Assoc. member and their affiliate clubs may submit a nomination.

2017 BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors for terms commencing June, 2017 (following the BC Soccer Annual General Meeting).

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.

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. 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

Canada Soccer continues investment in young Canadian content – CSA
As part of the Canada Soccer Pathway, the Men’s EXCEL Program works in collaboration with the provincial and territory partners as well as the professional clubs and academies for their annual Boys’ U-15 identification camps and U-15 showcase. This year, Canada Soccer will again host four events in an effort to identify exceptional players at an earlier age and ensure that they are supported through a competitive environment.

Toronto FC academy to play in prestigious Viareggio Cup – Toronto FC
Toronto FC III, Toronto FC’s U-20 academy team have been invited to participate in the 69th edition of the prestigious Viareggio Cup, and there they’ll face one of the global heavyweights of soccer.

The Impact U18 ties 2-2 against the Rouge et Or – Montreal Impact
After two straight wins against Concordia and McGill, the Impact U18 remained undefeated this weekend, tying 2-2 against Université Laval.

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Keegan Returns As Attacking Option For FC Edmonton – FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton reached new heights in 2016, finishing with the North American Soccer League’s top defensive record to qualify for The Championship—the NASL’s four-team, postseason tournament. The club found timely goals to compliment their defensive work, with several of those goals coming off the foot of forward Jake Keegan.

Fury FC add David Paulmin from the Montreal Impact – Ottawa Fury
The 21-year-old goalkeeper is the first player from the Impact to sign with Fury FC.

Red Bulls Cancel Trip to Sacramento – Empire of Soccer
The highly anticipated game between the New York Red Bulls and Sacramento Republic has been canceled due to the conditions at Bonney Field. Inclement weather has beaten down the home of one of USL’s most popular teams, forcing the club’s hand.

USL Expands, Strengthens League Office – USL
Furthering its commitment for ongoing player development and enhancing the standard of competition, the USL created a Compliance Department that will work in concert with the league’s Operations and Competition & Technical Development departments starting with the 2017 season. The league also announced the hiring of key personnel in the Social Media, USL Productions and Corporate Strategy departments.

Morgan, Lloyd, Pugh headline 25-player USWNT training camp roster ahead of SheBelieves Cup – SBI
The U.S. Women’s National Team will begin training for the SheBelieves Cup with a majority of the team’s heavy hitters.

Megan Rapinoe left off U.S. roster for SheBelieves Cup – Sportsnet
Midfielder Megan Rapinoe has been left off the U.S. roster for a training camp ahead of the SheBelieves Cup tournament.

Nils Nielsen selects strong Danish squad for Algarve Cup – Vavel
Familiar faces and a long awaited comeback is what’s among the 23 players Nils Nielsen has selected for the Algarve Cup.

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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

Ndidi’s extra-time golazo keeps Leicester alive after FA Cup replay win vs. Derby – Fox Sports
Leicester City is fighting off relegation in the Premier League, on another upstart run in the Champions League and, thanks to Wilfried Ndidi, remains alive in the FA Cup.

Alaves beats Celta to reach Copa del Rey final – Sportsnet
Alaves will be playing in the final of a major competition for only the second time in its history after defeating Celta Vigo 1-0 in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.

El Tri kicks off 2017 with victory over Iceland  – Prost Amerika
The Mexican National Team kicked off its footbaling activity in 2017 with a 1-0 win over Iceland on Wednesday evening at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chivas Guadalajara striker Alan Pulido scored the lone goal of the match to give Mexico a winning start to 2017.

Nice stays in title mix with win over Saint-Etienne – Sportsnet
Nice’s campaign for the French league title is back on track after a goal from Wylan Cyprien secured a 1-0 victory over Saint-Etienne on Wednesday.

Watch out Madrid! Mertens outscoring Messi and Ronaldo – UEFA
Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to tick over nicely in front of goal but there is one attacking player eclipsing them all at the moment.

Manchester United’s debt soars by £87m after Brexit impact on the pound – The Guardian
Manchester United are on track to achieve record revenues despite their absence from this season’s Champions League, although their net debt has increased by 27.1% due to the post-Brexit collapse of the pound.

UEFA to ask for 16 places at expanded 2026 World Cup – Aleksander Ceferin – ESPN FC
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has said Europe will ask FIFA for at least 16 places in the expanded 48-team World Cup.

AFCON performances rewarded with ranking surge – FIFA
The most significant changes for the February edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking arrive courtesy of matches played at the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Want to watch a new football league? Try Mexico’s popular and exciting Liga MX – The Guardian
Liga MX is the best attended league outside of Europe; there are two champions every year; every game counts; and tickets are as cheap as £2. What’s not to like?

A-League leaders Sydney FC go 20 unbeaten – Four Four Two
It is now 20 unbeaten for A-League leaders Sydney FC after a 3-1 defeat of Wellington Phoenix.

Dan Westwood, the Wolverhampton schoolteacher and non-league scoring machine – The Guardian
Dan Westwood is a schoolteacher from Wolverhampton. He also has a part-time job some evenings and weekends: centre-forward for Wolverhampton Sporting CFC, and one of the most relentless goalscorers in non-league football.

Dejan Lovren: ‘I know what refugees are going through – give them a chance’ – The Guardian
In a new documentary, the Liverpool defender opens up about being forced out of his childhood home during the Balkans conflict, losing a member of his family and then being asked to leave Germany and settle in Croatia.