BC Soccer News, Thursday, March 22, 2018

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. L.A. GALAXY

MLS MATCHDAY #4

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2018, 7:00 PM PDT

BUY TICKETS

BC PLACE, VANCOUVER, BC

TV: TSN 1 RADIO: TSN RADIO 1040 ONLINE: TSN GO

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. LA Galaxy | 2018 MLS Match PreviewMLS
Both Western Conference foes are looking to bounce back from losses — Vancouver Whitecaps FC fell to Atlanta United FC, 4-1, on Saturday, while the LA Galaxy lost 2-1 to New York City FC in their last game two weeks ago.

IMPORTANT: Georgia Viaduct closed to all traffic on SaturdayWhitecaps FC
Make sure to arrive early and give yourself plenty of time to travel to and from BC Place, as the Georgia Viaduct will be closed to all traffic from 9 p.m. PT on Friday to 3 a.m. PT on Monday for the JUNOs red carpet. Please consider alternate routes!

Will the ‘Caps bounce back on Saturday? Their record after losses in 2017 says yesWhitecaps FC
One of the keys to success over an MLS season is consistency. Earth-shattering, right? It’s such an obvious thing to say, and we hear it so often that it has become cliché, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Take Vancouver Whitecaps FC, for example.

And like that, Nico Mezquida is a Whitecaps steady old handNational Post
Given the choice, Nico Mezquida says he’d be a striker. But the little Uruguayan also knows that what’s kept him a Whitecap since 2013 is his willingness to do anything, anywhere, at any time for his squad.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Signs Contract With LA Galaxy Through 2019SI.com
A source with direct knowledge of the deal tells SI.com that Ibrahimovic has signed a contract through the end of the 2019 season that will pay him $1.5 million per year, the maximum allowed for a contract using Targeted Allocation Money.

The case for Zlatan in MLS… and the case against ZlatanYahoo Sports
Major League Soccer doesn’t need Zlatan Ibrahimovic. And yet, MLS could really benefit from Zlatan being here for a year or two.

Is this season already in doubt for the LA Galaxy?US Soccer Players
The Galaxy seemed to scrape the bottom of the talent barrel a year ago as the club banked on its youth system to populate the roster. Those attempts did not work. Now, the Galaxy have to avoid drawing several unfortunate parallels to last season.

Cascadia Cup representatives say Sounders-Timbers match on May 13 won’t count in competition standingsSeattle Times
With an uneven schedule this year between the Sounders, Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps, members of the Cascadia Cup Council had to drop one of their matchups from counting in the annual Pacific Northwest competition standings.

Radio Cascadia – Episode 144 – Baby, You’re OutAFTN
Even a rather embarrassing CONCACAF Champions League exit, some red cards, and a couple of league defeats since Episode 143 can’t put the RC crew in a bad mood. John Marshall, Michael McColl, Niko Moreno, and Ari Liljenwall all stop by to talk about the most controversial decisions of the past week as well as to preview the coming weekend’s Cascadia contests.

Italian giants Juventus announced as 2018 MLS All-Star Game opponentsMLS
MLS announced on Thursday that Juventus FC, champions of Italy’s Serie A for the last six seasons and UEFA Champions League finalists in 2015 and 2017, will face the best in MLS in the 2018 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target.

Central defender Rudy Camacho signs four-year deal with ImpactMontreal Gazette
Camacho was acquired on a permanent transfer from Belgian club Waasland Beveren. The 27-year-old was signed using targeted allocation money, so he will not have designated player status.

Wiebe: Why Orlando, Chicago and Portland should be concerned by slow startsMLS
Before we jump into the teams I think should be the most nervous, I’ll remind you that every playoff team in 2017 other than the Vancouver Whitecaps (one draw, two losses) won at least one of their first three games.

Portland Timbers heading to Dallas with something to proveOregonian
The Portland Timbers have rarely had fast starts to their MLS seasons. They didn’t win a game in March during their first three years under former Timbers coach Caleb Porter. And last year was the first time that the club earned more than four points in the first calendar month of the season.

Kekuta Manneh eager to pitch in for the cause with US national teamMLS
Kekuta Manneh has done his share of waiting. He waited five years in residency in the United States to qualify for a one-time switch from Gambia by FIFA rules from 2012 to 2016. But now his wait has come to an end, as he received the call that he was invited to the US national team for a friendly against Paraguay on Tuesday.

BEZBATCHENKO: Toronto FC extended Victor Vazquez in ‘concerted effort to keep group together’Toronto Sun
The Reds revealed Wednesday they’ve locked up Spanish playmaker Victor Vazquez through 2020, leaving midfielder Jonathan Osorio as the only everyday contributor without a contract heading into next season.

Miami expansion group examining “five or so” possible stadium sitesSBI
Just when it looked like David Beckham’s Miami expansion team was on the fast track to a soccer stadium, things take a turn.

Find a Team or Find a Player with BC Soccer Web FREE Classifieds!

BC SOCCER NEWS

Cowichan teams prepare for cup finalsCowichan Valley Citizen
Cowichan Valley soccer fans have a lot to be excited about this weekend. While Cowichan LMG will be sitting out the Jackson Cup final for only the second time in the last nine years, two other clubs from the Valley will be battling at Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park for their respective cups.

Highlanders Announce Former European Youth Players Added to RosterVictoria Highlanders
The Highlanders are pleased to announce the signing of two new players to their roster for the upcoming 2018 Premier Development League (PDL) season. Midfielder Marcus Campanile and Defender Peter Schaale, pending International (ITC) clearance.

PREVIEW: 32nd edition of Keg Cup sees spring and soccer return to CentennialUVic Vikes
For the 32nd year in a row, the Keg Spring Cup will return to Centennial Stadium as both the University of Victoria Vikes men’s and women’s soccer team are set to host some of the top university teams in Western Canada on March 24-25.

Campbell River Thunder storms to Surrey Mayor’s Cup titleCampbell River Mirror
Last weekend, the Campbell River Youth Soccer Association (CRYSA) U13 Boys Rep soccer team, Campbell River Thunder, traveled to Surrey to participate in the Surrey Mayor’s Cup.

Comox Valley United escapes relegation for second season in a rowComox Valley Record
Division one soccer will be staying in the Comox Valley next season. Despite finishing in the relegation zone of the Vancouver Island Soccer League’s first division this year, the Comox Valley United men’s team (CVU) will remain in the Island’s top league for 2018/19.

Finalists announced for 2017-18 WolfPack Athletics AwardsTRU Wolfpack
Members of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s volleyball and men’s soccer teams dominate the finalists for the 2017-18 Athletic Awards.

PHOTOS: VMSL IMPERIAL CUP SEMIFINAL, Croatia SC 3, West Van FC 1BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

PHOTOS: VMSL IMPERIAL CUP SEMIFINAL, Rino’s Tigers 3, Club Inter 2 (PKs), March 17, 2018 BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Monique Lamoureux.

VISL Cup Finals Set for March 24-25 WeekendBC Soccer Web
All teams are now official, the pairings are set, here are the match ups for the upcoming weekend and all 4 Cup Finals.

TSS Rovers release Season Tickets for the 2018 season TSS Rovers
A great summer of soccer is in store at Swangard Stadium with the PDL & WPSL TSS Rovers. Season yickets are only $70.

Victoria Highlanders FC 2018 Season Tickets now on saleVictoria Highlanders
Spend your summer with the PDL Highlanders at Centennial Stadium for only $75.

Canadian legends Nick Dasovic & Andrea Neil team up for Individualized Coaching ProgramDasovic-Neil Coaching
(Spring Sessions now available) Nick Dasovic & Andrea Neil have teamed up to provide training programs for players & coaches. The programs specialize in individual, positional, age, and gender specific training for players, with a combined technical and physical focus while providing education and mentorship opportunities for coaches to improve their skills and deepen their knowledge base.

Canada’s College ID Camps set for Shawnigan Lake & Kingston, OntarioCanada College ID Camps
Our purpose is to provide a space where players grade 9-12 can connect with college coaches from all levels in Canada and the USA. We hope to assist in the promotion of youth players into environments which will challenge them academically and athletically after high school.

PCSL CHALLENGE CUP PHOTOS: Vancouver Utd. 3, Mid-Isle Mariners 1, July 30, 2017BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

BC PROVINCIAL WOMEN’S A CUP PHOTOS: Surrey United 1 NSGSC Renegades 0, May 13, 2017 BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

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, 2017BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

Becoming a BC Soccer RefereeBCSA
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!

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 SyndicationBC 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 SOCCER NEWS

CanPL president Beirne begins Edmonton visit: “Up to 20 parties” have shown interest in joining leaguethe11.ca
Canadian Premier League President Paul Beirne is in Edmonton for a whirlwind tour Thursday and Friday. He’ll visit Clarke Field for the first time, have what he calls an informal meeting with some members of city council, meet with members of the city’s minor soccer community and, finally, meet with the YEG for CPL supporters’ group Friday evening.

David Wotherspoon excited to begin new chapter with Canadian national teamWaking the Red
He becomes the latest Scottish-born player to pull on the red and white.

Academy hosts inaugural signing nightToronto FC
The BMO Training Ground was a busy place on Tuesday night as over 100 athletes and their families attended the inaugural TFC Academy Signing Night. The event acts as the beginning of the Toronto FC Academy season.

Hall passes for four: Laura Breen, Ben Dunne, John McGrath, John Slaney joining NL Sports Hall of FameThe Packet
Soccer star Laura Breen and retired pro hockey player John Slaney are the athletes being inducted, along with athlete/builder Ben Dunne and long-time provincial soccer and Sport NL executive John McGrath.

United girls grow into championsWestern Wheel
“We started off closer to a developmental team and really came together and gelled as a team,” said U12 coach Nathan Len. “We formed into an amazing well oiled machine… They had their ups and downs, but we peaked at the right time of the year.”

Impact launches 13th edition of its stay-in-school programMontreal Impact
As part of the community relations department’s 25 for 25 program, the Montreal Impact announced on Wednesday that All the Way with the Impact, its successful stay-in-school program designed to promote the importance of persevering in school, is returning for a 13th consecutive year, with 11 participating school boards.

Connect with Soccer! Advertise today with BC Soccer Web

USL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS

Match Preview: Toronto FC II at Charlotte IndependenceToronto FC
The Young Reds are off to Charlotte to take on the Independence this weekend in their second USL match of the season. TFC II will be looking to pick up their first points after a season-opening loss to NYRB II. Charlotte is coming off a 4-1 victory over Ottawa Fury FC. Here is the lowdown on this Saturday’s match.

Mkosana Added to Penn FC AttackUSL
Zimbabwean forward recorded 20 regular-season goals in two prior seasons at club.

Kickers season preview: After unprecedented futility, Kickers and Cowlishaw look to bounce back in 2018Richmond Times-Dispatch
Looking back on last season, cherished memories from the Richmond Kickers’ 25th anniversary will be few and far between — for fans, for players and certainly for Kickers coach Leigh Cowlishaw.

Trinidad & Tobago Selections Lead USL Call-UpsUSL
A quartet of selections for Trinidad & Tobago’s pair of upcoming international exhibitions lead the contingent of USL players selected for international duty over the coming week.

Why some MLS clubs aren’t replicating New York Red Bulls’ USL reserve modelESPN
The early success of the New York Red Bulls this season has brought renewed attention to the role their USL reserve side, New York Red Bulls II, has had in developing players.

City, Rhinos reach deal on soccer stadiumDemocrat-Chronicle
The city and Rochester Rhinos reached an agreement on the downtown soccer stadium Thursday morning requiring that team owners commit to fielding a team in 2019.

Detroit City FC CEO: Forming new league among options to turn proCrain’s Detroit
In its bid to turn professional, the popular Detroit City FC semi-pro soccer club in Hamtramck may co-launch a new league in 2019.

Silver State Cup Unveiled Ahead of Vegas, Reno ClashUSL
Las Vegas Lights FC and Reno 1868 FC introduced the Silver State Cup on Wednesday as the rivalry series received its official name ahead of Saturday night’s first meeting between the Nevada clubs at Cashman Field in downtown Las Vegas.

WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS

;
Manchester United applies to establish professional women’s team Sky Sports
The only Premier League men’s side not to have a senior women’s team – Manchester United – has announced plans to form one.

Manchester United take vital step forward in announcing women’s team – but there’s still work to be doneThe Independent
At a time when gender equality is in sharp relief, United were beginning to look out of touch with the times. Today’s news marks a new chapter for the women’s game.

It is about time Manchester United stopped ignoring women’s footballThe Telegraph
It is not an announcement that will do anything to ease the tension that exists in Jose Mourinho’s dressing room and neither is it likely to receive his glowing endorsement either given his current mood, but Manchester United’s decision to launch a professional women’s team should be applauded.

Real Madrid have no excuses for lagging in support of women’s gameESPN
The excitement generated by Atletico Madrid hosting Madrid CFF in the Primera Division Femenina de Futbol’s new derbi fixture last weekend has further highlighted the out-of-touch stance of Real Madrid towards the women’s game.

UEFA Women’s Champions League: Manchester City 2-0 Linkopings – Citizens edge closer to semisVavel
Manchester City’s dominant display against Swedish side Linkopings paid due dividends as they secured a convincing 2-0 victory to move closer towards a UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final spot.

UEFA Women’s Champions League: Montpellier 0-2 Chelsea – Blues triumphant in FranceVavel
Failing to capitalise of their best chances Montpellier succumbed to Chelsea at home, Ji So-Yun and Erin Cuthbert’s goals were enough to give the Blues the edge in their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter final tie.

Two steps forward, one step back for NWSL after challenging offseasonSoccer America
After five years of small but steady growth, the NWSL suffered its first major setback when the Boston Breakers folded a week after the league’s major offseason event, the College Draft. It amounted to two steps forward, one step back for a league that has now seen three clubs fold in the last 15 months.

2018 NWSL team preview: Seattle Reign FCVavel
The two-time NWSL Shield winners enter 2018 with a new head coach and a revamped roster, ready to be contenders.

Will Thorns rise to the new season challenge?Portland Tribune
With a solid core of accomplished players, the Portland Thorns are positioned again to be one of the National Women’s Soccer League’s best defensive teams.

2018 NWSL team preview: Portland Thorns FCVavel
Coming off a championship winning season, the Portland Thorns are ready for to open the new season in just three days.

Washington Spirit brings Tiffany Weimer back, againBlack & Red United
Five weeks after being traded to the Houston Dash, Weimer has returned to the Spirit.

Utah Royals FC ready for historic season openerGood4Utah
The Utah Royals FC will play its first ever soccer game in the National Women’s Soccer League this Saturday when the Royals travel to Orlando.


Find a Team or Find a Player with BC Soccer Web FREE Classifieds!

WORLD SOCCER NEWS

International preview: What is to come over the next weekNBC Sports
With the 2018 World Cup less than three months away, countries are taking these last moments to see players within their selection pool and make tweaks to the squad and tactics.

International rankings: Who looks good ahead of the World Cup?The Telegraph
It’s the international break, that magical time of the year where we get to imagine what it would be like if all the national teams currently playing football matches were battling against each other in some sort of tournament rather than meaningless friendlies.

Germany vs Spain – International Friendly – PreviewFussballstadt
With the World Cup just three months away Germany’s preparations to defend the World Cup title begin in earnest. Bundestrainer Joachim Löw has chosen two high profile opponents for the international break in March playing first 2010 FIFA World Cup champions Spain in Düsseldorf and then five-times World Cup champions Brazil at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

Injuries leave host Russia limping ahead of World CupMetro
With less than three months to go until the World Cup in Russia, the host nation’s players are dropping like flies.

Russia vs Brazil – International Friendly – PreviewFutbolgrad
Every way Stanislav Cherchesov turns, another player falls with a severe injury. After the farcical scenes last autumn when it was claimed that there wasn’t a single international outfit available to play the Russian national team, leaving Dinamo Moscow to fill in as ‘hybrid friendly’ opponents, the opportunity to further test Sbornaya against the very best in the world is slightly tainted by the enforced withdrawals.

Gareth Bale breaks Wales scoring record in 6-0 thrashing of ChinaThe Guardian
Gareth Bale’s historic hat-trick gave Ryan Giggs the perfect start to his tenure as an international manager, with Wales thrashing China 6-0 in Nanning.

CAF Champions League group stage draw resultsAfrican Football
Reigning African champions Wydad Casablanca of Morocco have been drawn in Group C alongside 2016 winners Mamelodi Sundowns – the team they eliminated in the quarterfinals in last year’s run to the trophy – as well as AS Togo-Port and Horoya of Guinea.

CAF Confederation Cup playoff round draw resultsAfrican Football
The draw for the playoff round of the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup took place in Cairo on Wednesday evening, deciding the final preliminary pairings as 32 teams battle for a place in the group stage of the competition.

He has a Serbian accent, scores goals in the Netherlands and may help rebuild U.S. men’s soccerWashington Post
The newest scoring prospect for the U.S. men’s national soccer team is a 6-foot-4 striker with a slight Serbian accent who was born and bred in Wisconsin, carries American and British passports and is under contract with a club in England but amassing goals at a crazy rate for a team in the Netherlands.

Karl Robinson: Charlton Athletic manager parts company with League One clubBBC Sport
Karl Robinson has parted company with League One club Charlton Athletic after 16 months as manager.

Girl reportedly choked by parent in soccer match fightMedicine Hat News
A New Mexico youth soccer league is investigating a teen soccer game where racial tensions erupted into a chaotic brawl in which a parent is accused of physically assaulting one of the female players.

Russia’s Putin will use World Cup like Hitler used Olympics, Britain’s top diplomat Boris Johnson saysToronto Star
The provocative comparison was a striking example of the diplomatic clash between the two countries following the poisoning of a Russian former spy, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter earlier this month.

England winning World Cup would be best response to Russia, says ministerThe Guardian
The culture, media and sport secretary, Matt Hancock, has said the best way to respond to the poisoning of a Russian double agent in Salisbury would be for England to win the World Cup final in Moscow.

Italian law enforcers probe €740m sale of AC Milan to Li Yonghong Inside World Football
Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into last year’s sale of AC Milan by Silvio Berlusconi’s holding company to a Chinese consortium, according to Reuters quoting a judicial source.

1912 FA Cup winner’s medal stolenNBC Sports
The home of the 82-year-old grandson of former Barnsley player Philip Bratley was burglarized last weekend according to the BBC and other reports, and among the items stolen was an “invaluable” FA Cup winner’s medal from 1912.

Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero surprise Manchester City academy playersBBC Sport
Lionel Messi. Arguably the greatest footballer to have ever played the game. So it was no surprise these children at Manchester City’s academy looked ecstatic when the Barcelona star casually strolled into to their training session on Thursday.

More BC Soccer News…

Posted in BC Provincial Cup, BC Soccer Central, BC Soccer Fraser Valley, BC Soccer Island, BC Soccer News, BC Soccer Surrey, BC Soccer Victoria, BC Youth Soccer, British Columbia Soccer, Canada Men's National Team, Canada West Soccer, Canadian Premier League, Canadian Soccer News, Cascadia Cup, CPL, FIFA, Imperial Cup, Jackson Cup, MLS, NWSL, TRU Wolfpack, TSS Rovers, USL, USL PDL, USports, UVic Vikes, Vancouver Whitecaps, VISL, VMSL, Whitecaps FC, Women's Soccer, World Soccer News.