VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
MLS MATCHDAY #5
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. LA GALAXY
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2016, 7:00 PM
TICKET INFO
B.C. PLACE, VANCOUVER B.C.
TV: TSN 1 RADIO: TSN RADIO 1040 LIVESTREAM: TSN GO
Vancouver Whitecaps get back to basics defensively after rough start – MLS
Vancouver Whitecaps’ league-leading defense from last year looked a shadow of its former self to start the season, with uncharacteristic sloppy play and self-inflicted mistakes costing them as they opened the new campaign with a couple of losses.
Just call Whitecaps’ Jordan Harvey ‘Mr. Consistency’ – Sportsnet
The Vancouver Whitecaps had a rough start to the Major League Soccer season, losing their first two matches—and conceding five goals in the process—before bouncing back to win the next two.
Robinson, Kah looking to use Whitecaps’ qualities against Galaxy – Red Nation Online
As the Vancouver Whitecaps prepare to take on the LA Galaxy on Saturday night at BC Place, they are dealing with the news of thievery. On Monday night, 32 pairs of football boots were stolen from the Vancouver Whitecaps training facility at the University of British Columbia. The missing boots are sizes nine and ten. Some the players hit by the boot bandit include Pedro Morales, Jordan Harvey, Octavio Rivero, Erik Hurtado, and Sam Adekugbe. Many of these stolen boots have custom designs, and personalized engravings that hold sentimental value for the players.
Episode 152 – The AFTN Podcast – “There’s Still Time” (Back To Basics with special guest Owen Coyle) – AFTN
Vancouver Whitecaps made it back to back MLS wins at the weekend, facing Houston Dynamo very shorthanded and coming away with the 1-0 win. The defensive side of the Whitecaps game is improving by the week. What’s behind the turnaround and is it here to stay? We hear the thoughts of head coach Carl Robinson, goalkeeper David Ousted, and defenders Jordan Harvey and Fraser Aird.
Young Bustos of the Whitecaps has many abuzz – Vancouver Sun
Marco Bustos was back with the Whitecaps on Wednesday, still buzzing from his winning goal against England in a U-20 friendly over the weekend in Doncaster.
From the Pigeon Loft: Offering The Deeper Welcome – AFTN
On Saturday night I found myself pre-game in The Belmont drinking a lovely Nut Brown Ale and I met a Brazilian guy called Bruno who has just moved to Vancouver. He was a devotee of a second division Brazilian club and he had also lived in Montpellier in France so he had seen Ligue 1 matches. He sat with me and asked “what is Vancouver supporter culture like?”
Kaka urges Iker Casillas to join Major League Soccer from Porto – ESPN FC
Orlando City SC striker Kaka has urged Iker Casillas to make a move to Major League Soccer next season, adding that the United States’ top flight will soon be the best in the world.
TFC’s Moor, Irwin excited over Colorado homecoming – Sportsnet
Some athletes get booed or heckled when they play against their former clubs for the first time. That likely won’t be the case when Drew Moor and Clint Irwin suit up for Toronto FC this weekend against the Colorado Rapids. Saturday’s road game will mark both Moor and Irwin’s return to Colorado since joining TFC this off-season.
Story time with Sigi Schmid: U.S. youth national teams and playing ‘afraid’ – Seattle Times
Sounders forward Jordan Morris and the United States U-23 team lost to Colombia on aggregate on Tuesday night in Frisco, Texas, failing to qualify for the summer Olympic Games for the second consecutive cycle.
Former MLS players coaching league’s elite youth academy talent – MLS
With Major League Soccer’s history growing, a generation of former players are continuing their involvement in the game via MLS academies. Several ex-players were in attendance at the recent Generation adidas Cup in Texas, coaching some of the MLS players of tomorrow.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Veterans Greig, Hundal honoured as Athletes of the Year at annual Celebration of Champions – UVic
Top honours of the night went to fourth-year field hockey player Kathleen Leahy, who was awarded the President’s Cup. Canada West Outstanding Player of the Year Emma Greig, from women’s soccer, was named Female Athlete of the Year while CIS Player of the Year Cam Hundal, from men’s soccer, received the Male Athlete of the Year honours.
Soccer’s Hundal, Greig end Vikes careers in style – Times Colonist
Soccer player Cam Hundal from Terrace, selected both CIS and Canada West MVP, was named Vikes male athlete of the year during the annual UVic sports awards ceremony Wednesday night at the Victoria Conference Centre. Fellow-graduating fifth-year soccer player Emma Greig of Tofino, the Canada West MVP, was named the top Vikes female athlete.
Soccer teams can celebrate – Nanaimo News Bulletin
The season may have changed but the sport remains the same. While fall and winter soccer leagues have now wrapped up, spring leagues are just about to get underway. In youth soccer, Nanaimo’s Harbour City Football Club recently saw local house teams take part in year-end tournaments for various age levels to conclude the season.
Powell River Villa tracks new talent – Powell River Peak
With the 2015/2016 season now complete, Powell River Villa soccer club shifts its focus to the future. After a seventh finish in Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL) Division 2 standings, one goal set at the start of the season was accomplished.
Registration is still being accepted in all age divisions for local minor soccer season – Osoyoos Times
Spring has sprung and that means the minor soccer season is just around the corner in Osoyoos and across the South Okanagan. Several local teams will be competing in warmup tournaments this weekend and the regular season starts next week for all teams registered with the Pinnacles Football Club program.
Victoria Highlanders 2016 Season Tickets Now Available – Select Your Seats
The Victoria Highlanders are ready to return to the PDL for 2016. BC Soccer Web encourages all soccer fans on Vancouver Island to get behind their team. Season tickets are now on sale and extremely affordable. Support Local Soccer!
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.
EPIC presents the 2016 Western Canada College ID Camp
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canadian soccer followers ‘too high and too low’ – Toronto Sun
Nobody understands the highs and lows of international soccer better than Canadians. They support a team that rarely plateaus, but produces a revolving door of good and bad results.
Return to Honduran house of horror next for Canada – Toronto Sun
Just when the Canadian Soccer Association thought it had moved on from the Horror in Honduras, a similar scenario is set to return later this year.
Canada-Mexico an inspiring spectacle – 24 Hours
As I walked up to BC Place to cover the game on the media side, the first thing I noticed was the atmosphere, which had been building up as Canadian fans arrived from across the country. It built up even more as the Mexican fans started to arrive.
BC Soccer Leagues & Clubs – Share your News With The BC Soccer Community!
WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE
PORTLAND TIMBERS 2 vs. WFC 2
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2016, 7:00 PM
MERLO FIELD, PORTLAND, OR
SBI NASL Season Preview: FC Edmonton – SBI
The 2015 season was a tale of ups and downs for FC Edmonton. A slow start to the Spring Season, coupled with significant injuries ultimately cost the team a playoff spot.
USL Week 2 Preview: Rhinos Defense Begins, Potential Midwest Rivalry, More – Empire of Soccer
The week one layoff is short as USL teams are back in action starting this Wednesday. Teams like Seattle, LA and Arizona must contend with a congested schedule as they play both midweek and over the weekend. While the turnaround can be problematic for team’s looking to stay fresh, it does offer an opportunity to shift the momentum.
Sounders FC 2 defeated 2-0 by Arizona United SC at Starfire Stadium – Sounders FC
Sounders FC 2 fell by a score of 2-0 to Arizona United SC on Wednesday evening at Starfire Stadium. S2 couldn’t overcome two early goals by the visitors, as the Rave Green to 0-2-0 to open the 2016 season. The five-match homestand to open the season continues on Sunday, April 3 against San Antonio FC.
LA Galaxy II notch 3-0 win over Saint Louis FC – LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy II (2-0-0) handily defeated Saint Louis FC (0-2-0) 3-0 Wednesday night at StubHub Center in the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
2016 Season Preview: New York Cosmos – Empire of Soccer
The New York Cosmos begin the 2016 NASL season as essentially the kings of the NASL. Not only has Head Coach Gio Savarese and company claimed two Soccer Bowl trophies in only three seasons, they’ve also captured every other piece of hardware the NASL has to offer — Spring Season title (2015), Fall Season title (2013), and the North American Supporters’ Trophy (2015).
2016 USL season preview – Red Nation Online
March 25 saw the start of the 2016 USL soccer season. With recent expansion, the league now includes 29 clubs and is ever growing with the addition of new MLS “B” teams for Orlando (Orlando City B), Sporting KC (Swoop Park Rangers), Philadelphia Union (Bethlehem Steel FC) and Houston Dynamo (Rio Grande Valley FC), while also two new independent clubs FC Cincinnati and San Antonio. Austin Aztex did leave, but despite this, there are now more professional soccer opportunities for American players, as well as Canadians, than ever before.
NASL Announces Broadcast Partnership with BeIN Sports – Empire of Soccer
With less than three days before the start of the 2016 season, the North American Soccer League finally confirmed long-gestating rumors that it has partnered with beIN Sports.
Making sense of it all: What the new NASL TV deals mean for Canadian viewers – the11.ca
NASL announced a new international TV deal with beIN Sports and an American webcasting deal with ESPN3 on Wednesday. On top of that, the New York Cosmos has its own TV deal with One World Sports.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Five Top Female Players Accuse U.S. Soccer of Wage Discrimination – NY Times
Five key members of the United States women’s national soccer team, the reigning Women’s World Cup and Olympic champion, have filed a federal complaint charging U.S. Soccer with wage discrimination.
Frankfurt, Wolfsburg, Paris, Lyon into semis – UEFA
Holders Frankfurt need penalties to set up all-German semi-final with Wolfsburg. Late Paris goal against Barcelona ensures they face Lyon in last four.
NWSL Overcomes the Third Year Curse – Prost Amerika
The Women’s Professional Soccer League (2009-2012) and Women’s United Soccer Association (2000-2003). Two failed women’s pro-soccer leagues unable to come back after their third season. These leagues were plagued by money problems, poor television ratings, and attendance issues. However, their successor, the NWSL, has broken this unlucky pattern in 2016 as it begins its fourth season. Though the NWSL still struggles with many of the same issues as its predecessors, it is likely to succeed where the others have failed.
NWSL TO HOLD DISTRIBUTION DRAFT ON MARCH 31 – NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today that a Distribution Draft will be held at 12 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 31. As part of the new NWSL Player Distribution Process, which was announced on Jan. 15, teams will be provided the opportunity to select Distribution-Eligible Individuals.
Wexford edge Shels in WNL Shield Final – Continental Tyres Womens National League
Edel Kennedy’s strike was enough for Wexford Youths AFC to land the inaugural Continental Tyres Women’s National League Shield final with a 1-0 win over Shelbourne Ladies.
Wales’ women footballers left ‘disappointed’ at having to wear men’s shirts – Wales Online
Reading striker Helen Ward told BBC Wales the women have specially cut shirts at club level, but is disappointed that is not the case when she plays for her country.
Abby Wambach will donate brain for concussion research – SI.com
Recently retired U.S. Women’s national team star Abby Wambach is the latest American soccer player to donate her brain for concussion research, according to the Lantern.
BC Soccer Leagues & Clubs – Share your News With The BC Soccer Community!
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Migrant workers suffer ‘appalling treatment’ in Qatar World Cup stadiums, says Amnesty – The Guardian
Despite five years of growing criticism, Fifa and the Qatari authorities have been accused of ongoing indifference towards systemic abuse and “appalling treatment” of migrant workers working on stadiums that will host the 2022 World Cup.
Qatar 2022: ‘Forced labour’ at World Cup stadium – BBC
Last year the country pledged to makes changes to its “kafala” sponsorship system, under which migrant workers cannot change jobs or leave the country without their employer’s permission. But Amnesty warned the proposed reforms would make little difference and said some of the workers were enduring a “living nightmare”.
FIFA dreams, Qatar nightmares – Soccer fans must wake up to worrying World Cup reality – Goal
Few people in the soccer world stopped to consider the collective human suffering that the Qatar World Cup would be built upon. And, five years on, it appears this should have been the top priority.
FIFA Statement on latest Amnesty International Report on Qatar – FIFA
“We are fully aware of the risks facing construction workers in Qatar and we are confident that the measures taken by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy are the appropriate ones and have already improved the situation for migrant workers working on FIFA World Cup construction sites,” said FIFA Head of Sustainability Federico Addiechi.
EU referendum: Brexit could have ‘big effect’ on football – BBC Sport
“Leaving the EU will have a much bigger effect on football than people think,” said football agent Rachel Anderson. “We’re talking about half of the Premier League needing work permits.”
I was a Swindon Town fan … until it became my job to report on the club – The Guardian
Being paid to follow your team may sound like a dream job but dealing with financial reports and petty politics has a way of killing your childlike enthusiasm.
El Clasico: How Barcelona vs Real Madrid became all about histrionics and hype – The Telegraph
The ultra-antagonistic years of 2010-12 when Guardiola and Jose Mourinho overlapped saw the matches between the two sides descend from heavyweight battles into catty squabbles as the likes of Sergio Ramos and Sergio Busquets competed to see who could milk the least amount of contact and try to most convincingly con the referee.
Wolfsburg look to terminate Nicklas Bendtner’s contract immediately – The Guardian
Wolfsburg are hoping to end Nicklas Bendtner’s time at the club by terminating his contract 15 months early.
QPR stay out of tune with FFP rules and post £45m loss – Inside World Football
Queens Park Rangers, the west London club back playing in the second tier of English football after ending last season as the Premier League’s bottom club, have reported a substantial pre-tax loss of £45.7 million for the year to 31 May 2015.
U.S. soccer to reconsider matches in N.C. because of controversial law – Washington Post
The U.S. Soccer Federation will reconsider staging matches or conducting other events in North Carolina in the wake of state legislation that critics have called discriminatory against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, federation President Sunil Gulati told the Insider on Wednesday.
FC United of Manchester: how the togetherness turned into disharmony – The Guardian
Moving into their own ground, Broadhurst Park, was a momentous moment for the Manchester United refuseniks but behind the scenes a club built on shared principles has been undermined by legal action, resignations and gagging orders.
Manchester: a city steeped in soccer – Toronto Star
This city hasn’t just been shaped by the Industrial Revolution, but by the “beautiful game,” too. My weekend in Manchester is a baptism by fire for a soccer novice.