WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Whitecaps FC to face Portland or Seattle in Western Conference Semifinals – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will face a Cascadia rival in the Western Conference Semifinals (second leg on Sunday, November 8 at BC Place.
Seattle Sounders oust LA Galaxy; D.C. United beat New England – ESPN FC
Erik Friberg took advantage of a defensive mistake and scored in the 73rd minute, lifting the Seattle Sounders past the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 on Wednesday night in the knockout round of the MLS Cup playoffs.
Seattle Sounders savoring extra-sweet Knockout Round win over postseason arch-nemesis LA Galaxy – MLS
They may not admit it, but for the Seattle Sounders, Wednesday night’s wild Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs Knockout Round victory over the LA Galaxy was not just your average playoff win.
Erik Friberg’s goal downs LA Galaxy in knockout match – Prost Amerika
Seattle Sounders FC defeated LA Galaxy 3-2 on Erik Friberg’s game winner in the 73rd minute. The victory was the Sounders’ first ever post-season win over Los Angeles.
Sounders pass a major test while Galaxy look nothing like champions – Goal
When the 2015 MLS playoff field was set on Sunday, the LA Galaxy’s first-round visit to Seattle drew plenty of attention. Here were two teams widely regarded as title favorites heading into the season, but after a year filled with injuries and uncharacteristic struggles, the two perennial powerhouses were relegated to facing off in a knockout round match rather than a Western Conference final.
DC United knock off New England Revolution in Knockout Round spectacle – MLS
Obviously, most of the talk in the wake of D.C.’s 2-1 win over New England is going to center on Jermaine Jones’s late red card and subsequent reaction. To all the kids out there: You can’t push a ref. Ever. Don’t be like Jermaine.
Jermaine Jones apologizes for handball incident, insists “it was 100 percent a penalty” – MLS
“I apologize for the situation and what I did after,” Jones said. “I apologize, for a national-team player and all that kind of stuff, it cannot happen, and I’m sorry for that. But, who knows me knows that I hate to lose and I would not go crazy if I’m not 100-percent sure that’s a penalty. From man to man, to Geiger, I would say I’m sorry for what happened, and it won’t happen again.”
MLS first-round playoff preview: Portland Timbers vs. Sporting KC – SI.com
If you think you’ve seen Portland hosting Kansas City a lot lately, well, you’d be right. Thursday’s MLS playoff elimination game (7 p.m. PT, TSN) marks the third time in the past seven weeks that the two teams have met in the Rose City. Portland and K.C. have largely canceled each other out whenever they’ve met, with Krisztián Németh’s wonderstrike on October 3 the only goal scored in 270 minutes of action between the teams in 2015.
MLS Playoffs: Sporting KC, Timbers enter first-round showdown with newfound confidence – SBI
It might be do-or-die time now that the MLS Playoffs have begun, but facing pressure-filled, must-win scenarios will not be something new for the two Western Conference clubs that will lock horns on Thursday.
Dynamic Darlington Nagbe boosting Portland Timbers climb toward playoff heights: “He’s a special player” – Timbers.com
The dynamic Portland Timbers attacker is playing some of the best soccer of his career, after obtaining his American citizenship in early September. Nagbe has three goals and an assist in the Timbers’ last two games, a 5-2 rout of the LA Galaxy on October 18, and a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Sunday that sent Portland into the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs as the Western Conference’s third-seed.
MLS first-round playoff preview: Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC – SI.com
Two years ago, the Montreal Impact offered up a playoff performance that probably was the least poised in MLS history. That 3-0 knockout round loss in Houston remains the only entry on the club’s postseason resume. Toronto FC, of course, somehow managed to miss the playoffs in each of its first eight seasons in the league.
Countdown: TFC @ Montreal Impact – Red Nation Online
Toronto FC’s first ever playoff appearance could not be against a more appropriate opponent as they look to reverse last weekend’s 2-1 loss returning to Montreal Thursday night.
A special night at Stade Saputo in Montreal – TSN
It promises to be a special night at Stade Saputo in Montreal when two Canadian teams meet in the MLS postseason for the first time. Montreal Impact beat Toronto FC 2-1 in the final match if the regular season on Sunday to set up Thursday night’s history making showdown, live on TSN.
Impact, Toronto FC looking to apply lessons from season finale – SBI
When it comes to the playoffs, most clubs tend to disregard recent regular-season results against a particular opponent regardless of the outcome. The thought is that there is not much to take away from those games because the postseason is a different animal.
MLSE names Michael Friisdahl new president, CEO – Sportsnet
Air Canada executive Michael Friisdahl has been named president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. He takes over from Tim Leiweke, who extended his tenure with the owners of the Maple Leafs, Raptors and Toronto FC while the ownership group looked for a new chief executive.
MLS, Liga MX need to foment rivalry, says Decio de Maria – ESPN FC
The Liga MX and MLS should take advantage of the U.S.-Mexico football rivalry to help bolster growth, according to Mexican football federation (FMF) president Decio de Maria.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
NO. 5 SPARTANS HOST ALBERTA IN CANADA WEST REGIONAL PLAYOFFS – TWU
The No. 5 Trinity Western women’s soccer team will look to take the next step in its quest for the program’s sixth CIS championship this Friday at 6 p.m., as the Spartans open the post-season at home against Alberta in the Canada West Regional Playoffs at Rogers Field.
PLAYOFF PREVIEW: T-Birds to take on Thompson Rivers – UBC
The No. 4-ranked UBC Thunderbirds begin the post-season on Friday as they host the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in a Canada West women’s soccer regional playoffs match at Thunderbird Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
PLAYOFF PREVIEW: UBC Men’s Soccer – A winning culture – UBC
This time last year, the UBC Thunderbirds men’s soccer team looked poised to take yet another run at the prestigious Sam Davidson Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the top CIS team in the country. It is one that the T-Birds have lifted into the air 13 times, but one that eluded the powerhouse squad last season. Squaring off against the Alberta Golden Bears, the ‘Birds suffered a 2-0 loss in the Canada West Final to their hopes of a national title.
Riptide organization suspends U15 girls team over sponsorship flap – Comox Valley Record
After a team-building outing in Port Hardy this past weekend, according to CBC, the Vancouver Island Premier League U15 girls Riptide soccer team, based in Comox, has been suspended following a dispute by one of the players over the sponsorship of the team by Marine Harvest, a large fish farm company.
Fish-farming feud sidelines girls’ soccer squad on Vancouver Island – canada.com
The latest development in the decades-old dispute between the industry and its British Columbia opponents is pitting a soccer mom and her daughter who plays for an under-15 squad against the club’s fish-farming sponsors.
FIFA 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
CANADA vs. HONDURAS
7:00 PM, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015
B.C. PLACE, VANCOUVER, B.C.
FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Canada vs. Honduras at B.C. Place, Fri. Nov.13 – Buy Tickets Here
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Toronto police issue arrest warrants for Pan Am athletes from Brazil – CTV
Toronto police have issued arrest warrants for two members of the Brazilian Pan Am soccer team, who are suspects in a sexual assault investigation.
Chencinski ending 2015 on high note following dazzling run – Red Nation Online
Despite facing his fair share of the challenges that most professional goalkeepers deal with over the last ten plus months, 2015 has ultimately ended up being a very good year for Canadian goalkeeper Tomer Chencinski both on and off field.
Inter-Provincial Cup Championship details released – OSA
Ontario’s Division 3 champion will once again take on Quebec’s Division 3 champion in the Inter-Provincial Cup Championship. This year’s League1 Ontario league champion, the Oakville Blue Devils, will face CS Mont-Royal Outremont, from the Première Ligue de soccer du Québec, in a two-legged home and away series.
2015 Review: Men’s Junior Talent Pool – League 1 Ontario
As part of the League1 review of the 2015 season, we checked in with the coaches/ technical directors of each of the teams and asked them to highlight the contributions of two to three of their top young players.
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NASL & USL NEWS
General Manager Rod Proudfoot Leaving FC Edmonton – FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton owners Tom and Dave Fath wish to announce the departure of FC Edmonton General Manager Rod Proudfoot from the soccer Club effective Oct. 30, 2015. A search for a new General Manager is currently underway by the Club.
FC Edmonton searches for new GM as Proudfoot’s three-year term comes to a close – the11.ca
FC Edmonton is searching for a new general manager. Rod Proudfoot, who held the post for the past three seasons, will be leaving the club at the end of the week.
FC Edmonton announces return of several players for 2016 – FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton announced Oct. 28, tentative agreements with 13 players for the 2016 season, while also releasing five players to free agency. As per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
The Championship: Who’s No. 1? Who’s No. 4? – NASL
Heading into the final weekend of the NASL’s regular season, much is left to be determined. The No.1 and No.4 seeds are still up for grabs with two teams vying for each spot – New York and Ottawa for the top seed; Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay for the final postseason place.
What would be the benefit of Celtic buying a North American franchise? – STV
Recent reports claim that the Hoops are exploring the possibility of establishing a sister team in the North American Soccer League (NASL), with the de facto second tier looking to expand rapidly and dramatically over the next two years.
Rochester’s Bob Lilley Named USL Coach of the Year – USL
The United Soccer League announced today the Rochester Rhinos’ Bob Lilley has been voted the 2015 USL Coach of the Year. Lilley led the Rhinos to both the USL Regular Season Championship, and the 2015 USL Championship as the club became just the second in the league’s five-year history to achieve that feat.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Canada 2015 provides global boost – FIFA
The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ provides an obvious quadrennial boost for women’s football. It is a tournament that not only allows the sport’s elite athletes a platform on which to compete for the globe’s greatest prize, but brings massive attention to women’s football and provides a vehicle for young fans to engage with role-models.
Splashy signings and proven models: Orlando goes all in on women’s soccer – The Guardian
By studying the books of their MLS forerunners and aggressively pursuing big-name players, Orlando’s new NWSL team are setting themselves up for success
Mark Sampson: Scott ‘one of the best midfielders in the world’ – The FA
Mark Sampson labelled Jill Scott one of the best midfielders in the game, after the 28-year-old won her 100th England cap on Tuesday.
Spain, Sweden lead 22 into WU17 elite round – UEFA
Holders Spain have led 22 teams through from the UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship qualifying round to join top seeds Germany and France in the elite round draw at 11.45CET on 13 November.
NCAA: Virginia Moves to #1 in NSCAA Coaches Poll – NCAA
The Latest Div I Rankings – NSCAA Coaches Poll
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
England 2018 World Cup bid chief slams Fifa ‘fix’ as an absolute scandal – The Guardian
Simon Johnson, the campaign’s chief operating officer, believes the Football Association should take legal action against Fifa to recover the costs of a bid it was never going to win.
Visa threatens to end FIFA backing if reforms unsatisfactory – ESPN FC
FIFA sponsor Visa has threatened to cut its ties with the scandal-tarnished governing body if the credit card company isn’t satisfied with reforms.
Is the Premier League the world’s most exciting? Not this season – The Guardian
The top flight is still waiting for take-off 10 games in, with Manchester United hardly setting the pulse racing and Arsenal’s lofty position perhaps a sign of declining standards
Man Utd: Paul Scholes would ‘not enjoy’ playing in Van Gaal’s team – BBC Sport
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes says he “would not enjoy” playing in Louis van Gaal’s side.
Italian clubs will not dominate Europe until they modernise their stadiums – The Guardian
Italian football ruled Europe in the decade after Italia 90 but the success dried up as clubs struggled to repay their building debts and their stadiums fell into disrepair. With clubs now rebuilding their homes, those glories could return.
Copa Del Rey: Barcelona held by third-tier side – BBC Sport
Treble winners Barcelona underwhelmed as they struggled to a 0-0 draw at third-tier Villanovense in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last-32 tie.