VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
MLS MATCHDAY #6
D.C. UNITED vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2016, 2:30 PM
RFK STADIUM, WASHINGTON, D.C.
TV: TSN 1 RADIO: TSN 1410 LIVESTREAM: TSN GO
Whitecaps coach, players left searching for answers as MLS keeps handing down red cards – Metro
Players and coaches react after another player sent off from a red card foul, bringing the total number of ejections to 16 early in the 2016 season.
Vancouver Whitecaps: Snakebitten by MLS – Vancouver Sun
The new policy of cracking down on a certain kind of tackling has caused some furor within North American soccer circles in the opening weeks of the season and that furor descended on Vancouver this week when midfielder Matias Laba was sent off for the kind of tackle that even last season would barely have earned a yellow card.
Despite narrative, 2016 red card numbers not out of place in MLS history – MLS
MLS referees have handed out 16 red cards through the first five weeks of the 2016 season, prompting just a little bit of discussion among coaches, players, fans and media.
Public Criticism of MLS Referees Could Cost Toronto FC in the Long Run – Waking the Red
It is clear that the level of refereeing in Major League Soccer needs to improve, but Toronto FC need to be the careful when talking about the matter.
Maple Leaf Soccer: A 2016 Canadians in MLS round-up (Wk 5) – AFTN
This past weekend proved to be the busiest one yet for Canadian players in Major League Soccer. In total, 11 players took the pitch over the three days, playing a total of 605 minutes. Six of those players started for their teams, with four of them playing the full 90 minutes.
Seattle notch first win, but is Clint Dempsey part of the Sounders’ problem? – The Guardian
Dempsey scores but attacking problems remain for Sounders; Kaka returns to lift Orlando; KC give up their 100% record; Red Bulls stretched in defence.
Orlando City’s Kaká voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 5 of 2016 season – MLS
On Tuesday, the Brazilian star was recognized for his excellent season debut, when it was announced that he was voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 5 of the season by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR).
Red Bulls continue to evaluate trialist Okugo – Empire of Soccer
The New York Red Bulls may be battered at the centerback position, but they aren’t rushing towards a quick fix solution. That is the message from Jesse Marsch regarding trialist Amobi Okugo who continues to be under evaluation with the club.
Robbie Rogers settling into life with LA Galaxy and MLS – Red Nation Online
The LA Galaxy are looking to cement themselves at the top of Major League Soccer table this season. Bruce Arena’s club has started out 2-1-1 as they look to find consistent form with new faces on the roster. Ashley Cole, Jelle Van Damme, and defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong have made the move to Los Angeles to help solidify the Galaxy defensive shape. MLS veteran full-back Robbie Rogers likes what he has seen from the LA Galaxy offseason acquisitions.
Real Salt Lake’s Joao Plata emerging as true MLS star – MLS
He’s rarely mentioned in the same class as some of the league’s highest-profile attacking stars, but Real Salt Lake’s Joao Plata is showing this year why he’s one of the top offensive players in MLS.
D.C. United Faces Furious Fans After Supporter Is Slapped With One-Year Ban – The DCist
The early-spring gloom around D.C. United deepened on Monday, as the winless club banned a leading member of the District Ultras supporters group from attending matches for one year. The punishment, for using a smoke bomb outside RFK Stadium before United’s 3-0 loss to FC Dallas on March 26, has many supporters furious at what they say is uneven enforcement and unclear rules.
VIDEO: Livestream of first-ever MLS match this Wednesday on MLSsoccer.com – MLS
Wednesday is going to be a special day at MLSsoccer.com. It happens to be 20 years to the day from the FIRST-EVER MLS MATCH on April 6, 1996 and we’re pulling out all the stops with a livestream of the full ESPN broadcast between San Jose and D.C. United. And obviously, kickoff comes at the same time it did 20 years ago: 5 pm PT.
Mynor Campos Photo Gallery: Whitecaps FC 0 LA Galaxy 0, April 2, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Photos for BC Soccer Web by Mynor Campos.
BC SOCCER NEWS
BC SOCCER ADULT PROVINCIAL CUP DRAW
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 6:30 PM
STRATHCONA HOTEL
VICTORIA, B.C.
LIVESTREAM
The BC Soccer Adult Championships – BCSA
Throughout the competition this page will be updated with all details of the competition including the Adult Provincial Cup Draw, Schedules & Results. Tonight’s draw will be Live Streamed on BC Soccer’s website for those who cannot attend in person. Please visit this page for access to the live stream. (6:30 pm)
Provincial Cup Draw in Victoria Tuesday – VISL
Tuesday is the BC Soccer Provincial Cup Draw. It starts at 6:30 pm at the Distrikt nightclub in the basement of the Strathcona Hotel at 919 Douglas St.
2016 VMSL Cup Champions – VMSL
Here are the winners of the five Cup Finals from the Vancouver Metro Soccer League.
Rich get richer: Newcomers help Cowichan FC claim another Jackson Cup – Times Colonist
It might be time to dust off the ‘D’ word when describing Cowichan FC. With four Jackson Cup titles in the past seven years, and six championship game appearances in that span, you’re in dynasty territory.
VISL Cup Finals Results – VISL
Here are the results from the VISL Cup Finals held in Victoria on April 2-3, 2016
Storming to provincials with local players – Parksville-Qualicum News
A pair of local players competing for the first time in the Vancouver Island Premier Soccer League helped the Upper Island Storm U14 girls to the Vancouver Island championship and a berth in the provincial championships earlier this month.
Governance Committee Requests Bylaw and / or Rule Change Submissions 2016 – BCSA
Suggested BC Soccer bylaw and/or rule amendments must be presented to the membership a minimum of 30 days prior to the BC Soccer AGM. Therefore, BC Soccer’s Governance Committee must make a request to receive any amendment proposal submissions from the membership 45 days prior to the AGM, which is set for June 11, 2016. Bylaws and/or Rule proposed amendment submission deadline is April 27, 2016.
Whitecaps FC Residency sweep weekend matches in Portland – Whitecaps FC
It was a clean sweep for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Portland this past weekend. In addition to WFC2 winning 3-1 over Timbers 2 in USL action, both the U-18 and U-16 Residency teams also won against the Timbers in USSDA action.
UBC’s best honoured at 95th annual Big Block Awards and Sports Hall of Fame Banquet – UBC
The Carolyn Dobie-Smith Award was presented to co-winners Leo Iizuka and Gevorg Eginyan, the duo in charge of taking care of the men’s soccer team.
BCSPL is focused on developing players for the university game – BCSPL
On the March 25-27 weekend, U15-U18 teams from the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League competed in the Whitecaps FC Youth Showcase. This tournament brings together premier level teams from across Canada and the Northwest US each year to play in front of 100+ university coaches.
Accepting nominations: viaSport Coach of the Year Awards – ViaSport
Do you know an outstanding coach? viaSport wants to hear from you! Nominations for the viaSport 2015 Coach of the Year Awards are now open until Sunday, April 17, 2016. These awards were founded by the Coaches Association of BC, and are funded by the Bob Bearpark Foundation.
Former Surrey soccer coach guilty of seeking sex with 12-year-old to be sentenced – Global News
Kuldip “Kelly” Singh Mahal, of Surrey, was arrested by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and charged with attempted enticement of a minor in February 2015.
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.
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
Can Canada win gold in Rio? Women’s soccer coach John Herdman weighs in – Toronto Star
John Herdman has been all over the place since the Canadian women’s national soccer team booked its spot in Brazil during February’s Olympic qualifier. The tournament in Houston was the first leg in a whirlwind couple of months for the man in charge. He has been to Portugal and Croatia, with pit stops at home (Vancouver) and in the homeland (England) in between. He will be on the road again soon, with Canada visiting the Netherlands for a friendly next Sunday.
Regina’s Chantal Boudreau blazes trail as FIFA soccer official – Regina Leader Post
Chantal Boudreau’s rise to becoming an international soccer official was kickstarted by her brother.
Kormish: Canada’s scoring woes continue in World Cup men’s qualifying – Star Phoenix
Canada’s strength lies in its defensive tactics. Milan Borjan was the star in the first leg of the two-game series, making a number of world-class stops. Canada’s four-time player of the year, Atiba Hutchinson, leads a modest midfield attack. It is in the final third of the pitch where the men struggle.
What It’s Like to Support Canada at Estadio Azteca – Waking the Red
The final installment of James Hutton’s Mexico Diaries, as he takes in a game between Canada and Mexico in one of the most menacing venues in world football.
‘A huge impact’: Demand for kids’ sports subsidies skyrocketting amid faltering economy – Calgary Herald
The need for subsidies to help kids participate in sports is soaring because of the faltering economy, say executives of an athletic charity.
Memorial Univ. Women’s soccer season review and a look ahead – The Muse
The Memorial women’s Sea-Hawks soccer team is one of the most complete teams the university has ever known, and their notoriety extends far beyond MUN, and even beyond the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference after a remarkable run last season. Though this year’s results did not quite live up to the lofty expectations players, coaches, and fans a like held for the team as a result of unparalleled successes, the team has done anything but regress.
Memorial Univ. Men’s soccer season recap and a look ahead – The Muse
A record of 7-5-1 was enough to get the Memorial men’s Sea-Hawks soccer team into the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference playoffs this season, but a first round exit at the hands of the UPEI Panthers means there is still plenty of work to do this off-season for Coach Jake Stanford’s team.
BC Soccer Leagues & Clubs – Share your News With The BC Soccer Community!
WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE
WFC2 vs. SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2016, 3:00 PM
UBC THUNDERBIRD STADIUM, VANCOUVER, BC
TICKET INFO
WFC2 vs. Sacramento Republic Ticket Info – Ticketmaster
Purchase tickets for Sunday’s WFC2 home opener against Sacramento.
VIDEO: WFC2: More than a match, it’s a soccer festival. – Whitecaps FC
Video showing the many things that go into making a fun day at Thunderbird for a WFC2 match.
USL Roundup: Los Dos on top after miracle comeback – Soccer America
The LA Galaxy II came back from 3-0 down with nine minutes to play to tie Real Monarchs SLC, 3-3, getting the final two goals in the 89th and 90th minutes, and remain unbeaten. Los Dos lead the Western Conference with seven points, one more than three teams.
FC Cincinnati Passes 10,000 Tickets Sold for Opener – USL
FC Cincinnati announced on Tuesday morning the club had surpassed 10,000 tickets sold for its inaugural home opener this Saturday at Nippert Stadium.
Saint Louis FC Announces Stadium Upgrades – USL
Saint Louis FC’s fans will have a lot to look forward to off the field this season at World Wide Technology Soccer Park, as the club announced on Tuesday the upgraded amenities that will be unveiled at its home opener on Saturday, April 16 against Tulsa Roughnecks FC.
NASL Rewind: Miami FC, Rayo OKC earn draws, Arango nets brace and more – SBI
The NASL’s two newest clubs earned a point apiece in their debut games, while the league’s reigning champions picked up right where they left off in the opening week of action.
Will the increased number of red cards in MLS trickle down to the NASL? – Twice a Cosmo
Major League Soccer and the North American Soccer League might not have a whole lot in common, but they do both use PRO referees. Unfortunately, those referees have been at the center of quite a few controversies already during the 2016 season, as MLS has urged PRO to do more to protect player safety, and the referees have responded by sending players off at near-record levels.
Juan Arango named NASL Player of the Week – Empire of Soccer
When you score more goals than 80% of the teams in the league, you will surely get some kind of recognition. That was the case with Juan Arango, who scored a brace in a statement 3-0 New York Cosmos victory over the Ottawa Fury.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
US Soccer needs to close the gender pay gap – now – Empire of Soccer
Why can’t the United States Women’s National Team get any love from their federation? Why do they have to take them to court and file claims to get what amounts to equal rights and pay? If you could provide the answer, you could mediate between these two groups – which seem about as far apart as you can get right now.
Are the USWNT’s Successes Funding the USMNT’s Failures? – Midfield Press
Last week, five members of the 2015 World Cup Champion USWNT filed a lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) for wage discrimination. A full financial breakdown of the situation can be found here, but what it breaks down to is this: the US women are paid a fraction of what the men are paid, even though they are far more successful and, at the moment, lucrative.
How much does the U.S. Women’s National soccer team get paid? – Houston Chronicle
A member of the women’s national team can earn up to $99,000 a year by winning all 20 games in a season. If a male player wins all 20 games, he gets $263,000. What’s more, if he loses all 20 games, he’s still guaranteed $100,000, at $5,000 per game win or lose.
Julie Foudy: Why isn’t the USWNT using its fair-pay clause? – ESPN W.
“When I look at the latest U.S. Soccer vs. U.S. women’s national team battle, I find a healthy combination of emotions mixed with get us some answers. I know firsthand about the wars we players have waged over the years with U.S. Soccer. (I have the scars to prove them.) I also know the strides U.S. Soccer has made in how it supports the women’s team. And I know there is clearly still more to be done.”
The Onion: What You Need To Know About The Women’s Soccer Equal Pay Controversy – The Onion
“Women earn 42 percent more adoration and national pride than their male counterparts.” (Editor’s note: In case you’re not familiar, The Onion is a satirical website.)
Orlando Pride Sets Sights on Breaking NWSL Attendance Record; Announces #FilledWithPride Campaign – Orlando City SC
Orlando Pride, the newest club in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), has announced a new initiative to set the league’s attendance record on April 23 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl when the Pride hosts the Houston Dash at 7:30 p.m. in the Club’s first-ever home match.
2016 NWSL Preview: Sky Blue FC – The Equalizer
Last season (5-8-7, 8th place; missed playoffs): Sky Blue opened the season in a dreadful scoring slump that lasted a dozen games during which they never scored more than once. By the time they began to click it was too little too late and the season ended without a playoff bid for the second year running.
USWNT to Play Japan on June 2 at DSGP – Burgundy Wave
The Colorado Rapids and US Soccer announced today that the reigning World Cup Champions will be making a return visit to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 2 to take on Japan as the USWNT continues their preparation for Rio.
SSE Women’s FA Cup semi-final draw made at St. George’s Park – The FA
The top two teams in last season’s FA WSL 1, Chelsea and Man City, will face each other in the semi-finals of the SSE Women’s FA Cup.
Super Falcons can get to the ‘top echelon’ of world football, says Florence Omagbemi – Goal
Coach Florence Omagbemi believes she can see the Nigeria women national team to the top echelon of the game and hopes the Super Falcons can make a statement against Senegal.
Indian federation promises a women’s league and targets Asian Cup qualification – Inside World Football
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel has announced that India will start a women’s football league later this year.
BC Soccer Leagues & Clubs – Share your News With The BC Soccer Community!
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Fifa president Gianni Infantino pulled into corruption scandal by Panama Papers – The Guardian
Leaked documents raise questions over role played by new Fifa president in TV rights deal while he worked for Uefa.
Champions League quarter-final previews – The Guardian
A look forward to the four matches this week: Barcelona v Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich v Benfica, PSG v Manchester City and Wolfsburg v Real Madrid.
Panama Papers show how elite soccer players used offshore finance – Toronto Star
The Mossack Fonseca documents include the names of nearly 20 high-profile soccer players, past and present, representing some of the globe’s best-known professional soccer clubs.
Soccer ties to Panama Papers are least of FIFA’s problems – Soccer America
There is nothing illegal about holding offshore accounts and no suggestion of any wrongdoing by these FIFA officials, but the release of the Panama Papers has proved to be an embarrassment to FIFA.
Rules help Football League clubs pass financial health check-up – The Guardian
Financial fair play-style rules have dramatically improved English football’s financial health in recent years, according to an analysis of clubs’ figures by the accountants, Begbies Traynor.
Dwight Yorke: I am perfect for the Aston Villa job – Goal
Dwight Yorke believes he would the ideal man for the Aston Villa job and he has the backing of Alex Ferguson.
Spanish league denounces anti-gay insults at Ronaldo – Sportsnet
The Spanish league has denounced anti-gay slurs directed toward Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo during Saturday’s match at Barcelona.
Homophobia in sport: UK government to hold inquiry – BBC Sport
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee is planning to investigate the different experiences of men and women across a range of sports.
Yaya Toure: Manchester City midfielder’s agent says client will ‘definitely’ leave and has ‘various offers’ to consider – The Independent
The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international’s current contract expires in the summer of 2017 but he now looks likely to leave the Etihad a year early.
With transfer rumours buzzing, which Ligue 1 players could move to the Premier League? – Vavel
As we enter the final stretch of this Ligue 1 campaign, it already seems that several of the league’s best players will be playing their football elsewhere next term.
CONCACAF Watch: Tigres must rediscover attack to avoid Champions League exit – Goal
The goals have dried up and Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti’s men need to rediscover their strength in attack to get to the CONCACAF Champions League final.
CONMEBOL lawsuits multiply as Paraguay HQ comes under threat – Inside World Football
The beleaguered South American Football Confederation, CONMEBOL, could be forced out of its Paraguay headquarters due to a $10 million lawsuit relating to the land where it is situated, according to its president.
Napoli striker Higuain banned four matches for protests – Sportsnet
Napoli’s title hopes have taken another hit with the suspension of Serie A’s top scorer Gonzalo Higuain for four matches for severe protests with the referee.
Retired AC Milan greats mourn Maldini at funeral – Sportsnet
Family members and retired AC Milan greats are mourning former Italy coach Cesare Maldini at his funeral.
Cesare Maldini obituary – The Guardian
To take over the managership of the Azzurri, the Italian national team, at a time of mid-season crisis, at the age of 66, to change its tactics, and to take it to London after a single friendly game, there to beat England at Wembley in a crucial World Cup qualification match in 1997, was a feat in itself. But Cesare Maldini, who has died aged 84, was also the father of one of the best players in that match, Paolo Maldini. The fact that Paolo went on to be a bigger star was consistent with Cesare’s record in encouraging footballing talent.
The Fermi Paradox of American soccer – These Football Times
The idea that the United States should produce a world-class player is different than if it could produce one. Of course, the US can produce a great player, but this is where the argument encounters the first threshold of many flawed arguments.
St Pauli: German club make honey to help declining bee population – BBC Sport
German cult side St Pauli are known for being pioneering socialists on and off the pitch – and their latest good cause is the declining bee population.
Siberian Travels – Football Fan Culture in Russia – Futbolgrad
Fan culture in Russia is a curious thing. A quick glance at the average attendances—under 50% of stadium capacity across the league, and that includes brand new stadia such as Spartak’s Otkrytiye Arena and Rubin’s Kazan Arena—at matches in the Russian Premier League paints a worrying picture just two years ahead of the World Cup. Dip down a level, and the figures are even more troubling.