WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Whitecaps FC announce roster moves, exercise 10 contract options and decline six – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that the club has exercised the 2016 contract options on 10 players and declined the contract options on six players.
MLS Cup Sold Out – Columbus Crew
I have an important update to my blog from last week and would like to let everyone know that as of late this morning we are sold out of the extra capacity seating that was created for MLS Cup at MAPFRE Stadium. While there is a small chance that additional seats could be released for purchase as a result of MLS holds being returned, we are sold out of all known available seats.
Portland Timbers welcomed at PDX airport by delirious fans after 2015 Western Conference Championship win – MLS
The Portland Timbers received a hero’s welcome Monday upon their return to the Rose City, toting with them their spoils from Sunday’s aggregate triumph over FC Dallas in the Western Conference Championship.
Columbus Crew SC’s attackers “match up really well” with Portland Timbers, Ethan Finlay tells SI Now – MLS
It’s not exactly a Joe Namath-style guarantee of victory, but Ethan Finlay gave the Portland Timbers an early bit of bulletin-board material in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s “SI Now” on Monday.
MLS playoffs once again prove that Supporters’ Shield doesn’t matter at all – the11.ca
Once again, we know that the winner of the Supporters’ Shield, which goes to the team with the best regular-season mark in MLS, will not hoist the big prize at the end of the season. The Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew will fight it out for MLS Cup this coming weekend. Neither finished at the top of their respective conferences. MLS is a league that’s all about the playoffs; it’s a culture where the Supporters Shield winner has only won the big prize, the MLS Cup, twice since 2003. Playoffs see a complete reshuffling of the deck.
Familiar, yet different: The New York Red Bulls’ latest playoff heartbreak – SI.com
“It’s painfully unbelievable how that game ended,” Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch told reporters after the game. “It hurts. That locker room is in pain right now.”
MLS Best XI comes from a wide variety of backgrounds – NBC Sports
From American College Soccer, to Costa Rica, Serie A and the Premier League, there’s no one unifying thread. Heck, Benny Feilhaber and Kei Kamara mark careers reborn with the win, perhaps shining as bright as ever.
Red Bulls pick up Dax McCarty’s contract option – Empire of Soccer
McCarty, who had a club option for 2016, was originally scheduled to speak to team Sporting Director Ali Curtis about his future with the club during the offseason. Instead, Curtis revealed Monday morning that the club has exercised McCarty’s option, bringing him back to the fold for next season.
Toronto FC Re-Signs Justin Morrow – Toronto FC
Toronto FC announced Monday that the club has re-signed defender Justin Morrow to a multi-year deal. As per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Roy Miller, Dane Richards will not return to the Red Bulls – Empire of Soccer
EoS has learned Costa Rican fullback Roy Miller will not have his option picked up for the coming season. Longtime Red Bull player Dane Richards will also have his option declined.
Real Salt Lake Exercises Options on Seven Players; Re-Signs Jamison Olave – RSL
Real Salt Lake announced today that the club has exercised the 2016 contract options on seven players, putting the club’s roster at 21 players. The players whose contracts were picked up include goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez; defenders Abdoulie Mansally and Boyd Okwuonu; midfielders Luke Mulholland and John Stertzer; and forwards Olmes Garcia and Devon Sandoval.
Chicago Fire Soccer Club Exercises Options on Four Players – Chicago Fire
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today a series of roster decisions. The Club has exercised options on midfielders Kingsley Bryce, Matt Polster and Harry Shipp, as well as defender Patrick Doody.
Houston Dynamo announce roster moves – Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo announced on Monday that the club has declined the contract options on goalkeeper Michael Lisch, defenders AJ Cochran and Jermaine Taylor, midfielders Luis Garrido, Alexander Lopez and Nathan Sturgis, and forward Chandler Hoffman.
NYCFC not targeting loans for Demichelis, Saunders – Empire of Soccer
The Manchester City defender and the New York City FC goalkeeper had each been rumored to cross the Atlantic in loans to help either club address roster needs.
Report: Vela’s agent says MLS move may not be in ‘immediate’ future – SBI
Carlos Vela may have been linked to the Colorado Rapids recently, but according to his agent, the Mexican international is not close to leaving Spain. In an interview with Agenda FOX Sports, Eduardo Hernandez said that his client and current Real Sociedad forward is listening to offers made by the Colorado Rapids and MLS, but that does not mean a deal is currently in the works.
Casillas open to MLS move –Goal
Iker Casillas refused to dismiss the possibility of playing in MLS, though he intends to see out his Porto contract.
Philly Union rename PPL Park to Talen Energy Stadium – The Brotherly Game
Last year, PPL Corporation and Riverstone Holdings agreed to merge their energy providers to form an independent company that would operate under the name “Talen Energy.” Soon after Talen officially launched in June, some signage around PPL Park was altered to reflect the change.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
FVSL PHOTO GALLERY: West Van FC Spurs 4 Coastal FC Utd. 0, Nov.29,2015 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie & Monique Lamoureux
Adam Jones Lone Freshman Named To All-Region Team – SFU
After leading Simon Fraser University in total goals with eight and points with 22 this season, freshman midfielder Adam Jones has been picked as a Second Team All-Region selection by the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) it was announced Monday.
Canada Soccer announces finalists for 2015 Player Awards – Whitecaps FC
Four current Vancouver Whitecaps FC players have been nominated, including Emma Regan for U-17 Women’s Player of the Year, Kadin Chung for U-17 Men’s Player of the Year, and Kianz Froese and Chris Serban for U-20 Men’s Player of the Year. Whitecaps FC Residency graduate Adam Straith has been nominated for Men’s National Team Player of the Year, while ‘Caps alumnae Erin McLeod, Desiree Scott, Sophie Schmidt, and Christine Sinclair are all nominated for Women’s National Team Player of the Year.
Victoria’s Adam Straith up for Canadian soccer player of the year – Times Colonist
Adam Straith of Victoria, who has started for Canada in all six of its CONCACAF World Cup qualifying games so far for Russia 2018, is one of nine players nominated for the Canadian Soccer Association’s male player of the year award.
Help graduating youth players transition to adult leagues – BCSA
Want to stay involved with soccer and transition to one of BC Soccer’s Adult Leagues? You have been coaching soccer for a number of years and your last games in youth soccer are fast approaching. What do you do now and how can you help players you’re coaching stay involved in the game? BC Soccer Assoc. in collaboration with the Adult Leagues will be hosting Info Sessions for you to meet with Adult League representatives and learn from them about their League and the potential opportunities to stay involved with soccer for life.
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CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Nominees announced, voting opened for annual Canada Soccer Player Awards – CSA
Canada Soccer has announced the list of nominees for the 2015 Canada Soccer Player Awards, with voting open today for both media and coaches. At the top of the list are the nominees for the 2015 BMO Canadian Players of the Year award, celebrating the top male and top female footballers from the 2015 calendar year.
MLS Rookie of the Year Cyle Larin nominated for two Canadian national team awards – MLS
2015 MLS Rookie of the Year Cyle Larin has been nominated for two year-end Canadian national team awards.
De Guzman Among Nominees for Canadian Player of the Year – Ottawa Fury
Canada Soccer has announced the list of nominees for the 2015 Canada Soccer Player Awards, with voting open today for both media and coaches. At the top of the list are the nominees for the 2015 Canadian Players of the Year award, celebrating the top male and top female footballers from the 2015 calendar year. Fury FC midfielder Julian De Guzman is among the list of nominees for top male player of the year.
League1 Ontario 2015 Awards Banquet – League1 Ontario
League1 Ontario honoured standout players, coaches and teams at the 2015 Awards Banquet at Fontana Primavera Banquet Hall on Sunday November 29.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Beard looks to replicate Liverpool revival in Boston – The Equalizer
As part of his first trip to the Boston area as head coach of the Breakers, Matt Beard sat and watched the city’s flagship team, the New England Patriots, take on the New York Giants. If you forgot the ending, or if you don’t watch football, the Patriots won the game on a long field goal by Stephen Gostkowski in the waning seconds. The ending was not lost on Beard as he prepares to take over the only NWSL club to play all three seasons without a trip to the playoffs.
Ella Masar discusses the move to FC Rosengård – Keeper Notes
Given earlier talk of a possible retirement following the conclusion of the season, fans and media alike (including Keeper Notes) interpreted the note as a confirmation of that decision. There was a twist to the story, however: Masar was not actually retiring. Instead, she was off to Europe to chase Champions League glory with FC Rosengård, a move made official today.
BREAKERS RE-SIGN FORWARD STEPHANIE MCCAFFREY – NWSL
The Boston Breakers announced that forward Stephanie McCaffrey has re-signed for the 2016 NWSL season. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015 shortlist revealed – BBC Sport
Soccer star Lucy Bronze included on the shortlist.
England’s Jess Clarke forever grateful to Ms Monroe – The FA
England and Notts County Ladies forward Jess Clarke will be forever grateful for the vision of her secondary school PE teacher. 12 years ago, Clarke’s only source of competitive football was playing in the schoolyard with the boys.
Simon’s Jets flying high – Westfield W-League
There may have been little expectation on Newcastle Jets heading into this season, but under proud Novocastrian Gema Simon the team are on track to end a long finals’ drought.
T&T women’s roster for U.S. friendlies unveiled – CONCACAF
Trinidad & Tobago women’s national team head coach Randy Waldrum announced Monday a 20-player roster for a pair of international friendlies at the United States.
Roma and his passion for women’s football – CONMEBOL
Modesto Roman, president of Brazilian club Santos, is head of the Local Organizing Committee of the Women’s Under-20 Sudamericano Championship.
Live Your Goals continues to nurture and inspire – FIFA
November proved to be yet another massive month for FIFA’s increasingly popular Live Your Goals programme with no fewer than 13 countries hosting events, including half a dozen in the past week alone.
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NASL & USL NEWS
Marsch, Curtis Bullish on NYRB II’s Presence – USL
On Monday, however, both Head Coach Jesse Marsch and Sporting Director Ali Curtis were bullish on the club’s overall season, and in particular the contribution the presence of the Red Bulls II in the USL had offered throughout 2015.
Ottawa Fury FC Wins NASL Fair Play Award – NASL
During 30 regular-season matches, Fury FC were shown just one red card, which occurred during the first match of the campaign. Ottawa picked up 45 yellow cards for the fourth least in the league during the 2015 season.
Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta giving NASL an Italian renaissance with Miami FC – The Telegraph
Former AC Milan defenders and Italian sponsors Macron have teamed up to help give the North American Soccer League a European twist.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Man City, NYC FC, Melbourne City owners sell $400m stake to Chinese consortium – ESPN FC
A consortium of Chinese investors is paying $400 million (£265m, AUS $549m) to take a 13 percent stake in the parent company of Premier League side Manchester City, MLS franchise New York City FC and A-League club Melbourne City.
Manchester City’s deft China venture is taking the club to powerful places – The Guardian
By targeting the biggest future football market of all, Abu Dhabi regime is seizing global potential of club while being mindful to keep fans happy at home.
Premier League’s richest owners: How much is YOUR club’s ownership worth? – The Mirror
The Premier League is the playground of the rich and famous – and that’s not just those on the pitch. While the stars of the show are paid like kings those who own the clubs they play for very nearly actually are.
Napoli beats Inter Milan to take over first place in Serie A – SI.com
Displaying a form at the San Paolo stadium not witnessed since Diego Maradona’s exploits, Gonzalo Higuain scored twice in a 2-1 win over 10-man Inter Milan on Monday to provide a big boost for Napoli’s title chances.
Lassana Diarra leads five outstanding performers of the Ligue 1 season so far – ESPN FC
We are almost halfway through the Ligue 1 season, and the winter break is looming. Time for praise, then. Apart from the obvious names like Thiago Silva, Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Hatem Ben Arfa, there have been some more-unexpected great performances this season in France’s top flight.
Chelsea submit plans to increase Stamford Bridge capacity to 60,000 – The Guardian
The Premier League champions have consulted over the redevelopment of their west London home, which currently has a capacity of 41,600.
South American quality awarded by the Spanish league – CONMEBOL
The talent and quality of the South American footballer was represented by Lionel Messi, Neymar, Claudio Bravo and James Rodrigues who were honored at the gala of the Professional Football League of Spain.
15 members of Venezuelan national soccer team threaten to quit – SI.com
Several members of Venezuela’s national team have said they will no longer play for their country if the team’s coaching staff and the directors of the country’s football federation are not fired.
Neymar’s appearance on FIFA Ballon d’Or short list is a big step for soccer – Washington Post
The young Brazilian is the first player in his early 20s to make the list since Messi and Ronaldo were runners-up in 2007. Messi was just 20 years old at the time and Ronaldo was 22.
FIFA Club World Cup – Lucho and the Rabbit hoping for happy ending – FIFA
“It’s great to be going through something like this at our age,” said Javier Saviola of his upcoming trip with River Plate to the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2015.
Amnesty International: delay in Qatar labour reforms is ‘recipe for human rights disaster’ – The Guardian
On the eve of the fifth anniversary of Qatar winning the right to host the 2022 World Cup, Amnesty International has warned it has done too little to address “rampant migrant labour abuse” and warned that fans will be benefiting from the blood of migrant workers if nothing changes.