WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Whitecaps FC re-sign David Ousted to multi-year contract extension – Whitecaps FC
“David is one of our leaders in this club and re-signing him was a top priority,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “He’s an integral part of the spine of the team, a character guy in the locker room, and since he joined us he has proven time and time again that he is one of the best, if not the best, goalkeeper in the league. We’re thrilled to have him in Vancouver for the long term.”
Official: Vancouver Whitecaps Complete Deal for Blas Perez – Eighty-Six Forever
The Vancouver Whitecaps have officially added veteran striker Blas Perez to their roster, completing a deal that has been in the works for a few weeks now. As part of the deal, the Whitecaps have sent Mauro Rosales to FC Dallas.
Whitecaps sign former nemesis Perez, trade Rosales to Dallas – Goal
The former FC Dallas striker moves north to Vancouver, with Mauro Rosales heading the other way to the Texas outfit.
The Bad Guy – From the Backline
Few in Major League Soccer have replicated the theatrical audacity of Al Pacino’s performance in Scarface to the same extent as Blas Perez. Observing the simulation, the malice, and the general lack of ethics within the Panamanian’s game has represented a repulsive feature to every meeting with the Hoops. The animosity that exists between Dallas and the Caps is largely owed to his maligned conduct, as the chief instigator of vitriol in Oscar Pareja’s team previously. After incidents like this, the scrutiny he’s been subjected to at BC Place is completely justified.
Hero and villain: The two sides of Blas Perez – Whitecaps FC
The Panamanian striker has been a thorn in the team’s side ever since joining the league in 2012 – and that’s probably an understatement. His four career goals against Whitecaps FC are the second most among current MLS players.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC mourn the loss of Jeff Cross – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC are mourning the passing of Jeff Cross, a pioneer of soccer media in British Columbia and a dear friend of the club.
Gallagher: Things were more fun with Jeff Cross around – The Province
When I joined The Province in June of 1970, there were some intriguing individuals wandering about the sports section, but none was more engaging, enlightening or delightful than soccer writer Jeff Cross, who died Sunday at the age of 92. My Lord, what a lovely man. Easily the best editor to ever have touched anything written in that department in the last 45 years, this Manchester transplant who became so well known in this town lived the glorious old-time newspaper life once he left the British navy, one of his memorable experiences that he sprinkled with a persistent dash of his always spot-on witty humour.
Drogba, newly acquired Shipp, set to join Impact for pre-season MLS tournament – The Province
The Montreal Impact arrived in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Monday for a pre-season tournament that will see them play four times in 11 days.
Can the Seattle Sounders Be MLS Title Contenders Without Obafemi Martins? – Bleacher Report
Having Martins stay in Seattle for three seasons has to be judged as a success given the player’s propensity to go after a big payday. It must be noted Martins isn’t officially gone as of this writing, but all signs are pointing to the transfer happening sooner rather than later.
Will Johnson Settles in Quickly With Toronto FC – Toronto FC
It was a whirlwind offseason for Toronto FC midfielder Will Johnson, but the 29-year-old Canadian international has settled quickly. Quicker than Johnson expected. “For a bit of perspective I loved Portland. It was home, our son was born there and [the Timbers] were the first team I got to captain,” said Johnson following training on Monday in Orlando.
The story of “El Presidente” Boniek García – Houston Dynamo
As Boniek García made his way through Toncontín International Airport in the summer of 2012 for an important CONCACAF Champions League group stage game he found much more than well wishes, handshakes and other welcoming gestures from those who greeted him. Many supporters, members of the Honduran military and other staff working at the airport were greeting him as “Presidente.”
David Beckham’s Miami club in talks on equity-stake sale to Paris Saint-Germain – The Guardian
David Beckham’s Miami football club are in talks with Paris Saint-Germain about the sale of an equity stake, it has been confirmed.
Atlanta United: Eales in favor of more MLS expansion – AJC.com
The candidates for MLS expansion pop up with more frequency than beauty supply stores. St. Louis, recently jilted by the NFL and the Rams, seems to be on the fast-track to receive a team. The Gateway to the West has a long, storied history with soccer, partially because of Anheuser-Busch’s longtime support of the sport.
What does the Chinese Super League’s ambition mean for MLS? – ESPN FC
In the world order of soccer leagues, both Major League Soccer and the Chinese Super League could be categorized as “aspirational.” Each league is attempting to break into the upper echelons of the game, but the means by which they attempt to achieve their respective goals could not be more different.
Orlando City coach Adrian Heath says ‘common sense prevailed’ in offseason – Orlando Sentinel
Orlando City coach Adrian Heath hasn’t shied away from acknowledging the drama that saturated the Lions’ offseason. The issues centered around the addition of former Benfica executive Armando Carneiro as Chief Soccer Officer, a surprising arrival that eventually prompted the exit of former general manager Paul McDonough. McDonough was hired by the Lions’ future Eastern Conference rival Atlanta United, and just a few weeks later Carneiro left due to “personal reasons.”
VIDEO: Columbus Crew SC players read “mean tweets” about their new kits – MLS
Last week Columbus Crew SC unveiled their new “For Columbus” alternate kits, a colorful design inspired by the city’s flag. Early opinions on the defending MLS Eastern Conference champions’ unique new look ranged widely, to say the least, especially on social media channels where snark and silliness tend to reign supreme.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Whitecaps FC Residency earn win and draw against Crossfire Premier – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency teams hosted Crossfire Premier on the weekend. The U-18s played to a 1-1 draw, while the U-16s won 3-1.
Comox Valley United defeats Castaways in Jackson Cup opener – Comox Valley Record
Comox Valley United wasn’t playing around when they opened Jackson Cup play with a 5-0 win over Castaways on Feb. 14 in the play-in round of the annual Vancouver Island Soccer League competition.
UBC women’s soccer identification camp information – UBC
The national championship-winning UBC Thunderbirds women’s soccer program, led by head coach Marisa Kovacs, will be holding an identification clinic on Saturday, April 2.
KYSA adds new Sponsor – KYSA
The Kamloops Youth Soccer Association (KYSA) has announced the signing of yet another new sponsor! Chopped Leaf has agreed to partner with the KYSA as title sponsor of their Fall Season Wind-Up Jamboree scheduled for September 24/25, 2016, with an option to continue sponsorship of the event indefinitely.
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.
CANADA vs. MEXICO, March 25, 2016 @ BC PLACE STADIUM. Buy Tickets Today!
CONCACAF WOMEN’S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING
CANADA vs. GUATEMALA
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016, 5:30 PM
BBVA COMPASS STADIUM, HOUSTON, TX.
LIVESTREAM: CBCSPORTS.CA
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
One more group match for Canada’s women’s soccer team before crucial semifinal – Toronto Star
With one eye already on Friday’s semifinal match, coach John Herdman is expected to field his youngest starting 11 of the tournament so far against Guatemala on Tuesday night.
CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship: Canada vs. Guatemala – CBC
Click on the video player above or watch live on the CBC Sports App for iOS and Android as Canada concludes the group stage against Guatemala on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. PT.
Canadian women in form at CONCACAF qualifiers – Sportsnet
For a few members of the Canadian women’s team, Houston is more than just a brief stop on the road to this summer’s Olympics in Brazil. It’s also a city where they’ll be back in a few weeks to prepare for a new National Women’s Soccer League season, and the Canadian coaching staff hopes they’ll get plenty of minutes to prepare for the Olympics, should they qualify for Rio later this week.
Wide skill gap in early CONCACAF round not providing team Canada with true challenges – Yahoo Sports
It’s been 180 minutes of relative ease for Canada’s women’s soccer team and they’re well on course for Friday’s semi-final game to determine whether or not they’ll advance to the 2016 Olympics.
Christine Sinclair Goal 159: What This Means For Women’s Soccer – Fansided
THE WORLD OF WOMEN’S SOCCER IS GROWING! Growing, I tell you! With numbers in attendance and home viewership constantly rising, it looks like the world of Women’s Soccer is finally getting the attention that it deserves.
This Week in League1 Ontario: Red hot off-season – OSA
Winter weather may have just arrived, but for many League1 Ontario players the off-season has been red-hot. In the last week alone, three players signed pro deals, 25 female players accepted athletic scholarships north and south of the border.
Pickering Soccer Club Announces Elite Player Pathway Rebrand – League 1 Ontario
Pickering Soccer Club (PSC), one of the leading youth soccer clubs in Durham, on Thursday announced an evolution of their Elite Player Pathway (EPP) with support from a newly formed alliance with Oshawa Kicks Soccer Club (OKSC) and West Rouge Soccer Club (WRSC).
Refugee children brought together for Family Day soccer tournament – Ottawa Citizen
In Kanata on Monday, nearly 70 children, some of them newcomers to Canada, were brought together to take part in a sport that can be understood no matter where you call home or what language you speak.
BC Youth Soccer Player Development
(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our new section on BC Youth Soccer Player Development; a new resource designed to help youth coaches and players. Throughout the week, we’ll feature news, drills and videos from the most noted professionals in the field of player development. If you have any articles or resources you enjoy, send them our way, and we’ll share them with the BC Soccer community.)
VIDEO: How to Shoot with Power Tutorial • Billy Wingrove Sledgehammer – YouTube
Good video tutorial on how to get more power behind your shots.
BC Soccer Leagues & Clubs – Share your News With The BC Soccer Community!
WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
Early impressions – FC Edmonton
All hands were on deck as FC Edmonton kicked off the first week of preseason training at Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre (CCRC) ahead of the North American Soccer League (NASL) season.
Fury FC forming new chemistry on and off-field – Ottawa Sun
For Ottawa Fury FC, what happens off the field may be every bit as important as what happens on it as the team looks for more North American Soccer League success.
Ft. Lauderdale Hitting High Levels of Professionalism – Prost Amerika
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers have struggled to make an impression on the American soccer landscape though five years of decent on-field play, but dramatic off the field changes and fan discontent. The organization has long been viewed as a laughing stock in lower division circles.
Steve Livingtone Out as Jacksonville Armada FC President – Empire of Soccer
Jacksonville Armada FC revealed today that Steve Livingstone is out as president of the club and that owner and CEO Mark Frisch has taken over day-to-day operations as the organization gears up for its second season in the NASL.
Chicago Group Launches NASL Website – ChicagoNASL.com
The group trying to bring a NASL team to Chicago has launced their website.
Puerto Rico FC President Thomas Payne Ready to Put Up or Shut Up – Empire of Soccer
Many would likely balk at the proposition of uprooting from Los Angeles and relocating across the continent to head up the launch of a NASL team in a market where a team already folded less than five years ago. Thomas Payne dove headfirst into that challenge and has been working diligently as the first president of Puerto Rico FC to ensure the club is ready for its first kick at the start of the NASL’s Fall Season in July.
How the Unfortunate Death of Pro Soccer in a Texas Town Gave Orlando City a New Young Gun – The Mane Land
During the 2015-16 off-season, Orlando City made two key additions to its new reserve team. Midfielders Mikey Ambrose and Tony Rocha moved from the USL’s Austin Aztex to play for Orlando City B in Melbourne.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Dunn nets five in USWNT rout of Puerto Rico – SBI
It only took six minutes for the Americans to score, and many more goals followed en route to a 10-0 rout of Puerto Rico in the third and final group game of the tournament. The U.S., led by Crystal Dunn’s five goals, overwhelmed the underdog, and 17-year-old Mallory Pugh was a key cog in the U.S. attack.
Costa Rica to semis; Mexico misses for first time – The Equalizer
Raquel Rodriguez scored twice on Monday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, to lift Costa Rica past Mexico, 2-1 and into the semifinals of the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament.
HOUSTON DASH SIGN MIDFIELDER CAMI PRIVETT – NWSL
The Houston Dash have signed midfielder Cami Privett, the club announced today. Privett will be added to the roster pending receipt of her International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Bristol City surge into SSE Women’s FA Cup fourth round – The FA
Six different scorers got in on the act as Bristol City kicked off life under their new moniker with a 7-1 FA Women’s Cup victory over Queens Park Rangers.
Reggio Emilia final to boost Italian women’s game – UEFA
The UEFA Woman Champions League trophy has been handed over to the Italian city of Reggio Emilia with 100 days to go until the final and tickets set to go on sale.
Algeria face Ethiopia in African Women’s Championship qualifier – Goal
Algeria will face Ethiopia in the first round of the 2016 African Women’s Championship qualifier billed for March. The Lady Fennecs were billed to face Togo in the preliminary round, but with west African team pulling out, Azzedine Chih’s women will try Ethiopia for size in their quest to qualify for their fifth AWC.
Billie Jean King completes line-up for the FIFA Women’s Football and Leadership Conference – FIFA
Sports icon Billie Jean King is among the list of high-profile speakers confirmed for the second edition of the FIFA Women’s Football and Leadership Conference, which will take place at the Home of FIFA on Monday 7 March.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
The FBI vs. FIFA – ESPN
The exclusive account of how a small band of federal agents and an outsized corrupt official brought down the sports world’s biggest governing body.
Neymar’s assets, including yacht and jet, frozen in Brazil in tax evasion ruling – ESPN FC
Brazilian authorities have moved to block assets of Barcelona star Neymar, including a yacht, a jet and several properties in his home nation. The Sao Paulo federal court has started issuing warrants to freeze the assets worth 192 million reals (almost $50m, €45m).
Roma vs. Real Madrid: Zidane makes Champions League bow in Rome – Goal
Champions League winner Zinedine Zidane takes charge of his first game in the competition when Real Madrid travels to Roma this week.
UCL Preview: PSG-Chelsea, Benfica-Zenit kick off round of 16 matches – SBI
Almost one year ago, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea played in one of the most intriguing and intense UEFA Champions League round of 16 battles. Fast forward to 2016, the pair of European heavyweights kick off in the same round once again on Tuesday.
Window closing on PSG’s old guard in Europe – Sportsnet
With Ligue 1 all but sewn up, PSG should have been spending the 48 hours from Sunday in earnest preparation for their showdown with Chelsea in the Champions League’s Round of 16. Instead, the French football powerhouse had to suspend Serge Aurier after the right fullback disparaged manager Laurent Blanc and several of his teammates on Periscope.
Benfica vs Zenit Saint Petersburg – The Football Leaks Derby – Futbolgrad
Benfica vs Zenit Saint Petersburg might very well be called the Football Leaks derby. In recent weeks two major transfers between the two clubs have been leaked by the football transparency page—Axel Witsel’s September 2012 transfer from Benfica to Zenit, and Ezequiel Garay’s 2014 summer move from Benfica to Zenit.
Assessing Leicester, Spurs, Arsenal and Man City as title race heats up – ESPN FC
With 12 games of the Premier League season left, four sides are still in the hunt for the title. We’ve had four-way title fights before, but never between a quartet of sides so different in terms of style, experience and mentality.
David Moyes warns Louis van Gaal he must deliver Champions League football – Vavel
Former Manchester United manager David Moyes has delivered a warning to current manager Louis van Gaal that failure to qualify for the Champions League won’t be accepted.
FA Cup replays could be scrapped in order to trim fixture list – BBC Sport
Scrapping FA Cup replays and playing midweek rounds are among a range of measures being considered to trim the fixture list in English football.
Tim Cahill announces shock axing from Shanghai club – Sydney Morning Herald
An upset Tim Cahill has announced his surprise axing from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua. The Socceroos star signed a contract extension with the club just three months ago.
Security preparations ramped up for ‘high risk’ A-League Sydney derby – The Guardian
NSW Police and Football Federation Australia have been in discussions over preparations for this weekend’s Sydney derby, in a bid to prevent potential scenes of flare ripping and fan violence.
National Premier League youngsters see new season as pathway to A-League chance – Sydney Morning Herald
That refrain – “you never know who is watching” – is a common one when younger NPL players are asked about their prospects. The new season kicks off on Thursday night and runs through the winter, and all involved know that if they have a good campaign anything can happen.
Nicky Butt named the head of Manchester United’s academy – Vavel
Manchester United have named former midfielder Nicky Butt as the head of their academy, following a review of the club’s youth set-up.
FA insists 3G pitches are safe after father links rubber pellets to son’s cancer – The Guardian
The Football Association has insisted that research shows artificial 3G pitches do not pose a health risk after a father linked his teenage son’s cancer to the artificial playing surface.
Referee ‘shot dead by player he sent off’ during amateur match in Argentina – The Guardian
Police in Argentina are searching for a footballer who is said to have shot and killed a referee after being sent off in a match played in the Córdoba province.
Football Marketing: If Carlsberg did… pubs geared up Euro 2016 ad campaigns – Inside World Football
Carlsberg, the Official Beer of UEFA EURO 2016 and the England team, has launched its campaign for this summer’s Euros and claims the tournament will be worth £60 million to pubs in the UK.
Bruce Springsteen Bernabeu gig set to end Copa del Rey final venue row – ESPN FC
Rock star Bruce Springsteen is to perform at the Bernabeu on May 21, with the news appearing to end a debate over whether Real Madrid should offer the stadium for the Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Sevilla.