BC Soccer News, Tuesday, February 7, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

MLS commissioner: NASL counting Canadians as domestics violates U.S. law – Sportsnet
A decision by the second-tier North American Soccer League to count Canadian players as domestics south of the border violates labour laws, according to Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber.

VIDEO: Whitecaps FC Season Launch Event featuring Steve Nash, Don Garber, Jeff Mallett, Carl Robinson, and Bob Lenarduzzi – Whitecaps FC
Watch a replay of Monday’s 2017 Season Launch Event at The Vogue.

VIDEO: Whitecaps co-owner Steve Nash talks fandom, approach to player signings – MLS
The Vancouver Whitecaps are entering their seventh season in Major League Soccer, and the effect of time has helped make the team a fixture in Vancouver, says co-owner Steve Nash.

Growth the name of the game for MLS czar on Vancouver visit – Vancouver Sun
You know soccer season is almost here when the head man makes an appearance: Don Garber, commissioner of the MLS, was in Vancouver on Monday to meet with fans at an evening town hall, put in a charity appearance at Covenant House — and to chat with the media.

Don Garber: We want to make MLS relevant in Canada – Sportsnet
When the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC met in the Major League Soccer championship final last December, a record number of Canadians—estimated at more than 4.2 million—watched at least some part of the match.

Garber’s team visit in Vancouver brings answers to several Canadian questions – Red Nation Online
If you woke up on Monday morning and were wondering why there is snow in the ground in Vancouver, it’s just a rare occurrence. If you were wondering why MLS Commissioner Don Garber was visiting Vancouver, yup, that’s also a rare occurrence.

The ‘Caps new 2017 primary white jersey – Eighty-Six Forever
This is your new 2017 Vancouver Whitecaps primary jersey. It’s called the rain jersey and was unveiled to the public Monday evening at the club’s season kick off event.

Mexico’s biggest star could demand an MLS-record investment, but most GMs believe that he’s worth it. – Four Four Two
Speculation about the future of Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez has centered around whether the Mexican star will land in MLS. Conversations with multiple MLS general managers and league sources over the last few weeks revealed that the prevailing belief is not just that an MLS team should make a play for Chicharito in the summer window, but that a team will move to sign the Bayer Leverkusen forward.

Galaxy beginning a new chapter without A.J. DeLaGarza – LA Times
The first sign something was wrong, A.J. DeLaGarza said, was the missed call on his cellphone. The Galaxy defender, the last remaining link to Bruce Arena’s first MLS Cup championship club in Carson, had been assured he wouldn’t be traded in the off-season. Now he had an urgent message to call new General Manager Peter Vagenas.

Missing Red Bulls players making for a difficult preseason – Empire of Soccer
With the first stint of preseason games in Arizona out of the way, Jesse Marsch expressed how difficult it was to prepare for the impending CONCACAF Champions League while missing key players.

All newest Sounder Will Bruin has ever known is scoring goals – News Tribune
The Sounders are banking on a rebound effort from Bruin, a goal-scorer with a long pedigree who is coming off his worst season in Major League Soccer in 2016 — and the worst soccer year of his life.

2017 Preseason – Tuesday, February 7: Galaxy host Xolos, desert camps wrap – MLS
Six MLS clubs are in preseason action on Tuesday, Feb. 7. Here’s a rundown of the day’s schedule.

Howard Webb to manage Video Assistant Referee Operations for PRO – Four Four Two
Retired referee legend will oversee implementation of video technology in refereeing in MLS.

How American soccer’s pay-to-play culture affects diversity at the Union academy and beyond – Philly.com
If you ask Union academy chief Richie Graham about the lack of diversity in American youth soccer, you had better be ready for a long answer. He knows  that getting the full melting pot of players on to American soccer’s official pathways is crucial to the national team’s future.

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BC SOCCER NEWS

Schneider Announces Spring Schedule Featuring WFC2 – SFU
Simon Fraser University men’s soccer head coach Clint Schneider announced the team’s spring exhibition schedule today, highlighted by a battle against USL club Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on March 10.

‘Caps Residency teams return from competitive academy matches in California – Whitecaps FC
Whitecaps FC Residency teams were back in action over the weekend, playing four matches against tough competition in California.

Improving the Highlanders Fan Experience Part 3: Feel & Own It – Northern Starting XI
Today, I’m talking about how Highlanders can improve the tactile experience at the matches, and how they can help fans truly own it.

To our Readers: A Choice – BC Soccer Web
Soccer has brought us to the United States many times. It’s a great place with decent people. We especially look forward to our Cascadia trips to Seattle and Portland. They’re incredible cities with wonderful supporters. That’s why it was so disheartening to see chaos and fear take hold in the airports and borders of our neighbours to the south.

FVSL All-Stars to face WFC2 in March – BC Soccer Web
January snow and ice in the Lower Mainland put the brakes on the annual clash between the Fraser Valley Soccer League All-Stars and the best from the VISL this year. That hasn’t stopped the FVSL from planning an ambitious All-Star series in March.

BC Soccer Assoc. is Now Accepting 2016-2017 Awards Nominations – BCSA
We are pleased to inform everyone that BC soccer Assoc. is currently accepting Awards nominations until the submission deadline date of March 31, 2017. Selection of the award recipients is based on many factors including the individual’s commitment, community involvement and willingness to give back to the game. This year any BC Soccer Assoc. member and their affiliate clubs may submit a nomination.

2017 BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors for terms commencing June, 2017 (following the BC Soccer Annual General Meeting).

Victoria Highlanders 2017 Season Passes now on sale – Highlanders FC
Support local soccer on Vancouver Island. Join the excitement of Highlanders FC PDL Soccer!

PHOTOS: CANADA WEST WOMENS FINAL, UBC 3, TWU 0, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

VMSL PHOTOS: Richmond FC Hibs 1, ICSF Columbus FC 0, November 5, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

Tickets now on sale for Canada Soccer Women’s National Team celebration match 4 February in Vancouver – CSA
Individual tickets to the Canada v Mexico Women’s National Team Bronze Medal celebration match on 4 February 2017 in Vancouver are now on sale to the public. Complete ticket information can be found at CanadaSoccer.com/Tickets.

MWSL PHOTOS: Van United Primas 0, Fraser Valley Action 2, October 30, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

PHOTOS: GNAC Women’s Soccer: SFU 1 Concordia U. (Ore.) 0, October 20, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

BC Soccer Assoc. Delivery of Coach Mandate – BCSA
IMPORTANT:  If you are coaching in the ages U6-U12 you are required to complete the age appropriate course(s) even if you have a higher level of certification (ie. Soccer for Life, B pretest, C License, B License or A License). In order to enable our membership to deliver on the coaching mandate, BC Soccer Assoc. will be scheduling Learning Facilitator training sessions to assist organizations to have qualified individuals to deliver in-club coach certification courses to their coaches.

2016 BC Soccer Provincial Cup Photo Galleries – BC Soccer Web
Westhills Stadium & Goudy Park in Langford hosted the 2016 BC Soccer Adult Provincial Cup Finals. It was a thrilling weekend of soccer on Vancouver Island that saw seven champions crowned. Richmond FC & Surrey Pegasus qualified for the National Championships this Fall in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Both Coquitlam Metro-Ford Masters & Classics sides qualified for the Western Canadian Masters Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In all, it was a clean sweep for teams from the VMSL & MWSL. Monique Lamoureux & Bill Currie from BC Soccer Web were on location that weekend, capturing the all the action.

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.

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.

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The Canadian Premier League: January Rumour Roundup – Northern Starting XI
The Canadian Premier League: The Story So Far returns with an update on the movements made this past month.

Walking soccer comes to Burlington – Inside Halton
“Those who still have tremendous love for the game but who sadly don’t have the physical ability to run either through injury or otherwise can play this game, enjoy the camaraderie and competition, and don’t risk further injury through overexertion.”

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Pro Soccer in Edmonton moves to Friday and Saturday nights – FC Edmonton
The North American Soccer League (NASL) announced its full 2017 schedule on Monday and for the first time in club history, two-thirds of FC Edmonton’s home matches at Clarke Stadium will be played on either a Friday or Saturday night.

NASL releases 2017 schedule – SBI
After all sorts of turmoil and rumors of collapse during the offseason, the eight-team NASL released its 2017 schedule on Monday.

NASL sked: FCE adds Friday and Saturday home dates, will endure 11,400-km road trip from hell – the11.ca
There is one “hey, have you guys looked at a map?” portion of the schedule, and it comes in the fall. On Sept. 17, the Eddies have an afternoon home date against Indy; three days and over 5,600 km later, they need to be in Puerto Rico for a midweek date. To get to Puerto Rico, the Eddies are looking at three flights to San Juan, a trip that takes about 14-16 hours, with connections.

Former soccer star signs with Ottawa Fury FC –  CSU Cauldron
Former Cleveland State University soccer standout Sergio Manesio signed with Ottawa Fury Football Club Jan. 25 to continue his soccer career at the professional level.

USL’s FC Cincinnati signs Seattle Sounders Homegrown Player Victor Mansaray on loan for 2017 season – Sounders FC
USL’s FC Cincinnati has signed Seattle Sounders Homegrown forward Victor Mansaray on loan for the 2017 season.

Why Rocco Commisso saved the New York Cosmos – NBC Sports
Rocco Commisso went from interested observer to owner of the New York Cosmos and savior of the North American Soccer League in a little over 24 hours. And though it came together quickly, it also took a lifetime.

How To Build An NWSL Roster – Orlando SC
Orlando Pride general manager Niki Budalic and head coach Tom Sermanni have been hard at work revamping the Pride’s roster for Year 2. They’ve been on scouting trips and have engaged in countless conversations and negotiations with clubs and players, all in an effort to take the Pride to the playoffs. The roster has 20 spots to fill and the NWSL provides several mechanisms for filling those spots. Below is an overview on how it’s done.

Why Lifetime Is Kicking It With Women’s Soccer – Multichannel News
“Making the assumption that women aren’t attracted to sports is one of the stereotype problems we have in this country,” A+E Networks CEO Nancy Dubuc told me Thursday (Feb. 2) after a press conference announcing Lifetime’s new partnership agreement with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

FA Women’s Cup Third Round – Plenty of goals in the third round of action – Vavel
Durham, Everton and Aston Villa all produced thumping victories amongst many entertaining fixtures in the third round of the SSE Women’s FA Cup.

SWPL Cup – 1st Round draw – Scottish WPL
The SWPL Cup 1st Round draw was conducted today at Hampden. Scotland Women’s National Team manager, Anna Signeul, made the draw in front of the clubs and representatives in attendance.

Fay: It’s good to take yourself out of the comfort zone – FIFA
Carli Lloyd, Christine Sinclair and Homare Sawa are among some of the remarkable few to reach a staggering 200 international appearances – and Scotland goalkeeper Gemma Fay could add her name to that list of double century cap-makers this year.

New Era for Chicago Red Stars with New Logo – Chicago Red Stars
Today, the Red Stars share a new brand identity with fans that embodies the city of Chicago.

Indian Women’s League 2017: 12-year-old Senorita Nongpluh impresses with her display – Sportskeeda
In what is a historic season for Women’s Football in India, Senorita has already etched her name into the history books by becoming the youngest Player ever to feature in the Indian Women’s League.

La Liga: Spain is slowly accepting Women’s football – The Offside Rule
For the first time in history Atlético Madrid had let their women’s team play at the Vicente Calderón and the turn out had been way greater than anyone had expected. Almost 14.000 would see Atléti defeat the four times Spanish champions FC Barcelona 2-1 and be declared winter champions of La Liga Iberdrola.

Who is Supporting the Supporters? – Backline Soccer
Four of the NWSL teams have supporters groups in the ISC: Cloud 9 from Sky Blue FC, Rose City Riveters from the Portland Thorns, Chicago Local 134 from the Chicago Red Stars, and Triangle Soccer Fanatics from the North Carolina Courage.

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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

Cissé calls time on career – Ligue 1
Former AJ Auxerre and Olympique de Marseille striker Djibril Cisse has announced his retirement from the game.

Djibril Cisse: Former Liverpool striker announces retirement from football – BBC Sport
Cisse now plans to focus on his career as “a DJ, producer and pundit”.

Battle for Premier League top 4 finish to be closely fought – Sportsnet
The battle to secure a top four finish and a coveted Champions League place is warming up in the Premier League.

Messi must toe the line or miss Copa del Rey final – SN
Lionel Messi needs to be on his best behaviour for Barcelona on Tuesday night as a yellow card against Atletico Madrid would see him ruled out of a hypothetical Copa del Rey final.

Napoli’s fine-tuned attack rounds into form, hits for seven on the road – Fox Sports
The visitors went wild away from home this week as Lazio beat Pescara 6-2 and Napoli went one better, destroying host Bologna 7-1 thanks to hat tricks from Marek Hamsik and Dries Mertens. The result put Napoli into second place ahead of Roma, which plays Fiorentina on Tuesday. It also put Mertens, the Belgian winger who has been converted to center forward after the early-season injury to Arkadiusz Milik, atop the Serie A scoring chart with 16 goals.

Leicester offers ‘unwavering support’ for manager Ranieri – Sportsnet
The on-field turmoil engulfing ailing English Premier League champion Leicester led to the club issuing a public show of support for manager Claudio Ranieri on Tuesday.

Publication of hacked David Beckham emails renders injunction worthless – The Guardian
A high court injunction blocking the publication of David Beckham’s hacked personal emails has been rendered worthless after a consortium of European media outlets from Romania to France published anyway.

Sunil Gulati: Too early to tell how Trump’s ban would impact 2026 World Cup bid – Fox Sports
U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati says the travel and immigration ban imposed by President Donald Trump is not “consistent with a lot of American values” and it’s too early to tell how it could impact a potential bid on the 2026 World Cup in a wide-ranging interview with SI’s Grant Wahl on the Planet Futbol Podcast.

Kevin-Prince Boateng: ‘Mandela shook my hand and said: my daughter wants to marry you’ – The Guardian
Las Palmas’s former Spurs and Portsmouth midfielder talks about fighting racism, speaking at the UN and waking up one day ‘looking like 50 Cent: that’s not me’