VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS
Whitecaps FC loan striker Anthony Blondell to Chilean Primera División Huachipato FC – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Monday that striker Anthony Blondell has joined Chilean Primera División side Huachipato FC on loan for the 2019 season with an option to purchase.
VIDEO: Celebrating 40 Years of Whitecaps NASL Championship – CTV Vancouver
Bob Lenarduzzi, Carl Valentine and Russell Teibert unveil the the 40th Anniversary jersey and discuss plans for the season.
SKC trade Opara to MNUFC for potential 7-figure sum – NBC Sports
MLS’s trade market has gone a bit crazy over the last year-plus — particularly deals involving some of the league’s top American center backs — and Sporting Kansas City head coach/technical director Peter Vermes was more than happy to take advantage of one team’s desperation… again.
Columbus Crew SC names Pat Onstad as Technical Director and announces a trio of Assistant Coaches – Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has named Pat Onstad as its Technical Director as well as announced three assistant coach hires on Caleb Porter’s staff for the 2019 Major League Soccer season.
Star forward Sebastian Giovinco still a member of TFC – Sportsnet
The future of Toronto FC star forward Sebastian Giovinco has become a hot topic as of late.
Pieces are there for Sounders to continue offensive run – Sounder at Heart
Whenever Garth Lagerwey is asked about potential additions to the offense this offseason, the Seattle Sounders GM and President of Soccer often makes sure to point out a few things. One of his favorite statistics is that the Sounders averaged better than two goals a game over the second half of the season. The offensive performance fueled what was a record-breaking sprint to the finish line in which the Sounders set a MLS record by going 14-2-1 in the second half and 16-2-4 after the start of July.
First scrimmage of 2019 readies Houston Dynamo for fast-approaching CCL opener – Pro Soccer USA
Thanks to a scrimmage on Saturday night pitting the Houston Dynamo against its USL Championship hybrid affiliate team, Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, the squad reports feeling more prepared to take on the upcoming MLS season as well as the more pressing, immediate concern — the Concacaf Champions League play that looms just three weeks away.
Not in preseason, Corey Baird’s successful US debut likely to pay off for Real Salt Lake – KSL
Corey Baird wasn’t the only newcomer to make the starting XI in Gregg Berhalter’s first official match in charge of the U.S. men’s national team. But while the Real Salt Lake Academy product was one of seven first-time starters in the team’s 3-0 win Sunday night over Panama in Glendale, Arizona, it’s hard to argue that Baird didn’t make the most of his opportunity.
New York City FC: Can Alexandru Mitrita lead the way? – MLS Mutiplex
As New York City FC enter 2019, they will have to adjust to life without David Villa. But have they found their goal-scoring answer in Alexandru Mitrita?
Inter Miami proposes Fort Lauderdale training center – NBC Sports
Like New York City FC and most teams based in an urban center, Inter Miami CF is looking at centering their day-to-day facilities in the suburbs.
Orlando City SC Appoints Pedro Franklin de Araujo as Sr. VP of Marketing and Brand – Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC appoints Pedro Franklin de Araujo as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand. Araujo will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Alex Leitão leading the brand and marketing strategy for the Club, its teams and its facilities.
Sporting KC moves to mobile entry only for home matches at Children’s Mercy Park – Sporting KC
Sporting Kansas City announced today that the club is moving to a mobile-only ticketing system at Children’s Mercy Park ahead of the 2019 season, mirroring the best practices from teams across professional sports.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Power Soccer in BC – SportAbility BC
We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to participate in physical activity. We currently have programs in Vancouver, Surrey, Nanaimo, Penticton, and are still looking to expand. We are always looking for more athletes, officials, volunteers, and sponsors. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us.
BC Soccer hosts its second Technical Director Diploma Course – BCSA
Registration is now open for the BC Soccer Technical Director Diploma held at the FORTIUS Sport & Health Complex in Burnaby February 22-23, 2019.
Pacific FC now accepting memberships for 2019 Canadian Premier League season – Pacific FC
Join Vancouver Island’s new CPL club! Become a Member of Pacific Football Club for first access seat selection and tickets.
PHOTOS: 2018 BC Provincial Cup Parade of Champions – BC Soccer Web
See the winners from the 2018 BC Provincial Cup.
Becoming a BC Soccer Referee – BCSA
Whether you are an experienced referee new to British Columbia or if you are new to the discipline of refereeing BC Soccer Assoc. has a clinic and a pathway for you. The minimum age to become a referee is 12 years old (small sided) and 14 years old (11-a-side). Please enjoy the short video showcasing some Referee programs that BC Soccer offers and continue below for more on how to become a referee in BC!
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.
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canadian Premier League Major Announcement: Stream live at 8 am PST – Canadian Premier League
WATCH LIVE: A historical moment in league history.
Forge FC signs Canadian defender Kwame Awuah to multi-year contract – Canadian Premier League
Forge FC announced Tuesday the club has signed Canadian international defender Kwame Awuah to a multi-year contract.
Elliot Simmons hopes European experiences will help him “hit the ground running” as he gets set for debut season with HFX Wanderers – AFTN
Of all the things I read about Elliot Simmons after he was announced as HFX Wanderers’ latest signing last week, one piece of information stood out the most: he went to school, and was currently living in Northamptonshire, England.
Valour FC adds Attardo, Carreiro – Valour FC
Valour FC today announce that the club has signed forward Tyler Attardo and CPL U-Sports Draft pick midfielder Dylan Carreiro to multi-year contracts.
Twenty League1 Women Alumni To Watch In NCAA DI – League1 Ontario
With the FIFA Women’s World Cup coming up this summer, and Canada ranked fifth in the women’s game on the FIFA/ Coca Cola World Ranking chart, it’s worth taking a look at some of the Canadian talent – specifically those with League1 Ontario appearances – currently making an impression on that ever-popular pathway through NCAA DI competition to the international stage.
Four Former L1O Players Sign MLS, CPL Deals, Led Crop Of 15 NCAA-Based Award Winners – League1 Ontario
Four players signing professional contracts led the League1 Ontario top class of players coming out of NCAA play following the 2018 season, with MLS picking up three of them from the 2019 MLS SuperDraft and Hamilton’s CPL club, Forge FC, grabbing a fourth.
Halifax’s Baskett headed to William & Mary – Chronicle Herald
Halifax’s Kieran Baskett will head to Virginia to play NCAA Division 1 soccer next fall. The six-foot-three, 175-pound goalkeeper will join the William & Mary Tribe men’s soccer program in Williamsburg, Va.
VIDEO: Hype building around local soccer prodigy – CTV Edmonton
She has a chance to be the next Big Thing in Canadian Women’s Soccer and she’s still in grade 8.
Bell Let’s Talk Day is January 30th. Join the conversation. – CSA
Canada Soccer is pleased to be joining the conversation around mental health on Bell Let’s Talk Day, January 30th. Many people living with a mental illness report that negative stereotypes cause them more suffering than the illness itself. As a result, two thirds of those suffering from mental illness are too afraid to reach out for help. Mental illness affects people of all ages and from all walks of life. It can take many forms, including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. Most individuals find ways to live with their illnesses but how they are treated by others often proves to be more of a challenge than the illness itself.
USL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS
FURY FC PRESEASON KICKS OFF TODAY, READIES FOR 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP – Ottawa Fury
Ottawa Fury FC officially starts its 2019 campaign today as players report into camp for the start of preseason. Following a week of team meetings and off the field training, Fury FC will take to the pitch on Monday February 4th.
Tacoma is about to see a Golden Generation – Sounder at Heart
Fourteen players who saw the field with S2 at Cheney Stadium and around the USL Championship are coming back. That’s three more than the year previous and the highest number in history. These aren’t just one year returnees. Six of the players returning saw minutes as far back as 2015 when the S2 project launched.
Richie Williams named Loudoun United FC Head Coach – DC United
Loudoun United FC have announced that former D.C. United midfielder and three-time MLS Cup winner, Richie Williams, will be the first head coach in club history in their inaugural season in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship. Williams will work directly with Dave Kasper (D.C. United General Manager and VP of Soccer Operations), Ben Olsen (D.C. United Head Coach) and Dane Murphy (Loudoun United FC Technical Director).
Bold FC Brings Aboard Brazilian Striker Lima – USL
ustin Bold FC has added another attacking piece to its inaugural USL Championship squad with the signing of Brazilian striker André Lima for new campaign. The signing is pending league and federation approval.
Switchbacks set to open first season after Rapids affiliation agreement – The Gazette
An offseason different than any other becomes a preseason unlike any of the previous four for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Friday.
LA Galaxy II sign forward Augustine Williams – LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy II have signed forward Augustine Williams to a USL contract, pending league and federation approval, the club announced today. Williams, 21, joins Los Dos after two seasons with Portland Timbers 2.
NWSL & WOMEN’S WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Pride in the W-League: Round 13 – Orlando City SC
Alanna Kennedy, Christine Nairn and Dani Weatherholt will all be seeing postseason action as both Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory secured a spot in the Finals after a 2-2 draw on Sunday.
Sydney FC star Foord reveals the driving force behind her ‘best season yet’ – W-League
Caitlin Foord believes nailing down a position in attack has been the spark of her best Westfield W-League season to date.
‘We are so left in the dark’ over Stajcic sacking, says Logarzo – Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney FC W-League coach and ex-Socceroo Ante Juric believes Alen Stajcic should still be in charge of the Matildas, while one of the team’s leading players says that more than a week after the seismic upheaval of Stajcic’s sacking the players still don’t know the reasons why.
Orlando Pride defender Ali Krieger bringing AKFC youth, adult soccer camps to Florida – Pro Soccer USA
Orlando Pride defender Ali Krieger’s offseason has been about more than just staying in shape for the 2019 NWSL season.
Megan Rapinoe: ‘Maybe men should just take a few hundred years off’ – The Guardian
The US midfielder talks about why women are at the forefront of fighting injustices and whether she feared for her football career after taking a knee during the national anthem.
Ode Fulutudilu: From refugee to Banyana and going pro in Spain – The South African
Ode Fulutudilu is a trailblazer for women’s football in South Africa. This is her story.
Benfica Women enjoying stunning season after 32-0 trouncing – CNN
The recently-formed Benfica Women team has been ripping it up in the club’s debut season, and last weekend notched its biggest win so far against bottom side CP Pego.
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
PL Preview: Manchester United v. Burnley – NBC Sports
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to win his ninth consecutive game in charge of Manchester United when the Red Devils host upstart Burnley.
Chelsea to host Manchester United in FA Cup fifth round – Sportsnet
Titleholder Chelsea will host Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round in a repeat of last season’s final.
Non-league Barnet keeps alive FA Cup dream – London Free Press
Non-league team Barnet kept alive its hopes of reaching the last 16 of the FA Cup by drawing with second-tier Brentford 3-3 in the fourth round on Monday.
Bologna fires Inzaghi and hires Mihajlovic as coach – NBC Sports
Relegation-threatened Bologna has fired Filippo Inzaghi and hired Sinisa Mihajlovic as its new coach.
Asian Cup: Japan cruise past Iran into final – FIFA
Three second-half goals saw Japan ease past in-form Iran to reach their fifth AFC Asian Cup final, denying their opponents a first appearance in the continental decider since 1976.
Qatar ready to make history in Asian Cup … but the world is not watching – The Guardian
The 2022 World Cup hosts are excelling on the pitch in the UAE but political turmoil in the region and poor crowds mean Fifa’s fervent interest is not matched across the globe.
Wolves in talks with Atletico Madrid over £18m deal for Jonny Castro Otto – BBC Sport
Wolves are in talks with Atletico Madrid about completing a club record £18m transfer for Jonny Castro Otto.
Wife of detained Bahraini footballer begs world leaders for help – The Guardian
The wife of the Bahraini footballer and refugee Hakeem al-Araibi has written to leaders in Canada and New Zealand, telling them “time is running out” and pleading with them to help him return to Australia.
Australian PM asks Thailand to free detained soccer player – Star-Phoenix
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged Thailand to stop the extradition to Bahrain of a detained soccer player who has refugee status in Australia, his office said Tuesday.
LFP orders Marseilles to play behind closed door after firecracker incident – Inside World Football
Marseille have been ordered to play home fixtures behind closed doors until officials have finished investigations into a firecracker that was thrown on to the pitch during their last league game against Lille.
Soccer violence in London most shocking in years, police say – Hamilton Spectator
One man suffered life-changing facial injuries and a police officer was hospitalized because of fighting between fans of two English soccer teams that police described as the worst to take place in London in years.
REINVENTING THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS – Pacific Standard
These teams are the new face of the Special Olympics. When they meet, they are playing so-called Unified Sports, which means that at least half of the players on the field at any one time have intellectual disabilities—or so I’m told by the officials monitoring the games. It’s just not apparent who is or is not disabled on the pitch.