WHITECAPS FC & MLS
Landon Donovan names 22-man roster for MLS Homegrown Game – SBI
As the head coach, Donovan called in notable young talents, including Chicago Fire midfielder Harrison Shipp and Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian Men’s National Team midfielder Russell Teibert.
Teibert and Froese named to 2015 MLS Homegrown Team – Eighty-Six Forever
Whitecaps duo Russell Teibert and Kianz Froese were selected by Donovan, serving as great advertisements for the homegrown system with their continued progress over the last few years.
Laba screamer gives Whitecaps draw in Portland – Whitecaps Fan Blog
Having lost two games on the trot the Vancouver Whitecaps set off for Portland knowing Kendall Waston and Pa Modou Kah would not be available in the middle of the back four. The former was called up by Costa Rica for the Gold Cup, And the latter has crocked his ankle. Christan Dean and Tim Parker would have a baptism of fire in Oregon.
By the numbers: Why Laba is a special player – with or without the wonder goals – Whitecaps FC
The goal was Laba’s first for Whitecaps FC in MLS regular season action, but those who follow the team know that his contributions to the team’s success aren’t measured in goals and assists.
Portland Timbers looking to newcomer Lucas Melano to bring athletic dimension to attack – MLS
The 22-year-old Melano, who trained with his new team for the first time Monday after arriving late last week and taking in the Timbers’ 1-1 draw Saturday against the Vancouver Whitecaps, gives Portland five players from Argentina on their roster.
Montreal Impact President: “I spoke to Drogba” – TSN
There appears to be some smoke behind the Didier Drogba fire in Montreal. Speaking to TSN Radio Montreal 690 on Monday, Impact president Joey Saputo said that his club has, in fact, been in contact with the Ivorian striker.
Amobi Okugo headed to Sporting Kansas City after Orlando City trades for Servando Carrasco – MLS
Orlando City and Sporting Kansas City announced on Monday afternoon that they have agreed to a trade that sends Okugo to Kansas City in exchange for Servando Carrasco. Okugo has already been added to Sporting KC’s roster and will be available to play in Friday’s road game vs. Real Salt Lake
An MLS move for Kenwyne Jones not out of the question – Red Nation Online
The window opened on July 8 and closes on August 6. Teams will look to fill gaps, and secure offensive and defensive help for the stretch run. One of the targets that has entered the rumour mill is Cardiff City player, Kenwyne Jones. The Trinidad and Tobago striker has seen his stock rise after a strong performance for his country at the Gold Cup.
Saint Paul Emerges as Loons Stadium Favorite – Northern Pitch
It is a fight that nobody wanted and yet the search for Minnesota United FC’s stadium home has led to a competition between Minneapolis and Saint Paul. In the next month, the Loons face a growing group of deadlines that may be pushing them closer and closer to building their stadium at Snelling and University in Saint Paul.
MLS salaries 2015: Still looking for value along with big spending – Red Nation Online
With the renegotiation of MLS Collective Bargaining Agreement at the beginning of the season, there was a delay to the annual releasing of salaries and we also got more information in the public about the new deal. In my column published during the strike, there ends up being a 10-15% overall increase of salary across the board for most players. This raised the overall salary cap to $3,490,000 and the minimum salary of $36,500 to $50,000.
LA Galaxy hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s lopsided friendly loss when facing Barcelona – MLS
The last time the LA Galaxy took the field at the Rose Bowl, they watched Manchester United pummel them in a 7-0 debacle that delighted the vast majority of the nearly 85,000 on hand.
Jermain Defoe, Sunderland striker, excited for exhibition vs. Toronto FC – CBC
Former Toronto FC striker Jermain Defoe says he’s looking forward to returning to BMO Field. The England international will be back Wednesday, this time wearing a Sunderland shirt in an exhibition game at his old MLS stomping ground.
Marco Pappa to undergo assessment after DUI arrest – SBI
MLS announced on Monday night that Sounders midfielder Marco Pappa is to undergo an assessment by MLS’ Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health (“SABH”) program doctors after being arrested for driving under the influence and speeding early Sunday morning.
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CANADA – PAN AM GAMES & GOLD CUP
Canada tamely bows out of Pan Am Games – Sportsnet
The Pan Am Games campaign of the Canadian men’s team mercifully came to an end on Monday night following a 2-0 loss to Peru in Hamilton.
Pan Am Games: Canada blanked by Peru, eliminated in men’s soccer – CBC
Canada’s scoring problems continued Monday in its last game of the Pan Am men’s soccer tournament, which ended with a 2-0 loss to Peru.
Canada M23 exits Toronto 2015 on 0:2 loss to Peru and lots to learn ahead of Rio qualification – CSA
Canada’s Men’s U-23 Team concluded its run at the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games on Monday night with a disappointing 0:2 loss to Peru. While the Canadian squad knew of their fate before even stepping on the field that night, a lack of opportunity and a couple errors sealed their exit of the tournament.
Giovani Dos Santos’ status remains unclear for Gold Cup semifinals – SBI
Giovani Dos Santos is making his way back to full health, but it remains to be seen whether he will be ready in time to participate in Mexico’s semifinals match.
Will Klinsmann gamble on his young defenders one more time? – Goal
Throughout the 2015 Gold Cup, Jurgen Klinsmann has shown a willingness to give chances to some young and struggling defenders. Will he do it again on Wednesday’s semifinal?
The problem of Cuba football defections – BBC
Cuba’s national football team was knocked out of the Gold Cup at the weekend but the team’s return flight from the US will have a few extra spaces. At least four players have defected since the tournament kicked off on 7 July. Maybe more.
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BC SOCCER
Save Kwantlen sports – Surrey Leader
Isn’t it sad that Surrey is struggling with efforts to increase youth involvement in sports and here we have a university cancelling their varsity sports?
PacWest ‘still strong’ despite Kwantlen’s departure – Nanaimo Daily News
The Pacific Western Athletic Association will remain as one of the strongest collegiate conferences in Canada – with or without the Kwantlen Eagles – says Vancouver Island University athletics director Bruce Hunter. Two weeks ago, Kwantlen Polytechnic University decided to axe its varsity athletics program after the 2015-16 season due to financial concerns.
Highlanders end regular season with draw – Times Colonist
Neither team found the back of the net, but neither was terribly upset about the 0-0 result as the Victoria Highlanders and Mid Isle Mariners wrapped up Pacific Coast Soccer League regular-season play Sunday afternoon at Royal Athletic Park.
India dominates Nations Cup – Richmond News
The 36th edition of the Nations Cup could have been mistaken for Vancouver’s annual Diwali Fest as India dominated the summer soccer tournament like it never has before. India continued its impressive run in the high-profile Open Division, reaching the final for the third consecutive year and edging Germany 1-0 on a golden goal.
India dominant at Nations Cup – Richmond Review
Fresh off helping their Major Soccer League side gain a 1-1 draw with the Timber the previous night in Portland, Vancouver Whitecaps midfielders Gershon Koffie and Kekuta Manneh stopped by Hugh Boyd Park to take in a little of the men’s open division final and present the championship trophy to the winning side. India collected its third cup of the day after Gagan Dosanjh’s golden goal was the difference in a 1-0 overtime win over always-steady Germany.
Chad Bush joins UBC men’s soccer – UBC
The UBC Thunderbirds men’s soccer program has landed a star goalkeeper as its latest recruit, as Chad Bush will join head coach Mike Mosher’s team starting this summer.
Onstad to enter Canada’s Soccer Hall of Fame – UBC
Onstad, a goalkeeper, backstopped UBC to three Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championships (1991, 92 and 94) during his career with the Thunderbirds and was the Most Valuable Player of the 1994 tournament. He was also named a Canada West league All-Star and a CIS tournament All-Star three times.
Coastal Selects pull off upset to win Provincial Cup – Delta Optimist
The Delta Coastal Selects U14 girls soccer team concluded its season in grand style, capturing the Provincial “A” Cup with a 1-0 upset win over the Port Coquitlam Castillans in the championship game.
Kamloops soccer girls claim provincial bronze – Kamloops This Week
Avery Gilbert found Paetyn Freeze with a cross in extra-time and her header sealed a bronze medal for the under-15 Kamloops Blaze soccer team at the provincial A cup in Surrey.
U14 Blackout rally for bronze at provincial soccer tourney – Cowichan Valley Citizen
The Cowichan Blackout overcame some challenges in the weeks before the Les Sinnott Memorial provincial U14 boys soccer championships in 100 Mile House last week and emerged with the bronze medal.
FIFA 16 for Playstation 4 Arrives September 22! Pre-Order Now and Save.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Christine Sinclair to share EA Sports FIFA cover with Lionel Messi in Canada – CSA
Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced that Canada’s Women’s National Team Captain Christine Sinclair will be one of the first women to appear on an EA SPORTS FIFA cover. Sinclair shares the FIFA 16 cover spotlight with global soccer sensation, Lionel Messi, in Canada while US Women’s National Team Forward Alex Morgan shares the cover with Messi in the United States. For the first time in franchise history, women will take the pitch in EA SPORTS FIFA. Fans will be able to represent 12 Women’s National Teams in FIFA 16, in Kick Off, an Offline Tournament, and Online* Friendly Matches – giving fans a brand new way to play.
Alex Morgan, Canada’s Christine Sinclair to be featured alongside Messi on new FIFA covers – MLS
It’s been quite the summer for Alex Morgan. She picked up another honor on Monday, when news broke that she would join Lionel Messi on the cover of the US edition of FIFA 16. Morgan joins Canada striker Christine Sinclair, who will appear alongside Messi on the Canadian edition of the video game, as the first women to star on the cover of the hugely popular EA Sports property.
Orlando City issues statement on potential NWSL team – The Equalizer
A recent report out of Orlando has put the city in the center of recent NWSL expansion talk. Discussion about adding teams to the third-year league has heightened in the wake of bumps in attendance and interest following the World Cup. The report on otowns11.com stressed that Major League Soccer side Orlando City SC had not issued any official statement about the club’s desire to add a women’s team to compete in the top flight. Monday, Orlando City vice president of communications Leonardo Santiago provided the following statement to The Equalizer.
Stephanie Roche: US women’s football is ‘cut-throat’ – BBC Sport
Stephanie Roche, runner-up in Fifa’s goal of the season award for 2014, says women’s football in the United States is “cut-throat” after her short-lived stint with Houston Dash. Roche moved to the US Women’s Soccer League in February but was released in May before joining Sunderland.
Washington Spirit’s Crystal Dunn isn’t finished scoring in the NWSL – Washington Post
The 23-year-old attacker leads the women’s soccer league in goals with eight through 12 matches.
Lloyd scores in return as Dash draw Kansas City – The Equalizer
United States World Cup hero Carli Lloyd scored in her first game back with the Houston Dash, but the goal was only enough to earn her team a point in a 1-1 draw with FC Kansas City on Monday at Swope Soccer Village.
FIFA 16 for Xbox One is coming September 22! Pre-Order Now and Save.
WORLD OF SOCCER
Underage African footballers ‘trafficked’ to Laos – BBC
African footballers as young as 14 are being trafficked to Asia and forced to sign contracts, the BBC has learnt. Six minors are still with top Laos side Champasak United, after it imported 23 under-age players from West Africa to an unregistered football academy in February, a BBC investigation found.
Fifa’s Jeffrey Webb secures $10m bond with 11 watches and wife’s wedding ring – The Guardian
The former Fifa vice-president Jeffrey Webb has provided 11 luxury watches to secure the $10m (£6.4m) bond that provided his release from custody, along with his wife’s wedding ring, three opulent cars and 10 properties.
2018 World Cup: The Preliminary Draw in numbers – FIFA
On Saturday, the eyes of the footballing world will be on the Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg as 141 nations await their destiny in the Preliminary Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
The soccer world continues to condone Russia’s racism – Soccer Gods
With all the outrage surrounding the 2022 Qatar World Cup, it’s easy to forget that, in just three years, Russia will be hosting the 2018 World Cup. Yes, the same Russia where players regularly get racially abused at Russian Premier League games for sport.
Hulk says he encounters racism in ‘almost every game’ in Russia – The Guardian
Hulk, the most expensive signing in Russian Premier League history, has repeatedly faced monkey chants in Russia and also accused a referee of racially abusing him.
Guide to the Champions League second legs – UEFA
Vardar look to turn up the heat on APOEL, Viktoria Plzeň expect Maccabi Tel-Aviv to see off Hibernians and Dundalk hope to upset BATE: we preview the second legs.
Pre-season at a Premier League club: sprints, drones and Snoozeboxes – The Guardian
At Swansea City, Garry Monk has fully embraced high-tech as he prepares for the new season, with fitness, fartleks and 40 winks all under the microscope.