BC Soccer News, Wednesday, January 4, 2016

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

Vancouver Whitecaps to Join NWSL? – Eighty-Six Forever
It would be no surprise if the rumor was true. The Vancouver Whitecaps have a strong history with women’s soccer, beginning in 2001. Initially named the Vancouver Breakers, the team competed in the USL W-League and was the club team for many of the National team members. The team eventually folded in 2013.

Five standouts make up 2017 Generation adidas class, including two Canadians – Whitecaps FC
Major League Soccer today announced the 2017 Generation adidas class, which includes the first Generation adidas Canada signings, that will enter the professional ranks through the 2017 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas on Friday, Jan. 13 in Los Angeles.

Source: Gershon Koffie won’t return to Revolution in 2017 – Prost Amerika
The New England Revolution need to add central midfield depth to their list of off-season needs, as sources say midfielder Gershon Koffie will not be returning to Foxborough in 2017.

Why it’s time for Darlington Nagbe to quit Portland and MLS – The Guardian
His move to Celtic might have fallen through, but the Timbers midfielder has nothing left to prove in America, and a fresh challenge would do him good.

Columbus Crew SC expect “dominant” Mensah to make “immediate impact” in MLS – MLS
Columbus Crew SC bucked a franchise and league trend Monday, announcing the signing of their new Designated Player, defender Jonathan Mensah.

Sporting KC signs winger Gerso Fernandes as a Designated Player – Sporting KC
Sporting Kansas City has acquired 25-year-old winger Gerso Fernandes in a transfer from Portuguese club C.F. Os Belenenses, the club announced Wednesday. Fernandes has signed as a Designated Player through 2019 with an option for 2020. He will occupy an international spot on Sporting Kansas City’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P1 visa.

Red Bulls re-sign defender Aurelien Collin – Empire of Soccer
One of the most influential members of the 2016 New York Red Bulls will return to the fold for 2017. The franchise announced this morning that veteran French defender Aurelien Collin will continue his stay in New York. Details of the deal were not disclosed.

MLS Moves: United trades Martin to Minnesota – Soccer America
D.C. United has traded one of its Homegrown Players, midfielder Collin Martin, to Minnesota United for a draft pick.

Danladi, Yueill, Robinson headline Generation adidas signings ahead of MLS Draft – SBI
Ahead of the Jan. 13 draft, MLS announced that UCLA forward Abu Danladi, UCLA midfielder Jackson Yueill and Syracuse defender Miles Robinson have signed Generation adidas deals. In addition, FC Edmonton midfielder Shamit Shome and fellow Canadian youth international Adonijah Reid have signed on as the first Generation adidas Canada signings.

Orlando City SC Signs Victor ‘PC’ Giro – Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC has signed young, versatile Brazilian left back Victor ‘PC’ Giro to a four-year contract, pending his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

Cubo Torres to return to Houston Dynamo as Cruz Azul decline option – MLS
The Dynamo announced on Sunday that the 23-year-old striker will return to the club after Cruz Azul chose to not exercise their option to complete a full transfer following the expiration of his loan to the Mexican club on Saturday. Multiple sources told MLSsoccer.com at the time of the loan in September that Cruz Azul’s purchase option was for $2.5 million.

Calvo, Venegas Ready to Bring Winning Pedigrees to United – Fifty Five One
On Tuesday, Minnesota United formally unveiled new acquisitions Francisco Calvo and Johan Venegas. The Costa Rican internationals arrive at different stages of their careers, but they both emphasize clearly: they aim to win from day one.

Rowdies Contacted David Beckham About Possibly Partnering in Tampa Bay – Empire of Soccer
Time may be running out for David Beckham to get a stadium deal done for his long-gestating franchise in Miami, but he may have another option on the table — if he returns the messages the Tampa Bay Rowdies have left for him.

Bruce Arena names Galaxy coaches to USMNT staff – SBI
Bruce Arena is bringing his LA Galaxy staff with him. Arena named his coaching staff for the U.S. Men’s National Team on Wednesday, and it is almost completely comprised of members of the coaching team he had at the Galaxy in recent years. Dave Sarachan, Pat Noonan, and Arena’s son, Kenny, will serve as assistant coaches while Matt Reis will be the goalkeeping coach.

Ex-Canada manager Floro looking to bring MLS players on loan to Alajuelense – MLS
Former Canada national team head coach Benito Floro is apparently targeting some of his old charges to join him at Costa Rican club Alajuelense.

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BC SOCCER NEWS

Icy weather impacting Metro Vancouver soccer season – CBC
Thousands of Metro Vancouver soccer players have been sidelined by snow, as fields across the region are closed due to weather. Games and practices are cancelled for thousands of players in the 4-District and 5-District Youth Soccer Leagues across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

KYSA HIRES FULL-TIME SENIOR STAFF COACH! – KYSA
Thirty-eight-year-old Mark Bell will take up his new position in February, moving from Langley, BC where he currently resides.

Campbell River to host mini world cup – Campbell River Mirror
Campbell River will have the honour of playing host to next year’s Mini World Cup. Every year since 2001, the Upper Island Soccer Association (UISA) has sponsored the Upper Island Mini World Cup held under one of the district member clubs.

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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CANADA SOCCER NEWS

Canadian soccer star Ashley Lawrence signs with Paris Saint-Germain – Times Colonist
The 21-year-old fullback-midfielder from Toronto, who has 46 caps for Canada, has signed with renowned French club Paris Saint-Germain through June 2019.

Best Saskatoon soccer stories of 2016 – Star Phoenix
Saskatoon had an incredible soccer year. There were so many great stories, memorable moments and individual accomplishments. Here are the very best from 2016.

Fund helps Syrians play soccer – The Whig
A local soccer coach is pleased his GoFundMe page initiative to pay the registration fee for three Syrian boys to play competitive soccer this summer has reached its goal.

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FC Edmonton sells Shome to MLS: Owner thrilled with breakthrough agreement – the11.ca
In what is a unique deal, FC Edmonton has received a transfer fee from MLS for the rights to teenage standout Shamit Shome.

A 20-team NASL by 2018? As league works to save itself, there is optimism from the ranks – the11.ca
Peter Wilt admits he’s an unbridled optimist. And there’s no doubt many who will read the coming paragraphs with a “bah” and a “humbug.”

Hall Inks Contract with Sacramento – USL
Sacramento Republic FC announced on Monday it had agreed to a contract with Jeremy Hall for the 2017 USL season, pending league and federation approval.  Hall joins Republic FC after playing with the club on loan from the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2016.

Imagine there’s no divisions, it’s easy if you try… – the11.ca
In North American soccer, we go through a lot of needless angst. We waste so much of our lives on my-league-is-better-than-your-league banter. Why?

NWSL REVEALS PRELIMINARY LIST OF ELIGIBLE PLAYERS FOR 2017 DRAFT – NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today the preliminary list of 148 players eligible for selection in the 2017 NWSL College Draft, which will take place on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention in Los Angeles.

Arsenal Ladies stalwart awarded MBE for services to women’s football – Islington Gazette
Long-serving Arsenal Ladies captain Alex Scott has been honoured with an MBE for her outstanding contribution to the women’s game.

Minnesota businessman on verge of purchasing FC Kansas City –  Kansas City Star
The FC Kansas City ownership transition appears to be inching toward the finish line. Elam Baer, a Minnesota businessman, told The Star on Tuesday that he is in the process of purchasing FC Kansas City, a two-time champion in the National Women’s Soccer League, and he expects a resolution before the start of the 2017 season.

Men have important role to play in gender equity for coaches – Medicine Hat News
Gender equity can seem like a daunting concept. People get stuck on big picture thinking of implementing policies and rules about gender. These do have a place and a time, however, I think it is important for people to realize that small gestures, from both men and women, can create ripple effects that can be end up being just as large.

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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

Chapecoense set to sign 18 to 20 new players while U-20s return to action – ESPN FC
Brazilian club Chapecoense, who were devastated by an air crash disaster five weeks ago are ready to rebuild their team with the signing of 18 to 20 news players for the upcoming season.

Mike Dean to referee Tottenham v Aston Villa despite red card dispute – BBC Sport
Mike Dean will referee Sunday’s televised FA Cup third-round tie between Tottenham and Aston Villa – despite recent criticism of his performances.

Draxler joins PSG’s star-studded squad – Ligue 1
Paris Saint-Germain have announced the signing of 23-year-old Germany international Julian Draxler from Wolfsburg on a four-and-a-half-year deal worth a reported €38 million.

Who is Napoli’s new signing Leonardo Pavoletti? – UEFA
He has a tennis-coaching father, owns a Vietnamese pig called Mou and has been compared to Diego Milito – all you need to know about Napoli’s new signing Leonardo Pavoletti (‘Pavoloso’ to his friends).

Stoke City agree £1.3m deal with Derby for Lee Grant – BBC Sport
Stoke have secured Lee Grant on a permanent basis after agreeing a £1.3m deal with Derby County for the keeper.

Hull City set to appoint Marco Silva as manager to replace Mike Phelan – The Guardian
Marco Silva is close to being formally annointed as Hull City’s new manager on an initial six-month contract and should be in the home dugout for the FA Cup third-round tie against Swansea City at the KCom Stadium on Saturday.

FIFPro warns its players to stay clear of Serbia as FA ‘fixes’ its disputes panel – Inside World Football
The world players union FIFPro has issued a stark warning to players not to sign contracts with clubs in Serbia during this month’s transfer window. The union points to worsening working conditions in the country where players are rarely paid on time and where they are generally pressured into transfers.

Cameroon’s Choupo-Moting chooses Bundesliga ahead of AFCON – African Football
Cameroon forward Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting has opted to stay with his German Bundesliga club Schalke 04 than to feature at the AFCON in Gabon.

A refreshing breath of loyalty in Liga MX – Prost Amerika
When a big spending club decides to open up the wallet and reinforce its squad, there is usually very little to stop it. Whether it’s Real Madrid and Manchester United brining in Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovich in Europe or Club America bringing in Liga MX’s biggest stars like Oribe Peralta, Pablo César Aguilar, and many more.

Somalia launches regional league as national plan takes shape – Inside World Football
The Somali Football Federation has inaugurated its first ever regional football league in the port city of Kismayo, about 500 kilometers south of the capital Mogadishu.

President Xi’s Great Chinese Soccer Dream – NY Times
Grooming the next Ronaldo or Messi has become a national project in China, where the country’s No. 1 fan, President Xi Jinping, is bent on transforming the country into a great soccer power.