VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS
2018 CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
MONTREAL IMPACT vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
VOYAGEURS CUP SEMI-FINAL, 1st LEG
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2018, 4:30 PM PT
STADE SAPUTO, MONTREAL, QC.
LIVESTREAM: CANADASOCCER.COM / YAHOO CANADA SPORTS
Match Preview: Montreal Impact v Vancouver Whitecaps – this year’s Canadian Championship quest begins – AFTN
It seems that whenever I give up on this team, they do something to raise my hopes, but as soon as I start to believe again they find some new way to disappoint. Maybe if I just remain completely neutral, everything will be fine! So here’s my attempt to assess the current situation while remaining neither too optimistic nor pessimistic.
Canadian Championship an opportunity for ‘Caps to integrate young players and bring home some hardware – Whitecaps FC
Alphonso Davies made his Vancouver Whitecaps FC first-team debut in the semifinals of the 2016 Canadian Championship. He was 15 years old at the time.
Casting a gaze toward Canadian Championship – Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Whitecaps may be struggling in the Major League Soccer standings, but it’s a clean slate in the Canadian Championship. Wednesday evening they face the Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo.
Match Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps vs Montreal Impact – Eighty-Six Forever
Wednesday’s tilt marks the second year in a row the Caps will face the Impact in Canadian Championship play. The Caps were beaten 5-4 in the two game series last season. They will look for redemption from that loss, and also from the more recent loss to DC last weekend. With the inconsistencies we’ve seen lately it remains to be seen which team will show up.
Surging Impact take first step toward Canadian title against Whitecaps – Montreal Gazette
The teams meet Wednesday night at Saputo Stadium in the first leg of a two-game, total goals Canadian Championship semifinal.
Semifinalist Impact, Whitecaps have eyes on Voyageurs Cup victory – Edmonton Journal
The Montreal Impact and the Vancouver Whitecaps are on the bubble in terms of making the Major League Soccer playoffs this season, but the Voyageurs Cup is a trophy both clubs have an eye on.
Whitecaps FC sign Residency midfielder Michael Baldisimo to MLS Homegrown contract – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Tuesday that the club has signed Residency midfielder Michael Baldisimo to a multi-year MLS Homegrown contract. Baldisimo will be available for selection for the Canadian Championship beginning on Wednesday, July 18 when the ‘Caps visit Montreal Impact for the first leg of their semifinal series.
Whitecaps FC sign Residency forward Theo Bair to MLS homegrown pre-contract – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Tuesday that the club has signed Residency forward Theo Bair to a multi-year MLS Homegrown pre-contract beginning in 2019. Bair will be eligible for first-team competition next year.
Whitecaps sign two more academy kids to first-team contracts – Calgary Herald
Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson said he and his staff believed that having both teens training with the first team was “the best place for both players to continue their development.”
Toronto FC begins quest for third straight domestic title against Ottawa Fury FC – National Post
Toronto FC’s deep run in the CONCACAF Champions League competition was possible thanks to a domestic title run that got its start a year ago in Ottawa. The reigning Major League Soccer champions will return to the capital Wednesday to begin their quest to get back to the confederation final.
Ottawa Fury know Toronto FC too well – Edmonton Journal
Maxime Crepeau thinks the difference in facing upstart Blainville (PQ) FC as opposed to taking on the defending MLS-champion Toronto FC constitutes nothing short of a complete role reversal for the Ottawa Fury FC.
Ottawa Fury coach sees facing favoured Toronto as an opportunity – Edmonton Sun
His roots might be in Serbia and Portugal, but the only national championship Nikola Popovic cares about at this juncture in his coaching career is a Canadian Championship.
Voyageurs Cup a chance for Jay Chapman to get some deserved minutes – Waking the Red
Chapman has quietly been putting together the best season of his career and deserves to keep getting opportunities as the season progresses.
The catastrophic collapse of Toronto FC – Edmonton Journal
The celebration began on the frozen turf of BMO Field last December, moved to the dressing room and the noisy hallways and then onto the streets – seemingly for days. Jubilation then, inquisition now for Toronto FC.
Time for Toronto FC to face these crucial questions about 2018 – MLS
Toronto FC lost again this week, falling 2-1 to Orlando, who ended a nine-game slide of their own. The defending MLS Cup champions are now bottom of the East in points per game (0.84).
Fire land Canadian attacker Raheem Edwards in trade with Montreal – SN
Raheem Edwards has been traded to the Chicago Fire from the Montreal Impact in exchange for $400,000 in targeted allocation money.
Mathieu Choinière signs an MLS contract with the Impact – Montreal Impact
The Montreal Impact announced on Tuesday that midfielder Mathieu Choinière signed a professional contract with the first team as an MLS Homegrown Player for the rest of the 2018 season, the 2019 season and three option years.
Will Raúl Ruidíaz start vs. Whitecaps? Schmetzer won’t say for sure – Sounder at Heart
While fans are on pins and needles, they won’t know for certain if the Seattle Sounders’ newest Designated Player Raúl Ruidíaz will be in head coach Brian Schmetzer’s starting 11 against the Vancouver Whitecaps at CenturyLink Field Saturday.
David Beckham’s Miami MLS plans put on hold – Sports Pro Media
David Beckham’s Miami Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise plans have been further delayed while the group waits for a majority vote from the Miami City Commission in order to proceed with stadium plans.
Orlando City lifts Atlanta United supporters group ban – Dirty South Soccer
Orlando City SC has lifted the ban levied against Atlanta United supporters’ groups that had prohibited typical privileges following a dispute originating from the teams’ May 13 matchup in Orlando.
MLS Week 21: Ranking the games – AJC
Ranking this week’s MLS games from best to worst.
U.S. Open Quarterfinals: A Look Ahead – SBI
The 2018 U.S. Open Cup is down to eight participants, and by the end of Wednesday night, the field will be dwindled down to four.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
The Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL) Announces First Executive Director – VISL
The VISL is proud to announce Vince Greco as our first ever Executive Director. Vince will be a familiar name for many having served the league as a volunteer Board Member since 2000, including the past seven years as President.
CPL Vancouver Island Launch Party – Eventbrite
It is our pleasure to invite you to an important announcement regarding the future of professional soccer on Vancouver Island. Please join us at the Roundhouse on July 20th for a celebration of soccer in true Island manner including the announcement of our new Canadian Premier League Club team name, logo and colours.
Kelowna team triumphing in world’s largest international youth soccer tournament – Kelowna Now
The Kelowna United U16 soccer team is one of seven Canadian clubs – and one of the collective 1,731 teams from 78 nations – participating in the World Youth Gothia Cup in Göteborg, Sweden this week.
What it took for Nelson to win gold – Nelson Star
On the drive back from Kamloops, I told my daughter that what her soccer team just accomplished is far from normal. Fresh off receiving her second BC Provincial B Cup gold medal in the last three years, the Nelson under-18 Selects had just accomplished something that is unlikely to be repeated in our region for a very long time.
Cowichan 2018 marks 40 years of BC Games – Cowichan Valley Citizen
The Cowichan 2018 BC Summer Games — which run throughout the Valley this Thursday to Sunday — won’t look a lot like the first BC Summer Games did 40 years ago.
Call for interest for 2018 TD Diploma course – BCSA
Based on the level of interest, BC Soccer is planning to host a 2-day Technical Director’s course in late November or early December of 2018 (dates and location TBA). If you are interested in this course, please let BC Soccer know so they can update you.
PHOTOS: BC Provincial Men’s A Cup: BCT Rovers Tigers Utd. 5, Langley Utd. 2 (XT) – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.
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
Canada begins Road to 2022 this Fall in Concacaf Nations League Qualifying – CSA
Canada will play their first home match in 2018-19 Concacaf Nations League Qualifying on Tuesday 16 October in Toronto at BMO Field. The new competition kicks off an exciting era for Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team on the road to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
Herdman: Canada’s road to 2022 and 2026 World Cups starts with Nations League – Delta Optimist
Head coach John Herdman sees a clear path to the 2022 and 2026 World Cups for Canada’s men’s soccer team, and it begins with the Nations League.
Canada goes to work while World Cup party continues – Eurosport
With Champagne corks still popping in Paris as France celebrated their 2018 World Cup triumph, Canada coach John Herdman was hard at work on Tuesday thinking about how to get his side invited to the party in four years time.
Canada Soccer announces Andrew Olivieri as Men’s EXCEL U-20 Program Director – CSA
Canada Soccer have announced that Andrew Olivieri has been hired as the Men’s EXCEL U-20 Program Director. Olivieri joins the Men’s EXCEL Program to develop, plan and lead EXCEL strategies at the U-20 level.
Rattlers name two new soccer coaches – Medicine Hat News
Medicine Hat College is officially moving on from its long-time, award-winning soccer coach —and, for that matter, a one-coach system.
Durham College to host 2019 Canada men’s soccer nationals – Oshawa Express
The event will be held at Vaso’s Field in Oshawa from Nov. 6 to 9, 2019. The Lords last hosted CCAA soccer nationals in 1999 when it was still a combined men’s and women’s event.
L1O Review: Stars Shine Brightest – Northern Starting XI
It was another hard-fought point for ProStars this week as they got their second draw in two games against decent opposition. This week, it was turn the reigning champions Oakville Blue Devils to come away from Brampton with the singular point despite taking a very early lead.
Ryan Murrin embracing leadership role with Western Wolves – Northern Pen
Kicking around the soccer ball every chance he gets is the way Ryan Murrin loves to spend his summer holidays because he wants to be the best he can be.
Connor Timmons Memorial Soccer Tournament ends after seven successful years – Cape Breton Post
A local soccer tournament that has raised thousands of dollars for charity has been cancelled. After seven successful years, the Connor Timmons Memorial Soccer Tournament will no longer take place, at the request of the Timmons family.
25.8 Million Canadians Make the FIFA WORLD CUP on CTV, TSN, and RDS a Resounding Success – Bell Media
A total of 25.8 million viewers watched the FIFA WORLD CUP on CTV, TSN, and RDS, it was announced today, accounting for 72% of the Canadian population.
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USL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS
Toronto FC II re-signs Shaan Hundal – Toronto FC
Toronto FC II announced Tuesday the re-signing of forward Shaan Hundal to a USL contract for the 2019 season.
Iwasa earns USL Player of the Week honors – Indomitable City Soccer
The United Soccer League (USL) announced today that Sacramento Republic FC forward Cameron Iwasa had been named Player of the Week (and to the Team of the Week) for Week 18. Iwasa received 39 percent of the vote from a national panel of independent media representing each USL market.
USL Memphis to Unveil Name, Logo on September 1 – USL
Tim Howard to lead Colorado Rapids against Tulsa Roughnecks FC in exhibition as part of historic day of soccer at AutoZone Park.
Bethlehem Steel: Midseason review – Philly Soccer Page
The midway point in the United Soccer League season has come and gone, so where exactly does Bethlehem Steel stand? Well, in the most literal sense, they occupy 11th place in the USL’s Eastern Conference.
NWSL & WOMEN’S WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Courage’s Williams NWSL player of the week – Front Row Soccer
North Carolina Courage forward Lynn Williams was voted the National Women’s Soccer League player of the week by the NWSL Media Association, it was announced Tuesday.
The Courage are in a race against themselves – The Equalizer
Ben Comen was a cross-country runner at Hannah High School in South Carolina in the middle of the aughts. And he has been the subject of inspirational talks by Paul Riley to the North Carolina Courage this season. If that seems an odd connection to make, consider that Comen has cerebral palsy, and that his high school athletic career was less about winning—not about winning at all, in fact—and more about perseverance.
Laura Harvey Makes Voice Known After Utah Royals Loss to Orlando Pride – Last Word on Soccer
To say Laura Harvey is upset with NWSL officiating is an understatement.
Dash’s playoff dash dashed with dash of dodginess – Stumptown Footy
Houston came to town looking to stay in the playoff hunt, but fell to the Thorns 3-1 for the second time this season. Some dodgy goalkeeping cost the Dash two goals and even when the Thorns returned the favor, it wasn’t enough. Despite the toasty temperatures, players and fans alike found the energy to see the crucial three points bagged.
Matildas prodigy Fowler wants to be world’s best – SBS
If you’re good enough, you’re old enough and there’s no doubt 15-year-old Matildas bolter Mary Fowler thinks she’s both.
Why the Women’s World Cup in France can build on the hype generated from Russia 2018 – The Independent
We needn’t wait until Qatar 2022 for World Cup fever to strike again.
Manchester United provide injury update after women’s pre-season game abandoned – Manchester Evening News
Man Utd Women’s team are in pre-season training ahead of their first season in WSL 2 but the first game didn’t go to plan.
Rianna Jarrett wins Player of the Month award – Irish WNL
Wexford Youths striker Rianna Jarrett has won the Continental Tyres Women’s National League Player of the Month award for June.
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Liverpool sign Roma goalkeeper Alisson for world-record £66.9m fee – The Guardian
Liverpool have signed the goalkeeper Alisson for a world-record fee of €75m (£66.9m), subject to a medical. The goalkeeper is flying to England on Wednesday night and is expected to have his medical on Saturday.
Liverpool’s mega bid for Alisson has confirmed end of Loris Karius’ spell as Anfield number one – Yahoo Sports
If Liverpool complete a world record deal for Roma goalkeeper Alisson, there should be a smidgen of sympathy for the club’s current number one.
Khazri signs for Les Verts – Ligue 1
Tunisia World Cup star Wahbi Khazri has left English club Sunderland for Ligue 1 Conforama’s AS Saint-Etienne, the 27-year-old penning a four-year deal – for a reported fee of €10m – with Jean-Louis Gasset’s side on Tuesday afternoon.
Ten players whose transfer values surged at the World Cup – The Guardian
Well that was fun, wasn’t it? The 2018 World Cup delivered entertainment until the very last. As ever, a number of players did their reputations no harm. With attentions now inevitably switching to the transfer window, here are 10 players who have seen their value increase significantly thanks to their impressive performances in Russia this summer.
TNS fall just short of extraordinary Champions League comeback – BBC Sport
The New Saints fell just short despite an extraordinary second-leg comeback against Shkendija in their Champions League qualifier.
Refereeing and VAR at the 2018 FIFA World Cup: A new era for football – FIFA
A few days after Argentinian referee Nestor Pitana signalled the final whistle, FIFA looks back extremely satisfied with how the referees performed at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and how the historic implementation of Video Assistant Referees (VARs) contributed to the resounding success of refereeing at the tournament.
England beat Turkey 3-2 in European Under-19 Championship opener – BBC Sport
England came from behind to beat Turkey 3-2 in the opening game of the European Under-19 Championship in Finland.
Gerrard’s Rangers draws 0-0 with Macedonian club in Europa League – NBC Sports
The Scottish giants finished a disappointing 0-0 draw against Macedonian club FK Shkupi on the road Tuesday in Europa League qualification, and following the result, Gerrard did not hold back.
Usain Bolt to make run at pro soccer in Australia – Maple Ridge News
Usain Bolt is making a run at professional soccer in Australia. Now, at 31, he will try out for six weeks with the Central Coast Mariners starting next month. If all goes well, he could play for a season in Australia’s A-League.
Cristiano Ronaldo won’t travel to U.S. with Juventus – NBC Sports
The 33-year-old won’t take part in the Serie A champions’ tour of the United States this summer, which begins on July 25 against Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. Instead, Ronaldo will head to Asia for his annual “CR7 Tour,” which helps promote his various sponsorship obligations as well as his global brand.
Brazil World Cup player’s mother freed after being kidnapped – The Guardian
Rosângela Freda, mother of Brazil’s Taison, taken by armed gang who lured her from home.
Nigerian FA crisis deepens as league suspended indefinitely – Inside World Football
The resumption of Nigeria’s domestic league has been postponed indefinitely amid a leadership crisis that has caused total gridlock with a FIFA ban imminent.
World Cup Diary – Final Conclusion from Russia – Futbolgrad
The dust has settled on the 2018 FIFA World Cup. With the final whistle clouds gathered over the Luzhniki and as France lifted the trophy the sky opened up almost as if the heavens were sad that the World Cup in Russia has come to an end. It was indeed, a fantastic tournament that had a great conclusion with a 4-2 final victory by the new champions France.
‘We tried not to think of food’: Thai soccer players and coach speak publicly for first time since cave rescue – Edmonton Journal
The players greeted media holding soccer balls, dribbling them in a show of health and good spirits before detailing their ordeal.
BC NDP 2026 WORLD CUP SCANDAL
(Editor’s note: In March, 2018, Vancouver unexpectedly & shockingly dropped out of the running to be a host city for the United 2026 World Cup bid. For the next eight years, BC Soccer Web will continue to cover this story of mismanagement by the BC NDP that denied our province and our children this once in a lifetime opportunity.)
EXCLUSIVE: City of Vancouver documents disprove NDP “Blank Cheque” for Vancouver 2026 World Cup – BC Soccer Web
Documents obtained by BC Soccer Web show that the BC NDP never faced a “blank cheque” scenario on the 2026 World Cup bid, and that FIFA negotiations would be ongoing with all three governments through 2020.
CONCACAF boss ‘disappointed’ with B.C. bailing on 2026 tournament – Toronto Sun
“The BC NDP had assurances,” Montagliani added. “If things weren’t to their liking from a documentation standpoint (they could have walked away by 2020). The reality is they paid no attention to the file,” Montagliani suggested. “They put a junior person on the file. They didn’t pay attention until the eleventh hour.”