DAY 5 – FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
OFF-DAY
DAY 6 – THURSDAY, JUNE 11
GERMANY vs. NORWAY – 1:00 pm
Côte d’Ivoire vs. THAILAND- 4:00 pm
LANSDOWNE STADIUM, OTTAWA
CHINA vs. NETHERLANDS – 3:00pm
CANADA vs. NEW ZEALAND – 6:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH STADIUM, EDMONTON
Newcomers make their bows as records tumble – FIFA
The long wait was finally over for teams in Groups E and F as they got their FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ campaigns up and running. Costa Rica and Spain became the seventh and eighth sides to make their debuts at the tournament, while two Brazilian veterans set new records in Montreal.
Marta becomes all-time goals leader – CBC
Brazil forward Marta became the all-time World Cup leader in goals after she converted a penalty kick in a 2-0 win over South Korea on Tuesday.
Brazil’s Marta experiment makes little sense – Sportsnet
Judging by its 2-0 win over South Korea on Tuesday, Brazil might have little trouble topping its group at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, but without its best player deployed in her best position, it’s unlikely that they will go much further.
Formiga, Brazil’s supernatural force – FIFA
“Formiga’s from another planet,” said Brazil coach Vadao, his eyed fixed dotingly on the veteran midfielder. “The more you tell her to take a break, the more she ignores you and presses on. I don’t know where she gets the energy from. She is a real baiana brava.”
Le Sommer nets winner as France shades England – Sportsnet
Eugenie Le Sommer scored her first Women’s World Cup goal and France beat England 1-0 on Tuesday in rainy Moncton, New Brunswick.
England coach Mark Sampson furious as referee misses Camille Abily’s elbow – The Guardian
Mark Sampson has called for improved protection from referees at Canada 2015 after France’s Camille Abily escaped unpunished for a sly elbow to the face that left Laura Bassett with a severely swollen cheek in Tuesday’s Group F opener.
Spain, Costa Rica open World Cup histories with draw – The Equalizer
Spain an Costa Rica shared the points in their respective Women’s World Cup debuts, drawing 1-1 on Tuesday in Montreal to open up play in Group E.
Spain and Costa Rica play out dreary World Cup draw in near-empty stadium – The Guardian
Women’s World Cup debutants Spain and Costa Rica laboured to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday in a dreary Group E opener played in a near empty Montreal Olympic Stadium.
Colombia’s first WC goal earns draw with Mexico – The Equalizer
Mexico and Colombia battled to a hard-fought, 1-1 draw Tuesday afternoon in Moncton that left both countries winless in their World Cup history and facing a gargantuan task if they are to advance to the knockout stage.
Montoya strike soothes Colombia’s pain – FIFA
Melissa Ortiz could barely put her emotions into words when, ten days before Colombia’s opening match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, she tore her Achilles tendon. A low point in the defender’s career, the injury setback ruled her out of the competition and had her team-mates on the verge of tears.
The Mexican Women’s National Team Needs to Stop Depending on U.S. Based Players – Vice Sports
The Mexican Women’s National Team remains a long ways from elite. Although their coach, Leonardo Cuéllar, has done vital work to strengthen the entire branch of women’s national teams, there remains a great deal to be done, especially when it comes to player development.
Canada, U.S. not at their best to start World Cup – 24 Hours
With the FIFA Women’s World Cup now in full swing, a few things have been noticeable from the first group games.
Empty seats abound at Big O as city welcomes Women’s World Cup – Montreal Gazette
Perhaps Montreal didn’t get the memo. The Women’s World Cup kicked off in this city Tuesday afternoon to empty stands, in an Olympic Stadium rendered even more gloomy than usual by the combination of the grey-green artificial pitch and fans cleverly disguised as empty seats.
The mistake of conflating more Women’s World Cup spots with actual development – Soccer Gods
This year’s edition of the Women’s World Cup saw FIFA expand the tournament field from 16 to 24 teams. Yesterday, on Day 2 of the tournament, favorites Germany throttled World Cup neophyte Ivory Coast, 10-0, in public, in front of an overwhelming number of eyeballs, globally.
The Girl Who Escaped From The Taliban And Became a Soccer Star – Vice Sports
Every day, the girl who wasn’t supposed to play crept a little closer to the action. First to the perimeter of the soccer facility. Next to the low-slung fence surrounding the field. Then to the top of the fence, the better to sit and watch the local kids practice, amazed that girls could participate. She even started returning stray balls.
The secret history of women’s football – BBC
In the 1920s the sport flourished with around 150 women’s teams in England. But then the women’s game was effectively banned, with the FA at the time saying the game of football is “quite unsuitable for females”.
WHITECAPS FC & MLS
Whitecaps FC are winning with width – Eighty-Six Forever
The Caps are blessed with an embarrassment of riches on the flanks and the wide options are bearing fruit at the moment.
Red cards overshadow 0-0 draw for FC Dallas in San Jose – Prost Amerika
On Sunday afternoon, fans of FC Dallas and San Jose witnessed nearly every version of a red card a referee can issue as their teams played to a scoreless draw.
Landon Donovan chasing passions during retirement, says he’s always dreamed of owning MLS team – MLS
The 33-year-old US legend, who stepped away from the game following the LA Galaxy’s MLS Cup triumph last December, has no inclination to return to the field, but he acknowledged there are times he misses his former life.
It Might Finally Be Time for Soccer to Win Over New York City – Brooklyn Magazine
New York City isn’t synonymous with soccer, but the newly minted New York City Football Club and their growing legion of fans want to change that perception. While the New York Red Bulls and Cosmos cemented a reasonable fan base throughout the mid-80s to present day, those teams were forged in an era where American soccer fandom was subdued, and even peripheral. In present day, infatuation with European leagues and growing support for the US Men’s National Team has catapulted soccer into the mainstream of American sporting culture.
Toronto FC attacker Sebastian Giovinco has gotten off to a great start in MLS, but is it the best ever? – MLS
The former Juventus attacker came into MLS at the beginning of the 2015 season and has lit up the league to the tune of seven goals and six assists. In the process, he’s helped TFC collect the second-most points per game in the Eastern Conference.
WFC2 & USL
WFC2 fall 2-0 to OKC Energy FC in road trip finale – Whitecaps FC
Whitecaps FC 2 (3W-6L-4D) return to UBC Thunderbird Stadium this weekend after a long week on the road. The young ‘Caps concluded their three-match-in-a-week trip with a 2-0 loss to red-hot Oklahoma City Energy FC (6W-2L-3D) on Tuesday night at Taft Stadium.
WFC2 Report: Levis adjusting to pro game – 24 Hours
Born and raised in Saskatoon, 22 year-old Brett Levis is perhaps the Whitecaps FC2’s most exciting player. The 5-foot-8 midfielder is as quick as they come, with or without the ball at his feet, and is now starting to find the range with his ever-dangerous left foot.
CANADA & 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
CONCACAF’s road to Russia continues – FIFA
Russia 2018 qualifying continues in CONCACAF this week with a host of new combatants joining the fray to take on the winners of the previous round. Canada, El Salvador and Cuba, all FIFA World Cup™ participants from the past, will all be in action.
Floro: Akindele, Roberts and Johnson all “new” to me – the11.ca
Canadian national-team coach Benito Floro is working with three “new” players as the team prepares to begin its qualification process for the 2018 World Cup.
With Women’s World Cup in full swing, Canada men draw inspiration from CWNT for crucial qualifiers – MLS
While Canada’s women are competing in front of raucous crowds at the Women’s World Cup, Canada’s men are set to begin their own long and winding World Cup qualification campaign.
De Guzman Believes Ottawa Fury Setting Example For Canadian Clubs – Ottawa Fury
Julian de Guzman is one of the most, if not the most, accomplished Canadian soccer players. From becoming the first Canadian to play in La Liga to chasing the top spot on the career appearances list with the national team, he has been an athlete that young Canadians look up to for quite some time now.
USA prepares for tough test from Germany in clash of shorthanded teams – Goal
It may be billed in some circles as a World Cup rematch, but the U.S. national team and World Cup winner Germany will bear little resemblance to the teams that took the field on that rainy day in Recife, Brazil a year ago.
BC SOCCER
West Van FC Joins FVSL Premier League – FVSL
As we approach the 2015-2016 season and the league celebrating its 50th anniversary we are very pleased to announce an agreement has been reached for the acquisition of West Van FC into our FVSL Premier division.
Nanaimo soccer star invited to England trials – Nanaimo Daily News
Wellington’s Alex Dedame, 15, will show his skills for Wrexham FC and Shrewsbury Town FC in the U.K. in July.
FIFA CORRUPTION CRISIS
Bidding process for 2026 World Cup suspended – Goal
In light of allegations against the winning bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, FIFA has suspended the bidding process for 2026.
Sepp Blatter’s successor as Fifa president could be elected on December 16 – The Telegraph
Sepp Blatter’s reign as Fifa president could end on December 16 after Fifa announced it would hold a special meeting next month to determine his fate. Blatter announced his resignation last week after world football’s governing body became engulfed by the worst scandal in sporting history.
FIFA scandal: Alejandro Burzaco turns himself into police – CBC
An Argentine businessman who was indicted by U.S. authorities in connection to the FIFA corruption case turned himself in to Italian police on Tuesday.
WORLD OF SOCCER
FIFA U-20 World Cup: Penalty heroes emerge amid late drama – FIFA
By the end of a day of great goals, late drama and goalkeeping heroics, Mali, USA, Serbia and Senegal had secured their places in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015.
Euro 2016 Tickets go on Public Sale Today – UEFA
Fancy a summer in France next year? Today’s the first day you can but tickets to Euro 2016 next June.
Norwegian player Simen Juklerod sent off for calling opponent ‘gay’ – The Guardian
A Norwegian player was shown a red card for calling an opponent “gay” as part of new guidelines to crack down on the use of homophobic language.
Lionel Messi to face trial over alleged €4.1m tax fraud – The Guardian
A Barcelona court has thrown out an appeal lodged by the lawyers of Lionel Messi, paving the way for the Barcelona forward to stand trial for alleged tax fraud.
D.C. area posts highest TV ratings for Women’s World Cup, UEFA Champions League – Washington Post
Washingtonians really like watching soccer. Fresh off a second consecutive Premier League ratings crown, the nation’s capital was first in viewership for both the UEFA Champions League final Saturday afternoon and the U.S. Women’s World Cup opener Monday night.
Playing for the Soul of San Francisco – 8 by 8
Into this charged atmosphere steps San Francisco City FC, a club that aspires to be a professional, member-owned, non-profit club playing at the highest possible level. SF City board chairperson Mike Gonos, a fan of football since the days of the original NASL, believes this is absolutely attainable, “We are the capital of the Bay Area and we deserve a team.”
Paul Gascoigne: I was glad when told I was an alcoholic – BBC Sport
Paul Gascoigne says he is “happy in life” at the moment but revealed he was glad when he was told he was an alcoholic at the age of 33.