BC Soccer News, Wednesday, May 3, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

 COLORADO RAPIDS vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

MLS MATCHDAY #9

FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017, 7:00 PM

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PARK, COMMERCE CITY, CO.

TV: TSN 1 & 4  RADIO: TSN 1040  ONLINE: TSN GO

Montero voted Whitecaps FC Player of the Month – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver’s star striker took home the honours for April by earning 44 per cent of the votes in a poll conducted on Twitter this week, beating out winger Cristian Techera (26 per cent), centre back Tim Parker (19 per cent), and midfielder Matias Laba (11 per cent).

Whitecaps’ Jacobson drives the attack. Who’d have thunk? – The Province
Until last weekend, Andrew Jacobson had scored eight goals in 203 games for five teams over nine Major League Soccer seasons. Naturally, coach Carl Robinson figured Jacobson was the key to the Vancouver Whitecaps’ attack.

From the Pigeon Loft: Pride in Montreal – AFTN
There is no better cure for supporter apathy than a long distance road trip to a bitter rival. While New York City is a great holiday in an incredible city, it’s hard to get the energy up for a dozen supporters – no matter how committed – to really sing against Poku and other players we’ve never seen play for a team we have no history against. But of course Montreal is different for their history in the Voyageurs Cup against us, and for their MLS and CCL success that has just pipped our own progress by a round in each case.

After agonizing April, Colorado Rapids searching for “a bit of fortune” – MLS
For 70 minutes on Saturday, the Colorado Rapids looked a whole lot like the defensively stingy 2016 squad that finished second in the Supporters’ Shield race and advanced to the Western Conference Championship. Then Orlando City’s Carlos Rivas came up with a “world-class strike,” and all the momentum was undone.

Lineup Changes Loom as New York Travels to Kansas City: New York Red Bulls at Sporting Kansas City Preview – Prost Amerika
Mid-week games are arguably the most difficult in the MLS, testing the mettle and endurance coming off an exhausting weekend fixture. Yet, these games serve as a test to see whether or not a team is championship material. Everyone breaks down sooner or later and it is the depth of your squad which will win you trophies in the long run.

NYCFC’s David Villa signs contract extension through 2018 season – MLS
The reigning MLS MVP isn’t going anywhere soon. David Villa has signed an extension that will keep him with New York City FC through the 2018 season, the club announced Wednesday.

Toronto FC vs. Orlando City SC | 2017 MLS Match Preview – MLS
Orlando City SC have stolen a lot of the headlines in the Eastern Conference so far this season, and with good reason. The Lions are the East’s early success story, surging to the top of the Supporters Shield standings and averaging a staggering 2.57 points per match behind six goals – in only seven games – from forward Cyle Larin.

Orlando City striker Cyle Larin returns home to Toronto in scintillating form – The Province
With six goals in seven games, Canadian Cyle Larin arrives in Toronto in scintillating form.

Altidore, Giovinco making magic up front together for TFC – Sportsnet
Is it just me, or have Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore been on fire lately?

Toronto FC: 100 not out for Greg Vanney – Tip of the Tower
Wednesday’s game versus Orlando marks a special occasion for Greg Vanney, with him reaching the century mark in all competitions as head coach of Toronto FC.

Toronto FC sign forward, former US youth international Ben Spencer – MLS
Toronto FC added to their attacking corps with the signing of forward Ben Spencer on Tuesday, promoting the 6-foot-5 striker from their USL reserve side.

Impact’s Matteo Mancosu out 6-8 weeks with thigh injury – Sportsnet
Striker Matteo Mancosu will be out for six to eight weeks with a thigh injury, the Montreal Impact announced Tuesday.

MLS (Mid) Week 10: What to Look For – Empire of Soccer
Week 10 in Major League Soccer offers up two interesting matchups to get the party started.

MLS Discipline: Schuler and Asad suspended this weekend – Soccer America
Its weekly review of incidents in MLS games has resulted in the MLS Disciplinary Committee suspending and fining two players and issuing a fine to a third.

Seachange! It’s Sounders not Galaxy who have the ‘Mentality of Champions’ – Prost Amerika
For a coach whose team had dramatically rallied out of a three-goal deficit, Seattle’s Brian Schmetzer was in a grouchy mood following Saturday’s match against the New England Revolution.

San Jose Earthquakes targeting Krasnodar’s Mauricio Pereyra – sources  – ESPN FC
In a bid to bolster their meager attack, the San Jose Earthquakes have set their sights on FC Krasnodar attacking midfielder Mauricio Pereyra, according to multiple league sources.

Tampa Bay Rowdies stadium referendum passes, boosting MLS expansion bid – SBI
The Tampa Bay Rowdies moved one step closer to their goal of bringing Major League Soccer back to the Tampa-St. Petersburg area after the passing of a public referendum to allow the St. Petersburg city council to negotiate a long-term lease with the Rowdies. The referendum, which will all negotiation for extending the lease to Al Lang Stadium for up to 25 years, passed with 87 percent of the vote.

MLS releases statement after St. Petersburg votes on soccer stadium – MLS
Residents of St. Petersburg voted in a Tuesday referendum to advance a proposal allowing the city to pursue an agreement solidifying the Al Lang Stadium site as the future home of a potential MLS expansion team. It passed by more than 20,000 votes, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Web site.

MLS PHOTOS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 Seattle Sounders FC 1, April 14, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

3v3 Live Soccer Tour Comes to Canada

BC SOCCER NEWS

2017 BC Soccer Adult Provincial Championships – BCSA
The Road to Burnaby continues! Complete brackets and results from the weekend’s games in the BC Provincial Cups.

WolfPack Women’s Soccer Add Fourth Player From Upper Island Riptide  –TRU
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s soccer program will have a large representation from the Courtenay/Comox area when they hit the field for the 2017-18 Canada West season.

Get To Know Your TSS Rovers: Janko Vong – AFTN
Tim Hickson won’t be the only member of the 2016 U Sports Men’s Soccer Championship winning University of Alberta side on the TSS FC Rovers for the upcoming PDL season. Fellow defender Janko Vong will also suit up for the Rovers this summer, looking to build on what has been a successful first college year for the 19-year-old.

KYSA holding Mike Bartram Memorial Tournament this weekend – CJFC
Kamloops Youth Soccer is holding its first domestic tournament of the season this weekend. The Mike Bartram Memorial Youth Soccer Tournament is named for a local soccer icon, one of the associations most dedicated volunteers and a Kamloops Sports Hall of Famer.

Whitecaps Academy Centre Players of the Month – April – Whitecaps FC
Below are the Whitecaps FC Academy Centre Players of the Month for April.

Argyle in control as AAA soccer playoffs take shape – North Shore News
The Argyle Pipers currently hold pole position in the North Shore senior girls AAA soccer league.

Dheensaw earns Fred “Gus” Collins Award for outstanding coverage of Canada West – Canada West
After more than three decades of chronicling Canada West on Vancouver Island, Times Colonist sports reporter Cleve Dheensaw was honoured Wednesday by the conference. Dheensaw, who has spent the last 36 years with the Times Colonist, was named the recipient of the 2016-17 Fred “Gus” Collins Award, which honours a member of the media for their outstanding coverage of the conference and its student-athletes.

3V3 LIVE NATIONAL SOCCER TOUR COMES TO ABBOTSFORD – 3v3 Live Canada
3v3 Live Soccer Tour and Holbrook Sports Management are excited to announce the expansion of the 3v3 Live Soccer Tour into the Canadian soccer market.  With the first event previously announced to take place on the August 19/20 weekend in Surrey, BC, the 3v3 Soccer Tour will expand to Abbotsford, BC, on August 20 and will include men’s and women’s open divisions.

2017 VISL JACKSON CUP PHOTOS: Nanaimo Utd. 2 Cowichan LMG 1 (XT), April 2, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

FVSL PHOTOS: Pakenham Cup Final, PMO Rangers 1 PMO Lordco Gunners 0, April 1, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

REVIEW: The Miracle Mile. Stories of the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games – BC BookLook
Author Jason Beck is curator of the BC Sports Hall of Fame in BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, and convenor two years ago of an excellent exhibition about the 1954 Games. In his first book, he proves to be a meticulous researcher, a compelling story-teller, and a crafty realist who knows how to hook his readers. Watch how, two pages into the book, he uses filmic technique to evoke the arriving athletes’ youthful buzz and give period colouring and costuming, but then smartly moves his camera in to introduce his stars.

TSS Rovers launch website & 2017 Season Ticket Campaign – TSS Rovers
TSS FC Rovers play their inaugural season in the PDL at iconic Swangard Stadium. Season Tickets are $70 for Adults, $49 for U12 Youth.

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!

To our Readers: A Choice – BC Soccer Web
Soccer has brought us to the United States many times. It’s a great place with decent people. We especially look forward to our Cascadia trips to Seattle and Portland. They’re incredible cities with wonderful supporters. That’s why it was so disheartening to see chaos and fear take hold in the airports and borders of our neighbours to the south.

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.

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.

 Premium Classified Advertising on BC Soccer Web Starting at 50 cents per day!

CANADA SOCCER NEWS

Match Preview: Eddies, Fury set to renew rivalry in Canadian Championship – FC Edmonton
It’s the first meeting between the two sides since September of 2016 and their fourth meeting in the Canadian Championship.

Fury FC Eager for Canadian Championship – USL
Ottawa Fury FC turns its attention to the 2017 Canadian Championship on Wednesday night at TD Place as it plays host to FC Edmonton in the first leg of the tournament’s preliminary round, with Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC awaiting the series’ winner. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT, with the game to be aired on the Canadian Soccer Association’s YouTube channel.

Ottawa set for Edmonton in key Cup game – Ottawa Sun
While Wednesday’s home game against FC Edmonton means diddly-squat in the United Soccer League standings, it means a lot to the guys who wear Ottawa Fury FC colours, plus their GM/coach.

FC Edmonton chase big prize in opening leg of Amway Canadian Championship – Edmonton Journal
For FC Edmonton, the opportunity to host last season’s MLS finalist would be monumental.

Canadian Championship: Fury’s Edward may have “some new tricks” for his former FC Edmonton teammates – the11.ca
The arrivals level at any airport is filled with reunions. Family members greet each other. Old friends reunite. Business associates greet each other. So, it was only fitting that Eddie Edward got the chance to meet and greet with his old FC Edmonton teammates at Ottawa International Airport.

Canadian women’s defender Zadorsky following in Matheson’s path – Sportsnet
Shelina Zadorsky knows the ins and outs of the professional game. This year marks her sophomore campaign in the National Women’s Soccer League and before that she spent time playing in Sweden and Australia. But, this season, the defender is taking another step in her career: She’s wearing the captain’s armband for the Washington Spirit.

UWinnipeg Forced To Make Tough Choices As Provincial Funding Stagnates – U of Winnipeg
Men’s soccer is on pause for 2017-18. The coach position is currently vacant and we cannot afford to replace that position for the upcoming fiscal year.

Finding Sigma – Northern Starting XI
It was a cold grey day that reminded me of home as I ventured out of my downtown bubble to experience not only my first Sigma FC game, but also League1 Ontario fixture, at the home of the Oakville Blue Devils at Sheridan College. Oakville have experienced success in the past but were coming off of a poor season last year and hoping to get off on the right foot. Sigma on the other hand had a good 2016 and hoping to go one better this time round.

Match Recap: Oakville Blue Devils 1 – 2 Sigma FC – League1 Ontario
An early season tilt between two of the traditional top performers in League1 didn’t disappoint as Sigma FC took a narrow 2-1 win over hosts Oakville Blue Devils on Matchday Three of L1O Kickoff 2017.

VIDEO: #L1OKickoff2017 – Highlights of the Week (April 28 – 30) – YouTube
Highlights from Week 1 of League1 Ontario.

Pierrefonds soccer combine attracts interest from U.S. colleges – Montreal Gazette
Two former Montreal Impact players are trying to help local soccer talent get noticed south of the border.

Whitecaps FC partner with Ottawa Gloucester Hornets – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Tuesday a partnership with the Ottawa Gloucester Hornets to provide technical services to the club.

Ontario Soccer Webinar – Player Development – Why kids quit sports – YouTube
A lot of things are changing in the youth soccer world, but one thing has remained sadly consistent: Soccer loses 70 per cent of youth players by the age of 13.

Register for the UBCO High-Performance Summer Training Camp in Kelowna

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE

SWOPE PARK RANGERS  vs.  WFC2

FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017, 5:30 PM

SWOPE SOCCER VILLAGE, KANSAS CITY, MO.

LIVESTREAM: WHITECAPSFC2.COM

Toronto Takes Shutout Streak to Pittsburgh – USL
Toronto FC II goalkeeper Angelo Cavalluzzo can’t recall having had a string of games like his last three outings, which have seen the Reds record three consecutive shutouts against three solid opponents in Rochester, Ottawa and Louisville.

USL Discipline Report – Week 6 – USL
The following is the USL’s discipline report for Week 6 of the 2017 United Soccer League season.

Heartwarming moment San Francisco goalkeeper proposes to his girlfriend on the halfway line ahead of soccer game against the New York Cosmos – Daily Mail
Just before kickoff Kezar Stadium on Sunday, San Francisco Deltas goalkeeper Romuald Peiser got down on his knee and proposed to Taylor Lincoln.

USL PHOTOS: WFC2 0 Sacramento Republic FC 0, April 29, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

New women’s cup primed to make waves in Mexico – FIFA
Mexican football is entering a new era this year. The inaugural season of the country’s new professional women’s league will get underway in September and, as an appetiser and dress rehearsal ahead of the big kick-off, a total of 12 clubs are set to contest a cup competition, the Copa de la Liga MX Femenil, from 3 to 6 May at the headquarters of the Mexican Football Association (FMF).

Run of Play: Penalty Kickin’ It – The Equalizer
The referee blows the whistle and point to the spot. One team begins to argue vehemently, the other lines up, and the goalkeeper sighs in resignation. Penalty kicks are among the most controversial, as well as the easiest, of goal opportunities. This NWSL season has seen more than its fair share of penalties thus far.

WSL 1 – Week 3 Preview: familiar fixtures across the board – Vavel
Week three of the WSL 1 Spring Series and Manchester City open their season against familiar Birmingham while Yeovil and Bristol are reunited.

McDonald Excited For Future – Rangers
Amy McDonald has said it is “an exciting time” at Rangers after taking over as the Ladies team Head Coach. The former Scotland international will take the reins of her first game on Sunday when the team take on Hamilton in the SWPL and her aim is to grow the women into league competitors.

Kelleher delighted to claim overdue win v Kilkenny – Irish WNL
Cork City Women’s manager Frank Kelleher has admitted he was pleased that his side finally got their first win of the new Continental Tyres Women’s National League season at the weekend and is hoping it can now kick start their campaign.

From the Dick, Kerr’s Ladies to Suffragettes FC – Pog Mo Goal
The Irish national team’s recent stance against the FAI shone the spotlight on women’s football and women’s sport in general. Donal Fallon of Come Here to Me charts the history of the women’s game in Ireland, which though short, has had its moments of brilliance, and controversy.

Francesco Totti: Roma captain and striker ‘to retire from playing’ – BBC Sport
Roma legend Francesco Totti is to retire from playing at the end of the season, the club’s new sporting director Monchi has revealed.

UCL Rewind: Ronaldo’s hat trick sinks Atletico in first leg – SBI
Reigning Champions League winners Real Madrid took a huge first step to booking their spot in this year’s final via a 3-0 first-leg victory against Atletico Madrid.

Monaco out to make history against Juventus – Ligue 1
AS Monaco face Juventus on Wednesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final aiming to become the first French team to beat the bianconeri in a knockout tie.

Everton’s Aaron Lennon receiving treatment for ‘stress-related illness’ – ESPN FC
Everton’s Aaron Lennon is receiving treatment for a “stress-related illness,” the Premier League club has said, amid multiple reports that he had been detained over concerns for his welfare.

Aaron Lennon: Everton winger not suffering long-standing mental health issue – BBC Sport
Everton winger Aaron Lennon is not suffering from a long-standing mental health issue and is expected to make a full recovery in the short term, BBC Sport understands.

Czech police raid headquarters of soccer federation – Sportsnet
The Czech soccer federation says it has been raided by police and its chairman has been detained.

CAS Overrules Liga MX One Year Match Bans – Futebolcidade
The referees’ strike in Liga MX that wiped out an entire match day made major headlines in March. Mexican referees refused to officiate games after the Mexican federation (FMF) handed out an eight-game ban to Club América’s Pablo Aguilar, and Toluca’s Enrique Triverio. Both players were involved in altercations with the referee, and the Mexican referees’ association demanded that both players would be banned for a year.

Mexican referee association shows the power a players union could have – SN
There’s so much at stake this weekend in Liga MX. The final two playoff places will be decided, with the defending finalists both in danger of missing the Liguilla. A team that has been in the league for more than a decade will be sent down. And somehow, some way, we’re once again talking about the referees.

FIFPro union calls for action over Muntari yellow card – Sportsnet
Soccer’s international players’ union says that a yellow card handed out to Pescara’s Sulley Muntari should be rescinded after the Ghanaian international complained of racist abuse by fans in his team’s Italian league game.

Sulley Muntari: Garth Crooks calls for black players in Italy to strike – BBC Sport
Ex-Tottenham striker Garth Crooks says “every self-respecting black player” in the Italian league should strike this weekend unless Sulley Muntari’s one-match suspension is withdrawn.

Portsmouth fans divided as D-day looms over Michael Eisner takeover – The Guardian
The supporters who own Pompey get the chance on Thursday to interrogate the former Disney executive who wants to buy the club and will then vote on whether to accept his £5.7m offer which would sideline them.

Liverpool to rename Centenary Stand at Anfield in honour of Kenny Dalglish – The Telegraph
Liverpool are to pay tribute to the club’s greatest ever servant by renaming an Anfield stand in honour of Kenny Dalglish.

FIFA boosts China’s hopes of hosting 2030 World Cup – NBC Sports
China’s hopes of hosting the 2030 World Cup got a boost from FIFA. The governing body of soccer proposes giving its ruling council the power to decide that a continent could skip just one World Cup before hosting again.

Brazil and Italy push for World Cup glory at Bahamas Beach Soccer finals – Inside World Football
With FIFA focus firmly on politics and scandal, you could be forgiven for missing the progress of the Beach Soccer Cup in the Bahamas which has now reached its quarter final stage.

‘Sin bins’ to be trialled by English FA from next season – BBC Sport
The FA plans to introduce what it calls “temporary dismissals” in England’s step seven – six tiers below the National League – and the leagues below.

U17 World Cup: European crown and World Cup berths on the line – FIFA
16 teams to fight for the U-17 European title from Wednesday with five places at the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 on offer.

‘Fast unto death’: Indian champions Aizawl FC threaten hunger strike – The Guardian
The reigning Indian league champions, Aizawl FC, have threatened to go on hunger strike if they are denied an opportunity to defend their I-League title next season, with a club statement even threatening to “fast unto death” if they are not reinstated.

India’s north-east: Where football has come back to life – ESPN
This is an India untouched by either cricket or Bollywood, and under the spell of football. The region with a little over three percent of India’s population and just under eight percent of its total land mass is home to 20 percent of its footballers.