BC Soccer News, Wednesday, November 1, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS

SEATTLE SOUNDERS vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS

2017 MLS WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINAL, 2ND LEG (0-0)
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017, 7:30 PM
CENTURYLINK FIELD, SEATTLE, WA.
TV: TSN 5 RADIO: TSN 1040 ONLINE: TSN GO

Seattle Sounders vs Vancouver Whitecaps | 2017 Conference Semifinal PreviewMLS
After a drab scoreless draw at BC Place on Sunday night, the Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps are ready for Round II.

Whitecaps searching for goalscoring breakthrough in second leg Red Nation Online
It’s not how you start, but how you finish. Whitecaps FC didn’t exactly bring out champagne football on Sunday night vs Seattle Sounders FC. Neither side was able to get a leg up in the conference semifinal first leg. The teams combined for one shot on target, and showed next to nothing offensively.

MLS Disciplinary Committee fines Vancouver’s Aly GhazalMLS
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has issued a fine to one player and found two teams in violation of the league’s Mass Confrontation Policy following Matchday 2 of the Western Conference Semifinal first leg in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Whitecaps player who head-locked Sounders will be fined, not suspendedSounder at Heart
In this case, Ghazal didn’t seem to be using a ton of force to pull Lodeiro and Alonso away from the fracas. But, as Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer alluded to in comments to the media on Monday, it didn’t look entirely innocent either. “I am anxiously awaiting the report because I thought that was wrong,” Schmetzer said.

Are the Vancouver Whitecaps bound to go out with a whimper?Georgia Straight
Keep your hearts safe, Whitecaps fans. Maybe wait till next year. This is a solid, well-coached team. It’s not a cup contender yet. However, with a good foundation in place and some of the best goaltending in the league, fans might not have to wait too long.

Cascadia’s soccer craze boosted by NASL roots and community outreachESPN FC
The question is posed often enough to those around the sport in this part of the world: What is it about soccer in Cascadia?

Seattle will show its civic pride ahead of Thursday’s match against the WhitecapsSounders FC
Keep your eyes peeled this week, Seattle. The city is about to get you hyped.

And the Winner is…Major League Soccer Announces Awards FinalistsEighty-Six Forever
This morning, Major League Soccer announced the finalists for each of the 2017 awards. The only Vancouver Whitecaps player to make the final cut was central defender, and captain, Kendall Waston.

Carl Valentine to participate in Covenant House Sleep Out to raise funds for homeless youthWhitecaps FC
On Thursday, November 16, Whitecaps FC legend and club ambassador Carl Valentine will participate in the Covenant House Sleep Out: Executive Edition.

Columbus Crew SC 4, New York City FC 1 | MLS Cup Playoffs RecapMLS
Columbus Crew SC have not lost since August 5 and they were able to continue their winning form on Tuesday night as they beat New York City FC 4-1 in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Nightmare for NYCFC in ColumbusProst Amerika
Crew fans turned out tonight in droves to the stadium to support their team and the Columbus Crew gave their owner something to think about tonight when they dismantled New York City four to one in a game of two halves. Ola Kamara, Artur, Justin Meram and HArrison Afful sent daggers into the net and set the crew on a curse to clinch a spot in the eastern Finals on Sunday at Yankee Stadium.

NYCFC Has Nothing Left to Lose After First Leg DisasterEmpire of Soccer
Timid and sloppy, NYCFC left chances to wrestle control of the Major League Soccer‘s Eastern Conference semifinal in the first half of Tuesday night’s first leg. They were afloat five minutes into the second half only trailing the Columbus Crew, 1-0. But then Alex Callens raised his arm into Justin Meram‘s face while running toward a corner kick. Through video review, Referee Ismail Elfath issued Callens a red card. The house of cards tumbled thereafter.

Columbus Crew relocation is a major threat to MLS growthStars & Stripes FC
The Columbus Crew potentially moving to Austin could undermine the entire league’s expansion plans for growth.

Columbus Crew SC players deliver when fans need them mostMLS
The first game to be played in Columbus since news broke earlier this month that Crew owner Anthony Precourt is considering moving the team to Austin after the 2018 season, Tuesday’s contest was much, much more than a high-stakes playoff battle for Crew SC supporters. “This isn’t a game,” one fan told me before the match. “This is a rally.”

Anger, community, and the incredible Columbus Crew story that isn’t going awayYahoo Sports
The familial feel is one of the many reasons Crew fans have fought the possibility of relocation so fiercely. Three hours before Tuesday’s game, one of the 200 or so tailgaters looked over his shoulder to see a teenager in a Crew jersey juggling a soccer ball. There is now an entire generation of 30-somethings who were once that kid. They can’t fathom raising their own children without being able to give them a similar experience.

TFC’s Giovinco up for MLS MVP, faces four other contendersSportsnet
Sebastian Giovinco is back where he likes to be, in MVP contention.

Union exercise options on 11 players for 2018 Prost Amerika
The Philadelphia Union announced at 6 a.m. Wednesday to extend the contract option on 11 players from their 2017 roster, while also declining the contract option for another 11 players.

LAFC manager Bob Bradley spotted scouting in Costa RicaAngels on Parade
News broke on Sunday that Los Angeles Football Club head coach Bob Bradley was spotted at a Saprissa vs. Alajuelense match this weekend in Costa Rica, which Saprissa won 2-0. There was photographic evidence and everything.

Canada WNT vs USWNT at BC Place, Vancouver – November 9 – Buy Tickets!

BC SOCCER NEWS

Royals sweep soccer finalsTri-City News
Both the Douglas Royals’ men’s and women’s soccer teams have the same goal. But they’re heading to opposite ends of the country to achieve it.

Shootout ends in silver for Blues women North Shore News
Hard-luck Capilano finishes second despite not conceding a single goal at PacWest championships.

MSOC: SFU’s 62-4-1 NCAA home record to be tested this week SFU
With two games remaining in the regular season, the No. 15 ranked Simon Fraser University men’s soccer team controls its playoff fate, and there is no better place to take care of business than Terry Fox Field.

Morello scores four in final game with Capilano University North Shore News
Nicolas Morello certainly took the term “going out with a bang” seriously during his final match with the Capilano Blues.

Mountain United FC Achieve Standard 1 of the BC Soccer Club Charter ProgramBCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is pleased to announce Mountain United FC have achieved standard 1 of the BC Soccer Club Charter Program. Achieving standard 1 of the BC Soccer Club Charter Program required Mountain United FC to meet criteria outlined within the program. The criteria are based on three top-line categories: Technical; Governance; and Administrative.

Clean sheet secures spot in Canada West Final Four for women’s soccer Ubyssey
The Thunderbirds women’s soccer team had plenty of reasons to celebrate this week. Not only did they beat the University of Saskatchewan Huskies to earn a place in the the Canada West Final Four, they did so with a well-earned 3-0 win in Saskatoon.

Win moves Cowichan LMG into first placeCowichan Valley Citizen
Cowichan LMG took sole possession of first place in the Vancouver Island Soccer League’s top division with a 2-0 win over Gorge at Hampton Park last Friday.

BC Soccer Web’s 2017 Soccer & Sports Book RecommendationsBC Soccer Web
Over the years, there have been many books on soccer and sport that have given us joy, laughter, and much to think about. We’re happy to share these with you. We’ll be updating this list as new titles become available, so keep checking.

PCSL CHALLENGE CUP PHOTOS: Vancouver Utd. 3, Mid-Isle Mariners 1, July 30, 2017BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

2016-2017 BC Soccer Year in ReviewBCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is proud to release their 2016-2017 Year in Review after another successful year of soccer. The #respectall initiative, High Performance License, Club Charter Program activity, along with the delivery of hundreds of coaching courses and referee clinics this past year highlight some of the successes.

BC PROVINCIAL WOMEN’S A CUP PHOTOS: Surrey United 1 NSGSC Renegades 0, May 13, 2017 BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

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, 2017BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

Becoming a BC Soccer RefereeBCSA
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!

PHOTOS: CANADA WEST WOMENS FINAL, UBC 3, TWU 0, NOVEMBER 6, 2016BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

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 SyndicationBC 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 WNT vs USWNT at BC Place, Vancouver – November 9 – Buy Tickets!

CANADA SOCCER NEWS

CANADA vs. UNITED STATES

WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
BUY TICKETS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017, 7:00 PM
BC PLACE, VANCOUVER, BC

Cape Breton University men’s soccer team tops national rankings for first timeCape Breton Post
When Deano Morley took over the reins of the Cape Breton University men’s soccer team in 2014, he had one objective: to have the top program in the Canada.

MSOC Final Four: Golden Bears aim for repeat in enemy territoryCanada West
The Alberta Golden Bears might want to beef up security for their trip to Vancouver this weekend, because everyone at the 2017 Canada West men’s soccer Final Four is coming for them.

Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath, Taylor Smith on U.S. women’s soccer team to face CanadaPhilly.com
The U.S. women’s soccer team roster for games against Canada on Nov. 9 and 12 features some significant new names and some significant absences.

Five Things to Know About CanadaUSSF
The matches between the sides will be the 57th and 58th meetings between the teams. Canada is currently tied with China PR as the USA’s most common opponent at 56 games played, but with these two matches, will move to the top of the list, perhaps appropriate considering the geographical and historical ties for the leaders in women’s soccer in the CONCACAF region.

McGill Redmen soccer haunts Concordia Stingers in last regular season home gameMcGill Tribune
On Oct. 27, McGill Redmen soccer (4-5-3) took on the Concordia Stingers (3-8-1). The highly physical game resulted in a 3-1 victory for McGill.

Sea-Hawks soccer teams fly into AUS playoffsThe Telegram
The Memorial Sea-Hawks men’s and women’s soccer teams will be in Nova Scotia later this week for Atlantic University Sport (AUS) playoff tournaments.

Commemorative name sought for Dawson pitchWhitehorse Daily Star
Speaking for the Dawson City Football Club/Minor Soccer Association, Johnny Nunan approached council’s October 16 committee of the whole (COW) meeting about giving a name to the area that is currently known informally as the Crocus Bluff soccer field.

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USL, NASL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS

NASL, USSF Meet in Court to Argue InjunctionEmpire of Soccer
No decision was reached Tuesday on the North American Soccer League‘s request for an injunction to remain a Division II league as its antitrust lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation plays out, though Judge Margo K. Brodie did attempt to cut through the chatter from both sides and focus on the merits of their legal arguments in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District.

NASL v. USSF: Arguments from court hearing and judge’s key ruling Soccer America
After two and a half hours of arguments in the NASL’s lawsuit against U.S. Soccer, Federal judge Margot K. Brodie said she will make a ruling later this week on the NASL’s request for a mandatory injunction to reserve U.S. Soccer’s decision not to maintain the NASL’s Division 2 sanctioning.

What USL’s franchise agreement tells usSoctakes
Where the USL’s structure and business model are different than that of any other professional league we know of that is sanctioned by a FIFA-recognized federation, is in the direct franchise model. Here are some highlights based on a 2016 document obtained by Soc Takes.

Rangers Welcome Energy FC for Western FinalUSL
Two teams that have previously reached the Western Conference Final of the USL Cup Playoffs will meet for the first time in the postseason when the No. 4-seed Swope Park Rangers play host to No. 6-seed OKC Energy FC at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday night, with the Rangers looking for back-to-back Western Conference Championships and Energy FC hoping to advance to its first USL Cup. Kickoff for #SPRvOKC is set for 5:30 p.m. PT and the game can be seen live on the USL Match Center.

Louisville, NYRB II Face Conference Final RematchUSL
The Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs will feature a rematch as No. 1-seed Louisville City FC and the No. 7-seed New York Red Bulls II meet on Saturday night at Slugger Field with Louisville looking to advance to its first USL Cup and the Red Bulls II aiming to continue the defense of their championship. #LOUvNY kicks off at 4:30 p.m. PT and can be seen live on the USL Match Center.

Tonight in Tacoma: Sounders, Rainiers likely to announce move of USL club GoalWA
All signs are pointing to the arrival of professional soccer in Tacoma as the Seattle Sounders and Tacoma Rainiers have announced a press conference for Wednesday night at the City of Destiny’s most famous soccer bar, Doyle’s.

History-makers and title favourites, the move to Miami proving fruitful for Tipp’s Richie Ryan The 42
IT’S BEEN A turbulent season for the North American Soccer League (NASL). Lots of changes occurred before a ball was even kicked with four teams dropping out of the second tier, one rebranding and another – Minnesota United – making the step up to Major League Soccer.

FC Edmonton nearly doubles game attendance marketing to families, though support group rivalries can inhibit growthEdmonton Examiner
Attendance at FC Edmonton games has nearly doubled from last year after the team began focusing on bringing in families and youth.

STLFC moving forward after third straight disappointing seasonSt. Louis Today
St. Louis FC entered its third United Soccer League season with a new coach, a largely new roster and hopes of reaching the Eastern Conference playoffs.


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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS

USWNT roster: Sonnett returns; Franch, Ubogagu could get first capsThe Equalizer
Jill Ellis has announced her final United States national team roster of 2017. Twenty-three players were called in ahead of matches against Canada on November 9 (Vancouver) and 12 (San Jose). Recently crowned NWSL Champion, Emily Sonnett has been called in for the first time in a year having last appeared for the club in October 2016. Also called in were Adrianna Franch and Chioma Ubogagu who are the only two uncapped players on the roster.

Pride Season Prepares Ubogagu for U.S. WNT Test Orlando City SC
August 5 was like any other game for Chioma Ubogagu – one where she laced her boots up, ready to play whatever role head coach Tom Sermanni needed her to play. This one, however, took a twist when the forward was chalked down as the team’s starting left back, lining up in place of regular starter Steph Catley who was given a rest after played 270 strenuous minutes in the Tournament of Nations for Australia.

WU19 EURO elite round line-up confirmedUEFA
Holders Spain and six-time champions Germany are among the 28 teams that have advanced from the Women’s U19 EURO qualifying round to the elite round draw on 24 November.

#SBSSWPL Round-up – 29/10/17Scottish WPL
Title rivals Glasgow City and Hibernian came into the weekend separated by just two points, and both sides managed to score eight goals in their respective matches.


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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

UEFA Champions League Wednesday Preview: Tottenham hosts Real Madrid, Man City travels to Napoli, and moreSBI
Two of Europe’s heavyweights will square off at Wembley Stadium as Tottenham Hotspur hosts Real Madrid. The sides played out a 1-1 draw earlier this month at the Bernabeu and the second time around should be just as good.

PSG, Bayern advance in Champions League; Man United must waitSportsnet
Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are the first teams in the Champions League knockout rounds after the group rivals both won Tuesday to advance with two games left.

Kurzawa hails PSG team-mates after historic hat-trickSN
Hosts PSG were already two goals up when former Monaco man Kurzawa took centre stage with the first hat-trick of his professional career on Tuesday.

AS Roma 3-0 Chelsea: Conte endures unhappy return to Italy with BluesVavel
The Chelsea manager endured a disastrous return home as his side were heavily beaten at the Stadio Olimpico.

Man United seize on Benfica’s bad luck to edge closer to knockout roundsESPN FC
Here are three quick thoughts after Man United left it late to complete a 2-0 win over Benfica in Champions League matchday 4.

Barcelona rocked by double injury blow to Sergi Roberto and Andre Gomes SN
Barcelona midfielders Sergi Roberto and Andre Gomes will miss the next month after sustaining injuries during Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Olympiakos in Champions League Group D.

Lanus completes stunning comeback to beat River, reach Libertadores finalESPN FC
At the weekend River Plate and Lanus fielded reserve sides in their Argentine league games. Both lost 4-0, but they were happy to keep their stars fresh for this crunch meeting in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s version of the Champions League. And what a night it turned out to be.

UK football dodges a bullet as government stays away from regulating gambling adsInside World Football
Fears that a government review of the on-line betting and gaming industry could result in dramatic falls advertising and sponsorship revenues for football have been averted with the government leaving this part of the gambling sector alone in a review published yesterday.

Former Ghana star Abubakar dies at the age of 36BBC Sport
Ghanaian football has been rocked by the death of former international Yakubu Abubakar at the age of 36.

South African soccer president denies raping singer in 1993Metro
The head organizer of the 2010 World Cup on Wednesday denied raping a singer and former South African ruling party lawmaker 24 years ago.

Takkas becomes second FIFA-gate defendant to be handed jail time in USInside World Football
Costas Takkas became the second defendant in the FIFA corruption case to be sentenced in the US, receiving a 15-month jail sentence and being ordered to pay a share of $3 million in restitution to the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

First Neymar, now world dominationESPN Magazine
PSG has six Brazilians on its 24-player roster this season, though one overshadows the rest. Neymar da Silva Santos Jr. is now the most expensive footballer ever, following his $349 million contract and $263 million transfer from Barcelona, a move that rearranged the balance of power in European football — and might have changed the sport irrevocably.

Former Bundesliga player wins the lottery SN
Former Bundesliga player Tommy Bechmann has won nearly £600,000 playing in the Danish lottery.

Are Sunderland simply unmanageable? The Guardian
Simon Grayson was sacked on Tuesday after one win in 15 league games at a club where good managers suddenly seem to lose their touch.

2017’s TOP SOCCER BOOKSAmazon.ca

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