VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Vancouver Whitecaps extend head coach Carl Robinson through 2020 season – MLS
The Vancouver Whitecaps fell well short of expectations this season, but that didn’t stop them from signing head coach Carl Robinson to a contract extension through 2020.
Whitecaps FC re-sign first-team coaches Carl Robinson, Martyn Pert, and Gordon Forrest to long-term contracts – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Wednesday that the club has extended the contract of head coach Carl Robinson through 2020. Assistant coaches Martyn Pert and Gordon Forrest have also agreed to multi-year contract extensions.
Robinson and Vancouver coaches get new deals despite missing playoffs – SN
The Vancouver Whitecaps did not make the MLS playoffs in 2016. That alone could have been enough for the club to go a different direction heading into next season, but the Caps have decided to stay the course, handing head coach Carl Robinson, along with assistant coaches Martyn Pert and Gordon Forrest, new contracts.
Robinson seeking ‘key players in key areas’ on offseason scouting trip – Whitecaps FC
Robinson is off to South America on Thursday to kick off an extensive offseason scouting trip – Robinson’s first order of business after signing a long-term contract with the club on Wednesday.
Giles Barnes named MLS Player of the Week – Whitecaps FC
Stakes were high around the league on Decision Day this past weekend, and no one shined brighter on the big stage than Giles Barnes.
Fraser Aird weighing options after ‘tough’ first season in Vancouver – SN
Whitecaps defender Fraser Aird has had a particularly frustrating first season in MLS after finding himself in and out of the ‘Caps’ starting line-up, making only 18 appearances and failing to find the scoresheet or garner an assist.
Goalkeeper coach Marius Røvde departs to pursue new opportunity – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Monday that goalkeeper coach Marius Røvde will not be returning in order to pursue a new opportunity.
Red Bulls – Whitecaps CCL Schedule Revealed – Empire of Soccer
The New York Red Bulls will be starting play early in 2017 as they will host the Vancouver Whitecaps in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday February 22.
MLS Playoffs get underway with knockout round – The Journal
Dallas won the U.S. Open Cup in September and then claimed the MLS Supporters’ Shield for the team with the best regular-season record on Sunday. If they can win the MLS Cup, it will mark the first time a team has won all three trophies — an unprecedented “treble” — in a single season.
MLS Playoff Talking Points: Union and RSL hoping to be rare bottom seeds to win MLS Cup – SN
The MLS playoffs are set to begin, and the most popular mantra being echoed this week is a simple, if misleading one. Anyone can win.
Grading the Western Conference field ahead of the playoffs – MLS
This week, ahead of Knockout Round clashes on Wednesday and Thursday, the Western Conference gets the red-pen treatment.
Impact’s Drogba not expected to play against DC – TSN
Didier Drogba made a brief appearance at the Montreal Impact’s practice on Tuesday but is unlikely to play in a playoff game this week against D.C. United.
Drogba or not, DC United ready for whatever Montreal Impact throw at them – MLS
D.C. United captain Bobby Boswell says his side is preparing both for life with and without Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba in Thursday’s Knockout Round clash in the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Impact captain Patrice Bernier banks on more MLS playoff magic – Montreal Gazette
Patrice Bernier hopes he has some post-season magic left over from last year’s Major League Soccer playoffs.
Toronto FC aims higher in second MLS playoff shot – Toronto Star
TFC hosts Philadelphia Union in MLS playoff knockout round Wednesday night, which they hope is just the first step in a long playoff run.
Toronto FC head into MLS playoffs with a little more than just winning at stake – Yahoo Sports
At least within the tight and unique confines of Major League Soccer, things are on the uptick for Toronto FC.
New-look Seattle Sounders trying to put last loss to Sporting Kansas City behind them – Sounders FC
The last time the two teams met was in late July, a 3-0 lifeless Seattle loss in high Kansas heat. Schmetzer and several players stressed that it’s an entirely different group than a few months ago, and on paper it’s almost unrecognizable.
Timbers’ Gleeson, Ridgewell to undergo SABH assessment after DUII arrest – MLS
Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson and captain Liam Ridgewell were arrested on Monday night in Lake Oswego, Oregon for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Gleeson faces additional accusations of reckless driving and recklessly endangering another person.
MLS Cup Playoffs: It’s time, and PRO’s officials are ready! – PRO
The 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs are here! The 12 teams are ready to do battle for the top prize – the MLS Cup – and PRO’s roster of officials are preparing themselves for the end-of-season showdowns. The first batch of assignments have been released, with the Knockout Round officials announced, and one man on the list who is new to the MLS Cup Playoffs is referee Alan Kelly.
Claudio Reyna discusses NYCFC’s growth and future plans – Empire of Soccer
Joining fans at a team event in Modells in New York City, NYCFC’s Sporting Director said he’s excited to see the development of the club and its players. As he nears the end of his second season in charge, the former U.S. international is beginning to look off into the club’s short and long-term future as well.
MLS play-offs roundtable: our writers pick the postseason winners – The Guardian
The MLS postseason begins on Wednesday, and it’s all to play for. Our writers give their verdicts on who’ll win, who’ll go close, and who’ll go home early
MLS releases offseason draft calendar; Combine, SuperDraft heading to LA – MLS
Major League Soccer announced on Wednesday key dates for the 2016-17 offseason, including the opening of the free agency window, Re-Entry Draft dates and the opening of the 2017 MLS preseason.
MLS Records Banner Year In 2016, Cements Position Among Top U.S. Pro Sports Leagues – Forbes
In 2016, Major League Soccer is still not consistently part of the national conversation when it comes to the major U.S. professional sports leagues. Yet, when looking at the past calendar year — where the 2o-team league saw exponential growth in viewership, social media, attendance, merchandise sales, team valuations and other categories — it is impossible to have that same conversation without including MLS.
Whitecaps end season on a winning note: Cascadia Cup Champs – Prost Amerika
The Vancouver Whitecaps denied the Portland Timbers a playoff spot on Sunday and captured their third Cascadia Cup in four years on Sunday afternoon as they dismantled the Portland Timbers 4-1.
CASCADIA CUP PHOTOS: Whitecaps FC 4 Portland Timbers 1, October 23, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web By Bill Currie.
Capture the game in HD using aerial video, book now at www.gamevision.ca!
BC SOCCER NEWS
Cascades soccer: Weir named third star of the week, women’s soccer team up to No. 8 in national rankings – UFV
The University of the Fraser Valley soccer programs earned plaudits on Tuesday as the Canada West conference’s weekly awards and the new U Sports national rankings were released.
T-Birds take on Pandas in playoff opener – UBC
UBC is off to Alberta for a date with the Pandas in the winner-take-all Canada West quarter-final. The two teams last squared off in September when the ‘Birds were handed their first loss of the season despite a two-goal, come from behind performance from Jasmin Dhanda.
VMSL Week 7 Round-up: Highlights and highlighters – AFTN
Is anyone capable of stopping Coquitlam Metro Ford Wolves from lifting back to back VMSL Premier titles? It’s looking increasingly unlikely with each passing week.
North Van’s Ruby runs with national U17 soccer team – North Shore News
North Vancouver’s Jake Ruby is one of 23 players taking part in an evaluation camp for Canada Soccer’s men’s national U17 team this week in Toronto.
UNBC women kept out of win column – Prince George Citizen
In their final game of the Canada West season, the Timberwolves fell 3-0 to the Mount Royal University Cougars. The previous day, in Edmonton, UNBC played a solid defensive game but lost 1-0 to the MacEwan University Griffins.
Soccer thrives in fall – Alberni Valley News
Fall has arrived, and with it, the start of soccer season. For the second year, players will have the opportunity to continue playing through the spring season, thanks to the success of both sessions last year.
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.
Canada West to livestream over 100 Soccer matches in 2016-17 – Canada West
With the 2016-17 Canada West regular season set to open later this week, Canada West is proud to launch passes for Canadawest.tv – the official streaming home of the conference.
BC Soccer Assoc. Releases their 2015-2016 Year in Review – BCSA
After another successful year of soccer in British Columbia, BC Soccer Assoc. is pleased to release their 2015-2016 Year in Review. The creation of the BC Soccer Club Charter Program, delivery of a FIFA Live Your Goals Festival, along with the numerous Grassroots Festivals across the province and Coach Education highlight some of the major successes this past year.
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.
Train With Champions TWU Spartan Female Soccer Academy
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
U Sports Top Ten Tuesday – U Sports
TWU holds at #2 & UFV rises in the Women’s Soccer Top Ten. Meanwhile, UBC returns to the charts on the men’s side.
Alexander Irwin gets kick at national soccer squad – London Free Press
This is somewhat of a rarity. While women soccer players from London have made headlines over the years, especially recently with their success, that success rate has been far lower on the men’s and boy’s side. But 16-year-old Alexander Irwin hopes to change some of that.
Kenora player’s NCAA soccer career with SDSU Jackrabbits winds down – Kenora Daily Miner
Ashley Adams has the durability of a good battery – she just keeps going and going on the soccer field. The Kenora athlete’s defensive dependability has helped her set the school record for minutes played with the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits’ women’s soccer team through her four years with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 program.
Sandro Grande is feeling ‘The Rush’ in Laval – The Suburban
Former Montreal Impact player Sandro Grande continues to bring excitement to Club de Soccer les Étoiles de l’Est in Laval. The organization is lucky to have a man like him as technical director.
Alberta college sports to air around the world – Calgary Herald
Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) has partnered with Worldplay Canada Inc. to create its own online broadcast network. ACAC TV will air sports from 17 member colleges ranging from Grande Prairie to Medicine Hat. The government is providing an annual grant through its Alberta Sport Connection, a non-profit organization.
Anger management ordered for punch to opposing soccer player – Edmonton Sun
An Edmonton man who punched an opposing soccer player in the face, shattering his orbital bone, during a men’s league game was handed a community-based jail term Tuesday.
Connect with Soccer in British Columbia! Advertise on BC Soccer Web today!
WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
Ottawa Fury FC confirms it will move to new league – Ottawa Sun
There were talks of the formation of a Canadian Premier League, but that’s on the backburner for now.
USL Announces Addition of Ottawa Fury FC – USL
The United Soccer League and Ottawa Fury FC announced today that the club will be joining the USL for the 2017 season. Fury FC is expected to be placed in the USL’s Eastern Conference, alongside fellow expansion side the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Ottawa Fury FC bolt NASL for growing United Soccer League – CBC
Ottawa Fury FC is jumping from one soccer league to another in 2017, joining a league that includes teams based in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Dec. 4 is decision day: CSA to vote on Fury’s potential move to USL – the11.ca
The Ottawa Fury announced Tuesday that the team is moving to USL for the 2017 season. But that move can’t become official until it receives sanctioning from Canada Soccer.
NASL reiterates commitment to moving forward following Rowdies, Fury departures – SBI
The NASL took a big hit on Tuesday afternoon, but those in charge of the league say they are committed to growing the league even further despite a pair of recent departures.
Colin Miller confirms FC Edmonton is staying in North American Soccer League – Edmonton Journal
Miller confirmed Tuesday, his team would remain part of the North American Soccer League and have no plans to jump ship like the Ottawa Fury and Tampa Bay Rowdies did earlier in the day.
Tampa Bay Rowdies make right decision moving from NASL – Saint Peters Blog
NASL is a designated Division 2 league while USL is a designated division 3 league by the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Divisional designations aside, USL currently looks a much safer long-term bet for a club like the Rowdies with a rich history and unlimited ambition.
Planning Commission endorses ambitious downtown railyard plan – Sacramento Bee
An expansive plan to redevelop Sacramento’s historic downtown railyard with a major- league soccer stadium, a hospital and a mix of housing and shops took a big step toward full approval by the city Monday night.
Follow BC Soccer Web on Twitter and get news throughout the day!
WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Portugal pip Romania in Women’s EURO play-off – UEFA
Romania 1-1 Portugal (aet, agg: 1-1, Portugal win on away goals)
Andreia Norton’s extra-time goal sends Portugal to their first senior final tournament.
Lionesses pick up 2-1 win over Spain in Guadalajara – The FA
A deflected Karen Carney cross and a Steph Houghton free-kick helped England defeat Spain in their second Euro 2017 warm-up match.
France, England join Netherlands, Germany as top seeds – UEFA
France and England join hosts the Netherlands and holders Germany in Pot 1 for the draw, streamed live at 17:30CET on 8 November in Rotterdam’s Luxor Theatre.
#SWPL16 – Game 20 Round up – Scottish WPL
It was a historic day in the SWPL 1 as Glasgow City sealed their tenth title in a row, something no Scottish club has done before. Whilst in the SWPL 2, the title is in Hamilton’s hands going into the final day, but Glasgow Girls and Hearts are still in the race.
NCAA Week 10 Wrap: Colorado wins at the buzzer – The Equalizer
Time sure does fly. For most conferences across the country, last week was the penultimate weekend of the regular season. Here’s a look at some of the major headlines as we move closer to the NCAA tournament.
Find a Team or Find a Player with BC Soccer Web FREE Classifieds!
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Arsenal, Liverpool through to League Cup quarters – Sportsnet
While the English League Cup lacks prestige, it still provides a platform in the early rounds for out-of-favour players or those lacking in confidence to make an impact. Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain did just that on Tuesday.
AC Milan wastes a chance to go top in loss at Genoa – Sportsnet
Three days after beating Juventus, the inexperience of AC Milan’s young squad showed in a 3-0 loss at Genoa on Tuesday that saw the 10-man Rossoneri waste a chance to take the Serie A lead.
West Ham must keep the focus on the football amidst fan trouble – ESPN FC
On Wednesday night, West Ham United face their biggest cup hurdle so far at the London Stadium. Visitors Chelsea are the opponents in the EFL Cup, a keenly anticipated fixture that will give the Hammers their first taste of domestic evening football in Stratford.
Cosmos’ Savarese reflects on life of Carlos Alberto – Empire of Soccer
The soccer world was rocked on Tuesday afternoon by the surprising passing of Brazilian legend, Carlos Alberto. The current Cosmos team learned the news upon exiting the field from their Tuesday morning practice session. And no face was more sullen than team coach, Giovanni Savarese. “I wanted to call him two days ago,” he tells EoS, eyes welling with emotion. “It had been a while since we spoke.”
Carlos Alberto obituary – The Guardian
Captain of the Brazilian football team acknowledged by many as the greatest international side of all time that won the World Cup in 1970
German Football Museum strikes a balance – DW
The museum in Dortmund, that cost an impressive 36 million euro, is pleased by the positive resonance and the fact that it attracted 200,000 visitors in its first year.
Homophobia in sport: Most fans ‘would welcome gay players’ – BBC survey – BBC Sport
Most sports fans in England, Wales and Scotland say they would be comfortable with their club signing a gay player, according to a BBC Radio 5 live survey.
‘Even my 78-year-old father streams’ – why football fans are switching off – The Guardian
The viewing figures are in and the news is not good for the TV companies: fewer people are watching televised live games than they were last season. Sky’s early-season ratings are down by a fifth and BT’s Champions League coverage isn’t picking up the slack. But are people watching less live football or just avoiding the cost of subscription fees?
Monaco signs FIFA 17 player and follows PSG into eSports market – SN
Monaco has announced its first foray into eSports by signing competitive FIFA player Nathan ‘Sneaky’ Nayagom.
Braintree Town – the club who have had eight goalkeepers this season – BBC Sport
If you were predicting the starting line-up of the club you support, the position you would most likely be able to predict would be the goalkeeper – unless you are a Braintree Town fan.