BC Soccer News, Weekend, April 29 – May 1, 2016

BC Soccer Web MLS MATCHDAY #10: New York City FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, April 30, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
The Caps haven’t played in the Bronx since their NASL days of the mid 70s. They’ll face a star-studded New York City FC that has underperformed in their short tenure in MLS. Will Pirlo & company rise to the occasion? Is Frank Lampard indeed the worst designated player signing in MLS history? Saturday will tell. We have all of the previews & match news here.

Whitecaps still searching for their identity this season – Sportsnet
Watching the Vancouver Whitecaps over the course of this Major League Soccer campaign so far has occasionally felt like witnessing some sort of avant-garde performance art. That is, you’d be forgiven if you were left bewildered at the end, wondering what to make of what you’d just seen.

Whitecaps feeling short-changed by MLS discipline – Vancouver Sun
The Whitecaps have played 146 minutes with 10 men this season and they’ve outscored the opposition 1-0 in those three combined games — at Kansas City, at home to L.A., and home to K.C. on Wednesday.

‘Captain Canada’ Teibert still waits to soar as Whitecaps fiddle with middle – Vancouver Sun
Teibert is one of the most technically skilled, talented Canadians playing soccer, a tireless worker whom Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson anointed.

The Good, The Average and The Bad: R.I.P. to Caps and SKC Excitement Edition – AFTN
The game started off with a bang. It had great pace by both teams, with goalmouth action, strong physical play, and end to end chances. After a great left-footed goal by Christian Bolaños off a Cristian Techera corner, it looked like that might be enough to get the three points and allow the Whitecaps to enjoy a nice flight to New York City. But a goal by Diego Rubio for Sporting KC, on a play where Kendall Waston was caught napping, the air seemed to be taken out of the crowd at BC Place and the action soon followed.

PHOTO GALLERY: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1 Sporting Kansas City 1, April 27, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

New York Red Bulls trade for Orlando center back Aurelien Collin – MLS
The New York Red Bulls addressed a major need on Friday morning, with the announcement that they had acquired center back Aurelien Collin via trade from Orlando City.

MLS Talking Points: NYCFC looks to end home drought, Sounders still missing Martins, and more – Goal
New York City FC is still searching for a home win, and the Seattle Sounders are still trying to replace Obafemi Martins heading into MLS Week 9.

MLS Week 9: A Look Ahead – SBI
Following a trio of midweek games, MLS returns with a full schedule and some intriguing matchups to headline the weekend.

MLS previews: will Philadelphia Union continue to surprise? – The Guardian
Toronto FC finally end their epic road trip in Portland, while the Union are hoping they can continue to succeed in the East.

Transfer Watch: Lazio, Molde reportedly eyeing Orlando City’s Cyle Larin – MLS
European clubs have reportedly started taking a real look at Cyle Larin, with an Italian outlet reporting on Tuesday that Serie A side Lazio and Norwegian club Molde are both interested in the Orlando City striker.

Why it Wouldn’t Make Sense Financially for Orlando City to Sell Cyle Larin This Summer – The Mane Land
Orlando City would be smart to wait on selling Cyle Larin until after this season because MLS rules say the club could make more money.

With renewed fire, Patrick Nyarko returns to Chicago with D.C. United – Washington Post
On Saturday afternoon, when D.C. United’s bus pulls into the east-side lot at Toyota Park in suburban Chicago, Patrick Nyarko will encounter a stiff draft of memories.

Seattle Sounders Notebook: No concerns as Zach Scott steps in for Brad Evans – Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders defender and captain Brad Evans will watch from the stands when the Sounders take on Columbus Crew SC on Saturday after he picked up a red card and a one-game suspension last weekend for dissent.

Canadians making an Impact in Montreal starting XI – Yahoo Sports
It may simply have been an incident of squad rotation with three games in a week, but the Montreal Impact used Thursday’s 1-1 draw with NYCFC to include an almost unheard-of four Canadian players in the starting XI.

Didier Drogba says he needs another month to get back to best – SBI
Didier Drogba had more of an impact on Wednesday’s equalizer than met the eye. A minute into stoppage time and staring in the face of defeat, Drogba whipped in a free kick from the right that helped the Montreal Impact pick up a 1-1 road draw with New York City FC. Drogba got the assist, of course, for delivering the ball that was nodded home, but he also deserves credit for his impromptu traffic control signals.

The Reinvention of Caleb Porter: Reflection and renewal in the Rose City – MLS
As midnight closed in, Porter paced the empty hallways of the Portland Timbers’ hotel in Plano, Texas, a quick drive south of where a few hours ago his team had beaten FC Dallas in their final game of the 2014 regular season. The Timbers’ playoff fate was in the balance – and out of their control.

Camping World Stadium and other oddly named sports venues  – Orlando Sentinel
What’s in a name? Companies buying naming rights to major sports venues is nothing new, but every now and then a deal comes along that makes you scratch your head.  Such was the case this week when Camping World, a Kentucky-based company specializing in recreational vehicles, announced a naming rights agreement with Orlando’s Citrus Bowl.

 Capture the  game in HD using aerial video, book now at www.gamevision.ca!

BC SOCCER NEWS

Schneider Bolsters Recruiting Class With Pang And Lee – SFU
Striker Riley Pang from Richmond and winger Sam Lee of Coquitlam are joining the SFU men’s soccer program.

Hamel Welcomes Oregon State Transfer Jenna Baxter – SFU
Jenna Baxter returns home to BC after spending the 2015 season with the Oregon State University Beavers, a member of Division I’s Pac-12 Conference.

Richmond teams off to quarter-finals – Richmond News
AC Richmond is the lone team carrying the Richmond Adult Soccer Association banner into the quarter-finals of the Keith Miller Provincial “B” Cup playdowns.

Mini World Cup comes to turf – Alberni Valley News
More than 50 teams from all over Vancouver Island will take over soccer pitches in the Alberni Valley this weekend as AV Minor Soccer hosts the Mini World Cup April 30–May 1.

Tri-City soccer squads off to Fraser Valley tourney – Tri City News
Four Tri-City teams have punched their tickets to the AAA high school girls soccer Fraser Valley playdowns.

United soccer teams pile up early season wins – Kelowna Capital News
Latest results from Thompson Okanagan minor soccer.

Pacific Soccer Coaching Conference – June 3-5 at SFU – BC Soccer Web
The Pacific Soccer Coaching Conference is back for its second year. Learn from some of the best coaches in the game. This year’s conference features speakers from Arsenal, Leicester City, Southampton, the English FA and more. Register before April 30 for early bird pricing.

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.

Victoria Highlanders 2016 Season Tickets Now Available – Select Your Seats
The Victoria Highlanders are ready to return to the PDL for 2016. BC Soccer Web encourages all soccer fans on Vancouver Island to get behind their team. Season tickets are now on sale and extremely affordable. Support Local Soccer!

BC Soccer Assoc. is Now Accepting Candidates for its Board of Directors – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors for terms commencing June 11, 2016. Prospective candidates are invited to review the information provided on the BC Soccer web site www.bcsoccer.net. Candidates who provide notice to BC Soccer Assoc. of their intent to stand for election by May 1, 2016 will have their applications circulated to the membership in early May.

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.

EPIC presents the 2016 Western Canada College ID Camp

CANADA SOCCER NEWS

Canada’s ex-coach Hart has Soca Warriors dancing – Toronto Sun
Remnants of Stephen Hart’s tears still reside somewhere inside the belly of Honduras’ Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, the site of Canada’s historic 8-1 World Cup qualifying defeat. Canadian supporters will never forget said fixture or, for that matter, forgive Hart — something Canada’s ex-coach came to terms with moments after the lopsided loss that ended Canada’s 2014 World Cup hopes.

David vs. Goliath: Canadian futsal squad to face an American team filled with pros – the11.ca
The American national team has a roster filled with professional players — only three members of its current team is listed as unattached. The Canadian national team has only three professionals on its roster — the rest of the team is made up of amateurs from Ontario and Quebec.

Defending champion Oakville Blue Devils open season on Sunday – Inside Halton
There will be a special presentation when the Oakville Blue Devils open the League 1 Ontario soccer schedule on Sunday. The Blue Devils will be presented with a pair of 2015 championship trophies the team won in its inaugural year in the league.

Para Soccer camp to feature #CanadaRED fan & Glass Tiger star Alan Frew – CSA
Canada Soccer has invited a special guest to the upcoming Para Soccer camp in Oakville, Ontario: five-time JUNO award winner and #CanadaRED fan Alan Frew. The lead singer of Canadian rock group Glass Tiger will take part in a special session on Thursday 5 May at the Oakville Soccer Centre.

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WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE

SAINT LOUIS FC  vs.  WFC2

SATURDAY, APRIL 30

WORLDWIDE TECHNOLOGY PARK, ST.LOUIS, MO.

USL LIVESTREAM

Fast-improving Whitecaps FC 2 conclude road trip with first-ever visit to Saint Louis FC on Saturday – Whitecaps FC
After defeating Swope Park Rangers 2-1 on Wednesday evening, current Western Conference leaders Whitecaps FC 2 (3W-0L-2D) head to Worldwide Technology Soccer Park to face fourth-place Saint Louis FC (2W-2L-2D) for the last match of their three-game road trip. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. on whitecapsfc2.com.

PREVIEW: Saint Louis FC Set to Host First Place Vancouver WFC2 – Saint Louis FC
Saint Louis FC returns home after locking down a win against Sacramento Republic FC last week.  Patrick McLain, who was on a short term loan from the Chicago Fire, defended the goal against 18 shots and kept Sacramento off the scoreboard.  Meanwhile, Mike Ambersley made the lone goal of the match in the 58th minute to give Saint Louis the 1-0 victory and three road points.

Bethlehem Steel Look To End Three-Game Homestand On A High Note – Philadelphia Union
Bethlehem Steel FC return to Goodman Stadium on Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. to take on Eastern Conference leaders Louisville City FC. Steel FC look to get a win after tying Charleston Battery 0-0 last weekend.

Six games over the course of less than three weeks: FC Edmonton set for toughest part of its schedule – the11.ca
FC Edmonton have a bye this weekend; but, beginning next Wednesday, the Eddies begin the most hellish part of their schedule.

Cosmos not planning on shake-up following two straight defeats – SBI
The past two weeks have been steps backwards for the New York Cosmos, but head coach Giovani Savarese insists there is no need to shake things up any time soon.

LA Galaxy, OC Blues Take to the Road for Weekend USL Action – Soccer Nation
For LA, they are coming off yet another draw, their fourth straight, in a 2-2 tie with Vancouver Whitecaps 2 last weekend. While they remain undefeated to start the season, the shine is certainly off that run, as they gave up a 2-0 lead against Vancouver to once again pick up a point. For a developmental team like Los Dos, this run isn’t going to be the end of the world, and again, they still haven’t lost yet this season. But they have appeared to settle into a kind of slump for the time being.

The Fury Faithful – Midfield Press
On any summer’s day, you can take a beautiful walk along Ottawa’s Rideau Canal and pass the historic Lansdowne Park as you enter the Glebe.  At the southwest corner of the stadium’s stands, just meters from the corner flag, sits Section W (The Dub); and this is the home to the passionate and enthusiastic supporters, the Fury faithful.

USL Preview: Richmond Kickers vs. Toronto FC II – USL
The Richmond Kickers and Toronto FC II will both look to rebound from defeat last time out when they meet for the first time this season at City Stadium on Saturday night. Kickoff for the contest is set for 4 p.m. PT.

NPSL Expansion: Smaller Communities Should Be NPSL’s Top Priority – Midfield Press
Much like in parts of the UK and in Europe, having small clubs helps unite and strengthen communities while competing with larger ones, and would be great to foster the culture of soccer in the United States.

USL Productions Aims to Elevate Fan Experience – USL
The USL’s announcement on Wednesday of the establishment of USL Productions, a standalone video production entity within the league’s structure, marked a major step forward for the league and its teams.

Read chapter 1 of ‘SoccerWarz: Inside America’s soccer feud between MLS, NASL and USL’ – World Soccer Talk
Kartik Krishnaiyer’s newest book, SoccerWarz: Inside America’s soccer feud between MLS, NASL and USL, examines the role that the now disgraced Traffic Sports had within NASL, as well as the league’s plans to challenge Major League Soccer’s position as the top division in the United States.

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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS

Alex Morgan flexes her social media muscle – Soccer America
If U.S. women’s national team players to show off their clout to make their case for increased pay from U.S. Soccer, they need to go no farther than an experiment held on Saturday. Alex Morgan’s Facebook page (with 2.7 million likes) was used to stream her first NWSL game with the expansion Orlando Pride and drew remarkable numbers.

Exclusive Q&A: Alex Morgan talks pay equality, her career and more – AOL
“We’ll continue to ramp up and I’ll continue to stay healthy about my summer. It’s an exciting time for me and my teammates. I think 2016 is going to be an exciting year — and I’m really excited about being wrapped up in it all.”

NWSL: Reign’s Fishlock sidelined with fractured tibia – Soccer America
Jess Fishlock, an NWSL Best XI pick in each of her three seasons with the Seattle Reign, will be sidelined with a fractured tibia suffered in the Reign’s 3-0 win at Boston last Saturday. The only good news is that the Welsh international will miss just 4-6 weeks. The Reign feared the 29-year-old midfielder, who won the 2015 UEFA Women’s Champions League with FFC Frankfurt, would be out longer.

Japan break from male tradition to appoint Takakura as women’s head coach – Inside World Football
Asako Takakura has been appointed the first ever female coach of Japan’s senior women’s national team, hailed as an important breakthrough in promoting gender equality and the skills of women coaches globally.

Sauerbrunn, Lloyd up for BBC World Player of the Year – Equalizer
The often-overlooked Becky Saurbrunn has been named among a list of five players for the second BBC Women’s World Player of the Year award.

Lyon and Wolfsburg seek more records – UEFA
Lyon and Wolfsburg look set to replay the 2013 final after big first-leg wins; UEFA.com lists their records and the ones they might break on Sunday and Monday.

Belles continue to look to the future as talent centre gets given green light – Vavel
Doncaster Rovers Belles have been granted an FA licence to launch a Regional Talent Centre, the club proudly announced on Friday.

Launch of U.S. Soccer Girls’ Development Academy Raises Concerns for County’s Elite Players – Bethesda Magazine
The upcoming launch of a girls’ soccer development program by the U.S. Soccer Federation will mean Montgomery County’s top players will face a tough decision—those who sign up will be prohibited from playing for their high school teams.

THE BIG INTERVIEW: Eastern coach Chan Yuen-ting – AFC
Chan Yuen-ting made history recently when her Eastern side beat South China 2-1 at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground to be crowned champions of the Hong Kong Premier League. The success saw Chan become the first-ever female coach to have led a professional men’s team to a top-flight championship.

Play is spurred by women’s football ban – Matlock Mercury
A new play is inspired by real-life events from 1921 when the Football Association banned women from playing at affiliated grounds will be in Buxton in May. Tackling football and feminism head on, Girls with Balls takes a bold look at women, men and the beautiful game.

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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

Lenarduzzi: Leicester can clinch crown in the hallowed grounds of Old Trafford Sunday – The Province
Leicester City is just one win away from being crowned Premier League champions, after starting the season as 5,000-to-1 long shots. Their big moment could come Sunday away to Manchester United.

Claudio Ranieri: a gentle and principled man on the verge of immortality – The Guardian
As Leicester City close in on the Premier League title, former players remember Claudio Ranieri’s unorthodox training methods and praise a genuinely nice man.

Ranieri: This is history, but I am not nervous – Goal
Leicester City is on the brink of lifting the Premier League trophy for the first time in its history, but Claudio Ranieri remains cool.

Vardy provides Leicester muscle, Mahrez silk and flair – Sportsnet
Vardy has been brilliant in a very Premier League sort of way, and the meat and muscle on the team has been typical. But Mahrez has given this team its silk, and its attacking flair. How can you argue with 17 goals and 11 assists in 34 games? No wonder the sharks are circling.

Leicester winning title will be ‘good for the Premier League’ – Louis van Gaal – ESPN FC
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said that a Leicester City title win is “good for the Premier League”, but he claimed that circumstances have been in their favour.

Meet the soccer team poised to beat 5,000-1 odds – CBC
Not only does the team represent a city smaller than Halifax, Leicester’s payroll is only a fraction of those of internationally renowned clubs such as Chelsea and Arsenal. Manchester United is expected to become the first English team to earn £500 million — about $910 million Cdn — in one season, despite sitting four spots behind lowly Leicester.

Liverpool loses late to Villarreal in Europa League semis – Sportsnet
Liverpool conceded in injury time in losing to Villarreal 1-0 in the first leg of the Europa League semifinals on Thursday. The match looked set for a draw until the second minute of added time, when Adrian Lopez scored for the host after a quick counterattack.

Europa League Rewind: Villareal stuns Liverpool, Sevilla-Shakhtar tie – SBI
The two sides seemed destined for a tie before they head to England next week, but Villareal changed the script against Liverpool at El Madrigal.

Analysis: Everton have regressed in the three years Roberto Martinez wants to be judged on – Vavel
The Everton boss entered through the Goodison Park door in the summer of 2013 accompanied by a fresh wave of optimism, but three years later and the mood is very different on the blue half of Merseyside.

Roma poised to announce new Francesco Totti deal signed – reports – ESPN FC
Roma are set to announce that captain Francesco Totti has signed a new one-year contract following the Serie A clash at Genoa this weekend, according to reports in Italy.

Liga MX Talking Points: Tigres Liguilla chase, battle near top lead Round 16 – Goal
The defending champions must pick up points, while a potential final preview takes place in the capital. Goal takes a look at the weekend in Mexican soccer.

2016 Copa América Centenario trophy unveiled – MLS
CONMEBOL unveiled the trophy that will be awarded to the winner of the 2016 Copa América Centenario on Thursday night, revealing the special trophy at the headquarters of the Colombian Football Federation.

PAOK refuse to play Cup semi-fnal amid calls for deeper clean of Greek football – Inside World Football
Despite a solution seemingly having been reached between Greek authorities and FIFA to resume the national cup competition and prevent Greece being thrown out of international football, PAOK Salonica owner Ivan Savvidis (pictured) pulled his team out of this week’s semi-final, second leg against Olympiakos Piraeus because his conditions had not been met.

Buffalo Wild Wings is betting on soccer to revive flagging same-store sales – Marketwatch
Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. says that it will focus its energy on upcoming soccer tournaments, among other initiatives, to turn around a decline in first-quarter same-store sales.

A whirlwind weekend of Argentine derbies – Prost Amerika
I flew 20 hours each way from the UK to Argentina to watch four football matches in two days.  I arrived on Friday and left on Monday But this was no ordinary weekend, this was derby weekend in Argentina, or as they call derbies in Spanish,  a Clasico weekend.

Entire FC United of Manchester board offers to resign after calling EGM – The Guardian
The entire board of FC United of Manchester – the breakaway club set up by Manchester United supporters after the Glazer family’s takeover at Old Trafford – has offered to resign after calling an EGM to deal with the most turbulent period in the club’s short history.

Braintree Town’s Danny Cowley: The PE teacher on verge of Football League – BBC Sport
By day, Danny and Nicky Cowley teach boys physical education at The FitzWimarc School in Rayleigh. But in evenings and weekends, the pair are pulling off a “miracle” in the National League.

Ex-soccer star Weah to run again for president of Liberia – NBC Sports
Former world footballer of the year George Weah says he will make a second bid to become president of Liberia.

Kuwait government declares war on FIFA with legal action over suspension – Inside World Football
Kuwait’s government has launched legal action against FIFA and other international federations implementing its ban from international sporting competition.

Serbia’s Golden Generation – What Happened to the U-20 World Cup Winners? – Futbolgrad
The year 2015 brought memorable success to Serbian football when the country achieved its greatest international success in New Zealand where Serbia’s U-20 team were crowned World Champions.