WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Farewell Gershon Koffie – Whitecaps Fan Blog
Oh, what a sad day. The player we loved and who loved us back, Gershon Koffie, has been traded away to the New England Revolution. Koffie was getting towards the end of his contract and the Whitecaps had to mitigate the risk of losing a player they had developed since he was 18 for free.
Whitecaps reluctantly ship out Gershon Koffie – The Province
“I understand that this is a business,” Gershon Koffie began one quote in the press release that announced his trade from the Whitecaps to the New England Revolution on Thursday. And that’s exactly what this was.
Goodbye Gersh: Koffie transfer to New England a wrench, but best for both Whitecaps and player – AFTN
Gershon Koffie was one of those rare commodities in modern day football. A player who actually stuck around a club for, well, for longer than a cup of coffee really. The second longest serving current Whitecap, behind Russell Teibert, Koffie played six seasons in Vancouver after joining the club late in the 2010 USL season.
Vancouver Whitecaps say farewell to Gershon Koffie – Soccer Shorts
So farewell then Gershon Koffie, your move to the New England Revolution has been confirmed and, for the first time since the Whitecaps joined Major league Soccer, you will no longer be a part of their squad.
Whitecaps FC trade midfielder Gershon Koffie to New England Revolution – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that the club has acquired general allocation money and targeted allocation money from New England Revolution in exchange for midfielder Gershon Koffie. As part of the trade, Whitecaps FC will receive a percentage of any future transfer fees obtained by New England.
Why the Koffie Trade isn’t the End of the World – Eighty-Six Forever
Gershon Koffie is off to the New England Revolution in a trade that has left a large portion of the Vancouver Whitecaps fan base in a collective sulk. But the move is really in the best interests of both parties.
Whitecaps trade Gershon Koffie to New England Revolution – Vancouver Sun
Carl Robinson admits he probably got as close to Gershon Koffie as he did with any player in his four years with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Whitecaps trade Koffie to New England – Goal
It was a move that the Vancouver Whitecaps and their supporters were hoping they did not have to make. But in a salary cap world, such deals are inevitable.
Long admired by Revs’ staff, Koffie has potential to “make an immediate impact”– New England Revolution
At first glance, Thursday’s move to acquire central midfielder Gershon Koffie from the Vancouver Whitecaps appears to be an immediate response to the loss of Xavier Kouassi, who suffered a significant knee injury with FC Sion last weekend and will undergo surgery next Tuesday. In truth, Koffie is a player that the New England Revolution had been tracking long before Kouassi’s setback.
#ThxGersh: ‘Caps players say goodbye to Gershon Koffie after trade to New England – Whitecaps FC
Social Media lit up with news of the Koffie trade to New England. Several Whitecaps players took to Twitter and Instagram to send best wishes to their longtime teammate.
PODCAST: Soccer Talk With Tyler Green & Simon Fudge, Feb.11 – Libsyn
On this episode, Tyler and Simon discuss Whitecaps FC’s preseason training in Tucson, AZ as the club returned to Vancouver this week.
English Premier League’s Arsenal to play in 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game – MLS
The match, announced on Thursday, will be held at Avaya Stadium in San Jose on Thursday, July 28 at 6 pm PT and will mark Arsenal’s first participation in the All-Star Game. The event will be televised in the US on ESPN and UniMás, in Canada on TSN and RDS, and in more than 140 countries around the world, including Sky Sports in the UK.
Impact signs defender Laurent Ciman to contract extension – Montreal Impact
The Montreal Impact announced on Friday that Belgian defender Laurent Ciman has agreed to a one-year extension, keeping him under contract with the club through the 2018 season.
New York City FC’s David Villa sees team quickly adapting to Patrick Vieira’s system – MLS
After exclusively speaking to media in his native Spanish previously, NYCFC’s captain addressed reporters on a conference call in English Thursday, briefly reflecting back on the club’s first season in Major League Soccer and looking ahead at Year Two.
Crew SC announces roster updates during second preseason camp – Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew SC today announced roster updates as the club continues its preseason in preparation for the 2016 Major League Soccer campaign. Crew SC announced that the club has waived defender Sergio Campbell and midfielder Romain Gall. In addition, unsigned 2016 MLS SuperDraft selections Vincent Cicciarelli and Kyle Parker will not remain with the club this preseason, while SuperDraft selections Chase Minter and Marshall Hollingsworth along with trialist Matt Pacifici will continue to compete for a roster spot.
Tempers flare in 1-0 RSL preseason scrimmage loss to Portland (With VIDEO)– Salt Lake Tribune
On an 80 degree February day in Tucson, tempers boiled over between Real Salt Lake and reigning MLS Champion Portland Timbers in RSL’s 1-0 preseason scrimmage loss.
CCL Countdown: MLS’s four clubs face daunting tasks – Soccer America
MLS’s four representatives in the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals — the LA Galaxy, Seattle, Real Salt Lake and D.C. United — face daunting tasks. Just a month into preseason, they will have to take on Mexican opponents in mid-season form. Here’s how the MLS teams look less than two weeks before the first legs are played.
Marco Pappa says stabbing made him stronger than ever – Denver Post
Pappa, 28, made his first public comments Thursday since being stabbed in December, two days after the Rapids acquired him in a trade with the Seattle Sounders.
Thank you, Eighty Six Forever. – From the Back Line
This isn’t a farewell – it’s more of a “see you around”. We are very excited for all that the future holds as we continue forward on roads untraveled and take over the Whitecaps coverage for VanCity Buzz. We hope to see you there but, not to worry – we will still be visiting regularly and we look forward to watching this community grow and being part of it, although in a different role, for many years to come.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
PREVIEW: T-Birds and WFC2 set to clash this Saturday in exhibition match – UBC
The UBC Thunderbirds men’s soccer team will step up to the pros this weekend, as they prepare to face the Vancouver Whitecaps FC affiliate, WFC2, who play in the United Soccer League (USL). With Thunderbird Stadium, which both UBC and WFC2 call home, serving as the setting of this exhibtion match, the two sides will square off at 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Saturday, February 13.
Men’s soccer Timberwolves land local standout – UNBC
Owen Stewart is staying home to take his next step in soccer. The standout midfielder has committed to the Timberwolves for the 2016-17 season, the first member of Steve Simonson’s inaugural recruiting class.
Defending champs headline VISL cup play-in games – Times Colonist
The beauty of cup play, according to Vancouver Island Soccer League president Vince Greco, is that every single matchup is determined by pure luck, at the beginning anyway as teams are drawn out of a hat for early round matches.
Concussion Management Workshop – February 17, 2016 – PISE (Victoria) – Sport Med BC
This 2 hour workshop is led by a Certified Athletic Therapist and provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of best practices in concussion management. Participants will gain a greater understanding of recognition and management principles around concussion injuries.
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.
CANADA vs. MEXICO, March 25, 2016 @ BC PLACE STADIUM. Buy Tickets Today!
CONCACAF WOMEN’S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING
CANADA 6 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 0
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016
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CANADA SOCCER NEWS
CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship: Canada vs. Trinidad and Tobago – CBC
Canada’s women’s soccer team is looking to clinch a trip to Rio at the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship in Houston. Click on the video player above to watch live as Canada plays its second match against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday at 1 p.m. PT.
Lawrence scores a hat-trick, Desiree Scott marks 100th appearance, and Deanne Rose strikes twice in 5-0 win over Guyana at CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship Texas 2016 – CSA
Canada’s Women’s National Team opened the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship Texas 2016 with a 5-0 victory over Guyana at Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium.
Canada tops Guyana in Olympic qualifier – TSN
In a lineup full of veteran talent, it was the youngsters that got Canada off on the right foot on its quest for a berth at the 2016 Olympic Games.
Canadian women win opener at Olympic soccer qualifiers – Sportsnet
There were only two questions that needed answering by the Canadian women’s team as it opened Olympic qualifying against a Guyana side that is the definition of a minnow in the CONCACAF pool.
Former Peterborough resident Calaigh Copland plays with Team Guyana in Olympic qualifier – Peterborough Examiner
While her team was outclassed by Team Canada, former Peterborough resident Calaigh Copland, who now lives in Toronto, saw action with Team Guyana in Houston in CONCACF women’s soccer Olympic qualifying action Thursday night.
Canada’s future: 10 MLS prospects who could lead national team back to glory – MLS
Given how many members of the academies in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal appear on the rosters of Canada’s U-17 and U-20 teams these days, it’s also safe to say the national team program is benefitting from that symbiotic relationship.
#CanadaRed soccer weekly: Steady as she goes for Canadian women – Yahoo
A comfortable start to Olympic qualifying for Canada’s women’s soccer team went pretty much as expected Thursday night.
New Canada U-17 national team boss Paul Stalteri excited for future of program – MLS
As a player, Paul Stalteri helped Canada reach the top of the mountain in CONCACAF. Now, as a coach, he’s hoping to help get the program back there again.
Notre Dame student accepts scholarship to play soccer at Canisius – Welland Tribune
Turns out, Alana Rossi’s father did know best all those years ago. For the Notre Dame student, proof that David Rossi’s foresight was 20/20 was ample and on the desk right in front of her: a five-year combination academic-athletic scholarship offer to play Division 1 soccer at Canisius College in Buffalo.
BC Youth Soccer Player Development
(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our new section on BC Youth Soccer Player Development; a new resource designed to help youth coaches and players. Throughout the week, we’ll feature news, drills and videos from the most noted professionals in the field of player development. If you have any articles or resources you enjoy, send them our way, and we’ll share them with the BC Soccer community.)
OSA Learn to Train Practice Plan #6 (PDF File) – OSA
In this practice for U9 to U12s, players will travel through 4 stations, one station focuses on general movements, one station on soccer coordination with the ball, one station on soccer technique and the final station focuses on a small sided soccer game 3v3, 4v4 and 5v5.
BC Soccer Leagues & Clubs – Share your News With The BC Soccer Community!
WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
Registration now open for the 2016 WFC2 Open Tryout – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that the club will host the 2016 WFC2 Open Tryout presented by adidas on Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 21 at Simon Fraser University (SFU) Fox Field. Tryouts will begin at 3 p.m. PT on Saturday, and 1 p.m. PT on Sunday. Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Seasoned executive Jay Ball announced as FC Edmonton General Manager – FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton is proud to announce the hiring of the organization’s new General Manager, Jay Ball. Ball is a seasoned Edmonton executive with over 20 years experience in strategic leadership, corporate sponsorship and operational execution. His position with FC Edmonton is effective immediately.
Jay Ball is FC Edmonton’s new general manager – the11.ca
So, for those wondering “who is Jay Ball?” I can offer a little bit of fill-in-the-blanks. I first met Jay in the mid –‘90s, when I was the publications coordinator (a fancy term which meant I was the editor of the team magazine and fan newsletter) with the Edmonton Oilers. He’s been a press-box fixture at Oilers games for more than 20 years.
“Winning isn’t enough”: Fury coach Paul Dalglish on upcoming season – Apt.613
In a conversation with new Fury FC coach Paul Dalglish, we find out what kind of team Ottawa can look forward to seeing in 2016.
Fury signs ex-LA Galaxy defender Kyle Venter – Ottawa Sun
With the opening of training camp four days away, Ottawa Fury FC bolstered its back line on Thursday with the signing of former LA Galaxy defender Kyle Venter, pending ITC approval.
Alessandro Nesta’s Miami FC dream is shaping up with a roster of unknowns and stars – Goal
The former AC Milan and Montreal Impact star has joined forces with Riccardo Silva, Paolo Maldini and Mauro Pederzoli to finally bring professional soccer back to South Florida.
NASL clubs slowly shifting focus to youth, development – Empire of Soccer
Ask the passing North American Soccer League fan to name a few international players that populate the league and most would likely struggle to utter the names of former Spanish national team stars Raul and Marcos Senna before falling short on players.
San Francisco Marks NASL’s Long-Awaited Move West – Soccer Newsday
The NASL looks to be finally expanding westward, but it will be expanding in a manner different than what has worked for the league.
Left out of expansion talks, Chicago Sting Trust suspend operations – Empire of Soccer
Despite several conversations between the Chicago Sting Trust and NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson, the fan-based investment group has been shut out from expansion talks — and are consequently suspending operations. The reason is simple according to Sting Trust member, Shane Nicholson; the NASL never took them seriously.
Former FC Dallas player Garcia Joins San Antonio – USL
San Antonio FC announced on Thursday it had signed former FC Dallas Homegrown Player Danny Garcia ahead of the club’s inaugural season.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Concacaf Olympic women’s qualifying results – Soccer America
West Virginia University’s Ashley Lawrence scored three goals and 16-year-old Deanne Rose had the other two goals as Canada crushed Guyana, a team built around Canadian-based players, 5-0, in their first game of the Concacaf Olympic women’s qualifying tournament.
Reign FC return core aiming for first cup and third shield – Prost Amerika
Eleven players started the 2015 NWSL Championship match for the Seattle Reign FC on October 1. Of that championship game eleven, only Stephanie Cox is no longer on the roster. Cox’ retirement and Megan Rapinoe’s knee injury aside, the Reign bring back the core of a side that has taken two consecutive NWSL Shields, has not lost at Memorial Stadium in two seasons, and made it to back to back NWSL finals. Add in that sometime starter and the first sub was typically Elli Reed and the basic line up appears to be in tact.
Sky Blue welcomes back Natasha Kai – Empire of Soccer
After weeks of retirements, trades and transfers, Sky Blue FC finally began the task of building a roster for the 2016 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. And they brought back a familiar face and old friend.
In Italy, a Top Club Stands Alone in Supporting Women’s Soccer – NY Times
In Italy, the number of clubs with teams of both sexes playing in Serie A — the league that on the men’s side includes famed organizations such as A.C. Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and Roma — is much smaller. One.
India women play Bangladesh for spot in SAG football final (Preview) – New Kerala
The India women’s football team will clash with Bangladesh in a must-win match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday looking to advance to the final of the South Asian Games (SAG).
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Lenarduzzi: Arsenal next to tackle Cinderella Leicester squad on super Sunday – The Province
Just a week after the Super Bowl, the Premier League is serving up a super Sunday of its own, as the top four teams go head to head. The big question is, can anybody stop Leicester? This time it’s Arsenal’s turn to try, as they host the league leaders.
Leicester & Arsenal in showdown, City vs. Spurs & United vs. Sunderland – ESPN FC
Arsenal may never have a better chance to end their 12-year wait for a Premier League trophy but Leicester stand in their way and remain the story of the season.
Don’t call Leicester a fairytale – you’ll miss what they’re doing – The Guardian
To describe the story of Claudio Ranieri’s side as a fairytale – flukish, magical – is to miss the best part of what they are doing. They are simply a really good team.
Source: Mark Cuban isn’t the only big-name investor in futsal; other NBA owners, prestigious soccer clubs have joined in – Dallas Morning News
A source told The Dallas Morning News on Monday that the 16-team Professional Futsal League franchisees include “multiple” NBA owners and some of the world’s most prestigious soccer clubs.
FIFA has been put to shame by NFL over concussion, according to neurosurgeon – Sydney Morning News
FIFA has been “very slow” to react to the issue of concussion in football, according to Peter Hamlyn, a consultant neurosurgeon. In the week that UK cinemas release Concussion — a film detailing how American football was confronted by the effects of repeated blows to the head — Hamlyn criticised football’s governing body for failing to face up to the problem.
Messi ends wait for La Liga award – Goal
Lionel Messi has won La Liga’s Player of the Month Award for the first time following an impressive January for Barcelona.
We’ll always have Paris: Success hastening the downfall of PSG – Soccer America
As Paris Saint-Germain prepares for Tuesday’s resumption of its Champions League rivalry with Chelsea, having just broken Ligue 1’s consecutive games unbeaten record and extended coach Laurent Blanc’s contract, the club appears primed for another spending spree, so why the negativity?
Shola Ameobi signs for League One Fleetwood Town until end of season – The Guardian
The former Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi has signed for League One Fleetwood Town until the end of the season.
Copa Libertadores qualifying rounds bring plenty of drama – ESPN FC
The two-week qualifying round has certainly whetted the appetite for the group phase of the Copa Libertadores, which gets underway next Tuesday. The competition lacks much of the quality and polish of its European equivalent, the Champions League. Nevertheless, it remains compulsive viewing and the past fortnight has provided a few reminders.
SPFL chief Doncaster attacks ‘sinister’ Champions League plans – BBC Sport
SPFL chief Neil Doncaster has attacked “sinister” plans by some of Europe’s top clubs to change the format of the Champions League.
Barca-Real rivalry spills into Copa del Rey final – Sportsnet
Barcelona will face Sevilla in the final in May, but the discussion in Spain is about whether Real Madrid will allow the game to be played at its Santiago Bernabeu Stadium or force officials to choose a different venue.
Liga MX Talking Points: Gullit takes on old pals, Pachuca looks to stay unblemished – Goal
It’s still early. That’s something Liga MX teams that are in the bottom half of the table can console themselves with. That’s true enough. We’re approaching the sixth round of Liga MX, and even though a team like Chivas hasn’t won yet, there’s still plenty of chance to get into the postseason.
FIFA candidates head to Miami to meet CONCACAF in crisis – Medicine Hat News
Nothing is simple these days with scandal-rocked CONCACAF which has had three recent presidents indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice in a sprawling FIFA bribery case.
Saint Petersburg Struggles with World Cup Preparations – Futbolgrad
Aleksei Musakin, the director of the Russian Hotel Association, is worried by the lack of progress in Saint Petersburg’s preparations for the 2018 World Cup.
FIFA ethics committee bans Valcke for 12 years – Sportsnet
Jerome Valcke, Sepp Blatter’s long-time right-hand man, was banned from all soccer-related activity for 12 years Friday for misconduct during his term as FIFA secretary general.
Jimmy’s ‘heart belonged to Coventry’ – BBC Sport
Every football club has its legendary figures, from star players lighting up the pitch to illustrious managers masterminding a golden path to silverware. Few, though, are as indebted to one man as Coventry City is to Jimmy Hill.