VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS
V-Varen Nagasaki vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2019 Preseason Match Preview – MLS
Vancouver Whitecaps FC have escaped a snowstorm in British Columbia, as they have traveled to Hawaii as part of Preseason presented by Advocare to participate in the Pacific Rim Cup, with their first game in the tournament coming late Friday night/Saturday morning in continental time.
Whitecaps FC open 2019 preseason schedule Friday night at Aloha Stadium – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will play their first preseason match of 2019 on Friday night, facing Japanese side V-Varen Nagasaki in the Pacific Rim Cup. The match will kick off at 10:15 p.m. PT (8:15 p.m. local) at Aloha Stadium and streaming information will be available on whitecapsfc.com.
Pacific Rim Cup returns to Aloha Stadium – KHON
The Pacific Rim Cup is set to return to Hawaii for the second straight year.
Could Fredy Montero return to Whitecaps? Dos Santos admits it’s “possible” – MLS
Among the non-expansion teams in MLS in 2019, no team is ringing in the changes more than Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Goalkeeping duo look to provide stability for ‘Caps in net – CTV
There are a lot of positions up for grabs in the Whitecaps lineup, and that includes who will emerge as the club’s first choice goalkeeper.
Newest member of TFC ready to hit the pitch – Toronto Sun
As newly acquired TFC forward Terrence Boyd relaxed in the lobby of the team hotel on Thursday, head coach Greg Vanney walked over and said: “You passed.”
TFC has to figure out other ways to score without Giovinco – Sudbury Star
TFC head coach Greg Vanney said with all-time leading goal-scorer Sebastian Giovinco departing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, his club will embark on a different style of play this season.
Orlando City midfielder Cristian Higuita working to ensure future with Lions – Pro Soccer USA
Orlando City midfielder Cristian Higuita, the club’s all-time leader in MLS appearances with 94 in four seasons, is unsure of his future with the Lions.
Philadelphia Union: Adding Kai Wagner brings depth and potential – MLS Multiplex
The Philadelphia Union have added German left-back Kai Wagner. The young 21-year-old is an unknown but is expected to be handed playing time, providing both depth and potential.
Forward Will Bruin reenergized, ready to hit the ground running in third year with Seattle Sounders – Sounders FC
Last season ended earlier than any of the Seattle Sounders wanted, but the extra time off has already paid dividends during the 2019 preseason.
New York City FC vs. AIK | 2019 Preseason Match Preview – MLS
NYCFC continue their training camp in Abu Dhabi as part of Preseason presented by Advocare with another match against European opposition, this time against Swedish first-division champion AIK on Friday morning.
LA Galaxy to Unveil David Beckham Statue Before March Season Opener – SI.com
David Beckham will be getting his own statue at the LA Galaxy’s Dignity Health Sports Park.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Fisk headlines trio of latest Pacific FC signings – Pacific FC
Midfielder Ben Fisk joins forward Jose Hernandez and midfielder Victor Blasco as the latest signings for Pacific Football Club. Fisk is a Canadian international who returns home to play in the inaugural season of the Canadian Premier League alongside Hernandez and Blasco, pending ITC clearance.
Former VIU star Blasco heading to Pacific FC – Saanich News
The 24 year old Barcelona native started his Canadian career in 2014 playing for the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners, winning both the PACWEST rookie of the year and player of the year honours.
VMSL Imperial Cup Preliminary Round highlighted by Division 1 side Burnaby Metro Athletic’s win over Premier strugglers Campo Atletico (with video highlights) – AFTN
The 2019 VMSL Imperial Cup got underway this past weekend with six Preliminary Round matches producing 26 goals between them, a cupset (of sorts), and some strong individual performances.
Sardis goalie signs on with Douglas College Royals – Chilliwack Progress
Tess Venables will make the next-level leap next fall, joining the PACWest soccer team.
CHILLIWACK FC 2019 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Chilliwack FC
Chilliwack FC will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Monday, February 25th at 7pm in the meeting room at Prospera Centre.
Power Soccer in BC – SportAbility BC
We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to participate in physical activity. We currently have programs in Vancouver, Surrey, Nanaimo, Penticton, and are still looking to expand. We are always looking for more athletes, officials, volunteers, and sponsors. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us.
BC Soccer hosts its second Technical Director Diploma Course – BCSA
Registration is now open for the BC Soccer Technical Director Diploma held at the FORTIUS Sport & Health Complex in Burnaby February 22-23, 2019.
Pacific FC now accepting memberships for 2019 Canadian Premier League season – Pacific FC
Join Vancouver Island’s new CPL club! Become a Member of Pacific Football Club for first access seat selection and tickets.
PHOTOS: 2018 BC Provincial Cup Parade of Champions – BC Soccer Web
See the winners from the 2018 BC Provincial Cup.
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!
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.
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
FORGE FC SIGNS CANADIAN MIDFIELDER GIULIANO FRANO – Forge FC
Forge FC announced Thursday the club has signed Canadian midfielder Giuliano Frano.
Canadian Premier League commish bullish on Wanderers – Chronicle Herald
Halifax has a booster at the top of the Canadian Premier League food chain. CPL commissioner David Clanachan was visiting the city this week and raved about the soccer market and its fledgling CPL franchise, HFX Wanderers FC. Both team and league begin their first season in April.
Giant by name, by nature: Giantsopoulos took long road back to CPL – Canadian Premier League
While he developed a cult following playing in Australia’s second division with Devonport City, the Canadian’s name isn’t all that familiar with soccer followers in his home country. You’d be excused for not immediately remembering his name if you’re asked who will pair with Marco Carducci in Cavalry’s goaltending tandem.
‘A sleeping giant’: Concacaf exec talks CPL, Caribbean football – Canadian Premier League
The Canadian Premier League is built on the mantra of “For Canadians, By Canadians” but the beautiful game is a shared passion all around the world, providing unique connections with like-minded fans, players and staff members in each corner of the globe.
CPL brings on Oliver Gage as Head of Recruitment, On-Field Analysis – Canadian Premier League
The Canadian Premier League has appointed Oliver Gage as its Head of Recruitment and On-Field Analysis, with the Sheffield-born sports analyst most recently working at the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer.
Canada Soccer welcomes Eric Tenllado as EXCEL Development Coach – CSA
Canada Soccer has added Eric Tenllado as an EXCEL Development Coach. Tenllado will work across Canada Soccer’s EXCEL Program in support of both Regional EXCEL strategies and Men’s EXCEL National Youth Teams starting in February 2019.
Fort Sask teams bring home four medals from FC Memorial Challenge – Fort Sask Online
It was a busy weekend for the Fort Saskatchewan Soccer Association. Six teams competed in the FC Memorial Challenge Tournament in Edmonton (Feb.2-3) and four of them came back with medals.
Walking soccer making a difference in the lives of senior citizens – The Signal
Walking soccer is a non-competitive, self-refereed version of soccer, where participants walk instead of run and play with smaller-sized nets. Contact and shots above the knee aren’t allowed. The weekly program is put on by Walking Soccer Nova Scotia for those aged 55 and up as a way to stay physically and socially active.
USL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS
Loan lands Celtic’s Andrew Gutman with Charlotte Independence – Charlotte Post
Gutman, the 2018 MAC Hermann Trophy winner as the nation’s top soccer player, signed with Scottish side Celtic last month after rejecting a homegrown player contract with the MLS Chicago Fire. While Celtic intended to loan Gutman to MLS expansion side Nashville, but the league would not allow it, so his loan was redirected to the Charlotte Independence, who play in the USL Championship. They started preseason training this week, and open the regular season on March 15 at the Sportsplex at Matthews on March 15 against Indy Eleven.
Bermuda International Lewis Joins Battery – USL
The Charleston Battery announced on Thursday it had signed Bermudan international Zeiko Lewis for the 2019 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval.
Hounds sign another former USL title winning Rhino, Christian Volesky – Pittsburgh Soccer Now
The Riverhounds SC want more goals this season. They want to win a championship. So, why not pick up a player that has been a consistent goal scorer in the USL, has played under current Hounds coach Bob Lilley, helping win a league title in 2015 with the Rochester Rhinos and has played with two other key players that will likely feature in the team’s attack this season?
Fresno Adds Fox in the Box, Signs Chavez – USL
Fresno FC announced on Thursday evening it had signed striker Jaime Chavez for the 2019 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. A California native, Chavez arrives after most recently competing for fellow USL Championship side the Tampa Bay Rowdies late in the 2018 campaign.
NWSL & WOMEN’S WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Arsenal Women 2-1 Man United: Vivianne Miedema goals seal League Cup final spot – BBC Sport
Vivianne Miedema scored twice as holders Arsenal reached the Women’s League Cup final with victory over Championship side Manchester United.
Women’s game receives fresh impetus in China – FIFA
Top Chinese clubs will be required to have women’s teams established by 2020.
FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019: Individual tickets go on sale 7 March – FIFA
As excitement continues to grow around this summer’s eighth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, FIFA and the Local Organising Committee announced today that individual match tickets for the competition will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, 7 March.
Sheffield United Women’s Sophie Jones charged with racially abusing opponent – The Guardian
FA charges forward over alleged incident against Tottenham.
UEFA Women’s Futsal EURO 2019: all you need to know – UEFA
Hosts Portugal are joined by Russia, Spain and Ukraine in the inaugural finals in Gondomar from next Friday.
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Fire at Brazilian soccer team complex leaves 10 dead, 3 hurt – Canada.com
A fire tore through the sleeping quarters of a development league for Flamengo, one of Brazil’s most popular professional soccer clubs on Friday, killing 10 people who were most likely players and injuring three others, authorities said.
European soccer weekend: What to watch in the main leagues – Courier-Express
The pressure might be getting to Bundesliga leader Borussia Dortmund. Lucien Favre’s side dropped points at Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend and was knocked out of the German Cup by Werder Bremen in a penalty shootout on Tuesday. Injuries have taken their toll and the side no longer seems to be scoring goals as freely as it did earlier in the season.
Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend – The Guardian
Enigmatic Chelsea travel to Manchester City, Marco Silva returns to Watford, Burnley look to leapfrog Brighton, and Liverpool need Roberto Firmino to find form.
Lazio moves into Champions League spots with win over Empoli – Leader Post
Lazio remained firmly in the race for a Champions League place after a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Empoli in Serie A on Thursday.
Bayern unwilling to risk Neuer ahead of Liverpool tie – Four Four Two
Manuel Neuer has missed Bayern Munich’s past two matches and the goalkeeper could be absent against Schalke on Saturday.
Valencia strikes twice late to draw Betis in Copa semifinal – NBC Sports
Kevin Gameiro scored in stoppage time as Valencia salvaged a 2-2 draw against Real Betis in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals on Thursday.
FEKIR AND DEMBÉLÉ THE DANGERS AS LYON FACE NICE – Ligue 1
Nabil Fekir and Moussa Dembélé will spearhead Olympique Lyonnais’ bid for a fourth successive Ligue 1 Conforama win when they go to OGC Nice on Sunday.
Police confirm Sala’s body found in wreckage – TSN
More than two weeks after the plane carrying Emiliano Sala to a new career in the English Premier League crashed into the sea, police confirmed Thursday that the body recovered from the wreckage was the Argentine soccer player.
French league honours Sala, Nantes retires his No 9 jersey – London Free Press
Tributes are being paid across soccer to Argentine player Emiliano Sala, with the French league announcing a minute’s applause before matches.
UEFA to Consider Abolishing Away Goals Rule – SI.com
UEFA will hold talks to consider scrappinng the away goals rule after a number of high-profile managers voiced their opposition to it at a meeting in September.
Football Benchmark report suggests transfer trend towards younger players and loanees – Inside World Football
The spectacular drop in spending in the January transfer window of $325 million ($979 million in 2018 vs $654 million in 2019) is examined in the latest report from the KPMG Football Benchmark team.
EPL title-chasing Liverpool reveals record profit of $162M – London Free Press
Liverpool has reported pre-tax profit rising to a record 125 million pounds ($162 million), fueled by last season’s run to the Champions League final.
Somalia to host Eritrea U-20s in first home international since 1988 – Inside World Football
International football will return to Somalia for the first time in 30 years when the country stages an U-20 game against Eritrea later this month.