BC Soccer News, Weekend, January 13-15, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

VIDEO: 2017 MLS SuperDraft – Whitecaps FC
Watch Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft live on Friday, January 13 at 12 p.m. PT. Rounds 3 and 4 will take place via conference call on Tuesday, January 17 at 11 a.m. PT. As it stands, Vancouver Whitecaps FC own one pick in each round (7th, 29th, 51st, and 73rd overall).

Whitecaps FC select UConn Huskies defender Jakob Nerwinski seventh overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected defender Jakob Nerwinski in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft on Friday.

Whitecaps FC select Francis de Vries in the second round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC selected defender Francis de Vries with the club’s second round pick (29th overall) in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft on Friday.

Houston Dynamo acquire A.J. DeLaGarza from LA Galaxy – Houston Dynamo
DeLaGarza won three MLS Cup championships (2011, 2012 and 2014) with the Galaxy and appeared in 204 games over eight seasons, starting 196 matches and accumulating 17,249 minutes. He also has 16 career playoff appearances with 13 starts, including starts in the 2011 and 2014 MLS Cup finals.

Scouts’ take: Who will be the first selection in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft? – MLS
There’s no real consensus among MLS coaches, GM’s and scouts when it comes what they think Minnesota United FC will do with the No. 1 pick in Friday’s SuperDraft.

Trades looming as MLS draft shapes up to be a wild one – SN
The weather hasn’t been what most Major League Soccer coaches and general managers may have hoped for this week at the MLS combine, but the play of the most talented prospects in the 2017 MLS draft has been good enough to convince a long list of teams to try and trade up into the top five picks of Friday’s draft.

MLS SuperDraft: What to look for on Friday – Soccer America
MLS will hold its annual SuperDraft on Friday (12 p.m. PT) at the NSCAA Convention in Los Angeles.

Mystery and Anticipation Shroud the MLS SuperDraft for Minnesota United – Fifty Five One
An increasing air of uncertainty has descended over the Minnesota United camp as they prepare for one of the biggest choices of their nascent MLS existence. The Loons have the first pick in the MLS SuperDraft and have been widely expected to choose Duke forward Jeremy Ebobisse.

SBI 2017 MLS Draft Big Board (Final Version) – SBI
The 2017 MLS Combine is in the books, and the stage is set for the MLS Draft to take place on Friday in Los Angeles. The Combine saw several top prospects step up and impress, and that is setting things up for a trade-heavy day of action.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC announce 2017 MLS regular season schedule – Whitecaps FC
In conjunction with Major League Soccer, Vancouver Whitecaps FC released their complete 2017 MLS regular season schedule on Thursday. Kickoff times and broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date.

Let the Games Begin – Eighty-Six Forever
I am among the throngs of people trying to find as many interesting away days to book as I can fit into my schedule. Once again, my priorities for the 2017 season: CCL, Voyageurs Cup, Cascadia Cup, Supporters Shield and MLS Cup.

MLS announces 2017 schedules and a first time break for Gold Cup play – Inside World Football
Major League Soccer has unveiled its 2017 regular season which for the first time will take a break during the CONCACAF Gold Cup group stages July 7-17, a significant move by the league to give the region’s premier international competition a clear window of media profile in the US.

LA Galaxy ‘close’ to coming to terms on deal with Jermaine Jones – MLS
Galaxy president Chris Klein told reporters on Thursday that the club is ‘close’ to signing Jones, whose MLS rights were acquired from the Colorado Rapids back in December. Jones, 35, is not currently under contract with any team.

Can soccer fill void left by Chargers? – San Diego Union Tribune
A month ago, speaking about candidates for the next round of expansion, Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber said this: “Should the Chargers make the decision to not remain in San Diego, the market would be more attractive to us.” Well, …

Should Charlotte pay $100 million for soccer stadium? Other cities have spent far less. – Charlotte Observer
Charlotte’s early proposal – which has not been discussed publicly – would also require taxpayers to spend more than other recent MLS franchises, including teams in Los Angeles, Miami and Orlando.

MLS announces winners for 2016 Club and Executive Awards – MLS
Everyone’s sights might be on the upcoming season, but MLS took one more chance on Friday to acknowledge some of the good work done across the league in 2016.

Whitecaps FC honoured with 2016 MLS Club and Executive year-end awards – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC were honoured with the Commissioner’s Club for Full Season Tickets for the second consecutive season.  A number of the club’s sales staff also took home individual awards.

MLS: Marsch is staying at the Red Bulls – Soccer America
Jesse Marsch isn’t going anywhere. MLS’s Red Bulls issued a statement on Thursday that their head coach would remain with the team. It followed reports that sister club Red Bull Salzburg was negotiating with Marsch for their head coaching job and he would take the job.

Fans league-wide rally to help Timbers supporters in VA march vs. racism – MLS
Lexington, Virginia sits more than 2700 miles southeast of the Portland Timbers’ home. But it’ll raise few eyebrows as the town will host some Timbers Army activity this Saturday, Jan. 14, and for a timely cause.

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BC SOCCER NEWS

FVSL All-Stars to face WFC2 in March – BC Soccer Web
January snow and ice in the Lower Mainland put the brakes on the annual clash between the Fraser Valley Soccer League All-Stars and the best from the VISL this year. That hasn’t stopped the FVSL from planning an ambitious All-Star series in March.

TSS development model will now include PDL team – Richmond News
The longtime Richmond-based Total Soccer Systems (TSS) Academy will be operating a team in the USL Premier Development League for the upcoming season.

Cowichan LMG not looking past first round of Jackson Cup draw – Cowichan Valley Citizen
Having not seen the field since Dec. 3, and with no games or training sessions coming up in the near future, Cowichan LMG head coach Glen Martin is getting anxious for some soccer.

BC Soccer Assoc. is Now Accepting 2016-2017 Awards Nominations – BCSA
We are pleased to inform everyone that BC soccer Assoc. is currently accepting Awards nominations until the submission deadline date of March 31, 2017. Selection of the award recipients is based on many factors including the individual’s commitment, community involvement and willingness to give back to the game. This year any BC Soccer Assoc. member and their affiliate clubs may submit a nomination.

2017 BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors for terms commencing June, 2017 (following the BC Soccer Annual General Meeting).

Victoria Highlanders 2017 Season Passes now on sale – Highlanders FC
Support local soccer on Vancouver Island. Join the excitement of Highlanders FC PDL Soccer!

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

VMSL PHOTOS: Richmond FC Hibs 1, ICSF Columbus FC 0, November 5, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

Tickets now on sale for Canada Soccer Women’s National Team celebration match 4 February in Vancouver – CSA
Individual tickets to the Canada v Mexico Women’s National Team Bronze Medal celebration match on 4 February 2017 in Vancouver are now on sale to the public. Complete ticket information can be found at CanadaSoccer.com/Tickets.

MWSL PHOTOS: Van United Primas 0, Fraser Valley Action 2, October 30, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

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.

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.

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CANADA SOCCER NEWS

Wilkinson, Tancredi, and Nault announce retirements – CSA
A trio of Canada Soccer heroes will hang up their boots after international careers that included back-to-back Olympic bronze medals in London and Rio. The three Canadian soccer stars – Rhian Wilkinson, Melissa Tancredi, and Marie-Eve Nault – will all be honoured this 4 February 2017 at Canada Soccer’s Bronze Medal Celebration Match in Vancouver.

Canadian veterans announce retirements from women’s soccer team – CBC
Forward Melissa Tancredi, along with defenders Rhian Wilkinson and Marie-Ève Nault, three of Canada’s longest-tenured soccer players, announced their retirements from the women’s national team on Friday.

Recognizing unsung Canadians making waves in soccer – Montreal Gazette
Outside the professional scene, the game has continued to rise in popularity and participation at virtually every level. As a consequence, more Canadians are finding success in the highest levels of the game but, for many, their achievements have gone virtually unnoticed.

Canadians Agnew, Sheridan NWSL draft picks – Toronto Star
Lindsay Agnew and Kailen Sheridan first Canadians off the board in L.A., followed by Nichelle Prince.

12 Ontario Players, Including 10 League1 Ontario Alumni, Called To Canada U-20 Camp – League1 Ontario
Canada Soccer’s Men’s National U-20 Team have announced a 24-player squad for an upcoming preparation camp in Canada and Panama. The camp supports the team’s preparations for the upcoming CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Championship in February 2017. There are 12 Ontario players in the camp, including 10 who currently play for League1 Ontario, or are alumni of the league.

North Bay Selects Soccer Club launch new Academy Program in partnership with Nipissing University – Bay Today
This will be the club’s first academy centre in North Bay which now aligns them with many other (and larger) soccer clubs in Ontario and Canada.

Soccer dome considered for Tim Hortons Field – Hamilton Spectator
Owners of six indoor sports facilities in the Hamilton area stand united against a proposal to erect a massive air-supported dome over the playing surface at Tim Hortons Field every winter. But if city council decides in favour of the dome, those owners want the chance to bid on the project. That open-bid is one of three options presented to city councillors in a staff-prepared dome feasibility study, which will be discussed at Wednesday’s general issues committee meeting.

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Galaxy II Name Munoz as New Head Coach – USL
LA Galaxy Academy Director Mike Muñoz has been named as the new Head Coach of the LA Galaxy II, the club announced today. Muñoz, 33, takes over as Los Dos head coach in the USL after spending time as a coach and the Director of the LA Galaxy Academy, which he helped develop into one of the most successful in Major League Soccer, with 14 Academy products signed across LA Galaxy and LA Galaxy II.

Indy Eleven Names First Nine Roster Returnees for 2017 – Indy Eleven
Indy Eleven enjoyed a groundbreaking 2016 on the field, and the club has taken the first steps towards building on that success during the 2017 NASL season with the announcement that nine crucial members of the squad will return to “Indiana’s Team.”

Orange County Unveils Pause as Head Coach – USL
Orange County Blues FC unveiled Logan Pause as the club’s new Head Coach, with the former Chicago Fire player, assistant coach and front office VP set to lead the organization into the 2017 USL season. Blues General Manager and Executive Vice President, Soccer Operations Oliver Wyss made the announcement this afternoon. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

USL’s Orange County Trademarks New Names, Badges – Empire of Soccer
Ever since the Orange County Blues of the United Soccer League were purchased by local businessman James Keston last summer, there have been rumblings of a club re-branding.

New York Cosmos Get Third Chance to Get It Right – NY Sportsday
The second death of the New York Cosmos was shorter than the first that coincided with the death of the North American Soccer League, the United States first top division league. But ironically, a man who was fan as a child of the Cosmos during their glory years has come to the rescue by purchasing a majority of the club and returning it to the field of play in 2017.

2017 NWSL Draft results – The Equalizer
The 2017 NWSL College Draft kicked off Thursday at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention in Los Angeles.

Dissecting the NWSL Draft: Sky Blue FC added important pieces to the puzzle – Empire of Soccer
Dissecting winners and losers of any college draft may not be obvious until several years following the selections. But suffice it to say, Sky Blue FC officials in Los Angeles left the 2017 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft very happy.

Breakers set course for future with four 1st rounders – The Equalizer
Boston Breakers Head Coach Matt Beard said it was a “no brainer” to take Rose Lavelle with the first pick of the NWSL College Draft as he boosted his ranks with four first round picks. All eyes were on the Breakers, who held pick numbers one, three, eight and nine, allowing Beard to build on a roster that has been seriously overhauled in the off-season.

USC soccer steals show in 2017 NWSL Draft – Daily Trojan
After being selected in the 2017 National Women’s Soccer League draft on Thursday, five USC women’s soccer players will join the professional ranks of soccer.

Westfield W-League Round 12 preview – W-League
The weekend’s squad news highlighted by the Melbourne derby and a massive match-up between Canberra United and Perth Glory.

Wiegman succeeds Van der Laan as Netherlands coach – UEFA
Former assistant Sarina Wiegman has been confirmed as coach of UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 hosts the Netherlands following the departure of Arjan van der Laan.

Birmingham City Ladies: Ellen White and Sarah Mayling join in double deal – BBC Sport
Birmingham City Ladies have signed England striker Ellen White from Notts County on an 18-month contract, with a further one-year option.

North Carolina Courage president on HB2: ‘We want that bill repealed’ – Philly.com
Now here’s a sports league that is willing to plant its flag in North Carolina, even though many of its fans – and some of its players – are discriminated against by the bill. That has generated a lot of soul-searching in the women’s soccer community, including among NWSL power-brokers.

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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

English Premier League Preview: Manchester United meets Liverpool in heated derby and more – SBI
While the scale of the Manchester Derby may have surpassed it, there are few derbies with blood as bad as Manchester United and Liverpool.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa dropped following bust-up with Antonio Conte – The Telegraph
Chelsea’s Premier League title bid has been hit by a new Diego Costa row on the back of the striker becoming the latest Premier League player to receive a huge offer from China.

Africa’s finest go in search of glory – FIFA
Held every two years, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations sets pulses racing across the entire continent and brings joy to the country that lifts the coveted trophy. The prestigious competition is being held this year in Gabon, which is putting on its best front in hosting the event.

Africa Cup of Nations 2017: Group-by-group guide – BBC Sport
The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Saturday when hosts Gabon take on Guinea-Bissau at Stade de l’Amitie in Libreville.

Monaco test Marseille revival – Ligue 1
Olympique de Marseille’s recent revival under Rudi Garcia faces a monumental test on Sunday when they welcome AS Monaco to the Orange Vélodrome in the game of Week 20.

Madrid stun Sevilla for record – Football Espana
Real Madrid survived a Sevilla onslaught but came back to draw 3-3, reach the Copa del Rey quarter-finals and set a new record of 40 games unbeaten.

Copa Del Rey quarter final draw – Football Espana
Copa Del Rey holders Barcelona will face Real Sociedad in the quarter finals as they will attempt to end their eight-game winless run at Anoeta.

New season of Liga MX has its first derby match in Week 2 – Prost Amerika
The 2017 Clausura season of Liga MX came rolling into the new year quick and the ball continues to roll. Week 2 of the new competition is here and some big games, including the first derby, is on the menu. Check out the full Week 2 schedule and TV listings (U.S.) as well as the game of the week.

Melbourne Victory hang on against Brisbane Roar in A-League classic – The Guardian
Melbourne Victory have clung on to defeat Brisbane 3-2 in stormy A-League circumstances after a controversial red card to frontman Besart Berisha. AAMI Park was alight on Friday night, with five goals scored in the opening half and a fiery second stanza centred on Berisha’s controversial dismissal.

Copa Centroamericana opens Friday – CONCACAF
With the motivation of claiming Central American superiority and a spot in this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, the 14th Copa Centroamericana kicks off Friday at Panama City’s  Estadio Rommel Fernandez.

Drogba agrees $150,000-per-month contract with Corinthians – SN
It is believed that the Ivorian frontman will earn $150,000-per-month over the course of a one-year deal.

Football is naive and must test more to catch drug cheats, says Toni Minichiello – The Guardian
Earlier this week Manchester City made headlines when they were charged by the Football Association with failing to provide accurate information about training arrangements and player whereabouts on three occasions over a 12-month period. But Minichiello, one of the most respected figures in British sport, told the Guardian he believes that a bigger problem is the lack of testing in the game.

Ex-British spy behind Trump dossier helped FBI bust FIFA – Fox Sports
A former British spy who wrote the reports on compromising material that operatives from Russia allegedly had collected on President-elect Donald Trump also helped U.S officials in their investigation into corruption concerning FIFA and ex-president Sepp Blatter.

The men who discovered the modern greats – UEFA
Credited with discovering Lionel Messi, former Barcelona boss Carles Rexach turns 70 today; UEFA.com salutes the coaches who unearthed our biggest stars.

Barcelona sack director after Messi comments – Four Four Two
Pere Gratacos, who suggested Lionel Messi would not be as good without his team-mates, has been sacked as a Barcelona director.

How a sports injury turned an athletic teen into an opioid addict – CBC
Danielle MacPherson’s story of how she became hooked on opioids is so ordinary, it serves as a cautionary tale that anyone can become a hard-core drug addict.