WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Whitecaps FC set to kick off 2016 preseason camp on Friday – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC report for the start of their 2016 preseason camp on Friday, January 22 at the WFC Training Centre in UBC. There will be 22 first team players expected to attend media day on Friday, January 22, including newly-acquired Japanese striker Masato Kudo.
MLS preseason to begin on Friday with ten teams reporting ahead of 2016 campaign – MLS
And just like that, the MLS offseason is over. Preseason is set to begin on Friday, when nine teams will begin gathering or training ahead of the 2016 campaign.
2016 Preseason Schedule – MLS
Here is a complete schedule of preseason friendlies and scrimmages involving MLS clubs. Whitecaps FC will play their first preseason match on Wednesday, February 3.
Bolaños signing gives Whitecaps lots of options – Whitecaps FC
The Whitecaps have a two-time World Cup player in Costa Rican Christian Bolaños, a smart signing.
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Options at Defensive Midfield – Eighty-Six Forever
With the Vancouver Whitecaps players set to report on Saturday, it appears that the 2016 MLS season is about to begin. Excitement among Whitecaps faithful has been high with anticipation over what a full season of Cristian Techera and the additions of two excellent attackers in Masato Kudo and Christian Bolanos will mean for the Whitecaps chances of challenging for the Supporters Shield and the MLS Cup. The addition of Kudo and Bolanos, coupled with the Whitecaps poor scoring record last season, has led to a lot of speculation surrounding what formation Carl Robinson’s team will deploy.
Morris fulfills ‘childhood dream’ of signing with Sounders – Goal
The U.S. national team striker was introduced as a member of the Seattle Sounders on Thursday, explaining his decision to sign a homegrown deal.
Jordan Morris signs ‘richest Homegrown Player contract’ in MLS history – Sounder at Heart
The Mercer Island product is the most accomplished amateur American soccer player since creation of MLS.
Jordan Morris at Seattle Sounders: good for club, country – and player – The Guardian
Morris chose to stay in America rather than sign with Werder Bremen in Germany, and it’s a shrewd move that bodes well for the young forward’s future.
Making Sense of the LA Galaxy’s Puzzling Offseason Moves to Date – Bleacher Report
The LA Galaxy are no strangers to being in the spotlight during a transfer window, but usually the decisions made by the brass at the StubHub Center are met with praise.
Real Salt Lake sells Jaime, signs Stephen Obayan – Goal
Real Salt Lake has parted ways with highly paid striker Sebastian Jaime and announced the signing of defensive midfielder Sunday Stephen Obayan.
Former Portland Timbers head coach John Spencer returning to Colorado Rapids as assistant – MLS
The former Colorado Rapids striker who went on to become an assistant coach with the Houston Dynamo and then the head coach for the Portland Timbers’ inaugural MLS season in 2011 will return to the Rapids staff as an assistant, it was announced Thursday.
Jurgen Klinsmann reiterates backing of MLS – SBI
Throughout his tenure as head coach, Jurgen Klinsmann has been painted as an adversary of MLS, but the U.S. Men’s National Team head coach insists that the label couldn’t be further from the truth.
D.C. United loses Bill Hamid for 4-6 months – Goal
D.C. United will need to overcome a loss to its star goalkeeper after he underwent surgery on his right knee.
Liam Ridgewell interview: Defender on Portland, Brighton and being a Lego legend – The Independent
The former Aston Villa and Birmingham player is back in Britain with Brighton having helped Portland Timbers to a shock MLS title that, he tells Simon Hart, brought an unexpected honour
Atlanta United stadium opening delayed – SBI
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Thursday that the opening of Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been delayed until June 1, 2017. As a result, the stadium will not be ready for the first three months of Atlanta United’s inaugural MLS season.
BMO Field Renovations Progressing at Exhibition Place – Urban Toronto
The ongoing renovation and expansion of BMO Field continues to progress in Exhibition Place. Led by Maple Leaf Sports + Entertainment, builder PCL Constructors, and architects Gensler, the project’s first phase was completed last spring, adding 8,400 new seats to the stadium, as well as a new video display screen, washrooms, and concession stands.
Follow @bcsoccerweb on Twitter and get news updates throughout the day!
BC SOCCER NEWS
Ground broken: Construction underway on club’s state-of-the-art NSDC fieldhouse – Whitecaps FC
Construction on the club’s state-of-the-art National Soccer Development Centre (NSDC) fieldhouse is now underway after ground was broken on Wednesday at UBC – just over a year ahead of its expected completion (March 2017).
Private soccer academy TSS frustrated with ‘powers that be’ over scrapped girls game – The Province
TSS, a private soccer academy in Richmond, is miffed that a scheduled girls game against Fusion will not go ahead as planned, according to a Tuesday tweet from co-owner Brendan Quarry.
Michelle Pye Nominated for 2016 Sport BC Award – KYSA
The Kamloops Youth Soccer Association has just received news that former Kamloops soccer referee Michelle Pye has been nominated for the 2016 Sport BC Official of the Year Award.
Job Opportunites at the BC Soccer Association – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is currently hiring a full-time Member Services Coordinator and a part-time Competitions & Discipline Adminstrator.
Barcelona bound – Cloverdale Reporter
It’s not the exactly the FIFA world cup tournament, but for eight-year-old Sasha Ryga, a rising soccer player from Cloverdale, it’ll come pretty close. This March, he’ll be part of the Vancouver Football Club U10 team that’s heading to Barcelona, Spain, to compete against teams from 14 countries.
Comox Valley United overpowers Saanich Fusion 5-1 – Comox Valley Record
Hard work over the holiday hiatus paid off big time for Comox Valley United as they opened 2016 with a bang.
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!
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canada Soccer president Victor Montagliani will seek second term – The Province
Burnaby’s Victor Montagliani will seek a second four-year term as president of the Canadian Soccer Association, The Province can confirm.
Canada draws hosts Grenada for the CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship Grenada 2016 – CSA
Canada’s Women’s U-17 Team has been drawn into position A3 against Guatemala, Haiti and hosts Grenada for the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship coming up in March this year. The top three teams from the CONCACAF championship will qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 taking place in September and October.
Experienced Canada looks forward to CU17W – CONCACAF
Canada is the only CONCACAF-affiliated nation to qualify for the each of the four-contested editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Clarkson soccer club preparing to host Punta Cup – Mississauga News
Mississauga will be on the soccer map this summer. The city has been selected to host the Punta Cup, a popular youth club tournament that took place in South America and is coming to Canada for the first time.
Aurora Youth Soccer Club asks town to help build facility – Aurora Banner
“Out of the 46 fields we use in Aurora, not one of them has a dressing room or showers,” AYSC executive director Jim Brennan said. “We are bringing players from across the province and they have to get changed in their cars, play a game for 90 minutes in the middle of summer and then they have to get back in their cars and drive another five hours back to where ever they came from.”
Kingston city, school board to co-finance community services and sports fields – Kingston Heritage
Under terms of the schoolyard trade, the city will invest $325,000 to build two mid-size soccer fields in Champlain Park, adjacent to the new school. The 40-by-60 metre pitches will be used primarily by students in the daytime and the community in the evening.
VIDEO: 1986 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – Canada v. Honduras – YouTube
A great blast from the past! Here is the complete match between Canada and Honduras in 1985 that sent Canada to its first and only World Cup Finals. Thanks to Ben Massey for finding this historical gem.
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.)
Soccer Nova Scotia’s January Newsletter – Soccer Nova Scotia
January’s newsletter includes info on goalkeeper training, as well as tips from a leading sports psychologist.
Should young soccer players be banned from heading the ball? – The Guardian
With safety concerns on the rise, heading the ball has become a major issue in US youth soccer. Can coaches teach kids a valuable technique safely and legally?
BC Soccer Leagues & Clubs – Share your News With The BC Soccer Community!
NASL & USL NEWS
NASL to announce West Coast expansion within 1-2 months; multiple cities possible – Empire of Soccer
West Coast expansion has long been on the “to-do” list of the North American Soccer League. In fact, NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson told EoS West Coast expansion conversations have been happening “since my first week on the job.”
Dalglish Unleashed Part 2: Turnover – Midfield Press
Here in Part 2 will we take a look at the turnover seen at Lansdowne Park this off season, and how Dalglish has replaced key squad members.
Ingham Signs With FC Edmonton, Becomes 3rd Pro From @FGCU_MSoccer Senior Class – FGCU
Former FGCU men’s soccer standout and 2015 Atlantic Sun Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Nathan Ingham has signed a professional contract with FC Edmonton of the North American Soccer League (NASL), becoming the third professional player from the Eagles’ 2015 senior class. A native of Keswick, Ontario, about an hour north of Toronto, Ingham is FGCU’s all-time goals-against average leader.
Bolivian Yasmani Duk signs for the New York Cosmos – CONMEBOL
Striker Yasmani Duk, a key player for the Bolivian national team, signed for the New York Cosmos, the player himself announced on Thursday.
Bay Area NASL Soccer Team Unveils Logo – SF Gate
Bay Area Pro Soccer unveiled the logo for the team that is expected to play in the NASL soccer league in 2017. The logo, triangular in shape, consists of the colors red, black and grey. The letters “S” and “F” are overlaid in the center to represent San Francisco.
Chicago Fire Renew USL Affiliation with Saint Louis FC – Chicago Fire
The Chicago Fire has renewed its USL affiliate partnership with Saint Louis FC, the club announced on Thursday. Through the partnership, the Fire will loan players to STLFC with an option to recall those players at any time during the year.
Former MLS, NASL Striker Omar Cummings Joins FC Cincinnati – Empire of Soccer
FC Cincinnati has announced a series of new signings but the most notable one is former Colorado Rapid and Jamaican International Omar Cummings.
Gregor Looking Forward to Leading T2 – USL
New Portland Timbers 2 Coach Andrew Gregor isn’t a Portland native, but after his family moved to the city when he was young, a career at the University of Portland and two playing stints with the Timbers when the club was in the USL, his connection to the city is still a special one.
BC Soccer Web is on Facebook! Visit us Today!
WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
There Are Signs That A U.S. Women’s Soccer League Is Finally Working – Huffington Post
The NWSL draft looks and feels a lot like its counterparts in other sports, albeit on a smaller scale. When players who were in attendance heard their names, they walked across the stage to shake hands with Commissioner Jeff Plush, then shuffled to a studio set for the live stream broadcast.
Should the Orlando Pride Realistically Expect to Make the NWSL Playoffs in Year One? – The Mane Land
Coming into its inaugural season, expectations are high for the expansion team. Does the Pride have a realistic chance to make the playoffs?
Rebuild or business as usual for FC Kansas City? – The Equalizer
Change is nothing new for FC Kansas City. The two-time defending National Women’s Soccer League champions have overcome important personnel changes each of the previous two offseasons only to lift the league trophy at seasons’ ends.
BOSTON BREAKERS SIGN MIDFIELDER LOUISE SCHILLGARD – NWSL
The Boston Breakers announced today the signing of Swedish attacking midfielder Louise Schillgard (née Fors). Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Westfield W-League Semi-Final Preview – Westfield W-League
The Westfield W-League semi-finalists have announced their squads for this weekend’s heavyweight semi-final match-ups.
Rebecca Sawiuk: Millwall Lionesses appoint new manager – BBC Sport
Women’s Super League Two side Millwall Lionesses have appointed Rebecca Sawiuk as their new manager.
A more relaxed Crystal Dunn eyes Olympics in 2016 – The Equalizer
Crystal Dunn‘s 2015 has been well documented. After being cut from the 2015 Women’s World Cup roster in early April, Dunn went on a tear in the NWSL, scoring a league-leading 15 goals in 20 games for the Washington Spirit. As a result of her prolific scoring record she was named NWSL MVP.
Yakima United women’s team set to debut in spring – Yakima Herald
Yakima United FC Women will be the sixth franchise in the newly formed Northwest Premier League, a women’s league that begins play in May.
Angerer: I was often my own worst enemy – FIFA
Nadine Angerer achieved everything there is to achieve during her playing career. A European champion on five separate occasions, she became a world champion in 2003 despite never stepping onto the pitch, and lifted the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ trophy again in 2007 as Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper, having kept clean sheets throughout the tournament.
Ruth Fahy: Talent is nothing without motivation – Continental Tyres Women’s National League
Athletes are a unique bunch in the fact that they generally possess naturally strong levels of motivation to train and perform. I know my own personal motivation to train, in general, comes from enjoyment of exercise and the feeling of pushing myself. I love nothing more than the feeling of tired legs after a challenging training session, or being completely fatigued after a match where I have given everything.
FIFA Executive Committee’s Moya Dodd champions reform from within – Philly.com
Well before rising to great fame this year as one of the leading voices for reforming FIFA from within, the Australian had started to earn the spotlight as she called for greater inclusion of women in soccer across the globe.
Connect Your Business to Soccer in BC! Advertise with BC Soccer Web
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Fifa sponsors warned of concerns over Sheikh Salman by Bahrain campaigners – The Guardian
Bahraini pro-democracy campaigners have written to Fifa’s top sponsors to raise concerns over Sheikh Salman al-Khalifa’s attempt to become the president of world football’s governing body.
UEFA stumps up €500K as Infantino jets worldwide in bid for FIFA top job – Inside World Football
Cracks are beginning to appear over UEFA’s supposedly unified stance behind Gianni Infantino’s bid to become FIFA president as a result of his €500,000 campaign fund – understood to be hard cash budgeted for his political push that doesn’t include other costs for campaign services provided by UEFA.
Arsenal, Leicester, Man City or Spurs – who are likeliest to drop points? – ESPN FC
The Premier League’s top four — Arsenal, Leicester, Manchester City and Tottenham — all face tricky games this weekend.
Important times at Old Trafford – Vavel
After spending a quarter of a billion pounds, Louis Van Gaal faces a major task in finding immediate success this season. After recovering from a dreadful run of form, United now face a make or break period in their season. They couldn’t challenge for the league… could they?
Chelsea’s failed season: many small mistakes making one big catastrophe – ESPN FC
What exactly went wrong for Chelsea this season? As long as last year’s champions languish in the bottom half of the table, the above question will hang over every match they play.
Alessandria turning heads in Italy with Cup run – Sportsnet
Having already eliminated Serie A clubs Palermo and Genoa, Alessandria bested second-division side Spezia earlier this week in the quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia, the Italian equivalent of the FA Cup.
Euro 2016: Goalline technology will be used in tournament – BBC Sport
Goalline technology will be used at Euro 2016 and in the knockout stages of the Champions League from next season, Uefa has announced.
FIFA backs Football Leaks over Bale transfer documents – Goal
The general manager of the FIFA Transfer Matching System, Mark Goddard, admits he would like to see clubs publicly reveal the transfer fees they pay for players after official documents relating to Gareth Bale’s move to Real Madrid were published on the website Football Leaks.
The growing concern over foreign players in Liga MX – Prost Amerika
Mexican football continues to be at a controversial state. While Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, Jesus ‘Tecatito’ Corona, Miguel Layun, Andres Guardado and others have found their form and place in some of Europe’s biggest clubs; the game at home continues to show signs of significant weakness. These weaknesses showed themselves both in international youth tournaments, intercontinental club tournaments, including the Club World Cup and the FIFA U-20 and U-17 World Cups but most noticeably in the domestic LIGA MX.
FA Pro Licence: Helping trainee football managers learn how to cope with the media – The Independent
It is one of the hardest parts of achieving the elite qualification. Mark Ogden helps grill the managerial hopefuls and hears how dealing with an angry tweet by a star striker’s girlfriend can throw the biggest names
50 Years Ago: English Football Abolishes The £20 Wage Cap (January 18th, 1961) – Paste
Those who make the game what it is used to ply their trade under conditions that no one would tolerate today: unsafe working conditions, no job security, no protection or safety net should something terrible happen, no leverage in contract negotiations, and, of course, relatively little pay. Until the middle of the 20th Century, “professional footballer” was practically a contradiction in terms.