WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Whitecaps FC announce 2016 MLS schedule – Whitecaps FC
In conjunction with Major League Soccer, Vancouver Whitecaps FC released their complete 2016 MLS regular season schedule on Thursday – two months ahead of the club’s season opener against Montreal Impact on Sunday, March 6 at BC Place. Home kickoff times and broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date.
MLS releases 2016 regular season schedule – MLS
Major League Soccer has unveiled the complete 2016 regular season schedule, which includes the league’s debut on the FOX broadcast network, a record 29 matches on ESPN, and 28 games on UniMás.
10 Major League Soccer matches that shouldn’t be missed in 2016 – ESPN FC
Two weeks after Major League Soccer announced the home openers for each of its 20 teams, MLS unveiled its entire 2016 regular-season schedule on Thursday. Here are 10 games fans of the domestic circuit can’t afford to miss.
MLS schedule: TFC, Impact get byes on WCQ weekends, Whitecaps don’t – the11.ca
Either MLS figures that the Vancouver Whitecaps won’t be significantly affected by Canadian World Cup-qualifying call-ups, or the ‘Caps are simply a victim of coincidence. Because, on first glance, it looks like MLS has done what it can to insulate Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact from the World Cup qualifying cycle, but the Whitecaps don’t get any byes on the weeks that Canada is going to play World Cup qualifiers.
MLS will return to network TV, break in June – Soccer America
Major League Soccer has unveiled its 2016 MLS regular-season schedule, which again includes TV blocks on Friday night (Viernes de Futbol on UniMas) and Sundays (Fox Sports 1 and ESPN).
Toronto FC begins MLS season with 8 road games – Sportsnet
One of the worst kept secrets in Major League Soccer became official on Thursday when the league officially unveiled its schedule for the 2016 regular season. Due to ongoing construction upgrades at BMO Field, Toronto FC will kick off the campaign with eight consecutive road games.
The Good, The Average and The Bad: The Bug Is Back Edition – AFTN
The diminutive Uruguayan winger was an excellent addition to Carl Robinson’s squad last year, contributing 7 goals and 5 assists, in a shorted first year in Major League Soccer.
Robinson hints at more moves following Kudo, Techera signings: ‘Watch this space’ – Whitecaps FC
A year ago, Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s key priority for the upcoming season was fairly clear: more goals with an eye on a deeper MLS Cup Playoff run than ever before. The team banged in 45 goals during the regular season, three more than the previous year, but were held scoreless in their two-leg Western Conference Semifinal playoff series against Portland Timbers. It wasn’t quite the extra goal output head coach Carl Robinson had targeted for his young team, but it took the ‘Caps to their most successful season to date in MLS.
Vancouver Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi expects trade talks to ramp up ahead of MLS Draft – Metro
With the MLS SuperDraft a week away, Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi expects trade talk between teams to pick up from already busy activity levels, which could mean a flurry of deals in the coming days.
More water breaks? Whitecaps thrown into the Texas heat – The Province
A small MLS rule change went largely unnoticed in December. The threshold for mandatory in-game water breaks was dropped from 32 degrees Celsius to 28C.
Houston Dynamo acquire MLS SuperDraft picks, future considerations from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for Brad Davis – Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo have acquired Sporting Kansas City’s Natural second round selection in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft and their Natural third round selection in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, along with future considerations in exchange for midfielder Brad Davis. Per league and club policy, additional terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
A Letter from Brad Davis – Houston Dynamo
At this point in my career it is time for a change, a new challenge. The opportunity came about to be able to be closer to home and it has always been a dream to play professionally in front of my family. This decision was not an easy one, but one I needed to make. At the end of the day, it was mutually agreed upon by the staff and me and I cannot thank them enough for their support. I would like to say a special thank you to Chris Canetti for his unwavering support over the years.
Sounders Sign Jordan Schweitzer to HGP Deal – Prost Amerika
The Seattle Sounders have their first signing of 2016, but it’s not the Homegrown Player named Jordan the fan base was clamoring for. While Jordan Morris heads to Germany to train with Bundesliga side Werder Bremen, University of Denver standout defensive midfielder Jordan Schweitzer has signed for the Pacific Northwest club. Is this a depth move for Garth Lagerwey, who hordes talent wherever he can? Or is it another sign that Osvaldo Alonso will move on before the start of the season? Only time will tell.
MLS: Yaro heads 2016 Generation adidas class – Soccer America
Ghanaian defender Joshua Yaro, tipped to be the No. 1 pick in Thursday’s SuperDraft in Baltimore, was one of five players signed to MLS contracts in the 2016 Generation adidas class. The underclassmen group also includes goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell, who led Clemson to the Men’s College Cup final, and Wake Forest freshman Jack Harrison, Akron sophomore Richie Laryea and Syracuse sophomore Julian Buescher, all midfielders.
Sources: Timbers set to add Grabavoy, Valentin – Goal
Sources have confirmed to Goal USA that the Timbers are set to add free-agent midfielder Ned Grabavoy and defender Zarek Valentin. Grabavoy will join the Timbers as a free agent, while Valentin is set to be acquired after Portland completed a trade with the Montreal Impact to secure his MLS rights.
MLS is no longer cemetery for old players – Seattle’s Gonzalo Pineda – ESPN FC
Major League Soccer should not be thought of as a place players go to end their careers, but rather as a route for young Mexican players who want to get to Europe, said former Mexico international and Seattle Sounders midfielder Gonzalo Pineda, who retired from the game on Thursday.
New York Red Bulls Extend Contracts for Dax McCarty, Felipe and Sign Damien Perrinelle – NYRB
The New York Red Bulls have reached agreement on multi-year contract extensions for midfielders Dax McCarty and Felipe and signed defender Damien Perrinelle to an MLS contract, the club announced today.
MLS expansion club LAFC announces team colours, crest – TSN
LAFC unveiled its colours and crest Thursday at Union Station amid cheering and singing from several dozen fans of a team that has no players or stadium yet. The club will join MLS for the 2018 season, but it already has an identity built around those colours and a logo featuring a wing incorporated into an Art Deco-inspired “LA” monogram.
Will Ferrell and Vincent Tan among Los Angeles FC owners – Sky Sports
Hollywood actor Will Ferrell and Cardiff owner Vincent Tan are among 26 co-owners of new MLS franchise Los Angeles FC.
VIDEO: Relive Portland Timbers’ memorable run to first MLS Cup title in new documentary – MLS
From a miraculous two-post penalty kick miss in the Knockout Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs to a record-setting goal just seconds into the MLS Cup final, the Portland Timbers’ 2015 championship season was certainly not short on memories. And the team has memorialized it all a 35-minute documentary entitled “The Magic Was Real”
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Women’s soccer showcase in Langford this weekend – Goldstream Gazette
This Sunday’s Lower Island Women’s Soccer Association all-star day at Westhills Stadium also serves as a collection event for non-perishable food items for the Mustard Seed food bank. Spectators are asked to bring items for drop-off into bins on hand during the games.
All-stars take the field at Prospect Lake – Saanich News
Prospect Lake soccer club is hosting four senior men’s all-star games on Saturday, including the best of the Vancouver Island men’s Div. 1 versus the FVSL premiere All-Stars.
Cermaq Outlaws leading the way in Mid-Island Women’s Soccer League – Comox Valley Record
The defending league champions are currently in first place with a 9-1-0 record, putting them ahead of Oceanside United (7-2-1), CVUSC Revolution (7-2-1) and Shooters (7-3-1) who are all tied for second place.
BC Soccer Web Feature Matches, January 6-11, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
The stars are out in full force this week, as three leagues showcase their best in their annual All-Star matches. League play resumes for both the VMSL & MWSL, and we have some great matches to keep an eye on for soccer lovers in Metro Vancouver.
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
2016 Amway Canadian Championship schedule announced – CSA
Canada Soccer’s road map has been outlined for the 2016 Amway Canadian Championship with the release of the new schedule which kicks off 11 May in Edmonton, Alberta. This year’s competition again features Canada’s five professional clubs, with the winner earning a spot in 2017-18 CONCACAF Champions League.
Match-fixing may be final nail in CSL coffin – London Free Press
The Canadian Soccer Association decertified the CSL two years ago. Considering that during a “suspicious” game in 2015, one team was attempting to score on THEIR own net while the opposing team was doing what it could to prevent them, it wouldn’t take a trained eye to catch that anomaly during a game.
Canada update: Latest on McLeod, Bélanger, Labbé – The Equalizer
Canada begins training camp in Vancouver this week ahead of next month’s CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament, but the buzz from the North is currently on the club side.
Alexis Martel-Lamothe: “Dare to dream and follow your dreams” – Ottawa Fury
The 17-year-old Centre-Back was named to the Canadian Women’s under-20 National Team that captured Silver in the 2015 CONCACAF Continental Championships Tournament held in Honduras. Canada, Mexico and USA all qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016.
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.)
Many soccer rules will be overhauled in 2016 – Sportsnet
David Elleray, who formulated the comprehensive revision of the laws, hopes rules will no longer be open to as much interpretation. “We are trying to help situations which tend to occur very often and are a bit crazy,” said Elleray, a former English Premier League referee.
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NASL & USL NEWS
Alen Marcina Named First Head Coach In Rayo OKC History – NASL
Rayo OKC introduced Alen Marcina as the club’s first head coach at a press conference in downtown Oklahoma City on Thursday. Marcina has vast experience in the NASL, spending four years with the San Antonio Scorpions’ coaching staff and capturing the NASL Championship in his first full season as head coach in 2014.
Attacking Midfielder Michael Nanchoff Signs With Tampa Bay – NASL
After playing collegiately at Akron University, Nanchoff was drafted 8th overall by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. He is now the third member of the Tampa Bay Rowdies with ties to Akron, joining assistant coach Stuart Dobson and defender Zac Portillos, though he didn’t overlap with either.
Sources: Cosmos, Union trade Restrepo for loanee, transfer fee – Empire of Soccer
The New York Cosmos are set to lose another valuable piece from their 2015 NASL Championship winning side, but they won’t be left empty handed. Following reports from Philly.com’s Kevin Kinkead via Twitter, EoS can confirm that the Philadelphia Union have signed Walter Restrepo to a one-year deal, with a club option for year two. In return, sources tell EoS that the Union will pay a transfer fee for Restrepo and will also send an unnamed player to the Cosmos on a season-long loan.
31st USL Franchise Awarded to San Antonio – USL
The United Soccer League awarded its 31st franchise today to San Antonio, with the announcement that Spurs Sports & Entertainment will own and operate the club that will begin play in 2016.
Longstanding Crocketteers Hold Fort in San Antonio – USL
The team, operated by Spurs Sports & Entertainment, officially became the league’s 31st franchise on Thursday while introducing its first head coach, Darren Powell. One face of San Antonio’s fandom heading into the upcoming campaign will be built around the Crocketteers, an independent supporters group that was founded in 2009, before the city even had a team to support.
MLS USL reserve teams officially ineligible for US Open Cup after new ruling – MLS
The revised policy now states that “any Outdoor Professional League Team that is majority owned by a higher-level Outdoor Professional League Team or any team that is (1) majority owned by an Outdoor Professional League Team, (2) registered with any Open Division League, and (3) registered as a professional team, will not be able to take part in the Open Cup.”
Hammerheads Sign Former Kitsap Standout Miller – USL
Wilmington Hammerheads FC announced today the addition of former Kitsap Pumas standout Logan Miller for the 2016 USL season.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Italian female football team play on in face of mafia-style intimidation – The Guardian
Sporting Locri, which hails from the southern Calabria region and competes in Italy’s top Serie A league, had announced its closure last month after its president received intimidating messages relating to the club and his daughter, and had his car tyres slashed.
NWSL clubs prepare for College Draft picks at NSCAA Convention – Inside World Football
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has announced a preliminary list of 145 players entered into the 2016 NWSL College Draft. Clubs will make their picks on January 15 at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention in Baltimore.
Asllani interested in England’s FAWSL after leaving PSG – Vavel
Kosovare Asllani has opened up about her decision to leave Paris Saint-Germain earlier this week, adding that she believes England’s FAWSL is “a very interesting league” as she begins her search for a new club.
Westfield W-League Round 13 Preview – Westfield W-League
All the squad news for Westfield W-League Round 13 headlined by Saturday’s Fox Sports/ABC TV match between Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets at ANZ Stadium.
Harrison destined for stardom – Westfield W-League
The 19-year-old has been tearing it up for Sydney FC in the Westfield W-League, bossing the midfield with her energy and quality for a couple of years now. Harrison made her W-League debut against Melbourne Victory as a 16-year-old back in the 2012/13 season.
Jade Boho-Sayo: Reading sign Bristol City Women forward – BBC Sport
Reading women have added to their squad ahead of the WSL 1 season with the signing of forward Jade Boho-Sayo.
Manchester City Women complete permanent signing of Nikita Parris – Vavel
Nikita Parris has made her move to Manchester City Women a permanent one today, the club have announced. Parris signs a two-year deal with the Citizens, having made an impression on loan from Everton in the 2015 season.
Mia Hamm is keeping the dream of a Los Angeles women’s soccer team alive – The Goat Parade
MLS is the main project for LAFC, for obvious reasons, but for those looking to bring first-division women’s soccer back to Los Angeles, the dream is still alive.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi is untouchable in race to be named world’s best – The Telegraph
Barcelona forward was sensational in 2015 and makes the spectacular routine. He would be the deserved winner of a record fifth Ballon d’Or.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pips Yaya Touré to African player of the year award – The Guardian
Yaya Touré has missed out on a fifth successive Caf African player of the year award after his reign was ended by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
CONMEBOL’s Paraguay HQ raided as US prosecutors pursue computer records – Inside World Football
Law enforcement officials in Paraguay have raided the headquarters of CONMEBOL on Thursday “searching for documentation related to the granting of commercial and broadcast rights for sporting events,” according to a statement issued by state prosecutors
Platini withdraws from FIFA presidential race – TSN
Platini told The Associated Press on Thursday that he remains determined to overturn the eight-year ban he was handed by FIFA’s ethics committee last month, but that the deadline for the Feb. 26 election is too short and renders his candidacy impossible.
Porto sack Julen Lopetegui, ex-Valencia coach Nuno linked – ESPN FC
Porto have sacked manager Julen Lopetegui after a poor run of results, with reports linking ex-Valencia coach Nuno Espiritu Santo as his potential replacement.
New and old, big and small collide in FA Cup – Sportsnet
The Saturday of the FA Cup’s Third Round is always a special day, a rural day. The distance travelled from one location to the next—the expanse of ground traversed—lends something of the pastoral to club football’s oldest cup competition, as does the open air of venues with names such as New Meadow, Victoria Road and Valley Parade.
FA Cup third round: 10 ties to look out for this weekend – The Guardian
Ailing Bolton and Aston Villa look vulnerable, Exeter v Liverpool retains its allure amid TV meddling and Chelsea might just fancy their Cup chances.
FA Cup: Video assistance for referees backed by football bosses – BBC Sport
Next season’s FA Cup and Scottish Cup could feature video assistance for referees after football bosses backed recommendations to introduce trials.
Barcelona’s Suarez banned for Espanyol incident – Sportsnet
Barcelona forward Luis Suarez has been handed a two-game ban “for taking part incidents between players from Barca and Espanyol in the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms” after a round of 16 match in the Copa del Rey.
Chelsea overtake Manchester clubs as wage bill for last season rises to £215.6m – The Guardian
Chelsea have returned to the top of at least one Premier League table after annual figures revealed they have overtaken both Manchester clubs in terms of salaries paid to players.
India’s I-League kicks off under cloud of uncertainty and in the shade of the ISL – Inside World Football
This weekend the ninth edition of the I-League kicks off with Mohun Bagan facing Aizawl FC in Kolkata, but big questions marks hang over the sustainability of a league with little money and little exposure.
Togo bus attack goalkeeper: ‘I’m not afraid of dying any more’ – BBC Sport
Six years ago, on 8 January 2010, Togo goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale found himself in a sudden death situation. Not in a penalty shootout, but in a bus, in the dark of night, in the disputed Angolan enclave of Cabinda.