DAYS 21-23 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
Saturday, June 27
ENGLAND 2 CANADA 1
BC PLACE, VANCOUVER
AUSTRALIA 0 JAPAN 1
COMMONWEALTH STADIUM, EDMONTON
Friday, June 26
GERMANY 1 FRANCE 1
(GERMANY WINS ON PENALTIES 5-4)
OLYMPIC STADIUM, MONTREAL
CHINA 0 UNITED STATES 1
LANSDOWNE STADIUM, OTTAWA
Canada show heart and fight as they bow out of WWC – CSA
The dream may be over for Canada’s Women’s National Team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ but the team has left an indelible mark on sports fans in this country.
PHOTO GALLERY: England 2 Canada 1, June 27, 2015 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes
Champions advance, hosts bow out – FIFA
Saturday’s action saw the winners of a pair of contrasting and equally intriguing quarter-finals join Germany and United States in the last four of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.
Canada needs more support, less distraction – TSN
A crowd of 53,855 turned up to BC Place for the Round of 16 match against Switzerland. It was a record crowd in number to watch any Canadian national team play in any sport. Impressive. The noise in the stadium throughout the 1-0 victory was noticeably muted considering the attendance. It was quiet and inexplicably subdued.
The Englishman out to break English hearts – BBC Sport
When Canada coach John Herdman was in charge of New Zealand at the 2011 World Cup his attempts to stoke the fire ahead of a group game with England backfired.
England World Cup quarter-final match against Canada switches to BBC1 – The Guardian
The BBC will switch England’s quarter final World Cup clash with Canada to BBC1 after the tournament proved a ratings hit on BBC3 with more than 2 million viewers.
Titanic duels set quarter-finals in motion – FIFA
Either of Friday’s two mouth-watering last-eight clashes could easily pass for the Final: one of them – China PR-United States – is actually a repeat of the 1999 showpiece match, while the other – Germany-France – pits a two-time world champion against a rising force determined to win the tournament for the first time.
USA and China finally set to write new ‘99 chapter – FIFA
It has taken 16 years but finally USA and China PR will meet again on the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ stage. The 1999 Final remains a milestone moment for women’s football, with two well-matched teams doing battle in front of a 90,185 crowd; a figure which remains a world record for a women’s football match. USA triumphed by the slimmest margin that day.
USA face China for a last-four spot – and if they don’t improve, they’re going home – The Guardian
The Americans, despite a spot in the last eight, are still trying to reach their potential, and the high expectations they once matched with ease. For the Chinese, a win could represent a return closer to the prominence their women’s program once knew.
From deep inside their own bubble, U.S. women maintain an even keel – Washington Post
Tucked inside “the bubble,” that literal and figurative shelter in which the U.S. women’s national soccer team has retreated between matches and practices at this worrisome World Cup, players say they have blocked out biting criticism from fans fearing an embarrassingly early exit.
France vs. Germany quarterfinal too close to call – Sportsnet
The first heavyweight encounter of the FIFA Women’s World Cup is upon us as number-one ranked Germany will meet No. 3 France in the quarterfinals on Friday at Olympic Stadium.
World Cup quarterfinal preview: Gremany-France – The Equalizer
Although the two teams meeting this early is more than likely unfair, it’s hard to imagine a more mouthwatering match between any two teams in the world from a technical and tactical perspective.
A fan—and banner’s—long journey across Canada for the Women’s World Cup – Paste Magazine
Half an hour earlier, Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium was packed with 35,000 fans watching the closing moments of Canada’s 0-0 draw with New Zealand in Women’s World Cup action. Now, the mammoth stadium—soggy from an early-game downpour—is empty save for some lingering members of the Voyageurs, Canada’s national teams supporters group, contemplating the fate of the banner that’s followed Canadian teams across the country and around the world.
Women’s World Cup: Canada’s Opportunity To Stand Together – Copa 90
The Voyageurs were founded in 1996 to support the Canadian National Teams. They have thousands of members spread across the country. They work countless hours building support and coordinating members across the thousands of kilometers of our country. They are present at every Canadian home game and many members travel to away games as well. Their presence is felt whenever Canada, Men or Women, plays.
Why the Women’s World Cup impresses me – The Australian
There were virtually no amateur women’s clubs, let alone professional ones. There were few competitions. Many girls who loved the game were banned from playing by their parents. One girl who called a phone-in said that she had taken to kicking the ball against a wall when nobody was around because that was the only way she could work on her skills without being ridiculed. She gave up in despair at the age of 16.
Spain’s Women’s Team Is A Catastrophe, And It Doesn’t Need To Be – Deadspin
In the week since the players for the Spanish women’s national team released their open letter requesting the firing of manager Ignacio Quereda, more and more has come to light about just how officious and reprehensible his leadership has been over the entirety of his 27 years in charge.
Women’s World Cup turf is an equal rights issue – Sportsnet
Last week, Sportsnet published an opinion piece, written by Donnovan Bennett, about the highly controversial use of artificial turf at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup being held in Canada. It’s a provocative argument—maybe even an interesting one—but Bennett is wrong.
Canadians cheer for Women’s World Cup, but gender stereotypes persist: survey – Metro
Canadians are paying almost as much attention to the FIFA Women’s World Cup as they do to professional hockey – a triumph in a country where, despite the widespread belief that women’s sports empower girls, gender stereotypes in sports still persist, according to a new Angus Reid survey.
Sepp Blatter: Fifa president’s attendance at Women’s World Cup final in doubt – The Guardian
Sepp Blatter’s attendance at the Women’s World Cup final in Canada next week appears to be in jeopardy due to the twin investigations into Fifa by American and Swiss justice authorities.
The Official Book of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. On Sale Now at Amazon.ca
WHITECAPS FC & MLS
Whitecaps FC defeat 10-men New England Revolution 2-1 to claim third straight win – Whitecaps FC
Uruguayans Cristian Techera and Octavio Rivero provided the scoring for Whitecaps FC on a night they also ended New England’s 19-match home-unbeaten run. This comes after Vancouver snapped LA Galaxy’s 29-match home-unbeaten streak earlier this month.
Whitecaps FC gunning for third straight win Saturday vs. New England – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC have already defeated the 2014 MLS Cup champions this season – twice. Can they beat the runners-up, too?
Caps not resting on their laurels after strong start – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC reached the midway point of their season this past weekend with their 2-1 win against New York Red Bulls. The ‘Caps have made an impressive start to their campaign, one that currently sees them sitting in a tie for first place in the Western Conference and third in the Supporters’ Shield standings.
Caps’ depth to be tested Saturday at New England – The Province
The best news for the Whitecaps this week was that Kendall Waston wasn’t named to Costa Rica’s Gold Cup roster.
MLS: it’s rivalry week, so expect sparks to fly in Portland – The Guardian
It’s officially ‘Rivalry week’ in Major League Soccer – brought to you in conjunction with a European lager and a host of press conferences. And while it is easy for Eurosnobs to mock the league’s determination to manufacture ‘derby’ matches for all its young teams, there is some logic to putting these fixtures together over a week and attempting to enhance the impact of what is one of soccer’s most passion-creating elements.
Don Garber tight-lipped about Minnesota United’s uncertain future – SBI
Minnesota United’s deadline is fast approaching, but MLS commissioner Don Garber is staying mum on what might happen to the proposed expansion club if it fails to strike a deal for a stadium.
Atlanta United FC: MLS’s 2017 expansion team selects its name – SI.com
Rather than relying on its own backyard when choosing a name, it appears Atlanta’s new Major League Soccer team is looking abroad, toward England and the sport’s foundation (and maybe north to Washington D.C., as well). Multiple sources have told SI.com that Atlanta United FC has been selected as the expansion team’s name.
Atlanta United FC: How the 2017 MLS expansion club selected its name – MLS
Atlanta United FC. That’s the the official name of the MLS expansion team that is set to kick off in 2017. And it was the name that emerged from a detailed survey of the club’s 21,000 registered supporters who have committed season ticket deposits to date.
LA Galaxy’s Sebastian Lletget eager for San Jose homecoming amid dream start to MLS career – MLS
Sebastian Lletget is building quite something of a legend since joining the LA Galaxy last month, adding a dynamism that was missing from their game and scoring some important, timely goals. He struck again Wednesday night, a 13th-minute tally to start the 5-0 rout of visiting Portland, and that’s four successive games with a goal, including last week’s US Open Cup triumph.
Fourth Consecutive Loss Begs Tough Questions For The Chicago Fire – Last word on Sports
Few things have gone the Chicago Fire’s way this season, a trend which continued Wednesday night as the Fire fell to first place D.C. United 1-0 at Toyota Park. The game showed much of what have become increasingly frustrating trends for supporters over the last five seasons; sputtering offense that creates chances without resulting in goals, and continued defensive lapses, often in the late-going.
Former Premier League, Serie A target joins Sounders Academy – Sounder at Heart
Seattle Sounders FC recently nabbed Hawai’i as part of their official catchment area. That move is already paying off as 15-year-old wonderkid Easi Easley signed with the Sounders Academy. Easley had trialed with Chievo Verona of Serie A and had interest from West Ham United, but chose to follow in the footsteps of Zach Scott and come to Seattle per West Hawai’i Today.
U.S. Open Cup Adjudication and Discipline Panel Suspends and Fines Clint Dempsey – US Soccer
he U.S. Open Cup Adjudication and Discipline Panel has suspended Seattle Sounders FC forward Clint Dempsey a total of six U.S. Open Cup matches or the next two years of U.S. Open Cup competition, whichever is greater. The suspension is due to his actions during the U.S. Open Cup match between Seattle Sounders FC and Portland Timbers on June 16, 2015.
WFC2 & USL
Resilient Whitecaps FC 2 fall short 3-2 versus Orange County Blues FC – WFC2
With the amount of fireworks at the Whitecaps FC 2 and Orange County Blues FC match on Saturday, you would think it was already Canada Day.
Whitecaps FC 2 visit Orange County Blues FC on Saturday – Whitecaps FC
Whitecaps FC 2 (4W-7L-4D) are back on the road this weekend when they travel south to face Orange County Blues FC (5W-6L-1D) on Saturday. The ‘Caps are hoping their momentum carries on from last weekend’s thrilling 3-2 win over Cascadia rival Timbers 2.
WFC2 Report: Richey racks up highlight-reel saves – 24 Hours
As David Ousted is proving for the Whitecaps in MLS, goalkeeping can be the difference between winning and losing games. Fortunately for the Whitecaps2, Spencer Richey has been providing the type of goalkeeping needed to gain points in the pro game, especially of late.
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CANADA – 2015 GOLD CUP
Gold Cup: Style and substance as Jonathan Osorio evolves for Toronto FC & CanMNT – MLS
It’s often said that with crisis comes opportunity. There is perhaps no better adage to describe the rise of Jonathan Osorio. Osorio stepped into difficult situations for both club and country after he signed his first professional contract back in 2013. But the crafty midfielder made the most of his opportunities, establishing himself as a pillar of both teams.
Laing named to Jamaica 23-man roster for Gold Cup 2015 – FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton midfielder Lance Laing has been named to Jamaica’s 23-man roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2015, to be played from July 7-26 across 13 cities in the U.S. and Canada. Laing recently returned from international duty with Jamaica at this year’s Copa América.
BC SOCCER
BC Soccer Assoc. Announces 2015 High Performance Programming Phase 2 Player Selections – BCSA
Phase two of BC Soccer’s High Performance Programming (HPP) will begin July 3, 2015 and the player selections for all age groups have been completed.
Residency Week 2015: Catching up with…. Nolan Wirth – AFTN
The amount of quality keepers to have come through the Whitecaps Residency in the past couple of years is phenomenal. From Marco Carducci on the MLS squad to Callum Irving and Sean Melvin in the college ranks, it’s felt like every season one or two more top goalkeepers can be added to the list. Another member of the Residency goalkeeping alumni is Nolan Wirth.
Pinnacles hoping for bounces to go their way – Penticton Western News
Pinnacles hoping home crowd can help them pick up a pair of wins in Pacific Coast Soccer League action.
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WORLD OF SOCCER
Sepp Blatter: I have not resigned as the president of FIFA – ESPN FC
Sepp Blatter has fuelled speculation about his future by insisting he has not resigned as FIFA president and will lay down his mandate at a special congress, though the governing body says Blatter’s plans to step down have not changed.
FIFA says Blatter still plans to leave office – Sportsnet
FIFA responded after Swiss daily Blick reported comments made by Blatter late Thursday at an event to thank construction workers at FIFA’s new museum in Zurich.
Gonzalo Jara’s club Mainz angry at defender’s antics against Uruguay – Sky Sports
Chile defender Gonzalo Jara has incurred the wrath of his club side Mainz following his controversial actions at the Copa America, with the Bundesliga outfit prepared to let the player leave.
Africa’s last eight get underway in Champions League – FIFA
Although the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League will only be played at the end of September, Algeria’s football fans already know that at least one of their clubs will be involved in the last four of the showpiece event of African club football. For the first time in the history of the competition three clubs from one country advanced to the eight-team group phase, and the draw saw the Algerian trio of ES Setif, USM Alger and MC El Eulma pitted against each other in Group B.
FFA and A-League bang heads as pay dispute finds no resolution – Inside World Football
Talks between the A-League and Professional Players Australia (PFA) have broken down with the Football Federation Australia (FFA) bosses accusing players of putting the future of the League in jeopardy and the PFA considering legal and industrial action.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle youth policy criticised – BBC Sport
Scottish Cup winners Inverness CT are among clubs not doing enough to develop home-grown talent, it has been claimed. The criticism comes from Alisdair Gray, who helped the Scottish FA draw up its plan for the game’s future in 2010. Gray was speaking as Inverness announced that Inverness-born youth team forward Calum Ferguson, who has played for Canada Under-20s, had been handed a full professional contract.
How Football Shaped The Clash’s Greatest Album – 8 by 8
When they started work on their masterpiece, London Calling, the Clash were at a low point. Having dismissed their original manager, Bernie Rhodes, and his temporary successor, the group had no one to fall back on but themselves. And it was football, as much as their supremely able songwriting abilities, that pulled them into the mental form necessary for writing and recording the album.