BC Soccer News, Weekend, March 23-25, 2018

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. L.A. GALAXY

MLS MATCHDAY #4

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2018, 7:00 PM PDT

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Match Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps v Los Angeles GalaxyAFTN
After last weekend’s controversial loss to Atlanta United, the Whitecaps return home to face the Galaxy, in an attempt to recapture the momentum they had prior to the trip to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. A win would make this the Whitecaps’ best start to a season since 2015, and they have a chance to break the club record for their longest home unbeaten streak in the MLS era (they are unbeaten in 10 straight dating back to last season).

A Galaxy short on stars pays a visit to B.C. PlaceThe Province
Cristian Techera didn’t factor into last week’s game plan, with Carl Robinson opting for a more defensive alignment against Atlanta, but this weekend would be the perfect matchup for the buzzing Uruguayan winger.

The key storylines to watch Saturday vs. LA GalaxyWhitecaps FC
After a pair of hard-fought road matches, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2W-1L-0D) return to BC Place on Saturday night to host LA Galaxy (1W-1L-0D).

Galaxy head to Canada to face Vancouver Whitecaps FCLA Galaxy
Both Western Conference foes are looking to bounce back from losses — Vancouver Whitecaps FC fell to Atlanta United FC, 4-1, on Saturday, while the LA Galaxy lost 2-1 to New York City FC in their last game two weeks ago.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs LA Galaxy | 2018 MLS Preview and PredictionMLS GB
Vancouver Whitecaps welcome a depleted LA Galaxy side to BC Place on Saturday evening. Both sides come into the game off the back of losses last time out. Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined LA Galaxy on Friday but will not be available this weekend.

IMPORTANT: Georgia Viaduct closed to all traffic on SaturdayWhitecaps FC
Make sure to arrive early and give yourself plenty of time to travel to and from BC Place, as the Georgia Viaduct will be closed to all traffic from 9 p.m. PT on Friday to 3 a.m. PT on Monday for the JUNOs red carpet. Please consider alternate routes!

Game remains the same for Mutch as Whitecaps prepare for GalaxySportsnet
It’s a new league on a different continent, but for midfielder Jordon Mutch the game stays pretty much the same.

Kamara breathes new life into Whitecaps with confident playSportsnet
Every Friday, sportsnet.ca will chat with Sportsnet 650 radio commentator Dan Riccio about the big stories and issues surrounding the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Felipe’s physical style ruffles the oppositionRed Nation Online
Felipe Martins is the kind of player you hate to play against, for twenty-two other MLS clubs, they would love to have Felipe on their team. Unfortunately for them, there’s only one Felipe, and he plays for Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Episode 252 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Depleted and Defeated? – LA Galaxy Preview Show with guest Josh Guesman) – AFTN
Vancouver Whitecaps’ record against LA Galaxy hasn’t been too shabby these past couple of seasons. Gone is the MLS Cup Galaxy team to be feared, and it feels like last season, their worst in their history, was a rebuilding one that went horribly wrong from the outset.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: LA Galaxy hail arrival of ‘one of most winningest players of all time’BBC Sport
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was described by LA Galaxy as “one of the winningest players of all time” after completing a move to the Major League Soccer club. Ibrahimovic’s signing was announced in an advert in the LA Times, with Galaxy later officially confirming the deal.

Given relative health, Zlatan’s success MLS is close to automaticNBC Sports
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is coming to Major League Soccer. Having confirmed his departure from Manchester United, the announcement that the living Swedish legend is joining the LA Galaxy is expected next week.

Enormous talent and oversized personality makes Zlatan Ibrahimovic perfect for Los AngelesLA Times
If this doesn’t work, if Zlatan Ibrahimovic fails to take the Galaxy out of the shadows of this city’s sporting landscape, the soccer franchise might as well not sign another big-name foreign player. Because if Ibrahimovic can’t make Los Angeles care about the Galaxy, there isn’t a player who can.

How Zlatan made his markUEFA
Zlatan Ibrahimović has left Manchester United; UEFA.com celebrates the 36-year-old’s UEFA achievements.

MLS Weekend Preview: Friedel’s Revs get NYCFC testNBC Sports
It’s an international break, and Major League Soccer is only sorta observing it. More than half of the league’s clubs will participate on Saturday match days, with several shorthanded by national team duty.

Preview: Sporting KC puts two-game winning streak on the line Saturday in ColoradoSporting KC
Tied for first place in the Western Conference, Sporting Kansas City (2-1-0, 6 points) puts a two-game winning streak on the line Saturday against the Colorado Rapids (0-1-0, 0 points) at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

Impact’s Petrasso shifts focus to national team after heroics vs. TFCSportsnet
The Canadian fullback made a crucial goal-line clearance late in Saturday’s game after beating TFC’s Nico Halser to the ball, helping to preserve a 1-0 win for the Montreal Impact in their MLS home opener.

Austin City Council directs city manager to consider locating MLS stadium near The DomainKVUE
After looking at more than half a dozen locations — many of them parks — the Austin City Council has directed the city manager to look into the pros and cons of putting a major league soccer stadium on McKalla Place near the intersection of Braker Lane and Burnet Road and The Domain.

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BC SOCCER NEWS

BC Soccer Premier League Teams Kick Off Phase 1 of the 2018 SeasonBCSA
The first week in March marked the kickoff of the BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL) season. Aligning with the start of the 2018 BCSPL Seasons BC Soccer is also proud to release the Technical Resource associated with the BCSCPL Club License that was achieved by all BCSPL clubs during the 2017 season.

Christine Sinclair would stay with Portland Thorns if Vancouver was granted NWSL expansion clubOregonian
With the Vancouver Whitecaps looking to potentially start a National Women’s Soccer League team in 2019, some have questioned whether renowned forward Christine Sinclair might leave the Portland Thorns to join a new club in Canada.

Strikers Face Tough Competition at Soccer ProvincialsEnergetic City
The Fort St John Northern Strikers overcame adversity in their respective Provincial tournaments last weekend.
PHOTOS: VMSL IMPERIAL CUP SEMIFINAL, Croatia SC 3, West Van FC 1BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

PHOTOS: VMSL IMPERIAL CUP SEMIFINAL, Rino’s Tigers 3, Club Inter 2 (PKs), March 17, 2018 BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Monique Lamoureux.

VISL Cup Finals Set for March 24-25 WeekendBC Soccer Web
All teams are now official, the pairings are set, here are the match ups for the upcoming weekend and all 4 Cup Finals.

TSS Rovers release Season Tickets for the 2018 season TSS Rovers
A great summer of soccer is in store at Swangard Stadium with the PDL & WPSL TSS Rovers. Season yickets are only $70.

Victoria Highlanders FC 2018 Season Tickets now on saleVictoria Highlanders
Spend your summer with the PDL Highlanders at Centennial Stadium for only $75.

Canadian legends Nick Dasovic & Andrea Neil team up for Individualized Coaching ProgramDasovic-Neil Coaching
(Spring Sessions now available) Nick Dasovic & Andrea Neil have teamed up to provide training programs for players & coaches. The programs specialize in individual, positional, age, and gender specific training for players, with a combined technical and physical focus while providing education and mentorship opportunities for coaches to improve their skills and deepen their knowledge base.

Canada’s College ID Camps set for Shawnigan Lake & Kingston, OntarioCanada College ID Camps
Our purpose is to provide a space where players grade 9-12 can connect with college coaches from all levels in Canada and the USA. We hope to assist in the promotion of youth players into environments which will challenge them academically and athletically after high school.

PCSL CHALLENGE CUP PHOTOS: Vancouver Utd. 3, Mid-Isle Mariners 1, July 30, 2017BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

BC PROVINCIAL WOMEN’S A CUP PHOTOS: Surrey United 1 NSGSC Renegades 0, May 13, 2017 BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

2017 VISL JACKSON CUP PHOTOS: Nanaimo Utd. 2 Cowichan LMG 1 (XT), April 2, 2017 BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

FVSL PHOTOS: Pakenham Cup Final, PMO Rangers 1 PMO Lordco Gunners 0, April 1, 2017BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

Becoming a BC Soccer RefereeBCSA
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 SyndicationBC 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

Canada climbs to fourth in latest FIFA women’s rankingsSportsnet
Canada has moved back to fourth in the FIFA women’s rankings, matching an all-time high.

Watch Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team open 2018 season on SaturdayCSA
Canada will open their 2018 calendar in a Men’s International Friendly match against New Zealand this 24 March in San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, Spain. The Saturday soccer match will mark the start of a new era under newly-appointed Head Coach John Herdman.

Former Canada women’s coach Herdman starts tough task of turning men’s squad around680 News
Seeing John Herdman in the middle of a soccer field, shouting orders with the Canadian crest on his chest, is a common sight. But that’s where familiarity ends, as Herdman is no longer surrounded by a star-studded team featuring the likes of Christine Sinclair, Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence.

Cornelius says Herdman has told CanMNT first-timers “not to be scared” ahead of NZ matchthe11.ca
This Saturday, Derek Cornelius is one of five players — including Liam Miller, Liam Fraser, Marcus Godinho and recently-nationalized David Wotherspoon — who could earn his first senior cap when Canada faces New Zealand in Spain. It will be the first game with John Herdman in charge of the men’s side.

David Edgar set to return for Canadian team after lengthy injury absenceSportsnet
David Edgar admits there were times during his time on the sidelines recovering from a knee injury when he thought he might not ever play again.

Canadian Premier League president sizing up Edmonton for franchiseEdmonton Sun
The president of the start-up national professional soccer circuit is in Edmonton, getting a lay of the land, interacting with local fans and sitting down with FC Edmonton owner Tom Fath.

Canadian goalkeeper Tyson Farago signs for St Patrick’s AthleticThe 42
The 26-year-old stopper joins the Saints, having most recently played with Edmonton FC in the North American Soccer League (NASL).

Toronto wants the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but there are risksCBC
Toronto city council voted 29-1 in favour of joining the bid in January, although 15 councillors missed the vote. Many others are encouraging the city to push ahead.

A $16bn question, but Rothenburg still wary of Morocco 2026 bidInside World Football
Alan Rothenburg, the man widely credited with bringing the 1994 World Cup to the United States and making such a success of it, says it is by no means a foregone conclusion that the tournament will go back to the USA – and its neighbours Mexico and Canada – in 2026.

Indoor Soccer Complex Denied In Grande PointeSteinbach Online
Council for the Rural Municipality of Ritchot has denied an application for a large recreation complex at Grande Pointe. Winnipeg businessman Andy Feng of Unicanadian International had hoped to build the complex on about 80 acres off Highway #59. The site would include one indoor and one outdoor soccer field.

Fort soccer talent makes national showcase debutFort Saskatchewan Record
Fort Saskatchewan athlete Olivia Charlton just represented Northern Alberta at the national tournament, the Whitecaps FC Academy Centre Combine near Vancouver. Originally almost 100 players tried out in September to make the U13 team but over the span of a few months and intense training, she made the short roster of 18.

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USL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS

LA Galaxy II ready for first-ever matchup with Fresno FC LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy II are on the road again this weekend, headed to Fresno, Calif. to take on USL expansion side Fresno FC at 7 p.m. PT on Saturday, March 24 at Chukchansi Park. The match will be streamed live on LAGalaxy.com.

Re: Fresno | Responses to Comments and CriticismEighty-Six Forever
Earlier this week I wrote an article detailing some of my frustrations with the affiliate deal between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Fresno F.C. Normally, articles about the Whitecaps’ development process don’t get all that much attention, but this one did. It sparked a great deal of discussion, which is good, but due to my not expecting many people to read it, I engaged in a great deal more hyperbole than I normally would.

USL Preview Week 2: Adu’s return, Indy Eleven debuts and moreSBI
Week 2 of the USL season is set to kick off this Saturday with a number of great matchups in store.

Western Conf. Notebook – California Clash Gives OCSC TestUSL
San Antonio excited for backing at home opener; Phoenix looks to learn from late letdown.

Eastern Conf. Notebook – Nashville Ready for Home ComfortsUSL
It will be an historic moment in the Music City on Saturday night as Nashville SC hosts its inaugural USL home regular-season game, taking on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Nissan Stadium (3 p.m. PT). That moment is something both fans and players have been looking forward to for a long time.

Veteran Forward Zayed Lands with IndependenceUSL
Charlotte also announces Kalungi’s return for fourth season on back line.

Atlanta United 2 ready to kick off inaugural seasonAJC
Atlanta United 2 will play its inaugural game on Saturday at Coolray Field. The USL team has a different coach than its parent franchise Atlanta United.

Lights FC Makes Adu Signing OfficialUSL
Freddy Adu is a member of Las Vegas Lights FC. The former U.S. international was officially added to the club’s roster on Thursday, making Adu available for selection as Lights FC hosts Silver State Cup rival Reno 1868 FC this Saturday night in the club’s inaugural regular-season home opener at Cashman Field.

Orange County SC’s Braeden Cloutier talks USL’s evolution, 2018 expectationsAngels on Parade
Orange County SC turned to a familiar face this past offseason in hiring a new head coach, when they tapped Braeden Cloutier for the job. Cloutier had been assistant coach at the club for the previous three seasons, and was getting an opportunity to make the step up.

WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS

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Soccer – Women’s soccer league gaining foothold in U.S.Euronews
The nine-team NWSL has displayed a sort of lasting power that the two failed U.S. professional women’s leagues that came before it were unable to establish but that does not mean it has a secure future.

Jess McDonald is healthy and excited for 2018Vavel
The North Carolina Courage finished at the top of the National Women’s Soccer League in their first season with the league and made it to the 2017 NWSL Championship match. The team was one of the toughest defensive units and played a brand of fiery soccer that showed off their physical abilities and fitness.

NWSL Preview: Portland Thorns lose big names, offensive playersLast Word on Soccer
After winning the NWSL Championship last season, the Portland Thorns are ready to defend their title.

FIFA Women’s World RankingsFIFA
The latest world rankings from FIFA.

Fifa rankings: England women up to all-time high of second behind USABBC Sport
England women have moved up a place to second in the Fifa world rankings, their best ever position and the highest ever by an England team.

FIFA’s proposed women’s league will benefit soccer worldwideWorld Soccer Talk
Last week, FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed a plan to launch a women’s global league comprised of national teams. Although no decision is expected to be made until at least June, the plan demonstrates Infantino’s commitment to promoting the growth of women’s football.

United States Set to Host 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship in OctoberCONCACAF
Concacaf Championship is also the road to the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 for regional teams.

Toppserien 2018: A preview of the season to comeVavel
Can anyone knock LSK of their throne or will the Lillestrøm side win it for a fifth straight year? And can newcomers Lyn stay up? We look into this and more in this Toppserien 2018 preview.

Belgian Pro League earmarks cash for women’s club developmentInside World Football
Belgian’s Pro League has earmarked €300,000 of its TV rights revenue for women’s football in a bid to boost and strengthen the game in the country. The step is a first sign that the league is taking the women’s game seriously.


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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

International Weekend Preview: Germany hosts Spain, Mexico faces Iceland, and moreSBI
With only three months until the World Cup kicks off in Russia, the time for teams to start preparing their rosters begins this weekend. Domestic action takes a break as international fixtures take centerstage across the globe, beginning with a huge slate on Friday. Familiar foes will duke it out in Europe, while some other intriguing fixtures will also occur in both North and South America.

Bob Lenarduzzi: Bend it like Zlatan? Star striker a huge signing for MLSEdmonton Journal
It’s an international break with a lot of big friendlies, as teams prepare for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

PREVIEW: Netherlands vs. EnglandBBC Sport
Jack Wilshere’s World Cup hopes look to be fading after his latest injury setback ruled him out of England’s friendly against the Netherlands.

Salah’s Egypt out to stun Ronaldo’s Portugal African Football
Egypt will square off with Portugal in an international friendly match at the Stadion Letzigrund in Switzerland on Friday.

Ronald Koeman tasked with resuscitating mediocre Dutch national team and own management careerThe Telegraph
It will be 25 years come October that Ronald Koeman all but decided that England would not qualify for the 1994 World Cup finals on that night in Rotterdam when every decision went the Dutch team’s way and English football just about hit rock bottom.

From Total Football to a total mess, the Dutch demonstrate why England are not so bad after allYahoo Sports
When, as it almost certainly will do, things go all ‘international friendly’ tonight and you are left wondering why you sacrificed your Friday night, pause to gather some perspective.

Scotland begin a new era at the hands of an old headProst Amerika
Scotland start life after their doomed World Cup qualification campaign tonight in a friendly against Costa Rica. It’s all change for the men in blue as former boss Alex McLeish returns for his second spell at the helm of the oldest side in world football.

UEFA Nations League gets $94 million prize fund for 55 teamsMetro
UEFA says it has created a 76.25 million euro ($94 million) prize fund for the inaugural Nations League.

50+1 is the foundation of German football but reform is still neededFussballstadt
50+1 rule, which determines that clubs have to hold 50% plus one share in its professional football team, is here to stay. The decision was made on Thursday in a meeting among representatives of 34 of the 36 Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs. At the same time clubs also decided to move forward and bring some, yet undecided, reform to the rule.

PSG fined, will have to close part of stadium at next UCL matchNBC Sports
Les Parisiens are facing a partial stadium ban for next season’s first UCL contest after their fans were charged with blocking a stairway, setting off fireworks, and using a laser pointer.

Manchester City title stroll should not distract from strength of competitionThe Guardian
There has not been a tight championship race since 2013-14 but the Premier League is still more competitive than its rivals.

World Cup 2018: England boss Gareth Southgate says country must address racismBBC Sport
England must not just point the finger at Russia for having a racism problem – because their own under-17 team were subjected to “disgusting” online abuse, says Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

Savvidis links leave a fiery trail of intimidation, political influence and burnt carsInside World Football
Following the gun-toting antics of PAOK owner Ivan Savvidis that led to the suspension of the Greek Super League, further information is emerging purportedly linking Savvidis, his associates and his companies to more criminal violence and intimidation in Greek football dating back to 2015.

Bassett: AFC Wimbledon can plough pathway to a big futureFootball League Paper
Dave Bassett and Ian Cooke are confident AFC Wimbledon will go from strength to strength when they move into their new stadium at Plough Lane.

Usain Bolt delights fans by scoring in Dortmund trainingSportsnet
Usain Bolt trained again with German soccer club Borussia Dortmund on Friday and this time scored a header and a penalty in front of nearly 1,500 spectators.

World Cup winning Argentina striker Houseman dies at 64Sportsnet
Rene Houseman, a striker who won the 1978 World Cup with Argentina, died after fighting tongue cancer for the past year. He was 64.

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