VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. L.A. GALAXY
MATCHDAY #4
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017, 7:00 PM
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Vancouver Whitecaps vs. LA Galaxy | 2017 MLS Match Preview – MLS
While the Vancouver Whitecaps continue to shuffle the deck with yet another high-profile trade, the LA Galaxy prepare to welcome back a cadre of stars, including Giovani dos Santos, just days after losing Sebastian Lletget for months thanks to an injury suffered on international duty.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs LA Galaxy preview: Both teams fighting for points – Vavel
The LA Galaxy list of injuries continues to grow but the lack of points is starting to become an urgent matter. The Caps will need to find a way to secure their first victory of the regular season, while also resting their starters for the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs LA Galaxy – Preview – Futebolcidade
In the summer, the club signed 27-year-old French left-winger Romain Alessandrini from the French club, Olympique Marseille, and the 23-year-old Portuguese midfielder, João Pedro, from the Portuguese club, Vitória Guimarães. The club also added some experience by trading for Jermaine Jones, who was part of the Colorado Rapids last season.
LA Galaxy ditch their ageing stars – but can they still be successful? – The Guardian
Bruce Arena is gone, Keane and Gerrard have gone, and Landon Donovan isn’t coming back. But, reports Matt Pentz, the club’s aim is still the same: success.
Whitecaps FC acquire Tony Tchani and $300,000 in allocation money from Columbus for Kekuta Manneh – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that the club has acquired central midfielder Tony Tchani from Columbus Crew SC, $225,000 in Targeted Allocation Money, and $75,000 in General Allocation Money in exchange for winger/forward Kekuta Manneh.
Whitecaps trade Kekuta Manneh for Cameroon international midfielder Tony Tchani – The Province
That the Whitecaps needed to do something to fix their midfield was obvious to all. That they’d probably have to make a big move to do so was equally so.
Crew land Manneh from Whitecaps in blockbuster deal – SBI
A day before MLS teams return to action after the international break, a blockbuster trade has been pulled off from seemingly out of nowhere.
No Manneh? No problem: Whitecaps show soccer savvy in Manneh/Tchani trade – AFTN
Kekuta Manneh’s trade to Columbus Crew for box-to-box midfielder Tony Tchani will no doubt have surprised a large proportion of Vancouver Whitecaps’ fanbase.
So farewell then Kekuta Manneh – Soccer Shorts
The news that Kekuta Manneh has been traded to the Columbus Crew for Tony Tchani and some imaginary salary cap money probably comes with both a sense of surprise and a sense of the inevitable.
Vancouver Whitecaps trade Kekuta Manneh to Columbus Crew SC – Eighty Six Forever
The first casualty of the slow-starting 2017 season has been identified, as the Whitecaps have traded Kekuta Manneh to Columbus for Tony Tchani, TAM, GAM.
MLS Look Ahead: Week 5 – SBI
Major League Soccer wastes no time packing the heavy hitters after the end of the international break, as all four teams set to play on Friday night are pegged to contend for the postseason. Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey will be among the stars on display during Friday night’s national TV doubleheader.
Plane ticket snafu could leave Impact without defender Oyongo – CBC
A mix-up that left defender Ambroise Oyongo stranded in Brussels for an extra day may cost the Montreal Impact a key starter for a game Saturday against the Chicago Fire.
TFC hosts Sporting KC with home opener success on their side – TSN
Toronto FC welcomes Sporting KC to BMO to open their 11th Major League Soccer home schedule tonight at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt on TSN4. TFC has a 6-4-0 all-time record in home openers, with many names of the past and present responsible for their early season successes and failures.
John Doyle: This is the no-alibi, no-excuses season for Toronto FC – Globe & Mail
Usually with Toronto FC, even at the start of the Major League Soccer season, there’s an attempted alibi or a fishy story. The new players are still trying to fit in. The team played too many away games before the home opener. That big-ticket signing from Europe is a bust.
TFC home opener brings same old challenges for mainstream attention – The Athletic
With their home opener on Friday, Toronto FC must start from scratch in its competition for the city’s spotlight. It will be the team’s first match back at BMO Field since their dramatic MLS Cup final loss in December. For a brief time, while the Maple Leafs and Raptors seasons were in their infancy, the soccer club was the talk of the town.
Earthquakes’ Harold Cummings sidelined 4-6 months by broken leg – ESPN FC
San Jose Earthquakes defender Harold Cummings will be sidelined for the next four to six months after having surgery to repair a broken leg.
Every MLS club’s top academy prospect – MLS
The Generation adidas Cup approaches. And as far as an all-in-one stop for scouting the next big thing in MLS goes, it doesn’t get any better.
Bridgeview: A bold burb, weighed down by a debt-ridden stadium, seeks a fresh deal – Crain’s Chicago Business
Toyota logos still adorn the 11-year-old home of the Chicago Fire, but the hundreds of thousands of dollars the village pulled in annually from stadium naming rights have stopped, putting a greater burden on local taxpayers to pay off a mountain of debt from financing construction of the facility.
LA Galaxy and StubHub Center unveil in-stadium green house, chicken coop and beehive as part of Protect the Pitch – LA Galaxy
The LA Galaxy and StubHub Center have launched an in-stadium greenhouse, chicken coop and beehives that will produce various produce and food, which will be made available at StubHub Center for athletes and staff. The launch is a part of the Protect the Pitch program, an initiative designed to help the LA Galaxy and StubHub Center reduce carbon footprint and become more sustainable.
Train With Champions TWU Spartan Female Soccer Academy
BC SOCCER NEWS
VISL Cup Finals Weekend – VISL
As far as local the local Soccer League goes, this weekend is when it all wraps up. 81 teams were eligible, down to 8 teams participating in 4 Cup Final Games.
Highlanders Add International Flavour With Trio Of Signings – Highlanders FC
Victoria Highlanders FC announced three additional signings, Thursday, adding defenders Sho Goto and Stuart Heath, as well as goalkeeper Yuichiro Hayami. The additions bring the Highlanders roster to six as the team prepares for the 2017 Premier Development League (PDL) season, kicking off May 14 at Centennial Stadium.
Cowichan teams take aim at cups – Cowichan Valley Citizen
Soccer fans from the Cowichan Valley will be flocking to Royal Athletic Park in Victoria this Sunday.
BMO Kickin’ with the ‘Caps Community Clinics – Whitecaps FC
Each spring, Whitecaps FC run community clinics in Metro Vancouver that introduce soccer skills to youth ages 7 through 10.
KYSA announces scholarships – Kamloops This Week
Graduating high school soccer players who are, or have been, registered with the Kamloops Youth Soccer Association will have a shot at nine different scholarships in 2017. The KYSA announced its scholarship offerings on Friday morning, the nine awards valued at $500 each.
Ladner Boys Soccer alive & well in Africa – Delta Optimist
The Ladner Boys Soccer Club lives on in other parts of the world. The club is no longer in operation after merging with Tsawwassen and Ladner Girls to form South Delta United. That left over 500 kits with Ladner Boys alone that were suddenly outdated. Headed by longtime coach and volunteer John O’Neil, the uniforms are being put to good use elsewhere. O’Neil provided some sets to Surrey’s Regent Christian Academy which sent a small team of senior age students and three teachers to Uganda earlier this month.
REVIEW: The Miracle Mile. Stories of the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games – BC BookLook
Author Jason Beck is curator of the BC Sports Hall of Fame in BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, and convenor two years ago of an excellent exhibition about the 1954 Games. In his first book, he proves to be a meticulous researcher, a compelling story-teller, and a crafty realist who knows how to hook his readers. Watch how, two pages into the book, he uses filmic technique to evoke the arriving athletes’ youthful buzz and give period colouring and costuming, but then smartly moves his camera in to introduce his stars.
TSS Rovers launch website & 2017 Season Ticket Campaign – TSS Rovers
TSS FC Rovers play their inaugural season in the PDL at iconic Swangard Stadium. Season Tickets are $70 for Adults, $49 for U12 Youth.
Becoming a BC Soccer Referee – BCSA
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!
To our Readers: A Choice – BC Soccer Web
Soccer has brought us to the United States many times. It’s a great place with decent people. We especially look forward to our Cascadia trips to Seattle and Portland. They’re incredible cities with wonderful supporters. That’s why it was so disheartening to see chaos and fear take hold in the airports and borders of our neighbours to the south.
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.
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.
3v3 Live Soccer Tour Comes to Canada
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canadian midfielder Matheson recovering from latest knee surgery – Sportsnet
Sadly, Diana Matheson has been here before. Surgery followed by long months of rehab.
Halifax Wanderers – Recap of Information Session – HWSG
March 30th meeting in Halifax with S|E|A CEO Derek Martin and CPL representative Paul Beirne.
League1 Ontario Pro Directions: Europe – League1 Ontario
With 72 players now moved on from League1 teams to professional contracts around the globe, League1 is taking a closer look at these opportunities in a feature series entitled “Pro Directions.”
Montreal Impact to Host Two Youth Soccer Tournaments This Summer – The Link
International Under-14 Tournament and Local Qualifier to be Played at Centre Nutrilait.
Canada, Forrest make their point – FIFA
Canada’s national team was on the first plane back home from the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup in Korea/Japan, having failed to win a game or even score a single goal for their troubles. But when goalkeeper Craig Forrest talks about that tournament, there is an unmistakable echo of pride in his voice.
Sea-Hawks soccer team brings Michael O’Brien home – The Telegram
A new AUS soccer season is a half-year away, but the Memorial Sea-Hawks made a big score this week.
Indoor soccer festival being held in Summerside – Journal-Pioneer
The “Let’s Play” event, which is being organized by Ken Trenholm of Summerside, will be held at the Three Oaks Senior High School gymnasium. This program is for players three to 13 years of age, and 10 players will be accepted in each age group.
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WFC2, USL, NASL & NPSL NEWS
UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE
RENO 1868 vs. WFC2
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017, 7:00 PM
GREATER NEVADA FIELD, RENO, NV.
LIVESTREAM: WHITECAPSFC.COM
Whitecaps FC sign Residency striker Gloire Amanda to USL contract – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Friday that the club has signed striker Gloire Amanda from the Residency program to a professional contract with Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) in the United Soccer League (USL), pending league and federation approval.
NASL Look Ahead: Week 2 – SBI
Week 2 is on the agenda for the NASL this weekend, with two teams making their season debuts on Sunday.
Preview NASL Week 2: Edmonton, Jacksonville Enter the Fray – Empire of Soccer
After sitting out in Week 1, Edmonton and the Jacksonville will get their first taste of action in the North American Soccer League’s Spring Season this weekend. They will close out matches in Week 2 at the Armada’s new home, Hodges Stadium.
Positional Preview: A Guide to FC Edmonton’s Returning Players and New Additions – FC Edmonton
From goalkeeper to striker, the Eddies look to perform in all areas of the park this 2017 NASL Spring Season.
League ownership means new realities as Armada enters 2017 – Jacksonville.com
Mark Lowry never imagined he’d be preparing players’ post-training meals for the Jacksonville Armada. Or making rental car arrangements for away games. Or coaching a team without an owner.
USL: Week 2 Preview (Expansion and Key Matches) – MLS Multiplex
A quick look at what’s new for USL in 2017, what happened in week 1, and a glance ahead to the coming week of league competition.
Match Preview: TFC II at Tampa Bay Rowdies – Toronto FC
Toronto FC II will look to make it two wins in a row to start the season when they travel to Tampa to take on the Rowdies. The team will look to build off the momentum picked up following their 1-0 victory over Phoenix Rising FC.
Match Preview: Fury FC vs Saint Louis FC – Ottawa Fury
After eight weeks of training camp and eight preseason friendlies in which the club boasted a promising record of 5W-1D-2L and outscored the opposition 19-6, the wait is finally over. Fury FC are ready to kick off their first USL season and the will be looking to carry over the confidence earned in preseason. First stop: Saint Louis FC, Saturday evening at the Toyota Stadium.
Joe Cole agrees new contract with Tampa Bay Rowdies – sources – ESPN FC
Former Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole has agreed a new deal at United Soccer League side Tampa Bay Rowdies, sources close to the player have told ESPN FC.
Historical Club Profile: Brooklyn Italians – Empire of Soccer
The past and the present vie for attention when you step into the Brooklyn Italians storefront headquarters on a bustling street corner in the Borough Park neighborhood of the United States’ hippest precinct.
USL unveils plan to launch Division III league in the US for 2019 – Inside World Football
The United Soccer League (USL) is expanding again, this time with the launch of a Third Division men’s professional national league that will start play in 2019.
NFL Superstar Randy Moss Signs with the Charlotte Independence – Charlotte Independence
Ahead of Saturday’s season opener versus the Charleston Battery, the Charlotte Independence announced the signing of former football wide receiver, Randy Moss. Pending United Soccer League (USL) and U.S. Soccer approval, the 40-year-old rookie will wear number 84 for the Independence. (Editor’s note: Saturday is April 1.)
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Meet the Women’s Champions League semi-finalists – UEFA
Barcelona play Paris Saint-Germain and debutants Manchester City take on Lyon in the semi-finals over the last two weekends of April – read our full guide to the ties.
Carli Lloyd, Man City, advance to Champs League semis to face Alex Morgan, Lyon – Excelle Sports
The Manchester City women’s soccer team, led by USWNT star Carli Lloyd, defeated Fortuna 2-0 on aggregate in the Champions League quarterfinals after a 1-0 win in the second leg on Thursday.
Women’s Champions League: Manchester City ‘need Lyon tie to see where their game is at’ – BBC Sport
Manchester City Women need April’s Champions League semi-final against holders Lyon to “see where they are at”, according to manager Nick Cushing.
St Louis group, US Soccer meet, NWSL bid possible – The Equalizer
SC STL, the ownership group that is bidding to bring a Major League Soccer expansion franchise to St. Louis, held preliminary discussions with US Soccer earlier this week to learn more about NWSL. The group appears to be prepared to pursue an NWSL club as a companion club to an MLS side.
AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 qualifiers set to begin – AFC
The race to qualify for the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Jordan is set to begin on Monday, with a total of eighteen teams – as well as Jordan who will host the finals – scheduled to get their campaigns underway in Tajikistan, DPR Korea, Palestine and Vietnam.
Thorns fall to U23s in preseason tournament – Prost Amerika
Preseason games are a hot bed of what-ifs and hypotheticals. Whilst everybody trains in one way or another during the off season, excluding those too injured to do so, the team itself is not together. No matter how together a team was last season, there will always be new additions, retirements and trades.
Reign FC sign USC forward Katie Johnson – GoalWA
Seattle Reign FC announced today that the club has signed forward Katie Johnson for the 2017 NWSL season. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
South Korea expects no issues with Pyongyang games – Yahoo Sports
The South Korean Unification Ministry said on Friday it expects the national women’s soccer team’s trip to North Korea for an international competition to proceed in a “calm and orderly manner”. The South Korean government approved the team’s trip to Pyongyang for next month’s 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in North Korea on Thursday.
NWSL Releases Broadcast Schedule on Lifetime – MLS Multiplex
The NWSL has finally released more information on the new television deal with Lifetime for the upcoming season, including the featured games of the week.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Lenarduzzi: ‘Mersey’ me! Everton on the limp, locked into Liverpool – The Province
The Merseyside derby kicks off Saturday’s action in the Premier League, as Liverpool hosts Everton. Liverpool is currently in fourth place, while Everton sits sixth.
European Weekend Preview: Arsenal host Man City, Juventus travel to Napoli, and more – SBI
Following World Cup Qualifiers the past two weeks, European domestic action resumes this weekend with some mouth-watering fixtures across the top five leagues.
Neymar won’t leave Barcelona while he is hovering close to the throne – The Guardian
Brazil’s young star has the world at his gifted feet and as such is highly unlikely to be playing in the Premier League any time soon.
Pastore warns Monaco: ‘PSG have hit form now’ – Ligue 1
Javier Pastore believes Paris Saint-Germain have hit their stride “just at the right time” ahead of Saturday’s Coupe de la Ligue final against AS Monaco.
Leverkusen captain Bender needs op, out for rest of season – Metro
Bayer Leverkusen captain Lars Bender has been ruled out for the rest of the season as he needs an operation on his ankle.
Real Madrid and Manchester United named most valuable clubs by KPMG – ESPN FC
Real Madrid and Manchester United have been rated as the most valuable clubs in the world in an annual study by auditing giant KPMG.
Tijuana tries to stop skid, Monterrey meets America and more ahead of Liga MX Round 12 – SN
After a strange month that saw referees on strike and long penalties handed down to a number of players for behavior off the field, let’s hope that April brings us just as much excitement but for on-field rather than off-field actions.
European leagues to discuss playing games on Champions League nights – ESPN FC
European leagues will discuss the possibility of scheduling domestic matches on Champions League nights at a meeting this summer.
Fifa hands authorities 20,000 pieces of evidence as internal inquiry concludes – The Guardian
Fifa has announced the completion of its 22-month internal investigation into the multiple allegations of corruption and fraud which plunged it into an existential crisis in June 2015. The US law firm, Quinn Emanuel, was hired to handle the investigation and pass all relevant information to the Swiss law enforcement authorities, after the governing body strove to adopt the legal position that it was a victim rather than a participant in wrongdoing, and pledged absolute cooperation.
Jose Mourinho has regrets about how he treated Bastian Schweinsteiger – SI.com
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho mistreated Bastian Schweinsteiger, and said Friday he regrets it.
Mark Warburton – ‘I defy anyone to say I wasn’t successful at Rangers’ – The Telegraph
He is the new manager of Nottingham Forest, incidentally a club with a greater European pedigree than Rangers themselves, but Warburton should always have a place in the rebuild at Ibrox after what was one of the biggest crises in British football history.
Players should be exempt from post-Brexit immigration laws, say Premier League club owners – SN
Premier League club owners have called for the UK government to make exemptions for football players when it comes to dealing with immigration after leaving the European Union.
Germany 2006 World Cup podium found abandoned in Berlin park – ESPN FC
The World Cup winners’ podium used at the 2006 tournament in Germany has been found abandoned at Berlin’s Olympiapark, near the Olympiastadion where the final was played.