WHITECAPS & MLS
Preview: Matchday 13, Rapids vs. Whitecaps – Eighty-Six Forever
It doesn’t get any easier for the Whitecaps as they travel to the home of the struggling Colorado Rapids. Problem is, we’ve seen the ‘Caps play down to their opposition before; will they do so in the notoriously difficult Dick’s Sporting Goods Park?
Weary Whitecaps on the road again – 24 Hours
Vancouver will now be looking to build off the semifinal triumph when returning to Major League Soccer play on the road Saturday night against the Colorado Rapids, and also get back to scoring with a little more regularity like early in the season.
Kevin Doyle, Luis Solignac add flexibility to Rapids lineup – Denver Post
Now that the last-place Rapids (1-2-7) have two new strikers, the question is how coach Pablo Mastroeni will deploy them. Kevin Doyle and Luis Solignac might make their Major League Soccer debuts at home Saturday against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (6-4-2).
Hey Rapids Fans, What’s the Difference Between Winless and Unbeaten? More Than You Think – Burgundy Wave
The Rapids have strung together four straight 1-1 draws. Winless streak or an unbeaten streak? Depends on your attitude.
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Matias Laba plays the unlikely hero– Metro
Laba, the 23-year-old designated player and midfielder from Argentina, is known more for his defensive style. He has never scored a goal in regular season play for the Whitecaps since joining the club prior to the start of the 2014 season.
Setback won’t slow Whitecaps’ Rosales – The Province
You think the players and fans looked frustrated in Saturday’s loss to Seattle at B.C. Place? You should have seen Mauro Rosales in the press box. The Whitecaps winger and former Sounder was crushed to miss a game he’d circled at the start of the season.
Whitecaps FC to learn opponents for 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League on June 1 – Whitecaps FC
A total of 24 teams will participate in the group stage. Teams will be placed or drawn into eight groups consisting of three teams. Each group must contain one team from each of the three pots.
Robbie Keane warns Steven Gerrard – You’re joining MLS to win, not a holiday – ESPN
The Irishman said that the Galaxy did not sign Gerrard to help him ease into retirement, but expect him to help the club to league titles — a feat he never accomplished in 17 seasons in the Premier League.
With Jozy Altidore out injured, Toronto FC set to move Michael Bradley into more attacking role – MLS
FC head coach Greg Vanney has now shifted Bradley to the top of a four-man diamond midfield, with Benoit Cheyrou behind him in support. That shift puts him in line with his role for the US national team, in an advanced position that Jurgen Klinsmann was quite vocal about last year.
Canadian National Team Players Unhappy about Argonauts Move to BMO Field – Waking the Red
Canada has been an afterthought in the entire process, and members of the men’s national team aren’t surprised.
US Open Cup: Sounders and Timbers set to clash in Round 4 – MLS
Seattle and Portland are the only two MLS teams that will meet in the fourth round of the tournament, with the other 15 US-based MLS clubs set to begin their USOC runs against a lower-division foe on June 16 or 17.
Maldini tackles Beckham in Miami – should MLS be worried? – World Soccer Talk
In a certain sense, NASL is indeed the alternative. The structure of the league, in which clubs are independently owned and face few if any restrictions on their spending, stands in direct contrast to MLS’s ‘single entity’ business model.
AMWAY CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP – THE VOYAGEURS CUP
Returning to Pain Like Moths to a Flame – Maple Leaf Forever
The Voyageurs Cup is the worst tournament in the world. Every year I and thousands like me end it with spears through our hearts, mouths agape like male salmon, eyes shot red with gin and hate, staring up at the ceiling wondering where it’s all gone wrong.
Whitecaps squeak by Eddies to advance in Voyageurs Cup – Red Nation Online
FC Edmonton hosted the Vancouver Whitecaps on a lovely sunny evening at Clarke Stadium in the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semi-final series in front of 3,803 supporters. The Vancouver Whitecaps scored early, and then late to advance to the Voyageurs Cup Final with a 2-1 win and a 3-2 total aggregate victory over FC Edmonton. Vancouver will now play the Montreal Impact on August 12 and August 26.
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2015
19,000 tickets sold for Canada-England friendly – Hamilton Spectator
The powerful allure of the Canadian national women’s soccer team has resulted in 19,000 tickets being sold so far for next Friday’s friendly at Tim Hortons Field between Canada and England.
Abby Wambach, Unconcerned With Broken Records or Nose, Craves World Cup Title – NY Times
She made a controversial choice not to play this season in the National Women’s Soccer League, choosing to train mostly on her own for next month’s tournament in Canada. This is her last chance. Surgery on her broken nose can wait. Career fulfillment cannot.
BC SOCCER
Update on Possible BC Division 3 League Coming June 15 – BC Soccer Web
Will the BC Soccer Association be starting a Tier 3 Semi-Pro League? We might have some answers on June 15, when a committee will present an update on the issue at the organization’s Annual General Meeting.
BC Soccer focuses on 3 development topics – BCSA
Over the last 6-12 months, BC Soccer has increased focus on 3 specific soccer development topics: Regional Tier 3 Adult League, Club Charter and the EA Sports BC Soccer Premier League governance and structure.
May Classic soccer delivers great action – Penticton Western News
The Murray GM Pinnacles defended their Pacific Western Brewery May Classic women’s open title over the weekend. The Pinnacles won the championship as they crushed Delta United 6-0 on May 17.
Joining the WolfPack – Penticton Western News
Marisa Mendonca is joining the WolfPack, the Thompson Rivers University women’s soccer team. Also courted by the UBCO Heat, Mendonca chose the WolfPack because of its soccer and education program, where she plans to work towards earning a bachelor of Science degree.
WORLD OF SOCCER
Luis Figo pulls out of Fifa presidential race to leave two-horse race – The Guardian
Luis Figo has pulled out of the Fifa presidential race with a stinging broadside against Sepp Blatter and the electoral process.
Rafael Benitez: Real Madrid line up Napoli’s ex-Liverpool manager – BBC Sport
Napoli boss Rafael Benitez has emerged as a leading candidate to become the next Real Madrid manager. Current Real boss Carlo Ancelotti is widely expected to leave his post after this weekend’s final game of the season against Getafe.
Season’s finale brings the end of an era for top coaches and players across the continent – The Independent
This weekend could be a day for final league appearances – Iker Casillas in Real Madrid’s goal, Xavi Hernandez in a Barcelona shirt, Jürgen Klopp in his Dortmund dugout and Paul Clement in the technical area at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Cong Vinh taking inspiration from history – FIFA
Cong Vinh comes into the World Cup qualifiers in a rich vein of form. His side Binh Duong were 2014 V-League champions, he was top scorer for Vietnam in that run to the 2014 AFF Cup semi-finals, and he scored the winner against Japanese heavyweights Kashiwa Reysol in his side’s most recent AFC Champions League match.