WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
WHITECAPS PROSPECT TRAINING WITH ALBION – Brighton & Hove Albion
London-born Sam Adekugbe will train with Albion as part of his ongoing development, and the spell came about via chief executive Paul Barber’s relationship with the Canadian club, where he had a spell as CEO.
Red Bulls and FC Dallas must find a way as they teeter on the brink – The Guardian
Portland and Columbus take two-goal leads into Sunday’s conference finals second leg – and the two best teams in MLS have work to do to fight back.
FC Dallas vs Portland Timbers | MLS Cup Playoffs Match Preview – MLS
The Portland Timbers are within 90 minutes of their first MLS Cup appearance following last Sunday’s 3-1 win over FC Dallas. Backed by a capacity crowd under the floodlights at Providence Park, the Timbers received goals from two unlikely sources – defenders Liam Ridgewell and Nat Borchers.
New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew SC | MLS Cup Playoffs Match Preview – MLS
Home-field advantage in the playoffs: You can take advantage of it or waste it away. Columbus Crew SC took full advantage in their 2-0 first-leg win over the New York Red Bulls in front of a sold-out MAPFRE Stadium to move within one game of their first MLS Cup final since 2008.
Portland Timbers’ improved defense down to Borchers and Ridgewell – ESPN FC
At the conclusion of the 2014 MLS season, Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter and general manager Gavin Wilkinson knew what the side needed most, and that was defensive help. The team conceded 52 goals over the course of the campaign, and while the midseason arrival of center back Liam Ridgewell helped solidify the back line, even more reinforcements were needed.
Jurgen Klinsmann showers USMNT newcomer Darlington Nagbe with praise – MLS
Darlington Nagbe may still be in the infant stages of his international career, but that is not stopping US national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann from showering the newcomer with praise.
Youthful FC Dallas exudes confidence despite MLS conference final deficit – SI.com
Confidence remains FC Dallas’ natural predisposition, even when all signs point to a difficult road ahead. A 3-1 loss to the Portland Timbers in the first leg of the MLS Western Conference finals last Sunday, punctuated by Nat Borchers’s goal in stoppage time that could prove to be the killer blow, still couldn’t put a damper on the team’s natural mood after the game.
“Profile of a world-class center back”: How LA Galaxy’s Dave Romney went from undrafted to the US national team – MLS
Dave Romney has so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving as his most improbable year – one that saw him rise from, well, nowhere into one of MLS’s young players most worth watching – nears its finish.
More than perception at stake for foreign coaches in MLS – Empire of Soccer
Patrick Vieira and Veljko Paunovic head to MLS after each had been linked to prominent head coaching opportunities in Europe. Both have elected to start their club coaching careers in what may seem to be shallow waters. However, just because there’s no relegation doesn’t mean the cost of failure for either coach is any less.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Huskies golden at B.C. finals – Kelowna Capital News
To say the Okanagan Mission Huskies have had success since the resurrection of the boys’ soccer program in 2011 would be an understatement. The Huskies struck gold this week at the B.C. AAA championship in Burnaby, giving the school four provincial medals in just five seasons.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX head to 2015 Surf Cup – Whitecaps FC
Every year, members of the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX program have an opportunity to test themselves against some of the best girls teams in North America at the annual soccerloco Surf College Cup. That showcase event takes place this weekend in San Diego, California.
A championship view – Penticton Western News
Alix Varchol has spent the first two years of her soccer career with the UBC Thunderbirds learning. Being one of the younger players on the women’s squad, she is waiting her time to shine. As she learned more about the Canadian Interuniversity Sport style of game through practices and watching games, her team captured its first national championship since 2006 on Nov. 15.
Riot tripped up by Black Ice – New Westminster Record
It isn’t just the weather that put a chill in the Royal City Riot’s outlook last week. The Coquitlam Black Ice counted a late goal to escape with a 1-0 win in Metro Women’s under-21 soccer action.
Condors 13th in double-A soccer provincials – Prince George Citizen
While their record of one win a tie and three losses was not good enough to carry the Condors into the medal round, they can take pride in the fact they were close in every game on the field this week in Burnaby.
B.C. Games, Pacific Sport offer workshops in Penticton – Penticton Western News
Do you want to raise your Game? A partnership between the 2016 Penticton BC Winter Games and Pacific Sport will provide coaches, parents and athletes an opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge with community sport workshops.
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CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Emma Regan called up to Canada for U-20 World Cup qualifying – Whitecaps FC
Canada Soccer announced on Thursday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX defender Emma Regan has been called up to the 20-player roster for the 2015 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship. On the road to the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea, Canada will participate in qualifying at the eight-team CONCACAF finals from December 3 to 13 in San Pedro Sula, HON.
Canada ready for road to Papua New Guinea 2016 – CSA
On the road to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016, Canada have announced their 20-player roster for the 2015 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship. Canada will participate in the eight-team CONCACAF finals from 3-13 December in San Pedro Sula, HON.
Three League1 Ontario players called to Canada U-20 Women’s team – OSA
On the road to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016, Canada have announced their 20-player roster for the 2015 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship.
2015 League1 Ontario MVP – League1 Ontario
Congratulations to Oakville Blue Devils’ Filipe Vilela and Durham United F.C.’s Nora Abolins, the 2015 League1 Ontario MVPs.
Voyageurs Cup- is it ready for expansion? – Waking the Red
There are multiple reasons why the expansion of the Voyageurs Cup should be considered by the CSA. Primarily, expansion will allow more that just the “professional clubs” to have a chance at winning Canada’s major trophy and it lets smaller clubs across the country potentially play a meaningful match against a big-time Major League Soccer Club in front of over 20,000 fans.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
England’s Lionesses earn notable draw against Germany – The FA
England Women earned a notable 0-0 draw with eight-time European champions Germany in Duisburg.
Houghton: Duisburg performance eclipses bronze display – The FA
Steph Houghton said England’s performance against Germany in Duisburg surpasses their bronze medal-winning display against the same opposition in the summer.
WARD HAT-TRICK AS WALES BEAT KAZAKHSTAN – FA Wales
Helen Ward scored a hat-trick as Wales get first win of UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 qualifying campaign.
Women’s Champions League last eight tie-by-tie – UEFA
UEFA.com examines March’s ties as Wolfsburg play Brescia, holders FFC Frankfurt face Rosengård, Lyon meet Slavia Praha and Barcelona take on Paris Saint-Germain.
USA coach Jill Ellis not resting on laurels as Olympic qualifiers draw near – The Guardian
The World Cup-winning coach is already looking ahead to Rio, which could offer a proving ground for France 2019; plus, a look at the NWSL transfer wire
Stay fresh in body and mind – Continental Tyres Women’s National League (Ireland)
This weekend’s Continental Tyres Women’s National League fixture away to Cork City WFC is a welcome one for me, given my recent adoption of the Leesider title (working in the Rebel county). Although Friday night will require a round trip to Carlow for training, so I am gifted with an entire day on Saturday to kick back and relax before Sunday’s game.
Sky Blues edge Lady Reds – Westfield W-League
Sydney FC defeated Adelaide United 1-0 at the Adelaide Shores Football Centre on Friday night.
Westfield W-League Round 7 Preview – Westfield W-League
All this weekend’s Westfield W-League round 7 action previewed, highlighted by the Fox Sports/ABC TV match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Canberra United where second spot is potentially up for grabs.
W-League stars face a long road back from serious knee injuries – The Guardian
An increased susceptibility to serious knee injuries and “intrusive” recovery periods are proving a major hurdle for a number of W-League players
Not all Lewandowskis are alike – FIFA
The name Lewandowski flashes up on the scoreboard as Bayern Munich celebrate another goal. This would be nothing unusual were it not for the fact that this Lewandowski plays in defence and wears the No2 shirt rather than spearheading the attack as a No9. What’s more, the goalscorer is female and does not hail from Poland.
Yamila Rodríguez and the pride of representing her country – CONMEBOL
“To represent my country is an honor for me and my family,” so begins Yamila’s story of how she started out in football. Yamila Rodríguez, the charismatic 17 year old Argentine has three goals with the Albiceleste and full of happiness says “I’m very happy for everything that is happening.”
Houston Dash acquire rights to Chioma Ubogagu – Keeper Notes
The Houston Dash have acquired the rights to former Stanford forward, Chioma Ubogagu from Sky Blue FC. Ubogagu participated in the 2015 NWSL College Draft but decided to play in Europe instead. Sky Blue FC opted to use one of their 4th round picks in the draft – twenty-eight overall – to obtain her rights in the hopes that she might return to the United States to play.
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NASL & USL NEWS
Former Philadelphia Union draft pick Jake Keegan leaves Ireland, signs with FC Edmonton – the11.ca
This past September, American striker Jake Keegan told the Irish Times that he was looking forward to extending his stay with Galway United, then looking to have a crack at returning to North American soccer..
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Insider Notes: FIFA gender reforms; Jermaine Jones’s options – SI.com
The FIFA reform committee is set to present its formal proposal next week to the FIFA executive committee, and while most of the attention has gone to governance reforms like term limits and background checks, U.S. women’s players like Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan have gotten behind a push for gender reform led by Australian ExCo member Moya Dodd.
Comment: Is FIFA immoral? If so the Swiss will soon wind it up – Inside World Football
The impression the world has is that FIFA is doomed to decay. Part of what threatens it is a widespread public rage against the institution and its behaviour over decades. At times, the way the men of FIFA have conducted their relations with other men (and women) of FIFA has been egregious in the extreme.
Why angry shouting men are a fading force on our children’s touchlines – The Guardian
The great junior football archetype – the hectoring wannabe coach – still stalks our parks but in a gentrifying game where the best are whisked away by academies he is a dying breed
Man United a big test for leaders Leicester City – Sportsnet
Saturday features a top of the table match between Manchester United and Leicester City, the surprise team of the Premier League season. James Sharman examines the Foxes’ success.
Lionel Messi to Man City transfer rumours played down by Pellegrini – ESPN FC
Manuel Pellegrini says every manager in the world would love to have Lionel Messi in his team — but shrugged off reports that Barcelona’s record scorer is set to join Manchester City.
Ageless Buffon keeps going for Juve and Italy – Sportsnet
Last week he celebrated the 20th anniversary of his Serie A debut by backstopping Juventus to a 1-0 win over AC Milan. Buffon was only 17 years old when he made his competitive debut, helping Parma earn a 0-0 draw against mighty AC Milan on Nov. 19, 1995.
Arsenal’s decision to fly 14 MINUTES to Norwich declared “ridiculous” by environmental group – The Mirror
The Gunners will fly from London Luton to Norwich International airport on Saturday night, a journey which takes just 14 minutes! Arsene Wenger’s side meet the Canaries in a 4:15pm kickoff on Sunday, having also travelled the 118 mile journey by plane back in 2012. Their decision to do so again has been condemned by Plane Stupid, a network of groups hoping to limit short-haul plane travel.
Ukraine handed one game stadium ban – TSN
Ukraine was ordered to play a game behind closed doors as part of a UEFA punishment for racist behaviour at last month’s European Championship qualifier against Spain.
Three tickets to Rio up for grabs in Africa – FIFA
When Africa’s eight best teams meet in Senegal to contest the CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations beginning this weekend, they will be playing for much more than continental bragging rights. On offer is a much bigger prize: three tickets to the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament next summer in Rio de Janeiro.
Black Friday: The Premier League’s greatest bargains (Slide show)– Goal
To mark Black Friday, Goal has assembled an XI of the best-ever Premier League bargains. There are only a few rules: No player can cost more than £2 million, he must have been signed while his club was in the Premier League and free transfers do not count.
Modern football is a test of character that young talent may well fail – The Guardian
As the vast income from television deals allow the clubs to offer greater and greater rewards to potential future stars, it becomes ever more difficult to provide the necessary care and nourishment for outstanding young talent.
No-show Del Nero quits FIFA exco, Brazilian Sarney takes over the gig – Inside World Football
The head of Brazilian football, Marco Polo del Nero, has finally bowed to the pressure and agreed to resign from FIFA’s Executive Committee after being a no-show for the last six months amid fears he could be caught up in the burgeoning corruption scandal.
Copa Sudamericana: Huracán draw 2-2 with River Plate and are in the final – CONMEBOL
Huracán made history by qualifying for the first time to the final of an international tournament with a draw 2-2 against River Plate in the second leg semifinal match at the Copa Sudamericana.
Asian soccer body backs Salman as FIFA head – Sportsnet
Three of the five FIFA candidates claim support from Asian voters, but the AFC said its 24-member executive committee unanimously backed Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, a member of the Bahraini royal family.
New Delhi ready to welcome AFC Annual Awards 2015 – AFC
After a year of scintillating action on the field, as well as tremendous endeavour and improvement off it, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Annual Awards 2015 will celebrate the best of Asian football on November 29 in New Delhi, India.
Matchday traditions around the world – FIFA
Whether it is a goal celebration, shirt swapping after the final whistle or taking home the match ball after netting a hat-trick, there are many common matchday traditions that are shared across the world. But despite being a global game, football customs still differ from country to country, and what might seem standard in one place can seem entirely alien to another.