MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
WHITECAPS FC 1 NEW YORK CITY FC 2
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015
B.C. PLACE, VANCOUVER, B.C.
WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Whitecaps FC fall 2-1 to New York City FC on last-minute penalty kick – Whitecaps FC
Fans in Vancouver were treated to a night of great entertainment at BC Place on Saturday, but in the end also disappointment as Whitecaps FC (15W-12L-3D) fell 2-1 to New York City FC (10W-14L-7D) on a last-minute penalty kick.
Match Report: Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs New York City FC – Eighty-Six Forever
Looking at the MLS standings going into tonight’s match (never a reliable source for predicting anything), a Vancouver Whitecaps win seemed a foregone conclusion. From a casual fan’s perspective, this was an opportunity to see the league-leading home team notch another win in their collective belt while getting a glimpse of some footballing royalty in Frank Lampard, David Villa, and Andrea Pirlo.
PHOTO GALLERY: SEATTLE 3 WHITECAPS FC 0, SEPT. 23, 2015, CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie
Whitecaps endure more Seattle woe – Goal
Beaten by the Sounders last weekend, a younger-looking Vancouver side suffered a similar fate in Wednesday’s decisive CONCACAF Champions League clash.
MLS clubs on verge of unprecedented exploit in CCL – Soccer America
The Seattle Sounders, LA Galaxy and D.C. United have clinched berths in the quarterfinals of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, while Real Salt Lake’s 2-1 comeback win over Santa Tecla from El Salvador leaves RSL needing only a tie against Municipal of Guatemala Oct. 20 at home to join them in the knockout stage. If RSL advances it would mark the first time all four of MLS’s U.S. entrants have reached the CCL quarterfinals. Mexico’s four entrants are all in good shape to advance.
Know thy enemy: How do the ‘Caps stack up against star-studded New York City FC? – Whitecaps FC
OK, so we know New York City FC has some star power. Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, and David Villa all travelled to Vancouver and look set to feature on Saturday when Whitecaps FC host NYCFC for the first time (7 p.m. PT on TSN1).
Star-studded NYC squad to test ‘Caps next – 24 Hours
There’s not a ton of time for the Vancouver Whitecaps to erase the disappointment of back-to-back losses to the Seattle Sounders. And now, they’ll have to rebound against a star-studded New York City FC roster.
Crowded house just the way Whitecaps like it – The Province
With Saturday’s game sold out for almost three weeks, the Caps aren’t budging from their regular capacity of 21,000
Lampard: Pirlo and I need time to jell – Goal
The NYCFC midfielder believes he and his high-profile teammate can work together – if given the time.
What next for Fire after Yallop? – Prost Amerika
There is truly a lot to absorb here with the removal of Frank Yallop and his crew. Nelson Rodriguez comes in as general manager on October 19th and his role appears to be in charge of soccer operations at the Fire. Given his reputation around MLS and US Soccer circles, the suspicion is that MLS may have had some influence in this decision even though a league spokesman told Orrin Schwarz otherwise in the Daily Herald. They may also be the factor that an NASL team named the Sting might be coming soon, but more on that for another time.
MLS preview: changes at the top, and Montreal look for six unbeaten – The Guardian
It’s a staple move in playground games the world over. As the ringing of the bell approaches, regardless of the score, one kid will inevitably call out, “Next goal wins!” And strangely, all parties will almost always agree. After all, who doesn’t love a classic, last-minute buzzer-beater, even at the cost of erasing the scoreline?
Countdown: Toronto FC v Chicago – Red Nation Online
Toronto FC are now in the midst of a critical stretch of home fixtures and look to continue beating up on the bottom dwelling sides as they host the Chicago Fire on Saturday afternoon. It has been some time since these two teams met, and there might be a bit of payback in the minds of the Reds as an early season loss in Chicago could have gone their way.
Steven Gerrard’s Champions League analyst gig continues bad trend for MLS – Yahoo
Steven Gerrard has a new job. He was recently hired by English broadcaster BT Sport as a studio analyst for its UEFA Champions League coverage. That means he’s in London for a few days every other week.
An inside look at Whitecaps FC’s long-term vision: ‘The pathway is set’ – Whitecaps FC
There are several ways you can build an MLS roster: Some teams will spend money, bringing in established players, often big name stars. Others will shop through the draft, and comb the rosters of the U.S. or Canadian national teams. And others still invest in youth, developing their academy kids and adding a smattering of other talent.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Dickson’s Golden Goal Keeps Clan Unbeaten – SFU
A golden goal by freshman Christina Dickson in the 66th minute lifted Simon Fraser University to a 1-0 win over Central Washington in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference game Thursday evening that kept the Clan unbeaten to start the season.
Clan Loses 1-0 On Late Goal – SFU
A breakaway goal in the 89th minute gave the University of Mary a 1-0 win over Simon Fraser University in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference men’s soccer game Thursday in Bismarck, ND.
KPU Eagles men’s team soars during a season of uncertainty – Surrey Now
Is varsity soccer dead at Kwantlen Polytechnic University? Media reports in July signalled the end of all KPU varsity sports after this season. The not-so-unique reason: budget constraints. But not so fast. While KPU varsity soccer coach Srdjan Djekanovic can’t speak for all of KPU’s athletics, he certainly has something to say about the future of the men’s side – the very good side – he’s meticulously built over the past three years.
T-Birds look to extend win streak, as the team heads to the Interior – UBC
The conference-leading UBC Thunderbirds women’s soccer team (4-1-0) is off to the Interior this weekend to face off against the UBC Okanagan Heat (1-2-3) and the Thompson Rivers WolfPack (2-3-1).
Vikes women to carry momentum on the road against WolfPack, Heat – UVic
Following a home sweep last weekend, Sept. 18-19, the University of Victoria Vikes women’ soccer team will look to carry their momentum on the road as they travel to the interior to face UBC Okanagan on Sept. 26 and Thompson Rivers on Sept. 27.
UBC hosts Interior rivals at home – UBC
The UBC Thunderbirds men’s soccer team looks to continue their healthy start to the season with a pair of wins this weekend against the Thompson Rivers WolfPack and the UBC Okanagan Heat. Now 4-1-3 overall, the Thunderbirds return home to defend their turf and their undefeated CIS Pacific Division record of 2-0-1.
Home opener for women’s soccer – UBCO
After six games and and close to 6000 kilometres the Heat will finally play a game on their own turf. Home opener is Saturday at 2 p.m. versus the #8 UBC Thunderbirds. The home stand continues on Sunday versus the Vikes at 2 p.m.
The Canada Soccer Western Men’s and Women’s Masters – BC Soccer Assoc.
On September 24 the BC Soccer Assoc. will host the Canada Soccer Western Men’s Masters and Woman’s Masters competitions at the newly renovated Empire Fields which were recently used for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. BC Soccer Assoc. will be represented by Coquitlam Metro-Ford in the Women’s Masters with Westside FC representing BCSA in the Western Men’s Masters.
Dual titles for Alves Bros. FC – Kelowna Capital News
For the fourth straight season, Alves Bros are the Royal Cup champs, emblematic of soccer supremacy in the valley. And for the second year in a row, they are also the Kelowna Men’s Soccer League champs.
Cermaq net valuable points – Campbell River Mirror
Cermaq City Wave FC travelled to Nanaimo this past Saturday evening in their second game of their new season in the Vancouver Island Soccer league (VISL).
New programs added to Nelson indoor soccer offerings – Nelson Star
With autumn upon us, Nelson Youth Soccer will soon begin the indoor soccer season. The early bird registration deadline of Sept. 30 is fast approaching and executive director Sveta Tisma wants to let people know about a couple new programs that will run alongside regular league favourites.
Getting to Know: Connor MacMillan – UFV
‘Getting to Know’ is a new weekly Q&A feature at ufvcascades.ca where we fire a series of random questions at a Cascades athlete. Some of the questions are serious, some not so much. In the crosshairs this week is Connor MacMillan, a fourth-year midfielder with the men’s soccer team.
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CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canada M23 opens camp on road to Rio 2016 – CSA
Canada’s Olympic soccer coach Benito Floro has gathered his men in Alliston, Ontario for a one-week camp just north of Toronto. The Canadian Men’s U-23 Team is preparing for next week’s 2015 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifiers, with the goal a place at next year’s Rio 2016 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament.
TEDxVancouver announces first three speakers: A women’s soccer coach, an R&B artist and a sex researcher – The Province
John Herdman, head coach of the Canadian women’s soccer team; Chin Injeti, a Juno Award-winning R&B artist who has worked with Dr. Dre; and Marina Adshade, a UBC professor exploring how economics influences sex are the first three names unveiled for this year’s TEDxVancouver list of speakers.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
On the Road With F.C. Kansas City – NY Times
People have no idea. They hear professional athlete and think private jets, million-dollar salaries, five-star hotels and the kind of glamour that is simply not the reality for most of us. While we would love one day to attain these fancy perks as a part of our job in the National Women’s Soccer League, for the moment we are firmly rooted in what we do have.
Reign, FC Kansas City Speak On Upcoming Championship Match – Empire of Soccer
Seattle Reign FC’s Head Coach Laura Harvey and defender Stephanie Cox both cited the extended time between the semifinal, held on September 13th, and the final as a positive, noting it gave the clubs more time to rest and more time for the excitement to build.
Top-scorer Dunn becomes youngest-ever NWSL MVP – The Equalizer
Crystal Dunn officially added the title of 2015 National Women’s Soccer League MVP to her resume on Wednesday. The NWSL Golden Boot winner scored 15 goals this season for the Washington Spirit and became the youngest player in league history to win the award at age 23.
NATIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES 2015 BEST XI – NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League announced Thursday the Best XI selections for the 2015 NWSL season.
Paul Riley out as Portland Thorns coach – The Equalizer
Portland Thorns FC announced on Wednesday that Paul Riley will not return as head coach in 2016. The Englishman’s contract was up after 2015, a season that ended in disappointment when the Thorns finished 6-9-5 and missed the playoffs for the first time.
US superstar returns to Wanderers – Western Sydney Wanderers
The 26-year-old joins Hannah Beard, Portland Thorns’ Kendall Johnson and Canada’s Carmelina Moscato as the Wanderers’ four visa signings.
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NASL NEWS
NASL Week 14: A Look Ahead – SBI
With only three points now separating the top three sides in the combined standings, each team will be looking to hit their stride to earn the top playoff seed.
Match Preview vs. New York Cosmos – FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton (6-4-4) continues to push for a North American Soccer League (NASL) post-season berth this weekend, hosting New York Cosmos (6-5-3) at Clarke Field on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 2:00 p.m. MT. The Eddies will be looking to continue their impressive play of late that has resulted in a pair of back-to-back, clean sheet victories to place them two points out of fourth place in the league table.
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Soccer” Shows Feisty NASL is Nothing New – Empire of Soccer
The general consensus these days within the American Soccer bubble is that the ongoing tiff between the NASL and MLS/U.S. Soccer Federation is one that can shape the future of professional soccer in the United States.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Swiss Open Criminal Proceedings Against FIFA’s Sepp Blatter – NY Times
Swiss investigators on Friday announced that they had opened criminal proceedings against the embattled FIFA president Sepp Blatter on “suspicion of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation.”
FIFA executive vows to improve governance and boost female participation in football – FIFA
At a two-day meeting in Zurich this week, the FIFA Executive Committee deliberated on a number of forward-looking measures to improve governance as part of the reform process and to promote greater participation of women in football.
FIFA confirms 2022 World Cup to start on Nov. 21, be played over 28 days – ESPN FC
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will start on Monday, Nov. 21, kicking off a 28-day tournament that will finish on Sunday, Dec. 18.
FIFA cancels Blatter news conference – TSN
FIFA cancelled a news conference scheduled with President Sepp Blatter without explanation on Friday, fueling the sense of turmoil surrounding football’s embattled governing body. Blatter was set to meet international media at FIFA headquarters after a two-day executive committee meeting.
Brendan Rodgers running out of time as air of resignation engulfs Liverpool – The Guardian
The fiddling with formations is becoming increasingly desperate and while Liverpool may be condemned to always being on the outskirts of Champions League qualification their manager is setting himself up for a fall
Football coverage is getting smarter but the game is still the same – ESPN FC
No matter the identity or calibre of his opponents, Rafael Benitez pores over hours and hours of footage before every game. There is the film of their last few games. There are videos of individuals, set-pieces, how they play in attack and how they set up in defence.