BC Soccer Web, Weekend, July 22-24, 2016

HOUSTON DYNAMO vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016, 6:30 PM

BBVA COMPASS STADIUM, HOUSTON, TX.

TV: TSN 2  RADIO: TSN 1040  LIVESTREAM: TSN GO

Houston Dynamo vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2016 MLS Match Preview – MLS
The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Houston’s DaMarcus Beasley scored in the first half but Vancouver’s Octavio Rivero scored after the break, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw May 28 at BC Place. Pedro Morales converted a penalty kick in the 23rd minute, giving Whitecaps FC a 1-0 win March 26 at BC Place.

Preview: Whitecaps FC look to end Texas slump Saturday in Houston – Whitecaps FC
The state of Texas hasn’t been kind to Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8W-8L-5D) in MLS. In 10 previous visits, the ‘Caps have come up emptyhanded. Not a single point.

Houston Dynamo vs Vancouver Whitecaps Preview: Dynamo host Whitecaps with both teams in need of three points – Dynamo Theory
Houston is hosting Vancouver at BBVA for the third matchup of the regular season between the two squads. And with the door closing fast on the Dynamo’s chances of a playoff berth this is likely the final matchup of the season with the Whitecaps. Vancouver, a team currently tied for 5th place in the West, are likely hungry for the ever elusive away victory as they fight for playoff positioning.

Houston Dynamo host Vancouver Whitecaps, look to climb out of the Western Conference basement – Vavel
The Dynamo are coming off a grueling U.S. Open Cup loss to FC Dallas and will look to rebound against the visiting Whitecaps.

Houston Dynamo look to defend home turf against Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo play host to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday night at BBVA Compass Stadium as they look to get back on track on their home turf.

Fabian Espindola “just another piece of the puzzle” for Vancouver Whitecaps and there may yet be more to come –AFTN
After shoring up his defence with the addition of experienced Canadian internationals Marcel de Jong and David Edgar, Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson has turned his attention to bolstering his hit and miss attack, in what has proved to be a busy summer transfer window for the ‘Caps.

Whitecaps’ Waston blessed to be an MLS all-star – The Province
The Caps will travel back to Vancouver in between games, with Waston joining the league’s best — or, at least, most popular — players for the novelty MLS All Star Game.

MLS Week 20: A Look Ahead – SBI
As the chase to the MLS Cup playoffs heats up in Week 20, two of the league’s hottest teams will look to extend their respective unbeaten streaks against quality Western Conference opponents.

MLS preview: why the Hudson River Derby isn’t this weekend’s big game – The Guardian
The two best teams in the West meet on Saturday, and Dallas and Colorado should serve up a treat for the fans.

Portland Timbers vs LA Galaxy preview: Two undefeated streaks face off at Providence Park – Vavel
The Portland Timbers welcome the Los Angeles Galaxy to Providence Park for the two clubs final meeting of the 2016 regular season. With the two sides separated by just three points, it’s guaranteed to be a heated match. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 12:30pm PT

Canadian Ricketts gets a new chance with Toronto FC – Sportsnet
How excited was Tosaint Ricketts when he finally became an official member of Toronto FC after his career was effectively in limbo for months?

MLS Countdown: Marsch comments roil waters for derby – Soccer America
A pre-emptive strike by Red Bulls’ head coach Jesse Marsch has put the perfect spin on the third and final regular-season Hudson River Derby.

Red Bulls’ Marsch Fined For Comments Against Officials – Empire of Soccer
Less than a day after unleashing on what he felt was unfair officiating, Jesse Marsch has received an undisclosed fine from the office of the Commissioner of MLS, Don Garber.

MLS Week 20 preview – Goal
A top-of-the-table showdown between the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas headlines the Saturday schedule before the New York Red Bulls host rival New York City FC on Sunday.

Timbers Final Third Preview – Prost Amerika
The Portland Timbers are primed for another strong run in the final third of the season. The team has added new pieces to a solid core. With health and a little luck, the Timbers have the ability to be right back in championship mix.

Orlando City have had “no contact from Benfica” on Cyle Larin, source says – MLS
If Portuguese giants Benfica have targeted Orlando City SC’s Cyle Larin, that will come as news to both the club and the player.

Orlando City adds Uruguayan center back Jose Aja on six-month loan – MLS
Orlando City SC have signed Uruguayan defender Jose Aja on a six-month loan with the option to buy, the club announced Thursday. The deal is pending receipt of the player’s P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.

“We Don’t Speak Much:” Veron, Marsch at odds over playing time – Empire of Soccer
One of the more perplexing situations surrounding the New York Red Bulls this year involves Designated Player, Gonzalo Veron.

MLS’ future depends on developing players – Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis – ESPN FC
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis called the rise of MLS in the last five or six years “quite extraordinary,” but noted that further growth will depend on the league’s ability to develop players.

Houston Dynamo & Club Supporters Take A Stand Against Offensive Cheer – Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo and the club’s Supporters Groups have joined together to take a stand against the use of a frequently-used offensive chant used by a small segment of the fans during games, the club and its Supporters announced today. The “cheer” in question involves the usage of a Spanish term which is considered a derogatory slur.

‘Sons of Ben’ director on film’s success, digital release – MLS
The feature-length documentary Sons of Ben, which finally enjoys a digital release today, manages an important filmmakers’ feat. You don’t need to know or even care much about its specific subject matter to get swept up in the human drama of the story. In other words, it’s one of the best kinds of sports documentaries—at its heart, it’s not really about sports.

Why one Scottish MLS fan will miss Mix Diskerud more than most – The Telegraph
When it was announced that Mix Diskerud was surplus to requirements at New York City FC, it hit one MLS fan hard. A Scottish teenager named Ross MacDonald. Or to give him his full name – Ross Alasdair Mix MacDonald.

 Capture the  game in HD using aerial video, book now at www.gamevision.ca!

BC SOCCER NEWS

PCSL Challenge Cup Saturday & Sunday at UBC – PCSL
The 2016 Men’s Challenge Cup tournament for the Men’s Premier Division will be hosted by Vancouver Thunderbirds. Games will be played at Thunderbird Stadium on Saturday, July 23rd and Ken Woods Field ( UBC) on the Sunday, July 24 th. The top 4 Teams in Regular Season Play will participate.

Whitecaps FC kick off CONCACAF U-13 Champions League on Saturday – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will begin their first journey in the U-13 CONCACAF Champions League this Saturday, with the tournament happening July 23 to 30 in Mexico City. Like their first team counterparts, the U-13s will face teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. This is the youngest age group to compete in a CONCACAF-sanctioned tournament.

Thompson Rivers University WolfPack to Host 2017 CIS Men’s Soccer National Championship –TRU
Canadian Interuniversity Sports has made it official: the 2017 CIS Men’s Soccer Nationals will be coming to Thompson Rivers University, the city of Kamloops and Hillside Stadium in November of 2017.

Mission soccer player kicking for gold at games – Mission City Record
He just might be the farthest travelling athlete at the Abbotsford 2016 BC Summer Games, but England-born Rhys Squires will be representing the Fraser Valley and Mission at the Games.

Vancouver Island takes early lead in boys soccer – Abbotsford News
The BC Summer Games are underway on the soccer pitch as Vancouver and Vancouver Island boys squads are battling this morning at the Matsqui Recreation Centre field in Abbotsford.

Girls soccer: Fraser Valley takes 1-0 lead over Cariboo North– Abbotsford News
The Fraser Valley girls soccer team are up 1-0 against Caribou North East on the first morning of action at the BC Summer Games.

Soccer future is so bright Kootenays had better adopt the shades – Nelson Star
It’s obvious from the number of tourists arriving on Nelson’s main drag the secret is getting out regarding one of the most beautiful places to visit in the world. The same can be said for youth soccer in the Heritage City as Nelson welcomed the head of the girl’s high performance for the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer, Emma Humphries.

Progress! Whitecaps coach likes what she sees on visit to Nelson – Nelson Star
The head of girls soccer for the Vancouver Whitecaps is impressed with what she sees in Nelson. Emma Humphries returned to check in on local players Tuesday and Wednesday at the Kootenay Whitecaps training camp. Humphries, who played for New Zealand in the 2007 Women’s World Cup, visited last year and said she was happy to return.

Jay DeMerit launches Rise & Shine Captain’s Camp in Pemberton – Rise & Shine Foundation
A captain is an individual who unifies teammates into one team.  A captain has to be well rounded to lead by example. At the Rise & Shine: Captains Camps, the curriculum is specifically built around creating a balance of elite soccer training on the field, and all encompassing life skills training off the field.

BC Soccer Assoc. Releases their 2015-2016 Year in Review – BCSA
After another successful year of soccer in British Columbia, BC Soccer Assoc. is pleased to release their 2015-2016 Year in Review.  The creation of the BC Soccer Club Charter Program, delivery of a FIFA Live Your Goals Festival, along with the numerous Grassroots Festivals across the province and Coach Education highlight some of the major successes this past year.

BC Soccer Assoc. Delivery of Coach Mandate – BCSA
IMPORTANT:  If you are coaching in the ages U6-U12 you are required to complete the age appropriate course(s) even if you have a higher level of certification (ie. Soccer for Life, B pretest, C License, B License or A License). In order to enable our membership to deliver on the coaching mandate, BC Soccer Assoc. will be scheduling Learning Facilitator training sessions to assist organizations to have qualified individuals to deliver in-club coach certification courses to their coaches.

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.

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CANADA SOCCER NEWS

CBC Sports to broadcast Canada Soccer’s final pre-Olympic International Friendly against France – CSA
Canada Soccer’s final Road to Rio Women’s International Friendly match against France will be broadcast LIVE via CBC Sports on CBC, Canada’s Olympic Network, on 23 July at 15.00 ET / 12.00 PT with pre-match programming beginning fifteen minutes earlier. The match will also be available via live-streaming at cbcsports.ca and the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices. Radio-Canada will also provide French-language coverage via live-streaming at ici.radio-canada.ca.

France vs Canada Preview: Bergeroo and Herdman will want to meet expectations – Vavel
In front of a potentially sold-out stadium in Auxerre, France and Canada will meet each other as a final tune up to their Olympic preparations.

Olympic podium won’t come easy for Canadian soccer women – CBC
They enter the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as defending bronze medallists but when competition begins against Australia two days before the opening ceremony, Canada’s soccer women will be in a familiar position as underdog.

Are Canadian Teams Signing Domestic Players in Advance of Canadian Premier League Launch? – Waking the Red
In the last seven months, a whopping eight Canadian players have signed with clubs across our country. While Canadian Premier League talks have been quiet as of late, is this a sign that the current Canadian clubs are making an attempt to lock up Canadians?

Bisons to host national soccer championship – Winnipeg Free Press
The University of Manitoba Bisons will host the CIS women’s soccer championship next year. The 31st edition of the tournament will take place Nov. 9-12, 2017, with the potential of Investors Group Field playing host to the medal games.

Nearly a decade later, Marcelo applauds Montreal’s evolution as a soccer town – Montreal Impact
Nine years ago, on June 30, 2007, Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, 19, was at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium for the U20 FIFA World Cup. Today, on July 21, 2016, he who simply goes by the name Marcelo, 28, was at Centre Nutrilait for Real Madrid training.

Airdrie soccer player joins Whitecaps residency program – Airdrie City View
It can be a long road for any athlete to make it to their ultimate goal – but for Airdrie’s Jacob Aulin-Angelozzi, he’s about to take one of the biggest steps in his soccer career.

Following Levis’ footsteps, next Saskatchewan prospect already emerging – Whitecaps FC
Next month, Whitecaps FC Saskatchewan Academy goalkeeper Thomas Hasal will move to Vancouver to join the ‘Caps U-18s in the full-time professional Residency program – one step away from the pro ranks where Levis is currently playing.

U13 Lynx mine U14 soccer gold in Quebec – Nugget.ca
The North Bay U13 Lynx girls soccer team went undefeated and won gold on penalty kicks in the U14 division of the “17e edition de la Coupe de l’Outaouais” soccer tournament in Gatineau, QC this past weekend.

Weather forces more than 600 minor soccer games to be rescheduled – Calgary Herald
The wet July weather has the President of the Calgary Minor Soccer Association asking the City to evaluate construction standards for soccer fields after hundreds of games were rescheduled or cancelled due to flooded fields.

PDL Livestream: Calgary Foothills vs. Golden State Force | July 22, 2016 – YouTube
Follow Calgary Foothills’s PDL Playoff journey on Friday, July 22 (5:00pm PT).

USL Weekend Preview – Week 18 – USL
The top four teams in the USL’s Eastern Conference meet on Saturday afternoon to highlight Week 18’s 13-game weekend slate that sees the second third of the season come its conclusion. The third and final edition of the River Cities Cup is set for Nippert Stadium as third-place FC Cincinnati hosts first-place Louisville City FC, while the second-place New York Red Bulls II play host to the fourth-place Charleston Battery hoping to take advantage should Louisville fail to take a victory on the road.

NASL Fall Season Week 4: A Look Ahead – SBI
One of the NASL’s oldest rivalries headlines the weekend’s action, while the Carolina RailHawks will look for a boost to be provided by the introduction of a former Mexican national team mainstay.

Rayo OKC, FC Edmonton Carry Hot Form Into Week 4 Matchups – NASL
Two of the hottest clubs in the NASL hit the road this weekend with hopes of continuing their excellent Fall Season form. Rayo OKC, which is riding a six-game unbeaten run, travels to face Puerto Rico FC after earning a comeback 2-2 draw against the same side last Wednesday. On the heels of winning its sixth straight home game, FC Edmonton heads to the Circle City to take on Indy Eleven. The Eddies have lost just once in 10 games, while Indy’s incredible 13-game unbeaten streak ended last week in Minnesota.

It’s Going To Be A Hot One – Indy Eleven V FC Edmonton PREVIEW – Bloody Shambles
Indy Eleven equaled a modern day NASL record of being undefeated for thirteen games but fell short of breaking it in Minnesota. At the end of the day however, records and streaks are only as good as they last but as is sometimes said in this sport, you’re only as good as your last game and the next is more important.

New FC Edmonton GM says he’s ‘starting from scratch’ – Metro
Jay Ball, who took the job four months ago as head of FC Edmonton’s new “turnaround team,” said the club has dropped the ball, so to speak, in the community outreach department.

PODCAST: Fury struggling through fall season rebuild – Ours is the Fury
The Ours is the Fury gang: Tim (@BlogFuryFC) and and Ryan (@coxon) have returned to give you all you need to know about the Ottawa Fury FC.

Match Preview: Toronto FC II vs. Richmond Kickers –Toronto FC
Toronto FC II will visit City Stadium this Saturday to take on the Richmond Kickers at 4PM PT. The Young Reds come into the match unbeaten in their last three having drawn their last match against Rochester.

PREVIEW: New York Cosmos vs Tampa Bay Rowdies – Twice a Cosmo
The Cosmos look to overcome their road woes against bitter rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Cosmos Notebook: Duk Cleared, Roversio Not, Savarese wants to right ship – Empire of Soccer
The New York Cosmos are not exactly entering Saturday’s rivalry matchup with the Tampa Bay Rowdies from a position of strength.

Why We Support, part 1 – St. Louligans
I was pretty down after the Swope Park defeat. So instead of dwelling, I tried to recall the good things that make supporting this club (or soccer in general) worthwhile. Sure, we support our team no matter; however I wanted to hear what other people remembered. I wanted a highlight, a player, an event, a moment of a game, something off the field the past 18 months that stood out for you too. I have been overwhelmed, This will most likely be a weekly series as I received so many. They bring back great memories for me and I hope you too.

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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS

Rapinoe won’t play in USWNT’s final Rio tune-up –Equalizer
Megan Rapinoe will not play for the United States on Friday in the United States women’s national team’s final official match before the Rio 2016 Olympics.

UEFA Women’s U19 Finals – Live Updates – UEFA
Live scores & Updates from the Women’s UEFA U19 Finals in Slovakia.

How Austria’s No1 picked up the gauntlet(s) – UEFA
“I am glad I put my hand up,” Carolin Grössinger told UEFA.com, the Austria No1 pleased that volunteering to play in goal as a six-year-old has led her to the U19 finals and a career in Germany.

WSL 2 Week Nine Preview: Bristol City looking to keep pressure on at the top – Vavel
With every team in action in the WSL 2 this week, Bristol City will be looking to maintain pace with current leaders Yeovil.

PREVIEW: SEATTLE REIGN FC VS. ORLANDO PRIDE – NWSL
Forward Manon Melis scored in the 3rd minute as the Reign avoided defeat for the sixth time in the last seven games with a 1-1 home draw against the Western New York Flash. However, despite losing just once during that span – Seattle has dropped 11 points while going 2-1-4 during that timeframe.

This NWSL Season Has Been Nuts. Here’s How We Forecast The Finish. – ESPN FC
If at the start of the National Women’s Soccer League season you thought two-time defending champions FC Kansas City would be in third-to-last place just over halfway through the season or that two-time regular-season champions Seattle Reign FC would have almost as many losses as they did in their previous two seasons combined, you’re either psychic or your predictive abilities are far greater than ours.

Rio 2016: How will the Olympics affect the FAWSL? – Vavel
With all the England-based players involved having joined up with their national sides ahead of the tournament, we look at who’ll be affected during the games.

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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

Sam Allardyce hired to manage England national team – Sportsnet
The English Football Association says Friday that Allardyce signed a two-year contract after securing his release from Premier League club Sunderland.

‘Sam Allardyce won’t copy Spain or France. His message is: stay true to yourself’ – The Guardian
Phil Brown, Sam Allardyce’s assistant at Bolton and Blackpool, says England’s manager knows how to get the best from players with skyscraper egos, inspires loyalty and is open to ideas – including from the kit man

American Consortium Complete £110m Swansea City Takeover – 90min
The American consortium led by Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien have completed their takeover of Swansea City, buying a 60% in the Welsh EPL club.

Liverpool transfer blow as Ben Chilwell decides to stay at Leicester – The Telegraph
Ben Chilwell is close to signing a new five-year deal at Leicester City in another huge boost for Claudio Ranieri.

Liverpool sign former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger – The Guardian
Liverpool have signed the 39-year-old former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger to provide cover for Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet next season.

CFU members gather in Miami for crucial leadership vote – Inside World Football
Tomorrow the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) will vote in what has become an increasingly politicised vote with the regional governing body CONCACAF and its new president Victor Montagliani having inserted themselves into the election hustings with funding for one of the candidates through an exclusive-invite Trinidad conference, and the leak of CFU financial information to the press in an attempt to discredit the current leadership. It is perhaps the most crucial vote the CFU has ever had to take on its own future.

No room for half-measures in Cristiano Ronaldo’s gilded world of 110% – The Guardian
Unlike José Holebas’s unfinished tattoo and Chesterfield’s raffle farce, the Portugal star and new hotelier shows success demands total commitment.