Match Picks of the Week

Selected games to watch from British Columbia's top senior men's and women's amateur leagues.
Please check league schedules for late changes.

BC SOCCER PROVINCIAL CUP

PACIFIC COAST SOCCER LEAGUE

tuesday may 14

Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC vs  TSS Academy (Women)
8:00pm Town Centre East

Wednesday May 15

Estrelle de Chile vs Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC
8:30pm Newton Athletic Park #3

Abbotsford FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Women)
8:00pm Simon Fraser University

Saturday May 18th

Victoria United vs Vancouver Thunderbirds
2:00pm Braefoot Park

Estrelle de Chile vs Kamloops Heat
3:00pm Burnaby Lake West #1

Sunday May 19th

NSGSC Eagles vs Okanagan FC (Women)
1:00pm Capilano University Grass

Support Our Home Team

Next home game...

Saturday May 18

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs Portland Timbers
4:00pm PDT BC Place, Vancouver

Whitecaps next on TV...

Saturday May 18

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs Portland Timbers
4:00pm CITYTV

Neither Vancouver Whitecaps FC nor Victoria Highlanders FC will field a USL W-League team in 2013. Both clubs however will play a full Pacific Coast Soccer League season again in 2013.

Canada's Other Teams

Waterfront Stadium

We can continue to dream!
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BC League Schedules

CIS Canada West - Men
CIS Canada West - Women
Fraser Valley SL - Men
Lower Island Women's SA
Metro Women's SL
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PACWEST
SFU Clan - Men (NCAA II)
SFU Clan - Women (NCAA II)
Vancouver Island SL - Men
Vancouver Metro SL - Men
BC Soccer Premier League
Youth Leagues - Boys
Youth Leagues - Girls

MLS, NASL, USL Schedules

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Toronto FC
Montreal Impact
FC Edmonton

International Tournaments

Today in Football History

17 May 2000
After 90 minutes without a goal and no golden goal in extra time Galatasaray beat Arsenal 4-1 on penalties to win the U.E.F.A. Cup in Copenhagen. This was the first time that a Turkish side had lifted a European Trophy.
(Association of Football Statisticians)

saturday, may 18, 2013

Next on Vancouver Whitecaps' list of MLS accomplishments? Finally beating a Cascadia rival - MLS
Since Martin Rennie took the helm of the Vancouver Whitecaps before the 2012 season, he’s had his team achieving firsts. First road win, first playoff appearance – both achieved in his first season. Last weekend, the club accomplished a new first – finally scoring a win over the two-time defending champion LA Galaxy. Still left on the checklist? Winning a game against Cascadia opposition as an MLS team.

Know Thy Enemy - Portland Timbers - Pacific Boulevard
The Whitecaps are currently on a two match unbeaten streak and surely that’s something to celebrate - then again that may be premature given the ups and downs of the season so far. At least we are back at BC Place, the venue where we rarely fall to defeat.

Vancouver Whitecaps v Portland Timbers Preview - AFTN
The Whitecaps gave Camilo the midweek match against Montreal off which makes him one of the most rested attackers available for selection. He may start on the left side but expect the Brazilian to slide into the middle at certain points of the match. So far this season Camilo leads the team in shots and shots on target despite playing limited minutes as he has averaged about 45 minutes per appearance.

Tireless Andy O'Brien leads Whitecaps against Timbers - CBC
Andy O'Brien has had a busy week, but he is definitely not complaining. The Vancouver central defender is slated to play his third game in seven days as the Whitecaps host the Portland Timbers in MLS action Saturday at BC Place. "I'm looking forward to it, if selected," O'Brien said after practice Friday.

What to do with Mattocks? - 86 Forever
Despite the 'Caps riding a bit of an upswing lately, the focus, and much of the deserved criticism, has fallen at the boots of young striker Darren Mattocks. He lit the world on fire in his first season, but in his first year as a marquee player, he's failed to live up to expectations.

Two new faces at Whitecaps training - Back of the Net
Korean midfielder Kang-Jo Park and Sierra Leone-born right-back Mustapha Dumbuya were among the players training at B.C. Place on Friday. Caps coach Martin Rennie has been on the road with the team in Montreal so he’s getting his first look at the pair. He said Friday there wasn’t a specific timeline on either trialist.

Portland Timbers happy to bring new defender Pa Modou Kah aboard, expect "an immediate impact" - MLS
Reinforcements for the Portland Timbers injury-ravaged backline have arrived. Gambian center back Pa Modou Kah, who has played the last two seasons with clubs in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, joined Timbers camp Thursday. Needless to say, the big center back’s arrival was a welcome one. 

Too many 'Stupid errors,' TFC's captain says - Toronto Sun
Toronto FC’s what-ifs no longer hold weight. The Reds, cruelly at times, have dropped eight points from winning positions since the end of March.  “The table doesn’t lie,” Darren O’Dea said when asked if the Reds are better than their record. “We are what we are and that’s it. “We just need to cut out stupid errors and we’ll be higher up in the table. But, no, the table doesn’t lie.”

Struggling Toronto FC looks to unveil new talent against the Columbus Crew - Canada.com
Fresh from a weekend off and sporting player reinforcements, struggling Toronto FC returns to action Saturday against the visiting Columbus Crew. In recent days, Toronto has added Scottish defender Steven Caldwell, American midfielder Bobby Convey and New Zealand forward Jeremy Brockie. They join 21-year-old Argentine midfielder Matias Laba, who already has two league games under his belt.

Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew Match Preview - (In)stability - The 24th Minute
Eight to five. If success in football were measured in numbers of head coaches Toronto FC would be leading the Columbus Crew by a baseball score. (Granted, being TFC, they’d surely find a way to lose in the bottom of the ninth to a walk-off grand slam – “Tobiiiiaaaasss!” - but that’s another story!)

David Beckham talking to MLS about owning a new team - SLAM!
David Beckham could return to the United States as owner of a new club and his advisors have already held talks with Major League Soccer. Beckham announced his retirement from professional soccer on Thursday but has been tight-lipped about his future plans after ending the season with French club Paris St Germain.

Report: Chivas sporting director Dennis te Kloese calls sale rumors "totally false" - MLS
Not long after Major League Soccer shot down rumors surrounding Chivas USA that suggested the franchise would be sold, a similar message came down from the Chivas organization in Guadalajara.

the women's game

NWSL Week 6 hits the weekend - The Equalizer
After a most intriguing Thursday that saw Sky Blue FC hand Portland Thorns FC their first loss of the season and the Washington Spirit put four goals on Seattle Reign FC, the matchups will switch this Sunday to conclude Week 6.  Saturday night the Breakers visit FC Kansas City at Verizon Wireless Field, the new moniker for the soccer pitch

youth soccer

No provincials for undefeated Belmont - Victoria News
The Stelly’s Stingers edged the Oak Bay Breakers 1-0 (3-2) in a penalty kick shootout to decide the Island AAA high school girls soccer champions at Hampton Park on Tuesday.

Revelstoke youth soccer teams enjoy winning weekend - Revelstoke Times Review
The Revelstoke Arrow Helicopters U16 boys soccer team came away with two wins this week against the Kamloops Orange team. On Wednesday, the team travelled to Salmon Arm to play and after losing two players to injury, still came away with a 1-0 win on a goal by Gabriel Laidlaw.

Kal Lakers bow to Mustangs in Valley final - Vernon Morning Star
The Kalamalka Lakers will go to the B.C. Senior AA Girls Soccer Championships in Courtenay feeling pretty good about themselves. The Lakers, who won the North Zone title over Fulton Maroons, lost 3-2 to the Princess Margaret Mustangs of Penticton in the Okanagan Valley final Wednesday

university and college soccer

Cascades duo to suit up for Whitecaps U23 - Abbotsford News
Colton O’Neill and Sasa Plavsic of the University of the Fraser Valley men’s soccer team will play for the Vancouver Whitecaps’ Premier Development League squad this summer.

the local game

Soccer teams gear up for May Classic in Penticton - Penticton Western News
Penticton U21 soccer teams will be pushing to work out early season kinks and for a chance to take the championship titles at the Pacific Western Brewery May Classic this weekend. The tournament, hosted by the Penticton Soccer Club, is in its 52nd year and organizer Charlie Goeckel said it is the longest running tournament in the country.

south of the 49th

Belgium to Bring ‘A’ Team to Play U.S. - New York Times
Belguim’s soccer team, which is having a renaissance under Coach Marc Wilmots (the former captain of the national team), is bringing a top-flight team to the United States for a friendly game in Cleveland on May 29.

world football

Atletico beats Real Madrid to win Copa del Rey - CBC
The Copa del Rey trophy was supposed to be coach Jose Mourinho's parting gift for Real Madrid, or at least a consolation prize after a season that will be remembered for his abrasive antics and his team's failure to win silverware. Instead, Atletico Madrid ended a 14-year winless run against its city rival by taking the title on Friday.

David Beckham: Soccer and Spice - CBC
I don't care how many boatloads of boxers he sold. I'm not interested in the volume of fragrances bought because his name was on the bottle.   His brand is global, his appeal universal. He sparked debate and polarized opinion. But underneath the gloss he was, first and foremost, a very good footballer.

Retirement tests if Beckham built lasting brand - Metro
David Beckham’s pecs are at least as much a part of his brand as his kick; his brand of shoes ultimately more lucrative than the game he’s giving up. Listed as the world’s highest-earning athlete for 2013, Beckham’s retirement from play still leaves him with valuable endorsements and unparalleled celebrity. The question is whether he can maintain it.

Criticism of Beckham pointless - Sportsnet
Not at all surprising that same word kept recurring as soccer bigwigs reacted to the news, FIFA uberboss Sepp Blatter among them. “Iconic.” That David Beckham is — and soon enough, “was”, as we revert to the past tense following his retirement announcement on Thursday, though lord knows it’s hard to imagine him ever fully disappearing from the public eye.

Brazil strengthens border security ahead of Confederations Cup tournament - Edmonton Journal
Brazil is using more than 20,000 troops along its borders with 10 South American nations to reinforce security ahead of the Confederations Cup soccer tournament in June.

Someone reportedly put a pig head in a Stoke player’s locker - National Post
Stoke has launched an internal investigation following reports that a pig’s head was found in the locker of one of the team’s players. The Premier League club says it “takes seriously reports of an incident” at its Clayton Wood training ground and “those responsible for any unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with in accordance with the club’s disciplinary procedures.”

friday, may 17, 2013

Whitecaps: Pumped up to fell Timbers for first time on Saturday at B.C. Place - The Province
Caleb Porter won’t have to motivate his Portland Timbers much heading into Saturday’s game against the Whitecaps. “With Vancouver, it’s an easy sell,” Porter told reporters this week. “They’re a dangerous team. They just beat the L.A. Galaxy. They’re unbeaten at home, and it’s a rivalry game.”

Portland Timbers boast diminutive, determined midfield combo in Diego Chara, Will Johnson - Portland Timbers
Diego Chara and Will Johnson couldn’t have come from more different soccer backgrounds. Chara was born in Cali, Colombia and climbed through the youth ranks of his native club, Deportes Quindio. Johnson, born in Canada to English parents less than a year after Chara, grew up playing soccer while attending a boarding school in Liverpool before moving to the Blackburn Rovers youth academy.

Vancouver Whitecaps fan got chance to give pep talk before Impact match in Montreal - The Province
One of the Whitecaps’ biggest supporters had the unique opportunity on Wednesday to inspire the very players he cheers on every week. Zachary Meisenheimer, a member of the Curva Collective supporters club, was part of the Caps’ pre-game routine at Stade Saputo, ahead of their first-leg Canadian final against the Montreal Impact. Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie is always thinking of creative ways to motivate his players. (Zach Meisenheimer team address before Canadian Championship final - YouTube)

No shortage of potential inspirational speakers for innovative Whitecaps - Vancouver Sun
The decision by Vancouver Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie to allow Zach Meisen heimer, a member of the Curva Collective supporters group, to speak to the team before the recent road game against Montreal was certainly innovative. But he shouldn't stop there because, as with the recent provincial election, there is a plethora of average to below-average candidates who could also fill the role.

Toronto FC acquires Bobby Convey from Sporting KC - Metro
Toronto FC acquired forward Bobby Convey from Sporting Kansas City on Thursday for a third-round pick in next year’s MLS SuperDraft. The 29-year-old Convey was acquired by Sporting KC from the San Jose Earthquakes in December 2011.

Panic trade? TFC adds Bobby Convey - The 24th Minute
If this were 2007, it would be an exciting time for Toronto FC fans. The addition of Bobby Convey, a solid player that has had a long and successful career in MLS and for Reading, in 2013, however, might not prove to be as thrilling. After all, this is a nearly 30-year-old player, coming off an injury not too long ago, that comes with a $215,000 cap hit.

Impact defender Jeb Brovsky undergoes nose surgery - Montreal Impact
The Montreal Impact announced Thursday that defender Jeb Brovsky underwent plastic surgery to his nose following Wednesday night’s game versus the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, at Stade Saputo.

Rumors: Chivas, Chivas USA will be sold as soon as Friday - The Goat Parade
here is potentially big news on the Chivas USA ownership front, as a rumor has spread about the sale of the entire Chivas empire.

One year later, the triumphs and tribulations of MLS and PRO - MLS
There may be more thankless jobs in this world than refereeing – dental hygienists, sanitation workers and teachers come to mind – but you can probably count them on one hand. And when it comes to Major League Soccer, the referee’s predicament arguably has another layer of difficulty.

By making growth of soccer in US his pet project, Beckham gave MLS credibility, visibility - Canada.com
Ask someone in Asia or Europe a decade ago what they knew about the Galaxy, and odds are the answer would have been limited to planets or stars. Nowadays, it's likely to include a reference to By making growth of soccer in US his pet project, Beckham gave MLS credibility, visibility "Beckham's team," the Major League Soccer franchise in Los Angeles.

Seattle Sounders' Sigi Schmid agrees with Arena's US Open Cup criticism, but "our problem is worse" - MLS
In each of their previous four trips to the US Open Cup finals, the Seattle Sounders have had to deal with some significant schedule congestion. What potentially awaits them in the early stages of this year's tournament is something new, as they will have to play three games between May 26 and June 1 and may also have to fly across the country twice to do it. Predictably, that doesn't sit too well with Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid.

U.S. Open Cup could have major implications for FC Edmonton’s NASL fortunes - The 11
FC Edmonton will be cheering for its six fellow NASL teams as they enter the U.S. Open Cup competition next week. And it’s not just because it will be good for the profile of NASL if the second-division teams can claim the scalps of a few MLS teams along the way. The main reason? Because, the longer their fellow teams last in the USOC, the more congested their fixture lists become.

Highlanders face off against Vancouver Whitecaps FC
he Highlanders will be seeing plenty of the Whitecaps this season, squaring off in three matches. They’ll face off twice on the Vancouver squad’s home turf, beginning this Friday May 17th at 7pm and later this season on Friday, June 28th. The Highlanders will host the Whitecaps at Royal Athletic Park on Friday May 31st.

Highlanders PDL Double Header This Weekend
The Highlanders have a double header this weekend, facing two MLS affiliated squads the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23’s and the Seattle Sounders FC U-23’s. These will prove to be a pair of exciting games for Highlanders and soccer fans alike. They say bad things happen in threes, and this remains to be seen, but it’s been shown that for the Highlanders, good things happen in twos.

Highlanders sign Defenseman Polster - Victoria Highlanders
The Victoria Highlanders FC are proud to announce the signing of Las Vegas native and Southern Illinois University (SIUE) Cougar Defenseman Matt Polster. The First-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference performer was named to the MVC All-Tournament team and started in 19 games for SIUE.

Okanagan split for Pacific Coast Soccer League squad - Chilliwack Progress
Three games into the 2013 Pacific Coast Soccer League season, Chilliwack FC’s men’s team is 1-2 and looking for momentum. After opening the regular season schedule with a 4-0 loss to the Abbotsford Mariners, the locals hit the road last weekend, travelling to Penticton and Kelowna.

Langley Soccer is finally ‘UNITED”!
Langley United Soccer Association (LUSA) and the Langley United FC Men’s club (LUFCA) are pleased to announce the men’s club will officially merge into the Langley United Soccer Association in time for the September 2013 fall season. LUFCA had 11 teams competing in the Fraser Valley Men's Soccer League during the 2012-13 season.

Lightning strikes gold - Langley Times
The Langley United Lightning raced out to a 3-0 half-time lead and then hung on for the 3-2 victory. “We were up 3-0 at half-time, full control of the game,” said Langley coach Tom Radomski. “And then we just hung on.” His team was playing CCB (Central City Breakers) United in the women’s U21 B.C. Soccer Adult Provincial Cup finals over the weekend in Langford.

BC Soccer 2013 Proposed Bylaw and Rule Amendments - BC Soccer
BC Soccerhas provided on their website the 2013 Proposed Bylaw and Rule Amendments that will be considered by the Full Members of the Association at this year’s Annual General Meeting.

the women's game

NWSL expansion to Canada seeming more and more likely - The 24th Minute
Women’s soccer is hot right now. With the Canadian men…struggling…the CSA has put almost all of its attention on the women and is riding the bronze medal win for all it is worth. The excitement around women’s soccer has lead to some loud whispers coming out of both Toronto and Vancouver about possible expansion bids in the new NWSL.

THORNS RECAP: Thorns FC 0, Sky Blue FC 1 - Portland Timbers
An 80th-minute goal by second-half substitute midfielder Taylor Lytle guided Sky Blue FC to a 1-0 win over Portland Thorns FC on Thursday night before 11,055 fans at JELD-WEN Field.

Spirit break out, beat Reign for first win - The Equalizer
The Washington Spirit broke out with four goals to earn their first NWSL victory, 4-2 over Seatte Reign FC in front of 1,011 at Starfire Stadium on Thursday night.  The struggling clubs exchanged goals over the first 47minutes before Tiffany McCarty netted the game-winner in the 56th minute.  Diana Matheson, Ali Krieger, and Tori Huster also scored for the Spirit.

youth soccer

35th Annual Slurpee Cup This This Weekend
The longest running youth soccer tournament to be held in the Interior of British Columbia is set to take place again this weekend. The 35th Annual Kamloops Youth Soccer Association Slurpee Cup goes Saturday through Monday on fields throughout the city.

university and college soccer

Division I transfer Shewfelt comes home to Canada to play for SFU - SFU
The Simon Fraser University men's soccer team has added transfer goalkeeper Scott Shewfelt who played last season with the Division I Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and is a native of London, ON.

team canada

Miller finally gets the chance to coach Canada at home - The 11
Colin Miller thinks back to a time, not even two years ago, when his coaching career was at a low point. It was late October of 2011 when the Whitecaps made the announcement that Miller, who was an assistant coach with the club, was out of a job. To make matters worse, there was awful news on the home front, as well. Fast forward to the present.

world football

Beckham: I always wanted to go out on top - FIFA
David Beckham is delighted he has been able to fulfil his long-held desire to bow out of football at the top. The 38-year-old will hang up his boots at the end of the season after a career that has spanned more than two decades, enjoying league success at each major club he has played for.  to his success in rebuilding his career and reputation.

British press lauds 'incredible' Beckham - FIFA
Retiring English football icon David Beckham should be celebrated for his on-field achievements and for spearheading a new era of superstar athletes, Britain's press, said on Friday. Beckham has had a troubled relationship with Britain's press. Fleet Street savaged the midfield playmaker after his red card was blamed for England's 1998 FIFA World Cup™ exit against Argentina. On Friday however, the country's journalists paid tribute.

PSG's president wants Beckham to stay with club - Sportsnet
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi wants David Beckham to carry on working with the club after his retirement and is hopeful of reaching an agreement with the former England captain within the next two weeks.

Molinaro on Beckham: All smoke and no roast - Sportsnet
Let’s be clear up front so there is no confusion over this correspondent’s view on the matter. David Beckham was a good player. A good player. At times, he was a very good player. But he wasn’t a great player.

Wileman: What will Beckham be remembered for? - TSN
David Beckham's story is one that captured the attention of a nation. Whether you liked it or not, living in England during his time at Manchester United, there was no escaping the Beckham brand. He was constantly in the spotlight, hounded by paparazzi and living out his life on the front and back pages of the newspapers.

Alex Ferguson set for career finale with Man Utd - CBC
Alex Ferguson is looking forward to a retired life of luxury holidays, watching horse racing, enjoying good wines and perhaps studying languages. Before that, though, there's one final challenge to overcome — beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday in his 1,500th and last game as Manchester United manager.

English FA approves minimum 5-game ban for racist abuse - CBC
Racist or discriminatory abuse by players will carry a minimum five-match ban from next season, the Football Association has announced. The sanction will the "entry level" punishment for the "least serious" discriminatory offences with longer bans for higher level offences.

thursday, may 16, 2013

canadian championship - voyageurs cup

Whitecaps FC draw 0-0 against Montreal Impact in first leg of Amway Canadian Championship final - Whitecaps DF

Impact, Whitecaps FC battle to stalemate in first leg of Championship final - CSA

Whitecaps and Impact go scoreless in first leg of Canadian Championship - Canada.com

Impact settles for scoreless tie vs. Whitecaps - Montreal Gazette

Vancouver Whitecaps, Montreal Impact 'down to one game' - SLAM!

Two teams that don't like each other - Sportsnet

Unconventional lineup pays off as Vancouver Whitecaps FC leave unscathed - Whitecaps FC

Five lessons from the Whitecaps tie with Montreal - Soccer Shorts

soccer news

Preview: Whitecaps FC open Cascadia Cup campaign against Portland Timbers - Whitecaps FC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC recall centre back Carlyle Mitchell from FC Edmonton - Whitecaps FC

Referee chief Peter Walton says Toronto FC's criticisms are valid - MLS
Earlier this week Toronto FC president and GM Kevin Payne made it clear that he was not happy that his team was consistently seeing the least experienced referees officiating his league matches.

Donovan's strong play helps Galaxy top Union - Sportsnet
Landon Donovan scored one goal and set up two more to lead the Los Angeles Galaxy past the Philadelphia Union 4-1 Wednesday in Major League Soccer. Robbie Keane and Hector Jimenez also scored for the two-time defending MLS Cup champion Galaxy, who broke a rare two-game losing streak with three second-half goals.

Bruce Arena: LA Galaxy's cross-country trip for US Open Cup play "ridiculous, stupid" - MLS
The LA Galaxy are headed back to North Carolina for the US Open Cup, and Bruce Arena is not pleased. The Galaxy's head coach and general manager said his team's May 29 third-round USOC assignment, which will be determined by the winner of next week's clash between the NASL's Carolina RailHawks and USL Premier Development League's Carolina Dynamo, was “ridiculous” and sent a message that the century-old tournament was “not important.”

About Major League Soccer Players Union’s curious statement on ‘Ball Boy-gate’ - NBC Sports
Boy, did the Major League Soccer Players Union get this one wrong. Instead of coming out in defense of Mario De Luna, Eddie Pope and his staff should have just kept quiet and let Sunday’s backlash boil over. Instead, they may have reignited the small controversy. In the process, a lot of MLS fans will be left to wonder what the Union could have possibly been thinking by issuing a release about Ball Boy-gate.

David Beckham left a notable multi-faceted impact on the Canadian MLS franchises - Yahoo!
David Beckham's announcement Thursday that he'll be retiring from soccer at the end of Paris Saint-Germain's season has prompted plenty of thoughtful pieces looking back at his legacy, but an underrated part of his career might be the impact he had on Major League Soccer in Canada.

the women's game

The Case for Toronto: National Women’s Soccer League Expansion - Red Nation
At first glance, Vancouver seems like the more likely market, given the history of Whitecaps W-League success. However, upon further inspection, it seems as though Toronto’s reasons to get involved in the NWSL far outnumber the reasons to not

team canada

Miller Appointed Interim Canada Coach for Costa Rica Friendly - FC Edmonton
Colin Miller has been appointed as the Interim Head Coach for Canada’s upcoming Men’s International Friendly against Costa Rica at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on 28 May.

Canada WNT to hold public training session presented by Umbro - CSA
Canada’s Women’s National Team will open the doors to its training session on Thursday 30 May, ahead of the sold-out Canada-USA Rematch in Toronto. More than an opportunity for fans to get an insider look at how Head Coach John Herdman and his Olympic Bronze Medal Team prepare for the anticipated women’s international friendly, the session will feature the unveil of a new Umbro Canada Soccer kit through a special presentation.

Roster named for Canada WNT EXCELeration camp - CSA
A developmental squad of potential Canada WNT players will take part in a five-day training camp in Morgantown, West Virginia from 15 to 19 May. The camp featuring players aged 17 to 23 is part of Canada WNT's EXCELeration program tasked with bridging the gap from the U-20 level to the senior program. The group of 18 players will take part in three days of training before finishing off the camp with an inter-squad match.

south of the 49th

Germany to miss Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund players in squad for US tour - WFP
Coach Joachim Loew has called up four newcomers for Germany's friendlies against Ecuador and the United States, with the stars of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund absent because of their Champions League final.

world football

Chelsea wins Europa League after Ivanovic scores in injury time over Benfica - Canada.com
Branislav Ivanovic rose to head home an injury time winner as Chelsea beat Benfica 2-1 in the Europa League final on Wednesday, securing the club's second European title in as many seasons. Just as they did in last year's penalty shoot-out victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, Chelsea's players carved out an unlikely win against a tough opponent.

Chelsea’s triumph a consolation prize - Sportsnet
Chelsea’s thrilling win over Benfica in Wednesday’s Europa League final was a nice moment for Blues supporters in a season where almost all has gone wrong. But it won’t heal the scars of a season filled with turmoil.

Dortmund showing quiet confidence before Champions final - TSN
Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp is well aware that most people expect Bayern Munich to win the teams' all-German Champions League final. All he wants is for his players to make the most of their chance.

German Chancellor Merkel to attend Wembley final - Winnipeg Free Press
Football fan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to attend the first all-German Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich on May 25 at Wembley. Asked during a Berlin conference Thursday whether she would go, Merkel replied: "I think I'm coming, yes." Merkel would not say which team she preferred.

David Beckham to retire from professional soccer - CBC
David Beckham says he will retire from professional football at the end of the season. "I'm thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level," Beckham said in a statement Friday.

FIFA's Blatter: Summer WC in Qatar not rational - Sportsnet
Playing the 2022 World Cup in the searing summer heat of Qatar is "not rational and reasonable," FIFA President Sepp Blatter said in a newspaper interview. Despite health concerns included in an official report before the vote, the FIFA executive committee opted for the tiny emirate’s bid in 2010. Blatter has repeatedly refused to say if he backed Qatar.

Maradona’s return to Argentina surrounded by tumult - Metro
Diego Maradona is back in Argentina and, as usual, his return has been surrounded by controversy. Several media reports on Wednesday said that Maradona, on the road from Buenos Aires' international airport, stopped the car in the road and threw stones at photographers who were pursuing him. He is also reported to have kicked at least one photographer.

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