BC Soccer News, Monday, April 24, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

 PORTLAND TIMBERS  2  VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC  1

CASCADIA CUP / MLS MATCHDAY #7

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017

PROVIDENCE PARK, PORTLAND, OR

Montero strikes again as ‘Caps fall just short to league-leading Timbers – Whitecaps FC
Fredy Montero scored his fourth goal in as many games as Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2W-4L-1D) went toe-to-toe with the league-leading Portland Timbers (5W-2L-1D) on Saturday afternoon at Providence Park.

Report and Reaction: Portland punishes poor first half play as ‘Caps comeback falls just short – AFTN
I’m not sure what music Vancouver Whitecaps were playing in their dressing room before taking the pitch in Portland for their second straight Cascadia derby, but if it was the Red Hot Chilli Peppers “Give It Away”, then that would explain much about Christian Bolanos first half performance.

Whitecaps out of step in loss to Timbers in Cascadia fixture – Red Nation Online
Vancouver Whitecaps FC came up against a Cascadia rival, Portland Timbers FC at Providence Park. It was a tale of halves, as Portland buried their first half opportunities in a 2-1 victory over Whitecaps FC in front of 21,144 spectators.

Defensive approach fails Whitecaps in derby vs. Timbers – Sportsnet
You can understand why the Vancouver Whitecaps approached Saturday’s match against the Portland Timbers the way they did, but the defensive tactics did little to slow down Major League Soccer’s most explosive offence.

Timbers Surge Early, Hold On Late To Beat Vancouver – Portland Mercury
It was Darlington Nagbe’s afternoon. Every once in a while, the Timbers’ mild-mannered midfielder checks into a gear that most players can only marvel at — and the result this time was a goal not twenty minutes into a Cascadia Cup clash against the Vancouver Whitecaps that has been and will be seen around the world.

Like stray cats, Caps still looking for home on the road – Vancouver Sun
Providence Park was built in 1926 and some of the downtown stadium’s oldest tenants are feral cats that prowl beneath the grandstands but are rarely seen.

Whitecaps fall on a sunny (and rainy) afternoon in Portland – Soccer Shorts
One of the defining features of this Whitecaps team is that they never seem to perform for the full ninety minutes and against a side as well put together as Portland are that was always going to be a problem.

Beyond the Lens – In the Rose City – Eighty-Six Forever
This time, I was back in the blue and white way off in Sec 223 of Providence, aka the Away Supporters Section, or at least one of them. When the Caps come down, we usually fill up Sec 222 as well, but because the Southsiders and their travel restriction, very few “high profile” members made the trip. There was a decent RCB contingent and the rest of the active supporters were from Curva.

MLS Week 8: FC Dallas win battle of unbeatens – Soccer America
FC Dallas won the battle of MLS’s unbeatens as Mayor Figueroa’s first-minute goal held up for a 1-0 win over Sporting KC. Orlando City took over the lead in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 win at New York City FC.

Jackson-Hamel, Impact rally back for draw with Union – Sportsnet
Anthony Jackson-Hamel scored his second goal of the game in the 87th minute, rallying the Montreal Impact to a 3-3 draw with the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

Sebastian Giovinco dazzling and furious in equal measure in Toronto FC win – Waking the Red
The Italian’s emotional performance was evidence that the Reds’ slow start to the season has taken its toll.

Ashtone Morgan: From teenager to TFC elder statesman – Sportsnet
Even though it lost last year’s MLS Cup, Toronto FC firmly established itself as one of Major League Soccer’s model franchises with its runs to the final.

After rough start, first clean sheet shows Loons are turning things around – MLS
The Loons are able to tread calmer waters these days. After conceding 11 goals in their first two matches and spending five of their first seven MLS games on the road, Minnesota United turned in a 1-0 home win against Colorado Rapids. With seven points in their last four games (2-1-1), Minnesota are just one point out of the playoff picture through eight games.

Sounders crush Galaxy at StubHub Center – SBI
Call it a drubbing, a demolition, an annihilation or whatever word you choose. The Seattle Sounders thrashed the LA Galaxy on Sunday afternoon 3-0 at StubHub Center to jump back into the top six of the Western Conference. The attacking trio of Jordan Morris, Nicolas Lodeiro and Clint Dempsey had their way for the majority of the match against the porous Galaxy, who dropped their third home game of 2017.

Clint Dempsey looks like old self in Sounders rout: “He is absolutely back” – MLS
The Seattle Sounders have been waiting for Clint Dempsey, Nicolás Lodeiro, and Jordan Morris to all click at the same time.

Red Bulls Win Second Straight – Empire of Soccer
Alex Muyl scored a goal for the second straight game and the New York Red Bulls won their second consecutive match in a three-game home stand in Saturday night’s 2-0 shutout of the Columbus Crew at Red Bull Arena.

Orlando City’s Kreis returned to Yankee Stadium an improved coach with an improving team – Yahoo Sports
When Jason Kreis walked into Yankee Stadium on Sunday — his first time in the building since being fired as head coach of New York City FC in November 2015 — it would have been natural if he felt some strong emotions about his return. But he didn’t. Not because his one year as NYCFC coach didn’t have an impact on him, but more because that season here was such a blur.

Larin Sinks NYCFC again – Empire of Soccer
It should almost be assumed at this point but Cyle Larin scored for Orlando City against New York City FC again.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury may be good news for his MLS suitors – The Guardian
As Manchester United mourned the loss of their top scorer, those in Major League Soccer were contemplating what it meant for them.

Tim Howard Responds to Suspension from Altercation with Sporting Kansas City Fan – Bleacher Report
Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard apologized for his comments directed toward a Sporting Kansas City supporter that resulted in a three-game suspension from Major League Soccer, but he lamented the lack of attention paid to the opposing fan’s “antagonistic behavior” and the “negligent security.”

MLS PHOTOS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 Seattle Sounders FC 1, April 14, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

3v3 Live Soccer Tour Comes to Canada

BC SOCCER NEWS

PCSL to open May 13 with 7-8 teams – Facebook
2017 PCSL Season Starts Saturday May 13th, looks to be shaping up for a very competitive list of teams this year.

Get To Know Your TSS Rovers: Tak Tasaka – AFTN
At 18-years-old, which he turned last month, Tak Tasaka is one of the youngest players on the TSS FC Rovers roster for their upcoming inaugural PDL season. But despite his young years, the midfielder already has a wealth of experience behind him playing against guys older than himself at VMSL level.

Nanaimo soccer team names coach as MVP – Nanaimo Bulletin
Nanaimo United Div. 1 men’s soccer team named coach Lucian Serban as the team’s most valuable player.

Cowichan soccer teams host English touring team – Cowichan Valley Citizen
A couple of Cowichan Valley soccer teams got to see how they do things across the pond when they played host to teams from Kenilworth School in Warwickshire, England on April 10.

United girls golden at Ice Breaker – Kelowna Capital News
The Kelowna United U15 girls (Greenhough) posted two wins and a pair of draws en route to winning the 2017 Ice Breaker soccer tournament in Lake Country.

3V3 LIVE NATIONAL SOCCER TOUR COMES TO ABBOTSFORD – 3v3 Live Canada
3v3 Live Soccer Tour and Holbrook Sports Management are excited to announce the expansion of the 3v3 Live Soccer Tour into the Canadian soccer market.  With the first event previously announced to take place on the August 19/20 weekend in Surrey, BC, the 3v3 Soccer Tour will expand to Abbotsford, BC, on August 20 and will include men’s and women’s open divisions.

BC Soccer Women’s Provincial Cup Draw Monday April 3, Men’s Provincial Cup Draw April 13 – BCSA
Complete brackets and results for the 2017 Women’s and Men’s Provincial Cup Tournaments.

2017 VISL JACKSON CUP PHOTOS: Nanaimo Utd. 2 Cowichan LMG 1 (XT), April 2, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

FVSL PHOTOS: Pakenham Cup Final, PMO Rangers 1 PMO Lordco Gunners 0, April 1, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

REVIEW: The Miracle Mile. Stories of the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games – BC BookLook
Author Jason Beck is curator of the BC Sports Hall of Fame in BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, and convenor two years ago of an excellent exhibition about the 1954 Games. In his first book, he proves to be a meticulous researcher, a compelling story-teller, and a crafty realist who knows how to hook his readers. Watch how, two pages into the book, he uses filmic technique to evoke the arriving athletes’ youthful buzz and give period colouring and costuming, but then smartly moves his camera in to introduce his stars.

TSS Rovers launch website & 2017 Season Ticket Campaign – TSS Rovers
TSS FC Rovers play their inaugural season in the PDL at iconic Swangard Stadium. Season Tickets are $70 for Adults, $49 for U12 Youth.

Becoming a BC Soccer Referee – BCSA
Whether you are an experienced referee new to British Columbia or if you are new to the discipline of refereeing BC Soccer Assoc. has a clinic and a pathway for you.  The minimum age to become a referee is 12 years old (small sided) and 14 years old (11-a-side). Please enjoy the short video showcasing some Referee programs that BC Soccer offers and continue below for more on how to become a referee in BC!

To our Readers: A Choice – BC Soccer Web
Soccer has brought us to the United States many times. It’s a great place with decent people. We especially look forward to our Cascadia trips to Seattle and Portland. They’re incredible cities with wonderful supporters. That’s why it was so disheartening to see chaos and fear take hold in the airports and borders of our neighbours to the south.

Victoria Highlanders 2017 Season Passes now on sale – Highlanders FC
Support local soccer on Vancouver Island. Join the excitement of Highlanders FC PDL Soccer!

PHOTOS: CANADA WEST WOMENS FINAL, UBC 3, TWU 0, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

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.

 Premium Classified Advertising on BC Soccer Web Starting at 50 cents per day!

CANADA SOCCER NEWS

10-man Canada fall 1:2 in last minute in CONCACAF Under-17s opener – CSA
Canada will look ahead to Cuba and Suriname after dropping their opening match at the 2017 CONCACAF Men’s Under-17 Championship. Reduced to 10 men, Canada lost 1:2 to Costa Rica on a 95th-minute heartbreaker in Panama in the Saturday afternoon match at Estadio Maracaná.

Kicking a ball and pretending to be hurt: Costa Rica beats Canada on field, and in the acting department – the11.ca
Jose Alfaro scored two goals, including the winner deep into stoppage time, but his performance wasn’t the main talking point of Canada’s opener at the CONCACAF U-17 Championships, Saturday.

Montréal Sporting Outlaws FC earn Québec its first Futsal Canadian Championship – CSA
The 2017 Canada Soccer Futsal Canadian Championship trophy went to Québec for the first time as Montréal Sporting Outlaws FC defeated Saskatchewan’s inaugural entrant Saskatoon Olimpia SK FC 7:3 in the final match at the Queen’s University Athletic and Recreation Centre in Kingston, ON 23 April 2017.

League1 Ontario Pro Directions: Australia – League1 Ontario
With 76 players now moved on from League1 teams to professional contracts around the globe, League1 is taking a closer look at these opportunities in a feature series entitled “Pro Directions.”

Register for the UBCO High-Performance Summer Training Camp in Kelowna

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE

WFC2  1  SAN ANTONIO FC  2

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017

THUNDERBIRD STADIUM, VANCOUVER, BC

USL PHOTOS: WFC2 1 SAN ANTONIO FC 2, April 22, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

Bustos scores on his birthday but WFC2 fall 2-1 to San Antonio FC – Whitecaps FC
In their first game of the season at UBC Thunderbird Stadium, Whitecaps FC 2 (2W-2L-1D) faced a tough 2-1 loss against the visiting San Antonio FC (4W-0L-1D).

SAFC Opens Strong on Road Swing – USL
Forbes tallies goal, assist in 2-1 win against Vancouver.

Match Recap: FC Edmonton earn first victory in win over Puerto Rico – FC Edmonton
Dustin Corea’s first of the year and Dean Shiels’ first goal as an Eddie sealed FC Edmonton’s first three points of the season at Clarke Stadium over Puerto Rico.

Offside debate, missed open net part of wild FC Edmonton win over Puerto Rico – the11.ca
The temperature was ice cold in Edmonton on Saturday night. There were snowflakes in the air. But Puerto Rico coach Adrian Whitbread’s temper was white-hot.

Match Recap: Fury FC -v- Toronto FC II – Ottawa Fury
Fury FC dominant, but held to a draw in Home Opener.

First-ever Battle of Ontario ends in 0-0 draw after fiery conclusion – Waking the Red
Back on the road following their home opener and a bye week, Toronto FC II extended their unbeaten streak to two matches with a 0-0 draw against Ottawa Fury FC on Saturday afternoon – it was their second-straight such result.

NASL Rewind: Jacksonville fends off Cosmos – Soccer America
The Jacksonville Armada conceded its first goal of the season but came back to tie two-time defending champ New York Cosmos, 1-1, and remains undefeated and in first place after NASL Week 5 action.

Cosmos Settle for a Point Against Armada – Empire of Soccer
An encouraging offensive start to Saturday night’s match against the Jacksonville Armada wasn’t enough to carry the New York Cosmos to their first win at home in the North American Soccer League’s Spring Season. The teams each earned a point in a 1-1 draw in front of 3,605 chilly fans at MCU Park.

Drogba Arrives to Big Reception in Phoenix  –USL
Internationally acclaimed Chelsea and Ivory Coast National team soccer star Didier Drogba arrived to a king’s welcome at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Friday evening.

CIN vs LOU All Poops & Giggles Until Someone Is Bitten – Indomitable City Soccer
The FC Cincinnati vs Louisville City rivalry saw some funny hi-jinks in the stands, but disturbing activities on the pitch overshadowed an entertaining match.

City outclassed by dominant Lyon – UEFA
Carli Lloyd handles to concede second-minute penalty converted by Saki Kumagai.

Paris power to first-leg success at Barcelona – UEFA
Barcelona 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain. Marie-Laure Delie, Cristiane and captain Shirley Cruz Traña all got on the scoresheet as the French side prospered in Spain.

Reign and Dash Meet in Seattle for NWSL Week 2 – Prost Amerika
Seattle Reign FC and Houston Dash met in NWSL Week 2 action in Seattle Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

Orlando to host 2017 NWSL Championship – The Equalizer
The 2017 NWSL Championship is headed to Orlando City Stadium on Saturday, October 14.  NWSL managing director Amanda Duffy and Orlando Pride owner Flavio Augusto da Silva made the announcement during halftime of the Pride match against the Washington Spirit on Lifetime. Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer was also on hand for the announcement. It is the first home match for the Pride in the new building.

WSL 1 Spring Series: Liverpool beat Yeovil, Birmingham held by Sunderland – BBC Sport
Liverpool Ladies arrived at newly-promoted Yeovil Town Ladies without any kit but left with all three points after a convincing 4-1 win to start their Women’s Super League One Spring Series season.

Toppserien Week 2 round-up: Avaldsnes claim top spot – Vavel
Avaldsnes and Stabæk both gave thier goal differences a healthy boost as Klepp and Røa found their first points of the year, draws the order of the weekend elsewhere in the Toppserien.

Ordega: African women’s football is on the move – FIFA
On 3 December last year, something extraordinary happened. Fans started arriving at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde a few hours before dawn for a match with a mid-afternoon start. The stadium was effectively at its 40,000 capacity a full five hours before kick-off. The match in question was the final of the CAF Africa Women Cup of Nations. It is a moment that will surely go down as a milestone event for African women’s football.

Fifa’s Sarai Bareman: women’s soccer is “the biggest growth opportunity in sport” – SportsPro
New Zealander Sarai Bareman joined Fifa in November in the newly created role Fifa chief women’s football officer. She spoke to SportsPro at the Football Talks conference in Portugal in March about the challenges and opportunities facing the sport at the halfway point between two editions of the Fifa Women’s World Cup.

Sunday European Rewind: Messi lifts Barcelona over Real Madrid, Arsenal advance to FA Cup final, and more – SBI
Following a midweek Champions League exit to Juventus, Barcelona bounced back in the biggest way possible on Sunday.

Messi scores 500th goal for Barcelona to win El Clasico – SN
Lionel Messi scored his 500th goal for Barcelona in all competitions by netting a dramatic late winner in El Clasico.

Sanchez sends Arsenal into FA Cup final with win over Man City – Sportsnet
Alexis Sanchez ensured Arsenal’s stormy season will end with an FA Cup final after securing a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in extra time at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Eden Hazard leads Chelsea to FA Cup final – Toronto Star
Eden Hazard came off the bench to help Chelsea into the FA Cup final with a 4-2 victory over Tottenham on Saturday, as the English Premier League leaders overwhelmed their title rivals to stay on course for a double.

Napoli misses chance to move second after draw at Sassuolo – Sportsnet
Arkadiusz Milik scored his first goal since his lengthy injury layoff but it wasn’t enough to prevent Napoli from drawing 2-2 at Sassuolo on Sunday and missing the chance to move second in Serie A.

Tigres in trouble after Clasico Regio loss, Santos ends America’s hot streak – ESPN FC
Here are five storylines from an exciting Week 15 of the 2017 Clausura, which saw Monterrey celebrate a Clasico Regio victory over Tigres, while Club America and Chivas suffered defeats.

Carlo Ancelotti laments Bayern’s off-day as 2-2 Mainz draw gives RB Leipzig hope – The Guardian
Carlo Ancelotti, the Bayern Munich coach, admitted his side had an off-day in a 2-2 home draw against struggling Mainz which gave second-placed RB Leipzig a glimmer of hope.

Huge win for Monaco in title race – Ligue 1
AS Monaco claimed a huge three points in the Ligue 1 title race on Sunday, beating Olympique Lyonnais 2-1 at the Parc OL.

Former Czech Republic defender Rajtoral kills himself – Metro
Former Czech Republic defender Frantisek Rajtoral, who won the domestic league title four times before joining Turkish club Gaziantepspor, died on Sunday. He was 31.

FIFPro warns players away from Romania as pay situation worsens – Inside World Football
The international players’ union FIFpro has warned its members against signing for Romanian clubs because of the risk they will not get paid.

So you’ve been relegated from League Two. What happens next? – The Guardian
Chin up Leyton Orient fans – it’s not all doom and gloom in non-league. But as any football supporter knows, it’s the hope that kills you.