VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS
2017 MLS CUP FINAL
TORONTO FC vs. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1:00 PM PST
BMO FIELD, TORONTO, ONT.
TV: TSN 1 ONLINE: TSN GO
Vancouver Whitecaps: At the time of writing – Soccer Shorts
Yes, we are currently in the “at the time of writing” phase of the year in which there’s always the disconcerting sense that as soon as the hapless hack hits “publish” the Whitecaps announce an arrival or departure that nullifies just about everything written.
Make no mistake, Toronto FC wanted another shot at the Seattle Sounders – MLS
To be back in the MLS Cup Final for a second year in a row is one thing. To have the chance to rectify a wrong against the same foe … that is something entirely different.
Sounders head into MLS Cup rematch with a stacked roster that’s prepared for a hostile reception – Seattle Times
The Sounders had six starters in the lineup against Houston last week that weren’t on the field for last year’s MLS Cup championship match in Toronto. Despite the new faces, they say last year’s experience in front of a hostile crowd gives them an edge heading into next Saturday’s rematch
Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney all business ahead of MLS Cup – Sportsnet
Vanney has clearly imparted his ethos into his players. After the win against Columbus, and following the celebrations on the pitch were over, the team headed back to the locker-room. While a few beers were downed, there were no champagne bottles uncorked.
Toronto FC’s supremacy a sign of a paradigm shift in Major League Soccer – ESPN FC
It has taken a while, but Saturday evening could represent a milestone for one of the more intriguing trends in Major League Soccer: the rise of the Eastern Conference.
If one team can ruin Toronto FC’s ‘best-ever’ season, it’s the Sounders – Sounder at Heart
What’s remarkable about this team is just how different it is from a personnel perspective. During this playoff run, the Sounders have used nine players who weren’t on last year’s roster and 11 who didn’t play during the postseason. GM Garth Lagerwey was able to effectively retool the defending MLS Cup winners on the run and managed to make them better.
Allen Chapman takes the whistle as PRO announces MLS Cup officiating crew – MLS
After winning MLS Referee of the Year in early November, Allen Chapman has been rewarded for his campaign with the lead referee assignment at the 2017 MLS Cup. Dave Gantar will be the MLS Cup’s first ever virtual assistant referee.
Toronto FC’s MLS Cup rematch with Seattle Sounders a reversal of roles – Waking the Red
I felt I had a pretty good idea why Greg Vanney would be confident about Toronto FC’s chances in Saturday’s MLS Cup final. I didn’t think he’d say it out loud.
MLS Cup weather watch: What’s in store for Toronto on December 9? – MLS
I know, I know, cue the morning DJ in “Groundhog Day”: It’s cold out there every day. What is this, Miami Beach?!
Three Questions For The Anthony Hudson Era In Colorado – Last Word on Soccer
Last week, the Colorado Rapids announced their new Head Coach. The Anthony Hudson Era has begun in Commerce City, CO. The 36-year-old is one of the more unique coaches to join Major League Soccer and has a lot on his plate for the next few months.
The World Cup draw is set – which MLSers could make a deep run? – MLS
After the usual double-helping of pomp, pageantry and pomposity, FIFA eventually got around to drawing the group placements for the 2018 World Cup on Friday, and the results provide plenty to chew on for the cadre of MLS players aiming to star in Russia next summer.
BC SOCCER NEWS
VISL Division 1 Standings & Results, December 4, 2017 – BC Soccer News
Week 13 has come and gone, all games were played, and there were a couple key results that have obviously affected the standings in a big way.
Kristensen is men’s soccer’s first 3-time NCAA All-American – SFU
Simon Fraser University senior defender Magnus Kristensen was named to the 2017 NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer All-America First Team, becoming the first three-time All-American in men’s soccer during the NCAA era.
Residency Report: U-19s fall in tight match against unbeaten Red Bulls – Whitecaps FC
Whitecaps FC U-19 Residency played their final match of the 2017 Winter Showcase in Lakewood Ranch, Florida on Sunday, falling 2-1 in a tight match against an unbeaten New York Red Bulls team.
Canadian legends Nick Dasovic & Andrea Neil team up for Individualized Coaching Program – Dasovic-Neil Coaching
Nick Dasovic & Andrea Neil have teamed up to provide training programs for players & coaches. The programs specialize in individual, positional, age, and gender specific training for players, with a combined technical and physical focus while providing education and mentorship opportunities for coaches to improve their skills and deepen their knowledge base.
BC Soccer Web’s 2017 Soccer & Sports Book Recommendations – BC Soccer Web
Over the years, there have been many books on soccer and sport that have given us joy, laughter, and much to think about. We’re happy to share these with you. We’ll be updating this list as new titles become available, so keep checking.
PCSL CHALLENGE CUP PHOTOS: Vancouver Utd. 3, Mid-Isle Mariners 1, July 30, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.
2016-2017 BC Soccer Year in Review – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is proud to release their 2016-2017 Year in Review after another successful year of soccer. The #respectall initiative, High Performance License, Club Charter Program activity, along with the delivery of hundreds of coaching courses and referee clinics this past year highlight some of the successes.
BC PROVINCIAL WOMEN’S A CUP PHOTOS: Surrey United 1 NSGSC Renegades 0, May 13, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.
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.
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!
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.
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Peterborough City Soccer Association joins Peterborough Youth Soccer Club in approving amalgamation – Peterborough Examiner
All the pieces appear to be in place for the amalgamation of Peterborough’s’ two largest soccer organizations.
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USL, NASL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS
Cuban Striker Cordoves Heads to Kickers – USL
The Richmond Kickers announced on Monday the signing of Cuban forward Heviel Cordovés for the 2018 USL season, marking move to the Kickers from the club’s longtime rival the Charleston Battery. The signing is pending league and federation approval.
Soccer stadium could score goal in North Side – Columbia Chronicle
With a new United Soccer League stadium scheduled to arrive on Chicago’s North Side in 2020, fans and urban planning experts are still unsure it can survive.
Mueller Leads Nine Returnees for Battery – USL
The Charleston Battery announced on Monday they would return at least nine players from its 2017 squad after the club exercised contract options on Taylor Mueller, Kotaro Higashi, Quinton Griffith, and Skylar Thomas and re-signed Tah Brian Anunga and Joe Kuzminsky, pending league and federation approval.
2017’s Top USL Storylines – Cincinnati’s Open Cup Run – USL
Hildebrandt, Fall powered FCC to Semifinals of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Stanford defeats UCLA, 3-2, to take home second NCAA title – The Equalizer
The No. 1 team and top scoring offense in the nation, the Stanford Cardinal, lived up to their reputation, defeating Pac-12 rivals UCLA, 3-2, in the 2017 NCAA College Cup Final. Jaye Boissiere’s long-distance strike in the 67th minute was the difference maker, earning Stanford their second national title in program history.
Catarina Macario: A new women’s college star is born – Soccer America
Stanford is loaded with great young players — Sullivan is the only senior on the team — but the star of the future of women’s college soccer is freshman Catarina Macario, who moved to San Diego from Brazil at the age of 12 with the goal of making it as a soccer player.
Westfield W-League Round 6 Round Up: Perth and Brisbane top the ladder after tight wins – Vavel
Sam Kerr and Tameka Butt lead their teams to victory, as Matildas stars shine across the league.
Continental Tyres Cup – London Bees 1-1 Watford: Hosts win on penalties – Vavel
After Emma Beckett’s late penalty cancelled out Rinsola Babajide’s first half header, the London Bees bagged an extra point against Watford as the two went straight to penalties to decide the tie in the WSL Cup group stages.
England Women manager expected to be announced at end of next week – Sky Sports
Interviews for the vacant England Women manager’s job will take place this week with an official announcement expected by the end of next week, Sky Sports News understands.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Sunday European Rewind: Man City downs West Ham, Inter moves into first place in Serie A, and more – SBI
Inter Milan moved to the top of the Serie A table after a thumping home win. Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Hertha Berlin in Bundesliga play, while Gladbach faced off with Wolfsburg. The points were shared in France’s early match between St. Etienne and Nantes, while Manchester City hosted West Ham in the EPL.
Gattuso: A Stabbing Would Have Been Less Painful Than Benevento’s Equalizer – SI.com
New AC Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso had a day to forget after his charges dramatically conceded a late, late goal to bottom of the table Benevento on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester City leaves it late again to beat West Ham – Sportsnet
Maybe they’ll start calling it “Pep Time.” For the third time in a week, Manchester City left it late to secure a 2-1 victory in the Premier League and set a record-equaling winning run stretching back to Aug. 26.
Manchester United wins big away game against Arsenal – Toronto Star
Jose Mourinho finally won a big away game in the English Premier League after 18 months in charge of Manchester United. It came at a huge cost, though.
Week 16 review: PSG stunned on weekend of stunning goals – Ligue 1
Away to promoted Strasbourg, PSG fell to their first defat of the season in all competitions but still sit nine points clear atop the table after a thrilling round of matches that saw a bevy of spectacular goals rain down around France.
Boateng fires Frankfurt to victory over Hertha Berlin – Sportsnet
Kevin-Prince Boateng returned to his hometown club and scored for Eintracht Frankfurt to beat Hertha Berlin 2-1 in the Bundesliga on Sunday, and fourth-place Borussia Moenchengladbach missed the chance to go second.
Chapecoense gets Copa Libertadores spot 1 year after tragedy – Sportsnet
Brazil’s Chapecoense has secured a spot in the next edition of the Copa Libertadores tournament one year after a plane crash killed 19 of its players.
FA Cup round-up: Seventh-tier Hereford hold Fleetwood – Sky Sports
Seventh-tier Hereford earned their place in Monday’s FA Cup third-round draw after holding on for a 1-1 draw away to League One Fleetwood.
UCL Tuesday: Desperation for Atleti, Juve – NBC Sports
Tuesday’s eight UEFA Champions League group stage finales have some intriguing match-ups that have been somewhat sapped of special intrigue.
Carlo Ancelotti rules himself out of Socceroos job – SN
Experienced Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti has ruled himself out of coaching Australia at the World Cup, saying he isn’t keen to lead any team at international level.
2018 FIFA World Cup tickets: sales resume on 5 December – FIFA
After the Final Draw, which determined the group breakdown for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, ticket sales for FIFA’s flagship tournament resume on 5 December at 12:00 (Moscow time).
Report: Sunil Gulati may not run for U.S. Soccer presidency – NBC Sports
Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl is reporting that current U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati is “strongly considering not running for re-election.”
Into 4th week of FIFA trial, prosecutors near end of case – Medicine Hat News
As the trial detailing widespread corruption in world soccer enters a fourth week, prosecutors are close to concluding their case in a Brooklyn federal courthouse.
Has bubble burst over West Ham’s London Stadium deal of the century? – Inside World Football
West Ham’s tenancy at the London Stadium has been controversial from the start. Accusations that the stadium was a government giveaway to the Premier League club seem to have now been backed up London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s announcement that he is stepping in to take over the running of the stadium that is costing the taxpayer £20 million a year.
Lionel Messi statue in Buenos Aires vandalised again – BBC
A statue of Argentine football star Lionel Messi has been vandalised in the capital, Buenos Aires.
Mark Clattenburg says he ‘allowed Spurs to self-destruct’ and hand Leicester title – The Guardian
Mark Clattenburg has said he “allowed Tottenham to self-destruct” with the way he refereed the club’s draw at Chelsea which handed Leicester City the title in May 2016.
2017’s TOP SOCCER BOOKS