VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
From wearing sandals at training to calming his inner ‘goof’ and everything in between: Davies reflects on whirlwind first year – Whitecaps FC
What a difference a year makes. At this time in 2015, Alphonso Davies was still honing his craft with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency program after making the move from Edmonton in August. Playing professionally was a dream more than anything else.
MLS Cup 2016 tickets go on sale to general public on Monday – MLS
Major League Soccer announced Saturday evening that tickets for the 2016 MLS Cup matchup between Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders on Dec. 10 will go on sale to the general public at 10 am PT on Monday at TicketMaster.com.
Some Toronto FC season-ticket holders bumped for MLS Cup – Toronto Star
Tickets go on sale to the public Monday afternoon, but season-ticket holders get an early chance to secure seats — from Friday morning through Sunday. They can buy as many MLS Cup seats as they have season tickets, or more, according to Major League Soccer. But some locations are unavailable because of tickets allocated to the Sounders, corporate sponsors, broadcast partners and other MLS teams, as well as the need for more media space.
Toronto FC fans deserve answers over MLS Cup ticket fiasco– Waking the Red
It couldn’t all pass without incident, could it? Unfortunately for Toronto FC and MLS, much of the build-up to Saturday’s MLS Cup final has so far been overshadowed by a not inconsiderable number of TFC season-seat holders discovering they would not be able to buy their usual seats for the game.
Sounders’ Frei returns to where his pro career began for MLS Cup in Toronto – MLS
Frei was a first-round MLS SuperDraft pick by TFC out of the University of California in 2009, and was immediately handed the reins as the team’s starting goalkeeper. Frei says he was grateful to be playing right away at that point in his career, but also one that turned into one of his most daunting and taxing mental challenges as a competitor.
NYCFC sign USL MVP Sean Okoli as first offseason acquisition – MLS
A Golden Boot and MVP season in the United Soccer League has earned Sean Okoli a return to MLS, with New York City FC making the 23-year-old striker and former US youth international their first signing of the winter transfer window.
MLS Moves: Quakes decline options on nine players – Soccer America
Former U.S. national team defender Clarence Goodson, former U.S. U-20s Marc Pelosi and Tommy Thompson and Designated Player Innocent were among nine players whose options the San Jose Earthquakes did not pick up for the 2017 season.
MLS President: SC STL the “only contender” for St. Louis expansion team – MLS
In an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch this week, Major League Soccer President Mark Abbott clarified that prospective MLS ownership group SC STL is the “only contender” for an MLS expansion team in the city of St. Louis.
MLS, Impact have supplanted CFL and Alouettes – Montreal Gazette
In one of his giddier moments, former Expos broadcaster Rodger Brulotte predicted the Impact would eventually supplant the Canadiens as Montreal’s No. 1 team. That isn’t going to happen unless the planet overheats to the point it’s no longer possible to make ice — but the soccer club has left the CFL Alouettes in its wake in the drive to be No. 2.
Opinion: Unimaginative Club Identities are the New Scourge of US Soccer – Fifty Five One
The most frequent question about the professional soccer team that plays in Cary, NC, is famously: “what the hell is a RailHawk?” It’s a good question, because there is in fact no such thing as a RailHawk. But at the very least, the name is unique and local. After ten years of use, it is also what passes as historic in the compressed and erratic history of US soccer.
Atlanta United will set the new standard for MLS’ next era – Four Four Two
The Seattle Sounders changed the league when the franchise entered as an expansion team in 2009. It was a cultural shift as much as anything else – thousands of fans packing into an NFL stadium to watch soccer in the Pacific Northwest – but there was a sense of ambition with Seattle that precipitated a swing in the investment of the newest ownership groups. If the Sounders helped to launch MLS 2.0, consider Atlanta United FC the standard-bearers of the next phase.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
VISL Division 1 Results and Standings – Dec.5 – VISL
Results from a busy weekend in Division 1 play.
Winter Showcase Day 4: ‘Caps U-18s fall to Beachside SC in finale – Whitecaps FC
After a pair of victories over their MLS rivals, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency fell 1-0 to Beachside SC on Sunday morning in their Development Academy Winter Showcase finale.
Big wins for Cowichan Outlaws and Cowichan United – Cowichan Valley Citizen
The Div. 2 Cowichan Outlaws picked up their first win of the Lower Island Women’s Soccer Association season last Sunday as they beat Peninsula 3-1 at Blue Heron Field in Sidney.
Hope resurrected for indoor sports facility – Williams Lake Tribune
The dream of constructing a multi-purpose indoor field sport facility in Williams Lake has been given new life. Williams Lake City Council gave its support in principle Tuesday at its committee of the whole meeting for the idea of Williams Lake Youth Soccer Association to pursue plans to build a facility at Comer Park, located across from Thompson Rivers University in Williams Lake.
PHOTOS: CANADA WEST WOMENS FINAL, UBC 3, TWU 0, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.
VMSL PHOTOS: Richmond FC Hibs 1, ICSF Columbus FC 0, November 5, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.
Tickets now on sale for Canada Soccer Women’s National Team celebration match 4 February in Vancouver – CSA
Individual tickets to the Canada v Mexico Women’s National Team Bronze Medal celebration match on 4 February 2017 in Vancouver are now on sale to the public. Complete ticket information can be found at CanadaSoccer.com/Tickets.
MWSL PHOTOS: Van United Primas 0, Fraser Valley Action 2, October 30, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.
PHOTOS: GNAC Women’s Soccer: SFU 1 Concordia U. (Ore.) 0, October 20, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.
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
Dash’s Janine Beckie says Canada slighted by FIFA list – Houston Chronicle
The world governing body of soccer released its 2016 finalists for the Best FIFA Women’s Player and for the Best FIFA women’s coach. Beckie’s coach John Herdman and accomplished teammate Christine Sinclair, who this year became the world’s No. 2 all-time leading scorer, were not on either list.
Canada’s Ashley Lawrence scores in final collegiate match of career – Metro
West Virginia’s Ashley Lawrence, a member of the 2016 Canadian Olympic team and native of Brampton, Ont., scored in the final collegiate match of her career.
Soccer star Karina LeBlanc shares joy of game in Saskatoon – CBC
A star from the world of soccer was in Saskatoon Saturday, taking part in a special event organized by Canada Soccer, FIFA and the Saskatchewan Soccer Association.
Canadian Premier League – The Story So Far – Northern Starting XI
Ever since the Canadian Soccer Association placed a moratorium on new applications for professional Canadian soccer teams entering an American league in 2010, speculation has swirled regarding the creation of a Canadian professional soccer league. For many, this has been an agonizing six years of watchful waiting, hoping for reason to believe a league is on its way. For many others who had witnessed previous attempts at a national professional soccer league fail, this was a topic to be treated with cynicism and incredulity. Today, at the Canadian Soccer Association’s board of governors meeting, a vote will take place to ratify the league that has been years in the making, the Canadian Premier League.
Moncton SportsDome temporarily closed after fire – CBC
A fire broke out at the Moncton SportsDome on Saturday evening, forcing the facility to close for at least the rest of the weekend. The large air-supported structure’s website said the office complex in front of the dome “experienced a fire which causes some electrical damage” to the office building.
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WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
A sign of stability in chaotic times: FC Edmonton extends coach Colin Miller’s contract for three years – the11.ca
Even though he had one year remaining on his contract, FC Edmonton co-owner Tom Fath chose not wait to lock down head coach Colin Miller.
Source: NASL Down to Four Teams, Future Bleak – Fifty Five One
FiftyFive.One has learned that the Cosmos have ceased operations and the NASL is now down to only four teams. A source with information of the situation said it “appears that the NASL is officially dead.” It’s expected that those four teams will either go dark or make the move (subject to full vetting by USL and its owners) by the end of the week, if not the end of the USSF Board meeting vote on Tuesday.
Complications, uncertainty aplenty for future of NASL, Cosmos, USL entering key meetings – SI.com
While the league at the top of the American (and Canadian) pro soccer pyramid, such as it is, focuses next week on crowning a champion, the battles beneath MLS finally may reach their conclusion.
Source: Cosmos have ceased operations as they negotiate with NYC company to buy the team – Big Apple Soccer
Barring a last-minute miracle between Sunday night and Monday morning, it appears the Cosmos have played their final soccer game.
FC Edmonton owner Fath: “The expectation is that we will play in the NASL in 2017” – the11.ca
C Edmonton co-owner Tom Fath says that the club is a go for the 2017 season. “The expectation is that we will play in the NASL in 2017,” said Fath, who owns the team with his brother, Dave. “We have most of our players under contract for next season. We have some holes to fill, of course. But we are moving forward.”
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Women’s College Cup: USC stuns West Virginia – Soccer America
USC got two late goals from Mexican international Katie Johnson to beat top-ranked West Virginia, 3-1, and win its second NCAA Division I women’s championship Sunday afternoon at San Jose’s Avaya Stadium.
Late goal breaks Cameroonian hearts – FIFA
Nigeria secured their eighth African CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title with a hard-earned, last-gasp 1-0 victory over Cameroon in Yaounde on the weekend. The final was a repeat of the 2014 championship match that also saw the Nigerians triumph.
Alex Morgan in France, could ink deal with Lyon – The Equalizer
Multiple media reports have placed Alex Morgan in Lyon, France this week admid speculation she could soon sign to play for the French power. French news outlet PiedsCarres was the first to report that Morgan was visiting with the club. Romanin Blland of Eurosport later reported that Morgan has met with Lyon’s medical staff, a step that seems unlikely unless the sides were discussing details on a contract.
Front two win again – Round 5 Review – W-League
Melbourne City and Sydney FC remain virtually inseparable at the top of the Westfield W-League standings after the pair earned tough away wins over Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets respectively.
ROUND-UP: Shels Finish Unbeaten, Wins for UCD and Wexford – Irish WNL
Douglas and Kavanagh struck either side of half time as Shelbourne finished their campaign unbeaten with a 2-1 victory away to Peamount.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Chapecoense officially awarded title of Copa Sudamericana after plane crash – ESPN FC
CONMEBOL officially awarded Brazilian side Chapecoense with the 2016 Copa Sudamericana on Monday. Chapeco officials had said on Saturday that the title would be posthumously bestowed upon the Brazilian side after a plane carrying the team crashed en route to the Copa final last Monday, taking the lives of 71 people on board — including 19 players.
El Clásico level, Arsenal score five, Paris and City lose – UEFA
El Clásico ended even thanks to a late intervention from Sergio Ramos, while Monaco, Spurs and Arsenal scored five each on a day when Paris and Manchester City suffered significant defeats.
Manchester City must show more mental strength, says Pep Guardiola – The Guardian
Pep Guardiola has urged his Manchester City players to be “mentally stronger” following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, with the manager putting the result down to a failure by his side to take their chances against Antonio Conte’s side.
Bundesliga match day 13 round up – Prost Amerika
Hertha Berlin entered their match at VfL Wolfsburg knowing that to keep pace in qualifying for Europe that a relegation threatened host would need to roll over and concede three points to the capital club. Not only did Pal Dardai’s club do that, they did so by coming from behind to win 3-2.
Lazio’s Lulic apologizes for racist insult after Rome derby – Sportsnet
Lazio midfielder Senad Lulic has apologized for a racist insult toward Roma defender Antonio Rudiger following the Rome derby.
Week 16 review: PSG lose ground as Aiglons soar – Ligue 1
PSG fell to the biggest league defeat of the Qatari era, 3-0 in Montpellier, slipping to third place after red-hot leaders OGC Nice beat Toulouse 3-0 and Monaco walloped SC Bastia 5-0 to further increase their huge goal difference.
What to watch out for in the UEFA Champions League – UEFA
Atlético Madrid’s bid for perfection, Lionel Messi’s attempt to claim yet another record and Borussia Dortmund eyeing a new scoring mark are among the matchday six highlights.
Sepp Blatter: Appeal against six-year ban from football dismissed by CAS – ESPN FC
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed former FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s appeal against a six-year ban from football on Monday.
Belotti agrees to €100 million escape clause at Torino – Sportsnet
Italy forward Andrea Belotti has extended his contract with Torino until 2021 and agreed to a 100 million euro ($106 million) escape clause.
FIFA parts with head of security and match-fixing cases – ESPN FC
The FIFA official in charge of World Cup security and fighting match-fixing in football has left the governing body.
Russian MPs accuse FIFA 17 video game of ‘gay propaganda’ – The Guardian
Russian MPs have asked the state communications oversight agency to take action against the FIFA 17 video game for violating the country’s law against gay propaganda.