WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Five Whitecaps who made a statement in the team’s pre-season – The Province
It’s always foolish to read too much into pre-season. Coaches are tinkering and testing, veterans know enough not to tax themselves, and opponents often aren’t at full strength. But there are always some winners in the battle for places and roles.
Morales records first-half brace as Whitecaps FC defeat Minnesota United FC 3-1 in preseason finale – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC wrapped up the 2016 preseason with a 3-1 win over Minnesota United FC on Saturday afternoon at Providence Park in the 2016 Simple Invitational.
Adekugbe ready to fight for spot with Whitecaps – Sportsnet
For young players transitioning into the professional ranks, small moments can mean the difference between becoming regular starters and waiting patiently in the wings for an opportunity.
More questions than answers as Vancouver Whitecaps wrap up preseason games – AFTN
Carl Robinson wanted more squad depth this season. Ideally two players for each position, strongly competing for places in the matchday squad. Be careful what you ask for, as he’s got it in abundance!
Top 2, Bottom 2: Vancouver Whitecaps Offseason Moves – Prost Amerika
As the 2016 MLS season is starting to rev its engines up at the start line before the fast paced season is begins, lets take a quick look at the Top 2 and Bottom 2 moves this past off season made by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Peak: Vancouver Whitecaps Season Preview – The Peak
This will be the Whitecaps’ sixth season in MLS play and the team has grown better with every passing year. Many people aren’t even aware of the soccer culture in the city, but with an average of over 20,000 fans per game and a record 11 sellouts last season, the Whitecaps have a higher attendance than the Vancouver Canucks and fall just shy of the BC Lions.
Vancouver Whitecaps: The tactics edition – Soccer Shorts
With MLS “First Kick” getting closer by the day and the final warmup game to be played in Portland on Saturday afternoon Carl Robinson’s thoughts must be turning even more sharply toward his opening day eleven.
Ben McKendry back getting his kicks in with the Whitecaps – The Province
Ben McKendry was back on the field with his Whitecaps teammates this week, seven months after meniscus surgery on his left knee.
An analytical preview for the 2016 Vancouver Whitecaps – Red Nation Online
Club president Bob Lenarduzzi has mentioned high hopes for 2016, but he also mentioned the hope in attaining a player who could score 20 goals a season. I don’t feel they did attain such a player, although I think they made some interesting moves in the off-season that should give them some of the best player depth in the league. If everything comes together, Vancouver should qualify for the playoffs again and even compete for the title in a very competitive Western Conference.
Toronto FC Shut Out by Philadelphia Union in Final Game of Preseason – Waking the Red
If Toronto FC are able to grab a win to start their 2016 MLS season on March 6, it will be their first win in exactly a month. After a strong start to preseason Toronto FC struggled in their second leg spent in Florida, going winless in four matches and one scrimmage.
Toronto FC signs first-round pick Tsubasa Endoh – Toronto Star
Toronto FC has signed first-round draft choice Tsubasa Endoh. The 22-year-old forward from Japan has impressed at training camp, starting up top on the right side of coach Greg Vanney’s 4-3-3 formation.
TFC’s top 5 storylines heading into the season – Toronto Sun
In a year that promised to be Jozy Altidore’s breakout season, the striker finds himself back on the treatment table with opening day less than a week away.
Ref News: MLS referees to crack down on fake outrage and theatrics in 2016, continue progress on persistent fouling – Prost Amerika
Exaggerated hand waving and arms flailing in pursuit of free kicks is next on the target list of bad habits the authorities want to see disappear from MLS.
Chicago Fire sign Dutch midfielder John Goossens – MLS
The Chicago Fire added to their midfield on Monday, when they announced the signing of 27-year-old John Goossens to a two-year deal with a club option for a third season.
Red Bulls’ Veron injured, could miss home opener – Empire of Soccer
Gonzalo Veron has been one of the brightest stars for the New York Red Bulls this preseason. Unfortunately for Red Bull fans, they may have to a little while to see why.
D.C. United signs U.S. under-23 national team goalkeeper Charlie Horton – Washington Post
D.C. United has signed U.S. under-23 national team goalkeeper Charlie Horton, who had left Leeds United in England last fall for family reasons.
SBI MLS Season Preview: Montreal Impact – SBI
A cloud of uncertainty hung over the Montreal Impact’s plans for 2016 throughout much of the offseason, but in the end, they got the commitment they were looking for and are now ready to build on what they accomplished last year.
Coming March 6: Live Soccer Sunday digital experience on MLSsoccer.com – MLS
We’re going to produce a live digital second-screen experience to get you ready for the season and bring you closer to the action as it unfolds on the day. MLS Soccer Sunday: Week 1 LIVE will bring you four hours of coverage from 10:00 AM PT to 2:00PM PT on March 6. It will air on MLSsoccer.com.
Owen Coyle on life at Houston Dynamo: ‘MLS is a league like no other’ – The Guardian
The coach is in his second year with the Texans and is still getting to grips with the travel, and treatment of young players, in the US.
New York City FC’s Claudio Reyna says MLS will be “one of the main leagues in the world in a decade” – MLS
New York City FC sporting director Claudio Reyna is all-in on Major League Soccer’s vision, telling English outlet The Times over the weekend that he expects MLS to be “one of the main leagues in the world in a decade.”
Minnesota United must keep eyes on NASL as it prepares for move to MLS – ESPN FC
Minnesota United occupies an odd space in the American soccer landscape. Its immediate focus is the upcoming season in the North American Soccer League, but looming on the horizon is the club’s eventual move into Major League Soccer — the NASL’s nemesis — possibly as early as 2017. And oh by the way, there’s a stadium being built in the capital city of St. Paul that will eventually be the team’s home starting in 2018.
New York City FC Launches Chinese Website And Social Media Platform – Sport Techie
New York City FC has expanded its global footprint with the launch of it’s new Chinese website and social media platform, Weibo, being the first and only MLS franchise to do so.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
PHOTO GALLERY: VMSL DIV 1: BINGER’S ARMY 3 ROMANIA FC A 0, FEBRUARY 27,2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Monique Lamoureux.
SFU Women’s Soccer gets a high five in the off season – The Peak
Hoping to build on their first winning season in five years, the SFU Women’s soccer team has added five new players to their roster this offseason. Coach Annie Hamel, in her second year in charge of the program, has added three midfielders, one striker, and one defender in an attempt to bolster the team in time for the season in the fall.
NCAA bound – Campbell River Mirror
Anika Shelrud played Campbell River Youth Soccer, then Vancouver Island Riptide, until she enrolled in the Canadian Sports School in Victoria in 2013.
BC Soccer Assoc. is Now Accepting Candidates for its Board of Directors – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors for terms commencing June 11, 2016. Prospective candidates are invited to review the information provided on the BC Soccer web site www.bcsoccer.net. Candidates who provide notice to BC Soccer Assoc. of their intent to stand for election by May 1, 2016 will have their applications circulated to the membership in early May.
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 vs. MEXICO, March 25, 2016 @ BC PLACE STADIUM. Buy Tickets Today!
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Algarve Cup will give Canadian women a stiffer test on road to Rio – Toronto Star
Two weeks after earning its berth at this summer’s Olympics, the Canadian women’s national team takes its next step toward Rio with a step up in competition.
Canada to field women’s Olympic roster for soccer’s Algarve Cup – CBC
The Canadian coach’s 21-woman roster for the March 2-9 tournament in Portugal includes 19 of the 20 players who finished runner-up at the recent CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Championship in Houston.
Three fixes: Canadian changes still works in progress – Toronto Star
National team coach John Herdman has been frank about three fixes Canada needed to make following the Women’s World Cup. Here’s how his changes are progressing:
Canada 2015 celebrated at Manitoba Soccer awards – CSA
Winnipeg staff and volunteers from this past summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 have been honoured at the Manitoba Soccer Association’s Annual Awards Banquet. The venue staff and volunteers were an integral part of the record-setting success, with Winnipeg, Manitoba serving as one of the six official host cities to the once-in-a-lifetime experience from coast-to-coast across Canada.
Men’s EXCEL Program provides opportunity for future generation – CSA
Over the course of February and March, Canada Soccer’s Men’s EXCEL Program will see more than 60 different youth players at three 2016 identification camps spread across the country. The camps help Canada Soccer’s technical staff identify exceptional players at an earlier age and ensures that they are supported through a competitive environment.
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WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
WFC2 win 3-0 in preseason friendly against the University of Washington – Whitecaps FC
Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) played their third match of preseason on Sunday, winning 3-0 over the University of Washington at Simon Fraser University’s Fox Field. Newcomer Kyle Greig scored all three goals for the ‘Caps.
Fury FC scores first pre-season win with dramatic finish – Ottawa Fury
A little magic from two of Fury FC’s new additions lifted the club to a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC II on Friday. With Fury playing its first official pre-season game on the road, a perfect ball from trialist Miles Byass in the dying minutes met the head of Dennis Chin as the Fury forward dove to make contact and secure the result on a play that started with a nice pass from Fury Academy player Zoom Langwa from the left flank.
Montreal Cruises to Exhibition Victory – USL
FC Montreal swept to a 5-0 victory against the Université de Sherbrooke on Sunday afternoon as Mastanabal Kacher scored twice in the club’s latest preseason exhibition.
Three big questions for the Orange County Blues heading into the 2016 season – Goat Parade
On Friday, we took full stock of the offseason so far, running the rule over the roster moves the Orange County Blues have made or could make so far this preseason. Now, here are the questions we have going into 2016 for OC.
Soccer Savior: Meet the man tasked with bringing Major League Soccer to town – San Antonio Magazine
In the weeks after Darren Powell was named head coach of San Antonio’s new professional soccer team in January, the English native wasn’t spending his time familiarizing himself with the locker rooms or sidelines of Toyota Field. Instead, he was scouring the world looking for players to don a San Antonio FC uniform when the United Soccer League (USL) season begins this spring. “It feels like the phone is attached to my ear,” laughs Powell.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
USA, ENG, FRA AND GER SET SHEBELIEVES CUP ROSTERS – NWSL
The USA, England, France and Germany have set their rosters for the 2016 SheBelieves Cup, which will bring four of the world’s top five ranked women’s national teams to the USA from March 3-9.
Jodie Taylor: Lionesses striker loving life in America – The FA
England Women have made their way to USA for the inaugural SheBelieves Cup – and if they require a tour guide they should look no further than striker Jodie Taylor.
Australia shock hosts Japan as AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament begins – Inside the Games
Australia stunned hosts Japan with a 3-1 victory as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament began today in Osaka.
Women Players Play Second Fiddle in Soccer Giant Spain – Magdalene
Vero Boquete, a Spanish footballer who plays for FFC Frankfurt and the Spanish national team, points at the wide disparity in the industry: “According to the Royal Football Spanish Federation (RFEF) data, only 31 female footballers in Spain have professional contracts, compared to 2,660 male players with contracts.”
Women’s Super League and Bundesliga most exciting in Europe – Melanie Leupolz – Feature Sport
German women’s football leads the way in Europe, if not the world, but England are certainly gaining on their old rivals.
Sarah Kempson hits successive hat-tricks in FA WPL South – The FA
Sarah Kempson bagged her second hat-trick in as many weeks to reassure Portsmouth supporters there is life after Ini Umotong.
SWPL League Cup 1st Round – results and summary – Scottish Women’s Premier League
The 2016 SWPL season began with the League Cup First Round, and each game produced a magnificent spectacle as Rangers, Spartans, Glasgow Girls, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Glasgow City all progressed. The games between Buchan and Queen’s Park and Hearts and Forfar Farmington were both postponed due to the weather.
Ireland Round-Up: Galway record big win – Continental Tyres Women’s National League
Galway WFC sit three points clear at the top of the Continental Tyres Women’s National League after a 4-0 victory over Cork City WFC. Chloe Moloney opened the scoring for Don O’Riordan’s side on 22 minutes, heading home a Lynsey McKey corner, with Therese Hartley making it 2-0 from the penalty spot on 36 minutes.
Women’s FA Cup: Holders Chelsea face Doncaster Rovers Belles in fifth round – BBC Sport
Women’s FA Cup holders Chelsea will begin the defence of their trophy at Doncaster Rovers Belles.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
European Weekend Rewind: Man City wins Capital One Cup, Atletico downs Real and more – SBI
Manchester City added yet another trophy to its cabinet on Sunday. The Citizens defeated Liverpool, 4-1, in penalty kicks after playing to a thrilling 1-1 tie to claim the 2015-16 Capital One Cup.
Why there’s more to Manchester City optimism than League Cup triumph – Goal
Sunday’s defeat of Liverpool will be seen as a springboard for the rest of the season, but there is much more behind City’s recent revival and March represents a real opportunity.
Liverpool FC: The only consistency this team has found is in showing it’s not yet good enough – The Telegraph
Talk of positives after demoralising League Cup final defeat at Wembley is misplaced, after match in which deficiencies were glaringly clear.
Marcus Rashford scores twice as Manchester United beat Arsenal – ESPN FC
The 18-year-old, who bagged a brace on his debut three days ago against Midtjylland in the Europa League, netted two more in the space of three first-half minutes to boost United’s claims for a top-four finish and dent the Gunners’ title hopes.
U.S. Soccer unveils revamped crest after more than 20 years – ESPN FC
U.S. Soccer used a social media campaign on Monday to reveal its revamped crest, which was designed in conjunction with chief sponsor Nike.
Niang suffers ligament damage in car accident – Goal
AC Milan striker M’Baye Niang suffered ankle ligament damage and a bruised shoulder when he was involved in a car accident on Saturday. The 21-year-old, who played for Milan in the 1-0 win over Torino earlier that day, is reportedly set to be out for around two months with the injuries.
New FIFA president says Russia, Qatar World Cups not changing – Fox Sports
New FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the next two World Cups will still take place in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.
Gianni Infantino and Fifa must turn greed into need for game’s global good – The Guardian
Despite the elected president and his backers’ eagerness to accentuate the positives with talk of bringing the football back to Fifa and new dawns but the organisation remains mired in an existential crisis.
Brave new world, same old problems. FIFPro and ECA put pressure on – Inside World Football
Whilst most stakeholders were quick to congratulate Gianni Infantino after his presidential election victory, the international players’ union FIFPro took a rather more negative approach, suggesting little would be done for those who actually play the game.
Marios Lefkaritis – The Kingpin of the Zahavi Empire – Futbolgrad
Is it hard to work for Pini Zahavi? Jurica (Yuri) Selak sighs. Last summer, the Croatian born official was appointed sporting director of the Belgian club Royal Mouscron-Péruwelz. Selak was appointed just one month after the Israeli agent Pinhas (Pini) Zahavi injected €2.5 million through a company from Malta. Zahavi promised a further €6 million investment over the next three seasons.