WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Whitecaps still looking to replace Beitashour – The Province
Jordan Harvey needs a new roommate; the Whitecaps need a new starting right-back. The December trade of veteran Steven Beitashour to Toronto — after the Caps had declined his contract option — is the biggest hole to fill coming into training camp, which kicks off Monday at UBC.
The boys are back! ‘Caps report to preseason camp for Media Day – Whitecaps FC
The boys are back. Vancouver Whitecaps FC reported to preseason on Friday for a day of media interviews, photo shoots, video shoots, and more at the club’s UBC Training Centre.
Vancouver Whitecaps and the fine art of surfacing – Soccer Shorts
I doubt that there’s a single day of the season that the players and coaches of the Vancouver Whitecaps look forward to more than the first “Media Day” of the new campaign. What better way to shake off the mental cobwebs of the off-season than being questioned by a group of genuine experts of the game? It really must be quite a thrill for them.
Fraser Aird Linked to Whitecaps – Eighty-Six Forever
The Vancouver Whitecaps could be on the verge of another shrewd signing, with a report out of Scotland saying the Caps are interested in a loan deal for Fraser Aird from Glasgow Rangers. The young Scottish-Canadian recently made the decision to play as a Canadian international and thus wouldn’t take up another international spot. Pete Schaad added fuel to the flames this morning, first with this tweet:
Didier Drogba to return to Montreal Impact this season – CBC
Star player Didier Drogba has confirmed he’s returning to the Montreal Impact this season. Drogba tweeted Sunday morning that he’s on his way to Qatar for some pre-season preparation work.
FC Dallas sign Ecuadorian national Carlos Gruezo as new DP – MLS
FC Dallas have scored a coup in the signing of a new, young Designated Player: Ecuadorian Carlos Gruezo. The team announced the transaction on Sat., Jan. 23, and per league and team policy, the terms of the deal will not be disclosed.
As D.C. United’s season nears, holes remain in midfield and in the net – Washington Post
With RFK Stadium’s snow-entrenched training grounds 1,000 miles behind it, United settled into the comfort of Bradenton’s IMG Academy for the start of preseason workouts and a campaign the club hopes won’t end until the first flurries fall next December.
Martinez says Rapids have made no inquiries for Howard – SBI
Tim Howard will not be heading to Colorado, according to Everton head coach Roberto Martinez. A report on Jan. 15 said the Colorado Rapids were attempting to acquire the 36-year-old American goalkeeper, but the Everton boss shot down that rumor on Monday.
Orlando City striker Cyle Larin motivated to avoid sophomore slump in MLS – MLS
If preseason ambition is anything to go by, Orlando City SC–and the Canadian national team–can expect to see a lot more from Cyle Larin this year as he bids to build on his impressive debut season.
Chicago Fire Announce Soccer Operations Staff – Chicago Fire
The Chicago Fire announced the soccer operations staff Sunday, naming Marko Mitrovic and Logan Pause as assistant coaches, Aleksandar Saric as goalkeeper coach and Jordan Webb as strength and conditioning coach.
Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard hail LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena as “Alex Ferguson in America” – MLS
“As a coach, you’re judged on how many championships you’ve won, how many trophies you’ve won,” Galaxy captain Robbie Keane, who spent most of his career in the English Premier League before coming to MLS in 2011, said during this week’s MLS media roundtable in Southern California. “Bruce is the most successful manager in America. That speaks for itself”.
Bob Bradley Climbs the Global Soccer Ladder With an Impediment: He’s American – New York Times
It is here on France’s north coast that Bradley has come to teach a new group of players, and to continue the pursuit of the kind of job — the big job — that he really wants, the one that some suggest his résumé has earned.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Cowichan FC Clinches VISL Division 1 Title in Week 16 – VISL
Week 16 saw Cowichan win their 2nd straight Garrison Cup as Division 1 Champions; a trophy that has been given out since 1904.
KYSA Soccer Registration Deadline Approaching – KYSA
Time is running out for parents who wish to register their children with the Kamloops Youth Soccer Association for the 2016 season. Players must be registered by Monday, February 1st.
Ex-Victoria Highlander Jamar Dixon called up by Canada – Times Colonist
Everybody expected regular back-line starter Adam Straith of Victoria to be named to the roster for the Canadian men’s soccer friendly against the United States on Feb. 5 at StubHub Center in Carson, California (7:30 p.m. PT on TSN). The real shocker was former Victoria Highlanders midfielder Jamar Dixon getting the call for the 23-player Canadian camp, which opens in California on Monday.
Introducing BC Soccer Web Syndication – BC Soccer Web
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Send your Soccer News to BC Soccer Web! – BC Soccer Web
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CANADA vs. MEXICO, March 25, 2016 @ BC PLACE STADIUM. Buy Tickets Today!
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canada Soccer says more than 30,000 tickets sold for World Cup qualifier at BC Place vs. Mexico –MLS
The Canada national team’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Mexico could be played in front of a record crowd. Canada Soccer confirmed Friday that more than 30,000 fans have booked their tickets to the March 25 match at BC Place in Vancouver.
Canada selects 23 players for USA friendly in February – CSA
Canada Soccer has confirmed 23 players that will wear #CanadaRED colours for the upcoming Men’s International Friendly match against USA. Canada’s Men’s National Team players, selected by Head Coach Benito Floro, will begin travel to camp from their respective clubs on Monday 25 January 2016.
Ouimette Joins the Canadian Men Ahead of Friendly vs. USMNT – Empire of Soccer
Karl Ouimette has been called up to the Canadian National Team as part of their 23 man roster ahead of their match vs. the U.S. Men’s National Team on February 5th. Ouimette will join the CMNT on Monday, and train with them through February 6th, as the Canadians prepare for their World Cup Qualifier matches vs Mexico in March.
Why Canadian Supporters Should Welcome Steven Vitoria’s Call Up – Waking the Red
The Portuguese-Canadian was the headliner, but also the most controversial player in the roster Canada called up for their February friendly against the United States. But here’s why Canadian supporters should embrace their newest member.
Hanson Boakai is forced to live up to the unrealistic expectations Canadian fans have placed on him – the11.ca
When it comes to youth soccer, are Canadian soccer supporters the worst? We’ve seen this over and over. A young players come up through our system, and then our small-but-oh-so-loud Canadian soccer community gives the kid way too much praise, way too much hype. It’s understandable, we’re so desparate for a saviour, an instant solution to decades worth of soccer rot, that we latch on to 17-year-old after 17-year-old.
Defender Zadorsky eyes spot with Canadian team – Sportsnet
She’s suited up professionally in Sweden and Australia. Now, defender Shelina Zadorsky is looking to become a mainstay for the Canadian women’s team.
Striker Levasseur an up and comer for Canada – Sportsnet
The speedy striker graduated from high school, began college at the University of Memphis, represented Canada at last summer’s Pan American Games and made her senior team debut in December.
Three men’s U-15 identification soccer camps in February and March – CSA
Canada Soccer will hold three men’s youth identification camps in February and March 2016 to help foster the player development process for players born in 2001. The camps will be held in three locations across Canada: Burnaby, British Columbia; Vaughan, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec.
OSA’s Strategic Plan Summary for 2016-2018 – OSA
The Ontario Soccer Association is pleased to share the summary pamphlet of its new Strategic Plan 2016-2018, as approved by the OSA Board of Directors at its December 2015 meeting.
Alberta Soccer celebrates 2015 award winners – CSA
Jubilee Trophy winners Edmonton Victoria SC were Alberta Soccer Golden Shoe winners for the third straight year. The national champions were celebrated at the 2016 Alberta Soccer Awards Banquet in their home town, held on 23 January in conjunction with the Alberta Soccer Association’s Annual General Meeting.
‘Soccer has been good to me’ – Nino Kovacevic: – New Glasgow News
It is soccer season all year long for Nino Kovacevic, director of player and coach development for the Highland District Soccer Association.
BC Youth Soccer Player Development
(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our new section on BC Youth Soccer Player Development; a new resource designed to help youth coaches and players. Throughout the week, we’ll feature news, drills and videos from the most noted professionals in the field of player development. If you have any articles or resources you enjoy, send them our way, and we’ll share them with the BC Soccer community.)
Ball Manipulation: Check Space To Play – Touchtight Coaching
With a focus on players ability to play on the half turn, this practice provides opportunities to challenge players of varying abilities in terms of movement off the ball and decisions in possession.
Are we overlooking some of our best future athletes? – Montreal Gazette
Ever since the 1980s, when a group of researchers revealed Canadian hockey leagues featured rosters laden with players born in the first three months of the year, the phenomenon of what’s known as the “relative age effect” has been similarly documented in several sports across numerous countries.
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NASL & USL NEWS
Farago looks to impress at Canadian national-team camp, and wants to win FCE No. 1 job – the11.ca
The FC Edmonton keeper already has a few things on his to-do list: He wants to be the team’s everyday starting goalkeeper; he wants to help the club push into the NASL playoffs, and he wants to impress Canadian national-team coach Benito Floro.
Dalglish Unleashed Part 3: Tactics – Midfield Press
Welcome to the final part of the interview series Dalglish Unleashed. In Part 1 we looked back on Dalglish’s beginnings and his road into coaching. In Part 2 we examined some of the departures seen this off-season and how the club has worked to replace them with young, athletic players that Dalglish hopes will excite fans. In the final part of the series we will take a lot at the tactics that Dalglish hopes to deploy as Fury manager, and the type of football he hopes to bring to Ottawa Fury fans this summer.
A Conversation with San Jose Earthquakes head coach Dominic Kinnear: Part Two on the Quakes Academy, USL affiliate Sacramento Republic FC, and more – Centerline Soccer
In Part Two of our exclusive interview with San Jose Earthquakes head coach Dominic Kinnear, we discuss the club’s Academy, it’s partnership with USL affiliate Sacramento Republic FC, and what to expect of the Quakes in 2016.
As NASL Goes West, It Must Return to Texas – Midfield Press
The San Antonio Scorpions faded away last autumn to little fanfare. With their death came the birth of San Antonio USL, whose ambitions are so obvious that their season ticket phone number advertised in their recent TV commercial is 444-5MLS. The USL team will play in Toyota Field, just like the Scorpions did, and most fans of the late NASL side have not missed a beat in transferring their allegiance to the new San Antonio Spurs-owned club.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Lloyd hat trick propels USWNT past Ireland – Empire of Soccer
Different U.S. Women’s National Team. Same result. With Abby Wambach out of the picture and Christie Rampone nursing injury, the USWNT counted on World Cup hero Carli Lloyd to lead the way. The New Jersey native scored a hat trick in a dominant 5-0 win over Ireland in front of 23,309 fans at Qualcomm Stadium – a record crowd for for a USWNT match in San Diego, California.
17-year-old Mallory Pugh scores in USWNT debut – Equalizer Soccer
Mallory Pugh scored on Saturday in her debut for the senior U.S. women’s national team, who beat Ireland, 5-0 in San Diego. Pugh entered the match in the 58th minute and scored in the 83rd minute, becoming the 19th U.S. player to score in her debut. She is the first 17-year-old to be capped for the United States in nine years, joining an exclusive club.
Melbourne City to meet Sydney FC in Westfield W-League 2016 Grand Final – Westfield W-League
Melbourne City and Sydney FC will contest next Sunday’s Westfield W-League 2016 Grand Final at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Natasha Harding: Wales striker leaves Manchester City Women – BBC Sport
Wales striker Natasha Harding has left Women’s Super League side Manchester City. Harding joined City in March 2015 after her proposed move to Washington Spirit in the United States fell through when she was denied a visa.
The National Women’s Soccer League Isn’t Going Anywhere. Now What? – Vice Sports
For the young women joining the ranks of professional soccer at last week’s National Women’s Soccer League draft, even the act of dreaming about a career in the sport was more fraught than it is for their MLS counterparts. “I had many frustrations growing up—I just did not see how the dreams that I had were going to come true,” Raquel Rodriguez said shortly after Sky Blue FC officially made her the second overall pick in the draft. “But things change in 10 years, five years.”
London trio safely through to Women’s Cup third round – The FA
Queens Park Rangers were given a fright by Chichester City on their way to the SSE Women’s FA Cup third round. Full round-up of matches.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Chelsea damages Arsenal’s title push with win – Sportsnet
A change of managers at Chelsea but Arsenal still can’t conquer its London rival. Arsenal was undone by a damaging five-minute spell in the first-half of Sunday’s derby against a Chelsea team unbeaten after a month under Guus Hiddink’s control.
Juventus beat Roma for 11th straight Serie A win – Sportsnet
Juventus closed in on another record as it beat Roma 1-0 in Serie A on Sunday to keep the pressure on leader Napoli, which won 4-2 at 10-man Sampdoria.
Roma’s Scudetto hopes fade after late capitulation against Juventus – ESPN FC
Roma have only won once and picked up a paltry nine points since November’s international break, and will now be looking over their shoulders at AC Milan, Empoli, Sassuolo and Lazio, who are all within four points of the stalling Giallorossi.
Blowing leads can’t become trend for Chivas – Goal
The start of Chivas’ 2016 Clausura can be framed in two ways. The first, that the Guadalajara side is still undefeated after three matches. Second, that Chivas have had a lead in all three matches and won none of them.
Diego Alonso’s Pachuca hands Club America yet another home loss – ESPN FC
Club America suffered its first home defeat of 2016 after falling 4-1 to Pachuca on Saturday afternoon.
Saudi Arabia, Iran dispute forces Champions League schedule switch – ESPN FC
The Asian Football Confederation has switched its Champions League schedule to delay matches between clubs from Saudi Arabia and Iran amid diplomatic tension.
Russia Debates the Naturalization of Players – Futbolgrad
Naturalization of players has once again become a hot topic in Russian football. The possibility of naturalizing foreigners to play for the Russian national team first emerged in 2001 when the naturalized Cameroonian defender Jerry-Christian Tchuissé was called onto the national squad – although never played a game, then towards the end of last decade Spartak Moscow’s Brazilian forward Welliton was considered for naturalization and subsequently the national team.
FBI turns focus on Germany 2006 World Cup hosting win and deal with Warner – Inside World Football
US investigators who have laid bare football’s worst ever corruption scandal are widening their probe to examine the awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany.
After the flood, a small miracle on the pitch: Carlisle’s community spirit is reborn – The Guardian
When the devastation wrought by Storm Desmond as it rampaged through Cumbria last month began at last to ease, a communion also stirred among the rubble. It was the process of a much-loved football club deepening its bonds within its own community as it reached out to its stricken neighbours.
Whitehawk abandon Brighton City name change after fan opposition – BBC Sport
National League South side Whitehawk have abandoned plans to change their name to Brighton City following discussions with supporters.
UEFA Club Licensing – ten years on – UEFA
UEFA has issued a report on how the club licensing system has developed since the system was introduced over ten years ago, particularly its evolution following the introduction of financial fair play.
Carlos Tevez headbutted as Boca and River clash with five men sent off – ESPN FC
A friendly in name only, Saturday’s fierce encounter between eternal rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate saw five men sent off as the game descended into utter chaos.
Jamie Carragher, Juan Mata and the charitable footballers making a difference – The Guardian
The release of Deloitte’s Money League amid the January transfer window shows the exhorbitant amount of wealth in football, but it’s also worth remembering that the game produces some admirable philanthropists and ambassadors.
Aritz Aduriz: Meet the little-known veteran who is outscoring Messi – BBC Sport
Many Athletic Bilbao fans would also probably have laughed if you suggested a few years ago that Aritz Aduriz would be mentioned in the same breath as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez.