WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
‘The Bug’ will be back with the Whitecaps – The Province
Cristian Techera, the five-foot-two Whitecaps winger aptly nicknamed ‘El Bicho’ (The Bug) by his dad, will return to Vancouver for the 2016 MLS season, The Province has learned.
The 2016 soccer calendar: Key dates to remember for the upcoming season – Whitecaps FC
It’s shaping up to be quite the year. The 2016 soccer calendar will feature the European Championship, the Copa America Centenario, and the Olympic Games. Oh, and Canada will also continue its World Cup qualifying campaign, including a date vs. CONCACAF powerhouse Mexico at BC Place.
Should Whitecaps trade up in draft? – The Province
Could the Whitecaps take a swing at landing the No. 1 pick in this year’s MLS SuperDraft? There’s logic to it.
Sources: Jordan Morris to turn pro – Goal
The U.S. national team forward and Stanford University star will forego his senior season to turn pro, multiple sources confirmed to Goal USA. Morris is in advanced negotiations with the Seattle Sounders on a contract that will make him the highest-paid homegrown player in MLS history.
‘The Drogba Eject’ could be a disaster for Montreal – Toronto Sun
Call it “The Drogba Eject.” If true, an unmitigated disaster looms for a club that could lose its most marketable and productive player. Not to mention its relevancy.
Steven Gerrard says 2016 will probably be his last year – SBI
According to the Daily Telegraph, Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard is seriously contemplating retirement following the 2016 MLS season, and moreover will be pursuing a career in coaching.
Los Angeles Football Club set to unveil crest and club colors on January 7 – MLS
Details are expected this week from Los Angeles Football Club regarding the launch of the official crest and colors for the newest MLS team in LA.
2016 MLSsoccer.com Almanac: From Combine to Cup, all the dates you need to know – MLS
As we open the New Year, it’s essential to plan your four seasons of soccer. Take a look at this year’s key dates and mark down the ones that matter to you!
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BC SOCCER NEWS
VISL All-Star Games on January 9 – VISL
VISL All-star games taking place Saturday Jan 9/2016 at Layritz Turf, home of Prospect Lake. We have 4 games that we put on, up from the original 1 game that we started 12 years ago.
VISL Cup Draws Monday night @ Distrikt in the Strathcona Hotel – VISL
Live links to the thrilling spreadsheets as the matchups for the Jackson Cup, George Pearkes Challenge Cup, Tony Grover Masters Cup, George Smith U21 Cup & the JV Barnes Div 4 Playoff Cup are determined.
CANADA vs. MEXICO, March 25, 2016 @ BC PLACE STADIUM. Buy Tickets Today!
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Coup for Canadian soccer as men’s Nats land former Scotland U21 midfielder Scott Arfield – The Province
Canada Soccer’s ramped-up recruitment efforts have paid off again. Burnley midfielder Scott Arfield — born and raised in Scotland but eligible for Canada through his Toronto-born dad — will be part of Benito Floro’s squad in 2016, sources tell the Province.
Does inclusion in U.S. camp signal end of Canadian involvement for Manchester United’s Joshua Doughty? – AFTN
There’s nothing more likely to raise the ire of Canadian soccer fans than seeing Canadian born players committing their international futures to another country.
A Half-Dozen From NASL Who Deserve CanMNT Attention – NASL
The roster on the CSA’s website currently only lists one NASL player, Julian de Guzman. Here is a look at several NASL players who, by virtue of their strong seasons in 2015, deserve a shot at landing a spot playing for the red and white.
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NASL & USL NEWS
Strikers Sign Brazilian Midfielder Adrianinho – NASL
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers announced Sunday the new owner of the number 10 jersey as Brazilian attacking midfielder Adriano Manfred Laaber, known as Adrianinho, officially put pen to paper on a contract with the club.
Four NASL Players Who Deserve USMNT Attention – NASL
Before Klinsmann takes his 30-odd players into camp, there is always speculation and discussion about his selections. So far during the Klinsmann Era, only one player from the North American Soccer League – Miguel Ibarra, who now plays in Mexico – has seen the field for the U.S. national team.
Attakora and Beckie signings show that if they can count as domestics, Canadians can play in America – the11.ca
Nana Attakora and Drew Beckie prove a point: That if a Canadian player is able to count as a domestic player on the roster of an U.S.-based NASL team, he’ll get a shot.
Cosmos re-sign backup keeper Brian Holt – Empire of Soccer
The New York Cosmos announced Monday morning the re-signing of backup goalkeeper, Brian Holt. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Elite, Amateur Women’s Soccer: Northwest Premier League planning for 2016 debut – Goal Washington
There’s a lot we don’t know yet about the Northwest Premier League (NWPL.) One conference call has been made so far as preparations are underway behind the scenes to build an elite, amateur, competitive women’s statewide soccer league in Washington. A second conference call is scheduled for the first week in January.
W-League: Melbourne City women stroll to 11th straight victory – Sydney Morning Herald
Melbourne City have already annexed the W League Premiership plate, and their unbeatable women’s team on Sunday took a regulation step towards completing a perfect season by seeing off their latest challenger, Western Sydney Wanderers 4-0.
Westfield W-League Round 12 Review – Westfield W-League
Brisbane Roar roared back into Westfield W-League finals contention thanks to a crucial 3-1 win over fourth-placed Adelaide United on Sunday.
Western New York Sign South Korean International Jeon Ga-eul – Keeper Notes
The Western New York Flash announced today the signing of South Korean midfielder/forward, Jeon Ga-eul. Jeon becomes the first South Korean national to sign with NWSL, and the second regular member of the national team to currently play outside of Korea; midfielder Ji So-yun plays in England for Chelsea LFC. Forward Park Eun-sun was playing in Russia, but returned to play for Icheon Daekyo after the Women’s World Cup.
Legendary Indian Woman footballer Bembem Devi announces retirement – Goal
Oinam Bembem Devi, arguably the best Indian women footballer in recent times, announced a shock retirement on the last day of 2015.
Natasha Dowie: Doncaster Rovers Belles sign England striker – BBC Sport
The 27-year-old scored four times for Liverpool in the WSL last year and has returned from a two-month loan spell at Australian side Melbourne Victory.
Lionesses’ Steph Houghton on MBE: ‘It doesn’t seem real’ – The FA
Steph Houghton said receiving an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List rounds off a remarkable 2015 for both her and women’s football in general.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Rafael Benítez on verge of being sacked by Real Madrid – reports – The Guardian
Rafael Benítez is on the verge of being sacked as the manager of Real Madrid according to reports in Spain, just seven months into a three-year contract at the Bernabéu, and could be replaced by the club legend Zinedine Zidane.
January transfer spending may beat £225m high. Arsenal set to be first out the blocks – Inside World Football
The January transfer window opened on Saturday for clubs in England, Scotland, Germany and France with expectations of a high spending round dependent on early sales to set the merry-go-round in motion.
Transfer Centre LIVE! – Sky Sports
Up to the minute transfer news focusing on English leagues & major European transfers.
EPL Notes: Leicester City in a rut; Diego Costa shines for Chelsea – SI.com
English soccer’s long-standing habit of cramming extra games into the public holidays around Christmas and New Year is one of the quirks that add to the Premier League’s appeal. It also rewards the clubs with the deepest pockets and the deepest squads.
Chelsea play for their futures but it is probably too late to stop purge – The Guardian
It isn’t hard to see how those with a pro- or anti-José Mourinho agenda will interpret the evidence of Chelsea’s best away win of the season. Take your pick. Either the players have finally thrown off their mental chains, lanced the José-flavoured boil and under sensitive, grown-up Guus can finally express those trapped creative urges.
Redknapp: Manchester City to pip Arsenal for Premier League title – The Telegraph
It is between Arsenal and Manchester City for the title, but I think the big surprise over the course of the second-half of the season is that Chelsea will go on a long unbeaten run to force themselves into the top six. I have a feeling that will be the big story over the next five months, we got a hint of that when they went to Crystal Palace on Sunday and beat them easily.
Football’s unmissable dates in 2016 – FIFA
Welcome to 2016 everyone! We move into the new year with a head full of dreams, batteries recharged and an exciting 12 months ahead of us, in which the spotlight will very much be on women’s youth football.
Rwanda Ready to Host 2016 African Nations Cup – All Africa
Rwanda is ready to host a memorable African Nations Championship (Chan 2016) from January 16-February 7.
FIFA’s Crooks Needed Lessons in How to Be Criminals – Vice
The shocking part of the indictment isn’t the extent of FIFA’s corruption. It’s the brazen laziness with which executives executed it.
Avoiding relegation the priority for Chivas Guadalajara – ESPN FC
Chivas’ 2015 Apertura fate was arguably decided by an ill-thought out bus parade following the Copa MX final victory over Leon in November. Forty-eight hours after the tour around Guadalajara, Chivas lost 2-1 against Dorados de Sinaloa to virtually end their chances of reaching the Liga MX playoffs. The 2015 Apertura then clattered to a halt with a 3-0 home loss against Santos Laguna in the final game of the season.
Brentford unveil unique ‘three-wall’ free-kick routine – The Independent
As Birmingham’s players lined up a wall ready for Alan Judge’s free-kick, seven Brentford players did exactly the same in front of them, in two separate walls, apparently trying to block the views of their opponents. (Editor’s Note: Some have pointed out that Watford attempted a similar tactic as far back as the 1980s).