BC Soccer News, Monday, January 9, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

SuperDraft Speculation: Scouting the top 10Whitecaps FC
The 2017 MLS SuperDraft will take place in Los Angeles, California (Friday, Jan. 13 at 12 p.m. PT). What better time to scout this year’s draft class? Barring a trade, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will pick seventh overall. Who might they choose?

Vancouver Whitecaps: Five to look for in 2017Soccer Shorts
With the off-season awash with new signings and exciting transfer speculation for the Vancouver Whitecaps it’s been tempting to forget the players who will still be here from the last campaign. So who will be the 2016 players who need to make an impact in 2017?

Fitness testing results, schedule of matches, and more: Everything you need to know about the MLS CombineWhitecaps FC
Every year the league calendar kicks off with the adidas MLS Player Combine, which started on Saturday with fitness testing (see results below) before the matches get underway on Sunday.

Atlanta United receiving interest for No. 2 pick, targeting defensive DPMLS
Multiple teams have contacted Atlanta United FC about trading up for the second overall pick in Friday’s MLS SuperDraft, according to club president Darren Eales.

The SBI 2017 MLS Draft Big Board (Version 2.0)SBI
A new top consensus player has emerged and it is Syracuse central defender Miles Robinson. The Under-20 national team player is seen by many as the safest of the top-end prospects, and there’s a good chance that if the top pick in the draft is traded, it will be traded to a team looking to land the 19 year old.

Seattle Sounders cautiously optimistic over Dempsey’s preseason availabilityESPN FC
Seattle Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey says he remains optimistic that forward Clint Dempsey will be ready to participate in the opening of training camp later this month, but otherwise struck a cautious tone as it related to the forward’s recovery from an irregular heartbeat.

MLS Moves: Big shakeup as Bravo leaves RapidsSoccer America
Colorado won a team-record 15 games last year yet it announced Friday that technical director and vice president of soccer operations Paul Bravo is leaving. No explanation has been released, though a three-year extension to his contract signed in 2014 may have expired.

Sources: LA Galaxy lining up serious bid for Jonathan dos SantosSN
One year after Giovani dos Santos first let it be known that his brother was interested in one day being his teammate, it appears the LA Galaxy are serious about making the family reunion a reality.

Sporting KC complete transfer for young Ghanaian winger Latif BlessingMLS
Sporting Kansas City announced the acquisition of 20-year-old winger Latif Blessing on Monday, via a transfer from Liberty Professionals FC of the Ghana Premier League.

Chicago Fire Sign Goalkeeper Jorge Rodrigo BavaChicago Fire
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Saturday that the club has signed Jorge Rodrigo Bava as a Discovery Player. The Uruguayan goalkeeper has signed a one-year deal with club options for 2018 and 2019. Bava will be added to the Fire’s roster pending receipt of his ITC and P1 Visa.

Minnesota United hires former Gophers women’s soccer player as color commentatorTwin Cities
Minnesota United has hired Kyndra de St. Aubin to do color commentary in its debut Major League Soccer season beginning in March, according to Sports Illustrated. She would be one of the few female color commentators in MLS.

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BC SOCCER NEWS

UNBC adds two to soccer fold Prince George Citizen
Hallie Nystedt wasn’t sure what to expect when she arrived at the UNBC campus from her home in Saanich for fly-in recruitment tour arranged by the Timberwolves women’s soccer team.

Upper Island Riptide U15 boys going strongCampbell River Mirror
The Marine Harvest U15 Boys Upper Island Riptide soccer team holds a strong mid-season record of  10-1-1. The team represents the North Island in the Vancouver Island Premier League and is comprised of players from the Comox Valley, Campbell River and Powell River.

BC Soccer Assoc. is Now Accepting 2016-2017 Awards NominationsBCSA
We are pleased to inform everyone that BC soccer Assoc. is currently accepting Awards nominations until the submission deadline date of March 31, 2017. Selection of the award recipients is based on many factors including the individual’s commitment, community involvement and willingness to give back to the game. This year any BC Soccer Assoc. member and their affiliate clubs may submit a nomination.

2017 BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors for terms commencing June, 2017 (following the BC Soccer Annual General Meeting).

Victoria Highlanders 2017 Season Passes now on saleHighlanders FC
Support local soccer on Vancouver Island. Join the excitement of Highlanders FC PDL Soccer!

PHOTOS: CANADA WEST WOMENS FINAL, UBC 3, TWU 0, NOVEMBER 6, 2016BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

VMSL PHOTOS: Richmond FC Hibs 1, ICSF Columbus FC 0, November 5, 2016BC 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 VancouverCSA
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, 2016BC 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. Delivery of Coach MandateBCSA
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 SyndicationBC 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.

Connect with Soccer in British Columbia! Advertise on BC Soccer Web today!

CANADA SOCCER NEWS

College soccer: West Virginia’s Kadeisha Buchanan wins 2016 MAC Hermann TrophyNCAA
West Virginia University senior defender Kadeisha Buchanan was named the 2016 Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Hermann Trophy recipient, tonight, at the MAC Hermann Trophy Award Banquet, held at the Downtown Clubhouse, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Canadian soccer star Kadeisha Buchanan joins French powerhouse Olympique LyonnaisTimes Colonist
Kadeisha Buchanan is joining fellow Canadian international Ashley Lawrence in France. The 21-year-olds, who have 109 caps for Canada between them, have played on the same team since they were nine years old in Brampton, Ont. Now the West Virginia University stars find themselves on different sides of a fierce French rivalry.

Canadian could be a keeper in NWSL draftToronto Star
Whitby’s Kailen Sheridan hopes for shot at U.S. pro league after alternate role with Rio bronze medallists.

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WFC2, USL, NASL & NPSL NEWS

NASL, USL to Share Provisional Division Two Status in 2017Empire of Soccer
The North American Soccer League and United Soccer League fought bitterly to beat the other out for divsion two sanctioning. Now both will have to settle for sharing it in 2017 and work toward proving they deserve to keep it.

NASL is off life support — but major questions lingerSoccer America
The North American Soccer League will return for a seventh season. Despite losing five teams and having two returning teams with serious ownership issues, the league announced it will play with eight teams in 2017.

Provisional Division II status the best possible scenario for NASL, USLFour Four Two
After a long delay, U.S. Soccer made the best possible decision for sanctioning NASL and USL.

Retooled Fury FC Unleashed for USL DebutUSL
Ottawa Fury FC has made significant headway during this offseason, having yet stepped onto the field for a USL match. With Head Coach Paul Dalglish and the team securing some solid signings from front to back and the organization forming a substantial partnership with Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact, the Fury’s 2017 USL debut already looks to be a promising one.

FC Edmonton back in business with NASL Division 2 designationEdmonton Journal
FC Edmonton are back in business, although not much changed during the uncertainly surrounding the North American Soccer League.

Florida Cup 2017: Estudiantes, Leverkusen, Rowdies, and WolfsburgProst Amerika
Soccer and warm weather. Who could say no. On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rowdies kicked off their 2017 season by hosting the Florida Cup. The Cup, in its third year, has featured some of the top teams from Europe, North and South America. Matchday one was no different with Bayer Leverkusen defeating Estudiantes in penalties 4-2 and VFL Wolfsburg nipping the Rowdies 2-0.

2019 Women’s World Cup qualifying entriesUEFA
Forty-six teams have entered European qualifying for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, with 16 involved in the preliminary round draw on 19 January.

Sydney FC and Melbourne City share spoils in W-League grand final rematchThe Guardian
W-League leaders Sydney FC were held to a draw for the first time this season on Sunday in a 1-1 stalemate against Melbourne City at Allianz Stadium. The result saw the Sky Blues drop their first points in four games, while the draw for City moved them into outright fourth position.

U.S. women’s pro soccer might be too big to failToronto Star
Alex Morgan’s European vacation could hurt in the short term, but key signs point to NWSL growth.

Reign FC sign goalkeeper Madalyn Schiffel for 2017 NWSL seasonGoalWA
Seattle Reign FC announced today that the club has signed goalkeeper Madalyn Schiffel for the 2017 NWSL season. Reign FC obtained the rights to Schiffel via trade with the Washington Spirit in November. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Beard, Breakers hold keys to first roundThe Equalizer
Head Coach Matt Beard admits that next week’s NWSL College Draft will define the direction his club goes in the future, with the Boston Breakers holding four first-round picks and seven in total.

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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

Liverpool face a season-defining week in EFL semis and trip to Man UnitedESPN FC
Cups matter to Jurgen Klopp. The Liverpool manager wants desperately to bring a trophy to Anfield.

Liga MX 2017 Clausura Week 1 HighlightsProst Amerika
The 2017 Clausura season kicked off on Friday evening with two teams in the bottom five of the relegation percentage table. Central defender Leobardo Lopez scored the lone goal of the match off of a corner kick to lead Veracruz to an important three points against a fellow relegation opponent.

Ibrahimovic wins court case over doping allegationsSN
Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has won a defamation case against a former athletics coach who accused him of doping during his time at Juventus.

FIFA expected to approve expanded, more lucrative World Cup on TuesdayESPN FC
FIFA is set to make the World Cup bigger and richer, even if the price to pay is lower-quality football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino hopes his ruling council will agree on Tuesday to expand the 2026 World Cup to 48 nations, playing in 16 groups of three teams.

Serie A roundup: Gonzalo Higuaín double helps Juventus maintain leadThe Guardian
Serie A leaders Juventus returned from their winter break to demonstrate their fearsome Scudetto credentials with a 3-0 dismantling of Bologna on Sunday night.

Rooney equals record as United beats Reading 4-0 in FA CupMontreal Gazette
Wayne Rooney stands one goal away from becoming Manchester United’s outright record goal-scorer after equaling club great Bobby Charlton’s mark of 249 on Saturday.

FA Cup strategy backfires on LiverpoolToronto Star
Juergen Klopp’s decision to field Liverpool’s youngest ever team backfired Sunday as the Premier League title contender was held 0-0 at home by fourth-tier Plymouth in the third round of the FA Cup.

Chelsea 4-1 Peterborough United: Ten-man Blues cruise into fourth round against poor PoshVavel
Chelsea had an easy passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup, as hey swept aside League One side Peterborough United with a 4-1 victory.

FA Cup third-round: Reports and previewsBBC Sport
There were 32 matches in the FA Cup third round over four days. Get all of the important team news and details in our match reports.

PSG go to Rennes, Olympico tie of roundLigue 1
Holders Paris Saint-Germain will go to Rennes and there will also be an Olympico in the round of 32 of the Coupe de France after Sunday’s draw threw up five all-Ligue 1 ties.

Haiti moves onto Gold Cup playoff, eliminating Trinidad and TobagoSN
Haiti’s quest for a spot in the 2017 Gold Cup is still alive after Les Grenadiers topped Trinidad and Tobago 4-3 in extra time Sunday.

Agents and players the real winners in Chinese Super League’s spending spreeThe Guardian
Teams are trying to outspend each other in an ostentatious show of strength, although the new gravy train may not last forever after the latest government intervention.

Afcon 2017: Sofiane Boufal of Southampton misses out for MoroccoBBC Sport
Southampton midfielder Sofiane Boufal has withdrawn from Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations squad with a knee injury.

AFCON loses lustre as players opt to stay with clubs rather than travel to GabonInside World Football
Next weekend the African Cup of Nations will begin in Gabon, but the tournament’s build-up has been marred by the ever strident complaints from European clubs over African players representing their country at Africa’s flagship tournament.

FIFPro and FIFA unveil 2016 World 11FIFPro
Luis Suarez has made the FIFA FIFPro World 11 for the first time following a vote by professional footballers. A total of 26,516 players in 69 countries selected a team consisting of the eleven players who according to them were the best at their position in 2016.

As Millwall’s crisis shows, football is about far more than just sportThe Guardian
The club’s stadium is under threat – if it goes, the wider community will lose not just a local team, but jobs, soccer schools, and much else besides.

Posted in BC Soccer News.