BC SOCCER WEB WORLD CUP CENTRAL
Every day, we’ll bring you all of scores, news and best writing from around the web from the 2018 World Cup.
MONDAY MATCHES
June 18
GROUP F & G
SWEDEN 1 SOUTH KOREA 0
BELGIUM 3 PANAMA 0
TUNISIA vs. ENGLAND, 10:30 AM PT, (TSN)
TUESDAY MATCHES
June 19
GROUP H
COLOMBIA vs. JAPAN, 5:00 AM PT, (TSN)
POLAND vs. SENEGAL, 8:00 AM PT, (TSN)
Sweden gets benefit of video review in World Cup win over South Korea – Sportsnet
Sweden got the break it needed from the video review system, and team captain Andreas Granqvist didn’t waste the chance.
Burdened Salah to lead Egypt against Russia at World Cup – Vancouver Sun
Amid price hikes and growing discontent with the government back home, fans of Egypt’s national team are counting on Mohamed Salah to ease their pain both on the field and off.
Senegal and Aliou Cissé quietly confident of recreating spirit of 2002 – The Guardian
Despite facing some criticism for adopting a pragmatic approach to qualifying with a squad having an array of attacking talent including Liverpool’s Mané, Keita Baldé of Monaco and the rising star Ismaila Sarr of Rennes, there is a quiet confidence at home that history may be about to repeat itself.
Lozano, Mexico stun Germany in 2018 World Cup opener – Sportsnet
Defending World Cup champions have been finding it hard to get out of the group stage lately, and Germany is proving no exception.
Mexico shakes with excitement over Germany World Cup win – Vancouver Sun
Thousands of exuberant Mexican soccer fans took to the streets Sunday to cheer their national team’s long-shot win against Germany in Mexico’s first match of the 2018 World Cup soccer tournament.
Switzerland holds favoured Brazil to draw at World Cup – CBC
Steven Zuber’s header cancels out Coutinho’s long-distance volley.
France leave plenty lacking in World Cup opener against Australia – Vavel
France entered the FIFA World Cup as one of the teams to look forward to – precisely because of their overall quality in the squad which made them a real contender of lifting the trophy.
France have three points but no clear identity after six years of Deschamps – The Guardian
France are the only favourites to have won their opening game but Didier Deschamps has still not developed a philosophy
Croatia need own goal and penalty to overcome Nigeria – Yahoo Sports
Croatia beat Nigeria 2-0 on Saturday with an own goal from Oghenekaro Etebo and a penalty from Luka Modric to go top of World Cup Group D, one of the toughest and most unpredictable in the tournament.
Croatia’s Kalinic sent home from World Cup – NBC Sports
According to a bombshell report out of Croatia, Croatia National Team head coach Zlatko Dalic has sent home striker Nikola Kalinic from the team’s camp, after the AC Milan player reportedly refused to be a substitute during Croatia’s 2-0 win over Nigeria.
Kolarov free kick secures Serbia win over Costa Rica at World Cup – Sportsnet
Aleksandar Kolarov scored from a left-footed free kick in the 56th minute and Serbia opened its World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica on Sunday.
Argentina draw becomes most-watched Iceland sporting TV event in history – The Guardian
Smallest country to feature in World Cup made huge domestic TV debut, with 99.6% of everybody watching TV tuning in.
World Cup 2018: England are in a difficult group, says Gareth Southgate – BBC Sport
England are facing one of the World Cup’s toughest groups as they begin their campaign against Tunisia in Volgograd on Monday, manager Gareth Southgate says.
Aleksandr Golovin, Russia’s new shining star – FIFA
Attacking midfielder Aleksandr Golovin was touted as a potential star at the 2018 FIFA World Cup long before the start of the tournament, and the 22-year-old certainly did not disappointment in the Opening Match against Saudi Arabia, when he showcased all his talent in an outstanding display. And while never wise to rush to judgement after just one game, we looked in detail at Golovin’s performance to get an idea of what we can expect in Russia’s crucial next fixture against Egypt.
Bob Lenarduzzi: Group H best represents spirit of World Cup – Ottawa Citizen
We get our first look at Group H on Tuesday, starting with Colombia against Japan in the early game, followed by Poland versus Senegal. This group features four fairly well-matched sides from four different continents. So, of all the groups, I think this one best represents the spirit of the World Cup.
VAR enjoys largely positive World Cup debut to confound football’s luddites – The Guardian
As with previous innovations that met with a hostile reception and then general approval, use of the video referee will become part and parcel of the game.
World Cup 2018: ‘Safe space’ for Russia LGBT football fans shut – BBC
An organisation providing a “safe space” for LGBT and ethnic-minority football fans in Russia says it was evicted from its premises in St Petersburg on the eve of the World Cup. Diversity House was supposed to open for the duration of the tournament.
World Cup Dictatorships | Part 5: Egypt – Eighty-Six Forever
Of the countries profiled in this series Egypt has the most complicated relationship between football and the regime. It’s probably also the team that people are most naturally inclined to support. They have a lot of lovable players like Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and 45 year old goalkeeper Essam El-Hadry. But Egypt is also arguably the country in which football is most political.
Iranian women take to World Cup stage to protest stadium their ban at home – Inside World Football
Iranian women, who have been banned from attending football in the Islamic state since 1980, have protested at Iran’s World Cup opening game against Morocco, seizing the exposure the world’s biggest sporting event, the World Cup, offers.
Police: Taxi driver who hit 8 Moscow pedestrians fell asleep – Medicine Hat News
The suspect in a taxi crash near Red Square that injured two Mexican soccer fans and six other pedestrians as Russia hosts the World Cup told interrogators he fell asleep at the wheel, Moscow city police said Sunday.
Jack Knox: GOOOAAALLLLLLLL! Get it, Canada? – Times Colonist
This is the way we talk, once every four years when the month long World Cup begins, as it has in Russia. Canadian hockey hosers who don’t know their Arsenals from their elbows turn into instant soccer experts and flag-waving patriots.
‘I couldn’t hold my tears’: Maritimers passionate about World Cup soccer – CBC
Fans in brightly coloured jerseys piling into pubs and national flags decorating pathways, as well as some faces, it’s not hard to tell the FIFA World Cup is on.
HOW TO WATCH THE WORLD CUP
FIFA World Cup on TSN and CTV – Broadcast Schedule – TSN
All matches will be broadcast live on TSN, CTV, TSN 2.
Best places to watch the FIFA World Cup in Vancouver – Daily Hive
Even though the Canadian men’s national team didn’t qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Canucks still love to watch the tournament along with the rest of the world (especially when there is food and beer involved).
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS
PHILADELPHIA UNION vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
MLS MATCHDAY #17
SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018, 2:00 PM PT
PPL PARK, CHESTER, PA.
Episode 276 – The AFTN Soccer Show (World Cup Fever with guests Kendall Waston, Efrain Juarez, Aly Ghazal, Anibal Godoy, and Harold Cummings) – AFTN
With the Whitecaps off on a bye week, the AFTN crew are gripped by World Cup fever this week, as we look at the current tournament in Russia and celebrate the future one coming to North America in 2026.
What happens when Vancouver Whitecaps best player turns 18? – Eighty-Six Forever
Having a great 2018 thus far, the question now is what happens to Alphonso Davies in November when he turns 18 and can be transferred internationally?
Vancouver Whitecaps: Reviewing the Situation – Soccer Shorts
While the current World Cup blinds us all to every other sporting event rather like an alien spaceship hovering over the horizon intermittently blocking out the sun and intermittently dazzling us with its reflection, it’s easy to forget that the Vancouver Whitecaps are back in training and preparing for a game in Philadelphia next weekend.
VIDEO: Pura Vida: Kendall Waston’s journey to the World Cup (Part 2) – Whitecaps FC
The second of a three-part series on Kendall Waston’s journey to the World Cup: how the Costa Rican centre back chased his dream and made Vancouver home.
Orlando split with Kreis is understandable, but also a big risk – MLS
Jason Kreis is out, and Orlando City are once again riding a merry-go-round of their own making.
U.S. Open Cup Rewind: Sporting KC edges FC Dallas, Union top Red Bulls, and more – SBI
The Round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup got underway on Friday and continued on Saturday, with three MLS teams advancing.
How Beckham’s Galaxy career was saved by Arena – Four Four Two
In his new book, Bruce Arena reveals the conversation that kept David Beckham at LA Galaxy and the negotiations that sent him to Italy.
Groundhopping to Columbus: A dart to the heart – AFTN
Much about the Crew seems to be a missed opportunity. My friend Scott, the first guy I ever knew that loved MLS back when I met him more than a decade ago, even said the Crew’s colours, designed to attract fans from as far away as Pittsburgh, never really caught on broadly in a town that is red and grey. He laments the ability of the Crew to really market the club locally beyond the core supporters and fans who have always loved the team.
Find a Team or Find a Player with BC Soccer Web FREE Classifieds!
BC SOCCER NEWS
June 15 Road Match Report: Foothills FC vs TSS FC Rovers – Calgary Foothills FC
In a PDL Northwest Division top of the table class featuring two Canadian sides, it was Calgary Foothills FC that came away with a well deserved 1–0 victory over the second place TSS FC Rovers on Friday night.
Highlanders Bested by Strong Foothills Side in Father’s Day Matchup – Victoria Highlanders
Bruno Zebie opened the scoring for Foothills followed by an equalizer from Victoria’s Mackenzie Cole. Calgary’s Jay Wheeldon, Moses Danto and Sergio Camargo scored three more in the final third of the game to take the points back to Calgary.
Whitecaps U19s heading to USSDA playoffs in positive mood after drawing two familiar foes in “competitive group” – AFTN
The USSDA playoffs kick off on Monday, with a new home and a tweaked format. The USSDA signed a multi-year deal with San Diego to host the next few academy playoffs, with the 104-acre SoCal Sports Complex at Oceanside the tournament’s new home.
Women’s soccer hosts successful female leadership networking night – UBC
The UBC women’s soccer program held their first-ever Female Leadership Networking event last week in what was a successful night of discussion and information about the team and women’s athletics in general.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: KYSA seeks an Executive Director (PDF File) – KYSA
Kamloops Youth Soccer Association has an exciting opprtunity available for an Executive Director.
PHOTOS: BC Provincial Men’s A Cup: BCT Rovers Tigers Utd. 5, Langley Utd. 2 (XT) – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.
PHOTOS: 2018 BC Provincial Cup Parade of Champions – BC Soccer Web
See the winners from the 2018 BC Provincial Cup.
TSS Rovers release Season Tickets for the 2018 season – TSS Rovers
A great summer of soccer is in store at Swangard Stadium with the PDL & WPSL TSS Rovers. Season yickets are only $70.
Victoria Highlanders FC 2018 Season Tickets now on sale – Victoria Highlanders
Spend your summer with the PDL Highlanders at Centennial Stadium for only $75.
Canada’s College ID Camps set for Shawnigan Lake & Kingston, Ontario – Canada College ID Camps
Our purpose is to provide a space where players grade 9-12 can connect with college coaches from all levels in Canada and the USA. We hope to assist in the promotion of youth players into environments which will challenge them academically and athletically after high school.
Becoming a BC Soccer Referee – BCSA
Whether you are an experienced referee new to British Columbia or if you are new to the discipline of refereeing BC Soccer Assoc. has a clinic and a pathway for you. The minimum age to become a referee is 12 years old (small sided) and 14 years old (11-a-side). Please enjoy the short video showcasing some Referee programs that BC Soccer offers and continue below for more on how to become a referee in BC!
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.
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Stoke City transfer news: Interest in Junior Hoilett as contract talks stall – Stoke Sentinel
Junior Hoilett is understood to be on Stoke City’s shortlist of wingers as he stalls over the offer of a new contract at Cardiff.
FC London Smash OSU 6-0 In London – League1 Ontario
It was a total team effort from FC London men on a warm and humid Saturday afternoon, and the home fans were sent home happy after a comfortable 6-0 win over Ottawa South United, featuring three goals in each half.
Muschett With The Go Ahead Goal For Unionville In 2-1 Win Over Aurora – League1 Ontario
Unionville Milliken SC hauled their way back into this Matchday Seven Saturday match at home to defeat Aurora 2-1 in a riveting contest. The hosts jumped ahead with their first shot on target from Natalia Casiello (27′). She slipped behind Unionville’s backline to power strike an unstoppable ball for the keeper. The goal shifted the tempo of the match, allowing Aurora to play with some ease and retain ball possession.
World Cup 2026: the opportunity for sponsors in a burgeoning soccer superpower – The Drum
This is why sport tourism is such an important factor in civic development, whether you are drawing tourism regionally through local sports or inviting global events into the city. And this is what I’d like to focus on: not the attracting or the delivery of the event, but the civic activation around the event. How can a city envelop itself in a World Cup?
2026 World Cup Venues (Part 1): Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton – Waking the Red
Part 1 of our series examining the prospective Canadian hosts for the 2026 World Cup.
Canada Soccer Disciplinary Decision with respect to Canadian Championship hosts Oakville Blue Devils FC – CSA
Following a flare being ignited by a spectator at their home game v AS Blainville in the Canadian Championship on 13 June 2018, Oakville was charged with a single count of improper conduct by spectators.
First Capital Tournament brings thousands of soccer fans to Kingston – Global
While the best players in the world are battling on the pitch in Russia, kids aged 9 to 18 and their families took over Kingston’s soccer fields this weekend. Kingston United Soccer Club’s First Capital tournament is in its third year and played host to 116 teams. The event brings in thousands of people who spend their money at local hotels and restaurants.
Connect with Soccer! Advertise today with BC Soccer Web
USL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS
CHANEY HELPS FOXES RIDE OFFENSE TO 4-1 WIN OVER RANGERS – Fresno FC
Forward Christian Chaney opened the evening with a goal in the fourth-minute and soon followed it with an assist as the Foxes (4W-5L-7D) rode their offense to a 4-1 win over Swope Park Rangers (7W-3L-4D) on Father’s Day.
Match Recap: TFC II vs. Indy Eleven – Toronto FC
Toronto FC II battled USL newbies Indy Eleven in Rochester as part of the second of four games to be played at Marina Auto Stadium this year.
Fury FC, Atlanta United forced to suspend game because of lightning – Winnipeg Sun
About the last song the Ottawa Fury FC want to hear on a play-list right this moment, or anytime in fact, is the “Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia.”
Eastern Conf. Notebook – Defensive Depth Helps Cincinnati – USL
With a busy schedule in recent weeks FC Cincinnati has been shuffling the deck in defense to try and give everyone enough rest. That rotation worked on Saturday as Cincinnati took a 4-0 win against the Richmond Kickers in front of a season-high attendance of 28,026 at Nippert Stadium as Paddy Barrett and Justin Hoyte cycled into the lineup to join Blake Smith and Dekel Keinan, who had also started in the club’s 2-2 draw with Bethlehem Steel FC the prior Wednesday night.
Results: USL, Week 14 – Soccer America
Complete results from USL Week 14.
NWSL & WOMEN’S WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Undefeated No More: Utah Royals hand NC Courage first loss – Last Word on Soccer
The ancient proverb was put on display at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night. The Utah Royals FC handed the formerly undefeated North Carolina Courage their first loss of the season.
Aubrey Bledsoe stars as Washington Spirit, Seattle Reign FC fight to 0-0 draw – Black & Red United
The Washington Spirit and Seattle Reign FC both brought a lot of intensity to the table tonight, but ultimately their battle ended in a stalemate as big chances for both teams fell to the wayside in a 0-0 draw. Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe saved Megan Rapinoe’s 52nd minute penalty kick and added three more top-notch saves after halftime in a game that became more and more stretched as time wore on.
Chicago Red Stars and Portland Thorns share the points in a tough battle – Vavel
After a tough 90 minute battle the Chicago Red Stars and Portland Thorns each end the week with a point and look to improve for the next.
Manchester United Women’s team set to make surprise transfer announcements – Manchester Evening News
Since being appointed earlier this month Stoney has been piecing together her coaching staff and has already agreed 17 players ahead of the season starting in August and she was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to recruit players despite being in the second tier.
‘Patronising’ Patrice Evra slammed for applauding female co-star’s analysis – Yahoo Sports
Former Manchester United champion Patrice Evra has caused a sexism storm after applauding a women’s football star for her analysis on British television.
Plea to bring Wales Women’s crucial World Cup football qualifier against England to Wrexham – The Leader
WREXHAM’S Assembly Member has made a plea to bring the Wales Women’s national football team to the town for their crucial World Cup qualifier against England.
Find a Team or Find a Player with BC Soccer Web FREE Classifieds!
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Real Madrid set to meet Gareth Bale’s representatives over future – sources – ESPN
A meeting between Gareth Bale’s representatives and Real Madrid chiefs which could decide his long term future is to take place soon, sources have told ESPN FC.
Italian ‘disruption’: Serie A sell 114-game live package to Perform’s DAZN – Inside World Football
The controversial on-off sale of Italy’s Serie A TV rights have taken a new technology turn with Perform’s streaming service DAZN picking up a package of 114 matches a season in a three-year deal. DAZN are reckoned to be paying $700 million over the three years alongside Sky Italia who are paying $900 million a year for a 226 games-per-season package.
It’s confirmed: Club Leon parts ways with Landon Donovan – NBC Sports
Landon Donovan’s four-month adventure in Mexico appears to be over.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Mocked statue at Madeira airport is replaced – BBC Sport
A statue of Cristiano Ronaldo that was widely mocked and left football fans scratching their heads has been replaced.