BC Soccer News, Monday, March 20, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

 VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC  0  TORONTO FC  2

MATCHDAY #3

SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 2017, 1:00 PM

BC PLACE, VANCOUVER, BC

MLS PHOTOS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0 Toronto FC 2, March 18, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

Report and Reaction: Sweary Shea costs ‘Caps points against TFC – AFTN
After a week that saw Vancouver play in three different countries, suffering three different defeats (is that a first?), the ten man Whitecaps ended their disappointing North American journey with a 2-0 loss to Canadian rival TFC.

10-men ‘Caps fall 2-0 to Toronto at BC Place – Whitecaps FC
Toronto FC scored twice in the span of five minutes late in the second half en route to a 2-0 win over 10-men Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday afternoon at BC Place.

Whitecaps hit new low with Shea Red Card – Whitecaps Fan Blog
Having to endure Major League Soccer season 2016 as a Vancouver Whitecaps season ticket holder was tough, but early indications have 2017 being worse. The Whitecaps have played three Major League Soccer games with only one point gained thus far via a boring 0-0 tie with Philadelphia on the first match day. In three games the Whitecaps have two goals and have conceded five. Now they have as many red cards as they have goals: new acquisition Brek Shea got him self sent off for dissent in the second half of Saturday’s 0-2 loss to Canadian rival Toronto FC .

Whitecaps’ Waston: Everything at the moment is against us – Sportsnet
Brek Shea stood on the pitch, shooting daggers at referee Ismail Elfath. The Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder had just forced Toronto FC defender Nick Hagglund to the ground, drawing a yellow card in the 70th minute of Saturday’s contest at BC Place. But it was what Shea did next that proved costly for his team.

Victor Vazquez helps Toronto FC end road trip on a high by banishing curse of 10 men – Waking the Red
One goal can go a long way. Victor Vazquez’s first for Toronto FC, a header after tidy set-up work from Jozy Altidore and Raheem Edwards, earned the Reds their first win of the 2017 season.

Richey a bright spot for Whitecaps in loss to Toronto FC – Sportsnet
The night before an important moment in his soccer career, Spencer Richey didn’t sleep at all. It wasn’t that Richey was nervous about a game the next day. Rather, the young goalkeeper couldn’t fall asleep, he later explained, because he was anxious to learn whether he would get his chance.

Witty Richey makes MLS debut – Whitecaps FC
Early this year, before the signings of Fredy Montero and Yordy Reyna, Spencer Richey responded to a tweet from a fan upset with the lack of roster movement by saying: “What about the “sweet a** new goalkeeper?”

Whitecaps keeper Ousted keeping the faith, confident wins will come – Vancouver Sun
As reporters peppered Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson post-game with questions about the team’s lack of finish, discipline and inability to win, his all-star keeper was offering free stress therapy outside the media room.

Whitecaps still have no particular place to go – Soccer Shorts
The first priority of a football coach is to win games. The second priority is to entertain the home fans. Take care of both and you’re a god. Take care of the first and nothing else matters. Take care of the second and you’ll be given some leeway before the axe finally falls. Right now Carl Robinson is taking care of neither and for the second consecutive home MLS game the Whitecaps failed to score and failed to even threaten against an Eastern Conference opponent as they went down 2-0 to Toronto FC at BC Place.

MLS Weekend Rewind: Week 3 – SBI
With week three all wrapped up, several teams continued to establish themselves as the real deal, while others have fans bracing for the long season ahead in unfulfilling fashion.

MLS Week 3 Recap: A Thriller in Portland – Empire of Soccer
The third week of the 2017 Major League Soccer season did not lack for action. Referees awarded seven penalties and showed four red cards. There were 36 goals scored in 11 games, 6 on Saturday night in Portland and 4 more by expansion tlanta, which leads the league with 11 through three games.

Goals, goofs and gaiety: just another regular weekend in MLS – The Guardian
This was supposed to be a season of maturity for Major League Soccer, but as Portland’s 4-2 win over Houston showed, it still has some growing up to do.

Fighting for minutes in Montreal, Oduro stakes his claim with clutch strike – MLS
Maybe it’s the weather, or the compact pitch, or the New York-style pizza. Whatever it is, Dominic Oduro has found a comfort level at Yankee Stadium.

NYCFC Rues Missed Chances in Draw – Empire of Soccer
Their shooting was as cold as the winds the swept across Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon and New York City FC paid for some poor finishing by dropping two points. Dominic Oduro’s late goal would snatch a 1–1 draw for the Montreal Impact.

Impact’s difficulty in building attacks a worrying trend – Sportsnet
There is still some magic in this Montreal Impact team.  When it seemed like only a matter of time before New York City FC was going to add to their one-goal lead in Saturday’s game at Yankee Stadium, which ended 1-1, the Impact managed to pull themselves level with a fine goal.

Brian Schmetzer encouraged by Seattle Sounders’ attack after win vs. RBNY – MLS
The Seattle Sounders’ triumph over the New York Red Bulls at CenturyLink Field on Sunday wasn’t just the Western Conference team’s first win of 2017.

It’s tough to be the champs, but Sounders out to prove last year was no fluke – Seattle Times
There are many reasons it’s tough to repeat as champions, but the Sounders have some motivation to prove it wasn’t just luck that landed them the MLS Cup.

Atlanta United capture first-ever home victory in 4-0 rout of Chicago Fire – Atlanta United
Another sellout crowd in Atlanta for ATL UTD’s second home match, but this time the United supporters had much more than one goal to cheer for and a first-ever monumental home victory to take with them. Atlanta United defeated the Chicago Fire 4-0 recording the club’s first clean sheet of the season. Led by a brace from Josef Martinez, the expansion side marked its second straight victory claiming 6 points from three matches on the season.

Shorthanded Loons Earn 2-2 Draw Against Colorado – Minnesota United
There couldn’t have been a starker contrast between last week’s home opener and tonight’s away match in Commerce City. Instead of a snowy 19 degrees, it was a pleasant 80 degrees as Minnesota United faced the Colorado Rapids in front of 14,013 fans, playing their first match on grass.

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BC SOCCER NEWS

VISL Cup Finalists Set – VISL
A busy weekend up and down the Island as semifinals for 3 of 4 Major Cups were taking place. All 4 VISL Cup Finals have confirmed Finalists.

Vikes women capture Keg Spring Cup title, men finish third – UVic
A dominant 2-0 win over the Trinity Western Spartans capped off a perfect weekend for the UVic Vikes women’s soccer team, as they won the Keg Spring Cup tournament hosted at Centennial Stadium on March 18-19.

Oak Bay soccer products picked to take on Scotland – Time Colonist
Adam Straith is one of Canadian soccer’s most reliable defenders and Simon Thomas among its emerging goalkeepers. It’s been an uncannily similar trajectory as the players, both 26, grew up in adjacent neighbourhoods in Oak Bay and came through Bays United and Lower Island Metro.

OBITUARY: Richard Dale Acaster  – Legacy.com
Dick Acaster was a member of the 1949 Canadian Championship team from Vancouver North Shore. A Celebration of Life will be held March 25.

Comox Valley United Soccer U13 Select Girls win gold – Comox Valley Echo
The Comox Valley United Soccer U13 Select Girls travelled to Surrey to participate in the Surrey Mayors Cup Tournament on March 10-12, 2017.

BC Soccer Assoc. Scholarships – BCSA
BC Soccer is proud to award scholarships every year to players and referees proceeding on to post-secondary education. The Scholarships are presented at a special Scholarship Celebration at a Whitecaps FC match in June/July each year. Applications must be received by the British Columbia Soccer Association Office by March 31st.

REVIEW: The Miracle Mile. Stories of the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games – BC BookLook
Author Jason Beck is curator of the BC Sports Hall of Fame in BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, and convenor two years ago of an excellent exhibition about the 1954 Games. In his first book, he proves to be a meticulous researcher, a compelling story-teller, and a crafty realist who knows how to hook his readers. Watch how, two pages into the book, he uses filmic technique to evoke the arriving athletes’ youthful buzz and give period colouring and costuming, but then smartly moves his camera in to introduce his stars.

TSS Rovers launch website & 2017 Season Ticket Campaign – TSS Rovers
TSS FC Rovers play their inaugural season in the PDL at iconic Swangard Stadium. Season Tickets are $70 for Adults, $49 for U12 Youth.

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!

To our Readers: A Choice – BC Soccer Web
Soccer has brought us to the United States many times. It’s a great place with decent people. We especially look forward to our Cascadia trips to Seattle and Portland. They’re incredible cities with wonderful supporters. That’s why it was so disheartening to see chaos and fear take hold in the airports and borders of our neighbours to the south.

BC Soccer Assoc. is Now Accepting 2016-2017 Awards Nominations – BCSA
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 sale – Highlanders 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, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

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 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.

3v3 Live Soccer Tour Comes to Canada

CANADA SOCCER NEWS

A letter to new Canadian men’s team coach Octavio Zambrano – the11.ca
Welcome to Canada, Mr. Zambrano! Congrats on being named on the head coach of the men’s national team. Your résumé is certainly impressive; the second highest winning percentage of any coach in MLS history; a well-documented coaching and technical-director history in your native Ecuador; and, maybe, most importantly, a year with Tatabánya in the Hungarian league.

Canada Soccer announces squads to compete in Scotland and Qatar – CSA
Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team Program has announced their squads for upcoming March 2017 camps in Scotland and Qatar. The two squads will represent Canada on separate continents during the FIFA window for international matches.

Scotland v Canada: Celtic’s Stuart Armstrong ready for first cap, says Brendan Rodgers – BBC Sport
The uncapped 24-year-old midfielder scored his 12th goal of the season in Sunday’s 2-1 win away to Dundee. Asked if Armstrong should be a candidate to face Canada on Wednesday, Rodgers said: “Yes, I think so.

Ball rolling on professional soccer in Hamilton – Hamilton Spectator
The president of Soccer Canada says that “more than 10” potential owners have expressed interest in the impending national professional soccer league, which would include a Hamilton franchise at Tim Hortons Field.

Canada Soccer holds first NEX U20 camp in lead up to 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup – CSA
Canada Soccer has invited players into a Women’s National Excel (NEX) Camp as preparations begin for the next FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2018 in France. The camp taking place from 12 -21 March 2017 at Fortius in Burnaby, brings together players from throughout the EXCEL system.

Viareggio Cup Journal: Final Recap – Toronto FC
TFC III turned heads at this prestigious tournament, showing their talent, grit, heart and determination against high-level European competition. Coach Danny Dichio’s squad left a favorable impression, showing that hockey is not the only sport Canadians can play.

Levis, Kambeitz named Saskatchewan’s best of 2016 – CSA
The Saskatchewan Soccer Association celebrated their best of 2016 at the annual Technical & Recognition Awards. Winners included Male Player of the Year Brett Levis and Female Athlete of the Year Ashley Kambeitz.

Canada Soccer completes trio of U-15 identification camps – CSA
Canada Soccer has completed a trio of Boys’ U-15 identification camps as part of the Men’s EXCEL Program. The national identification camps have helped lay the groundwork for this summer’s CONCACAF Boys’ Under-15 Championship.

Canada Soccer looking for candidates to serve on the Board of Directors starting May 2017 – CSA
Deadline for application is 4:00 pm ET on Wednesday, 22 March 2017.

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2017 USL Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 – USL
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 started the 2016 season with the longest undefeated streak in the USL, and ended it with a surge to earn both its first postseason berth and a trip to the Western Conference Final of the USL Cup Playoffs. A number of key players from the club’s successful second season are back for another year, too, which gives new Head Coach Rich Fagan a good framework to build around.

WFC2 Re-Signs Goalkeeper Village – USL
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 announced on Friday that the club had re-signed goalkeeper Mark Village, pending league and federation approval. “Mark is a consummate professional and a team leader,” said WFC2 Head Coach Rich Fagan. “He is a very vocal goalkeeper and a joy to have in the team. We’re delighted to have him with our group.”

Puerto Rico FC Misses Out on CONCACAF Champions League – Empire of Soccer
The North American Soccer League team closed out the group stage of the CFU Championship over the weekend with a commanding 4-0 win over the Cayman Islands’ Premier League champion Scholars International, but the victory was not enough to carry the club to the final round of the tournament and a chance to reach the Champions League.

Oklahoma City Energy signs Anthony Wallace – Once a Metro
A highlight-prone left back for RBNY in 2015, Wallace now seems to be a fully-fledged D2 journeyman.

2017 USL Preview – The Newcomers – USL
How will newcomers Ottawa, Reno and Tampa Bay fare?

Women’s Champions League quarter-finals: the full lowdown – UEFA
The quarter-finals begin on Wednesday and we preview the action as Lyon take on Wolfsburg, Bayern play Paris, Fortuna Hørring meet Manchester City and Rosengård face Barcelona.

NWSL Preseason roundup: Leroux, A-Rod score on returns – The Equalizer
Sydney Leroux and Amy Rodriguez, both of whom missed all of 2016 for maternity leave, scored a goal apiece in FC Kansas City’s 7-0 preseason rout of the University of Missouri on Sunday. Leroux started and scored a 21st minute goal on an assist from Shea Groom. Rodriguez played the second half and scored on an assist from Jenn Hellstrom in the 78th minute before returning the favor to Hellstrom in the 89th.

Arsenal Ladies hit 10 against Tottenham in Women’s FA Cup – Sky Sports
Holders Arsenal Ladies are through to the quarter-finals of the SSE Women’s FA Cup after romping to a 10-0 victory over Tottenham at Meadow Park.

FA Women’s Cup Fifth Round: Goals galore as top tier teams dominate – Vavel
Plenty of action and goals across the ties but who goes into the draw for the quarter final?

Manchester City Women hope Carli Lloyd will Bring European Success – Football Thinkers
The 2015/16 season was an unprecedented success for MCWFC. Under managed Nick Cushing, the team achieved the league and cup double for the first time in their history. The one trophy that did elude them was the Champions League. Losing 2-1 over two legs against Brøndby IF, the side were denied the chance for a treble but this season the scoreline was reversed and now City are into the quarter finals.

Katie’s got a mountain to climb for world’s highest football match – Basingstoke Observer
While the local playing field is the traditional location for a kickabout, not many people consider a game on top of one of the world’s highest mountains. But one Basingstoke woman is set for the experience of a lifetime as she joins up with a team of people for a match near the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

Sunday European Rewind: Man City draw with Liverpool, Atletico defeat Sevilla, and more – SBI
In the mouth-watering match of the day across Europe, Manchester City fought back for a 1-1 draw against visiting Liverpool.

Why epic Liverpool draw is proudest day of Guardiola’s career – SN
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool is one of the proudest days of his career and, if you can look past a bit of hyperbole, it is not hard to see why he is so happy.

Juventus wins at Sampdoria but loses Dybala to injury – Sportsnet
Juventus ground out a 1-0 win at Sampdoria on Sunday but will be left counting the cost after losing Paulo Dybala to injury ahead of a tough run of matches.

Italy has ‘taken a huge step backwards’ in judgement of referees – Nicchi – ESPN FC
The president of the Italian Referees’ Association (AIA), Marcello Nicchi, says that recent discussions about refereeing in Serie A are only delaying plans for officials to be allowed to give their own views in future.

‘Serie A was financially doped, but can be the best again’ – Buffon – SN
Gianluigi Buffon believes that Serie A can become the best league in Europe once again after suffering the after effect of what he terms ‘financial doping’.

Week 30 review: Mbappé maintains Monaco momentum – Ligue 1
A double from red-hot striker Kylian Mbappé helped AS Monaco to stay three points clear at the top, but Leonardo Jardim’s men can’t shake second-placed Paris Saint-Germain, who passed a stiff test with a 2-1 come-from-behind win at home to Lyon.

Mueller helps Bayern beat ‘Gladbach, stretch Bundesliga lead – Sportsnet
Thomas Mueller scored on his 250th Bundesliga appearance to stretch Bayern Munich’s lead to 13 points with a 1-0 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Sunday.

German Football League chief wants more competition for Bayern Munich – ESPN FC
German Football League CEO Christian Seifert has urged Bundesliga clubs to increase the level of competition for runaway leaders Bayern Munich, while also praising Premier League sides for their “solidarity” over TV money distribution.

Ryan McBride: Derry City captain dies aged 27 – BBC Sport
The defender died a day after leading his side in a 4-0 victory over Drogheda United in the League of Ireland Premier Division, the top league in the Republic of Ireland. The cause of his death is not yet known.

FIFA bans referee after influencing result of World Cup qualifier – ESPN FC
Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey has been banned for life by FIFA after being found guilty of influencing the result of a World Cup qualifying match.

Man United returning to United States for pre-season tour – Sportsnet
The team will play in five cities across the country on a two-week tour in July, with matches in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Santa Clara and Washington. United has yet to announce the fifth city for the games or the opposition.

Leyton Orient: Francesco Becchetti given until 12 June to pay debts or sell – BBC Sport
Leyton Orient have survived an immediate winding-up order but the club remain in “mortal danger”, according to the legal adviser to their fans’ trust.

Pro-Wenger banner fans: We only want more respect for the manager on and off the pitch – SN
A group of Arsenal fans from Hong Kong has revealed the need for Arsene Wenger to be shown more respect was behind their decision to pay for a banner in support of the Gunners manager.

City Football Group targets new club acquisitions – Inside World Football
City Football Group (CFG) are “focused on” expanding the number of clubs they have under ownership from the their current four of Manchester City. New York City FC, Melbourne City and Yokohama F Marinos, according to chief commercial officer Tom Glick.

Melbourne City give reminder that for football to flourish it has to entertain – The Guardian
On Saturday night, a funny thing happened: Melbourne City entertained their home crowd for a full 90 minutes. The 4-0 rout of Newcastle Jets was only the second time City have scored more than twice at AAMI Park this season and the first occasion they’ve won at home by more than a single goal.

Marcus Rashford: The Number 9 – The Players’ Tribune
Growing up in Manchester, my family had a little competition going on. Whenever they were buying me a gift for my birthday or for Christmas or whatever, they always knew the easy thing to get me. The latest football kit. But coming from Manchester, families can be … divided. At least mine was. Half my family were United supporters and the other half were City.