WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Columbus Crew SC to host Portland Timbers in 2015 MLS Cup on December 6 – MLS
Eastern Conference champions Columbus Crew SC will host the Western Conference champion Portland Timbers on December 6 in the 2015 MLS Cup at MAPFRE Stadium. Canadian viewers can see the game on TSN and RDS.
Crew-Timbers matchup makes for compelling MLS Cup final – SI.com
It’s certainly not a match-up anyone would’ve predicted prior to the season, but after nine months of play and three rounds of playoffs, it’s hard to argue that the Columbus Crew and Portland Timbers haven’t earned their shot at an MLS Cup title. They’re talented and tactically flexible teams on a roll, and each deservedly dispatched the favored top seeds in the conference finals, which concluded Sunday.
And then there were two, as Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew SC advance to MLS Cup – MLS
There are stars in these two teams, the Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew SC. There are the dominant, rugged No. 9s, the brilliant Argentine No. 10s, and the African-born American No. 8s. There are the veteran defenders and the livewire fullbacks, and the wingers able to go from 0-to-60 at Formula 1 speeds.
Portland Timbers survive late FC Dallas fightback to reach MLS Cup – ESPN FC
The Portland Timbers survived a valiant comeback effort from FC Dallas, tying the second leg of the Western Conference finals 2-2 to earn a 5-3 aggregate victory. They will now progress to their first MLS Cup final since joining the league in 2011.
Portland Timbers defender Nat Borchers comes up with more late heroics to send team to MLS Cup – MLS
n the 92nd minute, the Portland Timbers clung to a one-goal aggregate-goal advantage in their Western Conference Championship decider against FC Dallas. And that’s when Dallas’ Blas Perez unleashed a stinging shot from close range, that would have almost certainly tied the game and sent the series to extra time. Instead, Borchers slid in at the last second to deflect the shot out for a corner. Minutes later, Portland would take the ball back down the field and seal their first trip to MLS Cup with a goal from Lucas Melano.
Finally finalists! Cascadia reaches first MLS Cup after Portland Timbers subdue Dallas – Prost Amerika
Portland Timbers secured passage to their first ever MLS Cup final after protecting their two goal lead from the first leg. Lucas Melano helped the Timbers salvage a 2-2 tie to win on a 5-3 aggregate and become the first Cascadian club to reach a MLS Cup final.
Columbus Crew SC took MLS conference finals by scruff of the neck – ESPN FC
Three quick thoughts after Columbus Crew SC outlasted the New York Red Bulls and advanced to next week’s MLS Cup, losing 1-0 at Red Bull Arena on Sunday but surviving a furious last-gasp push from the hosts to win the two-leg Eastern Conference championship 2-1 on aggregate.
Red Bulls have only themselves to blame for latest painful playoff exit – SBI
An inch. Maybe two. That was how close the New York Red Bulls came to pushing the Eastern Conference Finals into extra time. It never really seemed that close, however.
MLS Cup: It’s Portland v Columbus, but do the playoffs need to change? – The Guardian
Both teams deserve their place in the final but do the playoffs rules detract from the importance of the regular season?
Whitecaps FC defender Kendall Waston named to 2015 MLS Best XI – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC defender Kendall Waston has been named to the 2015 MLS Best XI, the league announced today. This is the first time a Whitecaps FC player has received the honour, which recognizes the league’s top 11 players, since the club’s entry in MLS in 2011.
TFC’s Giovinco, Impact’s Ciman, Whitecaps’ Waston named to MLS Best XI – canada.com
Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco is one of three players from Canadian teams to be named to Major League soccer’s Best XI, which recognizes the top 11 MLS players in a common soccer formation.
MLS Best XI: A new order – Soccer America
LA Galaxy forward Robbie Keane, earning his fourth consecutive selection, was the only repeat selection on the 2015 MLS Best XI. The 10 first-year players include two players who made their MLS debuts in 2015: Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco and Montreal’s Laurent Ciman.
The Boss of goss: Villa want Keane and Man City eye NYC keeper Saunders – The Sun
MANCHESTER CITY are bringing in New York City keeper Josh Saunders for a month to have a look at him. Saunders, 34, was one of the success stories of a hard first season for the new MLS outfit, which is owned by City.
David Beckham Abandons Little Havana MLS Plans: Reports – NBC Miami
International soccer star David Beckham has given up on the approval process to build a major league soccer stadium near Marlins Park, sources tell NBC 6. Miami City Commissioner Francis Suarez confirmed to NBC 6 that the Beckham stadium deal has been taken off the city commission agenda for Tuesday.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
FVSL PHOTO GALLERY: West Van FC Spurs 4 Coastal FC Utd. 0, Nov.29, 2015 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie & Monique Lamoureux
VISL Week 12 Results & Upcoming Schedule – VISL
Week 12 results for VISL Division 1 – Another win for Lakehill gets them out of the bottom spot and confuses the bottom 4 situation a little bit more.
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CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Interview with Charlie Trafford – Some Soccer Playing Canadians
Charlie Trafford is a midfielder who recently signed with Korona Kielce of Poland’s Ekstraklasa. After debuting in 2013, Trafford emerged as the most talked about Canadian playing in Finland’s top flight since Tosaint Ricketts.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Carli Lloyd, Jill Ellis named finalists for FIFA awards – SBI
U.S. Women’s National Team starlet Carli Lloyd is one of three finalists in the running to claim this year’s FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award. Japanese midfielder Aya Miyama and German striker Célia Šašić are the other two women named to FIFA’s shortlist.
Mark Sampson shortlisted for FIFA coach of the year award – The FA
England Women head coach Mark Sampson’s outstanding campaign has been recognised by FIFA, who have named him on the shortlist for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football award.
England’s Jill Scott seals Euro 2017 qualifying win over Bosnia-Herzegovina – The Guardian
It was meant to be a joyous, goal-filled occasion as England played their first home match since winning bronze at the summer’s World Cup finals in Canada. On a highly frustrating afternoon and in front of an enthusiastic, five-figure crowd at a windy and rain-swept Ashton Gate, however, Mark Sampson’s team had to settle for a 69th-minute goal by the substitute Jill Scott to beat a Bosnia-Herzegovina side regarded as one of the minnows of their Euro 2017 qualifying group.
Jill Scott: North-east spirit helped England reign in Bristol rain – The FA
Jill Scott joked that England’s contingent of players from the north east helped see them over the line against Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Women’s EURO qualifying scores – UEFA
Latest scores and fixtures from Women’s Euro 2017 Qualifying.
Women’s round-up: November 2015 – FIFA
FIFA.com rounds up another busy month of women’s football action, with champions crowned, transfers taking place and crucial qualifying steps being taken across the world.
SPIRIT RE-SIGN GOALKEEPER KELSEY WYS – NWSL
The Washington Spirit announced today that the club has signed goalkeeper Kelsey Wys to a new contract for the 2016 NWSL season. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Defense and rematches: A quick look at College Cup – The Equalizer
Elite Eight matches are in the books and the College Cup is set. This year’s NCAA women’s Division I soccer champion will be either Duke, Florida State, Penn State or Rutgers.
Westfield W-League Round 7 Review – Westfield W-League
Canberra United are the latest team to make a claim on second spot in the Westfield W-League thanks to a 4-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday.
Ireland Round-Up: Castlebar register first win – Continental Tyres Women’s National League
Castlebar Celtic collected their first victory of the season with an impressive 3-0 home win against Kilkenny United WFC on Saturday evening.
Scotland score 10 in Macedonia rout – BBC Sport
Stylish Scotland dismantled Macedonia 10-0 to sweep to the top of the Women’s Euro 2017 qualifying Group 1.
Wales women growing together, stronger – FIFA
Despite a modest population of just three million, Wales have certainly made a considerable impact on the game in recent years. Inspired by the development of stars such as Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale and Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, the Dragons have embarked on a dramatic ascendancy, rising from their lowest standing in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking of 117 in August 2011, to reaching eighth spot in the world in October 2015.
Women’s U-20: Colombia, a different team – CONMEBOL
The players on the Colombian national team on entering the dressing room find messages written on paper stuck to the walls or inside their lockers. What do these messages mean?
U.S. Women’s Team Is Big Hit On ‘FIFA 16’ – The Post Game
EA Sports’ FIFA video game debuted in 1993, but only its most recent edition, FIFA 16, includes female players. It features 12 international teams, including the U.S. Gamers have responded. “If you take the U.S. Women as a singular team and you look at the 600 teams you can play with on a global basis, not just in the U.S., the U.S. Women, they’re actually the 23rd-most played team around the world in FIFA 16, which is a stunning statistic,” says Peter Moore, EA Sports COO.
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NASL & USL NEWS
Taking Attendance 10/4/2015: USL First Division III League To Draw A Million – Kenn.com
The United Soccer League‘s 2015 postseason is building to a crescendo after its regular season hit a high note for American third division soccer. The USL became the first Division III league to draw a million fans over the course of a season, topping by about 50 percent the previous high, set last year.
New city, new club, new challenges for Eddies’ signing Keegan – FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton’s most recent signing Jake Keegan comes to a new club following two productive seasons with Galway United of the League of Ireland Premier Division. Keegan’s departure from the Irish club was met with a combination of disappointment and well-wishes across social media from United faithful due to his positive presence on and off the pitch.
Ottawa Fury Enter New Chapter In Off-Season – Midfield Press
Ottawa Fury FC all but closed out the first chapter of their life in the NASL when Marc Dos Santos departed the club earlier this month. The Montreal native was able to build a squad from scratch, develop Canadian players while also bringing in European and South American talent, taking the club to a Championship Final in just their second season.
Tiyi Shipalane Is Ready To Lead The RailHawks In 2016 – NASL
Carolina RailHawks midfielder Tiyi Shipalane was an integral part of the RailHawks’ 2015 roster, leading the team with nine assists and amassing seven goals. Now, after re-signing with the RailHawks for the 2016 season, Shipalane is ready to bring a championship to WakeMed Soccer Park and the RailHawks community.
Jim Rooney Joins Jacksonville Armada FC Coaching Staff – NASL
Newly named Jacksonville Armada FC head coach and technical director Tony Meola started putting the pieces of his coaching staff in place on Wednesday with the addition of former MLS all-star and U.S. U-17 national team assistant Jim Rooney.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Nominees for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2015 awards revealed – FIFA
The nominees for the FIFA Ballon d’Or are, in alphabetical order: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona) and Neymar (Brazil/FC Barcelona). Meanwhile, Carli Lloyd (USA/Houston Dash), Aya Miyama (Japan/Okayama Yunogo Belle), and Célia Šašić (Germany/1. FFC Frankfurt) are in the running for the women’s award.
Lionel Messi to win Ballon d’Or, but does Ronaldo deserve his place? – ESPN FC
While Messi is likely to walk away with the prize, Ronaldo’s place in the final three is more on reputation that anything he’s achieved, and he may even lose out to Neymar in the final vote. In truth, Luis Suarez probably deserves a place on the podium more.
Ronaldo becomes La Liga’s third all-time top scorer – Goal
The Portuguese striker netted his side’s second goal of the afternoon from the penalty spot during a 2-0 win over Eibar to equal fellow Merengue favorite Sanchez.
Leicester’s Jamie Vardy makes history to show the pest is the best – The Guardian
There was a tangible sense of excitement whenever Vardy was anywhere near the goal and Leicester’s fans were never in any doubt he would eclipse Ruud van Nistelrooy’s goalscoring record.
Mourinho lets truth slip out about Chelsea – Sportsnet
Most of the time you have to take whatever Jose Mourinho says in public with a great deal of skepticism, such is the Portuguese manager’s reputation for playing games in the media. This was not one of those times. Instead, it was a rare instance of Mourinho letting his guard down and speaking without a filter.
Arsenal dealt double injury blow as Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla ruled out of Olympiacos showdown – The Mirror
Arsene Wenger has been dealt a double injury blow as Arsenal’s season was plunged into crisis. Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla are both set to miss Arsenal’s crunch Champions League showdown at Olympiacos on December 9.
Revitalised front line puts Juventus back in title race – The Guardian
A fourth consecutive win for Juventus, and suddenly the notion – posited quite widely after their slow start – that they were ever out of the title race starts to look a little silly. The Bianconeri still have ground to make up, and I certainly would not name them as my favourites for the Scudetto at this stage, but I do have them in my top three.
Bolton Wanderers players yet to receive wages for November – The Guardian
Bolton Wanderers players are yet to receive their wages for November, the club has confirmed. A statement on the club’s website read: “Bolton Wanderers Football Club can today, Monday 30 November, confirm that the first-team playing squad are yet to receive their wages for the month of November. This is due to the ongoing situation surrounding the club’s ownership off the field.”
Wake Forest, Stanford and surprising Boston College among teams heading to NCAA quarterfinals – SBI
A handful of surprise teams reached the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday, and no result was more shocking than No. 3 seed Georgetown falling to unseeded Boston College.
Pumas beats Veracruz, Toluca tops Puebla to make Apertura semifinals – ESPN FC
Regular-season league leader Pumas defeated Veracruz 1-0 on Sunday and advanced to the Liga MX Apertura 2015 semifinals.
AFC recognises a winning year as it honours its best Bollywood-style – Inside World Football
On a glittering Bollywood-style night of entertainment and awards in New Delhi, India, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) honoured their players and federations with a series of awards for a season that AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa says has taken the region to new levels.
Socceroos, Ange Postecoglou big winners at AFC Awards – Sydney Morning Herald
Ange Postecoglou has been named Asian football’s coach of the year, while the Socceroos were judged national team of the year after their historic Asian Cup win at the AFC Annual Awards in India on Sunday night.
Jemal goal wins CAF Cup for Etoile Sahel – CAF
Ammar Jemal scored in the first half to give hosts Etoile Sahel of Tunisia a 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates of South Africa on Sunday to lift the CAF Confederation Cup. Etoile triumphed 2-1 on aggregate in the final of the second-tier African club competition following a 1-1 first-leg draw in Soweto last Saturday.
CONMEBOL backs Infantino, while players union tells Sexwale to do the hard yards – Inside World Football
Without a presidential candidate of their own, the South American confederation CONMEBOL says it will back Gianni Infantino (pictured) to succeed Sepp Blatter in February’s ballot, an early indication of the support the current UEFA general secretary may receive in addition to his own European members.
Remembering Best, a decade later – TSN
I had the utmost pleasure of once meeting George Best back in April 1997 at the Toronto Soccer Expo. Although clearly showing his age, that famous twinkle was still in his eye. A swarm of people were there to greet him, and he had time for everyone. Those few minutes spent in his company, an experience I won’t ever forget.