WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Renewing a rivalry, going for history: Big week ahead for Whitecaps FC – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC are gearing up for their final two home matches of August as they get set to host rivals FC Dallas and Montreal Impact.
Building on heartbreak: How Whitecaps FC used last year’s playoff loss to FC Dallas as fuel for 2015 – Whitecaps FC
“Remember how it felt.” Those are the exact words Carl Robinson used when addressing the team on the first day of preseason back in January. The ‘Caps manager, of course, was referencing Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s heartbreaking playoff defeat to FC Dallas just three months prior.
Vancouver Whitecaps hope to learn from recent collapses after “constructive” team meeting – MLS
“You can call it that if you want,” Robinson told reporters when asked about the defensive collapses. “At certain times we switched off. We’ve had two different teams out there. I’m sure people will say ‘they concede goals,’ but prior to Saturday we had the best defensive record in the league, so it’s a new question this week. We’ve just got to concentrate a little bit more.”
Seattle Sounders 2, Olimpia 1 | CONCACAF Champions League Match Recap – MLS
The Seattle Sounders took a wild 2-1 win in their second CONCACAF Champions League matchup against Honduras’ Club Olimpia, riding a late penalty kick from captain Brad Evans to the improbable comeback win Wednesday night at CenturyLink Field.
Sounders vs. CD Olimpia, recap: Seattle pulls off improbable win – Sounder at Heart
The epitaph was all but written: Here lie the Seattle Sounders’ chances of winning the CONCACAF Champions League. That it would come in just the second game of the group stage seemed harsh, but after starting a lineup that would have looked far more at home in the USL, it was perhaps fitting.
Champions League: DC United credit their “fight” in important road win over Arabe Unido – MLS
D.C. United leaned on some excellent goalkeeping and managed to find a late winner against Panamanian side Árabe Unido on Thursday evening, collecting all three points with a 1-0 victory in hostile territory. Though three games remain, United have set themselves up nicely in group H, where D.C. and Árabe seem likely to be the two teams clashing for the top spot and a place in the tournament’s quarterfinals.
San Jose Earthquakes play “inspired soccer” vs. Sporting KC on Chris Wondolowski’s landmark night – MLS
Wondolowski tallied a brace as the Quakes ripped apart a listless Sporting Kansas City defense en route to a 5-0 road victory Wednesday. The goals — a 17th-minute penalty kick, followed by a 61st-minute header — were Wondolowski’s 99th and 100th in regular-season league play for the Quakes, making him the club’s first player to reach that plateau.
Columbus Crew SC 2, New York City FC 2 | MLS Match Recap – MLS
New York City FC’s star-studded trio of Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard and David Villa may have dominated the headlines coming into Wednesday night’s match against Columbus Crew SC, but it was a couple of newcomers and an MLS veteran – along with an hour-long severe weather delay – that defined the evening at MAPFRE Stadium.
Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Teams 2015 – Forbes
The influx of talent has been made possible by team owners willing to spend, and spend big. Those investments, which have ranged from mere player salaries to massive soccer stadiums, have led to rising attendance, TV viewership and, most importantly, revenue. The average team is now worth $157 million, up 52% from when we last looked at the league two years ago.
Montreal Impact announce sellout for Didier Drogba’s MLS debut against Philadelphia Union – MLS
On Wednesday, the Montreal Impact announced that Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Union (5 pm PT; MLS LIVE in the US, TVA Sports in Canada) will be played in front of a sellout crowd of 20,801.
Boyz taking a hit with MLS salaries – Jamaica Gleaner
On the field, Jamaica was better than the United States (US) during Gold Cup 2015. At the bank, however, US internationals are cashing in more than Reggae Boyz in North America’s top professional football competition. According to figures released recently by the union representing players in Major League Soccer (MLS), Jamaicans generally make far less than their American counterparts, which has left some Boyz claiming lack of respect.
Marco Pappa Cleared to Rejoin Sounders – Prost Amerika
The Seattle Sounders have just announced that after having successfully completed the MLS Substance Abuse Behavioral Health Program, midfielder Marco Pappa is set to rejoin the club. The Guatamalan international hasn’t started since being pulled over for driving under the influence on July 19th.
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WFC2 & USL NEWS
Here’s Why MLS Should Put A Ring on Sacramento – American Soccer Now
If the metrics MLS has publicly identified as prerequisites for joining the league are those upon which it actually relied in making expansion decisions, Sacramento is the obvious choice.
HNTB Selected to Design Sacramento MLS Stadium – Sacramento Republic FC
Today, Sac Soccer & Entertainment Holdings LLC (SSEH) announced the hiring of HNTB as Lead Architect to design the proposed MLS stadium in downtown Sacramento. The decision represents the culmination of a highly competitive selection process that included several leading national and international sports architecture firms.
USL Roundup: Sacramento shakes up technical staff – Soccer America
In the wake of a midseason departure by former head coach Preki and the hiring of Paul Buckle to replace him, Sacramento Republic FC has changed titles and responsibilities of several key members, effective immediately.
Philadelphia Union bring professional soccer back to history-rich area with owned and operated USL team – MLS
During the 2013 and 2014 seasons, the Philadelphia Union paid homage to one of the greatest American soccer teams ever – Bethlehem Steel FC – by wearing jerseys in their honor for some games, including all of their US Open Cup contests last year. You can be sure that city’s rich soccer history in the early part of the 20th century was a big determining factor in the Union’s plan to launch a new USL team to the region, which they announced at a formal press conference Wednesday at Lehigh University.
Louisville CIty FC seeks sustainability, starts stadium talks – Courier-Journal
Louisville mayor Greg Fischer said this week he remains “very bullish” on his town as a spot for potential Major League Soccer expansion. In the short term, Louisville City FC officials are working to ensure they’ll be in position to answer a call from the nation’s top-tier league.
United Soccer League’s quest to keep up with soccer’s growth will require significant stadium work from half of teams – Penn Live
The City Islanders play in cities that boast multiple major league professional sports teams – New York, Charlotte, Pittsburgh. When major-market squads visit central Pennsylvania, they end up at Skyline Sports Complex, a soccer-specific stadium in the shadow of baseball’s Metro Bank Park.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
BC Soccer Assoc. Age Specific Coach Education Mandate – BCSA
Coach education and certification continues to be a major priority for BC Soccer and the mandated age specific coach certification date of June 1, 2016 is quickly approaching. BC Soccer is pleased to be working with members and their affiliate clubs on the In-Club Learning Faciliator initative which is a call to action to put forward appropriate indidivuals to be trained as BC Soccer Coaching Learning Facilitators to assist and deliver coaching courses in the community stream.
District clears Surrey soccer club of abuse of authority allegations – CKNW
A Surrey soccer club fighting suspension is through the first barrier to getting its nearly 3,000 players back on the field. A disciplinary hearing has cleared managers from the Central City Breakers girls’ club of abusing its authority and mishandling club funds.
SDGSA Suspension to be Lifted – Central City Breakers FC
The Ad Hoc Discipline Committee set up by the South District Girls Soccer Association (SDGSA) to hear the allegations against Central City Football Club has made their ruling. The committee has recommended that Central City Football Club be reinstated by the District and all suspensions be lifted. The Club has agreed to hold a Special General Meeting by October 15, 2015 to hold new elections based on the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Discipline Committee.
WolfPack Men’s Soccer To Close Out Pre-Season With Exhibition Tourney – TRU
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s soccer team will put some more touches on preparing for the 2015-16 Canada West season this week. The WolfPack will see their only home pre-season match action beginning Thursday (Aug 20) afternoon when they entertain the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves. Kickoff is 4 pm.
Vikes women’s soccer squad set for first preseason test – Times Colonist
A massive rebuild begins for the graduation-depleted University of Victoria Vikes when they open their women’s soccer preseason with an exhibition game today at 3:30 p.m. at Centennial Stadium against the Peninsula College Pirates from Port Angeles.
Solid showings for Cascade soccer teams vs. NCAA foes – UFV
The University of the Fraser Valley soccer teams launched into their exhibition schedules in earnest on Tuesday, turning in encouraging performances against NCAA opponents.
Whitecaps FC announce U-16 Residency roster for 2015-16 season –Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the club’s U-16 Residency roster for their upcoming 2015-16 United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) season.
Late bloomer wins NCAA scholarship – Maple Ridge News
The elite select teams don’t always pick the best players, and those kids who have not been designated the best in their age class should not lose track of their sports dreams. That’s the message Pitt Meadows soccer player Rachel Lee wants up-and-coming athletes to hear, as she prepares to start her career as an NCAA first division goalkeeper.
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Shores, Shome and FC Edmonton Academy part of a much larger picture – FC Edmonton
When FC Edmonton Academy’s 2015 Edmonton District Soccer Association (EDSA) season concludes, it will also mark the official end to the tenures of longtime Academy players Shamit Shome and Thomas Shores, as the pair of players head into the next stage of their soccer careers at the collegiate level.
Fury FC Midfielder Phil Davies Announces His Retirement – Ottawa Fury FC
Ottawa Fury FC midfielder Phil Davies has announced his retirement. The native of Longueuil, Quebec will however remain in the sport as he has taken a position with the Association Régionale de Soccer de la Rive-Sud. Davies’ professional career began at the age of 18 with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2009.
Durham United Women’s MVP dominates the League1 scoreboard – OSA
Competition has not slowed down since the L1O Cup finals last weekend. The teams played through the extreme heat alert and put on a good show for their supporters.
Canadian Beckie one to watch ahead of Rio Games – Sportsnet
Janine Beckie is planning on having a career-defining year. The Canadian striker is suiting up in her senior season with Texas Tech, looking to lead her side back to the NCAA Tournament this fall. She’s made the “Watch List” for the MAC Hermann trophy (awarded to the top player in collegiate soccer) along with fellow Canadians Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Task Force calls for greater inclusion and participation of women – FIFA
The calls to action made at the sixth FIFA Women’s Football Symposium, held during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, were central to the discussions of the FIFA Task Force for Women’s Football which met in Zurich today.
USA overcome Tennessee thunderstorms to ease past Costa Rica – The Guardian
The sellout crowd in Chattanooga probably expected it to rain goals: after all, they were watching the world champions against a team they’d walloped 8-0 on Sunday. But the rain took a literal turn as a long match delay due to thunderstorms resulted in an unusual – and occasionally sloppy – 7-2 win for USA over Costa Rica.
Aly Wagner: US Soccer must help NWSL grow – The Equalizer
Aly Wagner is more than qualified to speak about the growth of women’s soccer. She played for the U.S. for 10 years, scoring 21 goals in 131 appearances, winning two Olympic gold medals and appearing in two World Cups. She is now an analyst for Fox Sports.
Chicago Local 134 Brings the Noise to NWSL Games – American Soccer Now
IT’S TWO HOURS BEFORE KICKOFF and the temperature is a sultry 88 degrees, but a hardcore collection of Chicago Red Stars’ fans are already in full pre-game mode.
Women’s Champions League: Chelsea to face Glasgow City – BBC Sport
Women’s FA Cup winners Chelsea Ladies will face Glasgow City in an all-British tie in the Women’s Champions League round of 32.
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NASL NEWS
The long game: time is on New York Cosmos chairman Seamus O’Brien’s side – The Guardian
The chairman of New York Cosmos 2.0 is taking a patient tack when it comes to restoring American soccer’s most successful club to their former glory
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
FIFA Club Licensing to go global by end of 2016 – FIFA
FIFA will create a global club licensing framework by the end of 2016, working with the six regional confederations to improve club football by setting minimum standards in key areas such as stadium safety, fan experience and youth football development.
Miami FC’s Silva beginning process to create ‘Americas Champions League’ – SBI
Having worked with AC Milan since 2001, Riccardo Silva understands the glamour of Champions League soccer. Now, the Miami FC owner is spearheading a project to bring that glamour to the Americas. Silva, president and founding partner of media rights firm MP & Silva, revealed to SBI on Wednesday that there are wheels spinning on a potential “Americas Champions League”, a competition that would feature the best teams from North, Central and South America.
Costa Rica replaces former national team head coach Paulo Wanchope with former Ticos star Oscar Ramirez – MLS
Costa Rican soccer legend Oscar Ramirez was introduced Tuesday to replace former head coach Paulo Wanchope, who resigned last week after getting into a fight with a fan at an Olympic qualifying match in Panama City, Panama.
Why America’s next top soccer star may have found the perfect fit in Rangers – The Guardian
Arsenal and USA midfielder Gedion Zelalem can ‘dribble like Iniesta and pass like Xavi’ – and he can flourish in Mark Warburton’s dynamic young Rangers side.
Europa League play-offs: what to look out for – UEFA
Belenenses’ exclusively Portuguese squad take another step towards a group stage debut, Kairat make a mammoth trek and Videoton change coaches: play-off first-leg preview.
Monaco unhappy with UEFA, referee Clattenburg after Valencia defeat – ESPN FC
Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim has called for the football authorities to “respect France more” after he claimed refereeing decisions cost his side in their Champions League playoff first leg against Valencia.
La Liga 2015-16 may lack novelty but will not be short on attraction – The Guardian
As the new season looms, many starring roles will be repeated – Messi versus Ronaldo is still Messi versus Ronaldo – but there is time for more signings.
There’s no keeping Sevilla down in La Liga – Sportsnet
The fact of its summer being an exercise in selling key stars is nothing new or unexpected; instead, by now, it’s a concrete part of the Sevilla formula. It knows and to an extent (always to an extent) accepts that the financial power of others means it can’t afford to tie up its best players, so it works around that (systemically unfortunate) reality, and it does so more effectively than pretty much all of its contemporaries.
Sinisa Mihajlovic expected to lead AC Milan back to Serie A contention – ESPN FC
After some disappointing recent years, AC Milan enter a new season with a new manager Sinisa Mihajlovic hoping to put those poor seasons behind them. However, is the Serbian tactician the man to finally turn things around and guide the Rossoneri back into Serie A contention?
Catania relegated following match-fixing scandal – Goal
The Sicilians have been dropped to Italy’s third tier and docked 12 points for their part in the latest incident to rock the nation’s football. The verdict, which was revealed on Thursday following a trial at the National Federal Court, relates to the ‘Goals Train’ scandal which centered on the fixing of matches in Serie B last season.
Fans as agents: Sint-Truiden and kickrs.net link to crowd-fund player market – Inside World Football
Belgian topflight club Sint-Truidense V.V. have partnered with Swiss start-up kickrs.net to crowd-fund the transfers of football players. Fans of STVV can invest in 18-year old Greek striker Panagiotis Kynigopoulos.
A Conversation with Bob Bradley – 8 by 8
The American manager dishes on his time in Norway, the state of U.S. Soccer, and his roots coaching at Ohio University.
Throwback Thursday: Soccer Made In Germany (1976-1988) – Paste Magazine
Soccer Made In Germany ran on PBS from 1976 to 1988 and was produced/sponsored primarily by KQED in San Francisco. The show featured several-weeks-old highlights from West German league matches, plus the occasional match from the European Cup (now the Champions League), all set to the dulcet tones of Toby Charles.