WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
2015 MLS Year in Review | Vancouver Whitecaps – MLS
Heading into the season, the burning question was whether Carl Robinson improve on the club’s most successful MLS season to date? The target was at least a fourth-place finish in the Western Conference, and an end to eight years of heartbreak in the Amway Canadian Championship. It seemed a tall order, with improvement and big-name investment around the league, while the Whitecaps built a team around their youth.
43 players eligible for selection in Stage Two of 2015 Re-Entry Draft – MLS
Two players were slected in Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Draft last Friday and Stage 2 is set to take place on Thursday at 12 pm PST.
Atlanta United name former Orlando City executive Paul McDonough director of soccer operations – MLS
It didn’t take long for Paul McDonough to find a landing place, with Atlanta United announcing Wednesday that they have named him director of soccer operations.
New York City FC signs Josh Saunders to New Contract – NYCFC
New York City FC is pleased to announce that goalkeeper Josh Saunders has signed a new multi-year contract extension. Saunders started 33 games for the Club this season and recorded four clean sheets in New York City’s inaugural campaign. Per Club and League policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Earthquakes Hire Eric Bucchere as Head Coach of Premier Development League Affiliate Burlingame Dragons FC – San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club has hired Eric Bucchere as the head coach of the team’s Premier Development League affiliate Burlingame Dragons FC. Bucchere was an assistant coach on Burlingame’s staff during the club’s inaugural season of 2015, which resulted in an 11-2-3 overall record, a Southwest Division championship and an appearance in the Western Conference Final Four. Bucchere was also an assistant coach with the Earthquakes Academy from 2013-15, helping guide the U-16s to a U.S. Soccer Federation Development Academy Elite 8 appearance in 2014.
Louisville City eager to join MLS expansion race – SBI
When looking through the stands of Louisville Slugger Field throughout Louisville City’s inaugural campaign, it was not uncommon to see the face of Mayor Greg Fischer among the various government officials scattered throughout the crowd. Now heading into year two as a franchise, Louisville City, with Fischer’s assistance, is making the push for a new stadium and a spot in Major League Soccer.
Follow @bcsoccerweb on Twitter Today!
BC SOCCER NEWS
Cascades women’s soccer team signs five B.C. standouts – UFV
Forward Simi Lehal (Surrey), midfielder Brooke Walton (Surrey), defenders Marianne Spring (Abbotsford) and Kelsey Mitchell (Langley), and goalkeeper Brooke Molby (Squamish) are in the midst of their Grade 12 years and will suit up for the Cascades in the fall of 2016.
Comox Valley United completes sweep of three-game road swing – Comox Valley Record
Comox Valley United edged Vic West 3-2 Saturday afternoon in Victoria to cap an impressive – and undefeated – three-game road swing through Div. 1 of the Vancouver Island Soccer League.
2015 UVic Men’s Soccer Year in Review – UVic
The University of Victoria Vikes men’s soccer team entered the 2015-16 season with head coach Bruce Wilson returning for his 28th season at the helm of the Vikes program. Recently graduated Vikes defender Alex Redpath joined the coaching staff alongside Wilson as an assistant coach. Fifth-year Vikes Cam Hundal, Craig Gorman and Dominic Colantonio all entered their final years as Vikes. Goalkeeper Noah Pawlowski returned for his fourth season and first-year Vike Isaac Koch highlighted a new crop of players on the roster.
CANADA vs. MEXICO, March 25, 2016 @ BC PLACE STADIUM. Buy Tickets Today!
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canada Soccer Makes Changes to National Club Championships – BCSA
Canada Soccer has informed BCSA and announced publicly that as of 2017 and beyond the National Club Championship age groups will be Under 15 and Under 17. The Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 age groups will stay in place for the 2016 National Club championships.
Buchanan named Canadian female soccer POY – TSN
Young defender Kadeisha Buchanan, who put her stamp on the world stage in 2015, has been named Canadian women’s soccer player of the year.
Canada’s soccer women tripped by Brazil – CBC
Canada’s women’s national soccer team was edged by host team Brazil 2-1 in an international tournament in Natal, Brazil, on Wednesday. The Canadians will have a chance for revenge Sunday when they clash again in the tourney final.
Sinclair, Canada edged by Brazil – TSN
The Canadian women’s soccer team had to settle for second place in the group phase after dropping a 2-1 decision to host Brazil at the International Tournament of Natal on Wednesday.
Venues announced for 2016 Sport Chek National Championships – CSA
Four provinces – Newfoundland Labrador, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick – have been selected as hosts for the 2016 Sport Chek National Championships. As hosts, the provincial soccer associations will stage both the men’s and women’s competitions during the Sport Chek National Championships from 5-10 October 2016.
League1 Ontario Announces Eight New Teams For Upcoming Season – League1 Ontario
League1 Ontario is thrilled to announce the addition of eight new teams in 2016 – four to its Men’s and Women’s divisions.
The future of Canadian soccer is coming from Brampton – Toronto Star
The city has produced the likes of 20-year-old Canadian team stars Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence and MLS rookie of the year Cyle Larin.
Kitchener native Lagonia finding her feet as captain of Swiss pro soccer team – The Record
It’s certainly not easy, and her version of professional soccer lacks the glamorous lifestyle her male counterparts might enjoy. But Alyssa Lagonia is doing something few women have managed to accomplish. The 26-year-old Kitchener native is making a decent living playing a team sport.
VIDEO: Iain Hume wonder volley delights Sourav Ganguly – YouTube
Canadian striker Iain Hume scored arguably the goal of the Indian Super League season to give Atletico de Kolkata hope against Chennaiyin FC in the semi-final 2nd leg, much to the delight of Sourav Ganguly.
Technical Director Coaching Course announced – OSA
The Ontario Soccer Association is pleased to announce the offering of the first Technical Director Diploma Course in Ontario. The course will be facilitated from February 8 – 11, 2016 at The Ontario Soccer Centre.
Whitehorse council rejects Whistle Bend soccer complex, again – CBC
Whitehorse city councillors have decided not to reopen debate over a proposed outdoor soccer complex in the Whistle Bend subdivision.
BC Soccer Web Premium Classified Ads from only 50 cents per day!
NASL & USL NEWS
Canadian Internationals Re-Sign with Fury FC – Ottawa Fury
Midfielders Julian de Guzman and Mauro Eustaquio return to Ottawa.
RailHawks Sign Canadian Defender Drew Beckie – NASL
The RailHawks have bolstered their squad with the signing of Canadian defender Drew Beckie, pending USSF and ITC approval. The 25-year-old clocked over 2,300 minutes in 35 matches with Ottawa Fury FC during the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
Armada FC Bolsters Back Line With Beto Navarro Signing – NASL
The Jacksonville Armada FC announced the signing of defender Beto Navarro on Thursday. Navarro’s addition to the 2016 roster adds yet another level of experience and continues to showcase head coach and technical director Tony Meola’s commitment to strengthening the back line.
United Releases Three Players – Minnesota United
As Minnesota United continues to prepare its roster for the 2016 season, the club announced today it has released three players from their roster: Alejandro Vela, Kalif Alhassan, and Geison Moura. Yago returned to his home club of Vasco da Gama following the end of his loan with United.
Sacramento Republic FC to Host San Jose Earthquakes in Friendly Match – Sacramento Republic FC
Sacramento Republic FC will host the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) in a friendly match on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Bonney Field. The match will be the second of two 2016 preseason friendlies versus MLS clubs for the 2014 USL Champions. Kickoff time to be announced.
Crew SC announces 2016 USL affiliate partnership with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds – Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew SC today announced the club’s United Soccer League (USL) affiliate partnership with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, effective immediately for the 2016 campaign. The agreement between the two clubs allows Crew SC to send players from its Major League Soccer roster to Pittsburgh on-loan during the 2016 season. The alignment is the Black & Gold’s sole USL affiliate partnership for the upcoming campaign. Per club and MLS policy, additional details of the partnership were not disclosed.
Dane Kelly, USL’s top scorer, among four players signed by Swope Park Rangers – Sporting KC
The Swope Park Rangers have signed Dane Kelly, Johnny Grant, Kris Tyrpak and Zac Lubin, the club announced on Wednesday. The four newest additions join Christian Duke under contract for the team’s inaugural USL season and provide an initial foundation of players whom all featured in the USL earlier this year.
Roughnecks Sign Pakistani International – Tulsa Roughnecks
The Tulsa Roughnecks FC announced today that Pakistan International midfielder/forward Kaleemullah has signed with the team. Kaleemullah (Kahl-EEM-ALL-ah), who has made 25 appearances with the Pakistan National Team, played last season for the Sacramento Republic.
Louisville City FC Returns Attacking Core for 2016 – USL
Louisville City FC’s attacking threat was the most potent in all of the United Soccer League last season, scoring a league-best 55 goals in 28 regular season matches. On Wednesday, the club announced it has exercised options on two forwards and its No. 10, Magnus Rasmussen.
Cosmos, Street Soccer USA Partner to Transform Elmont Youth Field – Empire of Soccer
The New York Cosmos now have their eyes set on creating not one, but two new soccer fields in Elmont, NY. While the Cosmos wait to hear back from the state capital on their revised project stadium on the Belmont site, they are getting down to the grassroots for a proposal much smaller in scope — and just as important to the community.
BC Soccer Web Premium Classified Ads from only 50 cents per day!
WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Carli Lloyd caps 2015 with U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year honors – SBI
A FIFA Women’s World Cup title will likely remain the biggest accomplishment for U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Carli Lloyd in 2015, but it wasn’t the only hardware that she took home this year.
Wambach drops the mic, on a losing note – Soccer America
On any other night, the USA’s 1-0 loss to China in the final game of the 2015 Victory Tour would have been big news: It ended the USA’s home unbeaten streak at 104 games, a span of more than 11 years.
Abby Wambach Walks Away With A Smile, And On Her Terms, As U.S. Star Retires – ESPN W
The soccer world knew there would come a moment during the second half of Wednesday’s game between the United States and China when the fourth official would hold up the electronic board used to indicate substitutions and Abby Wambach would walk off the field.
Abby Wambach’s new Gatorade ad: ‘Forget me’ – Washington Post
Not to be outdone, on Wednesday, Gatorade released a new commercial in which Wambach apparently signs off from public life for good, sending the message “make them forget me,” before deleting all of her social media accounts.
Abby Wambach on how to fix US men’s soccer: fire Jürgen Klinsmann – The Guardian
Wambach appeared on The Bill Simmons podcast before she retires from international soccer, and was asked by Simmons: “If you could fix one thing about that team, what would it be?”
What we learned from the USWNT’s disappointing victory tour – The Guardian
As USA’s 104-match unbeaten home run is snapped, Caitlin Murray looks at what we learned from the victory tour – and why a forward battle is brewing.
Sawa’s high five – FIFA
Iconic Japan star Homare Sawa finally drew down the curtain down on a glittering career on Thursday. The journey started out nearly 25 years ago and her career proved as productive as it was lengthy.
Flash trade Edwards, Edmonds to Orlando for picks – The Equalizer
Midfielder Becky Edwards is headed to NWSL expansion team Orlando Pride ahead of the 2016 season. The Western New York Flash traded Edwards and defender Kristen Edmonds to Orlando for a second-round pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft and a first-round pick in the 2017.
Netherlands to stage Olympic qualifiers – UEFA
The Netherlands will host a mini-tournament also involving Norway, Sweden and Switzerland to decide UEFA’s third qualifiers for the 2016 women’s Olympics.
Papua New Guinea U-20 squad enter camp – PNG Football
The Papua New Guinea U-20 women’s team have started a 16-day training camp with a 32-strong provisional squad at the National Sports Institute in Goroka. Former USA international Lisa Cole will be the head coach and will be assisted by Margaret Aka. Both are tasked to prepare the best team for next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Port Moresby.
BC Soccer Web Premium Classified Ads from only 50 cents per day!
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Copa America Centenario 2016 reveals top seeds & Group dates – Copa America 2016
Seattle will host two Group matches & a quarterfinal. One match is guaranteed to be Argentina’s third Group D Match on June 14.
Copa America Centenario Schedule – MLS
Copa America Centenario Schedule. Current MLS Season Ticket Holders will be eligible to have preferred access to purchase tickets for Copa America Centenario. More information to come in the near future.
Jose Mourinho axed by Chelsea – SBI
What seemed inevitable was made official on Thursday, as Chelsea fired Mourinho from its head-coaching post. Mourinho had led Chelsea to an English Premier League title during the 2014-15 campaign, but struggled mightily for results this season. The Blues are just a point above the relegation zone, and have lost nine of their first 16 matches so far.
Jose Mourinho leaves Chelsea after ninth Premier League defeat – ESPN FC
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has left the club “by mutual consent” after the defending Premier League champions suffered their ninth defeat of the season, the club announced on Thursday.
Guardiola will quit Bayern: Man City and Man Utd on alert – Goal
The former Barcelona boss is understood to have decided to leave Munich when his contract expires in the summer, with the Etihad Stadium his most likely destination.
Tottenham stadium: Spurs granted planning permission to build new ground in £400m development – The Independent
Tottenham have been granted planning permission by Haringey Council for the club’s revised proposal for a new stadium.
Roma crashes out to Serie B side in Coppa – TSN
Roma’s miserable month continued as it crashed out of the Italian Cup on Wednesday, losing 4-2 on penalties to second-division Spezia.
VIDEO: FIFA Club World Cup – Barcelona 3-0 Guangzhou Evergrande – FIFA
Highlights from Barcelona’s semifinal win at the Club World Cup.
Swiss authorities freeze ‘millions’ in FIFA corruption case after U.S. request – ESPN FC
The Swiss justice ministry has frozen millions of Swiss francs in alleged “corruption money” from banks accounts connected to FIFA, as world football’s governing body commenced ethics committee hearings in Zurich on Thursday.
Adidas chief raises question over FIFA sponsorship, but really has Nike in his sights – Inside World Football
Adidas CEO Herbert Hainer has raised a questionmark over his company’s future sponsorship of FIFA saying that of they are to continue then the governing body’s reform has to be robust and real.
VIDEO: When Football Was Outlawed – BBC
Imagine living in a place where football was banned. When Islamist militant group Al-Shbaab were in power in Somalia, that’s exactly what happened. That, along with 20 years of war, had left the national football team languishing at the bottom of world football’s rankings.