VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS
Whitecaps ‘freshen up’ with new faces, hoping to reach higher places – The Province
Carl Robinson’s message was clear Wednesday: his Major League Soccer squad will probably be playing a new way in 2018.
New personnel gives ‘Caps ‘flexibility in formations’ – Whitecaps FC
Will Vancouver Whitecaps FC play with a back three in 2018? It’s certainly a consideration, Carl Robinson told reporters on Wednesday morning in his first media availability of the new year. Robinson’s preferred formation during his tenure as head coach has been the 4-2-3-1, though the ‘Caps also enjoyed a fruitful spell with a 4-1-4-1 this past season.
Visions of Three at the Back – Eighty-Six Forever
For years people who have reported on the Vancouver Whitecaps have written pre season articles on the possibility of the ‘Caps going to a back three. It’s never happened but we’ve continued to write them.
Whitecaps FC to face Montreal Impact in Canadian Championship semifinals – Whitecaps FC
Canada Soccer confirmed on Thursday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC will play Montreal Impact in the Canadian Championship semifinals for a second straight season.
Marco Bustos re-signs, loaned to Ascenso MX side Club Atlético Zacatepec – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Wednesday that midfielder Marco Bustos has agreed to an 18-month contract extension and has been loaned out to Mexican side Club Atlético Zacatepec, with an option to purchase, through June 30, 2019.
Report: Steven Beitashour could be headed to LAFC – Waking the Red
According to a report from Kevin Baxter of the L.A. Times, Toronto FC may be in the market for a new fullback as free agent Steven Beitashour is apparently close to a deal with the expansion side Los Angeles FC.
Impact loses Blerim Dzemaili as coaching staff is unveiled – Montreal Gazette
There is a definite Lyon flavour to the team’s 2018 coaching staff, which was introduced Wednesday at the teams training centre.
Columbus Crew SC think they found heir to Higuain in Eduardo Sosa – MLS
Gregg Berhalter thinks he may have his heir apparent to Federico Higuain, and the Columbus Crew SC boss can thank Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez for lending a helping hand.
NYCFC Close To Signing Ismael Tajouri of Austria Wien – Reports – NYCFC Nation
According to multiple reports from Austria, NYCFC is close to completing a deal for FK Austria Wien winger Ismael Tajouri. The 23-year-old is currently undergoing a medical in Manchester prior to finalizing the details of his contract according to Austria Wien’s sporting director Franz Wohlfahrt.
Timbers’ Savarese brings world view – Portland Tribune
The first coach is remembered for a television commercial. The second coach is remembered for lifting a young club to relevancy and for lifting the club’s first MLS Cup trophy. The third coach of the MLS-era Portland Timbers? Judging from his introductory news conference Monday, Giovanni Savarese is, at the very least, a quick learner.
Chelsea appoint new chief executive with past MLS experience – SN
Chelsea have announced the appointment of Guy Laurence as the club’s new chief executive. He was a director of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which includes NBA team the Toronto Raptors, the Toronto Maple Leafs NHL franchise and MLS side Toronto FC in its portfolio.
Club Tijuana Xolos to Face Toronto FC in San Diego – NBC San Diego
San Diego soccer fans can enjoy both MLS and international futbol action when the Club Tijuana Xolos face Toronto FC Wednesday January 31 at University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium. The friendly match will feature the Xolos from LIGA MX against the 2017 MLS Cup Champions.
Jonathan Kraft on Revolution Stadium in Providence: “We Are Open to Doing Anything in RI” – Go Local Prov
GoLocal has learned that Providence is in play with the Kraft family for a potential site for a soccer-only stadium for the New England Revolution.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Cascades women’s soccer program signs six local standouts – UFV
The University of the Fraser Valley women’s soccer team is loading up for the 2018 season and beyond, signing six Class of 2018 recruits.
T-Birds ink defender Daniel Kaiser – UBC
Another highly sought-after recruit has chosen to commit to the UBC men’s soccer team as defender Daniel Kaiser will join the Thunderbirds in the fall of 2018. A native of Calgary, the 17-year-old joined the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency Program for the 2016-17 season and is a product of the Calgary Foothills FC organization.
FVSL get the better of their VISL counterparts in island’s All-Star weekend – AFTN
The local leagues were back in action this past weekend after the Christmas break and that meant the annual Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL) All-Star weekend took place at Hampton Turf in Saanich.
Powell River Villa seeks soccer title – Powell River Peak
Four games remain in Powell River Villa soccer club’s Vancouver Island Soccer League season and it is still mathematically possible for the team to finish first in Division 3A and move up to Division 2 for next year.
Chilliwack FC launches free Kick Start program for pre-schoolers – Chilliwack FC
Chilliwack FC is pleased to introduce a new soccer program for preschool-aged children. The program is FREE for children born in 2014 and will kick-off in April.
Canadian legends Nick Dasovic & Andrea Neil team up for Individualized Coaching Program – Dasovic-Neil Coaching
Nick Dasovic & Andrea Neil have teamed up to provide training programs for players & coaches. The programs specialize in individual, positional, age, and gender specific training for players, with a combined technical and physical focus while providing education and mentorship opportunities for coaches to improve their skills and deepen their knowledge base.
PCSL CHALLENGE CUP PHOTOS: Vancouver Utd. 3, Mid-Isle Mariners 1, July 30, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.
2016-2017 BC Soccer Year in Review – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is proud to release their 2016-2017 Year in Review after another successful year of soccer. The #respectall initiative, High Performance License, Club Charter Program activity, along with the delivery of hundreds of coaching courses and referee clinics this past year highlight some of the successes.
BC PROVINCIAL WOMEN’S A CUP PHOTOS: Surrey United 1 NSGSC Renegades 0, May 13, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.
2017 VISL JACKSON CUP PHOTOS: Nanaimo Utd. 2 Cowichan LMG 1 (XT), April 2, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.
FVSL PHOTOS: Pakenham Cup Final, PMO Rangers 1 PMO Lordco Gunners 0, April 1, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.
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
Canadian Premier League taps Tim Hortons exec David Clanachan as first commissioner – Toronto Star
The men’s pro soccer league, which has been on the drawing board for some four years and under construction for one, is set to debut in the spring of 2019. Clanachan says the league is currently dealing with 12 to 15 interested cities and expects to launch with eight to 10 teams.
‘IF NOT US, WHO ELSE?’: David Clanachan named CPL commissioner as league reveals start date – Toronto Sun
“If not us, who else?” David Clanachan asked the Toronto Sun. The Canadian Premier League’s head honcho laid out his vision Wednesday afternoon shortly after being unveiled as the CPL’s first commissioner.
Promotion-relegation. Independent-club system. The future of CanPL, as seen by its new commissioner – the11.ca
The new commissioner of the Canadian Premier League prefers the independent club system. He dreams of a time when Canada has a Premier League, a second division and a third division — and teams are promoted and relegated through those leagues. He envisions Canadian pro soccer teams from coast-to-coast.
New Canadian Premier League Names Its First Commissioner And Sets Kick Off For April 2019 – Forbes
It is no small challenge particularly when the two founding teams have no soccer roots and there is a feeling that both are more interested in filling dates in their new 30,000 seat stadiums and underestimate what is involved.
Hamilton team in new Canadian Premier League, which starts in 2019 – Hamilton Spectator
The Canadian Premier Soccer League announced Wednesday morning that its inaugural season will kick off in the spring of 2019. The new coast-to-coast professional league — with one of its founding teams in Hamilton — has also scored a coup in appointing David Clanachan as its first commissioner.
Revamped Canadian championship schedule released – Sportsnet
The revamped Canadian soccer championship will kick off June 6 with the champion teams from Quebec’s PLSQ and League 1 Ontario taking part.
Battle of the North expands as 2018 Canadian Championship schedule announced – CSA
The Battle of the North will kick off 6 June 2018 in Laval, Quebec as Première ligue de soccer du Québec (PLSQ) and League1 Ontario entrants join the 2018 Canadian Championship. The competition will culminate 15 August when the 11th Canadian Championship winner is presented the Voyageurs Cup earning themselves a place in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League and opportunity to play in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Stunned Canadian women’s national team players give heartfelt thanks to John Herdman after his shock move to the men’s side of the program – AFTN
John Herdman’s appointment as Canadian Men’s national team coach on Monday was certainly met with a mixed reaction. There was shock, there was bewilderment, there were expected nods from some quarters, there was anger.
Canadian women’s soccer players blast Toronto Sun article saying women’s game is about “athleticism and emotion” – The Comeback
Players from the women’s team were generally supportive of Herdman’s move, even with a few surprised at first but then later offering support. But several of them were not thrilled with a Toronto Sun article from Kurtis Larson discussing the move, which contained some controversial language implying differences between the men’s and women’s game.
Iain Hume scores ISL hat-trick as Kerala Blasters FC beat Delhi Dynamos FC – Hindustan Times
Kerala Blasters FC registered their first Indian Super League (ISL) win under new manager David James against Delhi Dynamos FC on Wednesday courtesy of Canadian Iain Hume’s hat-trick in New Delhi.
Alberta creates female-focused referee program – Alberta Soccer
On February 1st, Alberta Soccer will open registration for its female-focused referee education pilot program – Create Your Advantage. The program is the first female-only, female-led refresher and development opportunity in the province, outside of the annual Women in Soccer Conference (WISC).
Town soccer players get boost with Futsal – Cochrane Eagle
Cesar Parra will be coaching adult and youth futsal programs starting on Jan. 16 and said he’s looking at is a way to improve Cochrane soccer players and teach them more advanced skills.
Far and Wide: Travelling for their sport – The Brunswickan
UNB Varsity Reds Men’s Soccer had a grueling trip during their 2017 playoff run. Over the course of two weeks, they competed in Cape Breton to gain their USport tournament bid, then flew across the country to Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia. In order for this trip to happen, the team had to drive to Cape Breton, drive back to Halifax, then fly through Toronto and Vancouver—only to land in Kamloops and play no more than 48 hours later. This trip meant for more than 20 hours of travelling between flights and busses, not including their delays and layovers. All of this said, the team feels as if their coaches prepare them well for these situations.
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USL, NASL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS
Ottawa Fury FC adds Gatineau’s Maxim Tissot and Canadian national Nana Attakora – Ottawa Sun
With the start of training camp less than three weeks away, Ottawa Fury FC have brought back a familiar face and added another well-known Canadian player.
Canadian Deltas make their moves to Ottawa – the11.ca
There are many Canadians who are part of the NASL diaspora, now that FC Edmonton is out, the San Francisco Deltas have folded and the league’s future is uncertain.
Fury FC looking for July showdown with Toronto FC – Ottawa Sun
Ottawa Fury FC is hoping for another crack at Toronto FC in The Battle of the North, which returns in June with two additional teams and an extra qualifying round.
Kickers Boost Attack, Sign Shriver – USL
The Richmond Kickers made a second major addition to their front line on Thursday with the signing of forward Brian Shriver for the 2018 USL season. The signing is pending league and federation approval.
Indy Eleven leaves NASL for the USL – Soccer America
Indy Eleven, which led the NASL in attendance in three of its four seasons, became the fourth team to leave the league for the USL in the last two years.
WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Time’s Up! Why women need a voice on FFA Congress – Four Four Two
One of the pioneers of Australian football, Heather Reid AM, is concerned about the lack of female voices at FFA’s Congress and says women need to be involved in all aspects of the decision-making process.
Dash’s hire of assistant Lisa Cole proves value of global game – Houston Chronicle
Recently named assistant coach of the Dash, Cole coached the Papua New Guinea U-20 women’s team at the 2016 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Vera Pauw was on FIFA’s technical study team for that tournament and met with Cole after Papua New Guinea was eliminated.
The Lowdown: XI ideas for a better NWSL in 2018 – The Equalizer
To open the new year, here is my annual look at XI ways NWSL can be better. I left out the obvious which is to figure out how to pay the players more since that is a well-known issue but also one that is not easily achievable. My XI all have a reasonable chance of happening in 2018. We can check back at the end of the year to see how they all went.
WU20 World Cup Qualifying: African duo to be decided – FIFA
January 2018 is an important month in the race for places at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018, with the qualifying competitions in the CAF, CONMEBOL and CONCACAF zones all reaching their conclusions. By the time they do so, the line-up for the world finals will be complete.
UEFA vlog to focus on women players’ lives – UEFA
UEFA will provide a unique look into the daily lives of four professional footballers across Europe in a weekly vlog series designed to raise the visibility of women’s football to teenage girls and showcase the game as an aspirational lifestyle choice.
Embracing the Fan/Media Conundrum in Women’s Soccer – Backline Soccer
Women’s soccer is a much more recent addition to my sport loving heart, though often my devotion to the sport feels more academic than passionate. It’s the kind of non-casual pursuit that forces my attention to be directly on it versus simply having it hum along in the background of my life the way baseball does.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
European soccer weekend: What to watch in the main leagues – Metro
Manchester City’s players are 16 matches away from becoming the latest “Invincibles” of the Premier League. The biggest obstacle to achieving that feat might just be in front of them this weekend.
Arsenal, Chelsea in sterile stalemate in League Cup semis – Sportsnet
Cramped into Stamford Bridge media tribune was an unfamiliar occupant leaping to his feet, bellowing disapproval and kicking seats in frustration.
Messi and Ronaldo make UEFA Fans’ Team of the Year, but Neymar misses out again – SN
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo lead the 2017 UEFA Fans’ Team of the Year, but Neymar has been left out for the second time in succession.
Holders PSG ease into last four – Ligue 1
Neymar Jr’s penalty set holders Paris Saint-Germain on their way to a 2-0 win away to 10-man Amiens SC in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue on Wednesday.
Madrid advances in Copa despite draw against Numancia – Sportsnet
Real Madrid reached the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday but its struggles continued with a 2-2 draw against second-division team Numancia.
Leganes advances to Copa del Rey quarterfinals for 1st time – Brampton Guardian
Real Madrid reached the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday but its struggles continued with a 2-2 draw against second-division team Numancia.
Manchester United offer £25m for Alexis Sánchez in attempt to hijack City deal – The Guardian
Manchester United have made a bid to sign Alexis Sánchez from Arsenal as José Mourinho attempts to scupper Manchester City’s hopes of securing the Chile forward this month.
Everton to make £20 million January bid for Theo Walcott after forward’s latest Arsenal snub – The Telegraph
Everton are poised to make a £20 million bid for Theo Walcott, following the forward’s latest Arsenal snub.
Peter Beardsley: how Newcastle great ended up facing bullying accusations – The Guardian
Peter Beardsley has always been a man of contradictions. As an immensely gifted footballer regularly dubbed a genius by team-mates, he was very much a dressing‑room outsider. As a coach, he represents an awkward amalgam of expansive Pep Guardiola-style tactical vision and a narrowly old‑fashioned mindset. In a statement issued through his solicitor, Beardsley – who will be 57 next Thursday on 18 January – vehemently denies all allegations.
Bayern wants reluctant Jupp Heynckes to stay longer as coach – Metro
Things are almost going too well for Bayern Munich as the Bundesliga resumes for the second half of the season. Eleven points clear with no rival challenging for the championship, Bayern has already got one hand on a record-extending sixth consecutive title.
DRC’s Cedric Bakambu to become Africa’s most expensive player – African Football
Following his recent move to Chinese side Beijing Guoan, Democratic Republic of Congo’s Cedric Bakambu is set to become the continent’s most expensive player.
Coquelin leaves Arsenal after 10 years, joins Valencia – Sportsnet
Francis Coquelin has left Arsenal to join Valencia, ending his decade-long association with the English club.
CAF to directly pay referees in international matches – ESPN
Referees in African international matches will now be paid directly by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the wake of Ghanaian official Joseph Lamptey’s life ban.
Jim Trecker Named 2017 Colin Jose Media Award Recipient – USSF
It was Trecker, along with then FIFA Media Chief Guido Tognoni, who developed the idea of a “mixed zone” for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where players and journalists interact after matches. During the tournament, he led a group of media relations professionals that would go on to assume major roles in Major League Soccer, which launched two years after the tournament. His final official role with FIFA was for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.
VAR signals set to be made clearer for fans before use in FA Cup replays – BBC Sport
Referees boss Mike Riley said there could be a change to the official’s ‘finger to ear’ signal for VAR.
Cash for clout. Austrian prosecutors investigate FIFA vote-buying allegations – Inside World Football
FIFA has become embroiled in yet another unwanted potential scandal after Austrian prosecutors revealed they were investigating the head of the country’s national federation (OeFB) Leo Windtner over a payment from FIFA in the build-up to Sepp Blatter’s re-election as president in 2015.
‘I can’t describe my feelings’ – Saudi women finally allowed into games – The Guardian
Women in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to attend a professional football match for the first time on Friday – a momentous event, especially for one Al-Hilal fan.