WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
10 things: Get to know Christian Bolaños – Whitecaps FC
ancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that the club has acquired Costa Rican winger Christian Bolaños. Want to learn more? Here are 10 things you need to know about the club’s newest player.
Corner Boys – From The Back Line
How could we define the Whitecaps ideology with Carl Robinson at the helm? As with new arrivals joining through the transfer market, the investment is in the character of each selection paying dividends more so than any athletic or productive upside. That sort of personality plays an integral part in facilitating personal growth, something the Caps appreciate to a greater extent than most of their competitors. The culture of entrusting young players with substantial responsibility and elevating kids to unprecedented heights couldn’t happen without this.
ALL ACCESS: An inside look at Carl Robinson’s draft day – Whitecaps FC
That’s one of the first questions posed to Carl Robinson on January 14 when he steps onto the draft floor at the Baltimore Convention Center ahead of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.
Have the Vancouver Whitecaps jumped the shark? – Vancouver Sun Soccer Shorts
I guess that this season we will find out if Carl Robinson is the kind of coach who likes players to fit into his system or the kind of coach who prefers to shape his system around his players.
Seattle Sounders expected to unveil Jordan Morris as Homegrown Player signing at ‘special presentation’ Thursday – Seattle Times
The Seattle Sounders will host a “special presentation” on Thursday morning at the team’s clubhouse in Pioneer Square, and all indications are that the club will unveil Mercer Island native Jordan Morris as its newest signing.
Jordan Morris turned down Werder Bremen as he was ‘homesick’ – Eichin – ESPN FC
Jordan Morris chose not to sign for Werder Bremen because he was “homesick,” the club’s CEO Thomas Eichin has told Bild.
New York City FC stars look forward to “great adventure” with manager Patrick Vieira but insist, “we all have to perform better” – MLS
New York City FC touted the respect and impressive playing career of new head coach Patrick Vieira in a press conference introducing him on Wednesday. That respect was key for NYCFC’s biggest stars, too.
MLS MVP Giovinco aims to ‘win more’ in 2016 – Goal
A year under his belt, the Toronto FC star is looking forward to making an even bigger impact in his sophomore MLS season.
Why Toronto Supporters Should be Thrilled About the Clint Irwin Trade – Waking the Red
There have been mixed opinions as to whether or not Toronto fans should be excited about their newest acquisition. Here’s why he was worth the price, and represented a big get for the club.
FC Dallas Adds Experience to D-Mid Position with Ortiz Signing – FC Dallas
FC Dallas has added major experience to one of its most youthful positions in 2015. On Wednesday, the team announced the signing of defensive midfielder Juan Esteban Ortiz, a 28-year-old Colombian with over 240 games of experience in the Colombian first division across three different clubs.
Philadelphia Union, Colorado Rapids, Seattle Sounders hold onto influential veterans Brian Carroll, Bobby Burling, Michael Farfan – MLS
The Philadelphia Union and Colorado Rapids are keeping important veterans in the fold for 2016 while the Seattle Sounders are bringing in a longtime MLS vet.
Orlando City Soccer Club to pay $18M to secure land for MLS stadium – Orlando Business Journal
Orlando City Soccer Club is making way on its new $155 million stadium, and part of that is securing the land for it — including 11.8 acres owned by the city of Orlando.
DC United Reveals Latest Renderings For Buzzard Point Stadium – Bisnow
DC United is inching closer to finalizing the design for its new Buzzard Point stadium and the latest renderings have been unveiled.
Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen has plans for ‘world-class’ soccer facility, academy in Salt Lake Valley – Salt Lake Tribune
After introducing new RSL striker Yura Movsisyan Tuesday afternoon in downtown Salt Lake City, Hansen spoke with the Tribune regarding plans to build a “world-class” soccer academy and training facility somewhere in the Salt Lake Valley. Hansen said RSL has spent the past six months preparing for an official announcement sometime in February.
MLS and the great player development myth – Big Apple Soccer
To put it simply, MLS has failed to develop players of importance for the USMNT whose talents are recognizable on the international stage. In fact, I can only think of two players who could be recognized as such: goalkeeper Tim Howard and forward Brian McBride, both of whom, by the way, made their MLS debut in the first three years of the league. So, since 1998, player development via MLS has been a wasteland.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
TWU SPARTANS PAT ROHLA STEPS DOWN – TWU
The Trinity Western University Spartans announced Wednesday evening that Pat Rohla has resigned as head coach of Spartan Men’s Soccer, effective March 31, 2016. “My decision to step down at this time is multi-faceted, I truly believe that this is the right time for the program to have a new voice and direction,” said Rohla.
TRU WolfPack women’s soccer changing coach (with VIDEO) – CFJC
WolfPack women’s soccer will have a new head coach when the 2016 CIS season begins next September. Athletic director Ken Olynyk says the contract of Tom McManus has been “concluded early.”
McManus confirms firing from TRU – Kamloops This Week
Tom McManus has been dismissed as the head coach of the women’s soccer program at Thompson Rivers University. McManus confirmed to KTW on Wednesday that he was asked to resign in November, despite leading the program to its first playoff berth in its history as a Canadian Interuniversity Sport team.
MWSL Scholarship Applications now open – MWSL
Applicants must currently be a registered and active player, female coach or manager with MWSL.
Victoria Highlanders Season Tickets on Sale for 2016 PDL Season – Select Your Tickets
Season Tickets for the 2016 PDL Season start at just $52.50.
Sport BC 50th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards Finalists Announced – Sport BC
Sophie Schmidt, Michelle Pye & Graeme Hyde-Lay are soccer nominees this year.
Scott slays Nanaimo again – Cowichan Valley Citizen
In his three years with Cowichan LMG, Steve Scott has been a Nanaimo FC killer. In that time, the SS Monster has been involved in the decisive goal in every Vancouver Island Soccer League game he has played against Nanaimo, scoring the winning goal three times and the tying goal once, and setting up two game-winners.
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 vs. MEXICO, March 25, 2016 @ BC PLACE STADIUM. Buy Tickets Today!
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Dario Zanatta forces Hearts boss Neilson into loan rethink – Edinburgh News
Canadian teenager Dario Zanatta has forced Hearts coach Robbie Neilson to abandon plans to send him out on loan.
SC Waterloo responds to soccer match-fixing allegations – 570 News
After weeks of silence, Canadian Soccer League club SC Waterloo is responding to match-fixing allegations. In a statement sent to 570 News, the club says any suggestions of match-fixing are “contrary to what [SC Waterloo] and its entire membership stands for.” (Editor’s Note: The “Canadian Soccer League” is not sanctioned or connected in any way with the CSA, the OSA or FIFA.)
Opportunities for Soccer Development in Manitoba and Canada – Eduardo Badescu
I have often been asked, “What would it take to improve soccer in Manitoba and Canada?” From my cross-cultural experiences described above, and the ability to observe how the game has operated in various countries and cultures, there are a number of obvious opportunities or things that could be done that if taken advantage of could allow Canada to be considered competitive on a global stage.
What do the Seattle Seahawks and Canadian Women’s Soccer team have in common? More than you might think. – CBC
After a disappointing sixth place finish in the World Cup — largely due his team’s inability to score — head coach John Herdman had questions than needed answering. The soul searching led to a surprising place — the office of Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. The meeting was brokered by chiropractor Gerry Ramogida, who happens to work with both teams.
Peterborough soccer player playing with Team Guyana at Olympic qualifiers – Peterborough Examiner
Growing up in Peterborough Calaigh Copland dreamt of playing soccer for her country but never imagined it would be Guyana. At age 28, Copland, who had never played beyond the Ontario Women’s Soccer League, played her first international match in August. She represented Guyana in the opening rounds of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying in August in the Dominican Republic and in November in Trinidad and Tobago.
Watch Ontario Indoor Cup finals this Sunday – OSA
The Ontario Indoor Cup concludes for a number of divisions this Sunday with a day of full of finals. Indoor action will take place all weekend at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan, with teams vying for the coveted spot in the championship game.
Nicholas Layman found not criminally responsible for N.L. soccer field stabbing – Global News
A judge has ruled a young man was not criminally responsible for stabbing a boy during a soccer practice in a St. John’s suburb. As Ross Lord reports, the trial wasn’t about laying blame, but rather, highlighting the lack of resources for people with mental illness.
Artificial turf placed in storage at annex – The Western Star
Corner Brook civic centre general manager Will Smith confirmed Wednesday that the artificial turf for indoor soccer has been placed in storage because it’s not practical to use it.
BC Youth Soccer Player Development
(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our new section on BC Youth Soccer Player Development; a new resource designed to help youth coaches and players. Throughout the week, we’ll feature news, drills and videos from the most noted professionals in the field of player development. If you have any articles or resources you enjoy, send them our way, and we’ll share them with the BC Soccer community.)
Goal Oriented: How to start a training program when you are scared – Philadelphia Union
Maybe you understand that by strength training you could increase your metabolism therefore allowing your body to burn fat even when you are sitting at work typing away. You know that you should start to lift weights but for some reason you are scared to start.
Five calls to action for youth soccer – Soccer Parenting
We must not measure the development of soccer in the United States simply by the number of people who play soccer, rather, we must measure it by the number of people who love soccer. It is the people who love soccer that will, over time, elevate soccer to the status of preeminent sport in the United States.
BC Soccer Leagues & Clubs – Share your News With The BC Soccer Community!
NASL & USL NEWS
Miller says this has been FC Edmonton’s best-ever off-season when it comes to signings – the11.ca
FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller feels this has been the most promising off-season in the club’s history.
MLS Combine or a solid NASL contract offer? Why keeper Nathan Ingham chose FC Edmonton – the11.ca
Last November, after he’d wrapped up his NCAA season as the No. 1 shot stopped at Florida Gulf Coast University, the Canadian keeper got a call from FC Edmonton goalkeeping coach Darren Woloshen. Ingham learned that the NASL club had a lot of interest in signing the him — but the team had to know ASAP if the feeling was mutual. The Eddies wanted to get their roster sorted sooner rather than later.
Rangers Add Canadian Forward Gonzalez – USL
The Swope Park Rangers have announced the signing of Canadian forward Mark Anthony Gonzalez, who will join the club for his rookie professional season this spring. Gonzalez’s signing is pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.
Dalglish Unleashed Part 1: The Beginnings – Midfield Press
Welcome to Part One of Dalglish Unleashed, a three part series that breaks down a lengthy discussion I had with new Ottawa Fury manager Paul Dalglish. Part One will cover Paul’s background, his move to coaching and how he developed his football philosophy.
2016 USL Alignment and Format Announced – USL
The United Soccer League today announced the alignment, regular season and playoff format for the 2016 USL Season, with 29 teams set to compete in the league’s sixth season in pursuit of the USL Cup.
Miami twice: Southern Legion and Dade Brigade discuss the battle for hearts and minds in South Florida – The Telegraph
Miami soccer fans face the choice of supporting Miami FC in the NASL or ‘Miami Beckham United’ in MLS. But how do they choose?
Peterson on USL’s D2 ambition: “Be Careful What You Wish For” – Empire of Soccer
As the NASL boss explains, the missions for USL and NASL as division two leagues are quite different — and the USL model, from a competitive standpoint, may not be the best representative for the American second tier.
NASL Notes: Miami Adds Matuzalem, Indy Raids Sacramento, more – Empire of Soccer
Expansion side Miami FC’s aspirations of building an impressive and experienced roster for its inaugural season are looking more realistic every day.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
NWSL: Dash lands Australian keeper Lydia Williams – Soccer America
The Houston Dash landed goalkeeper Lydia Williams, one of the leaders of Australia’s Matildas. Williams, 27, joins the Dash from Canberra United in the Westfield W-League but she played in the NWSL in 2014 for the Western New York Flash. Her mother is American so she won’t take up an international roster spot.
Portland Thorns FC announce 2016 tryout details – Timbers.com
Portland Thorns FC will conduct an open tryout March 1-2 at Providence Park in Portland, Ore., as the team prepares for its fourth season in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Orlando stadium delays move ’16 College Cup to Cary – The Equalizer
Lost in the recent shuffle of NWSL Draft news were two significant related items affecting women’s soccer in the southeast. Stadium delays in Orlando for the new home of MLS’ Orlando City SC and NWSL’s Orlando Pride mean the new 25,000-seat stadium in downtown Orlando won’t be ready until 2017. The initial target date for completion of the stadium was mid-2016.
Bethany England joins Chelsea Ladies from Doncaster Belles – BBC Sport
The England Under-23 international scored 14 goals last season as Doncaster finished second in WSL 2 and were promoted back to the top flight.
Sue Smith says the Belles can compete in WSL 1 – Vavel
Doncaster Belles’ forward Sue Smith believes that the club can really challenge in FA WSL 1 this season. Smith is one of several players who have recently committed their future to the newly-promoted side, and now she is looking to make great strides with them as they return to the top flight.
Successful businessman Andrews becomes Blues Ladies CEO – Solihul Observer
BIRMINGHAM City Ladies Football Club have announced renowned businessman Tim Andrews has been appointed Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect – and he believes exciting times lie in wait. The appointment of Andrews marks a new era for the Solihull-based club, which remains in the highest division of women’s football in England, the FA Women’s Super League 1.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Gareth Bale’s agent demands inquiry after details of £85m transfer leaked – The Guardian
Gareth Bale’s agent has called for an investigation after a confidential document relating to his client’s world record £85m move to Real Madrid from Tottenham was leaked.
Football Leaks Exposes Zenit Saint Petersburg Transfers – Futbolgrad
Football Leaks has uploaded transfer details on Hulk’s move from FC Porto to Zenit—the striker moved from Portugal to Russia in September 2012 in a transfer that according to transfermarkt.de was worth €55 million (find the contract here)—as well as the transfer of the Argentinian defender Ezequiel Garay—the defender was transferred from Benfica Lisbon to Zenit for €6 million in the summer of 2014 (find the contract here).
Barcelona seal narrow Copa del Rey victory over Athletic Bilbao – The Guardian
Barcelona made smooth progress in their bid for a fourth Copa del Rey triumph in eight years when Munir el Haddadi and Neymar struck in a 2-1 success at Athletic Bilbao in their quarter-final, first leg on Wednesday.
Juventus see off Lazio to make Coppa Italia semi-final – The Guardian
The Coppa Italia holders, Juventus, reached the semi-finals of this year’s competition on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Lazio, the team they beat in last season’s final. Full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner, who spent three seasons at Lazio before joining Juventus, scored the only goal in the 66th minute as his side continued their excellent recent form.
Arsene Wenger: Arsenal face tough Chelsea task even without Mourinho – ESPN FC
rsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said Chelsea will pose the same tough challenge to his side even without manager Jose Mourinho.
Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri given two-game ban for homophobic insults – The Guardian
The Napoli manager, Maurizio Sarri, has been given a two-game ban and a €20,000 fine for the homophobic insults he aimed at the Internazionale manager Roberto Mancini during their Italian Cup quarter-final.
Isha Johansen and the other side of FIFA – Inside World Football
Sepp Blatter helped her become the first female President of an African Football Association, and one of only two female football Presidents in the world. He also supported her as she struggled with her many football enemies. We shall come back to Blatter later but now let us look at the barriers Johansen had to break through, not only was there the glass ceiling of sex to be overcome but there were also the problems in Sierra Leone football and the country at large which in the last decade has seen a ruinous civil war and has had to cope with Ebola.
FIFA underlines its combat against match manipulation – FIFA
Match manipulation has become a major issue for many global sports organisations and this week, FIFA, one of the first international sports federations to address this issue, participated in two key events to highlight its ongoing commitment to combating match manipulation.
Global Transfer Spending Grows 44% Since 2011 – FC Business
Spending on transfers has increased by over 44% since 2011 according to a report by FIFA TMS.
Fifa and IAAF ride aboard a gravy train where normal rules do not apply – The Guardian
Tennis came under the spotlight this week but sport’s terminally compromised governing bodies are forever forming a disorderly queue to regain the attention.
Messi tax fraud trial threatens his appearance at Copa America in US – Inside World Football
The tax trial of world player of the year Lionel Messi and his father has been set for May 31-June 3 but clashes with the start of the centennial Copa America taking place in the United States with the strong possibility that Argentina’s Barcelona star may not make it in time for his country’s opening game.
Javier Mascherano: Barcelona player in court to avoid prison term – BBC Sport
Barcelona and Argentina defender Javier Mascherano has appeared in court aiming to avoid going to prison over a 1.5m euros (£1.1m) tax fraud.
Sell-ons, bench-warmers and fill-ins: the life of Premier League academy graduates – The Guardian
Zach Fagan spent 12 years with Arsenal but the glitter of the Premier League proved an illusion experienced by many youngsters, some picked up at the age of four, in a flawed system.