BC Soccer News, Thursday, March 1, 2018

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. MONTREAL IMPACT

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Tim Parker still a Whitecap, for now, as Carl Robinson says team is “prepared for every avenue”AFTN
The new MLS season is four days away and Vancouver Whitecaps are in “decent” shape heading in to it according to head coach Carl Robinson.

Whitecaps FC acquire $150,000 in Targeted Allocation Money from Chicago Fire in exchange for Tony TchaniWhitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Wednesday that the club has acquired $150,000 in 2018 Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) from Chicago Fire in exchange for midfielder Tony Tchani.

Chicago Fire Soccer Club Acquires Midfielder Tony Tchani from Vancouver Whitecaps FCChicago Fire
“Tony is a proven player and winner within MLS. His skill set will be complementary to our current squad and we are pleased to add his talents,” said Fire president and general manager Nelson Rodríguez.

Impact and their fans optimistic as new MLS season set to kick offMontreal Gazette
Richard Legendre, understandably, must be a glass half-full guy in his line of work. As he stood there Wednesday night at the Imperial Cinema for the Impact’s annual members’ assembly, witnessing the clapping, singing and numerous standing ovations from close to 900 season-ticket holders, Legendre knew he was preaching to the converted.

Vancouver Whitecaps: Season Preview!Soccer Shorts
Can it really be the start of the Major League Soccer season this coming weekend? Yes it can, because that’s how we shape the unconnected moments of our existence to form the necessary illusion of linear time. But what does the “year” hold in store for the Vancouver Whitecaps?

MLS 2018: Vancouver WhitecapsProst Amerika
The Big Question: Will Robinson allow his attackers to put their feet on the gas?

New to 2018: Spectator guide for Sunday’s season opener at BC PlaceWhitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC kick off the 2018 Major League Soccer regular season against Montreal Impact this Sunday at BC Place (limited tickets still available). Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. PT, but fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid large crowds and take part in the pre-match festivities, which begin at 1:30 p.m. PT. Here are some of the new items you can expect on Sunday.

2018 MLS Western Conference previewNBC Sports
The countdown is at three days until the MLS season returns.

Toronto FC MLS season preview: What to expect from the championsWaking the Red
As part of SB Nation’s league-wide MLS season previews, we’re here to give you a taste of what to expect from the defending champions. If you’re a fan and a regular reader, some of this stuff might be old news, so feel free to skip ahead to the jokes and poetry at the end. As for neutrals and rival fans (well hello there, Mount Royal Soccer), sit back as we tell you all you need to know about Toronto FC.

No Lie, Tigres vs. Toronto FC Will Be The Greatest CCL Quarterfinal EverThe 18
Over the course of the last few years, Tigres UANL have established themselves as Liga MX’s premier side. While they’ve captured three-straight Apertura titles, they’ve also suffered the heartbreak of back-to-back defeats in CONCACAF Champions League finals, losing to America in 2016 and Pachuca in 2017. They’ll be desperate to represent the region at the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup in the UAE.

THREATS, TAPAS AND HANDSHAKES: How Toronto FC’s top brass landed three big time off-season acquisitionsToronto Sun
As Toronto FC supporters voiced concern over a perceived lack of off-season squad tinkering, General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko – regarded now as the league’s top roster manipulator – was meeting with clubs and players and agents on multiple continents.

CCL Preview: Sounders look to come from behind against Santa TeclaSBI
The Seattle Sounders have work to do. After falling, 2-1, to Santa Tecla on the road, the reigning MLS Cup runners-up will need to handle business at home to continue their run through the CONCACAF Champions League.

CONCACAF Champions League: FC Dallas Crashes Out vs. Panama’s TauroSI.com
Another year, another CONCACAF Champions League sigh for a favored MLS team.

CCL Preview: Red Bulls feeling confident heading home with away goal advantageSBI
The New York Red Bulls head into the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions League series against C.D. Olimpia with a strong feeling of confidence to see themselves through the Round of 16.

New MLS Season Kicks-Off This Weekend And It Needs To Build On The Many Successes In 2017Forbes
The 23rd Major League Soccer season kicks off this weekend. In a two-part article, I look back at the highpoints of the 2017 season, the on and off-field changes since and the prospects for the new season.

Jesse Marsch urges fellow MLS coaches to commit to playing young playersMLS
This year the New York Red Bulls will feature a young squad, which is something that head coach Jesse Marsch wants to see more MLS teams emulate, particularly when it comes to young domestic players.

Los Angeles FC kicks off inaugural season on the road in SeattlePro Soccer USA
The long-awaited inaugural Major League Soccer season for Los Angeles FC begins Sunday, as the team travels to Seattle to take on the Sounders and begin to build a new culture for Los Angeles soccer fans.

LAFC 2018 MLS season previewAngels on Parade
Announced in October 2014, it’s been a very long road to get to this point. On the bright side, LAFC will be the first ever MLS expansion team to begin their home slate in a brand-new purpose-built stadium, something that should help put them on solid footing right off the bat. What else is there to know about the expansion side heading into the season? We’ll answer some of the big questions right here.

As a new team arrives in LA, has the sun set on MLS’s Galaxy era?The Guardian
The Galaxy slumped to bottom of the Western Conference last season – and that was before the arrival of a new team in town. How will they respond?

Seattle Sounders announce live streaming partnership with YouTube TVMLS
The Seattle Sounders announced a new media rights agreement with YouTube TV on Wednesday evening, a multi-year partnership that sees the latter become the club’s official live TV streaming home.

The new plan for a David Beckham soccer stadium may not fit on the Overtown siteMiami Herald
New David Beckham partner Jorge Mas boasts of a bold, high-tech vision for a Miami soccer stadium. And that could get complicated. Mas also says the nine-acre site in Overtown that the Beckham group secured for the venue two years ago just isn’t large enough to match his ambitions.

Columbus Crew owner Anthony Precourt is a monorail salesman masquerading as a pro sports ownerThe Comeback
Columbus Crew owner Anthony Precourt has quickly rocketed near the top of the “worst owner in sports” rankings — not only with his attempted relocation of MLS’s original franchise, but the tone-deaf ineptitude of the attempted relocation. The Precourt saga has been an embarrassment to MLS, American soccer, and professional sports as a whole.

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BC SOCCER NEWS

For Langford, it’s game on for stadium with 8,000 seatsTimes Colonist
Langford plans to expand Westhills Stadium to 8,000 seats, from 1,718, in what could be a game-changer for outdoor sports in Greater Victoria.

LMG caps off record-setting Div. 1 seasonLake Cowichan Gazette
Having already clinched their fourth straight Garrison Cup as Vancouver Island Soccer League Div. 1 champions, all Cowichan LMG had left to accomplish in their season finale on Sunday was to set club records for both wins and points.

District considers adding second all-weather soccer field in LynnmourNorth Shore News
The pitch battle over the possible addition of a second synthetic turf soccer field at Inter River Park played out in District of North Vancouver council chambers Monday.

MSOC: Theo Weismiller says yes to Timberwolves for 2018UNBC Timberwolves
The University of Northern British Columbia’s Men’s soccer team continues to use its pipeline to Vancouver Island, announcing the commitment of Victoria’s Theo Weismiller for the 2018-2019 season.

PCSL CHALLENGE CUP PHOTOS: Vancouver Utd. 3, Mid-Isle Mariners 1, July 30, 2017BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

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, 2017BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

Becoming a BC Soccer RefereeBCSA
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 SyndicationBC 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

Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team fall 3:1 in its opening match of the 2018 Algarve CupCSA
Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team fell 3:1 in its opening match of the 2018 Algarve Cup. Playing in its first match since November’s home and away international friendly matches against USA and Norway, Canada controlled large parts of the game and demonstrated creativity throughout, but Sweden succeeded in capitalising on defensive errors to defeat the Canadian side.

Canada’s women’s soccer team drops 1st game with new coach Heiner-MollerCBC
In its first game after the departure of long-time coach John Herdman, Canada’s women’s soccer team fell 3-1 to Sweden with new coach, Kenneth Heiner-Moller, on the sidelines.

Heiner-Moller era begins with a lossthe11.ca
Canada’s opening match of the Algarve Cup deserved a little more scrutiny than a non-televised national-team match would normally generate; that’s because the error-filled 3-1 loss to Sweden Wednesday marked the beginning of the Kenneth Heiner-Moller era.

Canada Soccer launches strategic plan engagement campaign: You are Canada SoccerCSA
As the Leading a Soccer Nation Strategic Plan 2014-2018 chapter nears its completion, Canada Soccer has launched an engagement campaign designed to solicit feedback from the Canadian soccer public.

Red Street Elite goes beyond supporting Toronto FCMississauga.com
It’s pretty clear that Mike Toth is a huge soccer fan. In the off chance he isn’t wearing gear of any of his favourite teams, his arms show off his passion for the beautiful game.

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USL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS

Montreal Impact loan Salazar, Meilleur-Giguere to USL’s Ottawa Fury FCCTV Montreal
The Montreal Impact loaned striker Michael Salazar and defender Thomas Meilleur-Giguere to Ottawa Fury FC on Wednesday for the 2018 season.

El Paso Joins the United Soccer League for 2019 SeasonUSL
United Soccer League (USL) officials announced today that El Paso, Texas will be the next addition to the league for the 2019 season, continuing the USL’s growth in the Southwest United States. The new club will be led by MountainStar Sports Group (MSSG), which also owns and operates the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. The group is also a minority owner of FC Juaréz of Mexico’s Liga Ascenso.

INDY ELEVEN SECURE PRESEASON WIN IN 2-0 SHUTOUTIndy Eleven
Indy Eleven forward Eugene Starikov nets two goals to seal Indy’s first preseason victory in a 2-0 shutout over Western Conference powerhouse Swope Park Rangers.

Rising FC Earns Draw in Ecuador ExhibitionUSL
Phoenix Rising FC rallied to earn a 2-2 draw against Ecuadorian side L.D.U Quito in an international exhibition on Wednesday night at Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado. The two sides would settle the match in penalty kicks with L.D.U. edging Rising FC 3-2 from the spot.

In pursuing injunction, NASL was always playing down a man Sounder at Heart
On February 23, 2018, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a gut-punch to the North American Soccer League (NASL) by denying their appeal of the District Court order denying their request for an injunction against the United States Soccer Federation. It was a blow the NASL apparently could not recover from, as they announced four days later that they would not participate as a soccer league this year at any level.

WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS

Sam Kerr on target again as Matildas beat Norway with 94th-minute winner The Guardian
Sam Kerr and the Matildas kept up their record streaks in Australia’s last-gasp 4-3 defeat of Norway at the Algarve Cup. Alen Stajcic’s side were victorious for the eighth time in a row, while Kerr netted for a record seventh straight game at the Portugal-hosted friendly tournament.

Algarve Cup 2018: Matchday 1 Round-upVavel
It is that time of the year again, where 12 nations gather to fight it out for the Algarve Cup Trophy.

Netherlands crushes Nadeshiko Japan in Algarve Cup openerJapan Times
The Netherlands inflicted a crushing 6-2 defeat on Japan in their opening match Wednesday at the Algarve Cup, an invitational women’s soccer tournament.

Cyprus Cup: Italy 3-0 Switzerland – Italians run riot in LarnacaVavel
Off to a lightening fast start Italy turned on the class to leave Switzerland looking less than second best at the Cyprus Cup.

SheBelieves Cup kicks off Thursday in Columbus Orlando Sentinel
The USWNT won the inaugural SheBelieves Cup in 2016, but finished fourth in the four-team tournament last year.

SheBelieves Cup: Pressure will be on all four teamsSoccer America
The USA kicks off third SheBelieves Cup Thursday when it plays Germany in Columbus, Ohio.

England are now feared by rivals, says defender Lucy BronzeThe Guardian
Lucy Bronze believes England’s rise towards the apex of women’s football has served a serious warning to their rivals in the lead-up to the World Cup next summer.

Lena Goeßling and zookeeper Alexandra Popp ready for Germany’s SheBelieves campaignThe Equalizer
It’s going to be a heavyweight battle at MAPFRE Stadium on Thursday night as U.S. Soccer opens up their SheBelieves Cup tournament against Germany. The top two teams in women’s football will be on display to claim superiority, and bragging rights.

Liga Iberdrola week 21 review: Zaragoza pick up second win of the seasonVavel
It was a week for away teams in Liga Iberdrola with Atleti, Tenerife, Madrid, Rayo and Barca inflicting home defeats on Huelva, Santa Teresa, Athletic, Levante and Valencia. Elsewhere Zaragoza claimed the only home win of the weekend at Espanyol’s expense whilst Sociedad-Betis and Albacete-Sevilla both finished 1-1.

Westfield Matildas striker Kyah Simon signs with NWSL clubFFA
Injured Westfield Matildas striker Kyah Simon has signed with Houston Dash for the upcoming NWSL season, the club confirmed on Thursday.

Here’s where Boston Breakers players landed after their team foldedBoston.com
The Boston Breakers will not be embarking on a 2018 campaign, but the majority of their players will still be suiting up when the NWSL kicks off on March 28.


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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

Premier League Preview: Arsenal v. Manchester CityNBC Sports
Manchester City aims to build off of its first piece of silverware in the Carabao Cup against Arsenal on Thursday.

Neymar could miss up to 3 months after surgery on fractured toeSportsnet
Neymar will have surgery on a fractured toe in his right foot and could be out for up to three months, an estimate that would take the Brazil striker right up to the World Cup.

Copa Libertadores Review: River rescue late draw on day of stalematesFour Four Two
Last season’s semi-finalists River Plate kicked off their Copa Libertadores campaign with an entertaining draw in Brazil, which was the story of the day in South America.

PSG trump OM again, Strasbourg stunned by ChamblyLigue 1
Angel Di Maria shone as four-time reigning champions PSG booked their place in the Coupe de France semis with a second 3-0 win over Marseille in three days; Strasbourg were handed a shock 1-0 exit by amateurs FC Chambly.

Debuchy pushing for France recall and World Cup selectionMetro
In many ways, Saint-Etienne’s good run of form is down to the resurgence of Mathieu Debuchy. With less than four months before the World Cup in Russia, the former Arsenal player has a decent chance of earning a France recall.

Falcao back as Monaco face BordeauxLigue 1
AS Monaco are likely to have the boost of having Radamel Falcao back in their side as they seek to strengthen their grip on second place at home to Girondins de Bordeaux on Friday.

West Brom in disarray, heading out of Premier LeagueMetro
In an effort to get fans on his side following his takeover of West Bromwich Albion, Chinese businessman Lai Guochuan issued a personal message promising stability and continuity at the established Premier League club.

Premier League relegation scrap: who will survive and who faces the drop?The Guardian
West Brom look to be a write-off even though their fixture list seems relatively favourable. Their form is deteriorating rather than improving, and the injury to Daniel Sturridge is an unfortunate, if foreseeable, blow. Stoke, by contrast, are improving, seemingly energised by Paul Lambert, some astute January signings and an in-form Xherdan Shaqiri.

Tottenham eases into FA Cup quarters despite VAR confusionSportsnet
Fernando Llorente scored a 12-minute hat trick as Tottenham beat third-tier Rochdale 6-1 in an FA Cup fifth-round replay dominated by referrals to the video assistant referee on Wednesday.

Iran detains two women for going to a football matchBBC
Iran has detained two women for trying to attend a football match. The unnamed pair tried to go to a game between Tehran teams Esteqlal and Persepolis at the Azadi Stadium. Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, was also in attendance, along with Iranian sport minister Masoud Soltanifar.

Chapecoense at court over disputed Copa Libertadores gameMetro
Brazilian club Chapecoense has challenged South American soccer body CONMEBOL in a dispute over a defaulted Copa Libertadores game last season.

Football In Russia and The United Kingdom: Culturally Compatible Or Worlds Apart?Futbolgrad
This summer, football fans from all four corners of the globe, including the United Kingdom, will travel to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The pinnacle of international football without a shadow of a doubt, some have doubts over Russia’s ability to successfully host a tournament of this magnitude.

Liverpool’s new main stand earned club extra £12m last yearThe Telegraph
Liverpool’s new Main Stand earned the club an extra £12 million in its first season as the club sought to close a significant gap to rivals Manchester United and Arsenal.

‘Members or clients’? Dortmund boss says fans will win on Monday night TV protestInside World Football
German football may consider ditching Monday night league games following a string of protests by fans who have voted with their feet and stayed away, according to Borussia Dortmund’s chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke.

Pundits are good for the game even if ex-players’ censure can feel out of lineThe Guardian
Former professionals such as Gary Neville educate not only supporters but also younger players while continually raising standards in terms of objectively analysing matches

Seamus Coleman Wants You to Kick LGBT Discrimination out of FootballRoyal Blue Mersey
Kick it Out, a small independent charity that works with football authorities to end inequality, released a film with Premier League players that affirms that “football is for everyone.” The short video also states that abusive chanting is not okay and that LGBT people are welcome at football games.

VIDEO: ‘If I didn’t have football? If not in prison, I’d probably be dead’BBC Sport
Before the FA People’s Cup first round, BBC Get Inspired’s Cel Spellman met up with Bolton Burnden FC, a team who use football as a way to help them recover from drug or alcohol addiction.

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