WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Whitecaps downplay Drogba visit for good reason — he won’t be here Sunday for MLS opener – Vancouver Sun
It’ll be interesting to see how far the Caps carry on this campaign, particularly given the Los Angeles Galaxy, more star-studded than ever before with off-season signings like Nigel de Jong and Ashley Cole to supplement Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard and Giovani dos Santos, are at BC Place on April 2, while Brazilian legend Kaka makes a first visit with Orlando City on July 16.
Didier Drogba wants to train with Miami FC for a month – AS
The ex-Chelsea striker doesn’t want to play on an artificial pitch and has asked Montreal Impact if he can go to Miami to work with Nesta’s team for around four weeks.
Great Expectations: Vancouver Whitecaps daring to dream big in 2016 – Yahoo Sports
The Vancouver Whitecaps are dreaming big in 2016. Following a return to the playoffs two years ago, the Major League Soccer club accumulated a franchise-record 53 points last season en route to finishing second in the Western Conference.
Western Conference Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps – Big D Soccer
Vancouver looked west to fill their biggest position of need when they snagged prolific Japanese goalscorer Masato Kudo. At 25 years of age, Kudo has already scored 66 goals in 185 appearances in the J-League. He scored a goal in a preseason game, but also shockingly missed a sitter. The rumor out of Vancouver is that they have asked him to hit the gym to bulk up for the bruising MLS season. It might take Kudo some time to adjust to MLS.
2016 ‘Caps: Meet the Forwards – Whitecaps FC
As promised, this is an area that Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson bolstered in the offseason with the additions of Masato Kudo and Blas Perez, which all of a sudden gives the ‘Caps all sorts of fun options. Add those two to the returning group of young forwards and it’s hard not to get excited about what could be in store.
Whitecaps’ Parker is only 23 — but he’s no youngster – The Province
Tim Parker joined the Whitecaps a year and a bit ago as an unheralded rookie with few outside expectations. He was the 16th pick in a draft that often stops being interesting after about pick No. 5.
PODCAST: Episode 148 – The AFTN Podcast – “There’s Still Time” (First Kick Fever with guest Christian Bolaños) – AFTN
MLS First Kick 2016 is just around the corner and the excitement is building in Vancouver for what could be a season of great possibilities for the Whitecaps. Montreal Impact come a calling to BC Place for the ‘Caps home opener. They’ll be without Didier Drogba, so exactly how much of a challenge with they post to Vancouver? We look ahead to the game and cast an eye over Montreal’s line-up, their preseason form and what we can expect from the eastern Canadians in the new season.
Vancouver Whitecaps: The preseason actually starts on Sunday – Soccer Shorts
Well the real preseason doesn’t start on Sunday it’s more like the metaphorical preseason because these games do actually count, but the build up to First Kick has been a somewhat odd one for Carl Robinson given that the coach has been without the likes of Laba, Kudo, Mezquida, Teibert and others for significant amounts of time and all for disparate reasons and that Manneh hasn’t looked fully fit at any point so far.
CONCACAF Champions League: Seattle Sounders again lament inability to maintain lead after Club America loss – MLS
The Seattle Sounders were in position to advance past Club America and into the semifinals of the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League, but the moment – once again – was fleeting.
Mexico respect is small consolation after Sounders’ exit – Soccer America
Like in the first leg, the Seattle Sounders took the lead against defending champion (and full-strength) Club America late in the first half of the second leg in Azteca Stadium only to quickly blow the lead. Worse, they trailed by halftime and eventually dropped a 3-1 decision that sent them out of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, 5-3 on aggregate.
Real Salt Lake 1, Tigres UANL 1 | CONCACAF Champions League Match Recap – MLS
The second leg of Real Salt Lake’s CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals matchup with Tigres UANL on Wednesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium couldn’t have started any better.
Dates and Matchups Set for 2015-16 SCCL Semifinals – CONCACAF
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) confirmed this morning the schedule and matchups for the 2015-16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League semifinals.
Scheduling change for Concacaf Champions League is possible – Soccer America
Some fans and observers believe each MLS representative should take on that commitment and expense to improve the league’s performances in CCL, and that MLS should do more to help its teams. The league provides some additional allocation money — $200,000 a team, per the new CBA — and will reschedule games, but it can’t force teams to radically alter its preseason plans. The preseason is, first and foremost, preparation for the league campaign, and for teams that will always be the primary objective.
MLS Season Preview: Seattle Sounders hope changes result in long-awaited MLS Cup title – Goal
Despite the unexpected loss of Obafemi Martins to China, the Sounders are still confident they can put together a championship season in 2016.
Five things to watch as Impact kicks off season – Montreal Gazette
At long last, the final stage of pre-season preparation has been completed by most Major League Soccer teams and opening day is almost upon us.
Player Spotlight: Settled Frei ready to help Seattle fulfill its MLS Cup aspirations in 2016 – Goal
Entering his third season with the Sounders, Frei is keen to play a key role in Seattle’s quest to become MLS Cup champion.
Collen Warner traded to Houston – Waking the Red
Toronto FC continued their roster slim down on Wednesday as the club confirmed that Collen Warner has been dealt to the Houston Dynamo in exchange for a draft pick.
LA Galaxy: All-star team or garish monstrosity? – Sportsnet
Preparing to open up a new Major League Soccer season with a new all-star lineup that includes Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole, Robbie Keane, Giovani dos Santos and Nigel “Kung Fu Kick” De Jong, the franchise could have been forgiven for thinking that it had become quite a cool place to play and watch football.
Red Bulls sign Zach Carroll, Justin Bilyeu – Empire of Soccer
The New York Red Bulls are finalizing their roster just days prior to the start of their season. EoS has learned the Red Bulls have signed draft picks Zach Carroll and Justin Bilyeu.
NYCFC acquire Shannon Gomez on one-year loan – Empire of Soccer
Just days from their season opener, New York City FC announced the acquisition of Shannon Gomez on a one-year loan from Trinidad and Tobago club, W Connection.
Bleachers Full of Women? The question of gender equality in MLS supporters’ culture – Howler
Recalling the 2014 Independent Supporters’ Council meeting, Cidne Christensen, then president and now secretary/treasurer of Real Salt Lake’s Rogue Cavaliers Brigade supporters’ group, says that it was her “and probably just two other women around the table.” Since then, that number has slowly begun to climb. This year, Christensen could count almost 10.
Kei Kamara’s American Dream: From Refugee to Soccer Star – Rolling Stone
As a teen, he fled war-torn Sierra Leone in search of a better life. Now, after a breakout MLS season, Kamara has finally found it – in Ohio.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
SFU Clan To Face Toronto FC2, Whitecaps FC2 On Fox Field – SFU
Simon Fraser University will face Toronto FC2 this Friday, and Whitecaps FC2 on March 13, both on Terry Fox Field on campus.
MWSL Opens Spring Team Registration – MWSL
Spring Team Registration is open for the Metro Women’s Soccer League – March 2nd, 2016 and will end – March 31st, 2016.
Powell River Villa drops final road game – Powell River Peak
Powell River Villa coach Chris McDonough expects a good challenge for his players in a pair of upcoming homes games against the top teams in Division 2 of the Vancouver Island Soccer League. Villa faces Cermaq City Wave on Sunday, March 6, and Lakehill United on Sunday, March 13.
BC Soccer Assoc. is Now Accepting Candidates for its Board of Directors – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors for terms commencing June 11, 2016. Prospective candidates are invited to review the information provided on the BC Soccer web site www.bcsoccer.net. Candidates who provide notice to BC Soccer Assoc. of their intent to stand for election by May 1, 2016 will have their applications circulated to the membership in early May.
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 vs. MEXICO, March 25, 2016 @ BC PLACE STADIUM. Buy Tickets Today!
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canadian women’s soccer team blanked in Algarve Cup opener by Denmark – CBC
Unable to convert scoring chances, Canada dropped its Algarve Cup women’s soccer opener in a 1-0 loss to Denmark.
Herdman laments “same old Canada” in Algarve Cup loss to Denmark – the11.ca
After being shut out by the Americans in the final of the CONCACAF tournament, and then beaten 1-0 Wednesday by Denmark in the opener of the Algarve Cup, the questions remain. When the level of opposition rises, can Canada score?
CU17W Preview: Day One – CONCACAF
All eyes will be on host Grenada as the 2016 CONCACAF Under-17 Women’s Championship (CU17W) kicks off Thursday with a Group A doubleheader at the Grenada Athletics Stadium. The Grenadians will open its first-ever CU17W campaign by closing the night against Haiti, after 2013 runner-up Canada meets Guatemala in the curtain raiser.
Canada’s Men’s National Youth Program secures international against England – CSA
Canada’s Men’s National Youth Program has confirmed an international trip and friendly match against European opponents England. The trip will feature a Canadian U-20 squad of players born 1996 or later.
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WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
Baldisimo signs with Whitecaps FC2 – Burnaby Now
Matthew Baldisimo, 18, signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC2 team last week, a natural progression for the Wesburn Youth Soccer product.
Fury FC Add CanMNT Defender Marcel de Jong and Brazilian striker Pablo Dyego – Ottawa Fury
As Fury FC continue week three of training camp in the sunshine and warmth of Casa Grande, Arizona, head coach and general manager Paul Dalglish made two major additions to his squad signing Canadian Men’s National Team player Marcel de Jong and Brazilian forward Pablo Dyego who joins the club on a season-long loan from Fluminense – both pending ITC.
FC Edmonton Saskatchewan-bound for training, bonding – Edmonton Journal
FC Edmonton will officially get their preseason underway on Thursday morning when the team departs for Saskatchewan. The trip to Saskatoon will give the team a chance to bond with the club’s newest recruits, as well as start getting into match fitness on the SaskTel Sports Centre’s full-sized indoor field.
Six Roughnecks Players Involved in Accident – USL
A van carrying six Tulsa Roughnecks FC players was involved in an accident Wednesday morning when traveling from Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville, Fla. Midfielder Henri Manhebo is still receiving treatment for his injuries and is in stable condition, according to a team statement, while the majority of the other players received treatment for minor injuries and were released.
NASL Ticker: Under Armour deal, Cosmos kits and more – SBI
Both the NASL and one of the league’s biggest clubs have found a new sponsor, while several other clubs have continued preseason preparations.
Cosmos, Boys settle Duk dispute after non-payment allegations – Empire of Soccer
On Tuesday afternoon, Sport Boys Warnes Vice President Clíver Rocha gathered the local media for a press conference, accusing the New York Cosmos of failing to payout their loan deal for star Bolivian striker, Yasmani Duk – and issuing an ultimatum on payment of their agreed $50,000 transfer.
Nashville FC: A Grassroots Club With Big League Ambitions – Midfield Press
As Major League Soccer, the North American Soccer League and the United Soccer League jockey for position, community soccer clubs with humble beginnings are forming at the lower levels, in leagues like the NPSL. Detroit City FC, Grand Rapids FC, San Francisco City FC and Nashville FC are examples of grassroots soccer clubs taking hold in their communities, and these clubs have the potential to develop into something much bigger.
How the Mormon boys of Brigham Young took on the semi-pros – The Guardian
The men’s soccer team at BYU wear their Mormon backgrounds on their sleeves – and they’re the only college team to play in the fourth-tier PDL.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Soccer icon Brandi Chastain agrees to donate brain for concussion research – USA Today
Brandi Chastain, whose iconic celebration at the 1999 Women’s World Cup became a lasting symbol of power and success in women’s sports, announced Thursday morning that she has decided to donate her brain after death to the Concussion Legacy Foundation to be studied by the renowned Boston University CTE program.
Wednesday roundup: Canada lose, Japan held – The Equalizer
Canada dropped to 0-2 since qualifying for the Olympics after losing their Algarve Cup opener, 1-0 to Denmark on Wednesday. Thorns’ forward Nadia Nadim scored in the 56th minute for the only goal of the match. John Herdman’s side qualified for the Olympics by going undefeated through group play and beating Costa Rica in the semifinals of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament. They lost 2-0 to the United States in the final before heading to Portugal for Algarve.
Women’s Olympic Final Qualification Round: MD3 Preview – AFC
Osaka: Hosts Japan may remain winless after two rounds at the AFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 qualifiers, but coach Norio Sasaki is not panicking and has faith in the London 2012 silver medalists ahead of Friday’smeeting with China.
International teams head for the sun – FIFA
A host of international teams are set for a spell in the sun with this week’s annual hosting of the prestigious Algarve Cup, as well as the ever-growing Cyprus Cup. This year marks a different look for both competitions given there will, for various reasons, be several absentees.
UEFA Olympic qualifiers in the Netherlands – UEFA
Results from Wednesday’s Matches in UEFA Olympic qualifiers.
Jordan Nobbs: Lionesses are ready to match USA mentality – The FA
England vice-captain Jordan Nobbs is licking her lips at the prospect of facing World Cup winners USA in the early hours of Friday morning.
UEFA European Women’s U17 Championship elite round updates – UEFA
The UEFA European Women’s U17 Championship elite round decides the seven teams to join Belarus in July’s finals: UEFA.com has the latest from the six groups.
USSF’s Girls’ Development Academy Has It All Wrong – American Soccer Now
John D. Halloran, a veteran high school soccer coach and a frequent ASN contributor, believes that the exclusionary policies of U.S. Soccer’s new girls’ development academy are destructive and unnecessary.
Kim Little, the low-profile world-beater – FIFA
“Kim Little is the most talented player I have ever played with. She is great at everything. Her passing and vision and technical skill are, I believe, the best in the world.”
SheBelieves Cup: Mark Sampson targets shock tournament win – BBC Sport
Winning the inaugural SheBelieves Cup would be as “big an achievement” as claiming bronze at last summer’s World Cup, says England boss Mark Sampson.
Eniola Aluko column: SheBelieves Cup a bigger test than World Cup – BBC Sport
Less than eight months after we ended the World Cup in Canada with a bronze medal around our necks, we are back across the Atlantic for a tournament that in many ways is an even bigger test.
Izzy is taking on the ‘World’ for U.S. Soccer – Hometown Life
When people tell Izzy Rodriguez how unbelievably talented she is on the soccer pitch, the humble teenager usually shrugs it off with a “Who me?” response. Others take notice, of course. The Salem High School junior is embarking on a journey a miniscule number of athletes are able to take — she is a member of the U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Soccer Team.
One Nation, One Team – Two Standards – Midfield Press
I love footy, I love everything about it, I love being an American and I love our National Teams. What I don’t love, is how vastly different the treatment of the women from the men is.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Title-chasing Spurs, Arsenal, Man City all lose in Premier League – Toronto Star
Leicester strengthened its position atop the Premier League without even playing on Wednesday, after its three main title rivals all lost to cap another unpredictable round in England’s top division.
Emmanuel Eboue set to join Sunderland for the rest of the season – Vavel
Former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue is set to join Sunderland for the rest of the season on a free transfer, with Sam Allardyce confirming that he has been offered a contract in his pre-match press conference today.
Sunderland feel ‘extremely let down’ by Adam Johnson, says Sam Allardyce – The Guardian
Sam Allardyce has said everyone at Sunderland was stunned by Adam Johnson’s guilty pleas and that they they feel “extremely let down”.
Probe into 2006 World Cup to be released Friday – Sportsnet
A highly anticipated independent report to be released Friday could throw light into corruption allegations against Germany’s 2006 World Cup organizers and the fate of a dubious payment to FIFA.
Inter overturn 3-0 deficit but lose Coppa Italia shootout to Juventus – The Guardian
Juventus ended a remarkable Internazionale comeback by winning the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg 5-3 on penalties to set up a final against Milan.
Executive: Closed Champions League has its merits – Sportsnet
The American sports executive who held talks with leading Premier League clubs about a shake-up of European competitions says there are merits to a closed system.
Match-fixing suspicions grow in Belgium as second game is identified – Inside World Football
A Belgian top-flight match between KV Oostende vs Waasland-Beveren has been identified in a German TV documentary as showing signs of betting related match-fixing. The new revelations cast what is becoming a growing shadow over Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League.
Chinese football’s unglamorous past – The Guardian
Chinese fans now watch stars such as Ramires and Alex Teixeira, but a decade ago they had to settle for the type of players who were released by Bristol City.