BC Soccer News, Thursday, September 8, 2016

COLUMBUS CREW SC vs. WHITECAPS FC

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016, 3:00 PM

MAPFRE STADIUM, COLUMBUS, OH.

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Vancouver Whitecaps Lacking Player Leadership? – Eighty-Six Forever
On paper, the Vancouver Whitecaps have a strong squad. This is not homerism, but an actual fact that many others in the media and in Major League Soccer have noted. In part, this is why the season has been so frustrating. Fans can see the talent that is on the roster, but it seems that the players cannot function together as a unit. Part of the blame must be placed at the feet of manager Carl Robinson. After all, he is the person who put the team together. However, not all the blame needs to fall on Robbo.

From the Pigeon Loft: Breaking the sound barrier – AFTN
I think it’s over. After Saturday night somebody tweeted that we were mathematically eliminated from the Supporter’s Shield and I met that revelation with astonishment. I had forgotten that we were still in that competition. I had forgotten about math.

Back to school: Ousted ‘opening up possibilities’ with pursuit of finance degree – Whitecaps FC
In July 2015, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) became Major League Soccer’s “exclusive education partner,” an arrangement that encouraged and assisted players to pursue their higher education. David Ousted didn’t need much convincing. The 31-year-old Dane, who is rarely seen without a book by his side, is currently working towards a bachelor of finance degree through SNHU’s online courses.

Adekugbe transitioning into contributor at Brighton & Hove Albion – Red Nation Online
Brighton & Hove Albion have a young new standout full-back in their midst and it didn’t cost the organization a hefty transfer wage on deadline day. Sam Adekugbe has been a pleasant addition to the club after joining  the Seagulls on July 15 on a season long loan from Major League Soccer club, Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Berhalter keen to get Crew to playoffs, but ‘it’s been a challenge this year’ – Four Four Two
Gregg Berhalter didn’t anticipate this, and that, he admits, is a problem. His first two seasons as Columbus Crew boss had gone well: a third place in the Eastern Conference two years ago followed by a runner-up finish and MLS Cup title-game berth last year. His expectations heading into 2016 matched nearly everyone else’s, that the dazzling side that so impressed from mid-June on in 2015 was going to challenge for trophies.

Real Salt Lake 3, LA Galaxy 3 | 2016 MLS Match Recap – MLS
Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy traded haymakers for more than 90 riveting minutes at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday night, and both had to settle for a point in the end.

Bruce Arena laments the LA Galaxy’s draw with Real Salt Lake: “We shot ourselves in the foot” – LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena pulled no punches when assessing his team’s second half breakdown in the 3-3 draw with Real Salt Lake on Wednesday at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Orlando City cruises past 10-man Impact to earn first road win since March – SBI
Two runs of futility ended on Wednesday night at Stade Saputo, and two legends struck for their respective sides. However, it was Orlando City who overcame an early goal to earn its first road win since March 18 after defeating the 10-man Montreal Impact 4-1.

Montreal left reeling after another home loss – Four Four Two
As yet another team celebrated a win on the field at Stade Saputo on Wednesday night, one has to wonder: What exactly has gone wrong in Montreal?

With backs against the wall, Seattle prepare for a battle with San Jose – MLS
As the Seattle Sounders get set to return from their two-week break from MLS play on Saturday with a road matchup against the San Jose Earthquakes, they enter a stretch run that will make or break their 2016 season.

Vieira hopes NYCFC depth keeps pushing playoff race – Empire of Soccer
As New York City FC’s regular season enters its final six matches, head coach Patrick Vieira continues to modify his tactics with little attention paid on its possible impact.

Garber hints at possible cap on expansion – SBI
Could MLS be nearing the end of its expansion era? The commissioner thinks its possible. In an interview with Forbes on Wednesday, MLS Commissioner Don Garber stated that he believed the current round of expansion to 28 teams could be the league’s last.

Toronto FC worth $245 million, according to Forbes – Toronto Star
TFC is the fourth most valuable team in Major League Soccer in the magazine’s latest rankings.

MLS Disciplinary Committee fines Portland midfielder Lucas Melano – MLS
The MLS Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday fined Portland Timbers midfielder Lucas Melano for actions taken during Week 26 of the 2016 MLS regular season.

Minnesota United Looks to the Future, Appoints Tim Carter as Director of Development – Fifty Five One
On Thursday, Minnesota United officially announced that Tim Carter will be the director of their Development Academy as the team moves to MLS. While most fans will be unfamiliar with Carter, those involved in youth soccer circles around the country will likely be aware of him. In fact, the former Shattuck-St. Mary’s DA Director may be one of the most qualified directors in the whole US Soccer DA program.

MLS PHOTOS: Whitecaps FC 0, New York Red Bulls 1, September 3, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

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BC SOCCER NEWS

VMSL Opens the 2016-17 Premier League Season with Six Matches in Coquitlam – BC Soccer Web
The Vancouver Metro Soccer League is set to open the curtain on the 2016-17 season this Saturday with a great day of Premier League matches in Coquitlam. All twelve top division clubs will be in action at Coquitlam’s Town Centre’s East Turf. Kickoff times for the six matches are 3pm, 5pm & 7pm.

WOMEN’S PREVIEW: Vikes look for first win of the season against unfamiliar foes – UVic
The Vikes women’s soccer team will continue their home stand Sep. 9 and 10, playing the MacEwan Griffins and the Mount Royal Cougars, both games start at 5:00 p.m.

MEN’S PREVIEW: Vikes hope to right the ship in home openers – UVic
The UVic Vikes men’s soccer team will look to rebound from a tough opening weekend and get their 2016 Canada West season back on track in their first home games of regular season play when they welcome the Fraser Valley Cascades and the Trinity Western Spartans this weekend.

Weekend soccer preview: Cascades embark on first road trip – UFV
After opening their Canada West schedules at home last weekend, the University of the Fraser Valley men’s and women’s soccer teams hit the road in Week 2.

WEEKEND PREVIEW | MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SOCCER ON THE ROAD – TWU
This week, the No. 8 Trinity Western men’s soccer team travels to play UBC and Victoria, while the No. 4 Spartans women’s soccer team is also on the road, taking on Saskatchewan and Regina.

Harsany Takes Reigns of Keeping For WolfPack Men’s Soccer – Canada West
Claye Harsany is enjoying a pretty charmed life these days.  And it is no accident.  The second year soccer player from High River, Alberta is a hard worker.  And that diligence is paying off with the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s soccer team.

VIDEO: Campus Corner: Glanville leader of the ‘Pack – Canada West
Ryan Glanville talks about balancing life as a student-athlete, father, and husband in the latest edition of Campus Corner. Glanville is hoping to lead the Thompson Rivers WolfPack men’s soccer team to the Canada West playoffs this season.

VIU soccer lineup filled with skill – Nanaimo News Bulletin
VIU’s men’s soccer program is always among the best, but this year, more than ever, it’s practically an all-star team.

Blues begin their title defence – North Shore News
Capilano men hope for all of last year’s success without the early-season stress.

VIU women’s soccer team wants the ball – Nanaimo News Bulletin
The VIU Mariners, coming from all areas of the pitch, will be hard to stop. Vancouver Island University’s women’s soccer team has added skill, scoring and depth as it prepares to take the field for the 2016 Pacific Western Athletic Association season.

UFV men start season hot – Abbotsford News
The UFV Cascades men’s soccer team had a perfect start to their 2016 campaign on Friday and Saturday. UFV posted two shutout wins on home pitch, and are riding their best start as a team since 2010.

Women soccer championship comes down to shootout – Prince George Citizen
In a game that took nearly a week to complete, it came down to a shootout to decide the Prince George Women’s Soccer Association Open Division playoff champions.

West Coast tournament kicks off new soccer season – Maple Ridge News
If Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows were bustling over the long weekend, it’s because thousands of visitors came to the area for a local soccer association’s West Coast Cup tournament from Sept. 3 to 5. Over 135 teams made up of over 2,000 coaches and players participated.

FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence inaugurated in Vancouver – Whitecaps FC
The University of British Columbia’s Allan McGavin Sport Medicine Centre was inaugurated as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence on Thursday September 1, 2016, one of only two centres in Canada to attain the designation from the Federation Internationale de Football Association, based in Zurich.

Nominations for BC Sports Hall of Fame accepted until Oct. 1 – Surrey Now
Do you know a British Columbian who has accomplished sporting greatness? If so, consider nominating the person for the BC Sports Hall of Fame, which is accepting nominations for its 2017 induction class until Oct. 1.

Canada West to livestream over 100 Soccer matches in 2016-17 – Canada West
With the 2016-17 Canada West regular season set to open later this week, Canada West is proud to launch passes for Canadawest.tv – the official streaming home of the conference.

BC Soccer Assoc. Releases their 2015-2016 Year in Review – BCSA
After another successful year of soccer in British Columbia, BC Soccer Assoc. is pleased to release their 2015-2016 Year in Review.  The creation of the BC Soccer Club Charter Program, delivery of a FIFA Live Your Goals Festival, along with the numerous Grassroots Festivals across the province and Coach Education highlight some of the major successes this past year.

BC Soccer Assoc. Delivery of Coach Mandate – BCSA
IMPORTANT:  If you are coaching in the ages U6-U12 you are required to complete the age appropriate course(s) even if you have a higher level of certification (ie. Soccer for Life, B pretest, C License, B License or A License). In order to enable our membership to deliver on the coaching mandate, BC Soccer Assoc. will be scheduling Learning Facilitator training sessions to assist organizations to have qualified individuals to deliver in-club coach certification courses to their coaches.

2016 BC Soccer Provincial Cup Photo Galleries – BC Soccer Web
Westhills Stadium & Goudy Park in Langford hosted the 2016 BC Soccer Adult Provincial Cup Finals. It was a thrilling weekend of soccer on Vancouver Island that saw seven champions crowned. Richmond FC & Surrey Pegasus qualified for the National Championships this Fall in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Both Coquitlam Metro-Ford Masters & Classics sides qualified for the Western Canadian Masters Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In all, it was a clean sweep for teams from the VMSL & MWSL. Monique Lamoureux & Bill Currie from BC Soccer Web were on location that weekend, capturing the all the action.

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.

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CANADA SOCCER NEWS

2018 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

CANADA  3  EL SALVADOR  1

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

BC PLACE, VANCOUVER, BC

PHOTOS: 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Canada 3 El Salvador 1, September 6, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie

Canada disappointed by qualifying exit, but progress emerging – MLS
This may sound like revisionist history now, but the 2018 World Cup was never meant to be in the cards for Canada.

Canada’s latest World Cup failure signals an end of an era – Sportsnet
Julian de Guzman and Atiba Hutchinson stood on the pitch inside a dark and mostly empty BC Place, trying to come to terms with their disappointment.

Julian de Guzman reflects on both his and Canada’s footballing future – “I still want to be a part of this. I still bleed red.” – AFTN
It was a heartbreaking occasion at BC Place on Tuesday night, but one Canadian soccer fans have got all too used to. Another World Cup qualifying campaign ended early, as the quest not just for another appearance at the Finals fell by the wayside, but the first step of that in qualifying for the Hex for the first time since the 1998 cycle.

Canada soccer needs to move on from Benito Floro – Toronto Sun
Floro’s contract likely won’t be extended following Canada’s World Cup qualifying exit Tuesday night in Vancouver, where a 3-1 win over El Salvador wasn’t enough to secure passage to CONCACAF’s final qualifying round.

Before taking Red Bulls job, Jesse Marsch wanted to be Canada’s coach – MLS
Before he was the New York Red Bulls coach, Jesse Marsch wanted to be the head coach of Canada’s national team, and he even sent the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) a detailed plan of how to change the program.

Ron Waxman: Canada snubbed Jesse Marsch a few years ago – Once a Metro
The circumstances of Marsch’s appointment to RBNY were controversial in part because of his modest achievements at the time. He looked no more equipped to get Canada to the Hex in 2013 than he did to guide a rebuilding RBNY squad to the league title at the start of the 2015 season. And it’s not clear that Canada would have been able to provide Marsch with what he found at RBNY.

University of Windsor tells NCAA to keep hands off our athletes – CBC
The athletic director at a Canadian university has a message for his counterparts in the United States — stop stealing our athletes.

Laurentian and Nipissing announce 705 Challenge Cup – CIS
What do you do when you and your closest neighbouring institution play no less than 12 spirited and highly competitive competitions throughout the year?  You up the ante a little more!  The Laurentian Voyageurs and Nipissing Lakers have done just that with the creation of the ‘705 Challenge Cup’ this past off-season.

Manitoba Bisons name soccer captain – MYToba
Bison women’s soccer announce Amanda Wong as team captain for the 2016 season.

Cape Breton University Capers soccer teams open at home this weekend – Cape Breton Post
One Cape Breton Capers soccer team will have a title to defend on home soil, while the other is looking for a shot at redemption once the season starts at home on Saturday against the New Brunswick Varsity Reds.

Acadia remembers Gunn Baldursson – Local Express
For many incoming Acadia students, the name Gunn Baldursson lives on only in its connection to an annual summer soccer tournament played in the Annapolis Valley. But for many of a certain age, Baldursson’s story is one of great triumph, and greater tragedy. It resonates over the nearly three decades she’s been gone.

Soccer match in honour of slain police officer Daniel Woodall to help another family in need – Edmonton Journal
The widow of a slain Edmonton police officer is glad his legacy is being used to help another family in need through the second annual Woodall Cup.

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WFC2 ‘fighting for everything’ with three matches remaining – Whitecaps FC
What a difference a year makes. At this time last year, Whitecaps FC 2 had already been eliminated from playoff contention. It was their inaugural season in the United Soccer League, and results aren’t necessarily how this team is judged as much as it is on development and pushing players onto the first team.

Sell-out crowd takes in WFC2 action in Langley – Langley Times
Playing their second game this summer in Langley, a sell-out crowd of 2,200 fans watched WFC2 battle the Seattle Sounders FC 2 in United Soccer League action.

Champions: Red Bulls II take USL regular season crown – Empire of Soccer
The Baby Bulls have their first piece of hardware. New York Red Bull II cruised to a 4-1 win over Harrisburg City Islanders at Millersville University on Wednesday afternoon. With the win, the Red Bulls II are this year’s United Soccer League Regular Season Champions.

After the USL regular season title, New York Red Bulls II chasing USL regular season records – Once a Metro
USL only counts its history back to the 2011 season, so New York Red Bulls II is just the fourth club to win the league’s regular season championship. (Orlando City won it three times before departing for MLS; Richmond Kickers and Rochester Rhinos are the other two teams to have won the league.)

10-Man Montreal Defeats Battery – USL
A 10-man FC Montreal took a 2-1 victory against the Charleston Battery on Wednesday afternoon at the Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard.

MLS signee, 2017 SuperDraft prospect Jeremy Ebobisse scores first pro goal – MLS
Making his first career start, Ebobisse tied things up for Charleston in the 40th minute of their match against the Montreal Impact’s USL club, FC Montreal. The forward collected a ball in the right side of the area, cut in on his left foot and curled a strike into the far corner to level things at 1-1.

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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS

Spirit best Reign in charged evening – Prost Amerika
Politics! Weather! Drama! Playoff implications! Normally in a ninety minute soccer match supporters are lucky to get a goal or two but tonight those that came to the Maryland SoccerPlex got a little bit of everything. With clouds and thunder both in the vicinity and in the stands, the Washington Spirit outlasted the Seattle Reign 2-1 to earn their first-ever playoff match.

Rapinoe rips Spirit owner after club prevents national anthem protest – SBI
Washington Spirit owner Bill Lynch thwarted Megan Rapinoe’s plans of a continued protest of the national anthem, and the U.S. Women’s National Team star is far from happy about it.

Washington Spirit gave Megan Rapinoe fans by stopping her anthem protest – The Guardian
Team owner Bill Lynch’s decision to nix the US midfielder’s stand against racial oppression was foolish but accusations of homophobia are wide of the mark.

Flash draw Breakers; Dash and FCKC eliminated from playoff contention – The Equalizer
On Wednesday night, the Boston Breakers and Western New York Flash played to a 2-2 draw in front of 1,435 fans at Jordan Field in Boston. A point gained by the Flash means that both the Houston Dash and 2-time defending NWSL Champions FC Kansas City are both eliminated from NWSL playoff contention.

NWSL Match Recap | Portland Thorns FC 3, Houston Dash 0 – Timbers.com
Playing their second home match in four days, Portland Thorns FC defeated the Houston Dash 3-0 behind a brace from midfielder Allie Long, a goal from forward Christine Sinclair and a two-assists from forward Tobin Heath in front of 13,752 fans at Providence Park on Wednesday night.

Sky Blue postseason hopes dashed in Orlando draw – Empire of Soccer
The postseason dream is over. After putting up a valiant effort this summer to sneak their way back into contention, Sky Blue FC saw their postseason hopes dashed Wednesday night following a 1-1 draw against the Orlando Pride. That result, combined with a 2-2 draw between the Breakers and Western NY Flash puts an end to Sky Blue’s postseason ambitions.

Frauen-Bundesliga – Matchday 2 Preview: Bayern and Wolfsburg hoping to earn first wins of the season – Vavel
After an action-packed opening to the 2016-17 Frauen-Bundesliga season, what will matchday two have lined-up?

Irish women’s soccer pioneer who conquered Europe – Irish Times
Even for today’s generation of female Irish football internationals, the opportunities to play the game on a full-time professional basis, and make a decent living from it, remain limited enough. If you were born in 1956, though, the prospect of making a career out of football must have seemed unimaginable. But that is what the remarkable Anne O’Brien managed to do for 20 years.

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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

The Manchester Derby: Where could the game be won or lost? – Vavel
The Premier League is back with a bang this weekend, as Manchester City travel to Old Trafford to face Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in one of the most highly anticipated Manchester derby’s ever. But where could this game be won or lost for either side?

Mourinho has made Manchester United the bad guys again as they prepare to face Man City – Manchester Evening News
The derby shoot-out is upon us … and Jose Mourinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have ensured that it is Manchester United who, once again, wear the black hats.

FIFA upholds transfer bans for Real Madrid and Atletico – Yahoo Sports
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have lost their appeals against one-year transfer bans by FIFA for breaking rules protecting underage players.

Joe Hart an unlikely but important trailblazer with move to Serie A – Sportsnet
So why don’t more English players seek to test themselves across Europe? Why is Hart considered an exceptional case? Could the goalkeeper set a precedent for years to come, proving to his compatriots and contemporaries that there is a whole world—or at least a whole continent—of options out there?

Liverpool’s Emre Can to miss Leicester clash due to ankle injury – ESPN FC
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Emre Can will miss Saturday’s game against Leicester City due to injury.

Leigh Griffiths misses Celtic training ahead of Rangers match – Fox Sports
Being at top shape and having your best options available is always a good choice ahead of a hotly-contested matchup like the one Celtic will have on Saturday against new Glasgow rivals Rangers. However, it appears that a hamstring injury suffered by Griffiths early in the second half of Celtic’s last SPFL match against Aberdeen has him still in doubt for the matchup against Sevco on Saturday.

Ally McCoist says Rangers are not yet title quality – BBC Sport
Ally McCoist believes it will take Rangers another “two or three years” to become a dominant force in Scotland.

Spurs and Monaco meet again in Wembley bow – UEFA
Wembley is the venue as Tottenham mark their UEFA Champions League return with a swift reunion with a Monaco side they got the better of last season.

European leagues oppose Champions League reforms – Sportsnet
The association of European football leagues strongly opposed the reform of the Champions League, saying on Thursday it will be detrimental to small clubs and wants UEFA’s next president to reconsider the changes adopted last month.

New national team competition AFC Solidarity Cup launched – AFC
The new competition brings together aspiring AFC Member Associations, giving teams the opportunity to play competitive international matches when they are not participating in FIFA or AFC national team competitions.

FA proposes English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish manager rotation in bid to bring back Team GB to Olympic football – The Telegraph
An Englishman, an Irishman, and a Scotsman – along with a Welshman – could take turns to manage any Great Britain Olympic men’s team as part of the Football Association’s bid to resurrect the concept.

Futsal World Cup in Colombia: preview – UEFA
Portugal, Russia, Italy, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Spain are representing Europe in the FIFA Futsal World Cup: we look at the challengers in Colombia.

Financial Fair Play: Uefa regulations ‘benefit football’s biggest clubs’ – BBC Sport
Financial Fair Play (FFP) has created a bigger divide in football since its inception in 2012, according to economists at a university in Germany.

How RB Leipzig became the most hated club in German football – The Guardian
The club’s rise into German football’s top flight has been dogged by boycotts and protests over its Red Bull-fuelled commercial structure.