CANADA
Canada names 23-player selection to compete at FIFA Women’s World Cup – Canada Soccer
After years of preparations and planning, Head Coach John Herdman has the start line in sight – the opening game against China PR on Saturday 6 June at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, AB – and has selected a mix of veteran and youth players to take on the world.
Canadian Women’s World Cup team much more than just soccer players – The Province
It is an eclectic group with many strings to its bow.
Diana Matheson makes Canada’s Women’s World Cup team – CBC
Midfield dynamo Diana Matheson, sidelined by a serious knee injury last October, has made Canada’s 23-woman roster for this summer’s World Cup.
Women’s World Cup roster unveiled: Where are the surprises? – CSN
There was only ever going to be one big mystery about Canada’s roster for the upcoming Women’s World Cup: Would Diana Matheson be on it?
For Zurrer, playing for World Cup at home ‘a once-in-a-lifetime dream’ – Times Colonist
The B.C. players on the host-nation roster are Emily Zurrer, midfielder Sophie Schmidt from Abbotsford, goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc from Maple Ridge and Christine Sinclair of Burnaby .
Thorns FC Q&A: Christine Sinclair excited to play in FIFA Women’s World Cup in home country of Canada – Portland Thorns
The former University of Portland Pilot and Thorns team captain talked about her excitement of making the team and her appreciation of the Portland fans.
WHITECAPS & MLS
10 questions with Sam Adekugbe – Whitecaps FC
Talking superstitions, fears, and more with the Canadian left back
Counter Attack: Toronto FC need DPs to produce – Sportsnet
Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore have been pretty average since the Reds’ season-opening win in Vancouver.
Team of the Week (Wk 8): Columbus Crew SC, New England Revolution run rampant – MLS
On a goal-filled Saturday night, two teams stood out from the rest, and it just so happens that they met in last year’s playoffs.
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Impact acquires goalkeeper Kristian Nicht through transfer – Montreal Impact
The Montreal Impact announced on Monday that the club has acquired German goalkeeper Kristian Nicht through a transfer with NASL club Indy Eleven.
From CIS to CCL: John Smits’ unlikely path to brink of Champions League glory – MLS
Either the FC Edmonton ‘keeper Smits or new signing Kristian Nicht will be starting in the biggest match in Montreal’s history
NASL
NASL “investigating” ways to make more games available to Canadian viewers – the11.ca
While American viewers can watch all of the streams for free through ESPN3, Canadian viewers can’t access the majority of American-team vs. American-team games.
THE SOCCER WORLD
Blanco ends storied career as a champion – Concacaf
Cuauhtemoc Blanco closed an illustrious 23-year career, playing the last 20 minutes for Puebla in its 4-2 Copa MX Clausura triumph over Guadalajara last Tuesday.
Sacrificial Judgement ~ The Life of a Sports Parent – Peace, Love, Parenthood
I haven’t met a youth sports mom or dad that hasn’t sat down at some point and said to themselves, “Is it really worth it? Why are we doing this?”
Playing soccer in Iceland and hiking volcanoes – Northern Life
Soccer has opened many doors for Sudbury native Cloe Lacasse. These days, opportunity is calling at an most unexpected outpost.
Scottish soccer player apologizes after impaling his teammate during practice – USA Today
A practice prank went horribly awry when St. Mirren captain Steven Thompson threw a practice flag at teammate John McGinn and the spiked end of the flag impaled Thompson’s leg.
Lazio’s eagle mascot attacked by a crow before kick-off – The Guardian
Lazio’s mascot, an eagle named Olimpia, was attacked by a crow as it few over the Olympic stadium before the kick-off.