VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS

Whitecaps sign Uruguayan striker Joaquin Ardaiz to year-long loan – London Free Press
The Vancouver Whitecaps have acquired striker Joaquin Ardaiz on a year-long loan from Swiss club FC Chiasso.

The Homegrown Question: How important are they? – AFTN
As we’ve watched the rebuild of the Whitecaps this year, I’ve been constantly reminded of one aspect of this tribalism which I find somewhat surprising. That is, many of us are (possibly too) invested in our homegrown players, academy players, and residency players (collectively our “Homegrowns”). It is, apparently, terrifically important to some that we have such players and that we favour them over players that we “import” from other teams. Our Homegrowns are “ours” and those other players we have are something else again.

Report: FC Cincinnati trade Crew for rights to Kekuta Manneh – Massive Report
It’s been almost two years since Kekuta Manneh set foot on a Major League Soccer pitch, but it looks like that could be changing soon.

Jacob Shaffelburg, proud son of Nova Scotia, turning heads at TFC camp – Toronto Sun
This past November, TFC II signed the 19-year-old to a USL contract and the lightning-quick forward has opened eyes here at TFC’s pre-season training camp in soggy southern California. So much so that head coach Greg Vanney believes there’s a chance Shaffelburg could actually be on the roster when the Reds travel to Panama on Feb.19 for the first round of the CONCACAF Champions League.

Francis Atuahene out 4 to 6 months with ruptured pectoral muscle – Sportsday
According to FC Dallas, Ghanaian winger Francis Atuahene underwent successful surgery today to repair a ruptured pectoral muscle suffered last week in Frisco. Atuahene is expected to fully recover in four-to-six months.

Vermes Responds to Fans that Say Sporting KC Don’t Spend – The Blue Testament
On Saturday night, before going to interview Peter Vermes on Sunday morning, we put out a question to Twitter of what we should ask him. One question that came up in different forms was something to the effect of, ‘why won’t Sporting Kansas City spend money?’ It’s a common refrain from fans. They see big named players and huge transfer fees being paid in cities around the league and yearn for it in KC.

Jozy Altidore hopeful for new Toronto deal, but ‘no problem’ if not – ESPN
Jozy Altidore said he is committed to staying at Toronto FC, but said he would be prepared to move on from the Canadian club.

RSL drops to V-Varen Nagasaki, 3-1, in Pacific Rim Cup final – RSL Soapbox
Real Salt Lake dropped the result in their second preseason match — the Pacific Rim Cup final against J2 League side V-Varen Nagasaki. After a rough outing by the Utah side, the game ended in a 3-1 victory for Nagasaki.

Eales: Atlanta United “set the table” for future MLS transfers to Premier League – NBC Sports
According to Atlanta United club president Darren Eales, the deal has set the table for future transfers out of MLS.

Senate committee OKs Sen. P.K. Martin’s Atlanta United license plate bill – Gwinnett
Atlanta United fans may soon be able to show their fandom on their license plates — if the Georgia General Assembly passes a bill authored by state Sen. P.K. Martin.

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BC SOCCER NEWS

Aldergrove’s golden boy poised to go pro – Aldergrove Star
Aldergrove’s Joel Waterman signed to play soccer professionally in the Canadian Premiere League.

Canadian Premier League providing much-needed platform for Pacific FC’s Hernandez – Pacific FC
Pacific Football Club announced the signing of emerging Canadian talent José Hernández to the club’s inaugural 2019 squad last week. It’s the latest step for the 18-year-old Edmonton-native as he continues to pursue his dream of becoming a professional soccer player.

Advantage Given! Adult Integration Program Provides New Challenges and Experiences – BCSA
What it is about a ferry ride, or an overnight trip that completely changes the gameday experience for those taking part? As young players, some of our fondest memories occurred during tournaments in towns and at fields we’d never experienced before, and if there was a hotel involved…the adventure was elevated even further.

Job Posting: North Shore Youth Soccer Association Referee-in-Chief (PDF File) – BCSA
The Referee-in-Chief (RIC) is responsible for developing qualified referees within the NSYSA District, using BCSA training and guidelines.

Lake Side Buoys Ready For Inaugural Pacific FC Season – Last Word on Soccer
Last Word On Soccer had the chance to interview Jason Armond from the Lake Side Buoys Pacific FC Supporter Group about the upcoming season.

Power Soccer in BC – SportAbility BC
We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to participate in physical activity. We currently have programs in Vancouver, Surrey, Nanaimo, Penticton, and are still looking to expand. We are always looking for more athletes, officials, volunteers, and sponsors. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us.

BC Soccer hosts its second Technical Director Diploma Course – BCSA
Registration is now open for the BC Soccer Technical Director Diploma held at the FORTIUS Sport & Health Complex in Burnaby February 22-23, 2019.

Pacific FC now accepting memberships for 2019 Canadian Premier League season – Pacific FC
Join Vancouver Island’s new CPL club! Become a Member of Pacific Football Club for first access seat selection and tickets.

PHOTOS: 2018 BC Provincial Cup Parade of Champions – BC Soccer Web
See the winners from the 2018 BC Provincial Cup.

Becoming a BC Soccer Referee – BCSA
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 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 SOCCER NEWS

Welcome to Canada Soccer Nation: 2019-2021 Strategic Plan – CSA
Canada Soccer has unveiled its 2019-2021 Strategic Plan that will continue to build on the organisation’s domestic and international achievements with a focus on the once-in-a-generation opportunity to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. The Canada Soccer Nation: 2019-2021 Strategic Plan outlines the organisation’s three key priorities: to DEVELOP, GOVERN, and GROW the game in Canada.

CONCACAF ANNOUNCES SCOTIABANK CONCACAF LEAGUE EXPANSION – Concacaf
The Scotiabank Concacaf League – the official club championship for Central American and Caribbean clubs – will expand from 16 to 22 teams to include five additional Central American clubs and one Canadian Premier League club for 2019 and beyond. The competition will additionally now serve as the qualifying tournament for Central America clubs to the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.

CONCACAF creates club competition opening for Canadian Premier League team – Kamloops Matters
It appears FC Edmonton, Hamilton’s Forge FC or any other Canadian Premier League team could rule Central American and Caribbean club soccer or even take part in the FIFA Club World Cup, thanks to a change in CONCACAF competition.

Herdman: Canada will qualify for 2022 World Cup, compete in 2026 – Sportsnet
Canada Soccer made a bold move last January when it hired John Herdman as coach of the Canadian men’s team.

Stephen Hart looking for “right balance” as he builds HFX Wanderers squad from scratch – AFTN
t’s a complicated task, this assembling a football team from scratch business. A task akin to a man gingerly walking a tightrope whilst balancing a precious family heirloom upon his head. So many moving parts, so many pitfalls, such small room for error.

Local sports clubs say they’re left on their own to protect young athletes from abuse – CBC
This story is the second of a three-part series by CBC News and Sports on abuse in amateur sport in Canada.

Mississauga MetroStars 5 – 13 Utica City FC: MetroStars finish first half of the season with their 7th straight loss – Waking the Red
The Mississauga MetroStars finished off their four-game road trip in Utica, New York on Sunday afternoon against Eastern Division leaders Utica City FC.