DAY 10 – FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
NIGERIA vs. UNITED STATES – 5:00 pm
BC PLACE STADIUM, VANCOUVER
SWITZERLAND VS. CAMEROON – 2:00 pm
AUSTRALIA vs. SWEDEN – 5:00 pm
COMMONWEALTH STADIUM, EDMONTON
ECUADOR VS. JAPAN – 2:00 pm
WINNIPEG STADIUM, WINNIPEG
Canada draws Netherlands, wins Group A – TSN
It wasn’t what Canada hoped to deliver to the 45,420 roaring fans at Olympic Stadium, but a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands was enough. Ashley Lawrence scored early, only to see Canada concede a goal to substitute Kirsten Van De Ven in the 87th minute as the teams closed out group stage play at the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Monday night.
Canada claim top of Group A in 1-1 draw to Netherlands – Red Nation Online
Sitting atop the Group A standings on 4 points, missing out on a chance to lock up qualification in a 0-0 draw against New Zealand, the Canadian women and coach John Herdman finish off group play in Montreal, Quebec and Olympic Stadium against formidable debutantes in the Netherlands.
Canada does enough to top Group A, awaits round of 16 opponent – CSA
While Canada’s Women’s National Team didn’t quite unleash the scoring prowess fans were waiting for, the squad still did enough to secure the top rank in Group A and move on to the round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, leveling 1:1 with the Netherlands in front of 45,420 cheery spectators at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, QC.
A special goal from hero Lawrence – FIFA
Ashley Lawrence had a lot of dedications to make after opening her goalscoring account for Canada on Monday. “It’s for my family, my friends and for Canada,” she exclaimed, making her tenth-minute strike against the Netherlands go a long, long way.
A Canadian team still searching for its best game moves on at Women’s World Cup – Yahoo
It was Canada’s best performance of the tournament, certainly. There was the early intensity, the wave after wave of attack, a different mindset. This was what we had waited for – the Canadians taking the game to the opposition, giving the crowd something to get behind. And then Ashley Lawrence swept home from close range and the Stade Olympique erupted.
Does Canada have more to give at World Cup? – Sportsnet
“Job done.” That was coach John Herdman’s message to the assembled media in the bowels of Olympic Stadium on Monday night following Canada’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Canada set unique firsts in finishing first – TSN
Canada won their group and now head to Vancouver to face a team that will finish third in their group. No matter who they play they will be favourites following a performance that was better than the first two games, although that was never the priority. The priority was to win the game, win the group and go to BC Place.
Despite issues, CanWNT have a fighter’s chance in Women’s World Cup knockout stages – MLS
Canada have rarely looked convincing at this year’s Women’s World Cup, but they’ve still achieved their first goal: winning Group A. A 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in Montreal on Monday night saw them finish the opening stage with a win and two draws, enough to win the group and, most likely, avoid the tournament’s most dangerous teams until the semifinals.
‘We’ve gotta get it done’: USWNT coach – 24 Hours
There was no way the American women’s soccer team could escape being asked about the BC Place turf. And sure enough, the playing surface was a topic of discussion Monday, one day before the United States play their final FIFA Women’s World Cup group game in Vancouver against Nigeria.
Emotions running high for Sydney Leroux in return to native Vancouver – Yahoo
Sydney Leroux was asked Monday how many of her family will be in attendance when the United States women’s national team faces Nigeria here on Tuesday. She estimated the number was “around 50.”
Leroux expecting warm reception in Vancouver – The Equalizer
Last time she played at BC Place in Vancouver – not far from where she grew up, in the suburb of Surrey – for 2012 Olympic qualifying, Leroux was taunted by Canada fans. Over a year later, after taking some grief in Toronto after scoring in the United States’ victory over the hosts in a friendly, Leroux said that she was subject to racial slurs at that qualifying tournament in Vancouver (the claims were never proven).
Is USA’s Abby Wambach outdated or just brutally effective? – The Guardian
When American forward and goalscoring legend Abby Wambach assessed what was happening on the pitch at the USA’s second group game of this Women’s World Cup, she had to do it from the bench.
Central Winger: Examining USWNT’s “Abby-dependence” at Women’s World Cup – MLS
The major change from the Australia match was favoring Christen Press over Abby Wambach and inserting her as the focal point of the US attack against Sweden. Without Abby’s tactical gravitational pull, a significant shift in organizational dynamics cascaded across the US passing network.
Football Ferns vow to return even stronger – FIFA
The ever-present ambition to succeed is why the melancholy combination of frustration, disappointment and resentment hanging over New Zealand’s dressing room like a dark cloud after their hard-fought 2-2 draw against China PR – a result which was not enough to prevent the Football Ferns from leaving Canada 2015 in the group stage – was so understandable to see and so hard for the Kiwi players to endure.
The Travelling Support: The Voyageurs and the Women’s World Cup – Red Nation Online
Canada’s Men’s and Women’s soccer teams tend to fly under the radar. The lack of success of the Men’s team and the popularity of soccer in relation to other sports in Canada means that these teams that represent us spend little time in the limelight. Even the Women’s National Team, which has had recent high profile success, only has a couple of household names. But despite this there is a group that is dedicated to supporting our national soccer teams and that group is The Voyageurs.
American Outlaws bridge one of women’s soccer’s most infamous divides – philly.com
One of the most remarkable things to me about this Women’s World Cup has been the presence of the American Outlaws. It’s the first time ever that the organization has coordinated official travel packages to a women’s tournament.
The Official Book of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. On Sale Now at Amazon.ca
CANADA 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
CANADA vs. DOMINICA – 4:30 PM
(2-0 Aggregate, 2nd Leg)
BMO FIELD, TORONTO
Canada MNT looking to finish off Dominica at home – CSA
As two-goal wins go, Canada’s 2:0 win over Dominica on Thursday in Roseau was a bit more lopsided than the score would indicate. Now back at home and set to tackle the return leg of the two-game series, Canada is looking to finish off the scrappy team from the small Caribbean island on Tuesday night at BMO Field in Toronto.
CanMNT: Orlando City rookie, Toronto-area native Cyle Larin “excited” to make hometown debut – MLS
It’s going to be a special homecoming for Cyle Larin on Tuesday night. The 20-year-old Canadian striker, who was born just north of Toronto in Brampton, will play his first professional game in the city when Canada meet Dominica in the second leg of their World Cup qualifying series (Tuesday, 4:30 pm PT, stream available at CanadaSoccer.com)
Dominica look to score qualifying upset in Canada – Sportsnet
Farmers, fishermen, construction workers, teachers, students and the self-employed. There’s more than just soccer to the men who make up the Dominica national team.
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WHITECAPS FC & MLS
Vancouver Whitecaps Reportedly in on Luis Henriquez – Eighty-Six Forever
According to elsiglo.com, the Vancouver Whitecaps are closing in on signing 33 year old Left Back Luis ‘Coco’ Henriquez, who is fresh off an 8 year stint with Lech Poznan in Poland. The rumor has also been reported by MLSSoccer.com.
MLS teams begin U.S. Open Cup campaigns – Washington Post
The U.S. Open Cup has been operating since 1914 and, with participants ranging from amateur sides to well-financed MLS clubs, the tournament provides wonderful storylines and thunderous upsets.
New York City FC Sign Veteran Defender Andoni Iraola – NYC FC
Iraola, 32, made 510 appearances (406 league) with 38 goals for Bilbao over the past 12 seasons. The Basque right back has been a constant in the team, appearing in 30 or more league matches in 11 seasons with a career-high 38 in 2005-06.
WFC2 & USL
PHOTO GALLERY: WFC2 0 LA GALAXY II 0 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Monique Lamoureux.
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FIFA CORRUPTION CRISIS
Blatter to skip U-20 World Cup final – TSN
FIFA President Sepp Blatter will not go to New Zealand for the Under-20 World Cup final on Saturday. Amid speculation that Blatter risks arrest in many countries, FIFA confirmed on Tuesday that he will remain in his native Switzerland instead of travelling to Auckland.
Blazer worked undercover to expose FIFA – GOAL
Disgraced former FIFA official Chuck Blazer worked undercover to help the authorities with their investigation into corruption within football’s global governing body. Back in November 2013, Blazer pleaded guilty to 10 charges including racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering and tax evasion. The 19-page agreement was unsealed on Monday, and includes references to agreements between Blazer and the United States government dating back to December 2011.
FIFA ‘disappointed’ over end of Nobel Peace Center agreement – GOAL
FIFA has expressed its disappointment over the Nobel Peace Center’s indication that it will end the Handshake for Peace agreement.
Radamel Falcao: Chelsea on verge of loan deal for Monaco striker – BBC Sport
Chelsea are on the verge of agreeing a season-long loan deal for Monaco striker Radamel Falcao.
WORLD OF SOCCER
Chelsea prepare bid for Begovic – Telegraph
Stoke City goalkeeper will cost at least £8m but he will need to be persuaded that he will not spend the peak years of his career on the bench.
Tiny Guam shock India to record second successive WC Qualifier win – ESPN FC
Guam — a United States territory in the north Pacific Ocean — sit 174th in the FIFA Ranking and have a population of just 170,000 compared to more than 1.2 billion for India. Gary White’s side now have two victories in a row, having never previously won or drawn a World Cup qualifying match.
Vickery United: the Dallas soccer club for America’s refugees – The Guardian
Vickery United hopes to fill the void. Part Christian mission, part social service, Domingo and a team of volunteers are in the budding stages of developing two teams and a broader swell of aspirants into a youth soccer club.