WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Living the Simple Life – Eighty-Six Forever
After a successful 3 matches in Tucson, the Caps moved onto the Rose City and the Simple Invitational, featuring NASL side Minnesota United, fellow MLS side Chicago Fire and the hometown and newly crowned MLS Cup Champion Portland Timbers.
2016 ‘Caps: Meet the Defenders – Whitecaps FC
No team conceded fewer goals or recorded more clean sheets than Vancouver Whitecaps FC last season. The defenders deserve a lot of credit for that. Most of them are back, including 2015 Whitecaps FC BMO Player of the Year Kendall Waston. But there are a few changes around him. Right back Steven Beitashour has moved on, setting up an intriguing battle between Canadian newcomer Fraser Aird and Jordan Smith, while 2016 SuperDraft pick Cole Seiler has replaced Diego Rodriguez at centre back.
Whitecaps asking fans not to come for Drogba – CKNW
The Whitecaps released a letter on Sunday asking fans to come to the game not to watch Drogba, but to support the blue and white.
Sporting Kansas City, Canadian defender Marcel de Jong agree to part ways – MLS
Sporting Kansas City and Marcel de Jong mutually agreed to part ways on Tuesday, the club announced.
Montreal Impact sign 2016 SuperDraft pick Michael Salazar – MLS
The Montreal Impact announced on Tuesday that they’ve signed second round pick forward Michael Salazar to an MLS contract.
MLS Referee Assignments: Week 1 – PRO Referees
Ismail Elfath has been assigned to Whitecaps FC vs. Montreal Impact this Sunday.
MLS Eastern Conference Season Preview, Predictions – Empire of Soccer
As teams begin their campaign, we look at all 10 teams in the Eastern Conference, and what they can look forward to in 2016.
MLS Season Preview: Change, continuity strange bedfellows as Toronto FC strives to become MLS elite – Goal
TFC overhauled its leaky defence while keeping the rest of the team largely intact ahead of a 2016 campaign filled with promise and expectation.
Toronto FC striker Jozy Altidore: It would have been easier to stay in Europe – MLS
“I wouldn’t say this move was for comfort,” Altidore told reporters during a roundtable in New York City on Monday. “I think for comfort I would’ve stayed somewhere in Europe. I know it sounds awkward and weird, but I think coming here to be exposed to what you’re going to be exposed to in terms of criticism, expectation I think it’s a lot different than if I was to go to another mid-table team somewhere in Europe or something like that, where I think the focus is more a different type of pressure.
Player Spotlight: Will Johnson eager to play big role at ‘home’ with Toronto FC – Goal
After spending the majority of his MLS career in the West, the 29-year-old is looking forward to changing conferences — and countries.
2016 Western Conference Preview Seattle Sounders – Burgundy Wave
Clint Dempsey will try to take Sounders, minus Obafemi Martins, plus Jordan Morris, to the MLS Cup this year. Does the math compute?
CCL Preview: Galaxy visit Santos Laguna; D.C. United hosts Queretaro – SBI
Two CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals will come to a close on Tuesday. D.C. United will host Mexican club Queretaro in its second leg, while the LA Galaxy travel to Mexico to play Santos Laguna at Estadio Corona.
CONCACAF Watch: Beware sweeping generalizations after CCL quarterfinals – Goal
Plenty of pundits will craft this week’s results as a grand lesson, but Jon Arnold advises readers to take the CONCACAF Champions League referendums with a grain of salt.
Has D.C. United improved during the off-season? – Prost Amerika
In Sociology there is a term, tipping point, which describes the point at which an infusion of a change element tips the balance in the culture of a group. In layman’s terms, it’s about achieving critical mass. Throughout the off season, DC United seems to have sought to reach that tipping point, specifically, a significant increase in soccer IQ.
The MLS Wrap: 2016 Newcomers to Watch – Goal
You will excuse Major League Soccer fans if they felt a bit underwhelmed this year by the crop of international signings made by MLS teams this winter. After all, it was always going to be tough to match the winter before the 2015 season for star power.
Robbie Keane: Premier League players ‘desperate’ to join MLS – Sky Sports
LA Galaxy’s Robbie Keane says he is getting calls from players in England ‘desperate’ to join him in the MLS.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Aldergrove soccer girls win cup gold, silver – Aldergrove Star
Aldergrove’s U-17 Girls Vipers and Adrenaline teams won gold and silver at Cup Finals held over the weekend at Aldergrove Athletic Park.
KYSA Women’s Indoor Soccer Finals Results – KYSA
Middleton Petroleum and Sweet Mullets were the winners in last night’s (February 28) Kamloops Women’s Indoor Soccer League Competitive Division finals at the Soccer Dome.
TOFC Players participate in HPP Intersquad games – TOFC
As part of the BC Soccer High Performance Program, below are the TOFC players selected to the BC Soccer High Performance Program Matches that happened last week.
From the Pigeon Loft: You know you really want to – AFTN
The Burnaby Lake sports complex embodies all of the romance that is youth football in suburban Vancouver on a February evening. Squall lines of grey rain-laden wind lashing over the ridge. A bleak view of the Trans-Canada highway partially hidden by a few alders trying gamely to be a proper forest. Rubber turf pellets flying every which way from a field covered in more lines than Pablo Escobar’s dining room table. An aluminium bleacher surrounded by a chain link fence. Surprisingly good coffee at the concession stand.
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.
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CANADA SOCCER NEWS
QPR reportedly make decision on Junior Hoilett – the 72
It won’t come as a big surprise to hear that Green is set to leave Loftus Road, as he hasn’t featured in the first-team set up for some time. However Hoilett scored at the weekend and has been playing a part. It is quite likely that his high wages could be the reason for his potential departure from QPR.
Canadians As Domestics And The 2026 FIFA World Cup – Vavel
After FIFA elected a new president, sights have started to turn towards the voting for the 2026 World Cup. Political positioning and battle lines are being drawn over who will get the right to host. The top two candidates are the USA and Canada and there is more to the battle than merely hosting rights.
Behind FIFA’s urgency to make a World Cup 2026 bid decision – Soccer America
“It is fairly urgent,” Infantino said at a media event on his first day on the job in Zurich. “Definitely, I think we need to launch the bidding process in the next couple of months, probably before the FIFA [Congress] in May.”
Many Canadians set to shine in NWSL season – Sportsnet
The 2016 National Women’s Soccer League season is quickly approaching, a season in which Canadians should figure prominently.
Up for the Task: Newly Appointed Futsal Coach Opens Up About Sport’s Rapid Growth in Canada – The Link
The ball is just as round, but it doesn’t roll on grass, it rolls on hardwood floor. Many of today’s soccer players owe their success to the little-known sport of futsal.
Cold Lake teams headed to Alberta provincials – Cold Lake Sun
Indoor Provincials will be taking place in Edmonton from March 11-13.
PEI Soccer annual awards celebrated – CSA
The Prince Edward Island Soccer Association celebrated their 2015 award winners on the heels of their 2016 Annual General Meeting. Both the meeting and awards banquet took place on Saturday 27 February at the Rodd Royalty Inn & Suites in Charlottetown, PEI.
Toronto’s Soccer History: 1971 – 1987 – Toronto FC
On December 11th, 1970 and an announcement was made regarding the addition of two teams to the NASL. One was the New York Cosmos, the other the Toronto Metros.
Toronto’s Soccer History: 1987 – Present – Toronto FC
Canada had attempted a nation-wide professional soccer league before. The summer of 1983 saw the debut of the Canadian Professional Soccer League, an ill-fated project that lasted only 73 days. Toronto’s representative, Toronto Nationals, folded on June 15th, found new ownership, and folded again after playing only one game. The league was, after a twisted playoff system, eventually won by Edmonton and swiftly forgotten.
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WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
PHOTO GALLERY: WFC2 3 Univ. of Washington 0, Feb.28, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Monique Lamoureux.
Porter Pleased with T2’s Preseason Progress – USL
The Portland Timbers 2 have taken a new approach to building their squad ahead of the new USL season, and Timbers Head Coach Caleb Porter is pleased with what he’s seen so far from new T2 Coach Andrew Gregor’s squad this preseason.
Swope Park is assembling an imposing offense – Indomitable City Soccer
It’s early days, but if they can operate as a unit, the attack at Swope Park Rangers might be as good as any in the USL this year.
Miami FC’s Jorge Luis Corrales: A Cuban playing football in the US – Home of Caribbean Football
24-year-old Cuban international Jorge Luis Corrales talks exclusively about the story behind his arrival at Miami FC, what it’s like learning from the great Alessandro Nesta and Cuban players in the US.
Farrell Joins Cast of Explorers Playing Professional Soccer – GoExplorers.com
Former La Salle soccer standout Joe Farrell has signed a professional contract with the Rochester Rhinos of the United Soccer League, it was announced this month. The Rhinos compete in the USL Professional Division.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Bayern march on as Atletico close the gap – FIFA
In view of the upcoming international break and its qualifiers for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 as well as the SheBelieves Cup in the USA, the women’s calendar was less hectic than usual this past weekend. Nevertheless, important games were played at both ends of the top divisions in Spain and Germany. FIFA.com summarises the pick of the action.
Morgan optimistic about ’16 for USWNT, Pride – The Equalizer
Alex Morgan is off to a blazing start in 2016, showing shades of the striker who was a finalist for FIFA World Player of the Year in 2012 and erasing some of the doubts which have stemmed from two years worth of on-and-off injuries.
USSF: One Team. One Nation. Zero Equality. – Midfield Press
The world of “One Nation, One Team” is a fictional world propagated by US Soccer where the men’s and women’s national teams receive equal treatment. US Soccer banks on the fact that very few people will look at the budgets between the two teams and see they spent over $20 million more on the men’s national team in the 2015 fiscal year than on the women’s national team.
England’s USA invite proves Lionesses’ progress – The FA
England’s invitation to take part in the first-ever SheBelieves Cup is testament to the progress made over the last 12 months, says striker Jodie Taylor.
Glasgow City skipper Fiona Brown wary of Hibernian title threat – Sky Sports
Skipper Fiona Brown is once again expecting Hibernian Ladies to push Glasgow City hard in the race for the Scottish Women’s Premier League title.
Netherlands to stage Olympic qualifiers – UEFA
The Netherlands are hosting a mini-tournament also involving Norway, Sweden and Switzerland to decide UEFA’s third qualifiers for the 2016 women’s Olympics.
Voss-Tecklenburg: Qualification would be a milestone – FIFA
Many athletes dream of competing at the Olympic Games, but only a select few get the chance to experience its unique atmosphere first hand. Martina Voss-Tecklenburg became one of them when she took part in the inaugural Women’s Olympic Football Tournament with Germany in 1996. In an exclusive interview with FIFA.com, she recalled what it was like “to sit on a plane with umpteen other sportsmen and women, meeting and chatting with everyone from hockey players and shooters to fencers and handballers.”
Rachel Yankey pens new deal – Vavel
Rachel Yankey has joined fellow teammate and Arsenal legend Kelly Smith in signing a new deal, details of which remain undisclosed.
Alex Windell: Birmingham City Ladies midfielder signs new contract – BBC Sport
Birmingham City Ladies midfielder Alex Windell has signed a new contract with the Women’s Super League One side.
Matildas Olympic dreams aren’t realised yet despite dream win over 2015 World Cup finalists – Sydney Morning Herald
Fresh from one of the most impressive results in Australian women’s football in years – a 3-1 win over Japan in Osaka to open their Olympic qualifying tournament – one could be forgiven for thinking the Matildas were already thinking about booking their tickets to Rio de Janeiro.
Referee in Focus – Lara Lee – Westfield W-League
Lara Lee has been a Westfield W-League referee since 2012 and has recently been accepted into the Australian Sports Commission National Officiating Scholarship. She shares some of her insights on being an elite referee in the Westfield W-League.
Breakers name Cat Whitehill assistant coach, club ambassador – Boston Breakers
Whitehill, who retired from professional soccer on May 28, 2015, played four seasons in Boston (2012-2015), logging 5,359 minutes in 61 games (60 starts). Whitehill served as team captain, and she held the role as player/coach during the second half of the 2013 National Women’s Soccer League season. Whitehill joins the Breakers coaching staff that includes head coach Matt Beard, assistant coach Doc Simpson, and goalkeeper coach Ashley Phillips.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Sunil Gulati pulls some serious strings to help soccer in the U.S. – LA Times
By switching his allegiance from Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein to Infantino between the two rounds of voting, then actively encouraging others to do the same, U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati not only swung the election but he may have cleared a path for the 2026 World Cup to come to America as well.
FIFA-mandated study by CIES analyses football governance of leagues, clubs – FIFA
CIES has published a FIFA mandated research project analysing league-club relationships and issues concerning internal club governance.
Champions League final tickets cheaper than Ecuador v Haiti at Copa América – The Guardian
Uefa has announced that tickets to the Champions League final will rise by up to 14% – but that will still make it cheaper than watching Ecuador v Haiti in this summer’s centenary Copa America, which is being staged in the US.
UEFA: Terror threats may force games without fans – Sportsnet
UEFA says European Championship games could be moved to different venues in France and played without fans on another day in response to terror attacks or threats. The contingency plans have been formulated after suicide bombers tried to enter the Stade de France during a France friendly against Germany in November.
Leicester City will think every hurdle increases in scale as Premier League finish line comes into view – The Telegraph
Despite a seemingly benevolent run-in, each remaining game for leaders is progressively more important than the last, starting with West Brom tonight.
Arsene Wenger: ‘I enjoy very much that people care about my Arsenal future’ – The Independent
Arsene Wenger has branded some members of media “too emotional” after the stringent criticism which followed Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat by Manchester United on Sunday.
Copa Bridgestone Libertadores: four games on Tuesday – Conmebol
Previews of the four Copa Libertadores matches scheduled for Tuesday.
Man held over abuse of Kilmarnock player Josh Magennis – BBC
A man has been arrested following alleged “xenophobic comments” against Kilmarnock player Josh Magennis during a game with Hearts, police have said.
Winter Football Could Help Russia Overcome European Misery – Futbolgrad
The lead-footed performances of Russian teams in Europe so far this year suggests that something needs to change when it comes to team preparation during the winter break. The Russian Football Premier League (RFPL) teams spend the long period between the start of December and late February at training camps in warmer climates, where they try to compensate for their lack of competitive winter football by scheduling friendly matches.