BC Soccer News, Tuesday, March 14, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

TIGRES UANL (MX) vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

SEMI-FINAL, 1ST LEG

TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017, 7:00 PM

ESTADIO UNIVERSITARIO, SAN NICOLAS DE LOS GARZA, NUEVA LEON

TV: TSN 1  RADIO: TSN 1410  ONLINE: FACEBOOK LIVE

Tigres UANL vs. Vancouver Whitecaps | Champions League semifinals, 1st Leg – MLS
The Vancouver Whitecaps enter the lion’s den – or more accurately, the tigers’ den – on Tuesday night, hoping to survive an experience that has mauled many dozens of MLS teams over the years.

Preview: ‘It’s the game of a lifetime’– Whitecaps FC
Carl Robinson called it “the game of a lifetime.” And for many players in the Vancouver Whitecaps FC locker room, that’s exactly what Tuesday night’s CONCACAF Champions League semifinal first leg vs. Tigres UANL will be.

‘Biggest game in club history’ as Caps face Mexican tiger – The Province
The Whitecaps’ Latin American players have been talking a lot about this game and this opportunity for the seventh-year Major League Soccer franchise.

Whitecaps ready for monumental CCL clash vs. Mexico’s Tigres –  Sportsnet
The opening match of the two-game aggregate series is set for Estadio Universitario, a venue nicknamed “The Volcano.”

23-man rosters announced for Champions League semifinal first leg – Whitecaps FC
Tigres UANL and Vancouver Whitecaps FC have submitted their 23-man squads ahead of the opening match at Estadio Universitario in San Nicolás de los Garza, in the Monterrey metropolitan area.

Dallas and Vancouver look to make history – FIFA
Eight straight titles. That is the record that Mexican clubs currently enjoy in the CONCACAF Champions League. Since 2008/09, when the region’s confederation restructured its top club competition, only clubs from Liga MX have lifted the trophy and gone on to represent CONCACAF at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Tigres vs Vancouver Whitecaps – CONCACAF Champions League Preview – Futebolcidade
The match in Monterrey will be the most important game in the history of the Vancouver Whitecaps since their 2009 inception in Major League Soccer. Including the pre-MLS history it may even be the most important game for Vancouver since the club’s triumph in the North American Soccer League in 1979.

Match Preview: Tigres UANL v Vancouver Whitecaps – ‘Caps out to prevent first leg mauling – AFTN
While the Whitecaps have not gotten off to a great start in the MLS League play, this seems to not be affecting the way they play in the CONCACAF Champions League. It is a nice consolation that we are going this far at least. It would perhaps make whatever happens in the season moot if they can get into this Final and then be the first MLS team to win it. The semi-final opponent will be their first from Mexico’s Liga MX, and they are a top team at that.

Vancouver Whitecaps ready to prove doubters wrong in tough CCL clash – MLS
Few will give Vancouver much of a chance against the defending Liga MX Apertura champions, especially given their winless start to MLS play, but that’s just how ‘Caps coach Carl Robinson likes it and he’s relishing the prospect of squaring off with the Mexican giants.

Tigres won’t have it easy vs. Vancouver in Champions League – Tuca Ferretti – ESPN FC
Tigres coach Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti is banishing any notion of favoritism ahead of Tuesday’s CONCACAF Champions League semifinal first leg against Vancouver Whitecaps after having watched Barcelona’s epic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain last week.

CONCACAF Champions League Semifinals: Preview – Big D Soccer
The semifinal round of the CONCACAF Champions League is here. Two Liga MX sides go head-to-head against two Major League Soccer sides to determine who moves on to this year’s FIFA Club World Cup.

Vancouver Whitecaps set to play real football club in Champions League – Whitecaps Fan Blog
It is a funny thing when you make the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League and all you have played is a couple of Major League Soccer (MLS) teams (and one of those clubs only played their b-team) and a very poor team indeed from Trinidad.

Miami-Dade commissioner: How much longer are we going to wait for David Beckham? – Miami Herald
As soccer fans continue to wait for David Beckham to announce a stadium deal, one Miami-Dade commissioner floated the idea Monday of using the county’s portion of the arena site for affordable housing instead.

Andrea Pirlo: Major League Soccer must change to compete with China – ESPN FC
New York City FC star Andrea Pirlo says Major League Soccer must change its rules on transfers and salaries if it is to compete with the likes of the Chinese Super League.

No room to breathe: Yankee stadium remains MLS’ weirdest venue – Four Four Two
Three years in, and “circus soccer” continues to reign on the league’s smallest, purportedly crooked field.

MLS PHOTOS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0 Philadelphia Union 0, March 5, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

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BC SOCCER NEWS

Whitecaps FC Residency win pair of matches over Seattle Sounders FC – Whitecaps FC
Whitecaps FC Residency teams won a pair of Development Academy matches against Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders FC Academy on Saturday.

Simon Fraser Student Society approves the creation of a stadium (this time for real) – The Peak
It’s like the saying goes: if at first you don’t succeed in building the stadium that students voted for and have already started paying for, try, try again. With a unanimous vote, the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) has decided to move forward in approving a new version of the Build SFU stadium, a project which was originally cancelled seven months ago when its budget estimate was triple what they were expecting.

Kootenay Whitecaps player to join University of Calgary – Nelson Star
Maya Ida is swapping her Whitecaps jersey for a Dinos kit. Ida, a central defender, has accepted a scholarship to join the University of Calgary and its women’s soccer team.

KYSA’s ‘GET READY FOR SOCCER SPRING BREAK CAMPS” FAST APPROACHING – KYSA
The Kamloops Youth Soccer Association’s (KYSA’s) two, week-long, Spring Break Soccer Camps are less than a week away and there’s still time to register.

Bill and Claudia Sparling Honored with 2017 Sport BC’s President Award for Soccer – BCSA
West Vancouver Soccer Club President Bill Sparling and Claudia Sparling Awarded President’s Award at Sport BC’s Athlete of the Year Awards banquet.

TSS FC Rovers Open Tryouts – TSS Rovers
Vancouver’s newest team, TSS FC Rovers, is looking for Canada’s best up and coming players to play for their first squad in 2017. If you are a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, could possibly play for our national team one day, and meet the age requirment of 23 and under, we want to see you play! (Note: Pre-registration required. No walk-ons).

BC Soccer Assoc. Scholarships – BCSA
BC Soccer is proud to award scholarships every year to players and referees proceeding on to post-secondary education. The Scholarships are presented at a special Scholarship Celebration at a Whitecaps FC match in June/July each year. Applications must be received by the British Columbia Soccer Association Office by March 31st.

REVIEW: The Miracle Mile. Stories of the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games – BC BookLook
Author Jason Beck is curator of the BC Sports Hall of Fame in BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, and convenor two years ago of an excellent exhibition about the 1954 Games. In his first book, he proves to be a meticulous researcher, a compelling story-teller, and a crafty realist who knows how to hook his readers. Watch how, two pages into the book, he uses filmic technique to evoke the arriving athletes’ youthful buzz and give period colouring and costuming, but then smartly moves his camera in to introduce his stars.

TSS Rovers launch website & 2017 Season Ticket Campaign – TSS Rovers
TSS FC Rovers play their inaugural season in the PDL at iconic Swangard Stadium. Season Tickets are $70 for Adults, $49 for U12 Youth.

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!

To our Readers: A Choice – BC Soccer Web
Soccer has brought us to the United States many times. It’s a great place with decent people. We especially look forward to our Cascadia trips to Seattle and Portland. They’re incredible cities with wonderful supporters. That’s why it was so disheartening to see chaos and fear take hold in the airports and borders of our neighbours to the south.

FVSL All-Stars to face WFC2 in March – BC Soccer Web
January snow and ice in the Lower Mainland put the brakes on the annual clash between the Fraser Valley Soccer League All-Stars and the best from the VISL this year. That hasn’t stopped the FVSL from planning an ambitious All-Star series in March.

BC Soccer Assoc. is Now Accepting 2016-2017 Awards Nominations – BCSA
We are pleased to inform everyone that BC soccer Assoc. is currently accepting Awards nominations until the submission deadline date of March 31, 2017. Selection of the award recipients is based on many factors including the individual’s commitment, community involvement and willingness to give back to the game. This year any BC Soccer Assoc. member and their affiliate clubs may submit a nomination.

2017 BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors for terms commencing June, 2017 (following the BC Soccer Annual General Meeting).

Victoria Highlanders 2017 Season Passes now on sale – Highlanders FC
Support local soccer on Vancouver Island. Join the excitement of Highlanders FC PDL Soccer!

PHOTOS: CANADA WEST WOMENS FINAL, UBC 3, TWU 0, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

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

Coral Harbour’s soccer team looks to raise $40K to attend Yellowknife tournament – CBC
A Coral Harbour soccer team needs to raise nearly $40,000, double what last year’s team raised, to attend a tournament in Yellowknife.

Canada Soccer looking for candidates to serve on the Board of Directors starting May 2017 – CSA
Deadline for application is 4:00 pm ET on Wednesday, 22 March 2017.

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2017 USL Preview: Phoenix Rising FC – USL
After the club’s new ownership was unveiled late in the 2016 season, the offseason in Phoenix brought a new name, a new home venue and a number of high-profile new names on the roster as the club enters its fourth season in the USL. The question now is whether all of this will see a new ending for Phoenix Rising FC, which has yet to reach the postseason in its brief history.

Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Jones took the road less traveled – Toronto Observer
Rowdies attacker Darwin Jones didn’t follow the traditional path to a career in soccer. While most professional footballers grew up watching the game and playing it at a young age, Jones didn’t start until the age of 12, saying that he knew he had started later than most.

Bahamas Bid For United Soccer League Team – Tribune242
Local businessman Burton Rodgers is leading the bidding process for his group that seeks to establish a United Soccer League (USL) team based in the Bahamas. Should the bid receive approval and plans follow through accordingly, the Thomas A Robinson Stadium would become the home of the first professional Bahamian franchise to play in a North American league.

Tower Bridge Battalion Raises $12K for St. Baldrick’s – USL
Sacramento’s Tower Bridge Battalion raised more than $12,000 on Monday night as the Republic FC supporters group’s third annual event in support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation was an outstanding success. The total raised for the children’s cancer research foundation was the highest amount the group had raised since its first event in 2015.

Morgan leads Lyon charge, fresh start in Brazil – FIFA
It was a low-key return to club football across much of the globe following an intense period of action during the international window highlighted by the SheBelieves Cup, Algarve Cup, Cyprus Cup and more. Nevertheless, there was some intriguing action in Switzerland, Italy and France where star Lyon recruit Alex Morgan had a day to remember.

Preseason: NWSL rosters and schedules – Soccer America
NWSL training camps opened on Monday for the league’s fifth season that kicks off April 15 with 10 teams. Here are all the preseason rosters and schedules.

Baroness Sue Campbell begins to right women’s football’s historic wrongs – The Guardian
“What we’re trying to do is use football to empower girls and women to take part in sport and through that change their confidence, their self-esteem and their ability to do well in life. I mean, it sounds very grand but that’s what we’re really trying to do.”

England plans salary cap, player quotas for women’s soccer – North Bay Nipissing
England’s soccer leaders want to restrict the number of foreign players in their top women’s league and introduce salary caps to tackle the growing financial gulf between clubs.

Erceg, White want more, better support for New Zealand – The Equalizer
A little over 18 months after New Zealand took points off China and hosts Canada at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Tony Reading’s side failed to pick up a single point in the group stage of the Cyprus Cup. Only a generous format prevented them from being related to the bottom placement match last Wednesday.

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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

Lazio edges Torino to move closer to top 3 in Serie A – Sportsnet
Lazio kept up its push for a Champions League spot after two late goals helped it beat Torino 3-1 in Serie A on Monday.

Woe for United; Lyon, Roma and Schalke shine – UEFA
Prolific Lyon racked up another four goals and there were big wins too for the likes of Roma, Schalke, Gent and Ajax as the round of 16 teams warmed up for Thursday’s deciders.

FA Cup semi-final draw: Chelsea v Tottenham, Arsenal v Man City – BBC Sport
London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham have been drawn against each other in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Liga MX gives in to referee demands – Prost Amerika
It was a weird weekend in Mexico. There was no Liga MX. No, it wasn’t a FIFA international break that caused the league to pause. The ball wasn’t rolling in Mexico because the referees got upset. And today they got exactly what they wanted.

AFC Wimbledon heighten security for first visit of MK Dons  – The Guardian
Heightened security measures will be in place at AFC Wimbledon’s Kingsmeadow stadium on Tuesday night for the highly charged first home match against MK Dons, the club that took away the old Wimbledon to Milton Keynes 15 years ago.

Jonathan Tah: “Plan B: Make Plan A Work” – The Player’s Tribune
Before I start this, I have to apologize to my mother. I’m sorry I went through so many pairs of trousers. I should probably explain what I mean. Let’s go back to 2002. Hamburg, Germany. I got up off the ground, brushed myself off and looked down at my trousers. Another tear. This time, a rip right through the knee. Playing football on the weekends at our local park, I tore my clothes. A lot. That park is where football started for me. Our park, Kemal-Altun-Platz.