VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC 2 MINNESOTA UNITED FC 3
MLS MATCHDAY #1
SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2019
BC PLACE, VANCOUVER, BC
Episode 326 – The AFTN Soccer Show (New Squad Attacking Formation – Vancouver v Minnesota, MLS Week In Review, Abuse In Football) – AFTN
We pick over the bones of that opening day defeat and hear from both head coaches, Vancouver’s Marc Dos Santos and Minnesota’s Adrian Heath.
CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal preview: Red Bulls, Dynamo with major tests – NBC Sports
One week into the regular season, the New York Red Bulls and Houston Dynamo face the annual CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal test against Liga MX opposition.
Dynamo face a challenge against Tigres UANL – Houston Chronicle
Entering Tuesday’s CONCACAF quarterfinals match against Mexican club Tigres UANL, the Dynamo are embracing the underdog role.
New York Red Bulls vs. Santos Laguna | Concacaf Champions League Preview – MLS
After dispatching Atletico Pantoja in the Concacaf Champions League Round of 16, the New York Red Bulls take a step up in class when they meet Mexico’s Santos Laguna in the quarterfinals with the first leg at what is expected to be a frigid Red Bull Arena Tuesday. The Red Bulls fielded a rotated starting XI in a 1-1 draw with Columbus Crew SC Saturday so they should have fresh legs for a Santos side that blasted Marathon from Honduras, 11-2, on aggregate.
CCL Preview: Sporting KC v CA Independiente – The Blue Testament
What a difference three days makes. After finishing off Liga MX opponents Toluca FC with a 5-0 aggregate score, Sporting Kansas City stayed on the road against LAFC and faltered in the 94th minute. Before the game in LA, the internet was abuzz that Sporting KC could be the best team in MLS. They still could be, but suddenly they have a much tougher task to overcome in Panama.
Monterrey vs. Atlanta United | Concacaf Champions League Preview – MLS
After bouncing back from a stunning first-leg loss, Atlanta United flexed their muscles to blow away Herediano and win 5-3 on aggregate in the Concacaf Champions League Round of 16, settling up a scintillating showdown with Mexico’s Monterrey in the Quarterfinals. Los Rayados survived a complicated tie to edge Alianza, 1-0, to book their ticket. Monterrey are currently second in Liga MX, one point behind fellow quarterfinalist Tigres.
Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris voted MLS Player of the Week – Sounders FC
Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris has been voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week for the first week of the 2019 MLS season.
Sources: U.S. midfielder Kenny Saief set for loan to FC Cincinnati – ESPN
U.S. international midfielder Kenny Saief is in the process of finalizing his loan to FC Cincinnati from Belgian side Anderlecht, sources have confirmed to ESPN FC.
Commissioner Don Garber Announces MLS Executive Staff Promotions – MLS
Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber today announced two promotions of the executive leadership of the League Office. As part of the moves, JoAnn Neale has been promoted to President & Chief Administrative Officer, while Gary Stevenson will assume the title of Deputy Commissioner and President of MLS Business Ventures. Neale, Stevenson and MLS President and Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott continue to report directly to Commissioner Garber.
As Professional Soccer’s Fan Base Grows, Youth Interest Drops – WVXU
The fact that Cincinnati now has an MLS team shows the growing popularity of the sport in the U.S. FC Cincinnati is the 24th franchise expansion team in the MLS. Yet while soccer is gaining fans in the U.S. at the professional level, fewer young people are participating in the sport. According to a study by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, the percentage of 6- to 12-year-olds playing soccer regularly has dropped nearly 14 percent since 2015.
While the presence of right-wing extremist fans in MLS is obvious, rooting out the problem isn’t – Yahoo Sports
Simple though it may seem, there are no universal solutions to this problem. No way of solving it that will satisfy everybody. It’s a vexing issue. One that will only continue to distress fans of Major League Soccer.
Inter Miami unveils renderings for training facility, USL stadium – SBI
Inter Miami unveiled pictures and a video on Friday for its proposed training facility and USL stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The expansion MLS club’s renderings for its desired complex show a new Lockhart Stadium for its lower-league team and a revitalized surrounding area.
MLS PHOTOS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, Minnesota Utd. FC 3, March 2, 2019 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.
BC SOCCER NEWS
PACIFIC FC vs. HFX WANDERERS FC
CANADIAN PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHDAY #1
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019, 4:00 PM
WESTHILLS STADIUM, LANGFORD, BC
Pacific FC kicks off training camp in Tofino – Times Colonist
Pacific FC training camp will leave a large cleat print, from Tofino to the Dominican Republic.
Silberbauer and Merriman: Leading the Isle – Northern Starting XI
With training camps officially started across the Canadian Premier League, coaches will finally get a chance to see their squads come together for the first time. On the west-coast, players have been arriving in Victoria daily.
TSS Rovers Season Season Pass and Single Match Tickets now on sale – TSS Rovers
TSS Rovers is offering season passes to their 2019 USL League 2 campaign at just $70 for adults and $49 for children.
TRU Men’s Soccer add midfield recruit JP 10 – TRU Wolfpack
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s soccer player have added a talented player they hope will solidify their midfield for the future. Head coach John Antulov and the WolfPack are happy to announce their fourth recruit for the 2019-20 Canada West campaign: 5’11” midfielder Jordano Pinto of Vancouver, BC. Pinto will be graduating this spring from Killarney Secondary School.
Simon Fraser men’s soccer hosts Spring Identification Camp – SFU
The SFU men’s soccer Spring Identification Camp offers a platform for players to showcase themselves.
Surrey United Soccer recognizes leaders on and off the field – Surrey Now Leader
Outstanding athletes and volunteers from the Surrey United Soccer Club were honoured at a banquet on Saturday, Feb. 23.
The 2019 BC Soccer Web Super Schedule of Soccer in BC – BC Soccer Web
With so much soccer happening in BC this year, it’s getting tougher to keep track of the big matches and your favourite teams. BC Soccer Web has you covered! Here, in one spot, are the combined schedules for the Vancouver Whitecaps, Pacific FC, TSS Rovers and Highlanders FC. We’ll also be adding the WPSL teams, along with the marquee matches from the amateur ranks as those dates become set, so keep coming back for the latest updates.
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.
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
CANADA vs. FRENCH GUIANA
CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE
SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2019, 3:00 PM
BC PLACE, VANCOUVER, BC
Canadian women to play Sweden for third place at Algarve Cup soccer tournament – Medicine Hat News
Canada will face Sweden for third place Wednesday at the Algarve Cup women’s soccer tournament. Canada, ranked fifth in the world, tied No. 22 Iceland 0-0 in its opening match before defeating No. 20 Scotland 1-0 on Christine Sinclair’s 179th international goal.
CPL announces preseason in Dominican Republic, equipment deal with Nike – Canadian Premier League
The Canadian Premier League’s seven founding clubs have revealed more details regarding their local pre-season training camps, which began on March 1, 2019.
Cavalry FC takes pitch for training camp – Calgary Sun
There was an extra-special bounce to Monday’s official start of Cavalry FC. Day 1 of training camp for a new franchise is bound to have that effect.
Decisions, decisions: Valour looking at 10 trialists as camp opens – Canadian Premier League
After a weekend of orientations at Investors Group Field and learning that, yes, it really is -20°C outside, Valour FC will officially kick off training camp in Winnipeg Monday afternoon.
New Power Chair Soccer Program filling a gap in local sports, seeking athletes – Chronicle Herald
It’s taken two years to put all the pieces together, but a group of community leaders are finally ready to launch Atlantic Canada’s first Power Chair Soccer Program. There’s only one piece of the puzzle left: recruits.
USL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS
What Goes On? The Ottawa Fury – Just Before Kick-Off – Northern Starting XI
It is nearly that time of year again. You begin to feel it in the air, as the interminably wretched Ontario winter slowly recedes North.
Ottawa Fury FC sticks with Haworth as captain – Edmonton Sun
Ottawa Fury FC’s longest-serving member, Carl Haworth, will once again wear the captain’s armband.
Bethlehem Steel FC Acquires Five International Roster Spots In Three Separate Trades – Philadelphia Union
Bethlehem Steel FC announced today that it has acquired five additional international roster spots in separate trades with three USL Championship teams: two spots from Loudoun United FC, one spot from Ottawa Fury FC and two spots from Sacramento Republic FC, for undisclosed amounts.
SAN ANTONIO FC LOANS FORWARD ALEX BRUCE TO LANSING IGNITE FC – SAFC
San Antonio FC loaned forward Alex Bruce to League One club Lansing Ignite FC for the 2019 season pending league and federation approval, the club announced today. Per club policy, terms of the loan were not disclosed.
From the Pitch – For Birmingham – USL
You see a lot of kids in Alabama grow up wanting to be professional athletes. But remember, this was 1998. And while most were dreaming of being the next great quarterback, or shooting guard, I was dreaming of being a professional soccer player.
NWSL & WOMEN’S WORLD SOCCER NEWS
U.S. Women’s soccer team looks to rebound at Raymond James against Brazil – Tampa Bay Times
As the U.S. women’s national team prepares to the play the final match in the SheBelieves Cup tonight at Raymond James Stadium, players and coaches know there is plenty of work to do. The team comes into its game against Brazil with consecutive 2-2 ties against Japan and England.
Japan Women v England Women: SheBelieves Cup success would be “huge”, says Telford – BBC Sport
The Lionesses will win the four-team tournament if they beat Japan in Tampa on Tuesday, although the Asian nation – who are top on goal difference – will lift the trophy if they win.
The 22 USWNT federation players for the 2019 NWSL season are… – The Equalizer
For some reason, the league still has not formally announced federation players for the U.S. and Canada, decisions which — at least for the U.S. — are made in December. Believe me, I’ve asked — nobody has had an answer as to why this hasn’t been announced. Almost all of the changes have already been reported, so below is the complete list of U.S. players.
Improvements are coming at Sky Blue FC, but is it enough? – Pro Soccer USA
Since reports surfaced last summer that Sky Blue FC had below-standard living, training and traveling conditions for players, the club has been urged to improve the situation. While some of those demands, particularly in housing and training facilities, will be met this year, doubts remain about whether the club has done enough.
Washington Spirit signs five 1st and 2nd round draft picks – Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit has signed all five players selected by the club in the 2019 NWSL College Draft, prior to the start of preseason training camp this week. Ranging from the No. 3 overall pick to No. 17, each of the five players were taken in the first two rounds of the draft on Jan. 10 in Chicago.
FIFA Recommends Use of Video Review at Women’s World Cup – NY Times
The organizing committee of FIFA announced Monday that it would recommend the use of video assistant referee technology at the Women’s World Cup this summer, bringing refereeing advances introduced at the men’s World Cup in Russia last year to soccer’s most important women’s championship for the first time.
FFA back Football Victoria’s plan for $80 million home for Matildas – Sydney Morning Herald
FFA chairman Chris Nikou has thrown his backing behind an ambitious plan to establish a state of the art home base for Australia’s womens soccer team, the Matildas, in Victoria.
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Champions League Preview: Tottenham looks to finish off Dortmund – NBC Sports
Tottenham are 90 minutes away from achieving something the club hadn’t done since 1962. Make it past the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid face Ajax in last chance to save season amid Gareth Bale unrest – The Guardian
The game at the Bernabéu comes after two straight defeats to Barcelona and Bale’s agent calling the club’s fans ‘a disgrace’.
Leganes defeats Levante 1-0 in Spanish league – London Free Press
Oscar Rodriguez scored a 13th-minute winner as Leganes defeated Levante 1-0 in the Spanish league on Monday.
BORDEAUX, MONTPELLIER BOTH IN NEED OF A LIFT – Ligue 1
Girondins de Bordeaux play host to Montpellier Hérault SC on Tuesday in their first match since manager Ricardo Gomes’ departure from the six-time champions.
Germany striker Serge Gnabry extends contract at Bayern – London Free Press
Bayern Munich striker Serge Gnabry has extended his contract with the Bundesliga team for another three years through June 2023.
Palestinian football set for the future with refreshed stadium and new modern facilities – FIFA
Palestine has one of the oldest histories of organised football in the Middle East with evidence of the game being played at a structured level amongst Palestinian youth since at least the early 1920s. Alongside many other territories in the region, its population has always had a vibrant passion for football.
Scottish Cup: Holders Celtic to face Aberdeen or Rangers in semi-finals – BBC Sport
Scottish Cup holders Celtic will face either Aberdeen or Rangers in the semi-finals of this year’s tournament.
Manchester City owners plan to buy Indian club and expand global portfolio – The Guardian
Manchester City’s parent company plan to a buy a club in India to add to the seven already in the City Football Group’s portfolio.
Show me the money. Ashley takes Newcastle United sale board down until someone can – Inside World Football
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley (pictured) has reportedly taken the club off the market following the failure of potential buyers to meet his terms.
Wheelchair football breaking down barriers – FIFA
There are some people you simply have to applaud for their remarkable dedication, and Mandy and Marcel Pierer are two such individuals. The couple took over the MTV Wheelers children’s and youth wheelchair club four years ago and have been leading the group enthusiastically ever since. Last year they also organised Germany’s first nationwide wheelchair football tournament in Stuttgart, where children with and without disabilities competed against each other in wheelchairs.
Gordon Banks: crowds pay tribute to ‘greatest English goalkeeper’ – The Guardian
Thousands of football fans, families and schoolchildren lined the streets of Stoke-on-Trent on Monday to celebrate the life of Gordon Banks, one of the world’s greatest goalkeepers and the “supreme gentleman of football”.