WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Froese ‘doesn’t let himself down’ in first regular season start at BC Place – Whitecaps FC
In the build-up to Vancouver Whitecaps FC season-opening loss to Montreal Impact, Carl Robinson said Kianz Froese may be the best box-to-box midfielder at the club.
Core Whitecaps players let team down in 2016 home opener – Whitecaps Fan Blog
Our big players let us down in this match with inconsistent play, outrageous gaffes, and just plain mediocre performances. David Ousted, Kendall Waston, Pedro Morales and Kekuta Manneh were all strangely off in what should have been a blockbuster start to 2016. Whitecaps showed great promise during certain periods in this match, and created many scoring chances. A lack of mental sharpness meant the 2016 season started with an awful thud.
Vancouver Whitecaps: Too soon to ring the changes? – Soccer Shorts
It’s ludicrous of course to be making sweeping judgements about a football team after just one game of the season but that’s all we’ve got and, perhaps more pertinently, the Vancouver Whitecaps’ 3-2 loss to the Montreal Impact provided a heady combination of both brand new worries and some older concerns to keep us all fermenting in our own introspective juices at least until the game against Kansas on Saturday evening.
Kickoff: Sporting Kansas City vs. Vancouver Whitecaps Match Primer – Blue Testament
Fresh off a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Children’s Mercy Park opener.
Consistency the key for Montreal after Whitecaps victory – Red Nation Online
The Montreal Impact are riding high after a surprising 3-2 win in hostile territory against the Vancouver Whitecaps to kickoff the MLS campaign. Ignacio “Nacho’ Piatti and Dominic Oduro led the way, while goalkeeper Evan Bush picked up a win on his 30th birthday. Coach Mauro Biello had his players stick to the game plan and Vancouver shot themselves in the foot with defensive errors. Piatti put on a show to help send Montreal home with all three points.
Maple Leaf Soccer: A 2016 Canadians in MLS round-up (Week 1) – AFTN
Last season saw 25 Canadian players on the rosters of MLS clubs, an increase of six on 2014. Despite some players moving on to new challenges outside of the league, that number has increased by another two, to 27 players for 2016.
San Jose Earthquakes’ Chris Wondolowski closing in on top-4 on MLS all-time scoring chart – MLS
The Earthquakes forward opened 2016 with another goal, heading home the game-winner in San Jose’s 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Sunday. He’s aiming to extend his record of scoring at least 10 goals for the season — something he’s done six-straight years.
Toronto’s Bradley sees win in New York as another step on path forward – NBC Sports
Toronto FC and USMNT captain Michael Bradley has his sights set much higher than the playoffs this year.
Patrick Vieira and the pressure of coaching New York City FC: “All I have to do is win” – MLS
After winning everything there is to win in Europe then trading in his boots for management, this is Vieira’s latest challenge: bringing together New York City FC’s collection of European mega-stars and American upstarts, pointing a club that failed to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs in its expansion season toward the promised land. The expectations are massive. Vieira seems unfazed.
NYCFC mask defensive issues with stunning offense, smart tactics – Empire of Soccer
New York City FC scored four goals on the road in their first game under a new head coach. They also conceded three times, repeating their defensive struggles from a year before.
Montreal Impact announce Didier Drogba will spend a “few days” training with Sacramento Republic FC – MLS
After announcing late last week that Didier Drogba would miss at least four of the team’s first five matches in order to avoid playing on artificial surfaces, the Montreal Impact revealed on Monday that the star striker will spend some time training away from the club.
MLS has created a high-scoring, defenseless wonderland – SBNation
Salary cap and closed system or not, MLS is always going to have trouble becoming the best soccer league in the world. The next-best alternative is having a genuinely silly product with a ton of goals. It might not have happened intentionally, but it appears that MLS has stumbled into exactly that kind of product.
Eales: Atlanta United to look for `home grown’ players – AJC.com
Just one year before Arthur Blank’s new Major League Soccer team takes the field, Eales is in charge of stocking the team with players, constructing a headquarters in Marietta, and building the team’s fan base.
Los Angeles Football Club, which joins MLS in 2018, looks to develop players at its youth academy – LA Times
When the owners of the Los Angeles Football Club gave John Thorrington the keys to their soccer team three months ago, he had little more than an idea and his own enthusiasm with which to work.
Soccer to debut at Target Field: Minnesota United v. Mexican powerhouse – Star-Tribune
Target Field will host its first soccer match when Minnesota United FC welcomes Club León, a powerhouse team in Mexico, for a friendly encounter on June 25.
CONCACAF Appoints Brian Hall as Director of Refereeing – CONCACAF
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announced today the appointment of Brian Hall as Director of Refereeing. Mr. Hall will lead all aspects of refereeing in the Confederation, playing a key role in improving the Refereeing Department’s operations and developing a professional workforce that enables CONCACAF referees to achieve and maintain a consistent, high-quality performance on the field.
CONCACAF Watch: The case for changing the CCL calendar – Goal
MLS shouldn’t be rewarded for its poor CONCACAF Champions League performances, but a change in the CCL calendar could benefit the region.
Ross County agree deal with goalkeeper Chris Konopka – Inverness Courier
ROSS County have agreed a short-term deal with American goalkeeper Chris Konopka. Konopka was most recently with MLS side Toronto FC where he was released in December and had been training with DC United at their pre-season camp.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Whitecaps FC Residency earn two wins over Portland Timbers Academy – Whitecaps FC
It was a winning weekend for Whitecaps FC Residency, as both the U-18s and U-16s won against Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers Academy at Hugh Boyd Park.
Underdog Westcastle continues surprising run to Jackson Cup semifinals – Times-Colonist
The glass slipper has yet to fall off as Westcastle advanced to the 2016 Jackson Cup semifinals following its 3-2 quarter-final victory on the weekend over Lakehill at Braefoot Park. It was going to be a longshot tale either way because regular-season second-to-last Westcastle and last-place Lakehill are both facing relegation from Division 1 down to Division 2 next season.
Kamloops Women’s Indoor Soccer league Final – KYSA
United Spirit defeated Reccos by a score of 1-0 in the final of the Kamloops Women’s Indoor Soccer league Recreation Division, which was held in the Kamloops Soccer Dome on Sunday evening.
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.
CANADA vs. MEXICO, March 25, 2016 @ BC PLACE STADIUM. Buy Tickets Today!
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canada beats Iceland to move to Algrave Cup final – Sportsnet
Needing a win over Iceland and some help in another match from Belgium to reach the final of the Algarve Cup women’s soccer tournament, Canada was under some pressure Monday.
Canada beats Iceland and the elements in Algarve Cup – the11.ca
There was a time when playing in high winds would create trouble for the Canadian national women’s team. The conditions would make it difficult to play route-one soccer. But, on a windy Monday in Portugal, Canada got a 1-0 win over Iceland — and thanks to results elsewhere, it was good enough to claim top spot in the group and and a date in the tournament final against Brazil.
Canada loses to Haiti at CONCACAF women’s U-17s – Sportsnet
Sarah Stratigakis’s goal at the 77th minute was not enough as Canada fell to Haiti 2-1 on Monday at the CONCACAF women’s under-17 soccer championships.
Canada w17 looks ahead just one win away from Jordan 2016 – CSA
Canada will face the winner of Group B in the CONCACAF semi-finals this Friday, with that opponent to be known on Tuesday 8 March after Group B concludes their three-match series. The group winner will be either USA (six points after two matches and +8 goal difference), Mexico (3 points and +1), or Costa Rica (3 points and -1).
Historic win gives Haiti Group A crown at CU17W – CONCACAF
Haiti overcame a one-goal deficit, scoring twice in the final nine minutes, to earn a 2-1 victory over Canada and clinch first place in Group A of the CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship at the Grenada Athletics Stadium on Monday.
The OSA Soccer Summit draws great numbers – SIRC
Over 500 sports leaders from around Ontario attended development sessions in Guelph. The OSA Soccer Summit drew in its largest crowd to date with over 500 coaches, match officials and soccer leaders attending the premier development event in Ontario over the weekend.
Canada 2015 recognised as International Sport Event of the Year – CSA
Canada Soccer has won a PRESTIGE award from the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance for hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. The record-breaking international soccer event – which drew an unprecedented 1.35-million spectators from coast-to-coast across Canada while drawing a worldwide television audience of more than 750 million viewers – was one of two winners of the CSTA International Sport Event of the Year award.
Babouli Graduates Through the TFC Player Pathway – Toronto FC
Molham Babouli’s recent signing with Toronto FC marks the first time a player has gone through the full player pathway system created by the club, starting from the Kia TFC Academy, to Toronto FC II, up to the first team.
Canada’s female sport leaders set the pace on a global stage – CTV News
Tuesday marked International Women’s Day, and Canadian women in sport can celebrate a time unlike any other.
Provincial medallists – Prince Albert Daily Herald
A strong indoor season for the Prince Albert Celtic program wrapped up with two medals at the 2016 Indoor Provincial Championships on the weekend in Saskatoon.
EPIC presents the 2016 Western Canada College ID Camp
WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Women can help solve FIFA’s problems, Infantino told – Yahoo Sports
Recently-elected FIFA president Gianni Infantino was told on Monday that “women are part of the solution” to the problems that have plagued soccer’s scandal-plagued world governing body.
Olympics: End of an era for Japanese women – Soccer America
In a stunning setback, Japan, winner of the 2011 Women’s World Cup, silver-medalist at the 2012 Olympics and runner-up to the USA at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, has been knocked out of Olympic women’s qualifying at home. A 6-1 win over Vietnam — its first in four games — was not enough to prevent Australia and China from booking the two available spots with one game to play.
SheBelieves: The USWNT’s Tough Win May Mean Big Changes – Midfield Press
Generally, when one’s team wins a game, it’s cause for celebration. Yet the USWNT’s 1-0 win over France in the SheBelieves Cup felt like cheating death in such a frustrating way that one almost begins to root for death.
CU17W Preview: Day Six – CONCACAF
There is one certainty, the first-place United States (2W-0D-0L, 6 points) needs only a draw against Costa Rica (1-0-1, 3) to advance.
PRIDE SIGN AUSTRALIA NATIONAL TEAM DEFENDER LAURA ALLEWAY – NWSL
Orlando Pride, the newest team in the National Women’s Soccer League, has signed Australia Women’s National Team defender Laura Alleway, pending receipt of her International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per team and league policies, details of the contract were not announced.
EURO: Ten teams yet to drop a qualifying point – UEFA
UEFA Women’s EURO qualifying is in full swing with Scotland, Iceland, Spain, France, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, England, Austria and Norway all holding perfect records.
England women’s coach Mark Sampson keen to avoid club v country row – The Guardian
Mark Sampson has attempted to stave off a club-v-country row by sympathising with Women’s Super League teams over England’s busy March and April programme.
What I Learned Taking Up Football in My Twenties – Vice Sports
It’s about more than inexperience. Before you even step on the pitch, you’re faced with the assumption that women don’t really play the sport. Take buying kit, a near Sisyphean task given that women’s football clothing doesn’t really exist. I’ve trawled every Sports Direct within a 10-mile radius of Edinburgh University, usually being met by doggedly uncongenial staff who have asked me whether the shin pads I’m buying are for my boyfriend. I took my search for sportswear online, a place where you can buy everything from selfie-sticks to ricin – but not women’s football gear.
Afghanistan Women’s Soccer Team Unveils Jerseys With Hijabs – Hufington Post
When Afghanistan’s national women’s soccer team takes the field in the near future, the players will be decked in a uniform that marks both their country’s deep-seated history and how far it has come.
India needs a national league for women’s football: Aditi Chauhan – MSN
The Indian women’s football team created history in Guwahati on February 15 when they clinched their second consecutive gold medal at the South Asian Games after defeating Nepal 4-0 in the final.
Survey shows 61 per cent of women in football have witnessed sexism – Sky Sports
More than half of women involved in British football (61 per cent) have witnessed sexism in the workplace, a survey published to coincide with International Women’s Day has revealed.
Wellingborough Town chairman banned for sexist remarks – BBC Sport
A football chairman was banned from attending five matches and fined after being found guilty of making sexist comments about a female referee.
Thank You, Ladies, for Your Fight – Midfield Press
I was going to write this piece, today, and slam US Soccer and the USSF for their poor treatment of our gals. I was going to rip them apart – after reading their annual report – for lack of mentions of the women and their apparent worship of our men. I was going to, then I remembered that today is International Woman’s Day, so instead I’m going to write about the positive impact our women have had over this past year.
WSL Sister Clubs Programme launched to grow women’s game – The FA
More than £100,000 has been invested by the FA into the programme, which aims to drive girl’s participation at grassroots level and attendances at FA WSL matches.
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WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
WFC2 draw 1-1 against Toronto FC II as preseason preparations continue – Whitecaps FC
Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) continued their preseason on Sunday with their first friendly match against USL opposition. The ‘Caps took on Canadian rivals Toronto FC II at Simon Fraser University, battling to a 1-1 draw.
PHOTO GALLERY: USL PRESEASON WFC2 1 TFC II 1, March 6, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Monique Lamoureux.
The Puerto Rico Football Club Announce Coaching Staff – Puerto Rico FC
Tom Payne President of the Puerto Rico Football Club announced today that Jack Stefanowski and Marco Velez will join Head Coach Adrian Whitbread’s coaching staff for this upcoming inaugural season.
NASL Notes: Georgios Samaras Linked to Rayo OKC, Puerto Rico Keeps Building – Empire of Soccer
According to Franco Sui Yuan of Telemundo Oklahoma, longtime Greek international and former Celtic FC striker Georgios Samaras is likely be the next impressive signing for Rayo OKC. Possibly lending credence to the rumor, the expansion club has scheduled a meet and greet event for Thursday evening to introduce “another World Cup player.”
Looking Forward: NASL Spring Rankings, Part I – Midfield Press
The NASL instituted the split season format in 2013 dividing the competitive year up into two unequal halves, Spring and Fall. Tinkering with a playoff system is a mainstay of North American soccer, but it seems that the NASL found a formula that maintains the integrity of being the season champion while respecting the sporting system with which we’re all most familiar.
Looking Forward: NASL Spring Rankings, Part II – Midfield Press
In Part II of the 2016 Pre-Season coverage, our own Daniel Casey takes a look at the upper echelons of the NASL, and how they rank.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
UCL Preview: Real, Wolfsburg favorites over Roma, Gent – SBI
The UEFA Champions League round of 16 continues on Tuesday, as the second legs kick off action. Real Madrid and Wolfsburg will be the odds-on favorites to advance to the quarterfinals, as both sides currently hold leads over AS Roma and KAA Gent, respectively.
Champions League and Europa League: previews for the big midweek matches – The Guardian
A look forward to Real Madrid v Roma, Chelsea v Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund v Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool v Manchester United.
Returning Bale bad news for Roma in Champions League – Sportsnet
The 2015-16 UEFA Champions League resumes this week with the second leg of the Round of 16.
Details of U.S. Soccer’s budget for national teams, NWSL – Philly.com
The U.S. Soccer Federation has released the report from its Annual General Meeting which took place last month in San Antonio. It inclues a wide range of financial data about the organization’s revenues and expenses.
Scottish League Cup final: Hibs win would cap Alan Stubbs’ career – BBC Sport
Alan Stubbs says leading Hibernian to victory in Sunday’s Scottish League Cup final against Ross County would be the greatest moment of his career.
FIFA extends Italian match-fixing bans worldwide – Sportsnet
FIFA says it imposed worldwide bans on “several officials and players” linked to match-fixing and illegal betting in Italy. The cases were already judged by the Italian soccer federation and Olympic committee who ordered national-level bans of up to five years.
Opinion: Newcastle United are sleepwalking back to the Championship – Vavel
With relegation looming dangerously close, Steve McClaren’s position as head coach at St. James’ Park seems to be untenable – to everyone except for the club’s board, that is.
Adam Johnson: Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne resigns – BBC Sport
Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne has resigned following the Adam Johnson child abuse case. The Premier League club has been criticised for letting the England winger play after his arrest.
FFA to help fund marquee players as part of four-year A-League plan – The Guardian
Football Federation Australia will play an increased role in helping A-League clubs identify and fund marquee players, as part of a new four-year strategy that focuses heavily on promoting the domestic competition.
Gary Charles: Ex-Forest and Derby man on alcoholism, Gazza and helping youngsters – BBC Sport
Gary Charles fought alcoholism throughout his career, but still managed to play for England and feature in Wembley cup finals.
Leicester City fans causing earthquakes with celebrations, claims study – The Guardian
Leicester City’s success on the pitch has been sending shockwaves through the city with the celebrations of fans being picked up by equipment used to detect earthquakes.