BC Soccer News, Tuesday, May 2, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

 COLORADO RAPIDS vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

MLS MATCHDAY #9

FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017, 7:00 PM

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PARK, COMMERCE CITY, CO.

TV: TSN 1 & 4  RADIO: TSN 1040  ONLINE: TSN GO

Vote for the Whitecaps FC Player of the Month – Whitecaps FC
Voting is now open for the Whitecaps FC Player of the Month. Here are the nominees for April – a month in which the ‘Caps posted a 3W-2L-0D record with victories over LA Galaxy (4-2), Seattle Sounders FC (2-1), and Montreal Impact (2-1).

Montreal Impact head coach Mauro Biello “very concerned” after home loss – MLS
Struggling to win games, the Montreal Impact pressed to regain the lead at home against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, only to give up a turnover that led to their first loss at Stade Saputo.

How Toronto FC became one of MLS’ top set-piece teams – Waking the Red
Set pieces will be a key part of Greg Vanney’s game plan for the upcoming trip to Seattle and return to Columbus, though, and with performances having improved of late the hope will be that this time they can make them count.

Portland Timbers coach under more pressure than LA Galaxy’s – Paulson – ESPN FC
Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson believes there’s more pressure on the head coach of his club than on the head man of the LA Galaxy.

Sporting Kansas City vs. New York Red Bulls | 2017 MLS Match Preview – MLS
It hasn’t been sexy, but Sporting Kansas City keeps getting it done. SKC has endured their share of offensive struggles in 2017, but their backline has been the best in the league, allowing just three goals in their opening eight matches – good for a miniscule 0.38 goals against average. That stinginess has pushed them up the table, with Sporting sitting in second in the West and fourth in MLS with 15 points after easily dispatching Real Salt Lake 3-0 on Saturday.

Atlanta may be feeling weight of high expectations at home – MLS
Eight games into their inaugural season, Atlanta United FC are struggling in two areas key for any successful franchise, expansion or not: winning at home and holding early leads.

MLS PHOTOS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 Seattle Sounders FC 1, April 14, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

3v3 Live Soccer Tour Comes to Canada

BC SOCCER NEWS

2017 BC Soccer Adult Provincial Championships – BCSA
The Road to Burnaby continues! Complete brackets and results from the weekend’s games in the BC Provincial Cups.

Update on BC Soccer Regional Tier Three League Initiative – BCSA
In January 2017, BC Soccer was pleased to introduce the next stage of these developments and presented an open call for Franchise applications to individuals and/or organizations to apply for a Franchise Holder License for such a league to kick off in the spring of 2018. Unfortunately, based on the limited number of applications received, BC Soccer confirms there will not be a RT3 League launched in 2018.

FVSL sides looking strong in BC Provincial A Cup as semi-finals set – AFTN
Could the Vancouver Metro Soccer League’s dominance of the Provincial A Cup be coming to an end? The last six winners of the trophy have all hailed from the VMSL, with VISL side Gorge FC being the last team from outside the league to win the Cup in 2010.

BC Academy Centre – High Potential Prospect (HPP) Program – Whitecaps FC
The purpose of the BC Centres is to provide supplemental club training for motivated boys and girls in a professional club environment. It also provides players the opportunity to be part of the Whitecaps academy centre network, wear the badge and train the Whitecaps Way as players follow an official Whitecaps FC training curriculum led by Whitecaps head coaching staff.

Highlanders’ Revival Continues In Third Season Under Dew And Diercks – Highlanfers FC
The Highlanders are seeing expansion again in 2017, fielding three programs this Spring and Summer. In addition to the PDL squad, the club will also feature a PCSL Reserve squad and have introduced a Futures program, designed to create an additional bridge for player development that also includes an Academy program. While Dew admits the first year as an owner in the PCSL required a “pretty minimal amount of work”, things have certainly changed.

2017 PCSL Schedule is revealed – PCSL
The Pacific Coast Soccer League is back with 8 teams set to kickoff on May 13.

Kacee Ougden a step closer to dream after signing with UBC Okanagan soccer – UBCO
The UBC Okanagan Heat women’s soccer team added another strong piece to the 2017 recruiting class with the commitment of centre midfielder Kacee Ougden. The 5’3″ grade 12 student from Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary will try and help the Heat build on their 2016 season in which they made the playoffs.

Whitecaps FC BC Soccer REX surpass expectations on U-15 trip to Quebec – Whitecaps FC
Our Whitecaps FC BC Soccer REX program was busy this past weekend, sending a U-15 squad across the country to take part in a series of matches in Quebec, hosted by the Quebec Soccer Federation.

Former Whitecaps star puts on a clinic – Comox Valley Record
Former Vancouver Whitecaps star Carl Valentine shared some of his expertise with a group of young players at a Comox Valley United Soccer Club clinic, Friday at the Vanier turf.

Whitecaps FC U-14s to test themselves against MLS academy rivals – Whitecaps FC
Young up-and-coming players from the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency program, as well as top players in the BC Soccer HPP program, will test themselves against rival MLS academy competition this week in a U-14 Academy Series at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex.

3V3 LIVE NATIONAL SOCCER TOUR COMES TO ABBOTSFORD – 3v3 Live Canada
3v3 Live Soccer Tour and Holbrook Sports Management are excited to announce the expansion of the 3v3 Live Soccer Tour into the Canadian soccer market.  With the first event previously announced to take place on the August 19/20 weekend in Surrey, BC, the 3v3 Soccer Tour will expand to Abbotsford, BC, on August 20 and will include men’s and women’s open divisions.

2017 VISL JACKSON CUP PHOTOS: Nanaimo Utd. 2 Cowichan LMG 1 (XT), April 2, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

FVSL PHOTOS: Pakenham Cup Final, PMO Rangers 1 PMO Lordco Gunners 0, April 1, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

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.

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.

 Premium Classified Advertising on BC Soccer Web Starting at 50 cents per day!

CANADA SOCCER NEWS

Canadian Championship: Battle of the North Qualifying Round Kicks off 3 May in Ottawa – CSA
The 10th edition of the Canadian Championship, Canada Soccer’s pinnacle club competition, will kick off 3 May in a head-to-head elimination series when Ottawa Fury FC host FC Edmonton at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, with the return match 10 May at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton.

Larin the new face of men’s soccer in Canada – TSN
Cyle Larin touches down in Canada this week as the one of the most devastating strikers in Major League Soccer.

25th BLG Awards: Laval’s Roy-Petitclerc, UNB’s Maillet named U SPORTS Athletes of the Year – USports
Arielle Roy-Petitclerc, a soccer player from the Laval Rouge et Or, and Philippe Maillet, a hockey player from the UNB Varsity Reds, are the BLG Award winners as U SPORTS Female and Male Athletes of the Year for the 2016-17 season.

CONCACAF Nations League is Good For Everyone – Northern Starting XI
Right now there are three big stories dominating CONCACAF talk: the World Cup bid, CPL, and the Nations League. While the first two have gotten a great deal of ink, the third has mainly been relegated to articles explaining why it is “bad for CONCACAF” or will “kill US soccer”. I’ve decided to explain why the league isn’t bad but I fact a great thing for the region and Canada.

Women’s League1 kicks off in Ottawa – Ottawa Community News
West Ottawa Soccer Club was awarded the team at the end of 2016 – one of three new teams added to the women’s league for the 2017 season. They will play the Vaughan Azzurri in the home opener at Beckwith Park. The Azzurri finished fourth in league play last year and they also won the 2016 L1 Cup.

‘Penny sales, movie nights’: Coral Harbour team raises $70K to reach Yellowknife soccer tournament – CBC
The Coral Harbour, Nunavut, boys and girls youth soccer teams are returning home from Yellowknife this week with bronze and silver medals.

Register for the UBCO High-Performance Summer Training Camp in Kelowna

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE

SWOPE PARK RANGERS  vs.  WFC2

FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017, 5:30 PM

SWOPE SOCCER VILLAGE, KANSAS CITY, MO.

LIVESTREAM: WHITECAPSFC2.COM

USL PHOTOS: WFC2 0 Sacramento Republic FC 0, April 29, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

Fury FC Acquires Salazar from Impact – Ottawa Fury FC
Ottawa Fury FC announced on Tuesday the club had acquired Belizean international Michael Salazar on loan from the Montreal Impact.

NASL PLAYER OF THE WEEK | Miami Forward Kwadwo Poku – NASL
Ghanaian playmaker scores, creates six chances in 2-0 win over Eddies.

Editorial: St. Petersburg voters should back soccer referendum – Tampa Bay Times
More than 23,000 St. Petersburg voters already have cast ballots in today’s referendum on allowing the city to negotiate a long-term lease for a new waterfront stadium if the Tampa Bay Rowdies win a Major League Soccer franchise. Rowdies owner Bill Edwards would pay for the expansion franchise and an 18,000-seat stadium on the Al Lang Stadium site, and there is no downside to allowing this effort to move forward.

Record Crowd Welcomes Rising FC to Tucson – USL
In front of a record-breaking preseason crowd, Phoenix Rising FC squared off against Premier Development League side FC Tucson and the University of Arizona Men’s soccer in a 1-1 draw.

USL PHOTOS: WFC2 1 SAN ANTONIO FC 2, April 22, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

A penalty kick makes the difference: Thorns defeat Red Stars 1-0 – Prost Amerika
For the second time this season, it was a handball that decided the fate of the Thorns at Providence Park. Whilst the handball itself was relatively clear, the refereeing decisions have been more hotly contested than the match was.

NWSL makes significant, and popular, strides – Cal Times
Last school year, I wrote an article about how the National Women’s Soccer League wasn’t getting enough respect or attention. A lot has changed in a year.

WSL 1 – Week 2 Review: Newcomers still looking for points – Vavel
Liverpool made it two from two as Sunderland registered their second draw and Yeovil’s misery mounted in a three-match weekend in WSL 1.

Full guide to the Women’s EURO Under-17 finals – UEFA
With the Women’s Under-17 EURO due to kick off in the Czech Republic on Tuesday, we look at the contenders & the schedule.

Frauen-Bundesliga – Week 18 Review: Duisburg and Leverkusen grab last minute points – Vavel
Matchweek 18 in the Frauen-Bundesliga saw Potsdam return to winning ways as Wolfsburg boosted their goal difference at home to Gladbach, elsewhere Freiburg completed a stunning come-back against Essen and both Duisburg and Leverkusen snatched last-minute draws.

UCL Preview: Real Madrid hosts Atletico, Juventus travels to Monaco – SBI
As the month of May begins, that also means the UEFA Champions League semifinal round begins across Europe.

Champions League and Europa League: previews for the four semi-finals – The Guardian
All the facts and figures for the four big ties this week: Real Madrid v Atlético Madrid, Monaco v Juventus, Celta Vigo v Manchester United and Ajax v Lyon.

Ancelotti must crack UCL, as there’s nothing special about Bayern’s title win – ESPN FC
Bayern Munich celebrated what should have been a momentous fifth successive Bundesliga title last weekend, but it was a damp squib. The achievement is nothing special for a club that has become spoiled rotten with silverware over the years.

Emre Can’s bicycle kick at Watford strengthens Liverpool hold on top four – The Guardian
Emre Can was still smiling in disbelief as he attempted to piece together the moment which had thrust hopes of reaching the Champions League firmly back into Liverpool’s hands.

Mourinho imposes social media ban on Man Utd players – SN
Jose Mourinho has enforced a social media ban on his Manchester United players in a bid to limit the extent of information leaking out of the first-team squad.

Man United must be wary of Celta Vigo, La Liga’s best small club – Sportsnet
On the face of things, Manchester United have nothing to fear in Celta Vigo, their Europa League semifinal opponents. But Celta Vigo, nicknamed Celticos, are Spain’s best small club.

‘Fixed and stronger’ – Man Utd star Ibrahimovic eyes comeback after surgery – SN
Zlatan Ibrahimovic vowed to return to action stronger than before following an operation on his knee.

Scottish Premiership play-off quarter-final, semi-final and final dates confirmed – BBC Sport
The Scottish Professional Football League has announced dates for the Premiership play-off quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

UEFA’s new human rights clause could stymie Turkey’s Euro 2024 bid – Inside World Football
Turkey’s chances of ending years of disappointment by finally landing the European Championship finals in 2024 could be scuppered by a new human rights provision in UEFA’s hosting guidelines.

Venezuela clubs honour protesters’ deaths with minute of silence – ESPN FC
Venezuelan teams held an improvised minute of silence during two top division games at the weekend, one of them after kick-off, in honour of victims of the recent turmoil in the country.

Kenyan $2m jackpot winner Abisai doubts he will bet again – BBC
A Kenyan punter who won a $2m (£1.6m) jackpot after correctly predicting the outcome of 17 football matches doubts he will ever bet again.