WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
The TWO ONE: ‘It’s good to be back’ – Whitecaps FC
(Editor’s note: Welcome back, Carl Valentine!)
“I can’t tell you how good it was to see everybody and to be back in such a wonderful atmosphere. Obviously, the result was not what we wanted but what a game it was – and to see the whole crowd on their feet for the last 10 minutes sent chills down my spine.”
Trouble lurks for playoff-bound Toronto FC – Sportsnet
If all goes well one of the most notorious streaks of futility in Toronto sports will come to an end this weekend. Toronto FC can clinch a playoff berth for the first time in franchise history on Saturday with a home win over the Philadelphia Union, and if Orlando City and New York City FC both drop points. If TFC doesn’t clinch this weekend, it’ll happen soon enough.
Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba voted MLS Player of the Week after three-goal week – MLS
Didier Drogba has been an absolute revelation since joining MLS, scoring seven goals in six games since moving to the Montreal Impact this summer.
Didier Drogba is terrorizing Major League Soccer, don’t let that bother you – Soccer Gods
Despite delivering a baker’s half-dozen of wonderful feats of athleticism and artistry to the MLS masses, there still appears to be a number of fans who are uncomfortable with The Drogfather’s early dominance.
Colorado Rapids’ Dillon Serna amped to chase US Olympic berth on home soil: “We have to qualify” – MLS
The game of soccer has enabled Colorado Rapids midfielder Dillon Serna to see the world and do things he’d never imagined. But the journey has always found its way back to Colorado.
U.S. Open Cup: Sporting KC to bring taste of home to final at PPL Park with 800 traveling supporters – MLS
Sporting Kansas City wanted to thank supporters for their historically strong away support – and guarantee a big traveling contingent for this week’s US Open Cup final match against the Philadelphia Union.
CONCACAF Watch: An ‘Americas Champions League’ is a bad idea – Goal
A tournament joining the CONCACAF Champions League with the Copa Libertadores might make money, but it doesn’t makes sense, writes Jon Arnold.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
BC Soccer Web Feature Matches September 29 – October 4, 2015 – BC Soccer Web
September ends and October begins with the Whitecaps looking to regain their scoring touch on the road. The leaders in Canada West men’s and women’s soccer are starting to become clearer. The VMSL Premier League finally returns to Empire this weekend. We also have action from the Island, along with a fine selection of lower division matches from @BlueAnWhiteArmy worth checking out.
Soccer CIS Top 10: T-Birds move up men’s poll, UFV continue strong start – Canada West
The UBC Thunderbirds have moved up two spots in the latest CIS men’s soccer top 10, thanks to a pair of weekend victories.
Cascades blank T-wolves in doubleheader – Prince George Citizen
The UNBC men’s soccer side was swept in a two-game series by the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades on the weekend. And while the team was disappointed after suffering a 1-0 loss Saturday and a 3-0 loss Sunday, Timberwolves captain Tofa Fakunle said the players remain confident half way through the season.
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CANADA SOCCER NEWS
CIS women’s soccer weekend roundup: Laval’s Gosselin does it again; second four goal game in a week – CIS
Complete CIS Women’s Soccer scores from the weekend.
CIS men’s soccer weekend roundup – CIS
Complete CIS Men’s Soccer scores from the weekend.
Living the dream: Coldbrook’s Corey Cadeau has found contentment close to home with soccer Axemen – Nova News Now
After sampling some far-away places, Corey Cadeau has found what he wanted most, a lot closer to home.
OSA publishes 2016 OPDL Parent/Guardian Handbook – OSA
Each year, OPDL publishes the “OPDL Parent/Guardian Handbook” to better assist parents/guardians on understanding the scope of OPDL and how they can support the young athletes in the program.
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WFC2 & USL NEWS
WFC2 Season Review: Counting down the year’s top 10 moments – Whitecaps FC
Whitecaps FC 2 put a bow on their inaugural USL season at Thunderbird Stadium last Sunday, wrapping up 28 matches worth of thrills and excitement, as we watched the future of the club grow and develop in front of our very eyes.
Independent vs. Reserve Team Attendances Part II: USL 2015 – Maple Leaf Forever
2015 was a success at the gate for the re-re-re-rebranded United Soccer League. Despite adding ten teams from 2014 while losing Orlando City to MLS, per-game attendance actually rose from 3,114 to 3,339. Sacramento remained incredibly well-supported, Rochester continued to do well, and new boys Louisville approached 7,000 fans per game. In a league that’s struggled with franchise stability, many new clubs posted numbers to be proud of. If the real numbers are as good as the attendances look, there’ll be a party down at the league office.
NASL NEWS
NASL names Armada FC owner Frisch board chairman – Soccer America
The NASL’s board of governors has elected Jacksonville Armada FC owner Mark Frisch as its new chairman, replacing Aaron Davidson, who was indicted in May in the FIFA scandals that resulted in indictments against 14 individuals.
Cosmos’ COO Stover details NASL’s antitrust stance, MLS/USSF ties at fan event – Empire of Soccer
Despite saying he was “not at liberty” to discuss the NASL’s potential antitrust lawsuit against U.S. Soccer, New York Cosmos COO Erik Stover certainly painted a bright picture for the league’s case. “When the Cosmos joined the NASL, there has been a clear pattern of moving the goal on [NASL], and that is something the Department of Justice looks very negatively upon,” Stover began.
NASL: History repeats itself for Stuart Campbell as he attempts to revive Tampa Bay Rowdies’ season – The Telegraph
Englishman will draw on his experience as Bristol Rovers caretaker-manager to help secure NASL play-off place for the Florida franchise.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Three months on, is the NWSL failing to exploit USA’s World Cup victory? – The Guardian
In the afterglow of all that success – 26.7 million people tuning into the World Cup final, millions watching each USA game, and even audiences for the non-US games on weekday afternoons that beating other, more established sports – it would appear the NWSL hasn’t added a single new sponsor. Not one.
For Van Hollebeke, time right to focus on medicine – The Equalizer
Van Hollebeke played her last professional soccer match last month, a 3-3 draw between Portland Thorns FC and the Washington Spirit in front of over 21,000 fans at Providence Park in Portland. Van Hollebeke exited that match in the 85th minute to a standing ovation before being serenaded with songs, creative signs and roses after the match.
Gemma Davison: Chelsea Ladies focusing on themselves – BBC Sport
Chelsea Ladies winger Gemma Davison says they are relaxed and focusing on themselves, with the club one win away from lifting a first league title.
Threats. Vitriol. Hate. Ugly truth about women in sports and social media – SI.com
(The following contains offensive, vulgar language used to address an important but sensitive subject matter. Reader discretion is advised.)
With more and more women brought up to believe that sports can be their space, too, it’s natural for them to expect a seat at the table when sports come up in conversation. And yet, 40 years after Robin Herman became the first female reporter to enter an NFL locker room, women are still fighting a war against rampant sexism in the industry, with Twitter and Facebook serving as the new frontlines.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Ex-FIFA VP Jack Warner gets life ban for bribery – Sportsnet
Four years after stepping down in disgrace, former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner was banned from soccer for life on Tuesday for repeated acts of bribery related to World Cup bidding votes.
Presidential contender Chung: FIFA in meltdown – Sportsnet
With President Sepp Blatter under criminal investigation and general secretary Jerome Valcke suspended from work and being investigated by the FIFA ethics committee, Chung said soccer’s governing body is in “total meltdown.”
There Was a Crooked Man … – 8 by 8
The world is not divided in its opinion of Sepp Blatter. Few public figures attract as much loathing as the 79-year-old Machiavelli of football.
Villarreal sit top of La Liga for the first time in their history … and it matters – The Guardian
In two and half years, Marcelino has taken Villarreal from the second division to the top of the first with a brand of football that is great to watch and successful.
Lewandowski and Bayern Munich want UCL home form to continue vs. Dinamo – ESPN FC
After taking care of Bundesliga business by sealing a seventh successive win, Bayern Munich switch their treble-seeking attentions to the Champions League for the visit of Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday evening.
UEFA Champions League: Team news ahead of Tuesday’s games – UEFA
UEFA.com rounds up the likely lineups and formations for Tuesday night’s eight UEFA Champions League group stage games, including who is out and who is a doubt.
Ronaldinho leaves Fluminense after just nine appearances in three months – The Guardian
Ronaldinho has brought a swift end to his spell with the Brazilian side Fluminense, leaving the club by mutual consent after just nine appearances in three months. During this time he failed to score or provide any assists, and he was booed by his own fans during defeat in the Campeonato Brasileiro to Atlético Mineiro last month.
VW crisis will not pollute Wolfsburg, says Allofs – Inside World Football
The Volkswagen emissions scandal will not affect the status of Wolfsburg, the Bundesliga club owned by the embattled car manufacturer, according to sporting director Klaus Allofs.
How Soccer Bills Devoured This Family’s Budget – Money
Unlike playing on the local parks and rec team, the Jones boys compete in the elite world of American soccer clubs. For kids at this level, soccer isn’t just a game. It’s their lives. Top young athletes play year-round and practice as often as a dozen times a week. There are specialized, private coaches and $100 cleats. The playing, or club, fees alone run to $675 a month.
From Jimmy Armfield to Francesco Totti – here’s to football’s one-club men – The Guardian
One-club men are a constant, reassuring presence in a money-driven soap opera that boasts a cast of often indifferent characters who just happen to be passing through.
Palestine fury as FIFA takes away right to home World Cup qualifier vs Saudi – Inside World Football
Palestinian football authorities are crying foul after being ordered by FIFA to play a crucial World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on neutral ground.
VIDEO: Referee pulls handgun during dispute in amateur game in Brazil – ESPN FC
A Brazilian referee faces disciplinary action after he pulled out a handgun during a dispute with players.
Liverpool keeper attempts to pay £50 fine in pennies, loses loan spell – ESPN FC
Having made it just two months into a season-long deal, Liverpool reserve goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux has seen his loan spell at Swindon Town cut short in acrimonious (and slightly ridiculous) circumstances.