VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. LA GALAXY
MLS MATCHDAY #5
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019, 7:00 PM
BC PLACE, VANCOUVER, BC
TV: TSN 1 RADIO: TSN 1040 ONLINE: TSN DIRECT
Episode 333 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Logical Thinking with guests Jon Erice and Willie Johnston) – AFTN
We have a point! From small acorns do big playoff pushes grow. Hopefully.
Frustrated Whitecaps won’t let VAR growing pains knock them off stride – Vancouver Sun
The Whitecaps have had three penalty kicks called on them this season, two of which should never have been awarded, and saw a chance to beat Seattle snatched away when a VAR decision went against them — again.
Seattle Sounders: How did they avoid the usual slow start? – MLS Multiplex
The Seattle Sounders have shaken their usual malaise and started the 2019 season with great potency and success. But how have they avoided their usual slow starts?
Vanney said Pozuelo has put the league on notice, which can be good for his club – Toronto Sun
No doubt every team in Major League Soccer is now fully aware of what Alejandro Pozuelo — or the Maestro, as he is known in soccer circles — can do in the MLS.
Jesus Medina Is Running Out of Time – Hudson River Blue
Upon his arrival, Medina brought a sense of optimism to the club. With fans still recovering from the disaster era that gave us past-your-prime stars like Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard, it was refreshing to see NYCFC splashing the cash on the 20-year-old Medina who could potentially carry us into a new era and produce for many seasons to come.
Earthquakes improvement to take time under Almeyda – SBI
The struggle is real in San Jose. An Earthquakes team that was already the worst in the league in 2018 – that won just four matches – found a way to dig beyond rock bottom and managed to somehow start the season worse than they were last year.
Real Salt Lake knows the math – 11 is better than 10 – Deseret News
The RSL coach wants to finish a match with the right amount of guys on the soccer field. That hasn’t been the case the past three games.
LAFC’s Carlos Vela voted MLS Player of the Week after San Jose hat trick – Angels on Parade
Carlos Vela scored his first hat trick in MLS on Saturday, in a 5-0 romp over the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium, and that haul, plus an assist, was good enough for Vela to be voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 5 of the 2019 season.
Caleb Porter gives update on Harrison Afful – Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew SC defender Harrison Afful suffered a fractured jaw in last weekend’s 2-0 win over Atlanta United FC and will be reevaluated following a period of four-to-five weeks.
Sporting KC signs 27-year-old defender Nicolas Hasler – Sporting KC
Sporting Kansas City has signed 27-year-old defender Nicolas Hasler, the club announced today. Hasler, whose contract runs through the end of the 2019 MLS season, has been added to the Sporting KC roster and will occupy an international roster spot.
FC Cincinnati star Fanendo Adi cited for operating vehicle while impaired – Pro Soccer USA
Adi was cited for Operating a Vehicle While Impaired (OVI) by the Ohio State Highway Patrol early Sunday morning, according to a joint statement by FCC and Major League Soccer.
MLS, Inter Miami dispute Inter Milan’s U.S. trademark application – ESPN
In a notice of opposition filed on March 25 to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, MLS says: “No one soccer team can claim exclusive rights to the term INTER, therefore Milan has no exclusive rights to the term INTER.”
Former TFC defender Hernandez joins the club’s front office – National Post
Toronto FC defender Jason Hernandez has announced his retirement after a 14-year career in Major League Soccer and will move into the front office as TFC’s first Manager of Player Engagement.
Groups announced for the 2019 GA Cup, FC Dallas in Group A – Sportsday
Major League Soccer has announced the groups and schedule for the 2019 GA Cup taking place at the Toyota Soccer Center at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, from April 13-20. FC Dallas qualified for the Champions Bracket and has been drawn into Group A and will face West Ham United, New York Red Bull, and Club American.
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
2019 BC Soccer Adult Provincial Cup brackets set – BCSA
Check out the brackets for this year’s Provincial Cup tournaments.
VISL Cup Finals Roundup – BC Soccer Web
Here is the breakdown of the 4 Cup Finals that took place over the weekend. It was a gorgeous weekend that was well attended, and had a great community feel.
Comebacks, penalty drama, and stunning goals highlight VMSL Cup Finals day as West Van, Metropolitan, and TSS leave the big winners (with video highlights) – AFTN
The sun was shining and supporters were out in force for the Vancouver Metro Soccer League’s (VMSL) Cup Finals day at Empire Fields on Saturday.
Jackson Cup champ Westcastle to open Provincial Cup on the road – Times Colonist
The 2019 Jackson Cup champion Westcastle United will meet the Port Moody Gunners on the road in the Fraser Valley in the first round of the Province Cup men’s B.C. soccer championship tournament.
Whitecaps alert police as allegations mount against former women’s coach – Sudbury Star
The avalanche of former players voicing their concerns over the Vancouver Whitecaps and CSA’s handling of an investigation into coach misconduct in 2008 continues to gather momentum.
Tony Grover Cup three-peat for Cowichan 49ers – Lake Cowichan Gazette
Since the Cowichan 49ers joined the Vancouver Island Soccer League’s masters A division, they’ve been the dominant force in the league.
After entire season lost, Koch prepares to return to pitch following knee injury – UVic
Last August was an upsetting time for fourth-year Vikes men’s soccer player Isaac Koch. While playing soccer just a few weeks before the start of the 2018 Canada West season, Koch suffered a knee injury that sidelined him from the season. In spite of this adversity, the Kelowna native continues to stride forward by supporting his team off the pitch and doing everything in his power to get ready for the next season.
Whitecaps FC Development Squad end England trip with 1-0 win over Merstham FC – Whitecaps FC
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC Development Squad wrapped-up their trip to England with a 1-0 win over local side Merstham FC on a rainy evening at the Specsavers Stadium on Tuesday.
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
DAZN Canada lands exclusive rights to Premier League – SN
The world’s biggest soccer league has joined DAZN. On Wednesday, DAZN announced that it has secured exclusive rights to the Premier League in Canada for three years starting in August 2019.
Injured Adriana Leon pulls out of Canada squad for England friendly – National Post
A quad pull has caused striker Adriana Leon to miss Canada’s soccer friendly against England.
Davies’ lack of play time at Bayern Munich doesn’t concern Herdman – Sportsnet
When Alphonso Davies signed with Bayern Munich following a transfer from the Vancouver Whitecaps last summer, pundits and fans immediately began to question the merits of the move.
League1 Ontario Announces Men’s U21 Reserve Division – League1 Ontario
Nine teams to compete in inaugural 2019 summer season, playing a 12-match summer schedule and a separate 10-match fall season.
Mining For Gold: CPL Video Analysis Implemented At All 2019 League1 Men’s Matches – League1 Ontario
All League1 Ontario Men’s Matches To Receive CPL Video Performance Analysis In 2019.
Pacific FC and Cavalry FC Win Weekend Friendlies – Northern Starting XI
Pacific FC, Cavalry FC, and FC Edmonton all played friendlies this past weekend in preparation for their pre-season trip to the Dominican Republic. On Saturday, March 30th, 2019, Pacific FC took on Keg Cup finalists, the University of Victoria Vikes at Centennial Stadium. That same day, Cavalry FC took on FC Edmonton in a pre-season Al Classico.
Single-match tickets now available for 2019 CPL season – CanPL
We are less than a month away from kicking off the inaugural season of the Canadian Premier League, and for dedicated supporters and new fans interested in taking in the sights and sounds of soccer in Canada, single-match tickets are now available through Ticketmaster for purchase across the league’s seven founding teams.
USL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS
Belan sets cautious path towards CanPL – the11.ca
The path to men’s professional soccer in Saskatchewan appears to be set. Late last week, in events in Saskatoon and Regina, Joe Belan announced a project coming to Saskatchewan — the SK Summer Soccer Series.
16-Year-Old Switchbacks player named USL Championship Player of the Week – KKTV
The USL Championship officially announced on Tuesday that Abraham Rodriguez has been voted the USL Championship Player of the Week for Week 4 of the 2019 season. Rodriguez is officially the second youngest player in the history of the USL Championship to earn Player of the Week at just 16 years of age.
Toronto FC II Season Preview – Toronto FC
A new TFC II season is upon us as the Young Reds return to action this Friday in Orlando. With the new season comes a new league, new players and new competition. Here’s a quick rundown of what to look out for this season.
Roman Torres sees USL debut as step toward regaining a starting role – Sounder at Heart
The Panamanian led Tacoma’s back line in a 2-1 victory over an undefeated Sacramento Republic side.
EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC SIGNS TOP-FLIGHT BUNDESLIGA AND U.S. NATIONAL TEAM FORWARD JEROME KIESEWETTER – El Paso Locomotive
Kiesewetter was born in Berlin, Germany and has played with multiple teams in the Bundesliga, the highest division of German soccer.
Bellingham United conclude tryouts, will host Tacoma Narrows Saturday – GoalWA
Bellingham United drew 47 players to their 2019 EPLWA open tryouts recently. This week the Hammers are training ahead of a Saturday April 6 home preseason match against Tacoma Narrows FC of the WWPL. That match kicks off at 4 PM at Phillips 66 Soccer Park. The two clubs got acquainted with each other over the winter as they competed indoors in the WISL.
NWSL & WOMEN’S WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Wood becomes first female president of New Zealand FA – Inside World Football
Johanna Wood has been elected the first female president of New Zealand Football (NZF) in an overhaul of the ruling body’s governance following a tumultuous 2018.
U.S. women’s soccer team says lawsuit about more than money – Cape Breton Post
Members of the United States women’s soccer squad (USWNT) have told Reuters their lawsuit against the national federation alleging gender discrimination is not just about wages but also improving the sport for women participating in it at all levels.
LUNA Bar brand steps in to pay US women’s team bonus to match men’s pay – Inside World Football
On Equal Pay day in the United States, the national women’s team received a financial boost through a pledge from LUNA Bar to pay each member of the World Cup squad a bonus to equal that of their male counterparts.
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Pochettino wants big-club vision as Spurs stadium opens new chapter – The Guardian
The manager chose the eve of the stadium’s unveiling to outline his vision for what he called the club’s next chapter, the beginning of their next project. It amounted to a challenge to Daniel Levy and everyone else at the club to reset, dig deeper and be smarter.
Grindel steps down from DFB over earnings scandal and a Ukrainian watch – Inside World Football
German Football Association president Reinhard Grindel, one of European football’s most influential figures who continually banged the drum for greater transparency and accountability, has himself been forced to resign after being embroiled in a domestic scandal.
Wolves 2-1 Man Utd: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants five wins for top-four spot – BBC Sport
Manchester United need to win five of their last six league games to finish in the top four of the Premier League, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
RENNES DO IT AGAIN! – Ligue 1
A late Ramy Bensebaini strike saw Rennes prevail 3-2 in an epic battle with Lyon to book a place in the Coupe de France final on 27 April. Rennes will face the winner of Wednesday’s semi-final between PSG and Nantes.
Neymar to resume training with PSG – London Free Press
Paris Saint-Germain says Brazil star Neymar will resume training on Wednesday after he was sidelined for more than two months with a foot injury.
European roundup: Barça in 4-4 thriller while Juve’s Kean takes on racists – The Guardian
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi came off the bench to help the La Liga leaders battle back from 4-2 down in stoppage time to snatch a 4-4 draw at relegation-threatened Villarreal. Barça avoided a first league defeat since November thanks to a last-gasp Luis Suárez strike after Messi gave them hope with a superb free-kick in the 90th minute.
Ream, Fulham relegated from Premier League – SBI
Fulham will be playing in the second tier of English football next season.
CONCACAF Gold Cup matches to be played in Kingston, Jamaica – London Free Press
The CONCACAF Gold Cup will be played in the Caribbean for the first time when a group-stage doubleheader takes place on June 17 in Kingston, Jamaica.
Leonardo Bonucci makes it hard to feel any optimism for Italian football – The Guardian
The Juventus defender’s claim that teammate Moise Kean shared the blame for monkey chants aimed at him against Cagliari felt staggeringly ill-judged.
Racism: Ceferin tells refs to be ‘brave’, follow protocol and stop games – Inside World Football
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has urged referees to be brave enough to halt matches in order to help stamp out an alarming resurgence of racism from fans.
Soccer legend Pele meets rising star Mbappe in Paris – London Free Press
When Kylian Mbappe netted France’s final goal in a 4-2 win over Croatia last July, the rising star became only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final — emulating soccer great Pele.