WHITECAPS FC & MLS
Pedro Morales extension with Whitecaps latest sign Canadian MLS teams are finally getting it – Yahoo
It took a few years, but Canada’s Major League Soccer teams have finally figured out the designated player game. The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Tuesday they had finalized a multi-year contract extension with captain Pedro Morales, the latest sign that the three Canadian MLS club have found stability with their DP slots.
Whitecaps don’t let Morales pull a Camilo – The Province
The Brazilian who shall not be named was not named on Tuesday as Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson discussed the re-signing of his captain, Pedro Morales, to a contract extension. But in renegotiating Morales’s $1.41-million deal — rather than just picking up the Chilean playmaker’s option at the end of this season — the club has showed it has learned something since the Camilo contract catastrophe at the end of 2013.
Vancouver Whitecaps building around newly re-signed midfielder Pedro Morales – Metro
The local Major League Soccer club announced the new deal for Morales, often described as a magician in the midfield, on Tuesday prior to training at UBC. Already with designated player status, Morales will make $1.41 million this year, according to the MLS Players Union.
Whitecaps’ Morales gets new contract; now he’d like his job back – Vancouver Sun
Pedro Morales, the Vancouver Whitecaps’ captain, midfield talisman and possessor of the club’s most cultured right foot, got himself a multi-year contract extension on Tuesday. Now he’d just like to get his starting job back.
Morales: Vancouver Whitecaps ‘a great family’ – Goal
The Whitecaps captain was full of praise of his club after signing a multi-year contract extension with Vancouver this week.
Future of the #10 role at BC Place – Eighty-Six Forever
We haven’t yet learned details regarding his salary, whether he’s receiving more than the $1.4m of his last deal or if he’s opted for a more team friendly agreement, but that is largely irrelevant as the 30-year-old is here to stay regardless. Ultimately, this bold move is a sign of confidence from the Caps that they trust him to take the team to unprecedented heights with the armband.
Vancouver Whitecaps look to have unearthed another Costa Rican gem in right back Jordan Smith – AFTN
Jordan Smith was Vancouver Whitecaps’ only new squad addition during the recent summer transfer window. While their MLS rivals splashed the cash and brought in a variety of big name stars of various ages, Carl Robinson continued his more measured approach of adding young talent to his group, in the shape of 24-year-old Costa Rican right back Smith.
Whitecaps losses a ‘blip on the radar’ – 24 Hours
It is very easy to worry about the ‘Caps after they had the lead in two different games and were unable to hold on. It showed Vancouver’s lack of killer instinct and their ability to shut down teams when it mattered.
Training report: Smith’s first session, finding Kah a ‘Zorro’ mask, and more – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC returned to training on Tuesday at UBC after a long week on the road that ended with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Sporting Kansas City. Here are some news and notes from the day.
Red cards, dodgy penalties, goals chalked off … are MLS referees up to the job? – The Guardian
Coaches are fuming after a slew of debatable decisions, but referees’ chief Peter Walton says it’s all part of the process in a league that is still coming of age.
PRO Referee MLS assignments – Week 25 – PRO Referees
Ismal Elfath has been assigned to Vancouver Whitecaps vs. FC Dallas on Saturday.
Galaxy run all over Comunicaciones in CCL matchup – Prost Amerika
Playing its last home game of its CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage, the Los Angeles Galaxy knew another three points in the group would strengthen its chances of topping the group, let alone advancing out.
Bruce Arena speaks after the LA Galaxy’s 5-0 CONCACAF Champions League victory over Comunicaciones FC – LA Galaxy
On Robbie Keane playing the second half: “My thinking was that I’d either get punched in the face by Robbie or I’d play him. He wanted to play. At my age, I have to bend a little bit. ”
Kick Off: LA Galaxy storm to CCL win, can DC United and the Seattle Sounders do the same? –MLS
The LA Galaxy continued their incredibly strong start to the CONCACAF Champions League campaign with a 5-0 win over Guatemalan side Comunicaciones. Up 2-0 at halftime, the Galaxy refused to take their foot off the pedal, with Bruce Arena explaining his reasons for introducing Robbie Keane in the second half.
Orlando City dropped St. Ledger, Paterson for skipping flight, training – Orlando Sentinel
The center back was waived on Aug. 1 after he and forward Martin Paterson did not fly back with the team following the Lions’ game against New York City F.C. on July 26, according to a source.
Orlando City Sells Out New Season Ticket Inventory for 2016 – Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC today announced that it has sold out its Season Ticket inventory for the 2016 Major League Soccer (MLS) season and opened a waitlist for 2017 Season Tickets. With 18,000 Season Ticket Members, Orlando City ranks among the top three teams in MLS, and among only four clubs with an established waitlist.
MLS Executive of the Year Manning departs RSL – Soccer America
First, head coach Jason Kreis left to become head coach at expansion New York City FC. Then, general manager Garth Lagerwey left to take a similar position at the Seattle Sounders. Now, president Bill Manning — the MLS Executive of the Year in 2012 and 2014 — has left Real Salt Lake at the end of his contract.
TFC coach Vanney: ‘Not just defence’s fault’ – Sportsnet
Toronto FC’s coach was in a pretty upbeat mood today despite the Reds suffering an embarrassing 3-0 loss away to the New York Red Bulls on the weekend, the latest in another long line of dreadful results and team performances. TFC host Orlando City on Saturday for the second time this month.
Houston Dynamo sign midfielder Christian Lucatero as club’s seventh Homegrown Player – MLS
The Houston Dynamo announced Tuesday the signing of Dynamo Academy midfielder Christian Lucatero as a Homegrown Player. Lucatero will be eligible to join the Dynamo roster in January 2016 but will train with the first team through the remainder of the season.
Championship side Reading latest to express interest in LA Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes – MLS
The Royals have joined the likes of Belgian side Genk in registering an interest in the US international. A pair of sources close to the situation confirmed to MLSsoccer.com that Reading were indeed browsing Zardes. Costigan also linked another Championship admirer, fast starters Brighton & Hove Albion, as potential bidders.
So It’s Come to This: There’s a Rapids Boycott Movement Afoot – Burgundy Wave
What’s gone from a few folks murmuring about a boycott is now turning into a full-fledged movement gaining significant traction. Is this the way to go?
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BC SOCCER
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announce 2015-16 Pre-Residency roster – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the club’s 2015-16 Pre- Residency roster. 11 players join the club from the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League.
Future’s So Bright — NYS’s Matteo Faraguna earns BCSPL spot with Thompson Okanagan Intakes – Nelson Daily
It was obvious that Matteo Faraguna has the skills to succeed in many sports. An accomplished track and field star with the Kootenay Chaos as well as a pretty good minor hockey player and skier, the 12-year-old prodigy, however, decided to follow in the footsteps of his father Al and grandfather Guido to pursue a career in the roundball sport.
SFU Clan, UFV Cascades Play to 1-1 Draw – SFU
The Simon Fraser University Clan played to a 1-1 draw with University of Fraser Valley Cascades in a men’s preseason exhibition match Tuesday evening on Terry Fox Field.
Canadawest.tv to webcast more than 1,000 conference events in 2015-16 – Canada West
Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA) is proud to announce an expanded webcasting schedule on Canadawest.tv – the official home of web-based broadcasting for all 17 Canada West member institutions – for the 2015-16 season. In order to facilitate the expanded webcasting schedule in 2015-16, the conference is implementing a pay-per-view model, with all funds generated to be reinvested in Canadawest.tv.
Penticton dumps Vernon in 55 soccer – Penticton Western News
Penticton busted out to a 3-0 lead against Vernon II in the opening 20 minutes of the Capri Okanagan Oldtimers 55 Soccer League.
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CANADA
Canada M23 drawn into Group A in CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying – CSA
The path is set for Canada’s Men’s U-23 Team as they seek a berth in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, BRA. In a draw held in Los Angeles, California, Canada was drawn into Group A alongside the host Americans, Cuba, and Panama.
Canada like chances in CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying: “We could have a very good team” – MLS
Back in 2012, Canada shocked the US with a 2-0 win that helped knock the Americans out of the qualifying tournament and deny them a spot at the London Games. The Canadians also failed to qualify, though Floro – who is manager of the Under-23 Olympic team as well as the senior national team – has identified qualifying for Rio 2016 as a top priority ever since he took over two years ago.
Olympic pathway known; likely roster – 24th Minute
There is little doubt that this is Canada’s deepest u-23 pool in memory. It is highly unlikely there will be a single amateur player on the roster – that’s a given at u-23 in most of the world, but a new phenomenon here.
Floro has talked tough in past, but can he twist arms to help the Olympic roster? – the11.ca
Canada will play its round-robin games in the Olympic qualifying tournament Oct. 1-6. There will, no doubt, be a camp before that. Floro spoke about the tournament on Tuesday and, through quotes released by the Canadian Soccer Association, we see he’s already prepping for fights with quite a few MLS clubs.
Calgary Flames reveal details of $890M downtown arena-stadium plan – Calgary Herald
Spanning several blocks near the Bow River, the plan includes a 20,000-seat event centre for hockey games and concerts. A neighbouring “multi-sport field house stadium” that envisions a translucent roof would house a FIFA-sized soccer field, a 400-metre indoor track and a regulation CFL field, with seats for 30,000 fans of the Calgary Stampeders.
VIDEO: Hear how League1 Ontario is helping players get ahead – OSA
The League1 Ontario L1O Cup 2015 finals was a true gala day at The Soccer Centre. For many, it was an opportunity to meet with players, organizers, and notable figures involved in League1 Ontario, and discuss the concept of the league, future ambitions, and hear about experiences from participants.
A study in perseverance, goalkeeper Onstad heads to Soccer Hall of Fame – Canada.com
There are many routes to the Hall to Fame, but not many like Pat Onstad’s. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound goalkeeper from Vancouver didn’t get a chance to showcase his skills in Major League Soccer until 35, an age that usually signals the end of an elite career not the beginning.
First Toronto FC captain honoured for play on both sides of the Atlantic – Times Colonist
Jim Brennan left home at 17 to pursue his soccer dream. His original destination was Glasgow Celtic but the manager got fired on the eve of his arrival, ending the Scottish powerhouse’s interest. Despite the inauspicious start, it turned out to be the first major step of a Hall of Fame career that saw the winger/fullback make headlines on both sides of the Atlantic.
Kingston-Belleville FC Pro Star Academy attains ORNCA status – OSA
The Ontario Soccer Association is pleased to announce another new academy to the OSA-Recognized Non-Club Academy (ORNCA) family. The newly approved ORNCA is the Kingston-Belleville FC Pro Soccer Academy, who is led by an experienced team of professional staff.
IFAB releases Clarification/Guidance regarding Offside – OSA
Following requests from a number of football associations and confederations regarding offside, the IFAB would like to provide additional clarification and/or guidance relating to the definition of the offside offence of ‘interfering with an opponent’ and also to the definition of ‘save’ in the context of offside (Laws of the Game).
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WOMEN’S SOCCER
Seger looks toward future with PSG, Sweden – The Equalizer
We have come accustom to seeing Sweden excel at tournaments, however, this was not the case in Canada this summer. Pia Sundhage’s team struggled to stay healthy score goals, and displayed terrible defensive lapses at key times. A trio of draws and help from Brazil sent Sweden into the knockout round and eventual 4-1 loss to Germany.
Alex Morgan, Christine Sinclair and a bed bugs fiasco – The Equalizer
On Saturday, Christine Sinclair warned the world that she got bed bugs at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Kansas City, where the Portland Thorns lost last week to put a temporary hold on their surge toward the playoffs.
Women’s soccer fans in Seattle continue to have stellar year – Prost Amerika
As Summer winds down in Seattle the women’s game continues to trend upward in visibility and intensity.
Carlton Fairweather adds a little Crazy Gang spirit to Sunderland Ladies – The Guardian
The former Wimbledon winger is in charge of the team who have defied the odds to be in sight of the Women’s Super League title with four games to go
The Women’s World Cup All-Star list seems to be missing someone – Soccer Gods
Remember the Women’s World Cup? Hell of a party, wasn’t it? The last bit of clean-up duty happened yesterday as FIFA released the World Cup All-Star squad, celebrating the tournament’s 23 best players.
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NASL
Marc Dos Santos’ Ottawa Fury pushing for playoffs in second season – Goal
Poised for a playoff berth, the Ottawa Fury are punching above their weight in the North American Soccer League.
Moses, Corea named to NASL Team of the Week – FC Edmonton
Eddies defender Kareem Moses and teammate Dustin Corea’s performances against Carolina earned the pair nominations to the North American Soccer League (NASL) Team of the Week for Week 7. Moses and the defensive unit of the Eddies recorded their fourth clean sheet of the Fall Season while Corea contributed on both Tomi Ameobi’s goal before finding the back of the net with a goal of his own.
VanOekel full value for Eddies in Fall Season – FC Edmonton
Through six weeks of North American Soccer League (NASL) Fall Season action, VanOekel has received two NASL Teams of the Week honours and has put forth stellar performances against San Antonio Scorpions, Indy Eleven and Minnesota United FC. VanOekel also has a league-leading four clean sheets in the Fall Season.
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WORLD OF SOCCER
Pedro could be a big loss for Barcelona given his value as an insurance policy – ESPN FC
For better or worse, Pedro is Barcelona’s insurance policy right now. That’s why it’s not hard to understand why club president Jose Maria Bartomeu talks him up at every turn, referring to him as part of “the club’s history” and saying he believes he’ll still be around at the Camp Nou after deadline day.
Chelsea agrees fee for Barca’s Pedro – TSN
Pedro is heading to England, but it’s going to be London and not Manchester for the Spanish international. After weeks of speculation linking the 28-year-old to Manchester United, Jose Mourinho’s side swooped in with a fee of £21 million to Barcelona for the player. Pedro is expected in London later Wednesday to complete his medical.
Revealed: How Chelsea pulled off dramatic hijack of Barcelona’s Pedro and left Manchester United red-faced – The Telegraph
While Man Utd haggled with Barca, Chelsea put ‘Operation Pedro’ into practice, with Mourinho and Fabregas both speaking with forward directly.
Preview: Wednesday’s Champions League play-offs – UEFA
Basel host Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Valencia entertain Monaco, Celtic meet Malmö, Rapid Wien tackle Shakhtar Donetsk and Skënderbeu play Dinamo Zagreb in Wednesday’s play-off first legs.
Memphis Depay Silences Critics with Two Goals in the Champions League – Paste Soccer
Twenty-one year old Dutch winger Memphis Depay has been touted as one of the most promising young talents in Europe. When Manchester United brought him over this summer from PSV Eindhoven, it was widely seen as one of the most important deals in this transfer window and a clear statement of intent from the Red Devils.
Champions League Roundup: Lazio look to Champions League after going ahead against Bayer Leverkusen – The Guardian
Lazio beat Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off on Tuesday, with the substitute Keita scoring the only goal of an entertaining match.
US Club Soccer launches ‘Players First’ revolution that will not be televised – Inside World Football
US Club Soccer, one of the largest and certainly most influential youth soccer organisations in the US with more than 500,000 members, has launched an amibitious ‘Players First’ initiative that will give its members a suite of tools to better manage their soccer experience.
Sunderland made relegation favourites – by their own sponsor – The Independent
After two defeats in their opening two games and rumours of ructions in the dressing room, Sunderland AFC have been made relegation favourites by their own club sponsor. Online gambling company Dafabet have them at 5/8 favourites for the drop.
How Football Manager is helping Sky Sports analyse the world’s top footballers – Sky Sports
The Football Manager database is ‘the most comprehensive collection of data relating to professional football in the world’. Over 1,300 scouts have analysed more than 600,000 players and coaching staff. There are at least 250 attributes per player, detailing everything from their ability to tuck away a one-on-one or pull off a reflex save.
Hojbjerg heading in the right direction – FIFA
The football world looked on with interest last season as 16-year-old Norwegian sensation Martin Odegaard pondered his many career options. Courted by Europe’s biggest clubs, the prodigy had trials with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich before finally opting to sign for the Spanish giants.
When Peter Ndlovu and Bruce Grobbelaar made Zimbabwe dare to dream – The Guardian
In the early 1990s the country finally had a golden generation of players and stood on the verge of quaifying for the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup
Tiny Cook Islands aim big under inspiring guidance – FIFA
The vast global nature of FIFA World Cup™ qualifying invariably offers up the quirky and unexpected. One such nation that fits the bill is Cook Islands, where the logistics of assembling an international football team are significant to say the least. The Polynesian nation located at the far eastern end of Oceania is made up of 15 inhabited islands, and an area which would cover most of western Europe. Yet a tiny population of some 15,000 inhabitants makes Cook Islands among the smallest nations to ever compete in World Cup qualifying.
Kingsley the mascot: under the foam head of football’s most unlikely hero – The Guardian
Partick Thistle’s mascot Kingsley, designed by the artist David Shrigley, caused consternation when he was unveiled in June. Is he too scary? Or could he be the best thing that has ever happened to the Jags?