WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
LIVE STREAM: Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to take on Portland Timbers in their second match of the 2016 Simple Invitational preseason tournament (7:30 p.m. PT at Providence Park)
Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps at the Simple Invitational: Score, live updates, how to watch – The Oregonian
The Portland Timbers take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in the second round of doubleheaders that make up the preseason Simple Invitational on Wednesday. The Timbers and Whitecaps kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Providence Park in second game, after the Chicago Fire play Minnesota United.
Demands for a more physical game should fall upon deaf ears – Soccer America
Right at the end of Vancouver’s preseason game against Chicago there was a coming-together of players. That’s a term that has been cropping up in ref-talk lately. It denotes a collision but — possibly — it shades the meaning slightly. A collision carries the suggestion of hard contact, something, if not violent, then certainly forceful.
Vancouver Whitecaps Residency star Alphonso Davies forgoes college to sign USL deal and chase footballing “dream” – AFTN
The upward trajectory of young Vancouver Whitecaps striker Alphonso Davies continued apace today, with the announcement that the Residency standout has signed a USL deal with the club for the upcoming season.
Bold Predictions For 2016 – Eighty-Six Forever
The 2016 season is just about upon us! Dreams are still alive and wishful thinking occupies the minds of every supporter. Also alive and well is prediction season. Supporters Shield, MLS Cup and MVP talk is being highly contested, so instead I’m going to throw out ten predictions that are equal parts out there and specific.
New-look ‘Caps poised to build off strong 2015 – 24 Hours
After seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens a number of times, the return of Vancouver Whitecaps FC soccer couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s new, fresh, and after a strong 2015 followed by a disappointing postseason, we’re ready to see where the ‘Caps can take us this year.
Injuries on defense becoming a concern for Portland Timbers – The Oregonian
The Portland Timbers were expecting left back Chris Klute to arrive in the Rose City ready to participate in full training when the club opened preseason camp on Jan. 23.
Mexico Takes Upper Hand Over U.S. in That Other Champions League – NY Times
The United States and Mexico have one of the fiercer and most closely contested rivalries in world soccer. Among clubs in the two countries, there is a rivalry as well, but Mexican teams have had a significant edge for some time. Four Major League Soccer franchises are trying to change that this week.
Seattle Sounders lament conceding goal right before halftime in CONCACAF Champions League draw vs. Club America – MLS
The Seattle Sounders’ 2-2 draw against Club America in their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals matchup at CenturyLink Field on Tuesday night certainly wasn’t lacking in entertainment.
CCL: Dempsey magic still not enough for Sounders – Soccer America
Sigi Schmid’s priorities for the Seattle Sounders in the first leg of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals were, in order, shut out Club America and win the game. The Sounders did neither, squandering two goals by Clint Dempsey and settling for a 2-2 tie. Still, Schmid saw enough good things to be optimistic about what shapes up to be a very difficult second leg at Azteca Stadium.
Queretaro 2, DC United 0 | CONCACAF Champions League Match Recap – MLS
D.C. United had chances to take the lead, but could not capitalize and suffered a 2-0 loss to Queretaro in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series on Tuesday night in Mexico.
CCL Preview: RSL meets Tigres; Galaxy host Santos – SBI
Two more MLS sides will get a crack at the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday, when facing off against a pair of fierce Liga MX competitors.
Santos Laguna look to conquer CCL with ‘Money-Ball’ – Prost Amerika
LIGA MX side Santos Laguna look to finally conquer the elusive CONCACAF Champions League ( CCL ) title. And its quest starts on Wednesday Feb. 24 in Carson, Calif. as it visits Major League Soccer’s (MLS) LA Galaxy in the first leg match of the CCL quarterfinals.
Insider Notes: Jermaine Jones’s future, USA’s FIFA vote – SI.com
Jermaine Jones is a starter for the U.S. national team, but as of now he doesn’t have a club and the MLS season starts on March 6. New England does retain Jones’s MLS rights, but Jones turned down a Revs offer that would have made him around $600,000 guaranteed this season.
TFC’s rising star Osorio not so anonymous anymore – Toronto Sun
“Where did you come from?” was the first question 20-year-old Jonathan Osorio faced three years ago here in Florida, the beginning of his TFC journey. It didn’t faze him. He was already well aware of his anonymity within the North American game.
Impact takes on Toronto FC on Wednesday in Clearwater – Montreal Impact
The Montreal Impact will play its third preseason game in the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational against Canadian rivals Toronto FC, this Wednesday at 4pm PT, at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater. This match will also be broadcast live on impactmontreal.com.
Impact’s MLS playoff win left TFC with sour taste – Montreal Gazette
After signing with Toronto FC in December, it didn’t take veteran defender Drew Moor long to figure who his new enemy was.
Seattle Sounders bring back free agent midfielder Nathan Sturgis – MLS
Nathan Sturgis is back for his second stint in Rave Green, with the Seattle Sounders announcing the capture of the free-agent midfielder on Tuesday.
USL Rookie of the Year Finalist Tribbett Joins Union – USL
The Philadelphia Union announced on Tuesday it had signed 2015 USL Rookie of the Year Finalist Ken Tribbett ahead of the new MLS season.
Discord over United. MLS says name changes needed – Inside World Football
Minnesota United FC are rumoured to be facing the possibility of changing their name because the MLS is concerned about the presence of three ‘Uniteds’ in the league.
What Else Could $20 Million Buy You? – Burgundy Wave
For a moment, let’s assume that rumours about Tim Howards salary demands are true, as reported by British tabloid ‘The Sun’; they of the topless photos on page three; they of salacious gossip; they of unreliable pseudo ‘News’; (don’t believe me? Go click. This is just today’s home page. I don’t even know what day it is you are clicking. Whatever it is, I promise the cover is overwhelmingly awful.) We’ve already covered here why signing Tim Howard at almost any DP level price is either too much, or won’t really help the club, or is a marketing-driven decision instead of a soccer decision.
Players are People Too – Waking the Red
With watchable preseason matches in the coming days and kickoff to the regular season just around the corner, it seems as good a time as any to float this reminder
Season Preview: Houston Dynamo – SBI
Houston Dynamo head coach Owen Coyle learned a thing or two during his first MLS season, and he’s eager to prove it en route to helping a historically successful franchise reach the playoffs once again.
2016 MLS Preview – Four Four Two
Massive MLS League Preview by Four Four Two Magazine
Capture the game in HD using aerial video, book now at www.gamevision.ca!
BC SOCCER NEWS
Vancouver United Seeks Entry into Metro Select League – Vancouver United FC
Vancouver United FC (“VUFC”) announces that the Board of Directors has begun the process of trying to obtain approval from the Vancouver Youth Soccer Association (“VYSA”) to enter teams in the Metro Select League (“MSL”). Currently, the VYSA only enters teams into the MSL through Vancouver FC, which starts at U13. VUFC players, families and coaches have made it clear that they want to stay with VUFC for Metro-level soccer and not be required to change clubs beginning at U13.
No surprises as LMG moves on – Cowichan Valley Citizen
There weren’t many surprises last Sunday afternoon as Cowichan LMG opened their defence of the Jackson Cup — the biggest prize in soccer on Vancouver Island — with a 6-0 win over Powell River Villa at Williams Field.
2016 VIPL RIPTIDE PLAY-OFF SCHEDULE – VIPL Riptide
The VIPL Riptide are pleased to announce that each of our 8 teams have been able to qualify for the semi-finals of the A-cup play-offs this coming weekend. In fact, 7 out of the 8 teams will have home field advantage this coming weekend based on the fact that each of these teams either placed 1st or 2nd in the league.
KYSA Women’s Indoor Finals This Weekend – KYSA
Two of the finals in the Women’s ‘Competitive’ Indoor Soccer Leagues are set to be contested on Sunday, February 28th in the Kamloops Soccer Dome.
Cordova Bay’s World Cups soccer festival returns – Saanich News
After a three-year hiatus, the World Cups Youth Soccer Festival is returning to Lochside Park in Saanich. The World Cups festival is a three-day spring tournament started in 1986 with six-a-side soccer, initiated and stewarded by Cordova Bay Soccer Association’s Frank Leversedge. It runs Easter weekend, March 25 to 27, at Lochside Park in Cordova Bay for youth in divisions U-7 to U18.
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
Sinclair’s right at the top of a very short list – Toronto Star
We know the women’s soccer team has advanced to the Rio Olympics after last week’s event in Houston and we do recall that Christine Sinclair scored a Giovinco-esque goal in the semifinal win that got them to the Games. All of which got me thinking that when we start compiling the list of greatest Canadian athletes on a global scale in our lives, she’s got to be on it, right? And by “on it” I mean right at the top.
Canada National Futsal camp scheduled for March – CSA
Canada Soccer has announced the Men’s National Futsal Team’s evaluation camp dates in preparation for the upcoming CONCACAF Futsal Championship. Newly-appointed coach Kyt Selaidopoulos will hold the camp in Vaughan from 18-20 March.
Brampton’s Flynn to represent Canada – Brampton Guardian
Shana Flynn of Brampton will have another opportunity to represent Canada in international soccer. A forward, she has been named to Canada’s roster for the CONCACAF Women’s under-17 championship next month in Grenada.
Alliston soccer player being considered for Olympics – Alliston Herald
Deanne Rose’s stellar performance at the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship could translate into a ticket to the 2016 Olympic summer games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Hillfield Strathallan soccer player Alyssa DeSantis signs scholarship with Florida Atlantic – Stoney Creek News
Hillfield Strathallan student Alyssa DeSantis has signed a scholarship offer with the acclaimed Florida Atlantic NCAA Division I soccer program for the fall season.
BC Youth Soccer Player Development
(Editor’s Note: Welcome to our new section on BC Youth Soccer Player Development; a new resource designed to help youth coaches and players. Throughout the week, we’ll feature news, drills and videos from the most noted professionals in the field of player development. If you have any articles or resources you enjoy, send them our way, and we’ll share them with the BC Soccer community.)
Referee a kids’ football match? You couldn’t pay me enough – The Guardian
Abusive parents, violent kids, screaming coaches … news that the treatment of referees is threatening the future of one youth league will come as no surprise to those who spend their weekends watching from the sidelines.
Grassroots Practices You Can Use – Active Start (Week 27 – PDF File) – OSA
U4-U6 Active Start – In these examples one station focuses on Physical Literacy, two stations on movements with the ball and the 4th station is focused around the game with the children playing 1v1.
BC Soccer Leagues & Clubs – Share your News With The BC Soccer Community!
WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
Mackenzie Pridham (finally) Signs with Republic FC – Indomitable City Soccer
Originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 MLS Superdraft by the Vancouver Whitecaps, Pridham eventually signed with Minnesota United FC of the NASL before being loaned to USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Pridham would get another shot with Vancouver, signing with Whitecaps 2 in 2015 and appearing in 20 matches.
The Sky is the Limit: What to Expect From the Academy Grads in 2016 – Mount Royal Soccer
After 5 years, the Impact Academy and its flagship team, FC Montréal, are turning out players of great quality for the Impact. What can we expect from some of them in 2016?
NASL Notes: Indy Secures Jamaican Premier League’s Top Scorer, more – Empire of Soccer
Indy Eleven is banking on their new coach Tim Hankinson’s short stint in the Jamaican Premier League with Montego Bay United last year paying major dividends in 2016.
While FC Dallas hasn’t started USL second team, team is looking forward to partnering with Oklahoma City Energy – Dallas News
The ties between third-division USL and MLS, the United States’ top league, continue to grow. Many MLS teams are starting USL second teams. While FC Dallas hasn’t elected to go that route, the club is looking forward to partnering with the Oklahoma City Energy this season.
LA Galaxy II sign Colombian midfielder Bryam Rebellon – LA Galaxy
24-year-old Colombian midfielder Bryam Rebellon has signed with LA Galaxy II pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), the club announced today. Rebellon joins Los Dos from Llaneros F.C. of the Categoria Primera B league in Colombia.
Republic FC is like Big West all-star team to Sac State coach – Sacramento Bee
Sacramento State men’s soccer coach Michael Linenberger will experience a little déjà vu when his Hornets host Republic FC in a friendly Wednesday at 3 p.m.
Atlanta Silverbacks are back under new ownership – AJC.com
The franchise has a new ownership group, which will lead the men’s team in the NPSL, and the women’s team in the WPSL. The teams will start in May and will play at Silverbacks Park.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
USWNT continue to dominate CONCACAF – but what’s next? – Empire of Soccer
The simple takeaway from the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament? The Unites States still rules and there’s a decent gap between No. 1 and No. 2.
The Lowdown: How Paul Riley wound up in WNY – The Equalizer
Back at the end of 2015 when Aaran Lines was contemplating the end of his run as the head coach of the Western New York Flash, he began calling perspective replacements. One of those calls was to his old rival Paul Riley. The two-time WPS Coach of the Year and former Portland Thorns FC manager told Lines he was interested in the job if it came open.
S. Korea women’s football can qualify for Olympics: coach – Yonhap News
The South Korean women’s football team last year had a historic run at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, reaching the round of 16 for the first time. The ladies now aim for another milestone: going to this year’s Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
‘We play wherever we can get a pitch’ – Leacy – Ireland Independent
Imagine having to leave your county to play ‘home’ games? Such is the situation facing Wexford’s ladies as their senior camogie and football teams are forced to relinquish home comforts in the early stages of the League due to pitches being unavailable.
Ottawa’s Rowan Harris shines in field hockey after early end to soccer career – Ottawa Sun
So what does a young teenager with athletic talent and boundless energy do when she can’t play the sport she loves, especially after being sidelined with concussions for 2½ years?
FIFA: Could a woman fix football’s world governing body? – CNN
As the organization battles the greatest crisis in its 112-year history, even the men in suits are beginning to appreciate that greater gender diversity might be a good thing.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Torturous heart of Fifa’s presidential sport crime is hard to swallow – The Guardian
Forget about saving football, the best the candidates in Friday’s Fifa election offer is that they might not make things worse than they were under Sepp Blatter.
Barcelona lives up to title of Champions League ‘super favourites’ – Toronto Star
Barcelona’s strike force proved too hot for Arsenal to handle as Lionel Messi scored both goals for the titleholders in a convincing 2-0 victory in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday.
Champions League gone – Wenger must now focus on the Premier League – Goal
The Gunners should play a second string in the return leg against Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 and keep players fresh for the title challenge.
All hail Sergio Busquets, the hotdog seller in the background of history – The Guardian
The Barcelona midfielder’s work often goes unnoticed but in his selfless excellence and emergence from within his club’s ranks he shows what the Premier League’s top teams are lacking
Manchester United vs. Midtjylland: Patched-up host out to avoid Europa League embarrassment – Goal
Manchester United has work to do to avoid a humiliating Europa League exit at the hands of Danish side Midtjylland this week.
Chelsea close to appointing Antonio Conte as manager – The Telegraph
Chelsea are understood to be close to agreeing a deal for Antonio Conte to become their next manager.
José Mourinho: ‘Starting next season with a new club is the best thing for me’ – The Guardian
José Mourinho, linked with an imminent move to replace Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, says he is happy to wait until the summer to make a return to football.
Aston Villa fans plan series of walkouts in protest against board – Vavel
Aston Villa supporters are planning to begin a series of direct action against the club’s board, with a 74th minute walkout in next Tuesday’s home game against Everton.
Dunlavy column: We need to pour cold water on Fat Cats wanting to scrap cup replays – The Football League Paper
Premier League bigwigs, it seems, have decided the old competition is now surplus to requirements. That it gets in the way of the big boys’ business. You know, things like pocketing ever more TV money and playing in Europe.
Asian Champions League: Jai Ingham helps Victory triumph over big-spending Shanghai – Sydney Morning Herald
The last time Jai Ingham started a game at AAMI Park he was playing for lowly National Premier League Victoria side Hume City against Melbourne Victory in an FFA Cup semi-final.
A-League looking at new marquee player fund to target stars like Tim Cahill – Sydney Morning Herald
The chances of watching stars such as Tim Cahill play in the A-League next season could receive a major boost with clubs, broadcasters and Football Federation Australia deep in negotiations to establish a marquee fund.
Fifa election: Prince Ali loses bid to suspend Friday’s vote – BBC Sport
Friday’s Fifa presidential election will go ahead as planned after candidate Prince Ali bin al-Hussein lost a bid to have it suspended.
Ex-Turkey, Inter striker Sukur facing four-year prison sentence – Goal
The Turkey legend could spend substantial time in jail after criticizing his country’s ruler via social media.