VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. MONTREAL IMPACT
MLS MATCHDAY #1
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SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018, 3:00 PM PST
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Ibini siblings aiming to excel going forward – Red Nation Online
Vancouver Whitecaps FC winger Bernie Ibini, will be looking to make a stronger impact with Vancouver this season. Ibini who joined the Caps on May 9 last season has fully adapted and acclimated himself with Whitecaps FC.
Vancouver Whitecaps deal for José Aja could lead to back line reshuffle – Pro Soccer USA
The Vancouver Whitecaps were always going to make a move for another defender. It was an expected move with centerback and captain Kendall Waston likely to join Costa Rica for the duration of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer.
Do Not Play Cristian Techera Centrally: A Treatise – Eighty-Six Forever
I keep seeing people putting Cristian Techera in some kind of central role. It really irks me to see this because it’s my view that this would be a terrible idea and I would actively question Carl Robinson’s sanity were he to attempt it.
Three quiet leaders on the ‘Caps – Whitecaps FC
Today we look at three quiet leaders on the team.
Reds move past Colorado into Champions League quarterfinals – Toronto FC
It may not have been the pretty soccer that earned Toronto FC such plaudits in the regular season last year. But much like the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, it got the job done.
Colorado huffs and puffs, but brutal attack never troubles TFC – the11.ca
It was the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions League round-of-16 tie, but Tuesday’s 0-0 result between Toronto FC and the Colorado Rapids showed what is sure to be a growing issue for MLS.
GOOD, BUT HOW GOOD? Toronto FC advances to meet Tigres in Champions League quarterfinals – Toronto Sun
The “best squad” in MLS history has plenty to prove. Not within MLS, necessarily. The Reds’ 69-point season could stand for decades. Within CONCACAF, though, MLS sides still are viewed as kid brothers to Mexican clubs that have dominated Champions League throughout the tournament’s history.
MLS Week 1: Ranking the games – AJC
Ranking this week’s MLS games.
Impact signs midfielder Ken Krolicki – Montreal Impact
The Montreal Impact announced on Wednesday that it has come to terms on a one-year deal, with three option years, with midfielder Ken Krolicki.
A training camp that built connections and character – Montreal Impact
Training camp is over, and the players are back in Montreal. 33 days, 24 hours a day, with almost no days off. That is the reality of training camp in most professional sports. But for a team that experienced a lot of change this offseason, including a new coaching staff, the benefits of having the group together for that long are clear.
Atlanta United’s Barco out 4-6 weeks – AJC
Atlanta United midfielder Ezequiel Barco will likely miss the first 4-6 weeks of the MLS season after sustaining a right quad injury during Tuesday’s training session at the team’s facility in Marietta.
Seattle Sounders add Korean international Kim Kee-Hee to defensive corps – MLS
The Seattle Sounders officially announced the signing of 28-year-old Korean international defender Kim Kee-Hee on Tuesday, two days ahead of the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 series against Santa Tecla.
NYCFC sign 2017 USL Defender of the Year – Hudson River Blue
After spending most of the preseason as a trialist, center back Sebastien Ibeagha has been signed by New York City FC for the 2018 season, the club announced Tuesday. Terms of the deal, classified as a transfer, were not disclosed.
CCL Preview: After opening leg loss at FC Tauro, FC Dallas confident ahead of return leg – SBI
Heading into Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions League match at Toyota Stadium, FC Dallas is at a disadvantage. A 1-0 loss on the road in the opening leg has them on the precipice of an early exit.
2018 Season Preview: Seattle Sounders – MLS Multiplex
Following two straight MLS Cup appearance, the Seattle Sounders headed into 2018 as a favorite once again in the West. Then the injury bug hit.
Philadelphia Union: The Case For Optimism – Fifty-Five One
It can be trite when people talk about different versions of MLS as if they are software updates. But this is what people mean. The Union are stuck in MLS 2.0, and they are increasingly incompatible with a league that is racing ahead.
LA Galaxy look to rebound in 2018 while confronting a new crosstown rival – SN
Since Major League Soccer’s inception, the LA Galaxy have always been one of the league’s most high-profile franchises.
Austin Parks Board sends strong ‘no Guerrero’ message as stadium site – The Statesman
In an overcrowded room at City Hall stacked with parkland advocates, the Austin Parks and Recreation Board unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday night that is the first step in removing Roy Guerrero Metropolitan Park as a potential home grounds for Major League Soccer.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
BC Soccer Assoc. is proud to Support ViaSport’s #LeveltheField event on March 8 – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is proud to be supporting ViaSport’s Level the Field event which will take place at Hycroft in Vancouver BC on March 8. The event, taking place on International Women’s Day, will feature a panel of speakers as well as an afternoon workshop all designed to elevate sport through gender inclusion.
Craig Street 49ers lock up VISL Masters title – Cowichan Valley Citizen
It was all but carved in stone that the Craig Street 49ers would become the first Cowichan team to win a Vancouver Island Soccer League masters championship.
Canadian legends Nick Dasovic & Andrea Neil team up for Individualized Coaching Program – Dasovic-Neil Coaching
Nick Dasovic & Andrea Neil have teamed up to provide training programs for players & coaches. The programs specialize in individual, positional, age, and gender specific training for players, with a combined technical and physical focus while providing education and mentorship opportunities for coaches to improve their skills and deepen their knowledge base.
PCSL CHALLENGE CUP PHOTOS: Vancouver Utd. 3, Mid-Isle Mariners 1, July 30, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.
BC PROVINCIAL WOMEN’S A CUP PHOTOS: Surrey United 1 NSGSC Renegades 0, May 13, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.
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.
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!
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.
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team to face strong competition at Algarve Cup – CSA
Canada will face stiff competition in the group stage of the 2018 Algarve Cup, the prestigious annual international women’s soccer tournament in Portugal. Canada is in Group B alongside Sweden, Russia, and Korea Republic in the 12-nation tournament that runs 28 February to 7 March.
New era of Canadian women’s team begins under Heiner-Møller – Sportsnet
Kenneth Heiner-Møller has some big shoes to fill as the new coach of the Canadian women’s team.
United States-led 2026 World Cup bid in jeopardy to Morocco’s – sources – ESPN FC
Support for the United States-led bid to host the 2026 World Cup is more divided than most predicted, with some estimates of voting totals having Morocco not just threatening the North American bid but actually beating it, multiple high-ranking football executives within FIFA and the continental confederations told ESPN this week.
Morocco looks to be front-runner for 2026 World Cup bid: report – CBC
Canada’s joint bid to host the 2026 World Cup is running into stiff opposition from Morocco.
Calgary Foothills FC’s Nik Ledgerwood working towards the future of soccer in Canada with Canadian Premier League in his sights – Total Soccer Project
Calgary Foothills FC’s Nik Ledgerwood says he recently signed with the club with the aim of helping grow the soccer community and culture in Calgary and in Canada.
A Place For Them To Play: Canada’s Need For Regional Leagues – Northern Starting XI
My opinion piece on the need for Canada to divorce itself from the US league system drew a number of excellent replies, some of which questioned the motivations on why we should remove our teams from a situation that doesn’t appear to be broken in any significant way. PDL was the primary discussion point, and understandably so.
Why is Sudbury, the North’s biggest city, still without an indoor facility, coach wants to know – Sudbury.com
Sudbury’s soccer players are at a distinct disadvantage compared to many urban centres around the province, as the Nickel City remains void of a legitimate indoor soccer centre.
League1 Ontario All-Stars To Play Ottawa Fury In Spring Friendly – League1 Ontario
After a very strong showing in 2017 pre-season against USL side Ottawa Fury in the Nation’s Capital, a League1 Ontario All-Star Selection is again preparing to take on the Fury, this time with a home date at the Ontario Soccer Centre (7601 Martin Grove Rd) on Friday March 9.
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USL, NASL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS
1904 FC set to join USL following NASL’s decision to cancel 2018 season – NBC Sports
Following the league’s decision to forgo a 2018 season on Tuesday, expansion side 1904 FC has announced that it won’t join NASL and instead pursue its entry into the United Soccer League (USL) during the 2019 campaign.
NASL cancels 2018 season but continues with law suits against USSF – Inside World
The decision was taken after the NASL failed to receive a preliminary injunction preventing the US Soccer Federation (USSF) from removing its Division II status.
NASL Picks Up Latest Flesh Wound With Cancellation Of 2018 Season – The 18
There was a time when the North American Soccer League was a valued member of the U.S. soccer community. Nowadays, the league is turning into a joke. As the narrative continues to worsen by the month, the NASL is essentially the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Swope Park Rangers add Youth International Goalkeeper – The Blue Testament
The Swope Park Rangers continue to build towards the start of the 2018 USL Season. They added Chase Minter last week and now they have added former United States and Mexican National Youth team goalkeeper Christian Herrera.
Capelli Stadium dilemma forcing Little Italy Neighborhood Association to consider action – WHEC
The Little Italy Association announced Sunday that they may try to get an injunction to stop any closure of Capelli Sports Stadium. The owners of the Rochester Rhinos soccer team have put the team on hiatus for the season.
WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Cyprus Cup: Finland 0-1 Wales – Kayleigh Green corker gives Wales the win – Vavel
In a typical game of two halves, Finland failed to capitalise when they were on top and Wales were clinical when it counted to get their Cyprus Cup off to a flying start.
Chinese women’s football team forsees tough opening in Algarve Cup – Xinhua
The Chinese women’s football team foresees a tough match against host nation Portugal in the opening of the Algarve Cup.
Westfield Matildas: Your guide to the 2018 Algarve Cup – FFA
The Westfield Matildas will be attempting to win the Algarve Cup for the first time when the prestigious tournament gets underway in Portugal this week.
Matildas’ Kellond-Knight open on next move – The Australian
Matildas star Elise Kellond-Knight was refused a W-League homecoming this summer but says she won’t be denied a strong preparation leading into the Women’s World Cup.
Emma Hayes: My Most Powerful Lesson – Coaches’ Voice
Chelsea Ladies manager Emma Hayes reflects on the responsibility on every coach to leave no stone unturned in preparing his or her players for every single game. She also explains the no-excuse culture she has tried to instil at Chelsea, whereby every player and coach must be honest about their own performance.
Why Jill Ellis and the USWNT can’t afford another SheBelieves Cup catastrophe – Four Four Two
U.S. Soccer has a new president, and the women’s national team will soon have a new GM. They will want to see that the Americans are ready to face top competition at the World Cup.
SheBelieves Cup: Critics would love to see me lose every game, says Phil Neville – BBC Sport
Phil Neville says some critics would like him to lose every game at the SheBelieves Cup in America, his first tournament in charge of England Women.
Japan win women’s blind football Normalization Cup –Paralympic.org
Japan continue to be at the forefront of women’s blind football development as their national team claimed the Saitama City Normalization Cup title following a 7-3 victory over Argentinian club team Las Guerreras de Cordoba at the Rhinoceros Chemical Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Meet the Bristol journalist behind the first EVER book on women’s football statistics – Bristol Post
A Bristol-based journalist has co-written the first ever publication supplying every statistic imaginable. Tom Garry who works as an online BBC Sport reporter, has been involved in creating ‘Women’s Football Yearbook’ which has a comprehensive look at coverage of the top 6 divisions and top 90 clubs in English football.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Swansea into FA Cup quarter-finals for 1st time in 54 years – Sportsnet
Swansea coach Carlos Carvalhal got the better of former club Sheffield Wednesday in a 2-0 win on Tuesday that sent the Welsh club into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 54 years.
PSG look to double down – Ligue 1
Fresh from a 3-0 Classique win over OM in the league on Sunday, PSG are out to do it all over again and book a place in the Coupe de France semis as the old rivals do battle at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.
Wenger irked by scrutiny, says ‘turned the whole world down’ – Metro
Irked that his future is again under scrutiny, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reminded his critics he “turned the whole world down” to stay at the club and refused to comment on an end-of-season review regarding his position.
Arsenal’s operating profits fall by more than 60 per cent after missing out on Champions League – The Telegraph
Arsenal’s operating profits have tumbled by more than 60 per cent as a result of the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League last season.
Allegri wants Coppa Italia history but will not give up Serie A fight with Juventus – SN
Massimiliano Allegri insists Juventus will not give up in the Serie A title race but says his immediate focus is keeping their chances of a historic Coppa Italia triumph alive.
Without Ronaldo, Madrid loses to Espanyol in Spanish league – Sportsnet
Real Madrid couldn’t overcome the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and other regular starters on Tuesday, losing 1-0 to Espanyol in the Spanish league to see its five-game winning streak come to an end.
Verizon grow North American OTT content with CONCACAF deal – Inside World Football
CONCACAF, who on Monday announced an expansion of their blue riband Gold Cup national team tournament, have followed up with the unveiling of a multi-platform digital media rights deal with Verizon for all its competitions.
Challenge to Murdoch: US giant Comcast also bids for Sky – Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
Comcast, the owner of NBC and Universal Pictures, has launched a bid for European pay TV broadcaster Sky that threatens to thwart a rival offer by media mogul Rupert Murdoch’ 21st Century Fox.
Inter expand international academy network with Beirut launch – Inside World Football
Inter vice president Javier Zanetti in Beirut to inaugurate the project, spoke of the global Intern project saying: “It represents the international expression of the Inter youth academy, which is renowned for its success on the pitch and the unrivalled ability of its coaches when it comes to developing and moulding the professional footballers of the future.
UK coroner blames Qatar World Cup site conditions for death – NBC Sports
A British coroner has blamed dangerous working practices for the death of a worker on a 2022 World Cup stadium building site in Qatar.
World Cup coaches briefed on VAR ahead of formal approval – Metro
FIFA briefed coaches on Wednesday on how video assistant referees should operate at this year’s World Cup.
Mexican soccer team refuses to carry anti-drug gang banner – NBC Sports
Players from Mexican soccer team Pumas refused a request to carry an anti-drug gang banner onto the pitch during a weekend game.
Bolt the footballer to raise minimum $44m for Jamaican Youth – The Gleaner
Usain Bolt will finally experience his dream – to play football at Old Trafford, but in doing so, the Olympic great will also ensure that the dreams of scores of Jamaican children will also be realised.
FIFA to stream key conference on equality and inclusion from Zurich – Inside World Football
Focus this weekend will inevitably be on the game changing decisions regarding video assistant referees at the meeting of FIFA’s rule making committee. But on Friday the governing body addresses arguably even more important and potentially life changing issues with its 4th Conference for Equality and Inclusion at FIFA House in Zurich.
Peterborough players use ‘sweeper system’ to clear snow – BBC
Two Peterborough United players turned sweepers to clear the pitch of snow during the club’s League One victory over Walsall.
Quini: a tale of kidnap, ransom and forgiveness in Barcelona – The Guardian
The former Spain and Barcelona striker Quini died aged 68 on Tuesday and in remembering his illustrious career there is no doubt that one extraordinary notorious incident stands out.