VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS
Efrain Juarez: Vancouver Whitecaps made me feel like Coutinho – ESPN
Former Mexico international Efrain Juarez confirmed on Tuesday that he is set to move from Liga MX side Monterrey to MLS outfit Vancouver Whitecaps. The 29-year-old right-back and 2010 World Cup veteran indicated that the negotiations between the clubs were close to completion and that the Whitecaps had made him feel as wanted as Philippe Coutinho in Barcelona.
Bye, bye Bolanos: Former Whitecap signs in Costa Rica – The Province
Christian Bolanos is no longer a Whitecap, and it feels like it was a little inevitable.
Road trip! Whitecaps FC will travel more than any other team in 2018 – Whitecaps FC
MLSsoccer.com has calculated each team’s total travel distance in 2018 and – surprise, surprise – Vancouver Whitecaps FC are at the top of the list. According to MLSsoccer.com, the ‘Caps will travel a total of 51,178 miles (or 82,363 kilometres) for their 17 away matches this season.
The place to be: How BC Place became the sporting heart of Vancouver – SportsPro Media
Nestled in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia, BC Place Stadium has developed a reputation as one of Canada’s premier sports and entertainment venues. With two resident professional teams and the capacity to stage a diverse array of live events, it is a facility that punches well above its weight thanks to the ambition and agility of its operators.
Impact comes to terms with goalkeepers Clément Diop and Jason Beaulieu – Montreal Impact
The Montreal Impact announced on Tuesday that it has come to terms on a two-year deal with French goalkeeper and Senegalese international Clément Diop, and on a one-year contract, and three option years, with Homegrown goalkeeper Jason Beaulieu.
LA Galaxy sign midfielder Perry Kitchen – LA Galaxy
The LA Galaxy have signed 25-year-old midfielder Perry Kitchen, the club announced today. Kitchen, the former D.C. United Player of the Year and MLS Rookie of the Year finalist, will join the Galaxy after two years in Europe playing in the top-flight divisions of Scotland and Denmark.
Minnesota United: Loons sign Cameroonian international – MLS Multiplex
Minnesota United have added another player to their roster. Frantz Pangop, a 24-year-old Cameroonian international, comes to Minnesota from Union Douala FC, where he played for three seasons. He looks to add pace and technical ability to a Minnesota side which could use both. Pangop may come off the bench to start but could make for an interesting option to energize the side off the bench.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Could Leave Man Utd Before End of the Season With Right Offer From MLS – SI
Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not spend a third season with the club in 2018/19 and has even been tipped to leave Old Trafford before the end of the current campaign if a suitable offer from the United States or China comes his way.
Real Salt Lake sign Welsh-American right back Adam Henley – MLS
Real Salt Lake have signed 23-year-old Welsh-American defender Adam Henley, the club announced on Tuesday.
He’s back: Red Bulls ink former Homegrown signing Moreno – NBC Sports
The New York Red Bulls announced that it had signed Moreno to an MLS contract. The 22-year-old forward spent the last four years with Club Tijuana, though he only made a hand full of appearances. He also spent time on loan with Dorados in Mexico’s second division last season, scoring once in seven league appearances.
Chicago Fire sign Indiana University star Grant Lillard to Homegrown deal – MLS
The Chicago Fire secured the services of one of college soccer’s top players on Wednesday, announcing that defender Grant Lillard has signed a Homegrown Player deal after four impressive seasons at Indiana University. Lillard is under contract for the 2018 season, with club options for 2019 and 2020.
Dom Dwyer’s New Contract Brings Pressure to Perform for Orlando City in 2018 – The Mane Land
A wave of relief washed over Central Florida last week when forward Dom Dwyer finally inked a new three-year contract that will keep him in purple until 2020. Rhetoric from Dwyer this off-season made it seem that his extending was by no means a guarantee after Orlando City sent a record-breaking sum of allocation money to Sporting Kansas City for his services in July.
Giles Barnes joins Mexican top flight side – Derby Telegraph
Ex-Derby County forward Giles Barnes has swapped the MLS for Mexican football by joining Club Leon.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
SFU Men’s Soccer Spring Identification Camp Information – SFU
The SFU men’s soccer Spring Identification Camp is designed to give players a platform to showcase themselves.
Fraser Valley sweep Island in men’s all-star soccer weekend – Victoria News
It was a weekend of great goals, comebacks and a lost trophy as Gorge FC and the Vancouver Island Soccer League hosted the senior men’s All-Star games at Hampton Turf.
RDEK giving $130k to KEYSA facility – e-know
Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors Jan. 5 unanimously agreed to provide $130,000 toward the Kootenay East Youth Soccer Association’s (KEYSA) indoor sports facility project.
UVic, Canadian Sports Institute Pacific partner in vision to increase athletic success – UVic
Collaboration is a key component of organizations that are striving to find support for success in sport and the University of Victoria and the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific (CSI Pacific) are no strangers to finding ways to align. Vikes Athletics and Recreation, UVic’s Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education (EPHE) and the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific are pleased to announce a strategic partnership that culminates in the creation and hiring of a senior strength and conditioning coach.
Tickets on sale for Cascades Scholarship Breakfast, featuring keynote speaker James Lepp – UFV
The University of the Fraser Valley athletic department is inviting the public to participate in the success of its student-athletes by attending the Cascades Scholarship Breakfast on Feb. 21.
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.
2016-2017 BC Soccer Year in Review – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is proud to release their 2016-2017 Year in Review after another successful year of soccer. The #respectall initiative, High Performance License, Club Charter Program activity, along with the delivery of hundreds of coaching courses and referee clinics this past year highlight some of the successes.
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
David Clanachan named First Commissioner of CPL – Canadian Premier League
The Canadian Premier League Board of Governors confirmed today the appointment of David Clanachan as the first Chairman and Commissioner of the Canadian Premier League (CPL). Canada’s highly anticipated professional men’s soccer league is set to debut in spring 2019.
‘BOTCHED HIRING’: Canada sacks Octavio Zambrano after tumultuous tenure, leaving John Herdman to pick up the pieces – Toronto Sun
Octavio Zambrano didn’t just fall short. The Ecuadoran didn’t come close to meeting expectations laid out by the Canadian Soccer Association when he was hired last March.
VIDEO: Sid’s rant on Canada Soccer coaching controversy – Tim & Sid
Sid goes off on Canada Soccer, who have removed Octavio Zambrano as head coach of the men’s team and replaced him with John Herdman.
Surprise, Herdman ‘quietly’ takes over Canadian men’s soccer program – The Province
Herdman marks the 13th time in the last 13 years the men’s team has changed head coaches, a number that includes seven interim postings. I mean, some people don’t change their socks that often, but Canada has bounced from coach to coach like a drunk bouncing from street lamp to street lamp.
What Herdman’s move to men’s team means for Canadian soccer – Sportsnet
In what will go down as one of the biggest gambles in the history of soccer in this country, Canada Soccer fired national men’s team coach Octavio Zambrano and replaced him with John Herdman.
Herdman move plunges both Canada national teams into the unknown – MLS
Some news stories are like defective Magic Eye posters — no matter how long you stare, the scattershot elements never quite coalesce into something that makes complete sense. John Herdman becoming manager of Canada’s men’s national team, an out-of-left-field announcement that shattered the Canadian soccer sphere into pieces on Monday night, is one such story. And just like that defective poster, the optics here are bad for everyone.
John Herdman enters the black hole of Canadian men’s soccer – Globe and Mail
This week, Canada Soccer demoted John Herdman from coach of the national women’s team to head of the entire men’s program.
Herdman’s national team swap an incredibly risky move for Canadian soccer – Waking the Red
If it doesn’t work out, this move could hurt both national teams.
Coach John Herdman’s challenge now is to work his magic with the Canadian men – Medicine Hat News
Since taking over the Canadian women’s soccer program in 2011, John Herdman has proved he is a difference-maker. His on-field success is well-documented, helping Canada reach an all-time high of fourth in the world rankings in the wake of back-to-back Olympic bronze medals. It speaks volumes that the Canadian women were disappointed with their sixth-place finish at the 2015 World Cup on home soil. Off the field, Herdman literally changed lives. He has made better players and better people.
Christine Sinclair clarifies response to Canada soccer coaching switch – CTV
Canadian captain Christine Sinclair clarified her response to John Herdman leaving the women’s national soccer team for the men’s squad in a tweet on Tuesday night.
Canadian women’s soccer coach’s departure comes as a shock to goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe – Toronto Sun
John Herdman’s departure from Canada’s national women’s soccer team to run the men’s program came as a surprise to just about everyone in the country, including his players.
John Herdman’s move to men’s team could leave both sides in disarray – The Equalizer
You don’t know what you’ve got, till it’s gone. John Herdman and the Canada women’s national soccer team have separated. In a shock move, Canada Soccer named John Herdman the new coach of the Canada men’s national soccer team on Monday. He replaces outgoing manager Octavio Zambrano, hired in March 2017.
Without proper investment, women’s soccer will never attract and retain talent – Four Four Two
John Herdman’s move from Canada’s women’s team to its men’s team is curious, and it sheds light on a bigger issue.
Adam Straith on board with Canadian soccer coach shakeup – Times Colonist
The news that John Herdman is leaving the Canadian women’s team, to take over the national men’s team from the fired Octavio Zambrano, seemed to catch everybody by surprise. But if Herdman is willing to lead, Canadian defender Adam Straith of Victoria is willing to follow.
VIDEO: Herdman situation looks messy, lacks transparency – Sportsnet
John Molinaro and James Sharman join Prime Time Sports to discuss the decision to make John Herdman the new Canadian men’s soccer coach, why they did not interview anybody else and the backlash from people caught off guard.
After firing of Zambrano, Findlay, Stalteri to lead under-23 soccer camp – Medicine Hat News
Coaches Michael Findlay and Paul Stalteri will lead a 10-day training camp for Canadian under-23 players eligible for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Octavio Zambrano was to have been part of the camp that opened Tuesday in Orlando, Fla., but was fired as men’s head coach on Monday.
Local soccer group pushing for Edmonton’s return to the big leagues – Metro
A new fan-driven group called YEG for CPL is kicking off a campaign for Edmonton to be in the Canadian Premier League (CPL), a new national league that plans to launch this year, according to their website.
West Ham targeting Burnley’s £2m-rated Scott Arfield as David Moyes aims to bolster midfield – The Independent
West Ham United manager David Moyes has targeted Burnley’s Canadian international Scott Arfield for a January transfer.
City council supports Alberta Games bid – Lethbridge Herald
Lethbridge City Council threw their support behind a local bid for the 2020 Alberta Summer Games to the tune of $250,000.
DAZN on what went wrong, and what’s up next for Canada – Mobile Syrup
Streaming live sports is a tough business. It’s also ridiculously lucrative for all the moving parts involved, which is where DAZN comes in. Since launching in Canada last year, it’s been a rough ride for the streaming service, as it looks to rosier fortunes in 2018.
CES 2018: World Cup games to be streamed in 4K HDR with Hisense TV app (but not in Canada) – Cartt
LAS VEAGS – At CES, TV manufacturer Hisense has announced it will be launching an exclusive version of the Fox Sports Go app that will allow owners of new Hisense TVs to stream 2018 World Cup Games in 4K and HDR, with access to as many as 37 camera angles and near-real-time highlights. Unfortunately for Canadian soccer fans the live streaming option within the app is available only in U.S.
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USL, NASL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS
Ottawa Fury FC bolsters midfield with re-signing of Gerardo Bruna – Toronto Sun
Another important piece of Ottawa Fury FC’s midfield will return in 2018, with the club announcing Tuesday that Argentinian Gerardo Bruna had re-signed.
Nashville Acquires Reed from San Antonio – USL
New USL club purchases experienced midfielder ahead of inaugural season.
Atlanta United announce USL team will be called Atlanta United 2 – MLS
Atlanta United on Tuesday announced that their USL team will be named Atlanta United 2, abbreviated to ATL UTD 2.
WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
FA chief executive Martin Glenn under fire after claiming women are less tolerant of ‘banter’ than men – The Independent
Glenn drew ire when addressing the organisation’s proposals for what he called ‘enhancing the culture around the women’s senior team’.
Martin Glenn: FA chief executive clarifies ‘banter’ comment – BBC Sport
Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn has clarified his comment that suggested women are less tolerant of “banter” than men.
Scottish Building Society SWPL 18 season launched – SWPL
The new Scottish Building Society SWPL season was launched today at Hampden Park, with all 16 clubs in attendance. As the most well-attended press event in the league’s history, it was further evidence of the growth and interest of the game.
Asisat Oshoala has a plan to fix Nigerian women’s football – Business Insider
African female footballer of the year for 2017 Asisat Oshoala has a plan to fix the teething problems of Nigeria’s female football teams.
New York Cosmos Quickest Path Back To World Class Status Is The NWSL – Midfield Press
The Cosmos’ 2018 season is currently in question due to the de-sanctioning of the NASL by the USSF. New York Cosmos fans remain eager to support their club, but the possibility exists that there will be no team for them to follow in 2018. While the league and club offices work diligently to try to resolve that, there is another alternative, and one that could be great for soccer in America. The Cosmos could acquire a majority stake in Sky Blue FC, rebrand them as the New York Cosmos, and play them out of MCU Park. Going forward, the Cosmos would field both a men’s and women’s team, once the men’s team was out of legal purgatory.
NEPAL: APF closer to women’s football league title – My Republica
Departmental team Armed Police Force (APF) has moved closer to win the title as it defeated the other departmental team, Tribhuvan Army Club (TAC), 2-1 in the ongoing 16th National Women’s Football League under the National Sports Council (NSC) championship on Tuesday.
Will Saudi women soon play soccer games instead of just watching them? – AMEinfo
“The Saudi Arabia women’s national football team would be the national team representing the kingdom in international football. However, the team does not yet exist because of influence of religious leaders in Saudi Arabia, systematic discrimination against women’s sport, and active opposition of political leaders and sport administrators,” said Wikipedia. Well, Wikipedia may want to update their records, because all of that is no longer applicable.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Chelsea vs Arsenal Preview: Rivals to battle at the Bridge as semi-final launches – Vavel
Chelsea will host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening in their first leg of the Semi-Final in the Carabao Cup as they look to revert back to winning ways.
City grateful to Agüero, Ribéry scores three – UEFA
Sergio Agüero’s late header earned Manchester City a first-leg lead in their League Cup semi-final against Bristol City, while Bayern and Beşiktaş were in friendly action.
Pep Guardiola’s declaration of trust is almost exposed by misfiring stars – The Guardian
The Manchester City manager’s faith in his players to perform out of position was shaken on a tough night against a spirited Bristol City side.
Falcao to return for Monaco against Montpellier? – Ligue 1
AS Monaco captain and top scorer Radamel Falcao looks set to return against Ligue 1 Conforama’s meanest defence when the champions head to Montpellier Hérault SC on Saturday.
Mayor of Liverpool asks FA and police to investigate Ross Barkley’s Chelsea move – The Guardian
The mayor of Liverpool has asked police to investigate whether Ross Barkley’s cut-price transfer from Everton to Chelsea constitutes fraud.
Ross Barkley: Everton chairman satisfied with midfielder’s £15m Chelsea move – BBC Sport
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright says he has “no concerns” over Ross Barkley’s £15m move to Chelsea.
Schalke signs Hoffenheim striker Mark Uth for next season – Sportsnet
Schalke has signed striker Mark Uth for next season on a free transfer from Bundesliga rival Hoffenheim.
African champions Wydad Casablanca sack coach Hussein Amotta – African Football
Amotta has been sacked after a poor first half of the season despite leading the side to glory in the continental club competition last year.
A-League Review: Late own goal earns Phoenix shock win, Adelaide rescue dramatic point – Four Four Two
Late goals were the order of the day in the A-League, as Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United both benefited on Wednesday.
Report: Arsenal pursuing $61 million rated Brazilian Malcolm – NBC Sports
With Alexis Sanchez looking likely to depart this month and Mesut Ozil expected to follow either in January or at the end of the season, Arsenal already has its eyes on replacements.
£650m spent, but academy star Lingard is Man Utd’s best player right now – SN
At most clubs, the scorer of three key Wembley goals including a wonderful strike to win the FA Cup would go down as an immediate club legend. However, Jesse Lingard has had to fight longer and harder than you might expect just to be accepted as a preferred starter for the majority of Manchester United fans.
Soccer lawmaker says issue with ‘overzealous’ video referees – National Post
A member of soccer’s lawmaking body says a problem with “over-zealous” video assistant referees needs to be resolved before the technology is approved for use at the World Cup.
FIFA, Council of Europe establish partnership – FIFA
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland met today in Strasbourg to discuss how to better promote human rights in sports. The meeting followed an exchange of views between the FIFA President and the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.
FIFA-gate: No dates set for Napout and Marin sentencing but Webb pushed back to March – Inside World Football
While dates have still to be set for the sentencing of former Brazilian FA president Jose Maria Marin and former South American confederation president Juan Angel Napout – both found guilty of corruption in the FIFA-gate case on December 21 – former CONCACAF president Jeff Webb’s sentencing date has been moved again, this time to March 7.
Tommy Lawrence, former Liverpool goalkeeper, dies aged 77 – The Guardian
The former Liverpool goalkeeper Tommy Lawrence, a key member of Bill Shankly’s side in the early 1960s, has died aged 77.
Carlos Tevez eyes World Cup with Argentina after Boca Juniors return – ESPN
Carlos Tevez says he is determined to make Argentina’s World Cup squad after returning to play for Boca Juniors for the third time in his career.
The $40M heist – how Tevez took China for the most expensive ride in football history – SN
Trust Diego Maradona, a man who knows a thing or two about taking spurious yet lucrative job offers in far-flung lands, to sum up Carlos Tevez’s 12 months in China better than anyone else. “He went there, filled up Santa’s sack with dollars, and came back to Boca. It was perfect.”
Being a pro is a challenge but it beats a day with the bins! – The Football League Paper
THE day after Danny Lloyd signed for Peterborough United he was back selling bins. The 26-year-old winger still had to work two weeks’ notice at waste giant Biffa, where he was a business and development manager. Just six months later, he’s showing he can bridge the gap between Non-League’s National League North and League One.