VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS
From beep test to rain domain, Whitecaps transfer train picks up new player – The Province
The frigid rain sluiced down on UBC’s turf fields Tuesday, dousing and chilling the Vancouver Whitecaps grinding through their fitness tests.
Whitecaps FC acquire Ghanaian midfielder Leonard Owusu from Israeli Premier League side FC Ashdod – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC made another key addition to their roster ahead of their February 29 season opener, announcing on Tuesday the acquisition of Ghanaian central midfielder Leonard Owusu from Israeli Premier League side FC Ashdod with the use of Targeted Allocation Money.
Behind the #8 Ball: What can newest Whitecaps signing, Leonard Owusu, bring to Vancouver? – BTS
On the 2nd day of training camp, the Vancouver Whitecaps added the latest piece to their ‘project 2020’, signing Ghanian midfielder Leonard Owusu to a TAM deal. Here is a look at what their newest signing can bring to Vancouver.
Who is Leonard Owusu and How Does he Fit in to the Vancouver Whitecaps? – Eighty-Six Forever
So why on earth did the Whitecaps sign this player? Well, although he wasn’t directly creating very much, he was kicking ass at pretty much every other aspect of midfield play.
Whitecaps’ Fredy Montero addresses battle with Lucas Cavallini for minutes – Pro Soccer USA
Marc Dos Santos insists Fredy Montero still has a role for the Whitecaps, but it’s unclear what that role is.
After long journey, Vancouver Whitecaps forward Lucas Cavallini looks to make impact in home country – MLS
Vancouver Whitecaps striker Lucas Cavallini left his home aged just 16 to follow his footballing dreams. It’s been a journey that’s taken him to Uruguay and Mexico, but now, 11 years into his career, Cavallini has returned to play his club soccer in his home country for the first time.
Amer Didic credits FC Edmonton in helping him “sharpen tools” as he looks to make a move back to MLS with Vancouver Whitecaps – AFTN
For some players, getting released by a club can break them. Whipping the carpet out from under their feet, leaving them wondering where they go next, and questioning their own abilities. For others, it’s the making of them. Lighting a fire in their belly, reigniting a passion for the game and to prove to people they do have what it takes to play at the highest level.
Canadian Fraser ready for his Toronto FC close-up in Bradley’s absence – TSN
Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney, looking to diffuse expectations, says it will take more than one player to replace injured captain Michael Bradley. But it seems clear Liam Fraser is next man up.
LA Galaxy smart to sign Chicharito, but Mexico’s superstar must bring goals along with the hype – ESPN
Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, the most recognizable Mexican player for over a decade, is now in Southern California having signed with the LA Galaxy and the marketing possibilities seem endless.
DC United acquires Julian Gressel from Atlanta – NBC Sports
How much is Major League Soccer’s best assist man worth?
FC Dallas Signs Liga MX Forward Franco Jara – FC Dallas
FC Dallas has signed Pachuca forward Franco Jara to a pre-contract ahead of the 2020 season. Jara will join FC Dallas as a Designated Player upon the opening of the Secondary Transfer Window in July. He will also occupy an international roster spot, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per team policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.
PACIFIC FC & BC SOCCER NEWS
Pacific FC Signs Canadian Duo – Pacific FC
Pacific Football Club is pleased to announce the signing of defender Thomas Meilleur-Giguère and midfielder Jamar Dixon for the 2020 season.
Meilleur-Giguère hoping to guide youth movement at Pacific FC – CanPL
You’d be forgiven if you considered 22-year-old Thomas Meilleur-Giguère as yet another talented, key piece to the youth movement at Pacific FC.
Former Highlanders midfielder Dixon returns with Pacific FC – Times Colonist
Like a soccer version of Welcome Back Kotter, attacking midfielder Jamar Dixon’s life has come full circle.
League 1 BC Approaching Critical Moment – Northern Starting XI
The idea of a Division 3 regional league like PLSQ and L1O was included in BC Soccer’s 2016 strategic plan. However at the time the ‘Regional Tier 3 League’ as it was called gained insufficient interest from potential participating clubs and the idea was shelved. But the start of the Canadian Premier League breathed new life into League 1 BC and it was revived.
Penticton & PCSL revives Kennedy Cup Tournament for 2020 – BC Soccer Web
The John F. Kennedy Cup has a unique history amongst North America’s trophies for soccer. Founded in 1960, the Kennedy Cup was the first (and only) sporting trophy to be sanctioned by the late President of the United States. It also was the base for some of the first meaningful matches between clubs from British Columbia’s PCSL, California, Oregon, Washington and Mexico. When President Kennedy was assassinated in November, 1963, it was one of the few sporting events in the United States to take place that month with the family’s blessing.
BC Soccer Web’s 2019-20 Guide to Soccer on TV and Online in Canada – BC Soccer Web
In our 2019-20 Guide to Soccer on Canadian TV, we do our best to sort through the leagues, service options and hardware needed to help you get the most out of your soccer weekends this season. The TV situation is constantly changing as leagues are added and Canadian broadcast rights are sorted out at the last moment, so come back for updates!
PCSL CHALLENGE CUP FINAL PHOTOS: FC Tigers Vancouver 4 Victoria Highlanders 4 (FC Tigers win 4-2 on PKs), July 28, 2019 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.
Power Soccer in BC – SportAbility BC
We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to participate in physical activity. We currently have programs in Vancouver, Surrey, Nanaimo, Penticton, and are still looking to expand. We are always looking for more athletes, officials, volunteers, and sponsors. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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.
CANADIAN PREMIER LEAGUE & CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canada Soccer announces squad for Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship – CSA
Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team will have just one objective on their mind when they kick off the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament: to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Only two nations from the region will meet that objective through the Concacaf Semi-finals on 7 February in Carson, California in the United States. There will be no second chance.
Forge FC’s Tristan Borges sold to Belgian club in historic transfer – CanPL
Forge FC announced Wednesday that Tristan Borges, the league’s MVP and Golden Boot winner from last season, has been sold to Belgian club Oud-Heverlee Leuven (known as OHL) for an undisclosed fee, marking the first time a CPL player has been transferred to a European club.
USL & LOWER LEAGUE SOCCER NEWS
Atlanta United acquire forward Adam Jahn from Phoenix Rising FC, loan out Lagos Kunga – MLS
Atlanta United ended a busy day with a pair of moves that involved USL Championship side Phoenix Rising FC.
FC TUCSON ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP – FC Tucson
FC Tucson announced that Amanda Powers has taken the reins as the club’s first-ever President. A San Diego, California native, Powers arrives in Tucson following a successful run as start-up Chief Operating Officer for New Mexico United, a USL Championship team that had arguably one of the best expansion club performances and led the league in attendance, ticket, and merchandise sales.
SIGNINGS: Miami Brings Bezecourt Aboard for New Season – USL
Miami FC announced on Tuesday it had signed midfielder Vincent Bezecourt ahead of the 2020 USL Championship season. The signing is pending league and federation approval.
WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Final 20-Player Rosters Announced for 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship – Concacaf
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) today revealed the final 20-player rosters submitted by the 8 participating Member Associations for the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship.
Reign FC appoints Farid Benstiti as head coach – NWSL
Reign FC announced Friday that it has appointed Farid Benstiti as their head coach. The French native brings two decades of coaching experience and a championship pedigree to the position, having won titles in three different countries. Benstiti is the third head coach in Reign FC history: Laura Harvey led the team for five seasons, from 2013 – 2017, while Vlatko Andonovski was at the helm for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Harvey and Andonovski have since taken roles with U.S. Soccer, with Harvey coaching the U-20 women’s national team and Andonovski leading the senior WNT.
The Lowdown: Making sense of the nonsensical 2020 NWSL Draft – The Equalizer
With a single comment, Arnim Whisler altered the entire vibe of the 2020 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft, held last Thursday at the Baltimore Convention Center. As media did some hand wringing over the lack of transparency surrounding the trading of allocation money, the Chicago Red Stars owner offered up an explanation from the board’s point of view.
Coronavirus: Women’s Olympic football qualifiers moved from Wuhan – BBC Sport
The Asian Football Confederation has moved next month’s women’s Olympic football qualifiers from the central Chinese city of Wuhan after the spread of a new coronavirus.
Eni Aluko takes job as Aston Villa Women’s sporting director – The Guardian
Eni Aluko has been appointed sporting director for Aston Villa Women. The former England striker takes up the post with the Championship leaders a week after announcing she was ending her playing career.
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Arsenal overcomes Luiz red card to draw at Chelsea – TSN
Chelsea twice threw away the lead after Arsenal defender David Luiz was sent off on his return to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, drawing 2-2 and wasting another chance to strengthen its hold on fourth place in the Premier League.
Defending champ Lazio knocked out of Italian Cup by Napoli – Sportsnet
Defending champion Lazio was knocked out of the Italian Cup on Tuesday after a 1-0 loss at Napoli in a match which saw both teams have a player sent off in the first half.
Edinson Cavani set to choose Atlético over Chelsea if deal with PSG is struck – The Guardian
Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their search for attacking reinforcements after Edinson Cavani’s father said the striker will join Atlético Madrid if the Spanish club can agree a deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
Reinier Jesus: Who is Real Madrid’s latest Brazilian starlet? – BBC Sport
From Ronaldo to Robinho to Kaka and now Reinier Jesus. Real Madrid’s new £26m signing is the latest Brazilian forward to arrive at the Bernabeu with high expectations.
FIFA reports show further upward trend in both men’s and women’s transfer markets – FIFA
FIFA has just released the new edition of the Global Transfer Market Report. For the second consecutive year, it is offered in two versions: one covering men’s football and another covering women’s football.
FIFPro Vows to Defend Soccer Players Who Protest at Olympics Despite Tokyo 2020 Ban – SI.com
Soccer players who defy Olympic rules by making protest gestures at the 2020 Tokyo Games will be supported by their global union.
Sevilla beats Levante to advance to last 16 in Copa del Rey – Sportsnet
Sevilla defeated Levante 3-1 to reach the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.
Erling Braut Haaland gatecrashes again to haul Dortmund out of mire – The Guardian
The Norwegian became the Bundesliga’s second-youngest hat-trick scorer, and the first substitute to score three times
FIFA President addresses business leaders at Donald Trump dinner in Davos – FIFA
Gianni Infantino was invited by Donald Trump to make the introduction speech at a dinner hosted by the President of the United States at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and the FIFA President said that he hopes that “the ‘American dream’ becomes reality…all over the world” when addressing an audience of top business leaders.
Lyon fans protest after local chef loses Michelin star after record run – ESPN
Lyon fans protested against the local restaurant of late chef Paul Bocuse losing one of its three Michelin stars during the Coupe de le Ligue win against Lille on Tuesday.