BC Soccer News, Wednesday, March 15, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

TIGRES UANL (MX)  2  VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC  0

SEMI-FINAL, 1ST LEG

TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017

ESTADIO UNIVERSITARIO, SAN NICOLAS DE LOS GARZA, NUEVA LEON

Tigres 2 Whitecaps 0: No Miracle in Mexico for the Caps – The Province
The Tigres UANL, a wealthy and talented Liga MX football club based in the Monterrey metropolitan area, rolled out the bands, trumpets and boisterous fans Tuesday night at Estadio Universitario to face the pinch-us-we’re-really-here Vancouver Whitecaps.

‘Caps stand ground early but fall 2-0 to Tigres UANL in first leg of Champions League semifinal – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC stood ground against mighty Tigres UANL for over an hour, but a 66th-minute own goal off Kendall Waston, and an insurance score from Eduardo Vargas gave the defending Mexican champions a 2-0 win in the first leg of the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League semifinal series on Tuesday evening in Nuevo León.

Tigres UANL 2, Vancouver Whitecaps 0 | 2016-17 CCL Semifinal Recap – MLS
The Vancouver Whitecaps parked the bus to good effect for more than an hour, but Tigres UANL punctured their resistance in the final stages of their CONCACAF Champions League semifinal Leg 1 matchup at Monterrey’s Estadio Universitario on Tuesday night.

Whitecaps Fall to Tigres 2-0 in First Leg of Champions League Semi-Final – Eighty-Six Forever
The Vancouver Whitecaps clashed with the Tigres UANL on Tuesday night, falling 2-0 in Mexico in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League Semi-final. The Whitecaps played a mostly defensive match, and while they were able to fend off their vaunted opponent for a while, an own goal from Kendall Waston and a nice strike from Eduardo Vargas proved to be the difference. The Whitecaps have met their opponent, and now they know just how difficult this second leg in Vancouver is going to be.

Late lapses cost ‘Caps as Tigres roar into two goal lead in Champions League semi-final – AFTN
Forget the last two MLS matches, this was the game everyone was waiting for. Vancouver Whitecaps first trip to Mexico. A Champions League semi-final. But could the ‘Caps keep their dreams alive or would they crash and burn in hell of the ‘Volcano’?

Tigres burn a little too bright for the Whitecaps – Soccer Shorts
In the general scheme of things a 2-0 defeat on the road to Tigres isn’t that bad of a result for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champion’s League semi-final. The problem is that we don’t live in the general scheme of things.

Waston’s own goal costs Whitecaps in loss to Tigres UANL – Sportsnet
Kendall Waston’s own goal in the 66th minute cost the Whitecaps as Vancouver fell to Mexico’s Tigres UANL 2-0 on Tuesday in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League semifinal.

Whitecaps leave Monterey with a surmountable deficit in CCL  – Red Nation Online
It was billed as the biggest match in Vancouver Whitecaps FC history, the Caps travelled to Monterey, Mexico to take on Tigres UANL in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals. Estadio Universitario was rocking as Tigres came away with a 2-0 first leg victory in front of 31,197 supporters.

Vancouver’s Carl Robinson confirms ‘gap’ between MLS and Liga MX – ESPN FC
Vancouver Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson was happy with the effort and discipline of his side in its 2-0 loss to Tigres in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal first leg on Tuesday, but was full of praise for Liga MX champion Tigres after the game.

Goodbye papa, please pray for me: Tigres fans honour Terry Jacks, as their team beats the Whitecaps – the11.ca
There are songs that are simply destined to become stadium anthems. “Seasons in the Sun” is not one of those songs. Or, at least, it shouldn’t be. Vancouver songwriter Terry Jacks penned the smash hit in the early ‘70s, a mournful song about a man looking back on his life as he awaits his end. But, for most of the second half, the loud-as-hell trumpeter (or was it a trumpet section) in Monterrey’s famous “Volcano” stadium belted out “Seasons in the Sun.”

Vancouver faces an uphill battle to keep Alphonso Davies – Top Drawer Soccer
Reports out of the UK this week suggest Davies’ profile is rising in the Premier League. He’s reportedly being “watched,” which is a fairly innocent term all things considered, by Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. Of course we know this is not particularly novel news. Last October, Manchester United’s Americas scout Jorge Alvial watched Davies in person against the Seattle Sounders.

CCL foes Pachuca and FC Dallas thrive on youthful philosophies – SN
It’s easy to draw comparisons between FC Dallas and Pachuca. When the teams meet in Wednesday’s first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal, they may feel like they’re looking in a mirror: two teams with a strong defensive base but playing an exciting brand of soccer that results in plenty of goals.

MLS Referee assignments: Week 3 – PRO Referees
Ismail Elfath has been assigned to Saturday’s Whitecaps – TFC match.

Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco remains in injury limbo – Toronto Star
Major League Soccer’s 2015 MVP was considered day-to-day on Tuesday and questionable for Saturday’s visit to the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Toronto FC fullback Steven Beitashour hopes to leave concussion behind him – Nanaimo News Now
Walk past Steven Beitashour at Toronto FC’s training ground and the veteran fullback looks as always, a smile on display. But Beitashour is still paying the price for a nasty ball to the head deep into stoppage time in the season opening 0-0 tie at Real Salt Lake on March 4. A clearance from RSL fullback Chris Wingert slammed into Beitashour’s temple from some five yards.

Argentine connection a pipeline of talent for Montreal Impact – Sportsnet
Argentine players are flocking to Major League Soccer, and the Montreal Impact are reaping the benefits.

Colorado Rapids’ Axel Sjöberg out at least 6-8 weeks with hamstring injury – MLS
One of the league’s best young defenders will miss quite a bit of time. The Colorado Rapids announced Tuesday that 6-foot-7 Swedish center back Axel Sjöberg underwent successful surgery on his left hamstring. He’ll be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks at which time the club will provide a further update.

Colorado Rapids add defender Mike da Fonte on two-year deal – Mile High Sports
The Colorado Rapids added a little depth on defense on Tuesday, announcing that they had signed Mike da Fonte to a two-year contract. The 25-year-old center back scored four goals in 19 games for the USL’s Sacramento Republic FC last season.

They lost the MLS match, but did LA win the Twitter war vs. Portland? – MLS
The LA Galaxy may have lost the match on the field, but they came hard in the first round of an ensuing Twitter war.

MLS PHOTOS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0 Philadelphia Union 0, March 5, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

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BC SOCCER NEWS

16 Whitecaps FC Residency players called up to Canada U-15 ID camp – Whitecaps FC
Canada Soccer announced on Friday that 16 Whitecaps FC Residency players have been called up to the Boys’ U-15 identification camp as part of the Men’s EXCEL Program. The four-day camp, led by staff coach Rob Gale, runs March 13 to 16 in Burnaby.

TRU WolfPack Men’s Soccer Set To Hold ID camp – TRU Wolfpack
The official kick off of the season doesn’t begin until August but that doesn’t mean the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s program isn’t already working.

Bill Thomson, Life Member, passes away – CSA
Bill Thomson, a Canada Soccer Life Member and honoured member of the Soccer Hall of Fame, has passed away. The former educator, coach, and Canada Soccer technical director was 73 years old.

KYSA round-up to March 12, 2017 – Kamloops This Week
The under-18 Kamloops Blaze girls posted a 2-2 record at the Surrey Mayor’s Cup on the weekend. Kamloops fell 2-1 to the Penticton Pinnacles, edged the SurDel Selects 3-2 in a shootout, dropped a 2-1 decision to the Red Deer Renegades and blanked the Sunshine Coast Storm 3-0.

TSS FC Rovers Open Tryouts – TSS Rovers
Vancouver’s newest team, TSS FC Rovers, is looking for Canada’s best up and coming players to play for their first squad in 2017. If you are a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, could possibly play for our national team one day, and meet the age requirment of 23 and under, we want to see you play! (Note: Pre-registration required. No walk-ons).

BC Soccer Assoc. Scholarships – BCSA
BC Soccer is proud to award scholarships every year to players and referees proceeding on to post-secondary education. The Scholarships are presented at a special Scholarship Celebration at a Whitecaps FC match in June/July each year. Applications must be received by the British Columbia Soccer Association Office by March 31st.

REVIEW: The Miracle Mile. Stories of the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games – BC BookLook
Author Jason Beck is curator of the BC Sports Hall of Fame in BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, and convenor two years ago of an excellent exhibition about the 1954 Games. In his first book, he proves to be a meticulous researcher, a compelling story-teller, and a crafty realist who knows how to hook his readers. Watch how, two pages into the book, he uses filmic technique to evoke the arriving athletes’ youthful buzz and give period colouring and costuming, but then smartly moves his camera in to introduce his stars.

TSS Rovers launch website & 2017 Season Ticket Campaign – TSS Rovers
TSS FC Rovers play their inaugural season in the PDL at iconic Swangard Stadium. Season Tickets are $70 for Adults, $49 for U12 Youth.

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!

To our Readers: A Choice – BC Soccer Web
Soccer has brought us to the United States many times. It’s a great place with decent people. We especially look forward to our Cascadia trips to Seattle and Portland. They’re incredible cities with wonderful supporters. That’s why it was so disheartening to see chaos and fear take hold in the airports and borders of our neighbours to the south.

FVSL All-Stars to face WFC2 in March – BC Soccer Web
January snow and ice in the Lower Mainland put the brakes on the annual clash between the Fraser Valley Soccer League All-Stars and the best from the VISL this year. That hasn’t stopped the FVSL from planning an ambitious All-Star series in March.

BC Soccer Assoc. is Now Accepting 2016-2017 Awards Nominations – BCSA
We are pleased to inform everyone that BC soccer Assoc. is currently accepting Awards nominations until the submission deadline date of March 31, 2017. Selection of the award recipients is based on many factors including the individual’s commitment, community involvement and willingness to give back to the game. This year any BC Soccer Assoc. member and their affiliate clubs may submit a nomination.

2017 BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors – BCSA
BC Soccer Assoc. is accepting candidates for its Board of Directors for terms commencing June, 2017 (following the BC Soccer Annual General Meeting).

Victoria Highlanders 2017 Season Passes now on sale – Highlanders FC
Support local soccer on Vancouver Island. Join the excitement of Highlanders FC PDL Soccer!

PHOTOS: CANADA WEST WOMENS FINAL, UBC 3, TWU 0, NOVEMBER 6, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

2016 BC Soccer Provincial Cup Photo Galleries – BC Soccer Web
Westhills Stadium & Goudy Park in Langford hosted the 2016 BC Soccer Adult Provincial Cup Finals. It was a thrilling weekend of soccer on Vancouver Island that saw seven champions crowned. Richmond FC & Surrey Pegasus qualified for the National Championships this Fall in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Both Coquitlam Metro-Ford Masters & Classics sides qualified for the Western Canadian Masters Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In all, it was a clean sweep for teams from the VMSL & MWSL. Monique Lamoureux & Bill Currie from BC Soccer Web were on location that weekend, capturing the all the action.

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.

3v3 Live Soccer Tour Comes to Canada

CANADA SOCCER NEWS

VIDEO: Jason de Vos delivers stirring keynote speech on development – Ontario Soccer
The Canadian Director of Development was in fine form discussing what’s coming for Canada. The first release is the keynote speech by Jason de Vos, who used his time to speak in-depth about where the game is headed, how Canada Soccer is planning to get us all there and what we can do to help make it happen.

FC Edmonton Academy product Hammoud earning looks overseas after trial in England – FC Edmonton
Academy striker Mahdi Hammoud is making an impression overseas after completing a trial with English Premier League-side Watford F.C.

Viareggio Cup captain Liam Fraser could be Toronto FC’s next homegrown signing – Waking the Red
The midfielder in the Benoit Cheyrou and Michael Bradley mould could be a surprise addition to the first team this season.

Lakehead University, Confederation College off to provincials – Chronicle Journal
The Lakehead University women’s soccer team from Orillia and the Confederation College men’s side have both qualified for the first time to advance to the Ontario College Athletic Association provincial championships. Lakehead, led by Thunder Bay’s Jess Langille, picked up a huge 4-3 decision over the Conestoga College Condors in their last game to secure a spot in the finals.

New Aurora pitch brings respect to soccer: ex-TFC player Jimmy Brennan – Aurora Banner
Aurora to build multi-purpose field for soccer, rugby and football at Sheppard’s Bush and new soccer field at Stewart Burnett Park.

Canada Soccer looking for candidates to serve on the Board of Directors starting May 2017 – CSA
Deadline for application is 4:00 pm ET on Wednesday, 22 March 2017.

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Steven Defour returns to action as Burnley beat NASL side Edmonton in a friendly – Lancashire Telegraph
It was a comfortable workout for the Clarets against a side preparing for the start of their North American Soccer League season with a tour of the north west, which will also feature games against Wigan, Newcastle United and Stoke City.

Wallace Added to Energy FC Defense – USL
Andrew Wallace played last season with Jacksonville Armada FC, where he appeared in 17 games and played 1,282 minutes. Prior to his stint with Jacksonville in 2016, he split time during the 2015 season with New York Red Bulls and New York Red Bulls II. Wallace made six appearances in MLS for the Red Bulls, and also recorded a pair of goals in six appearances with the Red Bulls II.

2017 USL Preview: Reno 1868 FC – USL
After the success of Rio Grande Valley FC in its inaugural season last year, Reno 1868 FC becomes the second USL club to feature a hybrid partnership between the San Jose Earthquakes and a local ownership group led by Herb Simon, whose other sports properties include the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and Pacific Coast League’s Reno Aces.

The Lowdown: Burning questions to start NWSL preseason – The Equalizer
NWSL preseason is underway at 10 training camps around the country. Here are three on-field and two off-field points of interest with less than five weeks until opening day.

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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

Tuesday UCL Rewind: Leicester shock Sevilla, Juventus beat Porto – SBI
Leicester City’s dream debut in the UEFA Champions League continued on Tuesday after they erased a 2-1 first leg deficit to defeat Sevilla 3-2 on aggregate.

Juventus’ Gigi Buffon: ‘I want to avoid Leicester’ in UCL quarterfinals – ESPN FC
Of all the European giants that Juventus could face in the Champions League quarterfinals, goalkeeper Gigi Buffon is most concerned about Leicester City.

Monaco’s Falcao doubtful for Champions League match vs. Man City – Sportsnet
Monaco top scorer Radamel Falcao has not fully recovered from a hip injury and is doubtful for the Champions League game against Manchester City on Wednesday.

Hosts Korea Republic to play Guinea in FIFA U-20 World Cup opener – FIFA
The Official Draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017 has taken place at the Suwon Artrium, mapping out the group-stage challenge for each of the 24 teams involved.

Liga MX Referees Establish Benchmark for World Football – Futebulcidade
Politics may have played a significant role in the decisions made by the FMF. In essence, what ensued just before matchday 10 in Liga MX, was a battle between the powerful club owners, the players, the football federation, and the referees.

Gaëtan Laborde living the dream with Bordeaux – Ligue 1
While most can only dream of representing their childhood club at the highest level, local lad Gaëtan Laborde is excelling at Girondins de Bordeaux.

Manchester United to face City in US tournament of six European giants – The Guardian
Manchester United are set to face Manchester City in San Diego in pre-season as part of the International Champions Cup, with Sir Alex Ferguson expected to announce the tournament in New York early next week.

Rostov banned from playing at home until state of pitch improves – ESPN FC
The Russian Football Premier League (RFPL) has banned Rostov from playing on the pitch at their Olimp-2 stadium until the state of the surface improves. Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho complained about the playing surface ahead of his side’s 1-1 Europa League draw at Rostov last week.

AFC Wimbledon 2  MK Dons 0  – BBC Sport
AFC Wimbledon claimed a historic victory on Tuesday as MK Dons’ first visit to Kingsmeadow ended in defeat.

CAF to archive football history – Supersport
In a bid to ensure past records are kept intact, Caf has undertaken a journey to compile all the archives of African football in a library that is under compilation in Cairo, Egypt.

The radical, contrary Chinese football fans who support Japanese opponents – The Guardian
Chinese fans are expected to be patriotic when their clubs face Japanese opposition but a Shanghai Shenhua fangroup has defied that convention.