WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Didier Drogba looks doubtful to face Whitecaps in MLS season opener – The Province
Didier Drogba was training on the side at Montreal Impact practice on Tuesday, according to Montreal radio station. In discussion with 98.5 Sports radio host Jérémie Rainville, Impact radio analyst Arcadio Marcuzzi said Drogba had some knee inflammation following the team’s flight home from its Florida training camp as anything.
Vancouver Whitecaps fierce full back battle will continue well past season opener – AFTN
With the 2016 MLS season right around the corner there is a buzz of optimism in the air with the possibilities of what can happen this season for Vancouver Whitecaps.
Vancouver Whitecaps | 2016 Team Guide – MLS
Increasing the ‘Caps goalscoring hasn’t quite been Carl Robinson’s raison d’être these past two offseasons, but it has certainly occupied a lot of his time while seeking the right personnel to build on an already stout defense, which allowed the fewest goals of any unit in the league.
2016 ‘Caps: Meet the Midfielders – Whitecaps FC
The addition of two-time FIFA World Cup veteran Christian Bolaños should help increase the production of a midfield group that already includes the likes of Pedro Morales and Cristian Techera. It will be interesting to see how the ‘Caps cope with the departure of Gershon Koffie, which potentially leaves a spot open alongside Matias Laba in central midfield.
What To Expect From the Youngsters – Eighty-Six Forever
Heading into Carl Robinson’s third year as boss, the Whitecaps roster is a young nucleus that has grown together and, for the most part, ‘Caps supporters know what they’ll be getting from every player on the roster.
Training report: ‘Caps kick off final week of training before Sunday’s season opener – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC kicked off their final week of training before Sunday’s season opener on Tuesday at UBC’s Ken Woods Field. Here are some news and notes from the day.
‘Getting an MLS Cup is definitely attainable with the roster,’ says Whitecaps’ Jordan Harvey – Metro
The Vancouver Whitecaps open the 2016 regular season on Sunday, as they face the Montreal Impact at BC Place Stadium. So begins the exceedingly long and arduous journey that is the Major League Soccer regular season.
New father Laba extra motivated ahead of Whitecaps season – The Province
Matías Laba, proud father, says he’ll be even more motivated on the soccer field this season. It’s an interesting thing to picture. Laba already hunts the ball like a tiger who missed a meal.
Can’t-miss matches for Vancouver Whitecaps – 24 Hours
Vancouver Whitecaps FC kick off the Major League Soccer season on Sunday against Canadian rival Montreal Impact FC. It is one of THE matches to attend in 2016.
TSN Radio 1040 Vancouver to be home to Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Whitecaps FC
Peter Schaad will once again be the voice of Whitecaps FC on TSN Radio Vancouver, providing play-by-play commentary alongside analyst David Norman.
Vancouver Whitecaps: Of Mattocks and Marketing – Soccer Shorts
Who thought we’d get to the first day of March with still no official resolution of the Darren Mattocks situation? Today is roster compliance day so maybe we’ll see some movement in the next twenty-four hours but so far every purported step forward has turned out to be simply walking on the spot.
MLS Western Conference Preview, Predictions – Empire of Soccer
The Western Conference has in recent years been the stronger of the two conferences, and I think that will remain true in 2016.
DC United and LA Galaxy crash out of Champions League with a thud – MLS
Last year’s Impact, whether it was fate or karma or money or pride or whatever else under the sun, found a way to be good in the 2015 CONCACAF Champions League. They were frequently out-skilled and obviously suffered from the same type of playing-at-altitude issues that have plagued this year’s entrants, but they found a way to consistently survive and advance.
LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena: ‘I didn’t see any superstars on our team today’ – The Guardian
The LA Galaxy have assembled an all-star team in their bid to win a sixth MLS title this year – but head coach Bruce Arena said he “didn’t see any superstars on our team today” after they were hammered 4-0 by Santos Laguna in the Concacaf Champions League quarter-finals.
DC United rue early gaffe vs. Queretaro as CCL dream ends: “Three minutes in, game’s over” – MLS
Four minutes into the return leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against Liga MX side Queretaro on Tuesday, United allowed a goal. Queretaro playmaker Sinha swung a ball across D.C.’s penalty area to the head of forward Edgar Benitez, and United defenders Sean Franklin and Steve Birnbaum were poorly positioned to deal with it, leaving midfielder Angel Sepulveda open.
Larin eager to build upon rookie MLS season – Sportsnet
Cyle Larin made a spectacular Major League Soccer debut with Orlando City last season, winning the league’s rookie of the year award along the way.
Seattle Sounders sign St. Vincent and the Grenadines forward Oalex Anderson – MLS
After impressing for USL side Seattle Sounders 2 in 2015, the Seattle Sounders have signed St. Vincent and the Grenadines international Oalex Anderson, the club announced on Tuesday.
MLS Season Preview: Change, continuity strange bedfellows as Toronto FC strives to become MLS elite – Goal
TFC overhauled its leaky defense while keeping the rest of the team largely intact ahead of a 2016 campaign filled with promise and expectation.
TFC puts pre-season struggles behind as opening day nears – Toronto Star
After a winless two weeks in Orlando to wrap up pre-season, Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney vowed his squad would step up come Sunday’s opening day against New York Red Bulls.
Toronto FC parts ways with Herculez Gomez – Toronto Sun
Toronto FC’s Herculez Gomez thanked Toronto “for the memories.” Unfortunately, they were few and far between. The ex-American international tweeted the aforementioned farewell Tuesday afternoon.
Revolution Transfers 2016: Scott Caldwell Signs a New Contract – Bent Musket
Scott Caldwell will remain in New England Revolution colors for the foreseeable future as the local product has signed a new contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
SBI MLS Season Preview: Portland Timbers – SBI
In 2015, the Portland Timbers ascended to the MLS mountaintop by claiming the club’s first-ever MLS Cup. Now, the challenge comes in defending it.
Montreal Impact signs forward Michael Salazar – Montreal Gazette
The Montreal Impact have signed forward Michael Salazar, their second pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, to a contract, the club announced Tuesday.
Why MLS should just sell itself and not the American dream – The Guardian
Forget the beaches and the shopping, Major League Soccer is growing into something a lot more than a lifestyle option with a football contract attached.
Capture the game in HD using aerial video, book now at www.gamevision.ca!
BC SOCCER NEWS
VISL Jackson Cup Quarterfinals Set – VISL
An interesting round of games coming this weekend. There will be no games taken for granted.
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
Algarve Cup 2016: Canada’s Women’s National Team Tournament Preview – CSA
Canada’s Women’s National Team will be seeking out a place in the final match of the Algarve Cup taking place 2-9 March, 2016.
Canada, Herdman buoyed by youth ahead of Olympics – The Equalizer
Canada’s preparation for the Rio Olympics will see John Herdman’s team participate in the Algarve Cup in Portugal from March 2-9. Canada will play in Group A vs Denmark (March 2), Belgium (March 4) and Iceland (March 7). A final placement match will close out the tournament on March 9.
Murphy receives male soccer player of year award – PEI Guardian
Jared Murphy repeated as the best male soccer player as the P.E.I. Soccer Association held its annual awards presentations Saturday in Charlottetown.
BC Soccer Leagues & Clubs – Share your News With The BC Soccer Community!
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
The psychology of the penalty shootout: why movement is key and hesitation can be fatal – The Guardian
Manchester City’s Willy Caballero enjoyed his finest hour at Wembley by changing his method during the shootout after conceding Emre Can’s Panenka opener to unnerve the remaining Liverpool penalty takers
Connect Your Business to Soccer in BC! Advertise with BC Soccer Web
WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
FCE’s Ledgerwood says that his Alberta return still hasn’t sunk in yet – the11.ca
Even though Nik Ledgerwood has been in training camp on Alberta soil for the past three weeks, it still hasn’t really hit him that he’ll be playing home games this year, well, at home.
Independence Sign Former PDL Standout Hellmann – USL
The Charlotte Independence announced on Wednesday they had signed former PDL standout Chris Hellmann for the 2016 USL season. The German forward is a former standout for the Des Moines Menace, and was selected by Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.
Will the United Soccer League propel San Antonio to MLS? – San Antonio Current
When new soccer club San Antonio FC holds its home opener next month, many parts of the game will look exactly as they did when the San Antonio Scorpions were the pro soccer squad in town.
PODCAST: NASL Nightcap #7: Soccer History in Edmonton and FC Edmonton with Steven Sandor – SPN
Theo talks Edmonton soccer, past present and future with Steven Sandor of the11.ca, Plasti Pitch and color commentator for FC Edmonton.
Follow BC Soccer Web on Twitter and get news throughout the day!
WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
PREVIEW: SHEBELIEVES CUP KICKS OFF ON THURSDAY – NWSL
Four of the top-five ranked teams in the world get set to square off over the next week at the inaugural SheBelieves Cup. The U.S. Women’s National Team, Germany, France and England will face off in the three-match round robin tournament – with the first games kicking off Thursday night at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
Becky Sauerbrunn: The Journey to 100 Caps – USSF
Becky Sauerbrunn is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world, and perhaps even the finest center-back playing the game today. A three-time NWSL Defender of the Year, she is the only player to have won an award in all three years of the league’s existence. The co-captain of the U.S. Women’s National Team recently celebrated her 100th appearance for the USA on Feb. 21 in a 2-0 U.S. win against Canada in the title match at the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship, thus becoming the 35th U.S. woman to reach the century mark in the history of the WNT program.
Australia send Vietnam to second straight loss in Women’s Olympic Qualifying – Tuoitrenew
Vietnam conceded their second consecutive defeat at the ongoing 2016 Olympics Asian women’s football final qualification round in Japan, as they were challenged by 2015 World Cup quarterfinalists Australia on Wednesday.
Sky Sports promote launch of #SWPL16 – Scottish Premier Women’s League
On the 1st of March 2016, the SWPL was delighted to welcome Sky Sports News to Hampden Park to promote the launch of the #SWPL16 season. View the footage now:
Potential U.S. soccer star takes a winding path – Portland Press Herald
Lindsey Horan has no regrets about her chosen path to the U.S. women’s soccer team. Horan, a 21-year-old midfielder, made the decision to skip college soccer and play professionally overseas for several years. Although it’s fairly common for men – Landon Donovan is one of many elite players who bypassed college – it’s nearly unheard of for women.
CSUF’s Christina Burkenroad turns pro after being selected by Orlando in the NWSL draft – Orange County Register
The Pride will debut as a NWSL franchise in the upcoming 2016 season. The NWSL, composed of 10 teams, is the premier league for women’s soccer in the United States. Players typically earn between $6,000 to $30,000 for a season.
Kiwi footballer banned for six months – New Zealand Herald
A Kiwi footballer has been banned from all sport for six months for taking a prohibited substance. The Sports Tribunal of New Zealand today issued a suspension to women’s national league player Kelsey Kennard after she took Probenecid last year.
BC Soccer Leagues & Clubs – Share your News With The BC Soccer Community!
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Premier League clubs admit to meeting over changes to Champions League – The Guardian
The Premier League’s self-styled leading clubs have denied discussing a breakaway European Super League but have admitted to meeting over changes to the format of the Champions League.
European breakaway league: Is football about to change forever? – BBC Sport
Such a move would mean the end of the Champions League and pose a huge threat to both the Premier League and Uefa, which governs European football.
Arsenal opposes breakaway European super league – Sportsnet
Arsenal went public with its opposition to a European Super League on Wednesday after a meeting of leading English Premier League clubs sparked fresh talk of a breakaway by the elite.
Leicester opens door for Premier League pack – Toronto Star
Leicester’s unlikely Premier League title challenge faltered with a 2-2 home draw with West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday, offering Tottenham the chance to take over first place in another twist to the most unpredictable race for the championship in years.
Premier League: Wednesday’s teams news and previews – BBC Sport
Latest team news and stats for Wednesday’s five Premier League games, as Tottenham aim to go top by beating West Ham, while Liverpool host Manchester City in a repeat of Sunday’s Capital One Cup final.
Galatasaray banned 1-year from UEFA competitions – Sportsnet
Turkish champion Galatasaray has been banned from UEFA competitions for one season for breaking Financial Fair Play rules.
Sydney FC stun Guangzhou Evergrande as Melbourne Victory draw in Japan – The Guardian
Sydney FC took down Guangzhou Evergrande, edging the cashed-up Chinese heavyweights 2-1 to steer their Asian Champions League campaign back on track.
Three points for a goal? League 1 America: the soccer revolution that never was – The Guardian
Two weeks ago Jim Paglia, a 63-year-old businessman, was moving home. The boxes in his new house no doubt contained possessions of personal interest. But hidden amongst the stacks was also a collection of documents that would intrigue the soccer public too. The boxes contained perhaps the last remnants of a failed bid against MLS’s claim to America’s first-division status: proposals for a single-entity league that looked to radically Americanize soccer and attract fans to a sport that had been in hiatus professionally for nearly a decade.