BC Soccer News, Wednesday, May 24, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS

2017 CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINAL

 VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC  2   MONTREAL IMPACT  1

1ST LEG

TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2017

BC PLACE, VANCOUVER, BC

Fonzie makes it a happy day for Vancouver Whitecaps in Canadian Championship win over Montreal – AFTN
A dazzling first half display from Alphonso Davies saw Vancouver Whitecaps come out of their Canadian Championship semi-final first leg match with Montreal Impact with the slight upper hand after a 2-1 win at BC Place on Wednesday night.

Davies, Mezquida, Richey star as ‘Caps win 2-1 over Impact in Canadian Championship semis first leg – Whitecaps FC
Alphonso Davies and Nicolás Mezquida scored in the first half to give Vancouver Whitecaps FC a nail-biting 2-1 win over Montreal Impact in the first leg of the Canadian Championship semifinal series. David Choinière tallied an important away goal for the visitors at BC Place on Tuesday evening.

Vancouver 2, Montreal 1 | 2017 Canadian Championship Match Recap – MLS
In what was truly a game of two halves, the Vancouver Whitecaps sweated out a 2-1 home win against the Montreal Impact in the first leg of their Canadian Championship semifinal series on Tuesday night.

Whitecaps find right balance to trip Impact in CCL semifinal opener – The Province
In the push and pull of the never-ending Major League Soccer season, the Vancouver Whitecaps faced something of a dilemma on Tuesday night.

Montreal Impact lament missed opportunities against Vancouver Whitecaps – Montreal Gazette
The Impact had a good result in its opening game of the Canadian Championship series Tuesday night in Vancouver but return to Montreal knowing it could have been better.

Whitecaps stay grounded as buzz keeps building around “electric” Davies – MLS
The Vancouver Whitecaps are in pole position in their hunt for a sixth Canadian Championship final in the past seven seasons, and Alphonso Davies is at the wheel.

Vancouver Whitecaps Win Again – Soccer Shorts
Carl Robinson’s “Year of Great Experimentation” continued in the Canadian Championship on Wednesday evening as the Whitecaps beat the Montreal Impact 2-1 in the first leg of the tie.

Canadian Championship Review: Ottawa stuns Toronto FC, Davies shines in Whitecaps win – SN
Second-division side Ottawa Fury picked up a win over an MLS team for the second consecutive year, as the USL outfit defeated Toronto FC 2-1 in the Canadian Championship on Tuesday.

Ottawa Fury 2, Toronto FC 1 | 2017 Canadian Championship Match Recap – MLS
The Ottawa Fury took the first-ever Battle of Ontario on Tuesday night with a 2-1 win over Toronto FC in the first leg of their 2017 Canadian Championship semifinal series.

Fury stuns Toronto FC in first leg of Canadian Cup semifinal – Toronto Sun
A lack of urgency Tuesday night at TD Place cost Toronto FC a chance at a far more comfortable return leg.

Toronto get “wakeup call” in “sloppy” Canadian Championship loss at Ottawa – MLS
If Toronto FC needed any reminder that nothing comes easy, the Ottawa Fury were more than eager to impart that lesson.

It’s complicated: Inside the drama of the Cyle Larin transfer triangle – Four Four Two
There are many forces at play with Cyle Larin’s potential move to Europe. It isn’t as simple as buying or selling.

Miguel Almiron wins MLS Player of the Week – Vavel
Atlanta United’s Miguel Almiron scooped the MLS Player of the Week award after scoring an impressive hat-trick during Atlanta’s 4-1 win over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

Minnesota coach Adrian Heath not suspended for matchup against Orlando City – Orlando Sentinel
When Minnesota United FC coach Adrian Heath took a few strides out onto the playing field and knocked away a stray ball over the weekend, Orlando City fans knew he was in trouble.

Sounders FC 2016 MLS Cup-winning team receives championship rings  – Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC today presented its 2016 MLS Cup-winning team and staff with championship rings, designed by Jostens. Rings were awarded during a private ceremony to all players, technical staff and front office employees who were with the team for its historic 2016 season.

Some Angelino MLS fans want a tagging war – LAG Confidential
If you haven’t heard by now, over the weekend a bit of neighborhood mischief unfolded in the mean streets of Los Angeles.

MLS PHOTOS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, Sporting Kansas City 0, May 20, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Richard Howes.

3v3 Live Soccer Tour Comes to Canada

BC SOCCER NEWS

BC PROVINCIAL MEN’S A CUP PHOTOS: Club Inter 2 Aldergrove United 0, May 14, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Monique Lamoureux.

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.

Longtime KYSA president recognized by B.C. Soccer – CJFC
The BC Soccer Association has announced that the immediate past-president and a current director of the Kamloops Youth Soccer Association (KYSA), Graham Cope, will be presented with their Award of Merit at the organization’s Annual General Meeting, Saturday, June 10 in Burnaby.

Cascades women’s soccer adds five B.C. standouts to recruiting class – UFV Cascades
The University of the Fraser Valley women’s soccer program is pleased to introduce a second group of Class of 2017 recruits, headlined by blue-chip midfielder Janelle Henke.

2017 Women’s Soccer Tryouts – UBCO Heat
Students that have the desire to play varsity soccer and are attending UBC Okanagan and were unable to attend an ID camp will have the opportunity to display their abilities  for the coaching staff at our WALK ON camp on August 2nd.

Royals win North Shore soccer showdown – North Shore News
It was a battle that pitted two of the top teams in British Columbia high school soccer against each other, and in the end only one was left standing with a chance at winning a provincial championship.

KYSA round-up to May 22, 2017 – Kamloops This Week
Two under-14 Kamloops Blaze boys’ teams claimed silver medals at the Slurpee Cup in the Tournament Capital on the weekend.

Edmonton takes soccer tournament title – Vernon Star
The Edmonton Arsenal roster consists of several players who learned the beautiful game in countries like Lebanon, El Salvador and Colombia. That blend was magic as the Arsenal won the Men’s Over 35 division title in the 38th Vernon National Oldtimers Soccer Tournament, dispatching the LWO Legends of Salmon Arm 1-0 in Monday’s final at sun-drenched MacDonald Park.

PDL PHOTOS: TSS Rovers 2 Lane Utd. 2, May 12, 2017 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

2017 BC Soccer Adult Provincial Championships – BCSA
The Road to Burnaby continues! Complete brackets and results from the weekend’s games in the BC Provincial Cups.

3V3 LIVE NATIONAL SOCCER TOUR COMES TO ABBOTSFORD – 3v3 Live Canada
3v3 Live Soccer Tour and Holbrook Sports Management are excited to announce the expansion of the 3v3 Live Soccer Tour into the Canadian soccer market.  With the first event previously announced to take place on the August 19/20 weekend in Surrey, BC, the 3v3 Soccer Tour will expand to Abbotsford, BC, on August 20 and will include men’s and women’s open divisions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 Premium Classified Advertising on BC Soccer Web Starting at 50 cents per day!

CANADA SOCCER NEWS

Impact’s Patrice Bernier to attend Canada’s selection camp – Sportsnet
Montreal Impact captain Patrice Bernier has confirmed that he will be at the Canadian men’s national soccer team camp as it prepares for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Syrian, Canadian students put best foot forward after altercation at Red Deer high school – CBC
As an anti-immigration protest outside a Red Deer, Alta., high school wrapped up Tuesday, RCMP Const. Derek Turner looked over to see a friendly soccer match underway in the schoolyard. The Syrian and Canadian players, integrated as a community, were apparently unaffected by race.

KW United’s Wesley Cain Looking for an Opportunity – Northern Starting XI
Wesley Cain, although he has worked on a backup plan through his Communication Studies degree, is focused on creating a professional career in soccer. He explains that he went into the NCAA route because while he loves “soccer so much, it’s what I want to do the rest of my life; even if I play professional soccer it’s got to end”. Yet his focus remains breaking through the difficult barrier into the professional ranks.

Early-season League1 Ontario leaders beginning to emerge – Ontario Soccer
Unbeaten records were extended or ended during League1 Matchweek Four.

WSA Winnipeg Match Review – Des Moines Menace – Northern Starting XI
The team kicked off their season at 2016 Heartland Division champions Des Moines Menace on 20 May. The weather was cold – around 10C at kick off –  and the wind was howling.

Register for the Western Canada College ID Camp at Shawnigan Lake

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE

WFC2  vs.  REAL MONARCHS SLC

SUNDAY, MAY 28, 2017, 3:00 PM

BUY TICKETS

McLEOD ATHLETIC PARK, LANGLEY, BC

LIVESTREAM: WHITECAPSFC2.COM

USL Week 10: A Midweek Look Ahead – SBI
With USL sides involved in the U.S. Open Cup, the first double game week of the season is upon us.

Rising FC Names Carteron as Head Coach – USL
Phoenix Rising Football Club announced on Monday it had appointed former Mali National Men’s Team manager Patrice Carteron as the club’s new Head Coach. Carteron replaces Frank Yallop, who resigned in April to rejoin his family in northern California.

MLS: Investment in USL teams begins to pay dividends – Soccer America
While a lot of attention has been given to the influx of players signed to DP contracts or on TAM deals, MLS clubs that launched USL second teams are beginning to get mileage out of players they promoted.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK | Jacksonville Armada FC Zach Steinberger – NASL
California native tallies two goals, assist in emphatic road win in San Francisco.

Kelly voted USL player of the week – Reno Gazette-Journal
Reno 1868 FC forward Dane Kelly was voted the USL Player of the Week for Week 9.

Michael Collins Named President and General Manager of Orange County’s NASL Club – NASL
The new professional soccer club in Orange County, which was introduced on May 10 as a member of the NASL, has made its first key hire. Michael Collins, a former professional player, will serve as the club’s president and general manager.

For Cosmos’ Guerra, Fútbol and Football American Style – Empire of Soccer
The New York Cosmos have a midfielder — Juan Guerra — who is comfortable on the large expanse of a soccer field or the 100-yard gridiron of American football.

Sky Blue-North Carolina Showdown in NWSL – Empire of Soccer
First place in the National Women’s Soccer League will be on the line Wednesday night when Sky Blue, winners of two straight, and the North Carolina Courage, losers of two straight, face off at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.

Pugh, Spirit hope for second chance against FCKC – Prost Amerika
Last Saturday, the Washington Spirit rolled out the red carpet for their newest signing Mallory Pugh in a match against FC Kansas City. Although the result did not go their way Pugh and the rest of the Spirit will hope for better fortunes when they travel to FCKC in the second match of this ‘home-and-home’ series.

Ashlyn Harris out eight weeks with quad injury – The Equalizer
The Orlando Pride announced Tuesday evening that starting goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris will be out for eight weeks after suffering a quadriceps injury near her hip during Sunday’s match against the Seattle Reign.

Quiet, but effective: These 5 are the secret stars of the NWSL – Four Four Two
You know the big names, but these five players are the engines of their respective teams.

WSL 1 – Week 7 Preview: Big games ahead for Manchester City and Chelsea – Vavel
As the WSL 1 Spring Series reaches its closing weeks there are some tough clashes for both City and Chelsea.

VIDEO: Player Profile: Raquel Rodriguez (Sky Blue FC) | #NWSLonLifetime – YouTube
Sky Blue FC midfielder Raquel “Rocky” Rodriguez describes the journey from her childhood in Costa Rica to the realization of her dream to be a professional soccer player and role model.

Milestone appointment for Michelle O’Neill – RTE
Michelle O’Neill has become the first female Irish assistant referee to be appointed to a UEFA Women’s European Championships. O’Neill will run the line at this summer’s Euros in the Netherlands.

Toppserien Week 6 Review: Røa and Avaldsnes only two to win away from home – Vavel
In a week with little surprises in the Toppserien the only movers in the table were Klepp and Røa, who capitalised on Vålerenga dropping points.

Ajax vs Manchester United – Europa League Final Preview – Fussballstadt
After a lethargic season for Jose Mourinho’s side, the Europa League final presents an opportunity to claim the last remaining trophy that England’s most successful club side are yet to win.

Somber, defiant mood to reign at Europa League final – Soccer America
Manchester United observed a minute of silence during its training session Tuesday morning before players, coaches and staff boarded a plane for a flight to Stockholm, where it plays Ajax at Friends Arena on Wednesday. It was reported that pupils from some schools supported in part by the Manchester United Foundation attended the concert. This club, and this city, are deep in mourning.

Police operation ‘huge’ for Europa League final – Swedish FA – ESPN FC
The Swedish FA’s head of security has told The Times the police operation for Wednesday’s Europa League final in Stockholm will be “one of the biggest” seen in the country.

Where the Europa League final might be won and lost – UEFA
Varying styles and contrasting experience but shared difficulties away from home in Europe this season – Ajax versus Manchester United promises to be an intriguing final.

Manchester United’s £455 million spend in three years dwarfs Ajax’s all-time transfer outlay – SN
Manchester United have spent more on transfer fees in the past three years than Europa League final opponents Ajax have since the end of World War II.

Chelsea cancel title parade after Manchester Arena bomb attack – ESPN FC
Chelsea have cancelled Sunday’s victory parade to celebrate their Premier League win amid heightened security concerns in the aftermath of the Manchester bomb attack.

Messi loses Supreme Court appeal over tax-fraud conviction – SI.com
The court confirmed the 21-month prison sentence handed to Messi for defrauding tax authorities of 4.1 million euros ($4.6 million) from 2007-09. He is not expected to go to prison because sentences of less than two years for first offenses are usually suspended in Spain.

Soccer Star Homes Raided in Money-Laundering Investigation – Bloomberg
Two of France’s best-paid soccer players, Argentine attackers Javier Pastore and Angel di Maria, are being investigated on suspicion of money laundering, according to people familiar with the matter.

Ex-President of F.C. Barcelona Is Arrested in Corruption Inquiry – NY Times
Spanish police investigators arrested the former president of F.C. Barcelona, Sandro Rosell, on Tuesday as part of an inquiry into money laundering and kickbacks said to have been paid for the television rights for matches involving Brazil’s national soccer team.

Real Madrid seal deal for young Brazilian star Vinicius Junior – ESPN FC
Madrid announced they had signed the 16-year-old on Tuesday, effective in July 2018 when the forward turns 18. FIFA youth transfer regulations do not allow international transfers of players under 18, with few exceptions.

Sam Allardyce has surely not retired – an international return could be perfect – The Guardian
Allardyce has left Crystal Palace to spend more time with his family but he will be in demand among struggling clubs next winter and if more downtime really is key, Scotland and Wales should try to tempt him.

FA Cup final: Arsenal defenders Gabriel & Laurent Koscielny ruled out – BBC Sport
Arsenal defender Gabriel will miss Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley after being ruled out for up to eight weeks.

U20WC: Uruguay book last-16 ticket with tough win over Japan – FIFA
A moment of brilliance from Jose Luis Rodriguez and Nicolas Schiappacasse, and a late goal from Mathias Olivera proved to be enough for Uruguay to beat Japan 2-0 in their Group D encounter in Suwon.

Liverpool beats A-League champions before 72,892 fans – Sportsnet
Daniel Sturridge, Alberto Moreno and Roberto Firmino all scored in the first half of the match at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney, which drew a crowd of 72,892 spectators.

Manchester United: Guillermo Varela’s new tattoo costs him Eintracht future – BBC Sport
Guillermo Varela has been suspended by his loan club Eintracht Frankfurt and told to go back to Manchester United after getting a tattoo against orders.

The Fall of the House of Fifa by David Conn review – a long tale of corruption and seediness – The Guardian
A Guardian journalist’s study of Sepp Blatter and other football officials is full of startling material and has cumulative power.