WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Four Whitecaps to travel 10,400 km for meaningless game before Sunday’s big home game against Houston – The Province
Whitecaps’ coach chafes at roster rules and long trip for mean-nothing CONCACAF match.
From the streets of Honduras to Major League Soccer: The remarkable journey of Deybi Flores – Whitecaps FC
It’s hard to fathom that Deybi Flores is only 19 years old, because he’s already been through more than many people do in a lifetime. Murders and gang activity, a devastating hurricane, and the deaths of close friends and family; growing up in San Pedro Sula, one of the most violent cities in the world, the Honduran midfielder has seen it all.
Depleted Vancouver Whitecaps take long flight to play nothing game – canada.com
Ravaged by injury, manager Carl Robinson planned to take only 12 or 13 players to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to face CD Olimpia Thursday in a CONCACAF Champions League match. The Seattle Sounders have already won Group F, which means the results of Thursday’s match at Estadio Tiburcio Carias Andino are meaningless.
Match Preview: Fear and Loathing in Tegucigalpa – Eighty-Six Forever
Days before their high-stakes meeting with Houston for the finale of the regular season, Vancouver travel to Honduras to face CD Olympia with absolutely nothing on the line for either side. The conclusion to the Blue and White’s first campaign in the Champions League feels in many respects like an inadvertently cruel joke.
Robinson: ’12 or 13 players’ will travel to Honduras for Olimpia match – Whitecaps FC
It’s no secret the ‘Caps are dealing with “a serious glut of injuries at the moment,” as Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson put it. But just how bad is it? Well, Robinson revealed on Monday that they’ll likely be travelling to Honduras with just 12 or 13 players.
Leader-less Whitecaps dying slow, painful death – 24 Hours
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s 2015 season in Major League Soccer is coming to an end with one match remaining on Sunday. Sadly, the ‘Caps season – despite claiming a spot in the MLS playoffs – seems to be slowly dying a painful death.
Shield race intensifies as Red Bulls, Dallas play simultaneously on Sunday – Empire of Soccer
MLS announced a schedule change for what they are dubbing “#DecisionDay,” changing the starting time of Sunday’s Chicago Fire, New York Red Bulls match from 2 p.m. PT slot to 4 p.m. PT. The change allows the New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas, two teams tied at 57 points atop the overall standings and fighting for the MLS Supporters’ Shield, to kick off simultaneously.
Decision Day: Here’s everything you need to know before Sunday – MLS
There are still four spots in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs that remain unclaimed heading into the day of the regular season. But there’s also plenty more at stake, especially when it comes to playoff seeding.
MLS Decision Day: Which club faces the most pressure? – ESPN FC
Sunday is Decision Day in Major League Soccer, as the league’s 20 clubs finish their regular-season campaigns. The Eastern Conference games take place at 2 p.m. PT, followed by the West at 4 p.m. PT.
New York Red Bulls, FC Dallas prove that money isn’t everything in MLS – ESPN FC
A funny thing happened, at least in terms of the Supporters Shield. Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, that trophy is set to be claimed by one of two teams — the New York Red Bulls or FC Dallas — who not only fall into the realm of low budget, but whose respective payrolls (based on the latest salary figures from the MLS Players Union) are the lowest in the league.
MLS, Twitter expanding partnership for Decision Day season finales – SI.com
To make Decision Day even bigger, MLS is expanding its partnership with Twitter to do some interesting, interactive things.
Portland Timbers Fanendo Adi named MLS Player of the Week – Timbers.com
Portland Timbers forward Fanendo Adi was named Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 33 of the 2015 MLS season, it was announced today.
Salt Lake completes MLS sweep into CCL quarterfinals – Soccer America
By beating Municipal, 1-0, Tuesday at Rio Tinto Stadium Real Salt Lake added a record fourth MLS entry to the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals.
Track the seeding for the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals – MLS
The maximum number of four MLS teams have cleared the first hurdle in search of continental history, each trying to become the first MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions League.
Tim Leiweke joins David Beckham’s MLS in Miami investment group – Miami Herald
David Beckham added another heavy hitter to his management team as he continues to work toward launching a Major League Soccer team in Miami. According to sources close to negotiations, the newcomer to the investment group is Tim Leiweke, the president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which runs the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL, Toronto Raptors of the NBA and Toronto FC of MLS.
Miami vote on proposed MLS club stadium due in December – ESPN FC
A vote on a proposed soccer stadium for David Beckham’s potential MLS club could go before the Miami city commission as early as December, with a referendum going before Miami voters in March, according to several Miami politicians and officials.
Red Bulls shop naming rights for Red Bull Arena – Empire of Soccer
Sports Business Journal reports the New York Red Bulls “have begun exploring a naming-rights deal for Red Bull Arena” which would include a 10-year deal and a seven-figure sponsorship price tag.
DraftKings, FanDuel FBI investigation could freeze daily fantasy players’ money for years – Washington Post
There are a number of possible outcomes for the growing list of investigations into daily fantasy companies being mounted by federal and local law enforcement agencies across the country. These inquiries could conclude – as DraftKings and FanDuel officials adamantly maintain – that daily fantasy is legal, and that a DraftKings employee implicated in allegations of “insider trading” did nothing wrong and gained no competitive advantage.
Follow @bcsoccerweb on Twitter Today!
BC SOCCER NEWS
Heat soccer teams out of playoff picture – Kelowna Capital News
A playoff berth for the second straight season wasn’t to be for the UBC Okanagan Heat men’s soccer team. The Heat closed out its 2015 Canada West schedule on the weekend with a tie and a loss at home to finish at 3-5-4 and in fifth place the Pacific Division.
High-scoring Spartans at it again – Langley Times
The Trinity Western Spartans women’s soccer team continues to steamroll their opponents. The Spartans scored another 10 goals — they have 15 in their last three games — in defeating the Winnipeg Wesmen 4-0 and the Manitoba Bisons 6-0 at TWU’s Rogers Field over the weekend.
Whitecaps FC Okanagan Academy players get training opportunity in Vancouver – Whitecaps FC
The aim of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC development structure is to provide opportunities for promising young players to rise through the ranks and continue to move up the pyramid to higher levels.
FIFA 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
CANADA vs. HONDURAS
7:00 PM, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015
B.C. PLACE, VANCOUVER, B.C.
FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Canada vs. Honduras at B.C. Place, Fri. Nov.13 – Buy Tickets Here
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Silence is golden: rookie sensation Cyle Larin quietly realizes the hype in Orlando – The Guardian
Cyle Larin earned the nickname ‘the Silent Giant’ for good reasons with the Sigma FC youth team in Toronto. He was often head and shoulders the biggest kid on the pitch and scored goals for fun, but he was also the quietest. Likewise at the University of Connecticut, the 6ft 2in striker was a force to be reckoned with but rarely talked the talk to go with his goal-scoring walk.
Buchanan and Herdman shortlisted for 2015 FIFA Ballon d’Or awards – CSA
Canadian Women’s National Team centre back Kadeisha Buchanan and Head Coach John Herdman and have been announced as shortlist nominees for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year and FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football awards.
CIS TOP TEN TUESDAY (#8): Western women’s hockey, UBC men’s soccer move up to No. 1 – CIS
In men’s soccer, UBC (9-0-1) joins UQAM (7-0-1) atop the rankings after spending three straight weeks at No. 2 behind the Citadins. The Thunderbirds were impressive last weekend in a pair of road wins against Thompson Rivers, 3-0, and UBC Okanagan, 6-0, while the Citadins edged archrival Montreal 2-1 in their lone outing.
Shome finding success at CIS level with Golden Bears – FC Edmonton
It has been a bright start in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) competition for FC Edmonton Academy graduate Shamit Shome. The 18-year-old has posted impressive numbers for the University of Alberta Golden Bears in his inaugural season in Canada West, making a case for Rookie of the Year in the eyes of Academy technical director Jeff Paulus.
Find a Team or Find a Player. Get Playing with BC Soccer Web FREE Classifieds
NASL & USL NEWS
Were the independent, affiliated, or MLS2 teams most successful in the 2015 USL season? – Goat Parade
The 2015 USL season is in the books, with the Rochester Rhinos finishing as champions at home on Friday, beating LA Galaxy II. With the season over, I thought it would be a good time to look back at the three groupings of teams in the league, and compare their performances this season.
Ottawa Fury win to all but nail down an NASL fall season title – Ottawa Citizen
It took some time, but the Ottawa Fury finally found their swagger, and with it found themselves closer to the ultimate goal.
PREVIEW: ARMADA FC -vs- FURY FC – Ottawa Fury FC
One Team. One Vision. A statement that sums up the 2015 season for Fury FC ever so well. A team with a unified vision that now finds itself ONE point from capturing the first piece of silverware in club history – the Fall Season Championship – that would earn them home field advantage for the Championship Semifinal.
Greece international Samaras continues to train with the New York Cosmos – Twice A Cosmo
The New York Cosmos will be losing two key players this winter, as both Marcos Senna and Raul Gonzalez are retiring following the North American Soccer League season. Head coach Gio Savarese confirmed on Tuesday that a possible replacement for Raul is already training with the team, however, as Greece international Georgios Samaras remains in New York, training with the club.
Triangle tech entreprenuer poised to acquire RailHawks from Traffic Sports – WRAL
Five months after the ripples of the FIFA corruption scandal reached all the way to Cary, the Carolina RailHawks nearly have a new owner.
BC Soccer Web Premium Classified Ads from only 50 cents per day!
WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Orlando City to Launch the Orlando Pride NWSL Team; Announce Head Coach – Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC today announced the Club will launch a new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team in 2016, the Orlando Pride. In addition, the Club named former head coach of the Australian and U.S. women’s national teams, Tom Sermanni, as head coach of the Pride.
Reign defender, 2008 Olympic champion Cox retires – The Equalizer
Seattle Reign FC defender and 2008 Olympic gold medalist Stephanie Cox announced her retirement on Monday.
Jess Fishlock: Seattle Reign player considered Wales retirement – BBC Sport
She expressed disappointment after being left out of the Wales squad for February’s Istria Cup tournament in Croatia but returned for back-to-back friendlies against Slovakia in April.
NCAA Weekly: Duke upsets rival North Carolina – The Equalizer
For the first time in a decade Friday, the Blue Devils defeated the Tar Heels, 1-0. Imani Dorsey scored the game’s only goal in the 44th minute to give the visitors the victory. Friday’s loss marked only the second time in North Carolina’s history that the team has dropped three straight decisions. The Tar Heels have a remaining ACC schedule which includes both Notre Dame and Clemson, who are both currently ranked in the top 25.
Advertise your Soccer School or Academy from only 50 cents per day!
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Copa America to Emerge From FIFA Scandal Seeking New Partners – Bloomberg
The soccer event at the heart of FIFA’s corruption scandal is open for business — legitimate business. The Copa America Centenario, featuring 16 national teams from North and South America, was meant to celebrate the 100th anniversary of soccer’s oldest regional tournament. Instead, it devolved into a maelstrom of graft as U.S. authorities alleged soccer leaders sold the rights to sports marketer Datisa for millions of dollars in bribes.
USSF releases latest financial information – Washington Post
The U.S. Soccer Federation has posted financial statements covering April 2014 through March 2015. While the documents do not shed fresh light on everyone’s favorite topic, coaching salaries, they do include a few tasty items.
Paris ready to silence Ronaldo and Real Madrid – UEFA
Laurent Blanc says last season’s victory over Barcelona is cause for Paris hope ahead of the visit of Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo, as two sides still unbeaten in 2015/16 meet.
In the Premier League, another crisis is always just around the corner – ESPN FC
How can Chelsea be in crisis when they won the title last year? Why would Liverpool sack a manager when they were only a handful of points off the top of the table? Fine, United’s defeat at the Emirates was embarrassing, a setback, but let’s not go overboard. They’re in the Champions League. It’s not a proper crisis unless you might end up in the Championship.
Roma fight back vs. Leverkusen only to end up settling for a harmful 4-4 draw – ESPN FC
Roma have now conceded eight goals in their three Champions League group games, with six of those coming in the first half-hour. That ill discipline — they have kept just one clean sheet this season — means that they are bottom of Group E on just two points despite scoring seven times.
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo lead candidates for FIFA’s Ballon d’Or – SI.com
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo headline the list of 23 players named as candidates for FIFA’s Ballon d’Or award Tuesday.
Rodriguez, Modric, Benzema, Danilo and now Bale — Real Madrid bitten by FIFA virus – Goal
Rafa Benitez is already having to deal with an injury crisis beyond his control, with several stars returning hurt from international duty.
Chivas earns boost ahead of Atlas with Copa MX shoot-out win vs. Veracruz – ESPN FC
Veracruz striker Julio Furch was one penalty kick away from sending his team to the semifinal of the Copa MX on Tuesday. But Furch blasted the ball at least a meter over the crossbar and Chivas went on to win the penalty shootout 6-5, following a 1-1 draw over the 90 minutes of the quarterfinal in the Estadio Omnilife.
Bob Bradley reportedly in advanced discussions to coach French side Le Havre AC – Goal
France Football is reporting that Bradley is in advanced discussions with French second-division side Le Havre AC to become the club’s new manager. Currently in the final weeks of his contract with Norwegian club Stabaek, Bradley has been linked to a variety of jobs in Europe, but the Le Havre link is the first to have him in the closing stages of accepting a deal.
U.S. Soccer presents youth clubs with vital document; more meeting details – SI.com
Youth club representatives left a meeting with U.S. Soccer on Friday feeling optimistic about their ability to procure at least some fees for their efforts in player development. The federation finally revealed the document that it says prevents American clubs from following the same FIFA protocol on training compensation and solidarity as the rest of the world, but the USSF said it would not stand in the way of youth clubs receiving those payments for players moving abroad.
Matt Scott: Home comforts are stifling for Englishmen’s football ambitions – Inside World Football
For the past five years English clubs have been obliged to carry eight Englishmen in their 25-man squads. Yet the number of English players in Premier League teams has continued to fall. Greg Dyke’s answer is for more regulation, raising the quota to 12. But is the cure for a failed rule more of the same?