WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Confident Whitecaps waiting to learn MLS Playoffs opponent – Red Nation Online
The Vancouver Whitecaps are currently in a waiting game at the moment and that suits them just fine. Carl Robinson and his second seeded MLS western conference Whitecaps returned to training this week to focus, prepare, and recover from any nagging injuries as they wait to see who they will play in MLS playoff second round competition.
‘Now the fun starts:’ Robinson, ‘Caps excited for impending playoff run – Whitecaps FC
They’re still awaiting an opponent, but Vancouver Whitecaps FC kicked off preparations for the Western Conference Semifinals on Tuesday on UBC.
Whitecaps’ Harvey has been waiting a long time for the MLS playoffs – The Province
Jordan Harvey has played 214 MLS regular-season games and two playoffs games. People tend to root for those kind of guys at this time of year.
Whitecaps eager to kickstart mission possible – Vancouver Sun
Russell Teibert has lived the journey. When the left-footed midfielder from Niagara Falls, Ont., joined the Vancouver Whitecaps’ residency program in 2008, he was 15 years old and the first team played home games in front of 5,000 people at Swangard Stadium in something called the United Soccer Leagues.
MLS first-round playoff preview: Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy – SI.com
The Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy comprised part of the Western Conference logjam of three teams tied on 51 points. Seattle only hosts their playoff game on Wednesday (7 p.m. PT; UniMás, TSN2, MLS Live, RDS2) by virtue of having one more regular-season win, though LA’s goal difference is two goals better.
LA Galaxy ready for win-or-go-home playoff match against rivals Seattle Sounders – LA Galaxy
Two arch-rivals with a bitter, postseason history meet again Wednesday when the defending MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy travel to Seattle’s CenturyLink Field to take on the Sounders (7 p.m., TSN2) in a Western Conference knockout-round game.
As Sounders FC prepare for LA Galaxy, what role will Steven Gerrard play? – Sounders FC
Nobody within Sounders FC’s locker room on Sunday would necessarily allow that the team explicitly wanted to face the LA Galaxy in the playoffs this year. It’s a tough postseason matchup that hasn’t ended well for Seattle in the past, and in some ways most of the team probably does simply see the coming game as just another stepping stone, not a chance at some sort of cinematic revenge.
MLS first-round playoff preview: D.C. United vs. New England Revolution – SI.com
It’s the only knockout round matchup pitting MLS originals (or teams that have been in the league for at least half its 20 seasons, for that matter), and Wednesday evening’s RFK Stadium showdown between D.C. United and the New England Revolution (7:30 p.m. ET; UniMás, TSN2, MLS Live, RDS2) will have a retro feel.
Tactical preview of DC United vs. New England Revolution in Wednesday’s Knockout Round – MLS
Weird match-ups make for interesting soccer, and if we treat that as “true” rather than a bunch of homespun, thoughtless bunk, then New England’s trip to RFK Stadium on Wednesday evening (4:30 pm PT: UniMas in the US; TSN2 in Canada) should be the most interesting game in the Knockout Round of the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.
2015 MLS Cup Playoffs – Knockout Round assignments – PRO Referees
The 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs Knockout Round referee assignments.
TFC focusing on Drogba ahead of playoff game – TSN
As if Toronto FC hadn’t had enough of him Sunday, star Montreal striker Didier Drogba has dominated talk ahead of Thursday’s playoff rematch between the two Canadian rivals.
TFC coach brings out best in Osorio, Morgan – Sportsnet
In particular, Vanney has played a prominent role in bringing the best out of midfielder Jonathan Osorio and defender Ashtone Morgan, helping the pair of Canadians to further develop and to enjoy the best years of their professional careers.
Giovinco will win MLS MVP — but more is needed to make Toronto’s season a success – Goal
The “Atomic Ant” has been better in his inaugural MLS campaign than anyone could have ever imagined, and after already securing the league’s Golden Boot award, he’s also the odds-on favourite to collect the Newcomer of the Year and Most Valuable Player titles.
Sporting Kansas City trio continue unique streak in fifth straight postseason with same club – MLS
It’s a small club, with a membership roll based on longevity, performance, club success and the requisite bit of good fortune – and Sporting Kansas City players make up half of it.
Sizing up the MLS playoff field: Red Bulls the favorites to lift first MLS Cup – Goal
The most wide open playoff race in league history kicks off Wednesday, with Ives Galarcep laying out the odds each team has of lifting the MLS Cup in December.
Some lesser-known Vancouver Whitecaps stats – 24 Hours
The Major League Soccer season has come to a close and Vancouver Whitecaps FC — despite some late-season woes — finished second in the west and earned a first-round bye to the Western Conference semifinals that begin Sunday.
How the space invader Giovinco took over MLS – TSN
The case for MVP is closed. Close the polling stations, discard any more votes and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It was the finest season by a player in the history of Major League Soccer. He arrived with many in the United States asking ‘who?’ and by season end he was a player you couldn’t take your eyes off. He never disappointed the paying public and did a little bit of everything.
Ibrahimovic has heart set on MLS switch with Miami favoured destination – report – MLSGB
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and MLS. The link that just won’t go away. The charismatic Swedish striker is today being linked with a move to David Beckham’s projected Miami franchise by French newspaper L’Equipe.
In England, Embracing M.L.S. for What It Is, Not What It Isn’t – NY Times
It is unclear how many British fans follow Major League Soccer. The league does not keep track, and Sky Sports, which broadcasts a minimum of two games a week under a new rights agreement, declined to share viewership numbers. Still, there is clearly some appetite for American soccer, even if pub owners refuse to turn on the games.
Frank Lampard receives OBE at Buckingham Palace – Goal
Frank Lampard was honored for services to football with an Order of the British Empire at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The midfielder, who earned 106 caps for England before retiring in August 2014, spent six years at West Ham after coming through the youth ranks before moving to Chelsea in 2001.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Soccer CIS Top 10: Five Canada West teams ranked ahead of playoffs – Canada West
With the Canada West Playoffs set to open this weekend, a trio of conference women’s teams are ranked inside the CIS top 10, while a pair of men’s side earned a place in the latest poll released Tuesday.
Hundal, Neilson named Canada West Stars of the Week for weekend performance – UVic
Cam Hundal, Victoria (Men’s Soccer)
The University of Victoria Vikes men’s soccer team capped off their Canada West regular season with a 6-3-3 record and, ultimately, home-field advantage in the next round of playoffs, the quarter-finals. Fifth-year midfielder Cam Hundal was instrumental in two wins this weekend, Oct. 23-24, over Fraser Valley and Trinity Western.
Vikes women face familiar Cascades side in quarter-finals – UVic
The University of Victoria Vikes women’s soccer team begins their 2015 Canada West playoffs on the road in Abbotsford, B.C. with a matchup against the Fraser Valley Cascades in the quarter-final round. The Vikes and Cascades battled it out for hosting rights in the final game of the season with the Cascades securing the honours after a 2-2 draw at Centennial Stadium on Oct. 24.
Victoria men have first encounter with Mount Royal in quarter-finals – UVic
The University of Victoria Vikes men’s soccer team enters the Canada West quarter-finals on home field, Oct. 30, at Centennial Stadium against the Prairie Division’s No. 3-ranked Mount Royal Cougars. The Vikes are riding the momentum of an eight-goal weekend, Oct. 23-24, in which they took maximum points from the Fraser Valley and Trinity Western.
UBCO Heat Men’s soccer Spring ID Camp – UBCO
Coming up this March is a Spring ID Camp for players that have an interest in attending UBC Okanagan and playing Canada West Soccer.
UNBC men made ‘tremendous improvement’ in 2015 season – Prince George Citizen
If there is a way to summarize the UNBC men’s soccer season, it might be themed a season of change. The Timberwolves had to get used to new interim head coach Steve Simonson, who replaced his friend Alan Alderson right before the kick-off to the Canada West exhibition season in mid-August.
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
Referee Bejarano Removed from Canada – Honduras WCQ Match for Alleged Comments – BC Soccer Web
It’s often been said in soccer that the best referee is the one you never notice. That old adage may be ringing in the head of Costa Rica’s Henry Bejarano this week. His public compliments for Honduras and his native Costa Rica have cost him a World Cup qualifying assignment for his entire crew of Costa Rican officials.
El Salvador descends into chaos ahead of World Cup qualifiers – Some Canadian Guys Writing About Soccer
Concacaf, the happy-fun-scandal ball that never stops bouncing. We’re still over two weeks away from the next round of World Cup qualifying, and already a minor controversy around comments made in the media has resulted in a refereeing switch for Canada’s opening round match against Honduras. Now, another one of Canada’s group rivals have pitched into chaos. There are many moving parts involved, but the gist is that the El Salvador squad has basically refused to train because of a dispute over money.
Eight Canadians available ahead of NWSL expansion draft – Red Nation Online
The list of protected and unprotected players for the expansion draft came out on Monday, with Orlando able to pick 10 players from the unprotected side in next week’s draft. Just three Canadians in the league were protected by their clubs: Christine Sinclair, Diana Matheson and Allysha Chapman.
Final CCAA Men’s Soccer Rankings for 2015 – CCAA
Keyano Huskies from Fort McMurray, AB. enter the postseason ranked #1.
Final CCAA Women’s Soccer Rankings for 2015 – CCAA
Élans du Cégep Garneau from Quebec City is ranked #1 entering the postseason.
Manitoba premier defends loan backstop to crumbling Winnipeg football stadium – Canada.com
Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger is defending a loan guarantee of $35.3 million to repair Winnipeg’s brand-new football stadium and facing a call for the auditor general to investigate its construction.
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NASL & USL NEWS
Underdog Fury FC looks to push for NASL crown in second season – SBI
Heading into the NASL’s Fall Season, Ottawa Fury FC had every reason to fail. A second-year expansion club, Ottawa has nowhere near the financial muscle of those that they compete with, a fact that was quite apparent in a lackluster Spring campaign. Then, just as the team got rolling, head coach Marc Dos Santos announced that he was set to depart at the conclusion of the NASL season.
Spoiler Role Shifts To Silverbacks When Ottawa Visits With First Place In Combined Standings On The Line – NASL
Atlanta, which only last week still harbored (long-shot) hopes of squeezing into the postseason, finds itself in the unique position of potentially having an impact on the postseason without being in the postseason.
Raul, Senna glad to end careers together with Cosmos – SBI
Both Raúl and Senna are set to retire at the conclusion of the NASL season, ending distinguished careers that spanned a combined 39 years. Now members of the New York Cosmos, the two former Spanish National Team stars are glad to push on for one final adventure as teammates as the NASL season winds to a close.
Eddies 2015 Year In Review – FC Edmonton
It was a tale of two seasons for the 2015 edition of the Eddies, who came up just short of qualifying for a 2015 North American Soccer League (NASL) postseason berth.
Louisville’s Burke Named USL Defender of the Year – USL
The United Soccer League announced today Louisville City FC’s Bryan Burke has been voted the 2015 USL Defender of the Year.
Lehigh Valley welcomes Bethlehem Steel FC – Soccer America
The 2016 USL expansion team the Philadelphia Union will operate in the Lehigh Valley has been named Bethlehem Steel FC after the legendary area club of the early 1900s.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Obama: ‘Playing like a girl means you’re a badass’ – CNN
President Barack Obama got caught in the spirit of soccer fandom while honoring the U.S. Women’s National Team at the White House on Tuesday. Obama said the team, which beat Japan 5-2 in the World Cup Final in July, taught America’s children that “playing like a girl means you’re a badass.”
Abby Wambach announces retirement from soccer – Soccer America
Abby Wambach, who holds the world record with 184 goals, has announced she is retiring from soccer at the age of 35. She will play the final four games of the U.S. women’s national team Victory Tour, finishing up on Dec. 16 against China in New Orleans.
Remembering incredible Abby Wambach moments – The Equalizer
It’s impossible to sum up Wambach’s career in just a few moments and this isn’t a comprehensive list, but here are some which stand out.
Abby Wambach’s towering legacy only begins with broken records – The Guardian
The world’s all-time leading goalscorer, who announced her retirement on Tuesday, has been an imperfect, fiercely competitive and uncompromising cornerstone of the feminist movement.
NWSL Expansion Draft, 101 – Empire of Soccer
The NWSL is adding a 10th team, the Orlando Pride. The Pride are affiliated with MLS side Orlando City SC, and will kick off for the 2016 season. But… they need players. That’s where the expansion draft comes in-to fill this new side.
Elite impress on the international stage – FIFA
It was a massive week of international women’s football across multiple continents. Numerous UEFA Women’s EURO qualifiers took place across the Old Continent, where the traditional big names barely made a wrong step. Across the Atlantic, world champs USA bade farewell to three of their greats, while two top-ten nations visited China PR for an elite three-way contest.
France, Germany, Sweden, Swiss, Spain impress – UEFA
There were crucial wins for France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland in October’s qualifiers, with Scotland, Iceland and Norway among other perfect teams.
Great Scott – Lionesses midfielder Jill reaches 100 caps – The FA
After earning her 100th cap in England’s 1-0 win over Australia, Jill Scott said it was one of the best days of her life.
Jasmyne blooms under Aussie sun – Westfield W-League
One of the bright spots in a mixed campaign for Sydney FC last season was American striker Jasmyne Spencer, who was not only effective in front of goal but brought infectious enthusiasm to the Sky Blues camp.
How things change – FA of Ireland
It was very much uncharted waters. There was a real sense of what happens next? In that first game, the Cork team trotted out on the pitch but they were whistled back by the referee to adhere to the correct walk on – this was the big time now!
What the NWHL can learn from the NWSL – The First Eleven
The National Women’s Hockey Leauge is in their first season while the National Women’s Soccer League is in their third, but let’s remind everyone that it took three women’s soccer leagues to get it right (fingers crossed this one works long-term).
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Sepp Blatter: Russia agreement in place before 2018 World Cup vote – ESPN FC
Sepp Blatter has told TASS there was an agreement in place for the 2018 World Cup to go to Russia even before the vote took place. Blatter, currently suspended as FIFA president, told the Russian news agency that the tournament was always lined up to go to Russia with the 2022 World Cup to be held in the United States — until Michel Platini decided to throw his weight behind Qatar.
FIFA accepts seven submissions for presidential election; Nakhid ineligible – SI.com
Seven men are in the running to replace Sepp Blatter as FIFA president, with Michel Platini’s candidature accepted but pending because of his suspension from soccer.
Fifa ruling over transfer compensation provides lifeline for boys’ clubs – The Independent
It is not easy, even for clubs with the prestige, record and values of Wallsend and Senrab, each so important to the football fabric of their communities, in Newcastle and London respectively. But these two clubs have found a lifeline – and they are playing at Whitley Park in Newcastle on Wednesday to highlight it. Both have recently received substantial sums of money they were due as part of Fifa’s solidarity mechanism, to compensate clubs who raised players who went on to become stars.
Chelsea take the concept of ‘crisis club’ to an all-new low – ESPN FC
A quarter of the way into this Premier League season, Chelsea have unwillingly advanced the concept of the “bad patch”. From their lofty perch of the last decade, they have witnessed plenty of minor wobbles and stumbles. It became more than a mere “blip” — universally understood to be an anomaly of form that last no longer than three or four games — when Crystal Palace snatched three points from Stamford Bridge at the end of August. After the blip comes the indeterminate period of the “crisis”.
Sheffield Wednesday: Fantastic to beat Arsenal – Carlos Carvalhal – BBC Sport
Sheffield Wednesday head coach Carlos Carvalhal says his side’s win over Arsenal in the League Cup is a “fantastic” boost for the club.
Socceroos’ Bangladesh World Cup qualifier in balance over safety concerns – The Guardian
The Socceroos’ upcoming World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh still hangs in the balance, with Fifa yet to budge on their original refusal to move the match to a neutral venue amid security concerns.
Liga MX’s lack of opportunity for young players needs to be rectified – ESPN FC
When El Tri defeated Germany 2-1 down in Chile on Saturday to top Group C of the U-17 World Cup, the result was met with jubilation but not incredulity in Mexico. These types of victories by Mexico’s youth teams are becoming increasingly common.
FIFA U-17 World Cup: Mexico’s odd couple out to silence another crowd – FIFA
Mexico conceded just once in their three group-stage matches at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015. A major factor in this impressive record was their solid centre-back pairing, who have also had an impact at the other end, with Venegas scoring two of the team’s four goals. “Like we say to the forwards, if they don’t put the ball away, Paquito has to go and do it for them,” quipped team captain Esquivel.
Brazilian clubs plan breakaway competition to rival state championships – Inside World Football
A new independent tournament ‘Copa Sul-Minas-Rio’ may redesign the layout of Brazilian domestic football in 2016. The Brazilian FA CBF is watching anxiously from the sidelines.
John Salako begins journey to fight English football’s glaring injustice – The Guardian
At the age of 46, John Salako would have been forgiven for thinking his chance of ever becoming a manager had passed him by. After retiring from football in 2005 following a long career that took him from Crystal Palace to Brentford via spells at Coventry, Charlton, Fulham and Reading, the former winger, who won five England caps under Graham Taylor in the early 1990s, was keen to remain in the game.
CAF Champions League: Hamdi: USM Alger are up for the challenge – FIFA
Miloud Hamdi is a man who likes to work fast. After taking the helm of USM Alger just 98 days ago, the first time he had been appointed as a coach in his own right, he recently guided the Algerian side to their first-ever CAF Champions League final.
Ligue 1 would consider accepting Barcelona should Catalonia gain independence – World Soccer Talk
France Prime Minister Manuel Vallas has told the French publication Journal du Dimanche that he would consider allowing Barcelona into Ligue 1 should Catalonia gain independence from Spain.
Woking make entire squad available on loan after FA Cup loss – BBC Sport
National League club Woking have made their entire playing squad available for loan moves. Manager Garry Hill informed his players of the decision following Saturday’s FA Cup fourth qualifying-round 3-0 defeat by Maidenhead United.