VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS
Hawaii trip mixes team building, training for new-look Vancouver Whitecaps – Prince George Citizen
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andy Rose isn’t expecting to see much of the beach on his first trip to Hawaii this week.
How a former Whitecap helped the team land in-demand Hwang In-beom – MLS
Marc Dos Santos’ offseason rebuild of the Vancouver Whitecaps continues apace, with Wednesday’s announcement that 22-year-old South Korean midfielder Hwang In-beom was joining the club as a Young Designated Player.
Vancouver Whitecaps: Hwang In-beom shows long-term planning – MLS Multiplex
The Vancouver Whitecaps have signed Hwang In-beom as a young Designated Player. The acquisition shows the long-term planning of Marc dos Santos.
TFC coach: Losing Giovinco won’t change the way we play – Sportsnet
For a man who just lost his star striker and top scorer over the past four seasons, Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney is surprisingly calm and philosophical about the situation.
Reds left dealing with fallout of Atomic Ant’s departure – Toronto Sun
If you missed it, the 32-year-old striker wrote of wanting his experience in Canada “to end differently” and of being eager to “renew my contract and finish my playing career in a city that feels like home.”
Michael Bradley is playing just like Andrea Pirlo – SBI
Michael Bradley, at this stage in his career, is like Andrea Pirlo at the end of his. Seriously. Bradley right now is just like Pirlo, and that is not necessarily a compliment.
Acosta stays at D.C. United after PSG talks crumble – Gwinnett
D.C. United midfielder Luciano Acosta appeared headed to Paris Saint-Germain to help replace injured star Neymar, but the transfer talks failed at the Thursday night deadline, multiple media outlets reported.
RBNY add two players to their roster – Once a Metro
One new face and a fan favorite have joined the team for the upcoming season.
New Impact president aims to raise team’s profile, attract more fans – Sudbury Star
“We’re a major-league team playing in a big market and we need to start acting that way,” Kevin Gilmore says of the MLS franchise.
Friendly fun: LAFC 4, Vissel Kobe 1 – Angels on Parade
Los Angeles Football Club played their second game of the 2019 preseason, and hosted their second friendly against international opposition in team history, as they defeated Japanese side Vissel Kobe 4-1 at Banc of California Stadium on Thursday night.
Columbus Crew SC acquires $175,000 of General Allocation Money via trade with the Montreal Impact – Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew SC today announced that it has acquired $175,000 of General Allocation Money from the Montreal Impact. In exchange, the Black & Gold traded an international roster spot for the 2019 Major League Soccer season to the Impact.
Inter Miami FC hire London agency KIN for sponsorship sales – Inside World Football
KIN, headed by 19 Entertainment’s former SVP, Simon Oliveira and CAA’s Senior Executive, Matthew Kay, recently expanded operations to Miami, and have worked extensively within David Beckham’s business projects and sponsorships. Beckham is a key stakeholder in Inter Miami CF whose franchise was awarded on the back of a playing deal with the MLS that gave him the option to buy a club.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
FVSL Premier League Weekly Update – BC Soccer Web
Well, it is getting down to the brass tacks in the Umbro Premier League as there are just four matches left after this weekend and how the table will look come the end of February is still anyone’s guess.
VISL Division 1 Week 16 Matches – BC Soccer Web
Here is what we have listed for the VISL Division 1 this weekend. The Final 3 weeks of league play will obviously be pretty important.
Victoria Highlanders right at home for start to season – Times Colonist
The Victoria Highlanders will open the United Soccer League’s League 2 (formerly the Premier Development League) with four consecutive home games. Seven of their first eight games will be at Centennial Stadium on the University of Victoria campus.
Power Soccer in BC – SportAbility BC
We believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to participate in physical activity. We currently have programs in Vancouver, Surrey, Nanaimo, Penticton, and are still looking to expand. We are always looking for more athletes, officials, volunteers, and sponsors. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us.
BC Soccer hosts its second Technical Director Diploma Course – BCSA
Registration is now open for the BC Soccer Technical Director Diploma held at the FORTIUS Sport & Health Complex in Burnaby February 22-23, 2019.
Pacific FC now accepting memberships for 2019 Canadian Premier League season – Pacific FC
Join Vancouver Island’s new CPL club! Become a Member of Pacific Football Club for first access seat selection and tickets.
PHOTOS: 2018 BC Provincial Cup Parade of Champions – BC Soccer Web
See the winners from the 2018 BC Provincial Cup.
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!
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.
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canadian Premier League: How do you start a brand new professional league? – BBC Sport
Seven teams from across this vast country – the world’s second biggest in terms of area – are preparing to compete in the inaugural Canadian Premier League (CPL).
FC Edmonton adds 5 additional players to Canadian Premier League roster – Global
FC Edmonton added five more players to its Canadian Premier League roster on Thursday including veteran English forward Tomi Ameobi.
NASL veterans, returnees highlight FCE’s five new signings – the11.ca
FC Edmonton announced the signings of five players on Thursday, three of them who have worn FCE colours in the NASL — veteran striker Tomi Ameobi, local midfielder Edem Mortotsi and defender Kareem Moses.
Hamilton’s Forge FC signs Swedish midfielder Alexander Achinioti Jonsson – National Post
The 22-year-old has played more than 100 matches in Sweden’s top two leagues. In 2018 he played for IFK Varnamo in the second tier, scoring six goals and adding one assist in 32 appearances.
Valour FC signs Belgian keeper – Global
The club announced they’ve signed goalkeeper Mathias Janssens to a multi-year contract.
FC Barcelona loans Canadian Ballou Tabla to Albacete in Spain’s second tier – Delta Optimist
FC Barcelona has sent Canadian international Ballou Tabla out on loan to Albacete in the Spanish second division until the end of the season.
Liam Millar joins Kilmarnock on loan from Liverpool – SN
Already a full international with Canada, Millar will now provide an extra option for Steve Clarke’s side, who have been a surprise package in this season’s Scottish Premier League.
Canadian teenager Reid signs with Le Havre in French second tier – TSN
Canadian teenager Adonijah Reid has joined Le Havre AC in the French second tier.
Three New Teams Join League1 Ontario Women’s Division for 2019 Season – League1 Ontario
Additions of Ottawa South United, Alliance United FC and FC Oshawa further bolster opportunities to showcase Ontario’s elite senior level female players.
Queen’s University Hosting 2019 Futsal Canadian Championship – Kingston Herald
Canada Soccer announced this week that Queen’s University has once again been chosen to host the Futsal Canadian Championship.
Who’s who? CPL coaches dish on league’s most intriguing signings … so far – Canadian Premier League
Provided anonymity, CPL coaches were recently asked to name players — not their own — who they’ll be keeping an eye on when the league kicks off in Hamilton on April 27.
USL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS
Fury FC Brings Aboard Barnathan – USL
Ottawa Fury FC announced on Thursday it has signed defender Dakota Barnathan for the 2019 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval. Drafted by FC Dallas in the third round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, he spent the past two seasons with fellow USL Championship side the Swope Park Rangers.
NCFC YOUTH ACADEMY STANDOUT SIGNS WITH CELTIC FC, RETURNS ON LOAN WITH NORTH CAROLINA FC – North Carolina FC
NCFC Youth Academy and United States U-20 National Team standout Manny Perez has signed with Scottish Premiership side Celtic FC and has been loaned back to North Carolina FC, pending league and federation approval as well as the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.
NASHVILLE SC ACQUIRES DEFENDER ANDREW GUTMAN ON LOAN FROM CELTIC F.C. – Nashville SC
Nashville Soccer Club has acquired Celtic F.C. defender Andrew Gutman on loan for the 2019 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval.
Five more signings announced for North Texas SC – Sportsday
North Texas SC has announced another five signings ahead of its inaugural season, with two coming straight from the FC Dallas Academy – Carlos Avilez and Arturo Rodriguez – and three coming from abroad – Oscar Romero, Bicou Bissainthe, Abdoul Gaffar Ibrahim.
2019 US Open Cup format and schedule released – MLS
The oldest soccer competition in the United States and one of the oldest cup competitions worldwide, the 2019 tournament will be the 106th edition. The Houston Dynamo are the defending champions.
NWSL & WOMEN’S WORLD SOCCER NEWS
W-League report: Glory 1-2 Victory – Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory secured its first Westfield W-League Premier’s Plate after a 2-1 win over Perth Glory on Friday.
Sky Blue FC Re-Sign Defenders Freeman and Tiernan – Sky Blue FC
Sky Blue FC have re-signed defender Mandy Freeman and midfielder Madison Tiernan to new contracts ahead of the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League season. Per team and league policies, terms of the contract were not announced.
Carli Lloyd: A Blue-Collar New Jersey Native – Sky Blue FC
Carli Lloyd is akin to a racehorse with blinders on: well trained, bred for competition, wholeheartedly committed and singularly focused on the task at hand.
2019 Women’s National League season fixtures announced – Irish WNL
The Women’s National League fixtures for the 2019 season have been revealed with the action kicking off on Saturday, March 9.
UNITED READY FOR STEP-UP TO SCOTTISH WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE – Scottish WPL
After two promotions in three seasons, Dundee United Women’s Football Club will play in the Scottish Women’s Premier League for the first time in the 2019 season and the club couldn’t have asked for a more exciting clash to start off the SWPL 2 campaign, welcoming St Johnstone to the City of Discovery.
Memorial Stadium: An imperfect NWSL fortress (2014-2018) – The Equalizer
Memorial Stadium was a boon for Seattle Reign FC when the club took up residence there beginning in the 2014 season. After a season at the quaint but inconvenient Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington, the Reign would be playing home matches underneath the world famous Space Needle, walking distance to multiple bars and restaurants, on a field that—while hardly ideal—had American football lines mostly scrubbed for NWSL match days.
How The Women’s World Cup Works: A Guide For Everyone – the18.com
In many ways, the women’s World Cup is a lot like its male counterpart. In many ways, it isn’t. So with the tournament set to arrive this summer in France, we thought we’d explain how the women’s World Cup works in 2019.
The new female force at the forefront of Arab football – The National (UAE)
More women than ever are taking to the pitch, the court or the ring in the Middle East, as sport takes great strides towards gender inclusivity. But, both on and off the field, there is still a way to go when it comes to equality. However, this is an issue that exists across the world, not just here in the UAE.
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
European soccer weekend: What to watch in the main leagues – Leader Post
The Bundesliga’s top three face tricky games on Saturday. League leader Borussia Dortmund visits fifth-place Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich plays at Bayer Leverkusen, and Borussia Moenchengladbach visits Schalke for the late game.
Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend – The Guardian
Liverpool’s problems have eased, Miguel Almirón can make an instant impact at Wembley, and Peter Crouch is back.
Complete list of January transfer deals in the Premier League – NBC Sports
Here are the hundreds of players on the move into and out of Premier League clubs this month.
Has the Premier League Transfer Bubble Burst? – NY Times
The January transfer window has come and gone, barely noticed. There has been no orgy of excess, no frantic scramble to spend as much money as possible, no broken transfer-spending records, no helicopter dashes, no late-night drama.
Red-hot Benzema leads Real Madrid back to Copa semifinals – London Free Press
With another great performance by Karim Benzema, Real Madrid secured a comfortable 3-1 win in its visit to Girona on Thursday to reach the Copa del Rey semifinals for the first time in five years.
LILLE LOOK TO CONSOLIDATE SECOND AS MENDES STAYS – Ligue 1
After winning every game in January, LOSC are looking for more of the same when they begin February at home to OGC Nice as they aim to consolidate their grip on second place in the table.
Lazio beats Inter on penalties to reach Italian Cup semis – London Free Press
Lazio beat Inter Milan on penalties in the Italian Cup quarterfinals on Thursday, a result that will do little to dispel reports that Antonio Conte is in talks to become the next Nerazzurri coach.
Marten de Roon: ‘The Wavebreaker’ helping Serie A’s top scorers Atalanta – BBC Sport
Atalanta might be making waves in Serie A with their attacking play but it is the man they call ‘The Wavebreaker’ who is making the team tick.
Bayern Munich Signs Real Salt Lake Academy Product Taylor Booth – SI
It’s official: Taylor Booth, the 17-year-old U.S. Under-18 national team midfielder who has been part of Real Salt Lake’s academy, has signed with Bayern Munich, SI.com has learned. Booth has acquired a European passport that will allow him to make the move before he turns 18, a source with knowledge of the situation said.
African qualifiers for U-20 World Cup kick off in Niger – Inside World Football
Africa will compete for four berths at the U-20 World Cup in Poland at this month’s U-20 continental championship in Niger. Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal have a strong case to win the tournament as defending champions Zambia failed to qualify for the finals.
USMNT homecoming just ‘another gameday’ for Lima – SBI
Saturday’s friendly against Costa Rica is not a World Cup match as he first dreamed as a kid, but San Jose Earthquakes defender Nick Lima is a step closer to reaching that goal.
Concacaf fall into line behind big boss Infantino – Inside World Football
Concacaf are the latest confederation to come out and formally support Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA president in Paris on June 5.
AFC dismisses UAE’s ineligibility appeal over Qatar players – Four Four Two
UAE argued that Qatar have fielded two ineligible players in the Asian Cup, but the AFC has dismissed their appeal.
Request made in Thai court to send soccer player to Bahrain – Vancouver Sun
Thai prosecutors have submitted a request in court for Thailand to extradite to Bahrain a detained soccer player who has refugee status in Australia.
VIDEO: Human rights Groups and the Australian Soccer Community Urge Thailand to Free Bahraini Refugee – Yahoo Sports
Scores of demonstrators rallied in Sydney and Melbourne on Friday to demand that Thailand release a detained Bahraini football player who has refugee status in Australia.
Tebas says goods governance cannot allow PSG’s Al Khelaifi on to UEFA’s exco – Inside World Football
UEFA has been urged to block the appointment of Paris Saint Germain supremo Nasser Al Khelaifi to its executive committee by outspoken La Liga president Javier Tebas.
Remembering former top referee Peter Mikkelsen – FIFA
Peter Mikkelsen, one of world football’s leading referees in the 1980s and 1990s passed away on Tuesday at the age of 58 following a long illness.
Most clubs have a director of football now – but what are they actually for? – The Telegraph
Arsene Wenger very memorably reacted last year to a query about directors of football by asking whether it was someone who “stands in the road and directs play right and left” but even he could not defy the tide. Job titles can sometimes only confuse. Whether it be director of football, sporting director, technical director or even Raul Sanllehi’s initial and rather awkward ‘head of football relations’ title alongside Wenger at Arsenal, the basic job and rationale is the same.
Cirque du Soleil presents new production inspired by Messi – London Free Press
With Lionel Messi and some of his Barcelona teammates in attendance, Cirque du Soleil has presented its production inspired by the Argentina great.
In Gulf Dispute, Fight Over Qatar’s World Cup Plays Out Through Proxies – NY Times
The 2022 World Cup will be the first one played in the Arab world, and it has been a hot-button issue in soccer since the moment Qatar won the hosting rights. But in the 19 months since Saudi Arabia and several other Arab nations began a punishing boycott of neighboring Qatar, the tournament has become something else: a proxy in the broader geopolitical dispute transfixing the Gulf.
Pound Notes, Canned Soup and Common Goals – NY Times
As the needs of Britain’s poor have soared under government austerity programs, soccer clubs and their fans have emerged as an unlikely (and vital) resource for local food banks.