2015 CONCACAF GOLD CUP
CANADA vs. JAMAICA
SATURDAY, JULY 11, 3:30 PM (SPORTSNET)
BBVA COMPASS STADIUM, HOUSTON, TX.
Countdown: Styles make fights. Can Canada beat Jamaica again? – Red Nation Online
Heading into the second match of the group stage of the Gold Cup, if there is one silver lining, it is that Canada did not repeat the misfortune of allowing a late goal in their opening fixture as seen in 2013. Granted, that does not offer much comfort as both times Canada was seen as favourites and most would expect three points against the weakest opponent in the group. What lies ahead again is an equally daunting road from two years ago; before it was Mexico and Panama, this year it is Jamaica and Costa Rica.
Roberts emerging as one of Eddies, Canada’s most promising talents – FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton defender Mallan Roberts is one of several current members of the Eddies roster who grew up playing soccer in Edmonton. Roberts has played every second of the ten matches he has featured in this year and is quickly emerging as one of the most consistent players for the Eddies in 2015.
Sober Second Thoughts: Go half full or go insane – 24th minute
Sometimes is good to be reminded of where things actually stand. Riding a five game undefeated streak, CanMNT fans were unusually confident heading into last night’s Gold Cup opener against El Salvador.
Oh no: Canada starts another Gold Cup with a scoreless effort – the11.ca
Canada didn’t score at the 2013 Gold Cup. And, after a 0-0 draw with El Salvador to open Group B play, Canada is scoreless at the 2015 Gold Cup.
Canada squanders opportunity in Gold Cup opener – Sportsnet
This wasn’t coach Benito Floro’s first competitive match in charge of Canada, but it was the first major test of his managerial reign. The result and overall performance were not promising, though it’s still too early to judge this team just yet. Still, this was a winnable game against the weakest of the Reds’ group opponents, so there’s denying this was a missed opportunity for Floro’s side.
Mexico 6, Cuba 0 | CONCACAF Gold Cup Match Recap – MLS
Given the context entering the game, it appeared Mexico would start their 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup quest with a blowout win over a shorthanded Cuba squad.
Trinidad and Tobago 3, Guatemala 1 | CONCACAF Gold Cup Match Recap – MLS
An opportunistic attack and sleepy first-half defense made the difference in the Group C opener in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Thursday, as Trinidad and Tobago beat Guatemala 3-1 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Jurgen Klinsmann using Haiti game as audition for USMNT roster spots for rest of tournament – MLS
While the US coach expects a challenge similar to what they faced against Honduras on Tuesday in a 2-1 win, he also sounded like a man with a vision past the group stage, which, should they advance, will open up the opportunity for roster moves.
The Road to Russia (or, more likely, Honduras) becoming clearer – 24th Minute
Canada’s path to the semi-final stage of World Cup qualifying is now known And, it turns out there was little to worry about. Prior to the announcement of the format today it was unclear whether Canada would be placed in a fully random draw with the other 11 teams in the round. Such a scenario could have seen Canada drawn against Jamaica.
Report: USMNT to host Brazil friendly at Gillette Stadium in September – SBI
The Boston Globe reported on Thursday that the U.S. Men’s National Team will host its rumored friendly with Brazil on Sept. 8 at Gillette Stadium. The match will be the second the Americans play at the venue in Foxboro, Massachusetts, in two months, as they are currently preparing to face Haiti in a CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage game on Friday.
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WHITECAPS FC & MLS
The boys are back: Whitecaps FC return to BC Place after five-match road trip – Whitecaps FC
After a five-match road trip that spanned over a month, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (10W-7L-2D) finally return to BC Place on Sunday to host Sporting Kansas City (7W-3L-6D).
Summer Transfer Window and the Vancouver Whitecaps – Eighty-Six Forever
On July 8th, the summer transfer window opened. Coinciding with this, Major League Soccer announced a new ‘funny money’ mechanism for big clubs (let’s be honest here) to pay down their ‘just barely’ Designated Player contracts to allow for the signing of big name free agents. Each team is given $100,000 a year, for 5 years, in ‘targeted allocation money’.
Uruguayan winger Cristian Techera settling in just fine – on and off the pitch – Whitecaps FC
The influence of South American and Central American talent on Vancouver Whitecaps FC has been well documented these past two seasons.
Bruce Arena confirms that Steven Gerrard will play “45 minutes” against Club America – LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena confirmed that Steven Gerrard will make his club debut on Saturday when LA face off against Club America in International Champions Cup.
A needed reprieve? Sounders face bottom 3 – Prost Amerika
The Seattle Sounders may still be without their three most important offensive pieces and their captain, but that doesn’t look like it’ll put a damper on the proceedings when they visit the Chicago Fire on Saturday. The situation is still far from ideal, but a couple weeks and three points’ distance may have all but made up for the Seattle Sounders’ 4-1 drubbing at Portland on June 29 as they get healthy and get reinforcements at the same time.
Houston Dynamo announce signing of Nigerian midfielder Rasheed Olabiyi – MLS
The Houston Dynamo have some midfield help on the way. The team announced Thursday the signing of Nigerian midfielder Rasheed Olabiyi, who last played with Enyimba International FC of the Nigeria Premier League. He will be added to the Dynamo roster as a discovery immediately.
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WFC2 & USL
Whitecaps FC 2 looking for third straight Cascadia derby win versus Timbers 2 on Friday night – Whitecaps FC
Can it get any better than a Cascadia rivalry match under the bright lights?
WFC2 sign versatile defender/midfielder Will Seymore – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that defender Will Seymore has been added to the Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) roster in the United Soccer League (USL). Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
WFC2 Report: Serban solid in first pro season – 24 Hours
One of three teenagers on the team, the Calgary-born full back is looking right at home during his first season in professional soccer. Prior to joining WFC2, Serban completed an outstanding freshman season for the UBC Thunderbirds. On top of being named CIS Rookie of the Year for his efforts with the Thunderbirds, Serban has also represented Canada numerous times at the junior national levels, most recently at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championships, where he started all five matches.
U.S. legend ‘Preki’ Radosavljevic leaves Sacramento for job in UK – ESPN FC
Former United States international Predrag “Preki” Radosavljevic will step down down as Sacramento Republic coach this week after taking a job in the United Kingdom, the United Soccer League club said on Wednesday.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER
Erin McLeod and Ella Masar getting married is the best thing to happen in soccer today – Soccer Gods
So how does one of the world’s best goalkeepers celebrate a successful World Cup? By getting married, of course.
Erin McLeod talks women’s soccer, getting hitched, and being out in sports – After Ellen
Erin McLeod is an Olympic medalist, the starting goalkeeper for Canada’s national women’s soccer team and an out and proud athlete. Erin was on hand to open PrideHouse Toronto Pavilion this Wednesday morning ahead of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. We spoke to this beast between the bars about playing at home, her future in the game, marriage, and her thoughts on the U.S. win.
Sinclair ready to move on from World Cup disappointment – TSN
“It still stings,” Sinclair told TSN.ca of bowing out to the Lionesses in Vancouver just under a fortnight ago. “You have dreams, hope of a home World Cup that you’re going to be in the final. But now that I’ve spent a couple of weeks looking at it and thinking about the bigger picture, hopefully, we’ve inspired a generation of young Canadians to dream of playing soccer and representing their country. In terms of that, I see it as a huge success.”
Canada out of top 10 in FIFA women’s rankings – Sportsnet
Canada has slipped out of FIFA’s top 10 in the wake of its quarter-final loss to England at the Women’s World Cup. The host Canadians entered the tournament in eighth spot. On Friday, they dropped to 11th.
United States women return to top of world rankings – The Equalizer
The United States returned to the summit of the FIFA Women’s World Rankings on Friday, five days after winning a record third Women’s World Cup title.
Women’s equal pay group plan victory parade demo in NY – Inside World Football
An anti-discrimination group is planning to protest wage inequality at today’s victory parade by the United States’ World Cup-winning women’s team in New York.
Fifa 16: Matildas’ Steph Catley to be first ever woman on cover, alongside Messi – The Guardian
Matildas defender Steph Catley has broken new ground for women’s football by becoming the first female player to appear on the cover of EA Sports’ hugely popular Fifa video game.
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BC SOCCER
Keeper helps U18 Pinns get draw – Penticton Western News
The Pinnacles FC under-18 girls were 10 minutes away from opening the B.C. Soccer B Cup provincial championship with a win. Instead, the Pinnacles settled for a 1-1 tie with the Chilliwack Attack at King’s Park Thursday morning.
NASL
Match Preview vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers (July 11, 2015) – FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton will play their second match of the North American Soccer League (NASL) Fall Season versus Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Saturday, July 11 at Lockhart Stadium. The Eddies are in second place with three points, four goals for and zero against after the Strikers drew 1-1 with Carolina RailHawks on Wednesday night.
Defending Fury FC – Ottawa Fury FC
Six straight shutouts and 616 minutes without conceding a goal has shattered the previous NASL modern era record (397 minutes set by Indy Eleven’s Kristian Nicht last season) and also the all-time NASL record previously held by Jack Brand set in 1980 with the Seattle Sounders (473 minutes).
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WORLD OF SOCCER
Danes block ‘unstoppable’ Barca academy on child protection grounds – Inside World Football
FC Barcelona, currently serving a one-year transfer ban for breaking FIFA’s child protection rules, have been blocked by the Danish Football Federation (DBU) from realising their ambition to set up an academy in Denmark.
Republic of Ireland ready to allow Martin O’Neill to return to Leicester City – The Guardian
The Football Association of Ireland would be happy to let Martin O’Neill depart amid interest from Leicester City. A bookmaker has suspended betting on the 63-year-old replacing Nigel Pearson, who was sacked by the Premier League club last week.
Albania handed Serbia win after CAS overturns UEFA ruling – Goal
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has awarded Albania a 3-0 victory over Serbia, partially upholding the country’s appeal against a UEFA ruling made in the aftermath of an abandoned Euro 2016 qualifier.
Fulham owner Shahid Khan wants to buy Tottenham and relocate Jacksonville Jaguars to White Hart Lane – London Evening Standard
Fulham owner Shahid Khan is considering selling the club and buying Tottenham in a deal that could also see his NFL team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, move into the new White Hart Lane.
Roberto Carlos: Former Brazil left-back named Delhi player-manager – BBC Sport
Former Brazil and Real Madrid left-back Roberto Carlos has been named as player-manager of Delhi Dynamos in the Indian Super League.
Petition calling on Barcelona to drop shirt sponsor hits 40,000 in 24 hours – The Telegraph
Online plea asks Catalan club to remove Qatari Airways from their strip until conditions improve for female workers
Gulu Rises – Sportsnet
In Uganda, a land where terror reigned and children killed, life is starting to get back to normal. A new soccer academy has opened, and the Canadian responsible sees it as much more than charity—he believes there’s money to be made.
The day a teacher took 40 primary school kids to watch Enfield Town – The Guardian
Most kids only experience football through TV, so one teacher thought she would take her class of 10-year-olds to see their local non-League team play