WHITECAPS FC & MLS
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
WHITECAPS FC vs. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
4:00 PM SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2015
B.C. PLACE, VANCOUVER
Preview: Whitecaps FC host San Jose Earthquakes Sunday at BC Place – Whitecaps FC
The away team has never won a match between Vancouver Whitecaps FC (10W-8L-3D) and San Jose Earthquakes (7W-8L-4D) in Major League Soccer. And the ‘Caps are hoping to keep it that way – at least for the time being.
After winless start to July, San Jose Earthquakes look to jumpstart push for playoffs – MLS
When the San Jose Earthquakes beat the LA Galaxy on June 27, the Quakes still trailed their southerly neighbors by three points in MLS’ Western Conference standings. But San Jose had played only 16 regular-season matches as of that night at Stanford Stadium, while the Galaxy had completed four more, meaning that the Quakes were out ahead on a points-per-game basis, 1.56 to 1.40.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. San Jose Earthquakes | MLS Match Preview – MLS
Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the San Jose Earthquakes meet for a second time this season in a massive match for the playoff ambitions of both clubs when they face off Sunday afternoon at BC Place. Whitecaps FC are in the thick of the playoff positions in the division – just two points out of first, but one point ahead of sixth – following their 1-1 draw at the Portland Timbers. The Quakes are seven points out of the final playoff position, after a third consecutive defeat in a 5-2 loss at the LA Galaxy in the California Clasico last Friday.
Whitecaps focused on San Jose, not the standings – Goal
Fully aware of the competitive nature of the MLS Western Conference this season, Vancouver is more focused on returning to winning ways versus the Earthquakes.
It’s time for MLS to stop playing second fiddle in its own orchestra – Prost Amerika
It’s clear there is still some growing up to do before soccer can truly take its place at the top table. Those who believe it is acceptable to place elite athletes on a patch-work quilt of a quagmire need a reality check. I’m, of course, referring to the sorry surface at CenturyLink Field, home to Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. The usual playing area is artificial turf, which has its critics. But, rather than have last Friday’s International Champions Cup clash between Manchester United and Club America played on turf, organizers – in their wisdom – opted to lay a temporary grass surface on top.
Andrea Pirlo is training with New York City FC, but status ahead of Orlando City game is “day-to-day” – MLS
The legendary Italian midfielder and NYCFC coach Jason Kreis were both noncommittal at an introductory press conference when it came to the possibility of Pirlo’s inclusion against Orlando City SC Sunday at Yankee Stadium.
Countdown: Toronto FC @ Columbus – Red Nation Online
It’s another massive Trillium Cup fixture as Toronto FC travel to the Buckeye State to take on rivals Columbus Crew on Saturday night. It will be a match to see how far these two teams have come since their early season tilt that saw the Crew take the lead in the three-game competition through a 2-0 victory. Columbus might not have the names like Toronto FC, but they do have the talent and output as several of their players are having outstanding campaigns that has kept them near the top of the Eastern Conference.
Youngster Delgado making his mark for TFC – Sportsnet
Marky Delgado is not going to displace Michael Bradley in Toronto FC’s starting line-up. But the youngster has acquitted himself quite well for the Reds while Bradley has been away on Gold Cup duty with the U.S. national team, and he’s made a strong case that he deserves more playing time going forward.
Atiba Harris finds fresh start on the field, family happiness in return to Texas – MLS
Thrust into the right-back position upon his return to Dallas prior to the 2015 season, the man who has spent much of his career at midfield and forward has looked like right at home while holding down the right back position for an MLS contender.
BMO Field Lifeless for Jermain Defoe’s Return to Toronto – Vice Sports
Though Toronto enjoys a long sports history, the list of athletes who’ve left the city and are now subject to constant ridicule upon their return is quite short. Vince Carter shot to the top of that list in 2005. Phil Kessel’s return to Toronto on Halloween could go either way. Perhaps because of the one-year duration of his stay, Jermain Defoe’s name doesn’t often come to mind. But among Toronto FC’s fan base, his name draws fiery contempt.
16-year-old Tyler Adams provides ‘unbelievable moment’ with goal against Chelsea – SBI
Just 16 years old, Tyler Adams scored the goal of a lifetime Wednesday night. At an age where many are focused on homework or earning a driver’s license, the New York Red Bulls academy product did something much, much more extraordinary: he scored against one of the best teams in the world.
After injury-marred start to 2015, LA Galaxy’s Robbie Keane feels “like I’m at my best now” – MLS
MLS’s reigning MVP has been at his best in July, and his back-to-back hat tricks in league play were honored with MLS Player of the Week honors, the latest following his performance in last week’s 5-2 comeback rout over the San Jose Earthquakes.
LA Galaxy launch revolutionary high school education program at StubHub Center – LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy have launched an innovative high school education program at StubHub Center, the country’s first of its kind blended learning program that will immerse LA Galaxy Academy student-athletes in the same environment and schedule as the LA Galaxy and LA Galaxy II. The program will launch ahead of the 2015 fall school semester.
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WFC2 & USL
UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE
WHITECAPS FC 2 0 TULSA ROUGHNECKS 4
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015
U.B.C. THUNDERBIRD STADIUM, POINT GREY
Roughnecks FC hand Whitecaps FC 2 tough 4-0 loss – Whitecaps FC
Whitecaps FC 2 (6W-10L-5D) hosted Beach Night at Thunderbird Stadium on Friday evening but the visiting Tulsa Roughnecks FC (7W-8L-4D) spoiled the party, coming away with a 4-0 decision.
Roughnecks rout Vancouver 4-0 – Tulsa World
The Tulsa Roughnecks FC erupted for four goals in the second half Friday night en route to a 4-0 rout of the Vancouver Whitecaps 2 in a United Soccer League game at Vancouver, British Columbia.
Match Recap: TFC II 1-0 Charleston Battery – Toronto FC
Toronto FC II ended a four game losing streak and recorded their first win at the Ontario Soccer Centre, defeating Charleston Battery 1-0 on Friday in an entertaining clash between the two Eastern Conference clubs. (Editor: Notable as TFC II reportedly started an All-Canadian 11 for the match.)
WFC2 Report: Tulsa tussle crucial to playoff hopes – 24 Hours
Coming off a home win versus Seattle, WFC2 made it two Cascadian victories in a row as they took down Portland Timbers FC2 2-1 at Thunderbird Stadium. Trailing at the half, captain Tyler Rosenlund’s first of the year tied the game before the red-hot Victor Blasco won it for the home team in the 63rd minute. Blasco’s heroics gave him three goals in two games after his brace led the way against Seattle in the previous game.
Blasco bolsters Whitecaps FC2 squad – The Province
Victor Blasco came to Canada to study business, learn English, and play soccer at SFU. He came to make a better life for himself after sports. In his native Spain, the youth unemployment rate is around 50 per cent, and his parents — a businessman and a teacher — encouraged the move.
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BC SOCCER
PACIFIC COAST SOCCER LEAGUE
CHALLENGE CUP
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2015
1:00 PM – PCSL CHALLENGE CUP FINAL
VICTORIA HIGHLANDERS vs. KHALSA SC
TRILLIUM WEST TURF, VANCOUVER
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2015
SEMI FINALS
VANCOUVER UNITED 1 KHALSA SC 4
VICTORIA HIGHLANDERS 2 MID ISLE MARINERS 1
Whitecaps FC appoint Wes Barrett as Northern Academy head coach – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that Wes Barrett has been named the club’s new head coach for the Northern Academy Centre, a partnership with the Prince George Youth Soccer Association. His first appearance will be at this weekend’s Northern Academy Summit in Prince George, where he will be joined by a special visit from Whitecaps FC 2 goalkeeper Spencer Richey.
Whitecaps Academy summit signals changes at the top – Prince George Citizen
The end of the spring season for the Whitecaps FC Northern Academy this weekend at Rotary Field means soccer kids from Prince George will get to mesh with their counterparts from the Whitecaps’ Quesnel-based Cariboo Academy. The three-day Spring Summit is also the swan song for Northern Academy coaches Sonny Pawar and Ross Holtom.
Coach Pawar’s departure will leave hole in soccer community – Prince George Citizen
Sonny Pawar has left his footprints all over Prince George soccer. As he prepares to begin a new chapter in his life, the city he has called home for almost all of his 48 years owes him a rather large thank-you.
Alderson leaving UNBC soccer post – Prince George Citizen
After three years coaching men’s soccer at Canada’s green university, Alan Alderson is moving on to greener pastures. Alderson’s pending departure as head coach to a yet-to-be announced destination leaves a large void for the UNBC Timberwolves, less than a month before they begin their pre-season.
Kwantlen gave varsity athletes the shaft in Surrey – Surrey Now
Students are in a terrible position now. Most have already registered for classes. It is too late to make changes now and sadly, if varsity athletics are eliminated now, they will probably never come back. This is another blemish on Surrey’s reputation.
Football seven-a-side team selected for nomination to Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games – CSA
The players in football 7-a-side have cerebral palsy or a similar neurological disorder. There are no off-side rules and matches are 60 minutes (30 per half). There are four classifications and each side must maintain a line-up featuring players with varying levels of impairments.
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CONCACAF GOLD CUP
Mexico game at Gold Cup was fixed, says Panama FA chief Pedro Chaluja – ESPN FC
Panama Football Federation president Pedro Chaluja believes his side’s controversial 2-1 loss to Mexico was fixed, and has called on FIFA and CONCACAF to examine possible match-fixing at the Gold Cup.
“We met with both the Referee Department leadership and referee Mark Geiger. Mr. Geiger, one of the best regarded referees in the region with vast international experience and a proven track record, accepted that officiating errors had been made during Wednesday’s match and that these impacted the outcome of the game. We at CONCACAF regret these circumstances but accept that such human errors are part of the game.”
Controversy continues to cloud Gold Cup after Mexico-Panama fiasco – SI.com
In the past week, as this Gold Cup has gone off the rails, we have now seen how the scandal engulfing FIFA and CONCACAF can turn a soccer tournament into a disaster as well.
CONCACAF reviewing claims of “officiating irregularities” made by Panama, Costa Rica football federations – MLS
CONCACAF is looking into requests for a formal investigation into “officiating irregularities” made by the Panamanian and Costa Rican football federations following Panama’s 2-1 loss Wednesday to Mexico in the semifinals of the Gold Cup, the governing body announced in a statement Friday.
Referee organization head: Mark Geiger’s status will not be affected by Mexico-Panama fiasco – NBC Sports
The Professional Referee Organization (PRO), which oversees professional referee programs in North America, is firmly standing by Mark Geiger, the center official for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup fiasco between Mexico and Panama on Wednesday.
CONCACAF reviewing Panama-Mexico incidents – Goal
“CONCACAF Disciplinary Committee is currently reviewing all information regarding the incidents that took place during and immediately following the 2015 Gold Cup semifinal match between Panama and Mexico,” CONCACAF said in a written statement. “The Committee will conduct an investigation according to CONCACAF Statutes and 2015 Gold Cup Regulations and determine whether any disciplinary action should be taken.”
Panama gets ‘CONCACAFed’ in Mexico’s win – Sportsnet
Essentially to be “CONCACAFed” is to be screwed—hugely, obviously and inevitably—generally by shocking refereeing that tilts a key match in the favour of a bigger team, more often than not Mexico.
Panama fury escalates as they now call for refs committee to resign – Inside World Football
The Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT), bitter at their semi-final loss in the Gold Cup to Mexico on Wednesday evening have escalated their public complaints, now calling for the resignation of the whole CONCACAF Referees Committee citing “insulting and shameful” refereeing. The demand was made in a statement on their website.
Jamaica delirious after knocking out US in Gold Cup semifinals: “The feeling right now is insane” – MLS
Jamaica head coach Winfried Schaefer was so delighted by the Reggae Boyz upset victory against the heavily-favored United States in the Gold Cup semifinal that he recycled a joke that drew belly laughs from reporters the day before.
U.S. loss should serve as warning sign – ESPN FC
Were the goals the U.S. allowed largely a result of bad luck/calls or were they highly preventable? Was the U.S. attack, which outshot Jamaica 20-10 and had several near misses, simply unlucky or instead lacking in crucial areas?
Klinsmann the technical director lets USA down in Gold Cup – Goal
Klinsmann must take his share of blame for the failure, but the question is which Klinsmann? Is it Klinsmann the on-field tactician or Klinsmann the technical director in charge of shaping the entire program’s style, recruiting players and guiding their careers?
For Jurgen Klinsmann, criticism of U.S. Gold Cup loss to Jamaica is a win – Washington Post
Uproar over U.S. Soccer’s first loss to a Caribbean opponent on home soil since 1969 shows coach is succeeding in his goal of raising the team’s profile in a country once dispassionate about the sport.
FIFA 16 for Xbox One is coming September 22! Pre-Order Now and Save.
NASL
Endline: NASL Needs More Committed Fans – Midfield Press
If you have only just begun following NASL, you might take for granted some fairly busy stadiums. In the 2015 Spring Season, there was only one team that brought in fewer than 4,000 in average attendance. When the league began in 2011, there was only one team that brought in more than 4,000, a Montreal Impact team that was benefiting from an imminent MLS move and the increased interest that came with it. The fan bases are deepening, supporters groups are growing, and the diehards are dying harder for their club than ever before.
Match Preview FC Edmonton vs. Atlanta Silverbacks – FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton faces Atlanta Silverbacks in their fifth match of the North American Soccer League (NASL) Fall Season, July 26 at Clarke Field at 2:00 p.m. MT. The Eddies will be looking to continue their hot start that has them trailing first-place Ottawa Fury FC by just a single point in the standings.
Eddies slowly returning to health as major homestand is set to kick off – the11.ca
The Eddies got off to the four-game undefeated streak with basically a skeleton squad. Now, Miller looks to only be missing two players — albeit key players — for Sunday’s match. Lance Laing will be in Jamaican colours for Sunday’s Gold Cup final, and winger Sainey Nyassi continues to recover from a hairline fracture in his ankle.
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WORLD OF SOCCER
FIFA: Crisis hindering search for sponsors – TSN
The FIFA corruption crisis is hurting its search for new World Cup sponsors. Targeting almost $6 billion in revenue from the 2018 tournament, FIFA has not signed any new sponsors since last year’s World Cup in Brazil.
Fifa admits scandal deters new sponsors – BBC Sport
Fifa has admitted the corruption scandal is putting off new World Cup sponsors and plans to hold a summit with existing backers in August.
FIFA sponsor Visa calls for independent panel to find ways to reform soccer’s governing body – Canada.com
FIFA sponsor Visa Inc. called Thursday for an independent commission to be formed to clean up world soccer’s scandal-ridden governing body.
Visa head attacks Sepp Blatter and Fifa’s ‘wholly inadequate’ crisis response – The Guardian
The head of the leading Fifa sponsor Visa has delivered a stinging attack on Sepp Blatter, claiming there can be no meaningful reforms until he leaves as president of the organisation.
Prince Ali says reform is for the new president, not a FIFA task force – Inside World Football
Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, who failed in an attempt to wrest the FIFA presidency away from Sepp Blatter in May, says the veteran Swiss should not be allowed to oversee the reform process at his corruption-plagued governing body and should leave it to his successor.
Hulk withdraws from WC draw after bashing Russia – Sportsnet
Brazilian striker Hulk has been withdrawn from his role in this weekend’s 2018 World Cup draw, four days after saying racism is commonplace in host nation Russia.
Ex-Russia ambassador in World Cup warning – BBC Sport
Stripping Russia of the World Cup would cause a “blast” that could exacerbate the Ukraine crisis, a former ambassador to the 2018 hosts has warned.
FIFA World Cup European draw: full briefing – UEFA
The seedings for the European 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw on Saturday have been confirmed.
Match schedules for FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 and 2018 FIFA World Cup™ unveiled – FIFA
On the eve of the Preliminary Draw in Saint Petersburg, the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup™ today unveiled the match schedules for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup™. Russia, as the hosts, have been named as the A1 seeds for both competitions. Kick-off times will be confirmed at a later stage.
Can Fifa end child trafficking from Africa to Asia? – BBC Sport
Fifa made a little-noted amendment to its statutes earlier this year but it was one that deserved considerably more attention. Football’s world governing body decided to lower the age limit for international transfers to include players aged 10 and above. That’s right: 10.
Liverpool raise the roof as £260m Anfield expansion gathers pace – The Guardian
The first stage of the stadium expansion will add around 8,500 seats, taking the three-tier Main Stand capacity to more than 20,000 and increasing the overall capacity of Anfield to around 54,000.
What to watch for in the Liga MX Apertura – Goal
With a summer packed full of international matches for Mexico’s senior men’s, women’s and youth national teams, Mexican fans hardly have had any days without soccer since Santos Laguna lifted the Clausura trophy. But the Guerreros’ title defense, and the rest of the Liga MX contenders chase of the champion, begins this weekend.
Eighteen Mexican pro clubs have Americans – Soccer America
Mexico’s 2015 Apertura season kicks off this weekend with 26 Americans on the first teams of 10 clubs in the Liga MX and eight clubs in the second division Torneo de Ascenso.
Mazembe under pressure as CAF Champions League resumes – FIFA
As the seeded team in Group A of the CAF Champions League, four-time winners TP Mazembe were favourites to occupy one of the two positions at the top and secure a semi-final berth.