VANCOUVER WHITECAPS & MLS NEWS
2018 CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. MINNESOTA UNITED
MLS MATCHDAY #22
SATURDAY, JULY 28, 2018, 7:00 PM
BC PLACE, VANCOUVER, B.C.
TV: TSN 2 RADIO: TSN RADIO 1040 ONLINE: TSN DIRECT
Episode 286 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Darwinism – Vancouver v Minnesota Preview Show) – AFTN
It’s a grueling time for Vancouver Whitecaps. Three matches in eight days, with two of them in the space of four days, all of them crucial for how the season could play out, and it’s sweltering hot outside. This will test a lot about the current ‘Caps squad.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Minnesota United FC | 2018 MLS Match Preview – MLS
It’s been a busy news week for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, who announced an MLS record transfer of Alphonso Davies to Bayern Munich and reached their first Canadian Championship final since 2016.
‘Caps look to leapfrog Loons Saturday at BC Place – Whitecaps FC
After a dominant midweek victory over Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps FC return to BC Place on Saturday to host Minnesota United FC in a battle between two teams fighting for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Davies ‘sure to be involved’ for Whitecaps vs. Minnesota – Sportsnet
The most talked about player in Major League Soccer could return to the field in Vancouver this weekend.
Vancouver Whitecaps, Minnesota United set to battle for MLS playoff spot – Delta Optimist
The most talked about player in Major League Soccer could return to the field in Vancouver this weekend.
Whitecaps back to normalcy and MLS pressure that comes with it – Edmonton Journal
The peanut gallery sat behind the glass on exercise bikes, popping their heads through the door of the UBC training centre gym every once in a while to shout out a few sing-song jokes toward the swarm of media surrounding Alphonso Davies.
Minnesota United’s playoff hopes rest on playing (much) better on the road – Pioneer Press
The Loons, who have made themselves relevant in the MLS Cup playoff picture with 13 games left, feel that what they’re building in Minnesota will play well on the road.
Davies disruption has “not been the perfect scenario” for Vancouver Whitecaps but it’s shown how much they’re going to miss him – AFTN
Vancouver Whitecaps have probably been in the media spotlight more these past few days than they have at any other time during their MLS era so far.
Davies speaks about move to Bayern Munich – Red Nation Online
“Being able to sign for a club like Bayern Munich is exciting. I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a kid,” Davies told Vancouver media on Thursday. “Those are the guys that, you know, as a kid, I was looking up to. Watching them on TV, playing with them on FIFA. Getting to be able to meet them and being able to play on the team is just exciting.”
‘I wanted to jump up and scream’: Vancouver Whitecaps’ Alphonso Davies on transfer to Bayern Munich – CBC
Davies stepped off the practice field at the University of British Columbia to speak with CBC’s Dan Burritt about the exciting news.
Alphonso Davies Transfer Highlights USSF’s Errant Ways Regarding Solidarity Payments – Last Word on Soccer
It came as a fresh surprise when the Whitecaps indicated that they’re indeed compensating a club Davies played for in Edmonton before he joined Vancouver. Chief operating officer Rachel Lewis was rather candid in stating the club’s position on the matter. “FIFA has very clear rules around solidarity payments for youth development clubs,” Lewis told Jonathan Tannenwald. “And both the Whitecaps and Bayern Munich fully support them.”
French striker Jimmy Briand snubs Impact, refuses to sign MLS contract – Montreal Impact
The Montreal Impact’s tentative deal to sign French striker striker Jimmy Briand fell through on Thursday.
Impact face home test vs. Atlanta United – Fox Sports
Riding high and inching their way up the MLS standings, the Montreal Impact conclude a busy stretch with their stiffest test yet.
LAFC blow another “El Trafico” lead, but hold on for a point – NBC Sports
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Los Angeles FC were absolutely cruising against the LA Galaxy on Thursday, but Bob Bradley‘s side completely capitulated late in the second half and blew a multi-goal lead.
LAFC still a work in progress on and off the field but potential for something special is there – ESPN
“If I’m honest, this stadium is too small for me,” said Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic of LAFC’s shiny new venue, the final, pithy little dig on a night of high emotion in Southern California.
NYCFC cruises to third road win by shutting out Orlando City – SBI
New York City FC improved its rough road record with a 2-0 win over Orlando City on Thursday night at Orlando City Stadium.
Dome Torrent unhappy with “very, very bad” NYCFC despite win over Orlando – MLS
“I’m not happy tonight,” said the Spaniard postgame. “We were able to win, but I’m not happy with our performance because I can’t play that way.”
Preview: Fire, Toronto FC shift scenes to BMO Field Saturday night – Chicago Fire
It is the second of back-to-back games between Eastern Conference foes Toronto FC and the Chicago Fire, with the scene shifting to BMO Field Saturday night.
MLS transfer market moves: A turning of the tide? – US Soccer Players
For most of its two decades of life, MLS had the perception of something of a cul-de-sac as it relates to the global game. It was a bit quiet and out of the way, not fully participating in the sport’s feverish world market of buying and selling, whether it be players, clubs, or other soccer commodities of value.
Earnie Stewart optimistic about Union, but feels he didn’t finish job as sporting director – Philly.com
Earnie Stewart’s time as Union sporting director will end on Tuesday, when he departs Chester to become the U.S. men’s national team’s new general manager.
Phoenix Rising visit MLS headquarters to provide expansion update – MLS
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber and deputy commissioner Mark Abbott hosted a meeting on Wednesday at the request of Phoenix Rising FC, the USL side in charge of the city’s bid to win the rights to an MLS expansion franchise.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Four ‘Caps called up to Canada for 2018 Concacaf Girls’ U-15 Championship – Whitecaps FC
Four players from Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Girls Elite REX program have been called up to represent Canada at next month’s 2018 Concacaf Girls’ Under-15 Championship.
PCSL Challenge Cup this weekend – PCSL
The Pacific Coast Soccer League Challenge Cup takes place this weekend at Gates Park in Coquitlam.
North Enderby Timber clinch NOSL crown – Penticton Western News
Their leading scorer Brent Poulsen was away holding his newborn son and they only had 10 starters. No problem for the North Enderby Timber, who clinched another North Okanagan Soccer League title with a 1-0 win over Peters Tirecraft Wednesday night at Marshall Field #1.
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.
Call for interest for 2018 TD Diploma course – BCSA
Based on the level of interest, BC Soccer is planning to host a 2-day Technical Director’s course in late November or early December of 2018 (dates and location TBA). If you are interested in this course, please let BC Soccer know so they can update you.
PHOTOS: BC Provincial Men’s A Cup: BCT Rovers Tigers Utd. 5, Langley Utd. 2 (XT) – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.
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
Jim Brennan named head coach of CPL’s York 9 FC – Sportsnet
Former Canadian international Jim Brennan has been named head coach of Canadian Premier League side York 9 FC, the team announced on Friday.
Halifax Wanderers host German side in friendly – Chronicle Herald
An under-23 Atlantic Selects team will play under the new Halifax Wanderers FC banner in an exhibition game against Germany’s Fortuna Düsseldorf’s under-21 squad at the Wanderers Grounds. It is sure to be the highest-calibre soccer on display in Nova Scotia since the days of the Canadian Soccer League back in the early 1990s.
Q and A with Calgary Foothills FC head coach ahead of Premier Development League semifinal against Chicago FC United – TSP
Calgary Foothills FC will host Chicago FC United in a Premier Development League (PDL) semifinal this Saturday in Okotoks, Alberta. It’s the club’s second semifinal appearance in three seasons – Foothills FC reached the PDL final in 2016.
Canada Soccer announces squad for CONCACAF Girls’ Under-15 Championship – CSA
Canada Soccer will have an opportunity to develop some of their youngest players from the Women’s EXCEL Program at the 2018 Concacaf Girls’ Under-15 Championship from 6 to 13 August. Canada will play at least four international matches and hopefully a fifth as they aim to reach the confederation final for the third time.
Montreal Impact Pre-Academy training program hires first female coach – Global
The Montreal Impact is making history. For the first time ever, a woman is part of their coaching staff, working with the pre-academy. Gloria Henriquez caught up with the new hire.
MJ’s Fraser Helps FCR to PSL Title – Discover Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw’s Jace Fraser made the jump to Saskatchewan’s Provincial Soccer League this season and it paid off earlier this month.
L1O Game of the Week: TFC III to play Vaughan in League Cup final – Waking the Red
I’m going to expand my ‘L1O Game of the Week’ to include both semi-finals of the L1O League Cup played over the weekend.
USL & LOWER DIVISION NEWS
Match Preview: Toronto FC II vs. Nashville SC – Toronto FC
Toronto FC II are headed down the QEW for the third of their four-game series in Rochester, this time against USL newcomers Nashville SC.
Zorros grab a point in scoreless draw at OKC Energy FC – Fresno FC
The Foxes collected their second consecutive clean sheet and extended their unbeaten streak to four matches Wednesday, playing to a 0-0 draw against OKC Energy FC at Taft Stadium.
MATCH RECAP: S2 Defeats Las Vegas Lights 3-0 – Sounders FC
Sounders FC 2 (4-13-2, 14 points) on Thursday night scored a season-high-tying three goals and Calle Brown posted his second clean sheet of 2018 in a 3-0 victory over Las Vegas Lights FC (6-9-5, 23 points) at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma.
Eastern Conf. Notes – Attention to Detail Key for Louisville – USL
As part of Louisville City FC’s triumvirate of player-coaches currently leading the side, veteran midfielder George Davis IV was as pleased as anyone with the response the side showed to defeats in both the league and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup last Saturday night as the club defeated the Charlotte Independence 4-1 before a crowd of just over 8,000 fans at Slugger Field.
Usain Bolt could come play soccer for Austin’s USL team – KXAN
Austin’s United Soccer League team is negotiating with track superstar Usain Bolt to become part of the franchise, including playing soccer, according to General Manager Roberto Silva.
NWSL & WOMEN’S WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Morgan’s hat trick leads USWNT past Japan in Tournament of Nations – The Equalizer
Alex Morgan’s fourth career international hat trick paced the United States women’s national team to a 4-2 victory over Japan on Thursday in Kansas City, providing the Americans a much better start to the Tournament of Nations than they endured last year.
One Year After USWNT Player Revolt, Coach Jill Ellis Is Still in Charge – SI.com
U.S. women’s coach Jill Ellis won World Cup 2015, but multiple sources tell me veteran players on the U.S. women’s national team went to then federation president Sunil Gulati at the Tournament of Nations in Seattle one year ago and told him they had deep concerns about the direction of the team under Ellis—and that if those concerns weren’t addressed they wanted a new coach.
‘Kansas City should have a women’s soccer team,’ U.S. national team players say – Kansas City Star
FC Kansas City was one of the original franchises of the NWSL. The club won two championships in five seasons before ceasing operations.
Australia opens 2018 Tournament of Nations with comfortable win over Brazil – The Equalizer
Defending Tournament of Nations champions Australia kicked off the 2018 competition on Thursday in Kansas City with a comfortable 3-1 win over Brazil thanks to a pair of well worked set-pieces and some poor Brazilian defending.
North Carolina Courage defeats Paris Saint-Germain in first semis of ICC tournament – Miami Herald
Despite gloomy weather in South Florida, a spirited crowd was in attendance to watch the opener of the four-match mini-tournament between four of the world’s top women’s teams hosted by the International Champions Cup on Thursday.
International Champions Cup shows slow progress in growth of women’s game – Sun-Sentinel
The steps are small in advancing the popularity of women’s soccer, and the honor of being the first women to participate in the International Champions Cup as well as the progress being made in the game was not lost on the players and coaches.
Women Are Playing In The International Champions Cup For Exposure, Not Financial Gain – Forbes
The five-year-old International Champions Cup has grown into the highest-profile summer soccer tournament in the world. And the first-ever women’s competition is an opportunity to showcase the women’s club game to fans not familiar with the NWSL, Division 1 Féminine or the FA Women’s Super League.
Sky Blue FC controversy driving discussion on league standards: report – My Central Jersey
Controversy over treatment of players with Sky Blue FC, a team partly owned by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, is driving discussion about off-field standards for teams in the National Women’s Soccer League.
SBSSWPL 1: The 2018 season so far… – Scottish WNL
With eight games left to play, Glasgow City are moving in the right direction to 12 titles in a row. However, with Hibernian possibly level on points before the 5th of August, there is still work to be done. For City, that should mean winning every single game left including a penultimate day showdown on October 21st against their title rivals.
WU19 Euros: Germany into final, Denmark or Spain await – UEFA
Six-time champions Germany beat Norway 2-0 to reach Monday’s final, where they will face Denmark or Spain.
WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Youssouf puts Bordeaux in the driver’s seat – Ligue 1
Girondins de Bordeaux won away to FK Ventspils in the first match of their UEFA Europa League campaign, Zaydou Youssouf’s early free-kick enough for a 1-0 win in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie with the Latvian club.
Monaco sign Russia star Golovin – Four Four Two
Aleksandr Golovin has signed a five-year deal with Monaco, the Russia international having been previously linked with a move to Chelsea.
Cherchesov extends contract with Russia – FIFA
Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov has signed a new contract with 2018 FIFA World Cup hosts Russia, which could see him lead the team until 2022.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOCUS: Sundowns’ Jeremy Brockie hoping to be on target – African Football
Mamelodi Sundowns striker Jeremy Brockie says he is ready to face AS Togo-Port as he looks to find the back of net for the hosts.
Luiz Felipe Scolari: Former Chelsea boss returns to Palmeiras – BBC Sport
Former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has been appointed manager of Brazilian side Palmeiras for a third time.
CAS upholds ex-FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke’s 10-year ban – Sportsnet
Jerome Valcke’s 10-year ban from football was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Friday.
Steven Gerrard: Rangers players ‘heroic’ in win over NK Osijek – BBC Sport
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard praised the “heroic individual performances” that delivered a valuable 1-0 Europa League away win against NK Osijek.
Celtic criticise Rangers’ decision to cut away ticket allocations – BBC Sport
They confirmed they will issue just 800 away tickets for the Celtic Park clash between the pair on 2 September. Until this season, both clubs brought around 7,000 fans to each other’s respective ground.
Wolves goalkeeper beats Leukemia, retires from soccer – NBC Sports
After beating cancer, Carl Ikeme is taking his doctors advice and retiring from the game he loves.
Financial Fair Play: QPR’s £42m settlement ‘no disincentive’ for EFL club spending – BBC Sport
QPR’s £42m settlement with the English Football League for breaking Financial Fair Play rules will not deter other clubs from spending big in pursuit of Premier League riches, according to two football finance experts.
Club forums are a haven for football fans in an ever angrier online world – The Guardian
Whereas YouTube and Twitter amplify rants, club forums offer kinship, humour and a place to open up to like-minded people.
Roads to the FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final 2018 – FIFA
After over 20 million players took part in the Global Series, we take a look back at the different qualifying routes to the FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final 2018.
Football clubs kick off with eSports – Football League Paper
Aston Villa FC has decided to stage its own eSports tournament, which is a continuation of the brand’s efforts to distinguish itself from competitors and raise awareness. Aston Villa has created a dedicated eSports arm, AVFC Gaming. The body is dedicated to reaching out FIFA 18, the video game, talents who are willing to represent the brand and earn a pretty penny in the process.
FIFA introduces new integrity and anti-doping standards for FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final 2018 – FIFA
As part of the continued professionalisation of the FIFA eWorld Cup, FIFA has announced that new integrity standards and anti-doping measures will be in introduced for the first time at this year’s FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final.
The weird world of football’s greatest conman Carlos Kaiser – The Guardian
In an extract from his new book Kaiser!, which accompanies the film of the same name, Rob Smyth looks at some of the tricks used by football’s greatest con artist.