VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC 1 HOUSTON DYNAMO 1
MLS MATCHDAY #15
SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2016
BC PLACE, VANCOUVER, BC
Shorthanded ‘Caps host Houston on Saturday in final match before Copa break – Whitecaps FC
The ‘Caps (6W-6L-2D) return to BC Place on Saturday to host Houston Dynamo (3W-7L-2D) in their final MLS match before the league’s two-week break for the Copa América Centenario.
Whitecaps aim to be mistake free versus Dynamo – Goal
After a painful derby defeat in Portland, Vancouver looks to put recent mistakes behind them when they play host to struggling Houston on Saturday.
Whitecaps’ Jacobson in position for centre-back start – Vancouver Sun
For the second visit in a row, the Dynamo arrive in Vancouver during an international window. In late March, Jacobson, the versatile veteran Whitecaps midfielder, filled in at centre-back for an absent Kendall Waston and Tim Parker.
What’s next for the Dynamo after Owen Coyle’s departure? – Dynamo Theory
The Houston Dynamo are desperate for wins. Currently last in the Western Conference a year after finishing eighth, the Dynamo are trending in the wrong direction despite a roster that has the talent and depth to contend for a playoff spot. That signaled the end of Owen Coyle’s coaching career in Houston as the two sides parted ways Wednesday night.
How will Dynamo react to coach’s exit ahead of Whitecaps clash? – Vancouver Sun
The coaches’ sideline will be a quieter place when the Houston Dynamo visit the Whitecaps on Saturday afternoon. No one in Major League Soccer screamed quite like Owen Coyle, the former Burnley, Bolton and Wigan bench boss who reached a confidential agreement to part ways with the struggling Dynamo on Wednesday night.
News and notes: 15-year-old Davies to be involved in Amway Canadian Championship, Robinson talks Harvey all-star snub – Whitecaps FC
Carl Robinson confirmed today that 15-year-old WFC2 midfielder Alphonso Davies “will be involved” in the upcoming Amway Canadian Championship semifinal.
Dynamo not putting deadline on coaching search – SBI
The Houston Dynamo see 66 points that are up for grabs and can salvage their season, but their desire to pick up as many of those as possible will not rush them into deciding who is their next head coach.
MLS weekend preview: humbled New York City FC climb back in the saddle – The Guardian
Patrick Vieira’s men emerge from the ashes of a 7-0 embarrassment, while Italy manager Antonio Conte throws shade at MLS with Giovinco and Pirlo snubs.
MLS Week 13: A Look Ahead – SBI
As the 2016 MLS season rolls into Week 13, several teams will be in search of a win prior to the league’s upcoming international break.
MLS Talking Points: Benches to be tested, battle of improbable first-place teams and more – Goal
The looming Copa America and European Championship are forcing MLS teams to test their depth this week, while a clash of unlikely first-place teams headlines Week 13.
Cyle Larin’s tic-tac-toe tap-in wins AT&T Goal of the Week for Week 12 – MLS
Orlando City SC forward Cyle Larin was on the finishing end of a nifty buildup, being the fifth player to touch the ball when he tapped it in for the game-winning goal in the 87th minute Saturday against the Montreal Impact for the 2-1 Orlando victory.
Tesho looks to continue breakout season at site of breakout game – FC Dallas
On August 16 2014, Tesho Akindele had his breakout game as a professional in San Jose scoring a hat trick in a 5-0 thrashing of the ‘Quakes en route to winning 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year. As he returns to San Jose, Akindele is now in the midst of what could be his breakout season.
Kaká will miss Orlando City match Sunday at NYCFC – Orlando Sentinel
Orlando City already was going to be missing multiple players for its match against NYCFC Sunday due to injuries and suspensions, and now the club must travel to Yankee Stadium without its captain as well.
MLS All-Star game set for July 28 vs. Arsenal in San Jose – ESPN FC
The 2016 MLS All-Star Game start time has been set for July 28 at 4:30 p.m. PT as the league’s best will face Premier League side Arsenal in San Jose, California.
MLS All-Star Game Voting Begins – Eighty-Six Forever
Voting for Vancouver Whitecaps players is not necessarily a good thing. The All-Star Game comes a week after the Caps’ friendly against Crystal Palace and smack dab in between two Western Conference away games (Houston on July 23rd and Dallas on July 31st). Perhaps David Ousted could manage all the playing time, but any outfield player would undoubtedly be fatigued.
MLS fails to make positive impression on TV ratings during big soccer weekend – World Soccer Talk
This past weekend, Major League Soccer and its TV partners pulled out all of the stops to try to boost its fledgling TV ratings. Unfortunately despite the much hyped MLS Rivalry Week, the results yet again failed to move the needle.
Jack Harrison: My decision to leave Manchester United for the US has paid off – The Telegraph
Jack Harrison is contemplating his Sliding Doors moment. At the age of 13, the English midfielder made the toughest of decisions to leave the Manchester United academy – and his mother Debbie behind – to attend high school in the United States.
Three MLS center referees named for Copa America Centenario duty – MLS
The match officials for the tournament were confirmed by the tournament’s organizing committee on Wednesday. The list includes seven Americans and one Canadian out of 58 center and assistant referees for the tournament from CONCACAF and CONMEBOL.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
BC Soccer Assoc. Delivery of Coach Mandate – BCSA
IMPORTANT: If you are coaching in the ages U6-U12 you are required to complete the age appropriate course(s) even if you have a higher level of certification (ie. Soccer for Life, B pretest, C License, B License or A License). In order to enable our membership to deliver on the coaching mandate, BC Soccer Assoc. will be scheduling Learning Facilitator training sessions to assist organizations to have qualified individuals to deliver in-club coach certification courses to their coaches.
Jesse Symons named new UBC women’s soccer coach – UBC
The UBC Thunderbirds have found the coach who will lead their women’s soccer program in 2016, as they defend their CIS National Championship. After an exhaustive and far-reaching search, the Thunderbirds have announced former Vancouver Whitecaps W-League bench boss Jesse Symons will patrol the sidelines for the six-time national champions.
Vancouver Island University to replace athletic director – Nanaimo News Bulletin
He led VIU athletics to the top of the PacWest, and now someone else will lead the program to any future heights. Bruce Hunter, athletic director at Vancouver Island University, will no longer be in that role as of June 15.
Burnaby product bolsters national resume – Burnaby Now
Nearly two years younger than the next youngest teammate, midfielder Julia Grosso enters this week’s closed-door matches against Mexico already steeped in the rituals and responsibilities of representing Canada.
Vernon’s Connor Glennon determined to make the most of his opportunity – Whitecaps FC
Connor comes to Vancouver to continue his professional soccer aspirations as he joins the Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency team.
700 kids from Vancouver’s eastside to fulfill once in a lifetime experience – Indo Canadian Voice
FOR many youth, the opportunity to play on the same field as the professional athletes they see on TV, seems far-fetched. But for 700 kids from schools on Vancouver’s eastside, the dream will become a reality as they set foot onto the field at BC Place Stadium on Monday, May 30.
2016 BC Soccer Provincial Cup Photo Galleries – BC Soccer Web
Westhills Stadium & Goudy Park in Langford hosted the 2016 BC Soccer Adult Provincial Cup Finals. It was a thrilling weekend of soccer on Vancouver Island that saw seven champions crowned. Richmond FC & Surrey Pegasus qualified for the National Championships this Fall in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Both Coquitlam Metro-Ford Masters & Classics sides qualified for the Western Canadian Masters Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In all, it was a clean sweep for teams from the VMSL & MWSL. Monique Lamoureux & Bill Currie from BC Soccer Web were on location that weekend, capturing the all the action.
Pacific Soccer Coaching Conference – June 3-5 at SFU – BC Soccer Web
The Pacific Soccer Coaching Conference is back for its second year. Learn from some of the best coaches in the game. This year’s conference features speakers from Arsenal, Leicester City, Southampton, the English FA and more. Register now!
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.
Victoria Highlanders 2016 Season Tickets Now Available – Select Your Seats
The Victoria Highlanders are ready to return to the PDL for 2016. BC Soccer Web encourages all soccer fans on Vancouver Island to get behind their team. Season tickets are now on sale and extremely affordable. Support Local Soccer!
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.
EPIC presents the 2016 Western Canada College ID Camp
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Vancouver Whitecaps executives coming to Halifax for soccer announcement – Chronicle Herald
Bob Lenarduzzi, Whitecaps FC president and Dan Lenarduzzi, Whitecaps FC director of soccer development will be at the BMO Soccer Centre in Halifax next Tuesday for an announcement “ regarding the future of soccer in Nova Scotia.”
Young Canadians, not Stars, Should be the Focus of the Voyageurs Cup – Waking the Red
For MLS clubs, the Voyageurs Cup is never going to be as important as MLS play, so having it as a platform for young Canadians is the next best thing.
Brampton’s Kadeisha Buchanan earns Ken Giles Award in consecutive years – Brampton Guardian
The Ken Giles Award has gone to a number of outstanding athletes since it was created by The Guardian in 2002. It was to honour Brampton’s amateur athlete of the year and was named after the newspaper’s retired sports editor. But no one has ever won it more than once – until now.
Catching up with Diana Matheson – Midfield Press
Before the Washington Spirit’s trip to Portland, I had the chance to catch up with their all-time leading scorer, Diana Matheson.
St. John’s U18s hold Kirby to a draw in Jubilee Trophy play – The Telegram
There were two ties — at least one of which had to be considered a surprising result — in Breen’s Jubilee Trophy women’s soccer Thursday night at King George V Park in St. John’s
Numbers low; spirits high at co-ed soccer games – Whitehorse Star
Walk past the Vanier soccer fields on a Monday or Wednesday night this summer and you’re likely to get recruited into the Whitehorse co-ed soccer crowd.
St. Theresa soccer club soaks in Italian skills – Richmond Hill Liberal
For the St. Theresa of Lisieux Lions boys’ soccer club, Italy is becoming a second home of sorts. During March break for the third straight year, 22 members of the Lions team along with head coach Gianluca Saggese and school principal Joe Servidio made their overseas trek to soak up the history and culture of Italy.
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WFC2, USL & NASL NEWS
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USL LIVESTREAM
USL Weekend Preview – Week 10 – USL
The 10th week of the 2016 USL season includes a 12-game weekend slate that kicks off Friday night. On Saturday, the Charleston Battery put their two-year long home undefeated streak in the USL on the line against the Eastern Conference’s leader, and two teams that are in the middle of the Western Conference playoff race square off on Sunday night.
PREVIEW: Fury FC -v- Fort Lauderdale Strikers – Ottawa Fury FC
Fury FC return to TD Place on Friday night to wrap up their four-game NASL home stand with a game against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
Fury FC looks for that finishing touch against Fort Lauderdale – Ottawa Citizen
The goals that Ottawa Fury FC coach Paul Dalglish promised are coming, just maybe not as quick as he had hoped.
Eddies face Miami FC in penultimate match of Spring Season – FC Edmonton
The Eddies have been on a tear lately despite playing six matches in 19 days; vaulting up the league table to second place overall, one point shy of the first-place New York Cosmos with 14 points.
Miami FC Host Edmonton Looking to Get Out of NASL Cellar – beIN Sport
The Miami FC are back at Ocean Bank Field at FIU this weekend as they host the Eddies of Edmonton, Saturday, May 28 at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Adam Eckersley Becoming A Key Contributor For FC Edmonton – NASL
There were several big-time signings for FC Edmonton during the (NASL offseason. Defender Adam Eckersley was one of them. The England native and Manchester United Academy product added a wealth of experience to the Eddies’ back line. Unfortunately, a nagging injury kept the 30-year-old sidelined until recent weeks.
FC Montreal faces the Kickers in Richmond on Saturday – Montreal Impact
The Kickers are sixth in the Eastern Conference and haven’t lost at home yet, with four wins and a draw, but they haven’t won in their last three games. Japanese midfielder Yudai Imura is top scorer of the team with three goals.
NASL Week 9 Preview: USOC a Factor as Spring race tightens – Empire of Soccer
Teams across the North American Soccer League will be facing tough decisions in week nine. Competition in the Spring Season is as fierce as ever, but every team in contention for the title must divert at least some of its focus over the next week to the U.S. Open Cup.
Niko Kranjcar Out For Spring Season, Still In Talks For Fall – Empire of Soccer
The worst case scenario has become reality for the New York Cosmos this week as attacking midfielder Niko Kranjcar has been officially ruled out for the remainder of the Spring Season after exiting in the opening minutes of last week’s win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies with an injury.
USL group seeks to buy Nashville FC assets – Nashville Post
DMD Soccer sent a letter today to Nashville FC, the supporter-owned team that competes in the National Premier Soccer League, saying it would like to purchase the name, logos and word marks of the team to use for a future USL franchise.
Footy in the 405: The Dramatic Birth of Professional Soccer in Oklahoma City – Midfield Press
On Valentine’s Day 2013, a group of Oklahoma City business leaders with a passion for soccer and experience in professional sports management were awarded a franchise in the United Soccer League’s Professional Development League (USL-PDL). The semi-professional 4th tier club was aptly named “Oklahoma City FC” and began play that year in the PDL, missing out on the playoffs by only three points.
Rayo Oklahoma scrap away section for derby after ‘unsafe pitch’ jibe from Energy fans – Prost Amerika
In what has already been a bad month for Front Offices and supporter relations, comes a barely believable story from Oklahoma.
After Oklahoma, all fans have the right to ask “who is in the room when decisions are taken?” – Prost Amerika
Today’s story that a club had ‘punished’ away fans by scrapping a visitor’s section for a cup derby is, in isolation, no more than a case of over promoted pen pushers with no idea about soccer or supporters culture.
USL: Lou City’s Goodwin off to Harvard Medical School – Soccer America
Goalkeeper Scott Goodwin announced that he’s leaving USL club Louisville City FC to attend Harvard Medical School in the fall and become a doctor.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
Lyon claim third women’s Champions League title with shootout win over Wolfsburg – France 24
Lyon claimed their third women’s Champions League title on Thursday with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Wolfsburg after the final finished 1-1 in Reggio Emilia.
Lyon dominate Women’s Champions League all-stars – UEFA
Ten members of Lyon’s victorious squad have something else to celebrate after being chosen in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Squad of the Season by UEFA’s technical observers.
Hegerberg calls UWCL win “best day of her life” – The Equalizer
Norwegian Ada Hegerberg described Lyon’s Champions League win as “probably the best day of my life” after her side won a dramatic penalty shootout over Germans Wolfsburg, 4-3. Hegerberg, who ironically missed the opening kick, had given the French side the lead inside the first 12 minutes, poking home from close range after good work out wide from Pauline Bremer.
Third Lyon win dents German dominance – UEFA
Lyon are only the second team to have taken three UEFA women’s club titles, denying Germany a tenth victory in 15 editions by beating Wolfsburg in Reggio Emilia.
Washington Spirit come to Houston on the heels of first loss – Houston Dash
Washington is led by Canadian National Team midfielder Diana Matheson and goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé. Matheson has three goals in six appearances and is tied with teammate Joanna Lohman and four other players for the most goals in the league. Labbé has four clean sheets in six starts and is tied with Alyssa Naeher from the Chicago Red Stars for the most shutouts in the league. The Spirit are missing U.S. Women’s National Team players Crystal Dunn and Ali Krieger, who reported to camp for upcoming friendlies against Japan.
Reign draw Arsenal 1-1; Fishlock returns – The Equalizer
Bev Yanez scored a blistering goal in the 17th minute but a Pablos Sanchon penalty cancelled it out and Seattle Reign FC played to a 1-1 draw against Laura Harvey’s former side, Arsenal Ladies. Yanez curled in her shot after Lindsay Elston’s chance was knocked away by a sliding keeper Emma Byrne. Elston had been played through by Havana Solaun.
Arlitt makes jump from Sounders Women to NWSL – Sounders Women
Alex Arlitt played the 2015 season with the Sounders Women. For nearly two decades, the Sounders Women have run a developmental team in the W-League and now the WPSL with the goal of helping develop the next top women soccer players in the United States. Many current and former National Team players have spent time in the Sounders Women program and current players are looking to make that jump. Arlitt used her time last summer to effect and now plays for FC Kansas City in the NWSL.
Meet the female footballers who are finally getting paid what they deserve – Sydney Morning Herald
For the first time in the history of women’s football in Australia, there will be several players – thought to be five or six – from the Matildas who are set to bank annual salaries of more than $100,000 this year.
England duo Kirby and Davison get a feel for Adams Park – The FA
England Women’s duo Fran Kirby and Gemma Davison visited Wycombe ahead of the Lionesses’ key Euro qualifier next week.
FIFA: More Leadership Positions for Women – Huffington Post
Just three years has passed since Lydia Nsekera, Sonia Bien-Aime and I took our places at FIFA’s top table. In 2013, a solitary vote was granted to a female member with two more of us co-opted as non-voting members, pondering how we could make a difference to a systemically male-skewed global institution with barely 1 percent women voters in its Congress.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
UCL Final Preview: Madrid derby to decide European supremecy – SBI
A winner will be decided on Saturday in Milan, and one Madrid side will own the bragging rights by hoisting the UEFA Champions League winners’ trophy.
Atlético Madrid’s Torres: Champions League final is game of my life – The Guardian
At San Siro on Friday Atlético Madrid’s captain, Gabi Fernández, introduced the man sitting next to him. “Here we have a super-champion who has won it all,” he said, “and yet I’m sure that this is the most important game of his life too.” To his left, Fernando Torres, world and European champion, agreed. To his right, so did Diego Simeone. “It is the game of my life,” Torres said. It is the game of all their lives. “I love having 113 years of history on my shoulders,” Simeone insisted.
Gareth Bale: Real Madrid star is ‘better player’ ahead of San Siro return – BBC Sport
Against the backdrop of the world’s fashion capital, Gareth Bale is ready to once again strut his stuff at the ground where he became a worldwide sensation.
Lenarduzzi: Star buyers vs. Star makers in Champions League Final – Vancouver Sun
Whitecaps President Bob Lenarduzzi previews this weekend’s Champions League Final.
Can Real and Atletico change world fashion as they chase club football’s richest prize? – Inside World Football
The Champions League final is the richest prize in world football. But for the Spanish there is more at stake than just crosstown bragging rights in UEFA’s flagship event at the San Siro in Milan. It is an opportunity for Spanish football’s club brand to stamp real authority over the world football commercial marketplace and challenge the English Premier League’s much coveted international revenues.
Jose Mourinho: Man Utd confirm former Chelsea boss as new manager – BBC Sport
Jose Mourinho has been officially confirmed as Manchester United manager and has signed a three-year contract.
Man Utd fans can finally dream again – with winner Mourinho they will be feared – Goal
It has been a miserable three years for all United fans, but the arrival of the ‘Special One’ on Friday means that supporters can once again dream of winning major trophies.
Paris St-Germain life after Zlatan Ibrahimovic a difficult prospect – ESPN FC
Paris Saint-Germain’s season finished a week ago, with Coupe de France success against bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille. Since that 4-2 victory at Stade de France last weekend, the capital club have done little of note.
Liga MX final: Monterrey feels Sanchez absence, as attackers don’t show well – Goal
While Los Rayados knew they wouldn’t be able to count on the Uruguay international, the players who stayed with the team did little to help fill the void.
Markgraf To Be First Woman To Call Top Men’s Soccer Tournament On U.S. Television – Notre Dame
A former University of Notre Dame women’s soccer player will make history this summer when she becomes the first woman analyst to work a top-tier international men’s soccer competition on American television. Former Irish and U.S. Women’s National Team defender Kate (Sobrero) Markgraf (’98) will serve as a color commentator for ESPN during the UEFA European Football Championship 2016. The month-long event will kick off in France on June 10 and run through July 10.
NBA Executive Gets $1 Million Job to Lead Americas Soccer Group – Bloomberg
Concacaf, the Miami-based regional soccer body badly damaged by the sport’s global corruption scandal, stepped up its recovery efforts by hiring a senior National Basketball Association executive as its top administrator.
FA Cup goes to sudden death format for quarter-finals – The Guardian
FA Cup replays will be dropped for the quarter-finals next season after plans for the competition were approved on Thursday.
Are the English preparing for a winter break? FA scraps Cup quarter-final replays – Inside World Football
Fixture congestion has finally taken its toll on the world’s oldest and most revered domestic knockout competition with English FA Cup quarter-final replays to be scrapped from next season.
Championship play-off final: Hull City v Sheffield Wednesday –BBC Sport
Hull City face Sheffield Wednesday in Saturday’s Championship play-off final at Wembley, with a place in the Premier League on offer to the winners.
Hull City vs Sheffield Wednesday Championship Play-off Final Preview: The £200 million match – Vavel
The prize is simple…a place in the Premier League for the 2016/17 season. Yet the match will mean so much more to players, fans and board members alike.
Grammy-Winning Artist Pitbull Teams Up with Becky G for 2016 Copa America Centenario Official Song – Copa America 2016
Pitbull and Becky G to Perform “Superstars” at Copa America Centenario Final at MetLife Stadium.
Asmir Begović – Anything but an Afterthought – Futbolgrad
The Begović that is portrayed in the English media is not the one that Bosnian fans know and love. Every player goes through stretches of bad form—this is natural. The argument, however, that Begović could never be the true number one at a club like Chelsea might not be a fair assessment.
ECNL, US Club Soccer announce new national competition platform for boys – US Club Soccer
US Club Soccer and the Elite Clubs National League are collaborating to create a new national competition and development platform for U-14 through U-18/19 boys beginning in August 2017. The Elite National Premier League (ENPL) will provide local and national regular-season competition, national showcase events, and postseason playoff competition for top boys teams across the country.
Adding to the alphabet soup of American youth soccer – Soccer America
If your children play soccer in the USA, they may be playing under the umbrella of AYSO, U.S. Youth Soccer, U.S. Club Soccer, SAY Soccer, or the Super Y-League. There’s the ECNL and the NPL, sanctioned by U.S. Club Soccer, and the Development Academy (USSDA), launched in 2007 by U.S. Soccer, the nation’s soccer governing body also known as the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Forgive me if I’ve left out an acronym.
Now 16 FIFA execs named in Julius Baer money laundering probe – Inside World Football
Details are slowly emerging that as many as 16 bank accounts were held by FIFA officials at Swiss private bank Julius Baer, with at least four of them held by officials indicted by the US Department of Justice in its investigation into FIFA corruption and money laundering.
Champions League: The 1986 match that kick-started the competition – BBC
Thirty years ago, the draw for the second round of the European Cup conjured up a mouth-watering Spanish v Italian match, one that would play a role in the formation of an expanded competition – what we now know as the Champions League.
Matt Bloomfield column: End of football season is paved with uncertainty – BBC Sport
Every time I seem to look on the BBC Sport website or catch up on social media at this time of year, I am met with the details of the number of players that are being released by clubs up and down the country. It is, for obvious reasons, the most unsettling and worrying time of the year for professional footballers.