WHITECAPS & MLS
Whitecaps FC set to host struggling Philadelphia Union Saturday at BC Place – Whitecaps FC
The ‘Caps enter the weekend tied for the top spot in the Western Conference after grinding out a scoreless draw with Portland Timbers last weekend at Providence Park..
After fast track to manager gig, Carl Robinson has Whitecaps on right path – SI Planet Futbol
Despite being third on the shortlist, Robinson took the Whitecaps to the playoffs in 2014. They set the record for a Canadian franchise with 50 points in the standings, winning the Cascadia Cup and qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League.
Whitecaps’ Matias Laba happy to be back in action – Vancouver Sun
After taking a sort of busman’s holiday to Portland, Ore., last weekend, Vancouver Whitecaps’ holding midfielder Matias Laba returns to real work on Saturday at B.C. Place.
Weber: Union keep ’Caps guessing about their goalkeeping – The Province
Philadelphia’s goalkeeping crisis is not Carl Robinson’s concern. The Whitecaps’ coach wouldn’t concedethere’s anything to be gained by the Union arriving in Vancouver with a circus between the posts.
Whitecaps won’t look past lowly Union – 24 Hours
Deficient or dangerous? There are two ways to look at the Philadelphia Union. The Vancouver Whitecaps are taking the latter view of their Saturday-afternoon visitors to BC Place.
Match Preview: Philadelphia Union at BC Place – Eighty-Six Forever
After a snowed-out game Wednesday night, the Vancouver Whitecaps are set to retake the pitch at BC Place this Saturday to face another Eastern Conference team: Philadelphia Union.
Vancouver Whitecaps: The most important week of the season – Soccer Shorts
First up is the Philadelphia Union.
Countdown: TFC v Houston Dynamo – Red Nation Online
Arguably the biggest obstacle of Toronto FC’s 2015 season is now over, and they will finally play at BMO Field Sunday afternoon as they host the Houston Dynamo.
Red or Blue? What the first-ever Red Bulls-NYCFC match says about New York – MLS
They would never admit it publicly, but I’m willing to wager that the New York Red Bulls want to beat New York City FC in the worst way this Sunday at Red Bull Arena. Sure, the two Big Apple clubs have never met before on the field, and they seem to be headed in opposite directions, results-wise, this year, but believe it: The Red Bulls need to win this one.
Report: Eddie Johnson’s MLS Contract Voided due to Heart Condition – Washington Post
Johnson’s departure is not yet official: Wrangling behind the scenes — the league, the union, medical experts, attorneys, his agent — has apparently prevented a formal announcement.
Impact places midfielder Blake Smith on waivers – Montreal Impact
“We wish him the best of luck in the future.” – Adam Braz
MLS source: Red Bulls place discovery claim on Kevin Prince-Boateng – Metro
The silly season has begun for the New York Red Bulls and the first name on the list is Kevin Prince-Boateng, who Metro New York has learned is strongly linked with a move to MLS.
MLS encouraged by growth in TV audiences – Soccer America
Through the first nine weeks of the 2015 MLS season, total viewership is up on the three television networks as compared to last season.
Variety of obstacles keep MLS schedule far from perfect – SBI
Last month, the Columbus Crew took two cross-country flights in the span of four days for a pair of road matches on opposing coasts. The Chicago Fire had a 20-day break that they labeled a mini-preseason.
Thriving clubs and fervent fans: could Florida become the US’s soccer capital? – The Guardian
Attendances are up across the Sunshine State, and many within the game think there is even more room for growth.
Do you follow @bcsoccerweb on Twitter? You should!
AMWAY CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP – THE VOYAGEURS CUP
Voyageurs Cup a double-edged sword for TFC – Sportsnet
Greg Vanney wasn’t too upset about losing Wednesday night’s opening leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semifinals to the Montreal Impact.
NASL
Match Preview: vs New York Cosmos – FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton heads out on the road for their fifth match of the 2015 North American Soccer League (NASL) season, facing the first-place New York Cosmos at James M. Shuart Stadium, May 10 at 12:00 p.m. MT for a Mother’s Day matinee.
The Official Book of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. On Sale Now at Amazon.ca
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2015
Training sites for Canada 2015 to leave a legacy in each official host city – CSA
The National Organising Committee is pleased to begin its countdown for Legacies for Canada with the announcement of its 18 training sites. Legacies for Canada will have a positive impact on Canadians long after the final whistle is blown.
29 Days to Go! Former Whitecaps Kara Lang, Clare Rustad and Andrea Neil named to TSN’s WWC Broadcast Teams – Bell Media
Stoney, England’s mother courage – FIFA
The last year has seen many changes in the life of Casey Stoney, for better and for worse. Now a proud mother of twins, the England defender has nevertheless had to contend with losing her starting place in the national team, going from captain to playing just the one game since Mark Sampson’s arrival as coach.
Find a Team or Find a Player. Get Playing with BC Soccer Web FREE Classifieds
BC SOCCER
BC Soccer Assoc. Announces 2015 High Performance Programming Player Selections for Phase One – BCSA
Phase one of BC Soccer’s High Performance Programming (HPP) begins on May 13 and the player selections for all age groups have been completed.
Golden boot winner went from ‘cannon to sniper’ – Maple Ridge News
West Coast FC got five Golden Boots in men’s soccer this year, and the most impressive of the lot was Adrian Jackson – a teenager playing against men for the first time this year.
Reynolds Roadrunners edge Oak Bay Breakers to win Ryan Cup – Times Colonist
The Reynolds Roadrunners battled adversity early to claim their first Ryan Cup senior girls soccer city championship with a 2-1 victory (4-2 in penalty kicks) over Oak Bay.
Introducing BC Soccer Web Premium Classified Ads
WORLD OF SOCCER
Louis van Gaal ‘forced’ to sign Memphis Depay now amid PSG interest – The Guardian
Louis van Gaal has revealed he did not want to move for Memphis Depay before the end of the season but claimed he was forced into doing so to avoid Paris Saint-Germain beating Manchester United to his signature.
Memphis Depay: Who is Man Utd’s new £30m forward? – BBC Sport
With a goal tally that matches his age, 21-year-old Memphis Depay is the youngest player to have scored more than 15 goals in the continent’s top 10 leagues this season.
Sepp Blatter considers himself a ‘godfather’ of women’s soccer – SI.com
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he considers himself a “godfather” of women’s soccer within FIFA in an interview with the BBC
Spanish football suspended: Is the season really over? – BBC Sport
Spanish football will be suspended from 16 May because of a dispute over TV rights.
Nigeria set sights on daring double – FIFA
Nigeria has won the FIFA U-17 World Cup more often than any other country (four times), but has fallen short at the U-20 level, twice losing the final and once finishing third.
Ruthless Victory thrash City to book place in A-League decider – The Guardian
A ruthless Melbourne Victory won through to their first A-League grand final in five years with a 3-0 victory over cross-town rivals Melbourne City.