WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
Preview: ‘Caps set to host Portland Timbers in do-or-die playoff match at BC Place – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will play their first-ever home playoff game in MLS on Sunday night, when they host longtime Cascasdia rival Portland Timbers at BC Place.
Midfield battle will determine Whitecaps vs. Timbers in West semis – Goal
Evenly matched ahead of the second leg, the midfield clash between Pacific Northwest rivals Vancouver and Portland will likely prove decisive, writes Simon Fudge.
Whitecaps-Timbers: Margin of victory might come down to who scores first – The Province
All week, they’ve been saying they can’t wait. “I want to play now,” Matias Laba said Friday. And here we are. One game. One huge game. At home, in front of 27,500 fans. The exact spot the Whitecaps worked all season to put themselves in.
Morales could be Whitecaps’ wildcard vs. Timbers – Sportsnet
Morales has started just three league matches since June 6, the result of battling problems with his hamstring and calf, which, he says, all stemmed from a back issue. Vancouver’s captain, the MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2014, last started a game on Sept. 9 versus the Colorado Rapids before being subbed off at halftime.
Whitecaps’ Aggregate Math is Simple: They Must Win – BC Soccer Web
The Whitecaps come home to BC Place on Sunday for the second leg of their Western Conference Semifinal round with the Portland Timbers. Their 0-0 draw in Portland on November 1 has made the math formula for the Whitecaps very simple: in order to advance, the Whitecaps must win the match.
Biggest Caps game in 32 years at B.C. Place Sunday – The Province
A generation has passed since 28-year-old defender Bob Lenarduzzi stood in awe inside B.C. Place in 1983, trying to fathom the 60,342 fans attending the first event the new stadium hosted, a Vancouver Whitecaps/Seattle Sounders soccer game.
‘Caps to hold Fan Rally on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s sold-out home playoff debut – Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that tickets for Sunday’s first-ever MLS home playoff match against Portland Timbers have sold out.
Whitecaps’ playoff laundry list includes a clean sheet – Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Whitecaps need to win Sunday in the second leg of their Major League Soccer Western Conference semifinal against Portland, so scoring the all-important first goal is almost a necessity.
Simple objective for Whitecaps — just win – 24 Hours
Carl Robinson broke things down in a straightforward manner for his Vancouver Whitecaps this week. “The game is pretty simple,” the Whitecaps coach said Tuesday. “We’ve got to keep a clean sheet, and we’ve got to score a goal. If we do that, we’re through. That’s as simple as it is.”
Expert analysis: What will be the difference on Sunday at BC Place? – Whitecaps FC
There’s evenly-matched teams, and then there’s Vancouver and Portland. Dating back to the regular season, the Cascadia rivals have now played to three straight draws. There have been a total of two goals scored in those games.
Martyn Pert shoots to prominence with high-flying Vancouver Whitecaps – The Guardian
The Norfolk-born coach is not well known in England but his knowledge of South America has helped build one of Major League Soccer’s most formidable teams
Kah brings Whitecaps closer together with motivational rings – Red Nation Online
Rings, and nice things did indeed come the Vancouver Whitecaps way. To help remember the momentous occasion of winning the ‘Ship’. Whitecaps centre-back Pa-Modou Kah purchased rings for the entire Whitecaps team and coaching staff out of his own pocket. The championship rings were introduced on Friday, October 30 following the Whitecaps training session in Vancouver before playing the Portland Timbers in the 1st Leg of the MLS Playoffs on Sunday November 1.
After hanging on by a thread to start October, Portland Timbers now thriving in 4-3-3 formation – MLS
Unlikely road victories against RSL and LA – the Galaxy win being an eye-popping 5-2 rout – and 12 goals in four games leading up to a scoreless draw against Vancouver in Leg 1 of the conference semis last weekend was vindication for the third-year head coach and of the club’s direction as a whole.
For Timbers’ Darlington Nagbe, shift centrally makes all the difference – SI.com
Chapters about goal-setting in sports psychology texts frequently focus on the difference between process-oriented and outcome-oriented thinking. Teams and players can either emphasize only the end result and ignore the circumstances, or they can try to implement an approach that should net them wins in a more sustainable fashion.
FC Dallas believe they’re “in the driver’s seat” with home 2nd leg despite blown lead in Seattle – MLS
After squandering a first-half lead and losing 2-1 in Seattle over the weekend, FC Dallas now have to win Sunday’s return leg (4:30 pm PT; FS1 in US, TSN1 in Canada) and ensure that the victory includes the proper goal differential to advance past the Sounders, instead of being able to game-plan for a draw with slightly less pressure.
Impact midfielder Donadel avoids “stupid” yellow cards in playoffs – Canada.com
Marco Donadel saw a lot of yellow in his first season in Major League Soccer. The Montreal Impact midfielder led the league with 13 yellow cards, two more than Damien Perrinelle of the New York Red Bulls and Vancouver’s Kendall Waston, although he has managed to avoid any trouble with the referees during the playoffs.
Never mind Didier Drogba – Montreal Impact do it on defence – The Guardian
Impact’s parsimony bodes well against Columbus; why do FC Dallas get no respect; last chance for DC United; and another snoozefest in the north-west?
D.C. United needs another comeback to advance in MLS playoffs – Washington Post
On paper, United appears to be a massive underdog. The Red Bulls went 12-3-2 at home this year, while United was 4-10-3 on the road. When the teams last met at Red Bull Arena in August, New York won 3-0 in a game that was even more lopsided than the score suggests. Still, the Red Bulls know nothing will come easily.
Inside MLS: Ramos leads pack for Fire job, Morris still undecided on turning pro – Goal
The Chicago Fire are in the midst of a coaching search, and sources tell Goal USA that U.S. national team assistant Tab Ramos is the front runner for the position.
Jermaine Jones wants to stay with the Revolution – The Bent Musket
With his initial 18-month MLS contract ready to expire, Jones’ status with the Revs is in limbo. The Designated Player does hope to return, but only if the conditions are right.
Beckham partner: Land owners ‘probably will’ blow up soccer deal – Miami Herald
David Beckham’s top Miami negotiator said Thursday that owners of the private land needed for a Miami soccer stadium “probably will blow this deal up,” sounding the alarm over a potential failure of negotiations he said must be completed within a few weeks.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
SPARTANS ADVANCE TO CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS WITH WIN OVER GRIFFINS – TWU
Krista Gommeringer (Calgary) scored the game’s only goal in the 11th minute and from there, No. 5 ranked TWU held off MacEwan the rest of the way as the Spartans earned a 1-0 win over the Griffins Thursday afternoon at PotashCorp Park to advance to the Canada West semifinals.
UVic women’s soccer season ends abruptly – Times Colonist
The University of Victoria Vikes women’s soccer team saw their season come to a sudden end Thursday morning in Saskatoon. Jordan Smith’s goal in added injury time gave the University of Calgary Dinos a 2-1 win over the Vikes at the Canada West women’s Select Six tournament.
Vikes women’s soccer suffer season-ending loss to Calgary – UVic
The University of Victoria Vikes women’s soccer team suffered a season-ending 2-1 loss to Calgary, Nov. 5, in their opening game of the Canada West Select Six hosted in Saskatoon, Sask. Jordan Smith’s goal in injury time propelled the Dinos over the Vikes to advance to the semifinals against UBC. For the Vikes, this ends their 2015 season and it is marks the end of a five-year campaign for seniors Emma Greig and Shannon Elder.
Vikes men’s soccer midfielder Hundal named Canada West MVP – UVic
Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA) announced the 2015 men’s soccer all-stars and major award winners Thursday evening at the conference’s annual awards banquet in Vancouver, ahead of the conference’s Final Four tournament which opens Friday.
Vikes fifth year Greig named Canada West women’s soccer MVP – UVic
Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA) announced the 2015 women’s soccer all-stars and major award winners Thursday evening at the conference’s annual awards banquet in Saskatoon – the site of the conference’s Select Six tournament, which opened earlier in the day.
HUTCHINSON CANADA WEST ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, FIVE SPARTANS ALL-STARS – TWU
Trinity Western’s Rachel Hutchinson (Cloverdale, B.C.) was named the Canada West Rookie of the Year after she scored five goals and added six assists to finish in a tie for fourth in the conference in points and first amongst rookie athletes.
UBC women’s soccer boasts five Canada West league all-stars – UBC
Five UBC Thunderbirds women’s soccer players were honoured with a place on one of the Canada West’s two all-star teams.
Mosher named Canada West Coach of the Year; six ‘Birds named all-stars – UBC
The Canada West Universities Athletic Association (CWUAA) announced the 2015 men’s soccer all-stars and major award winners Thursday evening at the conference’s annual awards banquet at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel, ahead of the conference’s Final Four tournament which opens Friday.
Cascades’ Corneil, Byrne earn Canada West soccer all-star nods – UFV
University of the Fraser Valley soccer players Tristan Corneil and Tammer Byrne have been named Canada West all-stars.
FIFA 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
CANADA vs. HONDURAS
7:00 PM, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015
B.C. PLACE, VANCOUVER, B.C.
FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Canada vs. Honduras at B.C. Place, Fri. Nov.13 – Buy Tickets Here
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
“We are a soccer country” – With 15,000 tickets already sold for Canada v Honduras, CSA President Victor Montagliani targets late surge in sales – AFTN
Next Friday is a momentous day for football fans in Vancouver. When Canada take to the pitch at BC Place to face Honduras, it will be the first World Cup qualifier to be played in the city in over 11 years.
FIFA Women’s World Cups support $493.6m in economic activity for Canada – CSA
Canada Soccer has announced that the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015™ and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2014 supported an impressive $493.6 million in economic activity for Canada – exceeding the preliminary projections of $337 million made in February 2014 by 46%.
Success of women’s tournaments has CSA considering bidding for World Cup – Canada.com
After successfully hosting two major women’s soccer tournaments over the last couple of years, the Canadian Soccer Association is now giving serious consideration to bidding for the next FIFA World Cup.
Canada movin’ on up in the latest FIFA rankings – Eighty-Six Forever
Belgium now the top-rated team in the world, and the Canadian Men’s National Team move up two spots to 102nd a week before their crucial World Cup qualifier against Honduras.
Cyle Larin tells Honduran daily that Canada national team second-best team in World Cup qualifying group – MLS
In an interview with Honduran sports daily Diez, Larin proclaimed that Canada are the second best team to Mexico in their CONCACAF qualifying group that also includes Honduras and El Salvador. Canada will take on Honduras on Nov. 13 and then El Salvador on Nov. 17.
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NASL & USL NEWS
Year in Review: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 – USL
In the words of Coach Alan Koch, WFC2’s inaugural season had its ups and downs, but overall the club’s inaugural season could be seen as the foundation for long-term success at the USL level, and beyond. While the team’s youth was evident at times, particularly in struggles on the road, it also offered fans the chance to see some exciting young players as they made their first steps in the youth ranks.
League’s Best Defense Meets League’s Best Attack In Showdown In The Championship Semifinals – NASL
The NASL’s best defensive unit is gearing up for a critical test against the league’s highest-scoring team. Ottawa Fury FC hosts Minnesota United at TD Place on Sunday in The Championship Semifinals.
A battle set to gain rivalry status – Ottawa Fury FC
Ottawa and Minnesota. So much history in such a short time. They meet for their biggest match yet in Sunday’s Championship Semifinal at TD Place at 3pm.
NASL Playoffs: Strikers embracing underdog status against Cosmos – SBI
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers are fully aware that few expect them to advance past the NASL’s semifinals round, but the status of underdogs is one that the team is more than willing to accept and embrace.
NASL, Minnesota United move to dismiss Canadian midfielder Mozzi Gyorio’s lawsuit against them – the11.ca
The lawyers for Canadian midfielder Mozzi Gyorio, the NASL and Minnesota United FC will be in New York Nov. 19. That’s when New York Supreme Court Justice Ellen M. Coin is to hear petitions from the NASL and Minnesota United to have the breach-of-contract claims from Gyorio’s legal team dismissed.
Cosmos hope to keep Fernandes after Union loan – Empire of Soccer
Leo Fernandes has been such a productive and natural fit for the New York Cosmos that one could easily forget he is a loanee.
Rowdies Announce First Wave of Roster Moves – Tampa Bay Rowdies
Offseason moves are already underway as the Tampa Bay Rowdies begin preparations for a successful 2016 North American Soccer League season. Seven members of the 2015 team have been removed from the roster at this time.
USSF Policy Change: MLS2 Teams Banned From U.S. Open Cup Competition – Empire of Soccer
A subtle policy amendment made on September 8th, 2015 could have a major impact on the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. MLS reserve teams competing in the USL will find themselves on the outs of the competition next year.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
BREAKING NEWS: USL Announces W-League will cease operation ahead of 2016 season – USL
The W-League, the longest serving professional women’s league in North America, announced today it will cease operations ahead of the 2016 season. Since 1995, the W-League has been committed to operating a women’s league at the highest standards of competition and play throughout the United States and Canada. Forty-three players selected by the United States, Canada and Mexico for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup had previously played in the W-League, including 17 members of the U.S. squad that claimed its third championship this past summer.
CSA hoping one or two Canadian clubs will be part of the “next evolution” of the NWSL – AFTN
“We have a legacy program, which has other elements in it, but from a footballing standpoint, we’re one of the three Federations that are sort of involved in investing into the senior component of the NWSL,” Montagliani said. “I think the next stage of that is to have women’s teams in that league within Canada. Without mentioning any names, there was two or three that were very close to jumping in to that pool.
FIFA tournaments deliver big economic boost in Canada – FIFA
Canada Soccer has announced that the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015™ and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2014 supported an impressive CAD 493.6 million in economic activity for Canada – exceeding preliminary projections made in February 2014 by 46 per cent.
Orlando Pride get extra international spot for ’16, ’17 – The Equalizer
Orlando Pride were granted an extra international roster spot for the 2016 and 2017 National Women’s Soccer League seasons, The Equalizer confirmed with the league.
Women’s Libertadores: Ferroviaria and Colo Colo in the grand final – CONMEBOL
On Thursday, November 5, the semifinal of the Women’s Copa Libertadores was held in the Polideportivo Sur – Envigado.
Round four preview – Westfield W-League – Westfield W-League
Round four in the Westfield W-League previewed, highlighted by an epic match-up between champions Canberra United and leaders Melbourne City.
FFA and PFA announce a new CBA to drive football growth – Westfield W-League
Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) have today announced a four-year Whole of Game Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that delivers affordable increases in player payments and improved conditions across all three playing groups.
Scotland: Game Day 21 Round Up – SWPL
Last Sunday saw the final day of the 2015 SWPL season, with six superb matches.
Creating a star — Older brother, intense competition fostered Sanchez’s love for soccer – Idaho State Journal
Playing 3A soccer at American Falls High School to competing in the Big Sky Conference was an enormous leap. Joining the Mexican National Team in the 2015 Women’s World Cup after a year of college soccer was an even bigger jump. But Maria Sanchez has been seemingly undaunted by each step in her soccer career.
Chloe Kelly strike earns England Women’s U19s draw in Italy – The FA
A Chloe Kelly goal just before half-time earned England Women’s Under-19s a creditable 1-1 draw against Italy.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
Northampton Town: scandal of missing millions from council’s stadium loan – The Guardian
Cobblers supporters baffled and distressed as council seeks answers about what happened to £10.25m loan to pay for improvements to Sixfields stadium.
FIFA Puskás Award: Ten best goals of the year announced – FIFA
The race to determine the winner of the FIFA Puskás Award for the “best goal of the year” has started today, 6 November 2015, on FIFA.com and francefootball.fr. Fans from across the world will decide which of the ten goals chosen by FIFA and selected Football Committee members will be the winner of this award.
U-17 World Cup: Mali, Nigeria set up all-African decider – FIFA
Defending champions Nigeria and impressive outsiders Mali overcame Mexico and Belgium respectively in the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 to advance to the final.
U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati dodges questions about FIFA corruption scandal, relationship with Chuck Blazer – NY Daily News
Sunil Gulati is the president of the United States Soccer Federation and is the lone American representative on FIFA’s troubled executive committee. But his real sport is dodgeball.
Louis van Gaal tells Manchester United fans to boo him – BBC Sport
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has told fans to jeer him, not the players, after some in the Old Trafford crowd demanded a more attacking style.
Karim Benzema, Real Madrid striker, charged in sex tape blackmail case – CBC
Benzema, widely considered one of the most talented strikers in the world, also faced preliminary charges of participating in a criminal group in a scandal that has monopolized the national media’s attention.
Oswaldo Alanis’ goal wins Copa MX final for Chivas Guadalajara – ESPN FC
A lone goal from Oswaldo Alanis in the 70th minute was enough for Chivas to defeat Leon 1-0 in the Copa MX Apertura final on Wednesday and end a nine-year trophy drought.
Mexico miss chance to defeat rampant Nigeria in U17 World Cup semifinal – ESPN FC
In a thrilling semifinal match held in Concepcion, Chile, Nigeria advanced to the Under-17 World Cup final after defeating Mexico 4-2. To the delight of the spectators, the game provided goals that embellish the game a little bit more.
Northampton Town: scandal of missing millions from council’s stadium loan – The Guardian
Cobblers supporters baffled and distressed as council seeks answers about what happened to £10.25m loan to pay for improvements to Sixfields stadium.
How will FC United continue to prioritise fans over finances as their club thrives? – The Guardian
FC United have enjoyed an extraordinary rise through the leagues but the way their FA Cup tie was moved for TV suggests they will face bigger battles ahead.