WHITECAPS FC & MLS NEWS
PHOTO GALLERY: WHITECAPS FC 0 FC DALLAS 0, OCTOBER 7, 2015 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie
Whitecaps labor into the playoffs – Goal
It might have been claimed in a lackluster contest on Wednesday evening, but the Vancouver Whitecaps were able to achieve one of their main goals for 2015, as the team secured an MLS Cup Playoff berth.
Coach’s cupboard of healthy Whitecaps ‘bare’ – Vancouver Sun
It was the 73rd minute on Wednesday at BC Place Stadium, a key moment in a disheartening 0-0 Major League Soccer draw with FC Dallas. And a moment that so neatly summed up the Vancouver Whitecaps’ fortunes of late.
Welcome to the family! Jordan Harvey and wife Kim announce birth of first child – Whitecaps FC
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC family has a new member. On Wednesday morning, defender Jordan Harvey and his wife Kim Caldwell welcomed their first child into the world: a baby girl named Harlow Monroe Harvey
Race for the red line: who will seal the remaining MLS playoff spots? – The Guardian
With only one fixture this weekend amid the international break, Major League Soccer takes a collective breath before most of its teams will make one final, push for a post-season berth. Today we look at those teams that have yet to qualify for/be eliminated from post-season contention to weigh their prospects as the 2015 season winds down.
New York City FC’s Jason Kreis, Seattle Sounders’ Sigi Schmid dismiss commentator’s comments on coaching futures – MLS
Citing sources, Shep Messing claimed during the broadcast that Kreis could be leaving his New York City FC head coaching post for Seattle, while Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid could end up coaching in New York City and Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter could be returning to the college ranks.
Desperate Impact head to the mountains seeking much-needed win in Colorado – Canada.com
When there was still snow on the ground in Montreal last winter, the Impact were training at high altitude in Mexico during an unexpected run to the CONCACAF Champions League final.
Houston Dynamo laud top scorer Will Bruin, but forward’s future at club unclear – MLS
With 11 goals in his ledger, the forward leads the team in scoring. And 2015 marked his third double-digit scoring season in only five years as a pro – and fourth consecutive, counting playoff goals as well. But with his contract up at the end of the 2015 campaign, will Bruin continue scoring goals in Dynamo Orange?
Michael Bradley unfiltered: On his World Cup, best position, trophies – SI.com
Atlanta, July 2015. It’s a blazing hot summer day outside. Inside, on the day before the U.S.’s Gold Cup semifinal against Jamaica, U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley sits with a bottle of water and takes in the question. But you never know when the simplest of questions might trigger something meaningful. Bradley grew up in a family that doesn’t shy away from having what its members—including Bob, his father, the former U.S. coach—like to call “real conversations.
In a newly stable MLS, life remains unstable for career journeymen – SB Nation
“We’re definitely lucky to get to play soccer and do what we’ve always been passionate about and loved,” declares Major League Soccer defender Ty Harden, who has been on five teams in five years, about playing in the league. But for him and hundreds of players like him, there’s nothing glamorous about their chosen careers.
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BC SOCCER NEWS
Dickson Scores Three in 9 Minutes – SFU
Freshman Christina Dickson scored three goals in less than nine minutes as Simon Fraser University hammered Saint Martin’s University 5-0 in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women’s soccer game Thursday on Terry Fox Field.
Down Goes No. 12 NNU – SFU
Last game the Clan upset No. 7 ranked Seattle Pacific 1-0. Tonight they took down No. 12 and conference-leading Northwest Nazarene, 2-0, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference men’s soccer game on Terry Fox Field.
Red-hot UVic Vikes soccer teams set sights on Thunderbirds – Times Colonist
When it comes to the Canada West court or pitch, there is nothing quite as emotionally charged as UVic versus UBC. Especially when it matters in the standings. It does tonight in both men’s and women’s soccer when the University of Victoria Vikes teams cross the strait to meet their UBC counterparts at Thunderbird Stadium
Heat in derby weekend versus WolfPack – UBCO
After coming back on a rewarding weekend that saw the UBC Okanagan men’s soccer team get four points out of the six on the road versus UFV and TWU, the Heat have an exciting weekend ahead of them.
Girls U-16 Cup: Quality attack prevails as Lakeshore SC picks up three points in their opening match at nationals – CSA
After coming off a rest day, Lakeshore SC of Quebec began their quest for a national championship with a 3-1 victory over Mountain United SC of British Columbia. With both teams deadlocked at 1-1 after 60 minutes, winger Alexia Remillard would give the Quebec side the lead for good as she pounced on a rebound inside the 6 yard-box. With the result Mountain United SC is knocked out of medal contention having dropped their opened 2-1 to Suburban FC of Nova Scotia.
Boys U-16 Cup: Foothills fill the net in the first half to assume first place in Group A – CSA
Coming off an opening day victory, the Calgary Foothills continued their winning ways at the Sport Chek National Club Championships with a convincing 4-0 win over the Eastern Eagles. Four first-half goals would ensure victory for the Alberta champions with striker Dominic Parris leading the way offensively, scoring 2 goals, while Matthew Chatani and Jarrett Manriquez scored a goal apiece.
Villa club cut down by Loggers squad – Powell River Peak
Road trips are always tough and last weekend was a card-filled match that ended with Powell River Villa taking a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Sooke Loggers.
Taylor Johnson – Spartan Spotlight – TWU
In the wake of a successful first season with the Spartans – one that saw Johnson play the full 90 minutes in all but one of TWU’s games – the now fourth-year product of Strathmore, Alta. found himself back at home for the Christmas holidays, thumbing text messages to his old friends. Despite his impressive on-field efforts in that first year at TWU and almost instant success at the CIS level, a return to his hometown saw him back where he was before he came to Langley; back looking for gratification in the same gutters he previously trudged.
Twin sisters nearing end of soccer journey – Prince George Citizen
Before Lyn Hall ever became the mayor of Prince George, or a city councillor, or a school board trustee, he was a soccer dad. First and foremost that was his main role. Sixteen years ago, he stepped onto the soccer pitch to coach his six-year-old twin daughters Sydney and Jordan.
CONCACAF 2016 OLYMPIC QUALIFYING
SEMI-FINAL
CANADA vs. MEXICO
3:00 PM, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2015
RIO TINTO STADIUM, SANDY, UT.
(TV: TLN, LIVESTREAM: CANADASOCCER.COM)
FIFA World Cup Qualifying – Canada vs. Honduras at B.C. Place, Fri. Nov.13 – Buy Tickets Here
CANADA SOCCER NEWS
Canada M23 one win away from Rio 2016 Olympics – CSA
A historic win is all that separates Canada from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. In the way are the reigning Olympic champions Mexico, Canada’s opponent for this Saturday’s 2015 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament semi finals in Sandy, UT.
Canada’s men’s soccer face Mexico; one victory away from Rio Olympics – Yahoo Sports
Canada’s under-22 men’s soccer team is one victory away from the Rio Summer Games, and of erasing 31 years of Olympic futility.
Altitude, fatigue pose problems as Canadians prepare for U23 semifinal against Mexico – the11.ca
Canadian U-23 national-team players Samuel Piette and Michael Petrasso both admitted that they’re nervous heading into Saturday’s CONCACAF Olympic qualifying semifinal match against the powerhouse Mexicans.
Challenge Trophy: Green & Gold wins over Holy Cross Kirby – CSA
Welcome Holy Cross Kirby of Newfoundland and Labrador. They would be the last of the 12 men’s teams to get their tournament underway. Representing the most Eastern part of Canada this is their sixth appearance in last seven Sport Chek National Club Championships. On Thursday evening they would open up their tournament against Edmonton Green & Gold.
VIDEO: Looking back on the 100th year of the Ontario Cup – OSA
As the Ontario Cup champions prepare to take on the rest of Canada in the Club National Championships, which kicks off today, OSATV looks back on the highlights from the 100th year of competition of the Ontario Cup.
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NASL & USL NEWS
USL Playoff Preview: Expectations Grow on League Favorites – Empire of Soccer
The USL playoffs roll on as we approach the Conference Finals with the pressure building on marquee teams Rochester and LA.
Midfield Standout Lopez Departs Republic FC – USL
Midfielder Rodrigo Lopez announced he will not be returning to Republic FC’s roster for the 2016 USL season. The club released the following statement regarding Lopez:
Race to the Soccer Bowl: Fury set for top seed while fourth spot is wide open – SBI
With only four or five regular season games left to play for all sides in NASL, two separate groups of teams are competing for their playoff lives.
Hartford Professional Soccer Stadium Project All But Dead, Councilman Says – WPNR
A deal to lease city land to a developer who said he would finance and build a multi-million dollar soccer stadium that would be home to a professional soccer team is all but dead, as news reports about the man behind the deal have caused even its main backer to retreat.
Match Preview vs. New York Cosmos – FC Edmonton
FC Edmonton (7-4-5) kick-off the final road trip of the North American Soccer League (NASL) regular season, travelling to New York to face the Cosmos (7-6-4), Oct. 11 at 3:00 p.m. MT at James M. Shuart Stadium. With a victory, the Eddies could leapfrog back into a postseason spot.
WEEK 15 PREVIEW | Trio of Top Six Matchups Headlines Crucial Weekend of Fall Season Play – NASL
With just four weekends remaining on the NASL Fall Season schedule, the race to claim the final postseason berths could go in any direction. As the late season drama reaches a fever pitch, the scheduling gods have quite a weekend planned, as three of the league’s five games will feature a pair of top six clubs facing off with plenty on the line.
A Look At The Cosmos’ Attendance Woes – Empire of Soccer
Despite all of that success, the team has averaged a meager 5,113 fans in NASL play this season, placing them seventh in the 11 team league above only the sparsely attended FC Edmonton, the league-run Atlanta Silverbacks, the FIFA-embattled Carolina Railhawks and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, who recently underwent an ownership change.
Rowdies Remove Salgado and Agbossoumonde From Roster – Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Tampa Bay Rowdies have made two further changes to their roster ahead of the North American Soccer League roster freeze this week, removing forward Omar Salgado and defender Gale Agbossoumonde from the squad.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS
UWCL update: Wolfsburg held, French clubs roll – The Equalizer
Here is the latest from the first leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League Round of 32 ties. The return legs are next week. Home teams are listed first.
Laura Bassett: Notts can heal FA Cup wounds in Continental Cup – BBC Sport
Captain Laura Bassett says the Continental Cup offers Notts County a chance to recover from the trauma of losing the Women’s FA Cup final.
Women’s Champions League: Chelsea Ladies 1-0 Glasgow City – BBC Sport
Chelsea Ladies will take a slender lead into the second leg of their Champions League last 32 tie with Glasgow City after winning on their European debut.
VIDEO: WSL Goal of the Season (2015) | Goals & Highlights – YouTube
Top Goal of the season from England’s Women’s Super League.
REIGN FC MIDFIELDER MARIAH BULLOCK ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT – NWSL
“Retirement is bittersweet. Soccer has been a huge part of my identity for my whole life,” said Bullock of her decision to retire from professional soccer to pursue a Ph.D in Psychology at Brigham Young University. “I still have such a love and passion for the game and I know I could still physically and technically compete, so that makes stepping away difficult. However, I do feel confident that this is my time, and knowing that I have so many great things to transition into makes it exciting and comforting.
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WORLD SOCCER NEWS
FIFA’s executive committee set to discuss postponing election – reports – ESPN FC
FIFA’s executive committee is being urged to discuss postponing the presidential election at an emergency meeting following the crisis that has struck the world governing body, according to reports.
Chung Mong-joon, FIFA candidate, appealing 6-year ban – CBC
FIFA presidential candidate and former vice-president Chung Mong-joon has said he will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after he was banned for six years by the ethics committee of soccer’s world governing body on Thursday.
Andrew Warshaw: FIFA’s calm exterior concealed a cauldron of confusion – Inside World Football
For weeks and months on end, in the face of mounting scrutiny and pressure, Blatter had been assuring anyone who would listen that he and the institution of FIFA were clean whilst acknowledging the need for urgent reform to prevent any more rogue elements from infiltrating his organisation.
U.S. vs. Mexico belongs on the short list of world soccer’s great rivalries – Washington Post
Soccer’s greatest rivalries play out on the club stage, at Barcelona’s Camp Nou and Madrid’s Bernabeu, at Glasgow’s Celtic Park, Buenos Aires’ La Bombonera and Milan’s San Siro. They are fueled by tribal lore, geography and seasonal engagement — fervid rituals flowing across generations.
Klinsmann has much at stake as U.S. preps for CONCACAF Cup, Olympics – ESPN FC
The two games will serve as nothing less than a referendum on his tenure. “Those moments aren’t coming along very often,” Klinsmann says. “It’s a day that probably will be talked about for quite a long time.”
Mexico’s complex rivalry with USA divides Mexican American soccer fans – The Guardian
The Concacaf giants square off in Pasadena on Saturday, and as the two nations grow closer, ‘sometimes you feel like you’re neither from here nor there’
The rest of CONCACAF doesn’t care about your USA-Mexico fatigue – Soccer Gods
If you’re walking the streets this Saturday in the United States or Mexico, don’t be surprised if you get smacked in the head by patriotism draped in either a U.S. or Mexican flag.
What to watch for in Friday’s EURO qualifiers – UEFA
Spain and Slovakia can confirm their finals places, England can stay on target for a perfect qualifying campaign, while Russia are out to close the door on Sweden.
Northern Ireland qualifies for Euro 2016 – Sportsnet
Portugal and Northern Ireland booked their places at Euro 2016 on Thursday, while world champion Germany was made to wait after being upset 1-0 by Ireland in Dublin.
Shane Long keeps alive Republic of Ireland hopes in win over Germany – The Guardian
Shane Long came off the bench to fire the Republic of Ireland to a historic victory over the world champions and guarantee Martin O’Neill’s team a place in the Euro 2016 play-offs at least. But why should they settle for that now they have shown they are capable of victories like this? On Sunday they will duel with Poland in Warsaw for automatic qualification.
Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze out for 10 to 12 weeks – German federation – ESPN FC
Gotze, 23, was substituted in the 35th minute of Thursday night’s 1-0 loss in Dublin after overstretching while battling for the ball with James McCarthy.
Robert Lewandowski stuns Scots with late, late equaliser – The Independent
It was always going to end like this, two goals from Robert Lewandowski, the striker on the hottest of hot streaks, earned Poland a point that was enough to end Scotland’s hopes of making the European Championships.
Alexis Sánchez helps Chile to World Cup qualifying victory over Brazil – The Guardian
Chile got their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign off to the perfect start on Thursday when two late goals gave them a 2-0 win over Brazil.
How to Build a World Cup Winner– New Republic
Why German soccer holds the key to U.S. soccer success.
Sam Allardyce appointed as Sunderland manager – Sunderland AFC
Sunderland AFC have confirmed the appointment of Sam Allardyce as manager. The 60-year-old has agreed to a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light and takes charge of the Black Cats with immediate effect.
Jürgen Klopp, the ‘Normal One’, takes over as new Liverpool manager – The Guardian
The new Liverpool manager, who has signed a three-year contract worth £7m a year with an option for a fourth, was unveiled at a packed Anfield press conference on Friday where he admitted the intensity around the club and its storied history had convinced him to take the job as Brendan Rodgers’ successor.
Marine FC: ‘A club that is rooted in its community and families can call home’ – The Guardian
Ahead of Non League Day, dad-of-one Richard Felton explains why he gave up supporting Liverpool to follow a team that plays in front of hundreds in the Evo Stik Northern Premier League.