BC Soccer News, Weekend, September 9-11, 2016

COLUMBUS CREW SC vs. WHITECAPS FC

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016, 3:00 PM

MAPFRE STADIUM, COLUMBUS, OH.

TV: TSN 1  RADIO: TSN 1040  LIVESTREAM: TSN GO

Preview: ‘Caps, Crew fight for playoff lives Saturday afternoon in Columbus – Whitecaps FC
Two teams fighting to stay alive in their respective playoff races come together on Saturday afternoon when Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8W-13L-7D) pay a visit to Columbus Crew SC (5W-10L-11D) at Mapfre Stadium.

Match Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps take on Columbus Crew on Saturday – Eighty-Six Forever
If the Vancouver Whitecaps have any plans of making a run for the post-season, they’ll need a good result against the Columbus Crew this weekend.

Columbus Crew SC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps | 2016 MLS Match Preview – MLS
Columbus Crew SC were unable to pick up a win against the LA Galaxy this past Saturday, losing, 2-1, on the road at StubHub Center.

Columbus Crew vs Vancouver Whitecaps preview: Two teams fighting for their playoff lives – Vavel
The Columbus Crew host the Vancouver Whitecaps in do-or-die match to make the postseason for both teams.

Vancouver Whitecaps prepare for “big ten days” with season on the line – Goal
The Vancouver Whitecaps’ playoff aspirations look bleak. With six games remaining, the ‘Caps sit four points off the playoff places in the West. The squad still has some lingering hope of success this season, but we’ll get an answer as to whether that belief is genuine or misplaced over their next three matches.

It’s hard to find that sliver of hope for the Whitecaps, but it’s there  – The Province
While the Caps (8-13-7) clearly have an off-season of dramatic change ahead of them, regardless of how these final six regular-season games go, they’re not out of it because the teams around them have also been poor.

Parker: Battle Hardened Internationals will provide boost – Red Nation Online
The next biggest Whitecaps match will take place on Saturday against the Columbus Crew.

Landon Donovan officially comes out of retirement, signs with LA Galaxy – MLS
It’s official: Landon Donovan is returning to professional soccer. The 34-year-old MLS legend, who retired after a storied career in 2014 following his record sixth MLS Cup, has signed with the LA Galaxy as an MLS free agent for the remainder of the 2016 season, the club and player announced on Thursday.

After nearly two years away, Donovan looking to help injury-plagued Galaxy with return to field – SBI
Prior to Thursday, Landon Donovan was anything but a professional soccer player. He was an analyst, one seemingly becoming more comfortable in a suit and tie after a career in cleats and shorts. He was a coach, one charged with guiding the next generation of American stars hoping to emulate even a chunk of his success. He was even an owner, one that was beginning the process of making his mark on an English Premier League club.

How a returning Landon Donovan fits into LA Galaxy’s setup – Four Four Two
Landon Donovan’s stunning return to the LA Galaxy could provide the spark Major League Soccer’s signature club has been missing most of the summer and light a path to its fourth league title in six years.

MLS Look Ahead: Week 29 – SBI
There is a full slate of games this weekend in MLS following the international break, and an American soccer legend could return to the pitch on Sunday.

MLS preview: is NYC FC’s Frank Lampard a contender for player of the year? – The Guardian
The former England star has 11 goals in 16 games and could be an MVP contender; Union and Impact look for home advantage; Dallas aim for 20 unbeaten.

Match Preview: Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC – Toronto FC
Toronto FC will look to make club history on Saturday night in the Windy City. The Reds have never won in Chicago, going 0-5-5 since 2007. Though they will be without Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore is in fine form. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Impact Inconsistencies Hurting Team Late in Season – Mount Royal Soccer
From the best game of the season, to possibly the worst. That describes the past two games for the Montreal Impact. After walking into BMO Field and taking a 1-0 win against Toronto FC, while a man down for the entire second half, the Impact got embarrassed Wednesday night at Saputo, losing 4-1 to Orlando City SC.

Cyle Larin returns healthy from stint with Canadian national team – Orlando Sentinel
Orlando City traveled to Canada this week without their star Canadian. Leading goal scorer Cyle Larin was on the opposite side of his home country the night before the Lions’ match late Wednesday against the Montreal Impact, dressed in red playing for his national team in Vancouver.

The Sounders Must Find A Way To Win Without Dempsey – MLS Multiplex
Though Clint Dempsey is sometimes considered overrated, the Sounders have floundered without him this season. In the midst of a playoff push, will they learn how to succeed without him?

MLS Disciplinary Committee suspends Real Salt Lake defender Jamison Olave – MLS
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended one player for actions taken during midweek games in Week 27 of the 2016 season.

Ronaldinho weighing offers from MLS and Chinese League – ESPN FC
Ronaldinho is weighing up offers from the United States as he considers one final move in his playing career. The 36-year-old has been without a club since he left Fluminense last September.

The MLS Deluge: Minnesota United Sells 5k Season Ticket Deposits in a Week – Fifty Five One
“If you build it, they will come.” Or, in the case of Minnesota United FC, “If you announce it and plan to build it, they will come.” In the week after Minnesota United announced they would enter MLS in 2017, the Loons sold 5,000 season ticket deposits and the number keeps growing.

MLS PHOTOS: Whitecaps FC 0, New York Red Bulls 1, September 3, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie.

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BC SOCCER NEWS

VMSL Opens the 2016-17 Premier League Season with Six Matches in Coquitlam – BC Soccer Web
The Vancouver Metro Soccer League is set to open the curtain on the 2016-17 season this Saturday with a great day of Premier League matches in Coquitlam. All twelve top division clubs will be in action at Coquitlam’s Town Centre’s East Turf. Kickoff times for the six matches are 3pm, 5pm & 7pm.

Vancouver Metro Soccer League launches new website & releases 2016-17 Schedule – VMSL
The VMSL website has a new look and a new schedule for 2016-17.

Coastal Season Kick Off – BCSA
More than 70,000+ youths and 15,000+ adults will take to pitches across the lower mainland and Vancouver Island.  With the start of coastal season play right around the corner, the adult leagues and the youth districts are already in full swing as they prepare for the 2016-2017 season.

Sandhu earns clean sheet as Clan draws with Golden Eagles – SFU
In their first road contest of the season, the SFU Clan women’s soccer team (1-0-1) stayed unbeaten, earning a scoreless draw against a feisty Cal State LA Golden Eagles (1-1-1) squad. Despite a multitude of chances in either direction, SFU goalkeeper Priya Sandhu and her CSLA counterpart Adriana Maldonado were excellent in between the pipes, making three and seven saves, respectively.

WolfPack Women’s Soccer Prepare To Kick Off Regular Season – TRU
After getting a first week bye, the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s soccer team will open its 2016 Canada West season on the road.

PREVIEW: Season opens on the road for women’s soccer – UBCO
This week marks the first week of regular season games for the Heat women’s soccer team. Heading on the road the Okanagan squad will start their season in Lethbridge where they will take on the Pronghorns Saturday (Sept 10) with a 11 a.m. PT start time at the University Field. Followed by a second match in Calgary on Sunday (Sept 11) with a start time of 11 a.m. PT against U of C at West Varsity Soccer Pitch, Calgary.

Harsany Takes Reigns of Keeping For WolfPack Men’s Soccer – TRU
Claye Harsany is enjoying a pretty charmed life these days. And it is no accident. The second year soccer player from High River, Alberta is a hard worker. And that diligence is paying off with the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s soccer team.

Pivotal matches for WolfPack – Kamloops This Week
Ryan Glanville’s words at the Thompson Rivers WolfPack’s pre-season press conference might have been made with this weekend’s men’s soccer matches in mind — the UNBC Timberwolves (0-4) are in town.

Vikes soccer teams look to get offence going at home – Times Colonist
Coach Bruce Wilson isn’t in as much of a panic as he might have otherwise been with the 0-2 start to the Canada West men’s soccer season for his University of Victoria Vikes.

Sedgwick ready to unveil new-look T-wolves – Prince George Citizen
Jo Ribeiro thought she was done as a CIS soccer player last fall when she wrapped up her fourth season with the UNBC Timberwolves. But as it turned out, the numbers didn’t add up for the 22-year-old midfielder from Prince George. Before she set off on her career as an accountant, she realized she needed to take a couple more university courses and is back for a fifth year with the T-wolves.

Four Whitecaps FC Residency players called up to Canada’s U-17 national team – Whitecaps FC
Four Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency players have been called up to Canada’s U-17 national team for an upcoming camp and series of international matches. Included on Canada’s 20-player squad are Michael Baldisimo and Gabriel Escobar from Vancouver’s U-18 side as well as Jefferson Alade and Alessandro Hojabrpour from the U-16s.

Youth soccer United at last – Delta Optimist
Newly aligned South Delta club kicks of its inaugural season on.

Canada West to livestream over 100 Soccer matches in 2016-17 – Canada West
With the 2016-17 Canada West regular season set to open later this week, Canada West is proud to launch passes for Canadawest.tv – the official streaming home of the conference.

BC Soccer Assoc. Releases their 2015-2016 Year in Review – BCSA
After another successful year of soccer in British Columbia, BC Soccer Assoc. is pleased to release their 2015-2016 Year in Review.  The creation of the BC Soccer Club Charter Program, delivery of a FIFA Live Your Goals Festival, along with the numerous Grassroots Festivals across the province and Coach Education highlight some of the major successes this past year.

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.

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.

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.

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CANADA SOCCER NEWS

TFC’s Ricketts: ‘Canada was good enough to make Hex’ – Sportsnet
Even though the results say otherwise, Toronto FC forward Tosaint Ricketts believes the Canadian national team was good enough to qualify for ‘the Hex.’

In hindsight, a campaign lost without foresight for the CanMNT – Red Nation Online
It is easy to talk in hindsight, especially when things go wrong. However, I must say when it came to Canada’s qualifying cycle for the 2018 World Cup, most of the concerns discussed here throughout the process came to be true. The response to Canada being eliminated from Russia 2018 runs the spectrum, with head coach Benito Floro taking the most heat, although no one involved in the Canadian program were left unscathed.

Frustrated by “a thousand impediments” Benito Floro’s desire for Canadian league stronger than ever – AFTN
Tuesday night’s Canada v El Salvador game hadn’t even finished before the post mortem into the Canadian campaign was well underway online. To be fair, it’s been a debate that’s been raging on for months after Canada’s qualification hopes were hit hard by two poor performances in a pair of losses to Mexico, on the back of a disappointing scoreless draw in El Salvador.

Ledgerwood: What Floro has taught Canadian players will help team in the long run – the11.ca
Nik Ledgerwood says he’s in the same position as many of his Canadian national-teammates. They’re all waiting to hear if the Canadian Soccer Association will opt to part ways with coach Benito Floro — or if they’ll keep him on.

Canada m17 announces squad for Panama series – CSA
Canada Soccer has announced a 20-player squad for an upcoming Men’s U-17 camp and series of 2016 international matches. The three-nation series features Canada, Mexico, and host Panama, who are also the host for next year’s 2017 CONCACAF Men’s Under-17 Championship.

Queen’s Women’s soccer moves to sixth in Canada – Queen’s Journal
The Gaels opened their season in similar fashion to how they ended last year’s campaign — dominant.

Local soccer player on track to play with national team – Whitehorse Daily Star
Between TSE, Strikers and Whitehorse Minor Soccer, Abby Rich sometimes finds herself playing or practicing soccer up to nine times a week. The 12-year-old doesn’t mind, soccer is in her blood.

PHOTOS: 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Canada 3 El Salvador 1, September 6, 2016 – BC Soccer Web
Exclusive Photos for BC Soccer Web by Bill Currie

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Back at the ‘Bird: Whitecaps FC 2, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC battle for playoff position – Whitecaps FC
Buckle up, Whitecaps FC 2 fans, as we get to the home stretch of the 2016 USL season, beginning with Sunday’s crucial Western Conference tilt against third-place Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Scoutabout day.

USL roster freeze and what it means for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks – Burgundy Wave
For the Switchbacks FC, this might make for complications for our newest loanee, Zach Pfeffer. While he filled the requirement to appear before the freeze date, the club only has three more games. In speaking with the team, they indicated that they are working with the USL to see that he is available for the playoffs.

NASL Fall Week 11 Preview: All Eyes on Cosmos, Minnesota – Empire of Soccer
Supporters across the league will have at least part of their attention focused on Saturday night’s clash between the New York Cosmos (27 pts Fall, 45 pts Combined) and Minnesota United FC (20 pts, 36 pts) as the match could have major implications for the postseason race throughout the table.

FC Edmonton hopes to overcome its Miami vices – the11.ca
Miami FC was the team that spoiled FC Edmonton’s attempt to win the NASL’s spring-season title.

Despite disappointment of loss, FC Edmonton’s Nick Ledgerwood sees hope for national team – Edmonton Sun
According to the FC Edmonton midfielder, there are positives from Canada’s latest failed attempt to make it into the final qualifying stage in the CONCACAF region.

Details behind Hunter Freeman’s move to Miami FC – Empire of Soccer
It may not have been Richie Ryan or Poku-type money, but Miami FC still paid a pretty penny to lure Hunter Freeman to the Sunshine State. After speaking to multiple sources, EoS has learned the details behind Freeman’s move from the New York Cosmos to Miami FC.

OC Blues Purchased by Southern California Businessman Keston – USL
The United Soccer League’s Orange County Blues FC, which was founded in 1998 and joined the USL in 2010, has been purchased by James Keston, the Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, a diversified investment company headquartered in Los Angeles.

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WOMEN’S SOCCER NEWS

Anthem Controversy: Spirit made all the wrong moves – Equalizer
The Washington Spirit’s decision to play the national anthem without the players on the field has stoked the passions of women’s soccer fans like few events before it. When the night was over, the Spirit had clinched a home semifinal for the first time in club history, Crystal Dunn snapped out of her club goal scoring drought, and the Reign fell to the brink of failing to make the playoffs after two straight years winning the Shield comfortably. No one cared about any of it.

Cali Farquharson to Miss Remainder of NWSL Season After Tearing ACL – Washington Spirit
Washington Spirit rookie forward Cali Farquharson will miss the remainder of the 2016 NWSL season after tearing her left ACL during the opening minutes of the Spirit’s match against Seattle on Wednesday, September 7.

Echouafni takes over as France boss – Vavel
On Friday morning, the French Football Federation announced that Olivier Echouafni would be the new head coach of the women’s national team. That confirmed the rumours doing the rounds that Philippe Bergerôo had been sacked from his role.

21 Players Named for USWNT September Matches – USSF
U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis has named 21 players from the 2016 Olympic Games roster to compete in a pair of friendlies against Thailand on Sept. 15 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio (8 p.m. ET on ESPN2) and on Sept. 18 against the Netherlands (7 p.m. ET on FS1) at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Football pioneer Sylvia Gore MBE dies aged 71 – Sky Sports
Sylvia Gore, England’s first goalscorer in an official women’s football international, has died at the age of 71.

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WORLD SOCCER NEWS

European Weekend Preview: Manchester derby, Liverpool-Leicester and more – SBI
All eyes will be on England this weekend as the marquee match of the Premier League season headlines the action in Europe. United welcome City as the two face off in the fabled Manchester Derby in a showdown with more storylines than you can count.

Manchester City’s Claudio Bravo set for Premier League debut in derby –ESPN FC
New Manchester City keeper Claudio Bravo will be thrown into the Manchester derby for his Premier League debut.

Manchester’s derby is now the center of soccer’s transfer universe – Soccer America
Old Trafford is hosting one of the most anticipated Manchester derbies ever played Saturday, it will include two of the world’s best coaches, and a pair of teams that bought half of the most expensive players purchased anywhere in the world since the start of last summer.

Mourinho v Guardiola: The Clásico years – UEFA
With José Mourinho and Josep Guardiola renewing acquaintances in the Manchester derby on Saturday, UEFA.com shines a light on the pair’s rivalry while in charge of Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

Scotland braced for return of Old Firm derby – Yahoo Sports
It would be a tough task convincing any Glaswegian that a Celtic versus Rangers Old Firm derby has any serious rival in world football – such is the intensity level that accompanies a clash between the Scottish giants.

Anticipation building in Nice ahead of derby – Ligue 1
OGC Nice fans will turn out in force at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday, hoping to see the club’s trio of big-name new signings feature for the first time in the Mediterranean derby against Olympique de Marseille.

Zidane calls transfer ban on Madrid, Atletico ‘absurd’ – Sportsnet
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has called FIFA’s decision to uphold its one-year transfer ban against the club and rival Atletico Madrid “absurd.”

Ex-CONCACAF chief Jeffrey Webb banned for life by FIFA – Goal
FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee has banned disgraced former vice-president Jeffrey Webb for life.

FIFA open formal probe into $80m paid out to Blatter, Valcke and Kattner – Inside World Football
FIFA’s ethics investigators have opened a formal investigation into the $80 million in pay rises and bonuses that former FIFA top brass Sepp Blatter, Jérôme Valcke and Markus Kattner awarded themselves over a five year period until they were suspended or fired by the governing body.

La Liga president attracted by Champions League breakaway – The Guardian
The president of Spain’s La Liga has admitted he is considering proposals to form a breakaway competition to rival the Champions League because it represents a “greater opportunity to generate more revenue”.

Leagues call for UEFA to revoke UCL revamp as French and Scots voice anger – Inside World Football
Europe’s top leagues have stepped up their opposition to UEFA’s plans to revamp the Champions League by angrily accusing the governing body of giving in to the demands of the wealthiest and most successful clubs.

Italian Super Cup to be played in Qatar in December – Sportsnet
Juventus and AC Milan will play in the Italian Super Cup in Doha, Qatar on Dec. 23. Serie A and the Qatar Football Association made the announcement on Friday.

Huddersfield’s David Wagner: ‘We had no electricity, no toilet, no beds and no mobile phones’  – The Guardian
The German manager, whose side top the Championship, explains why he took his players into the Swedish wilderness and discusses the Terriers’ new aggressive identity

Far-Flung Adventures: Meet the only British footballer in South America – The Set Pieces
For some being the only professional British footballer in South America might seem a daunting prospect, but George Saunders isn’t fazed by the challenges of his unusual career path.