Match Picks of the Week

Selected games to watch from British Columbia's top senior men's and women's amateur leagues.
Please check league schedules for late changes.

Friday February 3

FVSL: Port Moody Gunners B vs Peace Arch Utd A
Pakenham Cup Round 1
7.30pm Port Moody Town Centre TURF

LIWSA: Vic Athletics Premier vs Castaways FC Premier
6:00pm as !Finlayson Turf

Saturday February 4

VMSL: Columbus FC vs ICST Pegasus
2:00pm Adanac Park
Two of the top teams in the VMSL will face off!

VISL: Bays United FC Liquor Plus 1
 7:00pm Duncan

Sunday February 5

MWSL:  Columbus FC vs Westside FC Premier
8:00pm Burnaby Lake W. #4

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Today in Football History

3 February 1984
Millionaire publisher Robert Maxwell made an unsuccessful £10 million bid to buy Manchester United. 
(Association of Football Statisticians)

Quotable

John Greig
"Celtic manager Davie Hay still has a fresh pair of legs up his sleeve."

friday, february 3, 2012

Sébastien Le Toux trains with 'Caps for first time - Whitecaps FC
On Thursday, Sébastien Le Toux got to enjoy his first training session with his new teammates, including his fellow Frenchman Eric Hassli. The new man entered in the first of two sessions that day, as the players worked on team shape and defensive pressure. Near the end of training, assistant coach Paul Ritchie worked with the attacking players on some crossing and finishing.

Le Toux accepts new role, Camilo happy, Barbara getting in shape - Whitecaps Watch
Sebastien Le Toux had clearly calmed down by the time he spoke to Vancouver reporters the day the Philadelphia Union traded him to Vancouver for allocation money. He said he was happy to return to the West Coast and would work hard to make the Whitecaps a winning team.

Whitecaps bring in three triallists - The Whitecaps Beat
The Whitecaps confirmed that there will be three new trialists who will join the club in their training sessions in Casa Grande, Arizona. All three players are listed as being able to play the midfield, a position still considered a need by most MLS and Whitecap pundits

More than 25,000 tickets sold for Montreal Impact home opener - Montreal Impact
Less than 48 hours after individual game tickets went on sale, the Impact announced on Friday that more than 25,000 tickets were already sold for the home opener at Olympic Stadium, March 17 at 2pm, against the Chicago Fire.

Montreal roster holding steady ahead of California trip - Montreal Impact
It was back to work for the Impact on Wednesday, as the MLS expansion club returned home to Montreal for a quick week of training before heading off to its next preseason camp in Southern California.

Greg Sutton has MLS experience on side - Canada.com
Impact goalkeeper Greg Sutton has been around the block a few times since 1999, his first year in professional soccer. He's gone from a rookie debut in Major League Soccer to the second tier of soccer, which included an earlier stint with the Impact, back to MLS with Toronto FC and the New York Red Bulls, and finally back again to the Impact partway through last year on loan from New York.

Portland Timbers sign Kris Boyd - Goal Posts
With the Portland Timbers signing ex-Scotland striker Kris Boyd, the MLS in the Pacific Northwest takes on an intriguging new look. He replaces former USA international Kenny Cooper, who was traded to wannabe-glamour-club, the New York Red Bulls.

Three Hopes and One Fear for Sounders FC - Prost Amerika
Michael Gspurning, Adam Johansson, Christian Sivebaek, Cordell Cato; the off season acquisitions have served as tantalizing precursors to the coming season. The transcontinental reach of the club has impressively evolved, and three years into the Sounders MLS existence, the supporting culture within the city has begun to flourish.

Earthquakes strengthen midfield with signing of Colombian Tressor Moreno - Mercury News
The Earthquakes took a big step Thursday in improving their offense with the signing of attacking midfielder Tressor Moreno of Colombia. The team addressed a lingering need in acquiring a legitimate playmaker who can control the game's rhythm and make the Quakes' offense less predictable.

Scorpions Add Campos, Cochrane and Two Locals - NASL
Pablo Campos, the second leading scorer from last season in the North American Soccer League (NASL), has signed to play the 2012 season with the San Antonio Scorpions FC. Joining Campos on the club's roster will be former Houston Dynamo defender Ryan Cochrane, a member of two Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup teams, and two San Antonians, Matt Gold and Craig Hill.

New Look For Minnesota Stars NSC Stadium - IMS
Last fall IMS reported on the surprise demolition of the beer garden at the northwest corner of the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine, Minn., home field for the Minnesota Stars. The beer garden had become a fixture at the stadium for Stars fans since it was built for the Thunder in the spring of 2009 by former owner Dean Johnson.

PCSL welcomes Langley Athletic - Langley Advance
Langley Athletic FC (LAFC) is about to take a mammoth step in the soccer club’s development. After a successful inaugural USL Super 20 season, LAFC’s men’s squad has been accepted entry into the highly competitive Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL). The moves to the PCSL transitions LAFC from a U20 team to an open men’s team.

CSA elections 2012: Who actually votes - Onward Soccer
So now we come to the nuts and bolts of the CSA. Who votes – and when. Turns out, there are two kinds of votes. Board of directors votes, and general meeting votes.

Paying for outdoor fields would be money well spent - Comox Valley Record
In his letter entitled Enough is enough (Record, Jan. 27), Francois Lepine no doubt incensed many readers. My rebuttal, however, is limited to his comments pertaining to soccer. Here are some points of clarification.

youth soccer

U17 PoMo Nitro gets Adrenalin - Tri-City News
It was a case of third time lucky –– and very good –– Sunday for the Port Moody Nitro. After losing twice preivously this season to the North Shore Adrenalin, the Nitro made amends big time with a gritty 2-1 triumph in a girls Under-17 Gold soccer contest.

college soccer

Bobby keeps his promise: MLS Whitecaps to visit UVic Vikes - Victoria News
They might be the Canadian university champs but you get the sense from coach Bruce Wilson that the UVic Vikes are in over their heads for this one. On Sunday, Feb. 19, the Vancouver Whitecaps visit the Vikes men’s team at Centennial Stadium.

Fourteen Sounders Academy players commit to colleges - Seattle Sounders
Fourteen members of the Seattle Sounders FC Academy Under-18 team have committed their futures to collegiate soccer programs. Along with developing talent for the Major League Soccer club's senior team, the Sounders FC Academy also strives to develop young men to maximize their educational options.

the local game

Pegasus back in first place - Surrey Leader
Defending provincial champion ICST Pegasus moved into first place in the Premier Division of the Vancouver Metro Soccer League (VMSL) last season, defeating the Coquitlam Metro-Ford Wolves 3-1 while getting some help from Columbus FC.

team canada

Canadian Soccer Association hosts 2012 launch event in Toronto
The Canadian Soccer Association and Umbro Canada hosted a special evening in Toronto on 2 February with members of Canada’s National Teams, corporate partners and media to kick-off the 2012 season – the Association’s centennial year.

New kits. New fixtures. Same venue - Red Nation
The first thing to get out of the way is – should you ever get an opportunity to attend a kit unveiling, do not pass it up. I highly recommend it. It is so choice. Six bison burger sliders, four flatbread pizza slices, two mini beaver tails and two extra pints because “I dropped my drink vouchers” later, all I can say is the new kits are AWESOME.

Canada to play four matches at BMO Field
Canada has announced that it will play four matches - a special Centenary match and three FIFA World Cup Qualifiers™ - at BMO Field in Toronto this 2012 season.

Sticking up for Toronto - Sportsnet
I have to weigh in on the topic of the Canadian men’s team playing all of its matches in 2012 at BMO Field in Toronto. The usual conspiracy theory is rising up once again; that this is a CSA/Toronto thing. Let me tell you right now: that idea is naive, wrongheaded, and just plain dumb.

Canada WNT set for London 2012 project
Call it the London 2012 Project: head coach John Herdman was in downtown Toronto on Thursday 2 February to discuss the team's preparations for the 2012 Women's Olympic Football Tournament.

Herdman reflects on CONCACAF success - Sportsnet
The Canadian Women's National Team Head Coach joined The Soccer Show to discuss the team's performance at the Olympic qualifiers.

world football

Ex-USA coach Bradley: Egypt situation so sad! - Tribal Football
Former USA national team manager Bob Bradley has spoken out about the tragic scenes in Egyptian football this week.

Upheaval in Port Said and Egyptian Football Association after Riots - Prost Amerika
BBC is reporting that the head of Egypt’s football association has been fired and its board dissolved in the wake of Wednesday’s riots in Port Said after a soccer match between Cairo’s al-Ahly and Port Said’s al-Masry in which 74 people were killed. The governor of Port Said has resigned, and two senior security officials have been suspended and are now in custody.

FIFA stadium expert praises Egyptian venue as safe - TSN
An international football stadium expert has praised the Egyptian venue where at least 74 people were killed in a riot Wednesday, and suggests the violence was planned.

Three Al-Ahly players give up soccer after deadly clashes - TSN
Three Egypt internationals and Al-Ahly players have retired from all football after witnessing the deadly clashes between fans at their league game against Al-Masry on Wednesday.

The Science of Soccer Deaths and Football Bets - Wired
As you may know, 74 people were killed this Wednesday when Egyptian soccer fans stampeded into a bottleneck after a 3-1 hometown upset win. While certainly tragic, it was far from irrational: it turns out the behavioral economics were stacked against them.

To which half of the country will the Cup go if Sudan win?- The Footy Blog
A common stat you may have heard in the past few days: the last time Sudan won the African Cup was 42 years ago, 1970.

John Terry stripped of England captaincy - Canada.com
John Terry was stripped of the England captaincy for the second time in two years on Friday after mounting concern his ongoing racism court case had made his position untenable.

Manchester City Has Few Options, None of Them Good, With Tévez - New York Times
The midwinter sales have closed across Europe. The buying and selling of players that make some of them the most prized, or overpriced, hires in sports ended as Tuesday turned to Wednesday, and it will not resume until summer.

Many Teams Feeling the Absence of African Stars - New York Times
With a minute’s silence for more than 70 fans killed at a stadium in Port Said, Egypt, African soccer paid brief respect to the champion of the past three African Cup of Nations tournaments and gets on with the quarterfinals of this one.

Aberdeen Looks to New Stadium to Reignite Old Firm Challenge - New York Times
Aberdeen’s Pittodrie Stadium has a long history of pioneering. Among its boasts, it was the first soccer stadium in the world to feature a dugout and it was the first all-seat stadium in Britain.

German soccer fans angered by face-scan plan - Reuters
Football fans in one German state may have to pass through "face scanners" at stadiums, according to interior ministry proposals designed to eradicate hooliganism.

Swiss supreme court to handle FIFA/ISL corruption case - CBC
The 11-year-old FIFA-ISL corruption case is going to Switzerland's supreme court after appeals were lodged to block publication of a key document. On Thursday, the Swiss Federal Tribunal told The Associated Press on Thursday from Lausanne that it has opened five separate case files. The cases are likely to take several months to process.

Chechen Owner of Swiss Soccer Club Arrested Amid Bankruptcy Probe - Radio Free Europe
Prosecutors in Switzerland say they have arrested the Chechen owner of a Swiss soccer club after the team filed for bankruptcy. The provisional arrest of Bulat Chagaev, owner of the Neuchatel Xamax soccer club, was ordered after a court hearing on January 26 in Geneva.

Neuchatel Xamax Booted Out of Swiss Soccer League Midway Through Season - NESN
We can't say we didn't see this one coming. After only eight months under Bulat Chagaev's ownership, Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax has been kicked out of the country's soccer league for financial irregularities, according to the Guardian. 

thursday, february 2, 2012

Whitecaps hire ex-TFC academy boss - Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that Stuart Neely has been named head of player management and advancement for the club’s Residency program. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

After leaving TFC, Neely takes keys of Whitecaps Residency - The 11
It has not taken Stuart Neely long to resurface on the Canadian soccer scene. Neely, who resigned his post as the director of TFC Academy in December, was on Thursday named the Vancouver Whitecaps’ Head of Player Management and Advancement. Basically, he’s been given the keys to the Residency program.

Camilo's new deal one more piece of puzzle for 'Caps - MLS
He didn’t come into MLS with the biggest reputation, but Brazilian attacker Camilo sure left an impression in his first season. In the process, he earned himself a new deal with the Vancouver Whitecaps, which was announced on Wednesday.

Whitecaps’ new deal for Camilo is a calculated gamble - The 11
The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Wednesday that the club has signed forward Camilo to a new deal, eradicating his old contract. Because of MLS rules, we won’t find out exactly what the new salary/cap hit is until the MLS Players’ Union releases an updated wage list. But, we can assume Camilo was given a raise — otherwise, why sign a new deal to replace the old one?

Le Toux acquisition a signal of intent by Vancouver - Red Nation
Consider 2011 to be a very distant memory for the Vancouver Whitecaps, as they’re clearly looking forward to 2012. In a city that demands success, the Whitecaps have proved this offseason that they’re not content to sit on the sidelines of MLS soccer and wait to be good.

Nowak steers clear of more controversy with Le Toux - MLS
From the first home game of the franchise’s first season – when a skinny Frenchman scored again and again and again – one thing seemed clear: The Philadelphia Union and Sébastien Le Toux would have a perfect marriage.

Peter Nowak responds to Philly frustration via Twitter - MLS
It's been a frustrating few days for Union fans who have been giving Nowak an earful (monitor full?) on Twitter today. So much so that Nowak felt compelled to clear the air a little bit.

Marsch: Impact also made offer for Le Toux- The 11
Asked to comment on the trade that sent French striker Sebastien Le Toux to Vancouver Montreal coach Jess Marsch said that the Impact had made an offer to the Philadelphia team but that Vancouver had made a better one.

An eventful first day in Casa Grande - Whitecaps FC
There were three new faces on the field today at Whitecaps FC preseason camp, each looking to impress the ‘Caps coaching staff and make this year’s MLS squad. Midfielders Patrick Cregg and Floyd Franks along with defender Victor Turcios joined in on what was a very lively and intense session.

Experienced squad targets immediate Impact - The Province
Collectively, there is 86 years of MLS experience among the 35 players on the Montreal Impact's training-camp roster. Eleven players have been in the league for four or more years, including three who will be entering their 11th campaign as part of Montreal's inaugural season in MLS. In other words, the league's newest franchise is taking shape according to plan.

Winter "Very Satisfied" With Defence - Toronto FC
Miguel Aceval appears to be the final piece of the puzzle in Toronto FC’s offseason project to bolster a defence that last year was porous and depleted by injury.

TFC's signings: The latin infusion at BMO Field - Red Nation
The day Toronto FC signed Ecuadorian centerback Geovanny Caicedo, I decided to celebrate with a burrito, because ... why not? Caicedo, along with his fellow teammate and compatriot Joao Plata, will be vital figures for the Reds roster in 2012. Add to the fact that Eric Avila found himself a fellow Gaucho to compete with in Luis Silva, and the call of the Californian burrito was overwhelming – but where to find it?

Sigi Schmid talks Arizona training, new guys, Le Toux, goal-line technology... - Seattle Times
Seattle manager Sigi Schmid is looking intently at what Buddle’s arrival might mean for the other forwards on the Galaxy and whether they might be available for trades: “It raises questions: 'What is the Galaxy going to do with a Chad Barrett? Is he going to play a lot? What's going to go on?' Vancouver now has a boat-full of forwards, so what are they going to do with all their guys? ... So some of those guys might become available,” Schmid said.

Climbing the Ladder: Measuring MLS' market presence - MLS
A decade after contraction, the 2012 Major League Soccer season will begin next month with nearly twice as many teams as it did in 2002. Back then, the mood wasn’t quite as optimistic. A 19-team league seemed like a dream when the number had just gone down to 10, which was back to square one.

Hatchi helps earn French compatriot Joseph-Augustin a shot in Edmonton - The 11
Kevin Hatchi isn’t just playing left back for FC Edmonton; he’s also helping the front office. Hatchi’s recommendation has brought his French compatriot, Jonathan Joseph-Augustin, to Edmonton on a two-week trial.

Guyana International, Chris Nurse, Returns to RailHawks - NASL
Defensive midfielder, Chris Nurse has signed and will return to the Carolina RailHawks for the 2012 NASL Season. Nurse, a key part of the 2011 RailHawks that won the regular season championship.

2012 W-League Championship Headed to Ottawa
The Ottawa Fury have been selected as hosts of the 2012 USL W-League Championship presented by UMBRO, it was announced today. Ottawa will welcome the three W-League conference champions July 27-29 to the Algonquin College Soccer Complex.

WPS brought mess on itself - ESPN-W
Women's soccer experienced perhaps the highest moment in its history with the 2011 Women's World Cup. And now, although not on worldwide television, but certainly on the global social media scene, the sport is experiencing its lowest moment with the drama surrounding the suspension of the 2012 WPS season.

Folding of WPS hurts Canadian soccer - Examiner
The timing of the suspension of operations for the Women's Professional Soccer organization could not be worse for the Canadian Olympic Soccer team.

Ella Masar: No More Silence - Pitchside Report
It’s a pretty one-sided account, but former magicJack player Ella Masar provides lengthy details of her experience at WPS’ South Florida club under controversial owner Dan Borislow, including this line: “He sent one too many emails or said to the girls one too many times, call me ‘Daddy.’ I wish I were kidding.”

Large crowds at women's soccer impresses FIFA whistleblower - Vancouver Courier
One of the world's most powerful soccer executives said big crowds for North and Central American and Caribbean women's Olympic qualifying games mean B.C. Place Stadium is one step closer to hosting Women's World Cup matches in 2015.

BC Soccer urging adult member groups to apply for Special Intake Community Gaming Grants
Further to Premier Clark's recent announcement on Gaming Grant increases, there are three categories of special intake grants currently being offered. The three grant categories available are: restored funding, funding for reinstated programs and reinstated eligibility.

Lower Island Soccer Association Presidents Retreat and Constitutional Review
A decision must be made with respect to the player transfer clause in time for the AGM in May 2012.

Nanaimo sports figures celebrated - Nanaimo Daily News
The 2012 Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards at the Coast Bastion Hotel will be handed out on Saturday, with proceeds from the night going towards supporting PacificSport athletes. Included will be Bill Merriman: who in three years has built the Vancouver Island University Mariners men's soccer team into a national power house.

What constitutes being good in the air? - Guardian
Plenty of people use the phrase, but aerial prowess is a complex facet of any player's game.

FIFA's Rules Of The Game - US Soccer Players
In our Corner feature a couple of weeks ago, we looked at the rules for overtime in the National Football League and compared them to soccer. When we rated the likelihood of the issue going away, we gave it a 9 out of a possible 11.

Lang still adjusting to life after soccer - Sportsnet
You can take the player out of the game, but you can't take the game out of the player. On Jan. 5, 2011, Kara Lang, an eight-year veteran of the Canadian women's soccer team, announced her retirement, citing persistent knee problems as the reason for her calling it quits.

youth soccer

Barca off to good start in Super Cup- The Record
New West Barcelona had a promising opening at the Pacific Coast Super Cup soccer championships.
The under-15 Royal City Soccer Club girls' side finished the first leg of the college showcase tournament with two wins in Tukwila, Washington last month.

college soccer

WolfPack Women Sign First Recruit for 2012
The PAC WEST  Champion Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s soccer team has its first recruit for the 2012 season.  Head coach Tom McManus is pleased to announce the commitment of  center midfielder Kindra Maricle of Kamloops, BC to his squad.

the local game

Hurricanes blow away ICSF Inter - Surrey Now
The Delta Hurricanes emerged from winter hibernation with an impressive 4-2 win over the ICSF Inter in Vancouver Metro Soccer League premier action last weekend.

Nanaimo United likes spoiler role - Nanaimo News Bulletin
Nanaimo United knocked one team out of first place last week and could conceivably knock another team out of first place this week. The city’s Div. 1 Vancouver Island Soccer League team tied Cowichan FC 1-1 on Saturday at Merle Logan Field, and is preparing to face Gordon Head on Friday (Feb. 3), also on home turf.

team canada

Canada to face U.S. in World Cup qualifier tuneup - CBC
It's not quite the War of 1812, but two hundred years after Canadians defended their lines against American soldiers, they'll get a chance to do it once again - this time on the soccer pitch.

BC Soccer girls program continues to develop players for Canadian national teams - BC Soccer
Nine former BC Soccer Provincial Team Program members were this week named in the Canadian National Team squads for forthcoming matches and camps in preparation for CONCACAF regional Championships.

world football

Egypt PM scraps soccer federation board over fatal riot - CBC
Egypt's prime minister has dissolved the Egyptian Soccer Federation's board and referred its members for questioning by prosecutors after post-match clashes that left 74 dead.

Egypt football violence leaves many dead in Port Said - BBC
At least 74 people have been killed in clashes between rival fans following a football match in the Egyptian city of Port Said.

Soccer violence not about the game - Globe and Mail
What happened on Wednesday in Egypt - dozens dead and at least 1,000 injured in Port Said, when a field invasion followed a soccer match between teams Al-Masry and Al Ahly – is not about a game but about public space and political tensions.

Egyptians incensed after soccer tragedy - SLAM!
Egyptians incensed by the deaths of 74 people in clashes at a soccer stadium staged protests on Thursday as fans and politicians accused the ruling generals of failing to prevent the deadliest incident since Hosni Mubarak was overthrown.

FIFA demands explanation of Egypt riot deaths - SPortsnet
Warning that football must not be "abused by those who mean evil," FIFA President Sepp Blatter demanded detailed reasons from the Egyptian federation Thursday for the stadium riot that killed at least 74 people.

Soccer stadium disasters - Reuters
At least 73 people were killed and 1,000 injured in a riot at a soccer match in the Egyptian city of Port Said on Wednesday, the worst disaster in the country's soccer history, government officials said. Here is a look at some of the major disasters in soccer stadiums in the last 30 years:

Qatar: Cool sport, hot country - BBC
The sun-drenched desert state of Qatar is preparing to take the heat out of the 2022 Fifa World Cup, writes the BBC's Kevin Connolly.

English football transfer spending down 70% in January - BBC
English Premier League football clubs spent about 70% less in the January transfer window than they did last year, according to Deloitte.

Does football really need transfer windows? - CNN
If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, then football’s transfer windows are a super highway to sporting madness.

Darlington Football Club's potential buyer pulls out - BBC
Darlington Football Club's joint administrator has said the prospective purchaser of the club has withdrawn. In a statement, Harvey Madden said two other possible buyers have shown interest.

Craig Bellamy's seeing a psychologist - Mail
The familiar side of Craig Bellamy should be on view for Liverpool away at Wolves on Tuesday night, the relentless forward who at 32 is arguably in the form of his life, the Bellamy who scored the goal against Manchester City last week that took Liverpool back to Wembley for the first time in 16 years.

Lyttleton: The man in the shadows behind Auxerre’s latest crisis - The Footy Blog
Two years ago, Auxerre were in the Champions League. Today, they’re in Ligue 1’s relegation zone, their fans are protesting against new president Gerard Bourgoin, and coach Laurent Fournier is under pressure.

African Girls Playing Soccer for Equality - Huffington Post
In August 2011, Mark Orrs , a sixth year Ph.D. student at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), was standing on a dirt field in Dagoretti, Kenya, watching a group of girls playing soccer.

Politics forces teams to scrap match - Vancouver Sun
A North Korean youth soccer team refused to play a South Korean side in a tournament held in China, citing cross-border tension after the death of leader Kim Jong-Il, an official said Tuesday.

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