soccer

Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini stands on the sidelines during second half MLS soccer action against Nashville FC in Vancouver on Saturday, August 27, 2022. Vanni Sartini believes his Vancouver Whitecaps have a “moral imperative” to come out strong in their first Canadian clash of the season on Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Pressure grows as winless Whitecaps prepare for Canadian clash with CF Montreal

Caps now 5 games into the young season and have yet to register their first victory

 

After winning fans at the World Cup, the Canadian men take the first steps toward the 2026 tournament as they return to CONCACAF Nations League play in their first outing since Qatar.  Canada coach John Herdman looks on during second half group F World Cup soccer action against Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Herdman laments labour dispute between national teams and Canada Soccer

Both men’s and women’s teams have resorted to job action over their dissatisfaction

 

With a 4-0 victory over the weekend, the Cowichan 49ers are now winners of two consecutive and five Tony Grover Cups overall. (Courtesy of the Cowichan 49ers)

Cowichan 49ers claim Tony Grover Cup, repeat as Island Masters soccer champs

The 49ers will be at home for the first round of the provincial championship on April 16 at noon

 

Canadian national men’s soccer team forward Alphonso Davies, centre, stands with his teammates during a training session for a CONCACAF Nations League match against Curacao, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Canada, taking the field for the first time since the World Cup in Qatar, faces No. 86 Curacao in CONCACAF Nations League play Saturday night. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian men dispatch Curaçao 2-0 in first outing since World Cup in Qatar

Team set to play Honduras next on Tuesday in Toronto

Canadian national men’s soccer team forward Alphonso Davies, centre, stands with his teammates during a training session for a CONCACAF Nations League match against Curacao, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Canada, taking the field for the first time since the World Cup in Qatar, faces No. 86 Curacao in CONCACAF Nations League play Saturday night. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Brian White (middle) fires a shot between the defence of Real Espana’s Junior Garcia (right) and Getsel Montes for a goal during second half CONCACAF Champions League soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2023. The Whitecaps advanced to the quarterfinals in CONCACAF Champions League play Wednesday after completing a 7-3 aggregate win over Honduran side Real CD Espana.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

Whitecaps through to CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals

Next step for Vancouver is reigning Major League Soccer champions Los Angeles FC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Brian White (middle) fires a shot between the defence of Real Espana’s Junior Garcia (right) and Getsel Montes for a goal during second half CONCACAF Champions League soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2023. The Whitecaps advanced to the quarterfinals in CONCACAF Champions League play Wednesday after completing a 7-3 aggregate win over Honduran side Real CD Espana.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
Real Espana’s Gerson Chavez (right) grabs a hold of Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s JC Ngando during second half CONCACAF Champions League soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Despite tough travel and punishing weather, the Vancouver Whitecaps know they have the upper hand as they prepare for CONCACAF Champions League play this week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

Vancouver Whitecaps control destiny heading into Honduras

Team takes 5-0 cushion into second half of 2-game CONCACAF Champions League series

Real Espana’s Gerson Chavez (right) grabs a hold of Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s JC Ngando during second half CONCACAF Champions League soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Despite tough travel and punishing weather, the Vancouver Whitecaps know they have the upper hand as they prepare for CONCACAF Champions League play this week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
FIFA president Gianni Infantino poses on the green carpet before the ceremony of the Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris, France, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

FIFA expands 2026 World Cup again to create 104-game program

Schedule will last nearly six weeks in June-July across, Canada, U.S. and Mexico

FIFA president Gianni Infantino poses on the green carpet before the ceremony of the Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris, France, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Canadian National Soccer Team players Sophie Schmidt, left Janine Beckie, Christine Sinclair, and Quinn, right, prepare to appear before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in Ottawa, studying safe sport in Canada, on Thursday, March 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Captain Christine Sinclair slams Canada Soccer at parliamentary hearing

Nation’s soccer icon blasts ‘culture of secrecy and obstruction’

Canadian National Soccer Team players Sophie Schmidt, left Janine Beckie, Christine Sinclair, and Quinn, right, prepare to appear before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in Ottawa, studying safe sport in Canada, on Thursday, March 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Two North Shore business owners, Trish Neufeld and her brother David Smyth (at bottom, right and left), were given a night to remember when they bumped into David Beckham and his son at a pub in Dublin. (David Smyth/ Facebook)

Chance encounter sees B.C. duo partying with soccer legend David Beckham

North Vancouver pair get some unexpected company at their table in a Dublin bar

Two North Shore business owners, Trish Neufeld and her brother David Smyth (at bottom, right and left), were given a night to remember when they bumped into David Beckham and his son at a pub in Dublin. (David Smyth/ Facebook)
Canadian Press

Former Olympian Charmaine Crooks appointed Canada Soccer’s interim president

Order of Canada winner fills the void left by Nick Bontis, who resigned Monday amidst turmoil

Canadian Press
Canada players celebrate their win following second half CONCACAF World Cup soccer qualifying action against Jamaica, in Toronto on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Qualifying in the CONCACAF region for the 2026 World Cup will kick off in March 2024 with co-hosts Canada, the U.S. and Mexico watching from the sidelines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

CONCACAF unveils 2026 World Cup qualifying format with co-host Canada on sidelines

Three co-hosts will qualify automatically for the expanded 48-team field

Canada players celebrate their win following second half CONCACAF World Cup soccer qualifying action against Jamaica, in Toronto on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Qualifying in the CONCACAF region for the 2026 World Cup will kick off in March 2024 with co-hosts Canada, the U.S. and Mexico watching from the sidelines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Bontis has resigned as president of Canada Soccer, acknowledging change is needed to achieve labour peace. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis resigns, says change is needed

A bitter labour dispute has plagued both the women’s and men’s Canadian teams for months

Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Bontis has resigned as president of Canada Soccer, acknowledging change is needed to achieve labour peace. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Sergio Cordova, right, runs past head coach Vanni Sartini during the team’s practice in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, February 21, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

‘This could be the year we achieve something:’ ‘Caps confident ahead of new season

Vancouver Whitecaps aim to get off to a solid start this year, after finishing strong last season

Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Sergio Cordova, right, runs past head coach Vanni Sartini during the team’s practice in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, February 21, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
Major League Soccer has expanded its playoff format with two extra teams from each conference making the playoffs and an expanded first round featuring best-of-three series. Los Angeles FC players hoist the trophy after defeating the Philadelphia Union to win the MLS Cup soccer match Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Los Angeles. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Marcio Jose Sanchez

Major League Soccer revamps and expands post-season format for 2023

Top 7 conference teams make playoffs, 8th and 9th will play wild-card match to join them

Major League Soccer has expanded its playoff format with two extra teams from each conference making the playoffs and an expanded first round featuring best-of-three series. Los Angeles FC players hoist the trophy after defeating the Philadelphia Union to win the MLS Cup soccer match Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Los Angeles. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Marcio Jose Sanchez
Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan (1) grabs the ball as she stops a shot by Brazil during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup women’s soccer match Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Brazil defender Kathellen (3) leaps over Sheridan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Mark Zaleski

Canadian women bounce back from U.S. loss with 2-0 win over Brazil at SheBelieves Cup

Canada will face Japan on Wednesday

Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan (1) grabs the ball as she stops a shot by Brazil during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup women’s soccer match Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Brazil defender Kathellen (3) leaps over Sheridan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Mark Zaleski
Daniel Mazey sets up the cones for his attempt to beat the Guinness Book of Records world record for the fastest 20-cone slalom dribbling a soccer ball. Each cone had to be exactly 50 cm apart. Photo by Terry Farrell

VIDEO: B.C. man shatters Guinness record for slalom soccer dribbling

Daniel Mazey celebrated his 36th birthday in unique fashion: by setting a…

Daniel Mazey sets up the cones for his attempt to beat the Guinness Book of Records world record for the fastest 20-cone slalom dribbling a soccer ball. Each cone had to be exactly 50 cm apart. Photo by Terry Farrell
U.S. forward Trinity Rodman (5) and Canada forward Adriana Leon compete for the ball during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup soccer match Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Canadian women shows effects of off-field labour distractions in 2-0 loss to U.S.

The top-ranked Americans came out hot and had their way with a ragged Canada

U.S. forward Trinity Rodman (5) and Canada forward Adriana Leon compete for the ball during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup soccer match Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Canada women’s national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman pauses while responding to questions after an announcement, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Small gesture casts big shadow as Canadian players train ahead of U.S. showdown

Labour dispute tnsion at the forefront as women set to face top-ranked U.S. at the SheBelieves Cup

Canada women’s national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman pauses while responding to questions after an announcement, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Sophie Schmidt (20) breaks away from New Zealand’s Ria Percival (2) during first half Celebration Tour soccer action in Montreal, Tuesday, October 26, 2021. An emotional Schmidt announced today she will retire from international football after this summer’s World Cup.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Canadian women frustrated, disheartened by ongoing labour dispute with Canada Soccer

‘This could be our most important fight that we ever have as national team players’

Canada’s Sophie Schmidt (20) breaks away from New Zealand’s Ria Percival (2) during first half Celebration Tour soccer action in Montreal, Tuesday, October 26, 2021. An emotional Schmidt announced today she will retire from international football after this summer’s World Cup.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
The Canadian team players prepare for a women’s international friendly soccer match against Argentina in Sanlucar de Barrameda, Spain, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. As promised, the Canadian women’s soccer team return to training Sunday in Florida. But they did so reluctantly after Canada Soccer threatened legal action if they continued their job action. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Juan Carlos Toro del Rio

Canada women’s soccer team reluctantly returns to training under protest in Florida

Team says it was threatened with legal actions

The Canadian team players prepare for a women’s international friendly soccer match against Argentina in Sanlucar de Barrameda, Spain, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. As promised, the Canadian women’s soccer team return to training Sunday in Florida. But they did so reluctantly after Canada Soccer threatened legal action if they continued their job action. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Juan Carlos Toro del Rio