soccer

Joe Hanson has become the first Yukoner to sign an MLS contract and will be playing with the Whitecaps FC2. (Joe Hanson/Submitted)

Yukon’s Joe Hanson becomes first northerner to sign MLS contract

Striker joins the Vancouver Whitecaps FC2 in new league

Joe Hanson has become the first Yukoner to sign an MLS contract and will be playing with the Whitecaps FC2. (Joe Hanson/Submitted)
FILE - United States' Alex Morgan jumps over Netherlands' goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal as she attempts to score during a women's quarterfinal soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has asked for permission to participate in the appeal by American women soccer players trying to reinstate their pay claim against the U.S. Soccer Federation. The EEOC asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, to be allowed to address the court during oral arguments scheduled for March 7 in Pasadena, California.(AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)

American women players settle suit vs US Soccer for $24M

Agreement ends 6-year legal battle over equal pay to men

FILE - United States' Alex Morgan jumps over Netherlands' goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal as she attempts to score during a women's quarterfinal soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has asked for permission to participate in the appeal by American women soccer players trying to reinstate their pay claim against the U.S. Soccer Federation. The EEOC asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, to be allowed to address the court during oral arguments scheduled for March 7 in Pasadena, California.(AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)
Canada’s David Junior Hoilett, left, fights for the ball with El Salvador’s Narciso Orellana during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Canada downs El Salvador 2-0, keeps rolling in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying

Qatar in sight as Canadians earn sixth straight win

Canada’s David Junior Hoilett, left, fights for the ball with El Salvador’s Narciso Orellana during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Canada’s Milan Borjan (18) and head coach John Herdman celebrate the team’s 2-0 victory following second half World Cup qualifying soccer action against the United States, in Hamilton, Ont., Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Canadian men’s soccer team leaves qualifying calculation to others as Qatar calls

World Cup bid can sewn up as soon as Wednesday as match with El Salvador looms

Canada’s Milan Borjan (18) and head coach John Herdman celebrate the team’s 2-0 victory following second half World Cup qualifying soccer action against the United States, in Hamilton, Ont., Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
United States’ Chris Richards (15) and Canada’s Mark Anthony Kaye (14) vie for the ball during first half World Cup qualifying soccer action in Hamilton, Ont., Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Canada downs U.S. 2-0 to continue winning ways in men’s World Cup soccer qualifying run

Cyle Larin tallies a record 23rd goal for Canada in his 46th appearance

United States’ Chris Richards (15) and Canada’s Mark Anthony Kaye (14) vie for the ball during first half World Cup qualifying soccer action in Hamilton, Ont., Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Honduras’ Wisdom Quaye, left, and Canada’s Cyle Larinfight for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Delmer Martinez)

Canada downs Honduras 2-0 to remain atop CONCACAF World Cup qualifying standings

Canadian men’s soccer side maintains unbeaten record

Honduras’ Wisdom Quaye, left, and Canada’s Cyle Larinfight for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Delmer Martinez)
Goalkeeper Emily Moore of Esquimalt warms up ahead of West Ham’s game against Everton in the FA Women’s Super League in England on Jan. 23. (Courtesy of Kerri Moore)

Vancouver Island goalkeeper signs with English Super League team

Emily Moore trained with pro team, on contract with West Ham United FC through end of the season

Goalkeeper Emily Moore of Esquimalt warms up ahead of West Ham’s game against Everton in the FA Women’s Super League in England on Jan. 23. (Courtesy of Kerri Moore)
Canada’s goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe reacts in a penalty shootout during the women’s final soccer match against Sweden at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Canadian soccer keeper Stephanie Labbe surprises by announcing retirement plans

Gold-medal winning Olympian stepping away at the top of her game

Canada’s goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe reacts in a penalty shootout during the women’s final soccer match against Sweden at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
File- File picture taken Oct.15, 2020 shows Bayern’s Alphonso Davies during the 1st round German Soccer Cup match between FC Bayern Munich and FC Duren, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. (AP Photo/ Matthias Schrader, file)

Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies has heart muscle issue after COVID bout

21-year-old from Edmonton has been ruled out of Canada’s three World Cup qualifiers

File- File picture taken Oct.15, 2020 shows Bayern’s Alphonso Davies during the 1st round German Soccer Cup match between FC Bayern Munich and FC Duren, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. (AP Photo/ Matthias Schrader, file)
A fan holds a Canadian flag in the stands as players are introduced at the start of a match against New Zealand, in Ottawa, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Canada Soccer said it has agreed to a “transparent, independent review of the investigation of allegations” against former women’s coach Bob Birarda during the time when he was employed by the association. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld A fan holds a Canadian flag in the stands as players are introduced at the start of a match against New Zealand, in Ottawa, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Canada Soccer said it has agreed to a “transparent, independent review of the investigation of allegations” against former women’s coach Bob Birarda during the time when he was employed by the association. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canada’s comeback falls just short as Mexico wins women’s soccer friendly 2-1

A spirited comeback attempt fell just short

A fan holds a Canadian flag in the stands as players are introduced at the start of a match against New Zealand, in Ottawa, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Canada Soccer said it has agreed to a “transparent, independent review of the investigation of allegations” against former women’s coach Bob Birarda during the time when he was employed by the association. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld A fan holds a Canadian flag in the stands as players are introduced at the start of a match against New Zealand, in Ottawa, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Canada Soccer said it has agreed to a “transparent, independent review of the investigation of allegations” against former women’s coach Bob Birarda during the time when he was employed by the association. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Canada’s Steven Vitória (5) and Mexico’s Orbelin Pineda Alvarado (10) via for the ball during World Cup Qualifiers in Edmonton, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Larin scores twice to lift Canada to thrilling 2-1 win over Mexico in World Cup qualifier

Canadians now sit atop CONCACAF group

Canada’s Steven Vitória (5) and Mexico’s Orbelin Pineda Alvarado (10) via for the ball during World Cup Qualifiers in Edmonton, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Team Canada’s Alphonso Davies (19) and Costa Rica’s Ricardo Jose Blanco Mora (2) vie for the ball during first half World Cup qualifier soccer action in Edmonton on Friday, November 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

David scores in 57th minute to lift Canada past Costa Rica 1-0 in World Cup qualifier

Game played before 48,806 fans at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton

Team Canada’s Alphonso Davies (19) and Costa Rica’s Ricardo Jose Blanco Mora (2) vie for the ball during first half World Cup qualifier soccer action in Edmonton on Friday, November 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Canada’s Rob Friend is shown in action during a friendly against Peru in Toronto on September 4, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Canadian Premier League announces expansion franchise in Vancouver

Franchise awarded to SixFive Sports and Entertainment LP, which owns Greater Victoria’s Pacific FC

Canada’s Rob Friend is shown in action during a friendly against Peru in Toronto on September 4, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Vancouver Whitecaps acting head coach Vanni Sartini shouts on the sideline during the second half of an MLS soccer game against FC Dallas in Vancouver on Saturday, September 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘I think we did a miracle’: Unique interim coach leads Whitecaps to playoffs

Vanni Sartini takes Caps from near the bottom of MLS to their first playoff spot in four years

Vancouver Whitecaps acting head coach Vanni Sartini shouts on the sideline during the second half of an MLS soccer game against FC Dallas in Vancouver on Saturday, September 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Ryan Gauld, right, and Russell Teibert celebrate Gauld’s goal against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Whitecaps clinch MLS playoff spot after battling Seattle Sounders to 1-1 draw

‘Caps earn post-season berth for the first time since 2017

Vancouver Whitecaps’ Ryan Gauld, right, and Russell Teibert celebrate Gauld’s goal against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Los Angeles Galaxy’s Robbie Keane, left, of Ireland, and Rob Friend celebrate Keane’s goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during second half MLS soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday April 19, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

World-class soccer pair relish chance to grow the game as Pacific FC co-owners

Former Canadian internationals Rob Friend and Josh Simpson co-own Vancouver Island club

Los Angeles Galaxy’s Robbie Keane, left, of Ireland, and Rob Friend celebrate Keane’s goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during second half MLS soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday April 19, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Numerous seats sit empty after Vancouver Whitecaps fans left their seats during an in-game walkout protest to show support for members of the 2008 women’s Whitecaps and under-20 Canadian national team who have alleged abuse by a former coach who ran both teams, as the Whitecaps play the Philadelphia Union during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Saturday April 27, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Former Whitecaps coach faces allegations of sexual misconduct

Allegations against Hubert Busby Jr. made an interview with British newspaper the Guardian

Numerous seats sit empty after Vancouver Whitecaps fans left their seats during an in-game walkout protest to show support for members of the 2008 women’s Whitecaps and under-20 Canadian national team who have alleged abuse by a former coach who ran both teams, as the Whitecaps play the Philadelphia Union during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Saturday April 27, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Ryan Gauld, front, celebrates his goal against Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia during first half MLS soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Whitecaps still in playoff race after 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City

Vancouver remains a single point outside of a playoff spot with five games to go

Vancouver Whitecaps’ Ryan Gauld, front, celebrates his goal against Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia during first half MLS soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Alphonso Davies (left) runs around Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia as Harold Cummings looks on during first half World Cup qualifying action in Toronto, on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Stunning strike from Davies powers Canada past Panama 4-1 in World Cup qualifier

Canadians still unbeaten at 2-0-4 in CONCACAF men’s soccer group

Canada’s Alphonso Davies (left) runs around Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia as Harold Cummings looks on during first half World Cup qualifying action in Toronto, on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Canada’s Jonathan David, right, and Mexico’s Edson Alvarez go for a header during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Mexico City, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Osorio’s goal lifts Canada into 1-1 tie with Mexico in men’s World Cup soccer qualifier

Canadian men play No. 59 Jamaica in Kingston on Sunday

Canada’s Jonathan David, right, and Mexico’s Edson Alvarez go for a header during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Mexico City, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)