soccer

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)
Canada head coach John Herdman salutes the crowd as he leaves the pitch following a 1-1 draw against the United States in a World Cup soccer qualifier Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Canada will be missing some key pieces when it takes on mighty Mexico at famed Azteca Stadium in World Cup qualifying play Thursday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Mark Humphrey

Canada missing some important pieces for World Cup soccer qualifying showdown

Veteran goalie and team captain among those out for match with Mexico

Canada head coach John Herdman salutes the crowd as he leaves the pitch following a 1-1 draw against the United States in a World Cup soccer qualifier Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Canada will be missing some key pieces when it takes on mighty Mexico at famed Azteca Stadium in World Cup qualifying play Thursday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Mark Humphrey
Walking soccer has become a popular senior recreational activity. (Michael Briones photo)

B.C. walking soccer tournament set for Oct. 23 in Nanoose Bay

‘It’s the fastest-growing senior sports activity in the world’

Walking soccer has become a popular senior recreational activity. (Michael Briones photo)
Canada head coach John Herdman, left, and David Junior Hoilett walk off the field after the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League qualifying soccer match against French Guiana in Vancouver, on Sunday March 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian men continue climb up world soccer rankings, reaching No. 51

It’s the highest position for the Canadian men in more than a decade

Canada head coach John Herdman, left, and David Junior Hoilett walk off the field after the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League qualifying soccer match against French Guiana in Vancouver, on Sunday March 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Penelakut mini pitch will be painted by late spring 2022 to bring it to completion. (Submitted)

First mini soccer pitch for Indigenous children ready for play

Grand opening Monday marks a special occasion on Penelakut Island

The Penelakut mini pitch will be painted by late spring 2022 to bring it to completion. (Submitted)
Equipment manager Maeve Glass (top right) and head coach Bev Priestman (bottom right) – both Semiahmoo Peninsula residents – won Olympic gold with Canada’s national women’s soccer team in Tokyo last week. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld photo)

Being part of Canada’s Olympic-champion soccer team an ‘out-of-body experience’ for B.C. woman

South Surrey’s Maeve Glass has been equipment manager for national women’s team since 2008 Games

Equipment manager Maeve Glass (top right) and head coach Bev Priestman (bottom right) – both Semiahmoo Peninsula residents – won Olympic gold with Canada’s national women’s soccer team in Tokyo last week. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld photo)
Chilliwack’s Jordyn Huitema (left in red jersey/shorts with purple pinnie) joins Canadian national women’s soccer squad teammates mobbing Jessie Fleming after her penalty kick goal lifted the team to a 1-0 semi-final win over the United States. (Canada Soccer photo)

VIDEO: Game time changed for Olympic women’s soccer final between Canada and Sweden

Chilliwack’s Jordyn Huitema and Abbotsford’s Sophie Schmidt are on the Canadian team, gunning for gold

Chilliwack’s Jordyn Huitema (left in red jersey/shorts with purple pinnie) joins Canadian national women’s soccer squad teammates mobbing Jessie Fleming after her penalty kick goal lifted the team to a 1-0 semi-final win over the United States. (Canada Soccer photo)
Canada’s Jessie Fleming, 17, celebrates scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during a women’s semifinal soccer match against United States at the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, in Kashima, Japan, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. Fleming scored on a penalty kick in the 74th minute to help the Canadian women’s soccer team to a 1-0 semifinal victory over the United States on Monday at the Tokyo Games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Martin Mejia

Canada advances to Olympic women’s soccer final with 1-0 win over United States

The last time Canada and the United States met in Olympic soccer was in the semifinals of the London Game

Canada’s Jessie Fleming, 17, celebrates scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during a women’s semifinal soccer match against United States at the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, in Kashima, Japan, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. Fleming scored on a penalty kick in the 74th minute to help the Canadian women’s soccer team to a 1-0 semifinal victory over the United States on Monday at the Tokyo Games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Martin Mejia
Vancouver Whitecaps FC play the Montreal Impact in an empty B.C. Place due to COVID-19 protocols during the second half of MLS soccer action in Vancouver, B.C. Wednesday, September, 16, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Canadian MLS teams given green light to finish out season using home stadiums

Canada has approved a “National Interest Exemption” for MLS teams crossing the border

Vancouver Whitecaps FC play the Montreal Impact in an empty B.C. Place due to COVID-19 protocols during the second half of MLS soccer action in Vancouver, B.C. Wednesday, September, 16, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Canada’s Steven Vitoria (5) kicks the ball next to Haiti’s Frantzdy Pierrot (20) during the second half of a World Cup qualifying soccer match Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Bridgeview, Ill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kamil Krzaczynski

Haiti missing 7 players due to COVID-19 ahead of Canada game at Gold Cup

Canada will face a depleted Haiti at the Gold Cup on Thursday

Canada’s Steven Vitoria (5) kicks the ball next to Haiti’s Frantzdy Pierrot (20) during the second half of a World Cup qualifying soccer match Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Bridgeview, Ill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kamil Krzaczynski
Premier John Horgan talks about the transit announcement at Surrey City Hall in Surrey, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. to ‘entertain’ hosting 2026 FIFA World Cup in Vancouver: premier

Hosting international event after pandemic could help put Vancouver back on the map, Horgan says

Premier John Horgan talks about the transit announcement at Surrey City Hall in Surrey, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
England’s Marcus Rashford is embraced following their loss to Italy at the Euro 2020 soccer championship final at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (John Sibley/Pool Photo via AP)

Police investigate racist abuse of three England players after Euro final

All 3 players targeted are part of a young England squad that has been widely praised for its diversity

England’s Marcus Rashford is embraced following their loss to Italy at the Euro 2020 soccer championship final at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (John Sibley/Pool Photo via AP)
England’s Declan Rice, left, vies for the ball with Italy’s Bryan Cristante during the Euro 2020 soccer championship final match between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Carl Recine/Pool Photo via AP)

Italy beats England in penalty shootout to win Euro 2020

Game was decided with penalty shots

England’s Declan Rice, left, vies for the ball with Italy’s Bryan Cristante during the Euro 2020 soccer championship final match between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Carl Recine/Pool Photo via AP)