soccer

Vancouver FC players Zach Verhoven (left) and Wero Díaz model the Canadian Premier League team’s new alternate kit dubbed the Cherry Blossom Kit in an undated handout photo. A portion of the proceeds from each jersey will be donated to the Pink Shirt Day campaign which raises awareness about bullying.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Beau Chevalier/Vancouver FC

B.C. pro soccer squad blossoms with new pink kits

Vancouver FC unveils new ‘Cherry Blossom’ uniforms to boost anti-bullying efforts

Vancouver FC players Zach Verhoven (left) and Wero Díaz model the Canadian Premier League team’s new alternate kit dubbed the Cherry Blossom Kit in an undated handout photo. A portion of the proceeds from each jersey will be donated to the Pink Shirt Day campaign which raises awareness about bullying.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Beau Chevalier/Vancouver FC
FILE -Bayern’s Alphonso Davies reacts during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg at the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, Germany, Oct. 8, 2023. Bayern Munich sports director Max Eberl says the club has made its final offer to Canada left back Alphonso Davies to extend his contract amid reported interest from Real Madrid. Eberl tells the Sport Bild magazine, “I can say we made Alphonso a very concrete, appreciative offer. At some point in life you have to say yes or no.” (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

Alphonso Davies considers Bayern Munich offer as Real Madrid rumours swirl

Bayern Munich sports director Max Eberl says the club has made its…

FILE -Bayern’s Alphonso Davies reacts during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg at the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, Germany, Oct. 8, 2023. Bayern Munich sports director Max Eberl says the club has made its final offer to Canada left back Alphonso Davies to extend his contract amid reported interest from Real Madrid. Eberl tells the Sport Bild magazine, “I can say we made Alphonso a very concrete, appreciative offer. At some point in life you have to say yes or no.” (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
Canadian star Alphonso Davies’ first start since a knee injury lasted just 14 minutes Saturday (March 9) when he took a boot to the face in Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga game against Mainz. Davies speaks to the media after practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canada’s Alphonso Davies leaves Bayern Munich game after taking boot to the face

His 1st start since a knee injury lasted just 14 minutes

Canadian star Alphonso Davies’ first start since a knee injury lasted just 14 minutes Saturday (March 9) when he took a boot to the face in Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga game against Mainz. Davies speaks to the media after practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Attacking midfielder Kembo Kibato was Vancouver’s third roster addition in the past month, following the signings of Canadian defender Elage Bah and international striker Jose Navarro in mid-February. (Beau Chevalier, VFC/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Lower Mainland’s newest pro soccer team keeps growing

More players, staff added to Vancouver Football Club roster ahead of second season start next month

Attacking midfielder Kembo Kibato was Vancouver’s third roster addition in the past month, following the signings of Canadian defender Elage Bah and international striker Jose Navarro in mid-February. (Beau Chevalier, VFC/Special to Langley Advance Times)
International striker Jose Navarro (above) is one of the newest players to join the Vancouver Football Club, along with Canadian defender Elage Bah. (Beau Chevalier, VFC/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Search coming for undiscovered Lower Mainland soccer stars

Vancouver Football Club holds open trials later this month in Langley, hunting for new talent

International striker Jose Navarro (above) is one of the newest players to join the Vancouver Football Club, along with Canadian defender Elage Bah. (Beau Chevalier, VFC/Special to Langley Advance Times)
Canada Soccer Interim President Charmaine Crooks at the Canadian Championship soccer final in Vancouver on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The Canadian Soccer Players’ Association, which represents the Canadian women’s team, has filed a $40 million lawsuit against 15 current and former board members of Canada Soccer, alleging “negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Players sue Soccer Canada directors for $40M over 2018 business deal

lawsuit alleges deal creates ‘serious risk to the ability of Canada Soccer to carry out its mandate’

Canada Soccer Interim President Charmaine Crooks at the Canadian Championship soccer final in Vancouver on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The Canadian Soccer Players’ Association, which represents the Canadian women’s team, has filed a $40 million lawsuit against 15 current and former board members of Canada Soccer, alleging “negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Grady McDonnell, 15, was the youngest signing in CPL history, inking a deal with Vancouver FC last month. (Beau Chevalier, VFC/Special to Langley Advance Times)

B.C. teen who was Vancouver FC’s youngest-ever signing playing for Ireland

Grady McDonnell seeing the world with the U-17 national soccer squad of his father’s homeland

Grady McDonnell, 15, was the youngest signing in CPL history, inking a deal with Vancouver FC last month. (Beau Chevalier, VFC/Special to Langley Advance Times)
Ibrahim Bakare joins Vancouver FC as a centre-back in March 2023, and now parted ways with the Langley-based pro soceer team. (Beau Chevalier, Vancouver FC/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Roster changes revealed for Lower Mainland’s newest pro soccer team

Ahead of Vancouver FC’s 2nd season, they sign forward Jose Navarro and part ways with Ibrahim Bakare

Ibrahim Bakare joins Vancouver FC as a centre-back in March 2023, and now parted ways with the Langley-based pro soceer team. (Beau Chevalier, Vancouver FC/Special to Langley Advance Times)
FIFA lifts the cover, at least partially, on the 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule via a televised reveal from CONCACAF headquarters in Miami. The logo for the 2026 World Cup is shown on a screen outside Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jae C. Hong

Canada to stage 13 games at 2026 FIFA World Cup between Toronto and Vancouver

There are 16 host cities — two in Canada, three in Mexico and the rest in the U.S.

FIFA lifts the cover, at least partially, on the 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule via a televised reveal from CONCACAF headquarters in Miami. The logo for the 2026 World Cup is shown on a screen outside Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jae C. Hong
TJ Tahid of Maple Ridge is training with a top Dutch team. (Canadian Premier League/Special to The News)

B.C. teen soccer pro training with top Dutch side

Maple Ridge’s TJ Tahid is in the Netherlands with Feyenoord Rotterdam

TJ Tahid of Maple Ridge is training with a top Dutch team. (Canadian Premier League/Special to The News)
(Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire File)

Minor soccer referees in Quebec to wear body cameras to prevent abuse

Association du Soccer Mineur de Windsor tired of abuse given teenage officials

(Clarise Larson/ Juneau Empire File)
Canadian Soccer Business, which represents Canada Soccer’s corporate partnerships and broadcast rights among other assets, took its lumps this year. Mark Noonan, CEO of Canadian Soccer Business and commissioner of the Canadian Premier League, holds a CPL scarf in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-CPL, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Canadian Soccer Business has no need to apologize, continues to grow game: Noonan

Players complained the CSB deal with the governing body of Canadian soccer is holding the game back

Canadian Soccer Business, which represents Canada Soccer’s corporate partnerships and broadcast rights among other assets, took its lumps this year. Mark Noonan, CEO of Canadian Soccer Business and commissioner of the Canadian Premier League, holds a CPL scarf in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-CPL, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Forge FC midfielder Noah Jensen (left) fights for a ball with Cavalry FC defender Daan Klomp (4) during Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Hamilton on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

Commissioner says CPL headed in the right direction, with more teams coming

Vancouver FC debuted this season, finishing seventh overall with a 8-15-5 record

Forge FC midfielder Noah Jensen (left) fights for a ball with Cavalry FC defender Daan Klomp (4) during Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Hamilton on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
A new mural of soccer player Lionel Messi is unveiled in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, one year after his national Argentine team won the World Cup tournament. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

Whitecaps set host Messi and Inter Miami as MLS unveils schedule

Argentinian soccer star an anniversary present to the fans as franchise turns 50

A new mural of soccer player Lionel Messi is unveiled in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, one year after his national Argentine team won the World Cup tournament. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Forge FC midfielder Noah Jensen (left) fights for a ball with Cavalry FC defender Daan Klomp (4) during Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Hamilton on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Cavalry FC is shifting its first-round CONCACAF Champions Cup game in February at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., to escape the Alberta cold.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

Cavalry FC to shift Champions Cup game to Vancouver Island to escape cold

The Calgary-based team hosts Orlando City SC in opening round of the 27-team CONCACAF competition

Forge FC midfielder Noah Jensen (left) fights for a ball with Cavalry FC defender Daan Klomp (4) during Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Hamilton on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Cavalry FC is shifting its first-round CONCACAF Champions Cup game in February at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., to escape the Alberta cold.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
Canada’s national women’s soccer team captain Christine Sinclair reacts as she walks onto the field with her nieces Kaitlyn and Kenzie to be honoured before playing a friendly against Australia in her final international soccer match, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Sinclair, 40, is making her 331st and final appearance for Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Sinclair launches ‘girls with goals’ foundation to help level playing field

Soccer icon looking to lend helping hand to those in need outside of her sport

Canada’s national women’s soccer team captain Christine Sinclair reacts as she walks onto the field with her nieces Kaitlyn and Kenzie to be honoured before playing a friendly against Australia in her final international soccer match, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Sinclair, 40, is making her 331st and final appearance for Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Christine Sinclair gestures to the crowd as she leaves the game in place of substitute Sophie Schmidt, not seen, during the second half of an international friendly soccer match, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Sinclair calls time on international career in emotional farewell game

Canada beats Australia 1-0 in legend’s last contest with national side

Canada’s Christine Sinclair gestures to the crowd as she leaves the game in place of substitute Sophie Schmidt, not seen, during the second half of an international friendly soccer match, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Christine Sinclair runs with the ball during Group B soccer action against Nigeria at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, July 21, 2023. A young Sinclair caught the eye of then team coach Even Pellerud in 1999. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour

Memories and accolades pour in as Sinclair prepares to hang up the maple leaf

Canada soccer captain Christine Sinclair considered as special off the field as she is on it

Canada’s Christine Sinclair runs with the ball during Group B soccer action against Nigeria at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, July 21, 2023. A young Sinclair caught the eye of then team coach Even Pellerud in 1999. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour
Canada’s Christine Sinclair, left, practices with teammates ahead of Tuesday’s friendly match against Australia in Vancouver on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Neil Davidson

B.C. soccer icons Sinclair, Schmidt say goodbye to ‘best job in the world’

Christine Sinclair asked for 145 tickets for friends and family for her…

Canada’s Christine Sinclair, left, practices with teammates ahead of Tuesday’s friendly match against Australia in Vancouver on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Neil Davidson
Canada’s lopsided 5-0 win over an experimental Australia side in the rain Friday at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., and the hoopla surrounding it provided a taste of what is to come in Christine Sinclair’s farewell game at B.C. Place Stadium. Sinclair passes the ball as Australia’s Amy Sayer looks on during second half soccer action at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., on Friday, December 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Hoopla expected to hit new heights for Sinclair’s farewell game in Vancouver

Friday’s game, the first half of Sinclair’s swansong in her B.C. backyard, was just an appetizer

Canada’s lopsided 5-0 win over an experimental Australia side in the rain Friday at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., and the hoopla surrounding it provided a taste of what is to come in Christine Sinclair’s farewell game at B.C. Place Stadium. Sinclair passes the ball as Australia’s Amy Sayer looks on during second half soccer action at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., on Friday, December 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito