soccer

Vancouver coach Vanni Sartini was suspended by Major League Soccer for the first six games of next season and fined $20,000 for his actions and comments about referee Tim Ford following a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on Nov. 5 that eliminated the Whitecaps from the playoffs. Sartini leaves the field after the first half of an MLS soccer match against Los Angeles FC, in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Whitecaps coach suspended 5 games for conduct in season-ending loss

Vanni Sartini has been fined $20K for his actions and comments about referee Tim Ford

Vancouver coach Vanni Sartini was suspended by Major League Soccer for the first six games of next season and fined $20,000 for his actions and comments about referee Tim Ford following a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on Nov. 5 that eliminated the Whitecaps from the playoffs. Sartini leaves the field after the first half of an MLS soccer match against Los Angeles FC, in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Simi Awujo avoids a tackle by Australia’s Courtney Nevin during first half soccer action at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., on Friday, December 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Prince scores twice as Canada thumps Australia in Sinclair’s penultimate game

Canada dominated from the get-go and went ahead in the 10th minute

Canada’s Simi Awujo avoids a tackle by Australia’s Courtney Nevin during first half soccer action at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., on Friday, December 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Abbotsford’s Sophie Schmidt will play her final game in Canadian colours on Tuesday (Dec. 5). (Instagram photo)

Abbotsford’s Sophie Schmidt playing final game for Canada

Schmidt will wear the red and white for the final time at BC Place on Dec. 5

Abbotsford’s Sophie Schmidt will play her final game in Canadian colours on Tuesday (Dec. 5). (Instagram photo)
The province is set to declare Dec. 12 as Christine Sinclair Day as the soccer star prepares to play her final games for Canada. Sinclair watches a video tribute as she is recognized for her international goal scoring record set in 2020, before a women’s friendly soccer match against Nigeria, in Vancouver, on Friday, April 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. declares Dec. 12 Christine Sinclair Day

The soccer star will play her final game for Canada on Dec. 5 in Vancouver

The province is set to declare Dec. 12 as Christine Sinclair Day as the soccer star prepares to play her final games for Canada. Sinclair watches a video tribute as she is recognized for her international goal scoring record set in 2020, before a women’s friendly soccer match against Nigeria, in Vancouver, on Friday, April 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Australia's Emily Van Egmond, right, controls the ball during the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Australia and Denmark at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Mark Baker

Aussies approach B.C. Sinclair soccer swan song with Olympics on minds

Australian side — which knocked Canada out of the World Cup — has yet to qualify for Paris

Australia's Emily Van Egmond, right, controls the ball during the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Australia and Denmark at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Mark Baker
Canada’s national women’s soccer team captain Christine Sinclair boards the team bus after practice Thursday, October 26, 2023 in Montreal. The 40-year-old from Burnaby. B.C., is calling time on her international career with a pair of games against Australia in her backyard — on Friday at Starling Stadium in Langford, B.C., and Dec. 5 in Vancouver.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

B.C. Place to become Christine Sinclair Place as dome hosts retirement party

One-night-only renaming part of festivities as B.C. bids farewell to its greatest soccer player ever

Canada’s national women’s soccer team captain Christine Sinclair boards the team bus after practice Thursday, October 26, 2023 in Montreal. The 40-year-old from Burnaby. B.C., is calling time on her international career with a pair of games against Australia in her backyard — on Friday at Starling Stadium in Langford, B.C., and Dec. 5 in Vancouver.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Players and fans applaud during a tribute to former England player and coach Terry Venables,shown on the video screen, before the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. Venables has passed away, it was announced Sunday. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Terry Venables, the former England, Tottenham and Barcelona coach, has died

Family says Venables, 80, died Saturday after a long illness

Players and fans applaud during a tribute to former England player and coach Terry Venables,shown on the video screen, before the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. Venables has passed away, it was announced Sunday. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Canada’s Christine Sinclair ,centre, and Sophie Schmidt, right, run during a training session at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, July 30, 2023. Captain Sinclair won’t be the only player in the spotlight when Canada hosts Australia in Victoria and Vancouver next month. Veteran goalkeeper Erin McLeod and midfielder Schmidt, who have also called time on their international career, are also being honoured at the Vancouver game. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour

Canada Soccer to honour national team trio during B.C. farewell

Retiring veterans Sinclair, Schmidt and McLeod to be recognized at Australia friendly

Canada’s Christine Sinclair ,centre, and Sophie Schmidt, right, run during a training session at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, July 30, 2023. Captain Sinclair won’t be the only player in the spotlight when Canada hosts Australia in Victoria and Vancouver next month. Veteran goalkeeper Erin McLeod and midfielder Schmidt, who have also called time on their international career, are also being honoured at the Vancouver game. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour
Jamaica’s Bobby Reid (10) celebrates after defeating Canada as Jonathan Osorio (21) reacts following CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal soccer action in Toronto on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Canada collapses in 2nd half versus Jamaica in surprise soccer backslide

5th-ranked Canadians are out of the CONCACAF tournament

Jamaica’s Bobby Reid (10) celebrates after defeating Canada as Jonathan Osorio (21) reacts following CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal soccer action in Toronto on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White, top watches his goal past Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini, bottom left, and goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau during the first half of an MLS playoff soccer match Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Los Angeles. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ryan Sun

Lessons learned? Whitecaps hope so as they face elimination in MLS playoff

Vancouver tries to come back from 5-2 hole they dug in Los Angeles in game 1

Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White, top watches his goal past Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini, bottom left, and goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau during the first half of an MLS playoff soccer match Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Los Angeles. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Ryan Sun
Canada’s Jordyn Huitema, 9, celebrates her team’s win over Jamaica in CONCACAF women’s championship soccer series match in Toronto on Tuesday Sept. 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canada dumps Brazil in chilly Halifax as Sinclair farewell tour continues

Soccer national side takes 2nd half of back-to-back matches, off to B.C. next

Canada’s Jordyn Huitema, 9, celebrates her team’s win over Jamaica in CONCACAF women’s championship soccer series match in Toronto on Tuesday Sept. 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Christine Sinclair thought she’d quietly retire from the Canadian national team after helping the squad qualify for next summer’s Paris Olympics. Christine Sinclair pleads for a penalty kick during the women’s soccer gold medal game against Sweden at the Tokyo Olympics in Yokohama, Japan on Friday, August 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C.’s Sinclair says friends and family convinced her to play out the year with Canada

The team will get two more friendlies this year, both against Australia

Christine Sinclair thought she’d quietly retire from the Canadian national team after helping the squad qualify for next summer’s Paris Olympics. Christine Sinclair pleads for a penalty kick during the women’s soccer gold medal game against Sweden at the Tokyo Olympics in Yokohama, Japan on Friday, August 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Canada’s national women’s soccer team captain Christine Sinclair, right, does a drill during the team’s practice Thursday, October 26, 2023 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Farewell tour thrusts Sinclair into the spotlight with ‘mixed emotions’

Soccer icon heading in to her final 4 games wearing the maple leaf hoping for no surprises

Canada’s national women’s soccer team captain Christine Sinclair, right, does a drill during the team’s practice Thursday, October 26, 2023 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Canada’s Christine Sinclair, 12, and Jamaica’s Deneisha Blackwood, 14, battle for the ball during second half CONCACAF women’s championship soccer series match in Toronto on Tuesday Sept. 26, 2023. Canada captain Sinclair will wrap up her international career in her backyard, with December games against Australia in Langford, B.C. and Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Sinclair’s soccer star to shine for the final time in pair of B.C. games

December rematches with World Cup rival Australia mark retiring icon’s final 2 games

Canada’s Christine Sinclair, 12, and Jamaica’s Deneisha Blackwood, 14, battle for the ball during second half CONCACAF women’s championship soccer series match in Toronto on Tuesday Sept. 26, 2023. Canada captain Sinclair will wrap up her international career in her backyard, with December games against Australia in Langford, B.C. and Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Vancouver Whitecaps' Javain Brown, left, and Los Angeles FC's Ryan Hollingshead vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match, in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Whitecaps to carry the maple leaf into the MLS playoffs alone

Vancouver to face LA, as soccer league’s only Canadian franchise to qualify for the post-season

Vancouver Whitecaps' Javain Brown, left, and Los Angeles FC's Ryan Hollingshead vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match, in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Vancouver Whitecaps tied 1-1 with Los Angeles FC Saturday night. (Instagram/@Whitecaps)

LAFC’s Bouanga scores 20th goal in 1-1 draw with Whitecaps

Ali Ahmed scored for Vancouver

The Vancouver Whitecaps tied 1-1 with Los Angeles FC Saturday night. (Instagram/@Whitecaps)
Canada’s Christine Sinclair watches a video tribute as she is recognized for her international goal scoring record set in 2020, before a women’s friendly soccer match against Nigeria, in Vancouver, on Friday, April 8, 2022. The star Canadian soccer player has announced her retirement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Tributes pour in for B.C.’s Sinclair in wake of retirement plans

Sinclair plans to play one more season for the NWSL Portland Thorns next year

Canada’s Christine Sinclair watches a video tribute as she is recognized for her international goal scoring record set in 2020, before a women’s friendly soccer match against Nigeria, in Vancouver, on Friday, April 8, 2022. The star Canadian soccer player has announced her retirement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada forward Christine Sinclair (12) leaps into the arms of forward Jordyn Huitema (19) to celebrate their win in semifinal football action against the United States of America at the Tokyo Olympics in Kashima, Japan, Monday, Aug. 2, 2020. The star Canadian soccer player has announced her retirement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Frank Gunn

B.C.’s Sinclair announces end to greatest Canadian soccer career ever

‘I can sit here and know that I’ve literally done everything I can’

Canada forward Christine Sinclair (12) leaps into the arms of forward Jordyn Huitema (19) to celebrate their win in semifinal football action against the United States of America at the Tokyo Olympics in Kashima, Japan, Monday, Aug. 2, 2020. The star Canadian soccer player has announced her retirement. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Frank Gunn
Taryck TJ Tahid (right) finished his first pro soccer season, and is now working toward playing for Team Canada at the U17 World Cup. (Canadian Premier League/Special to The News)

Maple Ridge phenom creates lifelong memories in first year of pro soccer

TJ Tahid is now trying to win his roster spot with Team Canada for U17 World Cup

Taryck TJ Tahid (right) finished his first pro soccer season, and is now working toward playing for Team Canada at the U17 World Cup. (Canadian Premier League/Special to The News)
Canada’s Jordyn Huitema, 9, celebrates her goal with teammates Julia Groos, 7, and Shelina Zadorshy, 4, during second half CONCACAF women’s championship soccer series match against Jamaica in Toronto on Tuesday Sept. 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canada-Brazil international women’s soccer friendly sells out quickly in Halifax

The 10th-ranked Canadians face No. 9 Brazil at Oct. 31

Canada’s Jordyn Huitema, 9, celebrates her goal with teammates Julia Groos, 7, and Shelina Zadorshy, 4, during second half CONCACAF women’s championship soccer series match against Jamaica in Toronto on Tuesday Sept. 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette