soccer

Al Hilal’s Neymar shoots the ball during warm up for the AFC Champions League soccer match between Iran’s Nassaji and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. (AP Photo)

Saudi Arabia formally informs FIFA of wish to host 2034 World Cup

Other countries have until Oct. 31 to express formal interest

Al Hilal’s Neymar shoots the ball during warm up for the AFC Champions League soccer match between Iran’s Nassaji and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. (AP Photo)
Vancouver Football Club’s last game of the season was held at home Friday at Willoughby Stadium in Langley. They faced off against Toronto’s York United, and lost 2-1. Player #19, Mikael Cantave, scored the lone goal for VFC. (Wes Shaw, ShotBug Press/Special to Langley Advance Times)

VFC victory wasn’t in cards for last game of first season

Langley’s new pro soccer team wraps up year with a 2-1 loss to Toronto

Vancouver Football Club’s last game of the season was held at home Friday at Willoughby Stadium in Langley. They faced off against Toronto’s York United, and lost 2-1. Player #19, Mikael Cantave, scored the lone goal for VFC. (Wes Shaw, ShotBug Press/Special to Langley Advance Times)
The last game of the inaugural season for the Vancouver Football Club gets underway at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Friday, Oct. 6), at the Willoughby Stadium. Read how to get discounted tickets. (Beau Chevalier,VFC/CPL/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Vancouver pro soccer team looks to end season with a victory tonight

Discounted tickets for Black Press Media readers for final game of the year in Langley

The last game of the inaugural season for the Vancouver Football Club gets underway at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Friday, Oct. 6), at the Willoughby Stadium. Read how to get discounted tickets. (Beau Chevalier,VFC/CPL/Special to Langley Advance Times)
FILE - Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham gives the thumbs up before a Leagues Cup soccer match Adam Grinwis, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A four-part Netflix series, “Beckham” explores Beckham’s upbringing and his triumphs on the field. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

David Beckham reflects on highs and lows in new documentary

Series explores former pro-soccer player’s upbringing and career

FILE - Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham gives the thumbs up before a Leagues Cup soccer match Adam Grinwis, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A four-part Netflix series, “Beckham” explores Beckham’s upbringing and his triumphs on the field. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Head Coach Afshin Ghotbi congratulated his players after Vancouver FC beat the Halifax Wanderers last weekend, 2-1. (Beau Chevalier, VFC/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Lower Mainland pro soccer team counts down in inaugural season

Vancouver FC plays in Langford Saturday, then last game of year is on home pitch Friday in Langley

Head Coach Afshin Ghotbi congratulated his players after Vancouver FC beat the Halifax Wanderers last weekend, 2-1. (Beau Chevalier, VFC/Special to Langley Advance Times)
Maple Ridge’s T.J. Tahid, 16, (with the ball) scored the lone goal in Wednesday night’s game between his Vancouver FC soccer team and hosting Valour FC in Winnipeg. (CPL/Special to Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Youngest league player scores 1 for Vancouver FC

Next pro soccer game on home pitch in Langley Saturday afternoon

Maple Ridge’s T.J. Tahid, 16, (with the ball) scored the lone goal in Wednesday night’s game between his Vancouver FC soccer team and hosting Valour FC in Winnipeg. (CPL/Special to Langley Advance Times)
FILE - Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso reacts after missing a scoring chance during the Women’s World Cup Group C soccer match between Japan and Spain in Wellington, New Zealand, Monday, July 31, 2023. Spanish state prosecutors say soccer player Jenni Hermoso has accused Luis Rubiales of sexual assault for kissing her on the lips without her consent after the Women’s World Cup final. (AP Photo/John Cowpland, File)

World Cup soccer kiss could lead to Spanish sexual assault charge

Prosecutors want Luis Rubiales charged for kissing player Jenni Hermoso during awards ceremony

FILE - Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso reacts after missing a scoring chance during the Women’s World Cup Group C soccer match between Japan and Spain in Wellington, New Zealand, Monday, July 31, 2023. Spanish state prosecutors say soccer player Jenni Hermoso has accused Luis Rubiales of sexual assault for kissing her on the lips without her consent after the Women’s World Cup final. (AP Photo/John Cowpland, File)
From Vancouver FC’s inaugural match this spring, to the current game Sunday against Hamilton’s Forge FC, VFC head coach Afshin Ghotbi has been the players’ biggest cheerleader. (CPL/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Langley’s new pro soccer team still has a chance, says coach

Vancouver FC plays Hamilton on home pitch at Willoughby Stadium Sunday at 2 p.m.

From Vancouver FC’s inaugural match this spring, to the current game Sunday against Hamilton’s Forge FC, VFC head coach Afshin Ghotbi has been the players’ biggest cheerleader. (CPL/Special to Langley Advance Times)
The president of the Spanish soccer federation Luis Rubiales speaks during an emergency general assembly meeting in Las Rozas, Friday Aug. 25, 2023. Rubiales has refused to resign despite an uproar for kissing a player, Jennifer Hermoso on the lips without her consent after the Women’s World Cup final. Rubiales had also grabbed his crotch in a lewd victory gesture from the section of dignitaries with Spain’s Queen Letizia and the 16-year old Princess Sofía nearby. (Real Federación Española de Fútbol/Europa Press via AP)

FIFA suspends Spanish soccer president for 90 days after World Cup final kiss

The ruling comes six days after Luis Rubiales was accused of becoming a national embarrassment

The president of the Spanish soccer federation Luis Rubiales speaks during an emergency general assembly meeting in Las Rozas, Friday Aug. 25, 2023. Rubiales has refused to resign despite an uproar for kissing a player, Jennifer Hermoso on the lips without her consent after the Women’s World Cup final. Rubiales had also grabbed his crotch in a lewd victory gesture from the section of dignitaries with Spain’s Queen Letizia and the 16-year old Princess Sofía nearby. (Real Federación Española de Fútbol/Europa Press via AP)
Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stands with Spain’s Women’s World Cup soccer team after their World Cup victory, at La Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Spain beat England in Sydney Sunday to win the Women’s World Cup soccer final. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Spanish leader greets World champs, criticizes soccer head for kissing player

Forced kiss caused an immediate outcry both inside Spain and abroad

Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stands with Spain’s Women’s World Cup soccer team after their World Cup victory, at La Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Spain beat England in Sydney Sunday to win the Women’s World Cup soccer final. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Lionel Messi joined Major League Soccer club Inter Miami in July and the results have been near-instant. Messi kicks the ball across the field during the second half of the Leagues Cup championship soccer match against Nashville SC, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-George Walker IV.

Canadian clubs talk ‘Messi effect’ as superstar grabs headlines

‘I think all the stories around Messi are a door opener for us’

Lionel Messi joined Major League Soccer club Inter Miami in July and the results have been near-instant. Messi kicks the ball across the field during the second half of the Leagues Cup championship soccer match against Nashville SC, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-George Walker IV.
Spain’s Olga Carmona celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the final of Women’s World Cup soccer between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Spain clinches Women’s World Cup title with 1-0 win over England

Olga Carmona’s first-half goal holds up for La Roja

Spain’s Olga Carmona celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the final of Women’s World Cup soccer between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Australia’s Sam Kerr celebrates after scoring her side’s first goal during the Women’s World Cup semifinal soccer match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

England beats Australia to move into Women’s World Cup final against Spain

England’s 3-1 win ends an exhilirating ride for the home side

Australia’s Sam Kerr celebrates after scoring her side’s first goal during the Women’s World Cup semifinal soccer match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Soccer fans covering their faces, most of them from Croatia, are escorted by police as they leave the Athens Police Headquarters, Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Ninety-four fans of Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb are appearing in court this morning for a preliminary hearing over Monday night’s fan violence that left a fan of Greece’s AEK dead and another eight people injured. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

1 dead, nearly 100 Croatian fans charged after soccer violence in Greece

Murder, gang-related charges levied after deadly violence erupts outside stadium, cancelling match

Soccer fans covering their faces, most of them from Croatia, are escorted by police as they leave the Athens Police Headquarters, Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Ninety-four fans of Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb are appearing in court this morning for a preliminary hearing over Monday night’s fan violence that left a fan of Greece’s AEK dead and another eight people injured. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Caroline Frolic, the announcer for VFC home games, has been a sports fan from a very young age. She will be among the female sports personalities taking part in a meet-and-greet ahead of Sunday’s match against Winnipeg. (Special to Langley Advance Times)

Today’s soccer game pays tribute to trailblazing women in sports

Vancouver FC takes on Winnipeg at 2, but female athletes are part of meet-and-greet ahead of match

Caroline Frolic, the announcer for VFC home games, has been a sports fan from a very young age. She will be among the female sports personalities taking part in a meet-and-greet ahead of Sunday’s match against Winnipeg. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
Tigres’ Fernando Gorriaran, front, is upended by Vancouver Whitecaps’ Pedro Vite as they vie for the ball during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match in Vancouver, on Friday, August 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Veselinovic misses penalty in shootout as Whitecaps fall to Tigres

The Whitecaps held on to the lead until the second half

Tigres’ Fernando Gorriaran, front, is upended by Vancouver Whitecaps’ Pedro Vite as they vie for the ball during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match in Vancouver, on Friday, August 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Sam Adekugbe and Morocco’s Sofiane Boufal vie for the ball during the World Cup group F soccer match between Canada and Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha , Qatar, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. The Vancouver Whitecaps acquired the Canadian defender via transfer from Turkish side Hatayspor on Thursday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Alessandra Tarantino

Vancouver Whitecaps go big in transfer window, signing national team duo

Wingbacks Adekugbe, Laryea added to help squad lock down playoff spot

Canada’s Sam Adekugbe and Morocco’s Sofiane Boufal vie for the ball during the World Cup group F soccer match between Canada and Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha , Qatar, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. The Vancouver Whitecaps acquired the Canadian defender via transfer from Turkish side Hatayspor on Thursday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Alessandra Tarantino
Ellie Carpenter of Australia and Jordyn Huitema of Canada vie for the ball during Group B soccer action at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, July 31, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour

Friends and family package gets positive review from Canadians at World Cup

Soccer Down Under proved to be a great experience for Canadian supporters

Ellie Carpenter of Australia and Jordyn Huitema of Canada vie for the ball during Group B soccer action at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, July 31, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour
A young supporters wears the flags of Netherlands and Vietnam on her cheeks on the tribune prior to the Women’s World Cup Group E soccer match between Vietnam and the Netherlands in Dunedin, New Zealand, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

For remote and laid back Dunedin, a warm welcome to the Women’s World Cup

Soccer’s big stage arrives at a small city on the edge of the world

A young supporters wears the flags of Netherlands and Vietnam on her cheeks on the tribune prior to the Women’s World Cup Group E soccer match between Vietnam and the Netherlands in Dunedin, New Zealand, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Canada’s Christine Sinclair, centre and teammates react after conceding a first half goal during Group B soccer action against Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, July 31, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour

Canada captain Sinclair sounds warning in wake of early World Cup exit

‘You’re just going to continue to see teams reach our level, surpass us…if things don’t change’

Canada’s Christine Sinclair, centre and teammates react after conceding a first half goal during Group B soccer action against Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, July 31, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour