soccer

Jaime Perrault (right) helped Team Canada qualify for the Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship by going unbeaten in the qualifiers. (Canada Soccer/Special to The News)

B.C. teens help bring Team Canada to Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship

Jaime Perrault put up a goal and two assists during Canada’s perfect 4-0 run in qualifiers

Jaime Perrault (right) helped Team Canada qualify for the Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship by going unbeaten in the qualifiers. (Canada Soccer/Special to The News)
Jaime Perrault (2nd from left) will be returning for her second season with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy. (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/Special to The News)

B.C. players return for second season with Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy

The women’s team won the inaugural season of League1 BC soccer

Jaime Perrault (2nd from left) will be returning for her second season with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy. (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/Special to The News)
Bob Birarda leaves provincial court, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. An independent review has concluded that Canada Soccer “mishandled” sexual harassment allegations in 2008 against the then under-20 women’s coach. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

MPs grill ex-Canada Soccer president over handling of disgraced Whitecaps coach Birarda

Steven Reed was repeatedly questioned about lack of action he allegedly took to protect players

Bob Birarda leaves provincial court, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. An independent review has concluded that Canada Soccer “mishandled” sexual harassment allegations in 2008 against the then under-20 women’s coach. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Helena Ruken, left to right,CEO of AFC Toronto City; Diana Matheson, co-founder and CEO of Project 8; and Shilpa Arora, general manager of DoorDash Canada, are seen in Toronto in an undated handout photo. AFC Toronto City has signed on as the third franchise in the proposed women’s pro league, after Vancouver and Calgary. DoorDash joins CIBC, Air Canada and Canadian Tire as “dedicated partners” of the new league. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Project 8 *MANDATORY CREDIT*

AFC Toronto City becomes third team to sign on to Canadian women’s pro soccer league

Plan is to launch a league in 2025 with eight teams split across two conferences

Helena Ruken, left to right,CEO of AFC Toronto City; Diana Matheson, co-founder and CEO of Project 8; and Shilpa Arora, general manager of DoorDash Canada, are seen in Toronto in an undated handout photo. AFC Toronto City has signed on as the third franchise in the proposed women’s pro league, after Vancouver and Calgary. DoorDash joins CIBC, Air Canada and Canadian Tire as “dedicated partners” of the new league. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Project 8 *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Olivia Smith scores from a free kick in Canada’s 9-1 win over El Salvador to qualify for the 2023 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship in this Saturday, April 22, 2023 handout photo in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Canada Soccer

Canadian women qualify for CONCACAF Under-20 Championship with win over El Salvador

Top 3 teams from CONCACAF U-20 will go on to next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

Olivia Smith scores from a free kick in Canada’s 9-1 win over El Salvador to qualify for the 2023 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship in this Saturday, April 22, 2023 handout photo in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Canada Soccer
Bayern’s Alphonso Davies leaves the pitch after an injury during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Munich at the Mewa Arena in Mainz, Germany, Saturday, April 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern’s Alphonso Davies leaves the pitch after an injury during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Munich at the Mewa Arena in Mainz, Germany, Saturday, April 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Los Angeles FC’s Stipe Biuk, front left, and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Sebastian Berhalter vie for the ball during the second half of a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal soccer match, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Whitecaps whipped 3-0 by L.A. in CONCACAF play

Vancouver drops two-game aggregate 6-0 to Los Angeles FC

Los Angeles FC’s Stipe Biuk, front left, and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Sebastian Berhalter vie for the ball during the second half of a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal soccer match, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Jaime Perrault (right) helped Canada Soccer Women’s U17 team make it to the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. (Canada Soccer/Special to The News)

B.C. athletes join Canada Soccer Women’s U20 team

Jaime Perrault will be 1 of 4 B.C. athletes in the Concacaf Women’s U20 Championship qualifiers

Jaime Perrault (right) helped Canada Soccer Women’s U17 team make it to the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. (Canada Soccer/Special to The News)
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Simon Becher, from left to right, Brian White and Ali Ahmed celebrate White’s goal against CF Montreal during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Vancouver, on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Becher has been named the Major League Soccer player of the matchday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Whitecaps forward Simon Becher named MLS player of the matchday

Becher scored two goals and added an assist in his first MLS start

Vancouver Whitecaps’ Simon Becher, from left to right, Brian White and Ali Ahmed celebrate White’s goal against CF Montreal during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Vancouver, on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Becher has been named the Major League Soccer player of the matchday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini stands on the sidelines during second half MLS soccer action against Nashville FC in Vancouver on Saturday, August 27, 2022. Vanni Sartini believes his Vancouver Whitecaps have a “moral imperative” to come out strong in their first Canadian clash of the season on Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Pressure grows as winless Whitecaps prepare for Canadian clash with CF Montreal

Caps now 5 games into the young season and have yet to register their first victory

Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini stands on the sidelines during second half MLS soccer action against Nashville FC in Vancouver on Saturday, August 27, 2022. Vanni Sartini believes his Vancouver Whitecaps have a “moral imperative” to come out strong in their first Canadian clash of the season on Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
After winning fans at the World Cup, the Canadian men take the first steps toward the 2026 tournament as they return to CONCACAF Nations League play in their first outing since Qatar.  Canada coach John Herdman looks on during second half group F World Cup soccer action against Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Herdman laments labour dispute between national teams and Canada Soccer

Both men’s and women’s teams have resorted to job action over their dissatisfaction

After winning fans at the World Cup, the Canadian men take the first steps toward the 2026 tournament as they return to CONCACAF Nations League play in their first outing since Qatar.  Canada coach John Herdman looks on during second half group F World Cup soccer action against Morocco at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canadian national men’s soccer team forward Alphonso Davies, centre, stands with his teammates during a training session for a CONCACAF Nations League match against Curacao, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Canada, taking the field for the first time since the World Cup in Qatar, faces No. 86 Curacao in CONCACAF Nations League play Saturday night. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canadian national men’s soccer team forward Alphonso Davies, centre, stands with his teammates during a training session for a CONCACAF Nations League match against Curacao, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Canada, taking the field for the first time since the World Cup in Qatar, faces No. 86 Curacao in CONCACAF Nations League play Saturday night. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Brian White (middle) fires a shot between the defence of Real Espana’s Junior Garcia (right) and Getsel Montes for a goal during second half CONCACAF Champions League soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2023. The Whitecaps advanced to the quarterfinals in CONCACAF Champions League play Wednesday after completing a 7-3 aggregate win over Honduran side Real CD Espana.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

Whitecaps through to CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals

Next step for Vancouver is reigning Major League Soccer champions Los Angeles FC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s Brian White (middle) fires a shot between the defence of Real Espana’s Junior Garcia (right) and Getsel Montes for a goal during second half CONCACAF Champions League soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2023. The Whitecaps advanced to the quarterfinals in CONCACAF Champions League play Wednesday after completing a 7-3 aggregate win over Honduran side Real CD Espana.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
Real Espana’s Gerson Chavez (right) grabs a hold of Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s JC Ngando during second half CONCACAF Champions League soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Despite tough travel and punishing weather, the Vancouver Whitecaps know they have the upper hand as they prepare for CONCACAF Champions League play this week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

Vancouver Whitecaps control destiny heading into Honduras

Team takes 5-0 cushion into second half of 2-game CONCACAF Champions League series

Real Espana’s Gerson Chavez (right) grabs a hold of Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s JC Ngando during second half CONCACAF Champions League soccer action in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Despite tough travel and punishing weather, the Vancouver Whitecaps know they have the upper hand as they prepare for CONCACAF Champions League play this week.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
FIFA president Gianni Infantino poses on the green carpet before the ceremony of the Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris, France, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

FIFA expands 2026 World Cup again to create 104-game program

Schedule will last nearly six weeks in June-July across, Canada, U.S. and Mexico

FIFA president Gianni Infantino poses on the green carpet before the ceremony of the Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris, France, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Canadian National Soccer Team players Sophie Schmidt, left Janine Beckie, Christine Sinclair, and Quinn, right, prepare to appear before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in Ottawa, studying safe sport in Canada, on Thursday, March 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Captain Christine Sinclair slams Canada Soccer at parliamentary hearing

Nation’s soccer icon blasts ‘culture of secrecy and obstruction’

Canadian National Soccer Team players Sophie Schmidt, left Janine Beckie, Christine Sinclair, and Quinn, right, prepare to appear before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in Ottawa, studying safe sport in Canada, on Thursday, March 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Two North Shore business owners, Trish Neufeld and her brother David Smyth (at bottom, right and left), were given a night to remember when they bumped into David Beckham and his son at a pub in Dublin. (David Smyth/ Facebook)

Chance encounter sees B.C. duo partying with soccer legend David Beckham

North Vancouver pair get some unexpected company at their table in a Dublin bar

Two North Shore business owners, Trish Neufeld and her brother David Smyth (at bottom, right and left), were given a night to remember when they bumped into David Beckham and his son at a pub in Dublin. (David Smyth/ Facebook)
Canadian Press

Former Olympian Charmaine Crooks appointed Canada Soccer’s interim president

Order of Canada winner fills the void left by Nick Bontis, who resigned Monday amidst turmoil

Canadian Press
Canada players celebrate their win following second half CONCACAF World Cup soccer qualifying action against Jamaica, in Toronto on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Qualifying in the CONCACAF region for the 2026 World Cup will kick off in March 2024 with co-hosts Canada, the U.S. and Mexico watching from the sidelines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

CONCACAF unveils 2026 World Cup qualifying format with co-host Canada on sidelines

Three co-hosts will qualify automatically for the expanded 48-team field

Canada players celebrate their win following second half CONCACAF World Cup soccer qualifying action against Jamaica, in Toronto on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Qualifying in the CONCACAF region for the 2026 World Cup will kick off in March 2024 with co-hosts Canada, the U.S. and Mexico watching from the sidelines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Bontis has resigned as president of Canada Soccer, acknowledging change is needed to achieve labour peace. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis resigns, says change is needed

A bitter labour dispute has plagued both the women’s and men’s Canadian teams for months

Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Bontis has resigned as president of Canada Soccer, acknowledging change is needed to achieve labour peace. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck