WHITECAPS FC IN THE NEWS
It may be cold and grey outside in Vancouver today, but it's a balmy 20°C in Casa Grande, Arizona, which is where Vancouver Whitecaps FC are headed a week today as they continue with preseason training. With the squad eager to get back to work, even the weather couldn't dim the excitement for the first day of training camp yesterday. The media caught up with head coach Martin Rennie to discuss how the first day went. (Bruce Constantineau – Vancouver Sun)
“He got the ball around the halfway line and I said to myself: 'If he scores from here, I'll sign him,'” explained Martin Rennie. “Believe it or not, he scored from there. He ran all the way, beat two or three guys and scored a fantastic goal so I stayed true to my word.” Curious who coach Rennie is talking about? Find out HERE! (Bruce Constantineau – Vancouver Sun)
From Bonjour to Davidson to Mattocks, photographers were eager to snap shots of all the new faces during yesterday’s training session at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex. Get familiar with the latest signings in this photo series taken during practice. (Vancouver Sun)
Coach Martin Rennie responded to the addition of a number of former RailHawks players recently stating, "The fact they’ve worked with me for a short space of time is only a positive thing since I know what they bring from a personality point of view and a playing point of view." Check out the praise he shared about some of the newest signings, and how he believes them to be top-tier talents (Martin MacMahon – MLSsoccer.com)
WHITECAPS FC ON THE RADIO:
‘Whitecaps FC Daily’ with Peter Schaad is back in its usual 3:00 p.m. timeslot on TEAM 1410 sports radio! It's fun fun fun this week. Today Pete talks to 'Caps goalkeeper Brad Knighton and Canadian women's national team head coahc John Herdman. On Wednesday, TSN's Luke Wileman and The Province's Marc Weber come on as guests, and on Thursday Pete chats with former Canadian women's player and current Sportsnet analyst Kara Lang! For those of you who may have missed past episodes, you can find them HERE!
The show will return on January 23, 2012, and air every Monday to Friday at 3 p.m. PT on TEAM 1410.
You can always get your soccer fix every Sunday night from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. PT by tuning into ‘Full-Time: Vancouver’s Soccer Show’ with Tyler Green and Mike Martignago on TEAM 1040.
West Coast Soccer Weekly is a new podcast hosted by Canadian Soccer News writers Pierce Lang and Michael McColl. For all things soccer on the best coast, including up to date coverage of Whitecaps FC, Highlanders, Men's and Women's Canadian national teams, and local community clubs be sure to listen in HERE!
WHITECAPS FC IN THE HOUSE
Carl Valentine's memories of preseason as, "a nightmare that I did not look forward to," are much different than today's players and anticipation is growing for the revitalized team. Get the inside-track on what's in store for the squad in Carl's latest segment of The TWO ONE. (Carl Valentine – whitecapsfc.com)
With the team finally coming together on the pitch for the first time this season, Martin Rennie and his coaching staff got the first look at the squad they have put together so far. Be sure to check out this footage of the first day of preseason. (whitecapsfc.com)
With new player acquisitions being released almost daily, Major League Soccer (MLS) preseason seems to have kicked into full gear. From the return of Beckham to the exit of Tim Ream, find out the latest happenings from around MLS in Simon Fudge's latest feature. (Simon Fudge – whitecapsfc.com)
Three former Whitecaps shared in the scoring during last night’s women’s team win at BC Place. Christine Sinclair scored a brace and tallied an assist while Kaylyn Kyle and Sophie Schmidt notched a goal a piece. Be sure to watch highlights of the match HERE. (CONCACAF.com)
CANADIAN SOCCER SCENE
People from all walks of life have been coming out to support Canada’s women's team in their quest to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. One reporter described the experience as "Soccer Night in Canada," voicing that, "Although we were 12,000 strong, the crowd felt like a large community group that captured a good cross-section of the local populace." (Fiona Hughes - The Vancouver Courier)
That dream is now one game closer to being a reality after Canada’s 5-1 defeat of Costa Rica yesterday. Coach John Herdman commended the women’s performance noting, "It was about taking it to another level tonight and we wanted to show an intensity we'll take into the semi-finals." Get the full match details HERE.
Whether they face the US or Mexico in Friday's semifinal will be determined in tonight's matchup, but, “Whoever they face, Canada will have an extra day off, which should also work in their favour," explains one reporter. Find out what tonight’s USA versus Mexico matchup means for the Canadian side. (Marc Weber - The Province)
