soccer

FILE - Canada’s Alphonso Davies celebrates his penalty-kick goal against Curacao during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League soccer match Thursday, June 9. 2022, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

Canada prepares for its 1st World Cup in 36 years

In 2021, the team went from No. 72 in the world rankings to No. 40

FILE - Canada’s Alphonso Davies celebrates his penalty-kick goal against Curacao during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League soccer match Thursday, June 9. 2022, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
FILE - FIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani leave the stage before the 2022 soccer World Cup draw at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center in Doha, Qatar, Friday, April 1, 2022. The first World Cup in the Middle East is only one month away. Qatar has been on an often bumpy 12-year journey that has transformed the nation. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

Qatar’s 12-year journey as World Cup host has 1 month to go

All 64 games over the course of 29 days involving 32 teams will be held in the Doha area

FILE - FIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani leave the stage before the 2022 soccer World Cup draw at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center in Doha, Qatar, Friday, April 1, 2022. The first World Cup in the Middle East is only one month away. Qatar has been on an often bumpy 12-year journey that has transformed the nation. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)
Bayern's Leroy Sane, left, and teammate Alphonso Davies celebrate after scoring his side's third goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Oct. 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matthias Schrader

Canadian star Alphonso Davies returns to action with Bayern Munich after head injury

Davies took a boot to the head last weekend

Bayern's Leroy Sane, left, and teammate Alphonso Davies celebrate after scoring his side's third goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Oct. 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matthias Schrader
Bayern’s Alphonso Davies, centre, leaves the field after getting injured during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Davies, who had to be helped off the field after taking a boot to the head, was back training Friday with Bayern Munich. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Martin Meissner

Canadian star Alphonso Davies back training with Bayern Munich after blow to head

Davies was diagnosed with a “cranial bruise” in taking a boot to the face

Bayern’s Alphonso Davies, centre, leaves the field after getting injured during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Davies, who had to be helped off the field after taking a boot to the head, was back training Friday with Bayern Munich. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Martin Meissner
Bayern’s Alphonso Davies, center, leaves the field after getting injured during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Martin Meissner

Canada star Alphonso Davies diagnosed with cranial bruise, no word on return to play

Edmonton-born player took a boot to the face during a Oct. 8 match

Bayern’s Alphonso Davies, center, leaves the field after getting injured during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Martin Meissner
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Brian White, centre, receives a pass between Minnesota United’s Bakaye Dibassy, left, and Michael Boxall during the second half of an MLS soccer game in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, July 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver Whitecaps continue improbable quest for playoff position

It’s win and they’re in for longshot squad as it heads to Minnesota for season finale

Vancouver Whitecaps’ Brian White, centre, receives a pass between Minnesota United’s Bakaye Dibassy, left, and Michael Boxall during the second half of an MLS soccer game in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, July 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada women's national soccer team goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe poses for photographs with her gold medal from the Tokyo Olympics after an announcement in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. Soccer Canada announced that the women's team will play Nigeria on April 8 in Vancouver and on April 11 in Langford, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Whitecaps name longtime national team goalie GM of women’s soccer

Stephanie Labbe retired this year after a lengthy playing career capped with gold in Tokyo

Canada women's national soccer team goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe poses for photographs with her gold medal from the Tokyo Olympics after an announcement in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. Soccer Canada announced that the women's team will play Nigeria on April 8 in Vancouver and on April 11 in Langford, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Axel Schuster is seen during a news conference, in Vancouver, B.C. Friday, November 15, 2019. The Vancouver Whitecaps have given the CEO and sporting director a four-year contract extension.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Vancouver Whitecaps hand CEO Axel Schuster four-year contract extension

Club still fighting for a playoff berth with a single game left in regular-season play

Axel Schuster is seen during a news conference, in Vancouver, B.C. Friday, November 15, 2019. The Vancouver Whitecaps have given the CEO and sporting director a four-year contract extension.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Players walk on a digital pitch wearing kits designed by Kelly Cannell in an undated handout screenshot from the video game FIFA 23. EA Sports turned to Musqueam visual artists, carvers, designers, and weavers to showcase Musqueam cultural elements in the new FIFA 23 video game, which is primarily made in EA Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Electronic Arts,

Musqueam history, heritage and culture showcased in new FIFA 23 video game

Work of about 10 of the First Nations band’s artists featured

Players walk on a digital pitch wearing kits designed by Kelly Cannell in an undated handout screenshot from the video game FIFA 23. EA Sports turned to Musqueam visual artists, carvers, designers, and weavers to showcase Musqueam cultural elements in the new FIFA 23 video game, which is primarily made in EA Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Electronic Arts,
Canadian national men’s soccer team head coach John Herdman watches a training session for a CONCACAF Nations League match against Curacao, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Canada faces World Cup host Qatar on Friday in Vienna in the first of two friendlies during the FIFA September international window. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada cruises to 2-0 win over World Cup host Qatar in men’s soccer friendly

Three months after a disastrous June camp disrupted by a player boycott…

Canadian national men’s soccer team head coach John Herdman watches a training session for a CONCACAF Nations League match against Curacao, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Canada faces World Cup host Qatar on Friday in Vienna in the first of two friendlies during the FIFA September international window. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE — A view of hotels and other buildings at the West Bay area in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. Many hotels in Qatar are already fully booked for the soccer World Cup which will be held in November and December 2022. Qatar’s ambassador to Germany was personally urged to abolish his country’s death penalty for homosexuality at a congress hosted by the German soccer federation on human rights in the World Cup host country. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, file)

World Cup soccer captains want to wear rainbow armbands in Qatar

FIFA rules prohibit teams from bringing their own armband design

FILE — A view of hotels and other buildings at the West Bay area in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. Many hotels in Qatar are already fully booked for the soccer World Cup which will be held in November and December 2022. Qatar’s ambassador to Germany was personally urged to abolish his country’s death penalty for homosexuality at a congress hosted by the German soccer federation on human rights in the World Cup host country. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, file)
Canadian national men’s soccer team head coach John Herdman watches a training session for a CONCACAF Nations League match against Curacao, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Coach ponders injuries, form and playing time for Canada’s soccer roster

Canadian men taking part in the World Cup for the first time in 36 years as kickoff creeps closer

Canadian national men’s soccer team head coach John Herdman watches a training session for a CONCACAF Nations League match against Curacao, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Whitecaps defender Tristan Blackmon, left, moves the ball past LA Galaxy forward Douglas Costa during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Carson, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. With just four games left on the schedule, the ‘Caps (9-14-7) are on a three-game losing skid and their playoff hopes have all but evaporated. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Raul Romero Jr.

Whitecaps have ‘backs against the wall’ heading into season’s final homestand

3-game homestand begins Wednesday against the L.A. Galaxy

Vancouver Whitecaps defender Tristan Blackmon, left, moves the ball past LA Galaxy forward Douglas Costa during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Carson, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022. With just four games left on the schedule, the ‘Caps (9-14-7) are on a three-game losing skid and their playoff hopes have all but evaporated. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Raul Romero Jr.
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Jake Nerwinski, front, and Colorado Rapids’ Jonathan Lewis vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer game in Vancouver, on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘We know nothing’s over’: Underdog Vancouver Whitecaps continue playoff push

Club heads to Denver sitting eight points out of a post-season berth

Vancouver Whitecaps’ Jake Nerwinski, front, and Colorado Rapids’ Jonathan Lewis vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer game in Vancouver, on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Alejandro. Díaz Liceága . Photography by Lia Crowe

Blow the whistle!

Maynard Johnny Jr.’s Pacific FC jersey design is an instant success

  • Aug 19, 2022
Alejandro. Díaz Liceága . Photography by Lia Crowe
Pressure is building on Canada Soccer to seal a compensation deal with the men’s national team as the countdown to the World Cup in Qatar ticks down. But some part of the negotiations could go beyond the November start of the tournament says Mark-Anthony Kaye, part of the men’s national team leadership group. Kaye (14) and Costa Rica’s Youstin Delfin Salas Gomez (16) vie for the ball during second half World Cup qualifier soccer action in Edmonton on Friday, November 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Negotiations with the Canadian men’s soccer team could go on beyond the World Cup

Canada in men’s soccer showcase for the first time in 36 years — with home World Cup to follow in 2026

Pressure is building on Canada Soccer to seal a compensation deal with the men’s national team as the countdown to the World Cup in Qatar ticks down. But some part of the negotiations could go beyond the November start of the tournament says Mark-Anthony Kaye, part of the men’s national team leadership group. Kaye (14) and Costa Rica’s Youstin Delfin Salas Gomez (16) vie for the ball during second half World Cup qualifier soccer action in Edmonton on Friday, November 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies says he will donate his World Cup earnings to charity. Davies celebrates his penalty kick goal against Curacao during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League soccer match, in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies to donate World Cup earnings to charity

How much those earnings will be yet to be determined

Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies says he will donate his World Cup earnings to charity. Davies celebrates his penalty kick goal against Curacao during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League soccer match, in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Toronto FC’s Jayden Nelson (11) and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Russell Teibert (31) vie for the ball during the first half of the Canadian Championship soccer final, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Blackmon scores, Vancouver Whitecaps win Canadian Championship on penalties

Vancouver beat Toronto Tuesday night

Toronto FC’s Jayden Nelson (11) and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Russell Teibert (31) vie for the ball during the first half of the Canadian Championship soccer final, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Rebecca Quinn, left, and United States’ Sophia Smith fight for the ball during the CONCACAF Women’s Championship final soccer match in Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, July 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Fernando Llano

US beats Canada for women’s soccer title, ‘24 Olympic berth

The U.S. got a measure of revenge for their Olympic semifinal loss…

Canada’s Rebecca Quinn, left, and United States’ Sophia Smith fight for the ball during the CONCACAF Women’s Championship final soccer match in Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, July 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Fernando Llano
Griffin Carmont, a defender on Williams Lake FC, races down the sidelines to beat a Pinnacles FC player to the ball. (Lauren Keller photo - 100 Mile Free Press)

South Cariboo soccer players win Fair Play Team Award

The Williams Lake Football Club played hard but fell short at provincals

Griffin Carmont, a defender on Williams Lake FC, races down the sidelines to beat a Pinnacles FC player to the ball. (Lauren Keller photo - 100 Mile Free Press)