They begin winter training: http://www.whitecapsfc.com/archive/feature02031001.aspx I think they've done this before but the difference this time is they have a full-time coach available. I'm sure it's helpful even though most of the players only arrive in May. On news that is not directly W-League related but may have some significance for the league down the road, Victoria Highlanders of the PDL acquired a women's team, to play in the PCSL. The W-League apparently talked to them about having a team but they declined at the time. Today, Edmonton announced a new NASL franchise. You might recall that when Edmonton had a USL-1 team before, the Aviators, they also had a short-lived W-League team.
Whitecaps re-sign popular Canadian forward Kara Lang to play and act as ambassador for the women's program. http://www.whitecapsfc.com/archive/feature03151001.aspx
Four Whitecaps signings, none a surprise except that Flock could have stayed in Victoria. It said in an article somewhere that they expected over ten players with NT experience. http://www.whitecapsfc.com/archive/feature03181001.aspx
Whitecaps announce the signing of three defenders. Woeller and Franko return. Danielle Sweeney of U. of Oregon is new. http://www.whitecapsfc.com/archive/feature04011001.aspx Hopefully, Prospects player and Canadian U-17 captain Nicole Setterlund gets a chance to join them. Local news item on her: http://www.bclocalnews.com/sports/89516472.html I thought she was the best Canadian player and deserved to be tournament MVP. Maybe some American schools will be interested in recruiting her. Like most of her teammates she hasn't made a commitment yet.
Whitecaps announce more signings: http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/home/422036.html I think they need another proven scorer, to prevent the opposition from focusing on Robinson. It'd be great if they could get Sydney Leroux.
It's disappointing that no women's games will be televised this year. It's a step backward from past years. It is mostly explained by the fact that there won't be double-headers and the women will play their games at different stadiums in the region.
After announcing signings regularly the Whitecaps turned silent on their roster. In fact they still haven't announced the rest of it or put it up on their website. However it is on the W-League site: http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/teams/2010/22395.html#ROSTER Contrary to reports elsewhere, Melanie Booth and Emily Zurrer are not there. New additions are Melissa Tancredi and Robyn Gayle. There are some players moving up from the U-18s. The striking thing is the lack of an experienced goalkeeper as in past years.
I see Jodi-Ann Robinson on the roster. She had a strong game against the Freedom on Sunday and was one of the reasons Canada was able to mount such a strong comeback in the second half (which was when she came in).
Whitecaps sign a veteran goalkeeper, Siobhan Chamberlain of Chelsea Ladies. And Zurrer and Booth did sign. It seems the reason so many CNT veterans are available this summer is that they aren't going to Europe in the fall, as posted elsewhere, and staying together in September and October to prepare for the Gold Cup.
Whitecaps win their season opener 2-1 over Colorado Force. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XplmUxhzVbY"]Video of goals[/ame]
You all have TV coverage of W-League matches!? We can't get them to cover the WPS in this area. P.S. Thanks for the video, particularly because it let me know what happened to Ali Andrzejewski, who was one of the Freedom's best players when the top team was the W-League one.
You're welcome. Local newscasts pretty reliably report the score but I wouldn't hazard a guess as to how often they show video highlights. With the team this year going on their tour of the suburbs I wouldn't think it would be very likely the rest of the season. This game was the home opener so that probably motivated them.
Whitecaps unveil 2011 jerseys and new sponsor. http://www.whitecapsfc.com/archive/feature06101002.aspx
Whitecaps lose their goalkeeper, Siobhan Chamberlain, for the weekend due to a call up by England for a WCQ game.
That's great, one of the three Canadian backups will get some time in. Maybe it will motivate the team. Santa Clarita is last and Pali isn't the Pali of old. Bet it works out great.
Vancouver defeats Pali 2-1. Game report: http://www.whitecapsfc.com/women/schedule/2010_06_19_at_Pali_Blues.aspx
Found a highlight video of Colorado Rush v. Vancouver and v. Pali on YouTube [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlzTP7EiT5Q&feature=channel"]YouTube- W League vs Vancouver Lights.mov[/ame]
Game report of 3-2 win over Pali in Langley http://www.whitecapsfc.com/women/schedule/2010_06_27_v_Pali_Blues.aspx There's a newspaper interview with Kara Lang in which she talks about her involvement in a Macy Gray video http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Rehabbing+knee+team+buzz/3207768/story.html
Vancouver Sun story on the Colorado game: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/...n+settle+draw+against+Rush/3235023/story.html Whitecaps have two regular season game to sort things out. If they play the way they did in losing the two-goal lead they won't go far in the playoffs. It's not so much defensive errors as the attitude that the game was already won.
A reminder that Whitecaps have a YouTube playlist at http://www.youtube.com/user/VancouverWhitecapsFC#p/p Highlight video of the Colorado Rush game is up along with post-game interviews and pre-game interviews for Santa Clarita.
An article on midfielder Chelsea Stewart http://www.windsorstar.com/Soccer+W...ting+role+defensive+pillar/3248350/story.html She actually had a terrible game against Colorado Rush. At least no one laughed at her corner kicks.
So the Whitecaps clinched first place with a win over Santa Clarita. Game report and videos are up at their site. They made it difficult for themselves by not having three regular starters in the game, Robinson, Tancredi and Schmidt. I don't know where Robinson and Schmidt were or whether they'll be back. As the video interviews say, Whitecaps had possession and territorial advantage in the first half without generating good scoring chances. Vermeulen and Lang made useful contributions but don't have the speed to really pose a threat. In the second half the team connected up much more dangerously. Someone more tactically knowledgeable might explain why. Some combination of bringing in Buchan and Booth for speed, more aggressive front running by Desiree Scott, maybe Santa Clarita tiring a bit. Crowd of 2,200 was surprisingly good. Looked like many complete youth teams were there in their kits.
The Province's pullout section has a couple of items of interest to fans of the women's team. http://communities.canada.com/thepr...rchive/2010/07/21/july-goal-is-out-today.aspx It is disappointing to hear that no members of the Tony Danza Army will make the trip north for the Conference final. For WPS expansion fans there is the comment that the club plans on having this roving home schedule for another two years. By the way, Jodi-Ann Robinson and Sophie Schmidt apparently will be available for the playoff game. Lang has a slight injury. No word on whether anyone else will be missing.