Soccer
Toronto FC's message not matching its actions
Soccer executives are a lot like politicians, and those at the helm of Toronto FC are sending mixed messages to fans and supporters alike.
Soccer
FC Edmonton takes 'proactive' approach to match-fixing
FC Edmonton's newly hired general manager, Rod Proudfoot, says the NASL team
is intent on stopping match-fixing before it starts. And they've taken
the extraordinary step of hiring someone who can help do it.
Soccer
Huge gap remains in Canadian men's soccer
In the week leading up to Canada's U-17 match-up against Panama, head coach Sean Fleming spoke a lot about his players learning to deal with pressure.
Soccer
American Abby Wambach's World Cup gripe off base
Soccer great Abby Wambach's critical comments on the 2015 World Cup in Canada being played on turf rather than natural grass shows the 32-year-old will go at great lengths at tipping the scale in the U.S.'s favour, writes CBCSports.ca blogger Ben Rycroft.
MLS
Pro soccer pained by pill-popping players
Medical personnel on Canada's MLS clubs are calling for better education of youth and professional players about the potential dangers of using over-the-counter drugs.
Soccer
Toronto program making soccer dreams come true
A Toronto youth development program is giving unprivileged and troubled youths opportunities to play professional soccer.
Soccer
Toronto FC-Impact rivalry heightened by old tensions
The reason for the hype and excitement before the rivalry between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact extends deeper than just a few
soccer fans attending a game up the road. The societal divisions offer up an interesting contrast and
backdrop to this provincial rivalry.
MLS
Montreal Impact: 2013 season preview
The pressure is on new coach Marco Schallibaum to unite a diverse, veteran roster that's built to win now in Montreal's second MLS season.
MLS
Toronto FC: 2013 season preview
Every year it's seemingly the same story for TFC: new coach, new players and a
new direction. Followed by more promises, more problems and more pain. Or, this time, Payne -- as in Kevin Payne, the new president and general
manager and the latest man to be tapped to finally bring the club
to the playoffs in 2013.
MLS
Vancouver Whitecaps: 2013 season preview
Vancouver's 2-1 loss to David Beckham and the Galaxy in last year's knockout playoff round
is the farthest a Canadian MLS team has made it to date. But with
success comes greater expectations for the Whitecaps in 2013.
Soccer
CSA cuts ties with Canadian Soccer League
Less than five months after a CBC News report showed that an
international match-fixing syndicate had set its sights on the Canadian
Soccer League (CSL), CBC has learned that the Canadian Soccer
Association has told the CSL it will no longer sanction the league.
MLS
TFC draft pick Kyle Bekker overcame Canadian obstacles
By selecting Canadian midfielder Kyle Bekker with the third overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft on Thursday, Toronto FC was neither
declaring their commitment to picking local kids, nor reinforcing their
belief of investing in Canadian soccer.They were simply picking the best available player at that point.
MLS
TFC's Ryan Nelsen hiring must be a ruse
Toronto FC's signing of Queens Park Rangers defender Ryan Nelsen as its
new head coach is clearly a ruse. A well thought out ploy -- a troll
even -- by the TFC front office and its president Kevin Payne to throw
people off the scent of what's really happening.
Canada
CSA needs patience in hiring new men's coach
It has been less than 100 days since former Canadian national team head coach Stephen Hart stepped down after a disastrous exit during World Cup qualifying, and the Canadian Soccer Association appears to be in no rush to name a successor.
Soccer
Canadian team of the year: Women's soccer
The Canadian women's soccer team captivated the country with its bronze-medal win at the London Olympics, achieving something that transcended the sport.That's a major reason why they've been voted by the CBCSports.ca staff as the Canadian team of the year.
MLS
Beckham attracted media, but MLS has driven its own growth
Like a poorly constructed period piece onscreen, the telling of David Beckham's time in the MLS is being filled with revisionist history, writes Ben Rycroft.
Soccer
Toronto FC president Kevin Payne has tough task ahead
I'm not so cynical to think that Toronto FC's hiring of Kevin Payne to front its soccer operations as president isn't a solution of sorts - it is - but I'm not foolish enough to think either that this can yet be declared a way forward.
MLS
Toronto FC searches for respectability in club president
Toronto's FC's desire to hire a worthy club president is paramount considering the organization is short on soccer people and long-term planning.
Soccer
Many challenges await new CSA hire Tony Fonseca
Newly hired CSA technical director Tony Fonseca has built a reputation as a problem solver apt at breaking down issues to their root, and then demanding nothing less than the necessary change. That being said, a long road is ahead for Fonseca, writes Ben Rycroft.
MLS
Whitecaps find MLS formula for success
The Vancouver Whitecaps have built a playoff-bound team with the type of steady vision that Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact have yet to discover.
Soccer
CSA takes CBC report on match fixing seriously
For the first time since a CBC documentary showed how an international match-fixing syndicate had set its sights on the Canadian Soccer League, the CSA is speaking out about the issue, the allegations and what it plans to do.
Soccer
Cuban soccer defector starts over in Canada
When Reisanndri Fernandez left Havana with the Cuban national soccer team on Oct. 10, he told no one of his plans to defect. Not even his family.
Canada
Wanted: Dynamic technical director for Canadian soccer
Hiring a technical director and, perhaps, forming an intermediate national league could help determine the path of Canadian men's soccer for years to come.
Canada
Sinclair suspension highlights FIFA's convoluted ways
There are more questions than answers surrounding the suspension of Canadian women's soccer star Christine Sinclair, thanks to FIFA's vague disciplinary process
Canada
Canada can't afford letdown as Honduras looms
By beating Cuba, Canada controls its own fate in World Cup qualifying heading into its match in Honduras on Tuesday. A win or a tie and they're on to the next round, a place this team hasn't been in over a decade.
Soccer
Hart gets Canada ready for next World Cup qualifiers
Stephen Hart and his Canadian squad will have a pair of matches in October which will demonstrate whether they adjusted to a poor performance in Panama.
Canada
John Herdman not resting on Olympic soccer success
With the women's World Cup in sight, Canadian coach John Herdman isn't resting on his players' Olympics success.
Canada
TFC targeted by bumbling match fixers in 2009
In 2009, Toronto FC's senior team unknowingly became the focus of a group of match fixers who were seeking to manipulate Canadian Soccer League games.
Soccer
Canada faces uphill climb in World Cup qualifying
For what it's worth, Canada's 2-0 loss to Panama wasn't as bad as it looked. Canada wasn't expected to win. It's no easy task to win in Central America.
Canada
Victory puts Canada in good position to move on
Canada is in a comfortable position to advance in World Cup qualifying after defeating Panama on Friday.
Soccer
Women's U-20 experiencing growing pains
In a lot of ways, the women's U-20 World Cup has been a microcosm of what's to come for the soccer world in the years ahead.
Soccer
Canadian coach Stephen Hart confident ahead of qualifiers
Canada hopes to release its roster for the September World Cup qualifying games early next week against Panama, and head coach Stephen Hart is confident in his group despite some issues with European clubs.
Soccer
No excuses for Canada's U-20s
There can be no excuses made for the Canadian women's soccer team's mediocre performance in a 2-1 loss to Norway at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan.
Soccer
Canada's U-20 soccer women should temper expectations
Coming on the heels of the Canadian women capturing bronze at the London Olympics, it would be easy to place high expectations for the Under-20 women at the World Cup in Japan. Canadian women's soccer has never had a higher profile in this country than it does right now, but that doesn't mean that Canada has a right to expect anything.
Olympics2012
Canadian soccer must capitalize on Olympic success
Canada's bronze-medal win, its first for in a (summer) team sport since 1936, will focus attention on women's soccer like never before and that comes with big responsibilities, especially for head coach John Herdman and the Canadian Soccer Association.
Olympics2012
Suspensions unlikely for Canadian women's soccer team
It's a day later and the controversy surrounding the Canadian women soccer team's heartbreaking semifinal loss to the U.S. continues to swirl.
Olympics2012
Referee's calls beyond comprehension
In the aftermath of what some are already calling the best game in a generation, it's a shame that Canada's 4-3 extra time loss, to the heavily favoured Americans, will largely be remembered for what a referee did.
Olympics2012
Herdman has Canadian soccer team believing
It's premature to build that John Herdman statue outside of the Canadian Soccer Association headquarters on Metcalfe St. in Ottawa but, for what it's worth, ahead of Day 7 of the London Games, their head coach had Canadian women's soccer team convinced they were capable of an immortalizing performance - and they delivered.
Olympics2012
Olympics a concentration test for Canada's soccer women
For the Canadian women's Olympic soccer team, Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Sweden could have been much more and underlines what continues to be the difference between Big Red and the elite squads at this tournament - lapses in concentration.
Olympics2012
Canadians pass mental toughness test
In Canada's 3-0 win over South Africa on Saturday there was 30 minute
stretch where things got very hairy for the ladies in red. It shouldn't
have. But, after seemingly not touching the ball for long spells, including
several threatening balls played into the box that were not dealt with,
something unexpected happened. The Canadians didn't succumb to the pressure.
Olympics2012
Canadian soccer team should consider switch in goal
Canada finds itself in a similar situation as the 2011 Women's World Cup after the opening match, but the upcoming meeting against South Africa is vital for building up momentum and good habits, writes Ben Rycroft.
Olympics2012
U.S. women remain Olympic soccer's measuring stick
The U.S., women head into the London Games as the clear favourite to take its fourth gold medal in the last five Olympics, but there are a few nations that could give the Americans a run for their money.
Olympics2012
Canada's soccer women need 'ruthless' attitude in London
Canadian women's soccer coach John Herdman believes his team needs a nasty streak in order to contend for an Olympic medal in London.
Soccer
Time to address leadership void in Canadian soccer
The Canadian Soccer Association is finally looking to fill the role of technical director relinquished by current national men's team head coach Stephen Hart in 2009.
Olympics2012
Canadian soccer begins and ends with Christine Sinclair
Christine Sinclair has always had a bit of an uneasy relationship with the media. Not hostile, far from standoffish, still always willing to lend a quote, just simply uneasy. As though she wasn't certain why anybody would be all that interested in the opinion a kid from Burnaby, B.C.
Olympics2012
Canadian midfielder Diana Matheson gets Olympic redo
Diana Matheson has waited for a bigger role in the Canadian women's soccer team, waited for her knee to rehab from a serious injury, and most of all, waited for her chance to get back to the Olympics.
Soccer
Canadian Soccer Association to bid for 2026 World Cup
Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani confirmed to CBC Sports that the CSA has had discussions with FIFA about hosting the Men's World Cup in 2026.
Euro Cup
Spain most influential team of modern age
Is Spain the greatest of all time? Who can say. What is clear though is that they are the most influential of the modern age.
Euro Cup
The 2 sides of Mario Balotelli
Much is made of the contrast between Mario Balotelli the man and Mario Balotelli the footballer. His story is a familiar one - young, talented and full of promise, if only he could keep his head on straight, he would go far.
Euro Cup
Portugal pushes Spain to the limit
In the end, Cristiano Ronaldo, the man who had been at the forefront of Portugal's attack all tournament, stood alone looking to the heavens asking: why?
Euro Cup
Another England loss has familiar mantra
After punching above their weight for most of the tournament by playing a boring, structured game, England bows out of a major competition by, let's say, losing in penalties.
Soccer
Soccer in need of goal-line technology
Incident after incident at major tournaments have made it clear that there is a need for goal-line technology in soccer, and on Tuesday, Ukraine found that out the hard way against England.
Euro Cup
Ronaldo helps Group of Death claim the Netherlands
As it always is with the Group of Death, one of the tall trees of world
football gets cut down. And on a day when all the teams in Group B were
equipped with an axe - that they could either behead another or get
their own lopped off - it was ultimately the Netherlands who lay down
theirs and one embattled Portuguese player who came out swinging.
Euro Cup
UEFA flexing its muscle against racism
Despite the growing problems, UEFA should be given credit for tackling racial incidents during the European championships head on.
Soccer
Fan support matters to Canada's men's soccer team
The Canadian Soccer Association and the Ontario Soccer Association went to great lengths to put tickets in the hands of Team Canada fans for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Honduras.
Euro Cup
Defensive game won't take England far at Euro
England was perfectly content to sit eight men across the top of the box against France and counter attack when they saw the opportunity. However, those tactics won't work when they come up against the more technically proficient clubs like Germany, Spain and the like.
Soccer
Canada takes step in right direction with win over Cuba
Canada didn't concede to a lesser opponent. They held their ground, took
the lead and even when goalie Lars Herschfield took a brainless
red card for handling the ball outside the box, they didn't collapse and went on to beat the Cuban national team in the opening game of the second round of World Cup qualifying.
Euro Cup
Distractions hit England, Italy ahead of Euro 2012
It takes just one miss, one flub, one moment of wandering concentration and a country's tournament can be over at the European Cup. In a competition so close, one that has proven time and time again that anything can happen - anyone can be bounced - that managers, players and UEFA still entertain the dangers of distraction can be baffling.
Canada
Canada begins difficult World Cup qualifying round
As the Canadians head into this next round of World Cup qualification, they will need to take a full six points from a home-and-home with Cuba if they hope to advance out of a group that includes Honduras and Panama.
Euro Cup
10 players who can be difference makers at Euro 2012
These aren't the top 10 players at Euro 2012 but rather 10 players who can make a difference for their country in the opening round at this tournament.
Soccer
Canada crams for Olympic 'reality check'
Part of preparing for the enormity of the challenge facing Canada's national women's soccer team at the London Olympic has meant taking the players out of the gym and putting them in the classroom.
Canada
The roadblocks to becoming a Canadian soccer coach
The road to becoming a professional soccer coach in Canada isn't easy. In fact, it's damn hard.Multiple rounds trips across the Atlantic Ocean, tens of thousands of dollars in registration fees and nearly a decade of commitment will get you a UEFA pro license - but, what then? Jobs are few and far between and even in your own country where the clubs are always looking for something more.
Soccer
Canada in tough for World Cup qualification
Last year, when Canada learned of its route to World Cup qualification, pundits called it a dream draw for the Canucks, pointing out the minnows they would have along the way.
Soccer
Toronto FC's Montreal pilgrimage
This past weekend over a thousand Toronto FC fans hopped on planes,
trains and automobiles to find their way to Montreal for the team's
first meeting in MLS. If the league can learn to embrace them, these kinds of rivalries will help it grow.
Soccer
Misiewicz impresses on national stage
Michal Misiewicz looks to be a keeper for years to come after he raised many an eyebrow with standout performances for the Canadian men's national team in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying.
Soccer
Toronto FC's Adrian Cann battling back from ACL injury
Toronto FC's Adrian Cann could have easily walked away from the pitch after missing nearly a year with a torn ACL, but instead, he's about a week away from returning to action, writes CBCSports.ca soccer contributor Ben Rycroft.
Soccer
Montreal Impact season preview: Facing uphill battle
There is a joke in Canadian soccer circles that says that
the Montreal Impact's season doesn't officially start until they have fired at
least one coach.
For first-time head coach Jesse Marsch, that's a trend he's
hoping to reverse. CBCSports.ca takes a look at what Montreal needs to do early
and often to have a good first year in MLS.
Vancouver Whitecaps season preview: Time for growth
The expansion MLS birth pangs can be brutal. On one hand, you're
bringing something beautiful into the world. It inspires cheering, it
reduces grown men to tears and there is a certain amount of euphoria
around that first season. On the other hand, it's likely going to be a
sticky mess that won't walk, talk or doing anything on its own for
years.
Toronto FC season preview: 6th time's a charm?
Let's not sugar coat it. The 2011 season for Toronto FC was the worst since its inaugural year in MLS in 2007. Since head coach Aron Winter took over at the start of last season, they struggled on the road, they struggled at home, and it took the heavens opening up biblical-like-rains to assist them in capturing the Voyageurs Cup. Their berth and subsequent run in the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) is the only thing that kept that season from being a complete wash.
Newly-signed De Rosario putting past behind him
Dwayne De Rosario is as polarizing a character as there is in Canadian soccer. Now armed with a new lucrative contract from D.C. United, the man who has been the cause of so much discussion over the last year is moving on from what he calls the most difficult year of his professional career.
Road to pros may ease for university stars
The route to a professional career for Canadian university soccer players has never been easy. In fact, it's been downright impossible. At 23-years-old, they're either deemed too old to be a project or too young to hold down a veteran spot. But, Major League Soccer and Canadian Interuniversity Sport are looking at ways to change that.
Canada to face U.S. in World Cup qualifier tuneup
It's not quite the War of 1812, but two hundred years after Canadians defended their lines against American soldiers, they'll get a chance to do it once again - this time on the soccer pitch.
CBCSports.ca has learned from CONCACAF and U.S. soccer sources that the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), as a part of their centenary celebrations, has arranged to play the U.S. men's national team on Canadian soil ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in June.
Sinclair greatest Canadian player ever?
Christine Sinclair is the greatest women's player to ever come out of Canada. Bar none. No ifs, no maybes, no doubt. And so great are her individual accomplishments - 127 goals in 171 appearances and a Top 5 player in the world for the last decade - some are even beginning to suggest she can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the successes of her male counterparts.
Leroux can expect rude welcoming in Vancouver
If United States striker Sydney Leroux was expecting a warm welcome home, she could be in for a bit of a rude awakening.
The 21-year-old Surrey, B.C. native - who came through the Canadian youth soccer system, before turning her back on the Canadian U-20 team and capping for the American program - has once again awoken regional passions, as she prepares to help the Americans qualify for the London Olympics.
Herdman rebuilding Canada's identity
John Herdman, head coach of the Canadian women's national soccer team, casts a stark contrast to his predecessor. Herdman spoke with CBCSports.ca one-on-one from Vancouver and an intriguing profile of the coach - who spends as much time thinking about the psychology of his players, as he does about the tactics on the field - emerged.
Ben Rycroft
Ben Rycroft covers the world's game from a Canadian perspective. An authority on the Red and White, he is the founder of Canadian Soccer News, the host of the popular podcast It's Called Football and a regular on soccer shows across the country. When he's not covering the beautiful game, he can be found singing in the stands, hacking legs on the pitch or cooking up BBQ at the post game pub.
