soccer

Christine Sinclair taking in the atmosphere during a pre-game ceremony recognizing the gold-medal winning team, at Starlight Stadium on April 11. (Sheldon Mack/Pacific FC)

Canada ties thriller with Nigeria in Langford

Canada’s women’s soccer team makes gold medal tour stop in Langford

Christine Sinclair taking in the atmosphere during a pre-game ceremony recognizing the gold-medal winning team, at Starlight Stadium on April 11. (Sheldon Mack/Pacific FC)
Goalscorer Diaz (right) pressures Forge FC during their season opener at Starlight Stadium on April 10. (Simon Fearn/Black Press Media)

Pacific FC wins season-opener against Forge FC

Goal from debut defender Amer Didic seals the deal

Goalscorer Diaz (right) pressures Forge FC during their season opener at Starlight Stadium on April 10. (Simon Fearn/Black Press Media)
Larry Stefanek will leave his job as teacher and athletic director at Ballenas Secondary to become the head coach of the University of Victoria men’s soccer program. (PQB News file photo)

Parksville teacher becomes new head coach of UVic men’s soccer program

Ballenas educator Larry Stefanek succeeds longtime coach Bruce Wilson

Larry Stefanek will leave his job as teacher and athletic director at Ballenas Secondary to become the head coach of the University of Victoria men’s soccer program. (PQB News file photo)
Bayern’s Alphonso Davies controls the ball during the Champions League group E soccer match between Dynamo Kyiv and Bayern Munich, at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann says Canadian star Alphonso Davies should be back within two weeks. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Canada star Alphonso Davies makes return from myocarditis in Champions League match

Davies hadn’t played since Dec. 17 after developing symptoms of myocarditis after a COVID infection

Bayern’s Alphonso Davies controls the ball during the Champions League group E soccer match between Dynamo Kyiv and Bayern Munich, at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann says Canadian star Alphonso Davies should be back within two weeks. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
Members of Canada’s national soccer team celebrate after clinching a berth in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier soccer action against Jamaica in Toronto on Sunday March 27, 2022 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Canadian men to face Belgium, Croatia and Morocco in opening round at World Cup

Canadian men are ranked 38th in the world, below the 3 other teams in their group

Members of Canada’s national soccer team celebrate after clinching a berth in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier soccer action against Jamaica in Toronto on Sunday March 27, 2022 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Panama’s Eric Davis, left, and Canada’s Tajon Buchanan battle for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Panama City, Panama, Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

Canada falls 1-0 to Panama, finishes atop CONCACAF World Cup qualifying standings

Canadians head to Qatar along with U.S., Mexico

Panama’s Eric Davis, left, and Canada’s Tajon Buchanan battle for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Panama City, Panama, Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)
Flags of some of the qualified countries of the World Cup wave at the seafront in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. The draw for the World Cup will be held in Doha on April 1.(AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

FIFA, Qatar prepare for unprecedented World Cup finals draw

Global health crisis and war in Ukraine combine to make this draw like no other

Flags of some of the qualified countries of the World Cup wave at the seafront in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. The draw for the World Cup will be held in Doha on April 1.(AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Canada players celebrate their win against Sweden during the women's soccer gold medal game at the Tokyo Olympics in Yokohama, Japan on Friday, August 6, 2021. Canada Soccer has announced the roster for a pair of women's friendly matchups against Nigeria set to take place in B.C. next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canada sets roster for women’s soccer celebration match in Langford

Canadians host Nigeria at Vancouver’s B.C. Place and at Starlight Stadium

Canada players celebrate their win against Sweden during the women's soccer gold medal game at the Tokyo Olympics in Yokohama, Japan on Friday, August 6, 2021. Canada Soccer has announced the roster for a pair of women's friendly matchups against Nigeria set to take place in B.C. next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Nanaimo United players celebrate a goal in the 118th minute of the Jackson Cup final against Bays United in Langford on Saturday, March 26. (Vancouver Island Soccer League image)

Nanaimo United repeats as Vancouver Island’s Jackson Cup soccer champions

Div. 1 men defeat Bays United 2-1 late in extra time

Nanaimo United players celebrate a goal in the 118th minute of the Jackson Cup final against Bays United in Langford on Saturday, March 26. (Vancouver Island Soccer League image)
Canada’s Cyle Larin (17) celebrates his goal with Richie Laryea against Jamaica during first half CONCACAF World Cup soccer qualifying action in Toronto on Sunday, March 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canadian men’s soccer team beats Jamaica 4-0 to qualify for World Cup in Qatar

Canada last played in tournament in 1986

Canada’s Cyle Larin (17) celebrates his goal with Richie Laryea against Jamaica during first half CONCACAF World Cup soccer qualifying action in Toronto on Sunday, March 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada’s goalkeeper Milan Borjan, centre, eyes the ball after Costa Rica’s Celso Borges scored a goal during a World Cup qualifying soccer match in San Jose, Costa Rica, Thursday, March 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Carlos Gonzalez)

Canadian men fall 1-0 in Costa Rica, bid for World Cup qualification on hold

Canada played most of match a man down after red card

Canada’s goalkeeper Milan Borjan, centre, eyes the ball after Costa Rica’s Celso Borges scored a goal during a World Cup qualifying soccer match in San Jose, Costa Rica, Thursday, March 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Carlos Gonzalez)
Canadian national soccer team players Paul James (left) and Randy Samuel celebrate the team's 2-1 win over Honduras in St. John's, Nfld. in this 1985 file photo. The win helped propel the Canadians to the World Cup finals in 1986. San Jose, Costa Rica, is a long way from St. John's, N.L., but the two could be intertwined Thursday if the Canadian men beat the Costa Ricans to secure World Cup qualification. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Creagan

Canadian men look to return to World Cup, 37 years after historic win in St. John’s

Remembering soccer team’s historic win in 1985 over Honduras

Canadian national soccer team players Paul James (left) and Randy Samuel celebrate the team's 2-1 win over Honduras in St. John's, Nfld. in this 1985 file photo. The win helped propel the Canadians to the World Cup finals in 1986. San Jose, Costa Rica, is a long way from St. John's, N.L., but the two could be intertwined Thursday if the Canadian men beat the Costa Ricans to secure World Cup qualification. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Creagan
Pacific FC is on the hunt for a new Stewie the Starfish mascot to work the 2022 season. (Courtesy Pacific FC)

Pacific FC conducting interviews for new Stewie the Starfish

Oversized purple starfish shoes need filling immediately, says Langford-based soccer club

Pacific FC is on the hunt for a new Stewie the Starfish mascot to work the 2022 season. (Courtesy Pacific FC)
The fun-oriented World Cups Youth Festival soccer tournament is returning to Saanich’s Lochside Park in mid-April. (Photo by Kelly Wallace/courtesy of Dom Butcher)

World Cups soccer festival returns to Saanich’s Lochside Park in mid-April

Youth 5 to 18 can register for fun-oriented event, founded in 1986 by Frank Leversedge

The fun-oriented World Cups Youth Festival soccer tournament is returning to Saanich’s Lochside Park in mid-April. (Photo by Kelly Wallace/courtesy of Dom Butcher)
Canada’s Christine Sinclair plays a pass during first half Celebration Tour soccer action against New Zealand, in Montreal, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. Canada Soccer has announced that the country’s gold medal-winning women’s soccer team will face Nigeria in a pair of games in British Columbia next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Langford gets its chance to give soccer golden girls a heroes’ welcome

Olympic champion women’s soccer squad bringing celebration tour to Starlight Stadium April 11

Canada’s Christine Sinclair plays a pass during first half Celebration Tour soccer action against New Zealand, in Montreal, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. Canada Soccer has announced that the country’s gold medal-winning women’s soccer team will face Nigeria in a pair of games in British Columbia next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Joe Hanson has become the first Yukoner to sign an MLS contract and will be playing with the Whitecaps FC2. (Joe Hanson/Submitted)

Yukon’s Joe Hanson becomes first northerner to sign MLS contract

Striker joins the Vancouver Whitecaps FC2 in new league

Joe Hanson has become the first Yukoner to sign an MLS contract and will be playing with the Whitecaps FC2. (Joe Hanson/Submitted)
FILE - United States' Alex Morgan jumps over Netherlands' goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal as she attempts to score during a women's quarterfinal soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has asked for permission to participate in the appeal by American women soccer players trying to reinstate their pay claim against the U.S. Soccer Federation. The EEOC asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, to be allowed to address the court during oral arguments scheduled for March 7 in Pasadena, California.(AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)

American women players settle suit vs US Soccer for $24M

Agreement ends 6-year legal battle over equal pay to men

FILE - United States' Alex Morgan jumps over Netherlands' goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal as she attempts to score during a women's quarterfinal soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has asked for permission to participate in the appeal by American women soccer players trying to reinstate their pay claim against the U.S. Soccer Federation. The EEOC asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, to be allowed to address the court during oral arguments scheduled for March 7 in Pasadena, California.(AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)
Canada’s David Junior Hoilett, left, fights for the ball with El Salvador’s Narciso Orellana during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Canada downs El Salvador 2-0, keeps rolling in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying

Qatar in sight as Canadians earn sixth straight win

Canada’s David Junior Hoilett, left, fights for the ball with El Salvador’s Narciso Orellana during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Canada’s Milan Borjan (18) and head coach John Herdman celebrate the team’s 2-0 victory following second half World Cup qualifying soccer action against the United States, in Hamilton, Ont., Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Canadian men’s soccer team leaves qualifying calculation to others as Qatar calls

World Cup bid can sewn up as soon as Wednesday as match with El Salvador looms

Canada’s Milan Borjan (18) and head coach John Herdman celebrate the team’s 2-0 victory following second half World Cup qualifying soccer action against the United States, in Hamilton, Ont., Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
United States’ Chris Richards (15) and Canada’s Mark Anthony Kaye (14) vie for the ball during first half World Cup qualifying soccer action in Hamilton, Ont., Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Canada downs U.S. 2-0 to continue winning ways in men’s World Cup soccer qualifying run

Cyle Larin tallies a record 23rd goal for Canada in his 46th appearance

United States’ Chris Richards (15) and Canada’s Mark Anthony Kaye (14) vie for the ball during first half World Cup qualifying soccer action in Hamilton, Ont., Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn