Turfgate: FIFA’s Valcke affirms that a men’s World Cup could be staged on turf 29 Oct 2014 In an interview/press release posted on FIFA.com, FIFA Secretary-General Jerome Valcke said that a men’s World Cup played on artificial turf could be organized sooner rather than later.
It’s oh so quiet: Japan trounces Canada in front of disappointing crowd 26 Oct 2014 I hate writing soccer-attendance stories. They remind me of the times I used to have to lobby and lobby editors to give a soccer story a little more space, or any space at all. So, just the writing this column is making me owly and growly. On Saturday, the Women’s World Cup champions from Japan came to Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium …
Desiree Scott is open to Notts County return after Women’s World Cup (PLASTIC PITCH preview) 24 Oct 2014 "But, after the World Cup, the options are open. But I did really enjoy it in England and, yes, I would go back."
Turfgate: Canadian Soccer Association will argue Ontario tribunal has no right to rule on Women’s World Cup venues in other provinces 15 Oct 2014 In the minds of the CSA and its lawyers it’s “likely” that the HRTO does not have jurisdiction over what goes on in other provinces, and Hern says it’s a matter that will be argued.
The elephant in the room: CFL is the forgotten partner in the Women’s World Cup turf-vs.-grass debate 30 Sep 2014 When it comes to the looming legal action against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association over the decision to stage next year’s Women’s World Cup on artificial turf surfaces, there are some rather large elephants in the room who are choosing to remain quiet.
FIFA to send independent company to “ensure” quality of Canada’s Women’s World Cup turf 26 Sep 2014 FIFA is going to contract an independent inspector to ensure that Canada’s artificial turf fields are indeed good enough to host a Women’s World Cup.
Q and A with the Commish 25 Sep 2014 Major League Soccer says that it won’t be adding any more Canadian teams. So,with franchises in Ottawa and Edmonton, the North American Soccer League looks to be the place where we’ll see more expansion north of the border. We talk to NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson about those Canadian-division rumours, and how he sees his league in the Canadian market, both now and in the future...
PLASTIC PITCH 3 is available now! “The Walking Reds” on the cover! 25 Sep 2014 The third issue of PLASTIC PITCH, our national soccer magazine, is out as of right now.
FCE raves about new longer and wider pitch at Clarke Stadium 22 Jul 2014 The FIFA approved surface means that Clarke can be used as a training facility for the upcoming U-20 Women’s World Cup and the Women’s World Cup in 2015. The World Cup matches happen next door at the 56,000-seat Commonwealth Stadium. FCE General Manager Rod Proudfoot said that the club must vacate Clarke Stadium between May 26 and July 8 of next year, as FIFA takes over the venue and does not allow it to be shared. Likewise, FIFA has informed the CFL Eskimos that they won’t be allowed to be in Commonwealth (or train at Clarke) during that window.
CSA hopeful that Women’s World Cup will spur NWSL to expand to Canada 16 Jul 2014 “Absolutely. We believe that, after 2015, the interest will be there for at least one city to be a part of NWSL,” said Montopoli. “The interest will merit it…. It certainly presents an opportunity for an owner (in Canada) to be part of NWSL. We have had those initial discussions with NWSL but we’re currently waiting to see the success of 2015 before we get there.”