MLS officiating crackdown already taking its toll 27 Mar 2011 Before the kickoff of the season, MLS headquarters instructed its officials to crack down on fouls in the box and to make absolutely certain that a player was in an offside position before raising the flag. More penalties, more cards, less offside calls — the recipe to boost scoring. We are clearly seeing the effect of the mandate. Fans will likely have to get used to seeing the flag stay down more often than not.
10-man Whitecaps lose on controversial Ruiz goal 27 Mar 2011 The Vancouver Whitecaps gave it their best shot to maintain their perfect season here yesterday against the Philadelphia Union and their boisterous Sons of Ben fan club —which cheers its heroes and jeers the opposition nonstop the entire game. They really did. But in the end the Caps simply couldn’t overcome a red card to striker Eric Hassli — his second yellow-card infraction of the day — forcing them to play a man down the final 35 minutes. The Union applied consistent pressure from there, finally converting an opportunity goal from Carlos Ruiz in the 79th minute to squeeze out a 1-0 win that might’ve been a different story otherwise.
Garber: Empire Field sets example for other MLS suitors 20 Mar 2011 MLS commissioner Don Garber thinks the temporary arrangements that the Vancouver Whitecaps have at Empire Field can be translated into other potential MLS expansion markets. A sold-out throng of 22,592 electrified the stadium as the Whitecaps beat Toronto FC 4-2.
Whitecaps overwhelm Toronto FC at euphoric Empire Field 20 Mar 2011 In 2007, it took Toronto FC 23 minutes and 13 seconds its fifth MLS game before it could register a goal. It took the Vancouver Whitecaps only 15. Designated Player Eric Hassli got the party started at a sold-out Empire Field (22,592), slamming home a half volley — endearing himself as a new folk hero on the Vancouver sports scene, as the Whitecaps stormed past an overwhelmed Toronto FC 4-2 in the all-Canadian curtain-raiser for both clubs.
Whitecaps add depth to the roster 15 Mar 2011 Brian Sylvestre is from Hollywood, Fla. But, in the eyes of the Vancouver Whitecaps, he’s a homegrown star in waiting. Sylvestre was one of three signings made official by the Whitecaps on Tuesday, as the club fills out its roster ahead of Saturday’s season opener against Toronto FC.
MLS Cup champs beat Whitecaps in final preseason game 13 Mar 2011 There’s something about Canada that brings out the best in Jamie Smith. The Colorado Rapids’ midfielder scored the only goal as the MLS Cup champs beat the Whitecaps 1-0 in Vancouver Saturday in the teams’ final tuneup before the season kicks off.
Galaxy regulars offer stiff test to Whitecaps 22 Feb 2011 The Vancouver Whitecaps were beaten 2-0 by the Los Angeles Galaxy in a closed-door training game Monday in Arizona.
Alderson, Aleman keen for U-17 World Cup chance 22 Feb 2011 Keven Aleman and Bryce Alderson come from the junior wings of two rival Canadian franchises — Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps — but they have the same goal. To get to the U-17 World Cup. And that’s a dream they can realize on Wednesday.
Barrett bags goal for the Galaxy 22 Feb 2011 Chad Barrett scored the second goal of the match as the Galaxy won 2-0, completing a two-game sweep of the Whitecaps in Arizona.
Whitecaps release Arnoux so he can make MLS debut 11 Feb 2011 The Cody Arnoux saga is close to a resolution. The Vancouver Whitecaps released the former Everton prospect on Friday, paving the way for Arnoux to make his MLS debut. He will likely come to the league via a weighted lottery.
