soccer

Wrexham’s Tom O’Connor celebrates scoring against Sheffield United during the English FA Cup fourth round soccer match at The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales, Sunday Jan. 29, 2023. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)

Ryan Reynolds goes through range of emotions in FA Cup match

‘I’m now so much in love with this sport that I actually hate it.’

 

Vancouver Whitecaps defenders Mathias Laborda, front left, and Karifa Yao participate in a drill during the opening day of the MLS soccer team’s training camp, in Vancouver, on Monday, January 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Personnel questions linger as Vancouver Whitecaps kick off training camp

Vancouver looks to avoid repeat of last year’s bad start after narrowly missing playoffs

 

A flower arrangement sent by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva lays arrive for the wake of late Brazilian soccer great Pele as he lies instate at Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos, Brazil, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Brazil prepares to bury legend Pelé in city he made famous

‘He made (soccer) important for Brazil and he made Brazil important for the world’

 

Bob Lenarduzzi, left, and Sam Lenarduzzi, right, with the legendary Pele. (Submitted photo)

THE MOJ: Lenarduzzi recalls encounter with legendary soccer hero Pelé

All-time great played in Vancouver against Whitecaps

Bob Lenarduzzi, left, and Sam Lenarduzzi, right, with the legendary Pele. (Submitted photo)
FILE - Brazil’s Pele wears his national team’s jersey in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 25, 1962. Pelé, the Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, died in Sao Paulo on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. He was 82. (AP Photo, File)

Pelé, Brazil’s mighty king of soccer, dies after long fight with cancer

Soccer legend won a record three World Cups

FILE - Brazil’s Pele wears his national team’s jersey in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 25, 1962. Pelé, the Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century, died in Sao Paulo on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. He was 82. (AP Photo, File)
Fans kiss while waiting for the arrival of the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup outside the AFA training grounds in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

Sea of people try to catch glimpse of Argentina soccer team

Thousands lined the highway, many waving Argentine flags as team headed to dowtown Buenos Aires

Fans kiss while waiting for the arrival of the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup outside the AFA training grounds in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
Soccer fans descend on the capital’s downtown for a homecoming parade for the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

THE MOJ: That was a weekend to remind us of why we love sports

NFL piled up the big plays and big stories while the World Cup gave us a final for the ages

Soccer fans descend on the capital’s downtown for a homecoming parade for the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Messi wins World Cup, Argentina beats France on penalties

Final score was 4-2

Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France’s Ibrahima Konate, left, challenges for the ball with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Griezmann gives his all, France advances to World Cup final

France will now try to deny Argentina star Lionel Messi a first World Cup title on Sunday

France’s Ibrahima Konate, left, challenges for the ball with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Vancouver FC announced the signing of free agent goalkeeper Callum Irving on Wednesday, Dec. 14, making the native of Vancouver the first player to ink a deal in club history (Vancouver FC)

Vancouver FC sign first player

Goalie Callum Irving is coming home to play for Langley-based team

  • Dec 14, 2022
Vancouver FC announced the signing of free agent goalkeeper Callum Irving on Wednesday, Dec. 14, making the native of Vancouver the first player to ink a deal in club history (Vancouver FC)
FILE - Moroccans celebrate in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday Dec. 10, 2022, after defeating Portugal in the quarterfinal soccer match of the World Cup played in Qatar. Every meeting of Morocco and France, the North African country’s former colonial ruler, meet in an international tournament, emotions run high among players and their supporters. Family tales of colonial past emerge among the Moroccans and stories of harsh life of immigrants in France bubble up with questions of national loyalty pop up to French players with immigrant roots. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy, File)

Morocco faces France in politically charged World Cup semifinal

More than soccer on people’s minds as winner moves on to face Argentina in the final

FILE - Moroccans celebrate in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday Dec. 10, 2022, after defeating Portugal in the quarterfinal soccer match of the World Cup played in Qatar. Every meeting of Morocco and France, the North African country’s former colonial ruler, meet in an international tournament, emotions run high among players and their supporters. Family tales of colonial past emerge among the Moroccans and stories of harsh life of immigrants in France bubble up with questions of national loyalty pop up to French players with immigrant roots. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy, File)
Argentina’s Julian Alvarez, centre, celebrates with teammate Lionel Messi after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Álvarez surges, scores, carries Argentina to World Cup final

Victory over Croatia vaults nation into winner-take-all match versus France or Morocco

Argentina’s Julian Alvarez, centre, celebrates with teammate Lionel Messi after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Morocco’s players celebrate after winning the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Morocco and Portugal, at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Morocco’s tactical masterplan ignites unlikely World Cup run

Prior to this year, country had only ever won two of its 16 World Cup matches

Morocco’s players celebrate after winning the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Morocco and Portugal, at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 2-2. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Argentina defeats Netherlands on penalty kicks to advance to World Cup semifinals

Argentina will face Croatia in Tuesday’s semi-final

Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 2-2. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Croatia’s Bruno Petkovic, center, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Croatia shocks Brazil on penalties in World Cup quarterfinals

Perennial favourite and 5-time champion out of the tourney after losing in shootout

Croatia’s Bruno Petkovic, center, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair autographs a fan’s ball at a World Cup watch party in Toronto on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Sinclair is serving as an adviser to Project 8 Sports Inc., a new pro women’s soccer league planned to kick off in Canada in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

Countdown to Kickoff: Matheson outlines plans for new pro women’s soccer league

Vancouver Whitecaps and Calgary Foothills 2 of the founding clubs in the 8-team league

Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair autographs a fan’s ball at a World Cup watch party in Toronto on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Sinclair is serving as an adviser to Project 8 Sports Inc., a new pro women’s soccer league planned to kick off in Canada in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
Vancouver Whitecaps general manager of women’s soccer Stephanie Labbe, former Canadian women’s national soccer team goalkeeper, attends a news conference after she was named to the position, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Monday that it will be home to one of two founding teams when a new professional women’s soccer eight-team league begins in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver, Calgary first teams announced in new women’s pro soccer league

League will operate countrywide across two conferences, with four teams in each conference

Vancouver Whitecaps general manager of women’s soccer Stephanie Labbe, former Canadian women’s national soccer team goalkeeper, attends a news conference after she was named to the position, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Monday that it will be home to one of two founding teams when a new professional women’s soccer eight-team league begins in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) and Morocco midfielder Sofiane Boufal (17) battle for the ball during second half group F World Cup soccer action at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canada exits World Cup on third straight loss as Morocco profits from poor defending

Canada winless in three after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Morocco.

Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) and Morocco midfielder Sofiane Boufal (17) battle for the ball during second half group F World Cup soccer action at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada forward Alphonso Davies speaks to the media after practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

VIDEO: After making history, Canadian star Alphonso Davies opens up at World Cup

‘Each and every time I step on the pitch, I try to give my all for this country.’

Canada forward Alphonso Davies speaks to the media after practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
FILE - Players from Germany pose for the team photo as they cover their mouth during the World Cup group E soccer match between Germany and Japan, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Analysis: As Qatar World Cup unfolds, planet keeps spinning

Tourney has shown keeping the world out of sport is well nigh impossible

FILE - Players from Germany pose for the team photo as they cover their mouth during the World Cup group E soccer match between Germany and Japan, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)