Latest news with #SoccerTournament
CBC
20-07-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Ontario refugee agencies host soccer tournament to build community and friendship
Social Sharing Refugees from all over the world came together for an annual soccer tournament in North York this Saturday organized as a way to help newcomers build connections in Canada, and take their minds off the stress of being in a new country. The tournament was put on by the Ontario Coalition of Service Providers for Refugee Claimants, a group of agencies and refugee housing services that are located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), said, located in Toronto. Francisco Vidal, executive director of Sojourn House, which provides emergency shelter and transitional housing services to newly arrived refugees in the GTA, said the tournament "uses soccer as a tool to build community and promote healthy lifestyles." Participating in the matches also helps improve players' mental and physical health, he said. "Some of [the players] have not had their refugee claim hearing yet," he said. "This puts their mind away into something that can build community and friendship." Event an opportunity to share experiences Dany Abuela attended the tournament for the first time on Saturday. Abuela moved to Toronto from Ecuador in January with his family. They have been staying at Romero House, an organization that provides refugee claimants with transitional housing and immigration support. "We are happy. Canada is a great country," he said. "This event for us is very important because we can speak with the other people, know their experience." Tenzin Khentse moved to Canada from India in 2021 and now works at the FCJ Refugee Centre as a youth leader focused on preventing human trafficking. He said the event is a good distraction for those dealing with refugee and asylum procedures. "Football is something that everybody enjoys. It's something everybody can relate to, and it's a really good distraction, you just forget about your problems for a while," said Khentse. This year, Vidal said there has been "a lot of hype" around the tournament because of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — which will be hosted in Canada, U.S. and Mexico — as well as the story of Canadian soccer star Alphonso Davies, who was born in a refugee camp in Ghana before he moved to Canada when he was five years old. Soccer team is like a 'new family in Canada' Some refugees living in refugee houses do not have family in Canada, said Diana Gallego, the co-executive director of the FCJ Refugee Centre, located in York. "To become a member of a soccer team, it's kind of [like] 'This is my new family in Canada,'" she said. Gallego said she fled Colombia 21 years ago with her husband and her son. Her son played in the tournament on Saturday. "When we are forced to leave our countries, we do it because our lives are at risk," she said. "To come here and to find an open home and somebody that can welcome you is really important." The coalition has organized five tournaments since 2018. This year marks the first time an agency from Hamilton participated in the tournament, as a way to engage with refugess outside the GTA, Vidal said.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
US Women won $1M tonight. Huh? Plus: Boston Legacy gets a much-needed win
Full Time Newsletter ⚽| This is 's weekly women's soccer newsletter. Sign up here to receive Full Time directly in your inbox. 'Hi guys, I'm back. Did you miss me? Because I missed you.' — Kim Kardashian, but also NWSL after the international window. Advertisement Emily Olsen here with Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin and Jeff Rueter — welcome to Full Time! Band's Back Together US Women win $1 million Last week, Carli Lloyd scored a stunning game-winning goal and Hope Solo made a diving save. Tonight, the US Women captured another title. Wait, what? Don't turn that dial! You are still in the right newsletter. The Soccer Tournament (TST), a seven-a-side, winner-takes-all competition, has become something of a post-retirement playground for the U.S. women's national team — with a $1 million prize on the line. The tournament originally started as a men's-only competition in Cary, N.C. But when US Women showed up in the second year, competing among the men, they became an instant fan favorite. So much so that the competition expanded to include a women's division last year … and US Women took home the title. Advertisement While Solo's team, Solo FC, fell in the quarterfinals this year, Lloyd and US Women beat Bumpy Pitch FC — headlined by former Gotham FC midfielder McCall Zerboni — in tonight's final to go back-to-back. Twenty-year-old University of North Carolina midfielder Evelyn Shores scored the million-dollar goal. The goal adds to Shore's recent success, which includes being the only college player called into the USWNT under-23 camp last month and scoring the winning goal in the team's friendly against Germany on May 30. Spearheaded by the energizer bunny of the USWNT, Heather O'Reilly, US Women have become a mix of the legends you know and the youth players you know. NWSL Updates Game of the weekend Despite several players having just returned from various trips with their national teams, this weekend's NWSL action did not suffer. There were big goals and plenty of lead changes. Advertisement However, Saturday's 2-2 draw between Angel City FC and the Chicago Stars had the goal of the week … and maybe the year. Just watch Ally Schlegel's go-head goal for yourself: Angel City's first match under new head coach Alexander Straus had a lot of layers to it. Thankfully Tamerra is here to sum it up: Twenty-year-old defender Savy King returned to BMO Stadium for the first time since she collapsed during a game on May 9 and was rushed to the hospital. King, the No. 2 draft pick in 2024, underwent surgery and was discharged on May 18. Shortly after kickoff Saturday, the in-stadium video screen and ION broadcast panned to a smiling King, who waved to the crowd and made the shape of a heart with her hands. She joined her teammates on the pitch after the match as well. Angel City midfielder Kennedy Fuller, one of the night's goal scorers, said after the game that it was great 'to be able to see her so healthy and happy.' Advertisement On the field, there were a few moments that made me wonder whether Straus, who joined Angel City from Bayern Munich, would be subject to the same rude awakening the NWSL has previously dealt European coaches. Sharing points with the team currently sitting bottom of the table isn't exactly the ideal impression a new manager wants to set, but for what it was worth, Straus seemed to enjoy his first NWSL experience. NWSL adds new rules As Dua Lipa once said: 'I got new rules, I count 'em.' On Thursday, the NWSL announced a change to its rulebook that allows its teams to loan players to clubs within the league. Advertisement Loans were already a growing part of the league's sporting operation, with many clubs sending young players to temporary stops in the USL Super League and other circuits. Jeff explains that this change is a big one. Clubs sending players on loan can still ensure they'll be part of their plans at the end of the season when their loans expire — if they're under contracts. Teams acquiring loanees, as soon as the window opens on July 1, can round out their rosters by bringing in players for less than their full wage, with the loaning team covering the rest. Players have even more options available for their development, meaning a rookie could sign with a contender out of college and still have a path to starting NWSL minutes in their first season. Meg's Corner: Boston Legacy embraces swans Following the reveal of Boston Legacy FC's new crest Saturday, there's been no drama (whew) — just a range of solidly positive (or at the very least, neutral) reactions to the badge. It looked like a great party, too, despite the rain on Boston Common. They even had a fully wrapped Duck Boat. Peak Boston. Advertisement I spoke to designer Matthew Wolff and managing owner Jennifer Epstein before the launch. You can take a look for yourself at the new design details here. The swan and its history in the area are big, but it's the details — including a nod to the original eight NWSL clubs, represented by the number of feathers on the swan (and their angles designed to reflect the Zakim Bridge) — that make the crest stand out. It's a big win for the Legacy, one that they've needed. The club also told me it did mid-five-figure sales in merch on launch day and picked up over 100 new season ticket deposits at Saturday's event. It's not just a momentum swing in the right direction, roughly eight months out from the team's inaugural preseason — it's a new bridge to building trust and relationships with the community of Boston. 📊 Time to let us know how you feel. What do you think of Boston's new look? Need to Know Giráldez's farewell tour in Washington Jonatan Giráldez won the first of his last three games in charge of the Washington Spirit yesterday, a 3-1 victory over the North Carolina Courage (who were without head coach Sean Nahas due to medical reasons). It was Giráldez's last game at Audi Field. Advertisement The reception was largely positive — though there were chants for assistant Adrián González, who would take on Giráldez's job at the end of the match — but winning helps that. On Friday, Giráldez called his midseason departure to lead OL Lyonnes 'not ideal,' but encouraged fans and players to 'keep working' and supporting the team. If you are still trying to make sense of the structure that allows Giráldez to move so swiftly from owner Michele Kang's Spirit in D.C. to OL Lyonnes in France, Asli Pelit broke down the business of multi-club ownership and why it's growing in popularity. England roster set We knew who wasn't going before we knew who was. Advertisement A trio of England exits ahead of Euro 2025 brought an air of uncertainty to head coach Sarina Wiegman's 23-player selection for the 2025 European Championship this summer. First, goalkeeper Mary Earps announced that she was retiring from international football. Then England trounced Portugal 6-0 in the UEFA Nations League. Midfielder Fran Kirby was a second-half substitute in the match, but she didn't feature in the following 2-1 loss to Spain. Shortly after the final whistle, she, too, announced her retirement from international football, saying to ESPN: 'I just didn't want to overstay my welcome.' Wednesday morning, ahead of Thursday's squad announcement, defender Millie Bright shared that she was withdrawing from selection, saying she was 'not able to give 100 percent mentally or physically.' Bright later underwent a minor knee surgery. Advertisement Still, the core Wiegman has been building on the field remains, and we now know the full team going to Switzerland to defend its Euros crown. View our full roster analysis. Full Time First Looks Changing coaches: Tottenham Hotspur parted ways with women's team head coach Robert Vilahamn over the weekend. The decision follows men's team head coach Ange Postecoglou leaving Spurs, just 16 days after winning the Europa League final. Transfer talks: Chloe Kelly has already been through a transfer saga this year with her loan from City to Arsenal in January. Now, with those terms winding down, Arsenal have confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the 27-year-old goal scorer for a new contract. Kelly was key to Arsenal's Champions League final victory. Advertisement Hungry Becky Eyes: Former USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn got a hometown hero's welcome last week at Energizer Park in St. Louis, Mo., as the U.S. defeated Jamaica 4-0. We've known about her leadership, but hearing about the look she gives players after a mistake felt too relatable. 'Becky doesn't get mad often, but if you mess up,' former teammate and friend Lynn Biyendolo said, 'she'll give you this look, that 'I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed' look. That's the Becky look.' 🗳️ Send us your questions: We are answering your questions on the 'Full Time' podcast next week. Email us your burning queries and you may hear them answered on next week's episode. 📫 Love Full Time? These stories can also be found on Yahoo's women's sports hub, in partnership with Also, check out our other newsletters. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Advertisement NWSL, Full Time Newsletter 2025 The Athletic Media Company
The National
04-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Boyata's career takes surprising twist after becoming free agent
The Soccer Tournament (TST) is an annual competition held in the United States. This year's version takes place in North Carolina and runs from June 4 until June 9. It consists of 48 teams, who are split into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group and the eight third-place teams with the highest points totals progress to the knockout stages. Read more: Boyata will line up for 'Socceroof'. He will play alongside the likes of Luis Pedro Cavanda, formerly of Lazio, and ex-Bordeaux man Anthony Castera. Barker, previously of Rangers, will turn out for Wrexham, having been selected as a guest player for the Welsh club. Ex-Celtic centre-half Boyata made 135 appearances in green and white after joining the Parkhead outfit from Manchester City in 2015. He departed for Hertha Berlin on a free transfer four years later and now finds himself without a team after a spell at Club Brugge in his homeland. "Brendan Rodgers took my game to another level," Boyata told The Celtic Way last month. "It was quite hard for me in the beginning, but it was all worth it in the end. "He drilled down into the finer details of my game - my passing, my heading, my positional play - everything. Brendan wanted me just to keep it all nice and simple and to play as I did in training. He was smart, and he said that everything would go well for me at Celtic if I followed his instructions. How right he was."
Forbes
04-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Poarch Returns To The Scene Of His Greatest Triumph, At The TST
On Wednesday, the highly anticipated The Soccer Tournament kicks off in Cary, North Carolina. The $1 million winner-take-all 7 v 7 competition for men and women will bring together former players and personalities from the beautiful game and in the sports world as well. Here are some of the movers and shakers who are expected to participate in the third-year tourney: Carli Lloyd. Michelle Akers. Hope Solo. Sergio Aguero. Geoff Cameron. Brek Shea. And Chad Poarch. Wait, let's back up just a minute. Chad Poarch? Just who is this Chad Poarch? Well, he is the player who scored the winning goal for La Bombonera in last year's final as he and his teammates split the million-dollar prize money. Poarch (pronounced porch) is back with another team - CONCAFA Soccer Club - as he tries to make it two titles in as many years. He is looking forward to the event, on and off the pitch. "I'm excited, man," he said. Last year he excited about meeting NBA great Chris Paul and former NFL wide receiver Chad (Ochocinco) Johnson. "I'm excited to meet all the celebrities and the guys who have already had successful careers, whatever they have," he added. "So that should be great." Of course, Poarch isn't going to be a paparazzi. He plans on having another memorable experience on the field at WakeMed Soccer Park. "I'm just looking forward to playing in that tournament, a professionally run tournament again, especially what they do with the media," he said. "This being the third year for TST hosting a tournament, I expect the competition is going to be better than the last two years.' Poarch's story, before and after the tournament, is two divergent tales. Prior to that competition, he had struggled to find a professional soccer team. Poarch attended High Point University and then the University of Delaware before deciding to pursue a pro career. That included tryouts in Portugal, Atlanta United and stints in the National Premier Soccer League, USL League Two and USL Championship. "I've been through some stuff," he said. But that all changed in Cary. Not only did he play well, the 5-11, 180-lb. Poarch received national publicity for connecting on the tournament-winning goal and an opportunity to play for the indoor Baltimore Blast in the Major Arena Soccer League. With that in mind, let's return to the TST final against Nani FC on June 10, 2024. Yes, that Nani, the former Portuguese international. Tournament officials ruled that the first team that reached four goals would win the title (the competition's rules are quite different from the rest of the sport). With La Bombonera leading 3-0, Poarch put a tough tackle on Nani, winning a 50-50 ball in his team's defensive zone. Racing into the penalty area on a 2-on-1 break, he launched a right-footed shot from the top of the box that nestled into the lower left corner to lift his team to the title. LA BOMBONERA DEFEAT NANI FC TO WIN TST 2024 🏆 CHAD POARCH SCORES $1M GOAL 💰 | TST "I was able to read the goalkeeper's pass," Poarch said. "As soon as I picked it off, I saw nothing but green grass in front. As soon as I got the ball, it just went silent. It was like a movie. He [the goalkeeper] "After I scored, man, it was like all the relief, all the pressure, everything just was taken off my shoulders, and then obviously we're celebrating with family and friends. It was a whirlwind. Unforgettable." Poarch's story hardly ends there. Blast player Oumar Sylla had told head coach David Bascome that Poarch was one of the players that he should watch at the tournament. Bascome was impressed with Poarch, who had scored five goals, and offered him a contract. "Fortunately for me, I had a good showing last year," Poarch said. 'I benefited from it." Just as he did at the TST, Poarch made the most of his opportunity with the Blast. As a defender, he scored 23 goals in as many regular season games, not bad for a forward, excellent for a defender. He added 10 assists and was voted the MASL newcomer of the year. Poarch, 27, called his past 12 months "a whirlwind experience." "It's been a great year for me as a player," he added. "I've been through a lot as a player, so like, it just feels good to finally get like recognition for doing well and achieving these great achievements. I've been super thankful and grateful for every opportunity that has come my way. I'm looking forward to the future. I'm trying to stay as much in the moment as possible and just take every opportunity as they come." His next opportunity will be to win the tournament with his new team. The CONCAFA Soccer Club, coached by former U.S. men's international goalkeeper Tony Meola, has some players who you might recognize. The higher profile players include former U.S. internationals Cameron and Shea, one-time New York Red Bulls standout Mike Grella and former Iraqi international and Columbus Crew star Justin Meram. For those indoor soccer aficionados, there's MASL all-stars Derek Huffman and Mario Alvarez (Milwaukee Wave), Gordy Gurson (Utica City FC), Zach Reget and Phillip Ejimadu Kansas City Comets) and Drew Ruggles (San Diego Sockers). ESPN analyst Pat McAfee is also on the team. Poarch said that the team had a "good atmosphere and good people to be around." Given the publicity the tournament has received in its short two-year existence, more serious players have wanted to participate. So, finding a pathway to the final has become that more difficult. "Obviously, the goal is to win the tournament," Poarch said. "I want to play well. I've been training and getting as fit as possible since the Blast season ended. For us to go all the way, and then for me to go back-to-back and win TST again will be phenomenal." If CONCAFA prevails, Poarch said that he will use his prize money in some practical ways, such as paying off his student loan, continue saving that he could buy a house and invest in his soccer training business. And even go on vacation. "Good things," he said. "To win a tournament will create a big boost for me in those areas," he said. And create some more history and perhaps another opportunity for Chad Poarch.
Leader Live
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wrexham men and women set for The Soccer Tournament in US
Last summer, a friendly between the sides kicked-off Wrexham's unbeaten Wrex Coast Tour ahead of their promotion-winning League One campaign. And the clubs are all set to clash again next week when the Soccer Tournament (TST) gets underway in North Carolina - with Ben Tozer set to pull on a Wrexham shirt once more. For the third consecutive year, Wrexham Red Dragons take their spot in the event, which will be played in Cary, and the men continue their tilt at the $1 million prize against Bournemouth in their second Group F game on Wednesday, June 4. The Dragons will open their tournament against Real Athletico earlier in the day, while the group is completed by the CONCAFA SC. Wrexham Red Dragons women are also set for the competition, which starts in Group B with a clash versus Ultrain FC. Kansas City II and Drunken Monkeys are the other two teams in the group. 'TST soccer is electrifying,' said TST CEO Jon Mugar. 'Our goal is to become the preeminent soccer festival in the world. Judging by the number of returning fans and teams, we are well on our way. 'We have doubled the size of the women's field and a record 64 teams will compete in Cary. I can't wait to see the level of competition this June!' Wrexham Red Dragons men advanced to the round of 16 in both 2023 and 2024, scoring more goals than any other team in TST history. Goalkeeper Mark Howard has been a standout figure, keeping clean sheets and scoring clutch Target Score Time goals. Another impressive player has been striker George Boyd, holding the title of the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 11 goals. Former club captain Tozer, who this week announced his retirement, will represent Wrexham at the tournament. Men's squad: Aaron James; Abraham Rodriguez; Alex Moore; Ben Tozer; Brandon Barker; Callum Edwards; David Jones; George Boyd; Harry Ashfield; Jake Hyde; Liam McAlinden; Marc Albrighton; Navid Nasseri; Sak Hassan; Thomas Kelly; Yannick Parkes. Goalkeeper Delyth Morgan and Mia Roberts are members of the women's line-up. Women's squad: Brianne Reed; Delyth Morgan; Destiney Toussaint; Ella Dederick; Gabriella Cuevas; Havana Solaun; Katie Chapman; Kelly Ann Livingstone; Lindsay Agnew; Mia Roberts; Nicole Baxter; Rachel Unitt.
