The AFTN football/soccer podcast primarily about Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and the Canadian Premier League with lots of interviews and fun segments thrown in.
Episodes
22 minutes ago
22 minutes ago
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, CONCACAF Champions Cup, Canadian Premier League, and Northern Super League chat. Another veritable footballing feast.
Vancouver Whitecaps' huge month continues apace, but is it starting to catch up with them? We chat about Saturday's somewhat flat goalless draw in St Louis and look ahead to this week's Champions Cup semi-final with Inter Miami and the Messi circus it will bring with it. Plus we chat with Whitecaps midfielder J.C. Ngando about his and the team's excellent start to the year and defender Sam Adekugbe talks to us about his ownership stake in NSL side Calgary Wild and the importance of that league and the CPL to the continued growth of the game here in Canada.
Zach regales us with tales of his trip to Calgary to see Vancouver FC take on Cavalry in CPL action, plus we look at another tumultuous week behind the scenes at VFC that saw four key staff members unceremoniously fired. We also chat about the inaugural match in the NSL that saw Vancouver Rise come away with their first ever win, we hear some postgame thoughts from Anja Heiner-Moller and Quinn, and we chat with NSL President Christina Litz about the relationship between the NSL and the CPL and how she'd like that to look moving forward.
We also round up all the weekend's action in the MLS and CPL, and music-wise Camille Schmidt continues her residency as our Album (and Artist) of the Month, Oasis feature in our Britpop segment, and Cousin Feo is back in Wavelength.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.26: Intro - premature celebrations, World Cup posters, and more football dating
09.51: Stalemate in St Louis
17.33: MLS round-up
30.45: J.C. Ngando interview
40.47: Miami preview - let the Messi mayhem begin
55.15: Zach's joy and heartbreak in Calgary
77.00: More Vancouver FC turmoil off the pitch
93.05: CPL Week in Review
107.00: Vancouver Rise win first ever NSL match - with Heiner-Moller and Quinn audio
119.55: Sam Adekugbe talks Calgary Wild ownership and the importance of the NSL and CPL
123.06: Christina Litz on the relationship between the NSL and CPL
131.40: Wavelength - Cousin Feo ft Flashius Clayton - Messi
Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, Northern Super League, and League1 BC chat.
The Whitecaps are on fire right now and are showing no signs of slowing up. Top of the MLS Western Conference, first in the Supporters Shield race, Champions Cup semi-finalists, and all while missing some key players. Their latest triumph was a 5-1 shellacking of Austin FC on Saturday. We delve into all the highs of that one, the standout performance from four-goal Brian White, and hear some postgame thoughts from Austin head coach Nico Estevez.
We also ask Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen if his start in Vancouver has exceeded all expectations, talk to Tristan Blackmon about THAT goal in Mexico City, and our feature interview is with the 'Caps rookie playing well beyond his years right now, Tate Johnson. Plus we look at MLS still considering, but delaying, a switch to a schedule more aligned to elsewhere in the world.
As the NSL kicks off its historic inaugural season this week, we chat about the league with Vancouver Rise Sporting Director Stephanie Labbe and Janine Sonis, and talk takeout food with Quinn. Plus we round up all the weekend's action in the CPL and L1BC, and music-wise Camille Schmidt continues her residency as our Album (and Artist) of the Month, Powder feature in our Britpop segment, and Generation 69 are in Wavelength.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.26: Intro - Gold Cup and football dating
10.10: Whitecaps' 5-star performance against Austin
56.05: Tristan Blackmon talks THAT goal and more
63.22: Jesper Sorensen on the rise of Tate Johnson
66.12: Tate Johnson interview
73.20: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? - Tate Johnson
74.44: MLS schedule change pushed back for more talks
83.45: Stephanie Labbe interview
100.38: Take Me Out - Quinn
102.40: Janie Sonis (nee Beckie) talks NSL
111.05: CPL Week in Review
144.40: L1BC Week in Review
150.10: Wavelength - Generation 69 - Oi and Football
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, CONCACAF Champions Cup, Canadian Soccer League, Northern Super League, and Canadian national team chat.
Are you still recovering from the Whitecaps beating Pumas to reach the Champions Cup semi-finals? We are and our voices can testify to that! We look at the historic night in Mexico City, how everything played out, and look ahead to facing Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the semis. Plus we hear from the Great Dane himself, 'Caps coach Jesper Sorensen and Axel Schuster tells us if Vancouver might still be active before the MLS transfer window shuts.
We also recap all the action from the first weekend of the 2025 CPL season, chat with Canadian women's head coach Casey Stoney about her time in charge so far and the launch of the NSL, and our feature interview this episode is with Vancouver Rise forward Holly Ward about her career so far, coming to her new hometown team, the NSL, and her first involvement with Canadian senior women's team. Plus music from Sinergy, Got Got Need, and Cousin Feo.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.57: Intro - lucky hats and items in the mail
06.52: Whitecaps stun Pumas to set up Miami semi showdown
40.25: Axel Schuster on Whitecaps transfer window plans
48.55: Unpacking Mark Noonan from Ep664
63.40: CPL Week in Review
109.55: Casey Stoney audio
114.38: Holly Ward interview
122.45: Wavelength - Cousin Feo - Maradona
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Monday Apr 07, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Northern Super League, and Canadian national team chat.
What a week it's been for the Whitecaps. They dominated Colorado Rapids to stay top of the MLS West, they gave themselves a great chance of advancing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Pumas, and news broke on Friday that a new, soccer-specific stadium to call their own was in the works. We delve into all the action on and off the pitch and hear from Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster about the stadium news.
We've two feature interviews for you this episode. First up is a chat with Vancouver Rise President Sinead King about getting the new team up and running in a new league, the challenges faced and those to come, and where her love of football came from.
We also chat with Vancouver's Canadian women's national team hero Julia Grosso about being back in the city, her career, that gold winning penalty, and lots more. Plus we look at Canada's win over Argentina and the U17 women qualifying for this year's World Cup in Morocco.
Music-wise The Bees Band feature in Wavelength with a song featuring the legend that was Stan Bowles, Camille Schmidt continues her residency as our Album of the Month, there's Britpop songs from Menswear and The Boo Radleys.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.29: Intro - rainy days, L1BC, US Open Cup
13.50: Axel Schuster on Whitecaps new stadium plans
27.00: A new Whitecaps stadium - the merits and pitfalls for a PNE plan
53.40: Whitecaps impress in Colorado victory
79.50: Sinead King interview
111.30: CanWNT win against Argentina
119.00: Julia Grosso interview
135.00: Wavelength - The Bees Band - Somebody Give Me The Ball
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, CONCACAF Champions Cup, and Canadian Premier League chat and interviews.
It was late agony at BC Place for Vancouver Whitecaps as they conceded an away goal against Pumas UNAM with just three minutes remaining in a game they bossed. Still, they got a draw and it's all to play for next week in Mexico City as we pick over the bones of the first leg.
We've two feature interview for you in this episode. First up is a 25 minute chat with Canadian Premier League Commissioner Mark Noonan ahead of the 7th season of the CPL. We chat with Mark about the state of the league, expansion, the TV deal with TSN, capitalizing on the 2026 World Cup, and more.
Next up is former Whitecaps midfielder Marco Bustos who returns to the CPL for a second stint with Pacific FC. What brought him back, can they recapture the glory days of their championship season, how is a turned over Pacific side looking, and how was life in Sweden? We chat about all of this and more, plus we preview all eight CPL teams and look at how their offseason rebuilds have gone and their chances for the season ahead.
Music-wise feature in Wavelength, Camille Schmidt kicks off her residency as our Album of the Month, and there's a couple of Britpop songs from Nilon Bombers and Kingmaker.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.27: Intro - US Open Cup drama
07.12: Whitecaps concede late in agonizing draw with Pumas
28.35: CPL Commissioner Mark Noonan interview
64.35: Pacific FC season preview
75.23: Marco Bustos interview
106.50: Vancouver FC season preview
128.20: Calgary FC season preview
135.53: Valour FC season preview
141.03: Forge FC season preview
149.06: York United season preview
157.35: Atletico Ottawa season preview
163.38: HFX Wanderers season preview
169.55: Wavelength - Babybird - Football
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and Canadian national team chat.
The Whitecaps didn't get back to winning ways in Toronto but they took a point on the road and that's rarely a bad thing. We delve into the goalless draw against TFC and the main takeaways from the match, that sadly saw injuries to Andres Cubas and Mathias Laborda. Can we read much into the recent blips? Will the team be hampered now against Pumas in the Champions Cup? And how does the weekend's results leave the 'Caps in the lie of the land in the MLS West? We talk about all of that and more and chat with WFC2 standout Nelson Pierre, who made it three goals in three games on Saturday.
We've two feature interviews for you this episode. First up is a chat with MLS Apple TV analyst, and former scourge of MLS defences everywhere, Sacha Kljestan. We get Sacha's thoughts about the Whitecaps start to the season, their key players, and the MLS West, plus we talk about his continuing US Open Cup run with Des Moines Menace, switching to punditry, and the US national team woes and whether Brian White can save them.
Turning our attention to the CPL, we chat with Pacific FC head coach James Merriman ahead of the new season that gets underway next weekend. We look back at last season, the offseason rebuild, the season ahead, plans for youth players and L1BC, and more. Plus we find out if new Pacific addition, Whitecaps loanee goalkeeper Max Anchor, fancies a chocolate digestive!
And after another eventful week for Canada Soccer we talk about the blame game and fingerpointing around Alphonso Davies' injury by Bayern Munich and his agent against the CSA, plus Zach regales us will tales of his trip to the CONCACAF Nations League finals and we look at the admonishment handed out to former men's national team coach John Herdman.
Music-wise Athena feature in Wavelength, Sleeper wrap up their residency as our Album of the Month, there's a Britpop song from Joyrider, and special song from Franz Ferdinand that we're dedicating to Lorenzo Insigne.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.25: Intro - football galore and spring break
15.06: Whitecaps goalless and with more injury concerns after Toronto stalemate
33.40: The lie of the land in the MLS West
42.55: Nelson Pierre interview and WFC2 chat
56.10: Sacha Kljestan interview
83.43: James Merriman interview
110.05: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? - Max Anchor
117.10: Zach's trip to the Nations League finals
133.53: Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich, and the Canada Soccer blame game
155.30: Herdman admonished by disciplinary hearing
162.15: Wavelength - Athena - Holigan
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and CONCACAF Nations League chat and we're joined by AFTN writer Felipe Vallejo this week to talk about it all.
Canada went into the CONCACAF Nations League finals with real hope of lifting their first trophy in 25 years, but a semi-final loss to Mexico shattered those dreams, before a feelgood win over the US end the tournament on a high for Les Rouges. We pick over the bones of both matches, the lessons that can be learned from them, and what some of the performances of individual players may mean for the future. Is Alphonso Davies still trying to do too much? Are some of the old guard needing to step aside? Do we have a number one goalkeeper at the moment? We chat about all of that and more.
Turning our attention to the club game, Vancouver Whitecaps lost their first MLS match of the season, when a short-handed and disjointed side fell at home to Chicago. A mere blip to their good start, some real concerns about depth, or a mixture of both? We look back at the game, what can be taken from it, and look ahead to getting back on track in the Canadian derby against a poor Toronto side.
Our feature interview this episode is with a Whitecaps first-teamer that's gone out for loan to the CPL for the season, goalkeeper Max Anchor. We chat to Max about his move to Pacific FC, his footballing journey so far, some of the new goalkeeper rules, and more.
It's also Football Violence Awareness Month at AFTN Towers and we review the Netflix Polish football hooligan drama Kibic, while Antisocial feature in Wavelength. Plus Sleeper continue their residency as our Album of the Month, there's another Britpop song from Ash, and we talk World Cup qualification, the US Open Cup, and the new UK Ballers League.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.27: Intro - World Cup qualifiers, US Open Cup
12.45: Canada's Nations League rollercoaster
51.50: Whitecaps depth tested in Chicago loss
79.06: Max Anchor interview
102.40: Pacific FC chat
110.45: TVOD - Kibic (Hooligan)
116.00: Wavelength - Antisocial - Official Hooligan
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The Jesper Juggernaut rolls on in Vancouver, with the Whitecaps putting in a tremendous performance to make history against Monterrey in Champions Cup action, then following that up with another victory in MLS play to stay top of the table. We look back at both matches, the main talking points coming out of them, and the key performances. Plus we hear Jesper Sorensen's first thoughts of playing through an international break, chat with Brian White about that night in Mexico and heading off to play for the USMNT, and chat with J.C. Ngando about breaking into the 'Caps first team after going out on loan last season.
We have two feature interviews for you this episode. First up is new Apple TV MLS analyst Dax McCarty. We chat with the 19-year MLS veteran about (primarily) hanging up his boots and moving into TV-land, get his thoughts so far on Vancouver Whitecaps this season, chat about him playing US Open Cup next week with Des Moines Menace, Brian White's US national team call-up, and more.
Our second feature interview is with the man who has started every match for the Whitecaps so far this season, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter. We talk with Seba about the 'Caps start to the year, next week's Berhalter derby with his dad Gregg as Chicago come to town, his free kick prowess, and more. Plus we kick off a new food feature with him and have a pizza party!
It's Football Violence Awareness Month at AFTN Towers and we look back at the movie The Football Factory and feature a very NSFW song in Wavelength that samples lines from the film! All of that plus Sleeper continue their residency as our Album of the Month and there's another Britpop song from Supergrass.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.40: Intro - border crossing for football, stadiums that fit team needs
13.42: Whitecaps' monumental night in Mexico against Monterrey
46.40: Vancouver remain perfect in MLS play after dominant Dallas win
62.51: J.C. Ngando audio
69.57: Another short-handed international window next vs Chicago
73.30: Brian White audio
78.05: Chicago preview and more MLS chat
89.20: Interview with MLS analyst Dax McCarty
120.25: Sebastian Berhalter interview
134.10: Sebastian Berhalter's Pizza Party
139.32: TVOD - The Football Factory
145.30: Wavelength - DJ Paul Elstak - You're A Hardcore Hooligan
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, CONCACAF Champions Cup, and FIFA chat.
The Whitecaps keep rolling with a very strong performance against Mexican powerhouse CF Monterrey in Champions Cup action, followed by a victory over CF Montreal in MLS action in their Canadian derby that saw them go top of the Western Conference standings.
We pick over the bones of both matches and the main talking points coming out of them. We look at the standout performances, chat about Jesper Sorensen's early enforced use of his squad depth, and ponder just how much Ryan Gauld's knee injury could derail the 'Caps excellent start depending on how severe it is and how quickly the club act to bring in another piece.
We also chat with Montreal's Canadian midfielder Victor Loturi about coming back to Canada to play in MLS, his time in Scotland, and how playing in the CPL shaped him as a player.
It's also been a newsworthy week for FIFA with the 2026 World Cup countdown continuing apace and we talk halftime shows, government taskforces, bitcoin, weather concerns, further expansion to 64 teams, and Canada's latest plans.
All of this, plus Sleeper kick off their residency as our Album of the Month, there's another Britpop song, and it's Football Violence Awareness Month in Wavelength.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.28: Intro - CPL preseason, extra podcasts, jersey chat
12.30: Will Whitecaps' blistering start be derailed by Gauld injury?
22.28: Whitecaps very much in the hunt against Monterrey
60.05: Dominant Vancouver dispatch Montreal
100.41: Victor Loturi interview
110.15: FIFA World Cup 2026 chat - halftime shows, bitcoin, 64 team expansion, weather concerns
150.20: Wavelength - Slaughter and the Dogs - Where Have All The Bootboys Gone?
157.20: Goodbyes - Bayern are 125, East Fife back to winning ways, Clyde Only Fans controversy!
Friday Feb 28, 2025
Friday Feb 28, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and CONCACAF Champions Cup chat, and we're joined by AFTN writer Felipe Vallejo again to do it all this episode.
It's been a good start to the Jesper Sorensen era in Vancouver. Advancing in the Champions Cup with an aggregate win over Saprissa and a dominant dismantling of Portland in MLS action has certainly put a spring in the steps of those of a blue and white persuasion. We take a look at the takeaways from both matches and look ahead to the visit of the LA Galaxy in MLS action and Mexican giants CF Monterrey in the next round of the cup next week.
Whitecaps CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster held a media roundtable on Wednesday. We bring you that in full and unpack some of the main talking points around the make up of the roster, new additions, the latest on the sale, the MLS schedule, and more.
All of this, plus Pop Will Eat Itself wrap up their residency as our Album of the Month, there's Norwegian Oi in this episode's Wavelength, and another Britpop song.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.26: Intro
06.57: Whitecaps see off Saprissa in Champions Cup
31.15: Tough Monterrey test now awaits in Round of 16
44.15: Whitecaps destroy Timbers in MLS season opener
82.10: Axel Schuster media roundtable
128.00: Unpacking Axel
145.40: Wavelength - Premier League - Kick Off Time
Saturday Feb 22, 2025
Saturday Feb 22, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and CONCACAF Champions Cup chat, and we're joined by AFTN writer Felipe Vallejo to do it all this episode.
The Whitecaps finally played their first competitive game of 2025, and while the end result of the Champions Cup clash with Saprissa wasn't what they were hoping for down in Costa Rica, there were a lot of positives and and an away goal to take from the tie. We delve into the match, look ahead to the MLS season opener in Portland and hear from 'Caps coach Jesper Sorensen and Timbers boss Phil Neville.
As the new MLS season gets underway, we preview what is shaping up to be an interesting and unpredictable Western Conference, with some clear standout teams, some movers and shakers, and some teams that we just don't know what to expect from them yet this season. We cast our eyes over the Whitecaps' 14 Western rivals and bring you a special collaboration piece we did previewing Vancouver themselves on the Soccerwise podcast.
All of this, plus former Whitecaps captain Kendall Waston runs through our infamous food segments, Pop Will Eat Itself continue their residency as our Album of the Month and feature again in this episode's Wavelength, there's another Britpop song, and we pay tribute to the recently departed Jam drummer Rick Butler.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.25: Intro
05.35: Whitecaps lose late to Saprissa
28.34: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? Or Jam? Or Takeout food? - Kendall Waston edition
32.40: Portland preview with Phil Neville audio
48.10: MLS West Season Preview - Austin, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, LAFC, LA Galaxy, Minnesota
91.00: MLS West Season Preview - Portland, RSL, San Jose, San Diego, Seattle, SKC, St Louis
132.10: Michael's Whitecaps season preview on Soccerwise podcast
167.30: Wavelength - Pop Will Eat Itself - Reclaim The Game Funk FIFA
Sunday Feb 16, 2025
Sunday Feb 16, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and CONCACAF Champions Cup chat and interviews.
The wait is almost over, with the first competitive matches of the season coming up thick and fast this week for the Whitecaps in both league and cup action. The 'Caps have added two players to bolster their roster, with another key piece, experienced Mexican forward Daniel Rios, set to join on loan for the season any day now. Are the team ready to go? We chat with 'Caps coach Jesper Sorensen and ask just that, plus talk tactics, transfers, and more in the first of three one-on-one interviews this episode.
Our feature interview is spread over two parts, as we sit down with former Whitecaps captain Kendall Waston in an extensive 50-minute interview to chat about his time in Vancouver, his love for the city, his successes here, the truth about his controversial departure, his footballing career and journey, playing at two World Cups, and now facing his former side in Champions Cup action.
As if all of those interviews weren't enough, we bring you a third one this episode as we chat with new Whitecaps winger Emmanuel Sabbi for the first time to talk about his move to Vancouver and MLS, his footballing journey so far, what he brings to the team, going up against Jesper Sorensen's sides in Denmark, does he fancy a chocolate digestive, and more.
All of this, plus Pop Will Eat Itself continue their residency as our Album of the Month and feature in this episode's Wavelength, there's another Britpop song, a prog rock number to explain a few things, and it's our final Hot Chocolate Boy of the year.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.26: Intro - 'Caps looking sharp, Cavs fall just short, new Peak kit
09.07: Whitecaps add two as season set to begin
14.20: Jesper Sorensen talks tactics, transfers, and the season ahead
26.25: Daniel Rios set to be newest Whitecap
31.25: Hot Chocolate Boy - La Saison de Patisserie and Top 3
45.25: Kendall Waston interview - part one
83.55: Kendall Waston interview - part two
119.10: Emmanuel Sabbi interview
129.25: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive - Emmanuel Sabbi
130.45: Wavelength - Pop Will Eat Itself - Touched By The Hand of Cicciolina
Monday Feb 10, 2025
Monday Feb 10, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian soccer chat and interviews.
As the Whitecaps wrap up their preseason in Spain, we've a special feature interview for you this episode as we sit down for our first one-on-one chat with new 'Caps coach Jesper Sørensen. We chat for 30 minutes with Jesper about his footballing journey so far, both on and off the pitch, his influences, his inspirations, and what this season might hold in store for both him and the team. It's a new era and the Whitecaps will look a little different out there.
We also wrap up the last preseason match, look at the impact Trump will have on travelling Whitecaps supporters this season, and ponder what the turbulent offseason will mean for attendances at BC Place. Plus we look at Cavalry FC doing Canada proud in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, hear from head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr, and look at the rumoured Canadian Premier League expansion in 2026 in BC and Ontario.
All of this plus we talk Alphonso Davies re-signing at Bayern Munich, a weekend of cup drama in England and Scotland, characters in football crowds, our Hot Chocolate Boy and Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? segments are back, Pop Will Eat Itself continue their residency as our Album of the Month, we've another Britpop song, and Wavelength features a song about Danish legend Michael Laudrup.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.28: Intro - Phonzie re-signs, cup drama and upsets, characters in the crowd
14.15: CITR Radion's 2025 Fundrive
17.40: Whitecaps wrap up preseason in Spain with another win
22.42: Whitecaps fans shun Portland and US travel
36.47: Hot Chocolate Boy - To Live For and Eternal Abundance
49.05: Jesper Sørensen one-on-one interview
86.28: Unpacking Jesper - will the fans be patient?
106.30: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive - Jesper Sørensen
112.30: Cavalry FC do Canadian soccer proud
131.55: CPL expansion coming to BC and Ontario?
141.00: Wavelength - Cousin Feo - M. Laudrup
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Monday Feb 03, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian Premier League, and Canadian national team chat and interviews.
What a week it's been in Whitecapsland! The big news was the sudden departure of Designated Player Stuart Armstrong to English Championship side Sheffield Wednesday and we're joined by Harjeet Johal to chat about the mess of how all of it played out. We also look at the latest two preseason matches for the 'Caps that saw a draw and a win, plus the team skipping this year's Leagues Cup and what that might mean to the Canadian Championship games.
We've two feature interviews for you this episode. First up is new Whitecaps winger Jayden Nelson who talks about his move to Vancouver, his footballing journey so far, his highs and lows over in Europe, the driving motivations to impress ahead of next year's World Cup, and just what do they put in the Brampton water?!
Next up is the man he is trying to impress, Canadian men's head coach Jesse Marsch. We chat with Jesse about his love of the game, where it all started, who shaped him along the way, where he calls home after a career of travels, and what legacies he'd like to see in the country after next year's World Cup. After all of that, we hear from him on getting ready for 2026, bringing games to Vancouver, the BC Place pitch, and more.
We also look at the big move for local lad Grady McDonnell, who heads to Club Brugges' second team in Belgium from Vancouver FC, in a big transfer for the CPL. All of this plus our Hot Chocolate Boy and Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? segments are back, Pop Will Eat Itself begin their residency as our Album of the Month, we've another Britpop song, and Wavelength features a song about Sheffield Wednesday for obvious reasons!
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.28: Intro - tariffs and what they could mean for Canadian football
15.54: Hot Chocolate Boy - Caffe Artigiano
23.55: A preseason draw and a win for Whitecaps in Spain
30.22: No Leagues Cup for Whitecaps, Saturday games for Can Champ?
38.00: Goodbye Stuart Armstrong - we hardly knew ye (with Har Journalist)
71.50: The Whitecaps are in a state of flux
94.20: Jayden Nelson interview
116.13: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive - Jayden Nelson
121.28: Jesse Marsch interview - Part One - what made the man?
138.25: Jesse Marsch interview - Part Two - the road ahead
158.02: VFC's Grady McDonnell transferred to Belgium
172.10: Wavelength - Big Ron's Barmy Army (aka Paul Carrack) - It's A Praise For Sheffield Wednesday
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, Northern Super League, and World Cup chat.
The Whitecaps got their preseason action on the pitch underway last week in Spain with a narrow loss to Polish championship contenders Raków Częstochowa. We delve into what we gleaned from the match, the addition of Canadian winger Jayden Nelson to the team, talk Brian White's good week for his country, and find out just what is Sebastian Berhalter's Favourite Jam!
Our feature interview this episode is with the man that got a goal and an assist in that first preseason match, Whitecaps centre back Tristan Blackmon. We chat with Tiki about his time in Vancouver so far, life under a new coach, his footballing heroes, and his new found love of darts among other things.
Plus we look at what might be the legacy in Vancouver from the 2026 World Cup as the plan to improve Memorial Park gets shelved by the city, and we talk a busy preseason week in the CPL and NSL, as Vancouver Rise add more players and try out a few local and experienced faces.
All of this plus Hot Chocolate Boy is back, the Rakes wrap up their residency as Album of the Month, we've another Britpop song, and Wavelength features a song all about Ajax, as we debate - is football art?
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.28: Intro - drama on the stage and late drama off the pitch
11.45: Hot Chocolate Boy - Dough Girls and 49th Parallel
21.27: Vancouver's legacy from the 2026 World Cup - or lack of?
46.20: Whitecaps preseason gets underway with a narrow loss
50.56: Jayden Nelson joins the 'Caps
58.16: Brian White - an American hero
63.50: Sebastian Berhalter's Favourite Jam
69.46: Tristan Blackmon interview
99.55: Vancouver Rise add players and try out many more
114.15: CPL news of the week
127.25: Wavelength - Robbie and the Kock - Ajax Is Art
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat.
The Whitecaps unveiled their new head coach, Jesper Sorensen last week. We look at our initial impressions of the Dane from what was said and the lack of additions to the 'Caps squad. Maybe the new MLS roster rules will help the Whitecaps bolster their numbers. We delve into the new cash trade mechanism in the league and the new off-roster homegrown rules, plus we get the thoughts of Vancouver CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster on it all.
Turning our attention to the CPL, Vancouver's roster has been decimated by the retiral of Ben Fisk, the release of players, and the pending transfers of a couple of young starlets. It's early days, but they need a big rebuild, something provincial rivals Pacific are starting to do nicely, with a couple of familiar faces set to return. We chat about all of that plus the drama out east at Forge over Beni Badibanga.
All of this plus Hot Chocolate Boy returns, the Rakes continue as Album of the Month and we've another Wavelength song to honour the recent passing of the legendary Scot, Denis Law.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.28: Intro - beavers, cereals, and podcast places
08.16: Hot Chocolate Boy - Melt Confectionary and To Live For
19.02: MLS roster changes and the thoughts of Axel Schuster
35.05: Cash transfers now possible in MLS
47.55: New MLS Homegrown off-roster improvements
60.30: The short lived Anderson Duarte rumour
63.30: Jesper Sorensen introduced - initial thoughts
77.15: Retiral, releases, and transfers decimate Vancouver FC roster
114.50: An old CPL face set to return, as a current one refuses to
125.00: Wavelength - The Men They Couldn't Hang - Denis Law and Ali McGraw
Saturday Jan 18, 2025
Saturday Jan 18, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Rise, Northern Super League, Canadian women's national team, and League1 Canada chat.
It's been quite the week in Canadian women's soccer circles. On the domestic side, the NSL teams are adding to their rosters apace, with Vancouver Rise announcing their marquee signing, Quinn. We bring you the introductory press conference from the Canadian international midfielder and talk about what their signing means to the league and to the Rise. Plus we find out if they fancy a chocolate digestive and chat with Rise President Sinead King about the signing, playing out of Swangard, future signings, and more.
On the international stage, the Canadian women's national team have a new head coach, Casey Stoney. We look at the appointment and talk to Casey about her previous Canada memories and the launch of the country's new domestic league, plus we hear a bit from her introductory presser about why she took the job and the baggage that's coming with it.
We also bring you the second part of our interview with TSS Rovers Sporting Director Colin Elmes, as we talk about the eco-system of Canadian soccer, the chances of TSS making the jump to the CPL, and exciting news about a possible new stadium for the club. Plus we look at how the CPL clubs plan to, and should, utilize League1 Canada, hear from York's Pasquel Brothers and Forge's Bobby Smyrniotis on that subject, look at the Canada Soccer directive affecting players who have to decide between amateur nationals and the Canadian Championship, and we say farewell to a couple of legends - Denis Law and David Lynch.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.29: Intro
06.25: Quinn joins Vancouver Rise
20.50: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? - Quinn
22.54: Rise President Sinead King interview
31.00: Casey Stoney on becoming CanWNT coach and NSL
45.26: TSS Rovers' Colin Elmes Interview - Part Two
86.06: RIP David Lynch
93.12: Players lose out in Canada Soccer Canadian Championship directive
104.00: League1 Canada and the CPL teams
117.40: Wavelength - Rod Stewart and Denis Law - Angel
Monday Jan 13, 2025
Monday Jan 13, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, League1 BC, and Canadian college chat.
Vancouver Whitecaps' coaching search is over and the new man at the helm is 51-year-old Dane Jesper Sørensen. The former Brondy and Denmark U21 head coach bring a wealth of experience to Vancouver as a player and a manager. We delve into the appointment and ponder what will the hire mean to the 'Caps? Some fans are enthused, some feel it's underwhelming, but we won't know until the season plays out. The appointment sees every MLS coaching search complete. We look at the other hires around the league this year, including Robin Fraser to Toronto FC. A surprisingly underwhelming appointment or a shrewd one? Plus we look at some coaching extensions in the CPL.
We've two feature interviews to bring you this week. First up is part one of a two-part interview with TSS Rovers Sporting Director and co-owner Colin Elmes. This episode we chat with Colin about the successful 2024 for the Rovers, look ahead to what 2025 might have in store for them, as the Whitecaps potentially await in the Canadian Championship, and talk finances, losses, and the question everyone always asks, what is all that share money used for?!
Turning our attention to the college game, 2024 was a very successful one for BC schools. None more so than UBC Thunderbirds, who achieved an unprecedented USPORTS double on the men's and the women's side. We chat with UBC midfielder Joven Mann about a great year for the team and him personally, his footballing journey through the Whitecaps, and the adventure that now awaits after he was selected by HFX Wanderers in the 2025 CPL draft.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.27: Intro
07.45: The Whitecaps finally have their man - welcome Jesper Sørensen
29.50: The MLS managerial merry-go-round is complete
45.47: Ghotbi and Dos Santos given CPL extensions
53.40: TSS Rovers' Colin Elmes Interview - Part One
98.05: UBC Thunderbirds' Joven Mann interview
118.35: Wavelength - Nine Steps To Ugly - Bobby Charlton's Haircut
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian Premier League chat.
Our extensive interview with Axel Schuster in the last episode certainly produced a lot of chatter and we unpack some of what the Whitecaps CEO told us in this episode around the search for a new coach, the search for new owners, the search for new players, and more.
Our first feature interview of 2025 sees us sit down for an in-depth chat with the man that lifted his first CPL North Star Cup last year, Tommy Wheeldon Jr. We chat with the Cavalry head coach about the successful 2024 for the team, the chance to take on Mexican opposition in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the return of an Albertan derby, taking the next step forward in 2025, Jay Herdman, Myer Bevan, the state of the CPL, his beloved Everton, and more.
We also look back at Pacific's two latest additions, the current quiet time at Vancouver FC, and look at an interesting year for York United, both on and off the pitch, as we chat with Mexican owners the Pasquel brothers about their first year in charge. Plus we get the thoughts of Bobby Smyrniotis, James Merriman and Tommy Wheeldon Jr about the need for some kind of VAR in the CPL and look at the stadium issues that plague Canadian soccer.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.35: Intro - another new year awaits
07.30: Unpacking Axel Schuster's State of the Whitecaps interview
38.33: Pacific add two, all quiet at VFC, and Forge busy again
68.32: The Pasquel brothers' first year in charge at York
75.20: Canadian soccer has a stadium issue
93.30: Tommy Wheeldon Jr interview
142.25: The vital need for some kind of VAR in the CPL
149.55: What we'd love to change in the CPL
169.45: Wavelength - Robb Johnson - Life Is Football
Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian national team, and general Canadian football chat. It's our last show of 2024 - our New Year Special!
What a year it's been. For the Whitecaps it was one that promised so much, saw some relative highs amongst disappointment, and then ended in turbulent fashion with the sacking of head coach Vanni Sartini and the announcement that the club was up for sale. Never has the phrase "out with the old, in with the new" been more applicable to the team. We sit down with Whitecaps CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster in our 40 minute annual "State of the Whitecaps" interview to chat about it all, to look ahead to 2025, and more. What's happening with the coaching search? What's the sale interest been like? What players could we see coming in? There's a lot to talk about.
We also bring you our Canadian national teams end of year review, in what was a wild 2024 both on and off the pitch, plus we chat with Cindy Tye about her year with the U20s and senior women's team.
All of this plus we look at the other Whitecaps news of the week as two players get set to depart, the breaking news that Vancouver FC's Rob Friend has taken up a CEO job in Malaysia, we hand out our final end of the year awards (heroes and villains edition), and music-wise we wrap up our 2024 Festive 15 with the songs that came in at the top three positions. Who will take the coveted number one spot?! And we finish 2024 with an absolute quality Wavelength song from Armchair Loyal.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.41: Intro- Christmas, New Year, and 2024 musings
26.17: A 2024 Football In Memoriam
29.00: Whitecaps News of the Week
36.00: Vancouver FC's Rob Friend become CEO of Malaysian FA
43.11: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #3 Fontaines D.C. - In The Modern World
48.20: Axel Schuster's State of the Whitecaps interview
88.56: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #2 Electric Callboy and Babymetal - Ratatata
94.10: Canadian national teams Year in Review
125.37: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #1 Fontaines D.C. - Starbuster
131.38: More AFTN End of Year awards - heroes and villains edition
162.25: Blankety Blank!
169.20: Wavelength - Armchair Loyal - Shit 'n' Miss