AFTN Soccer Show

Episode 658 – The AFTN Soccer Show (And So It Begins)

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

Episode 657 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Give Me Pleasure, Give Me Thrills with guests Kendall Waston, Jesper Sorensen, and Emmanuel Sabbi)

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

Episode 656 – The AFTN Soccer Show (A Starring Role in the Perfect Dream with special guest Jesper Sorensen)

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

Episode 655 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Walk It Like You Talk It - Jesse Marsch and Jayden Nelson interviews; Armstrong heads to Sheffield)

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

Episode 654 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Screaming Through The Astral Plane - Tristan Blackmon interview, Whitecaps preseason, World Cup legacy, CPL and NSL chat)

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

Episode 653 – The AFTN Soccer Show (What Am I Doing Up At The Witching Hour? - Axel talks MLS roster rule changes, Jesper arrives, CPL drama)

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

Episode 652 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Legends Come and Legends Go with Quinn, Sinead King, Casey Stoney, and Colin Elmes)

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

Episode 651 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Aarhus, In The Middle of BC - Jesper Sorensen is new Whitecaps coach, Colin Elmes and Joven Mann interviews)

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

Episode 650 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Everything Is Temporary These Days with special guest Tommy Wheeldon Jr)

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

Episode 649 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Momentary Blissness with special guest Axel Schuster)

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

Episode 648 – The AFTN Soccer Show (2024 Christmas Special with special guests Sebastian Berhalter, Isaac Boehmer, and Yohei Takaoka)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show and it's our 2024 Christmas Special, so jump on the Polar Express for a couple of hours of Festive Fun as we have football chat, presents, games, music, and a few surprise guests dropping in throughout the show to chat about a whole variety of things! So dig out the egg nog, have another mince pie, and ponder do you really need that item in the Boxing Day sales?!

Major League Soccer gave Whitecaps fans an early Christmas present as they released the 2025 schedule last week, giving fans in Vancouver and throughout the league a chance to plan ahead early and perhaps book some trips with discounts in those very sales. We delve into what is a tough, tantalizing, and at times disappointing set of fixtures for the 'Caps. Plus we chat a bit more about the 'Caps seemingly completed search for a new coach and ponder is the MLS draft now redundant after it felt buried this year?

Bringing in the Christmas cheer, we sit down with Whitecaps goalkeepers Isaac Boehmer and Yohei Takaoka, and midfielder Sebastian Berhalter to chat about what Christmas is like in their respective families, their traditions, and what they're hoping to find under the tree this year.

All of this plus we have three Christmas hits from 1974 to round off our year of Whitecaps 50th anniversary celebrations, look back at what Christmas was like in 1974, we play some fun games that you can join in on at home, and Michael even gives you a potted version of the musical Oliver!

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.20: Intro - getting into the Christmas spirit, gift exchanges
22.23: Whitecaps MLS schedule throws up challenging 2025
45.10: A Berhalter Family Christmas
51.10: Who Am I? - Part One
62.38: Mud - Lonely This Christmas
68.00: A 1974 Christmas
78.13: Connect Four
90.35: The Whitecaps new coach - who could it be?!
95.06: Is the draft now redundant in MLS?
102.50: The Wombles - A Wombling Merry Christmas
107.38: A Boehmer Family Christmas
117.45: Who Am I? - Part Two
133.47: Showaddywaddy - Hey Mr Christmas
139.10: A Takaoka Christmas
144.20: Christmas Countdown
158.00: Wavelength - Robb Johnson - When My Grandfather Played Football
176.10: Glasvegas - Silent Night

Episode 647 – The AFTN Soccer Show (A Starling Murmuration with Axel Schuster, Tate Johnson, Shannon Woeller)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver Rise, and Canadian Premier League chat.

The offseason keeps rolling on apace in the North American soccer leagues. MLS held a somewhat farcical untelevised SuperDraft on Friday. The Whitecaps added two players and we chat with one of them, University of North Carolina Freshman Tate Johnson who was picked by the 'Caps in the first round. We also chat with Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster about the team's two draft picks and we get a tantalising little tease about the search for a new manager. It looks like it's done and it's not a Canadian!

It's been a busy week for the new club in town, NSL side Vancouver Rise, who announced their first five signings. We look back at who has been revealed so far, hear from the club's first signing, Canadian defender Shannon Woeller, and talk with club President Sinead King about a couple of off the pitch aspects of the new team.

Turning our attention to the CPL, we look at the offseason so far for the two BC teams, Pacific and Vancouver, as roster decisions are made and rebuilding begins. Plus music-wise we continue our 2024 Festive 15 with the songs that came in at the numbers 4 to 6 positions.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.27: Intro
03.50: Whitecaps add two in farcical MLS SuperDraft
15.18: Axel Schuster on draft picks and manager search
30.05: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #6 Fontaines D.C. - Romance
34.00: Vancouver Rise add first five players
68.41: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #5 Soft Play - Everything and Nothing
75.55: Pacific FC's offseason so far
94.19: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #4 Idles - Gift Horse
100.10: Vancouver FC's offseason so far
123.30: Wavelength - Cha Cha 2000 - Tired Legs At The End Of The Game

Episode 646 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Red Lips Are Whispering, Goodbye - Whitecaps up for sale, can they stay in Vancouver?)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian soccer chat.

The Whitecaps' owners dropped the bombshell announcement last week that the club were up for sale. That's naturally led to a lot of questions, concerns, worry, and more for supporters. We're joined by Harjeet Johal to delve into a lot of those questions in this episode, including will the team stay in Vancouver, who might the new owners be, does the lack of their own stadium and tangible assets affect things, what does it mean for the search for a new head coach and more. Plus we hear some thoughts from Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster about the sale.

In happier Whitecaps news, we look at the draw for them and the other Canadian teams in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup and Canadian Championship, which has thrown up some pre-Christmas crackers for the season to come. Plus we hear from Cavalry President Ian Allison, as he explains why they need to play their Pumas tie on Vancouver Island, and music-wise we continue our 2024 Festive 15 with the songs that came in at the numbers 7 to 9 positions.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.47: Intro - why is my wife eating our Christmas food now?!
06.25: Vancouver Whitecaps are up for sale
21.20: Axel Schuster on Whitecaps sale
33.33: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #9 Sputn1k - Oh No
36.15: Will the Whitecaps stay in Vancouver and other big questions
78.16: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #8 The Jesus and Mary Chain - Discoteque
83.40: Whitecaps to face off against Kendall Waston's Saprissa in Champions Cup
93.25: Cavalry and Forge draw Mexican opposition in Champions Cup
103.55: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #7 Ice3peak - Hate You
107.45: Canadian Championship draws throws up tantalizing ties
121.22: More Whitecaps and WFC2 roster decisions announced
127.14: Wavelength - The Mercernaries - Hands Off The Hibs
133.10: Some final thoughts on the Whitecaps sale and some weekend's football action

Episode 645 – The AFTN Soccer Show (D&D Adventures - Isaac Boehmer, Club World Cup, MLS State of the League, Ryan Gauld, Bobby Smyrniotis)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and general soccer chat, in what's been another eventful week in the world of Canadian football.

It's D & D time in North American soccer, but instead of rolling the dice for some fantasy fun, it's clubs doing so in terms of a multitude of Drafts and Draws. Last week saw an insufferable draw for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, that doesn't bode well for what the one for the 2026 World Cup will look like, and there's a plethora of draws and drafts coming up over the next fortnight. Seattle will be hosting six matches in the Club World Cup. Will there even be one or will the players revolt? And what lessons, good and bad, might we glean for 2026 from the tournament's format and kick off times?

MLS Commissioner Don Garber gave his annual State of the League address last week. We pick over the bones of the main takeaways and talking points around the future schedule, how MLS will approach the various cup competitions next year, Apple TV metrics, and more.

Our feature interview this episode is with the Whitecaps Canadian Championship hero, goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer. It's been quite the 2024 for Isaac and we recap it here, as he battles for the number one jersey with the 'Caps next year. Could he also earn his first Canadian call-up in Jesse Marsch's Camp Poutine? And how is Muffin getting on? We get all the important answers!

All of this plus Ryan Gauld muses about Scotland's Nations League campaign and looks ahead to this Friday's UEFA World Cup qualifying draw, Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis talks to us about the upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup draw and next year's Canadian Championship, and music-wise we kick off our 2024 Festive 15 with the songs that came in at the numbers 10 to 12 positions.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.24: Intro - advent calendars, a day with Dick, Spotify wrapped
15.21: Seattle host six matches after insufferable Club World Cup draw
39.40: Whitecaps, Cavalry, and Forge will soon learn Champions Cup fate
43.23: Bobby Smyrniotis on Champions Cup and Canadian Championship
52.37: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #12 Lambrini Girls - Company Culture
57.05: Garber's MLS State of the League - the main talking points
93.07: LA Galaxy win 6th MLS Cup
105.06: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #11 Sputn1k - Boys Never Cry
108.15: Isaac Boehmer interview
132.36: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #10 Mogwai - Lion Rumpus
137.25: Ryan Gauld talks Scotland, Nations League, and World Cup qualification
145.25: Wavelength - Halftime Oranges - Yesterday's Hero

Episode 644 – The AFTN Soccer Show (I Cling To The Bittersweet - Ryan Gauld on Vanni's departure, Jeevan Badwal interview, MLS managerial merry-go-round, Whitecaps awards)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and general soccer chat, in what's been another eventful week in the world of Canadian football.

The fallout from Vanni Sartini's sacking continues in Vancouver in what has been somewhat of a managerial merry-go-round in MLS these past two months and he was joined in the employment line this past week by John Herdman in Toronto. We look at Herdman's departure at TFC, ponder what's next for him and Vanni, and look again at some of the candidates to replace them in what is now a very busy market. Plus we get the thoughts of Whitecaps captain Ryan Gauld on Sartini leaving the Whitecaps.

Our feature interview this episode is with Whitecaps 18-year-old midfielder Jeevan Badwal. We chat with the homegrown star about his whirlwind past two years, signing his first MLS deal, what lies ahead, the pressure of trying to be the South Asian player that breaks through, playing in a World Cup, and more.

We continue our Whitecaps awards for 2024, handing out gongs for Game, Goal, Save, and Miss of the Year. Plus we talk MLS Cup, FA Cup, Alphonso Davies' DUI, and music-wise we kick off our 2024 Festive 15 with the songs that came in at the numbers 13 to 15 positions.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.06: Intro - Tayay fever, Ted Lasso, Phonzie DUI, FA Cup drama
17.22: It's LA v NY in MLS Cup as Puig tears ACL
24.50: Ryan Gauld on Vanni Sartini's departure
40.26: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #15 Kosmetika - Pictures Are Gone
45.00: MLS Managerial Merry-go-round - Herdman out in Toronto
61.15: MLS Managerial Merry-go-round - What's next for Whitecaps and TFC?
76.43: Few surprises with Whitecaps roster decisions
83.41: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #14 Mayflower Madame - A Foretold Ecstasy
89.11: Jeevan Badwal interview
118.15: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? - Jeevan Badwal
122.00: AFTN's 2024 Festive 15 - #13 Mog - Playing Along
125.45: AFTN's Whitecaps 2024 awards - Game, Goal, Save and Miss of the Year
149.17: Wavelength - Paul Nicholas - Yesterday's Hero

Episode 643 – The AFTN Soccer Show (I Can Feel The Warning Signs - Vanni out in Vancouver, CanWNT's toxic culture, Whitecaps Awards Part One, Vancouver Rise get their coach)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver Rise, Major League Soccer, and international soccer chat, in what's been quite the week in the eventful world of Canadian football.

After six years at the club, over three of them as head coach, Vancouver Whitecaps fired Vanni Sartini. We react to the news announced on Monday morning and hear the thoughts of CEO Axel Schuster on why the decision was taken, the search for a successor, and how he feels the season went. What is next for the club in that regard and was this the right decision? Plus in happier news, we kick off our Whitecaps end of season awards with seven players awards. Let us know if you agree with our choices!

One coach may be departing the city, but Vancouver Rise announced their first head coach this week. We hear from Anja Heiner-Moller about coming back to Vancouver, while Stephanie Labbe talks about the hire and roster build, and Rise President Sinead King chats about the search for a stadium to call home - will it be Swangard and what would it mean for its existing tenants.

Plus we look at the Globe and Mail's expose of a horrific culture with the Canadian women's national team, chat about the over saturation of international matches and how it affects the players, with the thoughts of Jesse Marsch and Stephen Eustachio, Prolapse wrap up their residency as our Album of the Month and there's more Britpop songs.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.29: Intro - Ted Lasso, finally!
09.37: Vanni Sartini fired - our thoughts and those of Axel Schuster
62.10: Whitecaps 2024 awards - part one
85.15: Vancouver Rise have their first head coach
100.33: Steph Labbe and Rise roster build and coach appointment
108.39: Sinead King on the Rise and Swangard Stadium
120.55: Toxic culture revealed within CanWNT
157.05: The international calendar and match overload for players
177.00: Wavelength - Peter Dean - Can't Get A Ticket For The World Cup
181.35: The price of World Cup 2026

Episode 642 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Right On Cue, An Eerie Mist - Vanni Sartini, Whitecaps end of season decisions, Scott Strasser talks Calgary soccer, Dronegate fallout continues)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian and international soccer chat.

The Whitecaps season ending and season preparing period is now underway. We bring you some audio from Vanni Sartini's end of season press conference as he ponders the season that was, what went well, what didn't, and what needs to change for next year. We also muse about Vanni's tactics, pieces needed, his future, and more as we look ahead to a busy month to come with player decisions needing to be made, the trade window and free agency opening, and the expansion draft for San Diego upcoming. What 12 players should the Whitecaps protect?

We're joined this week by AFTN writer Scott Strasser to talk about all things soccer in Calgary as we look back on Cavalry's fantastic season that saw them win a first ever CPL championship title and look ahead to the new women's team in town, Calgary Wild, in the Northern Super League.

We also look at the fallout from the investigation report into Dronegate and ask what it means for John Herdman and others, and look back at the Canadian men's national team's win in Suriname. Plus Prolapse continue their residency as our Album of the Month, there's more Britpop songs, and we have a song about recently retired Irish international Aiden McGeady in this episode's Wavelength.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.28: Intro - congrats SFU, Bluesky, social media, Swifties
17.00: Vanni's end of season Whitecaps musings - what went right, what didn't?
60.27: The Whitecaps month ahead and the decisions to be made
94.50: Scott Strasser talks all things Calgary soccer
147.30: Dronegate investigation report released
162.45: Canada men win in Suriname
167.57: Wavelength - The Deprivations - Little Red Elvis

Episode 641 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Endings - Whitecaps season ends in LA, what now for Vanni and the 'Caps?, Cavalry are CPL champs, CPL State of the League)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat.

It's that sad time of the year. A time of endings. Teams' seasons are done. Players and coaches will be moving on. Leagues are over. The college season finishes and champions are crowned. What are we to do with our lives now?!! Well, talk about all of it for the next couple of months on the podcast of course, and look ahead to all of the seasons next year!

The Whitecaps season came to a fighting, but also frustrating, end in LA on Friday night. The narrow 1-0 loss to LAFC in their third and deciding first round playoff match-up brings to an end a 50th anniversary season for the club that feels that it could, and should, have given so much more. We look back at the LAFC game and ponder what's next for the club, the players, and Vanni Sartini as we move into 2025. Was this year one of progression, regression, or just more of the same for the 'Caps?

Turning our attention to the CPL, we look back at Cavalry lifting their first North Star Cup league championship, unpack some of the things coming out of Commissioner Mark Noonan's State of the League address, delve into the runners and riders for the confirmed two team league expansion in 2026, and revisit last week's chat about what we feel is wrong at Vancouver FC.

All of this plus we look at a fantastic week for college soccer in BC, as UBC Thunderbirds win a historic two U SPORTS national championships and Capilano Blues go on an upset run for the ages to win bronze in the CCAA. Plus Prolapse continue their residency as our Album of the Month, there's more Britpop songs, and Goldie Lookin' Chain make a storming comeback in Wavelength.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.27: Intro
06.55: Capilano Blues defy the odds to win CCAA bronze - my week at nationals
14.03: UBC win historic double U SPORTS championships
18.40: Whitecaps season ends in LA
43.35: Was Whitecaps' 2024 season one of progression, regression, or more of the same?
59.55: Whitecaps have some key player decisions to make
67.42: Does Vanni continue as 'Caps coach into 2025?
80.10: Miami playoff loss will cause tears of disappointment and joy!
91.00: Cavalry beat Forge to lift the CPL championship
106.25: Mark Noonan's State of the CPL address
127.10: CPL expansion - the runners and riders and where the two new teams should be
145.50: What's wrong with Vancouver FC - part two
163.10: Wavelength - Goldie Lookin' Chain - Full Kit
168.40: Trump and football - past, present, and future

Episode 640 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Worth His Weight In Gauld - Whitecaps dominate LAFC, what's wrong with Vancouver FC?)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Vancouver FC, and Canadian Premier League chat.

It was a beautiful Sunday at BC Place, surely what that old Daniel Boone song was eluding to all those years ago. Vancouver Whitecaps not only kept their season alive, they did it in some style in a 3-0 win over LAFC. It was a victory that gives a lot of hope going into Friday's 'lose and you're done' game three decider in LA. We're joined by Harjeet Johal to chat about the match, the main talking points coming out of it, and look ahead to the huge match coming up on Friday.

Turning our attention to the Canadian Premier League, we look at two familiar foes facing off in next weekend's championship game, plus it's our end of season Vancouver FC review, where we look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Langley side's second season in the league. There's a lot of focus on the last two there, and the last part of the show sees Michael explain all the things that he feels is wrong with VFC, with Zach offering some counter views.

All of this plus Prolapse kick off their residency as our Album of the Month, there's more Britpop songs, and we have an Ipswich song as a tribute to Trevor Whymark in Wavelength.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.27: Intro - UBC champions x 2, college nationals, FA Cup drama
10.53: RIP Trevor Whymark and Alzheimer's in football
16.20: Har goes to Hollywood - and LAFC
28.45: Whitecaps thrash LAFC to set up game 3 decider
66.05: It's Cavalry v Forge again for the CPL championship
70.30: Vancouver FC end of season review
106.45: Everything that's wrong with Vancouver FC
154.05: Wavelength - Edward Ebeneezer and Supporters - Come on the Town

Episode 639 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Down The Twisted Course - Portland demolished, Whitecaps vs LAFC, MLS schedule changing?, Rise to Swangard?, CPL playoffs, CanMNT)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, Northern Super League, and Canadian national team chat.

The Whitecaps' playoff run is in full swing, starting with a total demolition of Portland in one of the games of their MLS era, followed up by a battling but ultimately narrow losing effort at LAFC. We pick over the bones of both matches and some of the main talking points coming out of them from both a player and coaching perspective. Do the 'Caps have what it takes to take LAFC to three games? We also chat about the rumoured change to the MLS schedule that would see them play an August to May season. Is it really feasible?

Turning our attention to the CPL, we look at the playoffs that got underway this week and the ending of BC hopes as Pacific crash out. Plus on the women's side, Vancouver Rise are wanting to play out of Swangard Stadium. We look at their recent pitch to the City of Burnaby to make this happen and the potential obstacles that lie in their way.

All of this plus there's Canadian men's national team chat, Kinky Machine wrap up their stint as our Album of the Month, there's more Britpop songs, and Armchair Loyal return to Wavelength.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.28: Intro - another busy week
06.50: More details emerge on forced Whitecaps stadium switch
09.16: Whitecaps five star performance in Portland
40.22: Whitecaps lose first game in LAFC series
67.47: Is MLS set to change to an August to May schedule?
80.15: CPL playoffs underway as Pacific bow out
106.44: Vancouver Rise want to play at Swangard
126.36: Canadian Men's national team chat
142.25: Wavelength - Armchair Loyal - It's A Man's Game Apparently
147.40: A little bit of politics!