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
2 days ago
2 days ago
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
7 days ago
7 days ago
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
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
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
Saturday Dec 21, 2024
Saturday Dec 21, 2024
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
Monday Dec 16, 2024
Monday Dec 16, 2024
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
Monday Dec 09, 2024
Monday Dec 09, 2024
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
Monday Dec 02, 2024
Monday Dec 02, 2024
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
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
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
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
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
Monday Nov 11, 2024
Monday Nov 11, 2024
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
Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
Tuesday Nov 05, 2024
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
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Monday Oct 28, 2024
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!
Monday Oct 21, 2024
Monday Oct 21, 2024
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.
What a weekend of disappointment it was for both lower mainland teams, as Vancouver Whitecaps couldn't avoid the MLS Wild Card game and Vancouver FC couldn't make the CPL playoffs at all.
We kick the show off with a look at the Whitecaps stuttering into the postseason, their latest loss to RSL, and the tough task ahead on Wednesday down in Portland in the play-in game. Can they suddenly re-find their spark and who should be the guys trusted to do that? We also look at the BC Place stadium debacle that has seen the 'Caps have to play their earned home game on the road - the latest in a long line of PR headaches for the club this pivotal anniversary year.
Moving on to the CPL, we look at how the last weekend of the regular season played out and look ahead to the postseason. One that saw joy for Pacific as they clinched a playoff berth and heartbreak for Vancouver, as their season came to an end. Where did it all go wrong for VFC after such a good start and what changes need to be made?
Turning our attention to the women's game, we hear some tasty tidbits about the Northern Super League from Diana Matheson and discuss how things are shaping up six months out of First Kick, and Katie Collar talks about joining the Canadian national team coaching staff.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.45: Intro - it's been a wet one
07.25: Whitecaps in MLS Play-in game after RSL loss
25.35: Timbers playoff preview
48.17: Stadium debacle the latest PR nightmare for Whitecaps
80.10: The CPL playoffs are set - Pacific postseason bound
96.45: Vancouver FC's season is over
132.15: Diana Matheson audio
148.10: Northern Super League discussion
163.18: Katie Collar talks joining CanWNT staff
171.25: Wavelength - State Waste - Punk Rock Football Player
Thursday Oct 17, 2024
Thursday Oct 17, 2024
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat and interviews, as decision day in both leagues looms.
It's a CPL heavy episode as we look at the battle facing the two BC teams trying to make the playoffs. We look at the path ahead for both Pacific and Vancouver, hear from VFC head coach Afshin Ghotbi, and we bring you two feature interviews.
First up is Pacific forward Dario Zanatta. The former Whitecap talks about his move back to Canada to play in the CPL with his hometown team, the highs and lows of his nine year spell in Scotland, his season with Pacific so far, and the battle for the postseason. Next up is Vancouver's Miki Cantave. We chat with Miki about his career so far, his European adventures, coming back to Canada, joining VFC, playing for Haiti, and his friendship with the Whitecaps' Fafa Picault.
All of this, plus we look ahead to Vancouver Whitecaps' big Decision Day showdown in Utah as they battle for MLS placing, hear from assistant coach Michael D'Agostino about the big game with RSL, and we catch up with former Valour, and current Portland Thorns, head coach Rob Gale about his transition into the women's game and taking a familiar face with him.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.25: Intro - future podcast plans
09.10: All to play for in CPL's "The Outcome" day
15.19: VFC's Afshin Ghotbi's thoughts heading into Ottawa
35.50: Dario Zanatta interview and discussion
74.25: Miki Cantave interview
110.05: Rob Gale interview
122.07: RSL v Whitecaps preview
136.33: Wavelength - Sir Robert Orange Peel - Rage Quit
Monday Oct 14, 2024
Monday Oct 14, 2024
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, CPL, and women's soccer chat and interviews, and this episode we're joined by Harjeet Johal.
The Whitecaps' playoff path looks grim, with a first round match-up against one of the strong LA teams looming, and even then, possibly only if they get through a play-in game. A loss to LAFC on Sunday saw them winless in six MLS matches. We pick over the bones of that one, the emotional comments of Vanni after the game, and what it all means to the team as they head into Decision Day.
We've two interviews in this episode, both with former Whitecaps players who now ply their trade with LAFC. First up is the man who sits second in the all-time scoring list for MLS, Kei Kamara. Kei chats about his return to Los Angeles where his journey to the pros really all started for him, the win over the 'Caps, and how the way he left Vancouver still doesn't sit comfortably with him. We also chat with goalkeeper Thomas Hasal about his move to LA after injury, learning under a legend like Hugo Lloris, and hopes for the future.
Turning our attention to the CPL, it's going down to the wire for Vancouver, Pacific, and Valour. We look at the weekend's action, the last games coming up next Saturday, and chat with the three head coaches about it all - Afshin Ghotbi, James Merriman, and Phillip Dos Santos.
All of this, plus there's a look ahead to the Whitecaps Girls Elite's Champions Cup match-up with Christine Sinclair's Portland Thorns, we chat about the women's game in Canada at domestic and international level, there's more Britpop chat and music, Kinky Machine continue their stint as our Album of the Month, and NEESKENS return in Wavelength.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.30: Intro - giving thanks
09.28: Whitecaps lose it late to LA
40.37: Whitecaps playoff path looks grim
56.20: Kei Kamara interview and discussion
68.48: Thomas Hasal interview and discussion
80.30: Canadian women's soccer discussion as Sinc and the Thorns come to town
101.10: CPL round-up and coaches audio
157.45: Wavelength - NEESKENS - The Architects of Football
Monday Oct 07, 2024
Monday Oct 07, 2024
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, CPL, and international football chat and interviews.
The Whitecaps are slumping and at the worst possible time, with the MLS playoffs fast approaching. Back-to-back home losses against Seattle Sounders and Minnesota United have seen the 'Caps in danger of being in the play-in game to get into the full postseason. We pick over the bones of those two horrible performances, try and pin down where it's all going wrong and why, and look at the lie of the land across MLS.
At least Ryan Gauld is back and our feature interview is with the Whitecaps captain as we talk about earning his first senior Scotland cap and his whole experiences around his first two games. Plus we find out what is he going to do with his jerseys and how disappointing was it to find out you don't get an actual cap any more?! We also look at MLS continuing to play matches in the international break and Vanni Sartini, Axel Schuster, and Jesse Marsch weigh in with their thoughts on that.
Turning our attention to the CPL, we look at the weekend's action and the fierce battle for the 5th and final playoff spot. Plus we chat with head coaches Afshin Ghotbi, Patrice Gheisar, Tommy Wheeldon Jr, and James Merriman after the latest round of matches. Plus we catch up with Jay Herdman to talk about his loan move to Cavalry, how he's fitting in, and his first CPL goal.
All of this, plus there's more Britpop chat and music, Kinky Machine begin their stint as our Album of the Month, and Sir Robert Orange Peel return in Wavelength.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.28: Intro - road trips, gas prices, and footballing fortnights
09.45: Whitecaps' back to back home defeats cause concern
44.12: Where is it all going wrong for the 'Caps and why?
59.53: MLS round-up and the lie of the land
80.40: Playing through the international window - Axel, Vanni & Marsch weigh in
101.05: Ryan Gauld interview
117.22: CPL round-up and coaches audio
157.45: Jay Herdman on Cavalry loan deal
162.30: Wavelength - Sir Robert Orange Peel - Spiralling Out Of Control
Sunday Sep 29, 2024
Sunday Sep 29, 2024
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS chat and interviews.
It's been a successful week for the Whitecaps. They won a third straight Canadian Championship and booked their spot in the 2024 MLS playoffs, all while turning in two less than inspiring performances. We look back a both the Toronto and Portland Timbers matches, hear some cup final audio from Isaac Boehmer, Bjorn Inge Utvik and Brian White, and look at the MLS West playoff race.
There's a big week ahead for the Whitecaps Girls Elite too, as they host San Diego Wave in CONCACAF Women's Champions Cup action. We preview the match and bring you interviews with head coach Katie Collar and forward Jessica De Filippo.
All of this, plus there's more Britpop chat and music, Big Country wrap up their stint as our Album of the Month, and Italian band Neeskens feature in Wavelength.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.10: Intro
03.35: Whitecaps threepeat in Canadian Championship
15.11: Bjorn Inge Utvik post final audio
18.25: Isaac Boehmer post final audio and discussion
27.35: Brian White post final audio
30.59: Canadian Championship needs further change
37.55: Whitecaps book playoff spot after uninspiring draw with Portland
73.45: Whitecaps Girls Elite vs San Diego Wave preview
76.00: Katie Collar interview
84.35: Jessica De Filippo interview
93.48: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive - Katie Collar
95.30: Christine Sinclair announces retirement
99.00: Wavelength - Neeskens - Go Johan Go! Kick That Fucking Penalty
Sunday Sep 22, 2024
Sunday Sep 22, 2024
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, CPL, and Canadian national team chat and interviews.
It was a two-game week for the Whitecaps, but a tough one where they only took one point and fell down the MLS West standings. We pick over the bones of the draw in Houston and the loss in LA, look at the lie of the land in the MLS West, and preview Wednesday's big Canadian Championship final with Toronto.
We've three interviews for you. First up is WFC2 head coach Ricardo Clark to look at the 'Caps important win over Tacoma and the looming playoffs, plus we chat with WFC2 midfielder Liam Mackenzie about his development, signing his first pro deal, scoring his first pro goal, playing in the MLS Next All-Star game, and more.
Last up is a chat with new Vancouver FC U19 head coach Todd May, as we talk with Todd about the aims of the team and how it all fits in to the CPL landscape. All of this, plus we look at the weekend's CPL action, there's more Britpop chat and music, Big Country continue their stint as our Album of the Month, and My Brother Woody are back in Wavelength.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.27: Intro - the new look Champions League
11.42: Whitecaps get just one point from Houston and LA
42.50: The lie of the land in MLS
50.30: Canadian Championship preview
61.60: Ricardo Clark interview and WFC2 chat
68.53: Liam Mackenzie interview
81.50: CPL round-up
101.13: Todd May interview and VFC U19 discussion
119.52: Wavelength - My Brother Woody - Another Fucking Weekend Ruined