Episodes
Wednesday Dec 23, 2015
Episode 138 - The AFTN Podcast (2015 Christmas Special)
Wednesday Dec 23, 2015
Wednesday Dec 23, 2015
Ho Ho Ho everyone!
It wouldn't be Christmas without AFTN's Christmas Special podcast and aptly, we have a veritable cracker in store for you this year.
There's a lot of magical things about Christmas, but let's be honest, the best part is the presents! And if they're football related pressies, then all the better!
I'm sure we've all had a few over the years. Vancouver Whitecaps players and managers certainly have and there's some they'd still like to get this year as Carl Robinson, Alan Koch, Kendall Waston, Tim Parker, Pa Modou Kah, Kekuta Manneh, Pedro Morales, Mauro Rosales and Octavio Rivero share with us.
Also in the show, Kekuta tells us about the first pair of proper football boots he ever received, Robbo talks Boxing Day games back in blighty, and Mauro and WFC2 player Victor Blasco tell us what Christmas is like in Argentina and Spain.
And no special podcast would be complete without hearing what Pedro and Mauro's favourite jam is!
Have a listen!
Sunday Dec 20, 2015
Episode 137 - The AFTN Podcast (The Ghosts Of Seasons Past)
Sunday Dec 20, 2015
Sunday Dec 20, 2015
2015 is nearly at an end. Of course for Vancouver Whitecaps, their competitive year came to a shuddering halt in the second week of November.
In the second of our three end of season roundtable discussions, AFTN writer Jay Duke, and Curva Collective's Zachary Meisenheimer and Steven Lamothe join your regular podcast co-hosts to look back the 'Caps 2015 season and their first five years in Major League Soccer.
This season was the 'Caps best one in the MLS era in many areas. In such a strong Western Conference, did Vancouver punch above their weight or did they finish where they deserved? And despite the successes, was this year a missed opportunity for the Whitecaps?
There was a first Voyageurs Cup, a first Champions Leagues campaign and a Western Conference semi-final appearance. But with our Cascadian rivals winning the whole shebang, how much pressure does this and the club's achievements this year put on the Whitecaps going forward?
Portland Timbers entered MLS the same year as the Whitecaps, in 2011. Both clubs are now five years into their new eras. The Timbers have won both a Western Conference title and a MLS Cup so far, with the Whitecaps left trailing and trophyless in the league. Just how have those first five years been for Vancouver and what will the next five years hold in store?
We chat about all of this and more. Have a listen!
Sunday Dec 13, 2015
Sunday Dec 13, 2015
It's December, it's the offseason, so that can only mean one thing - AFTN's annual pre Christmas "State of the Whitecaps" chat with 'Caps coach Carl Robinson.
As always, Robbo is very open and honest with us about the season past and what lies ahead for 2016 and beyond.
How busy will the 'Caps be in the transfer market this offseason and where is Robbo looking to strengthen? How will the new TAM be used and will this see at least one more DP come to Vancouver? Where will the goals come from next year?
We cover all this and a lot more in our half hour chat, as we talk tactics and formations, the value of MLS experience, the complexities of moving players within the league, developmental pathways and find out the latest on David Ousted, Cristian Techera, Callum Irving and some other titbits.
And we also ask the big question - what would it take to tempt Robbo away from the Whitecaps right now?
As an added extra this year, we also have a chat with WFC2 head coach Alan Koch about what he's learned from the club's first USL season, preparations for year two, and the upcoming MLS SuperDraft.
Have a listen!
Thursday Dec 10, 2015
Episode 135 - The AFTN Podcast (Feeling Drafty)
Thursday Dec 10, 2015
Thursday Dec 10, 2015
The 2015 MLS season is over. The less said about exactly how it ended, the better. But that all now means that the silly season is upon us and we're not talking about Christmas festive frolics.
As 19 teams look back as to why the didn't win the MLS Cup and Portland work on how they can retain it, let the magic roundabout of player movement begin with drafts and trades galore.
The Whitecaps have been fairly quiet so far, but we kick off the first of three special end of season roundtables with a look at the players the Whitecaps have released from their roster and who they may like to acquire from the upcoming MLS Re-Entry draft, free agents and trades.
We also have a look at what the new TAM agreement may mean to the 'Caps moving forward.
Regular AFTN roundtablers Jay Duke, Steven Lamothe and Zachary Meisenheimer join regular hosts Michael McColl and Steve Pandher to look back at, and ahead to, all of the latest happenings.
Have a listen!