Episodes
Friday Feb 26, 2016
Friday Feb 26, 2016
Can you believe it? The 2016 MLS season is just over a week away! And it's exciting times with Vancouver Whitecaps as the new season draws close.
Confidence and expectation remains high and we're down with the 'Caps in Portland as they start to wrap up their preseason camp, but there's a lot of questions still to be answered.
We're joined by new AFTN columnist Zachary Meisenheimer as co-host this week to look at some of those questions and the latest news surround the 'Caps camp. Who will win a starters spot? What's been up with Masato Kudo? Where in the world is Darren Mattocks? And will there be some more new additions in the immediate future? We chat about all of these things and get some thoughts from 'Caps coach Carl Robinson.
One of the biggest battles appears to be in the full back positions and our main guest this week is Canadian international Sam Adekugbe, who's looking to beat out Jordan Harvey for the left back role. We chat with Sam about the battle, his own preseason, the competitiveness and depth of the Whitecaps this season and his offseason training stint at Brighton and Hove Albion in the English Championship.
There's also a lot of competition in the center back department as well, and we speak to the player who got his big break last year and grabbed it with both hands, Tim Parker. Is he feeling the pressure in his second season? And will he be heading to the Olympics in Brazil with the US?
One former Whitecap who is looking to get his big break this year is Residency alumni Callum Irving. The former University of Kentucky keeper was passed by in the MLS SuperDraft but is getting his chance at Chicago Fire. We catch up Callum to find out how it's going, that whole draft experience, being a Canadian in MLS and his first senior camp with the Canadian national team.
Line up the balls, pot a maximum and have a listen!
Sunday Feb 07, 2016
Sunday Feb 07, 2016
The Road to Rio begins for Canada's women's national team on Thursday when the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament takes place in Texas. Canada looks well placed to make it to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil and we have you covered with a special podcast dedicated to the women's team.
We hear from head coach John Herdman, who chats about his new look roster, the qualification campaign ahead and the future for the Canadian women's program.
We welcome one of the veterans of the team back to show as we chat with Rhian Wilkinson about the pressures of last year's World Cup, the changing of the guard, the exciting new crop of young talent coming through and the future of women's soccer in Canada beginning with this Olympic campaign.
One of the newer faces during the World Cup is now one of the veterans. Allysha Chapman talks to us about her breakout tournament last summer, taking on a leadership role within the team, the Olympic quest and the legacy for the women's game in Canada.
Now our knowledge of the women's game has some gaps, so we turn to an expert to look ahead to the tournament and how Canada might fare, as we chat with journalist, and AFTN regular, Harjeet Johal.
Have a listen!
Tuesday Feb 02, 2016
Tuesday Feb 02, 2016
David Bowie sang about "Young Americans". We were hoping to find a cover version with someone singing about "Young Canadians" instead for this podcast. We couldn't find that, so you'll have to make do with interviews with three of Vancouver Whitecaps young Canadian stars.
We have an extended chat with new signing Fraser Aird who's looking to establish himself as a first team regular after his loan move from Rangers? Is he keen to hang around long term, what was behind his decision to come here and what might it mean for his Canadian national team hopes? All this and a lot more discussed in his first media conference call.
We also have exclusive interviews with two Whitecaps Residency alumni, who are hoping to see first team minutes this season, midfielder Ben McKendry and goalkeeper Marco Carducci.
It was a tough season last year for both players, for differing factors, but both are back, ready and raring to go and show Carl Robinson they deserve to be part of his long term plans.
We also look at the imminent arrival of Blas Perez. What will it mean to the team, their goalscoring and their disciplinary record? Will the fans accept the horned striker? And there's still time to cast our fashionista eyes over the new Whitecaps away kit.
Have a listen!