Episode 433 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Back To The Grindstone - Tosaint Ricketts interview, Caio Alexandre rumours, Theo Bair chat, Football Time Travels)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out for another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian football chat.

The Whitecaps' preseason has begun and the new season is now just six weeks away. How prepared can the 'Caps be when a large part of their squad will be missing for spells due to international duty and visa issues? We ask head coach Marc Dos Santos, plus we delve into the rumours about a possible Brazilian variant coming to the Vancouver midfielder, as Caio Alexandre looks set to join the club.

After talking defence last week, we focus on the Whitecaps attack this episode as we sit down for a chat with veteran striker Tosaint Ricketts to talk about the season ahead, his lingering national team ambitions, and working to get his business degree, interning at the 'Caps, and his hopes for the future. We also hear from Theo Bair and look at how the Whitecaps striking options might play out.

We also talk World Cup and Olympic qualifiers, look at Forge FC owner calling out the CSA over the Canadian Championship final mess, and chat about the retiral of Marcel de Jong and Ben Fisk becoming a free agent.

Plus we continue our travels back in the TARDIS as Whitecaps goalkeeper Evan Newton revisits some football history, Football Violence Awareness Month is back in Wavelength, and we feature a couple of Russian bands in this week's musical selections - DLB (длб) and Ploho.

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

02.25: A quick reflection on a weird year
08.40: Whitecaps preseason gets underway, but how ready will the team be at First Kick? With audio from Marc Dos Santos
26.16: Caio Alexandre rumours - is a Brazilian variant coming to the Vancouver midfield?
40.25: Fredy Montero heads back to Seattle
46.16: What weird things has a year of Covid shutdowns got you into?
56.35: Tosaint Ricketts interview and discussion
89.44: Football Time Travels featuring Evan Newton
105.12: Wavelength - Argy Bargy - Drink, Drugs, and Football Thugs
111.56: Theo Bair audio and discussion
122.05: Canadian football chat - World Cup and Olympic qualifiers, Bob Young calls out CSA, De Jong retires, Fisk leaves Ottawa