Episode 549 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Trip To A Dream Dragon with Vanni Sartini, Axel Schuster, and Yohei Takaoka))

We’re back with another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian football chat.

The new MLS season is just days away. Excited yet? Well you should be because this feels like it could be a good year for the Whitecaps. We look at how ready the team feels heading into it's season opener at home to RSL and chat with head coach Vanni Sartini and Sporting Director Axel Schuster to gauge how they're feeling ahead of the new campaign.

Their final two preseason signings have finally been announced and we hear from new Japanese goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka about why he's chosen to make the move to MLS, why Vancouver is a great landing spot for him, and how excited he is to get this new chapter of his career underway. We also hear from Axel Schuster about why they were so keen to bring the J1 champion to the Whitecaps.

All of this plus we look at the Whitecaps new jersey and the announcement of a new shirt sponsor, take a look at the best and worst of the 2023 jerseys around MLS, and ponder whether the new Apple TV deal is going to be beneficial or detrimental to the Whitecaps in the short term.

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

01.30: Intro - RIP Christian Atsu, Whitecaps STH package, Hot Chocolate Festival is over
09.57: Vanni Sartini chats as Whitecaps preseason wraps up
22.56: How ready are the Whitecaps for 2023 season ahead?
46.02: Yohei Takaoka talks about coming to the Whitecaps and MLS
54.40: Whitecaps goalkeeping discussion with audio from Axel Schuster
68.38: Axel Schuster looks ahead to the 2023 season
79.40: Is Apple TV deal beneficial or detrimental to the Whitecaps?
95.12: The 'Caps have a new jersey and a new shirt sponsor
108.25: 2023 MLS jerseys discussion
129.20: Wavelength - Jackdaw4 - The Beautiful Game