Episode 562 - The AFTN Soccer Show (What A Tale My Thoughts Could Tell with guests Rob Friend and Will Cromack)

We’re back with another packed show of Canadian soccer chat. As the feast of footballing action continues across the country, we'll be talking MLS, CPL, and the Canadian Championship in this episode.

Vancouver Whitecaps extended their unbeaten MLS run to eight games at the weekend with a crucial win over Minnesota United. We look back at the main talking points coming out of the match, talk attendances again, round-up the weekend's action in the MLS West, and Sporting Director Axel Schuster addresses the Diego Lainez transfer rumours with Har.

Turning our attention to the CPL, we look at the historic match in Langley on Sunday as Vancouver FC played their first home game in their new stadium. We delve into the controversial game against Cavalry and give a first hand account of what the initial stadium and supporter experience was like. We also chat with VFC co-owner Rob Friend about the long journey to get this team off the ground, the difficulty in attracting more local players to the side, continuing to build upon a strong start off the pitch, the sustainability of the league, and more.

It's also a week of Canadian Championship action. We preview the only two quarter-finals that matter and look ahead to the big one, the BC derby between Pacific FC and TSS Rovers. We hear the thoughts of Pacific head coach James Merriman and we chat with TSS head honcho Will Cromack. Is another cupset on the cards? Plus while we're loving cup football and the lower leagues, we chat about MLS Commissioner Don Garber seemingly dissing those things south of the border.

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

01.29: Intro
06.50: Whitecaps extend unbeaten run to eight with win over Minnesota
25.35: MLS round-up
35.25: Whitecaps crowd woes
38.00: Axel Schuster addresses the Diego Lainez rumours
44.25: Vancouver FC's first home supporter and stadium experience
70.33: Vancouver v Cavalry game analysis
84.37: Rob Friend interview and discussion
111.10: Canadian Championship chat
124.15: Will Cromack interview
131.52: Don Garber disses lower leagues
138.25: Wavelength - Funky Red Pandas - KarlHeinz Rummenigge