Episode 674 – The AFTN Soccer Show (La Historia Espera - Champions Cup final preview, Kevin Egan, Jayden Nelson, Daniel Rios, Minnesota stalemate)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and CONCACAF Champions Cup chat and interviews.

The Whitecaps got the last of their league business done and dusted on Wednesday night in an uneventful 0-0 draw with Minnesota United and now their full attention can turn to Sunday's Champions Cup final against Cruz Azul down in Mexico City. We pick over the bones of a Minnesota match that didn't bring the fireworks a top of the table clash would perhaps usually bring, before we also turn our attention to the final. What threat do the Mexicans pose, who are their dangermen, and how has their season been? We delve into all of that and get some thoughts from Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen and Canadian men's national team head coach Jesse Marsch about the final.

We've a slew of interviews for you this episode. First up is Whitecaps winger Jayden Nelson. We chat with Jayden about Sunday's final, his first season with the 'Caps, and his return to the national team for the upcoming Canadian Shield and Gold Cup matches. Next up is a chat with Whitecaps striker Daniel Rios. The Mexican's experience will be crucial as they look to secure a historic victory over Cruz Azul and we chat with Daniel about the match, football in Mexico, and what brought him to Vancouver.

We also chat with MLS 360 host Kevin Egan about the Cruz Azul match and the Whitecaps season so far. What has he made of them, what does he feel are their chances in the final, and how important is this tournament to MLS in global terms?

All of this plus music-wise Scottish band Baby Chaos wrap up their residency as our Album of the Month, and we've a Spanish language Wavelength song!

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

01.29: Intro - what a time to be alive!
04.05: Whitecaps frustrated by Minnesota in latest draw
28.00: Jesper Sorensen looks ahead to the Champions Cup final
38.00: Jesse's Marsch's thoughts on the Whitecaps cup run
42.30: Jayden Nelson interview
56.05: Daniel Rios interview
68.32: Kevin Egan MLS analyst interview
82.58: Whitecaps v Cruz Azul Champions Cup final preview
93.52: Wavelength - Cruz Azul Canta