AFTN Soccer Show

Episode 422 - The AFTN Soccer Show (So Solid Crew - A 2020 MLS Cup watchalong)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out for another packed show of Major League Soccer chat as we bring you something a little different this episode.

Saturday night saw the 2020 MLS Cup takes place in Columbus, as the Crew saw off the challenge of Seattle Sounders. AFTN did our first live watchalong on YouTube and we bring you that now in podcast form for your aural pleasure.

But don't worry, this episode isn't just us talking about the match. In fact, far from it! We do chat about the main action as it takes place but this episode sees Michael McColl, Steve Pandher, Zachary Adam Meisenheimer, Navid Mashinchi, and Will Silver delve into a number of topics and issues affecting Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer as a whole.

Just how far behind the top of the league are the Whitecaps? Why can't they recruit and perform better than Columbus? Can they turn things around or will they simply get left behind? And where would the Whitecaps actually have a player ranked in the all time list of MLS players?

Plus we talk MLS expansion in Austin and Sacramento, hear from Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff and Sporting Director Claudio Reyna about building their squad and Tuesday's expansion draft, the rumours of MLS and Liga MX merging, how far MLS has come in its 25 years, the top 25 players of all time, Commissioner Don Garber's State of the League address, what lies in store for next season, and much much more, including hearing a little bit from both head coaches after the MLS Cup itself.

There's no timestamps or breakdown for this episode as the chat was fluid and we want you to enjoy it all as it played out.

Episode 421 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Fall Like A Domino - The MLS Cup is set, Alphonso Davies, awards season in full flow, Forge try to make history, David Edgar retires, Paul Varian book)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out for another packed show of Major League Soccer and Canadian soccer chat.

We kick things off with a look at the two MLS Conference finals and set up Saturday's MLS Cup. Plus with it being awards season we talk about the trophies handed out by MLS, the CPL, and Canada Soccer and hear from Alphonso Davies, Stephen Hart, Kyle Bekker, Triston Henry, and Mo Farsi..

We also look at Forge FC's quest for success in the CONCACAF League, hear from head coach Bobby Smyrniotis, talk about David Edgar's retirement, and hear from the man himself.

Plus we also chat with Paul Varian about his new book "Don't Blame The Soccer Parents" and The Vandals feature in this week's Wavelength.

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

01.50: The MLS Cup final is all set
34.55: CPL awards with audio from Stephen Hart, Kyle Bekker, Triston Henry, and Mo Farsi
64.56: Canada Soccer awards handed out featuring a chat with Alphonso Davies
88.36: Paul Varian interview about his new book "Don't Blame The Soccer Parents"
112.50: Wavelength - The Vandals - Soccer Mom
119.15: Forge FC still searching for CONCACAF glory
136.58: David Edgar retires featuring a chat with the man himself

Episode 420 - The AFTN Soccer Show (A Sense Of Direction with Axel Schuster and Olivier Renard)

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

The league season may be over for the three Canadian MLS sides but the busy work is really just now getting underway and we chat about what's been an eventful week in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, hearing from two Sporting Directors along the way.

First up is our Whitecaps chat as we look at the roster moves announced this week, then sit down for a one-on-one chat with Sporting Director and CEO Axel Schuster as we look back on his first year in the job, what lies ahead, building a winning team for next season, and a lot more.

Turning our attention east next, we look at the roster moves announced by both Toronto and Montreal, Greg Vanney stepping down as TFC head coach, the rebranding of the Impact, and we hear from Montreal Sporting Director Olivier Renard about his plans for the strengthening the team next season amongst all the uncertainty.

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

03.25: Whitecaps end of season roster moves
11.54: Axel Schuster one-on-one interview
63.06: Toronto FC players and manager moves
67.35: Montreal Impact end of season roster moves
71.43: Olivier Renard audio

Episode 419 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Reality Slap Right In Your Face)

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

Although this week it is in fact mostly MLS talk as the playoffs got underway this past weekend. Full of excitement, drama, controversy, and actual WTF moments, once again it all felt like a league far removed from where the Whitecaps are right now. A reality slap right in your face. Blam! Blam! (that will make more sense when you listen to the show!)

We look at the six playoff games played so far and some of the questions coming out of them like why don't teams invest in their defences more, how much advantage will teams allowing fans in have, and does the success of Nashville emphasise the need for Vancouver to add some MLS veterans?

The games signalled the end of the road for one of the two Canadian teams to make the MLS postseason - Montreal Impact - and we hear from Thierry Henry and Luis Binks about the end to their league season and the wait now for Champions League games next month.

And of course we look at the craziness that was that Orlando City v NYCFC penalty shoot out, and hear the postgame thoughts of Oscar Pareja and Nani.

Plus we look at the MLS awards, the layoffs at MLSsoccer.com, and talk MLS jersey sales.

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

02.37: MLS Western Conference playoff chat
39.16: MLS Eastern Conference playoff chat
51.40: Montreal Impact chat featuring Thierry Henry and Luis Binks
67.24: The epic that was Orlando City v NYCFC
98.46: Wavelength - Red Flag '77 - Football Crazy
102.30: MLS awards and a fun quiz
115.27: MLS layoffs and the state of football media in North America

Episode 418 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Teletext Has A Place In My Heart)

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

The Whitecaps end of season post mortem continued this week as the club held their end of season availability this week with some player, head coach Marc Dos Santos, and Sporting Director/CEO Axel Schuster. We bring you some of the most pertinent sound bites from Schuster and unpack what he said.

What came across was something of a lack of ambition from the club and perhaps some naivety thrown in as well in a number of areas. Or was it just the stark reality of where the 'Caps sit in MLS right now? There's a big difference between just making the playoffs and being competitive once you get there.

Could this current squad really make the playoffs next year without any additions? Which areas are pegged for upgrading this offseason? Will it be enough? We look at all of these topics and a lot more.

We also hand out some more end of season awards, look ahead to the MLS playoffs that get underway this week, pay tribute to Tony Waiters, and a former NASL legend, Giorgio Chinaglia features in this week's Wavelength.

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

05.42: Tony Waiters Tribute
11.44: Axel Schuster end of season sound bites
27.47: Unpacking Axel - where's the ambition?
55.56: Unpacking Axel - making the Whitecaps great again
76.59: More AFTN End of Season Awards
96.30: Wavelength - Giorgio Chinaglia - (I'm) Football Crazy
101.47: MLS playoffs preview

Episode 417 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Concrete And Leather - Vancouver Whitecaps End of Season Special)

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

The Whitecaps 2020 MLS season came to an end this weekend. The team missed the playoffs for the third straight year, but in a testing season of adversity, the team showed some improvement, recording more wins than 2019. We look back at how it all finished up, what what went wrong this season, and what needs to be done to make the team better, and get some thoughts from Whitecaps head coach Marc Dos Santos.

We also look at which Whitecaps we feel should stay, which ones need to be loaned out, and who the team should cut free before next season. Plus we hand out the first of our end of season awards.

We also see how things finished around MLS and hear from Montreal Impact head coach Thierry Henry.

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

02.07: Whitecaps v LA Galaxy - quick game in review
12.29: How MLS ended up - with audio from Thierry Henry
29.47: Whitecaps season discussion with audio from MDS
65.48: Whitecaps End of Season Awards
93.28: Whitecaps In, Out, or On The Bubble - goalkeepers and defenders
117.50: Whitecaps In, Out, or On The Bubble - midfielders and forwards
137.02: Wavelength - Bring Me The Horizon - Football Season Is Over

Episode 416 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Seizing The Day, Or Not - Portland v Vancouver, MLS playoffs, CPL Bundesliga interest?)

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

Vancouver's playoff hopes hang by a thread after their losses to Seattle and Portland this week and the new Points Per Game rule to decide the MLS playoff positions this season. There's still a glimmer of hope but a lot depends on whether LAFC and San Jose play midweek.

We chat about the 1-0 loss to Portland, the farcical and unbalanced MLS playoff rules, and hear from Whitecaps head coach Marc Dos Santos and defender Jake Nerwinski.

Plus we also discuss the rumours of Bundesliga interest in having a CPL team in the lower mainland, and since it's Halloween, it's time to dig out Pa Modou Kah's Thriller!

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

02.31: Timbers v Whitecaps postgame review including the thoughts of Marc Dos Santos
34.44: MLS playoff farce - with audio from Marc Dos Santos and Jake Nerwinski
72.07: CPL in the lower mainland discussion
84.54: Wavelength - Murray Torkildsen - Stop Talking Football

Episode 415 - The AFTN Soccer Show (The Devil's Horsemen - Whitecaps win one, lose one)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out and we're joined this week by Radio Cascadia's Steven Agen and football journalist Harjeet Johal for another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer chat.

The 'Caps won one and lost one in the space of 72 hours. We look at the win over San Jose and the loss to Seattle, where that leaves them in the playoff chase, delve into some individual performances, plus we hear the postgame thoughts of Whitecaps head coach Marc Dos Santos and those of playoff clinching Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer
The MLS season run-in is still tight in the Western Conference as the Whitecaps become Vancouver's Devil's Horsemen, rampaging through foreign lands in the search for glory. We look at all the permutations affecting the 'Caps and hear from Dos Santos, Lucas Cavallini, and Andy Rose about wanting to make this season mean something, the strains of being away from home, and the unknowns around playoff positioning.

And we have a special musical treat for you this week as we bring you four songs from Max Splodge's Ghengis Khan and Mongolian themed album Holidays In Mongolia. What other football podcast brings you such things?!

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

03.58:Whitecaps v Earthquakes chat
10.11:Whitecaps v Sounders postgame review
39.22: Marc Dos Santos and Brian Schmetzer postgame thoughts
50.43: More Whitecaps chat and mailbag
72.20: Wavelength - Matt Fishel - Football Song
79.15: Making this season count for something with audio from Marc Dos Santos, Lucas Cavallini, and Andy Rose
92.13: The MLS standings and the Whitecaps season run-in

Episode 414 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Freakshow - Galaxy v Whitecaps, the MLS run-in, Supporters Shield controversy)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out and we've another packed, but slightly shorter, show of Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer chat for you again this week.

The Whitecaps headed out of Portland for the final time this regular season, going down to a 1-0 loss at LA Galaxy. We pick over the bones of the defeat, look at where it all went wrong, and hear the thoughts of 'Caps coach Marc Dos Santos.

The MLS season run-in looks set to go down to the wire and the Whitecaps are still in the mix. We look at the current standings, the path ahead, and chat about this weekend's controversy surrounding the non-awarding of the Supporters Shield this season.

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

02.10: LA Galaxy v Vancouver Whitecaps postgame review
22.09: Marc Dos Santos postgame thoughts
29.40: More Whitecaps chat
45.49: Have You Heard? - Paris Street Rebels - Freakshow
51.04: The MLS standings and season run-in
61.00: MLS Supporters Shield controversy
66.24: Wavelength - Dive In The Box - Away Match Rules

Episode 413 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Battle Axes - Whitecaps v RSL, Axel Schuster roundtable, the future of the 'Caps)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out and we're joined by Harjeet Johal as we bring you another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer chat.

We look back at a week of Whitecaps action that saw a horrible defeat in San Jose followed up with a battling come from behind victory against RSL. We look at the highs, the lows, and the main talking points from both matches. Plus what lies in stores now for the 'Caps with six games to go?

We also bring you, and unpack, some audio from a media roundtable Whitecaps CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster held a couple of weeks covering a multitude of topics including the club's identity, adding new players, the impact Covid could have on their 2021 recruitment, what the 'Caps can do to win fans back, and a lot more.

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

02.22: Vancouver v San Jose and RSL postgame review
30.46: More Whitecaps chat - giving thanks, player performances, the season run-in
59.33: Wavelength - Suede Razors - Passion On The Pitch
66.52: Axel Schuster audio - part one
86.25: Axel Schuster audio - part two
114.15: Unpacking Axel

Episode 412 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Comatose In Seattle - Sounders v Whitecaps and Vancouver's woes, 2021 Gold Cup, John Herdman)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out and we're joined by Radio Cascadia's Steven Agen as we bring you another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and 2021 Gold Cup.

It's not been a happy time of it in Whitecapsland since the last show. Three straight defeats, 10 goals conceded, just one goal scored, injuries racking up, playing out of the US indefinitely. Can't this season just end already? Well apparently not and amazingly although the 'Caps are joint bottom, they're also still just three points off the playoff places.

We chat about all of that, look back at the latest loss in Seattle, ponder what's next, and hear from head coaches Marc Dos Santos and Brian Schmetzer as we take a deep dive once again into the Whitecaps' woes and MDS' record.

We also look at the latest around MLS, discuss the homophobic slur at the San Diego-Phoenix Rising USL match, turn our attention to the 2021 Gold Cup, and hear from Canadian national team coach John Herdman and the US' Gregg Berhalter.

Plus Football Violence Awareness month wraps up in Wavelength, we showcase local talent in our new Have You Heard? section, and it's time for a new artist of the month at AFTN Towers.

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

01.44: Seattle v Vancouver postgame review and general 'Caps chat
61.09: Coaches Audio - Marc Dos Santos and Brian Schmetzer
71.22: Another dive into the Whitecaps' woes
106.14: MLS and USL chat
134.22: 2021 Gold Cup draw audio from John Herdman and Gregg Berhalter
155.22: Wavelength - Gobsmakt - Yobsmakt
159.29: 2021 Gold Cup draw chat
167.53: Have You Heard? - PG Ciarletta

Episode 411 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Back To Back - Whitecaps win two, a booming bromance, Commissioner Clanachan, and the CPL Island Games)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out and we bring you another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat.

It's all about going Back to Back this episode, as Vancouver Whitecaps win two in a row in MLS action and Forge FC win their second straight Canadian Premier League championship. We'll be look at all of that and a lot more.

The 'Caps beat both Montreal and RSL in the space of four days to move into the playoff places in the Western Conference, we look at the highs, the lows, and the biggest talking points to come out of both matches and hear from Marc Dos Santos about the RSL win, the danger of fatigue, and just how do you fit in the 'Caps exciting attacking threat while making sure they still can defend?

Plus have the 'Caps found the key to scoring with the booming bromance of Lucas Cavallini and Fredy Montero off the pitch, now seeing the results on it? And what does it look like for the 'Caps after their 'home' game in Portland against the Timbers?

The Canadian Premier League's Island Games tournament is over and Forge FC have kept their crown. We look back at the big talking points for the league now that the league is over and hear from CPL Commissioner David Clanachan. What's next for the league, what's next for those that have excelled, could we see more tournaments like this soon, and does winning coach Bobby Smyrniotis deserve a shot at something bigger?

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

01.26: Vancouver Whitecaps victorious twice! - we look back at the wins against Montreal and RSL
38.33: Marc Dos Santos and Freddy Juarez postgame audio
44.58: More Whitecaps chat - Fredy/Cava partnership, the attacking/defending line-up balance, what the future looks like, and more
98.33: Wavelength - The Foamers - Football
102.37: CPL Commissioner David Clanachan conference call - selected highlights
122.35: CPL Island Games chat with audio from Bobby Smyrniotis and David Edgar

Episode 410 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Smoke and Mirrors - Vancouver v Montreal postgame, Axel Schuster roundtable, and CPL Island Games)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out and we bring you another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat.

As smoky skies engulfed BC, Vancouver Whitecaps were back in MLS action to take on Canadian rivals Montreal Impact in what proved to be a fiery encounter. We look at the highs and the lows and analyze the main talking points coming out of the 'Caps 4-2 loss including Lucas Cavallini's sending off and the defensive disaster that is the 'Caps in this one. What changes should we see on Wednesday?

Plus we hear the postgame thoughts of 'Caps coach Marc Dos Santos, and the Impact's Thierry Henry.

Whitecaps Sporting Director and CEO Axel Schuster held a media roundtable on Thursday. We bring you select highlights, unpack some of what he said, look at the recently announced organizational changes in the front office, and chat about what's next for the 'Caps in terms of matches coming up.

The Canadian Premier League's Island Games tournament is close to wrapping up with just four matches remaining and three teams battling for championship glory. We look at what was an eventful week of Final Four action, and bring you some thoughts from Pacific FC's Pa Modou Kah and Marcel de Jong, Cavalry FC's Tommy Wheeldon Jr, HFX Forge FC's Bobby Smyrniotis, and HFX Wanderers Stephen Hart as a dramatic showdown looms.

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

01.26: Vancouver Whitecaps v Montreal Impact postgame show - the goals, the highs and lows, Cavallini's sending off
49.21: Thierry Henry and Marc Dos Santos postgame audio
56.34: More Whitecaps chat - what changes need to be made and the listeners' mailbag
77.14: Axel Schuster media roundtable selected highlights
102.36: Unpacking Axel and the Whitecaps' woes
124.24: Whitecaps next round of matches
132.01: Wavelength - Tippa Irie - Football Hooligan
139.22: CPL Island Games chat with audio from Pa Modou Kah, Marcel de Jong, Tommy Wheeldon Jr, Bobby Smyrniotis, and Stephen Hart

Episode 409 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Old Haunts, New Passions - Vancouver v Toronto postgame and CPL Island Games)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out and we bring you another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat.

The 'Caps were back in MLS action, back at home at BC Place, and back to winning ways! We bring you our Vancouver v Toronto postgame show (which you can also watch on You Tube), as we look at the highs and the lows, the good and the bad, and the main talking points coming out of the 'Caps 3-2 win.

Plus we hear the postgame thoughts of 'Caps coach Marc Dos Santos, and goalscorers Lucas Cavallini and Jake Nerwinski, and ponder what's next?.

The first phase of the Canadian Premier League's Island Games tournament wrapped up. Four teams move on, four teams head home. We bring you all the latest news and hear from Pacific FC's Pa Modou Kah and Marco Bustos, Cavalry FC's Tommy Wheeldon Jr and Nik Ledgerwood, Valour FC's Rob Gale, and FC Edmonton's Jeff Paulus after a dramatic weekend of action.

We also chat with all four remaining head coaches to get their thoughts on what they expect from the next phase of the tournament, plus we talk CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers delay and the 2021 Gold Cup, and Football Violence Awareness Month is back!

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

01.20: Vancouver Whitecaps v TFC postgame show - the highs and lows, the good and the bad, and audio from MDS, Cavallini, and Nerwinski
67.13: Wavelength - Bolchoi - Hooligan
73.50: CPL Island Games chat with audio from Tommy Wheeldon Jr, Nik Ledgerwood, and Rob Gale
101.05: More CPL chat with audio from Pa Modou Kah, Marco Bustos, Jeff Paulus, Tommy Wheeldon Jr, Bobby Smyrniotis, and Stephen Hart
121.53: CONCACAF World Cup qualifier and Gold Cup chat

Episode 408 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Turbulent Times)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out and we bring you another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat.

We kick things off with a look at the Whitecaps and what feels like their never ending woes. We dig into the loss in Montreal, talk about the positive from the game that was Michael Baldisimo, and all the other stuff that was very much on the poor side, including another penalty miss from Lucas Cavallini.

Can they improve with what they have? Will they bring anyone in to try and salvage their season? Is the pressure mounting on MDS? All this and more, plus we hear some frank words from Derek Cornelius and Marc Dos Santos.

We also look at the turbulent week in MLS with matches postponed and an owner steps down as the players take action for change. Plus we hear some insightful words from Canadian international, and LAFC midfielder, Mark Anthony Kaye.

The Canadian Premier League's Island Games tournament is excitingly poised as we enter the last week of the phase one games. Seven of the eight teams have realistic chances to progressing and we take a look at the action so far and how each team is looking.

Plus we hear from Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr, Pacific FC's Pa Modou Kah and Marco Bustos, York9's Jimmy Brennan, and HFX Wanderers' Stephen Hart.

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

01.33: Vancouver Whitecaps chat - the loss in Montreal, Cava, Baldi, Derek Cornelius and MDS audio, can they improve with what they have?
26.17: More on the Whitecaps' woes - can they salvage their season, will they bring anyone in, and is the pressure mounting on MDS?
51.03: MLS chat around this week's protests and walkouts, with audio from Mark Anthony Kaye
74.49: CPL chat - a look at Forge, Cavalry, and Pacific, with audio from Tommy Wheeldon Jr, Pa Modou Kah, and Marco Bustos
102.52: More CPL chat - a look at York9, Valour, Halifax, Ottawa, and Edmonton, with audio from Jimmy Brennan and Stephen Hart
123.58: Wavelength - Mogwai - Half Time

Episode 407 - The AFTN Soccer Show (The Sum Of Its Parts)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out and we bring you another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat.

This is something of a Frankenstein's monster of an episode as we mix in parts of Friday's live TFC postgame You Tube stream with some fresh recordings, add in some CPL coaches audio, and add a sprinkling of Montreal's Thierry Henry to bring it all together. So if you think the sound and tone changes as we go through this one, then you are correct. It's not your ears!

We have an extensive discussion around Vancouver Whitecaps' current woes after two defeats by Toronto, some seriously lacking performances, the need to rebuild yet again, and much more. Plus 'Caps coach Marc Dos Santos talks Andy Rose and fans attending matches.

We also hear from 'Caps striker Lucas Cavallini after two difficult outings, and chat about what we do now with Fredy Montero and Yordy Reyna, and replacing Inbeom Hwang.

We're 11 days into the Canadian Premier League's Island Games tournament. We chat about the action so far, talk with Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr about his side's strong start, and hear from FC Edmonton's Jeff Paulus and HFX Wanderers' Stephen Hart ahead of what could be a decisive meeting of the two teams later this week.

Plus we take a look at Canada's qualifying path to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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

01.50: TFC v Vancouver postgame chat
25.40: Vancouver Whitecaps chat including audio from Lucas Cavallini, Marc Dos Santos, and Thierry Henry
53.49: How do you solve the Whitecaps' woes?
84.51: CPL Island Games chat - the tournament so far and audio from Tommy Wheeldon Jr, Jeff Paulus, and Stephen Hart
105.06: Canada's qualification path to Qatar 2022
111.22: Wavelength - Jim Noir - Eanie Meany

You can download and/or listen to this, and all previous, episodes of the podcast on the following services:

Episode 406 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Returning To Play with guests Marc Dos Santos, Axel Schuster, Stephen Hart, and Rob Gale)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out and we bring you another packed show of Major League Soccer and Canadian Premier League chat.

There's been some big Vancouver Whitecaps news this week, with the return to play plan announced and Inbeom Hwang moving to pastures new in Russia. We sit down for a couple of one-on-one interviews to discuss all that and a lot more with Whitecaps head coach Marc Dos Santos and Sporting Director and CEO Axel Schuster as they prepare to face Toronto and Montreal over the coming weeks.

Turning our attention to the CPL, we chat with a couple of head coaches about the teams they've built to tackle The Island Games tournament, HFX Wanderers' Stephen Hart and Valour FC's Rob Gale. What can we expect from their sides in PEI and how tough has it been getting ready to play after 10 months of inaction?

Plus we take a look at the tournament so far, discuss the Cavalry v Forge rivalry with both teams' head coaches and a couple of players, and we chat with Pa Modou Kah and Marco Bustos
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

02.03: Axel Schuster interview Part 1 - returning to play
24.49: Axel Schuster interview Part 2 - transfer talk
47.52: Marc Dos Santos interview
78.05: Stephen Hart interview and HFX Wanderers discussion
93.26: Rob Gale interview and Valour FC discussion
109.01: CPL Island Games chat - the tournament so far, the Cavalry v Forge Rivalry, and Pa Modou Kah and Marco Bustos postgame chat
129.40: Wavelength - 442oons - The Alphonso Davies Song

Episode 405 - The AFTN Soccer Show (The Life of PEI with Pa Modou Kah, Jeff Paulus, Keven Aleman, David Clanachan, Don Garber, and more!)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out and it is even more packed than usual, as we make up for not bringing you a show last weekend with a near three-hour episode to talk Canadian Premier League and Major League Soccer.

We've ramped up the Canadian flavour this week with a heavy focus on the CPL, as it gets its 2020 season underway on Thursday when The Island Games kick off in PEI.

We look ahead to the tournament, discuss the ins and out of the bubble and broadcasting, hear from CPL Commissioner David Clanachan, talk players' union, and chat about the away jerseys that were recently revealed.

We're putting two of the eight CPL clubs in focus in this episode and we kick things off on the island as we catch up with friend of the show Pa Modou Kah to chat about him taking the reins at Pacific FC, his journey into coaching, what his coaching and playing style will be, how ready his squad is for The Island Games, and his love of working with developing young talent.

Moving east, we stop off in Alberta next to talk FC Edmonton with head coach Jeff Paulus and players Tomi Ameobi, Amer Didic and Connor James.

Plus we sit down for an in-depth chat with one of their most exciting recent signings, Keven Aleman, to talk about his career so far, his move to the Eddies, the upcoming matches, his hopes to get back into the Canadian men's national team mix, and just how close did he come to becoming a Vancouver Whitecap?

But there's also lots of MLS chat as we delve into the league's controversial plans to get the rest of the season played and hear from MLS Commissioner Don Garber, as the immediate futures of the three Canadian clubs remain up in the air. Plus we look ahead to Tuesday's MLS is Back final between Orlando and Portland.

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

01.45: CPL and Island Games chat
40.42: David Clanachan audio
45.37: More CPL and Island Games chat
68.32: Pa Modou Kah interview
98.32: FC Edmonton chat with Jeff Paulus, Tomi Ameobi, Amer Didic, and Connor James
110.33: Keven Aleman interview
136.25: MLS is Back final chat with Oscar Pareja audio
140.13: MLS rest of the season play plans announced, with audio from Don Garber
163.25: Wavelength - Emma Townsend - Five-a-Side Football

Episode 404 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Future Plans and Memories)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out and it is packed as usual as we bring you more chat from the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando.

Vancouver Whitecaps' Disney dreams are over. Eliminated from the tournament by the lottery of (not very well taken) penalties, the 'Caps went out to Sporting Kansas City and are now on their way back to BC and 14 days quarantine.

We delve into all the ins and outs of the match, the heroes and villains, the highs and the lows. Plus we hear from both head coaches, Vancouver's Marc Dos Santos and KC's Peter Vermes, and discuss how this tournament has left the 'Caps looking against the rest of MLS in a competitive sense.

We also look at the three other Round of 16 matches played this weekend, two of which saw the rest of the Canadian contingent eliminated from the competition. What can they take away from the tournament and what lies in store for them now? We chat about that and hear from Montreal coach Thierry Henry, Impact players Samuel Piette and Jukka Raitala, Toronto coach Greg Vanney and TFC's Michael Bradley, plus Philadelphia Union coach Jim Curtin talks about his side's win over New England.

What lies in store for the Canadian clubs now? We chat about the tentative plans for the next stage of the MLS season and hear from 'Caps coach Marc Dos Santos on it.

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

01.36: Vancouver v Sporting KC match analysis
35.53: Coaches audio - Marc Dos Santos and Peter Vermes
46.30: More Vancouver v KC chat
81.48: Wavelength - The Insyderz - Game Day
88.43: The other MLS is Back matches this weekend - with audio from Thierry Henry, Greg Vanney, Jim Curtin, Michael Bradley, Samuel Piette, and Jukka Raitala
115.15: What now for the three Canadian MLS teams?

Episode 403 - AFTN Soccer Show (A Sound Thrashing)

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out and it is packed as usual as we bring you more chat from the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando.

Vancouver Whitecaps' tournament has got off to the worst possible start. Two defeats, key injuries to an already depleted squad, and their hopes hanging by a thread, we're joined by Radio Cascadia's Steven Agen to look back at the middling and lows of the 'Caps' 3-0 loss to Seattle Sounders and look ahead to Thursday crunch game with Chicago Fire.

We also look at some of the highlights from the tournament so far, what lies in store this week as the group games round up, and hear from Chicago coach Raphael Wicky, KC coach Peter Vermes, a prickly Sounders boss Brian Schmetzer, and Montreal's Samuel Piette.

We also delve into the world of sports science as we chat with Whitecaps Sporting Director Axel Schuster and head coaches Thierry Henry, Greg Vanney, Peter Vermes, and Brian Schmetzer about how they're using it in Orlando, the importance of it all, and how they've seen it change in the game over the years.

Plus there's Wavelength and the final part of our latest episodic football drama 'Wanted For Wembley'.

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

03.48: Seattle v Vancouver match analysis with Steven Agen
55.39: Vancouver v Chicago preview with audio fron Raphael Wicky
70.12: MLS is Back tournament so far chat
85.40: Will Canadian border restrictions derail MLS season?
99.40: Sports science and the MLS in Orlando - we chat with Axel Schuster, Thierry Henry, Greg Vanney, Peter Vermes, and Brian Schmetzer
122.10: Wavelength - Paul Wilson - The King of Elland Road
131.24: The week ahead at the MLS is Back tournament - with audio from Brian Schmetzer, Samuel Piette, and Peter Vermes
144.10: Wanted For Wembley - the final part of our episodic drama serial