Episodes

Monday Mar 11, 2019
Episode 328 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Utah Saints And Sinners)
Monday Mar 11, 2019
Monday Mar 11, 2019
How did Corey Baird sleep after earning his phantom penalty call for RSL against Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday? Will his embellishment fine that's surely coming keep him awake? How did you sleep? Like an angry baby like we did?
A lot was lost this weekend. Not just an hour's sleep or three points, but also faith in VAR, or what faith we had left in PRO officials running it.
We look back at a controversial weekend in MLS action as the 'Caps went down to a 1-0 loss to RSL and hear from both head coaches, Vancouver's Marc Dos Santos and Salt Lake's Mike Petke. Who stood out for the 'Caps this week? Who didn't? And what changes may be coming for the next match in Houston? All this and a lot more are covered this episode.
Plus we look at the weekend's action in the MLS Western Conference, chat about the Canadian Premier League news of the week, and with Los Campesinos featuring again in this week Wavelength section, how many football references can you spot in this week's song?
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
03.11: Real Salt Lake v Vancouver Whitecaps - THAT penalty decision
16.51: Coaches audio - Marc Dos Santos and Mike Petke
23.58: RSL v Vancouver chat
59.17: A quick look ahead to the Whitecaps in Houston
66.40: MLS West Week In Review
87.23: Wavelength - Los Campesinos - Glue Me
95.24: Canadian Premier League News of the Week
106.51: BC Soccerweb Headlines - football news from around the world in partnership with BCsoccerweb.com

Thursday Mar 07, 2019
Episode 327 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Keeping It Real – RSL v Vancouver Preview Show)
Thursday Mar 07, 2019
Thursday Mar 07, 2019
Week 2 of the MLS season sees Vancouver Whitecaps heading to Utah to take on a Real Salt Lake side a little bit like themselves, in that you just don’t know what kind of team they are going to be this year.
In our latest preview podcast, our two saints, Nick and Peter look ahead to the match on Saturday. What changes will MDS make after the Minnesota loss? Are our left back issues solved, for now? And just what kind of a threat with RSL pose?
All this and more are covered in this episode, so have a listen!

Monday Mar 04, 2019
Monday Mar 04, 2019
The new MLS season is underway. Vancouver Whitecaps maybe started it somewhat underwhelmingly with a 3-2 loss at home to Minnesota United, but there's a long road ahead.
We pick over the bones of that opening day defeat and hear from both head coaches, Vancouver's Marc Dos Santos and Minnesota's Adrian Heath.
We also delve into some of the aspects of what went good and what went wrong for the Whitecaps and look at some individual player's performances and some needs in the squad. Will there be changes in store for next week's trip to Real Salt Lake?
Plus we look at the weekend's action in the MLS Western Conference, chat about the Canadian Premier League news of the week, have a discussion about abuse in football following Ciara McCormack's unsettling blog post last week, and Helen Love are back in this week's Wavelength section.
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
02.46: Vancouver Whitecaps v Minnesota United Match in Review
22.25: Coaches audio - Marc Dos Santos and Adrian Heath
28.46: More Vancouver v Minnesota chat
35.45: Wavelength - Helen Love - New Squad Attacking Formation
43.15: Whitecaps player analysis and discussion
64.44: MLS West Week In Review
82.56: Canadian Premier League News of the Week
88.32: A discussion on coaching abuse in football

Wednesday Feb 27, 2019
Wednesday Feb 27, 2019
It's here! It's here! Well nearly. The 2019 MLS season kicks off on Saturday when Vancouver Whitecaps host Minnesota United at BC Place. You ready? We are here at AFTN with our first preview podcast of the year.
Joe, Nick, and Gideon return, and the Terrific Trio become the Fab Four with a new addition to the team. Who could it be? Listen and find out!
How prepared are the 'Caps for this one? With an injury crisis at left back looming, how will MDS set up his team? Who will get the first goal of the season and the first read card? And just what kind of threat do a new look Minnesota side post them? All of those topics and a lot more are discussed this week.
And it amongst all the chat, Do You Know Who I Am? returns, as does the prediction game and more. Have a listen!

Monday Feb 25, 2019
Monday Feb 25, 2019
One week to go till the 2019 Major League Soccer season kicks off. Are you ready? Are Vancouver Whitecaps?
A winless preseason has wrapped up, with Whitecaps players still joining up with the squad as late as Thursday. How much will that impact the team's start to the new season? When will they mesh and fire on all cylinders? There's defensive concerns, especially in the left back area, but also attacking ones with just two goals in their five matches.
So a lot for us to talk about this week, and we do just that with our two special guests, Whitecaps head coach Marc Dos Santos and returning striker Fredy Montero.
We also look at the main MLS and CPL news from the past week and bring you two Wavelengths in tribute to West Ham legend Bobby Moore on the anniversary of his death.
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
02.58: Vancouver Whitecaps preseason comes to a losing end
08.26: Marc Dos Santos interview Part One and discussion
25.01: Fredy Montero interview and striker chat
47.30: Marc Dos Santos interview Part Two and defensive discussion
70.07: Wavelength - Serious Drinking - Bobby Moore Was Innocent
75.46: MLS News of the Week
89.55: Canadian Premier League News of the Week
100.22: Wavelength - The Business - Viva Bobby Moore
104.17: BC Soccerweb headlines - football news from around the world

Monday Feb 18, 2019
Episode 323 - The AFTN Soccer Show (There's Somebody At The Door)
Monday Feb 18, 2019
Monday Feb 18, 2019
There's two weeks till the new MLS season gets underway which is both exciting and worrying for Vancouver Whitecaps fans.
Fredy Montero is returning to Vancouver and set to join the team in LA later this week. But as new players continue to be announced and get set to join the preseason camp, who will arrive in time to stake a claim to a place in the starting XI on March 2nd against Minnesota?
We look at that and who has the advantage right now, after the latest preseason friendly. Plus we delve a little bit into the 'Chalk Talk' Marc Dos Santos gave the media this past week
We also give our picks for how the MLS West and East will play out, look at the MLS and CPL news from the past week and bring you two Wavelengths in tribute to the recently departed Gordon Banks.
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
03.48: Fredy Montero is back!
20.53: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive - Andy Rose
26.20: Whitecaps chat - the latest preseason match v LA Galaxy, who's starting v Minnesota, squad battles, and MDS' tactics
45.32: Wavelength - La Ruda Salska - La Parade de Gordon Banks
52.32: MLS season predictions
78.32: MLS News of the Week
90.47: Canadian Championship chat and the thoughts of MDS
99.45: Marcel de Jong - TVOD
103.30: Wavelength - The Bantams - Gordon Banks
109.09: BC Soccerweb headlines - football news from around the world

Monday Feb 11, 2019
Monday Feb 11, 2019
Football in the snow conjures up some fantastic images. Orange balls. Sliding tackles. Cleared lines marked on pitches. A football show in the snow isn't quite as magical but we try our best to keep you all cozy again this week as Snowmageddon 2019 hits Vancouver.
Thankfully for the Whitecaps, they've been in the tropical climes of Hawaii. Unfortunately for them, they're flying home! That'll be a shock to their system, as was some of the Whitecaps news of the week. We delve into it all looking at the arrivals of Erik Godoy and Joaquin Ardaiz, the rumoured additions of Fredy Montero and Brian Ruiz, the departure of Marcel de Jong, and, of course, the 'Caps two preseason matches in Hawaii. Not that you can glean too much from those.
We also sit down for chats with Whitecaps midfielders Andy Rose and David Norman about returning to MLS, the season ahead, and their respective times in Scotland with Motherwell and Queen of the South.
Plus some MLS and CPL news from the past week and Soccer Hooligans feature in this week's Wavelength section.
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
06.39:: Whitecaps News of the Week - Hawaii preseason matches, Godoy and Ardaiz arrive, de Jong departs, Montero and Ruiz rumours
40.50: David Norman interview and discussion
52.22: More Whitecaps discussion
64.35: Andy Rose interview and midfield discussion
81.24: MLS News of the Week
87.18: Canadian Premier League News of the Week
97.18: Wavelength - Soccer Hooligans - Football In The Snow
108.39: BC Soccerweb headlines - football news from around the world
![Episode 321 - The AFTN Soccer Show (The Three I's with guest Marc Dos Santos, Nick Dasovic, and Scott Sutter) [NSFW]](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/ep-logo/pbblog609189/New_Podcast_Banner_square_300x300.jpg)
Monday Feb 04, 2019
Monday Feb 04, 2019
It's all about the Three I's for Vancouver Whitecaps right now - improvement, intensity, and integration.
Phase Two of the Whitecaps' preseason training camp is underway in Hawaii. A snafu seems to have seen our flight tickets lost in the post, so we're stuck in chilly Vancouver, but we'll make the most of it and try and warm everyone's cockles with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show.
It's been another week of coming and goings in Whitecapsland and we look at it all, plus we get the thoughts of 'Caps coach Marc Dos Santos on the signing of Hwang In-beom and Scott Sutter, what they mean to the team and the battle for the right back position, the intensity of preseason training so far, and how he's integrating the young Whitecaps players into the first team squad.
We also catch up with new addition Scott Sutter about his move from Orlando, his experience he brings to the group, the right back battle ahead, and what he's made of MLS so far.
In our feature interview week, we sit down with new Whitecaps U23 head coach Nick Dasovic for a lengthy chat about the development squad, why it's important to the club, where it fits into the local footballing seen, and how he sees it as an opportunity to develop the guys as both players and people. It's a fantastic chat that will leave you enthused about both the team and the man leading it.
All this, plus the MLS and CPL News of the Week, and The Macc Lads are this week's Wavelength band.
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
10.02: Hwang In-beom officially signed - the thoughts of Marc Dos Santos and ourselves
22.35: Scott Sutter interview and right back discussion
43.35: Competition for places chat including MDS audio
51.18: Integrating young players with more MDS audio
57.39: Nick Dasovic Whitecaps development team interview and discussion
94.32: MLS News of the Week
108.49: Wavelength - The Macc Lads - Don't Fear the Sweeper
113.20: BC Soccerweb headlines - football news from around the world

Monday Jan 28, 2019
Monday Jan 28, 2019
Vancouver Whitecaps training camp has begun!
It's all change, and with new faces coming every couple of days, it's been a busy week and promises a busy spell coming up as well. We look at the official new arrivals, the rumoured ones, and the other big Whitecaps news of the week.
Plus we bring you three interviews from the week one of camp, all with a defensive bent, as we sit down for chats with centre back Doneil Henry, goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, and draft pick Brendan McDonough.
All this, plus the MLS and CPL News of the Week, and Helen Love are this week's Wavelength band.
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
05.14: Whitecaps training camp has begun!
12.44: Maxime Crepeau interview and 'Caps keeper chat
28.38: Doneil Henry interview and centre back chat
44.06: Brendan McDonough interview
54.24: Whitecaps News of the Week - new arrivals, Blondell departs, transfer rumours, hoop strip
81.37: MLS News of the Week
88.20: Canadian Premier League chat
96.36: Wavelength - Helen Love - Cardiff City Superstars
100.42: BC Soccerweb headlines - football news from around the world

Monday Jan 21, 2019
Monday Jan 21, 2019
The offseason is officially over and the preseason is underway. Vancouver Whitecaps head back to the pitch as their preseason training camp begins. With a new head coach and (some) new players, what can we expect? Excitement hopefully, and we're here to help add to that.
The bring you the Whitecaps news of the week as we look at some transfer rumours, break some ourselves, and look at some done deals. One such deal is that of Canadian international centre back Derek Cornelius coming to Vancouver and we chat with the latest Whitecap about his transfer and what he's expecting in his first season in MLS.
We also look at Nick Dasovic's appointment as U23 head coach, chat Canadian Premier League, football chants, MLS, and more.
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
05.40: The Whitecaps Are Back!
10.45: Derek Cornelius interview and chat
27.22: Whitecaps News of the Week - signing rumours, done deals, and Nick Dasovic's U23 appointment,
53.45: Football chants chat - what makes a good one and what are some of your favourites?
71.45: MLS News of the Week
78.24: Canadian Premier League chat
100.41: Wavelength - "Funky" Lol Ross - Leyton Orient Scored More Goals Than Any Other Fourth Division Team In 88/89
106..08: BC Soccerweb headlines - football news from around the world

Monday Jan 14, 2019
Episode 318 - The AFTN Soccer Show (They Call It Madness)
Monday Jan 14, 2019
Monday Jan 14, 2019
What an action packed week in Whitecapsland! Okay, it wasn't, but we have to have you believe that we've got lots to talk about in this week's AFTN Soccer Show!
Although strangely we do, as we look at the newest Whitecap, draft pick Brendan McDonough, hear some thoughts from head coach Marc Dos Santos as he continues to try to build his first 'Caps squad, and look at the schedule and new kit leak details that came out last week.
We also look at the MLS draft and discuss the future of it, hear from BC boy Callum Montgomery after being picked 4th overall by FC Dallas, talk about the ridiculous new-look Canadian Championship, and bring you some Canadian PL and Pacific FC news amongst other things.
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
10.10: Whitecaps News of the Week - McDonough drafted, MDS talks squad building, player gossip, fixture list, new kit leak
47.10: MLS SuperDraft chat and Callum Montgomery audio
61.23: Canadian Premier League chat
70.23 Wavelength - Frank Sidebottom - Manchester City Medley
78.16: BC Soccerweb headlines - football news from around the world
88.02: The awful new-look Canadian Championship chat

Monday Jan 07, 2019
Episode 317 - The AFTN Soccer Show (All Is Quiet)
Monday Jan 07, 2019
Monday Jan 07, 2019
It's been a quite start to the New Year in Whitecapsland, but the rest of MLS has seen a lot of transfer action, as we look at in a slightly shorter show this week.
We look back at some of the MLS stories from the past week, bring you some Whitecaps gossip, look ahead to Friday's draft, and look at what New Year's resolutions the 'Caps should make for the season ahead. Plus we bring you some Pacific FC CPL signing news.
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
11.00: MLS News of the Week - RIP Sigi, Brek Shea signed!, Kei Kamara "shocked", appointments and additions galore
26.36: Whitecaps News of the Week - Will we be drafting? Will we be signing? Where is Greg Anderson flying off to?
53.47: Wavelength - Suggs and Chelsea '95 - Blue Day
60.35: BC Soccerweb headlines - football news from around the world
73.19: Pacific FC signing news

Wednesday Jan 02, 2019
Wednesday Jan 02, 2019
Happy New Year and 'Lang May Yer Lum Reek', as we say in Scotland. We hope you've all had an enjoyable festive period and we want to wish you a happy and healthy 2019. Thanks for all your support of AFTN in 2018. We've a lot of new and exciting things planned for the coming year, so stay tuned!
And what better way to kick of the new year than with the latest episode of the AFTN Soccer Show?!
We sit down for a lengthy chat with former Canadian Women's national team player, and new Vancouver Whitecaps Super REX Elite Girls head coach Rhian Wilkinson to talk about her new role, the recent U17 World Cup in Uruguay, Canada's chances at this summer's Women's World Cup in France, the Ballon d'Or twerking controversy, and more.
Plus we hear from FC Cincinnati head coach Alan Koch after last month's expansion draft, as he prepares for his side's first season in MLS, and we chat with Colorado Rapids Scottish winger Sam Nicholson about life in MLS so far, and what tempted him to leave the Scottish Premier League for the US at such an early stage of his career.
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
03.08: Rhian Wilkinson interview
30.50: Wavelength - The Exiles - The One And Only Peter Beardsley
36.44: Alan Koch audio and FC Cincinnati chat
52.19: Sam Nicholson interview

Tuesday Dec 25, 2018
Tuesday Dec 25, 2018
Well Ho Ho Ho again and welcome to the second part of AFTN's 2018 Christmas special.
We hope you've had a great Christmas, with lots of football gifts under the tree. Now you can grab a glass of egg nog, a chocolate digestive, and listen to 90 minutes of festive fun with the AFTN crew and special guests Marc Dos Santos, Kei Kamara, Russell Teibert, and Stefan Marinovic.
There's football chat, games, and we bring you Christmas tunes from The Oh Wells, Sufjan Stevens, Glasvegas, Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert and more. Have a listen!

Monday Dec 24, 2018
Monday Dec 24, 2018
Well a Ho Ho Ho and welcome to the 2018 Christmas special of the AFTN Soccer Show!
And this show was so long that we've had to split the podcast into two parts. This is part one and we'll have part two for your aural pleasure on Christmas Day itself. What could be better than opening your presents and listening to the AFTN crew, as we bring you some football and Christmas chat, play some excellent Christmas tunes, and play some fun games?!
In this first part we'll find out what Christmas is like in the Marc Dos Santos household, plus Canadian men's national team head coach John Herdman tells us all about his plans for his usual "Geordie Christmas".
Was Christmas better years ago? Was football? We debate all that, and former Whitecap, and current Canadian national team defender, David Edgar picks his favourite Christmas song and explains why that's the case.
Plus we'll being you Christmas tune from AFTN favourites Half Man Half Biscuit, Goldie Lookin' Chain, Madhat McGore, Slaves and more. Have a listen!
Here's some of the main segments from the episode:
12.10: Christmas with the Herdmans
22.21: Was Christmas better in the past? Was football?
40.18: David Edgar picks his Christmas favourite
57.45: A Dos Santos Christmas

Monday Dec 17, 2018
Monday Dec 17, 2018
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, and Vancouver Whitecaps are fully embracing the gift of giving sending players all over the place in MLS.
We look at the big Whitecaps news of the week as Kei Kamara, Kendall Waston, Erik Hurtado head to pastures new, Andy Rose comes in, and the 'Caps squad has lost 18 of the 31 players that were part of the MLS squad this year, with more likely.
We also cover the big Ottawa Fury non-sanctioning story of the week and hear from OSEG CEO Mark Goudie and have a lengthy chat with Fury GM Julian de Guzman about the shocking developments.
All this plus MLS and Canadian Premier League chat, Wavelength, and more. Have a listen.
Here's the full episode rundown of the main segments from the show:
02.23: Whitecaps news of the week - Kei, Kendall, and Erik are gone but we have brand new Rose in town and the squad is blown up
30.27: Ottawa Fury chat and Mark Goudie audio
34.44: Julian de Guzman interview
50.43: Mass Debaters - the Ottawa Fury situation
79.17: Whitecaps Year In Review (Part Four - Aug to Oct)
97.32: Wavelength - Halftime Oranges - What's The Fuss About Ryan Giggs?
101.39: BC Soccerweb headlines - a look at some stories from around the football world

Monday Dec 10, 2018
Monday Dec 10, 2018
Dig out the Buckfast, it's Giro Day in Whitecapsland.
Marc Dos Santos said he was planning on being "very active" in the MLS trade window and he was true to his word. We look over the moves made and discuss some that may be still to come, as the new 'Caps coach rebuilds the squad.
Plus we hear a little bit from MLS Commissioner Don Garber's 'State of the League' address. Does he have a pop at the Whitecaps ownership? Judge for yourselves.
We'll also look at what MLS midfielders and forwards are available from other clubs and who the 'Caps may want to take a look at. Plus we look back at the MLS Cup, continue our Whitecaps Year In Review with a look at May, June, and July, look at the draw for the 2019 Women's World Cup, plus lots more.
Here's the full episode rundown of the main segments from the show:
02.34: Whitecaps trade action and new additions
29.20: Whitecaps roster building/MLS midfield and forward options
49.14: Fish and Chips with Erik Hurtado
52.03: MLS Cup Final chat
57.29: Don Garber's State of the League address discussion
80.27: Whitecaps Year In Review (Part Three - May to July)
98.50: Wavelength - Lonely Tourist - The Ballad of Paul Tierney
112.56: BC Soccerweb headlines - a look at some stories from around the football world

Monday Dec 03, 2018
Monday Dec 03, 2018
Offseason. What offseason? It's a busy time in Whitecapsland and in the world of MLS and Canadian football in general, and we've got it all covered as usual in this week's episode.
As the 'Caps and others in MLS revealed which player options were and weren't picked up, we look at what Vancouver players will likely be here next season and which ones definitely won't. Are those not coming back more telling of the kind of team Marc Dos Santos wants to build rather than those that are? Plus Russell Teibert tells us how excited he is for 2019 under the new 'Caps coach.
We'll also look at what MLS players are available from other clubs and who the 'Caps may want to take a look at. Plus we look back at this week's MLS Conference finals and talk the Canadian national team with John Herdman and Russell Teibert.
All this plus Canadian Premier League chat, and we talk take out food with David Edgar, Fish and Chips with Stefan Marinovic, and The Business are back in this week's Wavelength section.
Here's the full episode rundown of the main segments from the show:
03.15: Whitecaps options revealed
17.04: Russell Teibert audio
20.55: Whitecaps roster building/MLS options
45.04: Fish and Chips with Stefan Marinovic
46.47: MLS Conference Finals chat
55.19: Whitecaps Year In Review (Part Two - March and April)
74.26: Canadian Men's national team chat - with audio from John Herdman and Russell Teibert
89.15: David Edgar Take Me Out
91.27: Canadian Premier League chat
100.34: Wavelength - The Business - Maradona
105.45: BC Soccerweb headlines - a look at some stories from around the football world

Monday Nov 26, 2018
Episode 310 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Simple Things with guest Kei Kamara)
Monday Nov 26, 2018
Monday Nov 26, 2018
The end of November. A time of the year in MLS in which the losers cut their loss and the final four standing make a push for glory. Once again Vancouver Whitecaps fall into the former category. One year things may be different. Maybe next year!
But all we're left with this time around it to look back at what could have been, so to do that we kick off our Whitecaps Year In Review with an analysis of what went wrong and what went right during preseason. How much hope did you come away with? Was the squad assembled correctly in terms of both personnel and money management? Who came, who left, and were those decisions correct? All that chat and a lot more.
Plus we sit down with one of this year's new additions to the 'Caps, striker Kei Kamara to chat about his Heart Shaped Hands Foundation, his work in Sierra Leone, and the state of the football over there right now.
All this plus we talk take out food with Jordon Mutch, bring you some Canadian Women's U17 national team and MLS chat, and lots more.
Here's the full episode rundown of the main segments from the show:
03.40: Player Options Eve
07.04: MLS Conference finals chat
22.03: AFTN awards - Heroes and Villains
33.10: Whitecaps Year In Review (Part One - Preseason)
61.34: Kei Kamara interview on his Heart Shaped Hands charity
72.07: Jordon Mutch - Take Me Out
75.45: Canadian Women's U17 national team chat
80.14: Wavelength - Lars Vaular - Gary Speed
87.10: BC Soccerweb headlines - a look at some stories from around the football world

Monday Nov 19, 2018
Monday Nov 19, 2018
After a busy, and dramatic, couple of weeks, it's been a chance for everyone in Whitecapsland to catch their breath, and take time to reflect on the season past and the season yet to come.
It also finally gives us the chance to kick off our AFTN awards season, and we're joined by Joe Deasy to kick this week's show off with a look at who we feel are Vancouver Whitecaps' Player and Young Player of the Year, and chat what we think are the 'Caps Goal, Game, Save, and Miss of the Year.
After our excellent chat with new 'Caps coach Marc Dos Santos last week, we're excited about what lies ahead in Vancouver. He mentioned that he feels having some MLS experience in the squad is crucial, so we don our Armchair GM hat to look around the league and see what goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards that Dos Santos could realistically play for, and who and what we might have to give up in return.
All this plus we sit down for an in-depth chat with Whitecaps defender Brett Levis about his season, his MLS journey so far, and what the future holds in store. Plus Canadian national team chat and Halftime Oranges are back for this week's Wavelength section.
Here's the full episode rundown of the main segments from the show:
03.05: AFTN awards season begins - Whitecaps Player, Young Player, Game, Goal, Save, and Miss of the Year
27.56: Building a (realistic) MLS dream team - Goalkeepers and Defenders
55.13: Building a (realistic MLS dream team - Midfielders and Forwards
85.24: Brett Levis interview and Canadian 'Caps chat
101.55: Canadian national team chat - Men and Women U17
110.37: Wavelength - Halftime Oranges - Vinnie Jones
113.32: BC Soccerweb headlines - a look at some stories from around the football world