AFTN Soccer Show (Vancouver Whitecaps/MLS)

Episode 535 - The AFTN Soccer Show (The Future Is Now)

We're back with another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, World Cup, and Canadian soccer chat.

It's been a busy week in Whitecapsland with new players coming in, some departures like Lucas Cavallini finally confirmed, and the preseason plans officially announced. We're joined by Harjeet Johal to chat about all of that, plus we look at some of the players available from other clubs in the various MLS clubs and ponder who would be a good fit in Vancouver.

It was a good season for CF Montreal and we're joined by Eve Powell from The Ball Is Round podcast to chat about it all, look at the offseason roster decisions announced this week, look ahead to 2023, chat about another rebrand at the club, and look at the six players from the club that will be off representing Canada in Qatar.

With the 2022 FIFA World Cup now just one day away, we take a look at all the runners and riders in Groups E to H, including Canada in Group F, and making a rash of predictions along the way.

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

01.25: Intro
03.50: Whitecaps roster decisions finalised
22.10: Three new Whitecaps players signed
36.10: Which players would be a good fit in Vancouver?
59.50: Eve Powell talks all things CF Montreal
109.15: World Cup Group E preview
113.40: World Cup Group F preview
125.50: World Cup Group G preview
130.20: World Cup Group H preview
135.20: World Cup predictions
143.40: Wavelength - Tinty and the Bucket Hats - Waka Waka Cymru (Men of Harlech)

Episode 534 - The AFTN Soccer Show (World Cup preview)

We're back with another packed show of World Cup and Canadian soccer chat.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup gets underway in Qatar next Sunday. There may have been a lot of issues in the run up to this first winter World Cup, but now that it's here, we're very excited and we get in the mood with a special preview episode this week.

Canada's squad for the tournament was revealed this past Sunday. We delve into who has made it on the trip to Qatar, who hasn't, and give our thoughts on what formation John Herdman should head into the tournament with and what that starting XI should be.

We also take a look at all the runners and riders in Groups A to D, making a rash of predictions along the way. And there's still time for this year's AFTN World Cup draft.

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

01.32: Intro
09.25: Canada's World Cup squad analysis - Goalkeeper and Defenders
39.09: Canada's World Cup squad analysis - Midfielders and Forwards
75.00: World Cup Group A preview
81.51: World Cup Group B preview
89.28: World Cup Group C preview
94.04: World Cup Group D preview
103.10: AFTN's World Cup draft
114.35: Wavelength - Andy Cameron - Ally's Army

Episode 533 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Believe Us Now?)

We're back with another packed show of Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and Canadian soccer chat.

The World Cup in Qatar is just weeks away and as the tournament gets closer, the injury concerns for the Canadian national team continue to grow, with two players confirmed out and a scare with Alphonso Davies' hamstring.

We delve into all of that but we cheer up with a world premiere of the new Canadian World Cup - Nobody Believed Us. We chat with the man behind it, friend of the show, Neil Grant and give the song its first spin.

Turning to club football, the newest Canadian Premier League side Vancouver FC had its official launch this week. We take a look at what we learned, hear from owner Rob Friend, chat with inaugural head coach Afshin Ghotbi, and talk with CPL Commissioner Mark Noonan about the new club, future expansion, and FC Edmonton's fate.

Plus we look back at a dramatic MLS Cup final, look at Don Garber's latest annual MLS State of the League conference, and chat about the rumoured changes to the league's playoff format.

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

01.30: Intro
05.55: Canada World Cup injury concerns grow
32.04: Neil Grant interview - part one
42.30: Wavelength - Neil Grant - Nobody Believed Us (A Canadian World Cup song)
45.53: Neil Grant interview - part two
60.00: Vancouver FC officially launched - with Rob Friend audio
81.43: Vancouver FC head coach Afshin Ghotbi interview and discussion
93.28: CPL Commissioner Mark Noonan interview
106.05: LAFC win MLS Cup
122.08: Don Garber's State of the League address
127.55: New MLS playoff format on the horizon?

Episode 532 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Spinning Straw Into Gold with special guest Ryan Gauld)

We're back with another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and Canadian soccer chat.

It's our annual awards season at AFTN and we kick off handing out the gongs with our ones for Whitecaps Player of the Year, Young Player, Academy Player, Female Player, Unsung Hero, and the best game, goal, and save of the season past.

Will Ryan Gauld win any? No spoilers but we do sit down for an in-depth chat with the Whitecaps Designated Player to look at the season past and the excitingly busy 2023 that lies ahead. How did he feel both he and the team performed? How much did his early season concussions hinder him? Where did it go wrong this year? How much is he looking forward to fighting on four front next season and playing continental competition? Is he getting fed up with people asking him why he's not in the Scotland squad? And could he perhaps line up for Canada one day? We cover all of that and more!

The MLS Cup final is now set. We look at this weekend's two Conference finals, as well as the CPL Championship game which saw Forge FC win a third title in four years. Plus we look ahead to the big CPL event in Langley on Wednesday night that will see the new team's official name, identity, and more revealed.

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

01.30: Intro
06.10: AFTN Whitecaps Player of the Year award
09.30: Ryan Gauld interview
36.20: AFTN Whitecaps awards - part two
68.25: MLS playoff round-up
77.10: CPL final round-up
84.02: CPL in Langley reveal on Wednesday
91.05: Wavelength - A Love Supreme - Niall Quinn's Disco Pants

Episode 531 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Hot Chocolate Weather with special guest Vanni Sartini)

We're back with another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and Canadian soccer chat.

The Whitecaps offseason is officially underway, with some squad decisions already announced, some still being considered, and the planning for a 2023 season that will be fought on four fronts already in full flow.

We look at the news coming out so far, plus sit down for our second annual end of season chat with Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini. How did he view this past season? Did the Canadian Championship win see the team take a step forward or did their MLS standing see them regress? What did he learn about himself as a coach this year? Was he too slow to make the necessary changes, especially defensively? And how much change is needed for next year to compete? We talk about all of that and a lot more in a 40 minute chat.

The MLS and CPL seasons are getting close to their end, with the two conference finals set in the former and the championship game set in the latter. We look at the matches that got them to that stage, and we bring you some postgame audio from a seething Tommy Wheeldon Jr as refereeing decisions play a big part in Cavalry's downfall.

Plus we chat about Canada's draw for the 2023 Women's World Cup and the latest loggerheads between Canada Soccer and the Canadian men's national team that leaves a dark cloud over the preparation for the upcoming World Cup.

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

02.47: The tragic passing of Masato Kudo
09.28: Good Women's World Cup draw for Canada
12.50: Canada Soccer and CanMNT still at loggerheads
32.16: Vanni Sartini interview
77.55: Unpacking Vanni and Axel's end of season comments
101.23: MLS playoff round-up
125.35: CPL playoff round-up
138.45: Wavelength - Apocalypse Babys - Harry Kane

Episode 530 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Big Decisions)

We're back with another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and Canadian soccer chat.

The MLS and CPL postseason are in full flow and it's been an exciting weekend of action, which we round up in this episode.

Sadly for the Whitecaps the season is over and the big decisions have to be made as who should stay and who should make way. If the team is to take the much needed next step of becoming a side that isn't just trying to scrape into the lower playoff places but to be a top four side in the West, some difficult decisions need to be made to improve the squad significantly. We give our thoughts of who should be in, out, and who's on the bubble.

Plus it's been a great year for Quebec soccer. We chat with CS Saint-Laurent U17 head coach Maxwell Arhin about his side's win at the recent U17 Boys nationals in Surrey, the rise of the game in the province, and bringing CF Montreal player Ismael Kone through at youth level.

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

01.30: Intro - the great Panini rip-off
08.25: Whitecaps In/Out/On The Bubble - Goalkeepers
23.07: Whitecaps In/Out/On The Bubble - Defenders
47.00: Whitecaps In/Out/On The Bubble - Midfielders
59.02: Whitecaps In/Out/On The Bubble - Forwards
76.20: MLS playoffs round-up
87.30: Wavelength - Armchair Loyal - Terry Buchanan Midfield Hardman
94.10: CPL playoffs round-up and awards
111.25: Maxwell Arhin interview

Episode 529 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Turn Out The Light)

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

The Whitecaps run to the playoffs are over and just as quickly as the team raised our hopes, disappointment reigns once again as they fall short of the finishing line. We look back at the season ending loss in Minnesota and ponder what's next for the team and what changes need to be made.

Will the 'Caps ever truly take that next step and become a real threat in the league? Do they have the players and the front office support to achieve that feat? There's been movement in regard of the latter this past week and it's not been so much out with the old and in with the new, as back with the old guard. But there has at least been on appointment in the new General Manager of Women's Soccer, Stephanie Labbe.

Some of it has left a sour taste in the mouths of fans. We look at that and round up the end of regular season action across both MLS and the CPL.

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

01.35: Intros and giving thanks
08.10: The Whitecaps season ends in Minnesota
42.23: Disappointment reigns, so what's next?
74.54: Whitecaps FO comings and returnings
99.50: MLS playoffs all set
113.45: CPL final four set to battle
117.07: Wavelength - Kunt and the Gang - My Cousin Looks Like Pavel Pogrebnyak

Episode 528 - The AFTN Soccer Show (A Series Of Fortunate Events)

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

What a few weeks it's been in Whitecapsland. What looked like mission impossible to get into the playoffs has seen an amazing run of results, sparked by three straight wins for the 'Caps, to leave Vancouver with a win and they're in scenario on MLS Decision Day.

We look at how they got to this point, the form of Ryan Gauld, the late move to four at the back, and cast our eye over the main talking points coming out of the 'Caps latest win against Austin, which boiled over at the end and had us all talking about Lucas Cavallini again.

We also look at the MLS West playoff picture after some stunning games this past weekend, look ahead to that big Decision Day clash in Minnesota next Sunday, chat about the latest results and news from the CPL, and dive into a bulging mailbag to answer some listener's questions about the team, the future, and player abuse.

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

03.20: Win and the Whitecaps are in
17.25: Austin powered past
39.22: Listener's mailbag
63.29: The MLS West playoff picture
72.40: Minnesota United preview
85.45: Canadian Premier League chat
96.40: Wavelength - Fanclub - Henrik Larsson

Episode 527 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Keeping The Flame Alive)

We're back with a shorter than usual but still packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and the Canadian men's national team.

What a week it was in Whitecapsland as a six point home stand kept Vancouver's season alive and dealt a blow to their Cascadian rivals from Seattle. We delve into the 'Caps' wins against the Sounders and the Galaxy and look at the lie of the land in the MLS West and the tall order Vancouver have ahead of them if they are to get to the playoffs.

We also look at the exciting end to the CPL season and have a quick chat about the Canadian national team's upcoming friendlies and continuing World Cup prep.

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

04.00: Where has this Whitecaps team been?
16.20: The 'Caps win over LA
26.30: Seattle soundly beaten
41.30: The lie of the land in MLS West
54.08: CPL chat
66.26: Wavelength - Jason McCue - Soccer
70.20: Canada's World Cup prep continues

Episode 526 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Getting Nowhere Fast)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Panini stickers, with our usual splattering of fine tunes thrown in for your aural pleasure.

After the Whitecaps' latest loss, the season is all but mathematically over and the regression and recent form has been sad to see. We look back over the 'Caps loss in Colorado and the goals and controversial moment that got them there. So what now for Vancouver?

How safe is Vanni Sartini's job? How secure are the players and how many do you even want back? How much of a rebuild is needed and why are the club going through this again? With four games remaining, how should the 'Caps approach these final matches and what will it take to get the fans back in the stands?

We chat about all of that and a lot more and talk about the ever rising cost of completing Panini sticker albums and talk about some of our favourites from through the years. And there's even time for some Wrexham chat.

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

02.00: The rising costs of Panini sticker albums
11.27: Wavelength - My Brother Woody - Panini Sticker Album Blues (1987)
17.48: More Panini sticker chat
28.27: Whitecaps latest loss in Colorado
60.05: What now for the Whitecaps, this season and next?

Episode 525 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Every Point’s A Prisoner)

We've been away a long time (well three weeks) but we're finally back with another jam-packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and the Canadian Premier League, with our usual splattering of fine tunes thrown in for your aural pleasure.

Our last show came after the Whitecaps capitulation down in LA. There's been four games since then and we've seen the good, the bad, the ugly, and the very ugly side of the 'Caps in that time as the team went from having their heads above the playoff line for the first time this season, to rapidly sinking below it and in danger of disappearing without a trace.

With every point a prisoner, the Whitecaps have left the cell door wide open and some of their performances have been criminal. We look back over the past few weeks, take a look around the current lie of the land in MLS, and what it all means for the 'Caps. Plus we have to talk about the C word - Cava.

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

01.30: Back from Bonnie Scotland
16.15: The last few weeks in Whitecapsland
29.24: Earthquakes leave 'Caps playoff hopes in ruins
59.10: MLS round-up and the lie of the land
76.31 The C Word - Cava
87.55: CPL chat
96.45: Wavelength - Admiral Fallow - Subbuteo

Episode 524 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Californication)

We're back with another jam-packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer.

Football conjures up so many feelings. From the highest of the highs to the lowest of the lows, fans across the world can feel so many emotions, with different groups experiencing vastly differing emotions from the same game or moment. You can go from loving your team, to hating them in the flash of an eye, or the scoring of a goal. It's why we all love the game so much.

Vancouver Whitecaps fans have certainly gone through the emotions during their MLS era so far and in this episode we take a look at an interesting week both on and off the pitch for the club.

On it, the team put in a horrendous first half performance at the LA Galaxy, falling to a 5-2 defeat that hits their playoff aspirations hard. We look back at the main talking points coming of the match, the poor defensive play, some head scratching line-up decisions, and where it all leaves the 'Caps with nine games to play.

Off the pitch, MLS finally published their report looking into the historic abuse allegations against the Whitecaps going back to their women's team in 2008 and 2011. We look at the report's findings and the fall out from it.

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

01.33: Steve's back!
04.40: Whitecaps capitulate in LA
48.48: The curious case of Cristian Gutierrez
56.50: MLS publishes report into historic Whitecaps abuse allegations
95.00: Wavelength - Keshco - The Ballad of Ali Dia

Episode 523 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Pump It Better)

We're back with another jam-packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, and football on Canadian TV.

The Whitecaps left it late again to get the job done against Houston Dynamo on Friday night, but two late goals gave them a dramatic last ditch victory and with other results going their way this weekend in the West, it's going to be a fascinating run-in to end the regular season.

We delve into the main talking points coming out of the match, look at the fantastic MLS debut from Simon Becher and hear from the man himself, look at the importance of WFC2 to the Whitecaps, look at the lie of the land in the Western Conference, and hear the postgame thoughts of the gaffer Vanni Sartini and match winner Lucas Cavallini.

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

02.18: Chat about football on Canadian TV
12.30: Whitecaps late late show beats Houston
44.35: Simon Becher's dream debut
51.00: The importance of WFC2 to the Whitecaps
60.50: The enigma that is Lucas Cavallini
64.57: A look ahead to the Galaxy game
74.00: The lie of the land in the MLS West
83.45: Whitecaps comings and goings
88.55: Wavelength - Armchair Loyal - Do You Wanna Touch Of The Ball

Episode 522 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Wunderbar! with special guests Julian Gressel, Fabian Herbers, Easton Ongaro, Katie Collar, Jesse Symons, and Will Cromack)

We're back with another jam-packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, and League1 BC.

And we've come over a little German for this episode (we apologised to Hans) with a Deutsche theme running throughout with our chats and our musical selections this week.

We kick things off by looking at the Whitecaps battling point earned in Nashville on Saturday night. It was another slow start and strong finish. Will this be enough to get them into the playoffs and how many points are they likely to need to pick up down the stretch?

With new additions seemingly incoming to help the 'Caps, we chat with their most recent one Julian Gressel. We delve into the German wingback's career so far, what brought him over to North America, having the rug pulled from under him with the transfer to Vancouver, his podcasting career and charity work, and a lot more.

We also chat with Julian's podcast partner on Zee Soccer Podcast, Fabian Herbers about getting into podcasting and the recent turnaround in fortunes for Chicago Fire. Plus we find out who is still the most German between Julian and Fabian!

Talking of new Whitecaps additions, we catch up with new WFC2 recruit Easton Ongaro for a chat about his move to Vancouver, plus we round up the two inaugural League1 BC championship games and chat with head coaches Katie Collar of the Whitecaps Girls Elite, Jesse Symons of Varsity FC, and Will Cromack from TSS Rovers.

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

01.45: Intro and what does Germany mean to you?
07.55: Whitecaps fight to the end again in Nashville
31.40: Julian Gressel interview and discussion
57.40: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? - Julian Gressel
62.25: Fabian Herbers interview
70.15: Julian v Fabian - who is Das Deutsche Meister?
83.50: Easton Ongaro interview and WFC chat
91.55: League1 BC champions crowned (with interviews)
120.05: Wavelength - Bownik - Franz Beckenbauer

Episode 521 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Champions of Canada with Ryan Gauld, Tristan Blackmon, Brian White, and Ryan Raposo)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps and their Canadian Championship final win!

It's been a long wait of seven years, but the Whitecaps finally lifted only their second ever Voyageurs Cup on Tuesday night with a penalty shootout win over Toronto FC. It was an emotional and electric atmosphere at BC Place and we look back over the game, what the win means for the club, and pushing on now from that success for the rest of the season.

Plus we have postgame audio from the very jubilant Ryan Gauld, Tristan Blackmon, Brian White, and Ryan Raposo as they celebrate winning their first silverware with the club.

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

02.00: BC Place's electric cup final atmosphere
16.20: Whitecaps lift the Voyageurs Cup
52.03: Tristan Blackmon and Brian White audio and discussion
59.30: Ryan Gauld audio and discussion
67.32: Ryan Raposo audio and discussion
76.15: Should the final have extra time?
83.20: Whitecaps need to push on now - new faces coming?
93.46: Wavelength - The Skinflicks - Rock and Roll and Football

Episode 520 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Undoing All The Good Work with guests Xherdan Shaqiri and Katie Collar)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, and Canadian football.

The good work done on the road by Vancouver Whitecaps was undone by a second straight home 3-1 defeat against Chicago Fire on Saturday. It was a disappointing outing but did the 'Caps have an eye too focused on Tuesday Canadian Championship final with Toronto FC?

We look at how the match played out and the line-up selected, plus we look ahead to that big game against TFC, the addition of wingback Julian Gressel, and debate whether Vanni Sartini needs to go with a more settled starting XI and what that should like that.

We also chat with Chicago's Swiss playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri, a key player for the visitors on Saturday, about the match, settling in to MLS, and looking ahead to the World Cup in Qatar.

We also look at the battle brewing in the Canadian Premier League, talk about Zach's recent visit to FC Edmonton, and ponder whether Pacific's impending CONCACAF League campaign may derail their league hopes. Plus we look at the upcoming inaugural championship games in League1 BC and chat with Vancouver Whitecaps Girls Elite head coach Katie Collar.

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

03.38: Julian Gressel is a Whitecap but the system stinks
18.09: Whitecaps undo good work on the road with loss to Chicago
46.06: Xherdan Shaqiri interview and discussion
59.28: Canadian Championship final preview
71.43: Should the Whitecaps have a firm starting XI?
88.39: Canadian Premier League chat
104.42: League1 BC chat and Katie Collar audio
112.18: Wavelength - Vanilla Muffins - The Kids Behind The Goal

Episode 519 - The AFTN Soccer Show (The Hurt Locker-room )

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, as guest co-host Harjeet Johal joins us again to talk Vancouver Whitecaps, the current CSA shambles, and women's soccer.

Vanni Sartini certainly doesn't have his troubles to seek when it comes to injuries. A banged up Whitecaps side battled hard to get a point on the road in Cincinnati midweek after dropping points at home in a veritable six-pointer against Minnesota at the weekend. Another six-pointer looms against Portland this weekend. Will they have enough healthy bodies to get something from the game? What's behind all the injuries? And which players are rising to the challenge to keep the 'Caps in the playoff picture?

Away from the pitch, the Canadian Soccer Association lurches from one shambles to another as a TSN article this week painted the organisation and some of their recent dealings in anything but a favourable light. As calls for an independent investigation into the CSA grow, the blazers and the players seem to be fighting it out in a war of statements. We look at what's been said this week and the underlying issues behind it all.

Turning our attention to the women's game, we look at Canada's run to the CONCACAF championship final against the US. Who's stood out? What are the concerns? Can they beat the States again?

Plus we look at the exciting battle in the women's division of League1 BC as three teams fight for the one remaining berth in the championship game. It's going to go down to the wire and we chat with TSS Rovers' head coach Chelsey Hanneson and the Whitecaps' Katie Collar.

Episode 518 - The AFTN Soccer Show (When Love Turns To Hate)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, as guest co-host Harjeet Johal joins us to talk Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, and women's soccer.

The Whitecaps are the form team in MLS right now and they've just knocked off the league leading LAFC thanks to another late show at BC Place at the weekend. We look back over that 1-0 win, the standout performers, the return of Max Crepeau and Marc Dos Santos, and where that result leaves the 'Caps in the Western Conference standings as they move into the second half of the season.

Turning our attention away from MLS and to the women's game, we look at Canada's chances at the CONCACAF championships that have begun in Mexico this week with World Cup and Olympic places on the line.

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

02.57: Whitecaps late late show beats LAFC
31.01: LAFC chatter on MDS, Jordan Harvey, Sicknote
43.58: Max Crepeau audio and discussion
62.46: CONCACAF Women's championship chat
75.10: Wavelength - The Thornlie Boys - The Goalie

Episode 517 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Melting Moments)

We're back with another episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, with lots of Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS chat.

The Whitecaps were in action twice this past week again on league and cup duty. Sunday saw a battling point earned at home to New England Revolution in MLS action, but midweek saw the 'Caps reach their first Canadian Championship final since 2018 with a win over York United.

We pick over the bones of both of those game, the highlights and lowlights, and look ahead to the threat Toronto FC will pose in the final with their big addition of Lorenzo Insigne.

The Whitecaps next opponents LAFC have made a couple of big additions of their own in Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale. What impact will they have on the league and it's perception in some quarters? Plus we round-up how the MLS West is looking.

Plus music from artists of the month Thick and Kunt and the Gang are in this episode's Wavelength.

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

02.47: Whitecaps draw with New England
27.23: Whitecaps reach Canadian Championship final
41.45: TFC and the Insigne effect
55.10: Big names coming to LAFC
71.40: Wavelength - Kunt and the Gang - Christian Atsu and his katsu curry

Episode 516 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Time To Take Control with guests Axel Schuster, Martin Nash, and Theo Collomb)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, with lots of Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, and World Cup chat.

What a busy week of football news it's been, with perhaps the most exciting news of all being the official confirmation that Vancouver will be a host city for the 2026 World Cup. We look at what that means for the city, both short and long term, chat about affordability versus future returns, and get the thoughts of Whitecaps CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster about what it will mean for the club and the place he now calls home.

It's also been a big week for Major League Soccer, who announced a billion dollar 10 year streaming deal with Apple TV+. How good is the deal for the league? How good is it for a club like the Whitecaps? Will it be a game changer or will it turn off the casual fans? We chat about all of that and more, plus we hear the thought of Axel Schuster.

The Whitecaps were in action twice this past week with road games against Seattle and Dallas and what contrasting performances they were from the ridiculous to the sublime. We pick over the bones of both and look at where Vancouver's three point haul leaves them in the playoff picture.

They've now got a big Canadian Championship semi-final coming up on Wednesday night against CPL side York United. We look ahead to that one and chat with their head coach, former Whitecap Martin Nash. We also look at the good form of WFC2 and chat with their latest two-goal hero Theo Collomb.

Plus music from artists of the month Thick and The Abnormal are in this episode's Wavelength.

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

02.53: The 2022 World Cup is all set
10.50: The World Cup is coming to Vancouver
28.10: Axel Schuster interview - part one
46.06: MLS get slice of Apple pie in new streaming deal
58.40: Axel Schuster interview - part two
75.40: Whitecaps v Seattle and Dallas - a tale of two cities
104.52: Canadian Championship semi-final preview feat Martin Nash
112.36: WFC2 round up
116.20: Theo Collomb interview
120.26: Wavelength - The Abnormal - Football Song