AFTN Soccer Show

Episode 184 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Laba Land with guests Sam Adekugbe and Erik Hurtado)

Has the doom and gloom been lifted in Whitecapsland? Well, just as one swallow doesn't make a summer, one victory doesn't mean Vancouver Whitecaps have turned their season around. But it's a promising sign.

We look back on the 'Caps 4-2 win over LA Galaxy. The highs, the lows, and all the main talking points, blown calls, and questions the match posed. Have the 'Caps finally found their clinical finisher in Fredy Montero? Did the Kekuta Manneh trade finally give the rest of the squad the wake up call they needed? What does the addition of Tony Tchani mean to this team? And who was that in Mati Laba's shirt and what have you done with the real Mati?

We'll hear from the LA losers too, from grumpy head coach Curt Onalfo, Jermaine Jones, and Ashley Cole, as LA were (mostly) brutally honest about their shortcomings.

One player who never made it past half time was Erik Hurtado. We chat with the striker about his season so far and what it meant to him personally to lose his best friend in the team in Manneh.

Our main player interview this week is with Residency alumni Sam Adekugbe, back in Vancouver rehabbing the injury he picked up while on loan with Brighton and Hove Albion. We chat with Sam about his time with English Championship side so far, his current injury, his frustrations, and what the future may hold in store for him. Will it be in Canada or England?

And there's still time for I, Ludicrous to feature again in this week's Wavelength section and to look ahead to the CONCACAF Champions League semi-final at home to Tigres on Wednesday.

Have a listen!

Episode 183 - The AFTN Soccer Show (The First Eleven - Biggest Moments In Whitecaps History)

With Vancouver Whitecaps having a week off from MLS action, much to the relief of nearly everybody I'm sure, we thought we'd do something a little bit different for this week's show and delve into the 'Caps rich history, as we launch a new specially themed episode that we're going to bring you a couple of times over the year - The First Eleven.

So what is the first eleven and do we use a double shield? We'll pick a topic and come up with a countdown of that fits that theme, making what we feel are the most suitable selections along the way.

To kick things off we're going to look at the top eleven 'Biggest Moments In Whitecaps History' spanning from 1973 to the present day. From the NASL to the CSL years to USL and into MLS. All eras are covered.

If you don't agree with our selections, then great, we'd love to hear from you to share your placings and entries. Get in touch and have a listen.

Episode 182 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Give Us A Break - Vancouver v Toronto Postgame Show)

Vancouver Whitecaps are now on a two week break. I'm sure I speak for the vast majority of 'Caps fans when I say it couldn't come soon enough. I think we all need a break from this team right now, which is very worrying considering the season has just started.

With no spark, no goals, little midfield creativity, and very little discipline, it's been a tough opening month that's seen the team clock up more red cards than league points. With pressure mounting, we look back at the last loss, a 2-0 home defeat to Toronto FC, and the main talking points from it.

We hear from 'Caps coach Carl Robinson and discuss some listeners tweets as the discontent in the fanbase grows.

We're also going to hear some postgame thoughts from TFC head coach Greg Vanney and captain Michael Bradley about the match, Shea's sending off, the niggly ending, and more. Plus Steve catches up with former Whitecap Steven Beitashour for an exclusive chat about life in Toronto.

And it's a welcome return to Half Man Half Biscuit in the 'Wavelength' section of the show, with a song and lyrics about modern football and how it feels to be watching the Whitecaps from the stands right now.

Have a listen.

Episode 181 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Natural Disasters with guests Brek Shea and Carl Robinson)

Four days, two matches, two different competitions, two defeats. That's been Vancouver Whitecaps' week, but the performances and circumstances of the games against San Jose Earthquakes and Tigres in the 'Volcano' were very different natural disasters.

The 'Caps battled hard against a much better Tigres side in Mexico on Tuesday night, coming away with just a two goal deficit and are still very much in their CONCACAF Champions League semi-final. We look back at the game, the performances, and the strange feeling of coming away from a game that we expected the team to do much worse in but being disappointed with how things ultimately played out.

'Caps coach Carl Robinson gave us a call just before he headed home from Mexico to chat about the game and what may lie in store in the second leg (00:16:23 mark).

There were some good defensive displays in Mexico, especially from Kendall Waston and David Ousted. But where was that in San Jose? Can they produce that every week in MLS?

San Jose was a mess. We look at the great start, the turning point of Ousted's sending off, and the subsequent defensive collapse, posing the question what future does Kekuta Manneh have with this team if he can't add a better defensive side to his game and what could the 'Caps get for him if they decided to put him up for a trade?

Our player interview this week is with one of the Whitecaps most recent additions, Brek Shea (00:49:48). We sit down with Brek to talk about his career, moving to Vancouver, and life off the pitch. We found it an interesting chat and we're sure you will too.

And there's still time to bring you Tim Parker's footballing bucket list (01:16:17).

Have a listen.

Episode 180 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Wavelength Special 2 - Songs About Footballers)

CiTR radio is in the middle of their annual Fundrive (their fundraising telethon to help keep the station producing the great shows it does). This is our first year of taking part in it, so we wanted to do something a little special and something a little bit different from our normal shows.

Our Wavelength feature on football songs has proved to be popular, so we're bringing you another whole show of them!

Our first Wavelength special was back in September 2015, Episode 129. That was on songs about and by football clubs. For the second special, the theme is songs about footballers, with all but one of the tracks also named after the player himself.

We've got songs for you on Peter Beardsley around his time as a Vancouver Whitecaps players; Manchester United and Welsh legend Ryan Giggs; current Scotland manager Gordon Strachan; Another Scottish legend, Kenny Dalglish; former Trinidad and Tobago striker Jason Scotland; a couple of punk songs about Diego Maradona and Bobby Moore; how QPR cult hero Stan Bowles brought two friends closer together; and an interesting track about Man City's former Georgian playmaker, Georgi Kinkladze, and rounding it off, a bizarre lounge session from Tony Adams and the Arsenal team, well kind of.

Have a listen and don't forget to let us know your own favourites for future shows.

Episode 179 - The AFTN Soccer Show (New Beginnings, Same Whitecaps? with guest Mauro Rosales)

The 2017 season is already in full swing for Vancouver Whitecaps. While most teams played their first competitive match in this weekend’s MLS openers, the ‘Caps now have three under their belt, with two in the space of four days thanks to their CONCACAF Champions League heroics.

We look back at what we learned and what we can realistically take from the 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls in the CCL and the 0-0 draw with Philadelphia Union in MLS.

Has the defence finally shored up? Is the two man defensive shield killing attacking play? What’s the best position for Kekuta Manneh and Erik Hurtado? And what are we likely to see from the team in the weeks to come? We talk about all this and more in our first postgame show of the season.

We also chat with the newest member of the Whitecaps, but a well known returning face, Mauro Rosales. What tempted the veteran Argentine back to Vancouver? Is coaching in his long term plans? What’s his thoughts on the team this season and especially Alphonso Davies?

Plus B.A. Robertson features in this week’s ‘Wavelength’ feature.

This is a podcast of our first live show on CiTR radio (and our fifth on the station altogether). As such it’s a little chaotic at times as we worked out which buttons to push!! We also ran out of time to put more in, but it’ll get a lot smoother, so have a listen, enjoy, and ‘Mon the ‘Caps.

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

Episode 178 - The AFTN Soccer Show (History Awaits with Carl Robinson, Rich Fagan, and Jake Nerwinski)

Vancouver Whitecaps have one foot in the CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals following last week's first leg at New York Red Bulls. Can they make history?

We look back at Wednesday's 1-1 draw and ahead to this Thursday's second leg. What went right? What were the concerns? And how confident should the 'Caps feel? We also hear the thoughts of Carl Robinson, Jordan Harvey, and Sheanon Williams.

There's a new Whitecap to talk about too - Brek Shea. He may not be in Vancouver yet, but we chat with 'Caps coach Carl Robinson about what interested him in the midfielder, his plans for him with the team, and whether there's any concerns about the reputation that precedes the American international.

We also chat with Vancouver's first pick in this year's MLS SuperDraft, right back Jake Nerwinski about the whirlwind start to his pro career, playing in that Champions League game, and settling in to the pro ranks with the 'Caps.

And there's still time to turn our attentions to WFC2 and have a chat with new head coach Rich Fagan.

All this, music from I, Ludicrous in our Wavelength feature, and a lot more chat. Have a listen and note that this episode of the podcast contains an extra 15 minutes of audio not found in our CiTR radio broadcast edition.

Episode 177 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Ready, Fredy, Go with Carl Robinson and Russell Teibert)

The Whitecaps finally have their number nine striker, but just as they get Fredy Montero, Yordy Reyna picks up an injury. Hopefully this isn't an ominous sign of the season to come in Vancouver.

In our latest episode, we chat with 'Caps coach Carl Robinson about the Montero acquisition and discuss what it will mean for the team.

He won't be playing in the Champions League game on Wednesday. We preview that match and look back at the horrific end to the 'Caps preseason.

Our player interview this week is a slightly terse chat with Russell Teibert and Serious Drinking feature in the latest 'Wavelength' segment.

All this and a lot more chat. Have a listen!

Episode 176 - The AFTN Soccer Show (As Easy As Pythagoras with Don Garber)

Like a triangle, there's three sides to every story, at least that's how it feels in the world of football - the club's version, the fan's version, and the truth that most likely lies inbetween.

It's been a busy week both on and off the pitch in Whitecapsland.

The 'Caps were in action down in Portland in the Rose City Invitational. We look at what we may have learned about that so far and what we made of the first appearance of Yordy Reyna.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber was in town on Monday, speaking to the 'Caps, media, and supporters. We grilled him on the state of refereeing in the league and we bring you that chat in this episode of the show.

Our 'Wavelength' section returns, and we talk PJ's as the 'Caps launch their new home kit for the season. Saying it received a mixed reaction is perhaps being generous.

All this and a lot more chat about Monday's townhall, accountability and development, so have a listen!

Episode 175 - The AFTN Soccer Show (On The Attack with guests Alphonso Davies, Christian Bolanos, and Carl Robinson)

It's a new era for The AFTN Soccer Show. After four years, and 174 episodes, the podcast is taking to the airwaves at CiTR. Even 'Snowmageddon IV - Deep Trouble' won't stop us, the only Vancouver soccer show on FM radio.

And our first radio show is a packed affair, as we look at the latest Vancouver Whitecaps happenings. The preseason may be well underway but the 'Caps are still searching one or two final pieces as they look to return to the MLS playoffs. This year's attack could hold the key, and that's the focus of a lot of this week's show.

We chat with teenage phenom Alphonso Davies. He's continued to look exceptional and a real talent but after a whirlwind rookie year as a 15-year-old, how does he continue his rise? At the other end of the age scale, we sit down with veteran midfielder Christian Bolanos, about the season past, the season to come, and Costa Rica's recent heroics on the world stage.

The 'Caps are still needing a DP striker. One is coming, but as to when, no-one can be totally sure. Not even head coach Carl Robinson, and we chat with Robbo about Vancouver's continuing striker problem.

Have a listen!

Episode 174 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Goalkeepers Union with guests Stewart Kerr and David Ousted)

We're back for one final show from Wales as Vancouver Whitecaps wrap up their first of two preseason camps.

We look back at the latest game, what the camp has told us, and chat about some of the latest news and rumours out there in Whitecapsland.

This episode is something of a nod to the Goalkeepers Union as well. We sit down with the 'Caps new goalkeeping coach, Stewart Kerr, and chat with the number one man between the sticks, David Ousted.

So before we say hwyl fawr to Cymru for one last time, have a listen.

Episode 173 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Dial M For Merthyr)

We're back! Our podlet idea seems to have already gone out the window as this episode comes in at 45 minutes long.

It's our second podcast from Wales following Vancouver Whitecaps on their preseason tour.

We have a lengthy chat with one of the few veterans on the team, left back Jordan Harvey and a couple of strikers looking to make a name for themselves this season, Kyle Greig and Erik Hurtado.

Plus we chat with one of the newest, yet oldest, Whitecaps, newly signed WFC2 midfielder David Norman Jr.

There's a welcome in the hillside for you, so have a listen.

Episode 172 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Croeso with guests Carl Robinson, Kekuta Manneh and Christian Dean)

Croeso i Gymru. Or Welcome to Wales if you want that in English.

The AFTN travelling roadshow has hit Newport and the Vale of Glamorgan as we follow Vancouver Whitecaps preseason preparations in Wales.

With the first game of the trip in the history books, an unfortunate 1-0 loss to Cardiff City U23s, we bring you the first of our (mini) podcasts of the preseason.

We chat with 'Caps coach Carl Robinson about the match and some of the talking points from the preseason so far, and we catch up with two players that returned to the pitch after long term injuries, winger Kekuta Manneh and defender Christian Dean.

There's a welcome in the hillside for you, so have a listen.

Episode 171 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Draft Day Extravaganza!)

What number of offseason draft was this? We've lost count. But Friday was the big one, MLS SuperDraft. You know it's special because it has Super in the title!

Not that explosive and Vancouver Whitecaps had fewer selections it felt than in seasons past, but they came away with a couple of solid, promising defenders.

We speak with 'Caps coach Carl Robinson (at 02:58 mark) after all the draft hoopla was over for the afternoon about Vancouver's selections, his search for a new striker and attacking midfielder, and a number of other offseason talking points in Capsland.

We also chat with both of the Whitecaps draft picks, UCONN Huskies right back Jakob Nerwinski (18:32) and St Francis RedFlash centre back Francis De Vries (32:58) about their journey to the pro ranks and a lot more besides.

We discuss all these things and a lot more. There's a lot of drafting and Whitecaps chat to be had, so have a listen.

Episode 170 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Ring out the old, bring in the new)

Ring out the old, bring in the new. Is there anyone who isn't glad to see the back of 2016? Happy and healthy New Year salutations to you all from all of us here at AFTN.

We bring in 2017 with our first podcast of the year, a round table discussion on the year that's been and the season to come.

Michael and Steve are joined by AFTN writer Jay Duke and Curva Collective's Zachary Meisenheimer to look back at Vancouver Whitecaps 2016 season. Not the happiest year to review we know but we look at what went wrong, some of the big talking points, and what can be learned and needs to be done to make the Whitecaps challengers this season.

Did the Whitecaps fail to recover from their bad start? Why did the impact signings not happen and what went wrong with the key players from the year before? Did the Voyageurs Cup loss affect the team? What will Seattle's win mean for Vancouver, if anything? Is MLS success just now all down to money? And if the 'Caps get off to a bad start, how safe is Carl Robinson's job?

We discuss all these things and a lot more. There's a lot of New Year chat to be had, so have a listen.

Episode 169 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (2016 Christmas Special)

Well a Ho Ho Ho and Merry Christmas to you and yours. Hope you're having a wonderful festive period, with lots of fun and family traditions. Let us bring you ours, with the 2016 Christmas Special of the AFTN soccer podcast.

We chat with Carl Robinson, David Edgar, and Fraser Aird about Boxing Day and New Years Day football action. What it's like to play in and go to those matches, do they miss it, and what are some of their favourite Christmas footballing memories and players and as fans.

Robbo is currently in the UK to spend the holidays with his family, but he'll be taking in a couple of games and scouting a few players along the way. There's been a number of UK players head to MLS over the last few years, some more successful than others, but there's not been that many managers. We chat with Robbo about why that might be.

We also catch up with four members of the Canadian Women's national team - Karina Leblanc, Diana Matheson, Christine Sinclair, and Rhian Wilkinson - and chat about just what it was they strived for in their teenage years and what they strive for now in their lives after launching their new business venture iS4.

Plus there's lots of festive music along the way and we finally bring you a special announcement about the future of the podcast.

There's a lot of festive fun to be had, so have a listen.

Episode 168 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (The State of the Whitecaps with guest Carl Robinson)

2016 has been a pretty shitty year all round. From a Vancouver Whitecaps perspective, it hasn't been on of their best, but that's all in the past now and we just need to look forward to the better times ahead.

But not without our fourth annual State of the Whitecaps end of season chat with 'Caps coach Carl Robinson (at 37:16 mark).

In our latest one on one with Robbo we look at just what went wrong this season past, what's he's learned, what needs to be done to make this team better, and a look at the players moving on and those possibly coming in. We chat referees, Fabian Espindola, Seattle's MLS Cup success, those rumours linking him with the Swansea City job, and a lot more.

Round about our chat with Carl, AFTN writer Jay Duke and Curva Collective's Zachary Adam Meisenheimer join Michael and Steve to look at some of the main talking points so far this offseason in Whitecapsland and discuss what Robbo had to say.

There's a lot of talk to be had, so have a listen.

Episode 167 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (That Was Then, This Is Now)

Remember us? We thought we'd come out of winter hibernation to bring you a couple of end of year podcasts to round off what's been a pretty miserable 2016 with a bang.

It's been a fairly quiet offseason in Whitecapsland but with things starting to happen this week, it seemed only right to come back with a round-up of all the latest news and rumours and to bring you some unheard interviews we did towards the end of the season with Vancouver Whitecaps players and management.

It's been a week to officially confirm departures and which options have and haven't been picked up for the season ahead and we look at two of the more newsworthy ones - captain Pedro Morales and goalkeeper Marco Carducci - and look at what holes the 'Caps need to fill and whether a MLS Cup between two fierce rivals will force the front office to act.

On the interview side, we hear from 'Caps coach Carl Robinson about his search for difference makers, his offseason plans, squad harmony, Alphonso Davies, and more, while Costa Rican veteran Christian Bolanos looks back at his first season in MLS with the Whitecaps and talks about his dream of making it to a third World Cup with the Ticos.

We also hear from two Canadians, one who may be the new club captain, David Edgar, and one who has returned to his former club at the end of his loan deal, Fraser Aird, and a player hoping to earn his first MLS contract in 2017, WFC2 goalkeeper Spencer Richey.

There's a lot of talk to be had, so have a listen.

Episode 166 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Ending on a high note)

Well, if you've had a disappointing season, at least end it with a bang and send the fans home happy. And that's just what Vancouver Whitecaps did with their 4-1 demolition of their bitter rivals, Portland Timbers.

We're joined by Harjeet Johal to look back over the game, pondering, as everyone else is at the moment, just where that team has been all years and looking at the performances that got the job done.

Giles Barnes, Pedro Morales, and a whole load more players are all up for discussion as we look back at the year that was and what the Whitecaps need to do this offseason to be in a different position in 12 months time.

We ponder signings, salaries, the future of Carl Robinson if he can't turn things around, and a lot more besides.

We also bring you some postgame audio from Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson, Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter, and Timbers striker Fanendo Adi, who coincidentally falls to the ground in games like a felled tree.

There's a lot of talk to be had, so have a listen.

Episode 165 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Semi. Sweet!)

It's the USL Western Conference semi-final on Saturday afternoon. WFC2 face off against OKC Energy and we have you covered with all the build up here on AFTN in a special USLcentric episode.

Hear from head coach Alan Koch, defender Brett Levis, and captain Kyle Greig, as they look back on last Friday's historic playoff win in Colorado Springs, ahead to OKC this weekend, and share their thoughts on the season so far and what may still be yet to come.

There's a lot of talk to be had, so have a listen.