The AFTN football/soccer podcast primarily about Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and the Canadian Premier League with lots of interviews and fun segments thrown in.
Episodes
Monday Sep 14, 2015
Monday Sep 14, 2015
We were going to call this episode "Wind Assisted". Recording in a field in Cloverdale at a Residency match on a windy morning is never the best idea. As you'll hear here! So apologies in advance for the crappy sound quality at times in this one.
It was an other bye weekend for the Whitecaps. The second straight in MLS. What a weird schedule.
Still lots to talk about as we look back at Vancouver Whitecaps win over Colorado Rapids and ahead to the two big games coming up this week - Wednesday's Champions League clash with CD Olimpia and Saturday's game with so much on the line against Seattle.
How will Robbo manage this balancing act? Will the previously suspended Waston and Laba see some game time in the CCL? Can the 'Caps take control in both league and cup play?
We also look at the weekend's action in MLS. A great weekend for the 'Caps that saw them stay top of the Supporters' Shield standings without even playing. Can they keep it up?
And there's still time to muse over the future of 'Caps coach Carl Robinson.
Have a listen!
Thursday Sep 03, 2015
Thursday Sep 03, 2015
There is no resting for Vancouver Whitecaps. No resting on their laurels and no resting on the training pitch with a bye week ahead this long weekend.
The defeat in Houston was a disappointing end to what was a successful month of August. Four wins, nine points in MLS, a first ever Canadian Championship and looking to be in a good position in Champions League qualifying. All in all, not bad going!
But the 'Caps were back on the training pitch Thursday eager to get back into action and in this special interview episode you'll hear from Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson, defender Jordan Harvey and midfielder Mauro Rosales as we talk the loss to the Dynamo, the month of September, squad depth, squad rotation and much more!
Have a listen!
Friday Aug 28, 2015
Friday Aug 28, 2015
They've only been and gone and done it.
Vancouver Whitecaps are your 2015 Canadian Champions and the celebrations went on long and hard in Canada's soccer city after Wednesday night's Voyageurs Cup win.
AFTN has been there for the heartbreak, so it's about time we're there for the joy as well! We look back at the win over Montreal and hear from both coaches, the Whitecaps' Carl Robinson and the Impact's Frank Klopas, along with Montreal players Eric Kronberg and Callum Mallace.
Amidst all the celebrations, we grabbed a couple of exclusives for you, our loyal podcast listeners, and we chat with two men that have been through the years of disappointment into the competition to get to this point, Whitecaps President Bobby Lenarduzzi and Curva Collective's Zachary Meisenheimer.
But Wednesday's win is already in the past, so we look forward to Saturday's match-up with Houston Dynamo in MLS action. Who will play in this one after a busy few days? Can the 'Caps get their first win in Texas? We'll soon find out.
And there's still time to look back at what's been a hectic but fairly successful month of August for the Whitecaps so far, with the help of Carl Robinson, David Ousted and Tim Parker.
Have a listen!
Sunday Aug 23, 2015
Sunday Aug 23, 2015
It could be some week for Vancouver Whitecaps.
Saturday saw the team bolster their MLS playoff hopes with a huge win over Dallas and they'll follow that up on Wednesday with the Canadian Championship Final second leg at home to Montreal Impact.
We look back at the 'Caps 1-0 win over Dallas. A win that temporarily saw them move back into first place in the Supporters' Shield race. There's the highs, the lows and we hear from both head coaches after the match, Vancouver's Carl Robinson and an exclusive chat with Dallas' Oscar Pareja.
Still in the Dallas locker room, we have one on one chats with defender Matt Hedges and debutant goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez, and the Texans' Canadian Rookie of the Year, Tesho Akindele, talks about the game, his own personal season, his decision to pledge his international future to Canada and the recent Gold Cup.
It was the Whitecaps' 10th clean sheet of the season and one of the key men behind that stat is centre back Kendall Waston. We hear from the big man about the win, the 'Caps defence and look ahead to Wednesday's Voyageurs Cup final with Montreal and the possibility of Waston playing against Didier Drogba.
And there's still time to preview Wednesday's big Cup Final. Will the Whitecaps finally break the curse? We'll soon find out.
Have a listen!
Sunday Aug 09, 2015
Sunday Aug 09, 2015
Vancouver Whitecaps are on fire! They're the form team in MLS right now and Saturday's 4-0 rout of RSL cemented their place at the top of the Western Conference.
We're back with our first postgame show for a long time, picking over the win against Real Salt Lake and the last few weeks of action.
Head coaches Carl Robinson and Jeff Cassar give us some thoughts from Saturday's match and we also look at who's been excelling, what depth charges have risen and who has sunk, and whether the quiet transfer window was in fact a good thing for the Whitecaps.
And there's still time to look ahead to Wednesday's Canadian Championship Final first leg and hear from two of the 'Caps Canadians, Russell Teibert and Sam Adekugbe.
Have a listen!
Thursday Jul 30, 2015
Thursday Jul 30, 2015
It's been a while, but we're back! Refreshed and rested after a little break, the AFTN Soccer Podcast is ready and raring to go for what will be an incredibly busy month of August for Vancouver Whitecaps.
'Caps coach Carl Robinson talks about the packed month ahead. How will he prioritise the three competitions Vancouver find themselves in? How much squad rotation will there be? What's the chances of additions to the squad? And how does he approach playing Seattle Sounders twice in the space of five days? However he does it, it'll be double the fun.
We’re also joined by Harjeet Johal to talk all things Whitecaps and we hear from Russell Teibert about playing in his second MLS Homegrown game during All-Star Week under coach Landon Donovan and Mauro Rosales looks back on his first goal as a Whitecap and his latest injury.
And there's still time for Robert Earnshaw to talk about his career and his Whitecaps "Teammates".
Have a listen!
Thursday Jul 09, 2015
Thursday Jul 09, 2015
The 2015 Women’s World Cup is over. It’s written in the history books now, but we want to wave it one final goodbye with a special wrap up show that also takes a look at the future for both the Canadian men and women’s national teams.
We’re joined by the well-travelled Harjeet Johal to look back at the tournament. Was it a success all round? Did the right team win? What now for the women’s game in terms of coverage and play? We look at all this and more.
Next up we hear from the American side with SI.com senior writer Grant Wahl who was all over this land covering the tournament for Fox Sports. Grant looks back on the win for the US, what it will mean for both the national team and domestic game moving forward and his love of Canada and how they hosted.
And there’s still time to not just look back, but to look to the future, the rather immediate future, as we’re joined by CanadianSoccerNews.com and MLSSoccer.com writer Daniel Squizzato, while he still had some sanity left after watching Abby Wambach and Sydney Leroux win a World Cup on Canadian turf!
We chat with Squizz about this month’s Gold Cup. What kind of health are Canada in? Do they realistically have a shot at this thing? Is a US v Mexico final already written in the stars?
Have a listen!
Tuesday Jul 07, 2015
Tuesday Jul 07, 2015
It's been a fun month, but all good things must come to an end and that is sadly true of the 2015 Women's World Cup.
The tournament came to an end in Vancouver on Sunday as the US steamrollered Japan, and the defending champions didn't know what had hit them in those opening 16 minutes.
It ended with the US lifting their third Women's World Cup trophy and the celebrations began at BC Place and continued the following day at the special Fox Sports studios in Vancouver. And AFTN was there to capture some of the post tournament joy for you.
In our penultimate WWC special podcast, we're all about the World Cup winners this episode as we chat with some of the key members of the US Women's National Team.
We kick things off with the Final's hat-trick heroine Carli Lloyd as she talks about it all sinking in, waking up to be front page news and going back to club football after all that.
We also catch up with a couple of the USWNT old guard, strikers Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach about the win, the legacy and the team. We also hear from victorious mother Judy Wambach about like watching your famous daughter play.
It's a case of out with the old and in with the new as we catch up with one of the US squad's players of the future, defender Julie Johnston. How did she feel her own personal tournament was, how inspiring were the 1999 winning team and did her conceding a penalty in the semi-final actually kickstart the team on to a win?!
And there's still time to end the episode with an American hero but a Canadian villain, BC born striker Sydney Leroux. An emotional Leroux talks about winning a World Cup in her home country, the struggles and abuse she's had after leaving that country and what lies in store for her.
Have a listen!
Saturday Jun 20, 2015
Saturday Jun 20, 2015
Vancouver Whitecaps are set to get back to MLS action after their bye week. Our last episode was a "Season So Far" roundtable, so we now bring you part two - the "Season Still To Come".
We're joined once again by AFTN writer Jay Duke and regular AFTN podcast contributor Zachary Meisenheimer to look at the issues of the day surrounding the 'Caps.
Who should be moved out in the transfer window and what positions need strengthened? Is the squad depth good enough? Will there be any movement at all?
There's a busy season still to come for the 'Caps in MLS, Champions League and Voyageurs Cup action. What should be their priorities and how will they fare in each competition?
Also, what one word and what movie titles could sum up the Whitecaps' season so far?
And there's still time for Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted to tell us his "Desert Island Discs" and for another instalment of everyone's least favourite gameshow, "30 Seconds To Mars".
Have a listen!
Friday Jun 12, 2015
Friday Jun 12, 2015
Vancouver Whitecaps are having a bye week, so that means some much needed rest and recovery for the players. Not for us though, as we bring you our "Season So Far" roundtable with the help of AFTN writer Jay Duke and regular podcast contributor Zachary Meisenheimer.
Are the 'Caps punching above their weight? Were the early wins papering over the cracks? What about those rigid tactics, missed chances and other strengths and weaknesses of the team so far? We discuss all these points and more.
We're also joined by 'Caps defender Jordan Harvey who chats to us about his own season so far. Losing his spot to Sam Adekugbe, battling back to regain it, how he feels he came into the preseason and looking ahead to the coming Champions League campaign.
And there's still time for our semi-regular gameshow, 30 Seconds To Mars and some Women's World Cup talk.
Have a listen!
Sunday Jun 07, 2015
Sunday Jun 07, 2015
A busy month lies ahead and a busy podcast lies in store for you here with Episode 115 of "There's Still Time, the AFTN Soccer Podcast.
It's another episode dedicated to the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, which after years of preparation and anticipation is now with us and underway.
Canada and Australia lead the way in this episode, as we hear from CSA President Victor Montagliani about FIFA, CONCACAF and the legacy this tournament will leave behind in the country.
The Canadian players have already started their tournament on the opening day, now it's the turn of the officials, and we catch up with one of the two Canadian referees in this year's World Cup, BC girl Michelle Pye.
Keeping on referees, we chat with the youngest one in the tournament, Honduran Melissa Borjas, as she tells us about her refereeing journey and what Vancouver Whitecaps can expect when they travel to her home town to face Olimpia in CONCACAF Champions League action.
One of the sides keen to get their 2015 World Cup under way is Australia and we head into their camp to speak with a couple of their stars as they prepare to face the US on Monday.
Midfielder Katrina Gorry is first up and then we get find out a bit more about the girls as goalkeeper Lydia Williams brings us an Australian women's national team "Teammates".
And there's still time to talk artificial football turf pitches with Dan Hardman of the tournament's NOC and Niall MacPhee of Sports Labs, and goal-line technology with Hawk-Eye's Laurence Upshon.
We told you it was a busy show, so have a listen!
Tuesday Jun 02, 2015
Tuesday Jun 02, 2015
Vancouver Whitecaps have packed their bags and hit the road for six weeks, but fear not, the AFTN podcast will keep you close to the guys.
In Episode 114 of "There's Still Time" we look back at the win over RSL and ahead to the Montreal Impact and the five game road stretch ahead, with audio from coaches Carl Robinson and Jeff Cassar.
Will this finally be the game that sees Gershon Koffie become more consistent? Will Octavio Rivero get the big money move he seeks if he can't finish one on one chances? And just how much better and key can David Ousted get?
The front four seems pretty set now (squad rotation aside) and it looks to be a South American affair. We chat with one of them, Argentine midfielder Mauro Rosales about his and the Caps' season so far, his injuries and does he prefer the number 10 role?
Away from MLS action, the tightly clad ball girls Marianne and Gabby brought us the draw for the CONCACAF Champions League and the Caps will face old foes and new in Seattle Sounders and DC Olimpia.
We hear from Whitecaps Club President Bobby Lenarduzzi about drawing the Sounders, travelling to Honduras and more.
And there's still time to hear from Carl Robinson about the Caps' plans for the July transfer window with a busy end of year awaiting the team.
Have a listen!
Friday May 29, 2015
Friday May 29, 2015
The 2015 Women's World Cup is just over a week away. Forget all the FIFA scandals for now and look forward to what football should be about, the actual action on the pitch.
So join us for the second of our special Canadian Women's National Team pre-World Cup podcasts.
We look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Canadian team and their opponents with the help of Harjeet Johal. Where will Canada finish? Who is going to win the whole thing? And who are the dark horses to watch out for?
We also bring you more of our fun chats with the CWNT players.
Kicking things off is goalkeeper Erin McLeod, as we delve into the mind of the player on the pitch and the artist and speaker off it.
Another goalie is next up, with Karina Leblanc the latest to spill the beans on her friends and squad member with our latest instalment of "Teammates. You know that's going to be radio gold.
From the oldest player on the team to the youngest! We chat with new sensation Jessie Fleming about coming into a group of players that's been together so long, what she learned at the U20 World Cup, her plans for the future and do her teammates try and sneak her into clubs?!
We finish up our players chat with one of our faves, the Destroyer, Desiree Scott as we talk playing in England, nicknames and fish and chips!
And there's still time to talk jam, with Emily Zurrer, Rhian Wilkinson, Allysha Chapman and Diana Matheson.
Have a listen!
Monday May 25, 2015
Monday May 25, 2015
What can you say after Vancouver Whitecaps and the referee's performance in Colorado on Saturday night? A lot as it turns out.
We look back on the game, and some of its more controversial moments, with AFTN writer Jay Duke.
Just what did the referee see at Pedro Morales' free kick? Just what was going on with the officiating on Saturday? And why is he still allowed to referee in MLS in the first place?
But it's not all about the ref. Too many Whitecaps players are not performing. Do the tactics need to change? What about the formation? And why is there no variety apart from playing fast guys who can't break down defences? Can they back on track against RSL?
One player who might be back in the MLS line-up soon is centre back Diego Rodriguez and we talk to him about his return to playing for WFC2, his injury, his initial thoughts on MLS and his hopes for the rest of the season amid a fierce battle amongst the centrehalfs.
Have a listen!
Monday May 18, 2015
Monday May 18, 2015
A winless weekend for the Whitecaps, but fear not, the AFTN podcast is here to try and take your mind off things. Although talking about the things probably doesn't quite do that. Hmmm.
We're joined by guest Harjeet Johal for most of this episode, to look over the loss to Seattle Sounders and look ahead to this Wednesday Canadian Championship semi-final second leg at FC Edmonton.
What went wrong and can Robbo turn things around quickly? How strong a team will take the pitch at Clarke Field? Was the 'Caps early season success a true indication of the team or inflated?
We hear from both head coaches, Vancouver's Carl Robinson and Seattle's Sigi Schmid, along with audio from the victorious Sounders locker room as we chat with goalscorer Chad Barrett and the central defensive pairing of Brad Evans and Chad Marshall.
And we have a couple of MLS veteran goalkeeping guests on this episode as well. First up, former Sounders keeper and current colour guy Kasey Keller talks a little bit about the weekend's match and then former Sporting KC keeper Jimmy Nielsen talks to us about getting in to coaching in Oklahoma and shares his thoughts on his fellow Dane, David Ousted.
And there's still time to look at WFC2's 2-2 draw with OKC Energy in USL action and chat with coach Alan Koch.
Have a listen!
Sunday May 10, 2015
Sunday May 10, 2015
Vancouver Whitecaps are back to winning ways. Sure it was just against a hapless Philadelphia Union side, but still, 3-0 is 3-0.
We look back at the match that was and just what is up with the Union with the help of Philly.com writer Jonathan Tannenwald. Can Philly turn things around and help keep TFC out of the playoffs again? We certainly hope so!
We hear from both coaches, Vancouver's Carl Robinson and Philly's Jim Curtin, along with 'Caps captain Pedro Morales and former Whitecap, and MLS debutant, Union 'keeper Brian Sylvestre.
And there's still time to look ahead to this Wednesday's Voyageurs Cup clash with FC Edmonton.
Have a listen!
Thursday May 07, 2015
Thursday May 07, 2015
The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off a month to this very day in Edmonton (hopefully without any snow).
With the eyes of the world's game focusing on Canada for a month or so, we thought we'd get you in the mood with the first of two Canadian Women's National Team special podcasts that we'll be bringing your way before the tournament kicks off.
We'll be talking with a number of different aspects to the CWNT - coaches, players and fans. Kicking things off is head coach John Herdman, who talks a little bit about some of the players announced to his World Cup squad and what the thrills of playing at home will mean to him and the team.
We kick off our chats with the players with our first ever CWNT "Teammates" section, as Emily Zurrer shares some insights and home truths about the team. Who has the worst dress sense? Who's the most intelligent? And who takes the longest in the shower and in front of the bathroom mirror? All this and more inside info!
One name that cropped up a few times in Emily's "Teammates" section (and Karina Leblanc's which you'll hear in another episode) was midfielder Rhian Wilkinson. Now, I have to admit here, Rhian was my particular favourite player we spoke with for these two podcasts. She was great fun to chat with (not the others weren't, but we could have chatted with her for way longer than we did!) and we covered a whole host of topics including what playing a World Cup in Canada means to her, the learning process from tournaments past and whether a coaching role is in her plans after she finishes playing.
Away from the playing side we find out about her podcast habits, her childhood without television and playing so many other sports, whose Panini sticker she carried around and we try and get her to write for us here at AFTN (the offer of which is still open Rhi!!).
Taking a break from the players for a few minutes, we chat with one of the leading lights of the Voyageurs supporters' group of west, Curva Collective member Zachary Meisenheimer. Zach talks to us about what having the tournament here means to the fans and how they plan to support not just the CWNT but the whole tournament.
One of the newest faces in the squad is Allysha Chapman. After only getting her first senior cap last October, the 26-year-old is now set to play a World Cup on home soil. We talk to Allysha about her journey, what it was like coming into such a close knit group, playing in Sweden, how hard it is to keep hold of mascots hands, her love of Maple Leafs and maple butter, and we find out who sent her an email saying "we're watching you"!
A player who was touch and go to make the World Cup roster was one of our particular favourite players, Diana Matheson. The midfield dynamo talks to us about her recovery from her two injuries, the x-factor John Herdman brings to the team, what the girls learned from the 2011 World Cup and 2012 Olympic experiences, dealing with the mental pressures and advantages of playing a World Cup on home soil and her Netflix habits.
And there's still time for some more jam talk, this time with Erin McLeod and Karina Leblanc, the youngest player on the squad, striker Jessie Fleming and midfielder Desiree Scott.
Have a listen!
Friday May 01, 2015
Friday May 01, 2015
There's nothing like a tasty Cascadian derby to get those juices flowing.
Vancouver Whitecaps head south this weekend to take on their heated rivals, the Portland Timbers and we've got you covered for the match with our preview podcast.
We look ahead to what might be in store at Piggy Park, who the 'Caps might play and whether any of the Timbers' key injured players might return. We also hear from both coaches as Whitecaps' boss Carl Robinson exclusively gives us his thoughts on what kind of game the 'Caps need to bring and we hear from Timbers' boss Caleb Porter's training scrum.
We also look at the 'Caps center back issues and hear the full awkward, and unedited, chat with Pa Modou Kah at training this week when asked about his mistakes in game. You can cut the tension with a knife!
And there's still time to look ahead to next Wednesday's Voyageurs Cup game in Edmonton and bring you another in one of our favourite features, "Carl Robinson's Big Question".
Have a listen!
Monday Apr 27, 2015
Monday Apr 27, 2015
It's been a busy few days in Whitecapsland as the various incarnations of Vancouver Whitecaps played four games over two days and came away with just one win, two draws and a loss.
The defeat came in MLS action on Saturday night where referee Dave Gantar gave the impression that he wanted to be the centre of attention. Whether he did or not, he became it anyway.
We look back at just what went wrong in the Caps' 2-1 loss to DC and get the thoughts of both coaches, Vancouver's Carl Robinson and DC's Ben Olsen, along with Whitecaps captain Pedro Morales and goalkeeping rock David Ousted.
We also have some exclusive chats from the victorious DC United locker room as we hear from debutant sub keeper Travis Worra, matchwinner Chris Rolfe and Perry Kitchen, and we talk with Kofi Opare about the game and the chances of him suiting up for the Canadian national team.
Turning our attention to USL action, we take a brief look at WFC2's 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders 2 on Sunday and hear from coach Alan Koch, goalscorer Robert Earnshaw and captain Tim Parker.
And there's still time to have an extended one on one chat with S2 head coach Ezra Hendrickson about the game, his team's season so far and just how Seattle are looking to use their USL side.
Thursday Apr 23, 2015
Thursday Apr 23, 2015
Two home matches for Whitecaps fans to look forward to this weekend for the first time since the new USL side came into being. A busy weekend, a packed weekend and AFTN has you covered with it all.
It's a battle of West v East at BC Place on Saturday evening when DC United come to Vancouver. We take a look ahead to the game, the key players and what line-up we might see the 'Caps going with. Will DC attack or defend? How can you leave Darren Mattocks out? Will the wee winger Cristian Techera be on from the start?
We get the thoughts of Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson and hear from Vancouver players Russell Teibert, Pedro Morales and Mauro Rosales, along with DC United defender Taylor Kemp.
With Vancouver's defensive spine being a key component to their early season success, we have an indepth chat with one of the main factors behind that, Argentine defensive midfielder Matias Laba, about him finally being a fully fledged Whitecaps, the season so far and what lies ahead.
Our popular "Teammates" section returns and we bring you our first WFC2 one, with Residency alumni and Canadian international, Jackson Farmer. If you're still unfamiliar with some of the USL squad, Jackson's home truths will put you right!
And there's still time to look ahead to the USL Cascadian derby this weekend as Sounders 2 come to UBC to take on WFC2 on Sunday.
Have a listen!