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 Nov 09, 2015
Monday Nov 09, 2015
Well that's it all over for another season. Exciting along the way but disappointing at the very end. That was Vancouver Whitecaps year.
A 2-0 loss to Portland Timbers in their Western Conference Semi-final second leg match at BC Place on Sunday evening brought the 'Caps season to a sudden stop.
We look back at the game, the few highs and the larger woes, and hear from both coaches, Vancouver's Carl Robinson and Portland's Caleb Porter.
Just what went wrong, which players simply didn't rise to the occasion and what does this season do to set the 'Caps up moving forward and what changes do they need to make to take that next step?
But there's still another game to come at BC Place this week. The Canadian men's national team are in town to face Honduras on Friday. We take a quick look ahead to that World Cup qualifier and hear the thoughts for Whitecaps President, and former Canadian player and manager, Bobby Lenarduzzi.
And there's still time for a quick look at some more successful Canadian sides this weekend - the Ottawa Fury and the UBC Thunderbirds. Even Steve Nash has a few things to say to us.
Have a listen!
Saturday Nov 07, 2015
Saturday Nov 07, 2015
The hours are slowly, very slowly, ticking down until Sunday's Western Conference semi-final second leg between Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers. So let AFTN help you kill some time while you're waiting for kick off with all the pregame build up you need for the clash between the Cascadian rivals.
We hear from both coaches, Vancouver's Carl Robinson and Portland's Caleb Porter, ahead of the game. What did they learn from last week's first leg? Who's fit and ready to go? And can there be any surprises between two teams that know each other so well?
Robbo also chats to us about the excitement of knockout Cup ties throughout his career and shares his thoughts on two legged semi-final series.
One of the men who looks fit, ready and raring to go is Whitecaps captain Pedro Morales and he updates us on how he's feeling with less than two days to go.
But one player who is definitely ruled out of Sunday's game is Vancouver centre back Pa Modou Kah. We sit down with the Gambian for a lengthy chat about his first season with the 'Caps and his current injury status. Kah talks about making the move and settling into Vancouver, his fellow centre backs Kendall Waston and Tim Parker, what he brings to the locker rooms, his recent gift of rings to all staff, his future plans and more.
We also hear from Robbo on his veteran defender and what he feels he brings to the Whitecaps, whether he's playing or not.
And there's still time to hear from Morales and Kekuta Manneh about their favourite jam.
Have a listen!
Tuesday Nov 03, 2015
Tuesday Nov 03, 2015
It's POvember!
PlayOff November. Get it? Ok, that's pretty bad, but we've thought of it and we're sticking with it. Anyhoo, it's the playoffs baby!
Vancouver Whitecaps are hopefully 90 minutes away from their first MLS Western Conference final following a semi-final first leg 0-0 draw in Portland on Sunday. With everything still to play for, we look back at the game and hear from both coaches - Vancouver's Carl Robinson and Portland's Caleb Porter.
The Whitecaps season has most definitely been built on a solid defensive footing and one player who has certainly played his part in that is rookie centre back Tim Parker. We talk with the American about his debut season in MLS, his development, his first playoff experience and his hopes of playing for the US national team.
And talking of rookies, there's still time to hear from Canadian international, and likely MLS Rookie of the Year, Cyle Larin, who chats about his first season as a pro in MLS, what he's learned with Orlando City and looking ahead to next week's big World Cup qualifier in Vancouver, as Canada take on Honduras.
Have a listen!
Tuesday Oct 27, 2015
Tuesday Oct 27, 2015
The regular season is finally over and Vancouver Whitecaps have finished second in the West and third overall in MLS. Not bad, but all the focus is now on what they can do in the playoffs.
We're joined by Harjeet Johal to look back on the 'Caps 3-0 win over Houston and what we can take from it going forward in terms of form, momentum and injuries.
We hear from both coaches, Vancouver's Carl Robinson and Houston's Owen Coyle, with the latter making a bold guarantee to AFTN listeners.
We also catch up with goalscorer Robert Earnshaw to talk about his super quick goal after coming on as sub, his season in Vancouver so far, how he feels the 'Caps will fare in the postseason and his overall thoughts on the playoffs.
Then we head into the Houston locker room to get some very honest end of season thoughts from Giles Barnes and possible Vancouver target, Will Bruin.
And there's still time to look ahead to the MLS playoffs. Who will get through the first round? Who with the Whitecaps face? And who will win the whole shebang?
Have a listen!
Wednesday Sep 30, 2015
Wednesday Sep 30, 2015
Happy International Podcast Day everybody!
A special day, so we're bringing you a special podcast. One which we've been wanting to do for a while. It's our podcast within a podcast, as we bring you Episode 129 of "There's Still Time", which is also Episode 1 of "Wavelength".
To us, football and music go hand in hand. Away From The Numbers is named after a 1977 song by The Jam after all. So we're wanting to bring you a series of special podcasts bringing you some of our favourite (sometimes for all the wrong reasons) football related songs.
To kick things off, we bring you ten songs. Ten, well, we can't even say classics, so let's just with tunes. Yup, ten tunes covering Vancouver Whitecaps, East Fife, West Ham United, Cardiff City, Accrington Stanley, Altrincham and Columbus Crew.
Have a listen and don't forget to let us know some of your favourites!
Monday Sep 28, 2015
Monday Sep 28, 2015
Back to back home losses for Vancouver Whitecaps now as the MLS season gets down to the wire.
It was a tale of two penalties at BC Place on Saturday night, both horrible awards, and some woeful finishing from the 'Caps as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat to New York City FC.
We pick over the bones of the defeat with the help of Harjeet Johal.
What was with the officiating? What was with the finishing? What's with the inability to get some breathing space at the top of the table? Did any Whitecaps players stand out or did they all just freeze in front of their big name opponents? We look at these talking points and more.
We also hear from the victorious NYC locker room and get the thoughts of head coach Jason Kreis, goalscorer Frank Lampard and US international Mix Diskerud.
We'll also chat about fawning over the names in town, the decision to keep the capacity at 21,000 and disrespecting the Supporters' Shield.
And there's still time to bring back an old segment to lighten the mood, as we look at some of the more offbeat stories in the world of soccer this past week.
Have a listen!
Thursday Sep 24, 2015
Thursday Sep 24, 2015
It's all over for Vancouver Whitecaps 2's inaugural season.
Michael and Steve are joined by Curva Collective's Zachary Meisenheimer and AFTN photographer Tom Ewasiuk to look at WFC2's first season in USL.
Can it be deemed a success?
Well the club finished second bottom in the table but got some vital development minutes not just for their talent coming through, but the fringe guys from the MLS team. What were the highs? The lows? Who made the grade and could move on up and who disappointed? And what about the venue itself up at UBC and the crowds they attracted?
We look at all this and more.
Have a listen!
Monday Sep 21, 2015
Monday Sep 21, 2015
The weekend started off so brightly for us here at AFTN Towers. Both East Fife and Wimbledon got big victories in their respective leagues, but then the Whitecaps took to the pitch.
It was a double losing weekend for the 'Caps, with Seattle claiming this year's Cascadia Cup with a 3-0 victory on Saturday and then Austin Aztex coming back from two goals down to beat WFC2 3-2 in USL action on Sunday.
That's what you call a bad weekend. We've been playing the Art Brut song of the same name on repeat as a result.
Michael and Steve are joined by AFTN writer Jay Duke to look back at the Seattle loss. What went wrong? Were there any positives to take from it? And what does it mean, if anything, for the rest of the season.
We also look ahead to the next clash between the two sides, Wednesday's winner takes all CONCACAF Champions League group game.
The USL season wrapped up on Sunday and we chat with WFC2 head coach Alan Koch about the successes of the team's inaugural season and what lies in store for the team and the players moving forward.
And there's still time to catch up with Austin Aztex head coach Paul Dalglish about his return to Texas, the club moving up from PDL to USL and the impact on the Whitecaps of former Aztec, Kekuta Manneh.
Have a listen!
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!