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 Apr 20, 2015
Monday Apr 20, 2015
Is there anything better than spending a sunny Sunday at the football?
Well, watching your team win, but apart from that, Vancouver Whitecaps' USL home opener was finally upon us and it was a beautiful day.
All that was missing was that win, as WFC2 and TFC2 drew 1-1, but coming on the back of the 'Caps winning 1-0 at RSL on Saturday night, it was a pretty pleasing four point weekend.
We look over the win in Salt Lake. Some new tactics on display from the 'Caps and we're not just talking about Darren Mattocks hitting the target. But a lot of positives to come from the game, along with a couple of concerns.
Then we turn out attentions to WFC2 and we hear from both coaches, Vancouver's Alan Koch and Toronto's Jason Bent, about the game and their respective team's seasons so far.
We also catch up with WFC2 goalscorer Caleb Clarke and captain Tyler Rosenlund after the game to talk about the performance, the first five games and team chemistry.
And there's still time for a couple of exclusive chats with some familiar faces, two homegrown products, goalkeeper Marco Carducci and Ben McKendry. We talk to the two Residency alumni about the USL home opener, their seasons so far, what lies ahead for them this year and what they need to show to break into the MLS reckoning.
Have a listen!
Sunday Apr 05, 2015
Sunday Apr 05, 2015
Ladies and gentlemen, a big hand for your MLS leading Vancouver Whitecaps.
Five games in and top of the pile. A very happy Easter indeed. Eggscellent you could say.
But enough of the yolks, it's episode 104 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN podcast and it's our LA postgame show.
We look back over the Whitecaps' masterful performance with the help of special guest Harjeet Johal. Who stood out? Who had more ball touches than Diego Rodriguez? When will Octavio Rivero be heading for the English Premiership? How jealous are TFC fans of the 'Caps start? All that and much more.
We also hear the postgame thoughts from both coaches, Vancouver's Carl Robinson and LA's Bruce Arena, and there audio galore from both locker rooms.
From the joyous Whitecaps, we hear from clean sheet merchant David Ousted, stellar defender Kendall Waston, goalscorer Kekuta Manneh and El Capitan Pedro Morales.
And what would a post LA game podcast be without hearing from the man that is Mr Soundbite himself, Robbie Keane?! The Irish striker doesn't let us down again and we also hear from a very down sounding AJ DeLaGarza and the man who would be Zorro, Gyasi Zardes.
And there's still time to look ahead to Wednesday's game against Columbus and how WFC2 have fared in the USL season so far.
Have a listen!
Sunday Mar 29, 2015
Sunday Mar 29, 2015
Another Saturday, another late, late winning goal for Vancouver Whitecaps. It's all getting so wonderfully predictable!
Portland Timbers became the latest team to be on the end of a Whitecaps smash and grab thanks to Robert Earnshaw's 90th minute winner. Nice to do that in any game but when it's in a Cascadian derby against one of your fiercest rivals, then it's even sweeter.
So as you can imagine, we're pretty cock-a-hoop here at AFTN Towers as we bring you our double whammy of our Portland postgame show and a quick USL WFC2 preview podcast.
We pick over the bones of the game and hear from both Vancouver coach Carl Robinson and Portland head honcho Caleb Porter, with their thoughts on how the match played out, the goals and the key players.
And talking of those, we also hear from Whitecaps match winner Robert Earnshaw and the man of the match, goalkeeper David Ousted.
We also hear from the Portland locker room, with the thoughts of Timbers DP Liam Ridgewell, goalscorer Fanendo Adi and defender Nat Borchers.
And there's still time for a quick look at WFC2 kicking off their USL season against Seattle on Sunday, as we chat with head coach Alan Koch and captain Tyler Rosenlund.
Have a listen!
Wednesday Mar 25, 2015
Wednesday Mar 25, 2015
The lion sleeps tonight. Well Lions actually. Vancouver Whitecaps have headed home after two successful away games that saw them claim six points, two clean sheets and create late drama galore.
We look back over the weekend win over Orlando City, and hear some thoughts on the match from 'Caps coach Carl Robinson, goalkeeper David Ousted, and defenders Steven Beitashour, Jordan Harvey and Pa Modou Kah.
But that's all in the past now, for the first Cascadia derby of the season is coming up this weekend and we preview the Portland game. Who will play? Who will be suspended? Will the Timbers have a midfield left? We look ahead to the big battle and hear some views on the game and the stories surrounding it from both coaches - Carl Robinson and Caleb Porter
And we have to say, the end of the Porter audio does make for some uncomfortable and cringingly awful listening!
Thursday Mar 19, 2015
Thursday Mar 19, 2015
In George Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty-Four" Room 101 was a torture chamber filled with prisoners' fears and worst nightmares. You could imagine that a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater that came out of the sky might be one of the inhabitants in there.
Yet, ironically, for episode 101 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer Podcast, we're hoping that the Whitecaps become such purple people monsters, devouring Orlando City in MLS action on Saturday.
Fresh from their first win, and clean sheet, of the new MLS season, Vancouver head into Florida for the first time on MLS duty to face the Eastern Conference leaders. We look back on last weekend's win over Chicago and ahead to the Orlando clash.
One of the standouts from the Chicago win, was Residency alumni Sam Adekugbe and we have a chat with the homegrown star about the match, the threat posed by Orlando, his battle with Jordan Harvey for the starters spot and what he's learned from the veteran defender.
Setting up the Orlando match for us is another young Canadian, the number one pick in this year's MLS SuperDraft, Orlando City striker Cyle Larin. Larin chats with us about that draft day experience, his time in Orlando so far, the challenges from moving up to the pros from the college game, this weekend's match-up with Vancouver and the Canadian national team's World Cup hopes.
We also hear from both coaches, Carl Robinson and Adrian Heath with their thoughts about the match and Robbo talks Robert Earnshaw, squad tinkering and the form of Pedro Morales.
All that and there's still time for Carl Robinson's Big Question.
Have a listen!
Saturday Mar 14, 2015
Saturday Mar 14, 2015
And they said it wouldn't last. Well, whoever they are were wrong, as we bring you the 100th episode of "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer Podcast.
We're in joyous mood at AFTN towers and it's not just because Vancouver Whitecaps got their first win of the new MLS season. We're celebrating a ton of pods with a ton of fun. Shenanigans ensured.
We thought after a hundred episodes we still don't really know all that much about the Whitecaps players off the pitch, so let's change that with our new section "Teammates". Let's get some home truths about the players from those that spend the most time with them outside of their families. Or in other words, lets have teammates have a heap of fun letting rip on the rest of the locker room!! Whitecaps left back Jordan Harvey kicks the new feature off, but rest assured there will be a lot more to come!
The 'Caps Canadian international Russell Teibert gets in on the act with a Canadian national team "Teammates" feature and Russell enjoyed it so much, he asked to do a Whitecaps one as well!
And we also discover some strange "lost footage" from the AFTN vaults of 2011. Strange, because the podcast didn't even exist back then!
All that and there's still time for Carl Robinson's big question! What will it be this week? Want to ask your own one? Then get in touch.
Celebrate our century with us and have a listen.
Wednesday Mar 11, 2015
Wednesday Mar 11, 2015
On the road again. Vancouver Whitecaps are on the road again. And that can only mean one thing, it's match preview podcast time.
As the 'Caps head east to Chicago to fight the Fire, we bring you a very special preview show, and one of our best episodes yet, even if we do say so ourselves!
Both team are winless, and draw specialists. Surely that can only mean one thing?!
Head coaches Carl Robinson and Frank Yallop set up the match for us before we bring you four exclusive one on one interviews with players from both teams.
Chicago's new Designated Player Shaun Maloney is first up, as he talks about making the move to MLS, what he knows about the league, what he expects and his hopes for the Fire this season? Note, despite two Scots blathering on, there are no subtitles available for their chat!
Keeping it in the UK, English midfielder, and former Whitecap, Matt Watson drops by to talk about his time in Vancouver, the quickness of his move to Chicago, his first MLS goal and how he's settled in as a Fire starter amidst all the squad changes.
Watson may be a familiar face to Whitecaps fans, but Vancouver have a familiar face to Fire fans in the form of goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi. The 'Caps number two keeper chats about what brought him over to MLS and the Fire from Italy, how he handles being a back up and lets us know if goalkeeping coach Marius Rovde is as crazy as we think he is!
And there's still time to end the show with another chat with Chicago coach Frank Yallop. The former Vancouverite talks about just what went wrong in his first season in Chicago, building a squad he can call his own and what Fire fans can expect from their team this season.
Phew! All the game build up you can shake a stick at, so have a listen.
Sunday Mar 08, 2015
Sunday Mar 08, 2015
Well First Kick 2015 was the equivalent of Game of Thrones 'Red Wedding' for Vancouver Whitecaps. A real Jekyll and Hyde performance saw two Whitecaps side turn up on the pitch for the proverbial game of two halves.
We pick over the carcass that was left for dead at BC Place. What was behind the Vancouver's second half flatness and how much of it can be placed at the door of Toronto for making some excellent half time adjustments? Where did Kekuta Manneh go to at half time? What does Nicolas Mezquida have to do to get on the pitch? And after TFC beat Seattle in their opener last year with two goals from a new DP, does this mean Vancouver are heading for the Supporters' Shield?!
We've got the thoughts of both coaches, Vancouver's Carl Robinson and Toronto's Greg Vanney, and we hear from the victorious locker room with audio from Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley.
Friday Mar 06, 2015
Friday Mar 06, 2015
It looked like it wasn't going to be happening but now it's game on and the 2015 MLS is underway.
Vancouver Whitecaps kick off the new campaign with a match against Canadian rivals Toronto FC and we bring you our special pregame show with audio from both camps.
In the blue corner, Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson talks about the game, going unbeaten against the East and what the new CBA may mean in terms of new additions to his squad.
Meanwhile, in the red corner we hear from TFC coach Greg Vanney, captain Michael Bradley, new signing Jozy Altidore and defender Steven Caldwell.
The battle lines have been clearly drawn. It's going to be a feisty affair. Get in the mood and have a listen!
Thursday Feb 26, 2015
Thursday Feb 26, 2015
It's always oh so simple for the Whitecaps these days in Portland. Back to back preseason tournaments in the bag and still a game to spare.
We chat with 'Caps coach Carl Robinson and two goal striker Darren Mattocks after Wednesday's 3-2 win over Norwegian side Stabaek, as we look forward to Saturday's final game against Chicago Fire and at the suggestions that Vancouver are a dirty team.
We also hear from Fire head coach Frank Yallop in an exclusive chat about Chicago's preseason and Saturday's match-up.
And there's still time to chat with Robinson and 'Caps captain Pedro Morales about why South American players seem to be such a good fit for the Whitecaps and MLS.
Have a listen!
Saturday Feb 21, 2015
Saturday Feb 21, 2015
It feels like we've been talking about it for ages, but it's only been since last summer that the seeds for Vancouver Whitecaps' USL team were sewn. Those seeds have now sprouted and the team is coming together, with open tryouts this weekend and their preseason training camp kicking off on Monday.
The 'Caps have announced the first three signings to the USL squad - all Residency graduates and all in this special WFC2 episode of "There's Still Time", the AFTN podcast.
We have exclusive one to one chats with defender Jackson Farmer and midfielder Mitch Piraux about the signing of their first professional contracts, what the USL team means to their development and being involved in last year's Voyageurs Cup squad. Farmer also tells us about making the transition from centre defender to right back and his recent trip to the World Cup qualifiers with the Canadian U20 team.
And there's still time for our thoughts on the team and some training scrum audio from the other USL signing Jordan Haynes and head coach Alan Koch.
Have a listen!
Tuesday Feb 17, 2015
Tuesday Feb 17, 2015
Vancouver Whitecaps are still camping hard in the hope that the 2015 MLS season will actually get underway on time.
It's a buoyant 'Caps camp, but then again, when is it not? Coming off a 6-0 friendly win on Sunday helps of course. We look back at the UVIC Vikes match-up and ask if there was really much than you can take from such a hammering?
One of the standout players on Sunday though was young Canadian internationalist Marco Bustos. We speak one-on-one with Bustos about his first camp as a MLS pro, how he's progressing and his hopes for the season.
A player who is hoping to build upon a great MLS season last year is Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted. The great Dane led the league with 13 clean sheets. Can we expect more of the same or even better? And how will the chemistry be with a new central defensive pairing in front of him? Ousted chats about all this and more.
From those with contracts, to one hoping to earn one. We ran our written interview with Welsh striker Robert Earnshaw last week, but if you missed it or if you want more, here's our full exclusive chat with the goalscorer that may be the answer to the Whitecaps search for a veteran forward.
And there's still time to feature a quick roundtable chat around the Collective Bargaining Agreement that could mean a MLS players' strike. Will it come to this? We hope not, but the players have our full support.
Have a listen!
Saturday Feb 07, 2015
Saturday Feb 07, 2015
Episode 93 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN podcast, is our first roundtable of the year.
When the cat’s away, the mice will play. Your regular host Michael has gone all Braveheart and is staging a one-man invasion of England. In his absence, Zachary Meisenheimer and Steven Lamothe join your other regular co-host Steve Pandher to look at what was a fairly busy offseason.
The trio look at the main signings of the winter and what, if anything, can be drawn from the first preseason game of the year – a 2-0 win over New England.
There’s WFC2 USL PRO chat and interviews with young ‘Caps striker Caleb Clarke and new Whitecaps FC 2 head coach Alan Koch.
And there’s still time to pick over the bones of the flop that was the Canadian U20’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Thursday Jan 29, 2015
Thursday Jan 29, 2015
It's the most wonderful time, of the year. Vancouver Whitecaps preseason camp is open.
That means the new MLS season isn't too far away (CBA pending!) and it's a time we genuinely love here at AFTN. You get far more interesting stories and narratives as veterans return, new signings show what they've got and draft picks and trialists want to show that they belong and have a place in the squad.
New faces are everywhere and we have exclusive chats with a lot of them on this episode of "There's Still Time, the AFTN podcast, and discussions about the rest.
The center back stable has been the biggest roster readjustment of this offseason, we talk to one of the three new additions, MLS SuperDraft selection Tim Parker, about settling in to MLS and Vancouver, what he hopes to achieve this season and what he needs to do to impress Carl Robinson.
Vancouver's second round draft pick was forward Kay Banjo. Described by Robinson as a "project", we talk to Kay about making the step up to MLS, his college career and what he can bring to the Whitecaps.
The Whitecaps kept it local with their next SuperDraft pick, BC boy and SFU Clan forward Jovan Blagojevic. We chat with Jovan on the day of his selection as his childhood dreams of becoming a professional footballer has been realised.
Another local lad joining the MLS fold is Residency alumni Ben McKendry. Ben's new homegrown contract was announced on Monday and we caught up with the midfielder after his first training session as a professional footballer to talk about leaving college early to make the move to MLS, his footballing journey so far, and much more. We also hear coach Carl Robinson's thoughts on his new homegrown signing.
And there's still time to catch up with a wily veteran, birthday boy Jordan Harvey, fresh from an ice bath. He tells us about the pleasures and pitfalls of having a birthday during football season!
Have a listen!
Friday Jan 09, 2015
Friday Jan 09, 2015
After the trials and tribulations of a year ago, 2015 has got off to a more stable start for Vancouver Whitecaps, although the same can't really be said for MLS itself with all the Frank Lampard nonsense.
While others in Major League Soccer are foolishly courting the big names on big salaries, the Whitecaps are going for the more low key approach of lesser known difference makers and developing their homegrown talent and team harmony.
New striker Octavio Rivero has been the only addition to the 'Caps squad so far this offseason. Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson and Club President Bobby Lenarduzzi share their thoughts on the new DP, the importance of developing their own conveyor belt of players and what new additions may still be to come from South America and the UK.
On the subject of youth, we look at the impact that the Whitecaps are having on the Canadian national youth teams and hear from Canadian U20 head coach Rob Gale ahead of the start of the World Cup qualifiers. With nine of the 20 man squad coming through Vancouver's Residency program, it really is the Whitecaps versus the world in Jamaica.
And there's still time for Carl Robinson to kick off the new year with a new feature on the podcast, as he tells us about his football firsts. The matches, the goal and more.
Have a listen!
Sunday Jan 04, 2015
Sunday Jan 04, 2015
A new year. New hope. New dreams. Out with the old, in with the new, and all that jazz. But just before we look ahead, we look back with part two of our End of Year Review.
The 2014 MLS season got underway in March and we look at the first four months of it for Vancouver Whitecaps.
An undefeated March, a winless April, goalscoring galore before the World Cup break and then the flatness following it. It's all covered here, along with all the major talking points both on and off the pitch.
From the introduction of Pedro Morales to the career ending injury to Jay DeMerit. From giving youth a chance to Nigel Reo-Coker's interpretive mime. Steve Pandher and myself are joined by Steven Lamothe and Zachary Meisenheimer to look at it all.
Have a listen and re-live some of the highs and lows of 2014 in Whitecapsland.
Wednesday Dec 24, 2014
Wednesday Dec 24, 2014
It's Christmas time. There's no need to be afraid. And if you're the kind of person to get easily offended then there's probably no need for you to listen to our Christmas special podcast either!
Episode 89 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN soccer podcast, is up for your aural pleasure.
In true UK style festive shows, it's more Christmas and nonsense than soccer and any sensible chat. So if you want some in-depth Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS analysis, wait for episode 90, but if you have 37 minutes to waste as you await to open your presents, then tune in for some chat about football presents, music about war and killer Santas, and some gift buying advice for all.
Nonsense? Festive fun? Sexist claptrap? Have a listen and decide for yourselves!
Tuesday Dec 16, 2014
Tuesday Dec 16, 2014
It's that time again. Snow is on the ground, you can justify being covered in glitter to your wife without her suspecting you've been at the strippers, and fat people feel that they're festively plump. And that can only mean one thing - it's the start of AFTN's end of season roundtables.
Episode 88 reunites your usual co-hosts Michael McColl and Steve Pandher, AFTN writer Jay Duke (briefly), and Curva Collective's Zachary Meisenheimer and Steven Lamothe, to discuss the first two months of 2014 from primarily a Vancouver Whitecaps perspective.
Surprising no-one, we kick off in January and look back on the Camilo saga, Robbo's management team, the SuperDraft, the additions of players like Steven Beitashour and the USL PRO partnership with Charleston Battery. Away from the 'Caps we also look at the CSA's strategic plan and the possible bid for the 2026 World Cup.
Training camp opened and the Caps made a couple of preseason trips in February, first to Arizona and then on to Cascadian rivals Portland Timbers. Playerwise, Nigel Reo-Coker, Omar Salgado, Andre Lewis and Matias Laba got tongues wagging for various reasons.
And there's still time to look at the breaking news of the week, the excellent re-signing of Mauro Rosales and hear from the man himself.
Have a listen!
Thursday Dec 11, 2014
Thursday Dec 11, 2014
It may be the offseason but it's been one hell of a busy week in Whitecapsland and we bring you all the news and reaction in the latest episode of "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer podcast.
Episode 87 reunites your usual co-hosts Michael McColl and Steve Pandher, AFTN writer Jay Duke, and Curva Collective's Zachary Meisenheimer and Steven Lamothe, to discuss the latest Vancouver Whitecaps happenings.
We kick things off with a look at the MLS Expansion Draft. The 'Caps only lost one player, Mehdi Ballouchy, any real loss there apart from an experienced head? We also look at the picks of new boys New York City and Orlando City. Who won the battle? Did Orlando have any clue as to what they were doing? And we ask the question on many people's lips - who the hell is Tony Taylor?
But it's been a week of moving and shaking. Players were re-signed, options were declined, Omar Salgado finally moved on and it looks like Sebastian Fernandez won't be back in the while and blue. We look at the impact of all these decisions and more.
Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson shares some thoughts on the week's movements and what may lie in store as he gets set to jet back home to Wales and take in some matches in Europe over the Christmas period.
And there's still time to continue my Carlton Cole rumours and start a new Robbie Keane one.
Have a listen!
Friday Dec 05, 2014
Friday Dec 05, 2014
Na, na na, na na na na, na na na na, eight six. Old school.
We're back with another episode of "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer podcast.
We're joined for Episode 86 by Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson for an exclusive and extensive 25 minute chat about the season just past, his first year as a head coach, and the ups of acquiring Pedro Morales and the downs of losing Camilo.
But we don't want to dwell solely on what's in the history books, as Robbo tells us about his recent scouting trip to South America, what he feels the team needs to bring in to progress, the upcoming expansion draft, his younger players, what fans can expect from the 2015 Whitecaps and more.
Steve and myself also take a look at what is going to be a very busy week ahead for Vancouver Whitecaps. The MLS trade window is open briefly on Monday, ahead of Wednesday's expansion draft. We look at what deals might go down and give our own thoughts on what 11 players we'd like to see Robbo protecting.
The 2014 MLS Cup takes place in Los Angeles on Sunday, as the Galaxy look to make it a record-breaking five Championships with a win over New England. We hear from LA head coach Bruce Arena, MLS MVP Robbie Keane, defender Omar Gonzalez, Western Conference final goalscoring hero Juninho and the retiring Landon Donovan about the game, the benefit of having a wealth of experience in their ranks and just what makes the Galaxy so successful.
Have a listen!