AFTN Soccer Show

Episode 85 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Five Have A Mystery To Solve)

So, apparently it's still the offseason for Vancouver Whitecaps. That whole time travelling experiment didn't seem to work. Ah well, don't worry because "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer podcast, is back with another roundtable for your aural pleasure.

Episode 85 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 happenings in Whitecapsland.

Last episode was a look back at the season just past, but this week it's time to take a look to the future, as the Famous Five set out to solve some mysteries that would make Enid Blyton proud.

The Caps will be announcing what's happening with some of the squad pretty soon, so we take a look at which players we feel should stay and which ones need to be set free. Who earned their corn? Who costs too much money? And which players should Vancouver look to protect in the expansion draft?

Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson shares some thoughts on his plans for the upcoming drafts and the chances of Erick Torres landing in Vancouver. With trade talk getting underway throughout MLS, we ponder which players we'd love to see the Caps bring in, and ship out and who has a big part to play in a busy season next year that includes Champions League football for the first time. How will Vancouver fans react to that?

Everyone's / no-one's favourite quiz show "30 Seconds To Mars" returns to ask who should partner Laba, Koffie or Teibert? Which young player will break out for the Caps next season? And who should be inducted into the next Ring of Honour?

And there's still time to ask, "Do you remember your first time?".

All this and more in an innuendo laden episode. Have a listen!

Episode 84 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Five Go Adventuring Again)

Sadly it's now the offseason for Vancouver Whitecaps, but fear not, because "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer podcast, will still be with you through these cold, wet and dreary winter months.

Episode 84 is here your aural enjoyment and it's the first of a series of special end of season roundtables that we'll bring you over the next few weeks.

Your usual co-hosts Michael McColl and Steve Pandher are joined by AFTN writer Jay Duke, and Curva Collective's Zachary Meisenheimer and Steven Lamothe, to discuss the latest happenings in Whitecapsland.

We have to start with the playoff loss in Dallas, but we also take a look back at the season past. Is there any way you can't class it as a success for the Caps?

The Whitecaps players faced the media for the last time this week and had their exit interviews, and we bring you audio from Sebastian Fernandez and Darren Mattocks, as they discuss the season and what lies ahead for both of them.

The Caps season may be over but there's still a lot to play for in MLS. We discuss who we think will win the MLS Cup, who we want to win it and who we don't, and Caps' coach Carl Robinson chips in his thoughts too.

And there's still time to share what song we, and some of our listeners, feel sums up the Whitecaps season best, and our "popular" gameshow 30 Seconds To Mars makes it's return.

Have a listen!

Episode 83 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Playoff Bound)

Episode 83 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer podcast, is a post playoff clinching special!

It's been some three weeks for the Whitecaps with a unique treble of the Cascadia Cup, a Champions League spot and now a playoff place, kicking off against Dallas on Wednesday.

We look back at the win against Colorado that got them there and the challenge ahead posed by Dallas.

There's postgame audio from a jubilant Whitecaps locker room as we hear from coach Carl Robinson, goalscorer Kendall Waston, goalkeeper David Ousted and young homegrown star Sam Adekugbe.

The Whitecaps headed down to Texas by a charter flight on Monday morning and we were at the airport to get the latest thoughts from Robinson, Ousted, Jordan Harvey, Andy O'Brien and Russell Teibert.

Have a listen!

Episode 82 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (One Down, Two To Go)

Episode 82 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer podcast, is a post Thanksgiving show and there's a lot to give thanks for in Whitecapsland.

Now that they've lifted another Cascadia Cup, it's one goal down, two to go for Vancouver Whitecaps.

After a dramatic and critically important win over Seattle Sounders on Friday, the Whitecaps could find themselves just 90 minutes away from both a MLS playoff place and a spot in next year's CONCACAF Champions League when they face San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night. Or they may have to wait another week and even face playing catch up.

We look back at the big talking points from the Sounders game, the players that stood out and those that didn't, and what shape the Whitecaps are looking in, in the battle for the postseason.

Moving on to this week's training, we hear the thoughts of head coach Carl Robinson, goalkeeper David Ousted and centreback Andy O'Brien about Seattle, San Jose and the playoff race.

Kekuta Manneh talks about his love for scoring against Seattle, the works he needs to do on his game and his international future, whilst new homegrown signing Kianz Froese chats about his MLS debut.

And there's still time to look ahead to the San Jose game at the weekend. What Earthquakes team will turn up and will the pressure get to the Whitecaps?

Have a listen!

Episode 81 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Vancouver v Dallas postgame show)

Episode 81 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer podcast, is a Vancouver Whitecaps v FC Dallas postgame show.

We pick over the bones of the 'Caps back to back home wins, that leaves them still with a narrow one point lead over Portland in the battle for the last playoff place in the West.

There's locker room audio from Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson, David Ousted, Sebastian Fernandez, Kendall Waston and Mauro Rosales, along with Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja.

And there's still time for some Whitecaps news and notes, as we chew the fat on Omar Salgado, USL PRO, Russell Teibert and the Canadian men's national team, and the Whitecaps Residency.

Episode 80 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (That Was The Week That Was)

Episode 80 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer podcast, looks back at a very busy, and at times disappointing, week in Whitecapsland.

There was the good - the signing of tow homegrown players. The bad - the failure to convince New Westminster to be the home for the Caps' USL Pro team. And the ugly - Vancouver head to Portland this weekend to face Will Johnson and co.

We bring you all the chatter from training this week in another raw audio heavy episode.

We hear from those homegrown signings, Marco Bustos and Kianz Froese about their new MLS deals and we get the thoughts of Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson on the pair.

Those were the only two signings announced on Monday before the MLS roster freeze and Whitecaps President Bobby Lenarduzzi tells us why and talks about the USL Pro situation, the season run-in and more.

Keeping with the young theme we hear from Christian Dean about his first MLS start in last week's game against Dallas and from the guy that scored Vancouver's goal down there, and who everyone hopes is going to go on another streak, Erik Hurtado.

Turning attention to back to the remainder of the MLS season, we hear from Robinson and some of the players about being in a full playoff mindset already and how each of these remaining six games is already basically a playoff game if Vancouver want to reach the postseason once again.

Robinson also looks ahead to this weekend's big Cascadia Cup clash in Portland and we hear from some of the players - goalkeeper David Ousted, centreback Andy O'Brien and midfielders Matias Laba, Mauro Rosales and Russell Teibert.

A busy show for a busy week!

Episode 79 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Legends of Vancouver)

Episode 79 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer podcast, is a 'Legends of Vancouver' special. Past and hopefully future.

The number 79 has special connotations for Whitecaps supporters. 1979 is the year we won the NASL Soccer Bowl and we honour the 35th anniversary of that triumph by speaking with two of the Caps' legends from that era.

First up is Willie Johnston. Wee Willie is enjoying being back in Vancouver for the celebrations and has been doing a lot of media, but we feel we bring you the best, most informative and most fun chat with the Scot that you'll hear this week. We look back at the Soccer Bowl triumph, his time in Vancouver, the infamous stories and other aspects of his long career.

Next up is his old teammate and current Whitecaps President Bobby Lenarduzzi. The Duze talks about the current state of the Caps, will there be any new additions before the roster freeze, what can cure the scoring woes and a lot more.

From days of old to current times, via a former 86ers and Whitecaps player, local lad Mark Watson. Watson is the current San Jose Earthquakes coach, and back in his hometown for a crunch match up between the two sides as they battle for that last playoff place in the West. Watson talks about the race, the challenge the Caps pose his team and the weirdness of this season's MLS schedule.

And there's still time to bring you some audio from the Caps side to preview the San Jose game. We hear from head coach Carl Robinson, goalkeeper David Ousted, defender Andy O'Brien, and striker Erik Hurtado ahead of Wednesday's important match.

Episode 78 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Vancouver v DC Postgame Show)

Episode 78 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer podcast, is a Vancouver Whitecaps v DC United postgame special.

The Whitecaps' attack is like an old 78 record at the moment, looking outdated and not relevant to modern surroundings. It was evident again against DC, with Vancouver making it four straight games, 411 minutes and nine halfs of football without finding the back of the net.

We look back at the highs and lows of the game and get locker room audio from coach Carl Robinson, defender Jordan Harvey, midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy and striker Darren Mattocks.

And there's still time to head into the enemy's lair and hear the thoughts on the match from DC coach Ben Olsen and former Whitecaps Residency player Kyle Porter.

Have a listen!

Episode 77 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Figuring Things Out)

Episode 77 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer podcast, might not have as much flair and excitement as Vancouver Whitecaps' number 77 Pedro Morales, but it's jam packed with Caps analysis and training ground audio.

We look back at the Portland horrorshow and try and figure out just what went wrong. Have the Whitecaps simply been figured out and how do they get out of their current funk? Do they need to change formation and will that see Kekuta Manneh played as an out and out striker?

If Pedro Morales doesn't perform, then the Caps don't perform. We wrote about that in an article earlier in the week, and coach Carl Robinson weighs in with his thoughts.

We also have more training ground audio and views from Robinson, David Ousted, Andy O'Brien and Darren Mattocks.

And there's still time to look ahead to this weekend's game with DC United.

Episode 76 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (The Great Unwashed)

Disinfectant at the ready, the Great Unwashed are coming to town.

Portland come a calling to BC Place on Saturday in a crucial Cascadia Cup clash with vital playoff points on the line. A Whitecaps win and they're sitting pretty, A Timbers win and Caps start to lose the momentum in the playoff race.

Episode 76 of "There's Still Time" looks at what lessons, if any, we can take from the Whitecaps' 2-0 loss in LA and ponders whether a change of formation would help with the goalscoring woes. Or will that take a new addition and could he be on the way in the shape of Kei Kamara?

We also look ahead to this weekend's big game hunt against the Timbers. Can the Caps give Will Johnson and co a right good face slapping?

And there's still time for lots of training ground audio from Caps' coach Carl Robinson, goalkeeper David Ousted, defenders Jordan Harvey and Andy O'Brien, and strikers Kekuta Manneh and Darren Mattocks.

Have a listen!

Episode 75 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (More Tales From The Training Ground)

Intense was the word of the day at Whitecaps training on Tuesday and it was also the mood in the air as the players battled hard for over two and a half hours.

There were hard challenges, verbal exchanges and an overall desire to get the team over the final stretch and into the playoffs.

Episode 75 of "There's Still Time" is a special Tales From The Training Ground as we hear from Caps' head coach Carl Robinson, goalkeeper David Ousted, right back Steven Beitashour, midfielder Russell Teibert and striker Omar Salgado about a number of key topics.

We look at the Caps' three clean sheets in a row; the team's current fifth place in the standings and playoff push; the intensity of training and why it's important it doesn't go too far; the upcoming LA game; the Julian Jenner rumours and whether there will be more additions before the roster freeze; and what are the chances of some more homegrown talent being added soon?

All that, and there's still time to look at the Salgado handshake incident that had everyone in a tizzy over the weekend, and we hear from the player and coach themselves in full about it, expanding on my article on MLSsoccer.com.

Have a listen!

Episode 74 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Celebrate Good Times)

It's Episode 74 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer Podcast, and we're in a celebratory mood.

Not just because the Vancouver Whitecaps beat Sporting Kansas City to get back into the playoff places in the MLS Western Conference, but also because this podcast was recorded on the 25th birthday/anniversary of when AFTN first began as a fanzine back in Scotland on August 10th 1989.

So a special day for AFTN and a special day for the Whitecaps, who got back on track and finally stopped drawing.

We pick over the bones and the highs and lows of the game and hear audio from both locker rooms, both coaches and a number of the players.

On the Whitecaps side we hear from head coach Carl Robinson, goalscorer Darren Mattocks and goalkeeper David Ousted.

And from Kansas City, we have a good chat with their head coach Peter Vermes (one of the best coaches to chat to in MLS in our opinion), their penalty-saving goalkeeper Jon Kempin and All-Star defender Matt Besler.

And there's still time to look at whether the Whitecaps should/will make any further additions to the squad before the roster freeze, the USL Pro town forums and Canada's potential World Cup bid for 2026.

Have a listen!

Episode 73 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (All Aboard The Blunderbus)

The blunderbus(s) is loaded. All aboard for episode 73 of the AFTN soccer podcast.

Your usual co-hosts Michael McColl and Steve Pandher look at the latest happenings in Vancouver Whitecapsland with a Dallas post game show.

More home points dropped against the FUDs, that's five points dropped in the last two home games, which is simply not good enough if Vancouver Whitecaps want to be a playoff contender.

We look back at the 2-2 draw with Dallas, the mistakes that led to the visitors' two goals and the inability to convert more than two of the 30 chances created. Who played well? Who had a game to forget? What's missing and what can be done to change things? We look at all that and more.

We also hear post game audio from both locker rooms. For Vancouver, we have some frustrations from head coach Carl Robinson, goalkeeper David Ousted, goalscorer and goal misser Darren Mattocks and captain Pedro Morales.

Dallas coach Oscar Pareja shares his thoughts on the game and we hear from rising (hopefully) Canadian star Tesho Akindele.

And there's still time to get some tweets from our listeners on where the Caps need to strengthen as the number one priority and a look at the heartbreak that was in store for the U23s in the PDL Western Conference Final Four.

Have a listen!

Episode 72 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Blowing Out Matches)

It's episode 72 of the AFTN soccer podcast and your usual co-hosts Michael McColl and Steve Pandher look at the latest happenings in Vancouver Whitecapsland.

It's been a tough week for the Caps. Three games, two good roads draws but ultimately only two points from a possible nine and slipping out of the playoff places was a wasted opportunity.

We look back at the road games at Toronto and Real Salt Lake and the inability to manage games, kill them off and come away with wins from a leading position. What's behind the blown leads and the amount of late goals being conceded? How can that be turned around? And what personnel needs to come in during the transfer window to help?

Apart from our thoughts on the matter, we hear those of coach Carl Robinson, goalkeeper David Ousted, left back Jordan Harvey and striker Erik Hurtado from training this week.

And there's still time to look ahead to the crucial game against Dallas at the weekend, where three points really are a must.

Have a listen!

Episode 71 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (The Goats Slaughter)

It's episode 71 of the AFTN soccer podcast and your usual co-hosts Michael McColl and Steve Pandher are joined by Harjeet Johal to look at the latest happenings in Vancouver Whitecapsland.

We look back at the Goats' slaughter. Chivas came into BC Place and left with a 3-1 victory but what was the main cause? The heat, Jordan Harvey's sending off, switching off at the start of the second half or the inability to take their numerous chances created?

We hear post game audio from Caps' coach Carl Robinson, goalkeeper David Ousted and Vancouver scorer Carlyle Mitchell.

Looking ahead to the tough two game road trip coming up, we ponder what changes Robbo should make and discuss the big question of whether the current Whitecaps squad is good enough to make the playoffs as we look at what desperately needs strengthened in this summer transfer window and which current players should move on.

And there's still time to chat about the other big happenings this week - the Caps' new USL PRO team, Marco Bustos accepting a call up to Chile and playoff heartbreak for the U16s.

Have a listen!

Episode 70 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Mash Up or Mish Mash?)

It's episode 70 of the AFTN podcast and we present to you a mash up or should that be a mish mash of styles, as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps and World Cup.

The Whitecaps were back in MLS "action" on Wednesday evening and we use that word very loosely in case the Trade Descriptions Act people get wind of it.

It may have been boring on the pitch but we have some lively post game chat about the match off it with guest Zachary Meisenheimer from Curva Collective.

What went wrong with Fun Boy Three up front? Were there any positives that could be taken from the performance? Too much rust or not enough Rusty? We look at all that and hear the post game thoughts of Caps' coach Carl Robinson.

Moving on from whatever that game was, we look ahead to the crucial Western Conference clash at the weekend with Colorado Rapids. A match that could have huge playoff implications down the playoff line.

And there's still time, a lot of it in fact, to discuss the group game stage of this year's World Cup and Jordan Harvey talks us through his emotions watching the US concede a late equaliser to Portugal. Who has impressed? Which players have shone? And just what countries don't I hate?!

Have a listen!

Episode 69 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Vancouver Whitecaps World Cup Special 2)

Vancouver Whitecaps are back in training after their World Cup break and we're back with our second Caps' flavoured World Cup special podcast.

We hear from Jay DeMerit about what it was like to play in South Africa for the US in 2010, whilst Bobby Lenarduzzi shares some memories of turning out in Canada's first ever Finals appearance against France at Mexico 86.

Heading to Korea and Japan in 2002, Andy O'Brien tells us what it was like to be there as part of the Republic of Ireland squad and shares some of his favourite memories of watching the World Cup as a fan.

So does Carl Robinson, who talks Italia 90, what it would have meant to him to play in a World Cup finals and why he wants his players to have that chance to play at the top level.

And there's lots of Scotland/Wales/England banter too.

But it's not all World Cup chat. The Whitecaps returned to training this week, keen to build on their recent good run of form but to also shore up their defensive lapses.

We chat with Carl Robinson, Andy O'Brien and David Ousted about whether the World Cup break will be a momentum killer, how to stop the Caps' leaking goals and what it's like to be a defender in this modern age of going down at the first contact.

And there's still time to play you some more snippets from something that makes every World Cup complete for us, "quality" official and unofficial World Cup songs, including Canada's official song for the 1986 World Cup.

Have a listen!

Episode 68 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Vancouver Whitecaps World Cup Special)

The waiting is over and the 2014 World Cup is underway. It may not have been an opening game classic, but there were enough talking points from the Brazil-Croatia game to keep most people happy.

But we have so much more to talk about than that in Episode 68 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN Soccer Podcast.

We're bringing you a World Cup podcast with a very Vancouver Whitecaps feel and theme to it, as we talk to some Caps about their countries, the World Cup and their memories.

First up, we bring you part of Steven Beitashour's conference call from Brazil as he tells us about life with the Iranian team, looks forward to their opening game with Nigeria and shares some of his earliest and fondest World Cup memories.

Iran get underway on Monday and that game is followed by the big clash between Ghana and the US. We bring you some thoughts from both sides as Gershon Koffie gives his thoughts on the Black Stars and Erik Hurtado on the Stars and Stripes, and both players tell us what it would mean to them to play at a World Cup Finals one day.

Then it's time for some Latin flair as Pedro Morales talks Chile, nearly making the 2010 World Cup squad and his favourite World Cup memories.

If that's not enough, Jay Duke and myself take a trip down World Cup memory lane ourselves.

And there's still time to play you some snippets from something that makes every World Cup complete, "quality" official and unofficial World Cup songs.

Episode 67 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Life's A Beach)

Who can stop the mighty Whitecaps?!

Vancouver Whitecaps are on a roll. Life's a beach and that's why we've taken this special quick hit edition of the podcast on the road and to the sunny beaches of California this week.

It's just one man and his dog, as Michael McColl and his faithful companion Predictapooch look back on the Caps' win in Portland and ahead to Saturday's final game before the World Cup break, away to Philadelphia.

We also hear some audio about both games from Whitecaps' coach Carl Robinson.

And there's still time to hear what we're sure will be our question and quote of the year in AFTN's end of season awards.

No sea anemones, starfish or hermit crabs were hurt in the making of this episode.

Episode 66 - The AFTN Soccer Podcast (Portland v Vancouver Preview Show)

Cascadian derbies are very much like buses. Not only do you wait for one and then two come along, but they're also much better when you're on top.

And we're in a Cascadia Cup fervour right now at AFTN Towers, so much so that we are bringing you the first ever podcast to feature all four AFTN writers and podcasters!

Recorded live during Wednesday's Whitecaps U23 PDL game, episode 66 of "There's Still Time" looks at the fallout from Saturday's draw with Seattle and we get the scoop and definitive answer on the big talking point to come out of the Sounders game from Caps' coach Carl Robinson.

With another Cascadian clash coming fast, we also hear from Jordan Harvey, David Ousted and Jay DeMerit with their thoughts about what playing in these Cascadian derbies mean to them and how they compare to some of the other big derby games they've played in over the years.

As part of that, the Vancouver-Seattle rivalry is really growing and Carl Robinson tells us why.
And there's still time for the AFTN team to look ahead to the next derby clash this coming Sunday in Portland. How do the Timbers and Caps match up and who are the key players?