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
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!
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!