AFTN Soccer Show

Episode 527 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Keeping The Flame Alive)

We're back with a shorter than usual but still packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and the Canadian men's national team.

What a week it was in Whitecapsland as a six point home stand kept Vancouver's season alive and dealt a blow to their Cascadian rivals from Seattle. We delve into the 'Caps' wins against the Sounders and the Galaxy and look at the lie of the land in the MLS West and the tall order Vancouver have ahead of them if they are to get to the playoffs.

We also look at the exciting end to the CPL season and have a quick chat about the Canadian national team's upcoming friendlies and continuing World Cup prep.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

04.00: Where has this Whitecaps team been?
16.20: The 'Caps win over LA
26.30: Seattle soundly beaten
41.30: The lie of the land in MLS West
54.08: CPL chat
66.26: Wavelength - Jason McCue - Soccer
70.20: Canada's World Cup prep continues

Episode 526 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Getting Nowhere Fast)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Panini stickers, with our usual splattering of fine tunes thrown in for your aural pleasure.

After the Whitecaps' latest loss, the season is all but mathematically over and the regression and recent form has been sad to see. We look back over the 'Caps loss in Colorado and the goals and controversial moment that got them there. So what now for Vancouver?

How safe is Vanni Sartini's job? How secure are the players and how many do you even want back? How much of a rebuild is needed and why are the club going through this again? With four games remaining, how should the 'Caps approach these final matches and what will it take to get the fans back in the stands?

We chat about all of that and a lot more and talk about the ever rising cost of completing Panini sticker albums and talk about some of our favourites from through the years. And there's even time for some Wrexham chat.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

02.00: The rising costs of Panini sticker albums
11.27: Wavelength - My Brother Woody - Panini Sticker Album Blues (1987)
17.48: More Panini sticker chat
28.27: Whitecaps latest loss in Colorado
60.05: What now for the Whitecaps, this season and next?

Episode 525 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Every Point’s A Prisoner)

We've been away a long time (well three weeks) but we're finally back with another jam-packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and the Canadian Premier League, with our usual splattering of fine tunes thrown in for your aural pleasure.

Our last show came after the Whitecaps capitulation down in LA. There's been four games since then and we've seen the good, the bad, the ugly, and the very ugly side of the 'Caps in that time as the team went from having their heads above the playoff line for the first time this season, to rapidly sinking below it and in danger of disappearing without a trace.

With every point a prisoner, the Whitecaps have left the cell door wide open and some of their performances have been criminal. We look back over the past few weeks, take a look around the current lie of the land in MLS, and what it all means for the 'Caps. Plus we have to talk about the C word - Cava.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.30: Back from Bonnie Scotland
16.15: The last few weeks in Whitecapsland
29.24: Earthquakes leave 'Caps playoff hopes in ruins
59.10: MLS round-up and the lie of the land
76.31 The C Word - Cava
87.55: CPL chat
96.45: Wavelength - Admiral Fallow - Subbuteo

Episode 524 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Californication)

We're back with another jam-packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer.

Football conjures up so many feelings. From the highest of the highs to the lowest of the lows, fans across the world can feel so many emotions, with different groups experiencing vastly differing emotions from the same game or moment. You can go from loving your team, to hating them in the flash of an eye, or the scoring of a goal. It's why we all love the game so much.

Vancouver Whitecaps fans have certainly gone through the emotions during their MLS era so far and in this episode we take a look at an interesting week both on and off the pitch for the club.

On it, the team put in a horrendous first half performance at the LA Galaxy, falling to a 5-2 defeat that hits their playoff aspirations hard. We look back at the main talking points coming of the match, the poor defensive play, some head scratching line-up decisions, and where it all leaves the 'Caps with nine games to play.

Off the pitch, MLS finally published their report looking into the historic abuse allegations against the Whitecaps going back to their women's team in 2008 and 2011. We look at the report's findings and the fall out from it.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.33: Steve's back!
04.40: Whitecaps capitulate in LA
48.48: The curious case of Cristian Gutierrez
56.50: MLS publishes report into historic Whitecaps abuse allegations
95.00: Wavelength - Keshco - The Ballad of Ali Dia

Episode 523 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Pump It Better)

We're back with another jam-packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, and football on Canadian TV.

The Whitecaps left it late again to get the job done against Houston Dynamo on Friday night, but two late goals gave them a dramatic last ditch victory and with other results going their way this weekend in the West, it's going to be a fascinating run-in to end the regular season.

We delve into the main talking points coming out of the match, look at the fantastic MLS debut from Simon Becher and hear from the man himself, look at the importance of WFC2 to the Whitecaps, look at the lie of the land in the Western Conference, and hear the postgame thoughts of the gaffer Vanni Sartini and match winner Lucas Cavallini.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

02.18: Chat about football on Canadian TV
12.30: Whitecaps late late show beats Houston
44.35: Simon Becher's dream debut
51.00: The importance of WFC2 to the Whitecaps
60.50: The enigma that is Lucas Cavallini
64.57: A look ahead to the Galaxy game
74.00: The lie of the land in the MLS West
83.45: Whitecaps comings and goings
88.55: Wavelength - Armchair Loyal - Do You Wanna Touch Of The Ball

Episode 522 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Wunderbar! with special guests Julian Gressel, Fabian Herbers, Easton Ongaro, Katie Collar, Jesse Symons, and Will Cromack)

We're back with another jam-packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, and League1 BC.

And we've come over a little German for this episode (we apologised to Hans) with a Deutsche theme running throughout with our chats and our musical selections this week.

We kick things off by looking at the Whitecaps battling point earned in Nashville on Saturday night. It was another slow start and strong finish. Will this be enough to get them into the playoffs and how many points are they likely to need to pick up down the stretch?

With new additions seemingly incoming to help the 'Caps, we chat with their most recent one Julian Gressel. We delve into the German wingback's career so far, what brought him over to North America, having the rug pulled from under him with the transfer to Vancouver, his podcasting career and charity work, and a lot more.

We also chat with Julian's podcast partner on Zee Soccer Podcast, Fabian Herbers about getting into podcasting and the recent turnaround in fortunes for Chicago Fire. Plus we find out who is still the most German between Julian and Fabian!

Talking of new Whitecaps additions, we catch up with new WFC2 recruit Easton Ongaro for a chat about his move to Vancouver, plus we round up the two inaugural League1 BC championship games and chat with head coaches Katie Collar of the Whitecaps Girls Elite, Jesse Symons of Varsity FC, and Will Cromack from TSS Rovers.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.45: Intro and what does Germany mean to you?
07.55: Whitecaps fight to the end again in Nashville
31.40: Julian Gressel interview and discussion
57.40: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? - Julian Gressel
62.25: Fabian Herbers interview
70.15: Julian v Fabian - who is Das Deutsche Meister?
83.50: Easton Ongaro interview and WFC chat
91.55: League1 BC champions crowned (with interviews)
120.05: Wavelength - Bownik - Franz Beckenbauer

Episode 521 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Champions of Canada with Ryan Gauld, Tristan Blackmon, Brian White, and Ryan Raposo)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps and their Canadian Championship final win!

It's been a long wait of seven years, but the Whitecaps finally lifted only their second ever Voyageurs Cup on Tuesday night with a penalty shootout win over Toronto FC. It was an emotional and electric atmosphere at BC Place and we look back over the game, what the win means for the club, and pushing on now from that success for the rest of the season.

Plus we have postgame audio from the very jubilant Ryan Gauld, Tristan Blackmon, Brian White, and Ryan Raposo as they celebrate winning their first silverware with the club.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

02.00: BC Place's electric cup final atmosphere
16.20: Whitecaps lift the Voyageurs Cup
52.03: Tristan Blackmon and Brian White audio and discussion
59.30: Ryan Gauld audio and discussion
67.32: Ryan Raposo audio and discussion
76.15: Should the final have extra time?
83.20: Whitecaps need to push on now - new faces coming?
93.46: Wavelength - The Skinflicks - Rock and Roll and Football

Episode 520 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Undoing All The Good Work with guests Xherdan Shaqiri and Katie Collar)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, and Canadian football.

The good work done on the road by Vancouver Whitecaps was undone by a second straight home 3-1 defeat against Chicago Fire on Saturday. It was a disappointing outing but did the 'Caps have an eye too focused on Tuesday Canadian Championship final with Toronto FC?

We look at how the match played out and the line-up selected, plus we look ahead to that big game against TFC, the addition of wingback Julian Gressel, and debate whether Vanni Sartini needs to go with a more settled starting XI and what that should like that.

We also chat with Chicago's Swiss playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri, a key player for the visitors on Saturday, about the match, settling in to MLS, and looking ahead to the World Cup in Qatar.

We also look at the battle brewing in the Canadian Premier League, talk about Zach's recent visit to FC Edmonton, and ponder whether Pacific's impending CONCACAF League campaign may derail their league hopes. Plus we look at the upcoming inaugural championship games in League1 BC and chat with Vancouver Whitecaps Girls Elite head coach Katie Collar.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

03.38: Julian Gressel is a Whitecap but the system stinks
18.09: Whitecaps undo good work on the road with loss to Chicago
46.06: Xherdan Shaqiri interview and discussion
59.28: Canadian Championship final preview
71.43: Should the Whitecaps have a firm starting XI?
88.39: Canadian Premier League chat
104.42: League1 BC chat and Katie Collar audio
112.18: Wavelength - Vanilla Muffins - The Kids Behind The Goal

Episode 519 - The AFTN Soccer Show (The Hurt Locker-room )

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, as guest co-host Harjeet Johal joins us again to talk Vancouver Whitecaps, the current CSA shambles, and women's soccer.

Vanni Sartini certainly doesn't have his troubles to seek when it comes to injuries. A banged up Whitecaps side battled hard to get a point on the road in Cincinnati midweek after dropping points at home in a veritable six-pointer against Minnesota at the weekend. Another six-pointer looms against Portland this weekend. Will they have enough healthy bodies to get something from the game? What's behind all the injuries? And which players are rising to the challenge to keep the 'Caps in the playoff picture?

Away from the pitch, the Canadian Soccer Association lurches from one shambles to another as a TSN article this week painted the organisation and some of their recent dealings in anything but a favourable light. As calls for an independent investigation into the CSA grow, the blazers and the players seem to be fighting it out in a war of statements. We look at what's been said this week and the underlying issues behind it all.

Turning our attention to the women's game, we look at Canada's run to the CONCACAF championship final against the US. Who's stood out? What are the concerns? Can they beat the States again?

Plus we look at the exciting battle in the women's division of League1 BC as three teams fight for the one remaining berth in the championship game. It's going to go down to the wire and we chat with TSS Rovers' head coach Chelsey Hanneson and the Whitecaps' Katie Collar.

Episode 518 - The AFTN Soccer Show (When Love Turns To Hate)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, as guest co-host Harjeet Johal joins us to talk Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, and women's soccer.

The Whitecaps are the form team in MLS right now and they've just knocked off the league leading LAFC thanks to another late show at BC Place at the weekend. We look back over that 1-0 win, the standout performers, the return of Max Crepeau and Marc Dos Santos, and where that result leaves the 'Caps in the Western Conference standings as they move into the second half of the season.

Turning our attention away from MLS and to the women's game, we look at Canada's chances at the CONCACAF championships that have begun in Mexico this week with World Cup and Olympic places on the line.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

02.57: Whitecaps late late show beats LAFC
31.01: LAFC chatter on MDS, Jordan Harvey, Sicknote
43.58: Max Crepeau audio and discussion
62.46: CONCACAF Women's championship chat
75.10: Wavelength - The Thornlie Boys - The Goalie

Episode 517 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Melting Moments)

We're back with another episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, with lots of Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS chat.

The Whitecaps were in action twice this past week again on league and cup duty. Sunday saw a battling point earned at home to New England Revolution in MLS action, but midweek saw the 'Caps reach their first Canadian Championship final since 2018 with a win over York United.

We pick over the bones of both of those game, the highlights and lowlights, and look ahead to the threat Toronto FC will pose in the final with their big addition of Lorenzo Insigne.

The Whitecaps next opponents LAFC have made a couple of big additions of their own in Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale. What impact will they have on the league and it's perception in some quarters? Plus we round-up how the MLS West is looking.

Plus music from artists of the month Thick and Kunt and the Gang are in this episode's Wavelength.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

02.47: Whitecaps draw with New England
27.23: Whitecaps reach Canadian Championship final
41.45: TFC and the Insigne effect
55.10: Big names coming to LAFC
71.40: Wavelength - Kunt and the Gang - Christian Atsu and his katsu curry

Episode 516 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Time To Take Control with guests Axel Schuster, Martin Nash, and Theo Collomb)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, with lots of Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, and World Cup chat.

What a busy week of football news it's been, with perhaps the most exciting news of all being the official confirmation that Vancouver will be a host city for the 2026 World Cup. We look at what that means for the city, both short and long term, chat about affordability versus future returns, and get the thoughts of Whitecaps CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster about what it will mean for the club and the place he now calls home.

It's also been a big week for Major League Soccer, who announced a billion dollar 10 year streaming deal with Apple TV+. How good is the deal for the league? How good is it for a club like the Whitecaps? Will it be a game changer or will it turn off the casual fans? We chat about all of that and more, plus we hear the thought of Axel Schuster.

The Whitecaps were in action twice this past week with road games against Seattle and Dallas and what contrasting performances they were from the ridiculous to the sublime. We pick over the bones of both and look at where Vancouver's three point haul leaves them in the playoff picture.

They've now got a big Canadian Championship semi-final coming up on Wednesday night against CPL side York United. We look ahead to that one and chat with their head coach, former Whitecap Martin Nash. We also look at the good form of WFC2 and chat with their latest two-goal hero Theo Collomb.

Plus music from artists of the month Thick and The Abnormal are in this episode's Wavelength.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

02.53: The 2022 World Cup is all set
10.50: The World Cup is coming to Vancouver
28.10: Axel Schuster interview - part one
46.06: MLS get slice of Apple pie in new streaming deal
58.40: Axel Schuster interview - part two
75.40: Whitecaps v Seattle and Dallas - a tale of two cities
104.52: Canadian Championship semi-final preview feat Martin Nash
112.36: WFC2 round up
116.20: Theo Collomb interview
120.26: Wavelength - The Abnormal - Football Song

Episode 515 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Sleeping Through The Weekend)

We're back with another episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, with lots of Canadian national team and Vancouver Whitecaps chat.

The sickness bug has left AFTN Towers and we're back with another show. Good job it's been a quiet week in Canadian soccer to ease us back gently...

It's not been a great couple of weeks for Canada Soccer. Instead of riding the wave, they've managed to fall into it and have been struggling to keep their heads above water. First there was the debacle around the Iran game, then came the weekend's farce of the cancellation of the match with Panama. No-one has come across well from the whole mess.

We delve into all of that, look at what the players are wanting, talk transparency in the stewardship of the game here, and discuss what changes we'd like to see and what we need to see in Canada Soccer.

But while that's all been playing out, on the club side, the Whitecaps have hit some form and are climbing the MLS table. They now sit one point back of the playoff places. We look at how they got there in such difficult circumstances and the standout performers that have come up big in recent weeks.

Plus music from new artists of the month Thick and Armchair Loyal return in this episode's Wavelength.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

04.00: Canada's Iran and Panama game farces
40.51: How the CSB deal is both good and bad
54.23: Nick Bontis' press conference disaster
64.07: What is public fallout from the mess?
71.15: What needs to change in Canadian soccer?
92.56: Whitecaps in-form and climbing the table
115.25: Wavelength - Armchair Loyal - Career Ending Injury

Episode 514 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Spot On)

We're back with another episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, with lots of Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian Championship, and League1 BC chat.

The Whitecaps are one game away from the Canadian Championship final and two matches away from the CONCACAF Champions League after a penalty shootout win over Cavalry FC in their quarter-final. We look back at the main talking points from the match, hear the postgame thoughts of 'Caps coach Vanni Sartini, and roundup the rest of the action from this week.

Plus League1 BC has kicked off. We roundup the weekend's action in that and chat with Whitecaps U19 coach Rich Fagan and TSS Rovers coach Will Cromack.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

02.05: Whitecaps beat Cavalry in Canadian Championship
41.41: Canadian Championship round-up
56.12: Whitecaps back in MLS action
65.40: L1BC round-up
69.05: Rich Fagan talks Whitecaps U19s
74.15: Will Cromack talks TSS Rovers
80.25: Wavelength - The Oppressed - Hooligans

Episode 513 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Gunslingers with guests Will Cromack and Chelsey Hanneson)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, with lots of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major Soccer League, and Canadian football chat.

We've a lot of Whitecaps action to catch up on in this episode as we look at the last two MLS matches that produced a lot of late drama. Where does a good four-game homestand now leave the team as they head out for a tricky period on the road? Plus have they finally got their CPL hoodoo off their backs or will it come back against next week against Cavalry?

The inaugural League1 BC season gets underway on Sunday. We give some fun power rankings heading into the first games and we sit down for a chat with the head coaches of TSS Rovers men's and women's sides, Will Cromack and Chelsey Hanneson to look at the season ahead.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.51: Whitecaps CPL hoodoo off their back?
13.28: Whitecaps v San Jose and Dallas
50.50: Will Cromack TSS L1BC interview
73.31: L1BC men's power rankings
79.18: Chelsey Hanneson TSS L1BC interview
102.11: L1BC women's power rankings
105.33: Wavelength - The Membranes - Long Live The Hooligan!

Episode 512 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Dandy Highwaymen)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, with lots of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major Soccer League, and Canadian football chat.

It's been a great weekend for the Whitecaps as both their MLS and MLS Next Pro teams came up with big wins. The 'Caps first team saw off Toronto FC 1-0 in what was a pretty poor match truth be told, but one that generated more than a few talking points and controversial incidents! We delve into all of that and more, in what was a very important win for Vancouver.

We also look ahead to Wednesday's Canadian Championship clash with CPL side Valour FC and hear the thoughts of Vanni Sartini and Tosaint Ricketts ahead of the match, plus we catch up with Phil Dos Santos who is looking to be on the other end of a Vancouver cup shock this time around.

Plus after Seattle Sounders' success in the CONCACAF Champions League, we look at how the Whitecaps have fallen so far behind their Cascadian rivals and we chat about some interesting developments in lower league Canadian soccer.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

03.44: Whitecaps beat TFC in controversial game
54.11: Valour preview with thoughts from Whitecaps side
66.00: Phil Dos Santos chat
76.01: WFC2 chat
85.06: Why did the Whitecaps fall so far behind the Sounders?
120.30: Canadian lower league round-up
128.24: Wavelength - Dive In The Box - Football Violence

Episode 511 - The AFTN Soccer Show (A Wee Cough with Vanni Sartini, Cristian and Matteo Campagna, and Axel Schuster)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, with lots of Vancouver Whitecaps and Major Soccer League chat.

It's been a weekend with no MLS action for the Whitecaps. A much needed break for the first team to rest, recharge, re-evaluate, and work on how to start to turn things around, which they badly need to do and quickly. Can Vanni Sartini turn things around? We sit down with the 'Caps coach to talk about just that and the team's current issues.

There is going to be help coming soon with defensive midfielder Andres Cubas' signing becoming official last week. We look at what he will mean to the team and hear from Whitecaps Sporting Director and CEO Axel Schuster about the player and the team's current plight.

But not everything is doom and gloom in Whitecapsland, we still have WFC2 to enjoy and they made it three straight wins on Saturday. There been many standout performers for the team so far this season and we chat with two of them this week, centrebacks brothers Cristian and Matteo Campagna.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

02.40: Andres Cubas is officially a Whitecap
23.54: Vanni Sartini interview
55.27: WFC2 round-up
59.11: Cristian and Matteo Campagna interview
77.40: Wavelength - Booze and Glory - Hooligan

Episode 510 - The AFTN Soccer Show (In A Rut with guests Ali Ahmed, Nick Dasovic, and Vanni Sartini)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, with lots of Vancouver Whitecaps and Major Soccer League chat.

The Whitecaps are in a rut and they've got to get out of it pronto or risk being cut adrift very early on in the season. Their latest loss in Austin leaves them bottom of the Western Conference and the entire league, eight points back from the playoff line. The season may only be a quarter of the way in, but it's already looking bleak.

Can they turn things around? We delve into where it's going wrong and what needs to change, while looking at what the latest defeat tells us. Plus we chat with Vanni Sartini about team chemistry, getting the best out of certain players, and what the team need to do to stop the rot.

But it's not all doom and gloom in Whitecapsland as there is the shining light that is WFC2. The young 'Caps won again at the weekend and lead their division. We look at how the team is playing and chat with head coach Nick Dasovic about what he's seen from the team so far.

Ali Ahmed was the latest player to get a first team call up, making his MLS debut against Austin then turning out for WFC2 less than 24 hours later. We caught up with Ali after the game to talk about that debut, an emotional couple of days, making the move to Vancouver from Toronto, and his hopes for the future.

All of that, plus we round-up the weekend's action in MLS and how things are shaping up two months into the season across the league.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

02.18: Whitecaps lose in Austin
36.25: What now for the 'Caps? - with Vanni Sartini
65.41: MLS round-up
103.58: WFC2 win again
106.57: Nick Dasovic interview
120.55: Ali Ahmed interview
132.15: Wavelength - Ican Ican't - 3 Nil-Nils

Episode 509 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Myriad Lights with guests Rob Friend and Eve Powell)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, with lots of Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian Premier League, and World Cup chat.

It's been an exciting week for football locally as it became official that the newest Canadian Premier League team will be playing out of Langley in the Fraser Valley. We chat about the news, the stadium, and the next steps, plus we talk with co-owner Rob Friend and the Mayor of Langley Jack Froese about the plans.

In other exciting news, Vancouver is now back in the running to host matches at the 2026 World Cup. We look at that change of heart and what it will mean to the city, the province, and the Canadian bid. Plus we delve into the new streaming service Fifa+ in TVOD.

We also talk Vancouver Whitecaps, as we look back at their latest loss in Montreal. How deep do their current woes go and can they be remedied quickly enough or do they risk being cut adrift early on? And we're joined by the wonderful Eve Powell from The Ball Is Round podcast to talk about the match and all things CF Montreal.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

03.00: The CPL is coming to the Fraser Valley
46.23: Vancouver back in as World Cup 2026 host city
63.37: TVOD - Fifa+
75.38: Montreal v Vancouver analysis
119.05: Eve Powell interview about all things CF Montreal
156.39: Wavelength - Republic of Ireland 2002 Squad - Here Come The Good Times

Episode 508 - The AFTN Soccer Show (It’s My Ball And I’m Taking It Home with Jay Herdman, Nick Dasovic, and Christine Sinclair)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, with lots of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, MLS Next Pro, Canadian Premier League, and Canadian national team chat, after a very busy couple of days of football across the country.

We kick off by talking Whitecaps and delve into their first home loss of the MLS season in a 3-2 defeat by Portland Timbers. Poor defending and the inability to convert their numerous chances cost them dear, but what positives can they take away from the match heading into a tough three games on the road and should they look at new tactics, new players, or both?

Turning our attention to MLS Next Pro, we look at how Whitecaps FC 2's home opener went against the Timbers, get some postgame thoughts from head coach Nick Dasovic, and sit down for a chat with attacking midfielder Jay Herdman about signing his first pro deal, his step up from the academy, his first call up into the Canadian U20 set up, and an eventful time for the Herdman household.

Keeping it international, we look at the Canadian women's match against Nigeria at BC Place on Friday, chat with Christine Sinclair about her post playing plans and what the launch of League1BC means to women's soccer in the province, and newly minted Hall of Famers Rhian Wilkinson and Martina Franko talk about the urgent need to get women's club teams and leagues in Canada.

All of this, plus we round up the opening week's action in the Canadian Premier League and look at how the weekend's action went in the MLS West.

Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

02.40: Whitecaps v Timbers postgame analysis
49.38: WFC2 home opener and Nick Dasovic interview
58.29: Jay Herdman interview
73.03: Wavelength - Halftime Oranges - Single Leather Football
77.41: CanWNT chat
85.55: Christine Sinclair audio
92.10: Rhian Wilkinson and Martina Franko on Canadian club football
98.52: CPL opening weekend round-up