AFTN Soccer Show

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

Episode 507 - The AFTN Soccer Show (CPL Is Back with special guests James Merriman, Alan Koch, and Martin Nash)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure, and it's a special Canadian Premier League themed show ahead of the new season that gets underway on Thursday.

In this episode, we continue our chats with head coaches from around the league and bring you three feature interviews, from three teams with very different expectations this season.

We kick things off with the champs, as we sit down with new Pacific FC head coach James Merriman to chat about defending their title, the comings and goings in an eventful offseason, fighting on three fronts, and more.

It's also been an eventful offseason for FC Edmonton, and not one you'd wish on any coach. With the team looking for new owners, the playing and management team decimated, and the league taking over the team and providing loan players, head coach Alan Koch has certainly had his work cut out for him. We chat with him about all the turmoil, building a squad, and what we can expect from the team this year both on and off the pitch.

Continuing to move east, we end up at York United to chat with another new head coach, and a man we know very well here in Vancouver, Martin Nash. Nash has moved too York after three years as an assistant at Cavalry. Can he take the team forward after they reached the playoffs for the first time? What will a Martin Nash team look like on the pitch? And how has he found the adjustment to being the main man in the dugout? We talk about all of that and more.

Plus a quick discussion about all the teams in our season preview, some AFTN CPL power rankings, and Armchair Loyal are back in this episode's Wavelength.

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

02.10: James Merriman interview
36.06: Alan Koch interview
69.33: Martin Nash interview
91.40: Pacific FC discussion
104.36: FC Edmonton discussion
110.00: York United discussion
114.40: CPL season preview and power rankings
125.47: Wavelength - Armchair Loyal - Young Gifted and Right Back

Episode 506 - The AFTN Soccer Show (In A Dream In The Happy House)

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

And what a footballing week it's been at both club and country level.

Canada were in their first World Cup draw for 36 years and although they're in a tough group the excitement keeps building for Qatar. We delve into the draw, the opponents, and look at what Canada's tournament prep should ideally look like, and more.

Plus we hear from John Herdman, Jonathan Osorio, and Mark-Anthony Kaye, and ask how exactly do we get to the mascots parallel universe? We want to go!

And it was a great weekend for Vancouver Whitecaps with both their MLS and MLS Next Pro teams coming away with their first wins of the season. We chat about both of those victories and the talking points coming out of them.

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

01.33: World Cup draw and CanMNT chat
58.30: WFC2 get first MLS Next Pro win
64.55: Whitecaps beat KC - postgame analysis
88.06: Wavelength - Keshco - FIFA Broadside

Episode 505 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Coming On The Horizon with guests Nick Dasovic and Pa Modou Kah)

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

It's official! Canada have done it and are heading back to the World Cup for the first time since 1986. It was a historic day in Toronto and our man on the ground Zach shares the experience with us as we chat about qualifying for Qatar, what John Herdman has meant to this team, the rise of Canadian soccer, and a lot more. Plus we hear the thoughts of Atiba Hutchinson on just how good this Golden Generation of young Canadian talent can be.

Turning our attention back to the club game, our feature interview this week is with WFC2 head coach Nick Dasovic. We chat about the team being back and what it means for the club, the new MLS Next Pro league, developing young talent, and lots more.

We also chat with new North Texas head coach Pa Modou Kah about the new league, leaving CPL champs Pacific FC for a new challenge with a MLS2 team, and how he's grown as a coach during his time on the island. Plus we chat with Vanni Sartini about what the Whitecaps need to work on during this international break and how they can turn their fortunes around, and we look ahead to the 'Caps game with Sporting KC this coming weekend.

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

01.32: Canada are going back to the World Cup
44.43: Nick Dasovic interview
74.38: WFC2 chat and thoughts of Vanni Sartini
82.33: Pa Modou Kah interview and MLS Next Pro chat
103.14: Vanni Sartini interview
108.30: Whitecaps chat and a look ahead to SKC
115.14: Wavelength - Scotland 1986 World Cup Squad - Big Trip To Mexico

Episode 504 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Turn The Pages Over with special guest Tommy Wheeldon Jr)

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

The new MLS season may only be four games in but they're already going on a break for the international window and the Whitecaps will be delighted by that. The 'Caps latest loss seems them winless in their opening month of matches and missing a number key personnel to injury.

We look back at the loss to LAFC, what the 'Caps can take from their first four games of the season, and where they really need to put in the work in the two week until their next match.

Our feature interview this episode is the latest in our series building up to the new CPL season as we sit down for an in-depth and entertaining chat with Cavalry FC head coach and GM Tommy Wheeldon Jr. We look back at the Cavs 2021 season and their three years in the league so far, delve into the new additions to the squad and what the team will look like this season, the future for the game in Alberta, and there's still time to talk tea, biscuits, waistcoats, and bunnets amongst many other things.

We also round up the weekend's action in MLS for the other two Canadian teams and around the Western Conference, The Delgados continue their residency as our artists of the month, and we have a song for Everton fans in this week's Wavelength.

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

02.40: LAFC v Vancouver postgame analysis
17.33: The Whitecaps building blocks
26.33: MLS Canadian round-up
30.33: MLS West round-up
51.03: Tommy Wheeldon Jr interview and Cavalry FC discussion
97.05: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? - Tommy Wheeldon Jr
101.18: Wavelength - The Toffee Rappers - Rap of Honour

Episode 503 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Looking For That Spark with special guests Tristan Blackmon and Phillip Dos Santos)

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

The Whitecaps are still looking for their first win of the season after going down to a disappointing defeat in Houston. We pick over the bones of that one and look ahead to next week's match-up at LAFC.

We have two feature interviews for you this episode, the first of which is with the Whitecaps standout defender so far this season, centre-back Tristan Blackmon. We chat with Tristan about his career so far, life in Vancouver, and going back to his old club LAFC next weekend.

Our second feature interview is with Valour FC head coach and GM Phillip Dos Santos. We sit down for an in-depth chat about his first six months in the Winnipeg hotseat, the CPL season to come, and heading back to Vancouver to take on the Whitecaps in the Voyageurs Cup.

We also round up the weekend's action in MLS for the other two Canadian teams and around the Western Conference, and look at this week's Canadian Championship draw.

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

03.12: Houston v Vancouver postgame analysis
44.21: MLS Canadian round-up
52.00: MLS West round-up
67.18: LAFC preview
78.28: Tristan Blackmon interview
107.09: Phillip Dos Santos interview
148.05: Valour FC discussion
154.47: Canadian Championship discussion
166.08: Wavelength - Armchair Loyal - A Cliche Of Gaffers

Episode 502 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Little Acorns)

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

The Whitecaps are still searching for their first win of the new MLS season, but at least they have their first points on the board after a 0-0 draw at home to NYCFC. We pick over the bones of that one, dissect the good, the bad, and the ugly from the players and performance, and look ahead to what already feels like a big game in Houston next Saturday.

We also round up the weekend's action in MLS for the other two Canadian teams and around the Western Conference.

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

02.47: Whitecaps v NYCFC postgame analysis
34.44: Whitecaps players - the good, the bad, and the ugly
52.33: Houston v Vancouver preview
66.28: MLS Canadian round-up
84.25: MLS West round-up
110.40: Wavelength - My Brother Woody - Stranded On Saturday

Episode 501 - The AFTN Soccer Show (A Marathon Not A Sprint)

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

The 2022 MLS season is underway and for the Whitecaps they'll be hoping it hasn't started the way they mean to go on, after crashing to a four goal defeat in Columbus. We pick over the bones of the game, look at the good, the bad, and the ugly coming out of it, and ponder what Vanni Sartini can learn from the match and what needs to be changed ahead of next week's home opener with NYCFC.

We also look at the other main Whitecaps news of the week as WFC2 makes a return for the upcoming inaugural MLS Next Pro season and there's some comings and goings amongst the team's young players before the roster freeze.

We also round up the first weekend of action in the MLS Western Conference and look at the latest kit releases across the league.

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

02.50: Crew v Whitecaps postgame analysis
47.38: WFC2 are back!
53.15: Whitecaps comings and goings
67.20: Wavelength - Keshco - Leave Me On The Sub's Bench
75.20: MLS West round-up
104.30: MLS 2022 kit chat

Episode 500 - The AFTN Soccer Show (You Play Football With Your Heads with special guests Vanni Sartini and Rob Friend)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure and it's a special bumper one as it's a milestone episode for us as we reach number 500 (cue party poppers).

To mark the occasion we've got a couple of special interviews, bring back all of our old favourite fun segments, introduce a new favourite, and, of course, there's lots of football chat as well.

The MLS season gets underway next weekend. We sit down with Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini for an in-depth interview about the current state of the team and the season ahead. Are they stronger or weaker than last year? How will the new formation help their attack? Can we take much from the preseason? How does he see the West playing out this year? And a lot more. Plus we also delve into the man off the pitch. How does Vanni unwind? Come for the football chat, stay for the Italian political philosophers talk.

Our second feature interview is with Pacific FC CEO and Managing Partner of SixFive Sports and Entertainment Rob Friend. Rob chats with us about Pacific's Canadian Premier League championship win, the offseason of change, and the first three years of the league. Plus after announcing that they will be launching a new team in the lower mainland in 2023, Rob shares how that is going and there's some exciting exclusive news about it all.

We also do a quick preview of the MLS Western Conference and look at the latest Whitecaps away kit.

All of this plus we chat chocolate digestives with Axel Schuster, find out what is Florian Jungwirth's favourite jam, talk take out food with Ryan Gauld, TV with Jake Nerwinski, we introduce our new segment, as Vanni Sartini talks toast, and Armchair Loyal feature in this week's Wavelength section.

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

01.36: Intro and looking back on 500 episodes
09.55: TVOD - Jake Nerwinski
11.59: Whitecaps preseason wraps up
31.54: Take Me Out - Ryan Gauld
37.34: Vanni Sartini interview Part One - the coach
57.12: Unpacking Vanni
77.10: Vanni Sartini interview Part Two - the man
95.00: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? - Axel Schuster
98.57: Whitecaps 2022 kit discussion
103.47: Florian Jungwirth's Favourite Jam?
105.40: Western Conference preview
124.48: Vanni Sartini's Toast
129.52: Rob Friend Vancouver CPL interview
160.11: CPL in Vancouver discussion
168.50: Wavelength - Armchair Loyal - Play Football With Your Heads

Episode 499 - The AFTN Soccer Show (For The Love Of The Game)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure.

Vancouver Whitecaps preseason is in full flow, with three games under their belts so far. Can much be gleaned from these matches? Probably not, but we delve into them nonetheless! Plus with a few departures at the club this year, we hear from perhaps the main one of them, former goalkeeper Max Crepeau, who talks about his trade to LAFC and what he's expecting from them this season. How big a threat will they and he be to the Whitecaps' playoff hopes?

We also look at the two big talking points in the Vancouver footballing landscape this past week as former women's coach Bob Birarda pleads guilty to four sexual offences and the city is back in the running as a potential host of World Cup games in 2026.

With it being Valentine's Day, love is in the air at AFTN Towers. Football is a passionate game, it's why we all love it. We chat with Tosaint Ricketts, Florian Jungwirth, Theo Bair and David Egbo about just why they love the game so much.

And if music be the food of love, play on, as Brighton band Skurvi feature in this week's Wavelength and we bring you songs from The Jam, The Damned, and Sonic Youth. Plus we delve into the Netflix film Ultras in this week's TVOD section.

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

02.25: TVOD - Ultras
17.33: Bob Birarda pleads guilty
32.21: My Love For Football - Tosaint Ricketts
35.45: Whitecaps preseason games in full flow
57.55: My Love For Football - Florian Jungwirth
62.20: My Love For Football - Theo Bair
65.52: Max Crepeau audio and LAFC chat
75.13: My Love For Football - David Egbo and your hosts
100.03: Is The 2026 World Cup coming to Vancouver?
111.01: Wavelength - Skurvi - Football

Episode 498 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Faraway Voices, Faraway Trains)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show for your listening pleasure and we're covering a lot of bases this week as we talk Vancouver Whitecaps, the Canadian national team, the Canadian Premier League, and more.

It's been a week of joy for Canadian soccer, with the men's national team all but booking a spot at this year's World Cup in Qatar. We chat about the latest win in El Salvador, the job that John Herdman has done, how the rest of the year should look, and the team's continuing rise in the FIFA rankings.

It's also been a busy week in Whitecapsland and we look at all the main stories from Brian White's contract extension, to the signing of midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, to a couple of departures. Plus we look at the announcement of how the MLS Next Pro roster will be made up and we find out if Javain Brown fancies a chocolate digestive.

We also take a look at the 2022 CPL schedule and how Pacific FC's offseason has been going, travel around the world to chat about some stories making the news in Australia, Africa, and Scotland, talk about the BBC documentary Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League in this week's TVOD section, and The Jam debut as our Artists of the Month.

This episode is part of CiTR Radio's 2022 Fundrive, the radio station's annual fundraising campaign. You can make a donation at citr.ca/donate. Make sure to mention AFTN sent you there!

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

01.57: CiTR fundrive details
04.26: TVOD - Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League
21.10: Canadian national team chat
44.17: Whitecaps News of the Week - Bair sold, White extended, Awuah departs
56.10: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? - Javain Brown
57.35: More Whitecaps chat - San Diego beckons, Berhalter joins, Caio visa issues
66.24: MLS Next Pro roster rules announced
79.42: Canadian Premier League chat
96.45: News of the World - Robbo sacked down under, African Nations Cup, Raith Rovers debacle
113.20: Wavelength - Grimedeluxe - Football

Episode 497 - The AFTN Soccer Show (On The Verge with special guest Tosaint Ricketts)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show, your Vancouver Whitecaps and North American football podcast, and what a week it's been for Canadian soccer.

There's two windows left in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying and with four games remaining, Canada are sitting pretty and on the verge of qualification to Qatar 2022 after wins over Honduras and the US. We look back over those important victories, the key moments that earned the six points, and the standout performances.

Plus Zach joins us from Hamilton to chat about what it was like to be at the game and the atmosphere in the stadium, and we look over the current Octagon standings and what is left to play out over the next two months.

Our feature interview this episode is with a Canadian national team legend and current Whitecap Tosaint Ricketts. Tos talks to us about recently completing his degree, his role in the Whitecaps front office, his desire to continue playing in MLS, the introduction of 'Stand By Me', and more.

Plus we chat about Max Crepeau leaving for LAFC and hear for the first time from the player himself and Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster, talk about Theo Bair leaving for St Johnstone in Scotland, and there's a special Canadian national team themed Wavelength.

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

02.35: Canada v Honduras and the US
35.05: More Canada and CONCACAF World Cup qualifying chat
65.14: Tosaint Ricketts interview and discussion
88.40: Theo Bair is heading to St Johnstone in Scotland
98.11: Max Crepeau transfer to LAFC confirmed
112.45: Wavelength - Sons Of Andrew - Canada We'll Proudly Play For You

Episode 496 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Safety Pin Stuck In My Heart)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show, your Vancouver Whitecaps and North American football podcast, and what a week it's been.

As the 'Caps got their preseason camp underway, shock news emerged from Whitecapsland that Player of the Year Max Crepeau was being traded to LAFC. We break down the move and what it might mean for Vancouver, look at how $1 million in GAM might get spent, and try and make sense of a stacked forward line and how all the pieces might fall in.

We've got three one-on-one interviews for you from the Whitecaps camp and we kick them off with a chat with trialist Kwame Awuah. The Canadian left back talks about heading to Vancouver looking to get a MLS deal, his three successful years at Forge FC, coming through the Sigma academy, and find out which current Whitecap used to be his roommate.

Turning our attention to the other end of the pitch, we catch up with Theo Bair to chat about his loan spell in Norway, his growth, his ambitions, and battling for minutes back in Vancouver. Plus fellow striker David Egbo chats about his first year as a pro, his loan spell in Phoenix, finally getting into Vancouver, and his hopes for the season to come.

Rounding things off we turn our attention to League1 BC and to TSS Rovers. The Rovers' supporters share ownership scheme went live to the general public this week and we chat with Colin Elmes, Will Cromack and two representatives from the Spirit of the Rovers Trust about all the hows and whys, plus we look at the team's preparations for the first L1BC season.

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

02.08: Max Crepeau in shock trade to LAFC
24.15: Whitecaps preseason camp underway
30.24: Kwame Awuah interview and discussion
51.18: Whitecaps forward line discussion
55.49: Theo Bair interview and discussion
74.05: David Egbo interview and discussion
96.31: TSS supporter ownership campaign opens to public
120.40: TSS Rovers L1BC preparation latest
137.30: Wavelength - Northern Ireland 1982 World Cup Squad and Dana - Yer Man

Episode 495 - The AFTN Soccer Show (No Sitting Back with special guest Emma Humphries)

We're back with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show, your Vancouver Whitecaps and North American football podcast.

The Whitecaps selected five players in this week's MLS SuperDraft. We break down those picks and hear from head coach Vanni Sartini and first rounder Simon Becher, plus Sporting Director Axel Schuster chats to us a little bit about the club's MLS Next Pro plans.

The main focus of this episode, however, is on the state of the women's game here in Canada at both international and domestic level.

We bring you our final year in review wrap up as we look at the gold medal winning Canadian women's national team, hear a little bit from head coach Bev Priestman, and look at the snub to Priestman in FIFA's Best Of awards.

Our feature interview this episode is with Emma Humphries the Whitecaps Director of Women's Football Development. We chat about the club game here in Canada, the lack of current opportunities, her role at the 'Caps, the launch of League 1 BC and more. Plus we have a big discussion about growing the game at club level in the country and what that might look like.

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

01.26: Intro chat
03.47: TVOD - Anne
13.08: Whitecaps pick five in draft with audio from Vanni Sartini and Simon Becher
39.20: Axel talks MLS Next Pro plans
46.10: Canadian women's national team Year in Review
65.40: Priestman snubbed in FIFA Best Of awards
76.15: Emma Humphries interview
111.40: Developing the women's club game in Canada discussion
138.45: Wavelength - Neil Grant - Give It All We've Got

Episode 494 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Canadian Men’s National Team Year In Review)

We're back with our first show of 2022 and what better way to kick off the new year than with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show and another of our end of season reviews, this time turning our attention to the stellar year that was had by the Canadian men's national team.

Canada started the year 72nd in the world in the FIFA rankings and they finished it in 40th, their joint highest ever which they also reached in December 1996. The national team played 19 matches last year. All of them competitive games, with not a friendly in site. Crazy really considering how little they've played in some recent years.

There were 14 World Cup qualifiers and 5 Gold Cup matches, producing 13 wins, 4 draws, and just 2 defeats, both of those coming at the hands of traditional CONCACAF powerhouses of the US and Mexico and both of those came at the Gold Cup. Canada scored 55 goals, conceding just 11, with 16 different goalscorers.

2021 was a great year, but hopefully it's just the start of even bigger and better things for Canada. We delve into all of that and a lot more, plus we chat with CPL coaches Bobby Smyrniotis, Tommy Wheeldon Jr, and Jim Brennan to look at how the success of the national team has driven an excitement locally for the CPL teams.

Episode 493 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Canadian Premier League Year In Review)

As the old year comes to a close and the new one peaks over the horizon, I think we can all just hope for better times in 2022.

We're here to guide you into the new year with another packed episode of the AFTN Soccer Show and we're back with another end of season review, this time turning our attention to the Canadian Premier League.

BC is home to the new CPL champs Pacific FC and we look back at their season, and those of the other seven sides, in a season that saw a lot of ups and downs, drama, controversies, three managerial casualties, and some great football played.

We chat about the high points for each team and look ahead to what they need to do to improve next season. Plus we look at the CPL coming to the lower mainland and where that fits in with the upcoming launch of League 1 BC.

Plus we talk take out food with Pacific FC's Ollie Bassett and there's music from Wet Leg, Babyshambles, and Werd (SOS).

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

01.43: Intro chat
04.45: General CPL season overview
21.13: CPL award winners
33.38: Pacific FC's season
45.01: Take Me Out - Ollie Bassett
47.25: Forge FC's season
59.00: Cavalry FC's season
65.31: FC Edmonton's season
71.28: Valour FC's season
75.05: York United's season and Martin Nash appointment
81.26: HFX Wanderers' season
83.08: Atletico Ottawa's season and Mista departs
92.25: There's a new CPL team coming to Vancouver
113.51: League 1 BC chat
124.42: Wavelength - My Brother Woody - Literally

Episode 492 - The AFTN Soccer Show (2021 Christmas Special with Vanni Sartini, Ryan Gauld, Max Crepeau, and Brian White)

Ho, Ho, Ho everybody and welcome to the 2021 AFTN Christmas party! There's fun, there's games, there's music, there's presents, and there's lots of football chat.

Our feature interview this episode is what is now our ninth annual State of the Whitecaps end of season chat with the current head coach on the podcast, and our first one with Vanni Sartini. In a very honest and raw interview, Vanni talks about the season past, looks ahead to next year, and talks about what he learned about himself as a coach and as a person.

There's some interesting player chat and we talk about formations, the team's identity, getting to the next level, and the pressure that comes with it all.

Getting the festive spirit flowing, we find out what Christmas is like in the Vanni Sartini, Ryan Gauld, Maxime Crepeau, and Brian White households, plus you can play along at home as we play some football themed games.

All of this, plus some Christmas music from Crazy and the Brains, Super Furry Animals, The Monkees, Walk The Earth, Dean Martin and of course, no Christmas episode would be complete without The Pogues.

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

01.32: Intro chat
04.27: Christmas Presents - Part One
11.31: A Maxime Crepeau Christmas
14.03: Walk The Earth - Feliz Navidad
16.34: Whitecaps Six of the Best game
37.24: A Brian White Christmas
38.43: Dean Martin - White Christmas
41.19: Whitecaps 2021 Festive XI
44.25: Crazy and the Brains - Little Saint Nick
47.16: Vanni Sartini State of the Whitecaps interview
79.30: The Monkees - Unwrap You For Christmas
84.52: Christmas Presents - Part Two
91.16: Unpacking Sartini - interview discussion
107.56: A Ryan Gauld Christmas
109.23: The Pogues - Fairytale of New York
115.27: Football Jeopardy
133.08: Super Furry Animals - The Gift That Keeps Giving
141.50: A Vanni Sartini Christmas
148.35: Quizball - East Fife v Bayern Munich
157.12: Christmas Presents - Part Three
163.49: Wavelength - Glenn Hoddle - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
170.49: Glasvegas - Silent Night