AFTN Soccer Show

By AFTN.caSports Soccer

AFTN Soccer Show episodes

October 20 Episode 752 – The AFTN Soccer Show (The Heart Can Rule The Head - Whitecaps get wiggle room, VFC control playoff fate, Vanni Sartini, Labbe out at Rise, will municipal elections impact soccer in BC?)
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and Northern Super League chat and interviews.

It was a four point week for Vancouver Whitecaps. One that saw them extend their lead at the top of the MLS Western Conference after a draw at St Louis in their top of the table clash and a come-from-behind victory in Austin. We pick over the bones of both matches and the main talking points coming out of them. Plus we round-up the weekend's action in MLS West and look at the lie of the land for the Whitecaps in terms of playoff positioning and more.

It's going to be a dramatic end of the season in the CPL with playoff positioning up for grabs and championship and postseason hopes on the line. We look at the exciting weekend that was, as Vancouver FC continue to control their own destiny. Plus we chat with VFC's goalscoring hero Matteo Campagna and head coach Martin Nash. Plus Zach catches up with Halifax Wanderers head coach Vanni Sartini to talk about their postseason hopes ending and what he's taken from this first season in charge of the team and being in the CPL.

All of that plus we look what the municipal election results could mean for soccer in BC, chat about the departure of Stephanie Labbe from NSL side Vancouver Rise, while music-wise, Leeds legends The Wedding Present continue their residency as our Artists of the Month with their debut album George Best, Watford band The Enormous Room feature as our C86 era song, and Scottish legends The Bluebells feature in Wavelength.

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

01.22: Intro - university soccer, Traitors talk
13.00: Will municipal election results impact soccer in BC?
37.35: All square in Whitecaps' top of the West clash with St Louis
52.30: Whitecaps come-from-behind to see off Austin with Diaby wonder goal
91.20: MLS round-up, playoff picture, and home field advantage
111.25: Vancouver FC control their own CPL playoff destiny
133.10: Vanni Sartini on Halifax playoff hopes ending and his first season in CPL
147.20: CPL set for dramatic Decision Day
163.00: Labbe out at Vancouver Rise
177.05: Wavelength - The Bluebells - Stonehouse Violets

3 hr 5 min
October 12 Episode 751 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Crunch Time - 10-man Whitecaps show grit in LAFC draw, MLS and CPL round-ups, OneCity talk Vancouver election and the 'Caps)
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and general football chat, with even some political talk thrown in this episode.

It's a big few days for the Whitecaps as they face a top of the table battle in St Louis midweek after coming away with a gritty draw at LAFC at the weekend, playing 84-plus minutes down a man. It's the kind of performance that invigorates a team for the business end of the season, especially after some poor form. But will it? We delve into the main talking points coming out of the LAFC match, look at whether Ryan Gauld could take on a new role with the team, and set up that big clash with St Louis. We also round-up the action from both MLS and the CPL this past weekend, as the playoff races in both are set to go right down to the wire.

It's election time in BC at both municipal and provincial level, both of which could have parts to play in the Whitecaps' future in Vancouver. We threw out an open invitation to parties and candidates in both to come on the show and talk about their platforms, the Whitecaps, and World Cup legacies. OneCity's Caitlin Stockwell, who is running for Vancouver City council, and Tyler Petersen took us up on that offer and we have a great chat about it all.

All of that plus we look at some of the big stories around world football this past week, chat about South Melbourne's historic Australia Cup win, and the season finale of Ted Lasso, while music-wise, Leeds legends The Wedding Present continue their residency as our Artists of the Month with their debut album George Best, Manchester band Laugh feature as our C86 era song, and punk legends The Gonads feature in Wavelength.

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

01.22: Intro - giving thanks, South Melbourne cupset, ethnic based football clubs 22.50: Ted Lasso season 4 wraps up - has it been worth the wait and what now?
27.10: 10-man Whitecaps show grit and strengths in draw at LAFC
73.00: MLS round-up - the scary behemoth that is St Louis City awaits
88.45: CPL round-up - Vancouver FC control their own fate
112.17: Talking Point - should 3 MLS clubs play in a Canadian only league?
127.25: The Vancouver municipal election and how it could affect the Whitecaps
162.05: Wavelength - The Gonads - Glorious
166.45: Goodbyes and Canadian abroad chat

3 hr
October 07 Episode 750 – The AFTN Soccer Show (A Five-Alarm Fire? – Vancouver doused in Chicago, Whitecaps season ticket sticker shock, Johnny Selemani interview, Man City situation and MLS)
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and general football chat and interviews.

It's been a tough time of late in Whitecapsland, something we haven't felt in a while. The team on the pitch aren't doing the business and look like a shadow of their former selves from just a few months ago, while fans have been hit by season ticket readjustments and price increases.

We delve into the Whitecaps' latest loss in Chicago and whether it's time to really panic about postseason seeding, and chat about the sticker shock and fan anger at the team's season ticket renewals. On the more positive side though, we sit down for a one-on-one chat with the 'Caps latest homegrown signing Johnny Selemani about his footballing journey and joining the MLS roster.

All of that plus we look at Man City's 115 charges and the implications it might have for MLS and world football, while music-wise, Leeds legends The Wedding Present begin their residency as our Artists of the Month with their debut album George Best, former Artists of the Month Pop Will Eat Itself feature as our C86 era song, and Hospital Food feature in Wavelength.

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

01.22: Intro - Traitors time once again!
13.00: The ups and downs for the International Whitecaps this window
18.35: Whitecaps serve up arguably worst performance of the season in Chicago defeat
37.00: How much panic and concern should there be in Whitecapsland?
52.15: Thomas Müller re-signs for MLS sprint season
62.20: Whitecaps' season ticket sticker shock
104.20: Johnny Selemani interview
128.25: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? - Johnny Selemani
134.25: Man City's 115 charges and how it might affect MLS and world football
162.25: Wavelength - Hospital Food - We Hate Man. U

2 hr 51 min
September 29 Episode 749 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Oh No, Nono, Noooo - Whitecaps drop points in D.C. draw, MLS form guide, MLS and CPL round-ups)
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat.

Vancouver Whitecaps dropped two more points at home on Saturday in a 3-3 draw with D.C. United that was both entertaining and frustrating. Some great attacking play, some poor defensive play, and a team with 10 players out through international duty and injuries. We unpack the highs and lows coming out of the match, look at how the Whitecaps form across MLS is actually better than it might feel these past 10 games, and look at the main talking points from the weekend's action across the league, including the sacking of former Whitecaps head coach Marc Dos Santos at LAFC.

We also round-up the action in the CPL, Forge FC Bobby Smyrniotis talks about adding experienced big-name players and how they've made it work within the salary cap, and delve into a very long international break that kicked off with Canada beating Chile in a feisty affair in Toronto.

Music-wise, Scottish band Lung Leg wrap up their residency as our Artists of the Month, King of the Slums feature as our C86 era song, and Swedish band Dolkows feature in Wavelength.

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

01.22: Intro - not away with the ferries and Drew Peacock
11.35: Two more home points dropped in draw with D.C.
58.06: Whitecaps' home pitch worries continue but form guide not as bad as it feels
66.30: MLS round-up, the lie of the land, and the sacking of MDS
84.10: CPL round-up after a wild weekend, plus Bobby Smyrniotis talks big additions
124.35: Is this international break too long?
129.30: Did Canada get much out of win over 9-man Chile?
152.30: Wavelength - Dolkows - Football

2 hr 42 min
September 22 Episode 748 – The AFTN Soccer Show (It's Alright If We Fight, That's Romantic - Whitecaps CanChamp disappointment and bounce back at RSL, MLS and CPL playoff battles heat up)
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat, and the internet only died on us three times during the recording of this one, which is in part why it's a little bit shorter than our usual!

It's been another up and down week for the Whitecaps, where the highs have been great and the lows have been anger-inducing. A limp performance against CF Montreal saw them crash out of the Canadian Championship midweek, masters of their own downfall with the referee giving them a helping hand or two along the way. They needed a response in MLS action on Saturday and they got it, in a comfortable 3-0 win at RSL. Steadying the ship? Back on course? Or are we set for another blip and dip against D.C. United this coming weekend? We delve into all of that and more, including some standout performances, both good and bad, and a look around the lie of the land in the MLS Western Conference.

We also round-up the weekend's action in the CPL, where Vancouver FC are hanging on to a playoff spot, Pacific FC have been officially eliminated from postseason contention, and some experienced big-name players have come to the league. But how are clubs making these signings work and does the league have a transparency problem?

Music-wise, Scottish band Lung Leg continue their residency as our Artists of the Month, Lawrence and the Comfortable Society feature as our C86 era song, and Wavelength.

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

01.22: Intro - the burning, Ted Lasso
08.10: Whitecaps masters of their own downfall in CanChamp loss
31.00: Whitecaps bounce back with much-needed win at RSL
52.35: MLS round-up as Whitecaps extend lead at top of West
60.20: D.C. United preview
69.00: CPL chat and round-up as experienced names come to league
102.50: Wavelength - Ya Cetidon, Cruzito, and Karma Atchykah - Supra All The Way
105.40: A Tale of Two Davids

1 hr 56 min
September 14 Episode 747 – The AFTN Soccer Show (You Know You Mustn't Slip Up - Whitecaps results rollercoaster continues, Rise fire Heiner-Møller)
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Vancouver Rise chat and interviews.

The Vancouver Whitecaps results rollercoaster continues after another week of ups and downs. A good win against LA Galaxy was cancelled out by another disappointing home loss to Austin. We pick over the bones of both matches, but three points from a possible nine at home this month is not champions material. We also round-up the weekend's MLS action, look at the race for the Supporters Shield, and look ahead to the Canadian Championship clash in Montreal.

Turning our attention to the women's game, Vancouver Rise sacked their head coach Anja Heiner-Møller just 296 days after winning the inaugural Northern Super League title with the club. The right decision or just another example of what have you done for me lately in modern football? Time will obviously tell, but she very much deserved to be given a chance to see out the season. We chat about the decision, where it leaves the club, and hear from the Rise's Chief Soccer Officer Robyn Gayle and interim head coach Iain Darbyshire.

Music-wise, Scottish band Lung Leg continue their residency as our Artists of the Month, Meat Whiplash feature as our C86 era song, and Amy MacDonald has a song about the Old Firm in Wavelength.

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

01.30: Intro - ta-ra Trionda, holding out for a Hero(clix)
12.35: Whitecaps comfortably beat LA Galaxy in the week's good news
36.25: Whitecaps drop more points at home in Austin loss
69.20: The Gaffers - Jesper Sorensen and Davy Arnaud
82.05: MLS round-up
98.35: Canadian Championship preview
107.10: Canadian U20s at the World Cup and the development quandary
114.15: Anja Heiner-Møller sacked by Vancouver Rise
148.35: Winnipeg gets a new soccer stadium
152.20: Wavelength - Amy MacDonald - The Green and the Blue

2 hr 44 min
September 08 Episode 746 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Kung Fu Kicks Not Emotional Content - 'Caps outclassed by St Louis, all to play for in CanChamp, Lukas MacNaughton interview)
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat and interviews.

It wasn't quite the week we'd hoped for in Whitecapsland. A midweek draw against Montreal in the Canadian Championship leaves their semi-final with all to play for, while the 'Caps struggled against the in-form St Louis City in MLS action on the way to a 3-1 defeat on Saturday. We pick over the bones of both matches and the main talking points coming out of them. An off day or two, or are some real concerns starting to creep in? And just how can Vancouver get the best out of Thomas Müller, who's been a bit up and down of late?

We also hear some postgame thoughts from St Louis head coach Yoann Damet and former Whitecaps forward Simon Becher. Plus we catch up with former Pacific FC and TFC centreback Lukas MacNaughton about St Louis' great run of form, his career journey, the importance of the CPL, and how he made his current teammate, goalkeeper Roman Burki, some money when he moved to MLS!

We also round-up the weekend's MLS and CPL action, and music-wise, Scottish band Lung Leg begin their residency as our Artists of the Month, Treehouse Story feature as our C86 era song, and we've a song about how football makes us all feel at times in Wavelength.

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

01.22: Intro - subscriber shoutouts, sponsor news, drinking games, and a grand opening
14.10: Seaman stains
19.15: Cursed jerseys and leaky roofs - how was your Wednesday?
26.10: All to play for in Canadian Championship as 'Caps draw with Montreal
46.30: In-form St Louis grab all the points in Vancouver
68.03: The Thomas Müller conundrum - starter or impact sub?
80.50: Yoann Damet postgame audio and St Louis discussion
91.40: Simon Becher interview
97.10: Lukas MacNaughton interview
111.50: The lie of the land in MLS West as the Galaxy come to town
125.55: CPL round-up as Vancouver FC solidify playoff place
146.23: Wavelength - Cimrya Deal - I Hate/Love Football

2 hr 35 min
September 01 Episode 745 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Everything's Going Right? - Whitecaps extend lead with KC win, transfer talk, should 'Caps buy a CPL team?)
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat.

The Whitecaps continue to fly high, extending their lead at the top of the MLS West with a comfortable win in Kansas City. We pick over the main talking points coming out of that one, chat about the great weekend of results elsewhere for the 'Caps, and look ahead to the Canadian Championship semi-final clash with CF Montreal.

But the Whitecaps aren't resting on their laurels. With the MLS transfer market closing fast, Vancouver don't seem finished yet with another couple of additions rumoured. But with all these additions, and with how well the team is doing, it does create a little bit of a conundrum in terms of developing their younger players, with the danger of there being a logjam. We chat about a couple of loan deals and could this be helped if the 'Caps actually bought and run a CPL team of their own?

We also look at the weekend's CPL action, and music-wise, The Fall wrap up their residency as our Artists of the Month with a final unique cover version, The Avons feature as our C86 era song, and we've a song about Brighton and Hove Albion in Wavelength.

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

01.22: Intro - Save The Caps movement as important as ever
19.18: Whitecaps extend lead at top of MLS West after win in KC
61.47: Whitecaps strive for five continues as Montreal come to town
78.33: Whitecaps not done yet in transfer market
104.00: Canadian players quickly making Spain their home from home
111.15: The Whitecaps player development conundrum - should they buy a CPL team?
145.45: CPL round-up
151.55: Wavelength - The Seagulls - The Goldstone Rap

2 hr 44 min
August 24 Episode 744 – The AFTN Soccer Show (I Went Into A Dream - Whitecaps destroy Dallas, Kwasi Poku, Sebastian Ramirez, MLS playoff plans, new Nations League in works)
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and international football chat and interviews.

The Whitecaps went back to the top of the MLS West after a five goal demolition of Dallas on Saturday. We dig into the main talking points coming out of the match, look at which teams have done best in the league since coming back from the World Cup break, the big transfer moves from their next opponents Sporting Kansas City, and delve into the horrible rumoured new MLS playoff format coming in 2028.

We've a couple of Whitecaps interviews to bring you this episode as we catch up with two of the newest 'Caps, Canadian forward Kwasi Poku and Colombian defender Sebastian Ramirez. We chat with them both about their move to Vancouver, their careers so far, and more.

We also talk about the news that UEFA and CONCACAF could be launching a joint Nations League as the fight with Infantino and FIFA continues, while music-wise, The Fall continue their residency as our Artists of the Month with a selection of unique cover versions, Yeah Yeah Noh feature as our C86 era song, and we've a song about Brentford FC in Wavelength.

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

01.22: Intro - thunderstorms, Ted Lasso, Traitors, and tizzies
14.10: Whitecaps destroy Dallas in five star performance
55.23: Eric Quill postgame audio
63.05: SKC busy in transfer market ahead of Whitecaps visit
79.00: MLS West has been nuts since return from World Cup break
86.40: MLS' new playoff plans seem poorly thought out
104.00: Kwasi Poku interview and discussion
118.38: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? - Kwasi Poku
121.55: Sebastian Ramirez interview
135.00: Argentina finally punished by FIFA
144.38: New UEFA/CONCACAF Nations League planned
162.10: Wavelength - The Bees Band - Come On You Brentford

2 hr 53 min
August 14 Episode 743 – The AFTN Soccer Show (The Ghost Of Your Memories - Whitecaps bolster midfield, Leagues Cup exit, RIP Phil Parkes, Seattle await)
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Leagues Cup, and Canadian Premier League chat.

The Whitecaps' Leagues Cup campaign is over for another year, after three matches that saw them dominate games but unable to get their attack going and keep their defence together. After seven matches without a win since their return from the World Cup break, is there real cause for concern? Will the additions of Serbian midfielder Aleksa Cvetković and Canadian prospect Emrick Fotsing help turn things around and what else is needed? Could Daniel Gazdag be that guy?

The Whitecaps lost a legend this past week as NASL winning goalkeeper Phil Parkes sadly passed away. We look at Lofty's career and replay a special interview we did with him seven years ago around the 40th anniversary of that famous championship win. All of this plus we look at the other Whitecaps news of the week, dip into the mailbag, look ahead to this weekend's Cascadia derby in Seattle, and talk about Pacific FC hurtling towards the worst kind of history in the CPL as another BC derby beckons

While music-wise, The Fall are our Artists of the Month with a selection of unique cover versions, Episode Four feature as our C86 era song, and we've a song about awaydays in Wavelength from English band The Skinner Brothers.

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

01.23: Intro - Ted Lasso is back, more Traitors talk, wildfire worries
20.00: RIP Phil Parkes
38.56: Leagues Cup exit highlights Whitecaps' flaws
66.35: Mailbag - what's on the minds of Whitecaps fans? A lot!
109.00: Cvetković and Fotsing bolster Whitecaps midfield
136.00: Is Daniel Gazdag the next addition? How would he fit into the 'Caps?
148.53: Pacific FC heading for worst ever CPL season as BC derby next up
160.00: Wavelength - The Skinner Brothers - Awaydays
164.15: Whitecaps look to lift Cascadia Cup in Seattle

3 hr

About AFTN Soccer Show

From the publisher's feed

A football/soccer podcast about Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, the Canadian Premier League and the beautiful game in general, with lots of interviews and fun segments thrown in.