March 16, 2025

Episode 661 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Exploring Our Darkest Dreams - Whitecaps stun Monterrey and stay perfect in MLS; Sebastian Berhalter and Dax McCarty interviews)

2 hours 39 minutes

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The Jesper Juggernaut rolls on in Vancouver, with the Whitecaps putting in a tremendous performance to make history against Monterrey in Champions Cup action, then following that up with another victory in MLS play to stay top of the table. We look back at both matches, the main talking points coming out of them, and the key performances. Plus we hear Jesper Sorensen's first thoughts of playing through an international break, chat with Brian White about that night in Mexico and heading off to play for the USMNT, and chat with J.C. Ngando about breaking into the 'Caps first team after going out on loan last season.

We have two feature interviews for you this episode. First up is new Apple TV MLS analyst Dax McCarty. We chat with the 19-year MLS veteran about (primarily) hanging up his boots and moving into TV-land, get his thoughts so far on Vancouver Whitecaps this season, chat about him playing US Open Cup next week with Des Moines Menace, Brian White's US national team call-up, and more.

Our second feature interview is with the man who has started every match for the Whitecaps so far this season, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter. We talk with Seba about the 'Caps start to the year, next week's Berhalter derby with his dad Gregg as Chicago come to town, his free kick prowess, and more. Plus we kick off a new food feature with him and have a pizza party!

It's Football Violence Awareness Month at AFTN Towers and we look back at the movie The Football Factory and feature a very NSFW song in Wavelength that samples lines from the film! All of that plus Sleeper continue their residency as our Album of the Month and there's another Britpop song from Supergrass.

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

01.40: Intro - border crossing for football, stadiums that fit team needs

13.42: Whitecaps' monumental night in Mexico against Monterrey

46.40: Vancouver remain perfect in MLS play after dominant Dallas win

62.51: J.C. Ngando audio

69.57: Another short-handed international window next vs Chicago

73.30: Brian White audio

78.05: Chicago preview and more MLS chat

89.20: Interview with MLS analyst Dax McCarty

120.25: Sebastian Berhalter interview

134.10: Sebastian Berhalter's Pizza Party

139.32: TVOD - The Football Factory