The Maple Footy Podcast

Following the international break, we're back with the weekly recaps. Starting with injury updates and transfer news. Of course, what are european boys are doing, like the promotion play-off hunt, Alphonso Davies' comeback assist and Cyle Larin's Southampton heading to Wembley having beaten Arsenal! We also have MLS and CPL action to cover... so let's talk about it.

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It was an absolute pleasure to interview Forge FC youngster Kevaughn "KJ" Tavernier to the podcast. KJ's someone Canada Soccer and CPL fans will be familiar with. Whether it be representing Canada at the U17 World Cup, playing for the U20 or becoming the second youngest EVER goalscorer in the Concacaf Champions Cup (only behind Alphonso Davies, he's done a lot already! Ahead of the 2026 season and his return season in Hamilton it was a pleasure to chat with him. Lots to talk about, so let's talk about it...

Listen to just audio for Maple Footy here: https://linktr.ee/maplefootypod?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabc0hsby2lfMiXiY48TQ8pcDItbgGrFbjeCbTaDvOFSWl71vDHj_a_kh-o_aem_y34s3TI7AGEI1bPLD_u_hA

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Just two more friendlies remaining ahead of the World Cup following our 0-0 draw with Tunisia at BMO Field. I thought this was an improved performance overall compared to our Iceland fixture, even though we didn't find the back of the net. Players like Liam Millar, Marcelo Flores, and Ismaël Koné all shone under some of the brightest lights. There are of course, some tough moments like shaky defensive players and our striker struggles continue. But there's a lot to talk about so let's talk about it.

Listen to just audio for Maple Footy here: https://linktr.ee/maplefootypod?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabc0hsby2lfMiXiY48TQ8pcDItbgGrFbjeCbTaDvOFSWl71vDHj_a_kh-o_aem_y34s3TI7AGEI1bPLD_u_hA

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We are in the home stretch for the World Cup now, one March friendly down and one more to go. Our boys looked off the pace for a large portion of the game against Iceland, where we were hampered by the same ghosts that have haunted us for a while now. Whether it be silly red cards, lack of goal-scoring threat, or shaky defensive moments, we continue to be our own worst enemy at times. It wasn't all negative, though. A couple of official debuts for the boys, and Jonathan David was ice cold; some vets pulled through, too. So let's talk about it.

Listen to just audio for Maple Footy here: https://linktr.ee/maplefootypod?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabc0hsby2lfMiXiY48TQ8pcDItbgGrFbjeCbTaDvOFSWl71vDHj_a_kh-o_aem_y34s3TI7AGEI1bPLD_u_hA

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It's not often you get to interview someone you've been following and watching for years, looking up to them and what they've done in the media space. Today on Maple Footy I can say that happened, it was a huge pinch me moment getting to interview Matthew Scianitti. Someone who has devoted so much of his professional life to helping grow the game he loves in the media space with TSN. It's been surreal and one of the greatest highlights of the podcast to have been talking with Matthew for a little bit now as he's been giving me advice on how to navigate what it is that I'm trying to do. Then do have him on the podcast for a great conversation where we talked about his own career, Canada Soccer, Sports Coverage in Canada and growing the Canadian Soccer Community, it was truly special and something I won't forget. So let's talk about it.

Listen to just audio for Maple Footy here: https://linktr.ee/maplefootypod?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabc0hsby2lfMiXiY48TQ8pcDItbgGrFbjeCbTaDvOFSWl71vDHj_a_kh-o_aem_y34s3TI7AGEI1bPLD_u_hA

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Another week has passed in Canada Soccer, which means we have more to talk about today! We're chatting about our boys abroad, some promotion playoff hopefuls like Hull City and Southampton, and then our Canadian Italian Derby! We also discuss some MLS moments, and Jonathan Osorio hitting 400 games for Toronto FC. Of course, we also have our say on the Canadian roster for the March window! Let's talk about it.

KS Soccer: https://kssoccer.com/en/

Listen to just audio for Maple Footy here: https://linktr.ee/maplefootypod?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabc0hsby2lfMiXiY48TQ8pcDItbgGrFbjeCbTaDvOFSWl71vDHj_a_kh-o_aem_y34s3TI7AGEI1bPLD_u_hA

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It is a pleasure to welcome Léa Palacio-Tellier to the podcast, our first-ever Futsal player. She comes with quite the CV as well, Captain of Team Canada, CONCACAF Futsal Champion, Golden Glove Winner and Futsal Player of the Year. It was great to talk about her journey, making her dreams a reality, and her achievements both as a team and individually! On top of that all the sacrifices she's made and the hard work that's been put in over the years. It's worth the listen.

Listen to just audio for Maple Footy here: https://linktr.ee/maplefootypod?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabc0hsby2lfMiXiY48TQ8pcDItbgGrFbjeCbTaDvOFSWl71vDHj_a_kh-o_aem_y34s3TI7AGEI1bPLD_u_hA

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Another weekly recap is fresh off the press. There are still loads to talk about yet again as there always is. Firstly news for some of our women's players who had some big weekends. Then the boys abroad, like Liam Millar, Ali Ahmed and Cyle Larin, all had huge weeks. Then in the MLS we had big results and big performances. So let's chat about it all.

Listen to just audio for Maple Footy here: https://linktr.ee/maplefootypod?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabc0hsby2lfMiXiY48TQ8pcDItbgGrFbjeCbTaDvOFSWl71vDHj_a_kh-o_aem_y34s3TI7AGEI1bPLD_u_hA

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Was really great to sit down with one of Vancouver FC's newest recruits, Marcello Polisi. He's a CPL vet now, having played with Halifax Wanderers and Valour in the past, then there was a stint with Detroit in the USL. Marello talks about his unique playing style, how he stays disciplined and the upcoming season with Vancouver FC. It was a great chat with someone who is extremely passionate about what he does!

Listen to just audio for Maple Footy here: https://linktr.ee/maplefootypod?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabc0hsby2lfMiXiY48TQ8pcDItbgGrFbjeCbTaDvOFSWl71vDHj_a_kh-o_aem_y34s3TI7AGEI1bPLD_u_hA

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Another week and there were some more injuries for our national team. We did have some positive news with some players returning to training, but we seem to have caught the injury bug. Elswhere our Women's team played 2 matches in the She Believes Cup where we picked up another win along the way. In the MLS for the first time in a LONG time all 3 Canadian Teams picked up the 3 Points! And we still have more to cover so let's talk about it.

Listen to just audio for Maple Footy here: https://linktr.ee/maplefootypod?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabc0hsby2lfMiXiY48TQ8pcDItbgGrFbjeCbTaDvOFSWl71vDHj_a_kh-o_aem_y34s3TI7AGEI1bPLD_u_hA

Follow Maple Footy on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/maplefootypod

Follow Sam Little on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/samlittle44/