The Third Sub

Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!

In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps. 

To begin, they look at the latest out of the Whitecaps, whose journey through the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs came to an end last weekend. 

After doing well to force a third and decisive elimination game in their first-round series vs. LAFC, they were unable to extend their playoff run down in LA, as they fell 1-0 at BMO Stadium.

Despite another strong showing, they were unable to convert on some early chances and got punished for a sloppy mistake in the middle of the park, much like was the case in game #1 in LA. 

Now, the focus shifts to the offseason for the Whitecaps, who have some big decisions to make in terms of their roster and coaching staff.

Alex and Sam dive into those decisions, taking a look at what they feel might happen over the next few months, as the Whitecaps gear up for a massive 2025 season, one that's arguably the peak for this core as currently assembled, and they share why that's the case. 

Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_. 

Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!

In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and their run through the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs. 

To begin, they dive into the latest out of the Whitecaps, who picked up a massive win over LAFC in game #2 of their first-round best-of-three playoff series at BC Place on Sunday, extending the series to a third and decisive game. 

In just their second playoff win at BC Place in their MLS era, they picked up one of their biggest results of the past decade, dispatching LAFC 3-0 with a complete performance on both sides of the ball. 

It took some creative tactical tweaks to orchestrate the victory, including the shift of Ali Ahmed into midfield and inserting Sebastian Berhalter in at right back, but they paid off, giving the Whitecaps a key edge heading into game #3. 

Speaking of game #3, Alex and Sam dive into what they're expecting from that match, as the Whitecaps look to complete the comeback from down 1-0 to reach the Western Conference semi-finals. 

It's going to take another strong performance and some important lineup decisions, and they look at what the Whitecaps will need to do that as they try and make that happen. 

Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_. 

Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!

In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps.

To begin, they dive into the latest out of the Whitecaps, who faced LAFC in game #1 of their MLS Cup playoffs first-round best-of-three series. There, unfortunately, despite a strong performance, they left empty-handed, as they fell 2-1 in LA.

As is often the case when facing LAFC, being good between the boxes wasn't enough, as LAFC's dominance in both boxes ended up making the difference on the day. 

Now, the series shifts to Vancouver, where the Whitecaps will need to win at BC Place to keep their season alive (or draw and win on penalties), or else they risk being swept by LAFC for a second straight season. 

Can they actually beat this LAFC side, however? They look at what will need to happen in this second game for that to even be a possibility, before previewing potential lineups and key battles to watch. 

Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_. 

Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!

In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps and Pacific FC. 

To begin with, they dive into the latest from the Whitecaps, who advanced through MLS's Western Conference Wild Card match in style by beating the Portland Timbers 5-0 on Wednesday.  

Arguably one of their best performances of their MLS era, they dive into what stood out from that win, as the Whitecaps seemed to hit all of the right notes in that game, both tactically and individually.

Now, however, the Whitecaps won't have much time to think about that win, as they're now getting set to take on LAFC in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs, in a rematch of the 2023 playoffs. 

Can they legitimately cause problems for LAFC? Can they carry over the blueprint used vs. Portland? Will fatigue play a factor? 

They dive into all of the key questions surrounding this LAFC series, before previewing what they expect out of game #1, which goes this Sunday in Los Angeles. 

Lastly, they finish with some Canadian Premier League talk, as they look at Pacific's elimination from the CPL playoffs, which came at the hands of York United in midweek, seeing what this means for the Tridents. 

Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_. 

Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!

In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver FC, Pacific FC and more. 

To begin, there's the latest out of the Vancouver Whitecaps, who fell 2-1 to Real Salt Lake in their final match of the 2024 MLS regular season. A game in which they led in the second half, they were unable to hold onto that lead late, as they lost their fourth straight game in a row to end the campaign.  

Now, that's pushed the 'Caps into a position they didn't think they'd be in a month ago - MLS's play-in match, as they must now beat the Portland Timbers on Wednesday to book their spot in the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs. 

Alex and Sam preview what you need to know about this Portland match, one that could potentially be era-defining for this Whitecaps team, win or lose, and they look at why that is the case. 

After that, they take a look at the CPL, where both BC teams capped off their regular season slates this weekend, with Vancouver FC drawing Atlético Ottawa 0-0, and Pacific beating Forge FC 1-0. Thanks to those results, Pacific clinched a spot in the playoffs, doing so just ahead of Vancouver, marking the fifth straight year in which Pacific will participate in the playoffs. 

As a result, they're also getting set for a midweek clash on the road, with their playoff journey kicking off with an elimination match against York United on Wednesday, one that Alex and Sam make sure to preview before the end of the show. 

Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_. 

Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!

In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver FC, Pacific FC and more. 

To begin, there's the latest out of the Vancouver Whitecaps, who for the first time since 2022, have lost three games in a row in MLS play, as they fell 2-1 to LAFC to extend their losing streak to three games and their winless run in MLS play to six games. 

They look at what stood out from the LAFC game, diving into a familiar trend that stood out, one that might prove to be costly as they get set for the playoffs. 

Speaking of the playoffs, the Whitecaps will now play their last game before the postseason this upcoming weekend on the road to RSL, and they preview that match, seeing what the Whitecaps will need to do to bust their slump ahead of the playoffs while also improving their postseason seeding. 

Meanwhile, in the CPL, the final weekend of action looms, with both Pacific FC and Vancouver FC sitting in the hunt to earn the fifth and final playoff spot.

Which of the two will earn that spot? Or could Valour leapfrog both of them and leave them on the outside looking in? They'll find out this weekend during "The Outcome", the CPL's regular season finale. 

Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_. 

Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!

In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to dive into all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver FC, Pacific FC and more. 

To begin, they look at the latest out of the Whitecaps, who continue to struggle in MLS play, falling 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders in midweek before losing 1-0 to Minnesota United to make it five games without a win in MLS play. 

They try their best to diagnose what has gone wrong with this Whitecaps team as of late, as it feels like a mix of multiple factors have come together to create this strange stretch. 

Now, the Whitecaps will look to bust that slump this weekend against LAFC in a strange match where both sides will be missing several key regulars due to the international break. 

Meanwhile, in the CPL, things remain as chaotic as ever in the race for the playoffs, with just one point separating the fifth and final playoff spot from last place in the table, meaning that race for the playoffs will literally come down to the wire. 

Will Vancouver FC or Pacific FC be able to nab that one remaining playoff spot? Or will Valour or Halifax find a way to do so? Vancouver has the edge in that race heading into a massive game against Valour this weekend, but it still remains too early to call in terms of how things might finish and they look at why that is the case. 

Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_. 

Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!

In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps. 

To begin, they dive into the latest out of the Whitecaps men's team, who had a big week of action in both league and cup play. 

Of course, their biggest achievement of them all? Defeating Toronto FC on penalties in the Canadian Championship final to give the Whitecaps their third straight Voyageurs Cup crown and fourth overall. 

It was far from the Whitecaps' best performance, but that showcased their growth as a team, as they still found a way to win despite that. 

From there, they had to turn their focus back to MLS play, which didn't go as planned as they drew the Portland Timbers 1-1 in a game they probably should've won, and they dive into why that is the case. 

Now, they get set for their next test, a crucial home clash against the Seattle Sounders, kicking off a crucial stretch of four MLS games to end the year. 

Lastly, they finish with some Whitecaps women's chatter, as their women's League 1 BC side continued their adventure through the Concacaf Champions Cup with a home clash against NWSL side San Diego Wave at BC Place this past week, and they share their thoughts on how that one went down. 

Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_. 

Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!

In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps ahead of a big week for Vancouver's MLS side. 

Set to host the Canadian Championship final against Toronto FC, the Whitecaps are looking for their third-straight Voyageurs Cup trophy in a massive match for the club. 

Before then, however, they had to visit the first-place team in MLS's Western Conference this past weekend, as they took on the LA Galaxy on the road, falling 4-2 with a rotated squad. 

Despite that, it didn't feel like a 4-2 game, and they dive into why they felt that was the case, as the Whitecaps still put up a good performance, only finding themselves undone by a few key mistakes. 

Now, the 'Caps will look to put that behind them as they get set for this TFC test. A team that can be fun to watch on their day, it's been an inconsistent season for the Toronto-based outfit, but they'll want to peak just in time to lift their first trophy in two years. 

A John Herdman-coached side who have done a good job of adapting to their new bench boss in his first season in charge after arriving from Canada's National Teams, they'll have plenty of reasons to want to lift a trophy this week. 

Alex and Sam dive into everything you need to know ahead of that game, including what to watch tactically, key matchups and much more. 

Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_. 

Welcome back to another episode of the Third Sub Podcast!

In this episode, Alex and Sam are back, as usual, this time to chat all things Vancouver Whitecaps, Pacific FC, Vancouver FC and more.

To begin, they dive into the latest out of the Whitecaps, who had a busy week, as they first defeated the San Jose Earthquakes at home before drawing the Houston Dynamo on the road. 

They look at what they learned in both of those performances, in which the 'Caps showed what they can look like when at their best against the Earthquakes, before showing good tactical flexibility against the Dynamo. 

Plus, some key depth players stepped up in a big way, too, which can only help the Whitecaps as they get set to tackle what's next for them on a busy schedule. 

Speaking of, they take a look at the Whitecaps' next game, a road clash against a Western Conference-leading LA Galaxy side, where they'll need to deal with the threat of the Galaxy while preparing for a big Canadian Championship final matchup in midweek.

Lastly, they dive into the latest out of the B.C. CPL teams, who were fresh off playing each other in the latest edition of the Salish Sea Derby, which finished 3-0 in the favour of Pacific FC, who beat Vancouver FC for the first in five matches. 

Make sure to check out The Third Sub Podcast on Twitter, @thirdsubpod, as well as on Instagram, @the3rdsub_.