The Young Gaffers | An irreverent look at The Beautiful Game

Wherein Our Heroes provide their musings on the Group Stage of World Cup 2018. We are both having VAR's role to varying degrees. Unpacking Germany's shortcomings could take a whole episode, but we provide the "Gaffers Notes" version. Coaching and tactics have plagued many perennial powerhouses; we discuss Eurocentrism in soccer punditry, and, with no clear-cut favourites, attempt our predictions for the Round of 16. Also, Jason attends a Whitecaps town hall and provides insight on the relationship between club and supporters.

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Alberta Podcast Network powered by ATB.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to [email protected], @younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D Email: [email protected] Twitter: @7FranklinD

Wherein Our Heroes recap the first week of World Cup 2018, provide opinion on FC Edmonton's crest and celebrate a successful United Bid for World Cup 2026. In Russia, the Japanese and Senegalese supporters show pure class by cleaning the stands instead of celebrating victory on the streets. The Haircut of the Week returns to give plaudits to Neymar's Noodle Bowl/Spaghetti/Llama coif. Portugal have played well around Cristiano Ronaldo, but how far can he carry the squad on his chiseled shoulders? Also, Argentina look the polar opposite, unable to click around Lionel Messi. We follow the Moskva, down to Gorky Park, listening to the wind of chaaaaaaaaange.

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Alberta Podcast Network powered by ATB.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to [email protected], @younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D Email: [email protected] Twitter: @7FranklinD

Wherein Our Heroes continue our World Cup discussion, this time offering predictions. We guess who will disappoint and who will exceed expectations in Russia this summer, including the tourney's breakout star and our "Fifty Shades of Dark Horse" picks. We also offer up the biggest potential talking points off the pitch and end with our predictions for Golden Boot, our final four nations, and the country that is destined to hoist the Jules Rimet Trophy in 2018. Jason is mistake.

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Alberta Podcast Network powered by ATB.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to [email protected], @younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D Email: [email protected] Twitter: @7FranklinD

Wherein Our Heroes are joined by Matt and Padraic to discuss our thoughts on Russia 2018. We chat about our favourite all-time World Cup memories, compete in some World Cup trivia, and provide our opinions on the all-time greatest World Cup players. Also, we reflect back on our biggest pre-tournament surprises.

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Alberta Podcast Network powered by ATB.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to [email protected], @younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D Email: [email protected] Twitter: @7FranklinD

Wherein Our Heroes recap the magic, drama, and shortcomings of the UEFA Champions League Final. Loris Karius offers up two legendary gaffes; will he recover for next season, or must Liverpool find a new first-choice keeper? Gareth Bale scores one of the greatest goals in tournament history. We are also joined by James Covey of the "Privateers 1882" supporters group in Halifax. He discusses the CPL announcement event, soccer culture in Nova Scotia, and how it feels to be Member #1.

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Alberta Podcast Network powered by ATB.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to [email protected], @younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D Email: [email protected] Twitter: @7FranklinD

This week, we celebrate the official unveiling of Calgary's Canadian Premier League club, Cavalry FC. We also have a fantastic conversation with Sports & Entertainment Atlantic's Derek Martin, who discusses the Halifax club and Wanderers Grounds, community, club identity, and building a world-class match day experience.

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Alberta Podcast Network powered by ATB.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to [email protected], @younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D Email: [email protected] Twitter: @7FranklinD

Wherein Our Heroes question the Argentine Football Association's package for World Cup journalists – was it a poor prank, Easter egg, or tone-deaf? The FA Cup Final proves too tough to predict. Will Wayne Rooney make a difference in Washington with DC United (on and off the pitch)? Also, MLS club salaries reveal that league parity is on the decline! Lastly, it's Cavalry not Calvary, people.

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Alberta Podcast Network powered by ATB.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to [email protected], @younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D Email: [email protected] Twitter: @7FranklinD

Wherein Our Heroes celebrate the rebirth of the music video. We catch up with Calgary Foothills FC captain Dominick Zator on the eve of the 2018 USL PDL regular season. FC Edmonton GM Jay Ball shares his thoughts on the path to professional soccer in Canada, Edmonton's supporter culture, and Caesars. Canada Soccer officially approves four cities for membership in the Canadian Premier League. Also, does Vancouver's recent loss to Minnesota United signal that it's time for change?

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Alberta Podcast Network powered by ATB.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to [email protected], @younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D Email: [email protected] Twitter: @7FranklinD

Wherein Our Heroes heap sweet praise on the Canadian Premier League's recently-unveiled logo and manifesto. Toronto FC come within centimetres of winning the CONCACAF Champions League, but now will have to grip their toques tightly to secure an MLS playoff spot. The recent Al Classico first leg in Edmonton proves that the Battle of Alberta is alive and healthy and bodes well for future derby matches. We (again) lament VAR use in MLS and (once more) make it known. Also, the wildest soccer fan in Brazil gets the craziest soccer tattoo imaginable – no more "shirts versus skins" for this guy!

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Alberta Podcast Network powered by ATB.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to [email protected], @younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D Email: [email protected] Twitter: @7FranklinD

Wherein Our Heroes are joined by Adam and Nathan from Loyal Company of the River Valley, an Edmonton-based soccer podcast. We discuss the upcoming two-legged derby between FC Edmonton and our own Calgary Foothills FC, the impending launch of the Canadian Premier League, and the overall state of soccer in Alberta's two largest cities. And remember Edmontonians, there's more than one way to skin a rabbit!

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Alberta Podcast Network powered by ATB.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to [email protected], @younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D Email: [email protected] Twitter: @7FranklinD