Tipped Off The Bar - The Official Vancouver Football Club Podcast

Episode 3 packs a punch! Captain Callum Irving joins us for Inside the Club, sharing the story of a Vancouver boy, landing as VFC's first ever signing and captain, via Kentucky. He also shares the story of Niko's "character check" and his dad's lessons on ego and attitude. Bo asks Callum about his perfect penalty record and the two keepers swap goalkeeper communication tips, it's very applicable to all of life! Niko and David break down the 2-2 draw away at Supra, and fan Joseph Lavoie, the mind behind the "best last place team" shirt, tells his story from a youth coach reading Pep Guardiola books to launching a soccer startup. And... we take risks on our playoff predictions. We stand by them!

Episode 2 is a big one! We sit down with Emrick Fotsing right after news of his move to the Whitecaps broke. He tells us how he got from Montreal's academy to VFC at 17, what captaining Canada's U-20s was like, and how he found out about the transfer on a team bus while scrolling TikTok. Then it's on to the pitch, a goalkeeper-glove breakdown with Callum Irving, and a From The Stands special recorded at the Pacific away day, including a run-in with Pacific's captain over breakfast. Plus a playoff push update.

00:00 - Intro: Welcome back, a look at how Episode 1 went, and a preview of what's coming.

02:29 - Inside The Club w/Emrick Fotsing: Messi fandom, Montreal academy to VFC at 17, moving across the country, U-20 CONCACAF in Mexico as captain, the Whitecaps transfer, and his goals for the rest of the season with VFC.

28:02 - Young Fan Question: Boaz asks Emrick for the one tip he'd give young players that parents won't tell them.

29:19 - On The Pitch: Recent form, the team illness on the road trip, squad depth, new signings, and the playoff chase.

35:59 - Goalie To Goalie w/Callum Irving: Finger saves vs. no finger saves, glove cuts, brands, cost, and how many pairs a pro goalkeeper rotates through.

44:34 - From The Stands: Pacific Away Day! A pre-game run-in with Pacific's captain; an annual Victoria away day tradition; how to combine a beer festival with an away day; some reminiscing about Mexico for CONCACAF; and hear from one of the players dads.

58:38 - Home Ground: Sometimes you just need the ball to fall to the right player. 

59:54 — What's Next / Outro: Upcoming fixtures and the playoff push.

1:01:22 - Bonus outtake: Boaz shares his Principal's accusation of bad language... never! 

We launch 'Tipped Off The Bar' by introducing the show's vision and the team behind it. You'll also meet Anna and Mark Mullins, the first ever season ticket holders at VFC. Boaz and Niko engage in some 'Goalie To Goalie' chat and also discuss the Young Fan Question. There's a look back at the season so far, along with what to expect next too! Make sure to subscribe for more!

00:23 — Why 'Tipped Off The Bar'?

06:31 — Inside The Club Part 1: David interviews Niko on his VFC journey, coaching philosophy, name pronunciation, and what a typical day off for him looks like.

20:52 — Inside The Club Part 2 :Niko interviews David on his path to VFC, personal ties to football, his hardest moments as a fan, and why he's so invested.

32:44 — From The Stands: Anna & Mark Mullens, VFC's first season ticket holders! A hilarious interview about their experience so far.

52:25 — Goalie To Goalie: Niko & Boaz break down Callum, Henrik, and Mateus.

1:00:54 — Season Review: CONCACAF, preseason, CPL first half, Langley United, Calgary Cavalry win, and our playoff dreams.

1:20:40 — Young Fan Question: Niko answers Bo's penalty question, with a funny memory from his playing days in Australia.

1:24:56 — Home Ground: Why the real estate market feels like being demoted four tiers.

1:26:42 — What's Next? Upcoming games and a friendly request to subscribe and share.