AFTN Soccer Show

AFTN.ca

A football/soccer podcast about Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, the Canadian Premier League and the beautiful game in general, with lots of interviews and fun segments thrown in.

  1. Jul 21

    Episode 740 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Y Viva España - World Cup wraps up, Andres Cubas and Thomas Müller on their World Cups, Whitecaps look to run BC Place, can MLS win new fans?)

    We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Major League Soccer chat and interviews. The 23rd FIFA World Cup has come to an end. Years of anticipation and now all we have are memories, a lot of fun ones, along with a lot of stuff we'd really like to forget about the whole thing. We look back at the dramatic and eventful last week of the 2026 tournament, the less than exciting final, and Spain being crowned champions once all the dust had settled. Whitecaps coach Jesper Sorensen talks to us about the similarities between Spain and the 'Caps, plus our misty eyes look back at the World Cup that was, the highs, the lows, and everything inbetween. Turning our attention to the club game, we've a lot of Whitecaps chat for you too as we talk more about the Whitecaps bid to operate BC Place. Is it feasible? Why do they want to do it? And might it actually be the best thing for the club in the short, medium, and long term? Plus we look at the Whitecaps cancelled game in Chicago, their busy week to come, and Jesper Sorensen and Ryan Gauld share some thoughts on the battle for the MLS West. We also chat with a couple of Whitecaps about their personal World Cup experiences. Does Thomas Müller have a taste for TV analyst and media work now? And how did Andres Cubas find his first World Cup with Paraguay? All of this plus MLS is back. Can they capitalize on the World Cup success and euphoria? They haven't got off to the most auspicious start. We also talk a little CPL and NSL, while music-wise, we've three C86 songs for you with tracks from St Christopher, The Turncoats, and The Band of Holy Joy, and we pay tribute to the late, great Kevin Keegan in Wavelength. Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 01.23: Intro - what day is it? 04.00: Y Viva España - The 2026 World Cup wraps up after a dramatic final week 36.00: The World Cup that was - highs, lows, and overall thoughts 76.35: The Whitecaps look to run BC Place - is it feasible, is it the best option? 99.05: The Whitecaps almost return to MLS action in Chicago! 111.32: Can MLS attract new fans from the World Cup? 126.20: Thomas Müller on his World Cup experience as a TV analyst 132.15: Andres Cubas interview on his first World Cup with Paraguay 141.35: Wavelength - Kevin Keegan - Head Over Heels In Love 149.10: CPL and NSL chat

  2. Jul 14

    Episode 739 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Watching The World Go By with Sam Adekugbe, Rayan Elloumi, and Taylor Twellman)

    We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Canadian Championship chat and interviews. The Whitecaps returned to action after 46 days away, defeating Cavalry FC in the Canadian Championship quarter-finals over two legs, including an emotional return to Swangard Stadium. We pick over the bones of those matches and the other three quarter-finals and hear from 'Caps coach Jesper Sorensen ahead of the the busy weeks of matches coming up. We also have a couple of Whitecaps interviews for you as we talk with Rayan Elloumi about his World Cup experience away with Tunisia and getting back on the scoresheet, while we chat with Sam Adekugbe about his World Cup punditry duties, getting ready to get back on the pitch, and the psychological toll this latest injury has been for him. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in its final stages and it's been a great tournament so far, both on and off the pitch. Well, for the most part. A long list of incidents and questionable decisions have cast doubt over the trust in, and questioned the integrity of, the tournament and they are casting a dark shadow over proceedings. We delve into a series of unfortunate events and look back at how well Vancouver did as a host city. All of this plus we hear from MLS analyst Taylor Twellman about the future of the Whitecaps, Sebastian Berhalter, and where the host countries need to go now to continue to improve the game, we look at the continuing death of sports radio in Vancouver, and music-wise, we've three C86 songs for you with tracks from The Dentists, 14 Iced Bears, and A Riot of Colour, while we have a Mexican World Cup song in Wavelength. Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 01.22: Intro - back to life, back to reality 15.30: The death of Vancouver 'sports' radio 22.35: How Vancouver fared as a World Cup host city 44.10: World Cup controversies erode trust and integrity 80.05: Canadian Championship quarter-final round up 95.30: Whitecaps see off Cavalry charge to set up Montreal semi 110.55: Jesper Sorenson on squad rotation and the busy schedule to come 124.00: Rayan Elloumi interview 134.20: Sam Adekugbe interview 151.15: Taylor Twellman on Sebastian Berhalter's future and the direction of US Soccer 171.20: Wavelength - Grupo Frontera - Un Solo Corazon

  3. Jul 7

    Episode 738 – The AFTN Soccer Show (The End Is Just The Beginning with Jesper Sorensen, Kevin Blue, Don Garber, Yohei Takaoka)

    We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup, Canadian national team, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Canadian Championship chat and interviews. Canada's World Cup is over and all three hosts are now out of the tournament. A Round of 16 defeat to Morocco saw the hosts tournament come to an end and there's a lot of pride and a lot of questions now coming out of it around what's next and how to continue to grow the game here. We pick over the bones of the Morocco defeat, hear from Alphonso Davies, and Canada Soccer General Secretary Kevin Blue and MLS Commissioner Don Garber chat about the future of football here in Canada and across North America. Turning our attention to the club game, we catch up with Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen and goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka as the team get set to get back into competitive action after six and a half weeks off. How are they feeling, what additions could be coming in, how will they approach the Canadian Championship game, and does this feel like the continuation of a season or starting from scratch? Plus Cavalry's Tommy Wheeldon Jr talks about the Voyageurs Cup match up with the 'Caps. All of this plus music-wise, we've three C86 songs for you with tracks from The Membranes, The June Brides, and The Primitives, while we have an English World Cup song in Wavelength. Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 01.21: Intro - Extra thanks 06.50: All three World Cup hosts are out after Round of 32 19.25: Canada's World Cup is over after Morocco loss 28.50: Alphonso Davies audio and discussion 44.30: Kevin Blue on the future of Canadian Soccer 86.00: Growing the game post World Cup - with audio from Don Garber 112.30: Jesper Soresen interview 133.40: CanChamp preview with Tommy Wheeldon Jr 142.20: Yohei Takaoka interview 148.15: Wavelength - Sonny Green x Death of Guitar Pop - We're Telling 'Em

  4. Jul 1

    Episode 737 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Coming of Age with Pat Onstad, Sebastian Berhalter, Ryan Gauld, Tristan Blackmon, Brian White, Chris Wood, Jesse Randall, and Darren Bazeley)

    We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup, Canadian national team, and Vancouver Whitecaps chat and interviews. Canada continue to make history at this year's World Cup. Their 1-0 victory over South Africa saw them secure a first ever knockout round win and now they face Morocco in the Round of 16. We look back at that famous win in L.A. and what awaits in Houston, plus we talk to former Canadian national team goalkeeper, and current Houston Dynamo General Manager, Pat Onstad about Canada's World Cup so far, the growth of the game here, and more. With two Vancouver Whitecaps still left in the tournament, we chat some more with Sebastian Berhalter about his experiences with the U.S. and the impact the team and the tournament might have for his country. Plus we also get some World Cup thoughts from his Whitecaps teammates Brian White and Tristan Blackmon, while Ryan Gauld talks to us about finally being "pain free" and raring to get back onto the pitch. The group games are over and we bring you some audio from the New Zealand camp as they say goodbye to Vancouver and the tournament, having failed to secure that historic first ever World Cup victory they craved. We hear from head coach Darren Bazeley and veteran forward Chris Wood about how the tournament went and what now for both them and the program. Could we see New Zealand in the Gold Cup? Could we see Wood in MLS and at the Whitecaps? We also chat with All Whites forward Jesse Randall about his tournament, winning the A League with Auckland, and the new adventure that now awaits him in Scotland with Dundee United. Plus Portland Timbers Finn Surman talks about his experiences and now heading back to MLS, for now at least. All of this plus music-wise, our C86 songs are backs with tracks from BMX Bandits, Jesse Garon and the Desperados, and Talulah Gosh, while we have a hardcore techno World Cup song in Wavelength from Tiscore. Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 01.21: Intro - FanFest experiences, Scotland crash out 17.25: Canada make more history with knockout round win over South Africa 56.40: Pat Onstad interview 81.25: How does this World Cup run compare to 2000 Gold Cup win? 84.05: Moroccan test awaits Canada in Houston heat 100.00: NZ coach Darren Bazeley on the All Whites' tournament and the future 116.05: Eli Just, Liberato Cacace, and Ben Old on what now for NZ soccer 119.50: Chris Wood reflects on NZ's World Cup and his own future 127.10: Finn Surman on his World Cup and heading back to MLS 132.56: Jesse Randall on his World Cup experience and making the move to Scotland 141.25: Sebastian Berhalter on U.S. World Cup experiences, pressure, and expectations 151.50: Brian White interview 158.20: Tristan Blackmon interview 168.30: Ryan Gauld gives us a health update and he's raring to go 174.25: Wavelength - Tiscore - Red Card

  5. Jun 22

    Episode 736 – The AFTN Soccer Show (World Cup Highs, Lows, and Everything Inbetween - Canada thrash Qatar, Egypt beat New Zealand, World Cup thoughts so far, Don Garber on #SaveTheCaps latest)

    We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup, Canadian national team, and even Vancouver Whitecaps chat. The World Cup is in full flow and it's been a fantastic feast of footballing action with many twists and turns along the way. Canada is doing the country proud, claiming their first ever win and clean sheet at the tournament in their 6-0 demolition of Qatar to top Group B. We look back at the historic match and occasion, and get some postgame reaction from Alistair Johnston, Ali Ahmed, and Max Crepeau, and look ahead to the big Switzerland clash on Wednesday. Egypt also got their first ever World Cup win on Sunday, in a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over New Zealand and we bring you some postgame audio and chats with Egypt's Mo Salah and New Zealand's Finn Surman, Michael Boxall, Francis de Vries, and Elijah Just. We also cast our eyes over the tournament so far after day 10 as all three host nations are flying high. Who's impressed, who's disappointed, and can Scotland make it to the knockout rounds for the first time? We also look at some great moments for World Cup first timers and have a quick chat with Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter about his tournament experience so far. Plus we look at the stadium experiences and atmospheres we've experienced first-hand. It's not all World Cup chat though as we bring you some audio from MLS Commissioner Don Garber as he talks about the latest situation to #SaveTheCaps and keep them in Vancouver. Plus music-wise, legendary Scottish band Deacon Blue continue their residency as our Artists of the Month and we've got another Scotland World Cup song in Wavelength. Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 01.22: Intro - lots of football, lots of marching, lots of memories 10.34: World Cup stadium experiences - logistics, atmospheres, crowds 42.30: The tournament so far - hosts flying high, Scotland in tough, first timers get their moments 65.05: Hydration breaks and group tiebreakers irk 78.30: Canada thrash Qatar, now Swiss test awaits 115.00: Ali Ahmed after Qatar win 117.50: Maxime Crepeau after Qatar win 122.30: Alistair Johnston after Qatar win 141.20: Mo Salah reflects on Egypt's historic win over New Zealand 148.30: Finn Surman on his bittersweet night in Vancouver 152.40: Michael Boxall talks after NZ's loss to Egypt 162.00: Francis de Vries chats about his World Cup debut in the place he started as a pro 168.00: Eli Just chats after NZ's loss to Egypt 173.35: Don Garber on the latest to #SaveTheCaps 184.40: Wavelength - Sanjeev Kohli and Tom Urie - Back In The Game

  6. Jun 16

    Episode 735 – The AFTN Soccer Show (World Cup Fever Grips North America - Canada get first point, Scotland beat Haiti)

    We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup chat. After year of anticipation, excitement, and planning, with more than a few speedbumps and frustrations along the way, the 2026 World Cup is underway and the summer feast of football is in full flow. Five days in and we've had some fantastic matches, some great goals, a couple of surprises, and some great storylines. We delve into some of the main talking points so far with particular emphasis on Canada's 1-1 draw with Bosnia, their first ever World Cup point, and Scotland's 1-0 win over Haiti, their first World Cup win in 36 years. AFTN had the pleasure of being at both matches and we share some of our thoughts on the games and our experiences at the stadiums in Toronto and Boston. We also bring you some postgame audio from the Canada game as I catch up with former Whitecap Ali Ahmed to chat about getting his World Cup moment and coming back to play in Vancouver, plus we hear from Ismael Kone, Luc de Fougerolles, Max Crepeau, Joel Waterman, and Alistair Johnston about the game and what's next. All of this plus we give you some World Cup predictions, we wrap up our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, and music-wise, legendary Scottish band Deacon Blue continue their residency as our Artists of the Month and we've got another Scotland World Cup song in Wavelength. Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 01.20: Intro - a special couple of days 12.25: Canada's draw with Bosnia unpacked 42.00: Ismael Kone and Luc de Fougerolles postgame audio 48.50: Max Crepeau reflects on his first World Cup game 53.27: Ali Ahmed talks getting his World Cup moment and coming back to Vancouver 59.00: Joel Waterman's postgame thoughts 61.50: Qatar Preview 64.17: Alistair Johnston on Canada becoming a soccer nation 71.55: Scotland beat Haiti in Boston, as their fans take over the city 101.20: Canadian Soccer A to Z - Z 107.25: Some World Cup predictions 125.00: Wavelength - Nick Morgan - No Scotland, No Party (2026 version)

  7. Jun 10

    Episode 734 – The AFTN Soccer Show (World Cup Preview Part Three with Thomas Müller, Rayan Elloumi, Deedson, and Asa Rehman)

    We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup chat and interviews, in the third and final of our preview shows for the tournament. With the World Cup kick off just around the corner, we're joined by Global TV's Asa Rehman to look at how ready the Canadian team feels for the tournament, how they looked in their two recent friendlies, who we expect to get the start on Friday, and hopes and expectations against Bosnia and for the tournament as a whole. We also bring you our final three group previews, as Zach breaks down Germany and Group E, Asa looks at the Netherlands and Group F, Doug Pirie and Gordon Henderson join us from the Scottish podcast Glory Days of Gold to look at Scotland and Group C, and we chat with FC Dallas' Haitian winger Deedson about his country reaching their first finals since 1974. Plus we chat with Thomas Müller about being a pundit and not a player at this year's tournament, his advice to the Vancouver Whitecaps players heading off to their first World Cup, and bring back some South Africa 2010 memories for him with the help of that year's Panini sticker album. We also sit down for a chat with Whitecaps 18-year-old striker Rayan Elloumi about the breakneck year he's had, getting the call to Tunisia's World Cup squad, and his own World Cup memories from tournaments past. All of this plus we look at some of the IFAB rule changes for this year's tournament, we move onto the letter Y in our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, music-wise, legendary Scottish band Deacon Blue continue their residency as our Artists of the Month, and we've got another new Scotland World Cup song in Wavelength. Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 01.20: Intro - thanks to our Gold Tier members 05.00: Canadian Soccer A to Z - Y 10.45: It's game time - is Canada ready? 37.40: Group E Preview - Curacao, Ecuador, Germany, and the Ivory Coast 60.00: Thomas Müller talks World Cup memories and his new role as a pundit 67.45: Group F Preview - Japan, Sweden, The Netherlands, and Tunisia 89.00: Rayan Elloumi interview on his first World Cup with Tunisia 108.00: Group C Preview part one - Brazil, Haiti, Morocco, and Scotland 130.25: Chat with Haiti winger Deedson 135.35: Group C Preview part two 160.55: Rule changes and new laws of the game at this year's World Cup 177.10: Wavelength - Belle and Sebastian - It Only Takes One Lion

  8. Jun 5

    Episode 733 – The AFTN Soccer Show (World Cup Preview Part Two with Mathias Laborda, Finn Surman, Marco Materazzi, and Petar Musa)

    We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup chat and interviews, in the second of our preview shows for the tournament. We're looking at six of the groups in this episode (Groups G to L), with special focus on Group G where two of the six matches will be at BC Place and a further two down in Seattle. There's a special focus on New Zealand, who will play two of their matches here in Vancouver, and we sit down with Portland Timbers centre back Finn Surman to chat about his footballing journey so far, the game in Aotearoa, the excitement of playing at his first World Cup, and his World Cup memories from tournaments past. We also look ahead to Uruguay's chances in Group H with Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathias Laborda, find out how he still gets excited about the tournament, and chat about some of his World Cup memories through the years. And FC Dallas' Petar Musa talks about his selection to the Croatian World Cup team and their chances in Group L and beyond. All of this plus we hear from Jesse Marsch and Maxime Crepeau after the latter was named the Canadian starting goalkeeper for the World Cup, get Zach's experience at the Uzbekistan friendly in Edmonton, chat with Italian legend Marco Materazzi about the World Cup and what Italy need to do to qualify again, move onto the letter X in our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, music-wise, legendary Scottish band Deacon Blue wrap up their residency as our Artists of the Month, and we've got another World Cup song in Wavelength, and this time it's a throwback to Espana '82 for New Zealand. Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 01.24: Intro - Zach's CanMNT travels 10.55: Max Crepeau named Canada's starting goalkeeper 20.45: Canadian Soccer A to Z - X 26.20: Group G Preview - Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand 50.00: Finn Surman interview on New Zealand and the World Cup 72.30: Group H Preview - Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Uruguay 83.00: Mathias Laborda's Uruguayan World Cup memories 90.00: Group I Preview - France, Iraq, Norway, Senegal 99.40: Group J Preview - Algeria, Argentina, Austria, and Jordan 113.00: Group K Preview - Colombia, DR Congo, Portugal, and Uzbekistan 120.40: Group L Preview - Croatia, England 123.55: Petar Musa on his World Cup call-up with Croatia 129.50: Group L Preview - Ghana, Panama 132.42: Marco Materazzi on his World Cup memories and Italy not qualifying again 138.35: Wavelength - Ray Woolf and the New Zealand 1982 World Cup Squad - Heading To The Top

4.7
out of 5
90 Ratings

About

A football/soccer podcast about Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, the Canadian Premier League and the beautiful game in general, with lots of interviews and fun segments thrown in.

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