Episode 582 - The AFTN Soccer Show (The Flame Keeps Burning)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and World Cup chat.

It's Thanksgiving weekend in Canada and we've all got a lot to be thankful for as Canadian football fans. The Whitecaps are having quite the season, the CPL is coming to an exciting conclusion, and you've got another fun-filled podcast to talk about it all! We pay thanks for the exciting year and so does Vancouver head coach Vanni Sartini.

The 'Caps clinched a MLS playoff place and guaranteed a top seven finish after a four point week. We look back at the game against St Louis and Seattle, the uptick in their away form that got them over the line, the importance of the Ryan/Brian connection and what makes them works so well together, the first year play with the team from goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka. Plus there's audio from Takaoka, along with Vanni Sartini, Ryan Gauld, and Ranko Veselinovic.

Turning our attention to the CPL, the playoffs are all set. We look back at the weekend's action and what's to come, chat about what's next for Vancouver FC with head coach Afshin Ghotbi, and talk with Whitecaps loanee Vasco Fry about his time in the league and the future.

All of that, plus there's still time to chat about FIFA's controversial plans for the 2030 World Cup, Australian band The Curls feature in this episode's Wavelength, and Italian post punk goths They Die are our new Artists of the Month.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.24.: Intro - Vanni gives thanks and so do we
09.15: Whitecaps book playoff place after 4 point week
35.05: Yohei Takaoka's up and down season
43.10: The Brian/Ryan connection doing the business
55.00: Whitecaps away form turnaround discussion
68.11: MLS playoff picture ahead of Decision Day
89.07: CPL playoffs set as VFC inaugural season ends with a loss
104.44: Afshin Ghotbi on what now for Vancouver FC
110.43: Vasco Fry interview
123.13: FIFA's controversial 2030 World Cup plans
134.52: Wavelength - The Curls - Everybody Loves Steph Catley