Episode 613 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Celebrations and Consternations - Whitecaps v Austin, TSS heartbreak, Can Champ, CMNT coaching search, Vancouver and FIFA 2026)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Championship, and Canadian national team chat. The football keeps coming and so do the podcasts!

Vancouver Whitecaps marked the occasion of the 50th anniversary of their first ever match by almost playing out an exact replica of it this past weekend! In 1974 San Jose came to town, the Whitecaps dominated, the visitors offered little in attack, and it ended as a draw with Vancouver unable to find the winning goal. Sound familiar? It was almost deja vu with Austin on Saturday night, except this time the 'Caps didn't lose in a penalty shootout. We pick over the bones of that game, look back at the one from 1974, and look ahead to this week's Canadian Championship clash against Cavalry. Plus we get the thoughts of both head coaches Vanni Sartini and Tommy Wheeldon Jr ahead of the game.

Talking of the Canadian Championship, we talk about TSS Rovers' heartbreak, the success of League1 Quebec side CS Saint Laurent, and discuss how the tournament needs to be opened up to more lower league sides and for it not to have everything skewed against them. Plus we talk about the latest news in the search for a new Canadian men's national team head coach, the increased costs of Vancouver hosting the World Cup here in 2026, and we have a new album of the month, featuring Brooklyn band Habibi.

This episode of the podcast is brought to you by Recovery Family Law, family law lawyers in Surrey, working with clients to get excellent results. They support AFTN, go and support them for all your family legal needs.

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

02.15: Intro
06.07: Late heartbreak for TSS at Pacific
18.52: Canadian Championship discussion
41.45: Whitecaps stalemate against Austin
77.00: This Week in Whitecapsland 1974
86.46: Cavalry vs Whitecaps - Round 3
116.05: The search for a new CMNT coach heats up
135.35: Vancouver WC hosting costs spiral
144.50: How long will BC Place have a grass pitch?
149.20: Wavelength - Scotland 1974 World Cup Squad - Back Hame