Episode 635 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Over Before It's Began? - Whitecaps spiral, Ryan Gauld, Jay Herdman, games during international windows)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, CPL, and international football chat and interviews.

The Whitecaps are slumping and at the worst possible time, with the MLS playoffs fast approaching. Back-to-back home losses against Seattle Sounders and Minnesota United have seen the 'Caps in danger of being in the play-in game to get into the full postseason. We pick over the bones of those two horrible performances, try and pin down where it's all going wrong and why, and look at the lie of the land across MLS.

At least Ryan Gauld is back and our feature interview is with the Whitecaps captain as we talk about earning his first senior Scotland cap and his whole experiences around his first two games. Plus we find out what is he going to do with his jerseys and how disappointing was it to find out you don't get an actual cap any more?! We also look at MLS continuing to play matches in the international break and Vanni Sartini, Axel Schuster, and Jesse Marsch weigh in with their thoughts on that.

Turning our attention to the CPL, we look at the weekend's action and the fierce battle for the 5th and final playoff spot. Plus we chat with head coaches Afshin Ghotbi, Patrice Gheisar, Tommy Wheeldon Jr, and James Merriman after the latest round of matches. Plus we catch up with Jay Herdman to talk about his loan move to Cavalry, how he's fitting in, and his first CPL goal.

All of this, plus there's more Britpop chat and music, Kinky Machine begin their stint as our Album of the Month, and Sir Robert Orange Peel return in Wavelength.

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

01.28: Intro - road trips, gas prices, and footballing fortnights
09.45: Whitecaps' back to back home defeats cause concern
44.12: Where is it all going wrong for the 'Caps and why?
59.53: MLS round-up and the lie of the land
80.40: Playing through the international window - Axel, Vanni & Marsch weigh in
101.05: Ryan Gauld interview
117.22: CPL round-up and coaches audio
157.45: Jay Herdman on Cavalry loan deal
162.30: Wavelength - Sir Robert Orange Peel - Spiralling Out Of Control