Episode 548 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Spreading The Love)

Explicit content warning

02/14/23 • 123 min

We’re back with another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian football chat. We are spreading the love this Valentine's week and we're joined by Harjeet Johal to help us do it.
The big talking point in Canadian soccer this past weekend has been the continuing battle between the women's national team and Canada Soccer. The players' fight for equality and better working conditions has turned quite ugly. We delve into the raft of statements that have been coming out from both sides and try and make what we can from what has become a giant mess and an embarrassment for the governing body.
On the domestic front, the Whitecaps have three more preseason matches under their belt down in Palm Springs and are still unbeaten. We delve into those and the other Whitecaps news of the week from new signings still not yet announced to the appointment of Ricardo Clark as new WFC2 head coach. Plus we chat to head coach Vanni Sartini about the form of Cristian Dajome and what he would ideally like to see the MLS playoff format be amidst rumours that 62% of teams will make it to the postseason this year.
We also hear from Canadian men's national team players Sam Adekugbe and Atiba Hutchison in the horrific aftermath of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, as they try and raise awareness of the relief efforts. You can donate to Sam and Atiba's Red Cross appeal for the victims HERE.
Plus there's still time to chat to Vanni Sartini about his Love of Football, find out what the Whitecaps' Ryan Raposo is watching on his TV, look at the Vancouver FC news of the week, talk the Canadian Championship, and take another trip to the 13th Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival.
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.06: Intro and a love poem for football
07.55: Sam Adekugbe and Atiba Hutchison on the Turkish/Syrian earthquake disaster appeal
19.45: Hot Chocolate Boy - Butter Baked Goods
25.21: 2023 MLS playoff format rumours
31.40: Vanni Sartini's ideal MLS playoffs
39.40: Whitecaps still unbeaten in Palm Springs!
50.00: TVOD - Ryan Raposo in 2023
53.13: Ricardo Clark appointed WFC2 head coach
59.20: My Love Of Football - Vanni Sartini
67.31: Canadian Championship dates set
77.20: Vancouver FC News of the Week
84.58: The Canadian national teams' players take on Canada Soccer
117.00: Wavelength - Kunt and the Gang - Female Referee

Previous Episode

Episode 547 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Sitting By The River Drinking Lemon Tea with guests Tosaint Ricketts and Ryan Raposo)

We’re back with another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian football chat and this episode is part of the CiTR Radio Fundrive week.
After the lack of news last week, there's a lot to chat about in Whitecapsland this time around as the team continue their preseason prep down in Palm Springs, California. They've got two more games under their belts and there's two new players set to join them very soon - striker Sergio Cordova and goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka. We chat about all of that and hear the thoughts of how things are looking as the new season approaches from 'Caps head coach Vanni Sartini.
We've two feature interviews for you this episode with two Whitecaps Canadians. We kick things off with a in-depth chat with Ryan Raposo. About to enter his fourth season with the team, Ryan is now one of the veterans on the side, despite his young age. We chat with him about his MLS journey so far, his standout 2022, and what lies in store for him in the season to come. We also chat with Vanni Sartini about what role he sees for the young Canadian in 2023.
From a player still in his fledgling career, to one hanging up his boots after a stellar 14 year one for clubs and country - Tosaint Ricketts. We chat to Tos about his decision to retire from playing, the highlights of his career, his front office role with the 'Caps, his recent punditry work at the World Cup and more.
Plus there's still time to chat about the new Apple TV MLS season pass that's been launched, take another trip in the 13th Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival, and there's music from new Artists of the Month, Television Personalities, Werd (SOS), and Arema Arega.
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.28: Intro and CITR fundrive info
09.07: Christian Atsu and the Turkish/Syrian earthquake disaster
13.05: Hot Chocolate Boy - Honolulu Coffee
18.22: Cordova and Takaoka signings incoming
41.10: Whitecaps unbeaten in Palm Springs!
47.22: Vanni Sartini talks preseason and more
60.25: Vanni on the role of Ryan Raposo in 2023
64.20: Ryan Raposo interview and discussion
92.58: Tosaint Ricketts interview and discussion
128.50: Apple TV's MLS season pass is live
130.45: Wavelength - Arema Arega - Always In The Air (Are You Ready?)

Next Episode

Episode 549 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Trip To A Dream Dragon with Vanni Sartini, Axel Schuster, and Yohei Takaoka))

We’re back with another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian football chat.
The new MLS season is just days away. Excited yet? Well you should be because this feels like it could be a good year for the Whitecaps. We look at how ready the team feels heading into it's season opener at home to RSL and chat with head coach Vanni Sartini and Sporting Director Axel Schuster to gauge how they're feeling ahead of the new campaign.
Their final two preseason signings have finally been announced and we hear from new Japanese goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka about why he's chosen to make the move to MLS, why Vancouver is a great landing spot for him, and how excited he is to get this new chapter of his career underway. We also hear from Axel Schuster about why they were so keen to bring the J1 champion to the Whitecaps.
All of this plus we look at the Whitecaps new jersey and the announcement of a new shirt sponsor, take a look at the best and worst of the 2023 jerseys around MLS, and ponder whether the new Apple TV deal is going to be beneficial or detrimental to the Whitecaps in the short term.
Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.30: Intro - RIP Christian Atsu, Whitecaps STH package, Hot Chocolate Festival is over
09.57: Vanni Sartini chats as Whitecaps preseason wraps up
22.56: How ready are the Whitecaps for 2023 season ahead?
46.02: Yohei Takaoka talks about coming to the Whitecaps and MLS
54.40: Whitecaps goalkeeping discussion with audio from Axel Schuster
68.38: Axel Schuster looks ahead to the 2023 season
79.40: Is Apple TV deal beneficial or detrimental to the Whitecaps?
95.12: The 'Caps have a new jersey and a new shirt sponsor
108.25: 2023 MLS jerseys discussion
129.20: Wavelength - Jackdaw4 - The Beautiful Game