World Cup News

In this podcast episode, former professional soccer player Amir Lowery shares insights from his journey through the American soccer landscape and his transition into advocacy and leadership. A Wake Forest standout from 2001 to 2004, Lowery was drafted by the Colorado Rapids in 2005 and spent several years navigating both MLS and USL rosters, including stints with Kansas City and the Montreal Impact. After retiring from professional play in 2012, he launched a new chapter focused on social impact—culminating in his 2020 run for D.C.’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Lowery discusses the origins of Open Goal Project, a youth soccer initiative started in 2015, and the organization's shift in 2019 from supporting players to establishing its own club. He outlines the current structure of Open Goal, including how many teams they field and the challenges they face operating within the U.S. youth soccer system. Lowery offers candid thoughts on what needs to change in the national setup, comparing today's youth development landscape to when he began Open Goal. He closes by reflecting on the best and worst aspects of soccer in America—emphasizing both its immense potential and the barriers that still limit access and equity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week's episode of Off the Crossbar, Matt, Kyle and Trevor are excited for the return of Jefferson Savarino, but there are also significant questions about where he'll fit into the RSL lineup. They also discuss: Real Salt Lake's 2-1 victory over Montreal Impact If Maikel Chang is RSL's most creative player thus far Damir Kreilach's prolonged absence and what RSL looks like with him on the field RSL's vibes-based dominance and much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out for another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat.It's been pretty quiet in Whitecapsland, so that surely means a shorter show. We thought that too, but turns out we ended up with a two and a half hourer instead as we turned our attentions to other matters.AFTN writer Jake McGrail joins us to look at the main Whitecaps talking points of the week and share his thoughts on last season, the offseason, and the season to come. Plus we look at MLS' new U22 player initiative and the convoluted rules that seem to surround it.But while it's been quiet in Vancouver, the same can't be said in Montreal and we take a bit of time to delve into all the happenings out east from the continuing rebrand to new signings to possibly losing their head coach just before the season begins.Will Thierry Henry be heading to Bournemouth to become manager there? Where does that leave Montreal this close to the start of the season and just who has been behind the club's numerous signings this offseason? We also hear from two of them, striker Bjørn Johnsen and a player very well known to Whitecaps fans, Erik Hurtado about signing for Montreal and more.All of this plus we travel back in the TARDIS with Whitecaps CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster to talk about revisiting some football history in our new feature and we talk CPL salaries and how the exemplify the need for the players' union to be recognised.Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:03.55: Whitecaps News of the Week27.52: MLS' new U22 initiative40.02: Montreal Impact chat51.46: Erik Hurtado audio and discussion66.30: Bjørn Johnsen audio and discussion81.34: Is Thierry Henry heading to Bournemouth and where does that leave Montreal?94.47: Football Time Travels featuring Axel Schuster120.43: Wavelength - Vaudeville Smash ft Les Murray - Zinedine Zidane129.39: CPL player salaries exemplify the need for recognising their union

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out for another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian football chat.2021 hasn't started great and people are already trying to cancel their first month's trial. But it has been a very busy start to the year in North American soccer circles.In Major League Soccer, the players and the league look set to be on a collision course that could delay the start of the season or even lead to a lock out after the league enforce force majeure and want to rip up the collective bargaining agreement in place.MLS Commissioner Don Garber made comments to the media on Tuesday that raised the players' ire and MLSPA Executive Director Bob Foose responded with a media call of his own the following day. We bring you the most important highlights from that call and discuss what's played out this past week.We also look at the big talking points coming out of the three Canadian clubs this week as Montreal rebrand, Toronto appoint a new head coach, and Vancouver are excited that someone is good at video games. We also hear audio from the CF Montreal and Chris Armas introductory press conferences.Plus we chat about the Canadian men's national team camp in Florida, the upcoming U23 Olympic qualifiers, Rhian Wilkinson stepping down from the women's program, and Westhills Stadium getting a new name.Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:03.03: Don Garber raises players' ire once again11.39: MLSPA Executive Director Bob Foose43.45: Are the players and the league on a collision course?64.44: Montreal Impact rebrand94.36: Toronto FC appoint Chris Armas as head coach125.55: Canadian football round up - Florida camp, Olympic Qualifiers, Rhian Wilkinson steps down, Westhills Stadium is no more136.05: Wavelength - Neil Grant - There's Nae Team Like Scotland

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out for another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer chat.The league season may be over for the three Canadian MLS sides but the busy work is really just now getting underway and we chat about what's been an eventful week in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, hearing from two Sporting Directors along the way.First up is our Whitecaps chat as we look at the roster moves announced this week, then sit down for a one-on-one chat with Sporting Director and CEO Axel Schuster as we look back on his first year in the job, what lies ahead, building a winning team for next season, and a lot more.Turning our attention east next, we look at the roster moves announced by both Toronto and Montreal, Greg Vanney stepping down as TFC head coach, the rebranding of the Impact, and we hear from Montreal Sporting Director Olivier Renard about his plans for the strengthening the team next season amongst all the uncertainty.Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:03.25: Whitecaps end of season roster moves11.54: Axel Schuster one-on-one interview63.06: Toronto FC players and manager moves67.35: Montreal Impact end of season roster moves71.43: Olivier Renard audio

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out for another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer chat.Although this week it is in fact mostly MLS talk as the playoffs got underway this past weekend. Full of excitement, drama, controversy, and actual WTF moments, once again it all felt like a league far removed from where the Whitecaps are right now. A reality slap right in your face. Blam! Blam! (that will make more sense when you listen to the show!)We look at the six playoff games played so far and some of the questions coming out of them like why don't teams invest in their defences more, how much advantage will teams allowing fans in have, and does the success of Nashville emphasise the need for Vancouver to add some MLS veterans?The games signalled the end of the road for one of the two Canadian teams to make the MLS postseason - Montreal Impact - and we hear from Thierry Henry and Luis Binks about the end to their league season and the wait now for Champions League games next month.And of course we look at the craziness that was that Orlando City v NYCFC penalty shoot out, and hear the postgame thoughts of Oscar Pareja and Nani.Plus we look at the MLS awards, the layoffs at MLSsoccer.com, and talk MLS jersey sales.Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:02.37: MLS Western Conference playoff chat39.16: MLS Eastern Conference playoff chat 51.40: Montreal Impact chat featuring Thierry Henry and Luis Binks67.24: The epic that was Orlando City v NYCFC98.46: Wavelength - Red Flag '77 - Football Crazy102.30: MLS awards and a fun quiz115.27: MLS layoffs and the state of football media in North America

The latest AFTN Soccer Show is out for another packed show of Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer chat.The Whitecaps 2020 MLS season came to an end this weekend. The team missed the playoffs for the third straight year, but in a testing season of adversity, the team showed some improvement, recording more wins than 2019. We look back at how it all finished up, what what went wrong this season, and what needs to be done to make the team better, and get some thoughts from Whitecaps head coach Marc Dos Santos.We also look at which Whitecaps we feel should stay, which ones need to be loaned out, and who the team should cut free before next season. Plus we hand out the first of our end of season awards.We also see how things finished around MLS and hear from Montreal Impact head coach Thierry Henry.Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:02.07: Whitecaps v LA Galaxy - quick game in review12.29: How MLS ended up - with audio from Thierry Henry29.47: Whitecaps season discussion with audio from MDS65.48: Whitecaps End of Season Awards93.28: Whitecaps In, Out, or On The Bubble - goalkeepers and defenders117.50: Whitecaps In, Out, or On The Bubble - midfielders and forwards137.02: Wavelength - Bring Me The Horizon - Football Season Is Over

Marc Dos Santos; Theo Bair; MLS is Back tournament chat and audio

Hope fuels football fans. For Vancouver Whitecaps, the slow death march to their postseason hopes finally being extinguished came it's inevitable conclusion on Saturday. For the Canadian national team, hope is still there of beating the US to get to the final four of the Nations League and clinching a place in the Hex for World Cup qualifying. We look at both teams in this episode, kicking things off with a look at the 'Caps season ending defeat to New York City FC, the earlier loss to Montreal Impact and the travel issues that followed, and we ask "what now?" over these final four games of the year and hear from head coach Marc Dos Santos. Turning our attention to Canada, we hear from head coach John Herdman and sit down for chats with Whitecaps Russell Teibert and Max Crepeau about the Gold Cup, the Nations League, and World Cup qualifying. We look at the week's happenings around MLS and chat with NYCFC's birthday boy goalscorer Gary Mackay-Steven. Plus our latest Wavelength, BC Soccerweb headlines, and our new artists of the month are Biffy Clyro. Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode:03.10: Vancouver Whitecaps v Montreal and NYCFC match analysis, general 'Caps discussion, and MDS audio34.13: What now for the Whitecaps?61.38: Whitecaps Road to the 1979 NASL Soccer Bowl - The epic Cosmos playoff games74.06: Gary Mackay-Steven interview and MLS Week in Review94.59: John Herdman interview and Canada World Cup and Nations League discussion107.08: Russell Teibert interview113.12: Maxime Crepeau interview125.15: Wavelength - Attila The Stockbroker - Only Football133.14: BC Soccerweb headlines - news stories from around the world of football

SEGMENT ONE: Recapping Crew SC vs. Montreal Impact, Cracking the Code, and Man Balls of The Week. SEGMENT TWO: Celebrity fan Tobias Roediger stops by the show to talk about things and stuff, and also how he's one of the top advertisingmen in the game today. SEGMENT THREE: Hot takes, previewing Crewzers FC vs. Philadelphia Union.

SEGMENT ONE: Recapping Crew SC at Toronto FC, Cracking the Code with celebrity fan Steve Abreu, and Man Balls of The Week. SEGMENT TWO: Celebrity fan Keith Naas stops by the show to talk about things and stuff, and also how he's one of the top threadman in the game today. SEGMENT THREE: Hot takes, previewing Crewzers FC vs. Montreal Impact.

Welcome to the first of a new regular preview podcast we'll be recording for your aural delight this season, as we look forward to First Kick on Sunday as Vancouver Whitecaps host Montreal Impact at B.C. Place. Now one of the reasons we have such a big team here at AFTN is that we like to have a variety of voices and opinions covering the 'Caps and MLS. It keeps the site fresh and vibrant, and we decided to add a second weekly podcast to the mix hosted by three of our team - Joe Deasy, Gideon Hill, and Nicolaas Rupprecht. Look at it as the NWO Hollywood and Wolfpack from the old World Championship Wrestling days, or the Bullet Club currently in Ring of Honor and New Japan. Anyway, I digress. It's their show, with their ideas and segments, and will act as a great companion pod for our Sunday show on CiTR Radio. This first episode takes a look back at what we can possibly learn from the 'Caps preseason, what the team may look like on Sunday, and casts it's eye over Montreal. What they will bring and should they be feared? There's fun, there's games, and a special guest too as Michael sits down for a chat with the newest Whitecap, midfielder Jordon Mutch. There's a little bit of a tinny sound to this episode due to the need to have to clean out some background hum, but hopefully it doesn't spoil your enjoyment too much. Have a listen! Here's the full episode rundown of the main segments from the show:02.20: Whitecaps preseason review17.10: Do You Know Who I Am?19.49: Jordon Mutch interview30.21: Vancouver v Montreal preview

Recapping Crew SC at Atlanta United FC, Cracking the Code, and Man Balls Celebrity Fans GCGBAG stop by to talk about how their first half of a season as an official supporter group has gone, and to update us on what they have in store for the rest of the season. What a rare treat. Battle for The Grand Prize, Prediction Scores, Prediction Updates, Previewing Crewzers FC vs Montreal Impact, HangOnTour, the AGS Attack War, and so much fucking more.

The boys are back in town. Well men, but Thin Lizzy didn't sing that. And it was a case of men against boys for much of Saturday's match at BC Place as Vancouver Whitecaps came away with a 2-0 victory over the Western Conference leading Sporting Kansas City. We look back at the 'Caps victory - the performance, the unchanged line-up for a fifth straight match, which players stood out, and which ones may need a rest. We bring you audio from both head coaches, Carl Robinson and Peter Vermes and ponder what we can take from the game moving forward. We also talk with goalscoring hero Tim Parker after his first MLS goal, and hear from KC's Roger Espindoza after his horror challenge on Alphonso Davies (he's only 16 man). There's also a look ahead to Tuesday's Canadian Championship clash with Montreal Impact, with some words from Robbo on the big game, plus I Ludicrous feature again in our Wavelength section, and lots more! The AFTN Soccer Show is brought to you in partnership with BCsoccerweb.com, your one stop site for all your BC, Canadian, and North American soccer news and links. Have a listen!

SEGMENT ONE: Recapping Crew SC at Montreal Impact, Cracking The Code, Man Balls SEGMENT TWO: Celebrity Fan Shaddy Swade stops by to talk about things and stuff, and also to confuse the living shit out of autocorrect with the spelling of his own name (xfilesdrop.mp3) SEGMENT THREE: Battle for The Grand Prize, Prediction Scores, Prediction Updates, Previewing Crewzers FC at New England Revolution

Hey Montreal Impact fans! We talk to writer for goal.com and beat writer for the Montreal Impact, Nick Sabetti. We talk all things L'equipe in the 2nd segment, such as the very soft red card given to Drogba against DC United. Segment 1: EVERYONE GETS A HAT TRICK, LA never gets a penalty call, MLS comedic analysis! Segment 2: Interview w/ Montreal Impact beat writer, Nick Sabetti. Segment 3: Cooligans Corner (#Pogback, Community Shield, MLSesame Street) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vancouver Whitecaps v Montreal Impact postgame show with Harry Shipp, Dominic Oduro and both head coaches

Christian Bolaños interview, Vancouver Whitecaps v Montreal Impact First Kick preview, MLS season ahead

Dallas postgame and Voyageurs Cup Final preview show featuring Kendall Waston, Tesho Akindele and more.