Episode 696 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Something’s Happening Round Here – Axel Schuster roundtable, Joedrick Pupe and Rayan Elloumi interviews, MLS playoffs and awards)
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer chat and interviews.
It was a heartbreaking weekend for the Whitecaps, who battled valiantly for 80 minutes down a man at home to Dallas but couldn’t find the point they needed to finish top of the MLS Western Conference. Great defending, a lack of finishing, and some questionable refereeing saw the ‘Caps fall to second in the standings, setting up a more difficult playoff path ahead, ironically kicking off against that same Dallas side. We delve into all of that and a lot more, plus ponder what Whitecaps might be in the running for the end of year MLS awards.
We also bring you a media roundtable with Whitecaps GM and Sporting Director Axel Schuster. A new stadium, ownership, Thomas Müller’s future, Axel’s future, end of year roster decisions, player pathways, the FIFA takeover of BC Place, and the club’s relationship with the Canadian Premier League are all covered in the 46 minute discussion.
Our feature interview this week is with a new Whitecaps signing that arrived with an injury but is ready to go for the playoffs, Belgian defender Joedrick Pupe. We chat with Joedrick about coming to Vancouver and MLS, his footballing journey, playing style, and more, plus as a co-owner of a coffee shop, we find out if he fancies a chocolate digestive. We also chat with rising Whitecaps homegrown Rayan Elloumi about his time away with Tunisia’s U23 side, his experiences in the country, and is the door still open for playing for Canada.
Music-wise, Kneecap continue their residency as our Album of the Month, we’ve Britpop songs from Longpigs and Heavy Stereo, and MC Devil features in Wavelength with a song about the Belgian national team.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.26: Intro – mazes and the undeniableness that is UBC soccer
08.40: A discussion on refereeing, accountability, and communication
22.00: Dallas destroy Whitecaps dreams of finishing first in MLS West
52.30: The Whitecaps playoff redemption arc set to begin
69.37: Axel Schuster media roundtable
125.40: Jesper Sorensen reflects on the regular season
130.25: Which Whitecaps players deserve MLS season honours?
138.00: Jesper Sorensen – MLS coach of the year, but will he get it?
158.00: Joedrick Pupe interview
167.37: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? – Joedrick Pupe
171.15: Rayan Elloumi on his Tunisia U23 experience
177.00: Wavelength – MC Devil – Deviltime
You can download and/or listen to this, and all previous, episodes of the podcast on the following services:
Or after all that, you could just listen on the player below!
Previous Article
Next ArticleLeave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Your Tim Horton’s story sounds like Karma caught up with you.
Actually the opposite. Got a phone call from Tim Hortons and good compensation this morning after I complained to them.
Honestly, I listened to the Tim Horton’s story and thought this is a perfect summation of why I have not set foot inside a Tim Horton’s store for close to a decade now. They are appalling, I can’t remember the last time I actually thought one was clean. I, having seen the mouse, would have turned on my heel, written off the purchase price and just phoned the health department ……… but that’s just me.
Kudos to you sticking it out as long as you did, and still leaving empty handed.
So it’s not bad karma because you were living some kind of double life in some secret society of micro penis-ed men who take their angst and rage out against anyone they deem unworthy? I’m so glad. Coffee’s on you then?
As much as I push back, you know how dear the Caps are to me Michael. It is the best of times. I wish them the best, but I fear the worst. I do not have faith in MLS. Guard yourself.
Charlotte is in the best run of form going into the playoffs. They could upset the east if things go right. The Caps could still host a final if the soccer gods look away.