Episode 426 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Battle Lines – MLS v Players battle looms, Bob Foose, Montreal rebrand, TFC have a new coach)
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 again
11.39: MLSPA Executive Director Bob Foose
43.45: Are the players and the league on a collision course?
64.44: Montreal Impact rebrand
94.36: Toronto FC appoint Chris Armas as head coach
125.55: Canadian football round up – Florida camp, Olympic Qualifiers, Rhian Wilkinson steps down, Westhills Stadium is no more
136.05: Wavelength – Neil Grant – There’s Nae Team Like Scotland
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