Episode 586 – The AFTN Soccer Show (The One With All The Controversy featuring Harjeet Johal, Vanni Sartini, Giorgio Chiellini, and TJ Tahid)

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Michael McColl in PODCAST with 0 Comments

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League chat, and World Cup chat.

Vancouver Whitecaps 2023 season came to a controversial end on Sunday in a 1-0 home playoff loss to LAFC. A number of contentious decisions on the pitch and some fireworks off it have certainly seen the game set tongues wagging. We look back at the main talking points, chat about Vanni Sartini getting sent off and then going off at the referee after the game, and hear some postgame thoughts of Vanni, Ryan Gauld, and Brian White. Plus we look at the rest of the MLS playoffs in the MLS Western Conference, hear from Italian legend, LAFC’s Giorgio Chiellini.

We also look back at a good weekend for sporting crowds in Vancouver. Are bumper attendances back and will this have an impact on Whitecaps kick off times next season? We ask Axel Schuster. And we look ahead to the FIFA U17 World Cup that kicks off this week and chat with Vancouver FC’s TJ Tahid as he gets set to represent Canada at the tournament.

All of this plus New Zealand lo-fi punk band Dick Move and Scottish legends The Yummy Fur both kick off their residencies as our new Artists of the Month.

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

01.34: Intro – Christmas is cancelled, a fun Halloween, cup fever
09.45: Whitecaps’ season is over in controversial playoff loss to LAFC
48.03: Vanni, Gauld, and White postgame thoughts
55.00: Vanni Sartini loses it at the ref!
74.41: Quick MLS playoff round-up
80.05: Giorgio Chiellini interview and discussion
90.30: Are bumper Vancouver sports crowds back and will it impact kick off times?
112.25: FIFA give millions to the CPL!
118.07: TJ Tahid audio and FIFA U17 World Cup discussion
131.30: Wavelength – Vic Blackwell – Red Machine