Episode 753 – The AFTN Soccer Show (That’ll Help You Sleep Tonight – Whitecaps close to clinching MLS West, Vancouver FC’s season over, Iain Darbyshire interview)
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver FC, Vancouver Rise, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and Northern Super League chat and interviews.
The Whitecaps are two points away from clinching the MLS West regular season title and all the goodies that go with that like home field advantage for the playoffs and a place in next year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup. It’s been another rollercoaster of a week emotionally though, with the team turning in one of their worst performances of the season in the loss to Colorado, before blowing away San Diego midweek to actually increase their lead at the top. We pick over the bones of both matches and the main talking points coming out of them, plus look at the newly released schedule for the 2027 MLS Sprint Season.
Turning our attention to the CPL, Vancouver FC’s 2026 season is over after a loss to champions Cavalry on a dramatic decision day that saw them battle valiantly but needing help from afar that didn’t come. We chat about whether this has been a successful season for the club without that playoff place and look back at the history-making Canadian Championship win from Forge.
Moving on to the NSL, we sit down for a chat with interim Vancouver Rise head coach Iain Darbyshire about a turbulent year for the club both on and off the pitch, as he guides the defending champs back to the playoffs, what he’s seen from his side since taking over, the challenge ahead, and chat about his own coaching journey that’s brought him to the city.
Music-wise, Leeds legends The Wedding Present wrap up their residency as our Artists of the Month with their debut album George Best, while Greek Oi band BootStroke feature in Wavelength.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.22: Intro – travels, travails, and lurgy
17.50: Whitecaps rapid decline in Colorado
25.00: Whitecaps within two points of clinching West after San Diego win
60.00: 2027 MLS Sprint Season details revealed
68.13: Forge make Canadian Championship history
80.13: Vancouver FC’s CPL season comes to an end on dramatic decision day
105.15: Interview with Vancouver Rise head coach Iain Darbyshire
164.40: Wavelength – BootStroke – Football, Drinks, and Rock and Roll
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