Episode 703 – The AFTN Soccer Show (One Step Beyond - Whitecaps send LAFC packing, the demise of Valour, World Cup 2026 chat)

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

Vancouver Whitecaps are heading to a MLS Western Conference Final showdown with San Diego after a momentous victory over LAFC in their semi-final this past weekend. We delve into all of the highs, the lows, and the drama of that match and the shootout win, the fallout from it, and look ahead at what's to come, with a MLS Cup final at BC Place still a possibility.

We also look at the demise of Winnipeg CPL side Valour FC, who announced this week that they are folding after seven years in the league, and what it might mean going forward. Plus we look at an exciting latest round of World Cup qualifiers and speculate on the pots and what the best draw for Canada and Scotland at next year's tournament would look like.

Music-wise, Camper van Beethoven continue their residency as our Album of the Month, we've a Britpop song from Pulp, a song from The Stone Roses to pay tribute to Mani and one in Wavelength to mark the 20th anniversary of George Best's death.

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

01.26: Intro - a week to remember, traitors talk
10.55: Wasteful LAFC pay the penalty against nine-man Whitecaps
61.55: Whitecaps-LAFC fallout and what's next
85.25: The Death of a Football Club - the demise of Valour FC
114.55: World Cup qualifiers bring drama to very end
133.30: What's your ideal World Cup draw?
143.00: Wavelength - The Devoted - I Love George Best