Episode 579 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Knowing Who We Are with special guest Sam Adekugbe)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS, Canadian national team, and Canadian Premier League chat.

The Whitecaps have a bye week for some much needed rest in the middle of their grueling seven-game road spell. They head into it after being crowned Cascadian Cup champions and bolstering their playoff push with a good road point at NYCFC. We delve into that match, the inadequacy of Yankee Stadium for soccer, and look at the lie of the land for the 'Caps in their battle for a postseason place.

We also chat about the initial impact Messi has had on the league both on the pitch and media landscape off it, and ponder whether the growing Saudi league will impact MLS and whether South American teams are wanting a piece of the North American pie.

Our feature interview this episode is with returning Whitecaps star Sam Adekugbe. We chat with some about his return to Vancouver, his hopes for the team, his club career in-between the 'Caps, and some Canadian national team highs, from his jump into a snowbank to his first goal for his country and, of course, playing in his first World Cup. We also chat about the departure of John Herdman, what's next for Canada, and the off-field battles with Canada Soccer.

Plus we chat about the week in the Canadian Premier League, as Vancouver FC lose again, the battle for the five playoff places heats up, and the plan to bring the CPL to Saskatchewan falters, for now. All of this plus Fontaines D.C. begin their residency as our Artists of the Month.

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

01.29: Intro 10.00: The Whitecaps are Kings of Cascadia once again
19.34: Whitecaps playoff push continues after another good road point
48.48: Messi, Miami, MLS, and Media
59.15: Will the Saudi league and South American clubs impact MLS?
80.37: Sam Adekugbe interview
116.57: The Week in the CPL and Vancouver FC chat
138.49: Saskatchewan CPL plans "adjourned"
152.50: Wavelength - Le Man Avec Les Lunettes - Don't Get Fooled By the Football Players Summery Outfit