Episode 696 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Something's Happening Round Here - Axel Schuster roundtable, Joedrick Pupe and Rayan Elloumi interviews, MLS playoffs and awards)
Description
We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer chat and interviews.
It was a heartbreaking weekend for the Whitecaps, who battled valiantly for 80 minutes down a man at home to Dallas but couldn't find the point they needed to finish top of the MLS Western Conference. Great defending, a lack of finishing, and some questionable refereeing saw the 'Caps fall to second in the standings, setting up a more difficult playoff path ahead, ironically kicking off against that same Dallas side. We delve into all of that and a lot more, plus ponder what Whitecaps might be in the running for the end of year MLS awards.
We also bring you a media roundtable with Whitecaps GM and Sporting Director Axel Schuster. A new stadium, ownership, Thomas Müller's future, Axel's future, end of year roster decisions, player pathways, the FIFA takeover of BC Place, and the club's relationship with the Canadian Premier League are all covered in the 46 minute discussion.
Our feature interview this week is with a new Whitecaps signing that arrived with an injury but is ready to go for the playoffs, Belgian defender Joedrick Pupe. We chat with Joedrick about coming to Vancouver and MLS, his footballing journey, playing style, and more, plus as a co-owner of a coffee shop, we find out if he fancies a chocolate digestive. We also chat with rising Whitecaps homegrown Rayan Elloumi about his time away with Tunisia's U23 side, his experiences in the country, and is the door still open for playing for Canada.
Music-wise, Kneecap continue their residency as our Album of the Month, we've Britpop songs from Longpigs and Heavy Stereo, and MC Devil feature in Wavelength with a song about the Belgian national team.
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:
01.26: Intro - mazes and the undeniableness that is UBC soccer
08.40: A discussion on refereeing, accountability, and communication
22.00: Dallas destroy Whitecaps dreams of finishing first in MLS West
52.30: The Whitecaps playoff redemption arc set to begin
69.37: Axel Schuster media roundtable
125.40: Jesper Sorensen reflects on the regular season
130.25: Which Whitecaps players deserve MLS season honours?
138.00: Jesper Sorensen - MLS coach of the year, but will he get it?
158.00: Joedrick Pupe interview
167.37: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? - Joedrick Pupe
171.15: Rayan Elloumi on his Tunisia U23 experience
177.00: Wavelength - MC Devil - Deviltime
United States
