Episode 533 - The AFTN Soccer Show (Believe Us Now?)

We're back with another packed show of Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and Canadian soccer chat. The World Cup in Qatar is just weeks away and as the tournament gets closer, the injury concerns for the Canadian national team continue to grow, with two players confirmed out and a scare with Alphonso Davies' hamstring. We delve into all of that but we cheer up with a world premiere of the new Canadian World Cup - Nobody Believed Us. We chat with the man behind it, friend of the show, Neil Grant and give the song its first spin. Turning to club football, the newest Canadian Premier League side Vancouver FC had its official launch this week. We take a look at what we learned, hear from owner Rob Friend, chat with inaugural head coach Afshin Ghotbi, and talk with CPL Commissioner Mark Noonan about the new club, future expansion, and FC Edmonton's fate. Plus we look back at a dramatic MLS Cup final, look at Don Garber's latest annual MLS State of the League conference, and chat about the rumoured changes to the league's playoff format. Here's the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 01.30: Intro 05.55: Canada World Cup injury concerns grow 32.04: Neil Grant interview - part one 42.30: Wavelength - Neil Grant - Nobody Believed Us (A Canadian World Cup song) 45.53: Neil Grant interview - part two 60.00: Vancouver FC officially launched - with Rob Friend audio 81.43: Vancouver FC head coach Afshin Ghotbi interview and discussion 93.28: CPL Commissioner Mark Noonan interview 106.05: LAFC win MLS Cup 122.08: Don Garber's State of the League address 127.55: New MLS playoff format on the horizon?