Episode 641 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Endings - Whitecaps season ends in LA, what now for Vanni and the 'Caps?, Cavalry are CPL champs, CPL State of the League)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Premier League chat. It's that sad time of the year. A time of endings. Teams' seasons are done. Players and coaches will be moving on. Leagues are over. The college season finishes and champions are crowned. What are we to do with our lives now?!! Well, talk about all of it for the next couple of months on the podcast of course, and look ahead to all of the seasons next year! The Whitecaps season came to a fighting, but also frustrating, end in LA on Friday night. The narrow 1-0 loss to LAFC in their third and deciding first round playoff match-up brings to an end a 50th anniversary season for the club that feels that it could, and should, have given so much more. We look back at the LAFC game and ponder what's next for the club, the players, and Vanni Sartini as we move into 2025. Was this year one of progression, regression, or just more of the same for the 'Caps? Turning our attention to the CPL, we look back at Cavalry lifting their first North Star Cup league championship, unpack some of the things coming out of Commissioner Mark Noonan's State of the League address, delve into the runners and riders for the confirmed two team league expansion in 2026, and revisit last week's chat about what we feel is wrong at Vancouver FC. All of this plus we look at a fantastic week for college soccer in BC, as UBC Thunderbirds win a historic two U SPORTS national championships and Capilano Blues go on an upset run for the ages to win bronze in the CCAA. Plus Prolapse continue their residency as our Album of the Month, there's more Britpop songs, and Goldie Lookin' Chain make a storming comeback in Wavelength. Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 01.27: Intro 06.55: Capilano Blues defy the odds to win CCAA bronze - my week at nationals 14.03: UBC win historic double U SPORTS championships 18.40: Whitecaps season ends in LA 43.35: Was Whitecaps' 2024 season one of progression, regression, or more of the same? 59.55: Whitecaps have some key player decisions to make 67.42: Does Vanni continue as 'Caps coach into 2025? 80.10: Miami playoff loss will cause tears of disappointment and joy! 91.00: Cavalry beat Forge to lift the CPL championship 106.25: Mark Noonan's State of the CPL address 127.10: CPL expansion - the runners and riders and where the two new teams should be 145.50: What's wrong with Vancouver FC - part two 163.10: Wavelength - Goldie Lookin' Chain - Full Kit 168.40: Trump and football - past, present, and future