Episode 677 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Daydreaming - Whitecaps stay top at midway point, Jesse Marsch, Ali Ahmed, World Cup One Year Countdown)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, FIFA World Cup, and Canadian national team chat and interviews. Vancouver Whitecaps' 11-match unbeaten run in MLS came to end in Columbus on Saturday after the Crew dispatched them 2-1. We look back at the main talking points coming out of the match, including the continued absences of key players and the blooding of a couple of homegrowns. The match marked the midway point of the 'Caps' MLS regular season and we delve into the fantastic first half of what is shaping up to be a momentous year for the table toppers. It's an exciting time for football in Vancouver and the one year countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has now begun. We look at how prepared Vancouver is to host an event of this magnitude and hear from the legendary Christine Sinclair, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, and BC's Minister for Sport Spencer Chandra Herbert. Canada are preparing for next year's World Cup at this year's Gold Cup, which got underway this past weekend. We chat about Canada's chances, and hear from head coach Jesse Marsch, Whitecaps winger Ali Ahmed, and Sporting KC defender Zorhan Bassong. All of this plus we talk FIFA Club World Cup, World Cup 2026 qualification, and music-wise, a solo Pete Shelley continues his residency as our Album of the Month, we've two Britpop songs from Menswear and Powder, and a Columbus Crew classic features in Wavelength. Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 00.00: Intro 02.50: The FIFA Club World Cup kicks off 19.55: Whitecaps lose in Columbus but stay top 46.08: Whitecaps Half Year in Review 72.43: Canada start Gold Cup campaign as favourites 85.28: Jesse Marsch talks Gold Cup preparations and expectations 95.56: Ali Ahmed on Gold Cup in Vancouver and tournament hopes 104.15: Zorhan Bassong talks Gold Cup opportunity 113.10: CONCACAF World Cup qualifying reaches final round 120.30: 2026 World Cup one year countdown underway 124.25: Christine Sinclair talks World Cup 2026 and memories 130.25: Is Vancouver ready for next year's World Cup 151.50: Wavelength - Shawn Bandz - Columbus Crew (Yellow Swag)