Episode 686 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Müllermania with guests Ali Ahmed, Asa Rehman, Liam Mackenzie, and Oliver Schusser)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, and Canadian Championship chat and this episode we're joined by special guest co-host, Global TV and CKNW's Asa Rehman. All the focus this week was on Thomas Müller's arrival in Vancouver, but it was also a week of two very important matches for the Whitecaps. We chat about the German's arrival and introduction, the first impressions he made, and his first steps onto the pitch as a Whitecap, plus we hear from the man himself after his MLS debut. We also delve into that draw with Houston on Sunday, that saw Vancouver lose what could be two very important points in stoppage time, and look at some of the questions swirling around the squad with the transfer window set to close. One player who made a welcome return in that match against Houston was Whitecaps winger Ali Ahmed. We sit down with Ali for our feature interview this episode to talk about his return from injury, the last few weeks, the season run-in, and his excitement of playing in attack with Thomas Müller. Plus we sit down with the latest Whitecaps homegrown signing Liam Mackenzie to chat about his first MLS contract and his growth through the academy. We also chat with Apple TV Vice President for Media and Sports Oliver Schusser about the company's partnership with MLS, how it's all going, future innovations, and how players like Müller coming to the league help the growth worldwide. All of this plus we look at the two Canadian Championship semi-finals and hear from three of the head coaches involved, including Jesper Sorensen, and music-wise, The Wonderstuff continue their residency as our Album of the Month, we've a Britpop song from Oasis, and we continue our German theme songs in Wavelength. Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 01.24: Intro - welcome newbies! 07.00: Müllermania running wild in Vancouver 26.25: Whitecaps drop two huge points at home to Houston 64.05: Ali Ahmed interview and discussion 79.30: Whitecaps defensive help imminent 93.16: Liam Mackenzie interview 105.15: Could we be getting an all-Vancouver Canadian Championship final? 141.47: Apple TV's Oliver Schusser talks about partnership with MLS and what's to come 163.55: Wavelength - Suzuki - Group of Death