Episode 714 – The AFTN Soccer Show (You Know How To Leave Me Reeling - Whitecaps finances and future, Ranko Veselinovic interview, growing Vancouver FC)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver FC, CONCACAF Champions Cup, and general football chat and interviews. So who else's head was left in a spin after all the Whitecaps, PavCo, and BC government back and forth this past week around the club's future at BC Place and beyond? We delve into all of the main talking points around stadium deals, finances, how they can fill their revenue shortfall, and the Whitecaps' future in the city in general. On the pitch, the 'Caps have wrapped up preseason in Spain. How are they looking with their season set to begin next week? We've got another great feature interview for you this week as we catch up with Whitecaps centre back Ranko Veselinovic to chat about his rehab and road to recovery after tearing his ACL in July. We look back on his 2025, the tough journey to getting back on the pitch, when we could maybe see him back in action, and more. All of this plus we talk about Vancouver FC's Champions Cup game against Cruz Azul this past Wednesday and ponder how they can turn the large numbers in attendance into more regular attendees, and we bring you an update on the Vancouver World Cup Fanfest, move onto the letter F in our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, Hot Chocolate Boy is back, and music-wise, Syd Barrett continues his residency as our Artist of the Month, Mighty Mighty are the latest band to feature in our 40th anniversary tribute year to the C86 movement, and we have another World Cup themed song in Wavelength, this time from Serbian DJ and rapper Marko Gojković & Yoda. Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 01.27: Intro - Winter Olympics, Vancouver World Cup Fanfest 10.00: Hot Chocolate Boy - ONDA 17.55: Whitecaps end time in Spain with two losses 28.00: Whitecaps and PavCo finally agree on BC Place deal for 2026 51.00: Finances and the future of the Whitecaps - what exactly do they need and how do they get there? 93.55: Ranko Veselinovic interview 118.45: Anyone Fancy A Chocolate Digestive? - Ranko Veselinovic 125.45: Canadian Soccer A to Z - F 136.50: Can Vancouver FC build on their Champions Cup debut 161.15: Wavelength - Marko Gojković & Yoda - All As One (Serbia To Qatar)