Episode 627 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Kites of Chaos Still in Motion with guests Axel Schuster and Katie Collar)

After an unplanned week off, we’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps chat, covering both the men's and the women's teams at the club, and we're joined by Felipe Vallejo to talk about it all. And what a history making week it's been for the Whitecaps' women's team. Not only did they play in the first ever CONCACAF Women's Champions Cup match, they won it, qualifying for the group stage where they'll host two NWSL sides at BC Place in October. We look at the historic win in El Salvador and what lies ahead in the group stages, plus we sit down for a chat with head coach Katie Collar to chat about it all. Our second feature interview this episode is with Whitecaps CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster about the summer transfer window, the lack of moves so far and what may be to come, and the club's decision to declare for the 3 DP route under the new MLS roster rules. Is another DP heading to Vancouver? We'll also chat about growing the club's brand, attracting players to the city, changes coming for the boys' academy teams, and the club's new women's team that will be launched very soon. Plus there's still time to talk about the Whitecaps' forced postponement of their MLS match with LAFC this coming weekend and the worse case scenario that played out for them. Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 01.25: Intro 04.20: Whitecaps break extended with LAFC postponement 20.45: Whitecaps Girls Elite make history and the Champions Cup task ahead 44.25: Katie Collar interview 72.10: Axel Schuster interview 106.15: Unpacking Axel - transfers, DPs, club growth, NSL team 125.35: Vancouver's NSL team brand launch and possible Whitecaps rebranding 129.26: Wavelength - The Tartan Specials - Sex and Drugs and Sausage Rolls