Episode 183: In Conversation with Les Wilson (Part 2)

The Soccer Hall of Fame 26 April 2008 – Vaughan, ON, CAN Les Wilson
Photo Credit: Canada Soccer

Wherein Our Heroes conclude our discussion with Les Wilson. This week, Mr. Wilson recounts his time with the Vancouver Whitecaps’ greatest squads, being a part of the glory days of Canadian soccer, and his thoughts on the state of the game in the present day.

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Northern Starting Eleven Network

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D
Email: FranklinD@shaw.ca
Twitter: @7FranklinD

Episode 172: Hindsight is 20/20, We’re Pumped!

Wherein Our Heroes perform a pulse check and revisit our Top 10 “Wants” for the Canadian Premier League’s inaugural season. We also dish out some true Canadian musical gems in the hopes of finding the ideal pump up/montage song, and appeal to you, the listener, to share your own. Lastly, we discuss the nature of fandom in the wake of Felipe’s recent comments after the Whitecaps’ loss to the LA Galaxy.

For your listening pleasure, we’ve included links to our proposed CPL montage songs below.

Jason’s picks: 

Adam’s picks:

Jason’s honourable mentions:

Adam’s honourable mentions:

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Northern Starting Eleven Network

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D
Email: FranklinD@shaw.ca
Twitter: @7FranklinD

Episode 152: Adam’s Big Day at the Got Game Open Trials

Wherein Our Heroes end their hiatus with a recap of Adam’s day volunteering at the Canadian Premier League Open Trials on Vancouver Island. The CPL-U SPORTS Draft yields a potential pathway for 21 young fellas. Vancouver Whitecaps find their new head coach in Marc Dos Santos – can his tactical savvy and history of winning overcome any troubles in the locker room? Also, the MLS Playoffs have produced many a barnburner, and Jason engages in his favourite podcast pastime – quizzing Adam.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D
Email: FranklinD@shaw.ca
Twitter: @7FranklinD

Episode 140: True North Strong

Wherein Our Heroes send all their very best to Calgary Foothills FC as they compete for the USL PDL Championship. Haligonians turn out in droves to see the Atlantic Selects defeat Fortuna Düsseldorf’s U21 squad in a thrilling match. Alphonso Davies lands in Munich for the largest transfer fee ever paid for an MLS player. Is it the right move for his development? Also, Zlatan accepts a one-game suspension for sitting out the MLS All Star Game. Can you guess how The Gaffers feel about that?

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Alberta Podcast Network powered by ATB.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D
Email: FranklinD@shaw.ca
Twitter: @7FranklinD

Episode 121: Continental Drift

Wherein Our Heroes weigh in on yet more controversy stemming from VAR in multiple MLS games this week. The provincial government in British Columbia declares it will not open the purse strings for the World Cup 2026 bid, pulling the plug on Vancouver as a potential host city. The CONCACAF Champions League grows evermore intriguing as MLS clubs evolve to compete with their Liga MX counterparts. Also, Montréal’s tactics allow them to see off Toronto in the 401 Derby.

The Young Gaffers are proud members of the Alberta Podcast Network powered by ATB.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Franklin D
Email: FranklinD@shaw.ca
Twitter: @7FranklinD

Episode 104: #YoungGaffersAndChill

Wherein Our Heroes provide tips on how the Gaffers aren’t just a footy pod, but can spice things up for couples when need be. The first 88.89% of Stranger Things 2 is discussed, Chelsea’s barber is banned from Cobham, and Patrice Evra channels his inner Bruce Lee. Slaven Bilić initiates a 360 review, Rémi Garde finds new life in Montreal, and the Whitecaps crash out of the MLS playoffs. Also, TFC and Red Bulls have a giant meeting of the minds at halftime of their second-leg tilt at BMO Field.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Bear Mountain – www.facebook.com/mybearmountain

Episode 81: Die Vard

Wherein Our Heroes yet again pull out many tricks: a Deluge of Segments, Mailbag, a Ghanaian Brace, and Canadian Bacon, among others. Chicago complete a bizarre signing by adding Bastian Schweinsteiger to a crowded central midfield, two Ghanaians err in vastly different ways, The Canadian Men’s National Team finally get their man, and Toronto FC are victors over Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place. Also, inspired by Messi and Suárez, we sing the praises of peeing whilst sitting down, and also recount the filmography of visionary director Jon Turteltaub.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Bear Mountain – www.facebook.com/mybearmountain

Episode 77: For Lovers and Hedonists

Wherein Our Heroes discuss the merits of Spurs being included in the “Top 6”. Freddy Montero makes his return to MLS, while Calgary Foothills F.C. are approved for a women’s team in UWS. Asamoah Gyan faces a reprimand for his “unethical hair”, and a Robbie Brady cracker inspires a glorious verbal slip on Sky. Meanwhile, we continue to hate on The Bachelor and Adam spoils the season premiere of Girls.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Bear Mountain – www.facebook.com/mybearmountain

Canadian MLS Clubs Still Have Holes to Fill – Part 2: Vancouver Whitecaps

Today, our continuing look at the pain points of each Canadian MLS club shifts westward, as we examine goings on in Vancouver…

The ‘Caps seem to have faced more departures this offseason than arrivals.

Like TFC, Vancouver shored up their backline by acquiring Sheanon Williams through a trade with Houston. Having started 184 of 192 appearances over his 7-year MLS career, the Boston, Massachusetts native will add stability at right back.

The club parted ways with Masato Kudo, who returned to his native Japan, and recently completed the transfer of Kianz Froese to German club Fortuna Düsseldorf.

The Caps also will be without the services of Pedro Morales, the club’s all-time regular season assists leader (22) and second all-time in goals (25). These are large footy boots to fill, and The ‘Caps will have a hard time ever finding the DP signing to do the trick.

Enter 23-year old Peruvian International, Yordy Reyna, arriving from FC Red Bull Salzburg for 2017. Reyna is exactly the type of player more MLS clubs should be attempting to add to their roster.

Young, hard-working, and a proven talent at a high level of competition, Reyna looks set to add attacking depth to a Whitecaps squad that, minus an all-out central forward and their most storied playmaker, will be looking for a source of goals.

That said, Reyna, along with returnees Kekuta Manneh and Erik Hurtado, should slot more ably into an attacking midfield role, or, at best, as a second forward.

So, where does the club sit without a pure, proven central forward on the roster?

Manneh, fresh off his first stint with the USMNT camp before reporting to the Whitecaps’ camp in Wales, looks to have recovered well from the foot surgery that prematurely ended his season last summer.

He recently played in a withdrawn role behind Hurtado in two preseason matches, with his performances well-received.

When asked, though, coach Carl Robinson advised fans not to see this as a sign this being his first-choice, telling Sportsnet, “It’s a different role for him. There was nothing in it. It was strictly to do with getting my players, the first 45 minutes who I wanted to get minutes. He can play there, he can play as a No. 9, he can play as a 10, he can play as an 11 or a 7.”

With a CONCACAF Champions League match at NYRB on February 22 fast-approaching, here’s hoping Robinson finds his secret sauce.

Episode 58: Marouane Fellaini is good for SOMETHING!

Fellaini

Wherein Our Heroes dip into the Mailbag to discuss the Premier League’s TV deal as well as German last names. Jason recounts his experience at BC Place in Vancouver Whitecaps’ recent CONCACAF Champions League encounter with Sporting KC, Montreal Impact finally vanquish their BMO Field demons in a hotly contested 401 Derby, and the future looks bright for Team Canada heading beyond qualifying for Russia 2018. CD Leganés offer gourds to visiting clubs this La Liga season, while their shirts are part gimmick and part sensory wonder. Also, Marouane Fellaini becomes the first two-time Haircut of the Week winner for selflessness and chivalry during Manchester United’s clash with Hull City A.F.C.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Bear Mountain – www.facebook.com/mybearmountain