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 135: I’m Gonna Knock You Out!

Wherein Our Heroes provide their musings on the Group Stage of World Cup 2018. We are both having VAR’s role to varying degrees. Unpacking Germany’s shortcomings could take a whole episode, but we provide the “Gaffers Notes” version. Coaching and tactics have plagued many perennial powerhouses; we discuss Eurocentrism in soccer punditry, and, with no clear-cut favourites, attempt our predictions for the Round of 16. Also, Jason attends a Whitecaps town hall and provides insight on the relationship between club and supporters.

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 102: Gettin’ Giggy Wit It

Wherein Our Heroes dissect the dismissals of both Roger Koeman at Everton and Montreal Impact’s Mauro Biello. Megan Rapinoe speaks out against FIFA after the Women’s Best Player Award shortlist is released, our Barton Award is doled out to an unnamed Everton supporter involved in the fracas against Lyon, and Vancouver Whitecaps hope to see off the San Jose Earthquakes in the first round of the MLS playoffs. Also, Adam finds out he isn’t Ukrainian after all…thank you Ancestry.com.

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 101: Grace, Too

Wherein Our Heroes mourn the loss of Canada’s Unofficial Poet Laureate, Gord Downie. We discuss the highs and lows of Baby Driver and Blade Runner 2049. Serie D’s Giovanni Liberti receives a 5-match ban for urinating on opposing supporters, or was he just drinking from a pitch-side water fountain? Columbus Crew may find a new home in Austin, Manchester City look unstoppable, and the etymology of San Diego 1904 FC’s name is questioned. Also, in sad news for Canadian soccer development, Whitecaps FC II fold and a new chapter begins in Fresno. Sleep well, Gord.

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

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 25: An Evening with Marco Carducci

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Wherein Our Heroes sit down for a chat with Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Marco Carducci, are confused by Bruce Arena, and might be havin’ Ashley Cole’s move to LA Galaxy. Also, the three Canadian MLS clubs complete some important off-season signings. More Premier League next week!

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 14: A Falling Hazard and a Sinking Sub-Mourinho

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Wherein Our Heroes get in touch with their inner Liza Minnelli, belt out Aaron Neville’s greatest hits in Spanish and dip into the mail bag to answer your burning questions. Chelsea’s woes are innumerable, Barcelona’s players are left with huevos on their face, and Rémi is the new Garde. Also, Sasha brings the stasha, sacking Kreis ain’t nice, and the Impact drive all the girls crazy.

Music: “See You Through” by Bear Mountain

Episode 13: Adam and Jason’s Spooktacular Halloween MLS Playoff Preview

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The clock hath struck midnight on the MLS regular season and only 12 clubs have survived the bloodbath. Our Heroes provide their ghoulish predictions on who will come out alive and who will be dragged to the fiery depths of hell. Will Sporting Kansas City transform when the moon is full? Will Mauro Biello’s unnatural creation come to life at Saputo? Will Carl Robinson’s children of the night feast on the souls of the living? The Young Gaffers answer all of these questions and more on this most devilish 13th episode. Also, we answer fan mail from Amy.

Music by: Iron Maiden, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Bobby “Boris” Pickett