Share

Northern Fútbol Podcast
Episode 178 - COPA QUARTER PREVIEW: Everything CanMNT v Venezuela
Has there been a more important game in Canadian men's soccer than the upcoming Copa América quarterfinal? Ben, Alex and Dunlop take on listener questions and further talking points, breaking down everything there is to know ahead of Canada's clash with Venezuela, with a semifinal spot on the line.
FOLLOW US ON X/TWITTER:
Northern Fútbol: @NorthernFutbol
Ben Steiner: @BenSteiner00
Brendan Dunlop: @Brendan_Dunlop
Alex Gangué-Ruzic: @AlexGangueRuzic
MORE ABOUT THE NATION NETWORK:
THE NATION NETWORK is the leading destination for unbiased sports coverage, dedicated to serving the community of true fans. Our platform delivers a diverse range of content across all major forms of media, from real-time updates to comprehensive analysis, fantasy predictions, and essential betting insights.
Make sure to leave a review and a rating on whichever podcast platform you're listening on.
More episodes
View all episodes

The MLS Season is ALIVE
33:32|Ben Steiner and Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic are back for Part 2 of this week's pod, shifting their focus to the start of the 2026 MLS season for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Toronto FC, and CF Montréal. They look at a slow but productive start for Vancouver on and off the pitch, as well as how Toronto could shift moving forward with Josh Sargent. On Montréal, they discuss whether the 5-0 loss to San Diego FC is indicative of the true state of the team.
INJURIES GALORE! Panic time for the CanMNT and CanWNT to Start 2026?
30:43|Ben Steiner and Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic hold down the fort on the first part of this week's Northern Fútbol Podcast and they start with the concerning news for the men's and women's national teams. On the men's side, it's injuries to Alphonso Davies and Promise David, while the women's side heads into the SBC without Olivia Smith, who sustained a concussion and had to pull out of yet another Canadian women's national team camp. Part 2 comes out soon, with a full breakdown of Canada's MLS teams and the opening weekend of the 31st MLS season. Catch all the Canadian soccer news on Canadian Soccer Daily, whether on the website or on our YouTube channel.
Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC, CF Montreal 2026 season preview!
27:56|In Part 2 of this week's episode, Alex and Brendan look at Canada's three Major League Soccer clubs ahead of the 2026 MLS regular season. The Whitecaps are the cream of the crop, but can they match last season's heights? Will Toronto FC find a striker to score goals AND satisfy the fanbase? Are you paying attention to CF Montreal?
Canada Soccer x CSME reach new deal, CanWNT drop first roster of 2026!
29:54|In part 1 of this week's episode, Alex and Brendan dive into the big news in Canadian Soccer, as Canada Soccer and the CSME (formerly known as CSB) reached an agreement on a new deal between both parties. They look at what that means for the sport in this country, and why this is such important news heading into the World Cup, especially after how the last few years have gone. After that, they finish with some chat about the CanWNT, who revealed their first roster of 2026, which included some interesting surprises. Stay tuned for part 2, which will be out later this week wherever you find your podcasts.
CanPL Teams in the Champions Cup, MLS Kit Reviews and Canadians Abroad!
30:46|Ben and Alex are back for Part 2 of this week's episode of Northern Fútbol, breaking down the latest when it comes to the club game in Canadian soccer. They dive into CPL teams showing well, but losing in the Concacaf Champions Cup, before spending a little too much time ranting and reviewing the new 2026 MLS kits. To wrap the show, they dive into the best Canadians in Europe on the men's and women's sides. If you missed Part 1, which focused on the men's national team, please find that in your podcast feed of choice.
Marcelo Flores TO THE CANMNT + Path to World Cup Locked In
23:29|Ben Steiner and Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic return for a two-part show this week, with the opening part focusing on the Canadian men's national team picture. The first topic zones in on Marcelo Flores's commitment to the team and what the future could hold for him, before they dive into the friendly against Ireland and Canada's determined preparation pathway for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Part 1 wraps up with a breakdown of the Canadian U17 boys' national team, which will not participate in the upcoming World Cup tournament. Part two to come at 12:01 am ET on Friday.
The Wild CanMNT Transfer SZN
20:19|Could the winter transfer window have been crazier for Canadian men's players across Europe and MLS? Who knows, it might now even be over! On Part 2 of February 4th's episode, Ben Steiner, Alex Gangué-Ruzic and Brendan Dunlop dive into the windfall of moves, most recently headlined by Cyle Larin's journey to Southampton and Stephen Eustáquio's European farewell to LAFC.
What's Up With the Whitecaps, Concacaf Starts + DAVID THRIVING!
43:12|This week's episode is split into two parts and Part 1 dives into the situation between Vancouver Whitecaps FC, BC Place and the potential of relocation, as well as how a changing landscape towards mega-events like the World Cup and Olympic Games will change the future for Canadian soccer and sport in general. Afterwards, we dive into a promising Concacaf Champions Cup opener for Forge FC against Marcelo Flores' Tigres UANL, as well as Jonathan David's success abroad with Juventus. You can catch the second part of the show with Ben Steiner, Brendan Dunlop and Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic right here in the same podcast feed and find further Canadian soccer coverage over on Canadian Soccer Daily.
CanMNT in UCL, Concacaf Champions Cup Preview, transfers + MORE!
44:10|It was a landmark campaign for Canadians in the UEFA Champions League, headlined by the performances of Promise David, Tani Oluwaseyi and Jonathan David, who all scored multiple goals for their clubs along the way. Unfortunately, not all of them will advance to the knockout stage - that honour is reserved for Jonathan David (Juventus) and Canada captain Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) - but that doesn’t mean it’s not a campaign worth celebrating for all involved. Meanwhile, in North America, soccer fans are getting set for the start of the Concacaf Champions Cup, which begins next week, with four Canadian teams participating: the Vancouver Whitecaps, Atlético Ottawa, Forge FC, and Vancouver FC. Otherwise, to cap off other Canadian-adjacent soccer news, Jacen Russell-Rowe is attracting interest from a surging Ligue 1 club, while Olivia Smith is on the cusp of a historic tournament win with Arsenal. Brendan Dunlop and Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic chat about all of that, and more, in this episode of the Northern Futbol Podcast.