Extratime

The Knockout Round is kaput after two wild nights, but that doesn’t mean the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs are set to peter out. Catch your breath quickly because the Conference Semifinals are here.

Andrew, Matt and David are up bright and early to break down all the action, starting in the Western Conference where the Portland Timbers and Sporting KC played a classic on Thursday night. That followed up another epic match in Seattle as the defending champion Galaxy saw their season end early. Now, the semi matchups are set – #DALvSEA and #VANvPOR – and there’s plenty to get excited about.

The Eastern Conference didn’t have PK insanity, but Jermaine Jones added some referee craziness to get the blood pumping. What happened at RFK? Do D.C. feed on the doubters? And what went wrong for Toronto? The guys tackle the tough stuff as Didier Drogba and Montreal prepare to host Kei Kamara and Columbus Crew SC and the Atlantic Cup takes the postseason stage – again. Should the Red Bulls be considered MLS Cup favorites? Doyle chimes in.

In the mailbag, what’s an Orlando City fan to do now that the season is over? Plus, trash talk from D.C. fans, scenes from the Timbers Army and the likelihood of a first-time MLS Cup champion.

Direct download: ETR_Oct30_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:59pm EDT

The first-ever MLS #DecisionDay has come and gone, but with four midweek Audi MLS Cup Playoffs matchups looming, there’s no time to rest ahead of the Knockout Round. Andrew and David are joined by Ben ‘The Research’ Baer to put the New York Red Bulls’ Supporters Shield in historical context. Then the guys chat with New England star Lee Nguyen about the Revs hot and cold season and MLS Cup redemption. Plus, there’s a playoff battle up north between Toronto and Montreal, Columbus demolished D.C. United and the Union have a new sporting director.

 

In the Western Conference, there was chaos, stress and plenty of excitement up until the final minute of the regular season. Now that the standings are set, the guys look ahead. Can Portland continue their late resurgence? Is Peter Vermes playing mind games with Benny Feilhaber at the wrong time? Does Vancouver have the right recipe for a title run? If Seattle are going to win their first MLS Cup, it will have to start against their old playoff nemesis, the LA Galaxy. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei goes over the the mood in the Sounders camp, details all the Decision Day drama, names an X-factor and much more. 

Former ETR host Jason Saghini jumps in for the mailbag, returning with some sage advice. What should Andrew and David wager on the World Series? Who might jump into the playoff field next season? Finally, MLS Cup predictions.

Direct download: ETR_Oct26_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:27pm EDT

#DecisionDay goes down on Sunday, with comprehensive coverage on MLSsoccer.com, FS1 and ESPN. Before the guys dive into all the scenarios and break down the matchups, there’s the business of our new book club book "Das Reboot" to announce. Once that’s out of the way, it’s all Eastern Conference, where only one Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs spot is up for grabs and the Audi Golden Boot is basically locked up…but there’s still plenty of seeding drama to digest.

In the Western Conference, the scenarios for the three remaining berths are complicated, especially because Sporting KC fell flat on their face in midweek action. Will Seattle see their season go up in smoke? Can San Jose sneak in? Is Portland the most likable team yet to book their place? Oh, and who will lift the Supporters’ Shield after the Fire-Red Bulls game was moved to the late window?

The mailbag is an MLS Monster Mash, as the guys share all the timely and hilarious MLS Halloween costumes submitted by listeners.

Direct download: ETR_Oct22_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:18pm EDT

Week 33 has come and gone, and the guys dive into the action as the countdown to Decision Day begins. What happened at halftime in Carson? Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter joins to explain his team’s recent tactical switch and Darlington Nagbe’s US national team status. Plus, what does it say that three teams without big-money Designated Players are at the top of the standings?

Didier Drogba is helping usher in a new era in Montreal. What makes him so special? Interim head coach and native Montrealer Mauro Biello calls in to detail the Ivorian’s impact on the club and shed light on his job and the club’s future. Plus, Giovinco or Piatti? Which goal was better? Andrew’s answer might surprise you, but David says there’s a trump card.

In the mailbag, swag is flying as the guys applaud a bold preseason prediction, potential national team head coaches, Decision Day scheduling and a new nickname for the Atomic Ant.

Direct download: ETR_Oct19_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:38pm EDT

After eight years of heartache, Toronto FC are playoff bound. It’s worth repeating: Toronto FC have qualified for the MLS postseason, putting eight years of failure in the rearview mirror. The man who helped drag them there, Italian star Giovinco, unveiled a masterpiece against the Red Bulls. Watch his goal then listen to what Andrew, David and Matt have to say about all three Wednesday games and the year of the playmaker in MLS.

In the second segment, get your Soccer Sunday breakdown then listen to Diego Pinzon’s interview with MLS legend Juan Pablo Angel. What does JPA think about Fabian Castillo’s nascent Colombia career? How about the Red Bulls’ success under new management? Plus, is old friend Juan Carlos Osorio the right man for Mexico?

The mailbag starts with more United States national team talk before veering into MLS waters. What city will a fan in Madrid visit after falling in love with the league? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Direct download: ETR_Oct15_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:50pm EDT

First the U-23s fell flat in their attempt to avoid an Olympic playoff. Then the senior team hung on against Mexico through 118 minutes before Paul Aguilar scored a goal nobody on either side of the rivalry will forget. Make no mistake about it, Saturday was a low point for U.S. Soccer. So what do the guys make of it? Andrew, David and Matt give their thoughts, then ESPN’s Doug McIntyre joins to chime in after a disappointing weekend followed by a friendly against Costa Rica.

In the second segment, it’s all MLS as three midweek games with huge Audi MLS Cup Playoffs implications take over the airwaves. Toronto FC, with a win or draw against the Red Bulls, will make the playoffs. Yes, we said playoffs. Local boy Jonathan Osorio calls in to discuss the new culture at the club and dishes on what Giovinco’s taught him. Plus, Fabian Castillo…how much is he worth?

In the mailbag, more USMNT controversy plus listener’s thoughts on the big game.

Direct download: ETR_Oct12.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:40pm EDT

First, midweek action at Red Bull Arena and BC Place as the Impact give themselves an uphill climb to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and the ‘Caps booked their place in the big dance. After that, the main event – for this week at least – the CONCACAF Cup. Andrew, David and Matt break down the storylines surrounding the game, not least the mounting pressure on Jurgen Klinsmann.

In the second segment, Eric Gomez (FutbolTotal) and Jeff Carlisle (ESPN) join the guys to preview both sides. Gomez takes Mexico, who are weathering an especially bumpy road as coach familiar to MLS fans gets ready to take over the team. The US has issues of it’s own, including an illness to one presumed starter. Plus, will the US and Canada book a place in the Olympics?

It’s peanut butter and jelly time in the mailbag, then a little East-West debate before calling it a day. Send your CONCACAF Cup thoughts via Twitter and email for a chance to win prizes!

Direct download: ETR_Oct8.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:32pm EDT

So what do we know about MLS with three rounds left? Well, four teams are safely in the playoffs – the Red Bulls, D.C. United, LA Galaxy and FC Dallas – and that’s about it. With eight Audi MLS Cup Playoffs spots still up for grabs, Andrew, David and Matt take a closer look at the weekend that was: Why is Lil’ B a Toronto FC and Giovinco fan? What’s wrong with Crew SC’s backline? Why hasn’t Plan B worked in Portland? Why didn’t Kekuta pass? Is FC Dallas MLS’ best team?

In the second segment, the guys are joined by Chipotle’s No. 1 customer Kellyn Acosta, who explains why he doesn’t eat burritos before games, picks his FCD 3v3 team and gives fans outside of the Lone Star State insight into the Texas Derby. Acosta has USMNT dreams, but he’s still years away from playing in a game like CONCACAF Cup. Jurgen Klinsmann named his roster on Saturday, and the guys take a shot at the lineup that’ll take the field at the Rose Bowl.

No mailbag. Instead, an extra special interview with Matt and Brooklyn Banks, the Sounders FC supporters who got married at halftime of the Seattle-LA match on Sunday night.

Direct download: ETR_Oct5.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:46pm EDT

As champagne soaked the visitor’s locker room at PPL Park, Sporting Kansas City belted out the old classic at the top of their lungs. Campeones, campeones! Olé, olé, olé! With help from captain Matt Besler, Andrew, David and Matt break down the US Open Cup final, a back-and-forth affair decided from the spot, the third time in four years Sporting did the the business via spot kicks. But what of the Union? And who helped Kansas City prepare for PK specialist John McCarthy?

In the second segment, the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs race rages on, with plenty of weekend implications. Will Portland take advantage of Sporting’s USOC hangover? Can Vancouver break out of their slump? Who will take over first place in the Eastern Conference? What will the Red Bulls do without Matt Miazga? So many questions, and the guys have (some) of the answers.

Where is Miazga, you ask? He’s with the United States Olympic team, who – along with Canada and six other CONCACAF qualifiers – is trying to book a place in Rio. See what’s at stake, plus gain new appreciation for Kei Kamara’s historic season in the mailbag.

Direct download: ETR_Oct1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:27pm EDT

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