Extratime

Bruce Arena named the US national team roster for massive Hexagonal matches, and the guys have trouble finding fault with the group. Let's just say it hasn't always been that way in the last few years. Still, Arena has a decision to make: Where and when does he deploy his best resources considering Trinidad & Tobago is a must-win and Azteca is a dragon the Americans have yet to slay? Plus, the US U-20s head to the World Cup Round of 16 and Octavio Zambrano and Canada prepare for the Gold Cup.

We're almost three months into the 2017 season, and it's time to take stock of the best and brightest in MLS. Yes, that means 2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI presented by Target voting is open. Cast your ballot via the MLS app while you listen to the guys reveal their own choices. Some picks are obvious, but others get the guys heated. Everybody is happy, though, about Mauro Diaz's return, Julian Gressel's outstanding rookie season and the LA Galaxy's flip-flopping form. Plus, what's wrong with the Timbers?

In the mailbag, Doyle tackles whether Kaka and the diamond are working in Orlando, and the Rapids Rabbi offers his take on a thus-far disappointing season in Colorado.

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: May_30_ETR.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:10pm EDT

It was hard to miss David Beckham's name on U.S. Soccer's list of Hall of Fame nominees. But does he belong? With Dave hanging out in the UK, Andrew and Doyle grapple with the international superstar's place in the HoF, and it's not cut and dry. Beckham's case might surprise you. Then it's on to a rivalry heavy weekend featuring Toronto FC sans Jozy and Seba, a Cascadia clash complete with timber-related trash talk and a tough choice for Oscar Pareja and FC Dallas. Plus, a closer look at Patrick Vieira's rapidly rising coaching career

After the break, Andrew gives MLS and San Jose legend Chris Wondolowski a call to reminisce about the Cali Clasico. The 75th edition will go down on Saturday night in NorCal, and Wondo was a San Jose Clash then Earthquakes fan from the start. Go down memory lane as MLS's fourth all-time leading scorer tells stories about Landon Donovan's place as Judas in Quakes lore, wrestling matches between the Bash Brothers and so much more!

In the mailbag, Doyle assesses the US U-20's World Cup so far and takes a crack at predicting Bruce Arena's US roster for upcoming World Cup qualifiers before a emailer compares FC Dallas and Ajax in the wake of the Europa League final.

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: May_25_MLSsoccer_FINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:38pm EDT

Golazos? Check. Streaks ending and beginning? You bet. A little controversy? Sure, why not? MLS had it all this weekend, and the guys (with Ben 'The Research' Baer filling in for Dave) break it all down. From Toronto FC coming up just short at Red Bull Arena to New York City FC getting revenge on Orlando City, there's more than enough talking points to keep your attention on soccer for nearly an hour.

It's not just MLS on the docket, either, as the US U-20s had a dramatic moment in stoppage time to thank for huge point to start the U-20 World Cup in South Korea. They might have won, too, if not for a bit of an uneven performance in goal and on the backline, including a forgettable moment by a name you may be familiar with. Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with CONCACAF General Secretary Philippe Moggio and a Hot-Take Hotline call from a plucky grade schooler.

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: ETR_MLSsoccer_52217.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:38pm EDT

Days after Jelle Van Damme went 1v1 with ExtraTime Radio, Toronto FC and US national team captain Michael Bradley did the same, camping out for 45 minutes to give you the background on that famous US-Mexico photo in Columbus, Christian Pulisic's bright future, Toronto FC's historic winning streak, his father's future (and his own) in coaching and the sport of Fierljeppen (look it up). You won’t want to miss this one.

Oh, and we've got all your MLS reaction following a five-game Wednesday that saw Philly roll on and Gerso get hot for Sporting KC, plus a weekend preview in which Doyle throws cold water (or snow) all over your team's hopes and dreams. Finally, the Hot-Take Hotline takes you home, with another awesome MLS slate of games on the horizon!

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: ETR_May18_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:03pm EDT

Have time to kill at work? Maybe a long drive coming up? We've got you covered with nearly two hours of soccer talk, including an exclusive interview with LA Galaxy defender Jelle Van Damme.

But first, the long and the short from an awesome Week 11, including Toronto FC's historic winning streak, a throwback night in Chicago, hambones for the Union and Revs and a big win thousands of miles from home for the LA Galaxy. Ben 'The Research' Baer, aka the King of Takes, jumps on as well to give you insight into Justin Meram's big season with Crew SC and Cyle Larin's Chicharito-like shot efficiency before Evan Ream (Davis Enterprise) gives the guys an update on MLS expansion in Sacramento.

Once that's out of the way, it's time to sit down for a long chat with the big Belgian, who takes Andrew and Dave through his career in Europe, including at Ajax with none other than Zlatan, and his life in Southern California. Oh, and you better believe we asked Van Damme about getting the first-half hook against the Fire. Settle in for a fun interview before the Hot-Take Hotline takes you home!

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: ETR_May15_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:21pm EDT

Unless you've been under an MLS rock, you know Toronto FC are stacked – even when Sebastian Giovinco isn't around. You also know the ExtraTime Radio guys are obsessed with Raheem Edwards and Victor Vazquez. No surprise then that the duo helped the Reds to a big midweek win. The guys break that down, then shift their attention to a weekend full of must-watch games on national television, bringing in Dan Gargan to help explain what makes Atlanta United special and what's going on with the Galaxy.

After the break, it's time to evaluate a quiet deadline day for MLS clubs. Even though there were only a handful of moves made, there will be a couple game-changers entering the league in May. Once that's out of the way, it's time to dream about the summer! Marca's Arch Bell calls in to offer up his top five MLS targets in Central America. You'll want to write these names down.

Finally, in the mailbag, the guys reminisce about the MLS teams that they loved before they worked in soccer, David's "Are you watching the game? Or just looking at the stats?" tagline sneaks into a classroom and Doyle explains why the MLS foreign coaching cliches were always wrong.

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: ETR_May11_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30pm EDT

After another wild MLS weekend, Andrew, David and Matt sit down to digest Minnesota's eye-opening performance against Sporting KC on national television, Atlanta's humbling loss in the Bronx to an NYCFC squad making waves and a Doop-tastic win for the Union that ended a run of 252 days without a win.

Meanwhile, Chris Wondolowski is thriving with a little freedom to roam in San Jose – and Andrew says he will own the MLS scoring title sooner rather than later – the Houston Dynamo are the most entertaining team in MLS and uber-talented Toronto FC ought to be disappointed with anything less than a double. Plus, Curt Onalfo made one of the gutsiest substitutions in MLS history ... will it pay off for the LA Galaxy boss?

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: ETR_May8_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:49pm EDT

If you were watching the games – feel free to fill in the rest on your own – last weekend, you know all about Will Bruin's meme-worthy, two-thumbs up moment. With an MLS Cup rematch on the cards, the guys dial up the Dancing Bear to chat about his new digs in Seattle, the best lock-room characters he's been around and the strikers in MLS he admires.

The guys dig into big games in Minnesota and Atlanta, then take a look at the current standings to determine which teams are favorites, contenders and pretenders before turning to the Hot-Take Hotline. Listeners are split. Some love it, some hate it and some are using it as a way to get through months in the wilderness on the Appalachian Trail. No, really.

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: ETR_May4_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:40pm EDT

Is the ETR curse real? You'll get no confirmation from us, but Michael Parkhurst did score an own goal in Atlanta's 3-1 loss on Sunday after appearing on the show, so make of that what you will. If you're looking for a unique perspective on the Battle of the Uniteds, FS1's Katie Withamcalls in to explain what it's like to watch the game from the sideline, how the atmosphere in Atlanta has improved in a matter of weeks and why Ben Olsen can identify with Lucho Acosta.

 

The guys also put a bow on the weekend, starting with Dax McCarty's return to New York, Seattle's epic comeback from 3-0 down against New England, Jozy Altidore's big game against the Dynamo, Sporting KC's claim to the "Best Team in MLS" title and Orlando's impregnable fortress. Plus, what's the best attacking tandem in MLS? And which under-the-radar signing this offseason gets the guys stamp of approval?

 

Last, but not least, the Hot-Take Hotline brings the heat. That's a good think since Ben Baer, otherwise known as the King of Takes, joins to make sure listeners aren't coming lukewarm. Stick around for voicemails berating Dave for his Broadway knowledge, missives from the "Garbage Bowl," Rapids Rabbi standing by his boys and more Portland trolling.

 

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: ETR_May1_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:56pm EDT

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