Extratime (general)

What started at 12 is down to four, and Matt and Andrew break down all the Conference Semifinal second leg action as the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs roll on. FC Dallas got revenge for last year’s postseason exit, dropping Seattle in penalty kicks with the help of 20-year-old goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez. Portland stand in their way after shrugging off listless Vancouver, while the other side of the bracket pits the Red Bulls and Columbus Crew SC. No big-money stars? No problem. Is that a trend?

New York City FC have their fair share of stars in Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa. They have a new head coach with similar credentials as a player in Patrick Vieira. Is he the right man for the job? Don’t write him off just yet. Plus, is Jurgen Klinsmann’s 23-man roster, sans Clint Dempsey, the right group to lead the United States national team into qualifying? Perhaps, at least it’s easy to get excited about Darlington Nagbe and Matt Miazga.

In the mailbag, a fan writes in with his Best XI. Do the guys agree? Yes and no.

Direct download: ETR_-_NOV_9.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:49pm EDT

On a slow Friday in the office, Andrew and Matt sit down to talk the latest US national team roster. The good? Darlington Nagbe and Matt Miazga are among the 23. The bad? No new blood at d-mid. Listen to the complete breakdown!

Direct download: ETR_short_USMNT.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:23pm EDT

Sunday means another quadrupleheader of MLS action. Andrew, David and Matt preview all the matchups, but first they turn a critical eye to New York City FC, where Jason Kreis is out after two years – just one actually in the league – in charge. Does the move make sense? The red side of New York appears to be in good hands with Jesse Marsch, but D.C. United are ready to spring an upset. See what Red Bulls midfield Felipe has to say about that and the growth of MLS. Plus, can Columbus prove their regular-season success was no fluke or will Didier Drogba run rampant?

In the Western Conference, FC Dallas have plenty to prove as well. They’ll have to do it against a Sounder side that’s finally starting to look like the juggernaut that wrecked MLS earlier in the year. Meanwhile, in Vancouver, the Whitecaps are still trying to find that April form. Portland, according to the guys, are the favorite, and Darlington Nagbe is the protagonist. Plus, MLS end-of-season awards: Who deserves hardware and why?

Mailbag brings news from France, where Bob Bradley is reportedly a candidate for another job. David tries to revive the Ronaldinho rumors, and a Timbers fan bemoans free tickets. Seriously.

Direct download: ETR_Nov5_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:01pm EDT

Sunday means another quadrupleheader of MLS action. Andrew, David and Matt preview all the matchups, but first they turn a critical eye to New York City FC, where Jason Kreis is out after two years – just one actually in the league – in charge. Does the move make sense? The red side of New York appears to be in good hands with Jesse Marsch, but D.C. United are ready to spring an upset. See what Red Bulls midfield Felipe has to say about that and the growth of MLS. Plus, can Columbus prove their regular-season success was no fluke or will Didier Drogba run rampant?

In the Western Conference, FC Dallas have plenty to prove as well. They’ll have to do it against a Sounder side that’s finally starting to look like the juggernaut that wrecked MLS earlier in the year. Meanwhile, in Vancouver, the Whitecaps are still trying to find that April form. Portland, according to the guys, are the favorite, and Darlington Nagbe is the protagonist. Plus, MLS end-of-season awards: Who deserves hardware and why?

Mailbag brings news from France, where Bob Bradley is reportedly a candidate for another job. David tries to revive the Ronaldinho rumors, and a Timbers fan bemoans free tickets. Seriously.

Direct download: ETR_Nov5_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:01pm EDT

One leg down, one to go in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinals. Andrew, David and Matt go around the league to breakdownSunday’s postseason quad-header. They start in Seattle, where FC Dallas got a road goal but couldn’t keep Clint Dempsey from a moment of glory that may wipe his Sounders slate clean. Seattle Times reporter Matt Pentz gives his take and provides an injury update, then the guys hand the Timbers the edge against Vancouver then chat with Oregonian’s Jamie Goldberg.

Out in the Eastern Conference, Didier Drogba finally came back down to earth against Crew SC, but the Impact still found a way to win. MLSoccer.com’s own Oli Tremblay joins to talk Drogba leg locks, Patrice Bernier’s resurgence and the vibe in Quebec. D.C. United beat writer Pablo Maurer follows that up by pointing out the capital club’s desolate performance might have been by plan. Was the Red Bulls 1-0 win enough to advance? Only time will tell. 

In the mailbag, the GAM has officially retired, and the guys ponder what Eddie Johnson’s legacy will be. Jermaine Jones isn’t done, but he may have a new team. What does the man himself have to say? Plus, Chicago Fire coaching candidates get Doyle in negotiator mode.

Direct download: ETR_Nov2_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:16pm EDT

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