Extratime

The annual 24 Under 24 list is out, and the debate around MLS has been heated. Andrew and David are joined by this year’s 24U24 head honcho ETR regular Matt Doyle to discuss the best young players in MLS. Get the full story on the voting process, the missing players he still sheds a tear for and what has changed most since the series started in 2010.

Following up on that conversation, Sporting KC assistant technical director and former USL executive and college soccer coach Mike Jacobs sits down with Andrew Wiebe to discuss the lay of the land when it comes to talent development in the US and North America. What are the most drastic changes in recent years as well as the most worrying trends? Will SKC be getting a USL team soon? You’ll have to listen to find out.

In the final segment, get your full weekend preview as the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs approach. Which clubs could add their name to the list of teams in the big dance and which could fall out of the running?

Direct download: ETR_Sept24.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:13pm EDT

Andrew and David sit down in studio with RSL super-fan and author of the "Believe" chant Branden Steineckert. They discuss his love affair with soccer and MLS plus the work he has done with some USMNT players. He tells the story of how "Believe" came to life from his world soccer travels to the first recording. And he discusses the trials and tribulations of following his club while on tour with Rancid.

Direct download: Rancid.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm EDT

Win or spend November at home. That’s where things stand as the season reaches fever pitch and the league sees it’s first coaching casualty in Chicago. On a weekend that saw the Red Bulls clinch the first spot in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, Crew SC fell just short – but not by their own doing. Ambitious winger Ethan Finlay joins the guys to talk fantasy football, Kei Kamara the alpha dog, his international future (hint: Canada is out) and Columbus’ status as the MLS Las Vegas.

 New York may have booked a postseason place, but they didn’t lift a trophy in Cascadia. The Sounders did, though, going to Vancouver for a Cascadia Cup-clinching win that was doubly important as San Jose, a direct competitor, lost again. Plus, Real Salt Lake are roaring back with the help of a man named Burrito, and Montreal and Toronto got it done with the help of their stars.

 In the mailbag, Rancid drummer Branden Steineckert describes how he fell in love with the beautiful game and RSL. Check back on Tuesday for the full interview. Plus, the scarf vs. jersey debate continues and listeners make a MLS Cup case for their teams.

Direct download: ETR_Sept21_Test_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:48pm EDT

verybody loves a little midweek action, and Andrew and David break it all down – from Frank Lampard’s first MLS goal to another missed opportunity for the Quakes – before New England’s Diego Fagundez joins to give MLS fans the lowdown on muddin’ with Lee Nguyen, the Revs late-summer runs and his decision to represent Uruguay. Plus, MLS clubs do the business in the CONCACAF Champions League.

 

In the second segment, the guys take a closer look at what’s turning into a back-and-forth MLS Cup playoff race. Who can clinch this weekend? Whose hopes are slowly dwindling? Can Drogba and Co. knock off the first-place Revs? Can Sporting Kansas City pull out of their recent nosedive? Is the Wiebe curse for real?

 

The mailbag starts with some CONCACAF Cup roster chatter (no Guardado? USMNT fans can hope), then rumors from around the Copa Centenario water cooler. Will it happen? Soccer fans in the US wait with baited breath. Plus, thoughts on LAFC’s name confirmation and Darlington Nagbe’s United States citizenship and what it could mean for the US national team.

Direct download: ETR_Sept17_pod.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:58pm EDT

With David on vacation, Andrew calls in an old hand (Simon) to help break down the MLS weekend. Another impressive win for New England, this time in Toronto? Another disappointing loss for Sporting KC? That feeling you're getting is déjà vu as both teams begin to replicate their 2014 surge and slide. Kei Kamara is in the Golden Boot lead, but should he be MVP? Did Michel mean to score on his olimpico? Plus, why Montreal's scoreless draw in LA was the most surprising (and impressive) result of the weekend.

In the second segment, Chicago Fire rookie Matt Polster drops by the studio to chat with Andrew, David and Matt Doyle about his emotional draft day, rookie life, Steven Gerrard fandom, the United States U-23s and his offseason plans, which hopefully include a training stint in Europe.

The mailbag answers one question: Which club (not named the Galaxy) and its fans deserve to win MLS Cup? Be sure to make your opinion known by tweeting @ExtraTimeRadio or emailing the show at extratime@mlssoccer.com.

Direct download: ETR_MLS_Podcast_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:17pm EDT

The MLS train chugs on as Matt Doyle joins the guys to break down the midweek action and look ahead to another weekend with serious MLS Cup Playoff implications. Things are going well in Red Bull land, but should fans feel secure? Are Orlando and NYCFC’s playoff hopes dead? Can Montreal keep the Galaxy from dropping a five-spot? How healthy in Giovinco and how will it affect Toronto’s late push?

 

In the second segment, it’s all Dax, all the time as the Red Bulls’ captain joins Matt and Andrew for a wide-ranging interview that touches on his engagement, famous dog, Thierry Henry’s New York legacy and the present and future of his new-look club. Plus, find out why New York fans shouldn’t worry about all that contract chatter.

 

The show concludes with a look at a USMNT loss to Brazil that Matt says was a real bummer and what Jurgen Klinsmann and Co. face ahead of the CONCACAF Cup on Oct. 10. Plus, a domestic MLS sighting and a fact-finding trip to Malta.

Direct download: ETR_Sept10-MP3_for_Audio_Podcasting.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:44pm EDT

After a refreshing holiday weekend that included a truncated MLS slate and plenty of international action, the guys dive right in by discussing Didier Drogba’s historic night in Montreal. Then it’s on to FC Dallas, who knocked off Crew SC, 3-0, with a lineup that included five Homegrown players and two teenagers. Head coach Oscar Pareja says he knows playing kids can be a bit scary, but he’s committed to seeing his project through. The former Colombia international also chimes in on Fabian Castillo’s first call-up.

 

 

In the second segment, it’s all United States national team as the Yanks prepare for Mexico on Oct. 10 via friendlies vs. Peru (2-1 win on Friday at RFK Stadium) and Brazil (Tuesday night at Gillette Stadium). What have we learned so far? Is Jozy back in form? Is Matt Besler back out of the cold? Is Gyasi Zardes the key to the attack? Where should Jermaine Jones play? All that, plus a big win for Canada and some CONCACAF craziness.

 

The mailbag starts with a goalkeeper question that turns into a request for listener feedback. There are still MLS abroad stories rolling in as well, plus a father’s first game with his son…after a trip down from Alaska. Finally, football (soccer) vs. football (the American kind). How do you balance the load come fall?

Direct download: Sequence_1-MP3_for_Audio_Podcasting.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm EDT

here may be half the normal MLS action this weekend, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to talk about. The guys start with the United States national team and Jurgen Klinsmann, who said some things that got MLSsoccer.com’s own Matt Doyle riled up. Then San Jose forward Quincy Amarikwa joins the show to talk about a new opportunity after his midseason trade from Chicago.

In the second segment, NBC Sports and Travel Channel personality (oh, and former MLS and USMNT player) Kyle Martino sits down with Andrew to talk about his new gig, progress in MLS and the national team’s recent troubles.

The mailbag starts with some gibberish about Dax McCarty before Dave steers the conversation to random MLS sightings (think Finland and Colombia) and a graduate student who needs a way to hold onto his fandom without the benefit of free time.

Direct download: ETR_Sept3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:58pm EDT

The guys gather to break down Heineken Rivalry Week, starting with an Atlantic Cup clash that saw the Red Bulls run over a D.C. United squad that's beginning to grow concerned about their current form. In Toronto, the Reds squeaked past the Didier Drogba-less Impact, a result that was the final nail in the coffin for Frank Klopas in Montreal. Mauro Biello is taking over on an interim basis, and RDS' Pat Leduc joins the guys to explain what's going on behind the scenes with the Impact. Plus, Seattle won by the skin of their teeth much to the chagrin of Caleb Porter, and San Jose have now won four straight after a California Clasico win vs. the Galaxy.

Of course, there was plenty of action outside of Heineken Rivalry Week, most notably in the Bronx, where New York City FC lost to Columbus Crew SC and Jason Kreis questioned his team's commitment. Colorado won again to keep their playoff hopes alive, Vancouver lost for the ninth time in nine games in Texas and Fabian Castillo scored then got a Colombia call-up. Speaking of international duty, David and Andrew break down the US national team roster that includes a mixture of World Cup and Gold Cup stars.

In the mailbag, a listener wonders what Kei Kamara would have to do to win MVP, the guys sift through more Timbers-Sounders stories, a San Jose fan bemoans all the Steven Gerrard jerseys at Avaya Stadium and David solicits random MLS sightings in world soccer.

Direct download: ETR_Aug31.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:42pm EDT

Heineken Rivalry Week is upon us, but first the guys break down all the midweek action from the MLS regular season, Canadian Championship and CONCACAF Champions League. First up, an unexpected loss for the Red Bulls that confirmed Simon’s hot take on the Fire from Monday’s show. But what about that corner kick? PRO says no good, but Dave’s not so sure. While that was going down, the Vancouver Whitecaps lifted a cup and sealed their place in the CCL. Speaking of CCL, which MLS teams are positioned best to advance to the knockout stage?

The weekend gets started with a classic, a Cali Clasico to be specific. Both teams are hot, but can San Jose really knock off the high-flying Galaxy? Then, on Saturday, Canada gets in on the act, as Toronto host Montreal in a matchup of two playoff hopefuls. The Impact need wins, but will they have Didier Drogba to help them get one? Soccer Sunday is the main course, and the Seattle Times’ Matt Pentz and Fox Sports’ John Strong break down #SEAvPOR and #NYvDC.

In the mailbag, the guys give away the Cascadia Crazy 8s from adidas and ponder the future of the Copa Centenario. Plus, which team is being pitched as “Showtime on Grass?”

Direct download: ETR_Aug27.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:47pm EDT