Extratime

There’s still plenty to play for in the 2015 season, but can the new-look LA Galaxy be stopped? After the overwhelming display by the defending champions against New York City FC, Simon is ready to call them locks for MLS Cup 2015 except that David, Ben and Arielle aren’t taking the bait. The gang breaks down every matchup from a busy Week 25 in MLS: Drogba’s debut, to Toronto’s Jozy-less domination, San Jose’s reversing fortunes, and lots more.

 

In the second segment, David, Simon, and Arielle preview the upcoming midweek action highlighted by the Amway Canadian Championship second leg final. Can Vancouver finally break their tournament curse and win their first Voyagers Cup? Plus, we preview the two MLS midweek matches and the CCL group games on tap for this week as the Sounders and Brad Evans prepare for their rematch with Olimpia in Honduras.

 

And in the mailbag: another FIFA head-scratcher, Sounders fans take issue with Simon Borg (surprise) and what works best for the development of young players? Star players or experienced coaches?

 

 
Direct download: ETR_Aug24.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:42pm EDT

Poku-mania finally touches down in the ETR studio as the man himself joins the gang for the first time. Kwadwo discusses his run of form, the man who discovered him in the NPSL ranks (Eric Wynalda) and the advice that he’s getting from the other NYCFC stars. And we go from the player of the moment, to the result that has everyone talking: Right after Andrew calls them the best team in the league, Sporting Kansas City are humbled by the San Jose Earthquakes in midweek. Plus Simon asks how fans would react if the tables were turned in the case of the Brad Evans-Olimpia CCL brouhaha.

 

In the second segment, we look forward to a busy MLS weekend with plenty of questions. Is the West superior to the East as Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson claims? Who would you take: Kekuta Manneh or Fabian Castillo? Can NYCFC hang with the LA Galaxy on Sunday? And then there’s the big Didier Drogba debut happening on Saturday night. MLSsoccer.com's Montreal Impact beat writer Olivier Tremblay sets the scene ahead of the sold-out match at Stade Saputo.

 

In the mailbag, it’s your time to DJ as David goes through the top responses on MLS club anthems. Plus what do you need in your Appalachian Trail survival pack? Apparently a little bit of ETR and much more fun.

Direct download: ETR_Aug20.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:08pm EDT

After a goal- and drama-packed weekend of the MLS action, the gang jumps in the studio to break it all down, starting with Sporting Kansas City’s historic comeback against the Whitecaps. Philadelphia, meanwhile, were on the other end of a see-saw match with Chicago that left one player bemoaning their lack of maturity. Plus, Robbie Keane is trying to weasel his way into the MVP race, Kaka’s gone missing, the Red Bulls rolled Toronto FC and Seattle and #TeamOba are back in business.

In the second segment, D.C. United defensive stalwarts Bobby Boswell and Steve Birnbaum sit down with Andrew for a wide-ranging interview that includes the guys’ thoughts on Instant Replay and MLS refereeing, epic trash talkers, ideal MLS dinner partners and Targeted Allocation Money. Don’t miss it.

In the mailbag, a listener wonders what MLS’ most interesting XI would look like, a D.C. fan gets some swag and the guys try to come up with theme songs for all 20 MLS clubs.

Direct download: ETR_Aug17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:03pm EDT

The battle for domestic cup silverware hit the final stretch on Wednesday. In Canada, the Impact and Whitecaps battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw that sets up winner-take-all match at BC Place at the end of the month. Down south, the Union booked their second straight US Open Cup final appearance. They’ll take on Sporting KC, and Philly captain Maurice Edu joins the guys to talk Meek Mill, Lamborghinis and the club’s playoff chances.

In the second segment, the guys turn their focus to the MLS weekend. Are Colorado on the right track with their most recent signings? Can Toronto FC deal with the Red Bulls’ pressure after wilting against Sporting KC? Gio-mania in Dallas? Finally, are the Sounders set to turn things around after eight losses in nine? GM and president of soccer Garth Lagerwey says yes following a massive talent influx.

Another fight involving a CONCACAF manager? This time it’s Costa Rica’s Paulo Wanchope, and the news prompts Andrew to share an embarrassing story from Brazil.

Direct download: ETR_Aug13.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00pm EDT

MLS Week 23 was full of drama, and the guys jump right in with the NYC derby, a game Red Bulls fans likely won’t let their blue-clad counterparts forget for a long, long time. Plus, Giovani Dos Santos made his MLS debut – goal and an assist, no big deal – and the Whitecaps rolled to within two points of D.C. United in the Supporters’ Shield race. MLS’ most interesting man, ‘Caps centerback Pa Modou Kah, calls in to discuss his newfound knack for goals, fellow Gambian Kekuta Manneh and life in Qatar.

In the second segment, the guys take a look at a trio of midweek games with silverware (or at least the opportunity to play in a final) at stake. That’d be the first leg of the Canadian Championship between Montreal and Vancouver and a pair of US Open Cup semifinals. MLS pool goalkeeper turned Sporting KC standout Tim Melia joins the guys to share his story of perseverance.

In the mailbag, an Orlando fan wonders if Mike Petke has been forgotten, Adrian Heath’s lineup choices are questioned and Toronto FC’s American contingent grows.

Direct download: ETR_Aug10.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:23pm EDT

The gang is back on a wild Deadline Day in MLS. Follow along with the guys as moves come down the pike as the deadline approaches, and get their take on the transfer window that was. Which was the biggest move? Andrew says Giovani dos Santos takes the cake and LA Galaxy associate head coach Dave Sarachan calls in to give the guys a taste of the hoopla on the ground.

It may take awhile for some signings to gel, but there's no time to rest in MLS with another packed weekend on the horizon and New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga joins the guys ahead of the NYC derby. Find out what his international future holds, why people made fun of his goal celebration at Yankee Stadium and what career dreams he holds dear.

In the mailbag, Timmy Chandler hears some tough words from his manager, and Tim Ream might be on the move in England. Plus, how should floppers who fake injury be punished and did the Sounders have reason to cry foul about the 'Caps' selfie celebrations?

Direct download: ETR_Aug6.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:20pm EDT

Monday means a rotating cast, with Ben ‘The Researcher’ Baer up first to help Andrew and David break down a wild, goal-heavy Week 22! Andrea Pirlo started for the first time and Frank Lampard made his debut off the bench, but NYCFC still lost. What gives? Then D.C. United and RSL combined for 10 goals in a match that left Ben Olsen hoarse before Orlando City dropped a nickel on Columbus. Speaking of the Lions, history maker Cyle Larin calls in to talk Kaka, Canada and Rookie of the Year honors.

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about the rest of the weekend. Nick Rosano jumps in to break down THAT red card on Jozy Altidore, New York’s brotherly love and a comparison between the airport mobs that greeted Didier Drogba and Giovani Dos Santos on arrival. Oh, and CONCACAF Champions League starts on Tuesday. Which MLS team is best equipped to make a run?

In the mailbag, Aron Johannsson’s flirtation with Real Salt Lake starts the conversation before another tough weekend for US national team centerbacks comes to the fore. Plus, which MLS players would you put in your foot gold twosome?

Direct download: ETR_Aug3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:49pm EDT

AT&T MLS All-Star week is over, but there's still plenty to break down after a 2-1 win against Tottenham. The big questions revolve around format. East vs. West? US vs. the World? Andrew, David and Calen Carr give their opinions, then dive into the summer silliness in MLS. Didier Drogba to Montreal? Barneta to the Union? Gilberto's MLS return? It's all here.

 

In the second segment, attention turns to MLS as the season passes the midpoint and playoff races come into focus. Breakdowns for all 20 teams. Who are the real playoff contenders? Are FC Dallas Supporters' Shield favorites? Whose additions will pay off?

 

In the final segment, the guys revisit the Gold Cup. Do the US national team have forward problems? Copa America Centenario win or 2018 World Cup semifinals? Which would you take as a US fan?

Direct download: ETR_July30.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:09pm EDT

ETR goes coast to coast from a cup final to an all-star game in a jam-packed show. Andrew and Calen Carr sit down in Philadelphia to try and digest what has been a wild Gold Cup 2015 and break down El Tri’s triumph. They also look forward to the high stakes Confederations Cup playoff between USA and Mexico on October 9th in California, and what the future holds for this Jamaica squad.

 In the second segment we head out west to Denver, Colorado, the center of the USA soccer world for the next week. Greg sits down with MLS legend and Chipotle MLS Homegrown head coach Landon Donovan to talk coaching. Greg also attempts to stump Landon on some MLS coaching trivia, and get the inside scoop on his pregame speech.

 

 In the final segment Arielle joins Greg to talk about all the AT&T All-Star festivities and of course the match itself. Can Tottenham handle the travel, altitude, and weather to hang with this group of All-Stars? And is a skills competition instead of a full match in the cards for the future? Plus review of the Capital Cites and Aloe Blacc concerts and the “Overall” MVP of the week.

 

Direct download: ETR_JULY_27.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:57pm EDT

All anyone is talking about is the Gold Cup semifinals and of course ETR has a hot take. Simon, David, and Arielle break down the USA's historic loss to Jamaica and discuss where the USA go from here. But the Americans' loss was quickly overshadowed by the drama of the Panama vs Mexico semifinal. Andrew Wiebe calls in from the road to talk about what he witnessed at the Georgia Dome, and the mood in the USMNT locker room.

In the second segment there is plenty of USOC action to cover, along with big MLS news. Andrea Pirlo is finally in training with NYCFC: Is he the last piece to their puzzle? And is Didier Drogba about to come to the rescue for the Chicago Fire? The guys also chat with LA Galaxy up-and-comer and upcoming Chipotle MLS Homegrown player Bradford Jamieson IV about his battle with Gerard Pique, his Panamanian roots, fashion, and more.

 In the mailbag the guys look forward to all the upcoming AT&T All-Star festivities as the big week gets started on Friday. And Simon tries to figure out what to do with himself at a silent disco!

 

Direct download: ETR_July23.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:01pm EDT