Extratime

FC Dallas are US Open Cup champions! That’s awesome. It really is. It just can’t keep Andrew from being more excited for the return of Pescadito. The legend is back to help Oscar Pareja and the boys go for the treble. There’s plenty at stake this weekend as well, with FOX picking up a couple games on Sunday and a must-win Saturday for all three Cascadia clubs.

 Prepare to be inspired by a wide-ranging interview with Chicago Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a 17-year-old. He fought a brutal batter with cancer, and he won. Now, Lampson tells his story and explains how you can help via his foundation or MLS’s Kick Childhood Cancer initiative.  

 In the mailbag, the guys impromptu brainstorm a new coach for Canada, talk Toronto FC treble and the race for 2017-18 CCL spots and debate the real meaning of “world class.”

Direct download: ETR_Sept15_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:41pm EDT

Giovani dos Santos says he’s in “the best moment” of his career. Yeah, no kidding. Two goals and two assists from the Mexican No. 10 helped the Galaxy run away from Orlando on Sunday. Oh, and Landon Donovan made his LA debut – that’s important, too. The guys break down the hot and cold of the MLS Cup playoff race, including another Red Bulls’ collapse and Jozy Altidore going beast mode against Chicago. Remember, it’s red line time in MLS.

It’s also US Open Cup time, with FC Dallas set to host New England on Tuesday for the right to hoist the Lamar Hunt trophy (10 pm ET; ESPN2 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada). A couple veteran MLS scribes join the guys to preview a match that could play. Steve Davis gives the FC Dallas side, while Kyle McCarthy checks in from New England before a flight to Frisco. Who’ll take the trophy? The guys are split.

In the mailbag, Andrew, David and Calen attempt to build out the perfect playoff field, LD’s number choice is explained and a listener/scout emails in search of swag.

Direct download: ETR_Sept12_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:51pm EDT

He’s baaaaaccccckkkkk! The LA Galaxy needed a little boost ahead of the MLS Cup Playoffs, so why not add the guy they named the MVP trophy after? Yes, Landon Donovan, the most decorated player in MLS history is coming back. At the start of the show, the news was officially unofficial. It was under those conditions that Alexi Lalas called in to talk Landon, what he’ll bring to the Galaxy and why other teams should be nervous, plus more on his own return from retirement and US Soccer’s next big thing, Christian Pulisic.

 

MLS doesn’t stop for LD, though, and MLS Cup won’t necessarily go through LA.  All 20 teams are still alive and still striving get above the red line or lock in seeding. RSL and Orlando helped their respective causes with midweek wins. Who will get a boost in the standings heading into a loaded weekend? With an Atlantic Cup matchup on the docket and a few matches that could prove decisive in the battle to get over the red line out West, you’ll want to consider that special offer on MLS LIVE.

 

In the mailbag, the Donovan news goes from unofficial to official via a Galaxy video and personal Facebook post. One listener wonders how and why LA are able to make such “sneaky” moves season after season.

Direct download: ETR_Sept8_Good_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:34pm EDT

Today is not the day to save ExtraTime Radio for your commute, unless of course you’re doing everything in your power to be on the couch for the United States’ final Semifinal Round World Cup qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago (8 pm ET, FS1). ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle joins Andrew and David for a big-picture conversation that centers on Christian Pulisic’s rapid rise from prospect to potential USMNT starter. Should he be in the XI, though? There’s some dissention there. Can Canada get through to the Hex? In a word, doubtful … but possible. Oh, and it wouldn’t be CONCACAF without some drama. Find out what’s making its way thought the regional grapevine.
 
It may have been an international break, but half of MLS still hit the field this weekend. The guys start in the Bronx, where David has a crush on D.C. United’s Argentine delight. But are NYCFC the best team in the Big Apple? The Red Bulls have something to say about that after going cross-country to get a win in Vancouver. The Caps are wilting, and it looked like the Revs were too before grabbing three points against the Rapids. Same for the Fire, who had Jim Curtin throwing the table out the window after a home rout of the Union.
 
In the mailbag, Doyle gets what’s coming to him, a fan wonders if Simon Borg has family in high places and the Nigel de Jong transfer gets a second look.
Direct download: ETR_Sept6_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:21pm EDT

If you’ve been following the US national team’s journey to St. Vincent for Friday’s World Cup qualifier, you know the scenery is incredible. You also know it’s hot. Really hot. A sweaty Alejandro Bedoya joins the guys from paradise to preview the match, explain why now was the right time to move to MLS, banter about fantasy football and reinforce his title as one of ETR’s favorite guests.

Before you assume we forget about Canada – don’t lie Canucks fans, you were thinking it – ExtraTime Radio’s officially unofficial Canada correspondent Kurt Larson calls in from San Pedro Sula to explain how Benito Floro’s team can manage a result in a stadium that’s basically a house of horrors. Plus, there’s a handful of MLS games on Saturday (MLS LIVE party, anyone?), with the big news coming out of LA, where Nigel de Jong and the Galaxy parted ways after less than a season.

 In the mailbag, advice on subway etiquette, Alex Muyl for Rookie of the Year and Bradley Wright-Phillips’ legacy with the Red Bulls.

Direct download: ETR_Sept1_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:02pm EDT

Injuries to Designated Players, golazos, red cards and plenty of controversy made for a Heineken Rivalry Week that nobody will forget anytime soon. The guys get together to break it all down, starting with a Cascadia win for the Timbers that shifted MLS Cup playoff momentum south from Seattle to Portland. Meanwhile, Toronto will have to chase a first-round bye without Giovinco – for the next four weeks at least – after an “embarrassing” loss to 10-man Montreal. Plus, more Patty Mullins hype, Yura leads RSL to Rocky Mountain Cup win, the Red Bulls get the job done, just barely, and Jason Kreis gets some payback.

 In the second segment, it’s time to talk CONCACAF, beginning with your favorite regional nickname. Vincy Heat is certainly a candidate, which is convenient because the USMNT take on St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday with a place in the Hexagonal on the line. First, roster breakdown – including a late call-up for Sacha Kljestan and a puzzling one for Jermaine Jones – then a request for a Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood partnership. Finally, Canada head back to San Pedro Sula hoping to exorcise qualifying ghosts of years past. Can they do it?

In the mailbag, front-office change in San Jose, a style question for Crew SC and perspective on Jordan Morris’ Rookie of the Year campaign. Oh, and a celebrity ETR sighting.

 
Direct download: ETR_Aug29_2016_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:09pm EDT

Heineken Rivalry Week is here, and the games are predictably juicy. Don’t sleep on the Rocky Mountain Cup, especially considering the unique place Pablo Mastroeni and Kyle Beckerman occupy in the rivalry. Get the lowdown on the 401 Derby, fight for El Capitan in the Texas Derby and an I-95 clash between the Red Bulls and Revs. Those matches are huge, but the second clash in a week between the Timbers and Sounders is the big daddy. Why, you ask? The Seattle Times’ Matt Pentz calls in to explain.

 But wait, that means we left one Heineken Rivalry Week out. Not true! Orlando City SC head coach (and former New York City FC boss) Jason Kreis chats with Andrew about what went wrong in the Big Apple, what he’s learned in the last seven months and what his vision for the Lions’ future entails. Skip head to the 23:50 mark to listen to the interview!

In the mailbag, Hope Solo’s suspension, big-money moves for some US national teamers, Doyle puts the kibosh on a couple discussion topics and a listener shares his MLS dream journal, which definitely isn’t weird. Nope. Not at all.

Direct download: ETR_Aug25_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:43pm EDT

Is this how it’s going to be the rest of the year? Another weekend brought serious fluctuations in the Supporters' Shield and playoff races, and the guys sit down to nail down the current lay of the land. The biggest news of the weekend was the last to break, as the Seattle Sounders cruised in what was a must-win match against Cacadia rivals Portland. Are the Timbers in trouble? What has gone wrong for LA, Montreal and the Red Bulls? Are Toronto FC Supporters’ Shield favorites?
 
In the second segment, the guys look forward to a full week of CCL and MLS action (MLS LIVE, for the win) leading up to this weekend’s Heineken Rivalry Week. Matt Doyle trades his analyst hat for a stethoscope in an attempt to find a pulse in Vancouver, Columbus, and Chicago and believes one of the three still has hope.
 
The mailbag is choke full of Minnesota talk following the big announcement last week. Is their crest the best in MLS? What are your dream conference realignments? All that, and so much more.
 

 

Direct download: ETR_Aug22_2016_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:26pm EDT

Big news in the Twin Cities. Ahead of MLS and Minnesota United’s major announcement on Friday(Live stream at MLSsoccer.com, 7 pm ET), the guys bring in FiftyFiveOne’s Wes Burdine to give the lowdown on soccer in Minneapolis-St. Paul, the ethos of the club and its fans and the stadium designs that have the Dark Cloud’s hyped for the future.

In the second segment, it’s back to the business at hand. The MLS Cup Playoff races are in full swing, and there are plenty of marquee matchups this weekend that could push teams above or below the red line. With the Galaxy headed to the Bronx, who’s having the better season: Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard? With the Sounders and Nicolas Lodeiro set to host the Timbers, which side will walk away with their heads held high in what amounts to a six-pointer? Plus, Atlantic Cup action and a Toronto-Philly matchup that could be a preview of the Eastern Conference Championship.

 The mailbag begins with some USMNT news in Europe, then the guys ponder questions about Kei Kamara’s role in Crew SC’s tough season and Jozy Altidore’s resurgence as he comes back from injury.

Direct download: ETR_Aug18_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:56pm EDT

David is out gallivanting around the Hamptons, so Ben Baer joins Andrew and Matt to take a critical look at both conferences as the playoff races distill and the red line becomes the primary focus for all 20 teams in MLS. First up, the West, where Seattle and new Designated Player Nicolas Lodeiro are proving they’ve got plenty left in the tank. Dallas still sit top of the table, but could they benefit from a (late) #fakeMLStrade? Plus, who’s fighting to stay alive and why isn’t Matt high on LA’s current form?

Turning to the every-man-for-himself Easter Conference, the race is about as clear as mud. The Red Bulls and Sacha Kljestan are making up ground after that dire start, but New York City FC continues to score (and concede) in droves to somehow sit above the likes of resurgent Toronto FC. Which team is the favorite the rest of the way? Well, it’s … uh … you know, if … right, but … fine, we have no idea.

In the mailbag, David takes a break from vacation to explain how the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) experiment went in USL play on Friday. Reviews are positive.

Direct download: ETR_Aug_15.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:49pm EDT