The US Open Cup final is set. The Chicago Fire may have been desperate to host the big match, but their performance wasn’t up to snuff (and those road woes struck again) as the New England Revolution made sure they’d play for silverware in 2016. The Revs will face FC Dallas, who used an epic, corner-kick fueled comeback against the LA Galaxy to book their place in the final, a game they’ll host. Oscar Pareja joins the guys to break down the win, explain what happened with Fabian Castillo and give an academy update ahead of another big weekend match against Sporting KC.

 In the second segment, the guys wonder what Diego Valeri’s place in Timbers lore will be after the Argentine No. 10 signed a contract extension and professed his desire to stay in Portland when his career is through. Plus, rumors galore around the Red Bulls and Montreal, Alejandro Bedoya’s potential debut and a reason to watch Seattle the rest of the way. Entertainment value!

 The mailbag starts with some USMNT updates from overseas before transitioning into a question about the ETR crew and recreational soccer. If that doesn’t grab your attention, we’ve got more origin stories to reflect on.

Hat tricks, ejections and last-second comebacks marked a weekend of MLS action that saw Clint Dempsey feast on the service of Jordan Morris, Jesse Marsch get the boot in LA and Giovinco prove he’s the class of the league – again. Ben the Research Baer jumps on to deliver a hot take on Seattle’s playoff chances, and Nick Rimando makes more history. 

Ahead of the US Open Cup semifinals, Chicago Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez stops by the studio to give a behind-the-scenes look at the club’s transfer dealings, explain why they haven’t splashed the cash – yet, anyway – and dream about winning a trophy in front of the home fans at Toyota Park.

In the mailbag, the guys share their MLS origin stories, plus Sounders fans explain what a successful season looks like, even if it doesn’t include the playoffs, and why LA is obviously excluded from the Cascadia Cup.

The transfer window slammed shut (sorta) on Wednesday night, but not before a flurry of moves that shook up the MLS landscape ahead of the stretch run. The Union dominated the headlines by snagging USMNT midfielder Alejandro Bedoya, trading for Charlie Davies and shipping Sebastian Le Toux, and head coach Jim Curtin calls in to give the guys the lowdown on what’s going on in Philly. Plus, why you should look out for the Fire in the next transfer window, and it appears Fabian Castillo to Turkey is close to a done deal.

In the second segment, the guys round up the rest of the transfer news ahead of a SoccerSunday tripleheader on ESPN and FS1 and a Viernes de Futbol classic that Doyle says has three points for New York City FC written all over it. Meanwhile, what are the Sounders playing for the rest of the way? And how will the Red Bulls deadline deals impact the squad? 

In the mailbag, a listener reminds the guys to keep tabs on their health, USL unveils their 20 Under 20 list and a Galaxy fan trolls Cascadia.

The ETR crew stays on the road to bring you a packed show with all the trades, debuts, and more from a wild MLS weekend. David hosting from the "Octagon's" floor with Matt break down the Giles Barnes move to Vancouver, Kennedy Igboananike's trade to DC United, Nicolas Lodeiro's debut, and so much more.

The day after the Andrew, Matt, and David get in a room to discuss all the all-star festivities from San Jose.

With MLS gathered in San Jose for the AT&T MLS All-Star Game, Andrew and Matt run down a wild week in Seattle as the Sigi Schmid era ended and the Sounders welcomed Nicolas Lodeiro to the club. Was the timing right? Did Sigi get a raw deal? Is this Garth Lagerwey's ship to steer now? Lodeiro wasn't the only big move, either. Don't miss all the transfer scuttlebutt across the league with the summer window in full swing.

In the second segment, Jermaine Jones stops by MLS Digital HQ to chat with Andrew and Calen Carr. The topics range from tattoos, youth development, the Hells Angels and his picturesque family life. Most interesting man in MLS? Don't bet against the Rapids midfielder.

In the mailbag, a listener pitches his alternative All-Star format then inspire the guys to dream big.

Andrew and Calen open up the AT&T All-Star week festivities in San Jose. They look back at the rivalry filled weekend that was and starting looking forward to a week of fun in California.

In the second segment Ivan Gazidis former MLS Executive and CEO of Arsenal FC  joins the guys to talk all about the early days of MLS, the impression of the league overseas, his role at Arsenal, and the upcoming season for the Gunners.

Mario Balotelli to MLS?! It sounds crazy, but the guys are on board. Once they’re done dreaming, it’s on to Jason Kreis and Orlando, midweek action in the US Open Cup and transfer scuttlebutt, of which there is plenty to run down.

In the second segment, cult hero RJ Allen calls in to detail his years in the professional wilderness, what it’s like to train with David Villa and Frank Lampard and what it feels like to be half of a sibling rivalry in the #NYDerby ahead of a third 2016 meeting between New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls (1 pm ET; FOX in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada). And that’s just one game during a weekend packed with must-watch soccer.

In the mailbag, a long-time listener says his emails never get read anymore, an accusation which the guys debunk, Andrew gets too much credit for vacationing at altitude and Sporting KC’s USL project goes under under the microscope.

New York City FC tightened their grip on the Eastern Conference on Sunday afternoon – just one of the table-shifting results from the weekend that the guys mull over and digest. Portland dominated Seattle, the Red Bulls were pegged back by the Union in a thrilling draw, FC Dallas took out their midweek frustration on Chicago, nine men won in San Jose and, well, you’ll have to listen to find out more.

Plus, the "Research Baer" breaks down Colorado's historic run and the guys disagree about the best side in MLS at the moment. Hint: nobody is right, but Matt and Ben are definitely wrong.

In the second segment, the guys break down the big move made by Atlanta United as they lock down a star CONCACAF forward in Kenwyne Jones. Then FourFourTwo’s Paul Tenorio stops by to elaborate on his report that Jason Kreis is in “advanced negotiations” with Orlando City, takes a look at the future of the club, and explains why there could be some summer moves for the Chicago Fire. 

In the mailbag, the guys look forward to the US Open Cup quarterfinalson Wednesday before a reader’s young daughter wonders whether soccer replacing baseball as an American classic?

Who says this is the slowest sports week of the year? Certainly not MLS fans who saw a bonkers Wednesday night of eye-catching results keep the week rolling. It was headlined by first-place FC Dallas suffering a 5-0 whooping in Seattle that included a lineup gambit from Oscar Pareja, another Jordan Morris goal and a Clint Dempsey red card that will see him suspended for Sunday’s match against the rival Timbers. Oh, and Nacho Piatti scored (when he shouldn’t have been on the field), Connor Lade put up a golazo for his first MLS strike and the Fire’s Dutch import opened his account under two rainbows against a frustrated Sporting KC.

The past is over, but the future is yet to come. This weekend promises to be another banger, as MLS takes over Sunday with #PORvSEA (3 pm ET, FOX), #MTLvNYC (5 pm ET, ESPN) and #PHIvNY (7 pm ET, FS1). After attempting to pronounce the name of Portland’s new Lithuanian signing, the guys are joined by Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson to reminisce about live in New Zealand and the brilliance of Diego Valeri. Then they break down Mix Diskerud’s place on NYCFC, the most-likeable player in MLS and the rest of the weekend action and transfer window speculation.

 In the mailbag, Andrew learns about Pokemon Go, Antonio Nocerino disappoints the Orlando faithful and Liga MX makes a rule that could affect Mexican-Americans.