Extratime

United States-Mexico is arguably the biggest rivalry in international soccer, an occasion that's far bigger than one game or the sport itself. For millions, it's a balancing act between two cultures, an identity exercise felt acutely by players on both sides of the rivalry.

Ahead of the USMNT's trip to Estadio Azteca, ETR brings you exclusive interviews with US centerback Omar Gonzalez, former US forward Herculez Gomez and Mexico goalkeeper Moises Munoz as they detail their own experiences straddling both sides of the divide.

Union forward Charlie Davies also calls in to tell the story of the famous goal he scored in 2009, and US supporter Brent Gamit explains what it's like to root for the away team at one of the most intimidating venues in the world ahead of his fourth trip to Estadio Azteca.

Direct download: ETR_MEX_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30pm EDT

It's a massive week for the US national team, and Andrew, David and Matt are here to make sure you don't miss a thing. Thus the early edition of ExtraTime Radio this week, with a complete preview of the Thursday's must-win World Cup qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago. Check back later for an extra special US-Mexico show featuring interviews with Omar Gonzalez, Herculez Gomez, Moises Munoz, Charlie Davies and others!

How much do you know about the Soca Warriors? Probably not as much as T&T journalist Lasana Liburd, who explains why Cordell Cato was sent home and discipline appears to be an ongoing issue for the team currently last in the Hex. Plus, Kevin Molino's special place among Trinidad fans, Kenwyne Jones' goal drought at the international level and new head coach Dennis Lawrence's plan for his first road game.

It's not all US, though, as fans north of the border got some good news this week when teenage phenom Alphonso Davies committed his international future to Canada. Journalist Daniel Squizzato joins the show to explain what it means for the Canadian program and what impact we should expect from the young Whitecaps attacker. In the mailbag, a listener questions the importance of the Gold Cup, especially when his MLS team suffers, and another wonders how he might be able to impress his friends at the bar without sounds too smart for his own good.

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: ETR_TT_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:45pm EDT

Not many nicknames stick like Sueño stuck to Jorge Villafaña, but those days are over for the Santos Laguna and US national team left back. He’s an established pro now, an MLS Cup winner and subject of a seven-figure transfer fee from Liga MX club Santos Laguna. In fact, this could be the biggest week of Villafaña’s career, as the US take on Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico in Hexagonal matches that could determine whether the Americans book a trip to Russia. The guys link up with Villafaña for a 1v1 interview you won’t want to miss, then break down the US’s warmup draw with Venezuela, Bruce Arena’s 40-man preliminary roster for the Gold Cup and the U-20’s loss in the World Cup quarterfinals. 

There’s plenty to talk about in Major League Soccer as well. Jesus scores! Jesus Ferreira, of course. The 16-year-old FC Dallas Homegrown and son of former MLS MVP David Ferreira wasted no time in his debut making history, so what’s next for the young winger? What’s next for Real Salt Lake and Mike Petke after the latter called out his team for another appalling performance? That’s not all, as the guys parse Pablo Mastroeni’s stats vs. heart comments and give Will Bruin a pass for celebrating against his former team.

In the mailbag, a listener suggests a three-man backline for the US ahead of Russia 2018, another castigates the guys for not giving Seattle-Portland in the Open Cup more love and an emailer questions Michael Bradley’s place in the MLS and US pecking order.

Direct download: ETR_Jun5_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:02pm EDT

A World Cup knockout run by the United States in South Korea? We've seen that before. This time, though, it's the US U-20s doing the damage, as a parade of MLSers helped Tab Ramos' team advance to the quarterfinals thanks to a 6-0 victory against New Zealand on Wednesday morning. Renaissance man and Top Drawer Soccer' Will Parchman joins the guys to praise Tab Ramos, marvel at Tyler Adams' eye-popping play and look ahead to a massive match against NYCFC's Yangel Herrera and Venezuela.

The second segment is all about the underdog, the soccer David attempting to slay another Goliath. Christos FC are sponsored by a liquor store. Their real jobs come before training. They're on the verge of shocking the world – if they haven't already. Christos FC are the final amateur side remaining in the US Open Cup and booked a Fourth Round date with D.C. United after a big win on Wednesday. Shawn Smith helped found the club two decades ago and calls in to tell their incredible story. Can they knock off the big boys? You've just got to believe.

In the mailbag, the guys rank bar games, wonder why Seattle and Portland fans are looking for plaudits while their teams struggle, debate Hernan Grana's defensive prowess and update everyone on MLS All-Star Fan XI voting (hint: ATLUTD fans are stuffing the ballot box).

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: ETR_Jun1_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:04pm EDT

Bruce Arena named the US national team roster for massive Hexagonal matches, and the guys have trouble finding fault with the group. Let's just say it hasn't always been that way in the last few years. Still, Arena has a decision to make: Where and when does he deploy his best resources considering Trinidad & Tobago is a must-win and Azteca is a dragon the Americans have yet to slay? Plus, the US U-20s head to the World Cup Round of 16 and Octavio Zambrano and Canada prepare for the Gold Cup.

We're almost three months into the 2017 season, and it's time to take stock of the best and brightest in MLS. Yes, that means 2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI presented by Target voting is open. Cast your ballot via the MLS app while you listen to the guys reveal their own choices. Some picks are obvious, but others get the guys heated. Everybody is happy, though, about Mauro Diaz's return, Julian Gressel's outstanding rookie season and the LA Galaxy's flip-flopping form. Plus, what's wrong with the Timbers?

In the mailbag, Doyle tackles whether Kaka and the diamond are working in Orlando, and the Rapids Rabbi offers his take on a thus-far disappointing season in Colorado.

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: May_30_ETR.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:10pm EDT

It was hard to miss David Beckham's name on U.S. Soccer's list of Hall of Fame nominees. But does he belong? With Dave hanging out in the UK, Andrew and Doyle grapple with the international superstar's place in the HoF, and it's not cut and dry. Beckham's case might surprise you. Then it's on to a rivalry heavy weekend featuring Toronto FC sans Jozy and Seba, a Cascadia clash complete with timber-related trash talk and a tough choice for Oscar Pareja and FC Dallas. Plus, a closer look at Patrick Vieira's rapidly rising coaching career

After the break, Andrew gives MLS and San Jose legend Chris Wondolowski a call to reminisce about the Cali Clasico. The 75th edition will go down on Saturday night in NorCal, and Wondo was a San Jose Clash then Earthquakes fan from the start. Go down memory lane as MLS's fourth all-time leading scorer tells stories about Landon Donovan's place as Judas in Quakes lore, wrestling matches between the Bash Brothers and so much more!

In the mailbag, Doyle assesses the US U-20's World Cup so far and takes a crack at predicting Bruce Arena's US roster for upcoming World Cup qualifiers before a emailer compares FC Dallas and Ajax in the wake of the Europa League final.

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: May_25_MLSsoccer_FINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:38pm EDT

Golazos? Check. Streaks ending and beginning? You bet. A little controversy? Sure, why not? MLS had it all this weekend, and the guys (with Ben 'The Research' Baer filling in for Dave) break it all down. From Toronto FC coming up just short at Red Bull Arena to New York City FC getting revenge on Orlando City, there's more than enough talking points to keep your attention on soccer for nearly an hour.

It's not just MLS on the docket, either, as the US U-20s had a dramatic moment in stoppage time to thank for huge point to start the U-20 World Cup in South Korea. They might have won, too, if not for a bit of an uneven performance in goal and on the backline, including a forgettable moment by a name you may be familiar with. Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with CONCACAF General Secretary Philippe Moggio and a Hot-Take Hotline call from a plucky grade schooler.

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: ETR_MLSsoccer_52217.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:38pm EDT

Days after Jelle Van Damme went 1v1 with ExtraTime Radio, Toronto FC and US national team captain Michael Bradley did the same, camping out for 45 minutes to give you the background on that famous US-Mexico photo in Columbus, Christian Pulisic's bright future, Toronto FC's historic winning streak, his father's future (and his own) in coaching and the sport of Fierljeppen (look it up). You won’t want to miss this one.

Oh, and we've got all your MLS reaction following a five-game Wednesday that saw Philly roll on and Gerso get hot for Sporting KC, plus a weekend preview in which Doyle throws cold water (or snow) all over your team's hopes and dreams. Finally, the Hot-Take Hotline takes you home, with another awesome MLS slate of games on the horizon!

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: ETR_May18_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:03pm EDT

Have time to kill at work? Maybe a long drive coming up? We've got you covered with nearly two hours of soccer talk, including an exclusive interview with LA Galaxy defender Jelle Van Damme.

But first, the long and the short from an awesome Week 11, including Toronto FC's historic winning streak, a throwback night in Chicago, hambones for the Union and Revs and a big win thousands of miles from home for the LA Galaxy. Ben 'The Research' Baer, aka the King of Takes, jumps on as well to give you insight into Justin Meram's big season with Crew SC and Cyle Larin's Chicharito-like shot efficiency before Evan Ream (Davis Enterprise) gives the guys an update on MLS expansion in Sacramento.

Once that's out of the way, it's time to sit down for a long chat with the big Belgian, who takes Andrew and Dave through his career in Europe, including at Ajax with none other than Zlatan, and his life in Southern California. Oh, and you better believe we asked Van Damme about getting the first-half hook against the Fire. Settle in for a fun interview before the Hot-Take Hotline takes you home!

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: ETR_May15_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:21pm EDT

Unless you've been under an MLS rock, you know Toronto FC are stacked – even when Sebastian Giovinco isn't around. You also know the ExtraTime Radio guys are obsessed with Raheem Edwards and Victor Vazquez. No surprise then that the duo helped the Reds to a big midweek win. The guys break that down, then shift their attention to a weekend full of must-watch games on national television, bringing in Dan Gargan to help explain what makes Atlanta United special and what's going on with the Galaxy.

After the break, it's time to evaluate a quiet deadline day for MLS clubs. Even though there were only a handful of moves made, there will be a couple game-changers entering the league in May. Once that's out of the way, it's time to dream about the summer! Marca's Arch Bell calls in to offer up his top five MLS targets in Central America. You'll want to write these names down.

Finally, in the mailbag, the guys reminisce about the MLS teams that they loved before they worked in soccer, David's "Are you watching the game? Or just looking at the stats?" tagline sneaks into a classroom and Doyle explains why the MLS foreign coaching cliches were always wrong.

Want to be a part of the show? Call the Hot-Take Hotline at 401-206-0MLS to leave a voicemail (keep it short and sweet and avoid colorful language) that could appear on ExtraTime Radio!

Direct download: ETR_May11_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30pm EDT