Extratime

After another wild MLS weekend, Andrew, David and Matt sit down to digest Minnesota's eye-opening performance against Sporting KC on national television, Atlanta's humbling loss in the Bronx to an NYCFC squad making waves and a Doop-tastic win for the Union that ended a run of 252 days without a win.

Meanwhile, Chris Wondolowski is thriving with a little freedom to roam in San Jose – and Andrew says he will own the MLS scoring title sooner rather than later – the Houston Dynamo are the most entertaining team in MLS and uber-talented Toronto FC ought to be disappointed with anything less than a double. Plus, Curt Onalfo made one of the gutsiest substitutions in MLS history ... will it pay off for the LA Galaxy boss?

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_May8_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:49pm EDT

If you were watching the games – feel free to fill in the rest on your own – last weekend, you know all about Will Bruin's meme-worthy, two-thumbs up moment. With an MLS Cup rematch on the cards, the guys dial up the Dancing Bear to chat about his new digs in Seattle, the best lock-room characters he's been around and the strikers in MLS he admires.

The guys dig into big games in Minnesota and Atlanta, then take a look at the current standings to determine which teams are favorites, contenders and pretenders before turning to the Hot-Take Hotline. Listeners are split. Some love it, some hate it and some are using it as a way to get through months in the wilderness on the Appalachian Trail. No, really.

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_May4_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:40pm EDT

Is the ETR curse real? You'll get no confirmation from us, but Michael Parkhurst did score an own goal in Atlanta's 3-1 loss on Sunday after appearing on the show, so make of that what you will. If you're looking for a unique perspective on the Battle of the Uniteds, FS1's Katie Withamcalls in to explain what it's like to watch the game from the sideline, how the atmosphere in Atlanta has improved in a matter of weeks and why Ben Olsen can identify with Lucho Acosta.

 

The guys also put a bow on the weekend, starting with Dax McCarty's return to New York, Seattle's epic comeback from 3-0 down against New England, Jozy Altidore's big game against the Dynamo, Sporting KC's claim to the "Best Team in MLS" title and Orlando's impregnable fortress. Plus, what's the best attacking tandem in MLS? And which under-the-radar signing this offseason gets the guys stamp of approval?

 

Last, but not least, the Hot-Take Hotline brings the heat. That's a good think since Ben Baer, otherwise known as the King of Takes, joins to make sure listeners aren't coming lukewarm. Stick around for voicemails berating Dave for his Broadway knowledge, missives from the "Garbage Bowl," Rapids Rabbi standing by his boys and more Portland trolling.

 

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_May1_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:56pm EDT

Are you watching the games or just looking at the stats? David's catchphrase is taking off! The guys are definitely talking about (and watching) the games, starting with Friday night lights in Toronto where the best player in the league – Alberth Elis, duh ;) – is hoping to put on a show against the upstart Dynamo. Yes, that'd be Sebastian Giovinco, who Atlanta United captain Michael Parkhurst gives the nod as MLS's best. Who else does Parkhurst hating matching up against? What's life like with an expansion team firing on all cylinders on and off the field? Just how cushy is that new training complex? You won't want to miss this all-encompassing interview from ATL.

There are plenty more juicy MLS storylines to talk about, too. The guys start with Dax McCarty's return to Red Bull Arena, celebrate Mauro Diaz's cameo on the training field and Portland's proposed stadium expansion, wonder what's up in Columbus as Gregg Berhalter and Kekuta Manneh go back and forth in the media and finally call the LA Times Kevin Baxter to diagnose what ails the Galaxy.

As always, the Hot-Take Hotline is chock full of gems, starting with a jingle from none other than Alexi Lalas. There are more jingles where that came from, a Joe Bendik-to-USMNT flame job, LA Galaxy gritching and some insight into Dax's return from Bill Carroll in Section 132.

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: Extra_April_27_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:39pm EDT

Forget Race to Seis, the Galaxy are just racing to keep the 2017 season alive after a slow start that has them at the bottom of the Western Conference. With Andrew back from gallivanting around Mexico, the guys dive into the weekend action, starting with a Sounders blowout at StubHub Center that has LA fans worried and Seattle thinking big.

Orlando City have The Wall dreaming big as well after Cyle Larin led the Lions to yet another victory, their first on the road and league-leading fifth of the season, against Jason Kreis' former employers. Plus, the Union's misery continues after blowing a three-goal lead, Toronto FC spoils Bastian Schweinsteiger's party, Portland rule Cascadia thanks to Darlington Nagbe's swag, Kekuta Manneh cryptic tweet raises eyebrows and Atlanta United hand Mike Petke and Real Salt Lake a loss that has Nick Rimando under the microscope.

In the second segment, the guys get jacked about the variety and quality of this season's Golden Boot contenders, then get Kevin Kinkead (Philly Voice) on the line to diagnose the ailing Union, who haven't won in eight months. That's not all, either, as supporters call in from the stands to make the Hot-Take Hotline even more special (or ridiculous).

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_Apr24_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:21pm EDT

An all-star episode of ETR heading into a weekend filled with exciting games. Calen Carr joins David and Matt to preview it all as several teams enter high stakes matches. Can Bastian Schweinsteiger & Co. do it on the road in Toronto? Who is the most exciting player on Atlanta? Can FC Dallas break through the impenetrable SKC defense? And of course Calen and Doyle’s favorite topic, the Canadian wonder that is Cyle Larin. All this and more, plus an interview with Mexican national team head coach Juan Carlos Osorio. The former Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls manager talks all about the USA-Mexico rivalry, the fight for dual nationals, how his time in MLS shaped him as a manager, and the future of the league.

Direct download: ETR_Apr20_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:23pm EDT

After an exciting weekend of MLS action and with the big announcement that Real Madrid will be the MLS All-Star’s opponent the guys are raring and ready to go. David and Ben are back from Dallas and join up with Matt to break down all the big performances in MLS from David Villa’s GOY at Philly, to Orlando’s dominant home form, Bastian Schweinsteiger’s undefeated MLS streak, and everything in between.

In the second segment Ben Baer sits down field side in Frisco at the Generation adidas Cup with Real Madrid legend Raúl. They talk about MLS and La Liga’s growing partnership, developing young talent and of course the MLS All-Star game presented by Target on August 2 at 9 pm ET (FS1, UniMás in US | TSN TVA Sports in Canada).

In the mailbag the Hot-Take Hotline is ringing off the hook fans call in to try and solve Houston’s glut of young attacking talent, bring the heat with Colorado Rapids takes, call in from Red Bull Arena section 132 and much more.

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_Apr17_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:30pm EDT

Dave is down at GA Cup, where the best youth players in the country are battling international competition for bragging rights. He sits down with MLS youth technical director Fred Lipka and ATL UTD academy director Tony Annan to discuss how the US and Canada are trying to produce the next big star from the ground up.

With David at GA Cup, Andrew and Matt tackle MLS Week 7 alone. Are Gyasi Zardes and Giovani dos Santos primed to explode? Are the Union in a tailspin? Should Pirlo ride the bench? Why is Bobby Boswell so important to D.C. United's success? Plus, your MLS LIVE game of the week goes down in Houston, and Timbers troll is gonna troll.

Speaking of trolls, the Hot-Take Hotline is a hit, and you won't want to miss the latest crop of voicemails.

 

Direct download: April_13_FINAL_MLS.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:44pm EDT

It's official! The United States, Canada and Mexico are joining forces to bring the World Cup back to CONCACAF, making their pitch for 2026 official on Monday at a press conference in New York City. The guys walk you through all the details (31:02), then give their takes on what would be an incredible event. Plus, everything you need to know about MLS Week 6 and David Beckham stories with former MLS MVP Mike Magee (47:45)

Direct download: ETR_Apr10_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:35pm EDT

Another year, another CONCACAF Champions League trophy that won't be lifted by an MLS team. Those dreams died on Tuesday and Wednesday as FC Dallas and the Vancouver Whitecaps succumbed to Liga MX competition in a trend that American and Canadian clubs just can't seem to break. So what should we take away from this year's CCL disappointment? What does it mean for the future? Where did FC Dallas fall short in Pachuca? Why prevented the 'Caps from slaying a giant in Tigres? Andrew, David and Matt try to answer those questions then turn to more positive news in the region as all signs to a US, Canada and Mexico joint bid for the 2026 World Cup!

After the break, it's all MLS as Week 6 approaches. Are the Galaxy in trouble or is this just a case of early season yips and the injury bug? Can Bastian Schweinsteiger shine in a tough test for the Fire? Should Jim Curtin be on the hot seat in Philly? Why is Sebastian Giovinco still looking for his first goal or assist in 2017? How will Real Salt Lake change under Mike Petke? What level of player are Orlando City getting in Luis Gil, back in MLS on loan for the season? Finally, Fredy Montero calls in from Vancouver to talk CCL, China, Cascadia bad blood and why he hopes 2017 will be his best year yet.

In the mailbag, listeners flood the Hot-Take Hotline with a new jingle, a question about the next generation of USMNT goalkeepers and a dispute about the best MLS team of all-time. 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_April_6.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:12pm EDT