Extratime

There's one Knockout Round game left, but the two-legged postseason fun starts this weekend with the conference semifinals. The guys start off with some Los Angeles FC news and some disagreement about the penalty call that sent Dallas through on Wednesday before turning to the Western Conference's bracket. Can LA get a result at Rio Tinto? Will Mauro Diaz start against Seattle?

It's just as tough out East, with Columbus and New England a battle of purveyors of the beautiful game. Lee Nguyen joins the guys to run the rule over his own incredible season, talks Jermaine Jones' fashion sense and admits he's not sure what the future holds when it comes to international soccer. Plus, who would D.C. United rather face between Sporting KC and New York? And is the ETR curse in effect?

Finally, Andrew wonders how MLS fans might feel if their team reached the brink of a title only to fall short, a la the Royals, and Simon lays out the mechanics of curses.

Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio. And make sure you check out our West Coast brethren at March to the Match every Wednesday!

Direct download: ExtraTime_Radio_Lee_Nguyen_New_England_Revolution.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

A Supporters' Shield has been decided. The AT&T MLS Playoffs are set. The Knockout Round looms. ExtraTime Radio has everything you need to know, including news that Chivas USA is ceasing operations with a new team set to begin play in Los Angeles in 2017.

It all starts Wednesday, when Vancouver visit Dallas, and there are some big questions for the 'Caps' Carl Robinson. First, who starts at right back? Second, can the Canadians slow down FC Dallas' set-piece barrage? The guys all agree on a prediction, is that bad news?

The Eastern Conference is a rematch of Sunday night's regular-season finale. The New York Red Bulls are rolling on the back of Bradley Wright-Phillips, who tied the MLS single season scoring record against Kansas City. Sporting KC, meanwhile, are tired. Dog tired. Manager Peter Vermes joins the guys to talk shop, his trip home to New Jersey and offseason movement.

Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio. And make sure you check out our West Coast brethren at March to the Match every Wednesday!

Direct download: ExtraTime_Radio-_Peter_Vermes_Sporting_Kansas_City.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

It's Round 33 and that means there's just 90 minutes left take care of any final business before the playoffs begin in earnest. Some teams have more to tend to than others, and the guys start their wide-ranging discussion with the Supporters' Shield matchup going down in Seattle between the Sounders and Galaxy. Whoever comes out on top of that one will face Portland or Vancouver. Will ETR's prediction from a few weeks ago come true? What about all that crazy seeding out East?

We'll have to wait to see how it all turns out, but first we go to ETR fantasy land to create our own playoff brackets based on pure entertainment value. What would you want to see? And how would you prepare MLS teams and future MLS players for the wiles of CONCACAF Champions League? We take a look at the lay of the land with one final CCL group game to go and propose our own CONCACAF camp to get North America's players ready to succeed in the region.

Finally, Sabrina the Teenage Witch makes one final appearance, and the guys debate Landon Donovan's replacement with the Galaxy.

Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio. And make sure you check out our West Coast brethren at March to the Match every Wednesday!

Direct download: ExtraTime_Radio-_The_Big_One.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

The Columbus Crew are the sensation of the 2014 MLS season and their winger Ethan Finlay is arguably the revelation of the year. Coming off a playoff clinching weekend, we get to know the ex-college superstar who's finally earning praise from the likes of Thierry Henry after two tough seasons to start his pro career. Which national team will he represent -- USA or Canada? And what's with his fascination with The Settlers of Catan?

The other big storylines from the weekend involve the battle for the 5th spot in the West -- Vancouver vs. Portland. Were the Timbers just unlucky? Should the Whitecaps have pushed harder in San Jose? And the Showdown for the Shield goes down to the final weekend: Is Saturday's match vs. LA Galaxy truly the biggest game in Seattle Sounders history?

Plus, which artist do you want to send you off into the sunset at your retirement party? Would Toronto FC ever trade Michael Bradley? And is there a scenario where New England's Lee Nguyen can actually win the MVP award?

Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio. And make sure you check out our West Coast brethren at March to the Match every Wednesday!


Andrew was under a Royals' World Series rock on Wednesday, so the guys walk him through MLS Commissioner Don Garber's response to recent comments by US national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann concerning the league. Everyone's got an opinion. Chime in with yours via email.

It's a massive weekend in MLS, and Portland's playoff lives are on the line with Real Salt Lake in town on Friday. Meanwhile, Sunday should be spent in front of the TV if you're an MLS fan. The New York Red Bulls are battling for position, and Mike Petke joins the guys to discuss Thierry Henry's future, BWP for MVP and his Twitter habits.

In the mailbag, we discuss Dominic Kinnear's future and why it worked out for everyone involved, Simon defends Dominic Oduro and we play some MLS-style NBA Jam.

Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio. And make sure you check out our West Coast brethren at March to the Match every Wednesday!

Direct download: ExtraTime_Radio-_Mike_Petke_New_York_Red_Bulls.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

First things first, the guys revisit Landon Donovan's testimonial match on Friday, a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in which the post robbed the USMNT legend of a Derek Jeter-esque moment. But did he cry? Simon says no, while Andrew and David contend he's got more humble pie in his future. LD aside, who looked good? Did the ETR curse strike Joe Gyau? What will the team look like against Honduras with all the big boys called up?

Meanwhile, in MLS, the playoff races have come down to two spots. In the East, Toronto has all but waved the white flag. In the West, it comes down to Cascadia Cup winner Vancouver and Portland. One has a much easier schedule than the other. The Supporters' Shield still comes down to LA and Seattle with a home-and-home series left to finish the regular season.

The Revs sealed their place, and Charlie Davies has been crucial to their current form. On the five-year anniversary of the car accident that threatened his life and career, Davies joins the guys to reflect and look ahead. Ever positive, he says the USMNT isn't out of the question.

In the mailbag, we wonder who the listeners might want as guests, where MLS Cup would be hosted in a perfect world and mull a time capsule to test our ability to predict the future.

Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio. And make sure you check out our West Coast brethren at March to the Match every Wednesday!

Direct download: ExtraTime_Radio-_Charlie_Davies_NE_Revolution.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

With Landon Donovan playing his final game for the USMNT, it's time to start looking ahead to which up-and-comer will take his mantle. Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore will surely carry the torch in the short-term, but which youngster is set to be the next Donovan? Why not winger Joe Gyau, who's making headway at one of the biggest clubs in the world? He tells his story on the show.

From one Black-and-Gold team (Borussia Dortmund) to another one stateside. The Columbus Crew -- rather, Columbus Crew SC beginning in 2015 -- claimed the news headlines in MLS this week with a major signing and a new brand identity, which was unveiled at an event that anointed the first and greatest MLS hype man. The club's owner, Anthony Precourt, joined the guys to discuss his vision for the new-look club.

We also entertain Humble Pie recipes, discuss the MLS edition of the Landon Donovan testimonial and revisit the debate about just how important Tim Cahill is to the New York Red Bulls.

Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio. And make sure you check out our West Coast brethren at March to the Match every Wednesday!


The latest USMNT roster is out, and the guys break down the ins and outs of Jurgen Klinsmann's choices. The biggest questions, obviously, surround Landon Donovan? Should he start? How should his legacy be honored? Will he cry? Plus, how will the group change ahead of Honduras?

Meanwhile, in MLS, the battle is on for the Supporters' Shield and MVP award. It comes down to the LA Galaxy and the Seattle Sounders and Robbie Keane and Obafemi Martins. Who's side are you on? Fox Soccer's Kyle McCarthy knows who his vote is going to.

Out East, some are wondering whether Jermaine Jones is proving he's the better of the two USMNT Designated Players that have arrived since the new year. Michael Bradley would have something to say about that. Also, what's going on with Tim Cahill in New York? Last, but certainly not least, listeners wonder whether Donovan's assist mark is cheapened by second assists and what it would take to get Simon on SnapChat.

Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio. And make sure you check out our West Coast brethren at March to the Match every Wednesday!

Direct download: Extratime_Radio-_Kyle_McCarthy_Fox_Soccer.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Vancouver and Portland are locked in a Cascadian battle for a playoff spot. First the guys break down who they think will make it to the big show, then 'Caps head coach Carl Robinson joins the show to discuss scoreboard watching, big-money DPs, Omar Salgado's situation and USL PRO. By the sounds of it, fans in British Columbia could see an offseason influx of talent.

The race in the Eastern Conference is no less compelling, in fact it's downright brutal. See why plenty hinges on Friday's DC-SKC clash. And of course the guys have to talk Landon Donovan after his revealing interview with Grant Wahl. What might his Jeter moment be? Is he a viable MVP candidate? And what's next?

Last, but certainly not least, listeners take Simon to task for his MLS snobery, wonder why PK misses matter so much and the guys choose MLS' best MC.

Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio. And make sure you check out our West Coast brethren at March to the Match every Wednesday!

Direct download: ExtraTime_Radio__Carl_Robinson_Vancouver_Whitecaps.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

1