Mon, 31 August 2015
The guys gather to break down Heineken Rivalry Week, starting with an Atlantic Cup clash that saw the Red Bulls run over a D.C. United squad that's beginning to grow concerned about their current form. In Toronto, the Reds squeaked past the Didier Drogba-less Impact, a result that was the final nail in the coffin for Frank Klopas in Montreal. Mauro Biello is taking over on an interim basis, and RDS' Pat Leduc joins the guys to explain what's going on behind the scenes with the Impact. Plus, Seattle won by the skin of their teeth much to the chagrin of Caleb Porter, and San Jose have now won four straight after a California Clasico win vs. the Galaxy. Of course, there was plenty of action outside of Heineken Rivalry Week, most notably in the Bronx, where New York City FC lost to Columbus Crew SC and Jason Kreis questioned his team's commitment. Colorado won again to keep their playoff hopes alive, Vancouver lost for the ninth time in nine games in Texas and Fabian Castillo scored then got a Colombia call-up. Speaking of international duty, David and Andrew break down the US national team roster that includes a mixture of World Cup and Gold Cup stars. In the mailbag, a listener wonders what Kei Kamara would have to do to win MVP, the guys sift through more Timbers-Sounders stories, a San Jose fan bemoans all the Steven Gerrard jerseys at Avaya Stadium and David solicits random MLS sightings in world soccer. |
Thu, 27 August 2015
Heineken Rivalry Week is upon us, but first the guys break down all the midweek action from the MLS regular season, Canadian Championship and CONCACAF Champions League. First up, an unexpected loss for the Red Bulls that confirmed Simon’s hot take on the Fire from Monday’s show. But what about that corner kick? PRO says no good, but Dave’s not so sure. While that was going down, the Vancouver Whitecaps lifted a cup and sealed their place in the CCL. Speaking of CCL, which MLS teams are positioned best to advance to the knockout stage? The weekend gets started with a classic, a Cali Clasico to be specific. Both teams are hot, but can San Jose really knock off the high-flying Galaxy? Then, on Saturday, Canada gets in on the act, as Toronto host Montreal in a matchup of two playoff hopefuls. The Impact need wins, but will they have Didier Drogba to help them get one? Soccer Sunday is the main course, and the Seattle Times’ Matt Pentz and Fox Sports’ John Strong break down #SEAvPOR and #NYvDC. In the mailbag, the guys give away the Cascadia Crazy 8s from adidas and ponder the future of the Copa Centenario. Plus, which team is being pitched as “Showtime on Grass?” |
Mon, 24 August 2015
There’s still plenty to play for in the 2015 season, but can the new-look LA Galaxy be stopped? After the overwhelming display by the defending champions against New York City FC, Simon is ready to call them locks for MLS Cup 2015 except that David, Ben and Arielle aren’t taking the bait. The gang breaks down every matchup from a busy Week 25 in MLS: Drogba’s debut, to Toronto’s Jozy-less domination, San Jose’s reversing fortunes, and lots more.
In the second segment, David, Simon, and Arielle preview the upcoming midweek action highlighted by the Amway Canadian Championship second leg final. Can Vancouver finally break their tournament curse and win their first Voyagers Cup? Plus, we preview the two MLS midweek matches and the CCL group games on tap for this week as the Sounders and Brad Evans prepare for their rematch with Olimpia in Honduras.
And in the mailbag: another FIFA head-scratcher, Sounders fans take issue with Simon Borg (surprise) and what works best for the development of young players? Star players or experienced coaches?
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Thu, 20 August 2015
Poku-mania finally touches down in the ETR studio as the man himself joins the gang for the first time. Kwadwo discusses his run of form, the man who discovered him in the NPSL ranks (Eric Wynalda) and the advice that he’s getting from the other NYCFC stars. And we go from the player of the moment, to the result that has everyone talking: Right after Andrew calls them the best team in the league, Sporting Kansas City are humbled by the San Jose Earthquakes in midweek. Plus Simon asks how fans would react if the tables were turned in the case of the Brad Evans-Olimpia CCL brouhaha.
In the second segment, we look forward to a busy MLS weekend with plenty of questions. Is the West superior to the East as Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson claims? Who would you take: Kekuta Manneh or Fabian Castillo? Can NYCFC hang with the LA Galaxy on Sunday? And then there’s the big Didier Drogba debut happening on Saturday night. MLSsoccer.com's Montreal Impact beat writer Olivier Tremblay sets the scene ahead of the sold-out match at Stade Saputo.
In the mailbag, it’s your time to DJ as David goes through the top responses on MLS club anthems. Plus what do you need in your Appalachian Trail survival pack? Apparently a little bit of ETR and much more fun. |
Mon, 17 August 2015
After a goal- and drama-packed weekend of the MLS action, the gang jumps in the studio to break it all down, starting with Sporting Kansas City’s historic comeback against the Whitecaps. Philadelphia, meanwhile, were on the other end of a see-saw match with Chicago that left one player bemoaning their lack of maturity. Plus, Robbie Keane is trying to weasel his way into the MVP race, Kaka’s gone missing, the Red Bulls rolled Toronto FC and Seattle and #TeamOba are back in business. In the second segment, D.C. United defensive stalwarts Bobby Boswell and Steve Birnbaum sit down with Andrew for a wide-ranging interview that includes the guys’ thoughts on Instant Replay and MLS refereeing, epic trash talkers, ideal MLS dinner partners and Targeted Allocation Money. Don’t miss it. In the mailbag, a listener wonders what MLS’ most interesting XI would look like, a D.C. fan gets some swag and the guys try to come up with theme songs for all 20 MLS clubs. |
Thu, 13 August 2015
The battle for domestic cup silverware hit the final stretch on Wednesday. In Canada, the Impact and Whitecaps battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw that sets up winner-take-all match at BC Place at the end of the month. Down south, the Union booked their second straight US Open Cup final appearance. They’ll take on Sporting KC, and Philly captain Maurice Edu joins the guys to talk Meek Mill, Lamborghinis and the club’s playoff chances. In the second segment, the guys turn their focus to the MLS weekend. Are Colorado on the right track with their most recent signings? Can Toronto FC deal with the Red Bulls’ pressure after wilting against Sporting KC? Gio-mania in Dallas? Finally, are the Sounders set to turn things around after eight losses in nine? GM and president of soccer Garth Lagerwey says yes following a massive talent influx. Another fight involving a CONCACAF manager? This time it’s Costa Rica’s Paulo Wanchope, and the news prompts Andrew to share an embarrassing story from Brazil. |
Mon, 10 August 2015
MLS Week 23 was full of drama, and the guys jump right in with the NYC derby, a game Red Bulls fans likely won’t let their blue-clad counterparts forget for a long, long time. Plus, Giovani Dos Santos made his MLS debut – goal and an assist, no big deal – and the Whitecaps rolled to within two points of D.C. United in the Supporters’ Shield race. MLS’ most interesting man, ‘Caps centerback Pa Modou Kah, calls in to discuss his newfound knack for goals, fellow Gambian Kekuta Manneh and life in Qatar. In the second segment, the guys take a look at a trio of midweek games with silverware (or at least the opportunity to play in a final) at stake. That’d be the first leg of the Canadian Championship between Montreal and Vancouver and a pair of US Open Cup semifinals. MLS pool goalkeeper turned Sporting KC standout Tim Melia joins the guys to share his story of perseverance. In the mailbag, an Orlando fan wonders if Mike Petke has been forgotten, Adrian Heath’s lineup choices are questioned and Toronto FC’s American contingent grows. |
Thu, 6 August 2015
The gang is back on a wild Deadline Day in MLS. Follow along with the guys as moves come down the pike as the deadline approaches, and get their take on the transfer window that was. Which was the biggest move? Andrew says Giovani dos Santos takes the cake and LA Galaxy associate head coach Dave Sarachan calls in to give the guys a taste of the hoopla on the ground. It may take awhile for some signings to gel, but there's no time to rest in MLS with another packed weekend on the horizon and New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga joins the guys ahead of the NYC derby. Find out what his international future holds, why people made fun of his goal celebration at Yankee Stadium and what career dreams he holds dear. In the mailbag, Timmy Chandler hears some tough words from his manager, and Tim Ream might be on the move in England. Plus, how should floppers who fake injury be punished and did the Sounders have reason to cry foul about the 'Caps' selfie celebrations? |
Mon, 3 August 2015
Monday means a rotating cast, with Ben ‘The Researcher’ Baer up first to help Andrew and David break down a wild, goal-heavy Week 22! Andrea Pirlo started for the first time and Frank Lampard made his debut off the bench, but NYCFC still lost. What gives? Then D.C. United and RSL combined for 10 goals in a match that left Ben Olsen hoarse before Orlando City dropped a nickel on Columbus. Speaking of the Lions, history maker Cyle Larin calls in to talk Kaka, Canada and Rookie of the Year honors. Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about the rest of the weekend. Nick Rosano jumps in to break down THAT red card on Jozy Altidore, New York’s brotherly love and a comparison between the airport mobs that greeted Didier Drogba and Giovani Dos Santos on arrival. Oh, and CONCACAF Champions League starts on Tuesday. Which MLS team is best equipped to make a run? In the mailbag, Aron Johannsson’s flirtation with Real Salt Lake starts the conversation before another tough weekend for US national team centerbacks comes to the fore. Plus, which MLS players would you put in your foot gold twosome? |