Extratime

MLS Cup is set! Columbus and Portland took care of business on the road, which means the Red Bulls and FC Dallas have to wait until next year while MAPFRE Stadium hosts the big game. Crew SC hero Kei Kamara finally gets his studio invite and gives the guys the lowdown on post-game celebrations, expectations for the final, his in-game lovefest with Tony Tchani and much more.

Not to be forgotten, the Portland Timbers continued their torrid road form in 2015 to clinch their first MLS Western Conference championship. Matt, David and Andrew weigh in on how the Timbers got it done, and ask what lies ahead for RBNY and FC Dallas.

In the mailbag, the MLS Best XI debate rages on, and fans ask whether this the best/most exciting MLS Cup Playoffs ever?

Direct download: ETR_Nov30_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:19pm EDT

Thanksgiving is here, and Andrew, Matt and David are giving #ThanksToSoccer the only way they know how, with a full hour to get you through holiday travels.

First up, a massive game for the Red Bulls, who have a mountain to climb after last Sunday's 2-0 loss in Columbus. Crew SC should be feeling good...but not that good considering New York's home form. Then FC Dallas defender Zach Loyd pauses daddy duty to explain why the Western Conference's best regular-season team feels confident they're primed for a good performance in the second leg of their Conference Championship.

Portland's Nat Borchers, meanwhile, will do everything in his power to take the Timbers where they've never been before. MLS Cup, to be specific. He also gives his Thanksgiving meal preferences and shares a special off-the-field story from the first leg at Providence Park.

In the mailbag, the guys share what they are thankful for in North American soccer this year.

Direct download: ETR_Nov25_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:36pm EDT

The Chicago Fire are making moves, and general manager Nelson Rodriguez joins Andrew and David to talk about the latest hire: Veljko Paunovic as the club’s next head coach.

As you make your way to visit friends or family on Thanksgiving, get the lowdown on the situation in Chicago, including Rodriguez’s philosophy on Designated Players and a USL team in the Windy City.

Direct download: Nelson_Rod_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:34pm EDT

With long drives and flights ahead as you connect with friends and family on Thanksgiving, the guys at ExtraTime Radio knew you'd need something to occupy your time.

With that in mind, Andrew invited Philadelphia Union midfield Michael Lahoud to join him in the studio for a wide-ranging interview that reveals the hidden details that govern player life in MLS, the bizarro world of Chivas USA, international soccer in Africa and Schools for Salone and the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone.

Direct download: Lahoud_Special.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:56pm EDT

Three games remain in the 2015 MLS season, and the guys gather to break down how we got to this point after Sunday’s Conference Championship first legs. Up first, the Western Conference, where the Timbers put on a show without Diego Valeri and ran out 3-1 winners at home. Fox Sports pundit Alexi Lalas was at Providence Park and says Dallas still has plenty of room to muscle in on an MLS Cup experience.

Out East, Justin Meram threw a sucker punch heard from Columbus to New York then Kei Kamara did what he does best to make it 2-0 and give the Red Bulls a mountain to climb at home. What happened on the defensive breakdowns? Did Crew SC out Red Bull the Red Bulls? What’s the tactical landscape look like for the second leg?

In the mailbag, a Mexican legend is linked with the open Chicago Fire coaching job. David and Matt say it would be a good hire. What do you think? We have Fire swag for the best emails and tweets!

Direct download: ETR_Nov23_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:42pm EDT

The international break (and the wait for Audi MLS Cup Playoffs soccer) is over. We’re on the verge of the Conference Championships, which means Andrew’s on his way to MAPFRE Stadium for the first leg of the Columbus Crew SC-New York Red Bulls series. But before he left, the guys got on the phone with Kei Kamara, the most potent goalscorer left in the playoff race, to talk shop. Bad news for Red Bull fans: Andrew reminded Kei that he hasn’t scored against New York yet this season. David and Matt hold down the fort in studio and break down the upcoming (Sunday 5 pm ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes) matchup and the clash of soccer styles.

Out West, two of the most exciting young players in MLS prepare to lead their squads into a winner-take-all clash. Can the Timbers’ Darlington Nagbe continue to carry Portland to heights they’ve never hit before? Or will FC Dallas’ Mauro Diaz prove he is the most talented player in MLS, and make Doyle eat his words?

In the mailbag, the news never stops in MLS as Seattle and Chicago make big coaching announcements. Plus, the guys give a quick NCAA tournament primer, and look back at the World Cup qualifying results in CONCACAF.

Direct download: ETR_Nov19_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:42pm EDT

The United States national team flattened St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday night, but there are still plenty of questions to be answered. Who starts and in what formation when the Nats take the field in Port of Spain to take on Trinidad & Tobago in what will be their toughest test in CONCACAF’s Fourth Round? Andrew wonders whether Bobby Wood should be a shoo-in starter, and Matt praises Darlington Nagbe’s effect on the team. Not to be forgotten is the monumental victory up north by Canada against one-time boogieman Honduras. The guys look ahead to the CanMNT’s next match in San Salvador and the nation’s odds of qualifying for the Hex.

World Cup Qualifiers hum along, but don’t forget we are less than a week away from more Audi MLS Cup Playoffs action. Four teams enter the conference championships with their MLS Cup dreams intact. The guys look back on the offseason moves and regular-season performances got the Red Bulls, Crew SC, Timbers and FC Dallas to this point.

In the mailbag, the guys dive back into the ETR Book Club discussion as Matt weighs in on Das Reboot and explains what the US can borrow from World champion Germany. Plus, why aren’t there more Germans in MLS?

Direct download: ETR_Nov16_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:23pm EDT

The ExtraTime Radio Book Club is back with a wide-ranging interview with Raphael Honigstein, the author of Das Reboot: How German Soccer Reinvented Itself and Conquered the World.

Honigstein joins Andrew and David to explain how a critical eye and investment in youth development (and Jurgen Klinsmann) helped spark the revolution that took German soccer from doomsday to a World Cup victory.

Read the book? Email your review to extratime@mlssoccer.com.

Direct download: Das_reboot_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:41pm EDT

World Cup qualifying is hours away for the United States national team, and Andrew and Matt dive into CONCACAF’s Fourth Round with both studs up. Well, not really, but there is plenty to talk about as Jurgen Klinsmann and his charges get set to take on St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Will Darlington Nagbe play? Can the US find and stick with a formation? Oh, and do Canada fans have reason for Hex hope as a young squad gets ready for another go?

The rumor mill is churning in MLS, as SI.com’s Grant Wahl drops some midweek bombs regarding TAM, Gyasi Zardes, Robbie Keane’s future employment and Osvaldo Alonso’s status as a Seattle Sounder. Plus, Laurent Ciman is the Defender of the Year despite some blemishes on his resume, and AT&T Rookie of the Year Cyle Larin joins Andrew to reminisce about his record-breaking season.

In the mailbag, fans chime in about that epic FC Dallas-Seattle Sounders clash in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, then one gets some serious swag for a creative email that blends the MLS Best XI with the fans that rep each team.

Direct download: ETR_Nov_12_-_Sirius.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:37pm EDT

What started at 12 is down to four, and Matt and Andrew break down all the Conference Semifinal second leg action as the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs roll on. FC Dallas got revenge for last year’s postseason exit, dropping Seattle in penalty kicks with the help of 20-year-old goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez. Portland stand in their way after shrugging off listless Vancouver, while the other side of the bracket pits the Red Bulls and Columbus Crew SC. No big-money stars? No problem. Is that a trend?

New York City FC have their fair share of stars in Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa. They have a new head coach with similar credentials as a player in Patrick Vieira. Is he the right man for the job? Don’t write him off just yet. Plus, is Jurgen Klinsmann’s 23-man roster, sans Clint Dempsey, the right group to lead the United States national team into qualifying? Perhaps, at least it’s easy to get excited about Darlington Nagbe and Matt Miazga.

In the mailbag, a fan writes in with his Best XI. Do the guys agree? Yes and no.

Direct download: ETR_-_NOV_9.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:49pm EDT

On a slow Friday in the office, Andrew and Matt sit down to talk the latest US national team roster. The good? Darlington Nagbe and Matt Miazga are among the 23. The bad? No new blood at d-mid. Listen to the complete breakdown!

Direct download: ETR_short_USMNT.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:23pm EDT

Sunday means another quadrupleheader of MLS action. Andrew, David and Matt preview all the matchups, but first they turn a critical eye to New York City FC, where Jason Kreis is out after two years – just one actually in the league – in charge. Does the move make sense? The red side of New York appears to be in good hands with Jesse Marsch, but D.C. United are ready to spring an upset. See what Red Bulls midfield Felipe has to say about that and the growth of MLS. Plus, can Columbus prove their regular-season success was no fluke or will Didier Drogba run rampant?

In the Western Conference, FC Dallas have plenty to prove as well. They’ll have to do it against a Sounder side that’s finally starting to look like the juggernaut that wrecked MLS earlier in the year. Meanwhile, in Vancouver, the Whitecaps are still trying to find that April form. Portland, according to the guys, are the favorite, and Darlington Nagbe is the protagonist. Plus, MLS end-of-season awards: Who deserves hardware and why?

Mailbag brings news from France, where Bob Bradley is reportedly a candidate for another job. David tries to revive the Ronaldinho rumors, and a Timbers fan bemoans free tickets. Seriously.

Direct download: ETR_Nov5_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:01pm EDT

Sunday means another quadrupleheader of MLS action. Andrew, David and Matt preview all the matchups, but first they turn a critical eye to New York City FC, where Jason Kreis is out after two years – just one actually in the league – in charge. Does the move make sense? The red side of New York appears to be in good hands with Jesse Marsch, but D.C. United are ready to spring an upset. See what Red Bulls midfield Felipe has to say about that and the growth of MLS. Plus, can Columbus prove their regular-season success was no fluke or will Didier Drogba run rampant?

In the Western Conference, FC Dallas have plenty to prove as well. They’ll have to do it against a Sounder side that’s finally starting to look like the juggernaut that wrecked MLS earlier in the year. Meanwhile, in Vancouver, the Whitecaps are still trying to find that April form. Portland, according to the guys, are the favorite, and Darlington Nagbe is the protagonist. Plus, MLS end-of-season awards: Who deserves hardware and why?

Mailbag brings news from France, where Bob Bradley is reportedly a candidate for another job. David tries to revive the Ronaldinho rumors, and a Timbers fan bemoans free tickets. Seriously.

Direct download: ETR_Nov5_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:01pm EDT

One leg down, one to go in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinals. Andrew, David and Matt go around the league to breakdownSunday’s postseason quad-header. They start in Seattle, where FC Dallas got a road goal but couldn’t keep Clint Dempsey from a moment of glory that may wipe his Sounders slate clean. Seattle Times reporter Matt Pentz gives his take and provides an injury update, then the guys hand the Timbers the edge against Vancouver then chat with Oregonian’s Jamie Goldberg.

Out in the Eastern Conference, Didier Drogba finally came back down to earth against Crew SC, but the Impact still found a way to win. MLSoccer.com’s own Oli Tremblay joins to talk Drogba leg locks, Patrice Bernier’s resurgence and the vibe in Quebec. D.C. United beat writer Pablo Maurer follows that up by pointing out the capital club’s desolate performance might have been by plan. Was the Red Bulls 1-0 win enough to advance? Only time will tell. 

In the mailbag, the GAM has officially retired, and the guys ponder what Eddie Johnson’s legacy will be. Jermaine Jones isn’t done, but he may have a new team. What does the man himself have to say? Plus, Chicago Fire coaching candidates get Doyle in negotiator mode.

Direct download: ETR_Nov2_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:16pm EDT

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