Mon, 30 January 2017
Last week was an ExtraTime Extravaganza – seriously, go back and listen to all five shows if you haven’t already – but that doesn’t mean the guys don’t have something special planned for you on Monday. The Armchair Analyst is back after a month-long absence, and he’s ready to make up for lost time! First, that scoreless draw in San Diego that saw the national team put weeks of training to the test against Serbia. It wasn’t always pretty, especially in the final third, but Doyle says there were some positives and David wonders whether we should just accept that Darlington Nagbe might be better suited to the No. 8. Plus, who won Round 1 of the US playmaker competition between Sacha Kljestan and Benny Feilhaber? There aren’t any games just yet, but there’s still plenty to talk about in MLS as team-building for 2017 continues. The big news is out in LA, where reports have the Galaxy landing a DP winger that could change the face of the Western Conference. Andrew catches you up on the comings and goings, then the guys dive into the transactions page to try to decide on the single biggest MLS signing of the offseason. Miguel Almiron? Those Fire DPs? The young target forward FC Dallas just beat big-time competition to sign? How about Alberth Rusnak at Real Salt Lake? On the flip side, what about biggest losses? Does Dax McCarty fall in that category? How about Jermaine Jones or Kevin Molino? Someone else’s gain is someone’s loss… In the mailbag, the guys start the Steve Zakuani for Comeback Player of the Year bandwagon and Doyle gives everyone an update on Freddy Adu’s preseason cameo against the Red Bulls. |
Fri, 27 January 2017
It's been a long week, but thanks to the ExtraTime Radio Extravaganza there's still one more show to get you through to the weekend. A decade ago, Orlando City's Jason Kreis traded his cleats for a clipboard (and an avalanche of responsibilities he wasn't quite ready for). The Lions boss joins Andrew and David for a wide-ranging conversation that covers the stress of coaching, the lessons he's learned with Real Salt Lake, New York City FC and now in Central Florida, and how he nearly quit the profession early on until his wife intervened. Plus, insight into the future of Orlando City, that sparkling new stadium and the squad he hopes will help the club push into the playoffs for the first time. Enjoy the show? There's plenty more where that came from. This week was an ExtraTime Radio Extravaganza. Five shows, five days, five exclusive one-v-one interviews with MLS coaches. |
Thu, 26 January 2017
Three days after they broke down the Eastern Conference, the guys turn their attention to the West. After the news of the day – Hot Boy Molino to Minnesota?! – of course. Andrew and Dave dive in to tell you the Western Conference moves you should care about, the holes that need filling, the reasons for optimism and the biggest questions facing the 11 team are fighting for six playoff spots. Have a take? Hot or cold, leave it in the comments section or hit us up on Twitter! Enjoy the show? There's more where that came from. This week is an ExtraTime RadioExtravaganza. Five shows, five days, five exclusive one-v-one interviews with MLS coaches. Check out Monday's show, a team-by-team Eastern Conference whiparound as preseason begins, then move on to Tuesday's special with Dominic Kinnear (SJ) on the time he won a title in Mexico and Mauro Biello (MTL) explaining how he managed Didier Drogba. Don't forget there is also a Texas Derby edition with Wilmer Cabrera (HOU) and Oscar Pareja (DAL), and finally Friday's finale with Jason Kreis (ORL), who tells the guys how his wife kept him in the coaching game when he wanted to quit. |
Wed, 25 January 2017
The ExtraTime Radio Extravaganza rolls on with a Texas Derby edition of the show featuring new Houston Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera and FC Dallas boss Oscar Pareja, who are now on opposite sides of the rivalry after decades of friendship. A legend in Colombia for his time with the national team and as a star in the domestic league, Pareja dishes about his playing days, how Dallas became his home, what the future of the club looks like and what he hopes for his own son, a member of the academy from which FCD plucks future stars. Don't assume Papi is the only one with a star-studded playing career. Cabrera was Pareja's peer and equal back in the day, and he joins the guys ahead of his first season as head coach of the Dynamo after being promoted from within. So how did he land the job? How did the club land Alberth Elis and the other Central and South American stars set to populate the line? What does Cubo need to do in order jump start his career? Give it a listen and let us know what you think in the comments section below! Enjoy the show? There's more where that came from. This week is an ExtraTime Radio Extravaganza. Five shows, five days, five exclusive one-v-one interviews with MLS coaches. Check out Monday's show, a team-by-team Eastern Conference whiparound as preseason begins, then move on to Tuesday's special with Dominic Kinnear (SJ) on the time he won a title in Mexico and Mauro Biello (MTL) explaining how he managed Didier Drogba. Don't forget there is also a comprehensive Western Conference primer coming on Thursday followed by Friday's finale with Jason Kreis (ORL), who tells the guys how his wife kept him in the coaching game when he wanted to quit. |
Tue, 24 January 2017
Andrew and David sit down with both Dominic Kinnear and Mauro Biello to cover a range of topics. Dom tells the guy about San Jose's new GM, his first years in coaching, and all about his time at Necaxa.
Mauro Biello talks about the TFC playoff series, dealing with star players, coaching in his hometown and more. |
Mon, 23 January 2017
Get ready for a massive week of ExtraTime Radio, maybe the biggest ever, as the extravaganza begins. Five shows, five days, five exclusive one-v-one interviews with MLS coaches. On Tuesday, hear from Dom Kinnear (San Jose) and Mauro Biello (MTL). Wednesday is an all-Texas special with Wilmer Cabrera (HOU) and Oscar Pareja (DAL). Friday's finale features Jason Kreis (ORL) explaining how his wife kept him in the coaching game. What's the occasion, you ask? Preseason 2017 has officially begun, of course, as teams gathered on Monday for physicals. The guys get in the swing of things by taking a long, hard look at the Eastern Conference picture. Andrew and Dave dive in to tell you the moves you should care about, the holes that need filling, the reasons for optimism and the biggest questions facing the 11 team are fighting for six playoff spots. In the mailbag, big changes are coming to the CONCACAF Champions League. What do they mean for MLS teams? Does it change the task at hand, namely knocking off Mexican opposition? Is it a good thing for the region? |
Thu, 19 January 2017
With Dave and Matt hanging on the West Coast, Andrew and Ben jump in the studio to run over the week's headlines. Front and center are the LA Galaxy, who wasted no time stocking up after trading A.J. DeLaGarza on SuperDraft day. The ink is finally dry on Jermaine Jones' contract, but it's the 23-year-old Portuguese midfielder LA used TAM to sign who really has the guys riled up. In New York, the Red Bulls' front office appears to be in a state of flux, but does that mean the project is dead? Andrew says no way. Meanwhile, with training camp just days away, which teams have the biggest holes to fill. Ever wonder what MLS was like in 1996? Sporting Kansas City manager and technical director Peter Vermes has first-hand experience. The MLS lifer joined Andrew Wiebe and David Gass for a special ExtraTime Radio segment (WATCH) from Manhattan Beach, Calif., ahead of the MLS SuperDraft. Listen to Vermes tell some throwback stories about life in the early days of the league, then detail the recent offseason moves in Kansas City that he hopes will return the club to the very top of the MLS pyramid. In the mailbag, the guys give the Jonathan Spector-to-MLS reports a vote of confidence, wonder whether Dom Dwyer can break into the US national team and imagine a world in which all PK shootouts were conducted by the old-school MLS rules. |
Mon, 16 January 2017
With Andrew back on the east coast David Gass and Calen Carr carry a show with huge trade news. The captain of the New York Red Bulls is headed to Chicago the guys break down how the Red Bulls move forward, and the potential for Chicago. They also look at AJ DeLaGarza's move to Houston and winners and losers of the SuperDraft. Plus Calen gives Minnesota fans the inside scoop on their number one pick.
In the second segment Andrew and David sit down with LAFC Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations John Thorrington in his hometown. The guys discuss potential LAFC signings, coaching rumors (Bob Bradley?!), stadium details, and so much more.
In the mailbag everyone wants to know about expansion to California so David turns to NorCal native Calen to break it down. |
Thu, 12 January 2017
Andrew, Matt, David, and Sam Stejskal preview and break down the first ten picks of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. |
Thu, 12 January 2017
The Combine is over. The scouting is done. The player interviews, too. Now, all that's left is for MLS Commissioner Don Garber to take the stage and put Minnesota United on the clock. Andrew, Matt and David have been there for it all, even the hotel lobby bartering that could see the draft order change before and during Friday's MLS SuperDraft. So have Sigi Schmid and Sam Stejskal. All five take turns giving their expert opinions on the players vying to be picked by 22 MLS teams in the first two rounds. Want Combine winners and losers? Done. How about the consensus top five prospects? Uh huh. That's not all, either. Atlanta United movers and shakers Darren Eales and Carlos Bocanegra stopped by as well to chat with Andrew about Year 1. Are they changing the lay of the land when it comes to Designated Players? How has Tata Martino changed the way they think and operate? How'd Bocanegra get the job in the first place? What's that first game going to be like? It's must-listen stuff. In the mailbag, Sam gives the lowdown on Jesse Marsch's Austria trip and Brad Guzan's likely summer arrival, and a listener digs up the all-name team for soccer clubs around the world. Not satisfied with ETR's full SuperDraft preview? Listen to specials featuring Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath and a special Mock Draft edition before the action starts at 3 pm ET, all streamed live on MLSsoccer.com. |
Thu, 12 January 2017
With 24 hours left until Minnesota United FC are on the SuperDraft clock, Adrian Heath joins the guys for a wide-ranging interview that’s a must-listen ahead of the big day.
Which prospects are standing out in the Combine? How close was Heath to returning to England after his time in Orlando ended? What was it like to coach his son in the pros? What’s his new life like in Minnesota? Has he slept at all – not really – as the Loons race to put their first-ever MLS roster together?
As usual, Heath is refreshingly honest, especially when it comes to what makes a good MLS player, how he wants his Minnesota team to play and what fans should expect come March 3 in Portland.
Check back for a full SuperDraft preview later on Thursday, including a sitdown with Atlanta United’s Carlos Bocanegra and Darren Eales, plus more interviews from the Combine!
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Mon, 9 January 2017
You can't beat the MLS silly season -- unless you're anti-fun, of course. As the MLS SuperDraft rapidly approaches, the guys gather in Manhattan Beach to break down the end of the Fabian Castillo era, a puzzling TAM signing by the Union, Designated Player rumors in LA, Sporting KC's drive to get younger and more athletic on the wings and some roster shuffling in Portland. That's just the beginning, too. The Rapids are reportedly searching for a winger in Norway, Orlando's central midfield could get even more crowded, Minnesota keep building and the Fire are linked to a perfect partner for Juninho. Oh, and what's this about Frank Lampard to LA or Orlando? In case you couldn’t tell, the guys are living the Cali lifestyle thanks to the 2017 MLS Player Combine -- be sure to tune into the streams on Tuesday and Thursday at MLSsoccer.com -- and Day 1 is already in the books. Who were the winners? Who has work to do? Sam Stejskal tags in to help analyze the 2017 draft class and pass on some knowledge gleaned from coaches and front-office folks. Is the top three set? And who could move up or down? Your insider insight into the Combine and SuperDraft is right here. In the mailbag, Andrew's get a pronunciation lesson, Doyle breaks down Harold Cummings' starting prospects for the Quakes and the guys ponder USMNT January camp snubs. |
Thu, 5 January 2017
Guess who’s back? After a few weeks to recharge their batteries over the holidays, Andrew and David sit down in the aquarium to try to wrap their heads around everything that’s happened in MLS as clubs prepare for the MLS Combine and SuperDraft. Hint: It’s an awful lot.
First up, Minnesota United FC got Batman (Miguel Ibarra) and Superman (Christian Ramirez) back together as the attack begins to take shape. San Jose, meanwhile, finally has a general manager, but you probably won’t recognize his name. Yeah, but what about Designated Players, you say? Sporting KC and Crew SC snagged one apiece and it looks like Real Salt Lake are on the brink of signing a European No. 10 as well. And that’s just the beginning, because Houston appears to be killing it, Fabian Castillo’s fate is in the balance, the Fire are making moves, Seattle are reloading and plenty more is floating around as the transfer window opens.
In the second segment, it’s all Combine, SuperDraft and Bruce Arena’s first-ever (well, this time, anyway) US national team camp. David gives his take on the crop of Generation adidas and college senior signings, and points out the possible difference makers who’ll hope to impress teams in Los Angeles. Then the guys break down the 32-player squad called in by Arena in the lead up to the first national team games of 2017. Snubs? Not many, but that’s because there are some many interesting names among the all-MLS group.
Mailbag provides a platform to congratulate Mike Magee for a brilliant career, dissect Bob Bradley’s brief EPL tenure and identify the quietest team in the player market so far this offseason. |