Extratime Radio

Minnesota dominates the headlines after Wednesday's MLS expansion announcement, and the guys go straight to the source with Minnesota United FC President Nick Rogers and resident Minnesota superfan/soccer writer Bruce McGuire (DuNord). What's the next stadium step? What about that logo and the loon? Who are their prospective rivals? It's all here. Of course, there is plenty of US national team and MLS action to discuss as well. Simon claims he wishes he was a Dane (or a Danish?) as the guys search for positives after another late collapse from the Yanks. On the MLS front, it is a packed weekend with a series of high-profile matchups on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. In the mailbag, the guys consider Xavi’s potential fit in the NYCFC midfield, and look at two of the best attacking acquisitions of the offseason.

Week 3 is in the books and there is only one perfect team left standing. Simon and David chat with FC Dallas goal scorer Ryan Hollingshead about his league-leading side, the reasons for his year-long hiatus from the sport and his battle to get back into the pro soccer ranks. Plus the guys break down the opening of Avaya stadium in San Jose, the Cameron Porter injury, and more. On top of all the MLS action this weekend, the US Soccer Federation dropped not one, not two, but three national team rosters on us. The guys chat with ASN/NY Times writer Brian Sciaretta, who is en route to Denmark, about the USMNT and the U23/U20 squad selections. They go over the surprises, the snubs, and the controversies -- Julian Green is back. There is also the small matter of a major MLS announcement in Minnesota to look forward to as well as another Colorado Rapids Designated Player on the horizon. Simon and David dust off their crystal ball for segment three: Will Kevin Doyle be the goal-scoring savior the Rapids have been sea

Week 3 is here (they come thick and fast, right?) and a new soccer-specific stadium is set to open in San Jose. On Sunday, the Earthquakes will welcome Avaya Stadium to the club with a matchup against the Chicago Fire (7 pm ET, Fox Sports 1). Club president Dave Kaval joins the guys to take construction, perks and the future. Oh, and there are plenty of other games to preview as well. Of course, Montreal made the biggest news of the week, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the CONCACAF Champions League after a massive home result. Can they finish the job in Costa Rica? Simon isn't so sure. We do know that USL kicks off this weekend, though, and president Jake Edwards joins to preview the biggest season in league history.

Week 2 in MLS had everything: incredible goals, unlikely comebacks, late drama and controversial calls. Down a man, Simon and David attempt to digest all the action. The guys discuss their experiences at the NYCFC opener and the team's ability to capture the imagination of NYC in their first week in town. They also break down the incredible drama that unfolded in Portland and Seattle this weekend, before chatting with PK save hero Chris Seitz of 1st-place FC Dallas. Even with MLS revving along, there's still a massive CCL semifinal first leg coming up on Wednesday. Montreal Impact beat writer Olivier Tremblay stops by to talk about the buzz and expectations in the city ahead of the match, as well as some necessary tactical changes the Impact could be making. Lastly, the guys react to the Minnesota expansion developments, and discuss the possibility of the AT&T All-Star Game going to a league-only format.

Andrew, Simon, and David preview the weekend with the people that matter most: the fans! Third Rail president Chance Michaels calls in from work to serenade Simon with some NYCFC chants and explain what’s on tap for Sunday. The guys also break down the match vs. New England, and give their takes on Portland and Orlando’s center-forward conundrums. Not to be outdone by their Eastern Conference brethren, a member of Vancouver Whitecaps supporters group “The Southsiders” stops by to preview their matchup. But it’s not just any member, it’s Kristy Olychick, who flipped the bird in Jozy Altidore’s face last weekend, a gesture felt around MLS. The guys finish up by breaking down the rest of the weekend’s games, then debate who got the toughest Gold Cup group. In the mailbag, the legal battle begins as an ETR fan/attorney chimes in about Simon’s copyright claim to the “ScoreBorg” (not like it’s every going to happen anyway). Finally, the guys consider what kind of ETR memorabilia might take the marketplace by storm.

There was ecstasy (and some pain) across the US and Canada this weekend. Why? Because MLS is back. So whether you’re feeling up or down about your club's 2015 fate after a jam-packed slate of games, Andrew, Simon, and David are ready to break it all down. The guys start off with the historic expansion derby in front of 62,000 fans in Orlando, and president and part owner Phil Rawlins (interview starts at 8:01 mark) stops by to discuss his emotions from Sunday, and the club's plans for major crowds. Of course, we have discuss the return of Seattle’s two-headed monster as well as Matt Besler’s best Aurelin Collin impersonation. Plus, questions arise about the career path of budding American star Jose Villarreal, and Simon makes a bold claim about the on-field production of Mix Diskerud’s hair this season. And obviously there's a discussion to be had about Toronto FC following their impressive opening day victory in Vancouver.In the mailbag, the debate heats up about whether fans can feel good about selecting ri

The season is here and it’s impossible not to feel the excitement. After an offseason of rumors, drafts and scuttlebutt, it’s game time and Andrew, Simon, and David leave no stone unturned while breaking down EVERY opening weekend matchup. All the top story lines are covered: Kaka vs. Villa, Canada’s East and West Coasts go at it, the LA Galaxy move on without Landon, and so much more. Also, start getting used to the new match schedule because Friday and Sunday nights are locked in for MLS. In the mailbag, Simon forces the guys to nail down their MLS Cup and MVP picks. There are a few surprises there, and you’re sure to be shocked by what bodily fluid one of our fans thinks Simon is picking for the 2015 Landon Donovan MVP. Go ahead, give us your MLS Cup prediction in the poll! Don't forget to join the ETR fantasy league (click here to join the league or use code 1183-524), and send your Week 1 comments for discussion on Monday's show. Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio.

AGAINST ALL ODDS   One final preseason matchday remains on Saturday and then all eyes turn toward the start of the 2015 regular season on Friday, March 6. And there is already some big news that impacts that first match between the LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire (10 pm ET, UniMas). David and Simon sink their teeth into that as well as the Montreal Impact's shocking result in the Champions League. Meanwhile, the expansion teams continue to grab headlines and a rivalry ranking survey has supporters talking. What will it take for NYCFC vs. RBNY to be as big as RBNY vs. DC?On the international front, there's a big meeting coming up involving the officials who establish the rules of the game around the world. One of the proposals they're considering is a fourth sub in extratime. But does the idea even make sense? We spoke to a professor who's an expert on the substitution rule and authored a research paper on the topic: Villanova professor and an analytics consultant for Toronto FC, Bret Myers (READ HIS PAPER HERE).It

The MLS preseason has never offered a weekend richer in talking points. We delve into a few of the meatier topics on this episode: Should MLS rivals face off this close to the regular season (Portland vs. Vancouver)? Should teams that play on opening weekend meet two weeks before, even in an exhibition (NYCFC vs. Orlando City)? Should rookies have to put up with innocent rites of initiation (Whitecaps)? And should LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane have to pass the armband on to Steven Gerrard when he joins the team in the summer? We move on to the matches that count for real in segment two and the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals which will see two MLS sides in action. Pachuca and Alajuelense expert Eddie Mendez gives you the lowdown on the teams that stand in the way of a potential all-MLS semifinal between Montreal and DC United. Also, is there less buzz around CCL compared to years past? If so, is it justified?  No mailbag today, but we replace it with a topic of discussion most soccer avids

Who won and who lost the MLS offseason? Did your team’s moves come out on top or has your club just not done enough. One of the top pickups of the offseason isn’t an MLS newbies, it is league veteran Roger Espinoza. He stops by to discuss his return to Kansas City, wedding gifts for Dom Dwyer, and his time in England.   In the second segment the guys jump into their time machine as they begin to worry about how the 2022 winter World Cup will affect the MLS season. What would you do to fit the season in? And is a 48-team World Cup in two different countries in the cards?    In the mailbag we get a chance to hear who goes on your US Soccer “Mount Rushmore” or if there should even be one. Plus the guys dole out advice to their friend on who he should bring with him to the USA-Mexico friendly. And to close out Simon gets your mouth drooling with his favorite Maltese delicacies (hint: Bugs Bunny won’t be a fan.)   Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio.

The season is rapidly approaching, but first come the preseason tournaments. Andrew is headed to Charleston. Where is the best February vacation for MLS fans? And what should folks be looking for at home? Expect an improvement in Colorado. That's based on the guys' conversation with Rapids Sporting Director Padraig Smith, who is at the forefront of the performance analytics movement. In the second segment, the USMNT and USSF get the spotlight. First, after the Hall of Fame inductions, who would go on your American soccer Mount Rushmore. Then, are you seriously still talking about fitness? Yep, as Jurgen Klinsmann "clarified" things on Monday. Finally, Julian Green finds himself in a tough situation. That can't be good. We finish off with the mailbag, in which Simon goes off the rails, David gets a shot at running things and Andrew doles out advice to yet more fans with identity issues. Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio.

It’s expansion fever on the latest edition hosted by Greg Lalas subbing in for Andrew, who caught more than just a fever. The guys glow about NYCFC’s Barcelona-esqe preseason opener and then talk to Orlando City midfielder Amobi Okugo, who takes us into Kaka-mania, the OCSC locker and more. Plus there’s Landon Donovan’s engagement and Toronto FC’s “armband-gate.”   In the second segment it’s all about FIFA and the US national team. There’s another FIFA controversy and this time it involves the breaking news about the 2026 World Cup TV rights and the Under-20 World Cup draw, as the US learned its opponents. Also would Jurgen Klinsmann leave the USA national team for the Aston Villa job?   We finish off with the mailbag and a dramatic turn of events: Simon is back in the listeners’ good graces. And this time it’s Greg’s turn to give supporting advance to conflicted supporters.   Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio.  

January camp is over, but that doesn't mean we're done talking about it. This time, though, the discussion centers around a 2-0 victory against Panama that saw Gyasi Zardes prove he belongs, Clint Dempsey do his thing and Michael Bradley notch an olimpico. What you really want to know is what Simon thinks of Miguel Ibarra's performance, and ETR's resident hot-take expert doesn't disappoint. In the second segment, the spotlight turns to MLS, where injuries and signings stole the headlines on Monday. Why is Jermaine Jones having surgery? What's wrong with Eddie Johnson? Who is this centerback the Union just signed? Finally, San Jose boss Dominic Kinnear joins the guys to talk homecomings, DPs and Jurgen Klinsmann. In the mailbag, listeners wonder if Simon soiled himself making noises on the last show, and the conversation, predictably, turns to jam's place in history. Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio.

With MLS still getting into the swing of things, Jurgen Klinsmann and the US national team are stealing all the headlines as the Americans winless streak starts to get attention. Klinsmann says fitness is to blame for a 3-2 loss against Chile, but what about the game before that? The guys dig and talk it through. Could the USMNT boss' job be in trouble if the slide continues? Opinions are split. In the second segment, it's all MLS all the time. In Toronto, Giovinco arrived at the airport to a massive welcome party? When has that happened before? And, more importantly, will he finish the 2015 season as the league's biggest star? Or will Kaka take that title? Or David Villa? Or Steven Gerrard? Maybe Frank Lampard? You get the picture. Plus, which MLS rumors are bogus and which have a grain of truth? In the mailbag, the guys decide a US Open Cup bracket has to go on the to-do list, wonder about the Rapids' new signings and ponder Julian Green's future career in MLS. Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet u

The big news in MLS on Monday revolved around Designated Players, those coming and going. Tim Cahill is gone after agreeing to terminate his contract with the Red Bulls. What will his MLS legacy be? Giovinco, meanwhile, is coming, leaving Juventus early to get his Toronto FC career started ASAP. Farther north, Impact boss Frank Klopas is looking for a striker of his own. Will it be a DP? Can he lead Montreal to a Liga MX upset in CCL? In the second segment, Columbus Crew SC winger Justin Meram joins the guys to tell stories from the Asian Cup. Iraq and Meram made it to the semifinals before bowing out, but they got the rockstar treatment all tournament from more than a million Iraqi fans in Australia. What's next for Meram at the international level? What did he take away from the whirlwind experience? In the mailbag, a listener revisits the Ronaldinho conundrum as the magic one wears out his welcome at Queretaro and Simon gets called a hypocrite. You'll have to listen to find out how he reacted. Email us at

Look, a real life guest! Real Salt Lake technical director Craig Waibel stops by the studio in the second segment to talk about his transition from rugged defender to front-office executive.   First, though, the guys dissect the blockbuster trade between Montreal and New York with former part-time ETR host (and current full-time New York Red Bulls head coach) Jesse Marsch. They also break down the other moves in MLS circles and wonder whether Juan Agudelo makes the New England Revolution preseason MLS Cup favorites.   In the second segment, the guys react to the USA-Chile match. Does the 3-5-2 experiment have a future? They also touch on Bobby Wood’s future and Jozy Altidore's MLS potential. Then Craig Waibel braves a face-to-face with Andrew, Simon and David to discuss his new role, RSL’s roster, Real Monarchs and the nobility of going with a shaved-head look.   In the mailbag, Gassman makes an appeal for help recording the number of soccer matches he watches in a year, Simon demands David stop making deman

The MLS offseason isn't going to slow down for a little snow at the league office, and the guys talk Tim Cahill, Laurent Ciman's last moments with Standard Liege, Toronto FC and Simon Borg survival techniques before the Chicago Fire's newest DP, Shaun Maloney, joins following his first-ever training session with the club. In the second segment, it's all United States all the time. First, the U-20s bucked a terrible start at the CONCACAF U-20 Championships to qualify for the World Cup. Who might have a senior team career in front of them? And speaking of the senior team, who should start against Chile? Will Jurgen Klinsmann play a 3-5-2? In the mailbag, a Minnesota for MLS supporter chimes in, club loyalties are debated and Simon's role model is honored ... without Borg in attendance. 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!

First things first, the guys mourn the departure of former host and friend Nick Firchau. Then Alexi Lalas joins the crew to talk US U-20s, whose World Cup quest is still alive, and gamesmanship in soccer in the wake of the controversy surrounding the New England Patriots. Is there a soccer equivalent? In the second segment, Portland owner Merritt Paulson joins to offer his thoughts on the direction of the league, big-money DPs and USL PRO's impact on Portland soccer. Find out why he says marketing has nothing to do with the Timbers' transfer business. In the mailbag, the Canada question is resolved and listeners wonder whether having Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore in Toronto might create Reds fans south of the border.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!

Tuesday ETRs only come around once in awhile, and this one is special for all the right reasons. First, Kurt Larson of the Toronto Sun joins to talk Toronto FC, who signed Jozy Altidore and Giovinco since the last time the guys gathered around the microphone. That's ... bloody big news, but not a bloody big deal this time around. But is it a good thing for MLS? Will Toronto FC actually make the playoffs? Altidore is on his way to Southern California, where the US national team is gathered for January camp. It's a welcome break from club life for Bobby Wood. Hear the 1860 Munich man describe how he got frozen out of the club. Could MLS be an option? Sure, says Wood. He just wants to enjoy the game again. In the mailbag, the guys find out what "Blond Door" is and run through reaction from Red Bulls fans who attended the infamous town hall. 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!

It was a day of new beginnings in Philadelphia on Thursday as the MLS SuperDraft made its yearly splash. Andrew, Simon and David were on the ground to give you the complete wrap from the draft, with exclusive audio from proceedings that saw Canuck U-20 Cyle Larin taken first overall, Cristian Roldan fall down the board and Marcelo Sarvas traded. Of course, in Toronto, big news was going down with Jozy Altidore and Jermain Defoe. It wasn't pegged as a bloody big deal, rather a shrewd move to replace one unhappy striker with a younger, North American one. But should US fans be unhappy the Yanks biggest stars are landing in the #WeTheNorth? The guys talk that and Sasha Kljestan, who appears headed for LA. In the mailbag, it's clear USL PRO played a large role in Thursday's SuperDraft proceedings. What's next? Also, the guys give Mix Diskerud advice on where to live and admire Pablo Mastroeni's incredible mustache.Email us at ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com or tweet us at @ExtraTimeRadio. And make sure you check out our