Extratime

There’s plenty to talk about on this Monday – perhaps too much. First, afairytale story in England starring a CONCACAF captain, then Doylebreaks down Jurgen Klinsmann’s preliminary roster for Copa AmericaCentenario. Once that’s out the way, it’s all about MLS. The guyswax poetic about the Red Bulls demolition of FC Dallas, NickRimando’s heroics (with his face), a beautiful day in Portland forDiego Valeri and Jake Gleeson and a sumptuous chip from Giovani DosSantos. Get ready for banter in the second segment as theVancouver Whitecaps’ Jordan Harvey and Tim Parker hunker down inthe studio with Andrew and Calen. Harvey’s a new father and Parkeris, well, barely out of college. Their lifestyles are different,but they’re both dedicated to their craft. On a serious note, theguys divulge which MLS teams they like to watch, what’s its like toplay with a former rival like Blas Perez and why cheat days (andcandy runs) are key. Finally, Parker reacts to a bold World Cupprediction from Greg Lalas.In the mailbag, what are Chicago Fire defender JonathanCampbell’s Rookie of the Year chances? What is Andrew going to dowith all those scarves? What’s the best balance for MLS teams inthe transfer market?

Forget Detroit Rock City. How about Detroit Soccer City? Fresh expansion news took the guys by surprise, but with they dive in with both feet to beak down the current pecking order. Midweek action produced three 1-1 draws, one of which prompted Matt to label one team’s playoff chances kaput. In general, slow starts are difficult to overcome in MLS, and a handful of 2015 playoffs teams are already in trouble. Toronto FC aren’t in that group as an epic road trip comes to a close. Neither is FC Dallas, or the LA Galaxy, where Ashley Cole is forcing some folks to eat some crow. In the second segment, Seattle Sounders director of performance and sports science Dave Tenney joins Andrew and Ben to explain what his team does to get the most out of their players, their efforts to prevent injury and why sleep and hamstring strength are crucial for athletes.  The mailbag begins with the Armchair Analyst’s take on the decisions Jurgen Klinsmann must make to narrow down a 40-man preliminary roster for Copa America Centenario, then the guys discuss the incessant beeping in Andrew’s apartment, Lord Bendtner’s MLS ambitions and the idea of former players becoming MLS referees.

A predictable MLS weekend? Those don’t exist. After another wild slate of high-volume action to digest, Calen (or is it Aziz?) jumps in the Armchair Analyst’s chair to help Andrew and David break it all down. From controversial refereeing decisions to audacious chips, surprise results, LA Galaxy dominance and a historic Toronto FC road run, re-live the weekend that was.   in the second segment, ETR favorite C.J. Sapong stops by to tell the guys all about Planet Lovetron, his alien brother Andre Blake, a potential national team future and why Keegan Rosenberry can be trusted with the hair clippers.    The mailbag introduces Calen to his vocal doppelgänger, and a listener wonders whether there will ever be an MLS version of Johan Cruyff, a game-changing player/manager in the making.

No Viernes de Futbol this week, which is a real bummer. Still, there’s a big weekend of MLS action on tap, and Andrew rejoins Calen and David to discuss all the biggest headlines. First up, Chris Wondolowski’s hunt for the MLS goal record with Sporting KC headed to San Joseon Sunday (3:30 ET, ESPN), then a must-win matchup at Red Bull Arena on for New York against Orlando on FS1 (7 pm ET). Oh, and how can you forget about Didier Drogba's first start, and FC Dallas’ chase for history?   In the second segment, the burning question is this: Are the Colorado Rapids a playoff team? Calen says no, David says yes, and Andrew says maybe. To break the deadlock, the guys give Rapids midfielder Sam Cronin a call to see what he thinks. They also ask Cronin about the impending arrival of Tim Howard, orange balls and the machine that is Jermaine Jones.   The mailbag includes queries about Owen Coyle and Houston, Marky Delgado’s potential, and a case for why little leaguers pulling on a MLS jersey on Saturday mornings would be awesome.  

It was a weekend of high-profile returns in MLS as Didier Drogba and Jermaine Jones’ goals helped fuel wins for the Impact and Rapids. Calen Carr also makes his return to ExtraTime Radio as nature and family scatter the normal ETR crew across the country. Calen and David hit all the hot topics from the weekend, including the Red Bulls’ continued woes, FC Dallas's big Western Conference win and so much more. Only one team in MLS remains unbeaten. Real Salt Lake’s Yura Movsisyan checks in to chat about playing for some of the biggest clubs in Russia, playing for the Armenian national team, the decision to return to MLS, how Jeff Cassar's direct style plays to his strengths, and what it’s like playing with Joao Plata and Burrito Martinez. In the mailbag, the guys get the Coach of the Year conversation going (a tad early) and hear from some FC Dallas fans in England.

The first midweek action of the year meant less sleep but more MLS, and that’s just fine. Things aren’t “fine” for last year’s powers, however. The table is upside down, at least compared to 2015, and Andrew, Matt, and David break down the surprising Wednesdaynight results then look ahead to the weekend. With Colorado riding high, how will the upcoming addition of Jermaine Jones affect their playoff chances? Will he be more impactful than Didier Drogba, who could come back this weekend for Montreal? The guys also talk SkyCam in KC, the wonderful life of Chris Wondolowski and the imminent departure time of the Tommy Thompson hype train.   In the second segment, Sporting KC's midfield duo of Roger Espinoza and Jordi Quintilla stop by the studio on the heels of a Justin Bieber concert. They discuss their respective paths to KC, the players and teams they hate playing against and best tactics for pushing through a postgame jersey trade.   It’s time to go off topic in the mailbag. First, the guys ponder which MLS player should host a podcast, help a lonely MLS fan pick the best match to attend and make some bold Copa America Centenario predictions.

That tackle. It’s the talk of MLS on Monday, and the guys give their takes on the Nigel de Jong challenge that forced Portland Timbers and US national team star Darlington Nagbe to leave the StubHub Center pitch in a wheelchair. Then they break down the rest of another wild MLS weekend. Philly are for real, but should their game-winner have counted? Why are last year’s powers (Red Bulls, Crew SC, ‘Caps and Sounders) reduced to also-ran status? Is the TomThom hype train finally rolling along? It’s all here.   Then, in the second segment, the Fire’s Arturo Alvarez and Johan Kappelhof sit down in studio to explain why each of them ended up in Chicago, give their thoughts on the De Jong tackle, look forward to a matchup with Didier Drogba and give Andrew a scheduling lesson. Oh, and why were Khiry Shelton and Mikey Lopez suspended by Patrick Vieira? It sounds ridiculous, but is it?   Finally, the mailbag provides the forum for some venting by a Timbers fans, and listeners give their suggestions for most underrated in MLS.

ETR favorite and LA Galaxy attacker Mike Magee joins the show for some MLS story time ahead of a Sunday tripleheader. Find out what MLS was like back in 2003, what living in New York City was like as an 18-year-old MetroStars rookie, why Bruce Arena threatens to cut him, what the Timbers face in their quest to defend their title and the best ways to roast Sebastian 'Da Boy' Lletget. Plus, all the talking points from #SEAvHOU (4 pm ET, ESPN), #NYCvCHI (7:30 pm ET, FS1) and #LAvPOR (9:30 pm ET, FS1). The second segment starts with a debate: Who is the most underrated player in MLS? After that, the guys wonder whether Seattle finally found their DP attacking midfielder, if Montreal's midfield is good enough as currently constituted and whether Sporting KC will take three points on the road against the Red Bull as they roll through the full weekend preview. In the mailbag, the guys' get a lesson in food safety and Fire fans explain what it was like last weekend in the frigid cold at Toyota Park.

Another Monday with plenty of drama to dissect. This time it's the Revs and Red Bulls who are grabbing the headlines after New England played on (and scored the game-winner) with Kemar Lawrence down injured. Former MLSer Calen Carr joins the guys to give a player's perspective, then the conversation turns to red cards. In case you missed it, Kaka went off on Sunday night, and Doyle contends it was his best game yet for Orlando City. Plus, Real Salt Lake ends Sporting KC's winning streak, Columbus Crew SC and FC Dallas split the points and Adam Jahn is a lonely (but effective) Bash Brother. In the mailbag, the guys' brat-v-orange drink hypocrisy is exposed, they get a lesson in the laws of the game and David gets some shtick.

The sky is no longer falling. The United States put up a 4-0 win over Guatemala in World Cup Qualifying in a clear must-win and the gang looks back on the victory as the dust settles. The result was right, but was the direct style a blast from the past? Speaking of a blast from the past, Canada must now prep for a do-or-die game in San Pedro Sula after Mexico handled business at Azteca, and the US U-23s failed to qualify for the Olympics once again. What does this mean for the future of soccer in the US and Canada?   Now that the international break is over, there's a full slate of fascinating MLS games to preview. Do the Revs or Red Bulls have more riding on Friday’s match on UniMas? What’s led to Philly's early success? What are the guys most looking forward to in the SKC-RSL rivalry matchup? And THE MLS original matchup goes down on Saturday night as D.C. United travels to San Jose nearly 20 years to the day of the league’s inaugural match.   In the mailbag, Tommy Mac might be Ireland’s next soccer legend, and the guys search under the cushions for some fresh American fullback prospects.