Extratime

Camps are open and preseason is in full swing. Didier Drogba isn’t with the Impact just yet, but his future has been resolved. Or has it? RDS’ Pat Leduc joins the guys to explain why the relationship between the Ivorian and Montreal owner Joey Saputo has lost some luster, then addresses rumors that Drogba won’t be around for a full MLS season. Plus, what is preseason like for the players? For many, training camp means fitness, and Sporting Kansas City’s head fitness coach Mateus Manoel joins the guys to explain how he gets his charges ready for a long MLS campaign, why the beep test is important and how yoga (of course) can be a good and bad thing for soccer players. Players want to play and scrimmages begin soon, often against college competition. Florida Gulf Coast takes on New York City FC this weekend, and head coach Bob Butehorn says his guys are pumped up about it. In the mailbag, a listener warns Andrew about the hygiene risks that come with hot yoga and supporters wonder whether they should change where their fandom lies.

The prodigal son has returned. OK, so that’s a little dramatic, but you may have heard Stanford standout (and US national team player) Jordan Morris signed with the Sounders on Thursday. Is it good for MLS, too? Taylor Twellman wouldn’t comment on that, but Andrew, David and Matt will. Plus, what does Jurgen Klinsmann think about the move and why did Benny Feilhaber go off on the German in a media roundtable this week? In the second segment, Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney joins the guys to talk about the moving and shaking in Ontario. Many say TFC won the postseason (again). Does Vanney agree? More importantly, how do the Reds get all that talent on the field – and manage to defend? Plus, thoughts on North American player development and that road trip to start the season.  To finish things off, the guys hit the mat to explore the world of yoga as listeners enlighten Andrew and give David some much-needed affirmation. Ommmmmmm! 

While the third and fourth rounds of the MLS SuperDraft went down via conference call, ESPN’s Taylor Twellman joined Andrew, David and Matt for a wide-ranging MLS discussion that included the former Revs and USMNT’s striker’s New Year’s resolution, Jordan Morris’ potential MLS future, the Rapids’ pursuit of a certain US national team goalkeeper, the rebuilding project going on in Los Angeles and uncertain MLS fates for Jermaine Jones and Didier Drogba. Of course, there’s plenty going on outside MLS. Notably, the USMNT’s January camp is ongoing, and Matt puts 2016 – Olympic qualifying, Copa Centenario and World Cup qualifying – in context. More importantly, what’s up with Morris’ rumored Sounders signing after leaving Werder Bremen? Where does he fit in and what does it mean for Seattle? Plus, thoughts on what are the Chicago Fire are up to, Yura Movsisyan’s 2016 goal haul and a Costa Rican international linked with New York City FC. In the mailbag, a certain Red Bulls’ player (of the past) created a stir on Craigslist, and MLS’s biggest Hungarian fan chimes in on Sporting KC’s newest signing and Krisztian Nemeth’s MLS future.

Drama at the MLS SuperDraft? You don’t say. Once again, MLS’s kick-off event gave Andrew, David and Doyle plenty to talk about as eight trades went down, the first-overall pick’s final destination was a bit of a mystery and the LA Galaxy and Sporting KC called it a day before the first round was even over. Get the full breakdown of the top five (OK, seven), plus some thoughts on Alejandro Bedoya’s rumored MLS move. Drama is fun to talk about, but the real joy every January is seeing dreams come true for the players in the room. The guys share their best stories from the floor, then give all 41 picks a once over to determine winners and losers. Well, not exactly. Oh, and don’t forget that plenty of veterans made moves this week, too. In the mailbag, next year’s location gets a vote of approval from Andrew, the pride of Baltimore gets a shout out and David Bowie is honored again.  

In the final episode before the MLS SuperDraft, Andrew and David check in with Doyle, who is down in Ft. Lauderdale at the MLS Combine, to see who has been flying up (and down) draft boards, what the Fire will do about the No. 1 pick and whether this draft class is stronger than the previous editions. After a quick break, the guys chat with the man most likely to be taken first overall, Georgetown defender Joshua Yaro. What made him finally decide to go pro and sign with MLS? Yaro may have to deal with the likes of Yura Movisisyan in MLS as it appears the Armenian striker is close to becoming the goalscorer Real Salt Lake have been searching for. Plus, is Tim Sebastian the Matt Miazga backup plan? And does Sporting KC already have a center forward option in their squad to cover Dom Dwyer? In the mailbag, the guys talk Ballon d’O and help settle some simmering family feuds.

Soccer, news, transfers, and fashion – Thursday’s show has it all. First, the guys dig into the youthful USA roster called in for January camp by Jurgen Klinsmann. Which U23 prospect or senior hopeful has Andrew most excited? Which Crew SC neophytes does David see shining the brightest? In the second segment, news and fashion are combined. MLS dropped the 2016 schedule with two editions of Heineken Rivalry Week and plenty of national television games, so start planning those road trips and tailgates. One team that isn't on the schedule but is making waves is LAFC via Thursday morning’s crest reveal. Andrew and David drool over potential swag (shouldn’t they be giving that away!), then Bobby Warshaw calls in to walk you through the MLS Combine experience from a player's point of view – nerves, roommates, job interviews and more. In the mailbag, a Columbus fan challenges the current “Gas Man,” and Chicago Fire faithful change their tune about Didier Drogba and Jermaine Jones.

As the calendar turns, the guys return to New York for a special show recapping all the holiday news around MLS. The Galaxy made plenty of headlines as Omar Gonzalez and Juninho took their talents to Liga MX, and Bruce Arena joins to give his take on the transfers and what’s next for LA. Plus, the Didier Drogba saga continues, and new signings begin to trickle into the league. The silly season is in full swing, including a bevy of MLS Combine and SuperDraft news. Goal.com’s Ives Galarcep checks in to give the lowdown on the 2016 Generation adidas class, Jordan Morris and Dax McCarty. In the mailbag, a Union fan is unhappy about the club’s ETR holiday tidings, Orlando supporters wonder if they need a new forward and the Dynamo’s defensive misgivings are examined.

As 2015 comes to a close, Andrew, Matt and David drop the final show before the New Year with some holiday tidings. Using the newly formed FAT or TAF (Freely Acquired Things or Things Acquired Freely) mechanism they made up on the spot, the guys dole out gifts to all 20 MLS clubs. Who could really use Kenwyne Jones? Who is the next Matt Miazga? And, of course, which team will snag Jose Mourinho and Freddy Adu? First, though, the guys take a closer look at all the news making tongues wag ahead of Christmas, including the Jermaine Jones saga and some Lee Nguyen rumblings. Plus, what’s the latest free agency news? In the mailbag, a fan asks about whether the United States could be a future host of the Club World Cup, and Canada’s big 2015 and potentially bigger 2016 is compared to the USMNT’s disappointing campaign.

The holidays are quickly approaching and TFC fans have a few new presents to unwrap. Matt Doyle makes a special in-studio appearance with Andrew and David to discuss the offseason so far. The Toronto Sun's Kurt Larson joins the crew first with all the details on TFC’s courtship of Drew Moor, their immediate lineup needs, and the future of their center back pairing. In the second segment the guys have a long discussion with US national team legend and newly announced Philadelphia Union sporting director Earnie Stewart. He discusses his experience as a front office member in Holland, his plans and goals for the Union, the intricacies of MLS, and much more. In the mailbag they guys just cannot escape a good Jurgen Klinsmann debate and this time USWNT legend Abby Wambach stokes the flames. Plus how would you convert a free agent to love your city, and Justin Mapp gets a new nickname.  

Another first in Major League Soccer! This time it’s Justin Mapp who claims the honors as the first-ever free agent signing in league history. Was he wined and dined? How did Sporting KC woo the veteran winger? Who else was in the mix? Mapp provides a primer on the process, then Andrew, David and Matt take a look at the other rumors floating around as the offseason begins. Jordan Morris is doing Jordan Morris things, and now he’s got a decision to make. One day after scoring twice to help Stanford to the national title, Top Drawer Soccer’s Will Parchman calls in to explain what the options are for the US national team star. Will he sign a Homegrown deal with Seattle? Head to Europe? Plus, what makes him so special? In the mailbag, after watching Leicester hand Chelsea yet another loss, the guys wonder whether the EPL is channeling its inner MLS when it comes to parity and unpredictability. Plus, listeners chime in on North Carolina expansion.