MLS Insider Blog

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

After opening the scoring in Kansas City’s 2-0 road defeat of the LA Galaxy this weekend, Wizards midfielder Davy Arnaud’s next move is to make an appearance on today’s episode of ExtraTime (3pm EST). Call 888-MLS-Goal or email ExtraTime@MLSsoccer.com with your questions for Davy or the ExtraTime crew and listen live at MLSsoccer.com

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Nate Jaqua was the man last night as he put away a pair of goals for the Sounders against the Galaxy in last night’s U.S. Open Cup. I guess they weren’t kidding a while back when they said that the Open Cup was Seattle’s season this year. And if they continue to progress along with D.C. United, could we see a rematch of last year’s final? And if so will their be a redux of the host-venue drama that preceded it? All that (except the last part) and more on today’s edition of The Daily.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Oh boy. Simon isn’t on the show today and Jason takes the opportunity to rub Houston’s U.S. Open Cup loss -something Simon virtually guaranteed would not happen- in his absent face. He and Greg also touch on the Crew’s USOC match against Charleston Battery last night and tonight’s LA-Seattle match in Washington on today’s episode of The Daily.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

The Daily is back and Simon & Jason pick up right where they left off by recapping all of the MLS action from this past weekend plus a little discussion of the British report of Bob Bradley being considered for the Fulham job. They also touch on the arrival of Toronto FC’s new Spanish forward, Mista. Welcome back guys!

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

What will the U.S. team look like in 2014? That has been one of the hot topics of the week on soccer blogs, message boards and in columns all week long and it seems like the only people who haven’t weighed in on it are The Debate Team. So without further adieu I give you a look into the USMNT crystal ball with Simon, Jason and the rest of the team.

Do you think their vision for the future is clear or somewhat cloudy? Let me know what you see for USMNT 2014. Let me know in the comments.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Before the Union get back in action this weekend let’s take one last look at their PPL Park opener against the Seattle Sounders. Our tour guide for this 360 degree look at the inauguration of the newest stadium in MLS? MLSsoccer.com’s own Greg Lalas. So sit back, relax and enjoy a quick 3:22 trip to Chester.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Following a flurry of television appearances all over Manhattan that included stops at Regis & Kelly, Good Morning America and The CBS Early Show, Landon Donovan made an appearance at MLSHQ for an exclusive sit-down with MLSsoccer.com’s Nick Firchau. The two talked at length about the U.S. loss to Ghana, covering every angle: the buzz back home, Sunil Gulati’s post-game comments and the future of USMNT coach Bob Bradley.

As for Donovan’s take on the match as a whole, he was pleased with the overall performance of the team despite the loss. “As disappointing as the Ghana result was I still think we played well,” said Donovan. And although it was the team’s nack for the comeback that captured the attention of the nation, playing the role of comeback kids does have its pitfalls. “I think mentally more than anything continuously coming back from a goal behind just wears on you and eventually you’re going to get burned for that.”

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

If you haven’t been listening to ExtraTime Radio you’ve been missing out on some of the best live World Cup talk going. As usual the show will be live at 5pm EST today and guests include MLSSoccer.com’s man in Europe, Greg Seltzer, Fanhouse’s Brian Strauss calling in from South Africa and Chivas USA’s Marcelo Saragoza. Check out some of the best bits from the show so far in the clip above and call 888-MLS-Goal with your questions & comments from today’s World Cup games.

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Tune in to ExtraTime Radio from MLSSoccer.com right now for 2 hours of World Cup talk from today’s matches. Greg Lalas, Nick Firchau, Simon Borg and Jason Saghini are breaking down South Africa-Mexico & France-Uruguay and are taking your calls. Dial 1-888-MLS-GOAL and make your voice heard!

BY SHAWN FRANCIS

Today MLSsoccer.com’s Debate Team is taking on the match that seeming everyone is talking about: the U.S. vs. England. Since there are about 13 different angles to this thing the guys reign it in and start out with the “who’s more injured?” before moving on to questions of tactics, timing and key players. Surprisingly, this is one of the more mellow debates so far; given the topic I’m surprised no one threw anything.