The Extratime Breakdown
I’ve had myself a morning, woke up at 5:30 this morning and my mind was immediately thinking about MLS. This time it wasn’t about NYCFC’s struggles in the playoffs, how Carlos Vela is EASILY the greatest player in MLS history, or how playoff Dairon might be more of a clutch player than Ilsinho. No, this time it was about the coverage of our amazing league from the league itself, more specifically Extratime Radio. I personally put Extratime Radio in my top five of American soccer podcasts; Extratime, The Total Soccer Show, The Cooligans, The Scuffed Podcast… and of course The MLS Aces Podcast. But this blog piece is specifically about Extratime for now. But quickly let me take an aside. I understand the main issue of money/funding but why doesn’t MLS have some sort of TV programming? I get it that cable TV is dying and that MLS is staying on places such as YouTube, podcasting services, Twitter, Instagram, and others, but, personally I would love to be able to turn on the MLS Network and have 24/7 MLS coverage to soak in. Or how about an up and coming streaming service/TV service like FuboTV add to The Cooligans Show, pick up Extratime, give The Total Soccer Show a TV show, give someone like Grant Wahl a show, (give MLS Aces a TV show), and have an all MLS channel for the domestic soccer fan to turn to and have that 24/7 coverage. Now I’m sure there is a ton of logistics there but I’m just dropping some Supa Hot Fire ideas on the U.S. soccer world! Thank me later.
But back to what I was thinking about at 5:30 in the morning. The people at MLS have put together the almost perfect cast of characters for ExtraTime Radio. I have thought of a breakdown view of every co-host of ExtraTime and what they amazingly bring to the show. So, here we go:
The Host: Andrew Wiebe
Wiebe from my knowledge is the long time host of ExtraTime Radio and to me he brings that Trey Wingo, Curt Menefee, Rece Davis vibe. He has the voice the really just hits as any type of sports show should have in my opinion. His voice is so connected to the show for me now that when I listen to ExtraTime and I don’t hear “ahhhhhhhh from New York, New York you are listening to ExtraTime!” I get slightly angry. Wiebe gets passionate about his soccer takes but then also knows when the show has to continue, get to the next topic, and avoid that drag. In my opinion if MLS ever let Wiebe walk away from his job, they would be making a huge mistake. He’s the type of guy that should be at MLS and covering the game for the next 30 years as someone who has grown the internal coverage of the game so much. Im a fan of the Wiebster and his cynical self arguments.
The Old Head: Matt Doyle
Now if by any chance Matt Doyle reads this, I am not calling you old! Well kinda, but not in any negative way! Our faithful Armchair Analyst has been watching and feels like covering MLS since its first game in 1996. If I was on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and I was onto the final question, Regis Philbin looks at me and says “For $1,000,000… who scored the game winning goal in the first leg of the 2004 MLS playoff game between the Columbus Crew and New England Revolution?” THERE IS NO OTHER MAN BUT MATT DOYLE THAT I AM CALLING WITH MY LIFELINE! This man lives, breaths, and loves Major League Soccer (and Taqito). I know Matt would answer the phone and in an instant say “Avery John”. There is no doubt in my mind that Matt Doyle has watched the most MLS games out of anyone alive on this planet. You need the guy on your set who give insight answers to topics and questions that are brought up on the pod. Also, I always appreciate the Darion love and contrarian views of Doyle seemingly every episode.
The Former Pro: Calen Carr/Charlie Davies
Honestly, I love when a sports show has a former pro on the team that can give the “I played” take. Players and former players do have this different view point and takes on games/moments. They have insider stories, insider knowledge into the on-field mindset, how players act in certain moments, how coaches act, and this is exactly what Calen & Charlie bring. From Calen’s stories of playing ball at Berkley, being traded for Dom Oduro, and being a part of those great Houston Dynamo squads. Then Charlie’s stories from his time in Sweden, Denmark, France, and obviously in MLS. Now I love a great analysis from Doyle, but hearing what it’s like to lift a U.S. Open Cup, playing in the Azteca, or even playing in a professional game! Outside of the stories and the experiences, these guys know the game and have such an amazing input into the league that they have played in.
The Energy: David Gass
Gass brings so much excitement and energy to ExtraTime! His voice alone just wakes you up when he speaks up and throws in a random fact about Shalrie Joseph, a take on the 2012 Antigua Barracuda FC, and can still breakdown a mid-week game between the Chicago Fire and D.C. United is incredible. Gass is the everyman, he brings the passion and free spirit of a fan to the show that I think we are seeing in the modern day sports coverage. We see the human being that can professionally cover a game but still show that he is loving it from his fan point of view as well. Gass bring the energy almost like what Pat McAfee does when covering a game. You see the raw and honest views of this man along with the knowledge and professionalism. Go on Gass, give me more takes like Haiti being a CONCACAF powerhouse in the next 5-10 years, inject that into my veins! (Just for clarification, Im 99% sure Gass has never made that take, but feel like something he would say).
The Person Everyone Hates: ???
Honestly, is there a person that anyone can really hate on this crew? I don’t think so, but just like my takes on MLS… every good team needs a villain. I’ve been begging for MLS to have more villains in the league, guys who are really good, but easy to just hate. I’d argue that Jozy is one of those guys but focusing more on ExtraTime, they don’t have one of these. When I look at sports shows in any format there are always those guys there that just irritate people. Whether it is Troy Aikman, Colin Cowherd, Jim Rome, and Skip Bayless are just some names off the top of my head that really fill this “character”. Now in the same token there is something about these guys that people still want to watch! I personally think that people want to watch these guys give dumb takes and get annoyed on purpose because as a society we always need something to complain about. But these guys still bring the ratings, the reviews, and the entertainment. ExtraTime (and MLS in general) doesn’t really have this guy. So fine, I’ll take that torch. Producer Anders, here is my formal application to be the annoying hot take specialist on ExtraTime. Please take your time in reviewing my application but just know I will work on a volunteer basis and be available pretty much 365 days a year. I will bring partially moronic but slightly intelligent takes towards MLS, its players, and U.S. soccer in general.
Every single one of the people that I named above have their role in the show and I think they know that. The operate well with their roles and at the end of the day the show is fantastic. I would love more than two episodes a week from the crew, but I understand that there is only so much to talk about. But then I go back to my MLS Network or FuboTV channel idea (Im telling you guys, it’s a great idea). I truly love this show and love that it is what represent MLS over the airwaves and on YouTube. Thank you to these guys for the content that they bring us every week!
