The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're giving our flowers to many recent retirement announcements from guys in MLS including some absolute legends such as Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Darlington Nagbe. We will recap their entire career, including what they have meant to their teams, to MLS, and to the sport. Let us know your thoughts! #MLS...

In this episode, we are joined by Matt from Flyover Footy to chat about what went wrong with the St. Louis City SC to cause them to miss the playoffs in 2025! Recorded on: 10/11/25 #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf97 #chicagofire #fccincinnati #fcc #allforcincy #coloradorapids #rapids96 #columbuscrew #crew96 #dcu #dcunited #fcdallas #dtid #...

In this episode, we are joined by Matt from Flyover Footy to chat about what went wrong with the St. Louis City SC to cause them to miss the playoffs in 2025! Recorded on: 10/6/25 #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf97 #chicagofire #fccincinnati #fcc #allforcincy #coloradorapids #rapids96 #columbuscrew #crew96 #dcu #dcunited #fcdallas #dtid #h...

In this episode, we are joined by Matt from Flyover Footy to chat about what went wrong with the St. Louis City SC to cause them to miss the playoffs in 2025! Recorded on: 10/4/25 #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf97 #chicagofire #fccincinnati #fcc #allforcincy #coloradorapids #rapids96 #columbuscrew #crew96 #dcu #dcunited #fcdallas #dtid #h...

In this episode, we are joined by Chad from For The Glory KC to chat about what went wrong with the Sporting KC to cause them to miss the playoffs in 2025! Recorded on: 10/2/25 #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf97 #chicagofire #fccincinnati #fcc #allforcincy #coloradorapids #rapids96 #columbuscrew #crew96 #dcu #dcunited #fcdallas #dtid #hous...

In this episode, we are joined by Corey from Waking The Red to chat about what went wrong with the Toronto FC to cause them to miss the playoffs in 2025! Recorded on: 9/30/25 #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf97 #chicagofire #fccincinnati #fcc #allforcincy #coloradorapids #rapids96 #columbuscrew #crew96 #dcu #dcunited #fcdallas #dtid #housto...

In this episode, we are joined by Caleb Pongratz to chat about what went wrong with the New England Revolution to cause them to miss the playoffs in 2025! Recorded on: 9/28/25 #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf97 #chicagofire #fccincinnati #fcc #allforcincy #coloradorapids #rapids96 #columbuscrew #crew96 #dcu #dcunited #fcdallas #dtid #houst...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and this week we are joined by Sydney Hunte from Scarves and Spikes to help us break down what went wrong for Atlanta United. Where do you begin with this team but evidently it will have to be somewhere and we're here to point out a few reasons why the team missed the playoffs this year. Hopefully we won't be making this epis...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and this week, with only a couple games left in the season, we're discussing who will make the MLS playoffs. We are going to go team by team and look at their remaining schedule to determine if they can either hold their position in a playoff spot, or will someone come and take their spot. Let us know what you think and who you th...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're catching up on some recent MLS news. This week we're going to be talking about Caleb Porter out in New England, followed by the rumor that Messi and Inter Miami are on the verge of a contract extension. Lastly, we discuss DC United's... interesting move for their newest Managing Director. Let us...

In this episode, we are joined by Elias from The Ball Is Round Montreal to chat about what went wrong for CF Montreal to cause them to miss the playoffs in 2025! Recorded on: 9/15/25 #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf97 #chicagofire #fccincinnati #fcc #allforcincy #coloradorapids #rapids96 #columbuscrew #crew96 #dcu #dcunited #fcdallas #dtid...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we continue our series covering all things top 10. As previous listeners will know, there is nothing we like more than yelling at each other and being yelled at by you, so what better way to entice that then by rating top 10s. This week, we will be giving our picks for the top 10 coaches in MLS history, from all time greats like Sigi Schmid to the...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're doing our final recap of Leagues Cup 2025 and boy is there a lot to talk about. We'll talk the game, what it means for Brian Schmetzer's legacy, and of course going to talk about the brawl between Miami and Seattle. Let us know your thoughts! #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #...

In this episode, we give our thoughts on the biggest conspiracies to hit MLS this week! Are MLS curating calls to help sell narratives in real time? Do they create success for individual players for clicks? Are they mandating MLS inclusion on the national team for viewers? We cover all that and more this week! Recorded on: 8/28/25 #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #char...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're talking even more transfers from this summer transfer window. This episode we are going to be covering moves such as Paxten Aaronson to Colorado, Brenner back to FC Cincinnati, and more. Let us know your thoughts! #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf9...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're talking more MLS news. Actually, we start things off with a little USL news as a few sides are expanding their stadiums to meet division 1 regulations. Next we discuss Evander's return to Portland which ended with some choice words towards him from the Portland fans. Lastly, we talk about Javier Masc...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're continuing our recap of summer transfers for MLS. This episode we are going to be covering moves such as Djordje Mihailovic to Toronto, Rob Holding to Colorado, and more. Let us know your thoughts! #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf97 #chicagofire #...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're talking about more MLS news! First we're talking about the drama involving MLS referee Tim Ford. Next we talk about the rumored game between Barcelona and Villareal taking place in Miami and what that means for MLS and global soccer. Lastly we end things off with yet again another discussion about th...

In this episode, we chat about some of the biggest moves of the last few weeks! Matt Turner returns home to New England while Max Arfsten stays put for now in Columbus. Luciano Acosta finally leaves MLS but with much less drama than Santiago Moreno left Portland with! Recorded on: 8/9/25 #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf97 #chicagofire #fcc...

In this episode, we chat about the first Phase of the 2025 Leagues Cup! WE cover a host of topics including format, attendance, effort, comparison to USOC, most and least impressive teams and make some predictions for the 2nd phase? Which team do you think will move on?? Recorded on: 8/9/25 #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf97 #chicagofire #...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're talking about more MLS news, with this week specifically focused on Don Garber's state of the league address, and who better to help us cover the news than John Rawlins from Loud and Proud Orlando. Don covered a few hot topics during his press conference such as calendar change, the Apple TV deal, an...

In this episode, we chat about the biggest news stories from MLS this week! Messi and Alba cause some All Star Game drama, LAFC pursue Heung Min Son, Vancouver are closing in on Thomas Muller, Columbus get their guy in Wessam Abou Ali, and RSL get some much needed defensive help! Recorded on: 7/28/25 #MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf97 #chi...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we're preparing for the Leagues Cup, which for those unfamiliar, is a cup competition involving teams from both MLS and Liga MX! In this episode we will be making predictions for phase one, specifically the western teams this episode. For predictions for the remaining teams, give the last episode a listen. We've gone through each team an...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we're preparing for the Leagues Cup, which for those unfamiliar, is a cup competition involving teams from both MLS and Liga MX! In this episode we will be making predictions for phase one, specifically the eastern teams this episode. For predictions for the remaining teams, give the next episode a listen. We've gone through each team an...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're talking about more MLS news! First we're talking about DC United sacking Troy Lesesne and already having his replacement ready immediately in René Weiler. Next we talk about the rumor of Rodrigo de Paul coming over to Inter Miami to join Messi and friends, but how will they do that with the salary ca...