The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast

Your home for all things MLS, Past Present and Future! Hosted by @abarnikel21 and @cwright016. @soccerreporters members since 2024

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

Question of the WEEK!

New #MLS playoff format announced, how are we feeling!?

Let us know your thoughts to get a shout out on next week's episode!

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

Episode 502 is LIVE on ALL PLATFORMS!

We chat with @theegrigoriadis from @TBIRMontreal all about the wasted #CFMTL season, including...

Issues in the midfield leading to their demise.

Check it out!

Video: https://t.co/FJahH3eswd
Audio: https://t.co/u9kzciEwbB

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

Admittedly, going from #USMNT to coaching in the Championship next year is quite the step down in Poch's career

[David Ornstein @David_Ornstein]

🚨 BREAKING: Manchester United make formal contact with US Soccer as Mauricio Pochettino appointment nears. 54yo’s release clause must be activated + extra payment for staff. #MUFC relaxed if Argentine manages #USMNT games. By @lauriewhitwell @AdamCrafton_ https://t.co/1fNqrP7gHd

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

As the Poch to Man U rumors heat up, a look back at Episode 500, where @mtshmmls asked us a very fun brain teaser!

Rank the #USMNT coaches. Bruce, Gregg, Jurgen, Poch.

Our answers might surprise you!

Video: https://t.co/9Sd35kUxYV
Audio: https://t.co/u9kzciEwbB

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

Not a shock here. #USMNT should be going after the best available. Pep is that guy.

Always thought he was gonna be set for the #NYCFC gig, but this would be an interesting fit too.

[Tom Bogert @tombogert]

🚨🇺🇸 Sources: U.S. Soccer is expected to make Pep Guardiola a top target to become next USMNT head coach.

Obviously the pursuit would not be straightforward nor easy. But likely to start with call to Pep.

w/ @PaulTenorio @HenryBushnell
https://t.co/zHaggH9J7i

[Mitchell Carroll @mitch__carroll]

Two pod day today - hopping on with @TheDPPod1 and recording a postmortem @CommCityRadio with a special guest!

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

@mitch__carroll @CommCityRadio

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

#ATLUTD season is officially over, and playoffs are out of reach.

Here's how we think they should handle their roster moves! Be sure to check out our season recap video with @SHWrites from @ScarvesNSpikes as well!

Video: https://t.co/0hUZnI9pkY
Audio: https://t.co/u9kzciEwbB

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

@kaicyr21

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

Ohhhh this is interesting. We saw what Pareja did for #OrlandoCity after multiple years nine a row missing the playoffs.

Could he do the sake for #DCUnited? One would think so

[Tom Bogert @tombogert]

⚫️ Sources: Oscar Pareja has emerged as a top candidate for D.C. United if the club parts ways with head coach Rene Weiler this offseason.

Weiler still head coach of DCU as of today. Sources across the league believe a change will happen... but nothing yet. Still fluid.

Pareja among numerous coaching options looked into if they indeed make a change.

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

Dolo was the first thought when I heard the news.

Hired to #USYNT, always in the conversation for #USMNT. Feels like the easy answer. May not be the right one, but the easiest

[Favian Renkel @FavianRenkel]

If BJ Callaghan isn't available, what MLS coach would you like to get a crack at the USMNT job?

At this point, not Steve Cherundolo, right?

#MLS #USMNT

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

Episode 502 is LIVE!

We sit down with @theegrigoriadis from @TBIRMontreal to chat about What Went Wrong for #CFMTL during the 2026 #MLS season!

Live on Audio now or YT at 7pm!

https://t.co/u9kzciEwbB

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

Welp, guess we'll be recording an emergency #USMNT episode tonight....

[Sky Sports News @SkySportsNews]

BREAKING: Verbal agreement in principle has been reached between Manchester United and Mauricio Pochettino to become the club’s next head coach 🚨

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

Episode 501 is LIVE on ALL PLATFORMS!

We chat with @SHWrites from @ScarvesNSpikes about why #ATLUTD missed the playoffs, including...

How inconsistency in front of goal ruined any hope in 2026!

Video: https://t.co/0hUZnI9pkY
Audio: https://t.co/u9kzciEwbB

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

Episode 501 is LIVE!

We are joined by @SHWrites from @ScarvesNSpikes to chat about what went wrong for #ATLUTD in the 2026 season to cause them to miss the playoffs again!

Audio out now, and video live at 7pm!

https://t.co/u9kzciEwbB

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

Hop in the chat, we are live now in the YT chat!!

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

Episode 500 is HERE on ALL PLATFORMS!!

We chatted about all our favorite memories from the last 500 episodes of the show, including...

Heeding the advice from @QuincyAmarikwa. You always have to start somewhere.

Video: https://t.co/9Sd35kUxYV
Audio: https://t.co/u9kzciEwbB

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

Episode 500 is HERE on ALL PLATFORMS!!

We chatted about all our favorite memories from the last 500 episodes of the show, including...

Heeding the advice from @QuincyAmarikwa. You always have to start somewhere.

Video: https://t.co/9Sd35kUxYV
Audio: https://t.co/u9kzciEwbB

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

This may be one of the best under the radar moves in #MLS offseason this year. #ATLUTD have been dreadful with their recruitment and direction since MLS Cup.

Have to make a change at the top, let's see where they land

[Tom Bogert @tombogert]

Sources: Atlanta United has parted ways with VP of soccer opertions Dimitrios Efstathiou and head of int'l player recruitment Jonathan Spector

Efstathiou had been at the club since 2021, Spector since 2019.

Atlanta United undergoing major infrastructure change this winter

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

@mlsreacts Feels very much "I'm the only one who watches youth players closely so anyone who disagrees with me is wrong and their opinion is worthless" kinda vibes, but that's just my 2 cents

[The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast @TheDPPod1]

@mlsreacts If you disagree with him, you get the block. He said something about a Rapids youth player I think, and just insta blocked.