The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast
We are The Designated Players | An MLS Podcast! Your home for all things MLS, Past Present and Future! Hosted by Andrew Barnikel and Connor Wright
Episodes
482 episodes
Episode 481: Discussing the FIFA disaster, the future of MLS, and players moving to Middlesbrough
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're catching up on some recent MLS and World soccer news. We start off by covering FIFA's disastrous FFE idea. Next we talk about the future of MLS, including ...
Episode 480: Leagues Cup 2026 Preview Part 2
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, spe...
Episode 479: Leagues Cup 2026 Preview Part 1
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, spe...
Episode 478: What you missed in MLS Part 2: Transfers!
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're back to covering MLS again! This week we're catching you up on all of the big transfers that have happened during the World Cup, including at Lewandowski t...
Episode 477: REACTING TO THE 2026 WORLD CUP FINAL!
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we reacting to the World Cup final! We will be giving our breakdown of all the major moments of the game and what ultimately lead to Spain's victory of Argentina...
Episode 476: Recapping the World Cup Semifinals and Making Our World Cup Finals Predictions!
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we continue our coverage of the World Cup! This week we are recapping the semifinals games, which has set us up for the 2026 World Cup Final! We will lastly and ...
Episode 475: What you missed in MLS Part 1: Big Coaching Changes!
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're back to covering MLS again! This week we're catching you up on all of the coaching changes that have happened during the World Cup, including at Austin FC,...
Episode 474: Reffing controversies, late winners, and more as we recap the World Cup Quarterfinals
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we continue our coverage of the World Cup! This week we are recapping the quarterfinals games, which include plenty of ref controversy and late game winners! Las...
Episode 473: Recapping the terrible USA performance and other round of 16 games
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we continue our coverage of the World Cup! This week we are recapping the round of 16 games, including the dreadful US performance! Lastly, we make some quick pr...
Episode 472: Making our World Cup round of 32 Predictions!
In this episode, we give our predictions for the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup Group Stages! 0:00 - Scarf of the Week1:18 - RSAvCAN2:24 - BRAvJPN5:12 - GERvPAR7:34 - NEDvMAR11:29 - CIVvNOR14:51 - FRAvSW...
Episode 471: 2026 World Cup Round 2 Group Stage Recap!
In this episode, we recap round 2 of the 2026 World Cup Group Stages! 0:00 - Scarf of the Week1:47 - Group A5:55 - Group B10:10 - Group C13:12 - Group D20:54 - Group E25:29 - Group F28:18 - Group G3...
Episode 470: Recapping Matchday 1 of the World Cup
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we continue our coverage of the World Cup! This week we are recapping all of the first matchday games for every team and giving our thoughts on any surprise resu...
Episode 469: OUR 2026 WORLD CUP GROUP STAGE PREDICTIONS!
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we continue our coverage of the World Cup! This week we are making our predictions for the 2026 World Cup! We give our picks as well as how each team will perfor...
Episode 468: THE ULTIMATE 2026 WORLD CUP PREVIEW PART 2! GROUPS G through L!
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we continue our coverage of the World Cup! This week we will continue our previews of all the groups in the 2026 World Cup by taking a look at their coach, how t...
Episode 467: THE ULTIMATE 2026 WORLD CUP PREVIEW PART 1! GROUPS A through F!
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we continue our coverage of the World Cup! This week we will be beginning our previews of all the groups in the 2026 World Cup by taking a look at their coach, h...
Episode 466: Philadelphia Union's CandyGate | MLS History Retold
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we continue our series where we retell the stories of MLS history. We've gone through all the team's subreddits and asked for different stories they remember about their teams, and we've got a ...
Episode 465: USMNT depth chart ahead of the World Cup
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we begin our coverage of the World Cup! We begin our coverage by taking a look at the current USMNT depth chart at all positions, giving our top 5 for each. Last...
Episode 464: Miami can't win a game at home and Lewandowski rumors to Chicago Fire
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 Lewandowski rumors to be joining the Chicago Fire, followed by James Rodrigu...
Episode 463: Predicting what MLS will look like 10 years from now
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're doing something new this time! We are going to be making a few predictions each of what MLS will look like 10 years from now, with the goal of reacting to ...
Episode 462: Bill Hamid's Triple PK Debacle! MLS History Retold!
In this episode, MLS History RETURNS! We are diving into the story of the time Bill Hamid had to face 3 PKs back to back after encroaching off his line!#MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecr...
Episode 461: Vancouver Whitecaps potential move and MLS Next Pro's Private Equity Deal
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 the Vancouver Whitecaps' potential takeover and move to Las Vegas, followed ...
Episode 460: First match at Jeld-Wen Field and Carlos Ruiz wonder goal | MLS History Retold
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we continue our series where we retell the stories of MLS history. We've gone through all the team's subreddits and asked for different stories they remember about their teams, and we've got a ...
Episode 459: MLS Quarter Season Recap
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're recapping the first quarter of the MLS season. That means we are going to talk about a few teams that have been standouts and underperforming, as well as c...
Episode 458: Mascherano out in Miami, Crocker out from USSF, and Donadel out in Montreal
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 Javier Mascherano OUT in Miami and who we think will be the next coach of Mi...
Episode 457: Pathway To Pro ft Paul Sokoloff From RBNY2!
In this episode of Pathway to Pro, we sit down with RBNY 2 midfielder Paul Sokoloff to chat about his path from the U8 academy all the way to a future HG contract with the first team, his long term goals, favorite memories, and so much more!&nb...
