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
491 episodes
Episode 490: MLS is FULLY BACK in US Open Cup and US Soccer takes over the youth program
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're discussing MLS fully rejoining the US Open Cup with all sides being involved again, and the guys have some heavy debate about the changes. What does this m...
Episode 489: Recapping a MASSIVE MLS summer transfer window!
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're recapping the busy MLS summer transfer window. We'll recap our winners and losers of the window, our favorite move of the window, and lastly our least favo...
Episode 488: Jovelic, Navarro, Wolff and More HUGE MLS MOVES!
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're covering even more transfers from the summer transfer window, and it has been super busy. We're talking incoming transfers such as Georginio Wijnaldum to R...
Episode 487: Embolo to Atlanta, Sanchez to Montreal, McKenzie to Philly, and More MASSIVE MLS Moves!
In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're covering more transfers from the summer transfer window, and boy have there been some big moves. We're talking the ongoing transfer saga involving Breel Em...
Episode 486: Discussing the new proposed Nations League and MLS playoff structure
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 the proposed new Nations League that would see CONCACAF and UEFA combine as ...
Episode 485: How To Improve Leagues Cup + Quarter Finals Previews!
In this episode, we give our thoughts on the best ways to improve Leagues Cup for the future, plus give our previews and predictions for the upcoming Quarter Finals!0:00 - Scarf of the Week1:12 - Leagues Cup Improvements17:25 - ...
Episode 484: Keep 4 Cut 4: MLS Edition!
In this episode, we take on a YouTube favorite, Keep 4 Cut 4! How would you have handled this insane challenge?!#MLS #MLSCup #mlscupplayoffs #ATLUTD #atlantaunited #austinfc #charlottefc #forthecrown #cf97 #chicagofire #fccincinnati #fc...
Episode 483: Poch Returns, Record MLS Sales and Big Money Incoming Players!
In this episode, we give our thoughts on the biggest news stories of the week! Gianni Infantino's failed FIFA experiment, Big changes coming to MLS' front office and roster rules, and Middlesbrough signing tons of MLS players! 0:00...
Episode 482: Sporting KC's Cowman | 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 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 ...
