Andrew Barnikel and Connor Wright

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we continue our new 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 list of almost all of them. We are going to do our research and then come together to retell everyone about those stories and give them the spotlight they deserve. This week we're telling the story of MLS Pro 40, and the beginning of the Coffee Pot ...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we continue our new 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 list of almost all of them. We are going to do our research and then come together to retell everyone about those stories and give them the spotlight they deserve. This week we're telling the story of the Chicago Fire's historic 1998 double winning ...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are discussing the recent international window, including USMNT results and MLS games during the international break. USA won both Nations League games and we're going to recap the games and give our thoughts on the performance. Then, we'll talk about MLS having tons of players on international duty and whether or not MLS should pause games during international windows. Let us know your thoughts on the USMNT performance and whether you thi...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we continue our new 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 list of almost all of them. We are going to do our research and then come together to retell everyone about those stories and give them the spotlight they deserve. This week we're telling the story of Melrose Place actor Andrew Shue trialing and mak...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we continue our new 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 list of almost all of them. We are going to do our research and then come together to retell everyone about those stories and give them the spotlight they deserve. This week we're telling the story of RBNY's curse of Caricola and the '96 pitch invas...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we begin a new 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 list of almost all of them. We are going to do our research and then come together to retell everyone about those stories and give them the spotlight they deserve. This week we're telling the story of RBNY drafting fake players, and MLS' first ever goal ...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and we're finally delivering on our dedicated episode to MLS' newest franchise, STL City SC! We start off by recapping how the team has lined up thus far in their opening 2 games, and talk about the success of their tactics thus far. Next we'll talk a bit about how we think things will shape up for STL throughout the remainder of the season. Finally, we'll wrap things up by talking about the electric atmosphere at the home opener ...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and we're talking headlines! Specifically, we're recapping Apple TV's MLS debut for Gameweek 1 in which they brought a whole new side of media to MLS, we're talking MLS' new playoff format and whether or not it's good or bad, and finally, there have been many, many names thrown around for the next USMNT coach, but we're going to discuss who it should be and why. As always, let us know your thoughts! Recorded on: 2/26/2023 ...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back with their highly anticipated, and often controversial standings predictions ahead of the 2023 MLS season! As we all know, we never get any predictions wrong ever, so SPOILER ALERT if you are worried about finding out who finishes where. We will check back in at the end of the season to see how each of our predictions have performed. We will be covering both the eastern and western conferences in this episode, so tune in to ...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we continue our not so deep dives into each MLS team ahead of the 2023 season. We say not so deep dive as there are too many teams to cover and not enough time. In this episode we are covering San Jose Earthquakes, Charlotte, Miami, Minnesota, DC United, Orlando, and RSL. We will be looking into the transfer activity, where are the holes, who to watch, and much more for each team in the episode. Don't worry if your team is not in this episode...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we continue our not so deep dives into each MLS team ahead of the 2023 season. We say not so deep dive as there are too many teams to cover and not enough time. In this episode we are covering NYCFC, LA Galaxy, Portland, Dallas, Toronto, Vancouver, and RBNY. We will be looking into the transfer activity, where are the holes, who to watch, and much more for each team in the episode. Don't worry if your team is not in this episode as we are goi...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we continue our not so deep dives into each MLS team ahead of the 2023 season. We say not so deep dive as there are too many teams to cover and not enough time. In this episode we are covering Philadelphia, Seattle, Sporting Kansas City, Chicago, Atlanta, Columbus, and Nashville. We will be looking into the transfer activity, where are the holes, who to watch, and much more for each team in the episode. Don't worry if your team is not in this...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we begin our not so deep dives into each MLS team ahead of the 2023 season. We say not so deep dive as there are too many teams to cover and not enough time. In this episode we are covering Houston, Montreal, LAFC, New England, Cincinnati, Colorado, and Austin. We will be looking into the transfer activity, where are the holes, who to watch, and much more for each team in the episode. Don't worry if your team is not in this episode as we are ...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're diving into the silliest of seasons, part 2! Yes, it's the 2023 MLS offseason and we're diving into all of the confirmed trades and transfers, while also discussing all the rumors we could find. There are some really awesome names on this list, aka Evander, and we were super excited to talk about it. As there are a lot of transfers to go over and a lot of teams in the league (thanks Donny boy), we are goi...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're diving into the silliest of seasons! Yes, it's the 2023 MLS offseason and we're diving into all of the confirmed trades and transfers, while also discussing all the rumors we could find. There are some really awesome names on this list, aka Evander, and we were super excited to talk about it. As there are a lot of transfers to go over and a lot of teams in the league (thanks Donny boy), we are going to be...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back for another season! We're kicking things off with our top 5 players at each position going into the 2023 season, except this time with a twist. Similar to some other content on TikTok, we are doing it draft style. We will be taking turns to picking our top 5 players at each position, with no repeat picks. There are some BOLD picks in this list, so definitely listen in and let us now your thoughts. Episode too long to listen throug...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and this week we are discussing potential moves to Europe for MLS players. We go team by team and discuss which players we think can make a move right now to Europe, as well as discuss a few younger players that could potentially move to Europe in the near future. Let us know if you think we got any wrong, or if there is anybody we missed! Recorded on: 12/29/2022 Let us know your thoughts and if we got it right or ri...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and and are joined by our friend Jason to talk Gio Drama, LA Galaxy cheating, and potential changes to roster rules. We're going off script again and talking recent major news around soccer in the US, as well as going on a very long tangent about whether or not MLS should loosen their roster rules. Let us know what your thoughts are on everything! Recorded on: 12/13/2022 Let us know your thoughts and if we got it rig...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and giving our full group stage recap. In the episode, we have no script! We're going group by group and recapping the results and asking some questions on why the groups finished as they did. We talk about what lead to the success of Japan and Morocco, and what led to the downfall of teams like Belgium and Denmark. Let us know what you thought and how you think the group stage went! Recorded on: 12/5/2022 Let us kno...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and discussing the first half of the group stage action thus far. As of the date of recording, groups A-D have played 2 games, while groups E-H have played just 1 game. We will be doing another recap episode at the end of the group stage, so be on the lookout for that. In the episode, we pick our most and least impressive teams in each group, as well as our standout player. Additionally, in some cases, we talk in a little more dep...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are beginning a brand new series in which we give a preview and prediction for each group for the upcoming World Cup! We're super stoked for the upcoming competition and as such are going to give our in depth breakdown of each group and where we think the teams will finish in the group. But before we get to that point, we cover the team's recent form, top players, and predicted starting XI. This week we're covering group H; Portugal, Ghana...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are beginning a brand new series in which we give a preview and prediction for each group for the upcoming World Cup! We're super stoked for the upcoming competition and as such are going to give our in depth breakdown of each group and where we think the teams will finish in the group. But before we get to that point, we cover the team's recent form, top players, and predicted starting XI. This week we're covering group G; Brazil, Serbia,...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are beginning a brand new series in which we give a preview and prediction for each group for the upcoming World Cup! We're super stoked for the upcoming competition and as such are going to give our in depth breakdown of each group and where we think the teams will finish in the group. But before we get to that point, we cover the team's recent form, top players, and predicted starting XI. This week we're covering group F; Belgium, Canada...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are beginning a brand new series in which we give a preview and prediction for each group for the upcoming World Cup! We're super stoked for the upcoming competition and as such are going to give our in depth breakdown of each group and where we think the teams will finish in the group. But before we get to that point, we cover the team's recent form, top players, and predicted starting XI. This week we're covering group D; Spain, Costa Ri...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are beginning a brand new series in which we give a preview and prediction for each group for the upcoming World Cup! We're super stoked for the upcoming competition and as such are going to give our in depth breakdown of each group and where we think the teams will finish in the group. But before we get to that point, we cover the team's recent form, top players, and predicted starting XI. This week we're covering group D; France, Austral...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are beginning a brand new series in which we give a preview and prediction for each group for the upcoming World Cup! We're super stoked for the upcoming competition and as such are going to give our in depth breakdown of each group and where we think the teams will finish in the group. But before we get to that point, we cover the team's recent form, top players, and predicted starting XI. This week we're covering group C; Argentina, Saud...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are beginning a brand new series in which we give a preview and prediction for each group for the upcoming World Cup! We're super stoked for the upcoming competition and as such are going to give our in depth breakdown of each group and where we think the teams will finish in the group. But before we get to that point, we cover the team's recent form, top players, and predicted starting XI. This week we're covering group B; England, Iran, ...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and this week we're making our final roster decisions for all teams in MLS. Seeing as how this league has a billion teams in the league, this will be a two part episode, so if your team is not in this episode, check out last week's episode for our takes. For all players with a contract expiry at the end of the season, we make our pick on whether or not we think they come back. Let us know who you think is coming back! Recorded on...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and this week we're making our final roster decisions for all teams in MLS. Seeing as how this league has a billion teams in the league, this will be a two part episode, so if your team is not in this episode, stay tuned for part two coming out soon. For all players with a contract expiry at the end of the season, we make our pick on whether or not we think they come back. Let us know who you think is coming back! Recorded on: 10...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and this week we're making our picks for the upcoming MLS Cup Playoffs. We go through both our brackets in their entirety and pick our winners for each matchup, eventually giving our MLS Cup champion. We've got lots of upsets in our predictions so listen in and let us know if you think we might be right. Who is your MLS Cup Champion? Let us know at any of our socials below! Recorded on: 10/10/2022 Let us know your th...

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 think is making the playoffs! Recorded on: 9/18/2022 Let us know your thoughts and if we g...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and this week we're discussing what are USMNT Depth Chart is with the World Cup coming up right around the corner. We are going to go position by position and give about 4-6 players per position and rank where we think they currently stand. Some really tough calls in this one, and some decisions made that will surely bother some listeners. Let us know what you think and what your depth chart would look like! Recorded on: 9/11/202...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and this week we're recapping the recent summer transfer window in MLS, part 2. This will be a two part series, with half of the teams covered in this episode, and the other half covered in the previous episode. We are going to go through all of the transfers in and out for each team in MLS from this recent transfer window (and some before the transfer window that we haven't already talked about) and say whether or not the window ...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, we are back and this week we're recapping the recent summer transfer window in MLS. This will be a two part series, with half of the teams covered in this episode, and the other half covered in the next episode. We are going to go through all of the transfers in and out for each team in MLS from this recent transfer window (and some before the transfer window that we haven't already talked about) and say whether or not the window was a win or...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back and this week we're reacting to the MLS All-Star game roster, and giving our take on players that were snubbed. We go position by position with a breakdown of the confirmed roster, including substitute players, and give our take on who deserves to be there and who is there just for name. Afterwards we take a look at some players who probably should be at the All-Star game based on the numbers this year. Let us know what you ...

In this episode of the Designated Players Podcast, the guys are back to continue the series where we talk about some of the biggest headlines in MLS/USMNT in the news recently. This week we've got a full USMNT episode, with a sprinkle of MLS news. We recap the recent friendlies for the USMNT and give our picks for who is headed to Qatar. Next we talk Wales qualifying for the World Cup and joining group B to face the US. Lastly we discuss Adam Buksa's rumored move to Ligue 1 side RC Lens (we g...