August 22, 2022 • 22 mins
Rick welcomes former professional soccer player and current General Manager and Co-President of LAFC John Thorrington to talk about his career as a player and executive, and recent signing of Giorgio Chiellini. Afterwards, former professional soccer player and current LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo joins Rick to talk more about the team, their latest two high profile signings, Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale, and his career.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm Rick Tittle and this is the Rick Tittle
Podcast on the eight Side Network. Join me as I
get busy with the biggest names in sports and entertainment.
All right, thank you for that. Welcome back to the show,
Rick Tittle with you coast and coast and around the
world on the American Forces Radio Network. So a pleasure
to welcome to the show the general manager of l
(00:22):
A f C of mL S, John Thorrington. And they're
very excited down there because they have inked Georgio o'ciellini,
the great Italian defender. John. Welcome to the show. And um,
I know that you were um with the Man United
uh set up the old Hye ts those youth team
scout days. Were you part of the days of Yovan Karowski,
(00:46):
the Neville Brothers, Skulls, Gigs Beckham, those guys. Yes. Well,
first of all, thank you for thank you for having me.
So I did not overlap with Yovan. Yovan had left,
I believe the year prior because he could not get
a work permit. I thankfully did not have that issue
because my father was born in the UK, so I
(01:09):
had I did not have the same issues that yovand
so I he he was there before me, and then
I think he had left about a year prior. But
then the others you mentioned the Gigs Skulls and that
generation a bit older than I was, but yes, they
were there, and I was there from seven as a
young pro and nine was the year where they famous
(01:34):
year they won everything. Yeah, Nikki, but I'm just thinking
about some of the other guys on that team. Um.
I remember Sir Alex tried desperately to even he flew
to Soho Square I think before it was Lancaster Gate
to try to get Crossky to stay before going to
Barusha Dortmund. Um, did you ever deal with Sir Alex?
(01:55):
Did you ever get the hair dryer treatment any of that?
I certainly did. Yes. I think what what is I
think not often talked about because of his success at
the highest levels, and I actually think it's unfortunate because
I think is level of involvement at all levels of
that organization throughout his time there is part of why
(02:17):
he was so successful. And you know, I've I've shared
this story a few times. But when you said did
I come across him, certainly you did. And you're all
in one building and he knows everybody there, and that
was certainly the case when I was there physically present
the nine. I remember a really intimidating conversation when in
(02:40):
nine when I had decided that I was going to
be leaving and going to Leverkusen in Germany, and how
scared I was to walk into his office to let
him know that that's where I was going. Um and
that was the last conversation I had with him at
that point. And eleven years later, I was at past
(03:00):
point playing in Chicago and Man United had come was there.
Their sponsor was a on at the time who now
are very great sponsors of l AFC as well, but
they they were hosting that United's first team, and so
it was eleven years later I'm playing there. They came
and they trained in the facility, and I still had
some friends on the team that were still there and
(03:22):
some staff, and I was going to say hi to them.
And before I even had a chance to say hi
to them, I'm walking down a tunnel and I hear
my name being shout and I turned around and sure enough,
it's Sir Alex saying hey, John. And I was planning
on Navy reintroducing myself, but he beat me to it.
And when I say, trying to make sure everybody understands
(03:43):
what this means. I never played a meaningful game for
this guy. So not as though he's talking to Roy
Keane after eleven years and he remembered my name, He
knew everything about my career since I had left Man United.
He was asking about my parents, talking about things that
I had, you know, while I was there, and I
was just awe struck at his memory. And you only
(04:05):
remember things like that if you really care, and that
was just really evident and um, and I still stayed
in touch with him following that to the day, and um,
certainly I've learned a lot from him, both from my
own experience with him and then and then from the Fox.
That's fantastic. Yeah, it's like the old Davis of soccer,
all right. So then you kind of get your foothold
(04:26):
in England with the Terriers and Huddersfield Town and coming
so close to getting promoted again. What was it like
to kind of have a home team and a place
that took you in and you were getting significant playing time. Yeah,
I think for me at that stage, So I've been
at Man United which at that time was the biggest
club in the world and by some measures still is,
(04:47):
but certainly on the field, off the field everything at
that point that was where the glory days and the
group of players you mentioned earlier was a young generation
who was the core of that team. And I think
when I found myself at a crossroad that nineteens had
been there as a as a young pro and I
was in the reserves and was very comfortable there, but
(05:08):
I thought to myself, looking out towards the future, the
key at that went to me was getting minutes at
a first team level and at that point, in between
Man United and Huddersfield, I went to lever Cusin and
they gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. Went there
play their reserves play in the third division. So I
really liked that about that opportunity. And then the opportunity,
(05:32):
having played there, came to go returned to England Um
because hudders Field coach at that time had deep connections
at Man United and so that they brought me back,
and for me it was about the pursuit of meaningful
first team minutes, which I got at Huddersfield. I spent
four years there. I think unfortunately that was the kick
(05:54):
start of my long list of injuries I had as
a player. But what help be and and able to contribute.
It was a great experience for me. We had some
yo yo years and certainly call on those moments still
when you think about pressure filled games and situations where
you're playing to go you know, I mean, it's it's
(06:17):
interesting now it's Stoke who are no longer in the
Premier League, but they beat us in the playoffs to
go up as they they won the playoffs that year.
We played against Brentford in the playoffs, team that now
in the Premier League. So it's I love that about
English football and that was a great experience for me
to play, not just in those promotion games, of playing
in some games where you're trying to save off relegation
(06:38):
and the pressure of those games and the intensity. It
was just um something unique that I had not experienced
it at that up to that stage or since now
it's it's absolutely fantastic, all right, Georgio Chiellini. Of course,
you know Italy didn't make the World Cup again. That
kind of spent things for people who don't know. An
(06:59):
mL actually got up to a guy in a discovery list,
then you've got to use your t am money. You
bring him in, he signs, And you know, I went
to the very first MLS game in San Jose. I
worked at the World Cup before that, and I remember
they when they were forming the league, they said, this
isn't gonna be like the n A s L with
only one good team, and we're not going to get
old guys who are getting one last check. No. On paper,
(07:21):
people who don't know Killin. He will see his age
and think, oh, you know he's coming over from La
Veckia SENIORI and uh and and maybe this is just
one more check. But you would not sign this guy
if he was not still a premier player. So what
do you say to people who are like, isn't this
guy a little over the hill. So yes, I certainly
(07:44):
have answers that I think our scouting department is I
is absolutely fantastic, and I think that served us incredibly
well throughout our time. And typically, I think our success
in that department has been in an identify buying young players,
bringing them in, developing them, and that's always been a
part of our model at L A f C. And
(08:06):
I think what's been interesting is hearing that comment, is
that this sense that, oh, this is a significant departure
from what L a f C is and has been, etcetera.
And I actually think it's the contrary. I think if
I were to say to somebody, go find me a
player you would want in a locker room and on
(08:26):
a field next to some young prospects in order to
help show them how to really make it, how to win,
how to carry yourself as a professional, I'd be surprised
if there were many players ahead at Georgio o'ciolini at
any So, it actually the irony of that comment as
to why L a f C is doing this being
(08:47):
a departure from what we did, actually see it as
the opposite. It is exactly in line with what we
want to do. And I think anybody who thinks that
there is any sense of Georgio taking it easy or
retiring or any of those things, they've never I can't
imagine any of them have ever spoken with him, met him,
because this guy just is a competitor. He is a winner.
(09:08):
You do not do the things he has done, even recently, um,
unless you you have that in you, and I certainly
we always to avoid the very fear that is implied
in that concern of retirement and vacation or whatever. We
always ask why does this player want to come to
(09:28):
l A f C. And that was never the answer.
It was never a fear of him coming for a
vacation and what have you. And if you, I always think,
if you want real information, go close, go as close
as you can to the player. And nobody who knows
Georgio Chiolini, those people are not expressing that concern. They're
the opposite. Now. Certainly people from the outside may see
(09:50):
an age, may see that it's a little bit different
from what we've normally done. But for me, I challenged
our scouts to say, for this value, for what we
will get from this guy, take away his age, just
watch him play and think about what he can give
to our team, and if you can find me a
better option for this amount of money, I'll sign him.
That's the job of our scouts. And we didn't even
(10:11):
come close. Yeah, no, I'm I'm on your side with
this signing. The guy still got a lot in the tank.
Can you talk about the leadership? Last question for you.
L A f C, of course, has a lot of
famous owners from Magic to Will Ferrell and me and
Hammon Nomar, Tony Robbins um. But there's one guy who
I got to know a little bit up here with
his time with the Warriors who are trying to win
(10:32):
a title tonight, Rick Welts. Great guy, Hall of Famer.
What does Rick bring to the table? Because to me,
that's just so impressive. You got him on your staff. Yeah,
So that mainly was due to one of our lead
managing owner is Peter Goober, who along with Lacob is
the primary owner up in up near where you are.
(10:56):
And so what Peter did which is incredibly helpful to
us is both with the Dodgers and with the Warriors,
he brought on some really high powered exacts from both
teams and what they offer. Rick being a primary example,
and now is the current president. Also Brandon Schneider does
(11:17):
much of the same for us, who's also an investor.
These guys are incredibly valuable to us, just people who
see things differently, you know. I think for us, we
see we are bullish on the future of soccer in
this country and in the future of our league and
the future of l a f C. And to be
able me to be able to call Rick, to call
(11:40):
Brandon Schneider to say, hey, this is a you know,
this is an issue we're facing with a player or
with a you know, because Bob Myers is also involved.
So whether it's a play or whether it's something off
the field, with ticketing, with sponsorships, what have you, these
guys are invaluable resources. So I think people look at
this odd range of owners and thinks that I think
(12:02):
it's somehow cumbersome. But all of them add different value,
whether that's magic, whether that's no More, whether it's the
Dodgers executives, Warriors executive so it is. It is a
real value add for us, and certainly the esteem with
which it sounds you hold Rick, I wholeheartedly agree. He is,
you know, a decorated career as a as an executive
(12:25):
in the NBA, and I would say even more, just
a fantastic man and for us to have access to
his wisdom and expertise is incredible. All right, very well
said by the general manager of l a f C.
Of course, one of the newer clubs in MLS making
a big splash, getting one of the greatest defenders in
Italian history after Paula Maldani probably say, you know the best, georgio'ciolini.
(12:50):
Congratulations on getting Georgio and we'll see up here in
San Jose, John, look forward to seeing you. Thanks for
having me. You're listening to the Rick Tittle podcast on
the eight Side Network. Stay tuned for more. Welcome back
to Sports Byline USA, coast to coast, border to border,
and around the world on the American Forces Radio Network.
(13:11):
It's our pleasure now to be joined by Steve Tarundelow.
He is the head coach of l a f C.
And there is a lot of great excitement going on
with that club as they have not only brought in
Georgio Kiollini, but just in the last couple of days
hearing that they've brought in the Welsh international and former
Tottenham and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale as well. Steve,
(13:33):
all eyes on you now, it's very exciting, a lot
of pressure to huh, well, pressure is uh whatever you
make of it. So um, we feel comfortable with the
Signs and his cats coming in uh people and human
beings on top of their extraordinary talent on the field.
So um, it's a it's a good sit all around.
(13:55):
So you kind of know what you're gonna get out
of Kaiolini. With Bail, though, you can do so many
things with him. You can put them as a center forward,
you can have them bomb down the wing. You can
basically let him do whatever he wants, go from sideline
to sideline. Do you do you have an idea what
you're gonna do with Bail? Yes, these thoughts and discussions
have been made prior to the acquisition of both of
(14:17):
these players. And obviously with Corny, as you pointed out,
it's pretty straightforward. And and with Jared, he said said, well,
with our front line of three, because we are quite
fluid in those positions, and um, we would like our
forwards and a change position and to move into certain spaces. Um.
And so it's quite fluid, like I said, and so
(14:37):
he will have room for creativity, um, to use all
of the counts. You know, I think about m L
S and I went to the first ever game at
Spartan Stadium in San Jose in in in nineties six
after working at the World Cup in ninety four, And
you think about the l A Galaxy and that was
kind of the team with Beckham and Robbie Keene and
I know Chieva's tried to get a hold on l A,
(14:59):
but uh, the galaxy or old hat. Now what's it
like to have the the entire MLS looking at your
team now? Um, well, for me, it's it's all new
this year since it is my first season. But it's
I think it's an attest to the hard work that
everybody LSC has been doing really from A to Z
because it's a very professional. Um. I have big ideas
(15:24):
and the resources to implement those ideas and so it's
like I said, it's all the hard work I've been
going on here for the past five years. They're only
handful Americans as you know, that have been a success overseas.
And you I do want to say you owned the Bundesliga,
but you owned the Hanover. You were the mayor of Hanover.
(15:45):
So when I say Hanover to you, now it's it's
it's your home, right, Um, yeah, it is. It is
another home. Um. I have a few homes and h
l A is one of the newer ones. So it's um,
you know, I know, uh Is is a city that
was part of my life. My children were part of there,
My life is from there. So I was the main
(16:06):
a part of my life. But you know, we are
very extent about this chapter. I remember at the Veldt
Pol called Meister Shafts and I was in Girls and
Kirkin and I got to see the USA versus the
Czech Republic there at Shalkas Velton's Arena, and um, you
were playing for the United States that day and it
didn't go our way. We lost three nothing, But but
(16:28):
for you it was I mean, I want to say
it was like a home game being in Germany, but
but for you it was you know, did it kind
of feel like home? Um? Yeah, I mean the World
Couple was an amazing experience that you talked you played
out in Germany. Um, feel like a home event for me.
And coming home now the time in California also feels
(16:51):
very much like home. Um. I grew up in San Diego,
which is as far from l A, but it's I
have a very very leach place that I can call
two places and two beautiful places like Germany and something
now forward in my home. There's a couple more questions
for Steve Trondelow, the head coach of l f L
a f C, the the gaffer, your transition now to
(17:15):
Major League Soccer, and it's a league that has expanded
very fast, and there have been some critics saying that
maybe it's gone expanded too fast. But as you look
at the league and there are so many teams. When
you look at the league, you look at your division,
what are some of the challenges that you have as
you start to uh, you know, watch the tape on
(17:35):
all your opponents, Well, it's, um, it's an interesting league. Um.
There's a lot of teams, a lot of opponents. There's uh,
you know, many ways, um to get from me to Z,
and so I think you see that in this league,
which makes it interesting. On top of that, due to
our rules and our regulations, um, um, you know, parody
Trump's everything. So UM, the difference between the team the
(17:57):
first place, the seam in the last place, on this
deals and on the rosters, it's very much. Um. So
most of these games are pretty tight, which makes it
very competitive and h coaches and players have to be
on top of the game. Wee can we count and
it's um it makes it all the more fun. By
the way, I'm a former West Coast Conference athlete from St.
(18:18):
Mary's and I know you were a Portland's a pilot.
What did you think coming down to Moraga back in
the day. I loved every minute I spent in the
WC that um, it was unfortunately a short spin of
my life, an amazing line and when where I actually
(18:39):
sent me first success later life very good. Now the
United States men's national team, of course, which you got
many caps and played many minutes and in important internationals.
Obviously we missed out on the World Cup cycle in Russia,
which was a complete disaster. You know, to me it
has to be an automatic con from qualification from con
(19:00):
a calf. But now moving forward, so many good young players,
and I talked about the Budas League of guys like
Joe Raino and others. Um, brighter times ahead for US.
Now what the US men's national team, Steve, Yes, absolutely,
I think Greg and Ernie um have done a great
job of building this roster um with enough youth to
(19:22):
carry us through the next World Cup in North America.
So I think the roster billy purposes, um, you know,
I give uh. I think if they've been fantastic and
the group has seen to come together as a group,
which um I know is extremely important in these competitions
than in these in these tournaments, um, and I think
we'll have a very strong group this World Cup, but
(19:44):
moving towards the next one even shock on. Yeah, you
mentioned a couple of your former teammates there, and I
know that you were part of our national setup. I
know you actually helped with the German national team as
well with their with their youth. Is you know for
you all eyes now just focused on your task at
hand and winning a championship. And you know l A
(20:04):
f C was on the map with some of their
big name owners. But now it's time to put the
product between the lines, right Yeah. I mean it's it's
all of the work that goes into an organization off
the field and and marketing and and um is incredible. UM.
And it's tough, not here in l A. But at
the end of the day where I'll do need to
(20:25):
win something, So gott is the idea. And for us
UM coaches and and UH players, UM, it's all about
the next game and we will we will think week
to week until we're able to do something we can
talk about for a few years. All right, UM, just
a cup. More questions, your favorite goal and of course
(20:46):
at your position. You're not going to score a lot
of goals. But your favorite goal you ever scored Bundesliga
or USA. Um, good question. Um. I would say I
would say my first ever, but this years old, which
was at me and it was kind of a counter attack. Um,
(21:09):
scoring your first goal in bons singing or something special
to me, and that's the one that would stick count um.
And then there was one other more of a nominal
than anything else, but the goal against for the US
team against Germany in Germany. Orm. Um, it was more
of a pass and it was a shot, but the
less my name was on the storemark. By the way,
do you think Paul calla jury shot heard around the
(21:31):
world was an actual shot? Uh? Yeah, let's just keep
it at that. And then last question for you, not
to bring up bad stuff, but what was your most
crushing defeat you ever had? Um? You know what if
(21:53):
I think about it was that still hurts the most,
um moving losing the derby against Brown SPI, which was
handled his big rival in Germany. I think that was
that was bad. And then you we already talked about it.
The O the World Cup performance, two thousens six. Some
of those results were tough especially against the Czech Republic
(22:15):
or Um or Ghana in the World Cup. I think
that was a game. I think it was a game
we definitely could have been probably should have won. Yeah,
I know, great goal by Clinton that game. All right.
We've been speaking with Steve Trondelo. He is the man
in charge of l a f C and a lot
of great players coming over from Europe and Keelleeny and Bale,
(22:35):
and they already had a pretty good roster, so all eyes.
As I mentioned on Los Angeles, Steve, best of luck
and we'll see you when you come up here to
San Jose take on the earthquakes. Sounds great, looking forward
to it. All right, I'm right to the We'll take
a quick break and come on back on sports Biolot.
This has been the Rick Tittle Podcast on the eight
Side Network.
Hi, I'm Rick Tittle and this is the Rick Tittle
Podcast on the eight Side Network. Join me as I
get busy with the biggest names in sports and entertainment.
All right, thank you for that. Welcome back to the show,
Rick Tittle with you coast and coast and around the
world on the American Forces Radio Network. So a pleasure
to welcome to the show the general manager of l
(00:22):
A f C of mL S, John Thorrington. And they're
very excited down there because they have inked Georgio o'ciellini,
the great Italian defender. John. Welcome to the show. And um,
I know that you were um with the Man United
uh set up the old Hye ts those youth team
scout days. Were you part of the days of Yovan Karowski,
(00:46):
the Neville Brothers, Skulls, Gigs Beckham, those guys. Yes. Well,
first of all, thank you for thank you for having me.
So I did not overlap with Yovan. Yovan had left,
I believe the year prior because he could not get
a work permit. I thankfully did not have that issue
because my father was born in the UK, so I
(01:09):
had I did not have the same issues that yovand
so I he he was there before me, and then
I think he had left about a year prior. But
then the others you mentioned the Gigs Skulls and that
generation a bit older than I was, but yes, they
were there, and I was there from seven as a
young pro and nine was the year where they famous
(01:34):
year they won everything. Yeah, Nikki, but I'm just thinking
about some of the other guys on that team. Um.
I remember Sir Alex tried desperately to even he flew
to Soho Square I think before it was Lancaster Gate
to try to get Crossky to stay before going to
Barusha Dortmund. Um, did you ever deal with Sir Alex?
(01:55):
Did you ever get the hair dryer treatment any of that?
I certainly did. Yes. I think what what is I
think not often talked about because of his success at
the highest levels, and I actually think it's unfortunate because
I think is level of involvement at all levels of
that organization throughout his time there is part of why
(02:17):
he was so successful. And you know, I've I've shared
this story a few times. But when you said did
I come across him, certainly you did. And you're all
in one building and he knows everybody there, and that
was certainly the case when I was there physically present
the nine. I remember a really intimidating conversation when in
(02:40):
nine when I had decided that I was going to
be leaving and going to Leverkusen in Germany, and how
scared I was to walk into his office to let
him know that that's where I was going. Um and
that was the last conversation I had with him at
that point. And eleven years later, I was at past
(03:00):
point playing in Chicago and Man United had come was there.
Their sponsor was a on at the time who now
are very great sponsors of l AFC as well, but
they they were hosting that United's first team, and so
it was eleven years later I'm playing there. They came
and they trained in the facility, and I still had
some friends on the team that were still there and
(03:22):
some staff, and I was going to say hi to them.
And before I even had a chance to say hi
to them, I'm walking down a tunnel and I hear
my name being shout and I turned around and sure enough,
it's Sir Alex saying hey, John. And I was planning
on Navy reintroducing myself, but he beat me to it.
And when I say, trying to make sure everybody understands
(03:43):
what this means. I never played a meaningful game for
this guy. So not as though he's talking to Roy
Keane after eleven years and he remembered my name, He
knew everything about my career since I had left Man United.
He was asking about my parents, talking about things that
I had, you know, while I was there, and I
was just awe struck at his memory. And you only
(04:05):
remember things like that if you really care, and that
was just really evident and um, and I still stayed
in touch with him following that to the day, and um,
certainly I've learned a lot from him, both from my
own experience with him and then and then from the Fox.
That's fantastic. Yeah, it's like the old Davis of soccer,
all right. So then you kind of get your foothold
(04:26):
in England with the Terriers and Huddersfield Town and coming
so close to getting promoted again. What was it like
to kind of have a home team and a place
that took you in and you were getting significant playing time. Yeah,
I think for me at that stage, So I've been
at Man United which at that time was the biggest
club in the world and by some measures still is,
(04:47):
but certainly on the field, off the field everything at
that point that was where the glory days and the
group of players you mentioned earlier was a young generation
who was the core of that team. And I think
when I found myself at a crossroad that nineteens had
been there as a as a young pro and I
was in the reserves and was very comfortable there, but
(05:08):
I thought to myself, looking out towards the future, the
key at that went to me was getting minutes at
a first team level and at that point, in between
Man United and Huddersfield, I went to lever Cusin and
they gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. Went there
play their reserves play in the third division. So I
really liked that about that opportunity. And then the opportunity,
(05:32):
having played there, came to go returned to England Um
because hudders Field coach at that time had deep connections
at Man United and so that they brought me back,
and for me it was about the pursuit of meaningful
first team minutes, which I got at Huddersfield. I spent
four years there. I think unfortunately that was the kick
(05:54):
start of my long list of injuries I had as
a player. But what help be and and able to contribute.
It was a great experience for me. We had some
yo yo years and certainly call on those moments still
when you think about pressure filled games and situations where
you're playing to go you know, I mean, it's it's
(06:17):
interesting now it's Stoke who are no longer in the
Premier League, but they beat us in the playoffs to
go up as they they won the playoffs that year.
We played against Brentford in the playoffs, team that now
in the Premier League. So it's I love that about
English football and that was a great experience for me
to play, not just in those promotion games, of playing
in some games where you're trying to save off relegation
(06:38):
and the pressure of those games and the intensity. It
was just um something unique that I had not experienced
it at that up to that stage or since now
it's it's absolutely fantastic, all right, Georgio Chiellini. Of course,
you know Italy didn't make the World Cup again. That
kind of spent things for people who don't know. An
(06:59):
mL actually got up to a guy in a discovery list,
then you've got to use your t am money. You
bring him in, he signs, And you know, I went
to the very first MLS game in San Jose. I
worked at the World Cup before that, and I remember
they when they were forming the league, they said, this
isn't gonna be like the n A s L with
only one good team, and we're not going to get
old guys who are getting one last check. No. On paper,
(07:21):
people who don't know Killin. He will see his age
and think, oh, you know he's coming over from La
Veckia SENIORI and uh and and maybe this is just
one more check. But you would not sign this guy
if he was not still a premier player. So what
do you say to people who are like, isn't this
guy a little over the hill. So yes, I certainly
(07:44):
have answers that I think our scouting department is I
is absolutely fantastic, and I think that served us incredibly
well throughout our time. And typically, I think our success
in that department has been in an identify buying young players,
bringing them in, developing them, and that's always been a
part of our model at L A f C. And
(08:06):
I think what's been interesting is hearing that comment, is
that this sense that, oh, this is a significant departure
from what L a f C is and has been, etcetera.
And I actually think it's the contrary. I think if
I were to say to somebody, go find me a
player you would want in a locker room and on
(08:26):
a field next to some young prospects in order to
help show them how to really make it, how to win,
how to carry yourself as a professional, I'd be surprised
if there were many players ahead at Georgio o'ciolini at
any So, it actually the irony of that comment as
to why L a f C is doing this being
(08:47):
a departure from what we did, actually see it as
the opposite. It is exactly in line with what we
want to do. And I think anybody who thinks that
there is any sense of Georgio taking it easy or
retiring or any of those things, they've never I can't
imagine any of them have ever spoken with him, met him,
because this guy just is a competitor. He is a winner.
(09:08):
You do not do the things he has done, even recently, um,
unless you you have that in you, and I certainly
we always to avoid the very fear that is implied
in that concern of retirement and vacation or whatever. We
always ask why does this player want to come to
(09:28):
l A f C. And that was never the answer.
It was never a fear of him coming for a
vacation and what have you. And if you, I always think,
if you want real information, go close, go as close
as you can to the player. And nobody who knows
Georgio Chiolini, those people are not expressing that concern. They're
the opposite. Now. Certainly people from the outside may see
(09:50):
an age, may see that it's a little bit different
from what we've normally done. But for me, I challenged
our scouts to say, for this value, for what we
will get from this guy, take away his age, just
watch him play and think about what he can give
to our team, and if you can find me a
better option for this amount of money, I'll sign him.
That's the job of our scouts. And we didn't even
(10:11):
come close. Yeah, no, I'm I'm on your side with
this signing. The guy still got a lot in the tank.
Can you talk about the leadership? Last question for you.
L A f C, of course, has a lot of
famous owners from Magic to Will Ferrell and me and
Hammon Nomar, Tony Robbins um. But there's one guy who
I got to know a little bit up here with
his time with the Warriors who are trying to win
(10:32):
a title tonight, Rick Welts. Great guy, Hall of Famer.
What does Rick bring to the table? Because to me,
that's just so impressive. You got him on your staff. Yeah,
So that mainly was due to one of our lead
managing owner is Peter Goober, who along with Lacob is
the primary owner up in up near where you are.
(10:56):
And so what Peter did which is incredibly helpful to
us is both with the Dodgers and with the Warriors,
he brought on some really high powered exacts from both
teams and what they offer. Rick being a primary example,
and now is the current president. Also Brandon Schneider does
(11:17):
much of the same for us, who's also an investor.
These guys are incredibly valuable to us, just people who
see things differently, you know. I think for us, we
see we are bullish on the future of soccer in
this country and in the future of our league and
the future of l a f C. And to be
able me to be able to call Rick, to call
(11:40):
Brandon Schneider to say, hey, this is a you know,
this is an issue we're facing with a player or
with a you know, because Bob Myers is also involved.
So whether it's a play or whether it's something off
the field, with ticketing, with sponsorships, what have you, these
guys are invaluable resources. So I think people look at
this odd range of owners and thinks that I think
(12:02):
it's somehow cumbersome. But all of them add different value,
whether that's magic, whether that's no More, whether it's the
Dodgers executives, Warriors executive so it is. It is a
real value add for us, and certainly the esteem with
which it sounds you hold Rick, I wholeheartedly agree. He is,
you know, a decorated career as a as an executive
(12:25):
in the NBA, and I would say even more, just
a fantastic man and for us to have access to
his wisdom and expertise is incredible. All right, very well
said by the general manager of l a f C.
Of course, one of the newer clubs in MLS making
a big splash, getting one of the greatest defenders in
Italian history after Paula Maldani probably say, you know the best, georgio'ciolini.
(12:50):
Congratulations on getting Georgio and we'll see up here in
San Jose, John, look forward to seeing you. Thanks for
having me. You're listening to the Rick Tittle podcast on
the eight Side Network. Stay tuned for more. Welcome back
to Sports Byline USA, coast to coast, border to border,
and around the world on the American Forces Radio Network.
(13:11):
It's our pleasure now to be joined by Steve Tarundelow.
He is the head coach of l a f C.
And there is a lot of great excitement going on
with that club as they have not only brought in
Georgio Kiollini, but just in the last couple of days
hearing that they've brought in the Welsh international and former
Tottenham and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale as well. Steve,
(13:33):
all eyes on you now, it's very exciting, a lot
of pressure to huh, well, pressure is uh whatever you
make of it. So um, we feel comfortable with the
Signs and his cats coming in uh people and human
beings on top of their extraordinary talent on the field.
So um, it's a it's a good sit all around.
(13:55):
So you kind of know what you're gonna get out
of Kaiolini. With Bail, though, you can do so many
things with him. You can put them as a center forward,
you can have them bomb down the wing. You can
basically let him do whatever he wants, go from sideline
to sideline. Do you do you have an idea what
you're gonna do with Bail? Yes, these thoughts and discussions
have been made prior to the acquisition of both of
(14:17):
these players. And obviously with Corny, as you pointed out,
it's pretty straightforward. And and with Jared, he said said, well,
with our front line of three, because we are quite
fluid in those positions, and um, we would like our
forwards and a change position and to move into certain spaces. Um.
And so it's quite fluid, like I said, and so
(14:37):
he will have room for creativity, um, to use all
of the counts. You know, I think about m L
S and I went to the first ever game at
Spartan Stadium in San Jose in in in nineties six
after working at the World Cup in ninety four, And
you think about the l A Galaxy and that was
kind of the team with Beckham and Robbie Keene and
I know Chieva's tried to get a hold on l A,
(14:59):
but uh, the galaxy or old hat. Now what's it
like to have the the entire MLS looking at your
team now? Um, well, for me, it's it's all new
this year since it is my first season. But it's
I think it's an attest to the hard work that
everybody LSC has been doing really from A to Z
because it's a very professional. Um. I have big ideas
(15:24):
and the resources to implement those ideas and so it's
like I said, it's all the hard work I've been
going on here for the past five years. They're only
handful Americans as you know, that have been a success overseas.
And you I do want to say you owned the Bundesliga,
but you owned the Hanover. You were the mayor of Hanover.
(15:45):
So when I say Hanover to you, now it's it's
it's your home, right, Um, yeah, it is. It is
another home. Um. I have a few homes and h
l A is one of the newer ones. So it's um,
you know, I know, uh Is is a city that
was part of my life. My children were part of there,
My life is from there. So I was the main
(16:06):
a part of my life. But you know, we are
very extent about this chapter. I remember at the Veldt
Pol called Meister Shafts and I was in Girls and
Kirkin and I got to see the USA versus the
Czech Republic there at Shalkas Velton's Arena, and um, you
were playing for the United States that day and it
didn't go our way. We lost three nothing, But but
(16:28):
for you it was I mean, I want to say
it was like a home game being in Germany, but
but for you it was you know, did it kind
of feel like home? Um? Yeah, I mean the World
Couple was an amazing experience that you talked you played
out in Germany. Um, feel like a home event for me.
And coming home now the time in California also feels
(16:51):
very much like home. Um. I grew up in San Diego,
which is as far from l A, but it's I
have a very very leach place that I can call
two places and two beautiful places like Germany and something
now forward in my home. There's a couple more questions
for Steve Trondelow, the head coach of l f L
a f C, the the gaffer, your transition now to
(17:15):
Major League Soccer, and it's a league that has expanded
very fast, and there have been some critics saying that
maybe it's gone expanded too fast. But as you look
at the league and there are so many teams. When
you look at the league, you look at your division,
what are some of the challenges that you have as
you start to uh, you know, watch the tape on
(17:35):
all your opponents, Well, it's, um, it's an interesting league. Um.
There's a lot of teams, a lot of opponents. There's uh,
you know, many ways, um to get from me to Z,
and so I think you see that in this league,
which makes it interesting. On top of that, due to
our rules and our regulations, um, um, you know, parody
Trump's everything. So UM, the difference between the team the
(17:57):
first place, the seam in the last place, on this
deals and on the rosters, it's very much. Um. So
most of these games are pretty tight, which makes it
very competitive and h coaches and players have to be
on top of the game. Wee can we count and
it's um it makes it all the more fun. By
the way, I'm a former West Coast Conference athlete from St.
(18:18):
Mary's and I know you were a Portland's a pilot.
What did you think coming down to Moraga back in
the day. I loved every minute I spent in the
WC that um, it was unfortunately a short spin of
my life, an amazing line and when where I actually
(18:39):
sent me first success later life very good. Now the
United States men's national team, of course, which you got
many caps and played many minutes and in important internationals.
Obviously we missed out on the World Cup cycle in Russia,
which was a complete disaster. You know, to me it
has to be an automatic con from qualification from con
(19:00):
a calf. But now moving forward, so many good young players,
and I talked about the Budas League of guys like
Joe Raino and others. Um, brighter times ahead for US.
Now what the US men's national team, Steve, Yes, absolutely,
I think Greg and Ernie um have done a great
job of building this roster um with enough youth to
(19:22):
carry us through the next World Cup in North America.
So I think the roster billy purposes, um, you know,
I give uh. I think if they've been fantastic and
the group has seen to come together as a group,
which um I know is extremely important in these competitions
than in these in these tournaments, um, and I think
we'll have a very strong group this World Cup, but
(19:44):
moving towards the next one even shock on. Yeah, you
mentioned a couple of your former teammates there, and I
know that you were part of our national setup. I
know you actually helped with the German national team as
well with their with their youth. Is you know for
you all eyes now just focused on your task at
hand and winning a championship. And you know l A
(20:04):
f C was on the map with some of their
big name owners. But now it's time to put the
product between the lines, right Yeah. I mean it's it's
all of the work that goes into an organization off
the field and and marketing and and um is incredible. UM.
And it's tough, not here in l A. But at
the end of the day where I'll do need to
(20:25):
win something, So gott is the idea. And for us
UM coaches and and UH players, UM, it's all about
the next game and we will we will think week
to week until we're able to do something we can
talk about for a few years. All right, UM, just
a cup. More questions, your favorite goal and of course
(20:46):
at your position. You're not going to score a lot
of goals. But your favorite goal you ever scored Bundesliga
or USA. Um, good question. Um. I would say I
would say my first ever, but this years old, which
was at me and it was kind of a counter attack. Um,
(21:09):
scoring your first goal in bons singing or something special
to me, and that's the one that would stick count um.
And then there was one other more of a nominal
than anything else, but the goal against for the US
team against Germany in Germany. Orm. Um, it was more
of a pass and it was a shot, but the
less my name was on the storemark. By the way,
do you think Paul calla jury shot heard around the
(21:31):
world was an actual shot? Uh? Yeah, let's just keep
it at that. And then last question for you, not
to bring up bad stuff, but what was your most
crushing defeat you ever had? Um? You know what if
(21:53):
I think about it was that still hurts the most,
um moving losing the derby against Brown SPI, which was
handled his big rival in Germany. I think that was
that was bad. And then you we already talked about it.
The O the World Cup performance, two thousens six. Some
of those results were tough especially against the Czech Republic
(22:15):
or Um or Ghana in the World Cup. I think
that was a game. I think it was a game
we definitely could have been probably should have won. Yeah,
I know, great goal by Clinton that game. All right.
We've been speaking with Steve Trondelo. He is the man
in charge of l a f C and a lot
of great players coming over from Europe and Keelleeny and Bale,
(22:35):
and they already had a pretty good roster, so all eyes.
As I mentioned on Los Angeles, Steve, best of luck
and we'll see you when you come up here to
San Jose take on the earthquakes. Sounds great, looking forward
to it. All right, I'm right to the We'll take
a quick break and come on back on sports Biolot.
This has been the Rick Tittle Podcast on the eight
Side Network.
Host
Rick Tittle
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.