September 11, 2025 • 42 mins
After a week dedicated to goals, Behind the Flow flips the script to spotlight the galácticos who stop them: the San Diego FC defense.
Adrian García-Márquez is joined by ESPN’s Katia Castorena and San Diego Sports 760’s Darren Smith to break down the numbers, the partnerships, and the personalities behind one of MLS’s most compelling back lines.
We hear from the McSmash Brothers — Chris McVey and Paddy McNair — on chemistry, consistency, and defying expectations; from 19-year-old Oscar Verhoeven on the mentality it takes to step up as part of the youngest back line in league history; and from CJ dos Santos — the rottweiler at the door — on competition, resilience, and his mantra: register, release, refocus.
Plus, a look ahead to Hispanic Heritage Night against Minnesota and a cross-border clash with Club Tijuana.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
I think it was Nicknair. Someone got on the ground
of union.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Is an excellent say from Cijel Sanchos.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Hold hold on, I'm Adrian gott to see Amonicas and THEO.
This is Behind the Flow, the podcast where we've dive
in deep, week by week into the heart of San
Diego webs's very first season in Major League Soccer. Last week,
it was all about goals, goals, goals, goals, goals, goals,
all right, so naturally, this week we're gonna flip it.
We're gonna turn it into the spotlight of defenses. We're
(00:36):
gonna feature every element that has defended all of San
Diego's goals. And in this episode, you're gonna hear from
the youth, the guys that have stepped up, including Oscar
bed Joven who's been outstanding when called upon, and the
experience of the MUCKs Smash brothers. And for those of
you have to wait, what do you mean Mucksmash, We're
gonna tell you that's Chris mcveain Patty McNair anchoring the
(00:57):
back line in the club's inaugural season.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
It's been great from day one. I think it's been awesome.
The way we train and how we play the games
and stuff. It's really fun and I enjoy being here.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
We're also going to hear from goalkeeper CJ those Santos,
and he's better to talk about the competition, resilience and
why register release refocus has become his mantra.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
And always remind myself that I'm positive, I'm strong, I'm
confident and always taking that breadth always to bring me
center and get me right back into the zone of
Ryan and Tabia.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
And as the old saying goes, goals win you matches,
but strong defenses wing you championships. So let's meet the
guys who are building the walls for San Diego in
front of CJ. So this is behind the flow. I've
got Darren Smith and Kantia alongside me. How are you
(01:46):
guys feeling good? Doing great?
Speaker 4 (01:49):
Can I just say how honored I think both Katya
and I must feel that you are hanging out literally
just a couple of days ago with Neymar and Carol
g and now here you are hanging out with us again.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
How honored do I feel with that?
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Wow? No, it feels better hang out with you guys,
then put it. You guys are bigger stars. Okay put
it like that.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
Oh thank you. We definitely, we were definitely honored.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
It was crazy, man. I gotta tell you, guys, Carol
g Man that she's coming Shakida move over. She blew
everybody away. I mean she was up to the task,
just like my Chargers were to be playing in South
Paul over Sila and guys, I mean, we're talking about
food borne and it was a ten of yes that
made it happen. Justin Herbert edie verto Carlos, he made
it happen and gave the Chargers the wind feeling good.
(02:36):
So yes, Travis Kelsey was very sad, which means that
Taylor Swift must have been very upset as well as
the Chiefs demise began in Bracila. It was just unbelievable. Guys.
But today we're going to focus on the people that
are keeping them out. So on last week's episode, you
gave us your favorite goals. Today we're gonna flip it.
We're gonna talk about favorite defensive moments and what stood
(02:59):
out to you as far as guys kind of doing
their thing in front of CJ.
Speaker 6 (03:03):
First, that win against Nashville, because the way that young
back line just held firm to secure that one nailed victory.
So I think that was a very good one due
to the injuries and what that moment meant, especially for
the young players.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
And daring your favorite moment defensively speaking so.
Speaker 4 (03:21):
Far, Wow, I mean there's been a bunch certainly since
that Houston game when they gave up four goals on
July fifth. They've only allowed eight since in MLS actions
or five actually in eight games. I think it is
so they've become as stingy as a team as we've
seen a Major League soccer all season.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
One of my favorite moments I think was also that
lockdown we saw from Manudua doing it again this time
against Sony. He was fearless in front of the thirty
two to fifty two, right in front of that north
end as LAFC were thinking they were going to establish
some residents there and unlock that box of emotions inside
the eighteen. Nope, they didn't happen. Manudua cj LO Central's
big time.
Speaker 7 (03:59):
Say.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
We're gonna discuss a couple of those elements moving forward,
because this is all about the defenders, and two of
those have shined, I mean all season long. The center backs,
and back in July we caught up with them, the
mugs smash brothers.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
Why Adrian, Why the mc smash brothers.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
When you come to mls him, There's one thing that
we all know is a characteristic of this league, physicality.
And if you have two guys that are gonna combine
and there they happen to have the little muck to
their name already muck something right, and both of them
trade paint. They both won't allow you to enter the
area near their keeper. They're gonna smash you, gonna crash you,
(04:41):
they're gonna pop you, They're gonna hit you. It's gonna
be like when you're reading a Batman comic, right, and
what do you see? Dog boom throg smash. That's exactly
what the mcsmash brothers do.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
I'm so glad you asked that question because I've heard
this standing right next to the man so many times
that I always wondered where that came from, And now
I know the act answer.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
That's it. It's yes, it's all it's all the sound effects.
But I hear a lot of smashing, crash and mcsmash
when it comes to those two guys, because they're gonna
take it from you and they're gonna be physical. Just
ask for David there from LAFC. He took one of
the biggest shots of the season there from our free
safety named Patty McNair.
Speaker 6 (05:20):
This would be the equivalent or just bottom of the
page of definition whenever everyone out there listening want to
understand the amazing nicknames that Adrian has.
Speaker 5 (05:31):
For all of the players. So we're gonna we're gonna.
Speaker 6 (05:33):
Have a section dedicated to explaining the names and.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Some kind of gloss for translations, right, uh, to kind
of for for those that are like, wait, what, yeah, Well,
back in July, guys, uh, there was no what moment
we understood that this guy was going to be a
player to give you everything he has for those of
us that watched him, you know, even at Miami, but
of course at DC United is where I got to
see him really shine. And we're talking about Christopher McVeigh. Darren.
(06:00):
You've called him the iron Man at the beginning of
the season, because that's exactly what he was giving you.
He was that guy that you can count on a constant,
a rock back there and not only forming a formidable
partnership with Patti McNair, but adjusting effortlessly to anyone who
plays alongside him. So our chat Big Gang with him
reliving that own goal in Minnesota and how he bounced
(06:21):
back from that situation, dusted himself off and kept moving.
Speaker 8 (06:29):
I think, you know, for me, it's no problem at all.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
I mean, it happens the way we play also as
we try to build out from the back, and you know,
you can kind of tell straight in the game, like
the moment after you just get out of it.
Speaker 8 (06:39):
And yeah, you know, I felt like I had a
really good game up there in Minnesota.
Speaker 7 (06:43):
But yeah, I mean we.
Speaker 8 (06:44):
Got out of there with a win. We scored four
on them, and you know, I can't really complain about that.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
So yeah, that's no problem at all. It's been great
from day one. I think it's been awesome. The way
we train and how we play the games and stuff.
It's it's really fun and I enjoy being here. Also,
what the fifth player or something to sign, So you
kind of didn't know who the players was coming in,
so then it was kind of like maybe like a
little bit gamble. But then again, like I trusted the
project and I knew, you know, the people behind it.
Speaker 8 (07:09):
Up there would do a good job on that.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
But then like coming in first training week, I thought,
you know, like quality was just really high and the
tempo was high, and like the players I was playing with,
I'm like, oh wow, this is a good group, you know,
And you could feel that straight away. So at that
moment of time, obviously it's hard to say exactly where
you're going to be, but just the way we trained.
Speaker 8 (07:29):
I was like, Okay, we could be really good.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
So I kind of had that feeling from the start,
so I think it will only get better.
Speaker 8 (07:35):
But I think, you know, it's the same for all
the teams.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
And if we play our style and do what we
need to do and how we train, we keep doing
that every day and day in and day out, then
you know the results will call them. The performances will come. Also,
you can kind of tell on the table, so that's awesome.
So you know, even the guys who maybe haven't gotten
that many minutes are really good players as well, and
they train really hard. But then also the right to
dream way how they play their style, it's a very
(07:59):
specific way, so everyone kind of knows how we play
that style of football, and I think the coaches have
been doing a really good job of, you know, incorporating
us into that playing style as well. So I think
that's probably the biggest reason. I kind of enjoy going
away for the way trips. That's kind of fun coming
from Sweden, seeing these new cities and stuff like that.
Speaker 8 (08:17):
I enjoy that a lot.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
I think the biggest difference is when you play at home,
you have the fans behind you. You know, we've had
some fans come out to the away against as well,
maybe not as many, but I think that gives a
lot of energy. So when you come and play at home,
it's like you just feel that extra little push from
them to perform and do well, and it's it really
helps and it's been amazing. I think the atmosphere has
been great at pretty much every game, so I can't complain.
Speaker 8 (08:41):
We're a really good team and other people think so too.
And I think you always want to win, and everyone
here wants to win.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
We're like a group of winners, I would say, So
there's always going to be pressure, but that's kind of
what you like. You enjoy that, and I think for us,
it's just like you play our style of game and
how we play, then we will win a lot of games.
Speaker 8 (09:02):
Hopefully that goes all the way.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
But yeah, I think we just got to take one
step at a time and keep building. You know, me individually,
I got to take steps as well, and you know
that's also what I focus on a lot. But if
everyone kind of thinks that way, then we also got
to grow as a group, and I think we're just going.
Speaker 8 (09:16):
To get better.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Well that was Ironman Christopher McVey, but of course he's
only half of the mc smash brothers, and you can't
hear from one without the other. So let's turn to
his partner at the back, Pattie McNair, who began reflecting
on his relationship with McVay.
Speaker 9 (09:41):
I mean, Chris or our relationship on and off the
pitch is really strong. First a few weeks here, he's
probably the one here sort of connected with the first,
and our interests are off the pitch especially, are very
similar with a both play golf, and yeah, I think
straight away you just sort of click with someone and
obviously plays in the same position as well, so I
(10:03):
think that sort of shoes on the pitch as well.
Speaker 7 (10:05):
I think we work well together and that.
Speaker 9 (10:06):
Definitely helps both of us when we're you know, close
off the pitch, and I think that definitely helps her performances.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
On the pitch.
Speaker 7 (10:13):
I think winning new franchise comes, people.
Speaker 9 (10:17):
Expect you sort of to struggle the first year, but
I think straight away we made a morek on the
league with the winaway Galaxy, and yeah, I think from
there we've grew the team and you know, we're sitting
top of the league at the minute, and yeah, I
still feel like we can improve a lot in areas.
So to be top of the league and feel like
you you know, you can improve.
Speaker 7 (10:38):
It's I think we're definitely going in the right direction.
Speaker 9 (10:42):
You know, I've played in teams before where you chop
and change formations and you do different but for us,
we sort of, you know, play the same shape every game,
and especially in pre season, you work on that and
when you have everyone on board, it definitely makes it
easier for everyone because on the pitch you sort of
know why go here, you'll be there, and it's just yeah,
(11:02):
it makes it makes a lot easier. And yeah, in
terms of the family, I think I think everyone here
is just really good people, and I think naturally you
gel and you get on with each other really well.
So I think that's sort of I think the more
you get on with everyone off the pitch.
Speaker 7 (11:20):
It definitely helps on the pitch.
Speaker 9 (11:22):
I quite like going to see the different states and
seeing other places, so I think that's it's quite cool.
My favorite state of Chicago definitely. Yeah, a really nice place.
I was there ten years ago, but I didn't really
get to go in in Mironda, so I went on
back there.
Speaker 7 (11:38):
It was because we from Chicago.
Speaker 9 (11:40):
We went two days before the game, so I got
a little bit more time to sort of look around it,
and yeah.
Speaker 7 (11:45):
A lovely place.
Speaker 9 (11:46):
A lot of the states here that have a little
like the bikes literally the electric bikes and the scooters,
so you can sort of it's good for us because
you see the legs.
Speaker 7 (11:54):
You can sort of just get around the city and
just go for.
Speaker 9 (11:56):
A coffee and you kind of have too much fun,
you know, so you just go around and see the
sites tetal sort of terrorist spots. But Chicago is very
nice to It's just just finish, like it's a sort
of mix of everything seem finished like it's like a
many many New York sort of look seems a very buzzy,
(12:18):
little buzzy city.
Speaker 7 (12:20):
Of course, a little city. It's massive, but yeah, it's
very cool.
Speaker 9 (12:24):
My expectations common hearing you was going to be a
very well organized set up in the training ground, the stadium,
the travel, like everyone's so well or organized here at
the training facility down to the food gym, just everything
so well organized. I'll be honest, Well, I probably speak
for everyone. I don't think anyone expects us to be
(12:44):
top of the league after you know this many games.
Speaker 7 (12:47):
Definitely you would be in the round the playoffs.
Speaker 9 (12:50):
But yeah, I think that's the thing that sort of
surprised me anyway, which which is quite a nice surprise.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Well that was Patty McNair got be done for Northern
Ireland and synergy. How they find themselves to do magic.
That's what we've seen out of those center backs. They
get along great.
Speaker 7 (13:10):
I do.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
I love that. I love that they spend time away
from soccer, that they go out and they do things.
They go play golf. I joked with them earlier this
year as like watching Henrik Stenson and Rory McElroy, right,
a great Swedish golfer and a Northern Ireland golfer go
out there. They're like, yeah, we're not quite at that
level yet, but it sounds like, you know, this partnership.
What makes it look so good on the pitch, I
think has a lot to do with the way that
(13:32):
they've spent a ton of time off at as well
and got.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
That you see the chemistry right, And you've covered several teams,
several players, several groups of center backs and pairings, but
this one feels like they naturally fit together.
Speaker 6 (13:43):
What Patty said, I think is very important because to
build that kind of chemistry and make it fast, and
you don't have all those years. This is the first year,
and because of what we're seeing, it just shows that
you need repetition, continuity, consistency, and that's what they've gone in.
And I like what he said that he's been a
part of other teams where they're constantly changing the lineup,
(14:05):
they're constantly changing the format, and here, because it stays
pretty much the same, that has allowed them, through repetition
and through having that continuity, to just know themselves, know
each other, know what they like on the field, and
then that's why we get to see those results.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
You see the results and when you get good center
back parings. I know I've had many conversations with the
limp or Claudio Suatz and him talking about how him
and Rafa Marquez used to just communicate without communicating, and
why they were so important to the Mexican national team
central defenses. And it just comes natural because of the intellect,
but because of just that natural ability to play football
(14:43):
the way it's supposed to be played, but it's unspoken,
and we see that happening with our much smash brothers.
So when we're talking about the partnership, we're talking about
the other guys as well that come into the fold,
and we're going to bring them in right after the break.
We're gonna catch you on the way back. We're going
to stay on the d We're back on behind the flow.
(15:18):
So we talked about the consistency, the leadership, the chemistry.
They enjoyed life in America when it comes to the
center backs, and the mcsmash brothers have been brilliant, but
they have to bring in young guys into the fold,
into the culture and Darren. For Patty McNair in particular,
this is kind of like a change from what was
(15:40):
him at nineteen. Now he's got to be the master Jedi.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
Well, I love this about Patty because we're able to
have a chat with him about his first ever starting
eleven when it came with Manchester United, where Louis van
Hall went to their academy and they called up nineteen
year old Patty McNair and just for our own curiosity,
I went back and looked at the starting eleven that
day for Patty. He looks around, think of some of
these names that he played with, Robin Van Percy, foul Cow,
(16:07):
Wayne Rooney, right, anheld Maria, David Dejea is playing with
Raphael Marcus Rojo daily Blind, Like these are unbelievable players
that he's playing with. And I think it's kind of
cool now that the shoes on the other foot. And
now he's looking around to his left and his right
and up ahead and he's seeing a bunch of guys
who are in their teens and here Patty now is
(16:28):
playing the role of mentor and Gottia.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
It's interesting with Darry saying because at Manchester, you there's
already a culture, there's already an expectation here. These guys,
the mcsmash brothers, kind of were tasked with building a
culture back there.
Speaker 6 (16:41):
And that's when your previous experience becomes so important and
comes into play because on the other part of the
Mucksmash Brothers, if we focus on McBay and what his
trajectory has been all about, and focusing on his MLS career,
he was at Inter Miami.
Speaker 5 (16:55):
He played for fifty games.
Speaker 6 (16:56):
There, then he went to DC United, all known twenty
seven games there, and then DC United declined his contract option.
Then he joined San Diego, makes an impact, and just
a couple months ago, as thefcnn's at the club reassigned
him to a contract extension through the twenty twenty seven
season with a club option through twenty twenty ages. Picture
(17:17):
what that means. When you've been a part of other
teams they're not picking up your contract options, and then
you land in San Diego, you just fit right in.
The culture embraces you and you're a part as well
of building the culture. Because even Tyler Heap said it,
Chris has been a cornerstone of our defense since day one,
(17:38):
and his consistency and presence on the back line have
been instrumental to our early success. And we all believe that.
So you feel that confidence, you feel that love, and
it shows.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
And the word here is stable stability and that what
that confidence does, what those experience do for both of them.
And then you have young players come into the fold,
when it's Mono doa Ian Pilcher, Luca Bombino, and of
course Oscar Bea Coobin and we caught up with him
at Singing Hills to get the youth perspective on life
(18:09):
here in the finest city.
Speaker 10 (18:18):
I think coming here, I knew that it was going
to be beneficial to my development, regardless of if I
was playing or not. Nothing is ever really guaranteed, especially
for a young guy earning your spot, So I knew
coming in that it wasn't just going to be given,
and I think that's how it should be. I think
it was something that I had to work into and
after you know, a few weeks of training and making
(18:40):
some appearances and kind of just building up the trust
and earning opportunities. I think that's kind of how it
ended up me kind of fully pushing through in the
plane and being in starting lineup consistently, even though I'm
young in age that I have a mature sense of
playing style and can handle these big games and big moments.
We were playing against some of the time teams and
(19:00):
I think just consistency in building that was kind of
the biggest factor of creating that trust between the head
coach and like all the different assistant coaches in this sport,
like people get injured, people take knocks, people may miss
a game, and I think just the mentality that everyone
has of when my moment is going to happen is
(19:21):
constantly being reiterated and being a big squad and grabbing
hold of what's given.
Speaker 7 (19:27):
So I think.
Speaker 10 (19:28):
That's kind of the mentality that's been throughout some of
the players that maybe haven't played as much and when
they do get the opportunity, I think everyone's been stepping up.
I definitely run a lot. I think that is one
of my strong points of my game, is my athleticism
and my ability to run long distances and stay at
(19:50):
a high level throughout.
Speaker 7 (19:51):
You know, all ninety minutes.
Speaker 10 (19:52):
Obviously it's tiring, but I think I've conditioned myself well
enough to be able to keep up and maintain that.
This support in San Diego has been, you know, honestly incredible.
It's been eye opening to see the amount of people
that really do care and are there every game and
supporting us and every ninety minutes you hear them the
(20:14):
entire time. I think it's such an honor to be
able to play in front of what twenty five twenty
six thousand people a game that are all in support
of you. It's it's a feeling that's hard to be recreated,
to be honest, because you just feel so supported and
and I think it gives us such an advantage at
home to know that you have all these guys supporting,
(20:34):
supporting you and behind your back to really fuel the
rest of the game when when the times are needed.
Speaker 7 (20:40):
So yeah, it's an unreal feeling to be honest.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Oscar betack home and a reminder that youth is such
a huge part of the vision of San Diego FC.
And Katy, I'll go with you. And I know you're
a resident expert also, and I imagine I don't want
to assume, but you have your share of favorite boy bands.
I mean, don't they sound like a boy band all
the time, Like it's not Backstreet Boys or anything, but Oscar,
Manu Luca Ian they have names for a boy band
(21:11):
and they've done great.
Speaker 10 (21:12):
They do.
Speaker 5 (21:14):
I don't thought about it, but they do. That's them.
Speaker 6 (21:18):
And when it comes to Oscar Verhovin. You keep hearing
at nineteen year old, imagine that you are a standout
defensive prospect, that the sky is the limit, that you
have a high ceiling. The problem for him was, of course,
then when he was with San Jose, he did not
fit into Bruce Arena's plans at the club where a
(21:38):
defensive line had already been established. So it was good
that the Earthquakes let him go to another team so
he could get more minutes. And that's exactly what happened,
and that was as DFC, and it was a great fit.
And we keep seeing this stories, recurring stories about these
players that didn't have opportunities elsewhere, and that's why when
(21:59):
they came in, they came in eager, wanting to learn, hungry,
wanted to contribute. And that's what's making this culture very special.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
I think Gotya kind of just helped us without realizing it.
But we just came up with the name let's go,
it's the back line Boys, and let's do that, Darren,
because you've talked to the back line boys, many man.
Speaker 5 (22:20):
Back line boys.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
Boom done, it's happening, It's already happening.
Speaker 4 (22:26):
Yeah, Well, there in Vegas sphere, before too long.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Put them up there on stage. Yes, yes, it's happening.
And Darren at Singing Hills, You've gotten them to sing
quite a bit. It's just been absolutely phenomenal when it's
come to just seeing these guys developed in real time
right in front of our eyes.
Speaker 4 (22:43):
Yeah, and listening to them and it's all the same conversation, right,
Like the partnership with McVeigh and McNair is similar to
the relationship between Oscar Verhoven and Luca Bombino, and that
they really know how to connect with one another both
on and off the field, and how they know how
to communicate nonverbally and they know how to cover each
(23:04):
other's back. We see this a lot where McVeigh wants
to move forward a little bit, right, Like he can
score a goal or two every now and again, but
it only does that because he trusts Patty McNair and
Oscar said similar things as well. When I see Luca
moving forward here, I know I have to cover him
at the back. So it's all about opportunity and these
guys are making the most of their opportunity. So you know,
(23:25):
you got to love it when a plan comes together.
As a wise man once upon a time, said Adrian,
And it's coming together here.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
It is coming together again. Credit to the vision of
Tighter Heaps and Mikey Badas being able to see the
talent in these players and knowing that you could throw
them into the fire, you can throw them into the ocean.
And they're going to do the backstroke. They're not just
going to swim. They're going to do the backstroke. And
that's what we've seen. So that's the backline. But what
about the man with the one things and the sweater
and the swag and listening to the beatles in his
(23:53):
head sit while he's on his way to the stadium. Yes,
he's got some rottweiders by the door also waiting to
shut everybody out and bite them when they come near
his house. Coming up next, CJ. And we're back on
(24:21):
behind the Flow. We've spent time talking about San Diego's backline,
the back line boys, the mcsmash Brothers, Montegaty and company,
the rest of the crew. Shout out to those guys.
But every strong defense has to have, has to count
on a gentleman who's handling business under the three pipes
and four as DFC. That's CJ. Dos Santos, averaging more
(24:44):
than three saves a game. He's battled through injury. He's
done so much when it comes to the culture of
San Diego FC as well, and he likes to also
bring in the fashion statement as he arriving at the
mirv Dragon, mental toughness he's also brought to the table,
and he's loved for the Beatles. He shared all of that.
As we've built into this season, we sat down with
him to talk a little bit more about the competition
(25:06):
for the number one sweater, the resilience required, and why
his mantra is very simple. Register, release, refocus.
Speaker 7 (25:20):
My name is CJ.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Dos Santos, and I'm gonna go keep it for San
Diego FC. Being the first ones here in this club.
Like I've said this before, it's such an amazing opportunity
for all of us. You know, the one hundred years
in the future, we'll all be gone and our photos
will still be up there and will be a part
of this history of San Diego, and that gives you
a sense of responsibility to help that next generation, to
(25:41):
help those players that are coming in.
Speaker 7 (25:43):
But so far, so good.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
Everything's been so positive here with the players and with
the staff, so really really happy so far. I've come
here from a situation where I hadn't played a lot
in my previous club. You know, it's an absolute blessing
to be here, to get the not to be the starter,
and to gain this amount of minutes so far in
this season. In terms of it being a perfect season,
Let's see how things turn out in November December.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
From not playing much before to near ever present for
the conference leader, CJ fields right at home among the
fans in chrom and.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
These fans are some of the most supportive fans that
I've ever experienced. You know, when things aren't going your
way and it's a tough result, they're the first ones
to back you up.
Speaker 7 (26:25):
They're the first ones.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
To give you some positive affirmation to keep spurring forward.
There are twelfth man, there are biggest supporters. They're the
ones we're doing it for. Without the fans, we wouldn't
be here right now. I always love interacting with the
fans after the game, being able to give back to
this amazing community of San Diego, and just being able
to feel the passion that I feel from the fans,
not just within the stadium, but also in public spaces.
(26:48):
When I look at myself in the mirror, I just
see a guy that plays this game. You know, I
watch Netflix, I play video games, I go to the movie.
So I see myself as a regular person, I guess.
But it gives me a sense of pride that I'm
giving something back. I'm giving joy back to the fans,
to the supporters, and you know, I'm forever grateful for
the absolute positivity and the passion that I feel from them.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Just a little story.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
When I was growing up in Philly, I would go
to a baseball game and I'll scream after one of
the players and he looked over, waved that me and
threw me a ball. To this day, I still remember
that small interaction. For him, it was just a few seconds,
but for me, like, I'm going to take that with
me for the rest of my life. So it's just
those little interactions that may seem a few seconds for me,
(27:35):
but it's it's a dream come true for them.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
Pressure is permanent, not least the pressure to keep your
spot between the sticks. CJ told us a bit more
about his friendly but competitive relationship with fellow as DFC
keeper Bablos.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Obviously, it's always going to be a competition, and with
how he works and how dedicated he is, how well
he's been training, and how experienced he is, he's earned
the opportunities as well, and he's done a fantastic job already.
A low friendly competition, of course, will bring the best
out of anyone. I appreciate everything that he's done with me.
He's really pushed me and he's given me so much
advice in my journey. He makes me better, and I'd
(28:12):
like to think that I make him better with our
competition one hundred percent.
Speaker 1 (28:16):
You got to be mentally strong to be a goalkeeper
in top flight football, something which CJ's been working on
for a long time now.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
To stay focused in high pressure situations, I always take
a deep breath and kind of center myself back into
the situation and always remind myself that I'm positive, I'm strong,
I'm confident, and always taking that breadth always to bring
me centered and really get me right back into the
zone of.
Speaker 7 (28:42):
Ryanny to be out.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
My mentality has changed over the last several years because before,
when I was younger, I was very hard on myself
and that kind of made me take steps back. As
I've gotten older and as I've experienced a few more
things in my career. I've gotten way more positive with
myself because the game comes at you so fast, and
(29:04):
sometimes you need to set that moment aside and look
at it the next day. It's easier said than done
most of the time. I moved away from home when
I was fifteen turning sixteen years old, I moved over
to Portugal. I signed with Benfica at that point, and
that was a very, very difficult thing to do. There
was some doubt if I wanted to stay comfortable where
(29:24):
I was or if I wanted to branch out and
take a risk. I learned so much about myself and
about football. I've met some amazing people. I met my
wife in Portugal. She believed in me when I didn't
believe in me. And that's where I come back to
surrounding yourself with positive people and people that will believe
in you and will help you believe in yourself.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
I'm forever grateful that I took that risk. No one
puts their body on the line quite like CJ. Even
if it means there will be blood or a broken nose.
We saw that against the Houston Dynamo.
Speaker 3 (29:59):
I tried to take the best out of a tough situation.
It didn't hurt as much as you may think. The
thing that I was most concerned about was the blood
because it wouldn't stop, and I thought that I was
definitely gonna be pulled out with the amount that was
coming out, and I was gonna be lightheaded. But I
was able to stay focused and I did not want
to get out of that game. I was thinking, like, okay,
(30:20):
let me save the penalty. Unfortunately that didn't happen, and
after that it was kind of just taking one action
at a time and just making the most out of
the situation.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
One thing's for sure. Ce j Tho Santos wants to
leave a lasting mark on the San Diego faith.
Speaker 3 (30:35):
I hope that I can inspire, even if it's one
player or one person, to follow their dreams and to
do the absolute best. I think I've done my job
and I hope to inspire as many people as possible.
Speaker 1 (30:50):
And boy has he done that and then some. He's
been a great fit for the Finest City. Darren. We've
had an opportunity to talk to him. I know you've
also talked to him on several occas there at singing hills,
and after hearing that, you feel like CJ has nailed
down the number one sweater butt. There's a butt there.
The competition is always ironing, sharpening iron at San Diego FC.
(31:13):
He knows that Babbleo Sisnaka is waiting in the wings.
But also again as we started with this conversation earlier,
very supportive of CJ. Locandos.
Speaker 4 (31:21):
By the way, when we listen to that guy, sometimes
you think to yourself, this is too good to be true, right,
but he like is that guy is like it makes
so much sense now hearing him talk about catching that
baseball that he takes so many pictures with fans after
the game. Now I understand that there's an actual reason
behind it other than just being a nice dude. But yeah,
(31:41):
I think for him wearing the number one suirt, you know,
he caught a glimpse of what life was like sitting
on the bench again after being the starter and the
preferred goalkeeper since match day one. Mikey's quick to say,
and he says, everybody is competing for their job all
the time when you play for SDFC, And I think
the players on stand that. I think the players really
(32:02):
do take that to heart, like deep down, does Jukie
Lozano go to bed at night thinking, you know that maybe.
Speaker 1 (32:07):
I'm gonna lose my spot?
Speaker 4 (32:08):
Probably not, but in the spirit of competition, you know,
this is how Mikey and everybody on staff has inspired
these guys to be at their very best.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
And speaking of that Gatya and kind of just going
into the why we call them pedals, c j Lo
sentos he's got the rot Wilders by the door, He's
got two pedals in his chest, and to kind of
break it down on it before you know, and I
kind of want to take it here real quick for
an explanation for all of you listening. There's a great
poem and I want to share with you real quick.
As I go to this gotta you'll see what my
whole reasoning behind it is.
Speaker 5 (32:40):
Footnote of the segment.
Speaker 1 (32:43):
Yes, thank you. There's going to be a lot of
slow singing and flower bringing if my burglar alarm starts ringing.
What you think all the guns is for all purpose? War?
Got the roth Wilders by the door, and I feed
them powder so they can devour the criminals trying to
drop my estimals. That was Christopher Wallace, notorious big and
(33:05):
that's where we go with that, right the roth Wilders
by the door, and that's CJ. Just the way that
he plays the position. He's got two dogs in that
Vetrol and it kind of just that it's contagious because
you see the rest of the guys kind of step
up with him and have that energy back there. So
it doesn't surprise us that they keep more out than
they let in.
Speaker 6 (33:22):
Right on topic, because Carlos Joachim do Santos, CJ do Santos.
You all know him, did you know he lists writing
poetry as one of the things he enjoys in his bio.
Nice So there you go, Hes there, you're gonna like
this Adrian because he grew up playing baseball.
Speaker 5 (33:43):
He was his team's ace pitcher and.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
In North Philly and North Philly you gotta have some
game because and that's you gotta be tough, tough as nail.
So yes, I could see it happening and then throwing
some strikes as well. But given what we've heard, also
you talk about just guys waiting in the wings and
the culture that he's kind of been able to go
from Portugal with Benfic go to Miami and just kind
of absorb everything. It was almost like destiny. He was
(34:07):
scripted in his movie. And I love that he mentioned
his wife being that rock for him and making him
believe when he didn't believe, and you could see that
he's a genuine person.
Speaker 6 (34:16):
Yeah, And I loved hearing him talk about just his
whole experience and you understand why when he went abroad
he had to learn to vent for himself from a
really young age to get that experience being there, and
also honoring his family where he comes from because his
parents immigrated to the US from Portugal and Cape verdie
So it just like comes full circle. And he's been
(34:38):
a part of the US men's national team youth levels
and now getting this opportunity to be a starter and
then knowing what it was like to go down with injury,
being on the bench, that healthy competition with Pablo that's
always going to make any team better at any position,
and just his presence, how solid has been the leadership
(34:58):
that it requires being vocal, especially when you have a
young back line in front of you with all those
guys that had to step up as well.
Speaker 4 (35:07):
And can I just say too agent, because I think
it's an important point that that's being made about having
a young back line with this type of style, which
can be a little bit risky. Right when you're trying
to play it out of the back. Mike can say
all he wants, and he's right that clean sheets is
a team statistic. But sometimes when you're the guy giving
up the goal because maybe you make a mistake or
two at the back, you know that is going on
(35:29):
your resume there as well. So you know the club
saw enough that they rewarded him with an extension. But
you have to think about how mentally tough you have
to be to say, hey, we're going to have to
learn to live with some of these mistakes, even though
that's going to impact me statistically, right. And I think
that's been a big part of what CJ has been
all about, never pointing any fingers ever, ultimate team guy
(35:50):
talking about how we, you know, need to do this
or that, but it always starts with him. And when
you're playing a risky style in a new system with
younger players. We heard Chris McVey talk about it earlier
on the own goal against Minnesota, saw it against San Jose.
You have to find somebody mentally who's able to say,
I'm moving on to the next thing that's about to
(36:11):
happen here, and that's been CJ in a nutshell.
Speaker 1 (36:14):
So MLS returns this weekend and we're back at the
Murph Dragon for the visit of Minnesota. The club has
turned this one guys into Hispanic Heritage night. God damn
for those of us that are Espanos ogu YOSANDEMICI comes
from the border lens of Bacha, California and southern California.
It's going to be a huge night. And then just
(36:35):
a few days later, a team that we both kind
of held close to our heart until San Diego PSI
was born, Scholes Quintles at Tijuana arrive for a special
cross border Baja Cup celebrating Mexican Independence Day. It's going
to be a busy stretch for San Diego.
Speaker 6 (36:51):
Talk about embracing the culture, the region, the border town.
I like that also the way the teams have been
collaborating and trying to establish this Baja Coup since the beginning.
And I had the opportunity even before the team started playing,
to host or MC one of the press conferences that
they had between Sholos and as DFC, and that was
(37:11):
a very special moment because it just brought me back
and it brought so many memories. I've seen two clubs,
both in Lega MX and MLS in I'd say both
my hometowns, I guess, because I consider myself a by
national bicultural person from the border town of Tijuana and
San Diego. So getting to see those two clubs, those
(37:33):
two teams and now them facing each other coming together
is just a very special moment.
Speaker 1 (37:39):
Yeah, it's special for all of us border kids. They
grow up, born and raised in the hottest corner of
the Americas and to see this all come together. Now
you have an MLS side and Aliga m E side.
We'll see how that rivalry plays out or it's going
to be like a friendly partnership. We don't know yet.
But Darren, there's business, and that business is Minnesota coming
up as part of this crazy stretch to close it out,
(38:00):
and with teams trying to put pressure and bring sd
FC down from the mountain.
Speaker 4 (38:04):
Right number one versus number two in the Western Conference,
We're just all going to hope that our ten players
get back to San Diego. But Minnesota's got eight players
playing internationally and they're spread out even further. They have
players playing Southern Hemisphere, all sorts of stuff. I do
actually think the match sort of sets up hopefully pretty
well for SDFC, and that Minnesota is the team that
is chasing, so maybe they can't just sit in the
(38:27):
defensive low block.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
Maybe they have to go for it a little bit.
We'll see, Gantia, give me your noster, Dominis. Let's go
with the predictions for both Minnesota and SDFC and then
the Scholos Bacha Cup.
Speaker 6 (38:37):
For the Cup, I'd say as EFC will win too nail.
And for Minnesota United, they already beat them once for
two and I think they're gonna beat them again. Might
be a little bit tighter because Minnesota United, you know,
they're going to be chasing. They want to, you know,
stay up there in the standings a little bit closer.
Speaker 5 (38:55):
But I still say a to one win for Sandu.
Speaker 4 (38:59):
They sing, i'llgo Minnesota United three to one. Just a
late goal from one of the SDFC players returning from
international break. You know that they come off the bench
and they put one in there at the end. Got
to get back to our winning ways and snapdraging stadium,
don't we wont win in the last five dating back
to May, and then I'm just gonna say I don't
want to sound neutral here, but I'm going to go
(39:19):
with a you know, a good entertaining to two draw
in the Baja Cup and everybody's everybody's happy because it's
a celebration of football and living in this beautiful bi
national region that we live in.
Speaker 1 (39:30):
That's right, and that's why you're always going to be
invited to the CASA. You get a VAP card from
all of us. Darren Smith and you know, my prediction, guys,
is that since we've been talking about CJ and the
Backlane boys, it's going to end up to nothing, all right,
okay to nothing there and then against Sholos it's going
to be a two to one win for sd FC.
So we're going to keep the great vibes going and flowing,
(39:53):
and that's what this show's all about. Behind the flow.
I've enjoyed talking about d this week, guys. It's been
great hearing more about the experiences of each of these
guys that have made it happen and made it happen
nicely in the finest city. And next week we're gonna
shift our focus to the man himself, the wizard behind
(40:14):
the curtain, not so much behind the curtain, because he's
out there in front. He shows you who he is.
He wears his heart on his sleeve and he holds
nothing back. In conversation. We're talking about Mikey, about us.
We're gonna dive into his journey, his philosophy and what
it takes the lead and expansion side through its very
first season in Major League Soccer. But for now, big
thanks to Chris McVay, Patty McNair, CJ. Dos Santos, and
(40:34):
of course Oscar Behoven reminding us just how important youth
is to this project and is always to the very
best in the business. Gatia, Darren, thank you so much.
This was great. You guys have fun to it. Oh right, Yes,
she does it way better than I.
Speaker 7 (40:50):
She throw shades too.
Speaker 1 (40:51):
She throw on their sunglasses to give a little bit
more motor. All right, nice, And before we go, guys,
we have to congratulate Thunk Funk a player of the monthing.
Oh yes, m a last player of the month for
August and dere Dreer. We've been backing him up all
season long, and yes we're still campaigning for his MVP push.
(41:13):
So here's where you start singing, MVP, MVP. Let's go
join me, MVP. And we are not as coordinated as
Backstreet Boys.
Speaker 7 (41:23):
Guys.
Speaker 1 (41:24):
We need to work on the rhythm.
Speaker 4 (41:25):
Hey, how about twenty seven thousand people chanting that this
weekend at snap Tracking Stadium.
Speaker 1 (41:29):
That's gonna sound like music to our ears. It's gonna
sound just like Ringle Star keeping the rhythm of those
beatles making sound perfect. And thank you everybody, the whole
production team for making this sound great behind the flow,
and thank you wherever you are listening chanting MVP, don't
forget to drop us a follow or join us every
week as we write out sdfc's incredible inaugural season in
(41:53):
Major League Soccer for Gandiaan and Darren, I'm AGM see
you next time you've been dipped in chrome. I Saul
MBP MBP.
Speaker 5 (42:03):
Bye bye bye bye bye.
Speaker 1 (42:05):
All right,
I think it was Nicknair. Someone got on the ground
of union.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Is an excellent say from Cijel Sanchos.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Hold hold on, I'm Adrian gott to see Amonicas and THEO.
This is Behind the Flow, the podcast where we've dive
in deep, week by week into the heart of San
Diego webs's very first season in Major League Soccer. Last week,
it was all about goals, goals, goals, goals, goals, goals,
all right, so naturally, this week we're gonna flip it.
We're gonna turn it into the spotlight of defenses. We're
(00:36):
gonna feature every element that has defended all of San
Diego's goals. And in this episode, you're gonna hear from
the youth, the guys that have stepped up, including Oscar
bed Joven who's been outstanding when called upon, and the
experience of the MUCKs Smash brothers. And for those of
you have to wait, what do you mean Mucksmash, We're
gonna tell you that's Chris mcveain Patty McNair anchoring the
(00:57):
back line in the club's inaugural season.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
It's been great from day one. I think it's been awesome.
The way we train and how we play the games
and stuff. It's really fun and I enjoy being here.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
We're also going to hear from goalkeeper CJ those Santos,
and he's better to talk about the competition, resilience and
why register release refocus has become his mantra.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
And always remind myself that I'm positive, I'm strong, I'm
confident and always taking that breadth always to bring me
center and get me right back into the zone of
Ryan and Tabia.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
And as the old saying goes, goals win you matches,
but strong defenses wing you championships. So let's meet the
guys who are building the walls for San Diego in
front of CJ. So this is behind the flow. I've
got Darren Smith and Kantia alongside me. How are you
(01:46):
guys feeling good? Doing great?
Speaker 4 (01:49):
Can I just say how honored I think both Katya
and I must feel that you are hanging out literally
just a couple of days ago with Neymar and Carol
g and now here you are hanging out with us again.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
How honored do I feel with that?
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Wow? No, it feels better hang out with you guys,
then put it. You guys are bigger stars. Okay put
it like that.
Speaker 5 (02:09):
Oh thank you. We definitely, we were definitely honored.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
It was crazy, man. I gotta tell you, guys, Carol
g Man that she's coming Shakida move over. She blew
everybody away. I mean she was up to the task,
just like my Chargers were to be playing in South
Paul over Sila and guys, I mean, we're talking about
food borne and it was a ten of yes that
made it happen. Justin Herbert edie verto Carlos, he made
it happen and gave the Chargers the wind feeling good.
(02:36):
So yes, Travis Kelsey was very sad, which means that
Taylor Swift must have been very upset as well as
the Chiefs demise began in Bracila. It was just unbelievable. Guys.
But today we're going to focus on the people that
are keeping them out. So on last week's episode, you
gave us your favorite goals. Today we're gonna flip it.
We're gonna talk about favorite defensive moments and what stood
(02:59):
out to you as far as guys kind of doing
their thing in front of CJ.
Speaker 6 (03:03):
First, that win against Nashville, because the way that young
back line just held firm to secure that one nailed victory.
So I think that was a very good one due
to the injuries and what that moment meant, especially for
the young players.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
And daring your favorite moment defensively speaking so.
Speaker 4 (03:21):
Far, Wow, I mean there's been a bunch certainly since
that Houston game when they gave up four goals on
July fifth. They've only allowed eight since in MLS actions
or five actually in eight games. I think it is
so they've become as stingy as a team as we've
seen a Major League soccer all season.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
One of my favorite moments I think was also that
lockdown we saw from Manudua doing it again this time
against Sony. He was fearless in front of the thirty
two to fifty two, right in front of that north
end as LAFC were thinking they were going to establish
some residents there and unlock that box of emotions inside
the eighteen. Nope, they didn't happen. Manudua cj LO Central's
big time.
Speaker 7 (03:59):
Say.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
We're gonna discuss a couple of those elements moving forward,
because this is all about the defenders, and two of
those have shined, I mean all season long. The center backs,
and back in July we caught up with them, the
mugs smash brothers.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
Why Adrian, Why the mc smash brothers.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
When you come to mls him, There's one thing that
we all know is a characteristic of this league, physicality.
And if you have two guys that are gonna combine
and there they happen to have the little muck to
their name already muck something right, and both of them
trade paint. They both won't allow you to enter the
area near their keeper. They're gonna smash you, gonna crash you,
(04:41):
they're gonna pop you, They're gonna hit you. It's gonna
be like when you're reading a Batman comic, right, and
what do you see? Dog boom throg smash. That's exactly
what the mcsmash brothers do.
Speaker 4 (04:52):
I'm so glad you asked that question because I've heard
this standing right next to the man so many times
that I always wondered where that came from, And now
I know the act answer.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
That's it. It's yes, it's all it's all the sound effects.
But I hear a lot of smashing, crash and mcsmash
when it comes to those two guys, because they're gonna
take it from you and they're gonna be physical. Just
ask for David there from LAFC. He took one of
the biggest shots of the season there from our free
safety named Patty McNair.
Speaker 6 (05:20):
This would be the equivalent or just bottom of the
page of definition whenever everyone out there listening want to
understand the amazing nicknames that Adrian has.
Speaker 5 (05:31):
For all of the players. So we're gonna we're gonna.
Speaker 6 (05:33):
Have a section dedicated to explaining the names and.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Some kind of gloss for translations, right, uh, to kind
of for for those that are like, wait, what, yeah, Well,
back in July, guys, uh, there was no what moment
we understood that this guy was going to be a
player to give you everything he has for those of
us that watched him, you know, even at Miami, but
of course at DC United is where I got to
see him really shine. And we're talking about Christopher McVeigh. Darren.
(06:00):
You've called him the iron Man at the beginning of
the season, because that's exactly what he was giving you.
He was that guy that you can count on a constant,
a rock back there and not only forming a formidable
partnership with Patti McNair, but adjusting effortlessly to anyone who
plays alongside him. So our chat Big Gang with him
reliving that own goal in Minnesota and how he bounced
(06:21):
back from that situation, dusted himself off and kept moving.
Speaker 8 (06:29):
I think, you know, for me, it's no problem at all.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
I mean, it happens the way we play also as
we try to build out from the back, and you know,
you can kind of tell straight in the game, like
the moment after you just get out of it.
Speaker 8 (06:39):
And yeah, you know, I felt like I had a
really good game up there in Minnesota.
Speaker 7 (06:43):
But yeah, I mean we.
Speaker 8 (06:44):
Got out of there with a win. We scored four
on them, and you know, I can't really complain about that.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
So yeah, that's no problem at all. It's been great
from day one. I think it's been awesome. The way
we train and how we play the games and stuff.
It's it's really fun and I enjoy being here. Also,
what the fifth player or something to sign, So you
kind of didn't know who the players was coming in,
so then it was kind of like maybe like a
little bit gamble. But then again, like I trusted the
project and I knew, you know, the people behind it.
Speaker 8 (07:09):
Up there would do a good job on that.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
But then like coming in first training week, I thought,
you know, like quality was just really high and the
tempo was high, and like the players I was playing with,
I'm like, oh wow, this is a good group, you know,
And you could feel that straight away. So at that
moment of time, obviously it's hard to say exactly where
you're going to be, but just the way we trained.
Speaker 8 (07:29):
I was like, Okay, we could be really good.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
So I kind of had that feeling from the start,
so I think it will only get better.
Speaker 8 (07:35):
But I think, you know, it's the same for all
the teams.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
And if we play our style and do what we
need to do and how we train, we keep doing
that every day and day in and day out, then
you know the results will call them. The performances will come. Also,
you can kind of tell on the table, so that's awesome.
So you know, even the guys who maybe haven't gotten
that many minutes are really good players as well, and
they train really hard. But then also the right to
dream way how they play their style, it's a very
(07:59):
specific way, so everyone kind of knows how we play
that style of football, and I think the coaches have
been doing a really good job of, you know, incorporating
us into that playing style as well. So I think
that's probably the biggest reason. I kind of enjoy going
away for the way trips. That's kind of fun coming
from Sweden, seeing these new cities and stuff like that.
Speaker 8 (08:17):
I enjoy that a lot.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
I think the biggest difference is when you play at home,
you have the fans behind you. You know, we've had
some fans come out to the away against as well,
maybe not as many, but I think that gives a
lot of energy. So when you come and play at home,
it's like you just feel that extra little push from
them to perform and do well, and it's it really
helps and it's been amazing. I think the atmosphere has
been great at pretty much every game, so I can't complain.
Speaker 8 (08:41):
We're a really good team and other people think so too.
And I think you always want to win, and everyone
here wants to win.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
We're like a group of winners, I would say, So
there's always going to be pressure, but that's kind of
what you like. You enjoy that, and I think for us,
it's just like you play our style of game and
how we play, then we will win a lot of games.
Speaker 8 (09:02):
Hopefully that goes all the way.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
But yeah, I think we just got to take one
step at a time and keep building. You know, me individually,
I got to take steps as well, and you know
that's also what I focus on a lot. But if
everyone kind of thinks that way, then we also got
to grow as a group, and I think we're just going.
Speaker 8 (09:16):
To get better.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Well that was Ironman Christopher McVey, but of course he's
only half of the mc smash brothers, and you can't
hear from one without the other. So let's turn to
his partner at the back, Pattie McNair, who began reflecting
on his relationship with McVay.
Speaker 9 (09:41):
I mean, Chris or our relationship on and off the
pitch is really strong. First a few weeks here, he's
probably the one here sort of connected with the first,
and our interests are off the pitch especially, are very
similar with a both play golf, and yeah, I think
straight away you just sort of click with someone and
obviously plays in the same position as well, so I
(10:03):
think that sort of shoes on the pitch as well.
Speaker 7 (10:05):
I think we work well together and that.
Speaker 9 (10:06):
Definitely helps both of us when we're you know, close
off the pitch, and I think that definitely helps her performances.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
On the pitch.
Speaker 7 (10:13):
I think winning new franchise comes, people.
Speaker 9 (10:17):
Expect you sort of to struggle the first year, but
I think straight away we made a morek on the
league with the winaway Galaxy, and yeah, I think from
there we've grew the team and you know, we're sitting
top of the league at the minute, and yeah, I
still feel like we can improve a lot in areas.
So to be top of the league and feel like
you you know, you can improve.
Speaker 7 (10:38):
It's I think we're definitely going in the right direction.
Speaker 9 (10:42):
You know, I've played in teams before where you chop
and change formations and you do different but for us,
we sort of, you know, play the same shape every game,
and especially in pre season, you work on that and
when you have everyone on board, it definitely makes it
easier for everyone because on the pitch you sort of
know why go here, you'll be there, and it's just yeah,
(11:02):
it makes it makes a lot easier. And yeah, in
terms of the family, I think I think everyone here
is just really good people, and I think naturally you
gel and you get on with each other really well.
So I think that's sort of I think the more
you get on with everyone off the pitch.
Speaker 7 (11:20):
It definitely helps on the pitch.
Speaker 9 (11:22):
I quite like going to see the different states and
seeing other places, so I think that's it's quite cool.
My favorite state of Chicago definitely. Yeah, a really nice place.
I was there ten years ago, but I didn't really
get to go in in Mironda, so I went on
back there.
Speaker 7 (11:38):
It was because we from Chicago.
Speaker 9 (11:40):
We went two days before the game, so I got
a little bit more time to sort of look around it,
and yeah.
Speaker 7 (11:45):
A lovely place.
Speaker 9 (11:46):
A lot of the states here that have a little
like the bikes literally the electric bikes and the scooters,
so you can sort of it's good for us because
you see the legs.
Speaker 7 (11:54):
You can sort of just get around the city and
just go for.
Speaker 9 (11:56):
A coffee and you kind of have too much fun,
you know, so you just go around and see the
sites tetal sort of terrorist spots. But Chicago is very
nice to It's just just finish, like it's a sort
of mix of everything seem finished like it's like a
many many New York sort of look seems a very buzzy,
(12:18):
little buzzy city.
Speaker 7 (12:20):
Of course, a little city. It's massive, but yeah, it's
very cool.
Speaker 9 (12:24):
My expectations common hearing you was going to be a
very well organized set up in the training ground, the stadium,
the travel, like everyone's so well or organized here at
the training facility down to the food gym, just everything
so well organized. I'll be honest, Well, I probably speak
for everyone. I don't think anyone expects us to be
(12:44):
top of the league after you know this many games.
Speaker 7 (12:47):
Definitely you would be in the round the playoffs.
Speaker 9 (12:50):
But yeah, I think that's the thing that sort of
surprised me anyway, which which is quite a nice surprise.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
Well that was Patty McNair got be done for Northern
Ireland and synergy. How they find themselves to do magic.
That's what we've seen out of those center backs. They
get along great.
Speaker 7 (13:10):
I do.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
I love that. I love that they spend time away
from soccer, that they go out and they do things.
They go play golf. I joked with them earlier this
year as like watching Henrik Stenson and Rory McElroy, right,
a great Swedish golfer and a Northern Ireland golfer go
out there. They're like, yeah, we're not quite at that
level yet, but it sounds like, you know, this partnership.
What makes it look so good on the pitch, I
think has a lot to do with the way that
(13:32):
they've spent a ton of time off at as well
and got.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
That you see the chemistry right, And you've covered several teams,
several players, several groups of center backs and pairings, but
this one feels like they naturally fit together.
Speaker 6 (13:43):
What Patty said, I think is very important because to
build that kind of chemistry and make it fast, and
you don't have all those years. This is the first year,
and because of what we're seeing, it just shows that
you need repetition, continuity, consistency, and that's what they've gone in.
And I like what he said that he's been a
part of other teams where they're constantly changing the lineup,
(14:05):
they're constantly changing the format, and here, because it stays
pretty much the same, that has allowed them, through repetition
and through having that continuity, to just know themselves, know
each other, know what they like on the field, and
then that's why we get to see those results.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
You see the results and when you get good center
back parings. I know I've had many conversations with the
limp or Claudio Suatz and him talking about how him
and Rafa Marquez used to just communicate without communicating, and
why they were so important to the Mexican national team
central defenses. And it just comes natural because of the intellect,
but because of just that natural ability to play football
(14:43):
the way it's supposed to be played, but it's unspoken,
and we see that happening with our much smash brothers.
So when we're talking about the partnership, we're talking about
the other guys as well that come into the fold,
and we're going to bring them in right after the break.
We're gonna catch you on the way back. We're going
to stay on the d We're back on behind the flow.
(15:18):
So we talked about the consistency, the leadership, the chemistry.
They enjoyed life in America when it comes to the
center backs, and the mcsmash brothers have been brilliant, but
they have to bring in young guys into the fold,
into the culture and Darren. For Patty McNair in particular,
this is kind of like a change from what was
(15:40):
him at nineteen. Now he's got to be the master Jedi.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
Well, I love this about Patty because we're able to
have a chat with him about his first ever starting
eleven when it came with Manchester United, where Louis van
Hall went to their academy and they called up nineteen
year old Patty McNair and just for our own curiosity,
I went back and looked at the starting eleven that
day for Patty. He looks around, think of some of
these names that he played with, Robin Van Percy, foul Cow,
(16:07):
Wayne Rooney, right, anheld Maria, David Dejea is playing with
Raphael Marcus Rojo daily Blind, Like these are unbelievable players
that he's playing with. And I think it's kind of
cool now that the shoes on the other foot. And
now he's looking around to his left and his right
and up ahead and he's seeing a bunch of guys
who are in their teens and here Patty now is
(16:28):
playing the role of mentor and Gottia.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
It's interesting with Darry saying because at Manchester, you there's
already a culture, there's already an expectation here. These guys,
the mcsmash brothers, kind of were tasked with building a
culture back there.
Speaker 6 (16:41):
And that's when your previous experience becomes so important and
comes into play because on the other part of the
Mucksmash Brothers, if we focus on McBay and what his
trajectory has been all about, and focusing on his MLS career,
he was at Inter Miami.
Speaker 5 (16:55):
He played for fifty games.
Speaker 6 (16:56):
There, then he went to DC United, all known twenty
seven games there, and then DC United declined his contract option.
Then he joined San Diego, makes an impact, and just
a couple months ago, as thefcnn's at the club reassigned
him to a contract extension through the twenty twenty seven
season with a club option through twenty twenty ages. Picture
(17:17):
what that means. When you've been a part of other
teams they're not picking up your contract options, and then
you land in San Diego, you just fit right in.
The culture embraces you and you're a part as well
of building the culture. Because even Tyler Heap said it,
Chris has been a cornerstone of our defense since day one,
(17:38):
and his consistency and presence on the back line have
been instrumental to our early success. And we all believe that.
So you feel that confidence, you feel that love, and
it shows.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
And the word here is stable stability and that what
that confidence does, what those experience do for both of them.
And then you have young players come into the fold,
when it's Mono doa Ian Pilcher, Luca Bombino, and of
course Oscar Bea Coobin and we caught up with him
at Singing Hills to get the youth perspective on life
(18:09):
here in the finest city.
Speaker 10 (18:18):
I think coming here, I knew that it was going
to be beneficial to my development, regardless of if I
was playing or not. Nothing is ever really guaranteed, especially
for a young guy earning your spot, So I knew
coming in that it wasn't just going to be given,
and I think that's how it should be. I think
it was something that I had to work into and
after you know, a few weeks of training and making
(18:40):
some appearances and kind of just building up the trust
and earning opportunities. I think that's kind of how it
ended up me kind of fully pushing through in the
plane and being in starting lineup consistently, even though I'm
young in age that I have a mature sense of
playing style and can handle these big games and big moments.
We were playing against some of the time teams and
(19:00):
I think just consistency in building that was kind of
the biggest factor of creating that trust between the head
coach and like all the different assistant coaches in this sport,
like people get injured, people take knocks, people may miss
a game, and I think just the mentality that everyone
has of when my moment is going to happen is
(19:21):
constantly being reiterated and being a big squad and grabbing
hold of what's given.
Speaker 7 (19:27):
So I think.
Speaker 10 (19:28):
That's kind of the mentality that's been throughout some of
the players that maybe haven't played as much and when
they do get the opportunity, I think everyone's been stepping up.
I definitely run a lot. I think that is one
of my strong points of my game, is my athleticism
and my ability to run long distances and stay at
(19:50):
a high level throughout.
Speaker 7 (19:51):
You know, all ninety minutes.
Speaker 10 (19:52):
Obviously it's tiring, but I think I've conditioned myself well
enough to be able to keep up and maintain that.
This support in San Diego has been, you know, honestly incredible.
It's been eye opening to see the amount of people
that really do care and are there every game and
supporting us and every ninety minutes you hear them the
(20:14):
entire time. I think it's such an honor to be
able to play in front of what twenty five twenty
six thousand people a game that are all in support
of you. It's it's a feeling that's hard to be recreated,
to be honest, because you just feel so supported and
and I think it gives us such an advantage at
home to know that you have all these guys supporting,
(20:34):
supporting you and behind your back to really fuel the
rest of the game when when the times are needed.
Speaker 7 (20:40):
So yeah, it's an unreal feeling to be honest.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Oscar betack home and a reminder that youth is such
a huge part of the vision of San Diego FC.
And Katy, I'll go with you. And I know you're
a resident expert also, and I imagine I don't want
to assume, but you have your share of favorite boy bands.
I mean, don't they sound like a boy band all
the time, Like it's not Backstreet Boys or anything, but Oscar,
Manu Luca Ian they have names for a boy band
(21:11):
and they've done great.
Speaker 10 (21:12):
They do.
Speaker 5 (21:14):
I don't thought about it, but they do. That's them.
Speaker 6 (21:18):
And when it comes to Oscar Verhovin. You keep hearing
at nineteen year old, imagine that you are a standout
defensive prospect, that the sky is the limit, that you
have a high ceiling. The problem for him was, of course,
then when he was with San Jose, he did not
fit into Bruce Arena's plans at the club where a
(21:38):
defensive line had already been established. So it was good
that the Earthquakes let him go to another team so
he could get more minutes. And that's exactly what happened,
and that was as DFC, and it was a great fit.
And we keep seeing this stories, recurring stories about these
players that didn't have opportunities elsewhere, and that's why when
(21:59):
they came in, they came in eager, wanting to learn, hungry,
wanted to contribute. And that's what's making this culture very special.
Speaker 1 (22:08):
I think Gotya kind of just helped us without realizing it.
But we just came up with the name let's go,
it's the back line Boys, and let's do that, Darren,
because you've talked to the back line boys, many man.
Speaker 5 (22:20):
Back line boys.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
Boom done, it's happening, It's already happening.
Speaker 4 (22:26):
Yeah, Well, there in Vegas sphere, before too long.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Put them up there on stage. Yes, yes, it's happening.
And Darren at Singing Hills, You've gotten them to sing
quite a bit. It's just been absolutely phenomenal when it's
come to just seeing these guys developed in real time
right in front of our eyes.
Speaker 4 (22:43):
Yeah, and listening to them and it's all the same conversation, right,
Like the partnership with McVeigh and McNair is similar to
the relationship between Oscar Verhoven and Luca Bombino, and that
they really know how to connect with one another both
on and off the field, and how they know how
to communicate nonverbally and they know how to cover each
(23:04):
other's back. We see this a lot where McVeigh wants
to move forward a little bit, right, Like he can
score a goal or two every now and again, but
it only does that because he trusts Patty McNair and
Oscar said similar things as well. When I see Luca
moving forward here, I know I have to cover him
at the back. So it's all about opportunity and these
guys are making the most of their opportunity. So you know,
(23:25):
you got to love it when a plan comes together.
As a wise man once upon a time, said Adrian,
And it's coming together here.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
It is coming together again. Credit to the vision of
Tighter Heaps and Mikey Badas being able to see the
talent in these players and knowing that you could throw
them into the fire, you can throw them into the ocean.
And they're going to do the backstroke. They're not just
going to swim. They're going to do the backstroke. And
that's what we've seen. So that's the backline. But what
about the man with the one things and the sweater
and the swag and listening to the beatles in his
(23:53):
head sit while he's on his way to the stadium. Yes,
he's got some rottweiders by the door also waiting to
shut everybody out and bite them when they come near
his house. Coming up next, CJ. And we're back on
(24:21):
behind the Flow. We've spent time talking about San Diego's backline,
the back line boys, the mcsmash Brothers, Montegaty and company,
the rest of the crew. Shout out to those guys.
But every strong defense has to have, has to count
on a gentleman who's handling business under the three pipes
and four as DFC. That's CJ. Dos Santos, averaging more
(24:44):
than three saves a game. He's battled through injury. He's
done so much when it comes to the culture of
San Diego FC as well, and he likes to also
bring in the fashion statement as he arriving at the
mirv Dragon, mental toughness he's also brought to the table,
and he's loved for the Beatles. He shared all of that.
As we've built into this season, we sat down with
him to talk a little bit more about the competition
(25:06):
for the number one sweater, the resilience required, and why
his mantra is very simple. Register, release, refocus.
Speaker 7 (25:20):
My name is CJ.
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Dos Santos, and I'm gonna go keep it for San
Diego FC. Being the first ones here in this club.
Like I've said this before, it's such an amazing opportunity
for all of us. You know, the one hundred years
in the future, we'll all be gone and our photos
will still be up there and will be a part
of this history of San Diego, and that gives you
a sense of responsibility to help that next generation, to
(25:41):
help those players that are coming in.
Speaker 7 (25:43):
But so far, so good.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
Everything's been so positive here with the players and with
the staff, so really really happy so far. I've come
here from a situation where I hadn't played a lot
in my previous club. You know, it's an absolute blessing
to be here, to get the not to be the starter,
and to gain this amount of minutes so far in
this season. In terms of it being a perfect season,
Let's see how things turn out in November December.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
From not playing much before to near ever present for
the conference leader, CJ fields right at home among the
fans in chrom and.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
These fans are some of the most supportive fans that
I've ever experienced. You know, when things aren't going your
way and it's a tough result, they're the first ones
to back you up.
Speaker 7 (26:25):
They're the first ones.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
To give you some positive affirmation to keep spurring forward.
There are twelfth man, there are biggest supporters. They're the
ones we're doing it for. Without the fans, we wouldn't
be here right now. I always love interacting with the
fans after the game, being able to give back to
this amazing community of San Diego, and just being able
to feel the passion that I feel from the fans,
not just within the stadium, but also in public spaces.
(26:48):
When I look at myself in the mirror, I just
see a guy that plays this game. You know, I
watch Netflix, I play video games, I go to the movie.
So I see myself as a regular person, I guess.
But it gives me a sense of pride that I'm
giving something back. I'm giving joy back to the fans,
to the supporters, and you know, I'm forever grateful for
the absolute positivity and the passion that I feel from them.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Just a little story.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
When I was growing up in Philly, I would go
to a baseball game and I'll scream after one of
the players and he looked over, waved that me and
threw me a ball. To this day, I still remember
that small interaction. For him, it was just a few seconds,
but for me, like, I'm going to take that with
me for the rest of my life. So it's just
those little interactions that may seem a few seconds for me,
(27:35):
but it's it's a dream come true for them.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
Pressure is permanent, not least the pressure to keep your
spot between the sticks. CJ told us a bit more
about his friendly but competitive relationship with fellow as DFC
keeper Bablos.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Obviously, it's always going to be a competition, and with
how he works and how dedicated he is, how well
he's been training, and how experienced he is, he's earned
the opportunities as well, and he's done a fantastic job already.
A low friendly competition, of course, will bring the best
out of anyone. I appreciate everything that he's done with me.
He's really pushed me and he's given me so much
advice in my journey. He makes me better, and I'd
(28:12):
like to think that I make him better with our
competition one hundred percent.
Speaker 1 (28:16):
You got to be mentally strong to be a goalkeeper
in top flight football, something which CJ's been working on
for a long time now.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
To stay focused in high pressure situations, I always take
a deep breath and kind of center myself back into
the situation and always remind myself that I'm positive, I'm strong,
I'm confident, and always taking that breadth always to bring
me centered and really get me right back into the
zone of.
Speaker 7 (28:42):
Ryanny to be out.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
My mentality has changed over the last several years because before,
when I was younger, I was very hard on myself
and that kind of made me take steps back. As
I've gotten older and as I've experienced a few more
things in my career. I've gotten way more positive with
myself because the game comes at you so fast, and
(29:04):
sometimes you need to set that moment aside and look
at it the next day. It's easier said than done
most of the time. I moved away from home when
I was fifteen turning sixteen years old, I moved over
to Portugal. I signed with Benfica at that point, and
that was a very, very difficult thing to do. There
was some doubt if I wanted to stay comfortable where
(29:24):
I was or if I wanted to branch out and
take a risk. I learned so much about myself and
about football. I've met some amazing people. I met my
wife in Portugal. She believed in me when I didn't
believe in me. And that's where I come back to
surrounding yourself with positive people and people that will believe
in you and will help you believe in yourself.
Speaker 1 (29:46):
I'm forever grateful that I took that risk. No one
puts their body on the line quite like CJ. Even
if it means there will be blood or a broken nose.
We saw that against the Houston Dynamo.
Speaker 3 (29:59):
I tried to take the best out of a tough situation.
It didn't hurt as much as you may think. The
thing that I was most concerned about was the blood
because it wouldn't stop, and I thought that I was
definitely gonna be pulled out with the amount that was
coming out, and I was gonna be lightheaded. But I
was able to stay focused and I did not want
to get out of that game. I was thinking, like, okay,
(30:20):
let me save the penalty. Unfortunately that didn't happen, and
after that it was kind of just taking one action
at a time and just making the most out of
the situation.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
One thing's for sure. Ce j Tho Santos wants to
leave a lasting mark on the San Diego faith.
Speaker 3 (30:35):
I hope that I can inspire, even if it's one
player or one person, to follow their dreams and to
do the absolute best. I think I've done my job
and I hope to inspire as many people as possible.
Speaker 1 (30:50):
And boy has he done that and then some. He's
been a great fit for the Finest City. Darren. We've
had an opportunity to talk to him. I know you've
also talked to him on several occas there at singing hills,
and after hearing that, you feel like CJ has nailed
down the number one sweater butt. There's a butt there.
The competition is always ironing, sharpening iron at San Diego FC.
(31:13):
He knows that Babbleo Sisnaka is waiting in the wings.
But also again as we started with this conversation earlier,
very supportive of CJ. Locandos.
Speaker 4 (31:21):
By the way, when we listen to that guy, sometimes
you think to yourself, this is too good to be true, right,
but he like is that guy is like it makes
so much sense now hearing him talk about catching that
baseball that he takes so many pictures with fans after
the game. Now I understand that there's an actual reason
behind it other than just being a nice dude. But yeah,
(31:41):
I think for him wearing the number one suirt, you know,
he caught a glimpse of what life was like sitting
on the bench again after being the starter and the
preferred goalkeeper since match day one. Mikey's quick to say,
and he says, everybody is competing for their job all
the time when you play for SDFC, And I think
the players on stand that. I think the players really
(32:02):
do take that to heart, like deep down, does Jukie
Lozano go to bed at night thinking, you know that maybe.
Speaker 1 (32:07):
I'm gonna lose my spot?
Speaker 4 (32:08):
Probably not, but in the spirit of competition, you know,
this is how Mikey and everybody on staff has inspired
these guys to be at their very best.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
And speaking of that Gatya and kind of just going
into the why we call them pedals, c j Lo
sentos he's got the rot Wilders by the door, He's
got two pedals in his chest, and to kind of
break it down on it before you know, and I
kind of want to take it here real quick for
an explanation for all of you listening. There's a great
poem and I want to share with you real quick.
As I go to this gotta you'll see what my
whole reasoning behind it is.
Speaker 5 (32:40):
Footnote of the segment.
Speaker 1 (32:43):
Yes, thank you. There's going to be a lot of
slow singing and flower bringing if my burglar alarm starts ringing.
What you think all the guns is for all purpose? War?
Got the roth Wilders by the door, and I feed
them powder so they can devour the criminals trying to
drop my estimals. That was Christopher Wallace, notorious big and
(33:05):
that's where we go with that, right the roth Wilders
by the door, and that's CJ. Just the way that
he plays the position. He's got two dogs in that
Vetrol and it kind of just that it's contagious because
you see the rest of the guys kind of step
up with him and have that energy back there. So
it doesn't surprise us that they keep more out than
they let in.
Speaker 6 (33:22):
Right on topic, because Carlos Joachim do Santos, CJ do Santos.
You all know him, did you know he lists writing
poetry as one of the things he enjoys in his bio.
Nice So there you go, Hes there, you're gonna like
this Adrian because he grew up playing baseball.
Speaker 5 (33:43):
He was his team's ace pitcher and.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
In North Philly and North Philly you gotta have some
game because and that's you gotta be tough, tough as nail.
So yes, I could see it happening and then throwing
some strikes as well. But given what we've heard, also
you talk about just guys waiting in the wings and
the culture that he's kind of been able to go
from Portugal with Benfic go to Miami and just kind
of absorb everything. It was almost like destiny. He was
(34:07):
scripted in his movie. And I love that he mentioned
his wife being that rock for him and making him
believe when he didn't believe, and you could see that
he's a genuine person.
Speaker 6 (34:16):
Yeah, And I loved hearing him talk about just his
whole experience and you understand why when he went abroad
he had to learn to vent for himself from a
really young age to get that experience being there, and
also honoring his family where he comes from because his
parents immigrated to the US from Portugal and Cape verdie
So it just like comes full circle. And he's been
(34:38):
a part of the US men's national team youth levels
and now getting this opportunity to be a starter and
then knowing what it was like to go down with injury,
being on the bench, that healthy competition with Pablo that's
always going to make any team better at any position,
and just his presence, how solid has been the leadership
(34:58):
that it requires being vocal, especially when you have a
young back line in front of you with all those
guys that had to step up as well.
Speaker 4 (35:07):
And can I just say too agent, because I think
it's an important point that that's being made about having
a young back line with this type of style, which
can be a little bit risky. Right when you're trying
to play it out of the back. Mike can say
all he wants, and he's right that clean sheets is
a team statistic. But sometimes when you're the guy giving
up the goal because maybe you make a mistake or
two at the back, you know that is going on
(35:29):
your resume there as well. So you know the club
saw enough that they rewarded him with an extension. But
you have to think about how mentally tough you have
to be to say, hey, we're going to have to
learn to live with some of these mistakes, even though
that's going to impact me statistically, right. And I think
that's been a big part of what CJ has been
all about, never pointing any fingers ever, ultimate team guy
(35:50):
talking about how we, you know, need to do this
or that, but it always starts with him. And when
you're playing a risky style in a new system with
younger players. We heard Chris McVey talk about it earlier
on the own goal against Minnesota, saw it against San Jose.
You have to find somebody mentally who's able to say,
I'm moving on to the next thing that's about to
(36:11):
happen here, and that's been CJ in a nutshell.
Speaker 1 (36:14):
So MLS returns this weekend and we're back at the
Murph Dragon for the visit of Minnesota. The club has
turned this one guys into Hispanic Heritage night. God damn
for those of us that are Espanos ogu YOSANDEMICI comes
from the border lens of Bacha, California and southern California.
It's going to be a huge night. And then just
(36:35):
a few days later, a team that we both kind
of held close to our heart until San Diego PSI
was born, Scholes Quintles at Tijuana arrive for a special
cross border Baja Cup celebrating Mexican Independence Day. It's going
to be a busy stretch for San Diego.
Speaker 6 (36:51):
Talk about embracing the culture, the region, the border town.
I like that also the way the teams have been
collaborating and trying to establish this Baja Coup since the beginning.
And I had the opportunity even before the team started playing,
to host or MC one of the press conferences that
they had between Sholos and as DFC, and that was
(37:11):
a very special moment because it just brought me back
and it brought so many memories. I've seen two clubs,
both in Lega MX and MLS in I'd say both
my hometowns, I guess, because I consider myself a by
national bicultural person from the border town of Tijuana and
San Diego. So getting to see those two clubs, those
(37:33):
two teams and now them facing each other coming together
is just a very special moment.
Speaker 1 (37:39):
Yeah, it's special for all of us border kids. They
grow up, born and raised in the hottest corner of
the Americas and to see this all come together. Now
you have an MLS side and Aliga m E side.
We'll see how that rivalry plays out or it's going
to be like a friendly partnership. We don't know yet.
But Darren, there's business, and that business is Minnesota coming
up as part of this crazy stretch to close it out,
(38:00):
and with teams trying to put pressure and bring sd
FC down from the mountain.
Speaker 4 (38:04):
Right number one versus number two in the Western Conference,
We're just all going to hope that our ten players
get back to San Diego. But Minnesota's got eight players
playing internationally and they're spread out even further. They have
players playing Southern Hemisphere, all sorts of stuff. I do
actually think the match sort of sets up hopefully pretty
well for SDFC, and that Minnesota is the team that
is chasing, so maybe they can't just sit in the
(38:27):
defensive low block.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
Maybe they have to go for it a little bit.
We'll see, Gantia, give me your noster, Dominis. Let's go
with the predictions for both Minnesota and SDFC and then
the Scholos Bacha Cup.
Speaker 6 (38:37):
For the Cup, I'd say as EFC will win too nail.
And for Minnesota United, they already beat them once for
two and I think they're gonna beat them again. Might
be a little bit tighter because Minnesota United, you know,
they're going to be chasing. They want to, you know,
stay up there in the standings a little bit closer.
Speaker 5 (38:55):
But I still say a to one win for Sandu.
Speaker 4 (38:59):
They sing, i'llgo Minnesota United three to one. Just a
late goal from one of the SDFC players returning from
international break. You know that they come off the bench
and they put one in there at the end. Got
to get back to our winning ways and snapdraging stadium,
don't we wont win in the last five dating back
to May, and then I'm just gonna say I don't
want to sound neutral here, but I'm going to go
(39:19):
with a you know, a good entertaining to two draw
in the Baja Cup and everybody's everybody's happy because it's
a celebration of football and living in this beautiful bi
national region that we live in.
Speaker 1 (39:30):
That's right, and that's why you're always going to be
invited to the CASA. You get a VAP card from
all of us. Darren Smith and you know, my prediction, guys,
is that since we've been talking about CJ and the
Backlane boys, it's going to end up to nothing, all right,
okay to nothing there and then against Sholos it's going
to be a two to one win for sd FC.
So we're going to keep the great vibes going and flowing,
(39:53):
and that's what this show's all about. Behind the flow.
I've enjoyed talking about d this week, guys. It's been
great hearing more about the experiences of each of these
guys that have made it happen and made it happen
nicely in the finest city. And next week we're gonna
shift our focus to the man himself, the wizard behind
(40:14):
the curtain, not so much behind the curtain, because he's
out there in front. He shows you who he is.
He wears his heart on his sleeve and he holds
nothing back. In conversation. We're talking about Mikey, about us.
We're gonna dive into his journey, his philosophy and what
it takes the lead and expansion side through its very
first season in Major League Soccer. But for now, big
thanks to Chris McVay, Patty McNair, CJ. Dos Santos, and
(40:34):
of course Oscar Behoven reminding us just how important youth
is to this project and is always to the very
best in the business. Gatia, Darren, thank you so much.
This was great. You guys have fun to it. Oh right, Yes,
she does it way better than I.
Speaker 7 (40:50):
She throw shades too.
Speaker 1 (40:51):
She throw on their sunglasses to give a little bit
more motor. All right, nice, And before we go, guys,
we have to congratulate Thunk Funk a player of the monthing.
Oh yes, m a last player of the month for
August and dere Dreer. We've been backing him up all
season long, and yes we're still campaigning for his MVP push.
(41:13):
So here's where you start singing, MVP, MVP. Let's go
join me, MVP. And we are not as coordinated as
Backstreet Boys.
Speaker 7 (41:23):
Guys.
Speaker 1 (41:24):
We need to work on the rhythm.
Speaker 4 (41:25):
Hey, how about twenty seven thousand people chanting that this
weekend at snap Tracking Stadium.
Speaker 1 (41:29):
That's gonna sound like music to our ears. It's gonna
sound just like Ringle Star keeping the rhythm of those
beatles making sound perfect. And thank you everybody, the whole
production team for making this sound great behind the flow,
and thank you wherever you are listening chanting MVP, don't
forget to drop us a follow or join us every
week as we write out sdfc's incredible inaugural season in
(41:53):
Major League Soccer for Gandiaan and Darren, I'm AGM see
you next time you've been dipped in chrome. I Saul
MBP MBP.
Speaker 5 (42:03):
Bye bye bye bye bye.
Speaker 1 (42:05):
All right,
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