November 6, 2025 • 35 mins
Saturday night in Portland was a rollercoaster. San Diego FC led twice through Amahl Pellegrino and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano — only to be pegged back in stoppage time before falling on penalties. Now, with the series level, it all comes down to one last game — a sold-out decider at Snapdragon Stadium this Sunday night.
Adrian García-Márquez is joined by Katia Castorena and Darren Smith to relive the drama and look ahead to Game 3, alongside special guest Luchi González — Mikey Varas’s longtime mentor and the man who first spotted his coaching spark. Luchi shares his insight into Mikey’s leadership, the use of young players, and how to reset after heartbreak.
We also hear from former Timber Rod Wallace with his view from Portland and his thoughts on what both sides need to do to advance.
From mindset to momentum, belief to bounce-back — Behind the Flow dives inside San Diego’s biggest night yet. The playoffs have reached their tipping point — and the Flow Decider is here.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
And today against Sysday, I got.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
It and you certainly will. Murph Dragon will be ready.
This is behind the flow of the podcast that takes
you inside San Diego e FC's first season in Major
League Soccer Saturday night in Portland. What a roller coaster.
(00:29):
San Diego led twice, only to be tagged back in
stoppage time before failing on penalties. Now it all comes
down to this, a decisive Game three winner, go home
back at a sold out repeat sold out again thirty
two thousand souls Snap Dragon Stadium Sunday night. On the
show today, we're going to be joined by Luci Humsig,
(00:50):
former FC Dallas and San Jose Earthquakes head coach, now
Academy director at San Jose, and the man who helped
shape Mikey Vodis's coaching journey Goosebumps.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
The pride and joy that I have seen what he's
done this season, but also super excited about what the
future holds for MLS and US soccer With Mikey.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Plus, we'll hear from Rodney Wallace, the legend La Legenda
Costa Riceensee from Portland, and his thoughts ahead of Game three.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
All the pressure is on San Diego brand new club
pat snap Dragon Stadium, and it's a unexpected party that
we have to go in and spoil.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
The playoffs have reached their tipping point and the flow
decider is here. I'm Adrian Garcia Marquez. Welcome to Behind
the Flow and it's great to be back. Great to
be alongside Darren Smith the first. A huge shout out
(01:48):
to Katia Castna, who captained the show last week while
both of us were splitting time between Diamonds and so
much more going on during that World Series.
Speaker 5 (01:56):
I still have confetti in my hair because I was
covering the parade in La So Yes, we had crazy
times covering baseball in the World Series. Now that's over
and we can shift our focus solely to MLS playoffs.
Speaker 6 (02:13):
I was watching a match from Providence Park. I didn't
realize there was anything else happening in the world of
sports other than what it was that was going on
between SDFC and Portland Timbers.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Obviously, the city of San Diego's completely alive right now
because the man has created part of this vibe of
not completely responsible for it is Mikey bought us. So
we're going to be joined by Luci Gon Sami's former
head coach of FC Dallas and the San Jose Earthquakes,
now Academy director at San Jose and the man who
helped shape Mikey bought us his journey. Lucci is Mikey's mentor,
(02:42):
his friend, and the first person to spot that coaching
spark that we're seeing shine brightly in San Diego right now.
And Luci, great to have you here on behind the flow.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yeah, thanks for having me on.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Guys, You've given me way too much credit, because Mikey's
all deserving on his own with his mentality and.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
His work ethics.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
So just really to be here and supporting Mikey from afar.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Now you've seen him rise, Lucci, from the early days
at Dallas to this historic first season in San Diego.
Speaker 7 (03:09):
I mean it goes without saying.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
How proud you really are seeing your guy grow this
way in year one, in this first opportunity and shine
the way that he has.
Speaker 7 (03:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Look, it's interesting.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
I did an interview with Andrew weaviy At from MLS
before the season started, and he had questions about Mikey,
and honestly, I'm not surprised of his success.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Maybe this is earlier.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Then you would think within an expansion club and maybe
year two would be the year that they'd have this
level of success, not year one. But at the end
of the day, I'm not surprised of what he's doing
because of the.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Person that I know. Lucci.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
You're now leading the Earthquakes academy, You're working closely with
the young players. You also did it in Dallas, a
space that's produced some of the most exciting young American talent.
What's your focus there right now and why are you
trying to build within that system.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Look, first of all, I'm very grateful to be the
academy director at Saint's Earthquakes. I was in the professional
level coaching as a head coach in the league as
an assistant with the US national team, so that that
was about six years. But the core of my experience
in coaching after I was done playing was in the
youth academy level. Obviously, my time in Dallas and for
that I'm very proud of was with the academy.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
And then eventually the first team.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
But you know, my family and my desire myself personally
was to stay in the Bay Area for the club
to bring me back on board with Bruce Arena's blessing
and technical Leadership's blessing. I'm super grateful and I'm super proud,
and it's something that's really.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Important to me. This is a very good program, the
Santa's Earthquakes.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
You can name many players that have come through and
had careers in MLS and come through the system and
played in our first team. So I just want to
continue that heritage of the academy, but at the same
time try to put it at at one of the
top levels and compete with the very best as well.
Speaker 6 (04:53):
And from that perspective, one of the themes for Senego
Football Club success has been Mikey's use of younger players,
even on the back line, a couple of first round
draft picks, teenagers. This is pretty common here, Lucci. I
wonder what stands out to you most about how mike
has used younger players and the players that they're developing
(05:13):
here and how reliant they've become on them and how
much they've thrived playing for Mikey.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
So when I first started working with Mikey, I brought
him into the academy. He was my head coach for
the you thirteens and the U fifteens, and that was
a grind that you're talking about him having commitments early
in the mornings with an older age group and then
later in the afternoon in that Texas heat on turf
with you thirteens and just long hour shifts on the
field constantly, And he loves the youth part of the
(05:42):
game at that level. He knows that young players they're
like sponges. They're going to take information and they're going
to do things with courage and take risks. So I
think he's he is showing that now that that could
be done at the professional level and with success.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
Lucci, because you've coached in MLS and you know MLS
so well. To put it into context for our listeners,
just how valuable what Mikey and as EFC have done
is because of such a young core that they have,
and then to lead the West and to be competing
in the playoffs winning their first game, Just how much
(06:19):
does that mean and how important it is what they've
accomplished so far.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
It's very important.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
I think their club has been very thoughtful and analytical
and how they built the roster with some big investments
but also some value investments that you're taking risks and
gambles on some of these pieces. But I think from
the beginning they put together a competitive roster and you
can see some of the score lines in the way
the games were in preseason. Hey, this team is not
playing like an inaugural team that it looks like they're
(06:45):
here to compete from the beginning, and they've shown that
throughout the season. I think, you know what hasn't been
proven yet in MLS and I tried my best in
Dallas and I had moments here in San Jose, was
can you win an MLS Cup with playing a lot
of young players? Can be at a club that has
a dominant stat in terms of investing in the youth
and playing giving opportunities to young players and win MLS Cup.
(07:08):
I think there's been a few clubs that have been close,
and I think San Diego has the opportunity to do
that and grow their academy, but also do it at
the first team level like they are this year.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Absolutely, and now we want to get your insight as
to what happened Geason at the there in Portland. Let's
relive the drama from Saturday night in Portland against the Timbers.
Speaker 7 (07:31):
And then he tried to get it behind.
Speaker 6 (07:33):
He does, tries to take it out and he goes
down to.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Oh circle.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
Finish Ajalla with across Kelsey in the middle.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Kelsey, there's goot the furthest forward.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
Now the movement in behind.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
Good football. This Pellegrino on his right foots go sexy
football from San Diego on that right outside a Pellegrino.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
What a perfect finish.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
We'll play across Jonas Coss flock stairs down, I'm gonna
turn around.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
You'll campbell A video assistant referee san.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Diego number ten is in an offsete position to receive
the ball.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Final offision a novel.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Agar old chip turn Pantamas at the same and the
rebounder's head.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
All is good with san Diego and choking Azano again.
Speaker 7 (08:22):
Long throw that's become back in fashion in wolf football.
Throw it towards pay this lasted with the cross pull
the log laid on. It feels like a long way back.
If Melacori gets score and he cans, he plants said
hie and into the tempers army up against Pantamis.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
He set it into the Temples.
Speaker 7 (08:48):
Army, but it is infy.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
The vase coff Navans.
Speaker 7 (08:52):
Coff from the spot.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
That's up to whatever, and no, it's not Coot Anthony
against Steger.
Speaker 7 (09:09):
All right.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
So that's how it sounded two to two after ninety minutes.
Heartbreak felt across everywhere. I was feeling that heartbreak all
the way up in Canada, guys. When I was feeling
to see what was going on, I had one eye
on Game seven, probably the most historic Game seven ever
in the history of Major League Baseball. But I had
my other eye on what was happening there at the Kawaita.
San Diego were so close to finishing the job. Goals
from Pellegrino, Cheolchy, the control of the courage, and then
(09:33):
that late header that dragged it into a shootout cut
the end.
Speaker 5 (09:37):
Yes, a frustrating result for sure, And we talked about
it last week when I said my prediction was three too.
I didn't expect it to be during a PK shootout
because I knew we would see goals. It ended up
being too too. But yes, frustrating because they were ahead.
They had that opportunity. And when we talk about this
young group, I think that's going to be the main challenge.
(09:58):
It's the playoffs with a lot of stake and many
things on the line, but when it comes to closing
out the games and then you get a PK shootout,
then your goalkeeper saves two, and then your three players
missed in a row. You know, those are things that
you just have to be better at in those moments.
Speaker 6 (10:15):
Yeah, I mean, and the pain too, right, because you
see the board go up and you see eight minutes
of injury time, You're like, wow, that seems like a lot.
I don't really remember that many moments where the ball
wasn't in play, but it was what it was. And
if you go back and you look the goal is
in the net at ninety seven forty eight, you're like
literally seconds away from advancing to the conference semi finals.
(10:38):
And then you know this player who's only allowed to
sub in. He's the sixth sub of the match, gauge Getta.
He's only in the match because you're allowed an extra
substitution because of what happened with CJ. DeSanto's And he
comes in late and he's only played one hundred and
sixty minutes, and objectively, it's an amazing story for him
that he comes in and heads in the equalizer, but
(10:58):
it was crushing it just was such a punch in
the gut. I'm sure I'm not the only person that
had a tough time sleeping Saturday night.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Now, that's why we mess around and call it like
that cabin in the woods and the s It's lurking
at all times.
Speaker 7 (11:13):
And that's exactly what happened.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Five hundred and forty completed passes to Portland's three hundred
and thirty, a lot of possession, especially after Chukey came on.
Chuky definitely changed the tempo in the game, and let's
talk about that. Because of the management of Chuky that
was really interesting to me. I wanted to see how
Mikey was going to handle that whole situation, how Chuky
was going to handle himself as well. Easing him himself
back into the situation after missing game one and bringing
(11:38):
him in at the half and then he scores within
five minutes.
Speaker 7 (11:41):
That is a delicate balance for any manager.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Luci gon Salez, let's talk about Mikey and his management
of Chuki, the star power and having to harness that lightning.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
Mikey and I had several experiences in Dallas where we
certainly were tested in terms of discipline and remind the
team about our values and respect and making hard decisions.
Obviously not naming names, but there were a few times
where we had to deal with possible suspension or addressing
(12:12):
the team or apologizing to the team. But at the
end of the day, you know, in the world of sports,
like we're dealing with human beings, right, and human beings
have emotions, and they're a professional because they're talented and
they're very competitive.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
If they were not, they would not be at that level.
Speaker 3 (12:27):
The experience I had with Mikey and I remember him
even giving me amazing advice of how to handle things.
It's reminding ourselves about our values and making sure that
we take action if there were boundaries that are crossed.
And the most important thing is that the team and
the individuals learn and get better because we're not perfect
and we're constantly growing, we're constantly improving.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
You see that at all levels.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
You saw Vinicius Junior with Real Madrid the other day
and Alonso was very mature in how he handled that,
and at the end of the day, ve Innicious made
public apologies about how he reacted to the fan base,
to his team mates, and you move forward and you learn.
Chucky made public statements with apologies and showing ownership and
that he wants to get better. So that tells me
that it was handled very well. And then his response
(13:11):
come in score. They're in a great position out at
home to move in the right direction and have one
of their top attacking players that they're going to need
if they're going to win an MLS Cup championship, to
be on board and knowing what the expectations are on
and off the field.
Speaker 6 (13:24):
I also thought it was an interesting statement after Chucky scored.
Do you guys notice he kissed the badge twice looking
right into the away section where Frontata SD was. He
did it not once but twice that we saw on television.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
And it shows that he's passionate, he's emotional, he's not
gonna be happy he's not on the field. But at
the same time, he's learning the expectations and he wants
to do his club prout now and for future, for
future years.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
And when you're forging in fire the way Idamin Losano
has been throughout his life, I mean you're going to
see that fire come out. And again, like you said, Luci,
the competitor is going to show up and we want
to see guys like that, Guys that don't want to
see guys that want to compete, guys that want to
be out there in the closing moments, in the key
moments of any match for their team. And speaking of
the closing moments, I mean, after seeing this all go down, Luci,
(14:09):
as a manager, how do you pick up a team
after paying outles that's come that close and pretty much
has dominated Portland throughout the season every match that they've
had except in the details, that's where the devil pops out.
Speaker 7 (14:20):
How do you pick them up emotionally after that?
Speaker 1 (14:23):
I think this team is a well oiled machine. But
they're over it already.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
I know they're gonna They're gonna prepare this week and
probably have great momentum playing at home and snap track,
which is which is a great environment, and to take
care of business. I don't want to overlook Portland, but
I think it is in their favor to have a
game three going into the rest of the playoffs and
let LAFC have a little extra break and lose maybe
some rhythm.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
All right, Darren, I'm looking at the clock at Mikey
Wadis is looking at you, buddy. You got to get
over to Singing Hills and have a chat with the manager.
Speaker 7 (14:53):
I know.
Speaker 6 (14:53):
I'm very excited too, because I'm gonna be able to
use Lucci as my way of saying.
Speaker 7 (14:56):
Hey, Mikey, how's it going.
Speaker 6 (14:57):
I was just talking to you or your BFL. Yeah,
I do. I'm looking forward to it because I agree
with everything that Luti's saying. I do think being back
at home, the anticipation going to be another capacity crowd,
sellout crowd, and I thin guess DFC gets back to
playing a little bit more its style.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
All right, Darren Smith's got some work to do. He
has to talk to the man, Mikey Badas. So from
a San Diego legend, we move on to a Portland legend.
We've seen the emotion, the tactics, the heartbreak, and now
let's get that view from the other side. Former timber
Rodney Wallace sent us his thoughts on Saturday night at
Providence Park.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
Adrian, I try to tell you and you refuse to listen.
But here let me tell you again. The magic is
real at Providence Park. There's a certain sense of unwillingness
to give up. That's why they say Rose City Till
I Die because you can never count the Poorland Timbers
out from when Veil they scored that goal to when
(15:57):
Adia a Lassiter and my fellow Tiko Mirmano put that
cross into the box Getra finishing. Going into Pekse, you
knew what was going to happen, and it was almost
as if it was a replay of the twenty fifteen
championship run that we had. It literally mimicked that same energy,
(16:18):
and I loved everything about it because it was a
nail bier with confidence, a nail biter that you know
you're gonna win, just because of everything that took place
before a shootout at the Lassiter. In my opinion, a
game changer had a rough time with the national team.
He was ruled out, he was counted out by his fans,
(16:38):
he was down and out mentally, and then he comes
back and creates these plays that will go down in history,
and then all of a sudden they love you again.
And those are little things that will set your career
apart because you're relentless, you never give up, and that's
part of having that Teico spirit. That's why we say
pudada that means everything to us.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Well, that's the playoff grind, find margins huge emotion and
after the break, we're gonna stay with Luci gon Sande's
and dig a little deeper into what Mikey Vadas is
as a coach. Who is he truly We're gonna find out,
stay with us more on Behind the Flow after this.
Speaker 7 (17:35):
Welcome back. This is Behind the Flow.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
We're joined on this episode by Luci Gonsags, former head
coach at FC Dallas and San Jose Earthquakes and now
Academy director up in San Jose where he's helping shape
the next generation of American talent. Now, Luci and Mikey
Vadas go back more than a decade. They were roommates
on a US Soccer coaching course in Arizona, and that's
(17:59):
where the ship began. Slucci, What do you remember about
Mikey then and what made him stand out to you?
Speaker 3 (18:06):
Yeah, So, Mikey and I we first met doing our
US Soccer a license in Casa Grande in Arizona. I
believe this is twenty twelve, twenty thirteen. We were roommates
at that time to save money on hotel and but
you know, lower budget and you know he's a Chilean American.
I'm Peruvian American South American father, so we had kind
(18:27):
of a common bond.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
There talking about culture.
Speaker 3 (18:29):
There's actually Chile Peru rivalry about whether it's food or
wine or soccer. So that already sparked some good banter.
But as the course went on through the week, I
remember talking with Mikey. Mikey, there was almost this defiance,
like I don't agree with some of these principles. Could
be better about this or that, And he was very
specific and detailed about the principles that we were being
(18:52):
taught and what we expected in training methodology and the
progressions of the training, and Mikey, you know, just always
had an idea of how it could be better.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
And it was super interesting.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
And I remember the one advice I could give him was, look,
if you do want to coach at a higher level,
you do need to get this license.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
You do need to pass this course.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
So being a rebel and not get passing the license
is not going to get you where you can show
your talent as a.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Coach at the higher level.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
And I do remember having that conversation, but look, we
both passed passed the course and we just stayed in touch.
One day, I was able to convince him to leave
northern California and come to Dallas, Texas and join the academy,
and there we had our amazing experiences. So that was
the beginning of our friendship. And I would say this,
like we also just got along off the field. We
would go to have dinner, our families would join. I know,
(19:39):
his wife just very well, an amazing woman, supporting him
and but also you know, making sure that they were
always doing the right things, investing in real estate, but
taking care of their finances and enjoying what we're doing.
And we would go to music shows together, concerts, like
we just built a bond on and off the field
that I think that's priceless to And that's why I
(20:00):
get goosebumps right now. Just the pride and joy that
I have talking on behalf of the experience I've had
with Mikey and seeing what he's done this season, but
also super excited about what the future holds for MLS
and US soccer with Mikey.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
I once asked Mikey early on in the season, and
I think I've hit you with this type of question
back in the day there with MLS on Apple TV
and Pablo Mastroni another guy. You guys are philosophers, like
on and off the field. You guys are literature and
just so many things that you can extract from. And
I asked Mikey about the Art of War by Sun Sou,
one of my favorite quotes, and I feel like it
(20:33):
matches up with the philosophies that you guys share, which
is victorious warriors win first, then go to war, while
defeated warriors go to war first and seek to win.
Do you share that as well, that Sun Sou's sort
of mentality prepare first before anything else.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Definitely.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
I would say I am the man and the coach
that I am today because of the amazing influences I've
had around me. And Mikey is definitely one of those
people that, even though maybe I have had more experience
than him, at some point, he taught me so much
about life and the game. After our experience in FC Dallas,
you know, we both joined US Soccer. He was the
(21:09):
U twenty coach. I was the assistant with the senior team.
It's amazing that we were still connected somehow, you know,
represented something that was the same in our country. Mikey
is going to make sure that the staff around him
and the players around him believe, right, And I'm not
saying believe what Mikey believes, no, no, no, but believes
in an identity and in this case, a San Diego
(21:30):
identity that they represent the city in that community with
how they act and how they play.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
He's very well spoken.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
He can attract you and persuade you to understand the
vision that he has for the club, for the team,
and for the players, and so in that way, he's
an amazing leader. And he has these players believing. They've
been showing it all season, and I know it doesn't
guarantee that they're going to win an MLS Cup, but
it does guarantee for some great games and knowing that
that team's going to compete.
Speaker 1 (21:57):
And I'm really proud of Mikey leading this a moment
and for this opportunity.
Speaker 5 (22:01):
With where the sport is at now and we have
the World Cup around the corner and zooming out a
little bit, the level of talent, the crowds, the energy
across MLS right now, what excites you the most about
where the game is heading in the United States?
Speaker 3 (22:15):
Yeah, obviously I played in the league twenty three, twenty
four years ago, and it's night and day. I was
playing in Colorado Rapids in a fell stadium with maybe
twelve thousand fans in a seventy thousand capacity stadium. It
didn't exactly create the environment. Now you have these soccer
specific stadiums. They're smaller, but they're perfect. You know, they're perfect,
and they're creating an amazing fan basis with clear synchronized
(22:39):
cheering and singing and jumping and dancing, and they're competing
with each other who's the best fan group. I just
think everything has grown the obviously, the investments have grown
in the stadiums and the facilities. The training facilities are incredible.
There's a reason why players are excited to leave Europe
or South America and have careers in the US because
the facility is are better than a lot of what
(23:01):
you're seeing in Europe and especially Central and South America.
So all those things are attracting higher profile players. And
if you go to transfer market and you see a
value of an MLS roster and MLS rosters averaging around
maybe thirty eight to forty two million dollars in terms
of values of your player pool as opposed to maybe
a one billion dollar roster in the Premier league.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
So we got a long way to go.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Are we going to pay two hundred million dollars for
Holland to come and play right now today in MLS?
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Probably not.
Speaker 3 (23:29):
We wouldn't get a return on that investment today, right
because of we still need more fan base. We still
need to generate better sponsors and TV right revenue. So
you know we're going in the right direction. I do
think it will be up there with the NFL and
we will win a World Cup. US will win a
World Cup one day. I hope I'm alive to see it.
But I feel like the momentum is going in those directions.
Speaker 7 (23:51):
I agree with you, Lucoto, happens sooner rather than later.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
Guys are immediately going to be attracted to Major League
Soccer because of the brand, because of what you mentioned.
The fan base is that have been growing and growing constantly.
Look at us this year San Diego FC with Frotta
is d and that's why the Murf Dragon's been breathing
fire every single match that they have at home there
in Mission Valley. And with that said, and closing it
out here bringing it back to San Diego FC and
(24:14):
Mikey about US his potential. You mentioned Sky's the limit
as far as potential for MLS. What's the limit potential
for Mikey about US beyond MLS?
Speaker 7 (24:23):
Maybe in the future.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
We've seen him already with the stint with the US
men's national team, But it just feels like Mikey Bodas
is going to be a wanted man real soon.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
Look, I know Mike's super happy in terms of his
personal life. He loves San Diego and the home and
family he's growing there. I believe Mikey's going to be
super focused on San Diego. I would think for years
to come. At some point us as managers at any level,
we do become open to maybe other opportunities to learn
and grow and be challenged. But I think Mikey has
(24:52):
obviously set the bar really high in his first season,
and it won't be easy to sustain that in future
seasons because and a lot of the clubs we're looking
at San Diego as this kind of expansion exciting, So
how does he sustain that in year two, year three?
Look at Columbus Crew and kind of that effect Wilford
Nancy had winning the MLS Cup and then having international success.
(25:14):
I think that's the challenge Mikey will have in future seasons,
future years, is if they don't have the Tcheokis or
the Dryers some of the players that they have brought
into the midfield that have had success. If they have
a roster turnover and they invest in other players, are
they going to get those signings right? That's not easy,
but that will be the question and the challenge that
Mikey has moving forward.
Speaker 7 (25:37):
All right, Luci, we like to close it out, and
we know you got to go.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
You're a busy man, and thank you for joining us
here and behind the flow and all of the insight
that you've been providing.
Speaker 7 (25:45):
But it's time for us to go. Just rapid fire
at least.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
Don't yes a pleasure being with you, guys, And let's
do it.
Speaker 7 (25:51):
All right. We'll start off with number one.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
The single moment that best sums up who Mikey about
us is as a coach or a.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
Person off the field. Just amazing human being with high
level of respect and integrity. Family man. And that's the
number one memory I have of him.
Speaker 5 (26:05):
In one sentence, what would you say makes a great coach?
Speaker 1 (26:09):
I believe A great coach is one who.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
Adapts to their players, but also you know, has an
identity and understands the game and it's proud of how
he wants his team to play, but ultimately adapts to
the talent and the players and the people that he
has in his staff and his team. And when I
say adapt means adapts and plays to their strengths.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Any superstition or routine you always stick to before kick
off at all times without fail.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
I've had so much mixed results with cavalas and superstitions.
I've just learned at this point to just value the
experience and make sure that I prepared. I feel like
if I prepare well, I give myself the best chance
to have some level of luck for things to go
my way.
Speaker 5 (27:00):
If you have to choose the most memorable match today,
the game you'll never forget as a coach, player or
even as a fan.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
So in MLS, the game I'll never forget. Mikey was
an assistant coach with me. We were in Portland. We
wanted a penalty kick shootout to pass in the first
round of the playoffs, and then in the international level
it was oh, that's a tough one. We had to
qualify for the World Cup, which was interesting. But I
would say at the World Cup beating Iran to get
(27:27):
out of the group stage. You know, there was a
lot of hype about the game politically, so I feel
like getting through all that pressure as a staff, as
players and winning that game decisively to get out of
the group stage was.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
One of my proudest moments.
Speaker 7 (27:40):
And to close it out.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
If you had to describe Mikey about us with one
single word, what word is that?
Speaker 1 (27:48):
There's so many?
Speaker 7 (27:48):
I got to pick one, right, not allowed?
Speaker 1 (27:54):
Oh wow?
Speaker 7 (27:56):
Values excellent, excellent, We love that one.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
His values are everything And I just think of values
when I think am Mikey.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
Yeah's some one thing he won't change nor compromise, right,
what he believes he sticks to and rolls with it.
Speaker 7 (28:10):
Do or die. Lived by that sort.
Speaker 3 (28:12):
Yeah, Look, I know Mike He's going to go to sleep,
He's going to put his head on that pillow and
be proud of what he's doing, win or loss. I
get a little bit of a tier just to like
think about how that's impacted me in my personal life
and helped me become stronger to deal with adversity, and
so just so so proud and wishing nothing but the
best to him and his projects.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
Nicely put and Luci, that's it. That's the quick fire
round complete off the hot seat. We're gonna send Mikey
that answer. I'm sure he's gonna love and bring a
tear to his eye as well. Thank you very much, Luci.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
Yeah, big smile, Yeah, all the best guys, have fun
and the rest of the playoff run, and.
Speaker 2 (28:50):
All the best to you as well, and with everything
that you do, and you've done it with excellent Sedrono
and nothing's going to change, so we wish you the
best as well at moving into the future and then
the growth of Major League Soccer as well.
Speaker 7 (28:59):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Guess all right, stay with us again, Thank you so much,
Luchigo and Saliz. After the break, Rodney Wallace, another brilliant
man's going to join us to look ahead to Game
three and what both sides need to do to finish
the Trabaco. We'll be back, Welcome back. This is behind
(29:31):
the Flow and we're into the final part of the show.
Our eyes now turned to Game three, the decider at
the Murph Dragon this Sunday night. It's gonna be absolute
fire and to give us a little bit of a
view from the other side. Our friend and former Portland
timber legend that Rodney Wallace pu Da Vida made in
Costa Rica sent us a little voice note. This man
(29:52):
has played more than one hundred games in that jersey.
He feels it, he knows it. And now that Portland
kind of regrouped after that dramatic finish, he thinks they
might have enough to maybe silence everybody at Snapdragon and where.
Speaker 7 (30:06):
He thinks this series will be one or lost.
Speaker 4 (30:09):
Listening and Adrian, it's win or go home game three,
And you can feel that in me because I got
ice in my veins and I know that these players
approaching this match are going to have that mentality of
this is a game for the big dogs. Bill Newell
(30:31):
looking at each player in the eye before the game
and asking who's going to be the one that makes
history for this club. Portland now has to recover fast,
they have to tighten the midfield, and they have to
ride this momentum. Okay again, key players are going to
have to be the ones to set the tone. The
bench is going to be what matters as well, and
(30:54):
that's why playoffs are important, because you need a whole team.
You don't just use the starting eleven. It's about the
players that come in and make a difference and can
make a cross in the ninety eighth minute to seal
out the game.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Put the ball exactly where it needs to be.
Speaker 4 (31:10):
You have to go in with edge, and all the
pressure is on San Diego, brand new club pat Snapdragon Stadium,
and it's an expected party that we have to go
in and spoil. And my prediction dosa uno Portland Timbers.
We finished the job in Adrian. I'm gonna have to
put you to bed, tuck you in and say good
(31:32):
night when that no you is me memory?
Speaker 7 (31:37):
All right.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
So that's the view for Brodney Wallace and for somebody
who bleeds the Green and the gold. He was always
going to say San Diego season ends this weekend, all right,
that's the Partland view. Now let's look ahead to Game
three from a San Diego perspective.
Speaker 7 (31:52):
Oh sorry, I gotta say it the way they do
at the San Diego Souo in San Diego, Gotia. What's
the perspective in San Diego? For you?
Speaker 5 (32:00):
We have to understand this is the fourth game, or
this will be the fourth game. That they face each
other in a row the way they ended the regular
season and then now this playoff series, so facing a
team that many times it's not easy, and credits to
the Portland Timbers, they were at home. They obviously with
their season on the line, they were going to fight
(32:23):
literally till the last second, and that's what they did
to try and keep the season alive. Force that third game.
And now it all comes down to that third game
at Snapdragon. The atmosphere is going to be electric one
more time, and because of what you did all season long,
now you get that home field advantage. And that's where
AZZFC have to play into the fact that they're at home,
(32:44):
draw that energy from the crowd that it's going to
be there and it's going to be electrifying. When it
comes to the players, just sticking to what you know,
your style of play, who you've been, what has given
you success, that rhythm, that composure, that mentality you already
experience what happened in Portland, and then you just have
to go over it, bounce back like they've done, and
(33:05):
then just finish the job.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Yeah, I feel the same way I think as DFC.
All Right, there are two things at play number one,
get revenge for what happened in those pks, and that
brings me to point number two. As DFC have struggled
a little bit, or not struggled, but haven't been as
strong looking at home as they've looked on the road.
I think this is where the explosion happens against the
(33:27):
Portland Timbers at Snapdragon with all of the energy all
of San Diego backing them up, and I think that
we're going to see a great match for the next
ninety minutes. In other words, Mikey Bodis is going to
have them absolutely ready to play. And if the ride
were to end this Sunday, Gatia, I think we can
say it was a pretty good ride for year one
(33:47):
for as DFC, but I doubt it. I think the
show will continue.
Speaker 5 (33:51):
It has been one heck of a ride and it's
been really special. It's been amazing to witness what they've
done because this city, this fan base had been so
hungry to have a soccer team in MLS.
Speaker 7 (34:05):
So your final prediction was the final score, I'm going.
Speaker 1 (34:07):
To go with SEFC two to one, and it's.
Speaker 7 (34:10):
Going to continue.
Speaker 2 (34:11):
Like Katya said, it's been an absolute joint, absolute ride
and it's been a privilege to be a part of it.
And that brings us to the end of this playoff
edition of Behind the Flow. A huge thank you to
the guest this week, Lucci Gonzalez. Thank you very much,
brilliant having you on and hearing your perspective.
Speaker 7 (34:27):
Katya. Saturdays as nights, Let's get ready Sunday Night.
Speaker 5 (34:30):
Listos, see you on Sunday list Us, nos, Vemo, Sell Domingo,
see you at Snapdragon.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
All right, Thank you Darren, thank you Kata, and thank
you listeners. Thank you for following the journey all season long.
And next week we're going to be replaying one of
our favorite episodes from earlier in this series. But we're
going to be right back after that for all of
the follow and all of the happiness, we hope, hopefully
the preview the MLS Western Conference semi Final, where SDFC
will face either Seattle Sounders or Minnesota United. Until then,
(35:00):
enjoy the game on Sunday and keep believing because the
playoffs have begun and the flow goes on.
Speaker 7 (35:05):
You've been dipped in Chrominus school. I'm Adrian got to
see Americas take care
And today against Sysday, I got.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
It and you certainly will. Murph Dragon will be ready.
This is behind the flow of the podcast that takes
you inside San Diego e FC's first season in Major
League Soccer Saturday night in Portland. What a roller coaster.
(00:29):
San Diego led twice, only to be tagged back in
stoppage time before failing on penalties. Now it all comes
down to this, a decisive Game three winner, go home
back at a sold out repeat sold out again thirty
two thousand souls Snap Dragon Stadium Sunday night. On the
show today, we're going to be joined by Luci Humsig,
(00:50):
former FC Dallas and San Jose Earthquakes head coach, now
Academy director at San Jose, and the man who helped
shape Mikey Vodis's coaching journey Goosebumps.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
The pride and joy that I have seen what he's
done this season, but also super excited about what the
future holds for MLS and US soccer With Mikey.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Plus, we'll hear from Rodney Wallace, the legend La Legenda
Costa Riceensee from Portland, and his thoughts ahead of Game three.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
All the pressure is on San Diego brand new club
pat snap Dragon Stadium, and it's a unexpected party that
we have to go in and spoil.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
The playoffs have reached their tipping point and the flow
decider is here. I'm Adrian Garcia Marquez. Welcome to Behind
the Flow and it's great to be back. Great to
be alongside Darren Smith the first. A huge shout out
(01:48):
to Katia Castna, who captained the show last week while
both of us were splitting time between Diamonds and so
much more going on during that World Series.
Speaker 5 (01:56):
I still have confetti in my hair because I was
covering the parade in La So Yes, we had crazy
times covering baseball in the World Series. Now that's over
and we can shift our focus solely to MLS playoffs.
Speaker 6 (02:13):
I was watching a match from Providence Park. I didn't
realize there was anything else happening in the world of
sports other than what it was that was going on
between SDFC and Portland Timbers.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Obviously, the city of San Diego's completely alive right now
because the man has created part of this vibe of
not completely responsible for it is Mikey bought us. So
we're going to be joined by Luci Gon Sami's former
head coach of FC Dallas and the San Jose Earthquakes,
now Academy director at San Jose and the man who
helped shape Mikey bought us his journey. Lucci is Mikey's mentor,
(02:42):
his friend, and the first person to spot that coaching
spark that we're seeing shine brightly in San Diego right now.
And Luci, great to have you here on behind the flow.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yeah, thanks for having me on.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Guys, You've given me way too much credit, because Mikey's
all deserving on his own with his mentality and.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
His work ethics.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
So just really to be here and supporting Mikey from afar.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Now you've seen him rise, Lucci, from the early days
at Dallas to this historic first season in San Diego.
Speaker 7 (03:09):
I mean it goes without saying.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
How proud you really are seeing your guy grow this
way in year one, in this first opportunity and shine
the way that he has.
Speaker 7 (03:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Look, it's interesting.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
I did an interview with Andrew weaviy At from MLS
before the season started, and he had questions about Mikey,
and honestly, I'm not surprised of his success.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Maybe this is earlier.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Then you would think within an expansion club and maybe
year two would be the year that they'd have this
level of success, not year one. But at the end
of the day, I'm not surprised of what he's doing
because of the.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Person that I know. Lucci.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
You're now leading the Earthquakes academy, You're working closely with
the young players. You also did it in Dallas, a
space that's produced some of the most exciting young American talent.
What's your focus there right now and why are you
trying to build within that system.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Look, first of all, I'm very grateful to be the
academy director at Saint's Earthquakes. I was in the professional
level coaching as a head coach in the league as
an assistant with the US national team, so that that
was about six years. But the core of my experience
in coaching after I was done playing was in the
youth academy level. Obviously, my time in Dallas and for
that I'm very proud of was with the academy.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
And then eventually the first team.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
But you know, my family and my desire myself personally
was to stay in the Bay Area for the club
to bring me back on board with Bruce Arena's blessing
and technical Leadership's blessing. I'm super grateful and I'm super proud,
and it's something that's really.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Important to me. This is a very good program, the
Santa's Earthquakes.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
You can name many players that have come through and
had careers in MLS and come through the system and
played in our first team. So I just want to
continue that heritage of the academy, but at the same
time try to put it at at one of the
top levels and compete with the very best as well.
Speaker 6 (04:53):
And from that perspective, one of the themes for Senego
Football Club success has been Mikey's use of younger players,
even on the back line, a couple of first round
draft picks, teenagers. This is pretty common here, Lucci. I
wonder what stands out to you most about how mike
has used younger players and the players that they're developing
(05:13):
here and how reliant they've become on them and how
much they've thrived playing for Mikey.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
So when I first started working with Mikey, I brought
him into the academy. He was my head coach for
the you thirteens and the U fifteens, and that was
a grind that you're talking about him having commitments early
in the mornings with an older age group and then
later in the afternoon in that Texas heat on turf
with you thirteens and just long hour shifts on the
field constantly, And he loves the youth part of the
(05:42):
game at that level. He knows that young players they're
like sponges. They're going to take information and they're going
to do things with courage and take risks. So I
think he's he is showing that now that that could
be done at the professional level and with success.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
Lucci, because you've coached in MLS and you know MLS
so well. To put it into context for our listeners,
just how valuable what Mikey and as EFC have done
is because of such a young core that they have,
and then to lead the West and to be competing
in the playoffs winning their first game, Just how much
(06:19):
does that mean and how important it is what they've
accomplished so far.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
It's very important.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
I think their club has been very thoughtful and analytical
and how they built the roster with some big investments
but also some value investments that you're taking risks and
gambles on some of these pieces. But I think from
the beginning they put together a competitive roster and you
can see some of the score lines in the way
the games were in preseason. Hey, this team is not
playing like an inaugural team that it looks like they're
(06:45):
here to compete from the beginning, and they've shown that
throughout the season. I think, you know what hasn't been
proven yet in MLS and I tried my best in
Dallas and I had moments here in San Jose, was
can you win an MLS Cup with playing a lot
of young players? Can be at a club that has
a dominant stat in terms of investing in the youth
and playing giving opportunities to young players and win MLS Cup.
(07:08):
I think there's been a few clubs that have been close,
and I think San Diego has the opportunity to do
that and grow their academy, but also do it at
the first team level like they are this year.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Absolutely, and now we want to get your insight as
to what happened Geason at the there in Portland. Let's
relive the drama from Saturday night in Portland against the Timbers.
Speaker 7 (07:31):
And then he tried to get it behind.
Speaker 6 (07:33):
He does, tries to take it out and he goes
down to.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Oh circle.
Speaker 5 (07:38):
Finish Ajalla with across Kelsey in the middle.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Kelsey, there's goot the furthest forward.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
Now the movement in behind.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
Good football. This Pellegrino on his right foots go sexy
football from San Diego on that right outside a Pellegrino.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
What a perfect finish.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
We'll play across Jonas Coss flock stairs down, I'm gonna
turn around.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
You'll campbell A video assistant referee san.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Diego number ten is in an offsete position to receive
the ball.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Final offision a novel.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Agar old chip turn Pantamas at the same and the
rebounder's head.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
All is good with san Diego and choking Azano again.
Speaker 7 (08:22):
Long throw that's become back in fashion in wolf football.
Throw it towards pay this lasted with the cross pull
the log laid on. It feels like a long way back.
If Melacori gets score and he cans, he plants said
hie and into the tempers army up against Pantamis.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
He set it into the Temples.
Speaker 7 (08:48):
Army, but it is infy.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
The vase coff Navans.
Speaker 7 (08:52):
Coff from the spot.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
That's up to whatever, and no, it's not Coot Anthony
against Steger.
Speaker 7 (09:09):
All right.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
So that's how it sounded two to two after ninety minutes.
Heartbreak felt across everywhere. I was feeling that heartbreak all
the way up in Canada, guys. When I was feeling
to see what was going on, I had one eye
on Game seven, probably the most historic Game seven ever
in the history of Major League Baseball. But I had
my other eye on what was happening there at the Kawaita.
San Diego were so close to finishing the job. Goals
from Pellegrino, Cheolchy, the control of the courage, and then
(09:33):
that late header that dragged it into a shootout cut
the end.
Speaker 5 (09:37):
Yes, a frustrating result for sure, And we talked about
it last week when I said my prediction was three too.
I didn't expect it to be during a PK shootout
because I knew we would see goals. It ended up
being too too. But yes, frustrating because they were ahead.
They had that opportunity. And when we talk about this
young group, I think that's going to be the main challenge.
(09:58):
It's the playoffs with a lot of stake and many
things on the line, but when it comes to closing
out the games and then you get a PK shootout,
then your goalkeeper saves two, and then your three players
missed in a row. You know, those are things that
you just have to be better at in those moments.
Speaker 6 (10:15):
Yeah, I mean, and the pain too, right, because you
see the board go up and you see eight minutes
of injury time, You're like, wow, that seems like a lot.
I don't really remember that many moments where the ball
wasn't in play, but it was what it was. And
if you go back and you look the goal is
in the net at ninety seven forty eight, you're like
literally seconds away from advancing to the conference semi finals.
(10:38):
And then you know this player who's only allowed to
sub in. He's the sixth sub of the match, gauge Getta.
He's only in the match because you're allowed an extra
substitution because of what happened with CJ. DeSanto's And he
comes in late and he's only played one hundred and
sixty minutes, and objectively, it's an amazing story for him
that he comes in and heads in the equalizer, but
(10:58):
it was crushing it just was such a punch in
the gut. I'm sure I'm not the only person that
had a tough time sleeping Saturday night.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Now, that's why we mess around and call it like
that cabin in the woods and the s It's lurking
at all times.
Speaker 7 (11:13):
And that's exactly what happened.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Five hundred and forty completed passes to Portland's three hundred
and thirty, a lot of possession, especially after Chukey came on.
Chuky definitely changed the tempo in the game, and let's
talk about that. Because of the management of Chuky that
was really interesting to me. I wanted to see how
Mikey was going to handle that whole situation, how Chuky
was going to handle himself as well. Easing him himself
back into the situation after missing game one and bringing
(11:38):
him in at the half and then he scores within
five minutes.
Speaker 7 (11:41):
That is a delicate balance for any manager.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Luci gon Salez, let's talk about Mikey and his management
of Chuki, the star power and having to harness that lightning.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
Mikey and I had several experiences in Dallas where we
certainly were tested in terms of discipline and remind the
team about our values and respect and making hard decisions.
Obviously not naming names, but there were a few times
where we had to deal with possible suspension or addressing
(12:12):
the team or apologizing to the team. But at the
end of the day, you know, in the world of sports,
like we're dealing with human beings, right, and human beings
have emotions, and they're a professional because they're talented and
they're very competitive.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
If they were not, they would not be at that level.
Speaker 3 (12:27):
The experience I had with Mikey and I remember him
even giving me amazing advice of how to handle things.
It's reminding ourselves about our values and making sure that
we take action if there were boundaries that are crossed.
And the most important thing is that the team and
the individuals learn and get better because we're not perfect
and we're constantly growing, we're constantly improving.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
You see that at all levels.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
You saw Vinicius Junior with Real Madrid the other day
and Alonso was very mature in how he handled that,
and at the end of the day, ve Innicious made
public apologies about how he reacted to the fan base,
to his team mates, and you move forward and you learn.
Chucky made public statements with apologies and showing ownership and
that he wants to get better. So that tells me
that it was handled very well. And then his response
(13:11):
come in score. They're in a great position out at
home to move in the right direction and have one
of their top attacking players that they're going to need
if they're going to win an MLS Cup championship, to
be on board and knowing what the expectations are on
and off the field.
Speaker 6 (13:24):
I also thought it was an interesting statement after Chucky scored.
Do you guys notice he kissed the badge twice looking
right into the away section where Frontata SD was. He
did it not once but twice that we saw on television.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
And it shows that he's passionate, he's emotional, he's not
gonna be happy he's not on the field. But at
the same time, he's learning the expectations and he wants
to do his club prout now and for future, for
future years.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
And when you're forging in fire the way Idamin Losano
has been throughout his life, I mean you're going to
see that fire come out. And again, like you said, Luci,
the competitor is going to show up and we want
to see guys like that, Guys that don't want to
see guys that want to compete, guys that want to
be out there in the closing moments, in the key
moments of any match for their team. And speaking of
the closing moments, I mean, after seeing this all go down, Luci,
(14:09):
as a manager, how do you pick up a team
after paying outles that's come that close and pretty much
has dominated Portland throughout the season every match that they've
had except in the details, that's where the devil pops out.
Speaker 7 (14:20):
How do you pick them up emotionally after that?
Speaker 1 (14:23):
I think this team is a well oiled machine. But
they're over it already.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
I know they're gonna They're gonna prepare this week and
probably have great momentum playing at home and snap track,
which is which is a great environment, and to take
care of business. I don't want to overlook Portland, but
I think it is in their favor to have a
game three going into the rest of the playoffs and
let LAFC have a little extra break and lose maybe
some rhythm.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
All right, Darren, I'm looking at the clock at Mikey
Wadis is looking at you, buddy. You got to get
over to Singing Hills and have a chat with the manager.
Speaker 7 (14:53):
I know.
Speaker 6 (14:53):
I'm very excited too, because I'm gonna be able to
use Lucci as my way of saying.
Speaker 7 (14:56):
Hey, Mikey, how's it going.
Speaker 6 (14:57):
I was just talking to you or your BFL. Yeah,
I do. I'm looking forward to it because I agree
with everything that Luti's saying. I do think being back
at home, the anticipation going to be another capacity crowd,
sellout crowd, and I thin guess DFC gets back to
playing a little bit more its style.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
All right, Darren Smith's got some work to do. He
has to talk to the man, Mikey Badas. So from
a San Diego legend, we move on to a Portland legend.
We've seen the emotion, the tactics, the heartbreak, and now
let's get that view from the other side. Former timber
Rodney Wallace sent us his thoughts on Saturday night at
Providence Park.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
Adrian, I try to tell you and you refuse to listen.
But here let me tell you again. The magic is
real at Providence Park. There's a certain sense of unwillingness
to give up. That's why they say Rose City Till
I Die because you can never count the Poorland Timbers
out from when Veil they scored that goal to when
(15:57):
Adia a Lassiter and my fellow Tiko Mirmano put that
cross into the box Getra finishing. Going into Pekse, you
knew what was going to happen, and it was almost
as if it was a replay of the twenty fifteen
championship run that we had. It literally mimicked that same energy,
(16:18):
and I loved everything about it because it was a
nail bier with confidence, a nail biter that you know
you're gonna win, just because of everything that took place
before a shootout at the Lassiter. In my opinion, a
game changer had a rough time with the national team.
He was ruled out, he was counted out by his fans,
(16:38):
he was down and out mentally, and then he comes
back and creates these plays that will go down in history,
and then all of a sudden they love you again.
And those are little things that will set your career
apart because you're relentless, you never give up, and that's
part of having that Teico spirit. That's why we say
pudada that means everything to us.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Well, that's the playoff grind, find margins huge emotion and
after the break, we're gonna stay with Luci gon Sande's
and dig a little deeper into what Mikey Vadas is
as a coach. Who is he truly We're gonna find out,
stay with us more on Behind the Flow after this.
Speaker 7 (17:35):
Welcome back. This is Behind the Flow.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
We're joined on this episode by Luci Gonsags, former head
coach at FC Dallas and San Jose Earthquakes and now
Academy director up in San Jose where he's helping shape
the next generation of American talent. Now, Luci and Mikey
Vadas go back more than a decade. They were roommates
on a US Soccer coaching course in Arizona, and that's
(17:59):
where the ship began. Slucci, What do you remember about
Mikey then and what made him stand out to you?
Speaker 3 (18:06):
Yeah, So, Mikey and I we first met doing our
US Soccer a license in Casa Grande in Arizona. I
believe this is twenty twelve, twenty thirteen. We were roommates
at that time to save money on hotel and but
you know, lower budget and you know he's a Chilean American.
I'm Peruvian American South American father, so we had kind
(18:27):
of a common bond.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
There talking about culture.
Speaker 3 (18:29):
There's actually Chile Peru rivalry about whether it's food or
wine or soccer. So that already sparked some good banter.
But as the course went on through the week, I
remember talking with Mikey. Mikey, there was almost this defiance,
like I don't agree with some of these principles. Could
be better about this or that, And he was very
specific and detailed about the principles that we were being
(18:52):
taught and what we expected in training methodology and the
progressions of the training, and Mikey, you know, just always
had an idea of how it could be better.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
And it was super interesting.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
And I remember the one advice I could give him was, look,
if you do want to coach at a higher level,
you do need to get this license.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
You do need to pass this course.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
So being a rebel and not get passing the license
is not going to get you where you can show
your talent as a.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Coach at the higher level.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
And I do remember having that conversation, but look, we
both passed passed the course and we just stayed in touch.
One day, I was able to convince him to leave
northern California and come to Dallas, Texas and join the academy,
and there we had our amazing experiences. So that was
the beginning of our friendship. And I would say this,
like we also just got along off the field. We
would go to have dinner, our families would join. I know,
(19:39):
his wife just very well, an amazing woman, supporting him
and but also you know, making sure that they were
always doing the right things, investing in real estate, but
taking care of their finances and enjoying what we're doing.
And we would go to music shows together, concerts, like
we just built a bond on and off the field
that I think that's priceless to And that's why I
(20:00):
get goosebumps right now. Just the pride and joy that
I have talking on behalf of the experience I've had
with Mikey and seeing what he's done this season, but
also super excited about what the future holds for MLS
and US soccer with Mikey.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
I once asked Mikey early on in the season, and
I think I've hit you with this type of question
back in the day there with MLS on Apple TV
and Pablo Mastroni another guy. You guys are philosophers, like
on and off the field. You guys are literature and
just so many things that you can extract from. And
I asked Mikey about the Art of War by Sun Sou,
one of my favorite quotes, and I feel like it
(20:33):
matches up with the philosophies that you guys share, which
is victorious warriors win first, then go to war, while
defeated warriors go to war first and seek to win.
Do you share that as well, that Sun Sou's sort
of mentality prepare first before anything else.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Definitely.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
I would say I am the man and the coach
that I am today because of the amazing influences I've
had around me. And Mikey is definitely one of those
people that, even though maybe I have had more experience
than him, at some point, he taught me so much
about life and the game. After our experience in FC Dallas,
you know, we both joined US Soccer. He was the
(21:09):
U twenty coach. I was the assistant with the senior team.
It's amazing that we were still connected somehow, you know,
represented something that was the same in our country. Mikey
is going to make sure that the staff around him
and the players around him believe, right, And I'm not
saying believe what Mikey believes, no, no, no, but believes
in an identity and in this case, a San Diego
(21:30):
identity that they represent the city in that community with
how they act and how they play.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
He's very well spoken.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
He can attract you and persuade you to understand the
vision that he has for the club, for the team,
and for the players, and so in that way, he's
an amazing leader. And he has these players believing. They've
been showing it all season, and I know it doesn't
guarantee that they're going to win an MLS Cup, but
it does guarantee for some great games and knowing that
that team's going to compete.
Speaker 1 (21:57):
And I'm really proud of Mikey leading this a moment
and for this opportunity.
Speaker 5 (22:01):
With where the sport is at now and we have
the World Cup around the corner and zooming out a
little bit, the level of talent, the crowds, the energy
across MLS right now, what excites you the most about
where the game is heading in the United States?
Speaker 3 (22:15):
Yeah, obviously I played in the league twenty three, twenty
four years ago, and it's night and day. I was
playing in Colorado Rapids in a fell stadium with maybe
twelve thousand fans in a seventy thousand capacity stadium. It
didn't exactly create the environment. Now you have these soccer
specific stadiums. They're smaller, but they're perfect. You know, they're perfect,
and they're creating an amazing fan basis with clear synchronized
(22:39):
cheering and singing and jumping and dancing, and they're competing
with each other who's the best fan group. I just
think everything has grown the obviously, the investments have grown
in the stadiums and the facilities. The training facilities are incredible.
There's a reason why players are excited to leave Europe
or South America and have careers in the US because
the facility is are better than a lot of what
(23:01):
you're seeing in Europe and especially Central and South America.
So all those things are attracting higher profile players. And
if you go to transfer market and you see a
value of an MLS roster and MLS rosters averaging around
maybe thirty eight to forty two million dollars in terms
of values of your player pool as opposed to maybe
a one billion dollar roster in the Premier league.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
So we got a long way to go.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Are we going to pay two hundred million dollars for
Holland to come and play right now today in MLS?
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Probably not.
Speaker 3 (23:29):
We wouldn't get a return on that investment today, right
because of we still need more fan base. We still
need to generate better sponsors and TV right revenue. So
you know we're going in the right direction. I do
think it will be up there with the NFL and
we will win a World Cup. US will win a
World Cup one day. I hope I'm alive to see it.
But I feel like the momentum is going in those directions.
Speaker 7 (23:51):
I agree with you, Lucoto, happens sooner rather than later.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
Guys are immediately going to be attracted to Major League
Soccer because of the brand, because of what you mentioned.
The fan base is that have been growing and growing constantly.
Look at us this year San Diego FC with Frotta
is d and that's why the Murf Dragon's been breathing
fire every single match that they have at home there
in Mission Valley. And with that said, and closing it
out here bringing it back to San Diego FC and
(24:14):
Mikey about US his potential. You mentioned Sky's the limit
as far as potential for MLS. What's the limit potential
for Mikey about US beyond MLS?
Speaker 7 (24:23):
Maybe in the future.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
We've seen him already with the stint with the US
men's national team, But it just feels like Mikey Bodas
is going to be a wanted man real soon.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
Look, I know Mike's super happy in terms of his
personal life. He loves San Diego and the home and
family he's growing there. I believe Mikey's going to be
super focused on San Diego. I would think for years
to come. At some point us as managers at any level,
we do become open to maybe other opportunities to learn
and grow and be challenged. But I think Mikey has
(24:52):
obviously set the bar really high in his first season,
and it won't be easy to sustain that in future
seasons because and a lot of the clubs we're looking
at San Diego as this kind of expansion exciting, So
how does he sustain that in year two, year three?
Look at Columbus Crew and kind of that effect Wilford
Nancy had winning the MLS Cup and then having international success.
(25:14):
I think that's the challenge Mikey will have in future seasons,
future years, is if they don't have the Tcheokis or
the Dryers some of the players that they have brought
into the midfield that have had success. If they have
a roster turnover and they invest in other players, are
they going to get those signings right? That's not easy,
but that will be the question and the challenge that
Mikey has moving forward.
Speaker 7 (25:37):
All right, Luci, we like to close it out, and
we know you got to go.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
You're a busy man, and thank you for joining us
here and behind the flow and all of the insight
that you've been providing.
Speaker 7 (25:45):
But it's time for us to go. Just rapid fire
at least.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
Don't yes a pleasure being with you, guys, And let's
do it.
Speaker 7 (25:51):
All right. We'll start off with number one.
Speaker 2 (25:53):
The single moment that best sums up who Mikey about
us is as a coach or a.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
Person off the field. Just amazing human being with high
level of respect and integrity. Family man. And that's the
number one memory I have of him.
Speaker 5 (26:05):
In one sentence, what would you say makes a great coach?
Speaker 1 (26:09):
I believe A great coach is one who.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
Adapts to their players, but also you know, has an
identity and understands the game and it's proud of how
he wants his team to play, but ultimately adapts to
the talent and the players and the people that he
has in his staff and his team. And when I
say adapt means adapts and plays to their strengths.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Any superstition or routine you always stick to before kick
off at all times without fail.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
I've had so much mixed results with cavalas and superstitions.
I've just learned at this point to just value the
experience and make sure that I prepared. I feel like
if I prepare well, I give myself the best chance
to have some level of luck for things to go
my way.
Speaker 5 (27:00):
If you have to choose the most memorable match today,
the game you'll never forget as a coach, player or
even as a fan.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
So in MLS, the game I'll never forget. Mikey was
an assistant coach with me. We were in Portland. We
wanted a penalty kick shootout to pass in the first
round of the playoffs, and then in the international level
it was oh, that's a tough one. We had to
qualify for the World Cup, which was interesting. But I
would say at the World Cup beating Iran to get
(27:27):
out of the group stage. You know, there was a
lot of hype about the game politically, so I feel
like getting through all that pressure as a staff, as
players and winning that game decisively to get out of
the group stage was.
Speaker 1 (27:38):
One of my proudest moments.
Speaker 7 (27:40):
And to close it out.
Speaker 2 (27:41):
If you had to describe Mikey about us with one
single word, what word is that?
Speaker 1 (27:48):
There's so many?
Speaker 7 (27:48):
I got to pick one, right, not allowed?
Speaker 1 (27:54):
Oh wow?
Speaker 7 (27:56):
Values excellent, excellent, We love that one.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
His values are everything And I just think of values
when I think am Mikey.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
Yeah's some one thing he won't change nor compromise, right,
what he believes he sticks to and rolls with it.
Speaker 7 (28:10):
Do or die. Lived by that sort.
Speaker 3 (28:12):
Yeah, Look, I know Mike He's going to go to sleep,
He's going to put his head on that pillow and
be proud of what he's doing, win or loss. I
get a little bit of a tier just to like
think about how that's impacted me in my personal life
and helped me become stronger to deal with adversity, and
so just so so proud and wishing nothing but the
best to him and his projects.
Speaker 2 (28:33):
Nicely put and Luci, that's it. That's the quick fire
round complete off the hot seat. We're gonna send Mikey
that answer. I'm sure he's gonna love and bring a
tear to his eye as well. Thank you very much, Luci.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
Yeah, big smile, Yeah, all the best guys, have fun
and the rest of the playoff run, and.
Speaker 2 (28:50):
All the best to you as well, and with everything
that you do, and you've done it with excellent Sedrono
and nothing's going to change, so we wish you the
best as well at moving into the future and then
the growth of Major League Soccer as well.
Speaker 7 (28:59):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Guess all right, stay with us again, Thank you so much,
Luchigo and Saliz. After the break, Rodney Wallace, another brilliant
man's going to join us to look ahead to Game
three and what both sides need to do to finish
the Trabaco. We'll be back, Welcome back. This is behind
(29:31):
the Flow and we're into the final part of the show.
Our eyes now turned to Game three, the decider at
the Murph Dragon this Sunday night. It's gonna be absolute
fire and to give us a little bit of a
view from the other side. Our friend and former Portland
timber legend that Rodney Wallace pu Da Vida made in
Costa Rica sent us a little voice note. This man
(29:52):
has played more than one hundred games in that jersey.
He feels it, he knows it. And now that Portland
kind of regrouped after that dramatic finish, he thinks they
might have enough to maybe silence everybody at Snapdragon and where.
Speaker 7 (30:06):
He thinks this series will be one or lost.
Speaker 4 (30:09):
Listening and Adrian, it's win or go home game three,
And you can feel that in me because I got
ice in my veins and I know that these players
approaching this match are going to have that mentality of
this is a game for the big dogs. Bill Newell
(30:31):
looking at each player in the eye before the game
and asking who's going to be the one that makes
history for this club. Portland now has to recover fast,
they have to tighten the midfield, and they have to
ride this momentum. Okay again, key players are going to
have to be the ones to set the tone. The
bench is going to be what matters as well, and
(30:54):
that's why playoffs are important, because you need a whole team.
You don't just use the starting eleven. It's about the
players that come in and make a difference and can
make a cross in the ninety eighth minute to seal
out the game.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Put the ball exactly where it needs to be.
Speaker 4 (31:10):
You have to go in with edge, and all the
pressure is on San Diego, brand new club pat Snapdragon Stadium,
and it's an expected party that we have to go
in and spoil. And my prediction dosa uno Portland Timbers.
We finished the job in Adrian. I'm gonna have to
put you to bed, tuck you in and say good
(31:32):
night when that no you is me memory?
Speaker 7 (31:37):
All right.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
So that's the view for Brodney Wallace and for somebody
who bleeds the Green and the gold. He was always
going to say San Diego season ends this weekend, all right,
that's the Partland view. Now let's look ahead to Game
three from a San Diego perspective.
Speaker 7 (31:52):
Oh sorry, I gotta say it the way they do
at the San Diego Souo in San Diego, Gotia. What's
the perspective in San Diego? For you?
Speaker 5 (32:00):
We have to understand this is the fourth game, or
this will be the fourth game. That they face each
other in a row the way they ended the regular
season and then now this playoff series, so facing a
team that many times it's not easy, and credits to
the Portland Timbers, they were at home. They obviously with
their season on the line, they were going to fight
(32:23):
literally till the last second, and that's what they did
to try and keep the season alive. Force that third game.
And now it all comes down to that third game
at Snapdragon. The atmosphere is going to be electric one
more time, and because of what you did all season long,
now you get that home field advantage. And that's where
AZZFC have to play into the fact that they're at home,
(32:44):
draw that energy from the crowd that it's going to
be there and it's going to be electrifying. When it
comes to the players, just sticking to what you know,
your style of play, who you've been, what has given
you success, that rhythm, that composure, that mentality you already
experience what happened in Portland, and then you just have
to go over it, bounce back like they've done, and
(33:05):
then just finish the job.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Yeah, I feel the same way I think as DFC.
All Right, there are two things at play number one,
get revenge for what happened in those pks, and that
brings me to point number two. As DFC have struggled
a little bit, or not struggled, but haven't been as
strong looking at home as they've looked on the road.
I think this is where the explosion happens against the
(33:27):
Portland Timbers at Snapdragon with all of the energy all
of San Diego backing them up, and I think that
we're going to see a great match for the next
ninety minutes. In other words, Mikey Bodis is going to
have them absolutely ready to play. And if the ride
were to end this Sunday, Gatia, I think we can
say it was a pretty good ride for year one
(33:47):
for as DFC, but I doubt it. I think the
show will continue.
Speaker 5 (33:51):
It has been one heck of a ride and it's
been really special. It's been amazing to witness what they've
done because this city, this fan base had been so
hungry to have a soccer team in MLS.
Speaker 7 (34:05):
So your final prediction was the final score, I'm going.
Speaker 1 (34:07):
To go with SEFC two to one, and it's.
Speaker 7 (34:10):
Going to continue.
Speaker 2 (34:11):
Like Katya said, it's been an absolute joint, absolute ride
and it's been a privilege to be a part of it.
And that brings us to the end of this playoff
edition of Behind the Flow. A huge thank you to
the guest this week, Lucci Gonzalez. Thank you very much,
brilliant having you on and hearing your perspective.
Speaker 7 (34:27):
Katya. Saturdays as nights, Let's get ready Sunday Night.
Speaker 5 (34:30):
Listos, see you on Sunday list Us, nos, Vemo, Sell Domingo,
see you at Snapdragon.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
All right, Thank you Darren, thank you Kata, and thank
you listeners. Thank you for following the journey all season long.
And next week we're going to be replaying one of
our favorite episodes from earlier in this series. But we're
going to be right back after that for all of
the follow and all of the happiness, we hope, hopefully
the preview the MLS Western Conference semi Final, where SDFC
will face either Seattle Sounders or Minnesota United. Until then,
(35:00):
enjoy the game on Sunday and keep believing because the
playoffs have begun and the flow goes on.
Speaker 7 (35:05):
You've been dipped in Chrominus school. I'm Adrian got to
see Americas take care
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