May 3, 2024 • 7 mins
Apple TV's Ross Smith will be on the call for FC Cincinnati's game against Orlando on Saturday. He joined us on ESPN1530.
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Podcasts of The Mo Egger Radio Show are a service of Longnecks Sports Grill.
Listen to the show live weekday afternoons 3:00 - 6:00 on ESPN1530.
Listen Live: ESPN1530.com/listen
Follow on Twitter: @MoEgger
Email: mo@espn1530.com
Get more: https://linktr.ee/MoEgger
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
From four o'clock. This is ESPNfifteen thirty ALM oeg or Fccincinnati. You
trying to make it three consecutive winson Saturday roadmatch against Orlando. First of
consecutive road tilts for the Orange andBlue starting with Saturday, and then massive
one a week from Saturday, asFC Cincinnati visits Columbus by the way this
(00:21):
weekend. All fourteen matches for freeon MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV
app or online at TV dot Appledot com. On the call for the
match in Orlando on Saturday, alongwith Tony Husband Ross Smith. Ross is
kind enough to give us a fewminutes in safternoon. It's good to have
you, Ross. How are youawesome? Pleasure Thanks for having me on.
(00:44):
Well, you had this team inCharlotte at the end of April,
so about a month ago. Nottheir best night. Lucky to get a
point. From then to now.What has stood out about FC Cincinnati starting
to connect more. I think youlook at with Luccho and in particular Luca
Orshano. I think that relationship isevolving more and more. I think Corey
(01:07):
Baird is starting to understand his positionin the team. Scored his first goal
obviously for the team this past weekend. And I think along the back line
they're starting to understand each other alittle bit more between Nasca and Robinson and
whether it's Murphy Hagelin, but Ithink it's becoming more of a complete team
to what we saw against Charlotte.I have felt like at times this season,
(01:27):
not so much the last couple ofweeks. Look, it's great when
you have the league's MVP. It'sgreat when you have a player like Luco
Acosta. There have been times tome where it's felt like they've been leaning
on him maybe just a little bittoo much. Is that fair? Yeah?
I think so. And credit toLucio Acosta because there's still games.
You know, I covered the Chicagogame when he was just had his shoulders
(01:49):
above everybody else, seen him inthe stadium, and you know, when
everybody's constraint on him, for himto still perform, well, it's so
impressive. But Pat Noonan is thefirst one to get out in front of
it. And we're not complete yet. And obviously the big news with the
big signing, you know, they'vegone out and they've brought in what is
hopefully for for Cincinnati's sake a bigtime striking signing, and you know,
(02:13):
does this complete it? You know, I think time will tell over the
next few weeks. But everything We'vejust got off the phone with Pat noonon
as well, and it sounds likehe's taken all the boxes in the early
stages. Of course, every playeris you know, gonna come in with
the right attitude in that, buthe said, no, what he's seen,
he just feels it's genuine that thisguy is going to add a different
element to the attack. And PatNoon expanded on that, which was which
(02:35):
is really neat. So I think, you know, with Kevin coming in,
that's maybe a guy that takes attentionaway from Luchow, which is only
going to help Luccho. It hasit has felt like certainly relative to last
season. Uh, it was smoothsailing all year long last year, right
with the expectations were massive. FCCincinnati surpassed him. They win the supporter
shield. From an injury perspective,you know, now there's the Aaron Boo
(02:57):
Penza situation. He's had to dealwith a lot. How do you make
of how he's navigated a lot that'sbeen thrown on him and the staff just
over the first two months of theseason. Yeah, they continue to tick
along. You know, there wasalways going to be that added pressure for
how well they performed last season.But man, I like Pat Noon and
I was brief teammates with them fora period out in Colorado, and just
(03:20):
his attitude is demeanor, the wayhe takes things in stride, you know,
I think it rubs off on hisplayers. He loves his staff.
You know, everybody's bought into whatthey're doing, and I think that's important
when you have a blip, youhave a cohesive unit. You know,
there's guys starting to then point fingersand what have you. Like Patt Newton,
his demeanor, I think is soimpressive as a manager, and I
think that's what we're seeing in thisleague, different personalities coming in in the
(03:44):
management position. For me, Igravitate towards Patt Neon and because he just
gives it to you straight. He'snot on the side like kicking water bottles
and what have you. And Ithink that gets you through the tough times,
just exactly how he's handled it witha steady hand. And it's reflected
on the players as well, youknow, with the guy, their mature
bunch. And you know, Ithink as well as what the team performed
last year with results, I thinkthey're they're better suited for you know,
(04:10):
this season. The riggers of theseason, I think they're more mature and
I do think now see Kevin,I think there's more quality. Yeah,
And you know, it's interesting,I thought this often last year. They
didn't they didn't lose consecutive games lastseason. In fact, they lost consecutive
games in April and it was thefirst time in basically two years. And
I've I've always felt like that's areal credit to pat because a bad game
(04:32):
doesn't become two and two. Badgames don't become three and and failure to
get a point doesn't become a failureto get a point in the next game.
And you know, it's interesting.If you didn't pay attention to the
table and you would just sort offollowed the ins and outs of the season,
I think you would be surprised tolook at the standings and see they're
in second place in the Eastern Conference. Yeah, yeah, absolutely, you
(04:53):
know, and I think you knowto where they're going to go and progress
now, they're going to be adanger team. Think they're well suited.
They've got a strong backbone. IsI think what gets you through difficult times.
I don't think they've been at theirbest, you know, along the
back line, but you know,I think the elements are in there for
them to, you know, beconsidered the best back line in the league,
(05:15):
especially with Robinson coming in. I'mnot in the Aska. He's had
a few blips which you didn't reallysee last year. You know, top
defender in the league. He's hada few hiccups, but he'll come good.
You know, he'll consistently be beflawless in matches. Is what you
look for, you know, theabsence of the negative. So anyways,
I think to that, yeah,maybe a bit surprising, but I think
they're really going to kick on themoment this match on Saturday night ends,
(05:40):
and by the way, MLS SeasonPass you could watch it for free Apple
TV Apple tvf Ross Smith is withus on the call with Tony Husband.
The minute this match on Saturday ends, folks here are immediately going to start
talking about next Saturday. The Columbusgame is always huge. It's even bigger
because of what happened in the EasternConference Final last year. So I know
are people listening to this conversation whoare already thinking about that game. Let's
(06:02):
center things on Saturday. What's concerningabout Orlando Duncan McGuire and credit to this
guy. I mean, he wason a plane going across to England all
reports signing for Blackburn and then thedeal fell through while he was going across
the Atlantic, you know, sohe's had to come back. And DP
striker has been brought in with LuisMurrel and Duncan McGuire. The you know,
(06:25):
the draft pick last season is outshiningthe DP striker that was brought in.
Yet again, he did it lastyear to the point that Orlando ended
up selling the designated player striker inthat position. And are John Karra so
for Duncan McGuire four goals this year? You know, he's how long is
he going to be around? Imaginehe'll go in the summer, But for
right now he's beaten out, informed and starting position their top striker.
(06:47):
So you got to watch out forhim. I think in the midfield is
going to be really interesting to seeCarta Hana and Ara Hujo go up against
the Costa. Cartagena got sent offin one of the matches against Cincinnati last
year. They are the best inthis league at getting under your skin.
You know, it's a dog fight. They scratch, they complain, they
fight for everything, and it canjust it wears you down, but it
(07:11):
wears you down, you know,on the other side, it can.
So you know what's Luco gonna dowhen he comes up against that because if
those two are on for Orlando,I imagine a costa. You know,
he's gonna have to deal with thattemperament and figure things out. Seven point
thirty on Saturday night, FC Cincinnation the road against Orlando. Watch it
for free part of the MLS SeasonPass on Apple TV. Ross It's been
(07:33):
fun, man, I appreciate thetime. Thank you very much. Thanks
for having me on
From four o'clock. This is ESPNfifteen thirty ALM oeg or Fccincinnati. You
trying to make it three consecutive winson Saturday roadmatch against Orlando. First of
consecutive road tilts for the Orange andBlue starting with Saturday, and then massive
one a week from Saturday, asFC Cincinnati visits Columbus by the way this
(00:21):
weekend. All fourteen matches for freeon MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV
app or online at TV dot Appledot com. On the call for the
match in Orlando on Saturday, alongwith Tony Husband Ross Smith. Ross is
kind enough to give us a fewminutes in safternoon. It's good to have
you, Ross. How are youawesome? Pleasure Thanks for having me on.
(00:44):
Well, you had this team inCharlotte at the end of April,
so about a month ago. Nottheir best night. Lucky to get a
point. From then to now.What has stood out about FC Cincinnati starting
to connect more. I think youlook at with Luccho and in particular Luca
Orshano. I think that relationship isevolving more and more. I think Corey
(01:07):
Baird is starting to understand his positionin the team. Scored his first goal
obviously for the team this past weekend. And I think along the back line
they're starting to understand each other alittle bit more between Nasca and Robinson and
whether it's Murphy Hagelin, but Ithink it's becoming more of a complete team
to what we saw against Charlotte.I have felt like at times this season,
(01:27):
not so much the last couple ofweeks. Look, it's great when
you have the league's MVP. It'sgreat when you have a player like Luco
Acosta. There have been times tome where it's felt like they've been leaning
on him maybe just a little bittoo much. Is that fair? Yeah?
I think so. And credit toLucio Acosta because there's still games.
You know, I covered the Chicagogame when he was just had his shoulders
(01:49):
above everybody else, seen him inthe stadium, and you know, when
everybody's constraint on him, for himto still perform, well, it's so
impressive. But Pat Noonan is thefirst one to get out in front of
it. And we're not complete yet. And obviously the big news with the
big signing, you know, they'vegone out and they've brought in what is
hopefully for for Cincinnati's sake a bigtime striking signing, and you know,
(02:13):
does this complete it? You know, I think time will tell over the
next few weeks. But everything We'vejust got off the phone with Pat noonon
as well, and it sounds likehe's taken all the boxes in the early
stages. Of course, every playeris you know, gonna come in with
the right attitude in that, buthe said, no, what he's seen,
he just feels it's genuine that thisguy is going to add a different
element to the attack. And PatNoon expanded on that, which was which
(02:35):
is really neat. So I think, you know, with Kevin coming in,
that's maybe a guy that takes attentionaway from Luchow, which is only
going to help Luccho. It hasit has felt like certainly relative to last
season. Uh, it was smoothsailing all year long last year, right
with the expectations were massive. FCCincinnati surpassed him. They win the supporter
shield. From an injury perspective,you know, now there's the Aaron Boo
(02:57):
Penza situation. He's had to dealwith a lot. How do you make
of how he's navigated a lot that'sbeen thrown on him and the staff just
over the first two months of theseason. Yeah, they continue to tick
along. You know, there wasalways going to be that added pressure for
how well they performed last season.But man, I like Pat Noon and
I was brief teammates with them fora period out in Colorado, and just
(03:20):
his attitude is demeanor, the wayhe takes things in stride, you know,
I think it rubs off on hisplayers. He loves his staff.
You know, everybody's bought into whatthey're doing, and I think that's important
when you have a blip, youhave a cohesive unit. You know,
there's guys starting to then point fingersand what have you. Like Patt Newton,
his demeanor, I think is soimpressive as a manager, and I
think that's what we're seeing in thisleague, different personalities coming in in the
(03:44):
management position. For me, Igravitate towards Patt Neon and because he just
gives it to you straight. He'snot on the side like kicking water bottles
and what have you. And Ithink that gets you through the tough times,
just exactly how he's handled it witha steady hand. And it's reflected
on the players as well, youknow, with the guy, their mature
bunch. And you know, Ithink as well as what the team performed
last year with results, I thinkthey're they're better suited for you know,
(04:10):
this season. The riggers of theseason, I think they're more mature and
I do think now see Kevin,I think there's more quality. Yeah,
And you know, it's interesting,I thought this often last year. They
didn't they didn't lose consecutive games lastseason. In fact, they lost consecutive
games in April and it was thefirst time in basically two years. And
I've I've always felt like that's areal credit to pat because a bad game
(04:32):
doesn't become two and two. Badgames don't become three and and failure to
get a point doesn't become a failureto get a point in the next game.
And you know, it's interesting.If you didn't pay attention to the
table and you would just sort offollowed the ins and outs of the season,
I think you would be surprised tolook at the standings and see they're
in second place in the Eastern Conference. Yeah, yeah, absolutely, you
(04:53):
know, and I think you knowto where they're going to go and progress
now, they're going to be adanger team. Think they're well suited.
They've got a strong backbone. IsI think what gets you through difficult times.
I don't think they've been at theirbest, you know, along the
back line, but you know,I think the elements are in there for
them to, you know, beconsidered the best back line in the league,
(05:15):
especially with Robinson coming in. I'mnot in the Aska. He's had
a few blips which you didn't reallysee last year. You know, top
defender in the league. He's hada few hiccups, but he'll come good.
You know, he'll consistently be beflawless in matches. Is what you
look for, you know, theabsence of the negative. So anyways,
I think to that, yeah,maybe a bit surprising, but I think
they're really going to kick on themoment this match on Saturday night ends,
(05:40):
and by the way, MLS SeasonPass you could watch it for free Apple
TV Apple tvf Ross Smith is withus on the call with Tony Husband.
The minute this match on Saturday ends, folks here are immediately going to start
talking about next Saturday. The Columbusgame is always huge. It's even bigger
because of what happened in the EasternConference Final last year. So I know
are people listening to this conversation whoare already thinking about that game. Let's
(06:02):
center things on Saturday. What's concerningabout Orlando Duncan McGuire and credit to this
guy. I mean, he wason a plane going across to England all
reports signing for Blackburn and then thedeal fell through while he was going across
the Atlantic, you know, sohe's had to come back. And DP
striker has been brought in with LuisMurrel and Duncan McGuire. The you know,
(06:25):
the draft pick last season is outshiningthe DP striker that was brought in.
Yet again, he did it lastyear to the point that Orlando ended
up selling the designated player striker inthat position. And are John Karra so
for Duncan McGuire four goals this year? You know, he's how long is
he going to be around? Imaginehe'll go in the summer, But for
right now he's beaten out, informed and starting position their top striker.
(06:47):
So you got to watch out forhim. I think in the midfield is
going to be really interesting to seeCarta Hana and Ara Hujo go up against
the Costa. Cartagena got sent offin one of the matches against Cincinnati last
year. They are the best inthis league at getting under your skin.
You know, it's a dog fight. They scratch, they complain, they
fight for everything, and it canjust it wears you down, but it
(07:11):
wears you down, you know,on the other side, it can.
So you know what's Luco gonna dowhen he comes up against that because if
those two are on for Orlando,I imagine a costa. You know,
he's gonna have to deal with thattemperament and figure things out. Seven point
thirty on Saturday night, FC Cincinnation the road against Orlando. Watch it
for free part of the MLS SeasonPass on Apple TV. Ross It's been
(07:33):
fun, man, I appreciate thetime. Thank you very much. Thanks
for having me on
Mo Egger News
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