July 18, 2025 • 16 mins
The voice of FC Cincinnati Tommy G joins the show to discuss FC's big win over Inter Miami and looks ahead to their matchup in Utah against Real Salt Lake.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is Pennstation East Coast Subs since e three to
sixty of Bound Cincinnati from Cincinnati spontered in part by
Penstation East Coast Subs. Handcrafted hot grilled subs, fresh cut fries,
and lemonade. It's all about good taste. Penstation East Coast
Subs order online today. This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati
(00:22):
Sports Station.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Hi, Hello, welcome in our number three of Cincy three
sixty on ESPN fifteen thirty. My name's Austin Elmore on
a Friday, our number three. You know what time it is?
You know we talked to our guy, Tommy G the
voice of the Orange and Blue, who, after a rough
weekend last weekend, rebounded with a big win on Wednesday.
(00:44):
So I know Tommy is in good spirits, not just
because they won, but also because Tommy is about to
board a plane to go to Utah.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
What a week for Tommy G. Hi, Tommy, this has
been a roller coaster. Let me tell you, Austin, how
are you? Goods see You're glad.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
To be here with you and get this chat in
before I head out to Salt Lake City, one of
the probably underrated visits on the MLS circuit and only
the second time that we've been out there.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
But let me tell you something.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Roller coaster of a week from Columbus to Sunday night,
my guy Matt asking me questions, Matt, what's up? We
appreciate you tuning in every week. Everybody was asking questions
on Sunday, they got a whole lot of answers. On Wednesday.
We're off on the plane, late, late trip, late game Saturday.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
I mean, this is this is what it's all about
right here.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Also, so what went wrong Saturday that they fixed for Wednesday?
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Man? What a what a dream start right for five minutes?
Speaker 4 (01:42):
And you know, in my gut it almost felt like
fools gold a little bit right. It's uh, you get
two touchdowns an NFL game in the first five minutes,
you have fourteen to nothing. You're like, man, something, something's
off right, And I want to say, it's like taking
the foot off the gas, but it's almost like adjusting
the game plan at two nail.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
And that wasn't pacts planned. And he was upset.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
If you listened to our broadcast at halftime, he would
really upset. Obviously, the match was tied at that point
with two leg goals. From Columbus, but he said, you know,
the problem was the guys had abandoned the game plan
and weren't following you know what the recipe was that
worked so well in the first two minutes, and that
people maybe a little bit decided to become individuals at
(02:25):
that moment and not work as a team.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
And listen, Columbus is a very good.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Opponent and one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference,
one of the best teams of Major League Soccer. And
they don't panic, right, I think that's the difference. And
I think, well, if Nancy does such a good job
at keeping that team calm, cool, collective, there was no panic,
no massive changes.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Half they just stayed the course.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
And after Sins Andty some ways did not and there
were some self inflicted wounds there certainly, and then the
Miles Robinson own goal obviously frustrating. So I think there
were some preventable moments where the team could have been
much better better and we're not, and therefore you kind
of let that result slip away, which you know, stung
(03:07):
all that bit more considering the way that it started.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
And then you rebound to Miami and you come out
and beat them three nothing, and they are a good
team and they certainly have one of the best players
in the world. But for whatever reason, the last two
times they've come to TQL Stadium, FC Cincinnati has been dominant.
Is it just yeah, playing up to the competition. Is
it playing a little bit angry because of the way
(03:33):
things happened with Columbus? Was a perfect storm? Why were
they so dominant in that game against Miami.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Well, look, Aulton, I think it starts with with the
focus and playing as a team. And that was the
first thing that Pat told us after the game. He said,
tonight we played like a team, and it was It
was a very pointed statement and it was accurate. Right,
they were down Kevin Dank, who was hurting that Columbus match,
and that's something we didn't even talk about, but I
thought Dank looked off. Well to find out that he
(04:00):
got hurt about the nineteenth minute, so sure he was off.
He was battling through an injury and hasn't really been
injured much in his career, so it was a bit
of an odd, you know situation, is he tried to
figure out could he go. They had some subs ready
at one point to get him off in the first half.
He battled through it, but obviously didn't look sharp and
in his few opportunities, which he didn't get many in
the game, but in his few, you know, he.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
Didn't look great. So you know, I think that you know.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
You turn around and you're like, oh, now you just
lost a guy who has twelve goals against a really
good Miami team.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
And Miami showed up red hot, you know, in the
league play, they were rolling along and.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Lionel Messi had a brace and five straight matches, so
ten goals in the five league matches coming in to
that match. And I think the team did everything that
they needed to and they followed the game plan to
a t and there was no panic, no forcing plays,
and that's what you can't do against Miami. You know,
if you try, they're gonna dare you to get into
that high press and dare you to open space for them,
(04:57):
and dare you to open space for their number ten.
Lionel Messi and f C Cincinnti didn't fall for it,
and they kind of were patient and waited, and that's
what you have to do. It doesn't make it the
most exciting game in the world. No, because both teams
are going to kind of sit back a little bit
and control the ball, and there's a lot of passes.
But I think the number was at halftime ninety one
(05:18):
percent passing accuracy for Cincinnati, which is fantastic. You know,
the best team in the league is Columbus of passing
and their season average is eighty nine percent. So Cincinnati
at that point through forty five minutes were eclipsing it.
But they did all the little things well. And when
the ball ended up with Lionel Messi, you know, Pavel
Buca was there and Brian and Numa were there and
other defenders were there to not give him the space.
(05:39):
He had a couple of looks, and when he did,
Roman Celitano was razor sharp and made the saves.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
So I think in many.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
Ways it was the perfect storm of everything for Cincinnati,
rebounding and feeling really good about themselves and not dwelling
on that loss. And mattvi Oska talked about the meeting
on Monday, you know, when they went to the film
as a tough meeting, and you know I asked Pat
about that.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
He said, well, yeah, of course it's could be tough.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
After you lose the way you do to Columbus, but
he was happy about the response you get from his team,
and I thought they played really well as a unit.
And you know, to Pat's message, when when you play
together as a team and follow the instructions and the
game plan that you're handed by your coaches, you're going
to put yourself in a position to be successful. It
doesn't all work, but man, you can have a lot
better chance to walk away with three points. And as
(06:27):
what we saw on Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Talking with the voice of FC Cincinnati, Tom Galaerter, and
how big of a lift is it mentally, because if
you lose a game like you did to Columbus and
then you turn around and play Ben Poorley or a
tough one against Miami, who you mentioned was red hot,
then things feel like they could snowball and you lose,
you know, some some ground in the standings. But they
were able to play as well as they did and
(06:51):
play together, as you mentioned, what does that do for
a team mentally? What kind of lift is that for them?
As we are kind of in the dog days of
the schedule a little bit here in July.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
No, I think it's it's fair to call that This
match tomorrow against Salt Lake will be you know, third
match in eight days. You you're at the two third
mark of the season. So I think it's fair to
say down the home stretch in the Eastern Conference, it's
just bonkers right now, you know, in the top four
or five slots with the way that these teams are
gonna fight each other. And Miami has three games in
hand on everybody above them as Miami sits down there
(07:24):
in fifth place, so they're certainly gonna be looking to
make up some points as they push through this thing.
So I think, yeah, certainly it's a big confidence boost.
You know, after that lost to Columbus, you got to
look at the big picture of things, and the team
has won five or six matches and and now they
got a tough trip out west right one of the
(07:45):
longer trips. I think it's the third longest trip of
the year. They got Portland in LA coming up later
on in the season. That'll be bigger trips, but you know,
big big trip out the Salt Lake. It's a team
that's that's hot right now, but they've been up and
down a bit this season. And then you go back
to Miami and you know, those guys are gonna be
looking for revenge. I mean, they were not happy. Messi
busquets Suarez. They didn't even shake hands. They were right
(08:07):
up the tunnel final whistle, they were gone. Nobody got
to shake hands anything like that with those guys. So
you know, they obviously were not happy with the way
they performed in that match, and it's gonna they're gonna
be looking for revenge. And both these teams will be,
you know, not coming off a midweek game when they
play again down there for Lauderdale. So yeah, it is
(08:28):
it's a little bit of a tough stretch, but I
think you got to look at the big picture. Remember, okay, yeah,
that that Columbus games stunk and it wasn't what anybody wanted.
But out of these these last six games, you've done
really well and got in five wins, and therefore you're
in the position you are in the Eastern Conference and
in Major League Soccer.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
I think it's good to keep the perspective.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
You know, the league's cup break is coming up, so
it's really two big road games where support get results
and stay on pace with everybody around you and the
table to make sure when you come out of League's
Cup in August tenth.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
You're in the right position for the home stretch.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Well, going into this game against Salt late you talked
about how you know Miami had come in red hot. Well,
Rial is pretty hot right now at the moment as well.
I believe winners are four of their last five. How
do you prevent a letdown or how do you prevent
you know, maybe the hangover from two big games against
your rival in Columbus and then Messi and Inner Miami.
How do you prevent the letdown when you go across
(09:26):
the country to take on Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
Yeah, Well, the good news first is that this team
has done very well on the road this season. Seven
wins on the road is most in Major League Soccer,
so I think that's a good sign to start with.
And those three road wins in June when the team
was away from TQL Stadium, so you know they carry
a three match road wins streak into this game.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
So let's start there. That's good ourselves. Not an easy
place to play.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
You'll be at comlplitude up there in Salt Lake City,
so you got to take that into account.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
And it's your third match days and you're a little thin.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
You know, Kevin Denk is out, you Yakuba remains out,
you know, being a whobodo, So you have some injuries
that make your options a little thinner. I'll be really
interested to see when when past Fiel's out that lineup
card tomorrow exactly what this starting eleven looks like.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Kevin and I talked about it a little bit in.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Our last segment on the postgame show, and you can't.
I don't think you can start the same lineup that
he started on Wednesday night. I think some guys are
gonna need some rest. Who exactly that is and where
the options are because you're sitting in the midfield. If
you Yakubo is available, will be a little bit different.
But uh, you know, Brian and Nung up of a book.
After starting in probably you know, is there opportunity to
(10:43):
rotate in your back line a little bit?
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Maybe?
Speaker 4 (10:46):
You know, does Alvis Powell get to start somewhere? You
know that that's certainly as possible. But Kay Kamara played
dining minutes against Columbus and sixty against Arrizona. He's forty
years old. You know, he's like Tony Day, So you know,
that's a lot Can he start again? You know, a
lot of that probably. You know was was talked about
with the trainers and and the athletes yesterday during their
(11:09):
recovery day that I make she see and you know,
I think that we'll learn more. But it's the same
boat for for ourself.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Listen.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
They they are are playing the third match in eight
days as well. They were out West playing at Portland
on Wednesday, so they had some traveling there, but they
get the benefit of being at home. So no, I
think it is There's a lot of factors that will
come into play here, but but the team should be
feeling good, both in their form as of late and
and their form on the road this season.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
What do we know about Kevin Denka's injury? You mentioned
it earlier in the length of time that he will
be out, Is there any clarification on that. I know
he posted on social media yesterday that that he was
going to be out for a little bit.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
What do we know?
Speaker 4 (11:52):
Yeah, I mean Pat called it a couple of weeks
when we talked on Wednesday, but said that you know,
they're winning. Have some more information and to see how
these first couple of days rehab went to be able
to better.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Assess exactly how long he is out.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
So I think that certainly just qualifies him, you know,
from tomorrow and then probably next week at Miami would
be under that umbrella of a couple of weeks after that,
you know, you go into League's Cup, So do you
probably hold him out of League Cup?
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Which stinks, you know, that's another competition you're.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
Trying to win, but you probably have to hold Kevin
out of League's Cup and then look ahead to that
August tenth date. It would be in my mind, and listen,
I'm not a doctor, rarely pretend to be one, you know,
and and obviously Pat will provide us all more information
on that as we move forward. But my guess is
you know that that they're probably targeting that August tenth
(12:46):
return the league play and and then you have him
there for that home stretch and hopefully he's healthy and
ready to go and continue to contribute, because his twelve
goals certainly be missed with double bounds away that did
a fantastic job filling in and scored the game winning
goal was third of the season. So everybody has to
step up and that that's gonna be different, folks. Obviously,
(13:07):
the transfer window will open up. H what today's the eighteenth,
so that opens up on Thursday, and they already get
to one, you know, wide player Ender signed you know,
out of Venezuela, so he'll be coming in as soon
as his paperwork is is cleared up and it's eligible
as soon as that Miami game next week. And then
certainly Chris Albright working on finding other guys. And I
(13:29):
want to be surprised if there's another attacking player in
the mix, and you know, some some depth in the
midfield as well.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
You talk about everybody has to step up. Tommy, how's
your form right now? Where are you at mentally, physically,
emotionally and spiritually as you get set for the third match.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
In eight days. You know, I'm I'm you got to
dig deep, big d. You gotta go ninety minutes every night.
There's no there's no time off. You gotta go more
like one. Yeah, well, you're right, I mean.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
Really really one hundred and eighty know for us it's
three hours, So I'm going three hours every night.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
So it's the usual. You know, yesterday was a recovery day.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
From my voice, you got plenty of losages and tea
and and things.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
You can even hear now what We're fifteen minutes or
so into our chat, and uh, you know it's gonna
wear down. You're getting stronger. Okay, well, I appreciate that.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
I appreciate that, but yes, you know we're we're in
the you know, across the midpoint of the season. I
gotta I gotta be ready for these types of situations,
and you better believe tomorrow night I'll be ready to rock.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
What do we know about Salt Lake as far as
you know, like the night before dinner or like pre game,
like what what are you gonna get into in Utah?
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Anything?
Speaker 4 (14:39):
It's pretty good from a dinner scene.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
We had a great meal last year.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
I got to look it up, and or not last year,
but last time we were there, which is twenty twenty
two September, so it's really three years ago since we've
been there.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
I got to look it up. We had a great meal.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
I'm trying to make my way over there with with
Kevin tonight, so maybe I'll do that on the plane
here momentarily once I get off with you. But U,
I don't I don't remember what the restaurant was called
had we had a great meal, So someone try to
chase that down. Then I got a rest man, Like
you said, we gotta gotta take care of ourselves here
and make sure that the voice is ready for tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
But I do recall the hotel where we stay.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
Had an unbelievable breakfast. And I'm a big, big breakfast guy. Okay,
I think I want to say the last time I
was ordered two breakfasts, I'm not looking at my photo photo.
I want to say I got two breakfast He was
that good. Well, I hope these are the things that
I look forward to.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
I hope that you'll post a photo of your breakfast
and tag us. I would really appreciate that for you. Yeah,
I love stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (15:38):
All right.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
You can hear Tommy and Kevin on the Call tomorrow
night right here on ESPN fifteen thirty. Tommy Safe Travels.
Thanks for the time, rest up on that voice. I
appreciate it. Bro Hey, Hey, good stuff, Austin. Maybe one
of these weeks come and we'll rejoin us on the show.
Maybe I'm we're gonna keep getting some wings and keep
this thing rolling. That's right, all right, Tommy g the
(16:00):
voice of FC Cincinnati joining us on this Friday. Coming
up later on Hour number three, me Eggar for quick kits,
and we will wrap up the week looking ahead to
next week with Bengals training camp, the Red's back in action,
the deadline looming. There's so much going on a day
after nothing going on. This is sinc He three to
(16:20):
sixty Hour three, brought to you by Penn Station on
the Home of the Bengals, in the Home of FC Cincinnati,
ESPN fifteen thirty
This is Pennstation East Coast Subs since e three to
sixty of Bound Cincinnati from Cincinnati spontered in part by
Penstation East Coast Subs. Handcrafted hot grilled subs, fresh cut fries,
and lemonade. It's all about good taste. Penstation East Coast
Subs order online today. This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati
(00:22):
Sports Station.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Hi, Hello, welcome in our number three of Cincy three
sixty on ESPN fifteen thirty. My name's Austin Elmore on
a Friday, our number three. You know what time it is?
You know we talked to our guy, Tommy G the
voice of the Orange and Blue, who, after a rough
weekend last weekend, rebounded with a big win on Wednesday.
(00:44):
So I know Tommy is in good spirits, not just
because they won, but also because Tommy is about to
board a plane to go to Utah.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
What a week for Tommy G. Hi, Tommy, this has
been a roller coaster. Let me tell you, Austin, how
are you? Goods see You're glad.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
To be here with you and get this chat in
before I head out to Salt Lake City, one of
the probably underrated visits on the MLS circuit and only
the second time that we've been out there.
Speaker 3 (01:12):
But let me tell you something.
Speaker 4 (01:13):
Roller coaster of a week from Columbus to Sunday night,
my guy Matt asking me questions, Matt, what's up? We
appreciate you tuning in every week. Everybody was asking questions
on Sunday, they got a whole lot of answers. On Wednesday.
We're off on the plane, late, late trip, late game Saturday.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
I mean, this is this is what it's all about
right here.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
Also, so what went wrong Saturday that they fixed for Wednesday?
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Man? What a what a dream start right for five minutes?
Speaker 4 (01:42):
And you know, in my gut it almost felt like
fools gold a little bit right. It's uh, you get
two touchdowns an NFL game in the first five minutes,
you have fourteen to nothing. You're like, man, something, something's
off right, And I want to say, it's like taking
the foot off the gas, but it's almost like adjusting
the game plan at two nail.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
And that wasn't pacts planned. And he was upset.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
If you listened to our broadcast at halftime, he would
really upset. Obviously, the match was tied at that point
with two leg goals. From Columbus, but he said, you know,
the problem was the guys had abandoned the game plan
and weren't following you know what the recipe was that
worked so well in the first two minutes, and that
people maybe a little bit decided to become individuals at
(02:25):
that moment and not work as a team.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
And listen, Columbus is a very good.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Opponent and one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference,
one of the best teams of Major League Soccer. And
they don't panic, right, I think that's the difference. And
I think, well, if Nancy does such a good job
at keeping that team calm, cool, collective, there was no panic,
no massive changes.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Half they just stayed the course.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
And after Sins Andty some ways did not and there
were some self inflicted wounds there certainly, and then the
Miles Robinson own goal obviously frustrating. So I think there
were some preventable moments where the team could have been
much better better and we're not, and therefore you kind
of let that result slip away, which you know, stung
(03:07):
all that bit more considering the way that it started.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
And then you rebound to Miami and you come out
and beat them three nothing, and they are a good
team and they certainly have one of the best players
in the world. But for whatever reason, the last two
times they've come to TQL Stadium, FC Cincinnati has been dominant.
Is it just yeah, playing up to the competition. Is
it playing a little bit angry because of the way
(03:33):
things happened with Columbus? Was a perfect storm? Why were
they so dominant in that game against Miami.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Well, look, Aulton, I think it starts with with the
focus and playing as a team. And that was the
first thing that Pat told us after the game. He said,
tonight we played like a team, and it was It
was a very pointed statement and it was accurate. Right,
they were down Kevin Dank, who was hurting that Columbus match,
and that's something we didn't even talk about, but I
thought Dank looked off. Well to find out that he
(04:00):
got hurt about the nineteenth minute, so sure he was off.
He was battling through an injury and hasn't really been
injured much in his career, so it was a bit
of an odd, you know situation, is he tried to
figure out could he go. They had some subs ready
at one point to get him off in the first half.
He battled through it, but obviously didn't look sharp and
in his few opportunities, which he didn't get many in
the game, but in his few, you know, he.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
Didn't look great. So you know, I think that you know.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
You turn around and you're like, oh, now you just
lost a guy who has twelve goals against a really
good Miami team.
Speaker 3 (04:29):
And Miami showed up red hot, you know, in the
league play, they were rolling along and.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Lionel Messi had a brace and five straight matches, so
ten goals in the five league matches coming in to
that match. And I think the team did everything that
they needed to and they followed the game plan to
a t and there was no panic, no forcing plays,
and that's what you can't do against Miami. You know,
if you try, they're gonna dare you to get into
that high press and dare you to open space for them,
(04:57):
and dare you to open space for their number ten.
Lionel Messi and f C Cincinnti didn't fall for it,
and they kind of were patient and waited, and that's
what you have to do. It doesn't make it the
most exciting game in the world. No, because both teams
are going to kind of sit back a little bit
and control the ball, and there's a lot of passes.
But I think the number was at halftime ninety one
(05:18):
percent passing accuracy for Cincinnati, which is fantastic. You know,
the best team in the league is Columbus of passing
and their season average is eighty nine percent. So Cincinnati
at that point through forty five minutes were eclipsing it.
But they did all the little things well. And when
the ball ended up with Lionel Messi, you know, Pavel
Buca was there and Brian and Numa were there and
other defenders were there to not give him the space.
(05:39):
He had a couple of looks, and when he did,
Roman Celitano was razor sharp and made the saves.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
So I think in many.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
Ways it was the perfect storm of everything for Cincinnati,
rebounding and feeling really good about themselves and not dwelling
on that loss. And mattvi Oska talked about the meeting
on Monday, you know, when they went to the film
as a tough meeting, and you know I asked Pat
about that.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
He said, well, yeah, of course it's could be tough.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
After you lose the way you do to Columbus, but
he was happy about the response you get from his team,
and I thought they played really well as a unit.
And you know, to Pat's message, when when you play
together as a team and follow the instructions and the
game plan that you're handed by your coaches, you're going
to put yourself in a position to be successful. It
doesn't all work, but man, you can have a lot
better chance to walk away with three points. And as
(06:27):
what we saw on Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Talking with the voice of FC Cincinnati, Tom Galaerter, and
how big of a lift is it mentally, because if
you lose a game like you did to Columbus and
then you turn around and play Ben Poorley or a
tough one against Miami, who you mentioned was red hot,
then things feel like they could snowball and you lose,
you know, some some ground in the standings. But they
were able to play as well as they did and
(06:51):
play together, as you mentioned, what does that do for
a team mentally? What kind of lift is that for them?
As we are kind of in the dog days of
the schedule a little bit here in July.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
No, I think it's it's fair to call that This
match tomorrow against Salt Lake will be you know, third
match in eight days. You you're at the two third
mark of the season. So I think it's fair to
say down the home stretch in the Eastern Conference, it's
just bonkers right now, you know, in the top four
or five slots with the way that these teams are
gonna fight each other. And Miami has three games in
hand on everybody above them as Miami sits down there
(07:24):
in fifth place, so they're certainly gonna be looking to
make up some points as they push through this thing.
So I think, yeah, certainly it's a big confidence boost.
You know, after that lost to Columbus, you got to
look at the big picture of things, and the team
has won five or six matches and and now they
got a tough trip out west right one of the
(07:45):
longer trips. I think it's the third longest trip of
the year. They got Portland in LA coming up later
on in the season. That'll be bigger trips, but you know,
big big trip out the Salt Lake. It's a team
that's that's hot right now, but they've been up and
down a bit this season. And then you go back
to Miami and you know, those guys are gonna be
looking for revenge. I mean, they were not happy. Messi
busquets Suarez. They didn't even shake hands. They were right
(08:07):
up the tunnel final whistle, they were gone. Nobody got
to shake hands anything like that with those guys. So
you know, they obviously were not happy with the way
they performed in that match, and it's gonna they're gonna
be looking for revenge. And both these teams will be,
you know, not coming off a midweek game when they
play again down there for Lauderdale. So yeah, it is
(08:28):
it's a little bit of a tough stretch, but I
think you got to look at the big picture. Remember, okay, yeah,
that that Columbus games stunk and it wasn't what anybody wanted.
But out of these these last six games, you've done
really well and got in five wins, and therefore you're
in the position you are in the Eastern Conference and
in Major League Soccer.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
I think it's good to keep the perspective.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
You know, the league's cup break is coming up, so
it's really two big road games where support get results
and stay on pace with everybody around you and the
table to make sure when you come out of League's
Cup in August tenth.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
You're in the right position for the home stretch.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Well, going into this game against Salt late you talked
about how you know Miami had come in red hot. Well,
Rial is pretty hot right now at the moment as well.
I believe winners are four of their last five. How
do you prevent a letdown or how do you prevent
you know, maybe the hangover from two big games against
your rival in Columbus and then Messi and Inner Miami.
How do you prevent the letdown when you go across
(09:26):
the country to take on Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Speaker 4 (09:30):
Yeah, Well, the good news first is that this team
has done very well on the road this season. Seven
wins on the road is most in Major League Soccer,
so I think that's a good sign to start with.
And those three road wins in June when the team
was away from TQL Stadium, so you know they carry
a three match road wins streak into this game.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
So let's start there. That's good ourselves. Not an easy
place to play.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
You'll be at comlplitude up there in Salt Lake City,
so you got to take that into account.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
And it's your third match days and you're a little thin.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
You know, Kevin Denk is out, you Yakuba remains out,
you know, being a whobodo, So you have some injuries
that make your options a little thinner. I'll be really
interested to see when when past Fiel's out that lineup
card tomorrow exactly what this starting eleven looks like.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Kevin and I talked about it a little bit in.
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Our last segment on the postgame show, and you can't.
I don't think you can start the same lineup that
he started on Wednesday night. I think some guys are
gonna need some rest. Who exactly that is and where
the options are because you're sitting in the midfield. If
you Yakubo is available, will be a little bit different.
But uh, you know, Brian and Nung up of a book.
After starting in probably you know, is there opportunity to
(10:43):
rotate in your back line a little bit?
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Maybe?
Speaker 4 (10:46):
You know, does Alvis Powell get to start somewhere? You
know that that's certainly as possible. But Kay Kamara played
dining minutes against Columbus and sixty against Arrizona. He's forty
years old. You know, he's like Tony Day, So you know,
that's a lot Can he start again? You know, a
lot of that probably. You know was was talked about
with the trainers and and the athletes yesterday during their
(11:09):
recovery day that I make she see and you know,
I think that we'll learn more. But it's the same
boat for for ourself.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
Listen.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
They they are are playing the third match in eight
days as well. They were out West playing at Portland
on Wednesday, so they had some traveling there, but they
get the benefit of being at home. So no, I
think it is There's a lot of factors that will
come into play here, but but the team should be
feeling good, both in their form as of late and
and their form on the road this season.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
What do we know about Kevin Denka's injury? You mentioned
it earlier in the length of time that he will
be out, Is there any clarification on that. I know
he posted on social media yesterday that that he was
going to be out for a little bit.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
What do we know?
Speaker 4 (11:52):
Yeah, I mean Pat called it a couple of weeks
when we talked on Wednesday, but said that you know,
they're winning. Have some more information and to see how
these first couple of days rehab went to be able
to better.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Assess exactly how long he is out.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
So I think that certainly just qualifies him, you know,
from tomorrow and then probably next week at Miami would
be under that umbrella of a couple of weeks after that,
you know, you go into League's Cup, So do you
probably hold him out of League Cup?
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Which stinks, you know, that's another competition you're.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
Trying to win, but you probably have to hold Kevin
out of League's Cup and then look ahead to that
August tenth date. It would be in my mind, and listen,
I'm not a doctor, rarely pretend to be one, you know,
and and obviously Pat will provide us all more information
on that as we move forward. But my guess is
you know that that they're probably targeting that August tenth
(12:46):
return the league play and and then you have him
there for that home stretch and hopefully he's healthy and
ready to go and continue to contribute, because his twelve
goals certainly be missed with double bounds away that did
a fantastic job filling in and scored the game winning
goal was third of the season. So everybody has to
step up and that that's gonna be different, folks. Obviously,
(13:07):
the transfer window will open up. H what today's the eighteenth,
so that opens up on Thursday, and they already get
to one, you know, wide player Ender signed you know,
out of Venezuela, so he'll be coming in as soon
as his paperwork is is cleared up and it's eligible
as soon as that Miami game next week. And then
certainly Chris Albright working on finding other guys. And I
(13:29):
want to be surprised if there's another attacking player in
the mix, and you know, some some depth in the
midfield as well.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
You talk about everybody has to step up. Tommy, how's
your form right now? Where are you at mentally, physically,
emotionally and spiritually as you get set for the third match.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
In eight days. You know, I'm I'm you got to
dig deep, big d. You gotta go ninety minutes every night.
There's no there's no time off. You gotta go more
like one. Yeah, well, you're right, I mean.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
Really really one hundred and eighty know for us it's
three hours, So I'm going three hours every night.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
So it's the usual. You know, yesterday was a recovery day.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
From my voice, you got plenty of losages and tea
and and things.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
You can even hear now what We're fifteen minutes or
so into our chat, and uh, you know it's gonna
wear down. You're getting stronger. Okay, well, I appreciate that.
Speaker 4 (14:20):
I appreciate that, but yes, you know we're we're in
the you know, across the midpoint of the season. I
gotta I gotta be ready for these types of situations,
and you better believe tomorrow night I'll be ready to rock.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
What do we know about Salt Lake as far as
you know, like the night before dinner or like pre game,
like what what are you gonna get into in Utah?
Speaker 3 (14:39):
Anything?
Speaker 4 (14:39):
It's pretty good from a dinner scene.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
We had a great meal last year.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
I got to look it up, and or not last year,
but last time we were there, which is twenty twenty
two September, so it's really three years ago since we've
been there.
Speaker 3 (14:50):
I got to look it up. We had a great meal.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
I'm trying to make my way over there with with
Kevin tonight, so maybe I'll do that on the plane
here momentarily once I get off with you. But U,
I don't I don't remember what the restaurant was called
had we had a great meal, So someone try to
chase that down. Then I got a rest man, Like
you said, we gotta gotta take care of ourselves here
and make sure that the voice is ready for tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
But I do recall the hotel where we stay.
Speaker 4 (15:14):
Had an unbelievable breakfast. And I'm a big, big breakfast guy. Okay,
I think I want to say the last time I
was ordered two breakfasts, I'm not looking at my photo photo.
I want to say I got two breakfast He was
that good. Well, I hope these are the things that
I look forward to.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
I hope that you'll post a photo of your breakfast
and tag us. I would really appreciate that for you. Yeah,
I love stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (15:38):
All right.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
You can hear Tommy and Kevin on the Call tomorrow
night right here on ESPN fifteen thirty. Tommy Safe Travels.
Thanks for the time, rest up on that voice. I
appreciate it. Bro Hey, Hey, good stuff, Austin. Maybe one
of these weeks come and we'll rejoin us on the show.
Maybe I'm we're gonna keep getting some wings and keep
this thing rolling. That's right, all right, Tommy g the
(16:00):
voice of FC Cincinnati joining us on this Friday. Coming
up later on Hour number three, me Eggar for quick kits,
and we will wrap up the week looking ahead to
next week with Bengals training camp, the Red's back in action,
the deadline looming. There's so much going on a day
after nothing going on. This is sinc He three to
(16:20):
sixty Hour three, brought to you by Penn Station on
the Home of the Bengals, in the Home of FC Cincinnati,
ESPN fifteen thirty
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