June 13, 2025 • 18 mins
Tony talks FC Cincinnati with Tom Gelehrter on ESPN 1530!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back since E three sixty ESBN fifteen thirty Cincinnati
Sports Station, our number three, thanks to our friends at
Penn Station. Thanks for listening in. Uh it's Friday, it's
our three, which means it's time to talk a little
FC Cincinnati the Orange Blue with the voice of f
C Cincinnati. Tom Gallander is joining us right now. Tommy, Tommy, Tommy,
(00:21):
what's up, Tony, Tony.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Happy Friday.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
We've made it to the middle of June. It's going
to be officially summer here pretty soon. It's pool season.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Uh, forget what the weather looks like this weekend. It's
gonna rain life. Thank you, Thanks, thanks doom and bloom
over here.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Would not be positive on a Friday and lift it
up and get the second half of the season started
on at a couple of road games coming up.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
But uh, yeah, what's up, Tony?
Speaker 1 (00:46):
You know what We've talked about this and you know,
I just wanted to bring to light the journey because
at times, you know, especially when you're coming off of
a little bit of a break like f C Cincinnati has,
it's good to look back. Did you ever when I
was charting plays as the six string quarterback at the
University of Cincinnati watching others and you were reporting on
(01:08):
the sidelines. Could you ever have envisioned the trajectory that
you've taken from the FC Cincinnati standpoint and being able
to talk on a Friday on a radio show to
me who's now not charting plays but talking into the microphone.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Yeah, I mean, you think about it. I was the
sideline reporter for the football team when when you made
your debut right.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Against Oklahoma, and Oklahoma.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
After Dustin got hurt and and you come in and
then then obviously the big game the next week against Miami. Uh.
I don't think any of us could have imagined that
we'd be here on Friday afternoon at two o'clock. And
you know what, what's that? That's two thousand and seven,
right that that that game against Oklahoma. Yeah, so that's
now eighteen years ago, right, almost eighteen years ago. Uh,
(01:56):
that we get on that Charter high home and you know,
if I had been sitting there, you know, with Jim
and Mo and in the back of.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
The bus, you were up front probably first classes.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Oh yeah, but you know we were we were we
were squeezing the back of the bus back there. And
if if Dan, and Mo and Jim and I talked
the way back and Moe leaned over said, Tom, I'm
going to look into your future here in eighteen years,
every Friday at two o'clock, you and and Tony play
the young fellow from reading who just came into the
game and completed more passes to Oklahoma and into his
(02:27):
own guys.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
A couple drops, that's messed up. There was, there was,
there was You're right, that's not fair. That's a chief shot. Crazy.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
You a Tony in eighteen years are going to be
spending your Friday afternoon's talking professional soccer, Major League Soccer
on the airwaves every Friday at two o'clock.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
I would have been like, Mo, what what did you
drink during during the game? Today?
Speaker 1 (02:47):
It was did get It's that's been crazy. And then
we were talking earlier in the week. It was Wednesday
of this week, because the eleventh, it was a couple
different on this date happenings in FC Cincinnati history. On
June eleventh was the actual first MLS game played at
Knippert Stadium, and then fast forward a couple of years.
(03:08):
June eleventh was the night where Roman Celentano made that
unbelievable save, which eventually won him Save of the Year.
From an MLS standpoint, but it is. It's incredible, and
I know we've touched on it before, but it's incredible
to think of where this vision hatched and playing games
at FC at Nippert Stadium to now the fortress that
(03:29):
is TQOL Stadium, the fan base, the following and also
the winning product that FC Cincinnati has been able to
put out there relatively in a short amount of time.
When you think about it in the grand scheme of things.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
No, it is, and look, you're coming up on we're
going to celebrate ten years in August. They have an
alumni game. It looked at the teams on the road
right now for three in a row. But if folks
are looking at their summer plans and trying to figure
out when to come to a game and win to
buy tickets, there's a lot of home games coming up
starting in July, and then that August tenth match act
TQL Stadium will be the tenth anniversary game, and then
(04:03):
afterwards they're having an alumni match, so some of the
former guys will be back to play a match after
the game. Hope people stick around for that should be
a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
But no, it's been.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
You're right, I mean, ten years is a short amount
of time period, and it's not even ten years in
Major League Soccer. Remember this, This team started with that
launch in August twelfth of twenty fifteen, launched as a
USL team who wanted to be in Major.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
League Soccer and got there and struggled.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
So this success of the club on the field, because
a lot of the success obviously came, you know, in
the ticket office and merchandise and all the things and
building the front office before the success came starting twenty
twenty two, you know, with the arrival of churs Albright
at the end of twenty one and obviously Pat Noonan
as the head coach in twenty twenty two. And what
(04:50):
this club has done and positioned themselves as you know,
playoff contenders and MLS Cup contenders for the last you know,
now four years, including this one, is wildly impressive.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
I look at this year's team and you know, we
put a lot into hell Is Reel obviously because of
the rivalry, but also where those two teams were sitting.
We talked last week that after that game, both of
those teams have taken a little bit of a step back.
A four to two loss to Atlanta, the tie against Dallas,
(05:20):
a loss against d C. How important or how vital
was it to get this mini break in with the
team playing the way they were. I know Pat Noonan
was not happy if you listen to some of his
postgame press conferences. So how important was a little bit
of a break to kind of catch yourselves and now
look forward to this next stretch run?
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Yeah, I think it fell at really the perfect time
out look forward to catching up with Pat tomorrow and
getting kind of his thoughts on how the team came back.
But I would imagine that the guys feel rested, they
feel rejuvenated, and as disappointing as those matches were going
into the break, I mean, the team sits in second
place in the Eastern Conference, you know, four points back there,
(06:02):
So you know, it's not like, wow, they got to
go on to this amazing run in the second half to
position themselves.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
They got to play better. And I think everybody knows that.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
The players know that, the coaches know that, staff knows that. Listen,
they're gonna look for and improve performance and they'll run
up against a tough opponent in New England in this
match tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
But no, I think that it did fall to good place.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
You know, twenty one matches, as we talked about last
week in about three months of time. I mean, Columbus
kind of fell off there going in the break as well,
and they were in a similar boat having participated in
the Champions Cups.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
So, you know, schedule.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
Congestion certainly is a concern in the league, and there's
been a lot to talk about the schedule.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
What's gonna happen with the schedule? Is the calendar going
to change? You know?
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Are there ways to get the players, you know, in
a better place to avoid some of the congestion. You know,
that'll be figured out by people who are much smarter
than me and have much higher ranking positions than me,
you know, somewhere down the road. But in the meantime,
I think that it really did fall again place. And now,
look it's three straight road games, but it's only three
matches in the matter of the rest of June. So
(07:07):
so tomorrow at New England and then we'll not play
next weekend, you know, with a bye week, and then
they'll have a Wednesday Saturday both on the road Montreal
and Orlando.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
That's not gonna be easy by any means. But I
do think then you find.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
A team that's rejuvenated, hopefully has found some results in
the month of June, and you flip the calendar into July.
And I was just talking to a couple of members
out of comm staff here that after that you only
play five.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Road games the rest of the year. Five regular season
road matches the rest of way.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Now three of them are out to you know, the
West West Coast or or deep you know, West furthest
trips of the year four f C.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Cincinnati.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
But that part aside, you're gonna have a lot of
opportunities to be at home. You know, you have Leak
Leaf Cup matches at home and much less travel the
rest of the way. So I think, and I hope
obviously that it sets up really well for this club.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
When you look back. I remember talking at the beginning
of the year because there was so many new additions
to this team, and also the schedule was so hectic
that you really didn't have time in between matches to
kind of think about where you are and make those
adjustments and get into a practice setting and move on
from that and you went through waves, as is every season.
If you look back where things are at today, what
(08:23):
is one of those things that this team is maybe
ahead of the game with in your opinion, and something
that they really need to work on starting tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah, I mean I think that.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Listen, the offense has started to really gel and come together,
and we saw that goal between Evander and Kevin Denke.
That was a glimpse of what that partnership can truly
look like. You know, Kevin's on fire. Evander has now
twelve goal contributions, so he's been as advertised for this club.
(08:53):
You know, I think both are in contention for All
Star you know selections, which we'll find out here in
a couple of weeks what that looks like. Make sure
you log on to them on the website and vote
or the app or whatever and get your votes in.
But you know, those guys were both both deserving of
serious consideration there, and I think that we're starting to
see that offensive unit click.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
So I don't know if it's ahead of.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
Where people thought, but I think it's at where people
would have expected at the midway point of the season.
I think the biggest thing that has to come together
now is the chemistry defensively? You know, we've seen the
goals allowed in those last three matches before the break,
all after Nick Haglin left and Nick was performing at
such a high level. And now you have Miles Robinson
(09:37):
out on national team duty and he's been selected to
stay with the national team through the Gold Cup, so
we know we're not going to see him now for
an extended period of time. So you're missing two of
your three starters in the back line. Matt the Oscar,
your captain, is still there to anchor the three center backs.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
But what does the rest of it look like? I
think is the big question.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
And guys are gonna have to step up, you know,
whether that's teenage Davy's just frush back from international duty,
HILBERTA Flores, the youngster who I thought, you know, gave
the team pretty good minutes to start the season, and
then if playing time dropped off when Nick came back
and we haven't seen as much of him, well he's
gonna have to step it up and he's gonna have
to play important minutes, you know, over these coming weeks
(10:16):
while Nick works his way back from injury and Miles
is out with the US men's national team for you know,
to be determined stretch. And then you know the other
guys who have stepped in who are traditionally wing backs,
Alvis Pile, DeAndre Yedlin, Lucas Engel, We're probably gonna see
some of them play minutes at center back here over
this time until Nick and Miles were back. So you know,
those guys are veterans, certainly have played in really big situations,
(10:39):
big matches, and I think we'll step up, But you know,
I'm really looking to teenage in Hilberto to fill the
void and be mainstays that Pat Nownan can rely on,
to be out there with Matt Miaoska, and if if
they can do that, then this team can get back
to their form where they were defensively before this tough stretch.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
April fifteen, FC Cincinnati hosted New England and posted a
one zero victory. Since then, the Revolution have not lost
in nine matches, five.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Wins, four draws.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
When when you think back to that match and obviously
what New England has done since then, what are going
to be some of the keys to to trying to
go get three on the road against a team playing
really well.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Man, you better know where Carlos heel is.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
I mean, that's been a story anytime we've talked about
New England over the last few years. I mean, former
MVP all saw in Major League Soccer. I mean, certainly
one of the best at that position, of that central
attacking midfield position over the last five or six years
in Major League Soccer. He is so good and so
so dangerous. So you better know where Carlos is at
(11:45):
all times. You know, we haven't yet seen Leo Campana
this year with New England when when he played again,
he didn't play against Cincinnati in the previous matchup. We'll
see if he's available health wise for this match. But
but he is obviously a very good talent. Came over
from Miami where he was last year. Down under Miami,
they had just shed some salary, so.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
They shipped him up to New England. He's really good.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
And and then their defense has been fantastic and that
nine match stretch gave six clean sheets, so they're not
allowing many goals and and they're scoring multiple goals more
often than not across that stretch. So you're right if
you want to point to a turning turning point for
the Revs. I mean they they left t q AL
Stadium back in early April, and and you kind of
(12:29):
point to it and say, man like, we may not
see Cayleb Porter for this game in June, like.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
Quite simple, We're gonna see him two months and Caleb.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Porter may not be the head coach by then with
the way that New England was playing, and and Cayleb
Porter is not going anywhere now with the way that
they're playing.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
So uh, I give them credit. I think they've they
turned it around a big way.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
Strong obviously defensively, Carlos Heel is firing in all cylinders,
and you know, you're starting to see the talent they
have on that roster is paying all and chilling a bit.
So it's not easy going in playing on turf. Since
he played on our official services twice this year, they've
lost both of those games.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
That was in Atlanta and also at Charlotte early in
the season.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
So they've performed pretty well the last few times they
played it till that stadium. So they're going to go
in there and battle, and I think that they have
something to prove. I hope you know that they feel
that way after the way they kind of limped into
the break.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Obviously, it's it's a team in an organization who is
always looking at not only what is happening now, but
looking for the future as well. And you mentioned Nick
Caglin's injury, you mentioned Myles Robinson not being around, you
mentioned where this team sits going into this next stretch run.
Does it feel like a team who's always going to
be looking to make an addition or do you think
that they're comfortable with where things are at and getting
(13:49):
what's what's most out of the roster.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
No.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
I think Chris Albardy certainly has his eyes on this
transfer window. You know, they can sign players now, they
can't come in until July twenty fourth, so anybody who's
added wouldn't be eligible until July twenty fourth. But I
think that Chris very much has his eyes on a
couple additions. He has a tight salary cap as far
as I understand it at the moment. But listen, there's
(14:14):
there's obviously ways to find some relief and move some
pieces around if needed. I think certainly another attacking piece
is part of the puzzle. Maybe a wide piece as well.
Uh So, I think it'll be very interesting to see.
You know, as leagues around the world now have wrapped
up their seasons, you'll start to hear rumors and and
(14:36):
you know, see reports of what's going on. I usually
don't believe much until a somebody tells me here or
Tom Bogert, who is probably the leading MLS you know,
talking about a WOJ bomb in Major League Soccer, like
that's that's Tom Bogert. He when when Tom has it,
you know, my friends, is actually, oh, I've seen this
report from some guy with four hundred and fifty three
(14:58):
followers in Argentina or something, And I'm like, well, I
don't know who that dude is. I don't know anything.
You know, nobody told me anything like I don't know.
But but if Tom Bogert puts it out, then then
he has put the research in. So I would encourage
justin Sandy fans to follow the time. He usually has
the scoops and and knows what's going on and is
plenty well connected across the league. But yeah, no, I
(15:19):
think it's as we get closer and turn calendar to July,
you'll start to hear some rumors of who's coming on.
But I wouldn't be shocked to see a couple of pieces.
It's interesting because you you know, you mentioned Nick out
of Miles out of international duty, but like both are
expected back.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
I mean, Miles will be back from international duty, and.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
Nick, as pat said yesterday his press conference, is on
track as far as his rehab and recovery from the
injury suffered at Atlanta's concerned. So that's great news. But
you're gonna get him about the middle of July. So
if you wanted to get a center back, and you
wouldn't get him until you know the end of July anyways,
and you expect both those guys to be back in
your mix before then. So I don't know that that's
(15:58):
going to be a spot, but I do think that
we will see some moves from Chris Albright and this
team to continue to make the push. Look, they want
to win MLS Cup and they know they have a
lot of the right pieces. I think they know they
can make the team better with a couple more and
will certainly explore what those pieces are and figure out
what makes this team best for the second half of
(16:20):
the season.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Awesome stuff as always, Tom Glaider for for FC Cincinnati
before I let you go, how important? How important was
that win for the Guardians to avoid a season sweep
at the hands of the Reds five and one in
five verse oh and six, It certainly feels like a
world of difference.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
I mean, I knew we couldn't get through this without
a little bit of a mention, but here maybe a
turning We talked about maybe a turning point a season
for New England, you know back in April when they're
a te QoS Stateum, maybe turning point the season for
the Guards and you know, not not watching the Reds,
you know, celebrate with the clean sweep of the year
out of there, and maybe that gives them the boost
into the you know, into the dog days of summer
(16:59):
and the Guardian make that playoff push thanks that you know,
resounding win earlier this week.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
And now that they've lost the Cup, they they have
a different type of trophy to pursue. Now maybe their
eyes go to a different trophy.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
I mean, listen, I'm sure on the list of goals
for the seasonal HIW Cup was number one, you know,
World Series probably number two would be my guess, but yeah,
you know, you gotta pick your teeth up, shove them.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Back in your gums, and and and get up and go.
Are you going to banana ball this weekend?
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Telling no, I'm not gonna make banana ball. I'm not
gonna make it.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Unfortunately, are you neither? No, I'm going to Foxborough here.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
I thought maybe you'd send the family. Is the family
going to banana ball?
Speaker 2 (17:40):
No?
Speaker 3 (17:41):
No, they got out of turn baseball. They got baseball tournaments. Okay,
they got being on baseball, baseball, baseball, I get it.
It's disappunny.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Well and uh enjoy New England, get the three and
uh let's talk again next week. Thanks as always for
your time time.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Absolutely see if illas.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
That is Tom Gallader, the voice of VFC Cincinnati as
they try to get back on track against New England
tomorrow night. We got to take a break when we
come back. Bob man Jean from the University of Cincinnati
and Novacare will join us to talk some injury questions
going forward. Here now at number three Cincy three sixty
thanks to Penn Station on ESPN fifteen thirty
Welcome back since E three sixty ESBN fifteen thirty Cincinnati
Sports Station, our number three, thanks to our friends at
Penn Station. Thanks for listening in. Uh it's Friday, it's
our three, which means it's time to talk a little
FC Cincinnati the Orange Blue with the voice of f
C Cincinnati. Tom Gallander is joining us right now. Tommy, Tommy, Tommy,
(00:21):
what's up, Tony, Tony.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Happy Friday.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
We've made it to the middle of June. It's going
to be officially summer here pretty soon. It's pool season.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Uh, forget what the weather looks like this weekend. It's
gonna rain life. Thank you, Thanks, thanks doom and bloom
over here.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Would not be positive on a Friday and lift it
up and get the second half of the season started
on at a couple of road games coming up.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
But uh, yeah, what's up, Tony?
Speaker 1 (00:46):
You know what We've talked about this and you know,
I just wanted to bring to light the journey because
at times, you know, especially when you're coming off of
a little bit of a break like f C Cincinnati has,
it's good to look back. Did you ever when I
was charting plays as the six string quarterback at the
University of Cincinnati watching others and you were reporting on
(01:08):
the sidelines. Could you ever have envisioned the trajectory that
you've taken from the FC Cincinnati standpoint and being able
to talk on a Friday on a radio show to
me who's now not charting plays but talking into the microphone.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Yeah, I mean, you think about it. I was the
sideline reporter for the football team when when you made
your debut right.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Against Oklahoma, and Oklahoma.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
After Dustin got hurt and and you come in and
then then obviously the big game the next week against Miami. Uh.
I don't think any of us could have imagined that
we'd be here on Friday afternoon at two o'clock. And
you know what, what's that? That's two thousand and seven,
right that that that game against Oklahoma. Yeah, so that's
now eighteen years ago, right, almost eighteen years ago. Uh,
(01:56):
that we get on that Charter high home and you know,
if I had been sitting there, you know, with Jim
and Mo and in the back of.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
The bus, you were up front probably first classes.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Oh yeah, but you know we were we were we
were squeezing the back of the bus back there. And
if if Dan, and Mo and Jim and I talked
the way back and Moe leaned over said, Tom, I'm
going to look into your future here in eighteen years,
every Friday at two o'clock, you and and Tony play
the young fellow from reading who just came into the
game and completed more passes to Oklahoma and into his
(02:27):
own guys.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
A couple drops, that's messed up. There was, there was,
there was You're right, that's not fair. That's a chief shot. Crazy.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
You a Tony in eighteen years are going to be
spending your Friday afternoon's talking professional soccer, Major League Soccer
on the airwaves every Friday at two o'clock.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
I would have been like, Mo, what what did you
drink during during the game? Today?
Speaker 1 (02:47):
It was did get It's that's been crazy. And then
we were talking earlier in the week. It was Wednesday
of this week, because the eleventh, it was a couple
different on this date happenings in FC Cincinnati history. On
June eleventh was the actual first MLS game played at
Knippert Stadium, and then fast forward a couple of years.
(03:08):
June eleventh was the night where Roman Celentano made that
unbelievable save, which eventually won him Save of the Year.
From an MLS standpoint, but it is. It's incredible, and
I know we've touched on it before, but it's incredible
to think of where this vision hatched and playing games
at FC at Nippert Stadium to now the fortress that
(03:29):
is TQOL Stadium, the fan base, the following and also
the winning product that FC Cincinnati has been able to
put out there relatively in a short amount of time.
When you think about it in the grand scheme of things.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
No, it is, and look, you're coming up on we're
going to celebrate ten years in August. They have an
alumni game. It looked at the teams on the road
right now for three in a row. But if folks
are looking at their summer plans and trying to figure
out when to come to a game and win to
buy tickets, there's a lot of home games coming up
starting in July, and then that August tenth match act
TQL Stadium will be the tenth anniversary game, and then
(04:03):
afterwards they're having an alumni match, so some of the
former guys will be back to play a match after
the game. Hope people stick around for that should be
a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
But no, it's been.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
You're right, I mean, ten years is a short amount
of time period, and it's not even ten years in
Major League Soccer. Remember this, This team started with that
launch in August twelfth of twenty fifteen, launched as a
USL team who wanted to be in Major.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
League Soccer and got there and struggled.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
So this success of the club on the field, because
a lot of the success obviously came, you know, in
the ticket office and merchandise and all the things and
building the front office before the success came starting twenty
twenty two, you know, with the arrival of churs Albright
at the end of twenty one and obviously Pat Noonan
as the head coach in twenty twenty two. And what
(04:50):
this club has done and positioned themselves as you know,
playoff contenders and MLS Cup contenders for the last you know,
now four years, including this one, is wildly impressive.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
I look at this year's team and you know, we
put a lot into hell Is Reel obviously because of
the rivalry, but also where those two teams were sitting.
We talked last week that after that game, both of
those teams have taken a little bit of a step back.
A four to two loss to Atlanta, the tie against Dallas,
(05:20):
a loss against d C. How important or how vital
was it to get this mini break in with the
team playing the way they were. I know Pat Noonan
was not happy if you listen to some of his
postgame press conferences. So how important was a little bit
of a break to kind of catch yourselves and now
look forward to this next stretch run?
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Yeah, I think it fell at really the perfect time
out look forward to catching up with Pat tomorrow and
getting kind of his thoughts on how the team came back.
But I would imagine that the guys feel rested, they
feel rejuvenated, and as disappointing as those matches were going
into the break, I mean, the team sits in second
place in the Eastern Conference, you know, four points back there,
(06:02):
So you know, it's not like, wow, they got to
go on to this amazing run in the second half to
position themselves.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
They got to play better. And I think everybody knows that.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
The players know that, the coaches know that, staff knows that. Listen,
they're gonna look for and improve performance and they'll run
up against a tough opponent in New England in this
match tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
But no, I think that it did fall to good place.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
You know, twenty one matches, as we talked about last
week in about three months of time. I mean, Columbus
kind of fell off there going in the break as well,
and they were in a similar boat having participated in
the Champions Cups.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
So, you know, schedule.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
Congestion certainly is a concern in the league, and there's
been a lot to talk about the schedule.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
What's gonna happen with the schedule? Is the calendar going
to change? You know?
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Are there ways to get the players, you know, in
a better place to avoid some of the congestion. You know,
that'll be figured out by people who are much smarter
than me and have much higher ranking positions than me,
you know, somewhere down the road. But in the meantime,
I think that it really did fall again place. And now,
look it's three straight road games, but it's only three
matches in the matter of the rest of June. So
(07:07):
so tomorrow at New England and then we'll not play
next weekend, you know, with a bye week, and then
they'll have a Wednesday Saturday both on the road Montreal
and Orlando.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
That's not gonna be easy by any means. But I
do think then you find.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
A team that's rejuvenated, hopefully has found some results in
the month of June, and you flip the calendar into July.
And I was just talking to a couple of members
out of comm staff here that after that you only
play five.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Road games the rest of the year. Five regular season
road matches the rest of way.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Now three of them are out to you know, the
West West Coast or or deep you know, West furthest
trips of the year four f C.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Cincinnati.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
But that part aside, you're gonna have a lot of
opportunities to be at home. You know, you have Leak
Leaf Cup matches at home and much less travel the
rest of the way. So I think, and I hope
obviously that it sets up really well for this club.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
When you look back. I remember talking at the beginning
of the year because there was so many new additions
to this team, and also the schedule was so hectic
that you really didn't have time in between matches to
kind of think about where you are and make those
adjustments and get into a practice setting and move on
from that and you went through waves, as is every season.
If you look back where things are at today, what
(08:23):
is one of those things that this team is maybe
ahead of the game with in your opinion, and something
that they really need to work on starting tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah, I mean I think that.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Listen, the offense has started to really gel and come together,
and we saw that goal between Evander and Kevin Denke.
That was a glimpse of what that partnership can truly
look like. You know, Kevin's on fire. Evander has now
twelve goal contributions, so he's been as advertised for this club.
(08:53):
You know, I think both are in contention for All
Star you know selections, which we'll find out here in
a couple of weeks what that looks like. Make sure
you log on to them on the website and vote
or the app or whatever and get your votes in.
But you know, those guys were both both deserving of
serious consideration there, and I think that we're starting to
see that offensive unit click.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
So I don't know if it's ahead of.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
Where people thought, but I think it's at where people
would have expected at the midway point of the season.
I think the biggest thing that has to come together
now is the chemistry defensively? You know, we've seen the
goals allowed in those last three matches before the break,
all after Nick Haglin left and Nick was performing at
such a high level. And now you have Miles Robinson
(09:37):
out on national team duty and he's been selected to
stay with the national team through the Gold Cup, so
we know we're not going to see him now for
an extended period of time. So you're missing two of
your three starters in the back line. Matt the Oscar,
your captain, is still there to anchor the three center backs.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
But what does the rest of it look like? I
think is the big question.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
And guys are gonna have to step up, you know,
whether that's teenage Davy's just frush back from international duty,
HILBERTA Flores, the youngster who I thought, you know, gave
the team pretty good minutes to start the season, and
then if playing time dropped off when Nick came back
and we haven't seen as much of him, well he's
gonna have to step it up and he's gonna have
to play important minutes, you know, over these coming weeks
(10:16):
while Nick works his way back from injury and Miles
is out with the US men's national team for you know,
to be determined stretch. And then you know the other
guys who have stepped in who are traditionally wing backs,
Alvis Pile, DeAndre Yedlin, Lucas Engel, We're probably gonna see
some of them play minutes at center back here over
this time until Nick and Miles were back. So you know,
those guys are veterans, certainly have played in really big situations,
(10:39):
big matches, and I think we'll step up, But you know,
I'm really looking to teenage in Hilberto to fill the
void and be mainstays that Pat Nownan can rely on,
to be out there with Matt Miaoska, and if if
they can do that, then this team can get back
to their form where they were defensively before this tough stretch.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
April fifteen, FC Cincinnati hosted New England and posted a
one zero victory. Since then, the Revolution have not lost
in nine matches, five.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Wins, four draws.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
When when you think back to that match and obviously
what New England has done since then, what are going
to be some of the keys to to trying to
go get three on the road against a team playing
really well.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Man, you better know where Carlos heel is.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
I mean, that's been a story anytime we've talked about
New England over the last few years. I mean, former
MVP all saw in Major League Soccer. I mean, certainly
one of the best at that position, of that central
attacking midfield position over the last five or six years
in Major League Soccer. He is so good and so
so dangerous. So you better know where Carlos is at
(11:45):
all times. You know, we haven't yet seen Leo Campana
this year with New England when when he played again,
he didn't play against Cincinnati in the previous matchup. We'll
see if he's available health wise for this match. But
but he is obviously a very good talent. Came over
from Miami where he was last year. Down under Miami,
they had just shed some salary, so.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
They shipped him up to New England. He's really good.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
And and then their defense has been fantastic and that
nine match stretch gave six clean sheets, so they're not
allowing many goals and and they're scoring multiple goals more
often than not across that stretch. So you're right if
you want to point to a turning turning point for
the Revs. I mean they they left t q AL
Stadium back in early April, and and you kind of
(12:29):
point to it and say, man like, we may not
see Cayleb Porter for this game in June, like.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
Quite simple, We're gonna see him two months and Caleb.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
Porter may not be the head coach by then with
the way that New England was playing, and and Cayleb
Porter is not going anywhere now with the way that
they're playing.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
So uh, I give them credit. I think they've they
turned it around a big way.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
Strong obviously defensively, Carlos Heel is firing in all cylinders,
and you know, you're starting to see the talent they
have on that roster is paying all and chilling a bit.
So it's not easy going in playing on turf. Since
he played on our official services twice this year, they've
lost both of those games.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
That was in Atlanta and also at Charlotte early in
the season.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
So they've performed pretty well the last few times they
played it till that stadium. So they're going to go
in there and battle, and I think that they have
something to prove. I hope you know that they feel
that way after the way they kind of limped into
the break.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Obviously, it's it's a team in an organization who is
always looking at not only what is happening now, but
looking for the future as well. And you mentioned Nick
Caglin's injury, you mentioned Myles Robinson not being around, you
mentioned where this team sits going into this next stretch run.
Does it feel like a team who's always going to
be looking to make an addition or do you think
that they're comfortable with where things are at and getting
(13:49):
what's what's most out of the roster.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
No.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
I think Chris Albardy certainly has his eyes on this
transfer window. You know, they can sign players now, they
can't come in until July twenty fourth, so anybody who's
added wouldn't be eligible until July twenty fourth. But I
think that Chris very much has his eyes on a
couple additions. He has a tight salary cap as far
as I understand it at the moment. But listen, there's
(14:14):
there's obviously ways to find some relief and move some
pieces around if needed. I think certainly another attacking piece
is part of the puzzle. Maybe a wide piece as well.
Uh So, I think it'll be very interesting to see.
You know, as leagues around the world now have wrapped
up their seasons, you'll start to hear rumors and and
(14:36):
you know, see reports of what's going on. I usually
don't believe much until a somebody tells me here or
Tom Bogert, who is probably the leading MLS you know,
talking about a WOJ bomb in Major League Soccer, like
that's that's Tom Bogert. He when when Tom has it,
you know, my friends, is actually, oh, I've seen this
report from some guy with four hundred and fifty three
(14:58):
followers in Argentina or something, And I'm like, well, I
don't know who that dude is. I don't know anything.
You know, nobody told me anything like I don't know.
But but if Tom Bogert puts it out, then then
he has put the research in. So I would encourage
justin Sandy fans to follow the time. He usually has
the scoops and and knows what's going on and is
plenty well connected across the league. But yeah, no, I
(15:19):
think it's as we get closer and turn calendar to July,
you'll start to hear some rumors of who's coming on.
But I wouldn't be shocked to see a couple of pieces.
It's interesting because you you know, you mentioned Nick out
of Miles out of international duty, but like both are
expected back.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
I mean, Miles will be back from international duty, and.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
Nick, as pat said yesterday his press conference, is on
track as far as his rehab and recovery from the
injury suffered at Atlanta's concerned. So that's great news. But
you're gonna get him about the middle of July. So
if you wanted to get a center back, and you
wouldn't get him until you know the end of July anyways,
and you expect both those guys to be back in
your mix before then. So I don't know that that's
(15:58):
going to be a spot, but I do think that
we will see some moves from Chris Albright and this
team to continue to make the push. Look, they want
to win MLS Cup and they know they have a
lot of the right pieces. I think they know they
can make the team better with a couple more and
will certainly explore what those pieces are and figure out
what makes this team best for the second half of
(16:20):
the season.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Awesome stuff as always, Tom Glaider for for FC Cincinnati
before I let you go, how important? How important was
that win for the Guardians to avoid a season sweep
at the hands of the Reds five and one in
five verse oh and six, It certainly feels like a
world of difference.
Speaker 3 (16:38):
I mean, I knew we couldn't get through this without
a little bit of a mention, but here maybe a
turning We talked about maybe a turning point a season
for New England, you know back in April when they're
a te QoS Stateum, maybe turning point the season for
the Guards and you know, not not watching the Reds,
you know, celebrate with the clean sweep of the year
out of there, and maybe that gives them the boost
into the you know, into the dog days of summer
(16:59):
and the Guardian make that playoff push thanks that you know,
resounding win earlier this week.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
And now that they've lost the Cup, they they have
a different type of trophy to pursue. Now maybe their
eyes go to a different trophy.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
I mean, listen, I'm sure on the list of goals
for the seasonal HIW Cup was number one, you know,
World Series probably number two would be my guess, but yeah,
you know, you gotta pick your teeth up, shove them.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Back in your gums, and and and get up and go.
Are you going to banana ball this weekend?
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Telling no, I'm not gonna make banana ball. I'm not
gonna make it.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Unfortunately, are you neither? No, I'm going to Foxborough here.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
I thought maybe you'd send the family. Is the family
going to banana ball?
Speaker 2 (17:40):
No?
Speaker 3 (17:41):
No, they got out of turn baseball. They got baseball tournaments. Okay,
they got being on baseball, baseball, baseball, I get it.
It's disappunny.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Well and uh enjoy New England, get the three and
uh let's talk again next week. Thanks as always for
your time time.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Absolutely see if illas.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
That is Tom Gallader, the voice of VFC Cincinnati as
they try to get back on track against New England
tomorrow night. We got to take a break when we
come back. Bob man Jean from the University of Cincinnati
and Novacare will join us to talk some injury questions
going forward. Here now at number three Cincy three sixty
thanks to Penn Station on ESPN fifteen thirty
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.