October 4, 2024 • 46 mins
The gang got together to discuss all things Philadelphia Union as the Boys in Blue have 2 games this week, 3 total games left in the season. Playoffs? Time to stack points and get a playoff berth. -SB
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Ex President of the Sons of Ben Matt Kintastic, ax
Head Cappo, Adam Booth, X Player, and forever a Union
legend Sebastian Latoo. These may be exes, but they're the
experts when it comes to the Philadelphia Union. This is
Exes in the U.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Welcome back everybody to X's in the U, where we
are going to talk everything about the Union verse and
even playoffs again. I am joined by Adam Booth, the
club legend Sebastian Lato. This is episode number twenty one. Gentlemen,
How are you both doing today?
Speaker 3 (00:42):
I am doing great, thank you.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
I'm hanging in there doing well, doing well.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Yeah. I hate starting off on a down note.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
Is there a down note?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Well, there is okay in Philadelphia. In Philadelphia sports, we
have lost two legends.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
The Kenbi Matumbo passed away yesterday. Hello with Pete Rose.
So I just wanted to say or ip to both
of them. They were both It's funny. I can't think
of more contrasting people in the world. Where the Kenbai
m Tumble was a very good player but a better
human being, Pete Rose was a great player and not
so good of a human being.
Speaker 5 (01:18):
You know, I think I can feel confident in saying
that Pete Rose was not a great person. Now I
could say that he tried to redeem himself towards the end,
and I'll give him credit.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
And it's not even really been betting on baseball. That's
why I don't think he's a good person.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
But at least he got into the WWE Hall of Fame.
He did get in the Major League Baseball, but at
least he got in there. So I just wanted to
shout out to both of those gentlemen. And I used
to always make the joke about Matumbo, Yeah, which got me.
They didn't get me in trouble. I thought it got
me in trouble with Fox good Day. I used to say,
if Andre Blake is the product of the Ken Bay
Mtumbo going to Jamaica for spring break and having adult
(01:52):
relations with a brick wall, and that's how Andre Blake
came into existence.
Speaker 4 (01:56):
You can not see how they didn't get you in
trouble with that.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
I used proper term.
Speaker 5 (02:00):
I look, if you're anatomically correct about the brook wall,
I can't see what the issue is here.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Well, let's get into it. We had union action against
Mighty Mighty Atlanta. Yeah, and Mighty Mighty Atlanta actually looked
better than we did the well not really, it wasn't
wasn't a great game.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
No, let's talk about it.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Yeah, one one, Nate gets the goal. U Atlanta's defense
really focused on tie and and you're right, and tied
them both up. Ye you know. So that's that's that's
where we're going to start. Mister Latoo. Your thoughts on
that game. I think you were comfortable on the couch
watching it.
Speaker 6 (02:39):
Yes, that was great, you know, having a good view
of everything. You know, it's a nice drink in my hands.
But no, it was I think, you know, the game
plan of Atlanta was good. Uh you know, then use
that you know, on fire offensively with five to one
win in New York City, you know, and then.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Four zero against DC.
Speaker 6 (02:59):
So there like, okay, let's tied up our defense and
you know their game plan.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
You can see like they were really a compact.
Speaker 6 (03:07):
Didn't leave a lot of space, no between the line
the defense and the midfield, and it was very hard
for to get the ball to Barribo and oh you
know gas Dyg you know, toalgeable a little bit. But
it was always coming low to get it, but then
we are not really able to connect.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
With the front two.
Speaker 6 (03:23):
So it was kind of for me like the first
kind of difficulty.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
And then I.
Speaker 6 (03:27):
Thought, you know, the first twenty minutes was was pretty good.
You know, we should have, you know, get maybe a
goal or two. Queen Sullivan got a good one, a
good look when he carved his ball a bit too far,
and Maglin was a great shot, and but I know
with a safe could have been in all like the
one zero for the team. But after that, you know,
Atlanta a little bit try. But it was a bit
(03:49):
boring from them in the first but the second I
was different. You can see that we score. I think
we were a good scoring goal. But then as soon
as that I started pushing a little bit. We not
for sleep, but kind of like the same momentum that
we don't have sometimes we you know, we're like, oh
it's Atlanta, that's okay, they are not you know, too good.
We're going to win it. And you got surprised, you know,
(04:10):
with the equalizer from them. So yeah, I think the
fact that we want the last two games, you know
in DC and New York, give us a little bit
maybe less.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Pressure and tie.
Speaker 6 (04:23):
I don't think it's a bad result, but when would
have been better for sure to be more cautious for
the next two road games in Orlando and Conumbus.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
So, yeah, is going to go until the last game.
Speaker 6 (04:35):
But like you know, we're all gyms there and we
kind of all notice the beginning of the year we
always do well when we play the team above us,
So hopefully it is the case tomorrow and Saturday. But yeah,
it was maybe a chance Smith to maybe put Atlanta
out of their misery. But in the same time they're
playing Montreal, so now you know, both of the team
(04:57):
has to play for something on Wednesday because as they
are fighting as well for maybe one of the last pot.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yeah, couldn't say better, Adam, your thought you were you
were in attendance.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
I was.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
I wasn't intend.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
You were not on the couch with a beverage in hand.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
No, I was in the stadium with the beverigeing exactly.
So look, I would say Union played well in my eyes.
I think they they generated a lot of opportunities.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
They generated a lot of chances.
Speaker 5 (05:23):
They did get tie, and uh Oude got tied up
a little bit, even got the goal it wasnt Nike
got the goal. I'm already going back from two games anyway.
It's been a long day anyway. But look, you got
those guys got tied up, as you said, guys that
got a couple of touches, but it wasn't really anything fantastic.
But you still got twenty two shots, you know, and
(05:46):
you got seven of them on target, you know, where
Atlanta got literally one shot on target and it was
the goal. And it really wasn't one of those particular like, oh,
I'm very impressed by what I saw here.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Twenty two shots. Not to interrupt, I mean, did we
shoot that from a DeLorean? Because it made Brad Guzan
look like he was young Brad Guzan.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Not he had a great game.
Speaker 5 (06:07):
I actually that really wanted to point out the most
I thought Brad Guzan had himself a vintage Brad Guzan game. Look,
I'm just saying, punch, if you want to just give
him a little talk, you know, he might not not
it might not all be spoiled, is what I'm saying.
You know, especially with the goalie pool that we have
(06:27):
in America right now, I'm just saying he might be
able to make the roster. So I think there was
a couple of things about that the Union had some
opportunities and to day did not capitalize on as well
as Guzan also stood on his head on a couple
of those saves that were I was just I thought one,
especially the diving saved to the left. I was just like, yeah,
it's a goal and he got he got a handle
(06:47):
on that, and I was just like, Brad Guzan used
to be one of the best goalies in the world,
and honestly, if it wasn't for the god that was
Tim Howard at the time, we probably would have seen
more of how good Brad Guzan actually was as a
goalie for the US national team. And it's crazy when
you're the goalie behind Martambroau d or what do you do.
But it's one of those things where Atlanta played good
(07:11):
enough to keep us contained, to keep the game close
enough for them to steal that goal, and to have
that kind of smash and grab moment. You know, if
it was later in the game, it would definitely have
been a smash and grab. But I just I think
the Union have been playing consistently well and better as
of late, and this is not one of those that
the result necessarily tells me what happened on the field,
(07:33):
because I do believe that the Union dominated this game.
I think they were the better team for the most
part of this game. And I just think, you know,
it happens in every sport. You just the little near
misses and the miscapital opportunities to capitalize. That's the difference
between you having three points and having a really good
grasp on your playoff hopes and having one point and
still being in a decent position but definitely going to
(07:54):
have to you know, as Kate Bush once said, run
up that hill.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
So look, I was not discouraged.
Speaker 5 (08:02):
And I say, if the Union did not need points
like they did right now, I don't think a lot
of us would have hated that game.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
But you need points.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
If this result was in the first third of the year, yeah,
I wouldn't be disappointed.
Speaker 4 (08:16):
You might actually be disappointed, and not in the the
way you are seeing.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
That now the next three games are really important. That's
where I get, as a fan, a little concerned. Here's
an odd question. I read this somewhere and just wanted
you guys to chape chirp in the I've been reading
that the late sub of DJJ and Badoya probably was
(08:42):
the result of them getting the goal, that there was
some miscommunication in the midfield. And I'm this whole year
wanting Jim to sub in more and get all five
subs in and start in the fifty eighth minute, not
the seventy first minute. So I just wanted to see
what you guys. I read it in two different articles
that they thought that sub in the seventy first minute
just joined the midfield and that's why that goal was scored. Maybe, Yeah,
(09:06):
I don't know.
Speaker 6 (09:08):
I don't think so. I mean, you know, there's so
many things going on. It's not because you make two
sub like at the end.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
You know. It's always like if.
Speaker 6 (09:16):
You look like from the beginning of the goal and
we lose the ball and everything like, it doesn't matter.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
He just you know, a.
Speaker 6 (09:24):
Lot of people could have made a play on the
goal of Atlanta and we didn't. You know, between the
ball going in the middle and flag in a touch
it a little bit if it's a little bit quicker,
regard it, you know, and we don't have the ball
wide to Lennon, then there's the marking in the box
kind of questionable. From the defender. You know, Nathan not
sing the guy being by himself and coming inside I
(09:46):
means a lot of you know, a lot of things
we could play. I don't think he has to do
anything with the fact that middle Yeah, then he came
into the game.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
I didn't either, But like I said, there was two
different articles that pointed that out that I'm gone that okay,
just wanted to get your expert opinion.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
I mean, look, if you're really gonna break that down
as a person who watched that play all in fold,
the only part of that play that I don't think
about is what happened in the midfield. It's all about
that final third. It was all about the union not
cutting off the last valve. Like they let the guy
run the ball all the way to the touch line
and then let a old school FIFA cutback. That's what
(10:23):
you do on your PlayStation when you're trying to break
down a defense. Is what they did to score that goal.
And it was one of those situations where he was
so close to the goal he could only either miss
it or make it. Yeah, Like there was no other
solution other than he does and Usha Minusha pushes that
thing into the net with his body, you know. So
it's one of those things where I'm like, there's seven
(10:44):
things that happened before. Then you're talking about one substitution
being the reason why there was a complete breakdown and
Nate couldn't cover in the box, Like, I don't know
how that works.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
God perfect, That's all I needed to hear with us.
The Union are still in ninth place. Yeah, the three
games ago we're title points with eighth place Toronto and
tenth place Montreal. So it's getting very interesting and special note,
congrats to mister Wagner became the all time assist leader
(11:13):
for the Union. So that that was it, you know,
off the end of those things. Do have a side note.
Before the game, I went to lunch at Yards and
they were playing the Kansas City Current and Gotham and
they were having a watch party. And I'm going, why
is sky Blue or Cloud nine whatever they're called nine
(11:34):
Cloud nine. There's a group in Adams. This is in
your wheelhouse, and I figure some people wanted to know,
and I just want to give them a shout out please.
It's called watch Party PHL and they are just focusing
on having watch parties for women's sports. So they're doing WNBA,
they were doing Olympics, they're teamed up with Cloud nine
to do Gotham at Yards. So I just wanted to
let people know if you're looking to watch a women's
(11:55):
game in Philadelphia, want to have support for possibly a
women's soccer or WNBA team, This is a group. Just
look them up one Instagram. It's a watch party PHL.
Just figured that would be something you'd want to hear.
An Adam, I'm sure you're going to join the group
pretty soon.
Speaker 4 (12:11):
Oh, I will be there with bells on.
Speaker 5 (12:12):
I'm always here to support women's athletics anytime I can.
But look, I got the information on that inside scoop
about that WNBA team. It is all contingent on the
sex or stadium, which got approved by the mayor.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
So that's that's necessarily what that is.
Speaker 5 (12:25):
I've talked to all of my sources after Portland got
the bid and they were like, you know, not to
derail from our soccer's podcast, but yeah, it's we need
to get a we need that sexer stadium.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
WNBA team comes in, and then NWSL or Major League
Soccer Women is next.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
Oh, we can expand the podcast exactly all right, we
have upcoming matches.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
I'm gonna want to hear from you guys on this
away at Orlando. Orlando is hot. It's their fourth place,
They've won ten out of the last thirteen regular season scheme,
and they just whooped them on Dallas three to one.
Your thoughts on Orlando and going down to steamy Orlando
on a Wednesday night.
Speaker 6 (13:05):
I mean, guys, you know, when you look at our
season right now, we have a better record away than
at home. So we wont four games at all and
we want five away. So yeah, I feel pretty confident.
I mean, we have an Ordo team, like you say.
You know, they already have in a playoff, which is
good for them, but they are kind of fighting to
(13:26):
try to get a home advantage and they can you know,
get a higher place as well in a standing, so
they have to play for something, which I think is
they have a little pressure as well. They know that
they are a good team at home and they score
a lot of goals, but I'm sure they'd be a
bit scared of the Union. So the fact that they
want to win the game I think is going to
(13:46):
maybe give a bit more space, you know for the
Union to go counter attack and try to maybe surprise them,
you know, have a good start again away and and
score early.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
But I'm sure it's gonna be a big fight over there.
Both teams need to win or want to minimum.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
I think for the Union get a point, Orlando might want,
you know to get to three. But if they get
a point as well, they might not be disappointed. So no,
I feel good. I think we have a good chance
to get a rasor just because I think Orlando is
going to play. I'm not just going to sit and
wait for the Unions are going to attack and bring
(14:21):
them before while. So then can we you know, counter
and have some good chances to score. I think it's
gonna be your open game. But yeah, it'd be an
exciting game on this one for sure.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
I don't take it away your thoughts on otown.
Speaker 5 (14:37):
Let's just say that this is gonna be a tough one.
I think as a societ the it's gonna be a
tough one. But I echo the sent events of our
French colleague. I think that this team is gonna go
down there and put together a good performance. Because this
is not the same Union from earlier in the season.
I think we can say that with confidence. Now they've
(14:57):
been playing a much better brand soccer. Even going back
to the Miami game that was a Union the Union
team from a couple of months ago, loses that game
five to one. You know, I think the fact that
it's three to one and the third goal kind of
came and swore as it literally at the death, and
I mean what there wasn't vindicative of how that game went.
(15:19):
The Union had ample opportunities to tie that game. You
go back to the games against Columbus the League's Cup,
and even when they came back, you go back to
the games against Cincinnati, that Union team has been playing
a completely different brand of soccer. Whether it was Blake
coming back, you know, in flux from the transfer market,
(15:40):
whatever did. This is a night and day scenario. So
I think you're going to have a tough test because
you cannot deny what Orlando has done recently. They've put
themselves in the conversation as one of the teams that
not only should feel good about themselves going into the playoffs,
they might be an MLS Cup contender. You know, they've
been playing like one for sure. So that being said,
(16:02):
I think Seba says, right, you're a team that knows
you can win on the road. You've gone into very
big houses and you put on really good performances and
with all your bullets perverbably in the chamber. At this moment,
I think you have a really good possibility to come
out of here with at least a point, if not
all three good.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Bed and ugly on my part, they have clinched the
playoff spot. They really want points just to stay ahead
of New York and New Jersey.
Speaker 4 (16:28):
Bad.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
I don't think they're going to catch up to Cincinnati.
I think they're ten points. That's probably so, you know,
it means something to them, but not as much as
it means to the Union. The bad news is the
Union have not beaten Orlando since September twenty twenty two.
Speaker 5 (16:46):
Well, just saying the number, yeah, how many actual matches
is up?
Speaker 2 (16:51):
Now you're asking questions that I don't know exactly, but
we are. Our road record is the best among teams
from fifth to fourteenth on the Eastern Conference.
Speaker 5 (17:01):
Our road records and the reason why we're in the
conversation right now exactly now.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
The good news is well, bad news. Right now in Orlando,
it's ninety degrees feels like one hundred and one. Yeah.
The good news is it breaks. It's gonna be in
the mid eighties, seventy five degrees. There's some thunderstorms in
the morning afternoon, so the weather it should not be
as crappy as Orlando can be in September. So that's
I think some good news for us that's in our favor.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
If Orlando is intelligent, they will wear their white uniforms
and will force the Union to wear their dark uniforms.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
It's a night game, there won't this. Someone will beaten,
doesn't all right, it doesn't matter. It's stilling to.
Speaker 5 (17:35):
Be No, that's come on now, no, because I mean
I saw the Bucks do that to the Eagles this weekend.
I thought it was genius, and I'm like, look, do
it again. If you if you're the if you're a
Florida based team, you should always wear white.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
Probably. Yeah, So thoughts anyone want to throw out a
prediction there, mister LITUITI, what are you thinking?
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Uh? Pre as it's called Wednesday.
Speaker 6 (17:57):
Yeah, I think we are got some goals, but in
which way I don't know. It just depends how like
the game goes. But I will not mind to see.
Uh maybe a.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
Two to one union or three one union.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Oh, that'd be great.
Speaker 4 (18:19):
I'll take two one.
Speaker 5 (18:22):
I'll definitely take to one. I'll take a three to
two even I think it's gonna be two two.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
I've been thinking three to two in my head and
I'm hoping it's union. And deep down for storytelling, I'm
hoping McGlynn and Quinn get goals because Orlando is the
home of the boy bands.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
No, it would be great if Nate got Oh Nate.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
Yeah, because Nate, we should have been in their academy. Yeah,
we plucked him out by one, one and a half,
two miles away. So yeah, if Nate scores. Yeah, if
our three little boys, you know, the the boy band
of Nate, Jack and Quinn score, that'll be poetic for Orlando.
So that's what I'm hoping for.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
Union daycare. That's real. That is that is real. You
have a you have a situation. We have a bunch
of kids.
Speaker 5 (19:04):
You could just play a spoiler for them right down
there and that be fun. But i mean, look, I'll
take anyway we get there, anywhere you want it.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
Anyway. I like to have three points out of this
one for sure, just so we get a little breathing room.
But points are points are important. And speaking of we've
got Columbus on Saturday. So they leave Orlando, I'm assuming so,
but they go home for a couple of days to
practice and then wait to Columbus.
Speaker 6 (19:28):
They don't know they are going to They're going to
stay in Orlando on Thursday. Okay, practice there and go
to Columbus then and being Columbus, maybe on Friday, maybe
I would say practice. Maybe they live on sorry they
live on I think Thursday afternoon probably to Columbus, arrive,
(19:51):
you know, Columbus Sursday night, and I think practice probably
on Friday, maybe at the stadium of Columbus to get
a feel of it.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
And uh and plans.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
Okay, all right, so we all sit down, coming.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
Down, not coming back to two feet, gotcha.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
So Columbus is hosting MESSI on Wednesday. Both teams should
be go all out to secure the shield. So hopefully
Columbus and Miami are wearing each other out on Wednesday
night just to try to make the shield race important
for Columbus, are not important for Columbus depending on that.
Uh So then we have an international break. So Adam,
(20:28):
your thoughts on going to Columbus, Ohio after playing in Orlando.
Speaker 5 (20:35):
I mean, look that sucks. Like what, that's a that's
it's all. That's a gauntlet, you know. That's the European
mind can't comprehend unless.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
You're from Russia.
Speaker 5 (20:45):
Like the idea of just like, yeah, this is a
match in house, no no extra competition, this is just
a casual event.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
No.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
I mean, look, we've been doing this.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
You do this, and if you are the road Warriors
that you say you were, then you should be thankful
for the opportunity to not have to play in Philadelphia
twice in a row. In fact or anything. It gives
you an advantage, you know. But I mean, yeah, I
wouldn't come home either. I would say, let's enjoy the
good time in Columbus. Maybe hang out watching an Ohio
State volleyball game something like that. You know, figure out
some time they're actually pretty good. Big ten hockey preseasons
(21:19):
going on.
Speaker 4 (21:20):
Oh yeah, blue Jackets, shout out the Blue Jackets.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
Now.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
No, I mean, look, this is America, this is what
we do.
Speaker 5 (21:26):
This is MLS and you, I mean, Seba can tell
you more than anybody. You know. Sometimes you hop on
a flight from Seattle to Orlando, you know it happens.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
Yeah, Saba, I know we're looking way into the future.
But what do you think Union Columbus.
Speaker 6 (21:41):
I serously, I don't know what's going to happen because
you know, of course we depend as well as the
team behind us. But I'm sure of the last game
against Cincinnati, we are going to play for something.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
You know.
Speaker 6 (21:52):
It could be the it could be the home advantage,
maybe for the eighth nine spot. Maybe it could be
like we can get the seventh spot to go Charlotte
fall the path and don't win any games and we
can pass right in front of them, or it's just
going to be for the last place. But I'm sure,
you know, with the history we have between US and Cincinnati,
(22:15):
they are going to play for something and we are
going to play for something.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Yeah, And that Cincinnati game is gonna be at home
the nineteenth, So we do have a week off for
international break, which you know, let's just I'll say it
real quick. The USA are going to be playing versus
Panama October twelfth in Austin, Texas, and then Mexico in
Guadalajara on the fifteenth, So we do have a week
(22:39):
off in between this get the guys rested. Then we've
got Cincinnati to finish up this season and see what
the hell is gonna happen. That's the crazy thing. It's
it's it's like you said, it's gonna be a gauntlet.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
When are they playing anyone interesting?
Speaker 2 (22:55):
The US team? Yeah, Mexico, but it's.
Speaker 4 (22:58):
Still are they playing anyone interesting?
Speaker 2 (23:00):
Twenty twenty six in the World Cup?
Speaker 4 (23:02):
And this is why we don't want World Cups pretty much.
Speaker 5 (23:05):
I'm just I mean, okay, yeah, in happier news, Yeah,
you so loudly.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
Union two, Yeah, clinch the playoff birth Yeah, you've got
the playoffs on home October the twentieth. Tickets are on sale, Yeah,
sixteen bucks.
Speaker 4 (23:21):
I don't know why I am. I want to go. Yeah,
I I off soccer people.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
I am flying in from Boston that afternoon evening. I
think I'm touching that on time and it's not an
afternoon game.
Speaker 4 (23:33):
Tickets from the airport port, bring the bag.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Yeah everything.
Speaker 4 (23:36):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Going to going to YouTube to watch them play in
the playoffs. So, but have you gotten to see the
little kids play at all? Like the Union too, have
you got to watch much of that?
Speaker 6 (23:45):
I was the past couple of months and not already,
but I saw then a lot at the beginning of
the year.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
That's it.
Speaker 6 (23:50):
They are good, you know, a very you know, strong group,
a lot of them. You know, practice during the week.
You know we're the first team, and you know when
the Marlon you know as a you know some players
because he's kind of like let's say, wanning every time
to know which player are going to be the first team,
who is injured, who is available, so it's always no
(24:13):
kind of a different type of lineup for him. But
you know, they have been very good and very consistent.
So if you know, and I'm sure he will have
probably his full they're going to be competitive and hopefully
he can make a run to the PLAYFF.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
He has been doing a great job because, like you said,
not only does he not know who he has on
the roster depending on the first team, but they have
the youngest squad in MLS next and he's balancing that too.
So shout out to Marlin for the job he's been doing.
I know Adam's gone to a couple of games, so
I mean, I definitely want to get in the only
(24:49):
thing I don't understand is they get to pick their opponent.
I have no idea how this.
Speaker 5 (24:54):
See you You've never competed in esports, and I can
tell Yeah, basically, this is actually a very old thing.
I mean, it happens in other random sports in the
second year they've been doing Yeah that you can pick
your opponent, but you could you were able to do
this in e sports for the longest time. Of like,
the top seed gets to draft the team that they
play against, and then they go in that order of
like the top four if it's like an eighteen playoff,
(25:16):
the top four teams get to pick who they want
to play in that order.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
I love it.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
I love everything about it because it creates another level
of a chip on your shoulder of like Miami's like
we want Toronto, Like imagine that.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
Imagine if MESSI has to come up and say, yeah.
Speaker 5 (25:33):
Of the playoff teams, we want to play Atlanta, we
we would like to play them specifically. Do you know
what that does to not only Atlanta but their fan
base everyone involved being like us bring it, this is
what we dreamed about.
Speaker 4 (25:46):
Like I I prefer being the underdog in the assituation.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
We're not going to be We're gonna call that team
out we're going to be Yeah, I.
Speaker 5 (25:54):
Love it though. I love this, I love the whole
format of it. I hope, I hope, like like many
Iron League leagues where they use this as like a
training ground for possible rules and and rule changes in
the future, bring this to Major League Soccer. I'd pay
top dollar to watch it just to watch it. I
pay pay per view just to watch the selection show now, So.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
Bashan, I gotta ask your opinion on this, because coming
from you're a playoffs or a foreign concept anyhow in general.
But now for MLS next, the top seed team gets
to pick their opponent. Any thoughts on this is it
just it's strange to me, So I don't know how
you would feel about it.
Speaker 6 (26:33):
It is strange, and like you say, it's kind of like, oh,
if you pick you know, so let's say you're number
one and you pick number two and you're like, oh,
you want to bring it, you know. It's kind of
like you Yeah, I feel like without even like questioning,
you motivate your opponents even to be like, oh, really,
we believe we are the one who suck and you
want to pick us because you think you're going to
beat us. They already have an advantage of psychologically because
(26:55):
they are like so pumped that you believe they are
well than you. So I I took you know, it's
not on the botlet too a couple of weeks ago
and he was like, yeah, listen, if we finished first,
I'm picking the number EIGHTID so is that going to
be the number eight? You know, he's not going to
disrespect anyone and say, okay, that's the rules, one against eight.
I'm picking the eight and whoever after, you know, do
whatever they want.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
I picked a team that had to fly the furthest
or if they had to take a crappy bus. I
would just take that.
Speaker 3 (27:22):
That's true, that's true. It could a good technique.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
Uh all right, well we did. On Wednesday, the twenty
fifth of September, Adam, we had a huge, huge moment
in soccer, the US Open Cup. Yeah, LAFC beat Sport
in Kansas City. The big question on this pod was
one thing and one thing only. It wasn't if Casey
can get another US Open Cup. It wasn't if LA
(27:47):
can finally lift You know. A different trophy is Sebastian
Latwo's all time scoring record in modern day US Open.
Speaker 4 (27:55):
Cup safe and it's safe.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
Congratulations and let two you are still the modern day
goal scorer for the US Open Cup with sixteen.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
Thank you guys. It means a lot. You know, this
was what's tough for me.
Speaker 6 (28:08):
No guys that beat my goal record and last weekend
beat my asses record, So that's okay. We always say,
you know, the rules are never three without twoso. Maybe
it's going to happen another day. But but yeah, no,
I opened cup. Yeah maybe forty itt'tle bit. I can
wait a couple of most season party.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Yeah. I don't know the other guys behind you. There's
a Kenny Cooper, Jamie Moreno, David Bulo, Johnny. I have
no idea. So yeah, I think you're safe for at
least hopefully one more season.
Speaker 5 (28:36):
I mean, give it a couple of years. It might
be another Frenchman by the name of Drew. Apparently he
wants to Apparently he enjoys the US Open Cup. I
don't know who else is having a fun time, but
he's having a great time.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
But with La winning three to one, an extra time
and this is extra time, yes, one one, and I think.
Speaker 5 (28:53):
A kg US Open Cup that goes the extra time
I've never seen this one, and that was.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
Probably at midnight, one o'clock in the morning too.
Speaker 4 (28:58):
Oh my god.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
I think this is the end of I think it's
the end of Peter Remiz. I don't think Peter's staying
in Kansas City. I think I think Jim becomes the
longest head coaching MLS after the new blood, new blood
chumpi Owens Club Columbus versus Club America, Club America over
the crew that went to penalty.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
Kicks, biggest club on the continent.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
Yeah, and let us not forget Vancouver white Caps versus
Toronto FC for the twenty twenty four Canadian Championship and
Vancouver three peats zero zero.
Speaker 4 (29:33):
Can we talk about penalty kicks? Can we talk about
this real quick?
Speaker 5 (29:35):
It's like a half a second, and I mean sethera
you've you've you know the areas of the Canadians a
little bit well from your time up in Cascadia.
Speaker 4 (29:43):
But there's like five teams in this championship, right.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
Something like that.
Speaker 3 (29:48):
No, there's more, there's more.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
But it's like the US opening.
Speaker 6 (29:53):
When I used to play it, and I played it
and it's my only red card in my life.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
I got this competition.
Speaker 6 (30:00):
It was just Toronto, Montreal, Earth and and Monton.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
At the time.
Speaker 4 (30:05):
Yeah, Edmonton, that was it.
Speaker 3 (30:06):
Yeah, but but now you know there's there's four, there.
Speaker 4 (30:09):
Is the Calgary.
Speaker 6 (30:11):
Categaryes, there's a team in Victoria, Ireland. You know, there's
like I think there's like maybe eight teams and there's
a first run and then you know Toronto, Vancouver and
Montreal coming. But no, it's a it's a that's a
big tournament than he used to be. But yeah, easy
to win if you're you know, in the MIDISTI well, it's.
Speaker 5 (30:31):
Not even it's just so much like I was just thinking, like,
is this the easiest way path to an international competition?
Speaker 4 (30:38):
Yeah, like on the planet.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
I don't know, I don't know the country.
Speaker 5 (30:42):
Yeah, I mean, but I'm saying like, if you are,
if you're like if you are one of the three
MLS teams in Canada, like you have a like seventy
eight to eighty percent chance of winning this to Vancouver's
bread and butter. Yeah, it's just like like Vancouver is
just gonna be playing in champions leagues until the cows
come home because they don't have to win MLS Cup ever.
(31:03):
You just have to win the Canadian Championship against Forge Edmonton.
I hope Halifax gets a team eventually, you know, Quebec City, that'd.
Speaker 2 (31:11):
Be cool windsor kankat one.
Speaker 5 (31:13):
No who all right, common under underrated, Bordertown, yes, say
it all Bins gets a hockey team.
Speaker 4 (31:19):
Let's do that too while we're at it.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
So that was the big night on Wednesday, the twenty fifth.
I'm sure everybody tuned in and had their DVRs set
and everything else.
Speaker 5 (31:28):
I would have I honestly would have watched it if
it wasn't ten thirty at night. I honestly would have
watched it. That you cannot have, like, I don't even
for the people of Kansas City alone. They should not
have to watch a final starting for them at nine
o'clock at night.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
I was, I would have watched it. I was in
Toronto actually and I'm going I'm going to bed.
Speaker 5 (31:48):
If I was a Union fan, I would have been
like perturbed. If the kickoff was ten thirty, you would have.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
Tried to got a Southwest flight out to LA and
watch it live.
Speaker 5 (31:59):
Even so, remember when we had the watch party for
the one against Houston, Like, you can't even do that
and there's no place in Philadelphia that would have allowed
you on a school night to host people outside until
one in the morning.
Speaker 2 (32:11):
Yeah, all right, So MLS playoff schedule. Now, keep in
mind the season start at February the twenty fourth. This
is Spart barrick Man. The wildcard match is Wednesday, October
twenty third, Bart barrick Man. First round is October twenty sixth,
goes into November the tenth. Yeah, conference is the twenty
(32:31):
third of November twenty fourth, so we're talking Thanksgiving. Yeah,
the conference finals November thirtieth or Sunday the December first,
and then MLS Cup present up by Audi in case
Audi wants to sponsor the pod, please Saturday December the seventh.
You're going from February twenty fourth to December the seventh.
Speaker 5 (32:52):
Well, but the question is why what they're like? But legitimately,
what is the purposes of having this like we had?
Speaker 4 (33:02):
Uh, we had to try to tell you why we.
Speaker 5 (33:07):
Had all the international competitions. I'm not going to stay
here and pretending to We had the Olympics, I get it,
we had Copatamatica, we had.
Speaker 4 (33:15):
The Euros I get all of this stuff. But there
when when the Union.
Speaker 5 (33:19):
Played MLS Cup in twenty twenty two, you know what
day the cup final was? It was November fifth, was
the cup final? The final was November fifth. And this
is not COVID. This is two years after COVID, so
you don't necessarily have the the jam schedule from that.
You have a cup you didn't. Well, that's what I'm
(33:41):
saying here, this is what you did. This is why.
This is ridiculous.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
This is why.
Speaker 5 (33:45):
And this is not even again we've talked about this
in nauseam before, but this is not even in just America.
Speaker 4 (33:50):
This is in other leagues too. Internationally.
Speaker 5 (33:52):
There is way too many games being played, There is
way too many competitions being had, and then you're expecting
the guys to have a two month off season. Two months,
but if they don't say, if you win MLS Cup,
you have eight weeks.
Speaker 2 (34:11):
Well, also spring training starts up, so you have four weeks,
maybe five weeks. Let's let's go to somebody that knows
about this.
Speaker 4 (34:20):
Help help help me.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Could could you imagine your career if the season started
on February twenty fourth and you played until December seventh.
Speaker 6 (34:29):
Listen, I played friends and you have three week of
vacation and I was not even playing Champions League or anything.
If you go to the country like England, they have
like the Championship which is forty something game plus the
Cup plus you know everything, so there's a lot of
game as well.
Speaker 3 (34:47):
For this division. The MLS is just what is different
on it's.
Speaker 6 (34:53):
You have the travel and it's not in a short
distance like in England. You know, it's not like you
played to the next city and you have to say
and so it takes a lot out of.
Speaker 3 (35:03):
The body of the player.
Speaker 6 (35:04):
Now, until we don't come to an agreement with the
league of trying to get the same schedules in Europe,
we are not going to be able to do anything
because with all the international dates we play sometimes into
it and sometimes we don't.
Speaker 3 (35:24):
But it doesn't make sense, you know.
Speaker 6 (35:25):
It's just I'm sure they will be able to do
it now with all the team in a league too.
Speaker 3 (35:32):
Yes, when you have game.
Speaker 6 (35:33):
In December, when you have game in January, can the
team like you know, Toronto or even New York of
Philadelphia go play you know, to the West Coast at
that time, go play in Florida when it's better, you know,
they need to find a system then we are able
to join the you know, let's say world calendar, have
(35:56):
the same type of vacation, play the competition at the
same time, which is a Go Cup in the same
time than the Euro So everybody playing the same time
and it's not like, oh it's one year after another
and it's different. Everybody should you know, be in the
same so then there's much less hoarsehold from every league
or players to you know, go away. They don't want
(36:16):
to go. This competition doesn't matter. So it's all of these,
but it's start with EMLS. I think having the your
calendar schedule has almost the same as you know, Europe
starting in you know, end of August, uh and maybe
a bit earlier if they want to. So we can
maybe have a little break like they do in Germany,
(36:38):
you know, during the winter and start again, you know after,
but make a schedules and the team.
Speaker 3 (36:44):
Of course, when it's.
Speaker 6 (36:45):
Called and you cannot play in the temperature, you go
play now in San Diego, who is.
Speaker 3 (36:50):
Coming in La In you know, in Miami, Orlando.
Speaker 6 (36:54):
There's so many in our cities south that you can
plan and have a decent game and not be like, oh,
Salry game is a postpone because there is a.
Speaker 3 (37:04):
Snow on the field and we cannot play.
Speaker 2 (37:06):
So yeah, well December through February is the only time
you should play in Dallas, Texas.
Speaker 5 (37:11):
Yeah, and well the irony is August is the only
time I every want to play in Minnesota.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
So like, but well, the biggest thing, at least for me,
is MLS is not ready to compete with the NFL.
Speaker 4 (37:22):
No or the NBA. No, they get crushed.
Speaker 5 (37:23):
It would be it would be but somebody is saying
one hundred correct, would be the end of the league.
It would be the end of It would be the
end of the league as a as a profitable competing
with European It's not even that. Yeah, I know Columbus
is gonna do if they're gonna pick Ohio State or
the Crew.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
Yeah, if you're playing on Saturday night, you playing Ohio State.
Speaker 4 (37:44):
Yeah, you know.
Speaker 2 (37:45):
That's the hardest thing with that is who you compete with.
Speaker 6 (37:48):
And I understand, but at the same time, it's like
you guys need to choose, like like as a fan,
you know understand, but like you can you have a
world DVM and anything you want to rewatch it, or
you want to make a full day out of it.
Speaker 3 (38:00):
Make a full day of it.
Speaker 6 (38:01):
You want to watch the Premier League at ten am,
you watch ten am and then you go to the
game on Saturday night. Or if they find maybe a
good slot for pulling you all the game of MLS,
they need to, but it's kind of like everything, you
have to start somewhere. If they don't because they are scared, yeah,
of case, it's not going to happen. But we compete,
(38:21):
you know, right now, we compete the playoff with the Phillies.
You know, on Saturday, it's going to be Columbus in
the Philies and nobody is going to maybe watch Major
and everybody's going to watch the Phillies, which is normal,
but you're going to always have some yes, people you
compete against. I understand it's football, but we boys every Sunday.
We can have a game in the mid week on Wednesday,
like right now, everybody's going to watch. I hope on
(38:43):
wednesday's a game because it's Wednesday and there's nothing. So
it's I feel like in the summertime too, I think
you can attract much more people traveling going to see games,
and a lot of people prefer to go to watch
a soccer game than to go watch a football game. Yeah,
because it's for I prefer to go to altgate for
(39:03):
a football game, you know, and because it's so long.
So if you are and you don't want maybe to
spend the money because of the footballer ticket are much
more expensive and with a socer ticket at the end
of the day, you know, you just have to make
a choice, like anything else in your life. But it's
you need to go back to the same schedule because
now you could attract more people.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
You can attract you know, more players coming from as like, Okay,
the same schedule. I like it.
Speaker 6 (39:28):
You know, it's not we have two months of vacation.
If you don't make the playoffs, it doesn't make sense,
you know. It's now the league is that study you
know close to be Thtudy teams they need to do something.
I understand when we were seventeen or eighteen at the
beginning and it doesn't make sense enough of them, But
now it's I don't know, it's something they need to do,
(39:50):
especially being in a World Cup yep.
Speaker 5 (39:53):
And I mean what you're saying one hundred percent correct too,
because like your point earlier about us not being England,
but it spoke to me so much like there are
closest derby, right would be Hudson River, right, that's the
closest local derby.
Speaker 3 (40:06):
Right.
Speaker 4 (40:06):
How long would you think it would take you to
get from Newark to the Bronx.
Speaker 5 (40:11):
Forty five minutes to an hour and fifteen in like
the best case, Like I'm taking public transportation, I'm doing
whatever I can. It's gonna take me forty five minutes
to an hour. How long does it take you to
get from Everton to Liverpool?
Speaker 2 (40:24):
That's an hour?
Speaker 4 (40:25):
It no, it's.
Speaker 2 (40:27):
Liverpool. They share a park, Yeah, across the park. I'm sorry, Like.
Speaker 4 (40:30):
How long is it? But even so, how long would
it take you to get from Tottenham?
Speaker 2 (40:33):
Which said Everton? I thought of Tottenham immediately, So how
long would take you forget to Chelsea? Five minutes in
the tube.
Speaker 5 (40:39):
This is the biggest issue, and semone hit the nail
on the head. The travel is absurd in our league.
And that's what is one of the biggest things makes
this stuff difficult. These guys playing this many games but
then flying again from Seattle to Orlando to New York
to play a match.
Speaker 2 (40:57):
With time zones.
Speaker 4 (40:58):
With time zones, they don't have the time zone with
with flight.
Speaker 5 (41:01):
I don't know if anyone right now in England is
playing a domestic flight or a domestic game that has
a seven hour flight attached to it, you know, And
that's the thing, so like we're always going to have
that disadvantage. You know, we could put teams in every
major town in America and we're still gonna have travel issues.
You know, We're still gonna have these issues. The thing
about Major League Soccer is and it has to make
(41:23):
a couple of these choices. If it's gonna go gung
ho on the League's Cup, which it seems like it's
going to, that's going to pretty much die the US
Open Cup, not because it should die, but because you
cannot convince all of these clubs to play these many
tournaments that you're already gonna have.
Speaker 2 (41:37):
I'm sure the League MX teams would like the schedule
changed disadvantage. Of course, I'm gonna put one hole in
Seba's theory, though what sebashiala two is not a friend
of my liver, because he basically said I should watch
a Premier League game then go to a NFL game
and then go watch an MLS game. So I have
to plan all these like, yeah, that's not helping my
(41:59):
liver or else. Sebastian, not at all.
Speaker 6 (42:01):
I mean, listen, I just said that if you're a
person who have a formo, you know, and you don't
want to miss anything and you have to be a
part of everything. But if you know, if you're a
real true fan of a team, he stakes with your team.
You know, if the number one sport you love is hockey,
go watch a hockey game and don't go watch you know,
(42:22):
the Union if there is two games in the same
time at the same moment.
Speaker 3 (42:26):
But if you can, yeah, and I understand. But it's
just like.
Speaker 6 (42:30):
Here you have so many things, you know, every weekend,
like when there is let's say golf going on with
the Master, and then there is you know, I don't know,
Formula one if you like Formula one, and then there
is you know, a Premiership game, and then there is
Amis game, or there's a tennis tournament. It's it's crazy,
like you cannot do anything. You have to make a choice.
And at the end it's yes, I understand it's money
(42:52):
for the league and everything, but it's if you don't
make people understand or shoo the schedule.
Speaker 3 (42:59):
To be the same and you're up.
Speaker 6 (43:00):
It's it's very hard for even fans from overseas to
kind of enjoy.
Speaker 2 (43:06):
You know, this is the country that created the happy
meal because we couldn't make choices. We wanted all of it.
We want all of it put.
Speaker 5 (43:13):
It was invented in Germany and perfected in Lancaster County,
the country by exactly.
Speaker 2 (43:20):
Want it all.
Speaker 3 (43:21):
No, Matt, No, and Matt.
Speaker 6 (43:24):
At ten am, I hope you just have a hot
chocolate in your hand and.
Speaker 3 (43:27):
Not something else.
Speaker 4 (43:29):
I'm sorry, what?
Speaker 6 (43:30):
Yeah, so that's that at ten am if you watch
a game, I hope you just have a hot chocolate
or coffee in your hand.
Speaker 2 (43:35):
Too much sugar in the hot chocolate?
Speaker 4 (43:36):
Yeah, how's a warm stout sound?
Speaker 5 (43:39):
Then that might be it's hot, it's just very alcohol filled.
Speaker 4 (43:43):
I can say that much.
Speaker 3 (43:44):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (43:45):
Well, speaking around the world soccer, as you know, the
FIFA Club World Cup twenty twenty five is coming to
Philadelphia June or July. At the link, I just thought
i'd put it out there. You know, Chelsea will be there.
Will you ad them?
Speaker 5 (44:01):
I would like to go to a couple of these matches,
and I hope there are teams I've like, I want
to see just the most random clubs ever, like as
obviously everyone's like, I want to see Man City in
Barcelona all that, Like, no, man, give me like versus.
Speaker 4 (44:14):
Yeah, I want to see young boys.
Speaker 5 (44:15):
I want to see, like I want to see the
teams out from Asia, like I want to see Hiroshima
and Tokyo FC.
Speaker 4 (44:22):
I want to see those guys. I want to see everybody,
man and Adam.
Speaker 2 (44:25):
This is a homage to the old pod. Yeah, what
is going on right now as we speak?
Speaker 5 (44:32):
The chop.
Speaker 2 (44:35):
Champions League actions going on everybody. So it's the early rounds.
I don't always catch it, but now.
Speaker 4 (44:40):
I'm starting to get what the hell is going on?
Speaker 2 (44:43):
Oh it's I don't I'm kidding.
Speaker 4 (44:45):
What is this list? Now?
Speaker 5 (44:46):
I didn't pay attention hard enough. There's there's promotion relegation
to the Champions League.
Speaker 2 (44:51):
Now, yeah, it's I'm confused by it myself. I don't.
We can get into that later.
Speaker 4 (44:55):
That's a whole other run out of time. Oh, that's
a whole other part.
Speaker 2 (44:58):
Yeah, And the last thing I want to let everybody
know is the Son's a bet. Elections are happening.
Speaker 4 (45:03):
They still have those.
Speaker 2 (45:04):
Oh yeah, so they're gonna start October thirteenth, So president,
social media, membership, merch and one member at large chairs
are open. You're able to still put your hat in
the ring because they didn't close it out yet. But
for the first time in a long time, longer than
I even know, two people are running for president. We
(45:26):
have a bona fide race. So just we'll give you
more information as it goes on. But yeah, we've got
two people running for president, and I'm sure we're gonna
have When we have more time, we'll jump into this
and talk about the politics of the Sons of Bed.
Speaker 4 (45:40):
I should I should run for that at large position? Shut?
You should? No, I'll give you an endorsement.
Speaker 2 (45:45):
I don't know if that's good or bet could be.
Speaker 4 (45:47):
Your campaigns, Nasal, I support the Adam booth.
Speaker 2 (45:52):
Yeah, you get an endorsement.
Speaker 3 (45:53):
From from food in my backyard? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (45:57):
Please, oh my god. Yes, Adam for council.
Speaker 6 (46:00):
Yeah, it's something you do here.
Speaker 3 (46:03):
You put sign in your bankyard.
Speaker 5 (46:04):
Everybody to know who you Otherwise they will never know
Sebastian and then they won't you know either, hate you
or love you accordingly.
Speaker 2 (46:12):
Yeah, they listen, they they you already have your campaign poster.
What's behind Sebastiano two right now?
Speaker 4 (46:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (46:17):
Look, he's endorsed me for a very long time, so
it's fine. Look as a person with the European wife,
she also finds it fascinating the campaign science.
Speaker 4 (46:25):
She's like, what the hell is this. I'm like, don't,
don't worry about it.
Speaker 2 (46:27):
So we'll keep you informed on the on that. So everybody, guys,
if you have anything else, let me know. But it
is episode twenty one in the books. We have got
some important matches this week and we'll get into it
next week. So Steba, thank you so much, Adam, thank
you everybody, thanks for listening, and we will talk to
you next week.
Ex President of the Sons of Ben Matt Kintastic, ax
Head Cappo, Adam Booth, X Player, and forever a Union
legend Sebastian Latoo. These may be exes, but they're the
experts when it comes to the Philadelphia Union. This is
Exes in the U.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Welcome back everybody to X's in the U, where we
are going to talk everything about the Union verse and
even playoffs again. I am joined by Adam Booth, the
club legend Sebastian Lato. This is episode number twenty one. Gentlemen,
How are you both doing today?
Speaker 3 (00:42):
I am doing great, thank you.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
I'm hanging in there doing well, doing well.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Yeah. I hate starting off on a down note.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
Is there a down note?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Well, there is okay in Philadelphia. In Philadelphia sports, we
have lost two legends.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
The Kenbi Matumbo passed away yesterday. Hello with Pete Rose.
So I just wanted to say or ip to both
of them. They were both It's funny. I can't think
of more contrasting people in the world. Where the Kenbai
m Tumble was a very good player but a better
human being, Pete Rose was a great player and not
so good of a human being.
Speaker 5 (01:18):
You know, I think I can feel confident in saying
that Pete Rose was not a great person. Now I
could say that he tried to redeem himself towards the end,
and I'll give him credit.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
And it's not even really been betting on baseball. That's
why I don't think he's a good person.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
But at least he got into the WWE Hall of Fame.
He did get in the Major League Baseball, but at
least he got in there. So I just wanted to
shout out to both of those gentlemen. And I used
to always make the joke about Matumbo, Yeah, which got me.
They didn't get me in trouble. I thought it got
me in trouble with Fox good Day. I used to say,
if Andre Blake is the product of the Ken Bay
Mtumbo going to Jamaica for spring break and having adult
(01:52):
relations with a brick wall, and that's how Andre Blake
came into existence.
Speaker 4 (01:56):
You can not see how they didn't get you in
trouble with that.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
I used proper term.
Speaker 5 (02:00):
I look, if you're anatomically correct about the brook wall,
I can't see what the issue is here.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Well, let's get into it. We had union action against
Mighty Mighty Atlanta. Yeah, and Mighty Mighty Atlanta actually looked
better than we did the well not really, it wasn't
wasn't a great game.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
No, let's talk about it.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Yeah, one one, Nate gets the goal. U Atlanta's defense
really focused on tie and and you're right, and tied
them both up. Ye you know. So that's that's that's
where we're going to start. Mister Latoo. Your thoughts on
that game. I think you were comfortable on the couch
watching it.
Speaker 6 (02:39):
Yes, that was great, you know, having a good view
of everything. You know, it's a nice drink in my hands.
But no, it was I think, you know, the game
plan of Atlanta was good. Uh you know, then use
that you know, on fire offensively with five to one
win in New York City, you know, and then.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Four zero against DC.
Speaker 6 (02:59):
So there like, okay, let's tied up our defense and
you know their game plan.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
You can see like they were really a compact.
Speaker 6 (03:07):
Didn't leave a lot of space, no between the line
the defense and the midfield, and it was very hard
for to get the ball to Barribo and oh you
know gas Dyg you know, toalgeable a little bit. But
it was always coming low to get it, but then
we are not really able to connect.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
With the front two.
Speaker 6 (03:23):
So it was kind of for me like the first
kind of difficulty.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
And then I.
Speaker 6 (03:27):
Thought, you know, the first twenty minutes was was pretty good.
You know, we should have, you know, get maybe a
goal or two. Queen Sullivan got a good one, a
good look when he carved his ball a bit too far,
and Maglin was a great shot, and but I know
with a safe could have been in all like the
one zero for the team. But after that, you know,
Atlanta a little bit try. But it was a bit
(03:49):
boring from them in the first but the second I
was different. You can see that we score. I think
we were a good scoring goal. But then as soon
as that I started pushing a little bit. We not
for sleep, but kind of like the same momentum that
we don't have sometimes we you know, we're like, oh
it's Atlanta, that's okay, they are not you know, too good.
We're going to win it. And you got surprised, you know,
(04:10):
with the equalizer from them. So yeah, I think the
fact that we want the last two games, you know
in DC and New York, give us a little bit
maybe less.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Pressure and tie.
Speaker 6 (04:23):
I don't think it's a bad result, but when would
have been better for sure to be more cautious for
the next two road games in Orlando and Conumbus.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
So, yeah, is going to go until the last game.
Speaker 6 (04:35):
But like you know, we're all gyms there and we
kind of all notice the beginning of the year we
always do well when we play the team above us,
So hopefully it is the case tomorrow and Saturday. But yeah,
it was maybe a chance Smith to maybe put Atlanta
out of their misery. But in the same time they're
playing Montreal, so now you know, both of the team
(04:57):
has to play for something on Wednesday because as they
are fighting as well for maybe one of the last pot.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yeah, couldn't say better, Adam, your thought you were you
were in attendance.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
I was.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
I wasn't intend.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
You were not on the couch with a beverage in hand.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
No, I was in the stadium with the beverigeing exactly.
So look, I would say Union played well in my eyes.
I think they they generated a lot of opportunities.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
They generated a lot of chances.
Speaker 5 (05:23):
They did get tie, and uh Oude got tied up
a little bit, even got the goal it wasnt Nike
got the goal. I'm already going back from two games anyway.
It's been a long day anyway. But look, you got
those guys got tied up, as you said, guys that
got a couple of touches, but it wasn't really anything fantastic.
But you still got twenty two shots, you know, and
(05:46):
you got seven of them on target, you know, where
Atlanta got literally one shot on target and it was
the goal. And it really wasn't one of those particular like, oh,
I'm very impressed by what I saw here.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Twenty two shots. Not to interrupt, I mean, did we
shoot that from a DeLorean? Because it made Brad Guzan
look like he was young Brad Guzan.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Not he had a great game.
Speaker 5 (06:07):
I actually that really wanted to point out the most
I thought Brad Guzan had himself a vintage Brad Guzan game. Look,
I'm just saying, punch, if you want to just give
him a little talk, you know, he might not not
it might not all be spoiled, is what I'm saying.
You know, especially with the goalie pool that we have
(06:27):
in America right now, I'm just saying he might be
able to make the roster. So I think there was
a couple of things about that the Union had some
opportunities and to day did not capitalize on as well
as Guzan also stood on his head on a couple
of those saves that were I was just I thought one,
especially the diving saved to the left. I was just like, yeah,
it's a goal and he got he got a handle
(06:47):
on that, and I was just like, Brad Guzan used
to be one of the best goalies in the world,
and honestly, if it wasn't for the god that was
Tim Howard at the time, we probably would have seen
more of how good Brad Guzan actually was as a
goalie for the US national team. And it's crazy when
you're the goalie behind Martambroau d or what do you do.
But it's one of those things where Atlanta played good
(07:11):
enough to keep us contained, to keep the game close
enough for them to steal that goal, and to have
that kind of smash and grab moment. You know, if
it was later in the game, it would definitely have
been a smash and grab. But I just I think
the Union have been playing consistently well and better as
of late, and this is not one of those that
the result necessarily tells me what happened on the field,
(07:33):
because I do believe that the Union dominated this game.
I think they were the better team for the most
part of this game. And I just think, you know,
it happens in every sport. You just the little near
misses and the miscapital opportunities to capitalize. That's the difference
between you having three points and having a really good
grasp on your playoff hopes and having one point and
still being in a decent position but definitely going to
(07:54):
have to you know, as Kate Bush once said, run
up that hill.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
So look, I was not discouraged.
Speaker 5 (08:02):
And I say, if the Union did not need points
like they did right now, I don't think a lot
of us would have hated that game.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
But you need points.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
If this result was in the first third of the year, yeah,
I wouldn't be disappointed.
Speaker 4 (08:16):
You might actually be disappointed, and not in the the
way you are seeing.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
That now the next three games are really important. That's
where I get, as a fan, a little concerned. Here's
an odd question. I read this somewhere and just wanted
you guys to chape chirp in the I've been reading
that the late sub of DJJ and Badoya probably was
(08:42):
the result of them getting the goal, that there was
some miscommunication in the midfield. And I'm this whole year
wanting Jim to sub in more and get all five
subs in and start in the fifty eighth minute, not
the seventy first minute. So I just wanted to see
what you guys. I read it in two different articles
that they thought that sub in the seventy first minute
just joined the midfield and that's why that goal was scored. Maybe, Yeah,
(09:06):
I don't know.
Speaker 6 (09:08):
I don't think so. I mean, you know, there's so
many things going on. It's not because you make two
sub like at the end.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
You know. It's always like if.
Speaker 6 (09:16):
You look like from the beginning of the goal and
we lose the ball and everything like, it doesn't matter.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
He just you know, a.
Speaker 6 (09:24):
Lot of people could have made a play on the
goal of Atlanta and we didn't. You know, between the
ball going in the middle and flag in a touch
it a little bit if it's a little bit quicker,
regard it, you know, and we don't have the ball
wide to Lennon, then there's the marking in the box
kind of questionable. From the defender. You know, Nathan not
sing the guy being by himself and coming inside I
(09:46):
means a lot of you know, a lot of things
we could play. I don't think he has to do
anything with the fact that middle Yeah, then he came
into the game.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
I didn't either, But like I said, there was two
different articles that pointed that out that I'm gone that okay,
just wanted to get your expert opinion.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
I mean, look, if you're really gonna break that down
as a person who watched that play all in fold,
the only part of that play that I don't think
about is what happened in the midfield. It's all about
that final third. It was all about the union not
cutting off the last valve. Like they let the guy
run the ball all the way to the touch line
and then let a old school FIFA cutback. That's what
(10:23):
you do on your PlayStation when you're trying to break
down a defense. Is what they did to score that goal.
And it was one of those situations where he was
so close to the goal he could only either miss
it or make it. Yeah, Like there was no other
solution other than he does and Usha Minusha pushes that
thing into the net with his body, you know. So
it's one of those things where I'm like, there's seven
(10:44):
things that happened before. Then you're talking about one substitution
being the reason why there was a complete breakdown and
Nate couldn't cover in the box, Like, I don't know
how that works.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
God perfect, That's all I needed to hear with us.
The Union are still in ninth place. Yeah, the three
games ago we're title points with eighth place Toronto and
tenth place Montreal. So it's getting very interesting and special note,
congrats to mister Wagner became the all time assist leader
(11:13):
for the Union. So that that was it, you know,
off the end of those things. Do have a side note.
Before the game, I went to lunch at Yards and
they were playing the Kansas City Current and Gotham and
they were having a watch party. And I'm going, why
is sky Blue or Cloud nine whatever they're called nine
(11:34):
Cloud nine. There's a group in Adams. This is in
your wheelhouse, and I figure some people wanted to know,
and I just want to give them a shout out please.
It's called watch Party PHL and they are just focusing
on having watch parties for women's sports. So they're doing WNBA,
they were doing Olympics, they're teamed up with Cloud nine
to do Gotham at Yards. So I just wanted to
let people know if you're looking to watch a women's
(11:55):
game in Philadelphia, want to have support for possibly a
women's soccer or WNBA team, This is a group. Just
look them up one Instagram. It's a watch party PHL.
Just figured that would be something you'd want to hear.
An Adam, I'm sure you're going to join the group
pretty soon.
Speaker 4 (12:11):
Oh, I will be there with bells on.
Speaker 5 (12:12):
I'm always here to support women's athletics anytime I can.
But look, I got the information on that inside scoop
about that WNBA team. It is all contingent on the
sex or stadium, which got approved by the mayor.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
So that's that's necessarily what that is.
Speaker 5 (12:25):
I've talked to all of my sources after Portland got
the bid and they were like, you know, not to
derail from our soccer's podcast, but yeah, it's we need
to get a we need that sexer stadium.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
WNBA team comes in, and then NWSL or Major League
Soccer Women is next.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
Oh, we can expand the podcast exactly all right, we
have upcoming matches.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
I'm gonna want to hear from you guys on this
away at Orlando. Orlando is hot. It's their fourth place,
They've won ten out of the last thirteen regular season scheme,
and they just whooped them on Dallas three to one.
Your thoughts on Orlando and going down to steamy Orlando
on a Wednesday night.
Speaker 6 (13:05):
I mean, guys, you know, when you look at our
season right now, we have a better record away than
at home. So we wont four games at all and
we want five away. So yeah, I feel pretty confident.
I mean, we have an Ordo team, like you say.
You know, they already have in a playoff, which is
good for them, but they are kind of fighting to
(13:26):
try to get a home advantage and they can you know,
get a higher place as well in a standing, so
they have to play for something, which I think is
they have a little pressure as well. They know that
they are a good team at home and they score
a lot of goals, but I'm sure they'd be a
bit scared of the Union. So the fact that they
want to win the game I think is going to
(13:46):
maybe give a bit more space, you know for the
Union to go counter attack and try to maybe surprise them,
you know, have a good start again away and and
score early.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
But I'm sure it's gonna be a big fight over there.
Both teams need to win or want to minimum.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
I think for the Union get a point, Orlando might want,
you know to get to three. But if they get
a point as well, they might not be disappointed. So no,
I feel good. I think we have a good chance
to get a rasor just because I think Orlando is
going to play. I'm not just going to sit and
wait for the Unions are going to attack and bring
(14:21):
them before while. So then can we you know, counter
and have some good chances to score. I think it's
gonna be your open game. But yeah, it'd be an
exciting game on this one for sure.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
I don't take it away your thoughts on otown.
Speaker 5 (14:37):
Let's just say that this is gonna be a tough one.
I think as a societ the it's gonna be a
tough one. But I echo the sent events of our
French colleague. I think that this team is gonna go
down there and put together a good performance. Because this
is not the same Union from earlier in the season.
I think we can say that with confidence. Now they've
(14:57):
been playing a much better brand soccer. Even going back
to the Miami game that was a Union the Union
team from a couple of months ago, loses that game
five to one. You know, I think the fact that
it's three to one and the third goal kind of
came and swore as it literally at the death, and
I mean what there wasn't vindicative of how that game went.
(15:19):
The Union had ample opportunities to tie that game. You
go back to the games against Columbus the League's Cup,
and even when they came back, you go back to
the games against Cincinnati, that Union team has been playing
a completely different brand of soccer. Whether it was Blake
coming back, you know, in flux from the transfer market,
(15:40):
whatever did. This is a night and day scenario. So
I think you're going to have a tough test because
you cannot deny what Orlando has done recently. They've put
themselves in the conversation as one of the teams that
not only should feel good about themselves going into the playoffs,
they might be an MLS Cup contender. You know, they've
been playing like one for sure. So that being said,
(16:02):
I think Seba says, right, you're a team that knows
you can win on the road. You've gone into very
big houses and you put on really good performances and
with all your bullets perverbably in the chamber. At this moment,
I think you have a really good possibility to come
out of here with at least a point, if not
all three good.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Bed and ugly on my part, they have clinched the
playoff spot. They really want points just to stay ahead
of New York and New Jersey.
Speaker 4 (16:28):
Bad.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
I don't think they're going to catch up to Cincinnati.
I think they're ten points. That's probably so, you know,
it means something to them, but not as much as
it means to the Union. The bad news is the
Union have not beaten Orlando since September twenty twenty two.
Speaker 5 (16:46):
Well, just saying the number, yeah, how many actual matches
is up?
Speaker 2 (16:51):
Now you're asking questions that I don't know exactly, but
we are. Our road record is the best among teams
from fifth to fourteenth on the Eastern Conference.
Speaker 5 (17:01):
Our road records and the reason why we're in the
conversation right now exactly now.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
The good news is well, bad news. Right now in Orlando,
it's ninety degrees feels like one hundred and one. Yeah.
The good news is it breaks. It's gonna be in
the mid eighties, seventy five degrees. There's some thunderstorms in
the morning afternoon, so the weather it should not be
as crappy as Orlando can be in September. So that's
I think some good news for us that's in our favor.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
If Orlando is intelligent, they will wear their white uniforms
and will force the Union to wear their dark uniforms.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
It's a night game, there won't this. Someone will beaten,
doesn't all right, it doesn't matter. It's stilling to.
Speaker 5 (17:35):
Be No, that's come on now, no, because I mean
I saw the Bucks do that to the Eagles this weekend.
I thought it was genius, and I'm like, look, do
it again. If you if you're the if you're a
Florida based team, you should always wear white.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
Probably. Yeah, So thoughts anyone want to throw out a
prediction there, mister LITUITI, what are you thinking?
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Uh? Pre as it's called Wednesday.
Speaker 6 (17:57):
Yeah, I think we are got some goals, but in
which way I don't know. It just depends how like
the game goes. But I will not mind to see.
Uh maybe a.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
Two to one union or three one union.
Speaker 2 (18:17):
Oh, that'd be great.
Speaker 4 (18:19):
I'll take two one.
Speaker 5 (18:22):
I'll definitely take to one. I'll take a three to
two even I think it's gonna be two two.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
I've been thinking three to two in my head and
I'm hoping it's union. And deep down for storytelling, I'm
hoping McGlynn and Quinn get goals because Orlando is the
home of the boy bands.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
No, it would be great if Nate got Oh Nate.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
Yeah, because Nate, we should have been in their academy. Yeah,
we plucked him out by one, one and a half,
two miles away. So yeah, if Nate scores. Yeah, if
our three little boys, you know, the the boy band
of Nate, Jack and Quinn score, that'll be poetic for Orlando.
So that's what I'm hoping for.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
Union daycare. That's real. That is that is real. You
have a you have a situation. We have a bunch
of kids.
Speaker 5 (19:04):
You could just play a spoiler for them right down
there and that be fun. But i mean, look, I'll
take anyway we get there, anywhere you want it.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
Anyway. I like to have three points out of this
one for sure, just so we get a little breathing room.
But points are points are important. And speaking of we've
got Columbus on Saturday. So they leave Orlando, I'm assuming so,
but they go home for a couple of days to
practice and then wait to Columbus.
Speaker 6 (19:28):
They don't know they are going to They're going to
stay in Orlando on Thursday. Okay, practice there and go
to Columbus then and being Columbus, maybe on Friday, maybe
I would say practice. Maybe they live on sorry they
live on I think Thursday afternoon probably to Columbus, arrive,
(19:51):
you know, Columbus Sursday night, and I think practice probably
on Friday, maybe at the stadium of Columbus to get
a feel of it.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
And uh and plans.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
Okay, all right, so we all sit down, coming.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
Down, not coming back to two feet, gotcha.
Speaker 2 (20:06):
So Columbus is hosting MESSI on Wednesday. Both teams should
be go all out to secure the shield. So hopefully
Columbus and Miami are wearing each other out on Wednesday
night just to try to make the shield race important
for Columbus, are not important for Columbus depending on that.
Uh So then we have an international break. So Adam,
(20:28):
your thoughts on going to Columbus, Ohio after playing in Orlando.
Speaker 5 (20:35):
I mean, look that sucks. Like what, that's a that's
it's all. That's a gauntlet, you know. That's the European
mind can't comprehend unless.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
You're from Russia.
Speaker 5 (20:45):
Like the idea of just like, yeah, this is a
match in house, no no extra competition, this is just
a casual event.
Speaker 3 (20:52):
No.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
I mean, look, we've been doing this.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
You do this, and if you are the road Warriors
that you say you were, then you should be thankful
for the opportunity to not have to play in Philadelphia
twice in a row. In fact or anything. It gives
you an advantage, you know. But I mean, yeah, I
wouldn't come home either. I would say, let's enjoy the
good time in Columbus. Maybe hang out watching an Ohio
State volleyball game something like that. You know, figure out
some time they're actually pretty good. Big ten hockey preseasons
(21:19):
going on.
Speaker 4 (21:20):
Oh yeah, blue Jackets, shout out the Blue Jackets.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
Now.
Speaker 4 (21:22):
No, I mean, look, this is America, this is what
we do.
Speaker 5 (21:26):
This is MLS and you, I mean, Seba can tell
you more than anybody. You know. Sometimes you hop on
a flight from Seattle to Orlando, you know it happens.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
Yeah, Saba, I know we're looking way into the future.
But what do you think Union Columbus.
Speaker 6 (21:41):
I serously, I don't know what's going to happen because
you know, of course we depend as well as the
team behind us. But I'm sure of the last game
against Cincinnati, we are going to play for something.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
You know.
Speaker 6 (21:52):
It could be the it could be the home advantage,
maybe for the eighth nine spot. Maybe it could be
like we can get the seventh spot to go Charlotte
fall the path and don't win any games and we
can pass right in front of them, or it's just
going to be for the last place. But I'm sure,
you know, with the history we have between US and Cincinnati,
(22:15):
they are going to play for something and we are
going to play for something.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Yeah, And that Cincinnati game is gonna be at home
the nineteenth, So we do have a week off for
international break, which you know, let's just I'll say it
real quick. The USA are going to be playing versus
Panama October twelfth in Austin, Texas, and then Mexico in
Guadalajara on the fifteenth, So we do have a week
(22:39):
off in between this get the guys rested. Then we've
got Cincinnati to finish up this season and see what
the hell is gonna happen. That's the crazy thing. It's
it's it's like you said, it's gonna be a gauntlet.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
When are they playing anyone interesting?
Speaker 2 (22:55):
The US team? Yeah, Mexico, but it's.
Speaker 4 (22:58):
Still are they playing anyone interesting?
Speaker 2 (23:00):
Twenty twenty six in the World Cup?
Speaker 4 (23:02):
And this is why we don't want World Cups pretty much.
Speaker 5 (23:05):
I'm just I mean, okay, yeah, in happier news, Yeah,
you so loudly.
Speaker 2 (23:11):
Union two, Yeah, clinch the playoff birth Yeah, you've got
the playoffs on home October the twentieth. Tickets are on sale, Yeah,
sixteen bucks.
Speaker 4 (23:21):
I don't know why I am. I want to go. Yeah,
I I off soccer people.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
I am flying in from Boston that afternoon evening. I
think I'm touching that on time and it's not an
afternoon game.
Speaker 4 (23:33):
Tickets from the airport port, bring the bag.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Yeah everything.
Speaker 4 (23:36):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Going to going to YouTube to watch them play in
the playoffs. So, but have you gotten to see the
little kids play at all? Like the Union too, have
you got to watch much of that?
Speaker 6 (23:45):
I was the past couple of months and not already,
but I saw then a lot at the beginning of
the year.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
That's it.
Speaker 6 (23:50):
They are good, you know, a very you know, strong group,
a lot of them. You know, practice during the week.
You know we're the first team, and you know when
the Marlon you know as a you know some players
because he's kind of like let's say, wanning every time
to know which player are going to be the first team,
who is injured, who is available, so it's always no
(24:13):
kind of a different type of lineup for him. But
you know, they have been very good and very consistent.
So if you know, and I'm sure he will have
probably his full they're going to be competitive and hopefully
he can make a run to the PLAYFF.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
He has been doing a great job because, like you said,
not only does he not know who he has on
the roster depending on the first team, but they have
the youngest squad in MLS next and he's balancing that too.
So shout out to Marlin for the job he's been doing.
I know Adam's gone to a couple of games, so
I mean, I definitely want to get in the only
(24:49):
thing I don't understand is they get to pick their opponent.
I have no idea how this.
Speaker 5 (24:54):
See you You've never competed in esports, and I can
tell Yeah, basically, this is actually a very old thing.
I mean, it happens in other random sports in the
second year they've been doing Yeah that you can pick
your opponent, but you could you were able to do
this in e sports for the longest time. Of like,
the top seed gets to draft the team that they
play against, and then they go in that order of
like the top four if it's like an eighteen playoff,
(25:16):
the top four teams get to pick who they want
to play in that order.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
I love it.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
I love everything about it because it creates another level
of a chip on your shoulder of like Miami's like
we want Toronto, Like imagine that.
Speaker 4 (25:30):
Imagine if MESSI has to come up and say, yeah.
Speaker 5 (25:33):
Of the playoff teams, we want to play Atlanta, we
we would like to play them specifically. Do you know
what that does to not only Atlanta but their fan
base everyone involved being like us bring it, this is
what we dreamed about.
Speaker 4 (25:46):
Like I I prefer being the underdog in the assituation.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
We're not going to be We're gonna call that team
out we're going to be Yeah, I.
Speaker 5 (25:54):
Love it though. I love this, I love the whole
format of it. I hope, I hope, like like many
Iron League leagues where they use this as like a
training ground for possible rules and and rule changes in
the future, bring this to Major League Soccer. I'd pay
top dollar to watch it just to watch it. I
pay pay per view just to watch the selection show now, So.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
Bashan, I gotta ask your opinion on this, because coming
from you're a playoffs or a foreign concept anyhow in general.
But now for MLS next, the top seed team gets
to pick their opponent. Any thoughts on this is it
just it's strange to me, So I don't know how
you would feel about it.
Speaker 6 (26:33):
It is strange, and like you say, it's kind of like, oh,
if you pick you know, so let's say you're number
one and you pick number two and you're like, oh,
you want to bring it, you know. It's kind of
like you Yeah, I feel like without even like questioning,
you motivate your opponents even to be like, oh, really,
we believe we are the one who suck and you
want to pick us because you think you're going to
beat us. They already have an advantage of psychologically because
(26:55):
they are like so pumped that you believe they are
well than you. So I I took you know, it's
not on the botlet too a couple of weeks ago
and he was like, yeah, listen, if we finished first,
I'm picking the number EIGHTID so is that going to
be the number eight? You know, he's not going to
disrespect anyone and say, okay, that's the rules, one against eight.
I'm picking the eight and whoever after, you know, do
whatever they want.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
I picked a team that had to fly the furthest
or if they had to take a crappy bus. I
would just take that.
Speaker 3 (27:22):
That's true, that's true. It could a good technique.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
Uh all right, well we did. On Wednesday, the twenty
fifth of September, Adam, we had a huge, huge moment
in soccer, the US Open Cup. Yeah, LAFC beat Sport
in Kansas City. The big question on this pod was
one thing and one thing only. It wasn't if Casey
can get another US Open Cup. It wasn't if LA
(27:47):
can finally lift You know. A different trophy is Sebastian
Latwo's all time scoring record in modern day US Open.
Speaker 4 (27:55):
Cup safe and it's safe.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
Congratulations and let two you are still the modern day
goal scorer for the US Open Cup with sixteen.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
Thank you guys. It means a lot. You know, this
was what's tough for me.
Speaker 6 (28:08):
No guys that beat my goal record and last weekend
beat my asses record, So that's okay. We always say,
you know, the rules are never three without twoso. Maybe
it's going to happen another day. But but yeah, no,
I opened cup. Yeah maybe forty itt'tle bit. I can
wait a couple of most season party.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Yeah. I don't know the other guys behind you. There's
a Kenny Cooper, Jamie Moreno, David Bulo, Johnny. I have
no idea. So yeah, I think you're safe for at
least hopefully one more season.
Speaker 5 (28:36):
I mean, give it a couple of years. It might
be another Frenchman by the name of Drew. Apparently he
wants to Apparently he enjoys the US Open Cup. I
don't know who else is having a fun time, but
he's having a great time.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
But with La winning three to one, an extra time
and this is extra time, yes, one one, and I think.
Speaker 5 (28:53):
A kg US Open Cup that goes the extra time
I've never seen this one, and that was.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
Probably at midnight, one o'clock in the morning too.
Speaker 4 (28:58):
Oh my god.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
I think this is the end of I think it's
the end of Peter Remiz. I don't think Peter's staying
in Kansas City. I think I think Jim becomes the
longest head coaching MLS after the new blood, new blood
chumpi Owens Club Columbus versus Club America, Club America over
the crew that went to penalty.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
Kicks, biggest club on the continent.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
Yeah, and let us not forget Vancouver white Caps versus
Toronto FC for the twenty twenty four Canadian Championship and
Vancouver three peats zero zero.
Speaker 4 (29:33):
Can we talk about penalty kicks? Can we talk about
this real quick?
Speaker 5 (29:35):
It's like a half a second, and I mean sethera
you've you've you know the areas of the Canadians a
little bit well from your time up in Cascadia.
Speaker 4 (29:43):
But there's like five teams in this championship, right.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
Something like that.
Speaker 3 (29:48):
No, there's more, there's more.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
But it's like the US opening.
Speaker 6 (29:53):
When I used to play it, and I played it
and it's my only red card in my life.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
I got this competition.
Speaker 6 (30:00):
It was just Toronto, Montreal, Earth and and Monton.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
At the time.
Speaker 4 (30:05):
Yeah, Edmonton, that was it.
Speaker 3 (30:06):
Yeah, but but now you know there's there's four, there.
Speaker 4 (30:09):
Is the Calgary.
Speaker 6 (30:11):
Categaryes, there's a team in Victoria, Ireland. You know, there's
like I think there's like maybe eight teams and there's
a first run and then you know Toronto, Vancouver and
Montreal coming. But no, it's a it's a that's a
big tournament than he used to be. But yeah, easy
to win if you're you know, in the MIDISTI well, it's.
Speaker 5 (30:31):
Not even it's just so much like I was just thinking, like,
is this the easiest way path to an international competition?
Speaker 4 (30:38):
Yeah, like on the planet.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
I don't know, I don't know the country.
Speaker 5 (30:42):
Yeah, I mean, but I'm saying like, if you are,
if you're like if you are one of the three
MLS teams in Canada, like you have a like seventy
eight to eighty percent chance of winning this to Vancouver's
bread and butter. Yeah, it's just like like Vancouver is
just gonna be playing in champions leagues until the cows
come home because they don't have to win MLS Cup ever.
(31:03):
You just have to win the Canadian Championship against Forge Edmonton.
I hope Halifax gets a team eventually, you know, Quebec City, that'd.
Speaker 2 (31:11):
Be cool windsor kankat one.
Speaker 5 (31:13):
No who all right, common under underrated, Bordertown, yes, say
it all Bins gets a hockey team.
Speaker 4 (31:19):
Let's do that too while we're at it.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
So that was the big night on Wednesday, the twenty fifth.
I'm sure everybody tuned in and had their DVRs set
and everything else.
Speaker 5 (31:28):
I would have I honestly would have watched it if
it wasn't ten thirty at night. I honestly would have
watched it. That you cannot have, like, I don't even
for the people of Kansas City alone. They should not
have to watch a final starting for them at nine
o'clock at night.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
I was, I would have watched it. I was in
Toronto actually and I'm going I'm going to bed.
Speaker 5 (31:48):
If I was a Union fan, I would have been
like perturbed. If the kickoff was ten thirty, you would have.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
Tried to got a Southwest flight out to LA and
watch it live.
Speaker 5 (31:59):
Even so, remember when we had the watch party for
the one against Houston, Like, you can't even do that
and there's no place in Philadelphia that would have allowed
you on a school night to host people outside until
one in the morning.
Speaker 2 (32:11):
Yeah, all right, So MLS playoff schedule. Now, keep in
mind the season start at February the twenty fourth. This
is Spart barrick Man. The wildcard match is Wednesday, October
twenty third, Bart barrick Man. First round is October twenty sixth,
goes into November the tenth. Yeah, conference is the twenty
(32:31):
third of November twenty fourth, so we're talking Thanksgiving. Yeah,
the conference finals November thirtieth or Sunday the December first,
and then MLS Cup present up by Audi in case
Audi wants to sponsor the pod, please Saturday December the seventh.
You're going from February twenty fourth to December the seventh.
Speaker 5 (32:52):
Well, but the question is why what they're like? But legitimately,
what is the purposes of having this like we had?
Speaker 4 (33:02):
Uh, we had to try to tell you why we.
Speaker 5 (33:07):
Had all the international competitions. I'm not going to stay
here and pretending to We had the Olympics, I get it,
we had Copatamatica, we had.
Speaker 4 (33:15):
The Euros I get all of this stuff. But there
when when the Union.
Speaker 5 (33:19):
Played MLS Cup in twenty twenty two, you know what
day the cup final was? It was November fifth, was
the cup final? The final was November fifth. And this
is not COVID. This is two years after COVID, so
you don't necessarily have the the jam schedule from that.
You have a cup you didn't. Well, that's what I'm
(33:41):
saying here, this is what you did. This is why.
This is ridiculous.
Speaker 4 (33:45):
This is why.
Speaker 5 (33:45):
And this is not even again we've talked about this
in nauseam before, but this is not even in just America.
Speaker 4 (33:50):
This is in other leagues too. Internationally.
Speaker 5 (33:52):
There is way too many games being played, There is
way too many competitions being had, and then you're expecting
the guys to have a two month off season. Two months,
but if they don't say, if you win MLS Cup,
you have eight weeks.
Speaker 2 (34:11):
Well, also spring training starts up, so you have four weeks,
maybe five weeks. Let's let's go to somebody that knows
about this.
Speaker 4 (34:20):
Help help help me.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Could could you imagine your career if the season started
on February twenty fourth and you played until December seventh.
Speaker 6 (34:29):
Listen, I played friends and you have three week of
vacation and I was not even playing Champions League or anything.
If you go to the country like England, they have
like the Championship which is forty something game plus the
Cup plus you know everything, so there's a lot of
game as well.
Speaker 3 (34:47):
For this division. The MLS is just what is different
on it's.
Speaker 6 (34:53):
You have the travel and it's not in a short
distance like in England. You know, it's not like you
played to the next city and you have to say
and so it takes a lot out of.
Speaker 3 (35:03):
The body of the player.
Speaker 6 (35:04):
Now, until we don't come to an agreement with the
league of trying to get the same schedules in Europe,
we are not going to be able to do anything
because with all the international dates we play sometimes into
it and sometimes we don't.
Speaker 3 (35:24):
But it doesn't make sense, you know.
Speaker 6 (35:25):
It's just I'm sure they will be able to do
it now with all the team in a league too.
Speaker 3 (35:32):
Yes, when you have game.
Speaker 6 (35:33):
In December, when you have game in January, can the
team like you know, Toronto or even New York of
Philadelphia go play you know, to the West Coast at
that time, go play in Florida when it's better, you know,
they need to find a system then we are able
to join the you know, let's say world calendar, have
(35:56):
the same type of vacation, play the competition at the
same time, which is a Go Cup in the same
time than the Euro So everybody playing the same time
and it's not like, oh it's one year after another
and it's different. Everybody should you know, be in the
same so then there's much less hoarsehold from every league
or players to you know, go away. They don't want
(36:16):
to go. This competition doesn't matter. So it's all of these,
but it's start with EMLS. I think having the your
calendar schedule has almost the same as you know, Europe
starting in you know, end of August, uh and maybe
a bit earlier if they want to. So we can
maybe have a little break like they do in Germany,
(36:38):
you know, during the winter and start again, you know after,
but make a schedules and the team.
Speaker 3 (36:44):
Of course, when it's.
Speaker 6 (36:45):
Called and you cannot play in the temperature, you go
play now in San Diego, who is.
Speaker 3 (36:50):
Coming in La In you know, in Miami, Orlando.
Speaker 6 (36:54):
There's so many in our cities south that you can
plan and have a decent game and not be like, oh,
Salry game is a postpone because there is a.
Speaker 3 (37:04):
Snow on the field and we cannot play.
Speaker 2 (37:06):
So yeah, well December through February is the only time
you should play in Dallas, Texas.
Speaker 5 (37:11):
Yeah, and well the irony is August is the only
time I every want to play in Minnesota.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
So like, but well, the biggest thing, at least for me,
is MLS is not ready to compete with the NFL.
Speaker 4 (37:22):
No or the NBA. No, they get crushed.
Speaker 5 (37:23):
It would be it would be but somebody is saying
one hundred correct, would be the end of the league.
It would be the end of It would be the
end of the league as a as a profitable competing
with European It's not even that. Yeah, I know Columbus
is gonna do if they're gonna pick Ohio State or
the Crew.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
Yeah, if you're playing on Saturday night, you playing Ohio State.
Speaker 4 (37:44):
Yeah, you know.
Speaker 2 (37:45):
That's the hardest thing with that is who you compete with.
Speaker 6 (37:48):
And I understand, but at the same time, it's like
you guys need to choose, like like as a fan,
you know understand, but like you can you have a
world DVM and anything you want to rewatch it, or
you want to make a full day out of it.
Speaker 3 (38:00):
Make a full day of it.
Speaker 6 (38:01):
You want to watch the Premier League at ten am,
you watch ten am and then you go to the
game on Saturday night. Or if they find maybe a
good slot for pulling you all the game of MLS,
they need to, but it's kind of like everything, you
have to start somewhere. If they don't because they are scared, yeah,
of case, it's not going to happen. But we compete,
(38:21):
you know, right now, we compete the playoff with the Phillies.
You know, on Saturday, it's going to be Columbus in
the Philies and nobody is going to maybe watch Major
and everybody's going to watch the Phillies, which is normal,
but you're going to always have some yes, people you
compete against. I understand it's football, but we boys every Sunday.
We can have a game in the mid week on Wednesday,
like right now, everybody's going to watch. I hope on
(38:43):
wednesday's a game because it's Wednesday and there's nothing. So
it's I feel like in the summertime too, I think
you can attract much more people traveling going to see games,
and a lot of people prefer to go to watch
a soccer game than to go watch a football game. Yeah,
because it's for I prefer to go to altgate for
(39:03):
a football game, you know, and because it's so long.
So if you are and you don't want maybe to
spend the money because of the footballer ticket are much
more expensive and with a socer ticket at the end
of the day, you know, you just have to make
a choice, like anything else in your life. But it's
you need to go back to the same schedule because
now you could attract more people.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
You can attract you know, more players coming from as like, Okay,
the same schedule. I like it.
Speaker 6 (39:28):
You know, it's not we have two months of vacation.
If you don't make the playoffs, it doesn't make sense,
you know. It's now the league is that study you
know close to be Thtudy teams they need to do something.
I understand when we were seventeen or eighteen at the
beginning and it doesn't make sense enough of them, But
now it's I don't know, it's something they need to do,
(39:50):
especially being in a World Cup yep.
Speaker 5 (39:53):
And I mean what you're saying one hundred percent correct too,
because like your point earlier about us not being England,
but it spoke to me so much like there are
closest derby, right would be Hudson River, right, that's the
closest local derby.
Speaker 3 (40:06):
Right.
Speaker 4 (40:06):
How long would you think it would take you to
get from Newark to the Bronx.
Speaker 5 (40:11):
Forty five minutes to an hour and fifteen in like
the best case, Like I'm taking public transportation, I'm doing
whatever I can. It's gonna take me forty five minutes
to an hour. How long does it take you to
get from Everton to Liverpool?
Speaker 2 (40:24):
That's an hour?
Speaker 4 (40:25):
It no, it's.
Speaker 2 (40:27):
Liverpool. They share a park, Yeah, across the park. I'm sorry, Like.
Speaker 4 (40:30):
How long is it? But even so, how long would
it take you to get from Tottenham?
Speaker 2 (40:33):
Which said Everton? I thought of Tottenham immediately, So how
long would take you forget to Chelsea? Five minutes in
the tube.
Speaker 5 (40:39):
This is the biggest issue, and semone hit the nail
on the head. The travel is absurd in our league.
And that's what is one of the biggest things makes
this stuff difficult. These guys playing this many games but
then flying again from Seattle to Orlando to New York
to play a match.
Speaker 2 (40:57):
With time zones.
Speaker 4 (40:58):
With time zones, they don't have the time zone with
with flight.
Speaker 5 (41:01):
I don't know if anyone right now in England is
playing a domestic flight or a domestic game that has
a seven hour flight attached to it, you know, And
that's the thing, so like we're always going to have
that disadvantage. You know, we could put teams in every
major town in America and we're still gonna have travel issues.
You know, We're still gonna have these issues. The thing
about Major League Soccer is and it has to make
(41:23):
a couple of these choices. If it's gonna go gung
ho on the League's Cup, which it seems like it's
going to, that's going to pretty much die the US
Open Cup, not because it should die, but because you
cannot convince all of these clubs to play these many
tournaments that you're already gonna have.
Speaker 2 (41:37):
I'm sure the League MX teams would like the schedule
changed disadvantage. Of course, I'm gonna put one hole in
Seba's theory, though what sebashiala two is not a friend
of my liver, because he basically said I should watch
a Premier League game then go to a NFL game
and then go watch an MLS game. So I have
to plan all these like, yeah, that's not helping my
(41:59):
liver or else. Sebastian, not at all.
Speaker 6 (42:01):
I mean, listen, I just said that if you're a
person who have a formo, you know, and you don't
want to miss anything and you have to be a
part of everything. But if you know, if you're a
real true fan of a team, he stakes with your team.
You know, if the number one sport you love is hockey,
go watch a hockey game and don't go watch you know,
(42:22):
the Union if there is two games in the same
time at the same moment.
Speaker 3 (42:26):
But if you can, yeah, and I understand. But it's
just like.
Speaker 6 (42:30):
Here you have so many things, you know, every weekend,
like when there is let's say golf going on with
the Master, and then there is you know, I don't know,
Formula one if you like Formula one, and then there
is you know, a Premiership game, and then there is
Amis game, or there's a tennis tournament. It's it's crazy,
like you cannot do anything. You have to make a choice.
And at the end it's yes, I understand it's money
(42:52):
for the league and everything, but it's if you don't
make people understand or shoo the schedule.
Speaker 3 (42:59):
To be the same and you're up.
Speaker 6 (43:00):
It's it's very hard for even fans from overseas to
kind of enjoy.
Speaker 2 (43:06):
You know, this is the country that created the happy
meal because we couldn't make choices. We wanted all of it.
We want all of it put.
Speaker 5 (43:13):
It was invented in Germany and perfected in Lancaster County,
the country by exactly.
Speaker 2 (43:20):
Want it all.
Speaker 3 (43:21):
No, Matt, No, and Matt.
Speaker 6 (43:24):
At ten am, I hope you just have a hot
chocolate in your hand and.
Speaker 3 (43:27):
Not something else.
Speaker 4 (43:29):
I'm sorry, what?
Speaker 6 (43:30):
Yeah, so that's that at ten am if you watch
a game, I hope you just have a hot chocolate
or coffee in your hand.
Speaker 2 (43:35):
Too much sugar in the hot chocolate?
Speaker 4 (43:36):
Yeah, how's a warm stout sound?
Speaker 5 (43:39):
Then that might be it's hot, it's just very alcohol filled.
Speaker 4 (43:43):
I can say that much.
Speaker 3 (43:44):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (43:45):
Well, speaking around the world soccer, as you know, the
FIFA Club World Cup twenty twenty five is coming to
Philadelphia June or July. At the link, I just thought
i'd put it out there. You know, Chelsea will be there.
Will you ad them?
Speaker 5 (44:01):
I would like to go to a couple of these matches,
and I hope there are teams I've like, I want
to see just the most random clubs ever, like as
obviously everyone's like, I want to see Man City in
Barcelona all that, Like, no, man, give me like versus.
Speaker 4 (44:14):
Yeah, I want to see young boys.
Speaker 5 (44:15):
I want to see, like I want to see the
teams out from Asia, like I want to see Hiroshima
and Tokyo FC.
Speaker 4 (44:22):
I want to see those guys. I want to see everybody,
man and Adam.
Speaker 2 (44:25):
This is a homage to the old pod. Yeah, what
is going on right now as we speak?
Speaker 5 (44:32):
The chop.
Speaker 2 (44:35):
Champions League actions going on everybody. So it's the early rounds.
I don't always catch it, but now.
Speaker 4 (44:40):
I'm starting to get what the hell is going on?
Speaker 2 (44:43):
Oh it's I don't I'm kidding.
Speaker 4 (44:45):
What is this list? Now?
Speaker 5 (44:46):
I didn't pay attention hard enough. There's there's promotion relegation
to the Champions League.
Speaker 2 (44:51):
Now, yeah, it's I'm confused by it myself. I don't.
We can get into that later.
Speaker 4 (44:55):
That's a whole other run out of time. Oh, that's
a whole other part.
Speaker 2 (44:58):
Yeah, And the last thing I want to let everybody
know is the Son's a bet. Elections are happening.
Speaker 4 (45:03):
They still have those.
Speaker 2 (45:04):
Oh yeah, so they're gonna start October thirteenth, So president,
social media, membership, merch and one member at large chairs
are open. You're able to still put your hat in
the ring because they didn't close it out yet. But
for the first time in a long time, longer than
I even know, two people are running for president. We
(45:26):
have a bona fide race. So just we'll give you
more information as it goes on. But yeah, we've got
two people running for president, and I'm sure we're gonna
have When we have more time, we'll jump into this
and talk about the politics of the Sons of Bed.
Speaker 4 (45:40):
I should I should run for that at large position? Shut?
You should? No, I'll give you an endorsement.
Speaker 2 (45:45):
I don't know if that's good or bet could be.
Speaker 4 (45:47):
Your campaigns, Nasal, I support the Adam booth.
Speaker 2 (45:52):
Yeah, you get an endorsement.
Speaker 3 (45:53):
From from food in my backyard? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (45:57):
Please, oh my god. Yes, Adam for council.
Speaker 6 (46:00):
Yeah, it's something you do here.
Speaker 3 (46:03):
You put sign in your bankyard.
Speaker 5 (46:04):
Everybody to know who you Otherwise they will never know
Sebastian and then they won't you know either, hate you
or love you accordingly.
Speaker 2 (46:12):
Yeah, they listen, they they you already have your campaign poster.
What's behind Sebastiano two right now?
Speaker 4 (46:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (46:17):
Look, he's endorsed me for a very long time, so
it's fine. Look as a person with the European wife,
she also finds it fascinating the campaign science.
Speaker 4 (46:25):
She's like, what the hell is this. I'm like, don't,
don't worry about it.
Speaker 2 (46:27):
So we'll keep you informed on the on that. So everybody, guys,
if you have anything else, let me know. But it
is episode twenty one in the books. We have got
some important matches this week and we'll get into it
next week. So Steba, thank you so much, Adam, thank
you everybody, thanks for listening, and we will talk to
you next week.
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