April 3, 2025 • 37 mins
In this week's episode, we break down the Union's tough loss to Inter Miami last week, analyzing the key moments and what went wrong for the team on the road. "On to the next one" this week means a home game vs Orlando City on Saturday Night. Plenty to preview & discuss within the Union-Verse!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ex president of the Sons of Ben Matt Gantastic AX
head Capo Adam Booth, ex 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 (00:21):
Welcome back everybody to episode number thirty two of X's
in the U. Man Lots and lots going on in
the universe out there, guys. My name is Matt Ndazik
and I am joined as always by one mister Adam
Booth and club legend Sebastian Latwo. Guys, how are we
doing on this beautiful almost spring week? Weekday? Been good?
(00:46):
Then good?
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Hopefully the weather is getting good well, mil.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
But good Adam, how are you fairing this week?
Speaker 4 (00:54):
I'm hanging in there, my friends, you know, getting getting through,
getting through, excited for the the better weather on the horizon.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Yeah, speaking of better weather, the Union were in Miami
and Little Windy, but I did make the trip down
and we didn't really get the result. We wonted Miami
Beaches two to one. There's a lot of opinions about
this game, and I, for one, think we could have
at least gotten one point, if not taken all damn
(01:24):
three down there. But I want to get your expert
opinions before I go into what I saw when I
was down there, and the snubbing that Beckham gave me
just didn't even come and say Hi, it was unbelievable.
But Adam, your thoughts on the game.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
I mean, look, that was a tough one, and it
was a tough one because frankly, I think you should
add all three points. I think you, for the most
part outplayed Miami. Possession didn't necessarily go your way, but
you got sixteen shots off, you got of them on net.
(02:01):
You know, the keepers, both of them for Miami did
a did a solid job throughout the contest. But it
was one of these situations where some more clinical finishes,
you could have walked out here with three points, I think,
and I think at least a draw, all the all
(02:22):
the kudo in the universe goes to MESSI for being messy.
I mean, let's just be honest, that's just that's clinical.
But outside of that, I just I never felt that
the Union were truly out of this game, and I
think that's a really encouraging sign. I don't feel truly
negative after this game, other than what could have been.
(02:44):
But I don't think that the Union are necessarily like
I don't think I find the Union now fraudulent, Like
now the run that they started the year with is
now undone because of they lost this game. I don't
feel that way. I still feel that, you know, they're
probably one of the better teams in Major League Soccer
as of now, because Miami is, by power rankings, accounts
(03:09):
and a lot of people's opinions, the best team in MLS.
And you went tow to toe with them in their
building with MESSI you know, he wasn't in the lineup
for the full ninety but he got a good chunk
of minutes into the game, you know, So truth be told.
I'm okay, you know, I mean, I it. It may
be homeerrism, it may be coping. I don't know, it
(03:31):
could be a lot of things. I just didn't necessarily
feel that the Union had themselves a bad game.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Yeah, uh, seventh, you you were assuming it on on
the old sofa watching this one intently.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Yes, I was.
Speaker 5 (03:45):
I was, But yeah, I think, you know, that's the
reason that we we wanted. But uh, you know, I
think the Union played played Okay, you know I'm not
outplayed if we you know, talk about the team like
two months ago and wasn't going to happen shows a
union I called in to be expelled and be like
you know, in the bottom of of the East and
you know, try to you know, try to rebuild. But
(04:06):
you see, like one of the best teams, you are
able to play you know against them and probably get
a result in their home field.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
Yes, may see and player whatever, but you know we
have you know, Kai Wagner.
Speaker 5 (04:17):
We didn't you know, have all of the guys who
missed with international duty who came back, you know, didn't
really prepare the game the whole week, you know, with
the team. But but at the end, I think, yeah,
for me, first off was was descent. We're just kind
of missing, you know, the last pass in the final third,
you know, not really creating any big chances. And then
(04:38):
the second happening much better, but we need to finish
our chances.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Just that was missing.
Speaker 5 (04:43):
You know, Barible got a big one with the header.
You got Donovan who got a big one as well,
coming on the bench, and then you know at the
end it's kind of like short you know, but when
you have a big team and like Miami with big players,
they got two changes maybe three and score two.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
We got more chance, but we just one.
Speaker 5 (05:00):
So it's kind of like where the deference is between
our two teams and but we can compete against them,
which is I think a politive all the union fantasy
that we are still here. You know, we just lost
to one and like I said, we could get a point,
maybe three if we got greedy. But it's I think,
give some hopes for you know, the rest of the season,
(05:21):
and you know, we're just having a six game in
so we are still second. But maybe, yeah, maybe it's
a changed missing but hopefully we learn from it and
get better.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Yeah. And it's funny when I was leaving the game,
as I found myself a little angry, and I thought
to myself, like, hey, if I'm angry about this, isn't
that a good sign that I actually thought we were
going to beat Miami, who is by far the number
one team in MLS. So I think if people are
feeling a little emotional, it's probably a good thing because,
(05:54):
like you said, Sabah, beginning of the year, everyone's like, oh,
they're gonna be twelve or fourteenth place, and here we
are in second place. We could have stolen one from Miami,
which I don't think we've beaten them at home in
what the last four years or something, So this team
probably is for real. I mean, the only thoughts I
had was I thought hesitation killed us. You know, there
(06:16):
were points where when I was watching, it looked like
Frankie Westfield might have hesitated and Gleazzness, I know, hesitated,
you know, but that was that was the only thing.
I didn't think Miami was that much more physical or
faster on the ball than us. I just thought we
were getting used to our system and hesitated, and Miami
was able to, you know, especially Messi was able to
(06:38):
capitalize on that little bit of hesitation. I did think
it's a tale of two Glesnesses. Saint Louis Glesness was
completely different than Miami business. So I think that's something
we're going to be looking at maybe the rest of
the year, is what Gleazness do we get during the
each game.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
And I think it also looks into his particular or
pairings too, like who's going to be the center back
that works the best with Glesnes. Moving forward, because it's
it's something for which and I don't know now with
the removal of Jack, he feels a role of responsibility
(07:18):
to be more of an aggressive center back. I'm not
sure what it is, but he a couple of times
left the back line a little hanging out to dry
and having other guys have to cover his his area,
and it's just it's weird the beginning of the season
for him. You know, he's just a person who I
think Union fans have come to assume as just going
(07:41):
to be a stall war and going to be one
of the best defenders in Major League Soccer. And at
times he's looked like it, and at other times he's
looked lost in the woods. So it's going to be
very interesting moving forward what you're going to do with
Yakob and to see, you know, how how many games
does he play, how many games does he say, what
pairings does he play with? You know, and see how
(08:04):
you best utilize his, uh, his space in his time
right now?
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yeah, I mean so, but what do you think you
think we might be seeing with health of everyone center back,
a change in the center back You think we're going
to see a more standard rotation. We never saw it
with Jim. He wanted to have the two guys and
have chemistry the whole time. But I don't think Bradley
cares as much. I think he just wants to get
whoever's had the best week in there.
Speaker 5 (08:30):
Yeah, I means the future we'll tell us. But I
think you know is going to be you know, he's
the number one, you know in the center back. He's
you know captain, you know, be behindre. I don't think
you know, he he was too too bad against Miami.
I think he was okay, just you know, when you
switch you know, kaivak Nor.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
I think it's a big help as well.
Speaker 5 (08:49):
Defensively, you know, kind of the way I think Conan
is playing, it's very defunt and the way he used
to play, you know, being more aggressive even anything. So
you need to you know, learn a little bit more
as well. When you play away against a team like
Miami and you have like one of the you know
best for a while, the who plays a game you
play against, it's it's very deferent. So I think you know,
(09:11):
he was you know, very good against San Ruis. I
think it's a game you need to just keep kind
of like working on that way. But we might see
mae know, Blaminovich, but it's a long season, so I
will not be surprised if yeah, kind of maybe give
him some rest as well, because you know he might
need as well to get a little break if we play,
(09:31):
you know, the season.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Yeah, and you mentioned, you know, we we were missing
Kai and Frankie Westfield nineteen years old comes in and
you know he's one of the guys he's got to
defend against. Is that the backup left back we have?
Speaker 4 (09:49):
I mean, I guess we're we're there now. I mean
it's Matt Real is not walking through that door anytime soon.
So in terms of a natural left back, I don't
I think we have one outside of Kai, which is
I mean, look, you have three right backs essentially on
this roster, so one of them should be able to
(10:09):
play left back at least a little bit. I mean, look,
as a person who's played back line as well as goalie,
left back and right back are two different positions. That's
not the easiest thing to transition with if you don't
have experience with both. But it seems to be the
situation unless they decide to bring in someone else. I'm
(10:30):
not against that idea. Of bringing in an actual natural
left back, you know, who could be a backup to
Kai in the future. And if it win that cell
that I still believe is supposed to happen of Kyle
Wagner happens, you know, maybe you can fill in. But
it is interesting the fact that, yeah, you really have
(10:51):
just been relying on either Nathan Herrel or Westfield to
kind of fill in the gap and they are not
natural left backs.
Speaker 5 (11:00):
Yeah, but don't forget there's a you know, as I
have flor with a young player.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
You know, he's a signed pro.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
He was unfortunate last year he got like a fantasy
you're going to have to go like a bad new injury,
so you had to come back to that.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
But it's pretty good. You know. He's a left foot
head as well, so he should.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
Be maybe in a mix, but I think may be
more time to kind of get back to two game ready.
But on what I saw, you know, and you should
practice I see. I think there's some great quality from
him too, so he partly if will be Westfield if
a guy cannot play this weekend playing left again. But
I think again it's great to have that because you
(11:37):
can see now more players and if like he played
well for the Union too. I see, I'm always giving
a chance to those guys. So now it's like, you know,
to him to take this chance, kind of like he
give a chance to Donovan too. Came in a game
against Miami. Unfortunately for Chris, you know, he had like
a chance. He didn't score. But if he does go,
you know, he kind of like give a different idea
(11:59):
to the coaching. Oh okay can put him and he
can be the guy to score Goodwen Barb or that,
and he cannot score. So it's it's all about opportunities,
and I'm sure he will maybe if Kai is sill
Inil that can't come, he may have his chance.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
If Westfield or Ariol doesn't play as well.
Speaker 4 (12:16):
Now some real quick in this kind of formation that
Bradley's running. How important is having a quality fourth striker
in this because I mean, obviously with Barribo and Ura
they're going to get the bulk of the minute, and
you know we're going to have Bruno come in when
his time comes, and as he gets acclimated more and more,
(12:37):
he is the record signing. What is the what is
the importance of having a really strong fourth striker in
that situation.
Speaker 5 (12:44):
I mean, of course, yeah, it's important, especially when you
need to come back into the score because I mean,
as you saw the first game, it's a lot of running,
you know, like especially for the for while there's they work,
even if you know it's not a worker you can see,
but the prayers they try to come back all the
ways in Miami. Try to make busquets, you know, to
always be here close to them and don't give him
a lot of time. So it's how to play in
(13:06):
ninety minutes if you are not in a food shape
and you know some guys are not, let's say as
a developer, you know, in the physiology. So yeah, it's
good to have like important to have another fourth, that
is good. But you need a guy who is confident
and when he came in, you know that something will happen.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
You know, like you you can feel it. You know,
it's not just came in to came in and just
run around.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
It's came into scores, goals and make a difference when
when we need it.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Yeah, I mean, I know, I know the coaching staff
and Ernest have a lot of confidence in Donovan. I
think if he does open up the book and get
that goal, then you're going to see a more confident player,
because when I've seen him on you too, it looks
really confident. But then with Union one, I don't know
if it's there yet, but hope hopefully, because yeah, I
think we're gonna need all four of those guys. Can
(13:56):
I bring up one thing? I don't know if it
came off on TV the way in person, but this
Miami team is an unlikable group of a holes. I mean,
how much is Suarez yelling at people in the field?
Jordy Alba just is cocky? Solb and I am assuming
have both of you seen the clips of one Leonardo
(14:21):
Leonardo Messi bullying a poor center back on on our
team the courtesy of the Men and Blazers. Did you
see that the clip of yes giving the elbow three
times and then doing his Cooper Degene imitation by intercepting
the ball before you know the whistle was even called?
(14:43):
I mean kind of unlikable, right, yeah?
Speaker 3 (14:46):
I mean yeah, they are very annoying and there they
play with that. You know, they knows that.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
The styles they know like you know, even the game
where you were at the game, Matt Day, you like
you first, I think we still the camera. I go
ten times on Methy, like with the game on we
know you play for them is on the bench, like
you don't need to remind us every three minutes. So
when they're on the field, they know that they have
an extra power. Then not every player got in MLS
to always yeah, I'll always complain, always say whatever they want,
(15:15):
and they're not going to get maybe punished as much
as a regular MLS player. So that's definitely annoying for
the people who watch a game, especially when you can
see Miami not really playing very well and Union trying
to come back into the game. So as a Union fan, yeah,
it's you are like, come on, let's let's keep the
game going. You know, the referee need to be good
(15:35):
for sure, because Miami was filing a lot. I think
that like more than twenty five ors something in the
game and try to stop the rhythm and then complaining and.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Like those guys always being around the referee.
Speaker 5 (15:45):
So yeah, definitely annoying, and I can imagine the frustration
of the guys on the field as well.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Well.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
It looked like the end of a pickup soccer match
on Sunday in Fairmount Park. We have a bunch of
thirty five to four year old gentlemen who are just like,
you know, it's the sixtieth minute right now, I'm a
little tired. I'm gonna start falling now. You know, I'm
not gonna run as hard. I'm not gonna, you know,
go after you. I'm not doing fifty to fifty balls.
I'm just gonna undercut you now, like that's just what
we're doing for the rest of the day. And it
(16:13):
was just, look, it's it's a little all right, it's
a lot annoying because I also just find it low
key disrespectful by them, because it's just I feel like
there's a bit of arrogance that Sergio and Louise and
Jordie and them have against MLS opponent, and it just
it feels like, look, I get it, these are literally
(16:35):
some of the greatest people who've ever kicked a ball
in the history of the sport. Not gonna undercut them,
not undermining them at all. It just kind of felt
like sometimes they're just trying to take, you know, the
air out of the balloon of all of it, because
they're just like, we've come here and bestowed our talents
upon Major League Soccer. Aren't you going to welcome us
here with open arms? And like first year I get it,
(16:56):
it's all you know, starstruck and everything, but like, you know,
let's play some soccer now. I'm kind of over some
of this stuff now, Like that's how you sell tickets.
I get it, I'm now I don't I understand that
Dallas opened up the Cotton Bowl just because MESSI was
showing up. Like, I get that, that's real. Still, like,
(17:17):
let's just play some soccer now.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Well, with that, the Union are in second place behind
Miami and we face Miami at home May twenty fourth.
I have a funny feeling those tickets are increasing in
value as we speak. Adam, what do you think you
think stub hubs on fire now with May twenty fourth
Miami Union chatter?
Speaker 4 (17:39):
Of course, But it should be because these are probably
gonna be two of the top teams in Major League
Soccer competing it out for that match anyway, so that
should be a hot enough ticket anyway. Also, we only
have eighteen thousand seats, so it's kind of harder to
you know, sell more tickets when you have less seats,
So hot ticket definitely how to.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
Chalk up another revenge game. In my book, we're getting
revenge on Miami, May twenty fourth. The one congrats is
I don't know if you guys saw it. I didn't
realize until after the game. Quinn Sullivan, that was his
one hundredth match as a homegrun. He's the first homegrown
to ever make the century mark. So congratulations Quinn Soon,
who I thought had a pretty good game as well.
So that was number one hundred, which is, you know,
(18:23):
you know, pretty amazing. I think that we've got homegrouns
playing that long. But in news, did you guys and Adam?
This is this is kind of cool. Tyber Ebo was
named MLS Player of the Month. He's only the third
Union player to get that honor. The other one of
the other ones is in this room right now.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Oh thank you. I remember when I got the award.
Yeah it wasn't new no, sorry.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
Twenty eleven, Sebastian Latwo got Player of the Month. You
remember that, Yeah?
Speaker 3 (18:58):
Probably, I think it was probably at the end, I think.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
So, yeah, I didn't go as far as check the month,
but yeah, there was a there's there's three players. There's
a SABA tie in that one guy I don't like
to talk about. So yeah, that's pretty for Tie. Keep
keep in mind August second, Frankfurt's coming to town. And
again everyone, we've got the Nashville trip planned with Sebastian Latoo.
(19:24):
It's the Revenge Tour. So get on a Philly sports
trips dot com and book your ticket. Tickets are going
pretty quick. Actually, we've we've sold uh some packages and
tickets and fourth of July. Everything is going to be
a good time. And lastly, Adam and because what the
jersey you are wearing right now? Chelsea has chosen the
(19:45):
Wistfist Field Complex as their headquarters for their practice facility
for the Club World Cup. So I think Adam and
I are definitely gonna have to go down to Chester
to check out Chelsea practicing. We might need a former
MS player the month to get us on the field though,
with his credential.
Speaker 3 (20:01):
So sorry, I don't like Chelsea.
Speaker 4 (20:05):
Here's the thing, most people don't, and I've accepted that.
I always tell people if I go anywhere, it's like, Hi,
I am a Chelsea fan. I am a bad person.
Like I've accepted that as my lot in life. I
can't change it because I'm I'm I'm stitched to it.
But I'm like, Hi, I'm a bad person. I'm a
Chelsea fan.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
He oh, I understand people think like I'm a Yankees
fan because I like Chelsea.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
But you're a man. If you're a man, you fan,
I make you synonymous with like Yankees, Lakers, Cowboys.
Speaker 2 (20:36):
Well what if you're an Arsenal fan. You know what
kind of terrible person is that? At them?
Speaker 4 (20:40):
Arsenal fans are like Heat fan. I think, yeah, like
you're like you're like Miami heat when Lebron was cool fan,
or you know, like you're like a Sydney Crosby Penguins
kind of fan.
Speaker 3 (20:57):
You know that. No, I'm I'm sorry you, Compson.
Speaker 4 (21:02):
Here's the thunder. I have an Arsenal bar literally attached
to my building and I see them often and I
think they have very nice uniforms and I love Tierranrie.
So there's that.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Yeah, Well a little League news This is hits a
little home uh Kansas City parts way with Peter Vermeise.
He's been the head coach since two thousand and nine.
Casey was winless in the last thirteen competitions, so winless
going back to September twenty twenty four, so it's an
end of an er in Kansas City. But you know,
(21:34):
let's just say Peter, Peter did give the Sons of
Ben probably one of the most iconic moments in history
of the Sons of Ben. And so you were I
think you were playing at the time, But this was
when Peter got his infamous uh dui and the Sons
of Ben decided to sing ninety nine bottles of beer
on the wall to him, and they did all ninety
(21:56):
nine bottles of beer on the wall. So it was
pretty much the most iconic old job from the Sons
of Bend to Peter for mes, you know, New Jersey
native way to treat one of our own. But I
don't know if you remember that at all, Sava, if
you heard the crowd singing ninety nine miles of beer
on the.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Wall, no understands the chance.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
We thought there that gets drowned out after a while,
for sure.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
I don't think I've ever heard that song to completion
since like second grade on a school bus. So it
was pretty impressive for the crowd that day to do.
Speaker 4 (22:30):
That's all.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
I guess my biggest question with Peter gone which is,
you know, end of an error. Are we going to
see a Kansas City Philly connection? Is a certain head
coach from Philadelphia going to go to Kansas City? A
lah Andy Reid? Do we think a Jim Curtin might
be interviewing for that job?
Speaker 4 (22:50):
Guys, I think we don't for Kansas City to not
interview him, you know, I think that would be I
think that's a I think that's a a better job
than I think a lot of people think. You know,
I think Kansas City definitely cares. I think they're really
one of the better markets for soccer in America. And
(23:13):
you know, the Sporting Kansas City moniker, the logo, the
whole motif, it's it's sexy, you know. I think I
think for MLS it's one of the more interesting clubs
to be a part of. So I think it's gonna
be a job that a lot of people are gonna seek,
you know. I think I think they're gonna have their
pick of spoils.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
To be honest with you, what do you think you
think them would be interested?
Speaker 5 (23:39):
I mean, I'm sure you know, it's like you said,
it's a big club. You know, the trophy in the
past couple of years when they meet US Cup. You
knows that beat us in Open Cup, you know, so
it's definitely a great you know, a REFL, great stadium,
great training facilities.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
They pretty much have everything.
Speaker 5 (23:58):
And you know, whatever p FM is in the past
sixteen years, there eather a great job.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
You know.
Speaker 5 (24:03):
It's just a time for them now to on the
page and something new. But yeah, it's definite. You know,
everything can happen. But there's a lot of guys out
there who you know, could be qualified for that job.
So what'll thee which was that going to go? But
maybe Jim's going to be hanging over there, who knows.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
Well, I guess I'll have to text Gym a list
of my favorite barbecue places in Kansas City when we're
done this pod. The San Diego made a state LAFC.
They're the current kings of Southern California. Who would have thought.
I mean, they beat both LA's so they're they're riding
high down there. And Miami actually lost to LAFC one
(24:42):
nothing in the Champions League on Wednesday night. I don't
know if you stayed up for that, Adam.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
I caught out when you have a newborn that's not
staying up, that's just being on cycle.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
I wasn't sure if you were sleeping when you could,
you know, so I caught probably the first half of
that and then I I fell asleep. But yeah, one
nothing la beats mammy. So maybe we took some of
their legs away from them, you know that was that
was good? Uh? In soccer World news and I can't
wait to hear everyone's opinion about this. But the USL
(25:15):
announces pro rel What do you what's the thoughts? I mean,
I know, sebah you coming from Europe, pro rel is
is everything in sports and in soccer, and MLS has
never had it. I don't think they're ever going to
go to it. But now the USL is going towards it.
So what do you think is there a future for
(25:37):
pro rel in US soccer?
Speaker 5 (25:40):
So just to make sure we everybody understand when you
say prorail, it means relegation, obligation. Okay, I just want
to make sure everybody understand when the least then you're
tooking you know, young and short.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
I appreciate it, but yeah, I mean yeah, it's it's
the way.
Speaker 5 (25:58):
I grew up is a way I know in Europe,
it's it is you know, it's here, are good, you
go up, you are bad, you go down, and you know,
it gives a little bit more pressure, you know, to
to every teams. It give more let's say, vision for
growth for people who wants to put the money into
a team and see them, you know, like getting higher
(26:21):
and bigger. So yeah, it's it's a fair game. It's
not like a close league like you have in every
you know league in America, not just soccer, but you
know in the NFL, it's it's a way like you
build league here.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
But the USA is trying something different, so let's see
how it catch up.
Speaker 5 (26:38):
But it could be I think somebody who wants now
to invest into soccer decide to go more into maybe
USM because they're like, oh yeah, I can start from
a low level and build every year and put more
money and you know if we go up like you
saw with a documentary Wrexham, you know what they did
in the English Prominent League. It's it's what happens all them,
(27:00):
you know, getting from the fifth division and now is
almost going into second one maybe at the end of
the season. So it's just excitement to have that so
we'll see how it goes. But it's such a big country,
it's it's definitely to to start that way, but you
have to stop somewhere.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Yeah, Adam, your thoughts on a pro relegation motion relegation,
There we go. I'll be fancy.
Speaker 4 (27:24):
Look, I love this, and I love it for the
fact that what sub sides is mainly true. It is
a pure form of the game. It's not the sports
socialism that we have here in America, which is be
bad and be rewarded for it.
Speaker 6 (27:41):
You know.
Speaker 4 (27:42):
It's it's true meritocrity in terms of this sport. I
will say, however, I do find an interesting point with
the how the Premier League does it, where I believe
if you go down to the championship you still get
like a bonus that is like a net fall that
you get where it's like there's a whole statistic about
(28:03):
teams that are sent down to the Championship in English
Premier League coming right back up because they're still financially
better off than most championship clubs is and all that.
But that's another conversation about it. But look, I think
it's very interesting.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
I love it.
Speaker 4 (28:17):
I want I think it's gonna be good for the
growth of soccer and the country. I don't know if
it's gonna compete with Major League Soccer for a while,
mainly just because of the markets they have to get
into in the first place. You know, Like if you now,
if they find their ways into getting another club into
Philadelphia that is supported well, another club into New York's
(28:38):
and the LA markets, that'll be one thing. If it's
gonna be one of these situations where Fort Wayne, Indiana,
and you know, Pittsburgh and Sarahcuse and all these other
cities that should and I want to have the best
representation of soccer possible for those regions. If that's what
(28:58):
it is, I think you can almost have the two exist.
It's just gonna be one of these situations where MLS
is still gonna be viewed as the pinnacle, mainly because
of the head start they have, you know, like when
MLS clubs are now evaluating just south of a billion dollars,
you're gonna be a little bit behind the eight ball
(29:20):
the Chattanooga red Wolves, you know. So it's gonna be
a process. But I love the idea of bringing pro
ral to America. I would do it in college foot
in college sports too. I would love that. I would
love them to do it in the NBA, you know,
I would love them to figure out how to do
prorel and all the other sports in America. I would
(29:42):
love to see the Birmingham Stallions trying to make it
to the NFL. That would sound fun to me. But look,
it's a good thing. I just I don't think Major
League Soccer has anything to fear anytime soon from it.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
No, I think some more eyes will be on USL
because of this. The the purists out there might want
to see it, and I think towards the end of
the year there's a better chance that you see in
some USL highlights on Sports Center because of Pro Round,
So it'll it'll get more more eyeballs on them. I
don't know the future if this will will ever trickle
(30:18):
into MLS, but it's something to watch, and it's and
it's in America now, so we'll see. Speaking of something
to see the Turkish League, Adam, I don't know if
you noticed this, but our friend Jose Mourinho took a
loss and then decided to try to steal the nose
(30:39):
of the other head coach. He literally grabbed the guy's
nose and drunk him to the ground. So Jose, even
on the other side of the world, is still making news.
But if you're out there, just try to try to
catch the clip. It's pretty comical of Jose Mourinho. I mean, seb,
have you ever been coached by somebody that crazy?
Speaker 3 (30:59):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (31:00):
Yes, yes, you say yeah, Edie, I just wanted to
bring that up. Let everybody try to google it.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
It's worth your time to see Jose Marinho try to
steal someone else's nose. You know. He kind of looked
like mister Miagi and Karate Kid chunk in the guy's nose.
Speaker 4 (31:19):
So that's horrifying.
Speaker 3 (31:21):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (31:22):
I didn't need that image, but thank you.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
I just thought you need to see that. Now, upcoming, guys,
we have Orlando seventh place. They're three two and one.
They're coming off beating the Galaxy. LA went up one
nothing and then Orlando tied it with a p K
and then a free kick in the ninetieth minute for
the win. So Orlando is starting a round in the
(31:46):
form and we're going to see how this goes. We
did beat them four two in Orlando, so what are
our thoughts about this game. Who who wants to dissect
this first?
Speaker 5 (31:58):
Here goes all right? I mean, you know it was
the first game of the season. It was a big surprise.
I think we took a lot of them by surprise.
In Orlandos we are not expecting I think the Union
to play that west So now they can have no
more the style of play of you know, the team,
so maybe you're definitely a different game. They're going to
come together revenge. They are confident, just beat you know,
(32:23):
like the MNS Cup champion. They are the best offense
with fifteen goals in both leagues and both Western and
Eastern Conference. So very very you know, good attack, you know,
very fast player, very technical. You know, you have a
their new recruit Pasality who score against us, you know
(32:46):
the first goal. But is you know, very good left foot.
It play on the right side. Not sure if Kay
is going to be playing, but if probably not. So
if he's not, you know, be a tough task for
Westfield or whoever play on this side.
Speaker 3 (32:59):
And you have a goole on the start with very fast.
Speaker 5 (33:01):
So yeah, I would say, like keep playing the same
way as I've been playing in Orlando, like pressing, trying
to make them, you know, turn the battle over. And
and like I said today in a in a show,
it's one of my kids. I need like to see
you always feel to to push forward a little bit
more than maybe we saw against Miami, to to give
some crosses because we saw the goal with we go
(33:22):
against them the first game. It came as a as
a white player, so it could be something important for
the team to do. But yeah, Orlando, I think it's
a very good team. So they bid us last year
in Subaro Park. They are going toward going counter attack
too and try to you know, bid us. But can
we can we clip a clean chick against them? Against
(33:43):
the best you know offense in the leagu I think
it will be a big task, but we could.
Speaker 3 (33:48):
We could do it. So now I'm excited.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
I think it's gonna be another big game, another another challenge.
I mean if we beat them for too, but let's
forget about it. And because it's a totally long game now.
Speaker 4 (33:59):
Yeah, thoughts on on Orlando, No, I think it's what's
E said is one hundred percent correct, you know, Orlando.
I'm the reason why the Orlando result was so big
to us was because of I think a lot of
people had expectations of Orlando being one of the better
teams in midjor league soccer this year, and they've stumbled
(34:21):
gently out of the gate. I don't really think they're
even really in that bad a shape. I just think
the standings are what the standings are, because everyone's a
little jumbled at the moment. But that being said, you know,
if they if we were going into Orlando in this contest,
I definitely would probably have a lot more general anxiety
(34:42):
towards this game. I think going home for this game,
having your players who have played, you know, the players
coming back from international duty, getting a little bit a
good week of practicing, you know, getting some some momentum
in and that to all have to mention the last
(35:02):
game against Orlando, you didn't have Bruno, you didn't have Indiana.
So you've added a couple of players into the mix
since then. So you have a couple of more bullets
in the chamber than you did when you went down
to Universal Studios the first time. So I think you
have a good opportunity to take care of business here.
I don't necessarily believe it's going to be a four
(35:23):
to two game. The same vein of the last one.
But I definitely believe you should feel confident in getting
three points in this game because you know, you just
have the ability to You just have the roster that's
more than capable of it.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
Yeah, I think listen to Bradley's press conference this morning,
this afternoon, whatever it was, I don't think we're gonna
have kai. I think that could be a factor with
the offense that Orlando has. But keep in mind, you know,
if they're if they're pressing for goals, then our counter
attack comes in and we press for goals. So I
think this could be a a really exciting game. And
(36:01):
you know, also it's fireworks night, Adam. I don't know
if you're making it, but April fireworks.
Speaker 4 (36:07):
Unfortunately, I do have another sport based activity unless attend to.
But I please, like everyone else, please take videos of
fireworks so I can watch them on your Instagram stories later. People,
thank you, will do.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
So, Yeah, it's gonna be I think it's gonna be
an exciting game. And you know, I feel good because
we're coming up from Miami. Orlando's coming from LA to
Orlando and then back up here. So maybe that travel
helps us, gives us a little bit of an edge,
but I'm looking forward to it. Guys, any other thoughts
on this game before we wrap this up? All right, Well,
(36:43):
let's remember everybody, Sebastianala two's got his youth camps coming
up in Wildwood Crest, and Adam, you've got the start
of Frisbee pretty soon, don't you.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
This Saturday is our preseason game against New York Empire,
and then the regular season kicks off and we'll be
home on the fourth for Star Wars Night.
Speaker 2 (37:05):
So you know, all excited stuff. Well, guys, thanks again
for joining us. Sebastian, thank you so much. Are you
doing the TV today? Are this this the radio this weekend?
Speaker 3 (37:17):
Yeah, it would be this day and wees day to
come in the game, so excited about it.
Speaker 2 (37:22):
Well, we're gonna look for Seba and at Union Yards
and in the concourse beforehand. And Adam, good luck your
game against the Evil Empire.
Speaker 4 (37:30):
Appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
And everybody thanks for tuning in to X's and the U.
That was episode number thirty two. Thanks everyone, have a
great day.
Ex president of the Sons of Ben Matt Gantastic AX
head Capo Adam Booth, ex 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 (00:21):
Welcome back everybody to episode number thirty two of X's
in the U. Man Lots and lots going on in
the universe out there, guys. My name is Matt Ndazik
and I am joined as always by one mister Adam
Booth and club legend Sebastian Latwo. Guys, how are we
doing on this beautiful almost spring week? Weekday? Been good?
(00:46):
Then good?
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Hopefully the weather is getting good well, mil.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
But good Adam, how are you fairing this week?
Speaker 4 (00:54):
I'm hanging in there, my friends, you know, getting getting through,
getting through, excited for the the better weather on the horizon.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
Yeah, speaking of better weather, the Union were in Miami
and Little Windy, but I did make the trip down
and we didn't really get the result. We wonted Miami
Beaches two to one. There's a lot of opinions about
this game, and I, for one, think we could have
at least gotten one point, if not taken all damn
(01:24):
three down there. But I want to get your expert
opinions before I go into what I saw when I
was down there, and the snubbing that Beckham gave me
just didn't even come and say Hi, it was unbelievable.
But Adam, your thoughts on the game.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
I mean, look, that was a tough one, and it
was a tough one because frankly, I think you should
add all three points. I think you, for the most
part outplayed Miami. Possession didn't necessarily go your way, but
you got sixteen shots off, you got of them on net.
(02:01):
You know, the keepers, both of them for Miami did
a did a solid job throughout the contest. But it
was one of these situations where some more clinical finishes,
you could have walked out here with three points, I think,
and I think at least a draw, all the all
(02:22):
the kudo in the universe goes to MESSI for being messy.
I mean, let's just be honest, that's just that's clinical.
But outside of that, I just I never felt that
the Union were truly out of this game, and I
think that's a really encouraging sign. I don't feel truly
negative after this game, other than what could have been.
(02:44):
But I don't think that the Union are necessarily like
I don't think I find the Union now fraudulent, Like
now the run that they started the year with is
now undone because of they lost this game. I don't
feel that way. I still feel that, you know, they're
probably one of the better teams in Major League Soccer
as of now, because Miami is, by power rankings, accounts
(03:09):
and a lot of people's opinions, the best team in MLS.
And you went tow to toe with them in their
building with MESSI you know, he wasn't in the lineup
for the full ninety but he got a good chunk
of minutes into the game, you know, So truth be told.
I'm okay, you know, I mean, I it. It may
be homeerrism, it may be coping. I don't know, it
(03:31):
could be a lot of things. I just didn't necessarily
feel that the Union had themselves a bad game.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Yeah, uh, seventh, you you were assuming it on on
the old sofa watching this one intently.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Yes, I was.
Speaker 5 (03:45):
I was, But yeah, I think, you know, that's the
reason that we we wanted. But uh, you know, I
think the Union played played Okay, you know I'm not
outplayed if we you know, talk about the team like
two months ago and wasn't going to happen shows a
union I called in to be expelled and be like
you know, in the bottom of of the East and
you know, try to you know, try to rebuild. But
(04:06):
you see, like one of the best teams, you are
able to play you know against them and probably get
a result in their home field.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
Yes, may see and player whatever, but you know we
have you know, Kai Wagner.
Speaker 5 (04:17):
We didn't you know, have all of the guys who
missed with international duty who came back, you know, didn't
really prepare the game the whole week, you know, with
the team. But but at the end, I think, yeah,
for me, first off was was descent. We're just kind
of missing, you know, the last pass in the final third,
you know, not really creating any big chances. And then
(04:38):
the second happening much better, but we need to finish
our chances.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Just that was missing.
Speaker 5 (04:43):
You know, Barible got a big one with the header.
You got Donovan who got a big one as well,
coming on the bench, and then you know at the
end it's kind of like short you know, but when
you have a big team and like Miami with big players,
they got two changes maybe three and score two.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
We got more chance, but we just one.
Speaker 5 (05:00):
So it's kind of like where the deference is between
our two teams and but we can compete against them,
which is I think a politive all the union fantasy
that we are still here. You know, we just lost
to one and like I said, we could get a point,
maybe three if we got greedy. But it's I think,
give some hopes for you know, the rest of the season,
(05:21):
and you know, we're just having a six game in
so we are still second. But maybe, yeah, maybe it's
a changed missing but hopefully we learn from it and
get better.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Yeah. And it's funny when I was leaving the game,
as I found myself a little angry, and I thought
to myself, like, hey, if I'm angry about this, isn't
that a good sign that I actually thought we were
going to beat Miami, who is by far the number
one team in MLS. So I think if people are
feeling a little emotional, it's probably a good thing because,
(05:54):
like you said, Sabah, beginning of the year, everyone's like, oh,
they're gonna be twelve or fourteenth place, and here we
are in second place. We could have stolen one from Miami,
which I don't think we've beaten them at home in
what the last four years or something, So this team
probably is for real. I mean, the only thoughts I
had was I thought hesitation killed us. You know, there
(06:16):
were points where when I was watching, it looked like
Frankie Westfield might have hesitated and Gleazzness, I know, hesitated,
you know, but that was that was the only thing.
I didn't think Miami was that much more physical or
faster on the ball than us. I just thought we
were getting used to our system and hesitated, and Miami
was able to, you know, especially Messi was able to
(06:38):
capitalize on that little bit of hesitation. I did think
it's a tale of two Glesnesses. Saint Louis Glesness was
completely different than Miami business. So I think that's something
we're going to be looking at maybe the rest of
the year, is what Gleazness do we get during the
each game.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
And I think it also looks into his particular or
pairings too, like who's going to be the center back
that works the best with Glesnes. Moving forward, because it's
it's something for which and I don't know now with
the removal of Jack, he feels a role of responsibility
(07:18):
to be more of an aggressive center back. I'm not
sure what it is, but he a couple of times
left the back line a little hanging out to dry
and having other guys have to cover his his area,
and it's just it's weird the beginning of the season
for him. You know, he's just a person who I
think Union fans have come to assume as just going
(07:41):
to be a stall war and going to be one
of the best defenders in Major League Soccer. And at
times he's looked like it, and at other times he's
looked lost in the woods. So it's going to be
very interesting moving forward what you're going to do with
Yakob and to see, you know, how how many games
does he play, how many games does he say, what
pairings does he play with? You know, and see how
(08:04):
you best utilize his, uh, his space in his time
right now?
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yeah, I mean so, but what do you think you
think we might be seeing with health of everyone center back,
a change in the center back You think we're going
to see a more standard rotation. We never saw it
with Jim. He wanted to have the two guys and
have chemistry the whole time. But I don't think Bradley
cares as much. I think he just wants to get
whoever's had the best week in there.
Speaker 5 (08:30):
Yeah, I means the future we'll tell us. But I
think you know is going to be you know, he's
the number one, you know in the center back. He's
you know captain, you know, be behindre. I don't think
you know, he he was too too bad against Miami.
I think he was okay, just you know, when you
switch you know, kaivak Nor.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
I think it's a big help as well.
Speaker 5 (08:49):
Defensively, you know, kind of the way I think Conan
is playing, it's very defunt and the way he used
to play, you know, being more aggressive even anything. So
you need to you know, learn a little bit more
as well. When you play away against a team like
Miami and you have like one of the you know
best for a while, the who plays a game you
play against, it's it's very deferent. So I think you know,
(09:11):
he was you know, very good against San Ruis. I
think it's a game you need to just keep kind
of like working on that way. But we might see
mae know, Blaminovich, but it's a long season, so I
will not be surprised if yeah, kind of maybe give
him some rest as well, because you know he might
need as well to get a little break if we play,
(09:31):
you know, the season.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
Yeah, and you mentioned, you know, we we were missing
Kai and Frankie Westfield nineteen years old comes in and
you know he's one of the guys he's got to
defend against. Is that the backup left back we have?
Speaker 4 (09:49):
I mean, I guess we're we're there now. I mean
it's Matt Real is not walking through that door anytime soon.
So in terms of a natural left back, I don't
I think we have one outside of Kai, which is
I mean, look, you have three right backs essentially on
this roster, so one of them should be able to
(10:09):
play left back at least a little bit. I mean, look,
as a person who's played back line as well as goalie,
left back and right back are two different positions. That's
not the easiest thing to transition with if you don't
have experience with both. But it seems to be the
situation unless they decide to bring in someone else. I'm
(10:30):
not against that idea. Of bringing in an actual natural
left back, you know, who could be a backup to
Kai in the future. And if it win that cell
that I still believe is supposed to happen of Kyle
Wagner happens, you know, maybe you can fill in. But
it is interesting the fact that, yeah, you really have
(10:51):
just been relying on either Nathan Herrel or Westfield to
kind of fill in the gap and they are not
natural left backs.
Speaker 5 (11:00):
Yeah, but don't forget there's a you know, as I
have flor with a young player.
Speaker 3 (11:05):
You know, he's a signed pro.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
He was unfortunate last year he got like a fantasy
you're going to have to go like a bad new injury,
so you had to come back to that.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
But it's pretty good. You know. He's a left foot
head as well, so he should.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
Be maybe in a mix, but I think may be
more time to kind of get back to two game ready.
But on what I saw, you know, and you should
practice I see. I think there's some great quality from
him too, so he partly if will be Westfield if
a guy cannot play this weekend playing left again. But
I think again it's great to have that because you
(11:37):
can see now more players and if like he played
well for the Union too. I see, I'm always giving
a chance to those guys. So now it's like, you know,
to him to take this chance, kind of like he
give a chance to Donovan too. Came in a game
against Miami. Unfortunately for Chris, you know, he had like
a chance. He didn't score. But if he does go,
you know, he kind of like give a different idea
(11:59):
to the coaching. Oh okay can put him and he
can be the guy to score Goodwen Barb or that,
and he cannot score. So it's it's all about opportunities,
and I'm sure he will maybe if Kai is sill
Inil that can't come, he may have his chance.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
If Westfield or Ariol doesn't play as well.
Speaker 4 (12:16):
Now some real quick in this kind of formation that
Bradley's running. How important is having a quality fourth striker
in this because I mean, obviously with Barribo and Ura
they're going to get the bulk of the minute, and
you know we're going to have Bruno come in when
his time comes, and as he gets acclimated more and more,
(12:37):
he is the record signing. What is the what is
the importance of having a really strong fourth striker in
that situation.
Speaker 5 (12:44):
I mean, of course, yeah, it's important, especially when you
need to come back into the score because I mean,
as you saw the first game, it's a lot of running,
you know, like especially for the for while there's they work,
even if you know it's not a worker you can see,
but the prayers they try to come back all the
ways in Miami. Try to make busquets, you know, to
always be here close to them and don't give him
a lot of time. So it's how to play in
(13:06):
ninety minutes if you are not in a food shape
and you know some guys are not, let's say as
a developer, you know, in the physiology. So yeah, it's
good to have like important to have another fourth, that
is good. But you need a guy who is confident
and when he came in, you know that something will happen.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
You know, like you you can feel it. You know,
it's not just came in to came in and just
run around.
Speaker 5 (13:29):
It's came into scores, goals and make a difference when
when we need it.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Yeah, I mean, I know, I know the coaching staff
and Ernest have a lot of confidence in Donovan. I
think if he does open up the book and get
that goal, then you're going to see a more confident player,
because when I've seen him on you too, it looks
really confident. But then with Union one, I don't know
if it's there yet, but hope hopefully, because yeah, I
think we're gonna need all four of those guys. Can
(13:56):
I bring up one thing? I don't know if it
came off on TV the way in person, but this
Miami team is an unlikable group of a holes. I mean,
how much is Suarez yelling at people in the field?
Jordy Alba just is cocky? Solb and I am assuming
have both of you seen the clips of one Leonardo
(14:21):
Leonardo Messi bullying a poor center back on on our
team the courtesy of the Men and Blazers. Did you
see that the clip of yes giving the elbow three
times and then doing his Cooper Degene imitation by intercepting
the ball before you know the whistle was even called?
(14:43):
I mean kind of unlikable, right, yeah?
Speaker 3 (14:46):
I mean yeah, they are very annoying and there they
play with that. You know, they knows that.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
The styles they know like you know, even the game
where you were at the game, Matt Day, you like
you first, I think we still the camera. I go
ten times on Methy, like with the game on we
know you play for them is on the bench, like
you don't need to remind us every three minutes. So
when they're on the field, they know that they have
an extra power. Then not every player got in MLS
to always yeah, I'll always complain, always say whatever they want,
(15:15):
and they're not going to get maybe punished as much
as a regular MLS player. So that's definitely annoying for
the people who watch a game, especially when you can
see Miami not really playing very well and Union trying
to come back into the game. So as a Union fan, yeah,
it's you are like, come on, let's let's keep the
game going. You know, the referee need to be good
(15:35):
for sure, because Miami was filing a lot. I think
that like more than twenty five ors something in the
game and try to stop the rhythm and then complaining and.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Like those guys always being around the referee.
Speaker 5 (15:45):
So yeah, definitely annoying, and I can imagine the frustration
of the guys on the field as well.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Well.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
It looked like the end of a pickup soccer match
on Sunday in Fairmount Park. We have a bunch of
thirty five to four year old gentlemen who are just like,
you know, it's the sixtieth minute right now, I'm a
little tired. I'm gonna start falling now. You know, I'm
not gonna run as hard. I'm not gonna, you know,
go after you. I'm not doing fifty to fifty balls.
I'm just gonna undercut you now, like that's just what
we're doing for the rest of the day. And it
(16:13):
was just, look, it's it's a little all right, it's
a lot annoying because I also just find it low
key disrespectful by them, because it's just I feel like
there's a bit of arrogance that Sergio and Louise and
Jordie and them have against MLS opponent, and it just
it feels like, look, I get it, these are literally
(16:35):
some of the greatest people who've ever kicked a ball
in the history of the sport. Not gonna undercut them,
not undermining them at all. It just kind of felt
like sometimes they're just trying to take, you know, the
air out of the balloon of all of it, because
they're just like, we've come here and bestowed our talents
upon Major League Soccer. Aren't you going to welcome us
here with open arms? And like first year I get it,
(16:56):
it's all you know, starstruck and everything, but like, you know,
let's play some soccer now. I'm kind of over some
of this stuff now, Like that's how you sell tickets.
I get it, I'm now I don't I understand that
Dallas opened up the Cotton Bowl just because MESSI was
showing up. Like, I get that, that's real. Still, like,
(17:17):
let's just play some soccer now.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Well, with that, the Union are in second place behind
Miami and we face Miami at home May twenty fourth.
I have a funny feeling those tickets are increasing in
value as we speak. Adam, what do you think you
think stub hubs on fire now with May twenty fourth
Miami Union chatter?
Speaker 4 (17:39):
Of course, But it should be because these are probably
gonna be two of the top teams in Major League
Soccer competing it out for that match anyway, so that
should be a hot enough ticket anyway. Also, we only
have eighteen thousand seats, so it's kind of harder to
you know, sell more tickets when you have less seats,
So hot ticket definitely how to.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
Chalk up another revenge game. In my book, we're getting
revenge on Miami, May twenty fourth. The one congrats is
I don't know if you guys saw it. I didn't
realize until after the game. Quinn Sullivan, that was his
one hundredth match as a homegrun. He's the first homegrown
to ever make the century mark. So congratulations Quinn Soon,
who I thought had a pretty good game as well.
So that was number one hundred, which is, you know,
(18:23):
you know, pretty amazing. I think that we've got homegrouns
playing that long. But in news, did you guys and Adam?
This is this is kind of cool. Tyber Ebo was
named MLS Player of the Month. He's only the third
Union player to get that honor. The other one of
the other ones is in this room right now.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Oh thank you. I remember when I got the award.
Yeah it wasn't new no, sorry.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
Twenty eleven, Sebastian Latwo got Player of the Month. You
remember that, Yeah?
Speaker 3 (18:58):
Probably, I think it was probably at the end, I think.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
So, yeah, I didn't go as far as check the month,
but yeah, there was a there's there's three players. There's
a SABA tie in that one guy I don't like
to talk about. So yeah, that's pretty for Tie. Keep
keep in mind August second, Frankfurt's coming to town. And
again everyone, we've got the Nashville trip planned with Sebastian Latoo.
(19:24):
It's the Revenge Tour. So get on a Philly sports
trips dot com and book your ticket. Tickets are going
pretty quick. Actually, we've we've sold uh some packages and
tickets and fourth of July. Everything is going to be
a good time. And lastly, Adam and because what the
jersey you are wearing right now? Chelsea has chosen the
(19:45):
Wistfist Field Complex as their headquarters for their practice facility
for the Club World Cup. So I think Adam and
I are definitely gonna have to go down to Chester
to check out Chelsea practicing. We might need a former
MS player the month to get us on the field though,
with his credential.
Speaker 3 (20:01):
So sorry, I don't like Chelsea.
Speaker 4 (20:05):
Here's the thing, most people don't, and I've accepted that.
I always tell people if I go anywhere, it's like, Hi,
I am a Chelsea fan. I am a bad person.
Like I've accepted that as my lot in life. I
can't change it because I'm I'm I'm stitched to it.
But I'm like, Hi, I'm a bad person. I'm a
Chelsea fan.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
He oh, I understand people think like I'm a Yankees
fan because I like Chelsea.
Speaker 4 (20:27):
But you're a man. If you're a man, you fan,
I make you synonymous with like Yankees, Lakers, Cowboys.
Speaker 2 (20:36):
Well what if you're an Arsenal fan. You know what
kind of terrible person is that? At them?
Speaker 4 (20:40):
Arsenal fans are like Heat fan. I think, yeah, like
you're like you're like Miami heat when Lebron was cool fan,
or you know, like you're like a Sydney Crosby Penguins
kind of fan.
Speaker 3 (20:57):
You know that. No, I'm I'm sorry you, Compson.
Speaker 4 (21:02):
Here's the thunder. I have an Arsenal bar literally attached
to my building and I see them often and I
think they have very nice uniforms and I love Tierranrie.
So there's that.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Yeah, Well a little League news This is hits a
little home uh Kansas City parts way with Peter Vermeise.
He's been the head coach since two thousand and nine.
Casey was winless in the last thirteen competitions, so winless
going back to September twenty twenty four, so it's an
end of an er in Kansas City. But you know,
(21:34):
let's just say Peter, Peter did give the Sons of
Ben probably one of the most iconic moments in history
of the Sons of Ben. And so you were I
think you were playing at the time, But this was
when Peter got his infamous uh dui and the Sons
of Ben decided to sing ninety nine bottles of beer
on the wall to him, and they did all ninety
(21:56):
nine bottles of beer on the wall. So it was
pretty much the most iconic old job from the Sons
of Bend to Peter for mes, you know, New Jersey
native way to treat one of our own. But I
don't know if you remember that at all, Sava, if
you heard the crowd singing ninety nine miles of beer
on the.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Wall, no understands the chance.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
We thought there that gets drowned out after a while,
for sure.
Speaker 2 (22:21):
I don't think I've ever heard that song to completion
since like second grade on a school bus. So it
was pretty impressive for the crowd that day to do.
Speaker 4 (22:30):
That's all.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
I guess my biggest question with Peter gone which is,
you know, end of an error. Are we going to
see a Kansas City Philly connection? Is a certain head
coach from Philadelphia going to go to Kansas City? A
lah Andy Reid? Do we think a Jim Curtin might
be interviewing for that job?
Speaker 4 (22:50):
Guys, I think we don't for Kansas City to not
interview him, you know, I think that would be I
think that's a I think that's a a better job
than I think a lot of people think. You know,
I think Kansas City definitely cares. I think they're really
one of the better markets for soccer in America. And
(23:13):
you know, the Sporting Kansas City moniker, the logo, the
whole motif, it's it's sexy, you know. I think I
think for MLS it's one of the more interesting clubs
to be a part of. So I think it's gonna
be a job that a lot of people are gonna seek,
you know. I think I think they're gonna have their
pick of spoils.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
To be honest with you, what do you think you
think them would be interested?
Speaker 5 (23:39):
I mean, I'm sure you know, it's like you said,
it's a big club. You know, the trophy in the
past couple of years when they meet US Cup. You
knows that beat us in Open Cup, you know, so
it's definitely a great you know, a REFL, great stadium,
great training facilities.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
They pretty much have everything.
Speaker 5 (23:58):
And you know, whatever p FM is in the past
sixteen years, there eather a great job.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
You know.
Speaker 5 (24:03):
It's just a time for them now to on the
page and something new. But yeah, it's definite. You know,
everything can happen. But there's a lot of guys out
there who you know, could be qualified for that job.
So what'll thee which was that going to go? But
maybe Jim's going to be hanging over there, who knows.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
Well, I guess I'll have to text Gym a list
of my favorite barbecue places in Kansas City when we're
done this pod. The San Diego made a state LAFC.
They're the current kings of Southern California. Who would have thought.
I mean, they beat both LA's so they're they're riding
high down there. And Miami actually lost to LAFC one
(24:42):
nothing in the Champions League on Wednesday night. I don't
know if you stayed up for that, Adam.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
I caught out when you have a newborn that's not
staying up, that's just being on cycle.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
I wasn't sure if you were sleeping when you could,
you know, so I caught probably the first half of
that and then I I fell asleep. But yeah, one
nothing la beats mammy. So maybe we took some of
their legs away from them, you know that was that
was good? Uh? In soccer World news and I can't
wait to hear everyone's opinion about this. But the USL
(25:15):
announces pro rel What do you what's the thoughts? I mean,
I know, sebah you coming from Europe, pro rel is
is everything in sports and in soccer, and MLS has
never had it. I don't think they're ever going to
go to it. But now the USL is going towards it.
So what do you think is there a future for
(25:37):
pro rel in US soccer?
Speaker 5 (25:40):
So just to make sure we everybody understand when you
say prorail, it means relegation, obligation. Okay, I just want
to make sure everybody understand when the least then you're
tooking you know, young and short.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
I appreciate it, but yeah, I mean yeah, it's it's
the way.
Speaker 5 (25:58):
I grew up is a way I know in Europe,
it's it is you know, it's here, are good, you
go up, you are bad, you go down, and you know,
it gives a little bit more pressure, you know, to
to every teams. It give more let's say, vision for
growth for people who wants to put the money into
a team and see them, you know, like getting higher
(26:21):
and bigger. So yeah, it's it's a fair game. It's
not like a close league like you have in every
you know league in America, not just soccer, but you
know in the NFL, it's it's a way like you
build league here.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
But the USA is trying something different, so let's see
how it catch up.
Speaker 5 (26:38):
But it could be I think somebody who wants now
to invest into soccer decide to go more into maybe
USM because they're like, oh yeah, I can start from
a low level and build every year and put more
money and you know if we go up like you
saw with a documentary Wrexham, you know what they did
in the English Prominent League. It's it's what happens all them,
(27:00):
you know, getting from the fifth division and now is
almost going into second one maybe at the end of
the season. So it's just excitement to have that so
we'll see how it goes. But it's such a big country,
it's it's definitely to to start that way, but you
have to stop somewhere.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Yeah, Adam, your thoughts on a pro relegation motion relegation,
There we go. I'll be fancy.
Speaker 4 (27:24):
Look, I love this, and I love it for the
fact that what sub sides is mainly true. It is
a pure form of the game. It's not the sports
socialism that we have here in America, which is be
bad and be rewarded for it.
Speaker 6 (27:41):
You know.
Speaker 4 (27:42):
It's it's true meritocrity in terms of this sport. I
will say, however, I do find an interesting point with
the how the Premier League does it, where I believe
if you go down to the championship you still get
like a bonus that is like a net fall that
you get where it's like there's a whole statistic about
(28:03):
teams that are sent down to the Championship in English
Premier League coming right back up because they're still financially
better off than most championship clubs is and all that.
But that's another conversation about it. But look, I think
it's very interesting.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
I love it.
Speaker 4 (28:17):
I want I think it's gonna be good for the
growth of soccer and the country. I don't know if
it's gonna compete with Major League Soccer for a while,
mainly just because of the markets they have to get
into in the first place. You know, Like if you now,
if they find their ways into getting another club into
Philadelphia that is supported well, another club into New York's
(28:38):
and the LA markets, that'll be one thing. If it's
gonna be one of these situations where Fort Wayne, Indiana,
and you know, Pittsburgh and Sarahcuse and all these other
cities that should and I want to have the best
representation of soccer possible for those regions. If that's what
(28:58):
it is, I think you can almost have the two exist.
It's just gonna be one of these situations where MLS
is still gonna be viewed as the pinnacle, mainly because
of the head start they have, you know, like when
MLS clubs are now evaluating just south of a billion dollars,
you're gonna be a little bit behind the eight ball
(29:20):
the Chattanooga red Wolves, you know. So it's gonna be
a process. But I love the idea of bringing pro
ral to America. I would do it in college foot
in college sports too. I would love that. I would
love them to do it in the NBA, you know,
I would love them to figure out how to do
prorel and all the other sports in America. I would
(29:42):
love to see the Birmingham Stallions trying to make it
to the NFL. That would sound fun to me. But look,
it's a good thing. I just I don't think Major
League Soccer has anything to fear anytime soon from it.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
No, I think some more eyes will be on USL
because of this. The the purists out there might want
to see it, and I think towards the end of
the year there's a better chance that you see in
some USL highlights on Sports Center because of Pro Round,
So it'll it'll get more more eyeballs on them. I
don't know the future if this will will ever trickle
(30:18):
into MLS, but it's something to watch, and it's and
it's in America now, so we'll see. Speaking of something
to see the Turkish League, Adam, I don't know if
you noticed this, but our friend Jose Mourinho took a
loss and then decided to try to steal the nose
(30:39):
of the other head coach. He literally grabbed the guy's
nose and drunk him to the ground. So Jose, even
on the other side of the world, is still making news.
But if you're out there, just try to try to
catch the clip. It's pretty comical of Jose Mourinho. I mean, seb,
have you ever been coached by somebody that crazy?
Speaker 3 (30:59):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (31:00):
Yes, yes, you say yeah, Edie, I just wanted to
bring that up. Let everybody try to google it.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
It's worth your time to see Jose Marinho try to
steal someone else's nose. You know. He kind of looked
like mister Miagi and Karate Kid chunk in the guy's nose.
Speaker 4 (31:19):
So that's horrifying.
Speaker 3 (31:21):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (31:22):
I didn't need that image, but thank you.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
I just thought you need to see that. Now, upcoming, guys,
we have Orlando seventh place. They're three two and one.
They're coming off beating the Galaxy. LA went up one
nothing and then Orlando tied it with a p K
and then a free kick in the ninetieth minute for
the win. So Orlando is starting a round in the
(31:46):
form and we're going to see how this goes. We
did beat them four two in Orlando, so what are
our thoughts about this game. Who who wants to dissect
this first?
Speaker 5 (31:58):
Here goes all right? I mean, you know it was
the first game of the season. It was a big surprise.
I think we took a lot of them by surprise.
In Orlandos we are not expecting I think the Union
to play that west So now they can have no
more the style of play of you know, the team,
so maybe you're definitely a different game. They're going to
come together revenge. They are confident, just beat you know,
(32:23):
like the MNS Cup champion. They are the best offense
with fifteen goals in both leagues and both Western and
Eastern Conference. So very very you know, good attack, you know,
very fast player, very technical. You know, you have a
their new recruit Pasality who score against us, you know
(32:46):
the first goal. But is you know, very good left foot.
It play on the right side. Not sure if Kay
is going to be playing, but if probably not. So
if he's not, you know, be a tough task for
Westfield or whoever play on this side.
Speaker 3 (32:59):
And you have a goole on the start with very fast.
Speaker 5 (33:01):
So yeah, I would say, like keep playing the same
way as I've been playing in Orlando, like pressing, trying
to make them, you know, turn the battle over. And
and like I said today in a in a show,
it's one of my kids. I need like to see
you always feel to to push forward a little bit
more than maybe we saw against Miami, to to give
some crosses because we saw the goal with we go
(33:22):
against them the first game. It came as a as
a white player, so it could be something important for
the team to do. But yeah, Orlando, I think it's
a very good team. So they bid us last year
in Subaro Park. They are going toward going counter attack
too and try to you know, bid us. But can
we can we clip a clean chick against them? Against
(33:43):
the best you know offense in the leagu I think
it will be a big task, but we could.
Speaker 3 (33:48):
We could do it. So now I'm excited.
Speaker 5 (33:49):
I think it's gonna be another big game, another another challenge.
I mean if we beat them for too, but let's
forget about it. And because it's a totally long game now.
Speaker 4 (33:59):
Yeah, thoughts on on Orlando, No, I think it's what's
E said is one hundred percent correct, you know, Orlando.
I'm the reason why the Orlando result was so big
to us was because of I think a lot of
people had expectations of Orlando being one of the better
teams in midjor league soccer this year, and they've stumbled
(34:21):
gently out of the gate. I don't really think they're
even really in that bad a shape. I just think
the standings are what the standings are, because everyone's a
little jumbled at the moment. But that being said, you know,
if they if we were going into Orlando in this contest,
I definitely would probably have a lot more general anxiety
(34:42):
towards this game. I think going home for this game,
having your players who have played, you know, the players
coming back from international duty, getting a little bit a
good week of practicing, you know, getting some some momentum
in and that to all have to mention the last
(35:02):
game against Orlando, you didn't have Bruno, you didn't have Indiana.
So you've added a couple of players into the mix
since then. So you have a couple of more bullets
in the chamber than you did when you went down
to Universal Studios the first time. So I think you
have a good opportunity to take care of business here.
I don't necessarily believe it's going to be a four
(35:23):
to two game. The same vein of the last one.
But I definitely believe you should feel confident in getting
three points in this game because you know, you just
have the ability to You just have the roster that's
more than capable of it.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
Yeah, I think listen to Bradley's press conference this morning,
this afternoon, whatever it was, I don't think we're gonna
have kai. I think that could be a factor with
the offense that Orlando has. But keep in mind, you know,
if they're if they're pressing for goals, then our counter
attack comes in and we press for goals. So I
think this could be a a really exciting game. And
(36:01):
you know, also it's fireworks night, Adam. I don't know
if you're making it, but April fireworks.
Speaker 4 (36:07):
Unfortunately, I do have another sport based activity unless attend to.
But I please, like everyone else, please take videos of
fireworks so I can watch them on your Instagram stories later. People,
thank you, will do.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
So, Yeah, it's gonna be I think it's gonna be
an exciting game. And you know, I feel good because
we're coming up from Miami. Orlando's coming from LA to
Orlando and then back up here. So maybe that travel
helps us, gives us a little bit of an edge,
but I'm looking forward to it. Guys, any other thoughts
on this game before we wrap this up? All right, Well,
(36:43):
let's remember everybody, Sebastianala two's got his youth camps coming
up in Wildwood Crest, and Adam, you've got the start
of Frisbee pretty soon, don't you.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
This Saturday is our preseason game against New York Empire,
and then the regular season kicks off and we'll be
home on the fourth for Star Wars Night.
Speaker 2 (37:05):
So you know, all excited stuff. Well, guys, thanks again
for joining us. Sebastian, thank you so much. Are you
doing the TV today? Are this this the radio this weekend?
Speaker 3 (37:17):
Yeah, it would be this day and wees day to
come in the game, so excited about it.
Speaker 2 (37:22):
Well, we're gonna look for Seba and at Union Yards
and in the concourse beforehand. And Adam, good luck your
game against the Evil Empire.
Speaker 4 (37:30):
Appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
And everybody thanks for tuning in to X's and the U.
That was episode number thirty two. Thanks everyone, have a
great day.
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