May 21, 2025 • 34 mins
After another win for the Philadelphia Union, the conversation has officially shifted. Expectations are rising. No one expected this team to be sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference — especially not 14 games into the season. Press play to hear Adam, Matt & Sebas take on the Unions red hot start!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ex president of the Sons of Ben Matt Gantastic, ex
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 (00:20):
Welcome back, everybody. It's another exciting week of ex's in
the U. We're on number thirty seven, Episode thirty seven.
We're getting there, We're we're almost middle aged as always.
I'm an ex president since have been Macandze. I'm jewing.
They ex head Capo, Adam Booth and forever Union legend
Sebastian Latoo. Guys, busy, busy week. I know we missed
(00:42):
last week to travel schedule issues, mostly on my part.
But we got a lot to talk about. But first,
are you guys doing?
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Adam doing good? Perpetually tired, but I guess that's what
a ten week old is supposed to be. But uh yeah,
doing well. Happy to here for another hot Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
And Stiller too. You're having a great day in Chester
right now. Huh yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
You know, it's a little just a little coaching with
the academy today, So great day and the team is failed.
So you know when the Union is first in extending
every day is great.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Yeah, the weather's finally getting beautiful. The Union are top
of the table, and we've got not one but two
home matches this week and it's it's a tall or
two hass guys. But we'll get into those upcoming matches
in a minute, but let's let's let's go. God it
feels forever. But Union versus Crew, the return of the
gas dag Seba. What were you thinking about that that
(01:41):
game and how Columbus stole a point away from us?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Yeah, he was for sure very hot, fitting for every
fans and nice help and I'm sure even bigger for
the player too. Not able to get the three points,
but you know, the tie at the last minute of
the game.
Speaker 5 (01:55):
But I thought it was a good game.
Speaker 4 (01:56):
I think it was one of the first let's say
open on that we so the team not really going pressing,
you know, and just leave them the ball, and I
think it was, you know, a good tactic from a
Brady Countel to you know, kind of frustrate Columbus with
the ball. You know they have most of the ball
for the game, but you know they try to make
them play from the outside and not really like any
(02:19):
possibility to have them going through the middle, and he
really worked out. I think they frustrate the Columbus cruises
called you know, you know, forrself give up a goal,
you know on the second half, no from like of course,
you know, good cross to good finished from them, but
he has the goal on the corner kick of a
little you know, marking mistake in a box was what's tough.
(02:41):
You know, it's still a good point, but we were
really all seeing like a nice three points against the.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
Columbus, who will be you know, one of the best
teams this year again in an East.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Yeah, Adam, you felt on that Columbus match.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
You know, when I was watching it, I kind of
felt that.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
I do this.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
It's definitely a game that the Union should have won.
But it is not shocking to me that Columbus, a
team of that caliber, came back at the end and
to win that game. What this episode was, right, you know,
it's pretty well established at this point that the Union
are going to be a counter attacking team, that possession
is not very important to them, and as long as
(03:21):
they're able to perverbably snake bite you in the opposite
direction and they're going to play is at the at
the top of their game. You know, I'm a I'm
a stats guy. I'm an analytics guy. And when you
look at a team that's giving up over seventy five
percent or at least over seventy percent of possession but
still getting sixteen shot attempts and six of them on goal,
(03:43):
that's showing a team that knows what they're trying to
do and what they're trying to accomplish, you know. So
it's one of those things where the Union still have
some finishing issues. I think that's really just kind of it.
You probably unions have probably have three to four goals.
If you look at the goal expected, they were expected
to a least score three goals in that game. So
it seems to me, you know, we still got to
(04:04):
get our finishing boots in some of these scenarios. But
to play that game and to go toe to toe
with Columbus, especially now Columbus has more or less the
bragging rights of the best team on the continent, you
put yourself in a measuring stick and you've definitely said
to the people who are curious about if the beginning
of this season was a fluke that there is no fluke.
(04:26):
This team is ready to compete, and the rest of
the week after that really solidified that even more. But
I think that game with Columbus, it's tough. You know,
you got the emotions with the gas that coming back,
you have, you know, this game virtually being for first place,
you know, in a position where I don't believe a
lot of people, even the most staunchest Union supporter might
(04:47):
not have seen them in this position this early in
the season. So it was a lot But it does
feel like it was one of those ties that feels
like a loss almost, you know, because you definitely feel
like they should have had the points there. But in
terms of all performance, it got to be very proud
of the boys.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yeah. It's funny you say, you know, you're an analytics guy,
and I view my sports fandom differently. I don't really
go analytics. I go, you know, my my gut or
my emotion. And unfortunately, when that late miss by your
ay happened, all I could think of, Oh crap, they're
gonna tie this game up. That's all I can think about.
(05:26):
And I felt terrible having that negative feeling. And then
you know, four minutes of extra time and it was
homegrown on homegrown crime Columbus is, uh, why did the
I can't even say his last name and I'm Polish,
but he.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
That's iron right there.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Yeah, he got passed Kai, Frankie and and of course Rick,
so he got past to homegrowns. But the highlight for
me was dj J creating some chaos on that run
which became Frankie Westfield's first goal. And I was a banger,
so there was there were some parts of that that
I go, man that you know, I had to be
(06:03):
practical at the end and say, you know what, Columbus
is a really good team. We got to tie out
of this. This happens in sports. You can't win them all.
You know, there's there's some good things to take you
out of it. And then the good thing happened on
Wednesday night. I'm you know, not once, but the good
thing happened. We got to play La Galaxy and uh
they previously lost to the Red Bulls seven to nothing. Now,
(06:26):
it was a rough first half. I had to see
it on watch it on my iPad on replace I
was out in Chicago, But kind of a rough half.
If I was there, did you debate leaving early or
would you have if you were? Were you in attendance
or no battle? Oh?
Speaker 3 (06:42):
I left, I left, but I left before kickoff. Oh okay,
I came for the merchandise drop that they were having.
It was the year of the Snake merchandise dropper. I
was actually wearing that hoodie today through the Cherry Hill
Costco and I got a couple of compliments on it.
It's very nice, very warm. It's a little weirdly temperatured
(07:04):
for late in May, I would say, but it's a
little chilly today, so it worked out for me nicely.
So yeah, I left before kickoff. But I you know,
great game. I heard it on the radio and then
I saw it on my phone on my MLS season past.
That was good.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Look. Well, speaking of the radio, let's go to the
person that did the call on the radio to tell
us about the tale or two halves some of what
were your thoughts about that La game?
Speaker 4 (07:31):
I mean, yeah, it was for sure, very tough to
talk about it in the first because nothing really happened
and it was a pretty flat, no energy like almost
like every time we play a team that we believe
we are going to be easily. The guys like are
just kind of looking at themselves and not really do anything,
you know, they are you know, the game of LA
was just to win boarding the mid door and the counter,
(07:53):
and it's exactly what we give them. You know, I
can't even say probably every player in the midfield or
you know, Gladness and area're playing. Tom Bach like gives
the bull away like to his lee and we got
a counter. So yeah, he was, uh, you know really
about you know what is going to get said at
halftime and we can get some reaction right away because
(08:14):
you know, we need something like Ella is not crazy good.
Speaker 5 (08:18):
They are playing with their big team right now.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
There's not even their front for you know, available, and
we are playing that way and we like makes them
look good. So it was a great reaction and exactly
why we need it. You know, from the first minute
and second I half against this early goal you know
from Areol who doesn't even know he's god with his knee,
you know, from the corner cake and then a great
(08:40):
cross again from then to Barribo and you know, now
you're back at two two with just ten minutes in
and now you can see, you know, like how everything
can change show so quickly. You can see the fans
and getting into the game as well. So all of
this help and at the end, you know, we got
like a helpful goal against Columbus in the last extra
time minutes. But this time, you know, get the win
(09:01):
and you can see like the feeling of the team
and everybody like really be involved and what you mean
about having a reaction like this.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
It's a big game.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
And you saw at at the end of the game,
you know for the person who stayed a little bit,
like everybody stay on the field, you know around the
coach she was was said as well, you know with
everybody kind of like kind of remember this moment kind
of type you know, like we're almost half of the
season through. It's it's those type of of things that
they should not happen and you will play a better teams.
(09:29):
They need to play the same ways that the second
half all the time and not you know, way to
get their ass kicked and then react. It's something that
I think they will learn from that game. But it
was a fantastic season able to get three points when
you have to go down.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
And the funny thing is and I guess, I guess
people knew this. I never knew this. That was the
first time we've ever beaten the Galaxy in Chester, Pennsylvania.
So again, you gotta look at the bright side of
some things. You know.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
It's a bit of a cheap though, because we have
the most unbalanced schedule of any professional league I've ever
seen in my life. Like it's the amount of times
I think we've played what Colorado or you know, salt
like Real Salt Lake in the past three years. You know,
I can count on my hand, so you know. But anyway,
it's a great w against a what is technically the
(10:20):
defending MLS champions, So you know, there's that.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
It's yeah, and we.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Get to give up MacCarthy l finally, Oh my god, man,
look lovely gentlemen, have nothing but love for a big
lord helmet and he's one of my favorites, heartbreaker for
this particular organization. But I used to like Gareth Bale
once upon a time too, So we all have our
moments exactly. But look, you know, I think Seba kind
(10:47):
of put it directly into context. You should not have
been in the position that you were in, and hopefully
you don't have to do that anymore. But it's great
that you know one, and it's great that you showed
the resilience and it was great that you were able
to do that. And who does it love a ninety
minute winner? You know, that's just fun and it doesn't
matter how you get it. That's always a fun thing
(11:07):
to enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
And like sea, like some I said, it was great
to see it happen on our end instead of we
just witnessed Columbus tie it up in the ninety something minute.
So yeah, it was it was great to see for
us getting that result and maybe we learned something from it.
But then we kind of end the week at them
with a triple down to good old down South to
the Dirty Dirty, and we go top of the table
(11:31):
after beating Atlanta. Tiget's number eleven from the penalty kick
line and the Union haven't lost a match since the
one zero defeat against New York City on April twelfth,
So and shout out to Rick gets a start and
that's his first clean sheet, I believe at least an
MLS game. So you know, we go down to Atlanta
(11:53):
and guess what, we had an expert from this pod
covering that game because Seba you were doing the radio,
weren't you.
Speaker 5 (12:02):
Yeah, I was there.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
It was you know, nice beautiful stadium, but on turf,
like you said, so you know, not easy to do.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
How high up were you?
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Pretty high? I would say, like, you know, very hard
to see the player. I kind of know them, but
I was, you know with the red down and who
took place for a day on this game, and you
can see that it was hard for him in to
kind of notice which player it was. But he did
a great job, you know, to be that high, you
know and away. So it was it was kind of
nice to be with him. But they had great, great boots,
(12:32):
great Sageum. I love it. I think the game, Yes,
like you said, m VP.
Speaker 5 (12:38):
For me on the game, it was Rake.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
I mean it without him, like it would be not
a win like the big say he did first half,
he did one second, I did like two or three
who really like keep the team you know in the game.
Without like that, I think Atlanta will go to goal
and maybe get the momentum and we get the second one.
But he was here to kind of like shut them down.
I think was a starious performance from the team.
Speaker 5 (13:02):
We like a lot of subs, you know, we are
the start of.
Speaker 4 (13:05):
Bueno and pedal yea on top on top in the
midfield you know who are started with Donovan and Damien
Nick and have a number ten.
Speaker 5 (13:14):
So you can see at the beginning of the game it.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
Was not really well, let's say oil machine, just because
we play with like a three five twoards the beginning,
like Westfield was on the left who didn't really do
anything on offensively because he's on his wrong foot. Luca
was on the right with never really play the position
and was more focusing on his defensive players and attacking,
so we don't really create a lot. But as soon
(13:36):
as he went back to a four four two, he
was already better, you know, like the way they were playing.
And then at halftime, you know, getting valuable back in
for Donovan and switching you know, some some players.
Speaker 5 (13:46):
It was great. You know, it was a great battle.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
I think the players, they didn't give up any stupid
mistakes to give Atlanta like a chance. Of course they tries,
they created one or two, but that's why, you know,
we have a goalkeeper and you need somebody you make
them save and require able to really you.
Speaker 5 (14:02):
Know, put his mark on.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
A on a good win away in Atlanta, which I
guess never happened. So it's another you know, number one
for the Union. So and I was it was great
to see that with adversity and paying a lot of
different players every three days, they are still able to
get a three points, which maybe like the two points
we lost against Connambus, we got it back you know
in Atlanta. So yeah, let's let's let's keep on winning,
(14:24):
you know, it's a a good feeling.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Yeah, the final ways to win. And I'll get Adam's thoughts.
But one thing I've read some articles, and it's something
refreshing for me as a Union fan, is how many
different lineups Bradley's put in and the amount of guys
that he's rotated in and out where for ten years,
I've just been kind of used to the same rotation
and the same you know, eleven guys basically coming in
(14:49):
all the time and subs coming in late in the game. So,
I mean, maybe something you can touch on it real quick,
but we've talked about it, like your opinion how Bradley's
been managing this team, especially I through this heavy schedules,
this heavy workload.
Speaker 5 (15:06):
Yeah, I think you know the fact that the amounts
of may.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
It's crazy with nine games, Uh, you know, you have
a could rightly really need to make some rotation. Otherwise
he knows that with the workload and you know, all
those games and everything, you can really have more injuries
and you don't want that. I think the you know,
you know, taps off to the trainers and keeping everybody elsey.
(15:29):
Right now, we just have a you know, Glavinovich who
are in let's say, recovery from the meniscus, who hopefully
would be back soon, and you.
Speaker 5 (15:37):
Have Dre was not here.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
But all that everybody is healthy and it's very important
if you want to get results.
Speaker 5 (15:43):
And you can see the rotation in the player.
Speaker 4 (15:46):
You can see that the coaching type is still keeping
guys concerned because, like you say, if there's just always
twelve certain player every time and you're like why am
I here?
Speaker 5 (15:56):
Like am I never going to play?
Speaker 4 (15:57):
Even if we have like a game every three days,
and you can see that when they play they get
resolved as well, you know, so you know, I would
I like about sample of the game against Galaxy when
Bedoyah came and to live and and who came they
brought something? You know, you saw the difference of everything.
On the last goal of Baribo in his minute, it's
(16:20):
Cavan playing the ball back in the box for Bedoyah
winning the header and who are you know getting the
ball in the box to cross for Barible with so
three guys who are on the bench brought something and
and that's how I feel like the life of a group,
you know, for entire season is healthy even if yeah,
you're not start, but you feel like, okay, I can
see that if maybe something doesn't happen on the field,
(16:41):
because see me is going to put me in because
he knows that I can maybe bring something different. And
it's it's great, you know, it's you feel more concern,
You feel more like a part of the group. You
you are cheering a thing for for the guys who start,
and you want, you know, you just want to keep winning.
But if you are not concerned and you know you're
not going to play, maybe you don't make as much
as an exfolt. You know, it's it's kind of not
(17:02):
conscience consciously, but it's sometimes you know, the path when
the season is long.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
So I really love to see a lot of.
Speaker 4 (17:08):
The funt guy in the standing a level and we
probably will see a little rotation again tomorrow in Open
Cup and uh and you know, if we can get
another win on Wednesday and then Saturday, you know, Big Miami,
so we'll see who is healthy.
Speaker 5 (17:21):
But so far was.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
Having a great job to kind of manage the minute
and keep people, you know, a thte hundred percent on
the play.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Yeah, Adam, your thoughts.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
I mean, look, you got a situation where you just
gotta take care of it. Was it was a take
care of business moment. You know, it wasn't necessarily the
cleanest or the most beautiful thing in the universe, but
you you understood the assignment going down there and trying
to get the points. You understood, you know, what was
(17:53):
against you. And then let's not give it up for
these teams that are desperate.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
You know.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
One the things that I thought was gonna be the
problem and what scared me originally with the LA game
was LA isn't as bad as the record is, Like
that's really the kicker about them. They've been in a
lot of games. Even if you saw l traffic go
over the weekend, like the Galaxy are capable of winning
a lot of these games. They're just not to the
(18:21):
point where even Galaxy said we're going to extend Greg
Vanny even though it's one of the worst starts in
MLS history, just because we know what we're capable of
versus what was actually happening. Now, it's the same thing
with me with Atlanta. You know, there's a lot of
talent on that roster down there that is just not
coming together just quite yet. And that could have been
an easy opportunity for the Union to stumble. But what
(18:45):
was that was just you know, a masterclass and has
taken care of business, seeing the game through to the end.
And I think Pickle Rick is the real deal. People.
I think we need to establish that he is a
solid number two in this league and he could be
on the carousel of Union number twos that end up
(19:05):
being number one for other people eventually. I mean, look,
he's nineteen years old. He's got the world ahead of him.
Let's not race it. But like I was seeing sabs
of a keeper who is two to three to four
or five years older than him, I was seeing a
guy with a lot more experience than he has, you know,
and he looks poised, He looks in the moment filling
(19:27):
the shoes of an Andre Blake is really difficult, you know,
and a lot of guys have had to do it.
We've seen Brian Selvestri to McCarthy to all these people
try to fill the role admirably. It's not the easiest
thing to do to be Andre Blake. But you know,
shout out to Rick for his way of handling the
business and getting the points and Adam.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
I don't know if you've seen this, but the nickname
running around for Pickle Rick is now the Berwin Wall.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
I needed everyone to stop for five seconds because one
Berwin's not a real place. Really stressed that enough as
a person who grew up on the mainline.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
Is that his license or not?
Speaker 3 (20:04):
I mean, right, three places that are not real Saint
David's not a real place, okay, Berwin definitely not a
real place, and East Kensington not a real place.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
So you're you're shooting down the Berwin Wall. Okay, but
no he.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
Yo, just be Pickle recommend record fantastic anyhow.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
I know we want to get into the upcoming games,
but let's get through some some Union new league news.
I don't know last time you looked with fists Sportsbox
is coming together down there, suba can probably give us
some views of it, but from what I hear, we're
looking at probably July, maybe even maybe even before that
for everything being opening, the indoor courts, all that kind
(20:47):
of stuff. So looking forward to that and the Club
World Cup Adam Lincoln Financial Field. Here's the dates. The
sixteenth June eighteenth, June twentieth, June twenty second, June twenty fourth,
June twenty sixth, Saturday the twenty eighth, and Friday July
fourth the quarterfinals. So that's how many matches that are
(21:09):
going to be played. Like a financial field, you can
get tickets. Single game tickets are available, not too bad.
I'm looking at the twenty fourth Chelsea Tunis, so we're
gonna we're gonna see how that goes. But Club World
Cups coming up faster than we thought. Still trying to
find out who's using the Whisfist Complex as a training facility,
(21:30):
who's using Penn, who's using Temple. But rumors are the
Blues are coming to Chester, so we're gonna have to
find out. So you and I can stalk the EPL
version of Jack McGlenn Cole Palmer.
Speaker 3 (21:42):
So dang man, Jack McGlenn has much better hair than
cold Palmer. Don't do that. That's not hard to do.
Don't do that to my boy. But now my sources,
as far as I know, have confirmed Chelsea will be
in Chester. They made a deal with the organize, so
they should be using Chester as their training facility. And
(22:03):
I hear Madrid's going to Fort Lauderdale, which is gonna
be funny to watch. So yes, but yeah, look, I'm
excited as a Chelsea fan. You know. It's always fun
that they always end up in America every couple of
years anyway, you know, and thankfully they live in a
city large enough for them to come to. But to
see them in a competition that's not just as straight
(22:23):
friendly but possibly your glorified friendly, I'm really excited about,
you know. I'm excited to see the new uniforms that
they just dropped and everything, and I like seeing soccer
of this caliber in Philadelphia. I just I think we
don't get enough of it. I'm still kind of mad
that we only got a quarterfinal for the World Cup,
but that's just this guy over here.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
So yeah, there's some teams I'd like to say, it
just depends on when my schedule. The schedule will travel that.
But speaking of trips Nashville, everybody, it has not happened yet,
but let me tell you, Adam got some details. Fourth
of July part with Sebastian LA two is gonna be
on top of Old Red which has got a great
(23:05):
view of the Nashville fireworks. I don't know who's been
in the new stadium. I haven't. Last time I was
in Nashville, they've got the uh I was at the
old Nissan, so I haven't been in the new stadium yet.
So we have got a ton of good stuff planned.
I still think you should try to figure out a
nanny situation and get down there so you can hang
(23:25):
out with sebastianalatwo on Broadway. So many thoughts on the
trip yet, I mean you you are you getting excited?
Did you get your real ID ready so you can fly?
Speaker 5 (23:33):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (23:34):
Everything is already, you know, said my bag is packed,
just making sure.
Speaker 5 (23:38):
But now I'm excited.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
I never really went to Nigeville downtown, so the first
time I've been was just more outside because the stadium
is outside. When I went when I used to call
for Apple TV is the French version. But no, very excited,
so yeah, fast.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Yeah, we're staying the hotels in the Gulch, which is
the nicer part, a little bit off of Broadway. And
for all you people that don't know this, that's where
the Wing Wall is. So if you ever wanted to
get a selfie in front of the wall with the
angel wings, the Gulch is the place to go. And
that's just some of the tips we'll give you when
you're on the trip. So we'll get we'll get some
(24:17):
Bationlalan two to do the Wing Wall selfie.
Speaker 5 (24:19):
Yes, all right.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
The last thing I have is August second, we've got
Frankfurt coming to town, so we're gonna see if that's
the return of Paxton Aaronson. And then, guys, it was
Rivalry Week from the MLS, which I don't know if
that means Atlanta's our arrival or not, but New York
City beat Red Bull and Houston McGlenn beat Dallas. Pretty
(24:43):
much everything else, Adam was a tie. Did you see
the amount of ties in Rivalry Week? You're all mute.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
That'll be fun to edit for Brace later anyway. Yeah, no,
And the best pread about Rivalry Week is how shameless
they could give a Union arrival that weekend, because I
don't know where DC United was that week. I don't
know where the New England Revolution were that week. Heck,
I don't even know where laf I mean, I guess
LAFC was doing El traffic O. It was l Traffico,
(25:15):
which was like I always try to cultivate that via
Red Sox. I'm sorry, not Red Sox, Celtics Lakers. You
know we do it BI coastal rivalry. We don't have
enough of that in this league. I'm just saying, but look,
we could have.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
Played Kansas City. You know that's a rivalry.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
Now, Seeattle, I don't. Here's the thing for as many
manufactured rivalries that they made, because yes, I get it,
Saint Louis shares a state with Kansas City. Well technically
they don't, but they share a territory, so that's a rivalry. Sure,
let's manufacture that one just out of a left field
because of geography. But let's leave Philadelphia alone. Whatever. It's like,
(25:53):
I'm also a Penn State football fan. This doesn't shock
me that no one wants to play with us. It's fine. Whatever,
We'll just keep being on top of the table.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
Yeah, and that's fine, you know, we're top of the
table and we don't have a ride, and that just
means we have no rival. That's why we're unrival That's
all it is. You know, we should get a bye
week during rivalry week. That's what they should do.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
But realistically, where was DC this weekend? Just out of curiosity?
Who are they?
Speaker 2 (26:18):
I have no, didn't even look you. Maybe you can
look it up because.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
I'm a filibuster for myself right now. But like that's
just a good question. Like if you're doing rivalry week,
if you're actually trying to cultivate this stuff, wouldn't it
makes sense like they went to DC versus Nashville? What's that?
Speaker 2 (26:34):
Yeah, that's not Yeah, that's not it. But anyhow, let's
let's get to important business. It is the Pennsylvania State
Soccer Championship this Wednesday. This is Wild Wild versus Sheets.
That's what this is right now. So we've got the
Pittsburgh Riverhounds coming into super Park on what looks like
(26:55):
is going to be a bit of a rainy night tomorrow.
What are your thoughts, Adam. I'll let you take this
one first. Your your your Pittsburgh Riverhounds knowledge.
Speaker 3 (27:09):
Oh, I mean, you know as a as a fine
condo Star of the Commonwealth. I know so much about
the USLS on Pitts or river Hounds. I actually know
more about their frisbee counterparts, the Thunderbirds, more that I
know about the Riverhounds. But look, I love the Open
Cup because these matchups are possible and I'm excited. I'm
excited to bring Pittsburgh in here and you know, hopefully
get some more minutes for the young guys, sharpened the
(27:32):
sword a little bit and hopefully it goes a little
bit more smoother than Indye eleven. But who knows. I mean,
it is, it is the Open Cup. Anything is liable
to happen. But I'm excited.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Yeah, and Saba, your thoughts, you know, I think you
touched one it the way when the team first played La,
they kind of walked on the field like, ah, we
should win this. Are we gonna see some of that
or do you think we see a fire to to
get through this.
Speaker 5 (28:00):
Bit? Just because it's you know, closer around to getting
the cup. You play at home.
Speaker 4 (28:06):
I think the guys you know wants to play because
there have been some guys who maybe didn't have lots of.
Speaker 5 (28:11):
Minutes and it's the convention to to win.
Speaker 3 (28:13):
You know.
Speaker 5 (28:14):
I was kind of like that we seattle when we
want it. You know.
Speaker 4 (28:18):
All the first few round there was lots of guys
who maybe didn't play a lot, and we kind of
came together. I think it's it's all about that. It's
whether is on the field. You know, let's do the job.
You don't make it easy, make it you know about
the sixty minutes you are up maybe to go and
we can make you know, summer some sub and you know,
get everybody in. So now you know, for Miami, everybody
(28:39):
is going to be ready. And because Miami is not
playing on Wednesday, so they're going to be I think
bringing their best team because they know that Engineer is
number one and they are not number one anymore. They
need to get a win to get closer. So uh,
it's gonna be interesting. Yeah, how the game is managed,
but it has to be like with a good performance
from the staff, you know, of the union and not
(28:59):
again if we go after you know, five minutes like
bed Yeah in the last round, let's not fall asleep,
you know, let's not let's just you know veryus this team,
let's you know, scouse the opportunity and and it should
be a fun game for everybody to kind of show
what they can do, especially against the USL team, and
not even it's the last USL team in a competition,
so you know.
Speaker 5 (29:19):
Pittsburgh is gonna be hungry.
Speaker 4 (29:21):
They beat the New York CITYFC last round, so there's
I mean business.
Speaker 5 (29:24):
I'm not gonna be here and be a friend. That
was gonna be like pleasure game.
Speaker 4 (29:27):
But you have to, you know, be cerious, and I
think if we are, we should beat them like easily.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
Yeah, and you know we're you know, I'm hoping we
don't overlook this because of Miami. But yeah, it's let's
let's let's get that win. So let's let's get to
the the elephant in the room. Guys. Miami is coming
to town with a certain Lionel Messy coming into town.
(29:55):
They have They have not won a game and one
in seven matches since April nineteenth. Their streak is almost
the opposite of what the Unions from April twelfth is.
It's like tale of two trajectories of these two teams.
So they haven't once since they're one oh win over Columbus.
(30:16):
You know, at first, I didn't think Messi was going
to play in this game, but I think it's almost
a guarantee he's gonna play, just because he even said
that they need to have a united front and come
out and win. Are we going to have a really
really dangerous Miami team, Adam?
Speaker 3 (30:30):
Do they still not play defense? Because if they still
continue to not play defense, I mean, I don't really
care how much Messy and them are going to be scary,
Like I just I mean, look, they could beat us,
and they can easily beat us. These are some of
the greatest players of all time. But this is a
mid table team right now for a reason. They just
got be three nothing at home by their quote rival,
(30:51):
and they're in shambles right now. Messi was on the
field for that. Bescats was on the field for that.
Alba swore as all of them. So this is not good.
What's going on in Miami now? Could that mean a
hungry team is coming to play us? Sure? But is
that also meaning a vulnerable team is coming to play us? Absolutely?
And I think if you're the Union right now, there's
no reason why you can't look these guys down in
(31:12):
the face and say let's play. They've done it before
you've played Miami very well. Before you played Miami well
in Philadelphia and on the road. I don't see why.
I don't think anyone in that locker room should be
intimidated anymore. Messi is just a guy now, Like I
mean not saying that he's just a guy in terms
of talent, but he can't be the guy that everyone's
falling off of and trying to get autographs for anymore.
You know, we're past that and it's now onto a
(31:35):
new stage. And I think if the Union, who are
right now number one in the supporter shield race, wants
to keep going against a team that's right now in
free fall, you need to beta while at home and
get the w here.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
But let's say it better, Saba, your thoughts on Miami.
What kind of team are we is marching into Super
ru Park a bad team that we've seen for the
last couple of weeks, or you know that perennial powerhouse
with legends playing for them?
Speaker 4 (32:04):
Yeah, I mean you know, Adam said very well, I
think we are playing Miami at the perfect time. They
are not doing so good, so can we not give
them back their confidence or can we just use these
to see them being frustrated. I would love to see
like Macy and whatever, like getting each other will be great,
you know when the Union is up one, two, zero
three zer or whatever it is.
Speaker 5 (32:25):
But you know it's the Miami team that.
Speaker 4 (32:27):
Yeah, we have been let's say, not successful against the
Macy team since they arrived. I think we didn't win yet,
but we could and I think it's motivation is already
here too. Be the first in the league. You want
to put Miami, you know, even more number of points
behind you. You know, it's still a lot of the
game left in the season, but the most point we
(32:49):
can get now against those big team you know, will
fight for a playeroff spot.
Speaker 5 (32:54):
It's it's a change for the team.
Speaker 4 (32:56):
So are there going to be a bit tired of
the Union, Yes, of course when Miami doesn't. But we
have the momentum and they don't, so let's use that.
And yeah, it's this will be a great game to watch.
I just hope to see, you know, a fire in
a Union team and not be scared to play Macy
like maybe we have been one or two time when
we play, you know, against him at the beginning.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
Yeah, and my only last plea out there is you know,
I don't want to tell people what to do with
their money, but please hold on to your tickets. I know,
two hundred and fifty dollars for a river end seat
seems awesome to get, but it really is important that
we're in the stands in our stadium and not surrounded
by a bunch of plastic, pink shirt wearing fans that
(33:39):
just came to see one guy. Adam, Are you going
to be in attendance? I hope.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
I unfortunately have to do my job occasionally, which we
have practice on the same night. We have a huge
game on Friday against New York City, so we need
all hands on deck, even the creative director, So I
will not be there, but as always for as a union.
Speaker 2 (34:00):
Be there in spirit and say, I'm assuming you're going
to be doing the radio broadcast.
Speaker 4 (34:03):
Yeah, I will be there, And I really hope that
when Messy doing good stuff, nobody is clapping, like who cares?
We have a whole union, and it's what I want
to know. It's like, it's annoying when you have fans
you know, oh, great job, a great goal, and I'm like,
are young in Miami fan? Then come on, you're from pity,
let's go.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Exactly so it's it's all Philly all the time. So guys,
thanks a lot. This was episode number what were we saying?
We're on the thirty thirty seven, episode thirty seven, so everybody,
thanks for tuning in. Can't wait to see it at
Super Ru Park. Guys, thanks a lot. Have a great
one everyone,
Ex president of the Sons of Ben Matt Gantastic, ex
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 (00:20):
Welcome back, everybody. It's another exciting week of ex's in
the U. We're on number thirty seven, Episode thirty seven.
We're getting there, We're we're almost middle aged as always.
I'm an ex president since have been Macandze. I'm jewing.
They ex head Capo, Adam Booth and forever Union legend
Sebastian Latoo. Guys, busy, busy week. I know we missed
(00:42):
last week to travel schedule issues, mostly on my part.
But we got a lot to talk about. But first,
are you guys doing?
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Adam doing good? Perpetually tired, but I guess that's what
a ten week old is supposed to be. But uh yeah,
doing well. Happy to here for another hot Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:02):
And Stiller too. You're having a great day in Chester
right now. Huh yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
You know, it's a little just a little coaching with
the academy today, So great day and the team is failed.
So you know when the Union is first in extending
every day is great.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Yeah, the weather's finally getting beautiful. The Union are top
of the table, and we've got not one but two
home matches this week and it's it's a tall or
two hass guys. But we'll get into those upcoming matches
in a minute, but let's let's let's go. God it
feels forever. But Union versus Crew, the return of the
gas dag Seba. What were you thinking about that that
(01:41):
game and how Columbus stole a point away from us?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Yeah, he was for sure very hot, fitting for every
fans and nice help and I'm sure even bigger for
the player too. Not able to get the three points,
but you know, the tie at the last minute of
the game.
Speaker 5 (01:55):
But I thought it was a good game.
Speaker 4 (01:56):
I think it was one of the first let's say
open on that we so the team not really going pressing,
you know, and just leave them the ball, and I
think it was, you know, a good tactic from a
Brady Countel to you know, kind of frustrate Columbus with
the ball. You know they have most of the ball
for the game, but you know they try to make
them play from the outside and not really like any
(02:19):
possibility to have them going through the middle, and he
really worked out. I think they frustrate the Columbus cruises
called you know, you know, forrself give up a goal,
you know on the second half, no from like of course,
you know, good cross to good finished from them, but
he has the goal on the corner kick of a
little you know, marking mistake in a box was what's tough.
(02:41):
You know, it's still a good point, but we were
really all seeing like a nice three points against the.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
Columbus, who will be you know, one of the best
teams this year again in an East.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Yeah, Adam, you felt on that Columbus match.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
You know, when I was watching it, I kind of
felt that.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
I do this.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
It's definitely a game that the Union should have won.
But it is not shocking to me that Columbus, a
team of that caliber, came back at the end and
to win that game. What this episode was, right, you know,
it's pretty well established at this point that the Union
are going to be a counter attacking team, that possession
is not very important to them, and as long as
(03:21):
they're able to perverbably snake bite you in the opposite
direction and they're going to play is at the at
the top of their game. You know, I'm a I'm
a stats guy. I'm an analytics guy. And when you
look at a team that's giving up over seventy five
percent or at least over seventy percent of possession but
still getting sixteen shot attempts and six of them on goal,
(03:43):
that's showing a team that knows what they're trying to
do and what they're trying to accomplish, you know. So
it's one of those things where the Union still have
some finishing issues. I think that's really just kind of it.
You probably unions have probably have three to four goals.
If you look at the goal expected, they were expected
to a least score three goals in that game. So
it seems to me, you know, we still got to
(04:04):
get our finishing boots in some of these scenarios. But
to play that game and to go toe to toe
with Columbus, especially now Columbus has more or less the
bragging rights of the best team on the continent, you
put yourself in a measuring stick and you've definitely said
to the people who are curious about if the beginning
of this season was a fluke that there is no fluke.
(04:26):
This team is ready to compete, and the rest of
the week after that really solidified that even more. But
I think that game with Columbus, it's tough. You know,
you got the emotions with the gas that coming back,
you have, you know, this game virtually being for first place,
you know, in a position where I don't believe a
lot of people, even the most staunchest Union supporter might
(04:47):
not have seen them in this position this early in
the season. So it was a lot But it does
feel like it was one of those ties that feels
like a loss almost, you know, because you definitely feel
like they should have had the points there. But in
terms of all performance, it got to be very proud
of the boys.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yeah. It's funny you say, you know, you're an analytics guy,
and I view my sports fandom differently. I don't really
go analytics. I go, you know, my my gut or
my emotion. And unfortunately, when that late miss by your
ay happened, all I could think of, Oh crap, they're
gonna tie this game up. That's all I can think about.
(05:26):
And I felt terrible having that negative feeling. And then
you know, four minutes of extra time and it was
homegrown on homegrown crime Columbus is, uh, why did the
I can't even say his last name and I'm Polish,
but he.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
That's iron right there.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Yeah, he got passed Kai, Frankie and and of course Rick,
so he got past to homegrowns. But the highlight for
me was dj J creating some chaos on that run
which became Frankie Westfield's first goal. And I was a banger,
so there was there were some parts of that that
I go, man that you know, I had to be
(06:03):
practical at the end and say, you know what, Columbus
is a really good team. We got to tie out
of this. This happens in sports. You can't win them all.
You know, there's there's some good things to take you
out of it. And then the good thing happened on
Wednesday night. I'm you know, not once, but the good
thing happened. We got to play La Galaxy and uh
they previously lost to the Red Bulls seven to nothing. Now,
(06:26):
it was a rough first half. I had to see
it on watch it on my iPad on replace I
was out in Chicago, But kind of a rough half.
If I was there, did you debate leaving early or
would you have if you were? Were you in attendance
or no battle? Oh?
Speaker 3 (06:42):
I left, I left, but I left before kickoff. Oh okay,
I came for the merchandise drop that they were having.
It was the year of the Snake merchandise dropper. I
was actually wearing that hoodie today through the Cherry Hill
Costco and I got a couple of compliments on it.
It's very nice, very warm. It's a little weirdly temperatured
(07:04):
for late in May, I would say, but it's a
little chilly today, so it worked out for me nicely.
So yeah, I left before kickoff. But I you know,
great game. I heard it on the radio and then
I saw it on my phone on my MLS season past.
That was good.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Look. Well, speaking of the radio, let's go to the
person that did the call on the radio to tell
us about the tale or two halves some of what
were your thoughts about that La game?
Speaker 4 (07:31):
I mean, yeah, it was for sure, very tough to
talk about it in the first because nothing really happened
and it was a pretty flat, no energy like almost
like every time we play a team that we believe
we are going to be easily. The guys like are
just kind of looking at themselves and not really do anything,
you know, they are you know, the game of LA
was just to win boarding the mid door and the counter,
(07:53):
and it's exactly what we give them. You know, I
can't even say probably every player in the midfield or
you know, Gladness and area're playing. Tom Bach like gives
the bull away like to his lee and we got
a counter. So yeah, he was, uh, you know really
about you know what is going to get said at
halftime and we can get some reaction right away because
(08:14):
you know, we need something like Ella is not crazy good.
Speaker 5 (08:18):
They are playing with their big team right now.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
There's not even their front for you know, available, and
we are playing that way and we like makes them
look good. So it was a great reaction and exactly
why we need it. You know, from the first minute
and second I half against this early goal you know
from Areol who doesn't even know he's god with his knee,
you know, from the corner cake and then a great
(08:40):
cross again from then to Barribo and you know, now
you're back at two two with just ten minutes in
and now you can see, you know, like how everything
can change show so quickly. You can see the fans
and getting into the game as well. So all of
this help and at the end, you know, we got
like a helpful goal against Columbus in the last extra
time minutes. But this time, you know, get the win
(09:01):
and you can see like the feeling of the team
and everybody like really be involved and what you mean
about having a reaction like this.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
It's a big game.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
And you saw at at the end of the game,
you know for the person who stayed a little bit,
like everybody stay on the field, you know around the
coach she was was said as well, you know with
everybody kind of like kind of remember this moment kind
of type you know, like we're almost half of the
season through. It's it's those type of of things that
they should not happen and you will play a better teams.
(09:29):
They need to play the same ways that the second
half all the time and not you know, way to
get their ass kicked and then react. It's something that
I think they will learn from that game. But it
was a fantastic season able to get three points when
you have to go down.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
And the funny thing is and I guess, I guess
people knew this. I never knew this. That was the
first time we've ever beaten the Galaxy in Chester, Pennsylvania.
So again, you gotta look at the bright side of
some things. You know.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
It's a bit of a cheap though, because we have
the most unbalanced schedule of any professional league I've ever
seen in my life. Like it's the amount of times
I think we've played what Colorado or you know, salt
like Real Salt Lake in the past three years. You know,
I can count on my hand, so you know. But anyway,
it's a great w against a what is technically the
(10:20):
defending MLS champions, So you know, there's that.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
It's yeah, and we.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Get to give up MacCarthy l finally, Oh my god, man,
look lovely gentlemen, have nothing but love for a big
lord helmet and he's one of my favorites, heartbreaker for
this particular organization. But I used to like Gareth Bale
once upon a time too, So we all have our
moments exactly. But look, you know, I think Seba kind
(10:47):
of put it directly into context. You should not have
been in the position that you were in, and hopefully
you don't have to do that anymore. But it's great
that you know one, and it's great that you showed
the resilience and it was great that you were able
to do that. And who does it love a ninety
minute winner? You know, that's just fun and it doesn't
matter how you get it. That's always a fun thing
(11:07):
to enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
And like sea, like some I said, it was great
to see it happen on our end instead of we
just witnessed Columbus tie it up in the ninety something minute.
So yeah, it was it was great to see for
us getting that result and maybe we learned something from it.
But then we kind of end the week at them
with a triple down to good old down South to
the Dirty Dirty, and we go top of the table
(11:31):
after beating Atlanta. Tiget's number eleven from the penalty kick
line and the Union haven't lost a match since the
one zero defeat against New York City on April twelfth,
So and shout out to Rick gets a start and
that's his first clean sheet, I believe at least an
MLS game. So you know, we go down to Atlanta
(11:53):
and guess what, we had an expert from this pod
covering that game because Seba you were doing the radio,
weren't you.
Speaker 5 (12:02):
Yeah, I was there.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
It was you know, nice beautiful stadium, but on turf,
like you said, so you know, not easy to do.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
How high up were you?
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Pretty high? I would say, like, you know, very hard
to see the player. I kind of know them, but
I was, you know with the red down and who
took place for a day on this game, and you
can see that it was hard for him in to
kind of notice which player it was. But he did
a great job, you know, to be that high, you
know and away. So it was it was kind of
nice to be with him. But they had great, great boots,
(12:32):
great Sageum. I love it. I think the game, Yes,
like you said, m VP.
Speaker 5 (12:38):
For me on the game, it was Rake.
Speaker 4 (12:40):
I mean it without him, like it would be not
a win like the big say he did first half,
he did one second, I did like two or three
who really like keep the team you know in the game.
Without like that, I think Atlanta will go to goal
and maybe get the momentum and we get the second one.
But he was here to kind of like shut them down.
I think was a starious performance from the team.
Speaker 5 (13:02):
We like a lot of subs, you know, we are
the start of.
Speaker 4 (13:05):
Bueno and pedal yea on top on top in the
midfield you know who are started with Donovan and Damien
Nick and have a number ten.
Speaker 5 (13:14):
So you can see at the beginning of the game it.
Speaker 4 (13:16):
Was not really well, let's say oil machine, just because
we play with like a three five twoards the beginning,
like Westfield was on the left who didn't really do
anything on offensively because he's on his wrong foot. Luca
was on the right with never really play the position
and was more focusing on his defensive players and attacking,
so we don't really create a lot. But as soon
(13:36):
as he went back to a four four two, he
was already better, you know, like the way they were playing.
And then at halftime, you know, getting valuable back in
for Donovan and switching you know, some some players.
Speaker 5 (13:46):
It was great. You know, it was a great battle.
Speaker 4 (13:49):
I think the players, they didn't give up any stupid
mistakes to give Atlanta like a chance. Of course they tries,
they created one or two, but that's why, you know,
we have a goalkeeper and you need somebody you make
them save and require able to really you.
Speaker 5 (14:02):
Know, put his mark on.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
A on a good win away in Atlanta, which I
guess never happened. So it's another you know, number one
for the Union. So and I was it was great
to see that with adversity and paying a lot of
different players every three days, they are still able to
get a three points, which maybe like the two points
we lost against Connambus, we got it back you know
in Atlanta. So yeah, let's let's let's keep on winning,
(14:24):
you know, it's a a good feeling.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
Yeah, the final ways to win. And I'll get Adam's thoughts.
But one thing I've read some articles, and it's something
refreshing for me as a Union fan, is how many
different lineups Bradley's put in and the amount of guys
that he's rotated in and out where for ten years,
I've just been kind of used to the same rotation
and the same you know, eleven guys basically coming in
(14:49):
all the time and subs coming in late in the game. So,
I mean, maybe something you can touch on it real quick,
but we've talked about it, like your opinion how Bradley's
been managing this team, especially I through this heavy schedules,
this heavy workload.
Speaker 5 (15:06):
Yeah, I think you know the fact that the amounts
of may.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
It's crazy with nine games, Uh, you know, you have
a could rightly really need to make some rotation. Otherwise
he knows that with the workload and you know, all
those games and everything, you can really have more injuries
and you don't want that. I think the you know,
you know, taps off to the trainers and keeping everybody elsey.
(15:29):
Right now, we just have a you know, Glavinovich who
are in let's say, recovery from the meniscus, who hopefully
would be back soon, and you.
Speaker 5 (15:37):
Have Dre was not here.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
But all that everybody is healthy and it's very important
if you want to get results.
Speaker 5 (15:43):
And you can see the rotation in the player.
Speaker 4 (15:46):
You can see that the coaching type is still keeping
guys concerned because, like you say, if there's just always
twelve certain player every time and you're like why am
I here?
Speaker 5 (15:56):
Like am I never going to play?
Speaker 4 (15:57):
Even if we have like a game every three days,
and you can see that when they play they get
resolved as well, you know, so you know, I would
I like about sample of the game against Galaxy when
Bedoyah came and to live and and who came they
brought something? You know, you saw the difference of everything.
On the last goal of Baribo in his minute, it's
(16:20):
Cavan playing the ball back in the box for Bedoyah
winning the header and who are you know getting the
ball in the box to cross for Barible with so
three guys who are on the bench brought something and
and that's how I feel like the life of a group,
you know, for entire season is healthy even if yeah,
you're not start, but you feel like, okay, I can
see that if maybe something doesn't happen on the field,
(16:41):
because see me is going to put me in because
he knows that I can maybe bring something different. And
it's it's great, you know, it's you feel more concern,
You feel more like a part of the group. You
you are cheering a thing for for the guys who start,
and you want, you know, you just want to keep winning.
But if you are not concerned and you know you're
not going to play, maybe you don't make as much
as an exfolt. You know, it's it's kind of not
(17:02):
conscience consciously, but it's sometimes you know, the path when
the season is long.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
So I really love to see a lot of.
Speaker 4 (17:08):
The funt guy in the standing a level and we
probably will see a little rotation again tomorrow in Open
Cup and uh and you know, if we can get
another win on Wednesday and then Saturday, you know, Big Miami,
so we'll see who is healthy.
Speaker 5 (17:21):
But so far was.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
Having a great job to kind of manage the minute
and keep people, you know, a thte hundred percent on
the play.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Yeah, Adam, your thoughts.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
I mean, look, you got a situation where you just
gotta take care of it. Was it was a take
care of business moment. You know, it wasn't necessarily the
cleanest or the most beautiful thing in the universe, but
you you understood the assignment going down there and trying
to get the points. You understood, you know, what was
(17:53):
against you. And then let's not give it up for
these teams that are desperate.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
You know.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
One the things that I thought was gonna be the
problem and what scared me originally with the LA game
was LA isn't as bad as the record is, Like
that's really the kicker about them. They've been in a
lot of games. Even if you saw l traffic go
over the weekend, like the Galaxy are capable of winning
a lot of these games. They're just not to the
(18:21):
point where even Galaxy said we're going to extend Greg
Vanny even though it's one of the worst starts in
MLS history, just because we know what we're capable of
versus what was actually happening. Now, it's the same thing
with me with Atlanta. You know, there's a lot of
talent on that roster down there that is just not
coming together just quite yet. And that could have been
an easy opportunity for the Union to stumble. But what
(18:45):
was that was just you know, a masterclass and has
taken care of business, seeing the game through to the end.
And I think Pickle Rick is the real deal. People.
I think we need to establish that he is a
solid number two in this league and he could be
on the carousel of Union number twos that end up
(19:05):
being number one for other people eventually. I mean, look,
he's nineteen years old. He's got the world ahead of him.
Let's not race it. But like I was seeing sabs
of a keeper who is two to three to four
or five years older than him, I was seeing a
guy with a lot more experience than he has, you know,
and he looks poised, He looks in the moment filling
(19:27):
the shoes of an Andre Blake is really difficult, you know,
and a lot of guys have had to do it.
We've seen Brian Selvestri to McCarthy to all these people
try to fill the role admirably. It's not the easiest
thing to do to be Andre Blake. But you know,
shout out to Rick for his way of handling the
business and getting the points and Adam.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
I don't know if you've seen this, but the nickname
running around for Pickle Rick is now the Berwin Wall.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
I needed everyone to stop for five seconds because one
Berwin's not a real place. Really stressed that enough as
a person who grew up on the mainline.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
Is that his license or not?
Speaker 3 (20:04):
I mean, right, three places that are not real Saint
David's not a real place, okay, Berwin definitely not a
real place, and East Kensington not a real place.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
So you're you're shooting down the Berwin Wall. Okay, but
no he.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
Yo, just be Pickle recommend record fantastic anyhow.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
I know we want to get into the upcoming games,
but let's get through some some Union new league news.
I don't know last time you looked with fists Sportsbox
is coming together down there, suba can probably give us
some views of it, but from what I hear, we're
looking at probably July, maybe even maybe even before that
for everything being opening, the indoor courts, all that kind
(20:47):
of stuff. So looking forward to that and the Club
World Cup Adam Lincoln Financial Field. Here's the dates. The
sixteenth June eighteenth, June twentieth, June twenty second, June twenty fourth,
June twenty sixth, Saturday the twenty eighth, and Friday July
fourth the quarterfinals. So that's how many matches that are
(21:09):
going to be played. Like a financial field, you can
get tickets. Single game tickets are available, not too bad.
I'm looking at the twenty fourth Chelsea Tunis, so we're
gonna we're gonna see how that goes. But Club World
Cups coming up faster than we thought. Still trying to
find out who's using the Whisfist Complex as a training facility,
(21:30):
who's using Penn, who's using Temple. But rumors are the
Blues are coming to Chester, so we're gonna have to
find out. So you and I can stalk the EPL
version of Jack McGlenn Cole Palmer.
Speaker 3 (21:42):
So dang man, Jack McGlenn has much better hair than
cold Palmer. Don't do that. That's not hard to do.
Don't do that to my boy. But now my sources,
as far as I know, have confirmed Chelsea will be
in Chester. They made a deal with the organize, so
they should be using Chester as their training facility. And
(22:03):
I hear Madrid's going to Fort Lauderdale, which is gonna
be funny to watch. So yes, but yeah, look, I'm
excited as a Chelsea fan. You know. It's always fun
that they always end up in America every couple of
years anyway, you know, and thankfully they live in a
city large enough for them to come to. But to
see them in a competition that's not just as straight
(22:23):
friendly but possibly your glorified friendly, I'm really excited about,
you know. I'm excited to see the new uniforms that
they just dropped and everything, and I like seeing soccer
of this caliber in Philadelphia. I just I think we
don't get enough of it. I'm still kind of mad
that we only got a quarterfinal for the World Cup,
but that's just this guy over here.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
So yeah, there's some teams I'd like to say, it
just depends on when my schedule. The schedule will travel that.
But speaking of trips Nashville, everybody, it has not happened yet,
but let me tell you, Adam got some details. Fourth
of July part with Sebastian LA two is gonna be
on top of Old Red which has got a great
(23:05):
view of the Nashville fireworks. I don't know who's been
in the new stadium. I haven't. Last time I was
in Nashville, they've got the uh I was at the
old Nissan, so I haven't been in the new stadium yet.
So we have got a ton of good stuff planned.
I still think you should try to figure out a
nanny situation and get down there so you can hang
(23:25):
out with sebastianalatwo on Broadway. So many thoughts on the
trip yet, I mean you you are you getting excited?
Did you get your real ID ready so you can fly?
Speaker 5 (23:33):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (23:34):
Everything is already, you know, said my bag is packed,
just making sure.
Speaker 5 (23:38):
But now I'm excited.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
I never really went to Nigeville downtown, so the first
time I've been was just more outside because the stadium
is outside. When I went when I used to call
for Apple TV is the French version. But no, very excited,
so yeah, fast.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Yeah, we're staying the hotels in the Gulch, which is
the nicer part, a little bit off of Broadway. And
for all you people that don't know this, that's where
the Wing Wall is. So if you ever wanted to
get a selfie in front of the wall with the
angel wings, the Gulch is the place to go. And
that's just some of the tips we'll give you when
you're on the trip. So we'll get we'll get some
(24:17):
Bationlalan two to do the Wing Wall selfie.
Speaker 5 (24:19):
Yes, all right.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
The last thing I have is August second, we've got
Frankfurt coming to town, so we're gonna see if that's
the return of Paxton Aaronson. And then, guys, it was
Rivalry Week from the MLS, which I don't know if
that means Atlanta's our arrival or not, but New York
City beat Red Bull and Houston McGlenn beat Dallas. Pretty
(24:43):
much everything else, Adam was a tie. Did you see
the amount of ties in Rivalry Week? You're all mute.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
That'll be fun to edit for Brace later anyway. Yeah, no,
And the best pread about Rivalry Week is how shameless
they could give a Union arrival that weekend, because I
don't know where DC United was that week. I don't
know where the New England Revolution were that week. Heck,
I don't even know where laf I mean, I guess
LAFC was doing El traffic O. It was l Traffico,
(25:15):
which was like I always try to cultivate that via
Red Sox. I'm sorry, not Red Sox, Celtics Lakers. You
know we do it BI coastal rivalry. We don't have
enough of that in this league. I'm just saying, but look,
we could have.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
Played Kansas City. You know that's a rivalry.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
Now, Seeattle, I don't. Here's the thing for as many
manufactured rivalries that they made, because yes, I get it,
Saint Louis shares a state with Kansas City. Well technically
they don't, but they share a territory, so that's a rivalry. Sure,
let's manufacture that one just out of a left field
because of geography. But let's leave Philadelphia alone. Whatever. It's like,
(25:53):
I'm also a Penn State football fan. This doesn't shock
me that no one wants to play with us. It's fine. Whatever,
We'll just keep being on top of the table.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
Yeah, and that's fine, you know, we're top of the
table and we don't have a ride, and that just
means we have no rival. That's why we're unrival That's
all it is. You know, we should get a bye
week during rivalry week. That's what they should do.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
But realistically, where was DC this weekend? Just out of curiosity?
Who are they?
Speaker 2 (26:18):
I have no, didn't even look you. Maybe you can
look it up because.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
I'm a filibuster for myself right now. But like that's
just a good question. Like if you're doing rivalry week,
if you're actually trying to cultivate this stuff, wouldn't it
makes sense like they went to DC versus Nashville? What's that?
Speaker 2 (26:34):
Yeah, that's not Yeah, that's not it. But anyhow, let's
let's get to important business. It is the Pennsylvania State
Soccer Championship this Wednesday. This is Wild Wild versus Sheets.
That's what this is right now. So we've got the
Pittsburgh Riverhounds coming into super Park on what looks like
(26:55):
is going to be a bit of a rainy night tomorrow.
What are your thoughts, Adam. I'll let you take this
one first. Your your your Pittsburgh Riverhounds knowledge.
Speaker 3 (27:09):
Oh, I mean, you know as a as a fine
condo Star of the Commonwealth. I know so much about
the USLS on Pitts or river Hounds. I actually know
more about their frisbee counterparts, the Thunderbirds, more that I
know about the Riverhounds. But look, I love the Open
Cup because these matchups are possible and I'm excited. I'm
excited to bring Pittsburgh in here and you know, hopefully
get some more minutes for the young guys, sharpened the
(27:32):
sword a little bit and hopefully it goes a little
bit more smoother than Indye eleven. But who knows. I mean,
it is, it is the Open Cup. Anything is liable
to happen. But I'm excited.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Yeah, and Saba, your thoughts, you know, I think you
touched one it the way when the team first played La,
they kind of walked on the field like, ah, we
should win this. Are we gonna see some of that
or do you think we see a fire to to
get through this.
Speaker 5 (28:00):
Bit? Just because it's you know, closer around to getting
the cup. You play at home.
Speaker 4 (28:06):
I think the guys you know wants to play because
there have been some guys who maybe didn't have lots of.
Speaker 5 (28:11):
Minutes and it's the convention to to win.
Speaker 3 (28:13):
You know.
Speaker 5 (28:14):
I was kind of like that we seattle when we
want it. You know.
Speaker 4 (28:18):
All the first few round there was lots of guys
who maybe didn't play a lot, and we kind of
came together. I think it's it's all about that. It's
whether is on the field. You know, let's do the job.
You don't make it easy, make it you know about
the sixty minutes you are up maybe to go and
we can make you know, summer some sub and you know,
get everybody in. So now you know, for Miami, everybody
(28:39):
is going to be ready. And because Miami is not
playing on Wednesday, so they're going to be I think
bringing their best team because they know that Engineer is
number one and they are not number one anymore. They
need to get a win to get closer. So uh,
it's gonna be interesting. Yeah, how the game is managed,
but it has to be like with a good performance
from the staff, you know, of the union and not
(28:59):
again if we go after you know, five minutes like
bed Yeah in the last round, let's not fall asleep,
you know, let's not let's just you know veryus this team,
let's you know, scouse the opportunity and and it should
be a fun game for everybody to kind of show
what they can do, especially against the USL team, and
not even it's the last USL team in a competition,
so you know.
Speaker 5 (29:19):
Pittsburgh is gonna be hungry.
Speaker 4 (29:21):
They beat the New York CITYFC last round, so there's
I mean business.
Speaker 5 (29:24):
I'm not gonna be here and be a friend. That
was gonna be like pleasure game.
Speaker 4 (29:27):
But you have to, you know, be cerious, and I
think if we are, we should beat them like easily.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
Yeah, and you know we're you know, I'm hoping we
don't overlook this because of Miami. But yeah, it's let's
let's let's get that win. So let's let's get to
the the elephant in the room. Guys. Miami is coming
to town with a certain Lionel Messy coming into town.
(29:55):
They have They have not won a game and one
in seven matches since April nineteenth. Their streak is almost
the opposite of what the Unions from April twelfth is.
It's like tale of two trajectories of these two teams.
So they haven't once since they're one oh win over Columbus.
(30:16):
You know, at first, I didn't think Messi was going
to play in this game, but I think it's almost
a guarantee he's gonna play, just because he even said
that they need to have a united front and come
out and win. Are we going to have a really
really dangerous Miami team, Adam?
Speaker 3 (30:30):
Do they still not play defense? Because if they still
continue to not play defense, I mean, I don't really
care how much Messy and them are going to be scary,
Like I just I mean, look, they could beat us,
and they can easily beat us. These are some of
the greatest players of all time. But this is a
mid table team right now for a reason. They just
got be three nothing at home by their quote rival,
(30:51):
and they're in shambles right now. Messi was on the
field for that. Bescats was on the field for that.
Alba swore as all of them. So this is not good.
What's going on in Miami now? Could that mean a
hungry team is coming to play us? Sure? But is
that also meaning a vulnerable team is coming to play us? Absolutely?
And I think if you're the Union right now, there's
no reason why you can't look these guys down in
(31:12):
the face and say let's play. They've done it before
you've played Miami very well. Before you played Miami well
in Philadelphia and on the road. I don't see why.
I don't think anyone in that locker room should be
intimidated anymore. Messi is just a guy now, Like I
mean not saying that he's just a guy in terms
of talent, but he can't be the guy that everyone's
falling off of and trying to get autographs for anymore.
You know, we're past that and it's now onto a
(31:35):
new stage. And I think if the Union, who are
right now number one in the supporter shield race, wants
to keep going against a team that's right now in
free fall, you need to beta while at home and
get the w here.
Speaker 2 (31:49):
But let's say it better, Saba, your thoughts on Miami.
What kind of team are we is marching into Super
ru Park a bad team that we've seen for the
last couple of weeks, or you know that perennial powerhouse
with legends playing for them?
Speaker 4 (32:04):
Yeah, I mean you know, Adam said very well, I
think we are playing Miami at the perfect time. They
are not doing so good, so can we not give
them back their confidence or can we just use these
to see them being frustrated. I would love to see
like Macy and whatever, like getting each other will be great,
you know when the Union is up one, two, zero
three zer or whatever it is.
Speaker 5 (32:25):
But you know it's the Miami team that.
Speaker 4 (32:27):
Yeah, we have been let's say, not successful against the
Macy team since they arrived. I think we didn't win yet,
but we could and I think it's motivation is already
here too. Be the first in the league. You want
to put Miami, you know, even more number of points
behind you. You know, it's still a lot of the
game left in the season, but the most point we
(32:49):
can get now against those big team you know, will
fight for a playeroff spot.
Speaker 5 (32:54):
It's it's a change for the team.
Speaker 4 (32:56):
So are there going to be a bit tired of
the Union, Yes, of course when Miami doesn't. But we
have the momentum and they don't, so let's use that.
And yeah, it's this will be a great game to watch.
I just hope to see, you know, a fire in
a Union team and not be scared to play Macy
like maybe we have been one or two time when
we play, you know, against him at the beginning.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
Yeah, and my only last plea out there is you know,
I don't want to tell people what to do with
their money, but please hold on to your tickets. I know,
two hundred and fifty dollars for a river end seat
seems awesome to get, but it really is important that
we're in the stands in our stadium and not surrounded
by a bunch of plastic, pink shirt wearing fans that
(33:39):
just came to see one guy. Adam, Are you going
to be in attendance? I hope.
Speaker 3 (33:44):
I unfortunately have to do my job occasionally, which we
have practice on the same night. We have a huge
game on Friday against New York City, so we need
all hands on deck, even the creative director, So I
will not be there, but as always for as a union.
Speaker 2 (34:00):
Be there in spirit and say, I'm assuming you're going
to be doing the radio broadcast.
Speaker 4 (34:03):
Yeah, I will be there, And I really hope that
when Messy doing good stuff, nobody is clapping, like who cares?
We have a whole union, and it's what I want
to know. It's like, it's annoying when you have fans
you know, oh, great job, a great goal, and I'm like,
are young in Miami fan? Then come on, you're from pity,
let's go.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Exactly so it's it's all Philly all the time. So guys,
thanks a lot. This was episode number what were we saying?
We're on the thirty thirty seven, episode thirty seven, so everybody,
thanks for tuning in. Can't wait to see it at
Super Ru Park. Guys, thanks a lot. Have a great
one everyone,
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