July 5, 2025 • 39 mins
A holiday edition of X’s and The U as the Union head to Nashville fresh off a tough 1-0 loss Sunday night. Fire up the grill, crack a cold one, and join Matty G, Adam & Seba as they break down what’s next for the Boys in Blue! #DOOP
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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 (00:20):
Welcome back, everybody. I am coming live from Nashville, Tennessee.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
This is ex's of the U.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
I am again Matt Gondazik, the former president suns A Ben.
I'm joined with Adam Booth, former head Capo and of
course Union legend Sebastian Latwo. And this is x's the
U Episode number forty two.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
Gentlemen, how's everyone doing good? It's been great.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Yeah, Like I said, we were to all yep, Sebastian's
coming to join me in Nashville to take one the
revenge tour of Nashville FC. And then Adam is chilling
at the beach. So we are in different remote areas
and we just want to talk about some unions. So guys,
let's get into it. Union Columbus not exactly the result
(01:09):
we want it, but then again, wasn't the lineup that
we thought we were ever going to see as a
Union fan, No matter what we thought this team was
going to be, like, we never thought we were going
to have a lineup like that. Ali starts it right
back again. Columbus took the lead in the first half,
and that was kind of it, but huge weather delay.
(01:30):
I mean, I think I was watching the USA game
during that Guys, who wants to who wants to take
this Adam seven? Who wants to go about what they
thought about this Columbus game.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
I I'll go and uh, you know, real quick it
was I don't know, I feel kind of like luke
warm about the whole affair. I think once I saw
that lineup. You know, even when we went into the
podcast last week, we were saying, hey, a draw out
of this game would be pretty okay, you know, And
(02:01):
I think once I saw that was the lineup we
were going with, I'm like, yeah, draw would be phenomenal
if we got out of this, and to be honest
with you, to only lose one nothing, to actually have
some opportunities at the end to kind of smash and
grab and at least get a point out of this.
You know, the header goes wide at the end when
it was a really good chance literally at the death.
(02:25):
I actually am I encouraged that, you know, literally the
mash unit of U two and your reserves was actually
able to hold a Columbus team to only one goal
at home. Yeah, I'll take that positive. I'm not gonna
pooh pooh that. But I mean, look, I didn't expect
(02:46):
much and I don't really get much, so I'm kind
of like a par for the course. Really.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yeah, we've lost to Nashville with better squads than what
we've put on, so you know, one nothing, You're like, okay,
subber your thoughts on it?
Speaker 5 (03:02):
Yeah, I mean I was watching the game in a
cl with some fan as well, and kind of for me,
it was two different halves.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
You know.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
I think the first half we.
Speaker 5 (03:11):
Let's say, play to not lose the game kind of
you know, and unlucky on the last minute of extraight
time we get a goal.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
It's kind of like a big, you know thing for.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Us this year.
Speaker 5 (03:21):
We are lucky to score on you know, at have
extraight time for a lot of games, but we take
a lot of goal as well, So I'll be disappointed,
I think for the guys to be down once zero halftime,
but then whether delay, you know, maybe kind of a
lot of talk in the local room. I'm sure you know,
some of the guys are tired. You know, they play
in Chicago travel and you can see that coaches really
(03:44):
to do some rotation and it's very like he's trying
a lot of young guys. But yeah, totally second deferent half.
You know, we start defending attle bit higher, We start
pressing a bit more, kind of like the the Union
we know from the beginning season, like playing hard and
trying to win the board in half of the open,
and it was much better.
Speaker 4 (04:02):
I think we were a good performance.
Speaker 5 (04:03):
We didn't let's say, were as god in the final third,
you know, finding kind of like the last pass, trying
to you know, maybe get a short on goal.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
We are dangerous a lot.
Speaker 5 (04:13):
On the pieces as usual, which is great, but I
would love to see, you know, a little bit more
maybe risk taken by maybe a Donova and or you know,
a guy who don't play a lot like kind of
try his change to not always try to pass or
be scared. Even when Kelvin Sullivan came out, you know,
we can sell a little bit to the first fifteen minutes,
you know, playing a bit too quickly. Then he kind
of get the rhythm, get in the game. But he
(04:34):
was a good opportunity for them to show what they
could do. But you know, we can see that we
need to give them more minutes to kind of really
feel like the level of playing. You know, a team
like Columbus who is very good at home, but we
made them definitely struggle in the second half. But he
was still a bit too shy, you know, knowing that
we have the full roster. We were tired, you know,
(04:56):
two games in a week. So yeah, it was not bad.
But like I said Adam, I think with a full
squad and maybe a full week of readiness, we can
probably get maybe a winning in Columbus, you know, with
not being as.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Ridiculous as the first half. I think the first half
was like we are just winning. It was nothing really happening,
and at the end, you know, we just go good again.
So I think we could have got a tie, but
we get it.
Speaker 5 (05:25):
Also, now you know we need to get three points
in Nager because you know they are right behind us.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
I could not agree more. Two things I thought Cavin
sal all of Us gets his best is start the
kids aren't playing with any kind of fear. They don't
look like the moment's too big for them. They look
like they just jump in there and it's and it's
just a game. So I was impressed with that, but
the ref, adam Am I the only person that was
(05:52):
quote unquote bitching about the ref. I mean, we got
six yellows on the Union, one on gaz Dag and
he crushes and gets no call. So I was just
feeling a little Maybe I was just in my emotions,
but I wasn't happy with the pace with the referee
and all the calls, and I'm worried about guys on
the yellows because we're already missing guys, So that that
(06:12):
was kind of my that that hurt me a little bit.
But we did have opportunities, So I can't say that
the ref killed us or anyone else because we did
have opportunities to score and we just didn't make it happen.
So hopefully now we take care of that.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
I agree with you.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
I thought about that, that's that's a second yettle for sure,
Like i'n understand why you didn't receive a second youdle.
For all that, I understand this guy's he's an excellent prayer.
It was a referry like missed it up, like he
should have been ten Vsdvan and yeah, big big mistaken
on the referrer.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
He should have been a red kalfuck as that, and it.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Was kind of disappointing. I mean, look, I understand Gaza's
emotions in this particular game. I don't know how he
feels about the organization at the moment.
Speaker 6 (06:55):
You know.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
I'm sure he has a lot of buddies still at
the Union, and I'm sure he enjoyed his time here,
but I'm not sure if he enjoyed how his tenure ended.
So I mean, it looked like he was a little
kind of oh, you know, I don't know, he was
the most happiest even in the planet Earth. So I
normally you don't really crash into your former captain like
(07:17):
that unless you feel in a certain type of way.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
I'm just saying, I think he wasn't seeing Ali Badoya.
He was seeing Ernst Tanner when he tackled him.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Fair. I mean, I think, is it like in baseball
when like your star player gets hit, so you hit
the other star player if they had nothing to do
with it, and you're just like, all right, I guess
you know, Jose Batista gets smacked now because of it,
you know, but look, I'll say, ultimately, if there's anything
that resembles a scheduled loss, I think that was it.
(07:48):
You know, given all the circumstances. I think if you
have a full Union squad, you probably beat Columbus, to
be honest with you, they didn't really look that strong
and they were boasting a much high percentage of their
natural roster than we were. So I think if any,
if you take any positives from it, holding a team
like that to only one goal at home is impressive.
(08:11):
I will say that, you know, would have given the circumstances.
And you know, I think the people who were a
lot of them playing in makeshift roles did a good job.
And the real shout out I want to give is
to Bradley looking at the Cavin Sullivan situation and you know,
putting him probably in one of the best case scenarios
(08:33):
for him to really break through in terms of minutes
and in terms of playing a full half in everything.
Like I think, you know, with all of the hype
that surrounds Cavin, which realistically has kind of died down
a little bit because we haven't necessarily like it's not
so fresh off of the signing itself. There's still a
lot of clamoring to see how good he is. But
(08:54):
I don't think it's as feverish as it was maybe,
you know, three hundred days ago. But to see Bradley say, okay,
put him in on the road, put him in a
situation where he's playing with a bunch of his buddies
from Union two as anyway, you know, put him in
a situation where he feels comfortable. And I was like that,
you know, I think he contributed the best he could
(09:16):
in those moments and circumstance, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
So a little shout out on that end to Cavin
Sullivan's like obviously not his debut, but kind of like
an unofficial coming out party.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Most minutes' earliest time he's gotten in. So, yeah, he
brought up the roster. That's where I wanted to transition.
Let's talk about the spending. It's the elephant in the room.
We were talking about it because it came out from
the Major League Soccer Players Association. The Union come in
number twenty nine in salary, thirteen million, three hundred and
(09:52):
sixty five dollars in five hundred and forty nine, so
they're they're twenty nine out of thirty. But you know what,
I don't know if it's that fair all the time,
because you think about what the unions spend on. They
spend on the academy, they spend on the training facility,
they spend on that. So is it fair to just
go on that thirteen million? Do I want them to
spend more money? Hell yeah, But then again, I think
(10:14):
we talked about we don't need them to spend ten
million on one player.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
So I just want to get your.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Thoughts on that Major League Players Association list of US
only at thirteen million in Miami's what thirty million dollars
above us.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
I mean, look, when you're this successful with that level
of a payroll, like if you were an executive, you're
over the moon right now. As a fan, it looks awkward,
but as an executive, you're saying to everyone with the
(10:53):
lowest or second lowest MLS budget, in terms of spending
on our players the entire league, we are one point
ahead of every team in the league and the supporter
shield race right now with not even our full roster
around US right now. We spent We sent more players
(11:13):
to the Gold Cup and to international duty than any
other team in Major League Soccer. We sent eight players
on international duty. And as again as an executive, I
say that, look we I'm doing a great job. This
is what I'm doing. I am taking a limited budget
and I am maximizing my profit margin out of that budget.
(11:36):
If you look at it, yesterday, I saw, or maybe
it was two days ago, I'm not sure, but I
saw the news coming out of Toronto. Both Bernadesque and
Insigne have their contracts have been terminated. They're done. Their
era in Toronto is over. And we talk about this.
I almost think every week about wanting to spend money
(11:59):
in what the actual results of that spending is. And
I don't know how many clubs that are not named
Miami and possibly LAFC that wouldn't want to be the
union in this situation. You have an academy that is
continually making good talent to put on your rosters, so
(12:20):
you don't have to spend on middle on midline free
agents to fill out roster spots. You don't need to
spend three hundred, four hundred thousand dollars on a thirty
something year old midfielder who's a retread in MLS. You
have enough people in your academy who are making less
(12:41):
than that to fill in the margins just as well.
And like we're looking at that that it is somehow
a bad thing. Like I again, I say this almost
every week, but winning the off season does nothing for
me in terms of signing big names. It's about how
you can use the money and get enough depth. For me.
(13:02):
It's about making sure that we have enough bullets in
the chamber and give an any given situation. So if
you want to get me another center back so that
we're not playing another one unnaturally, or if you want
to make sure my right back situation is a little
more fluid, so Alejandro, Butdoya doesn't have to play minutes.
That's where I want you to spend money. I don't
need another striker. What I need is pieces to help
(13:25):
the good pieces I already have and maintain us through struggles.
That's all.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
No, I agree, I think. And there's people that they
want the shiny new toy, they want Muller, they want that,
but it's not a fit. So you know, yes, are
the union successful?
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Yep?
Speaker 2 (13:41):
Would we still want, like you said, a center back. Hey,
if they want to go out and spend two million
on a center back, I'd be thrilled to death. That
would be great. Subba your thoughts on I mean it,
it's this whole controversy. It's you know, they're doing everything right,
they're in first place, but yeah, we still like to
see a little bit more money in the first team salary.
But then again, if you're a realist, you know that
(14:03):
they're spending so much money on infrastructure, Like somebody you
could talk on this, the Whispers Complex, you're down there
helped coaching. Compare that to when you first started and
you're playing in a public park in Chester.
Speaker 4 (14:15):
It's a nightmare and paradise. It's so opposite.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
Like I mean, yes, they definitely spend money in all
the stuff, which maybe all the team doesn't spend on
because they want to you know, let's say, have the
spark and like the rainbow in the team because everybody
just talk about lid. But at the end, you want
to win, So yeah, you look like a little moneyballer
type of team. You know, we have like halurs study,
(14:40):
but it's money well spent. I feel like, you know,
it's the player we sign, I.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Will say.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
Eighty percent of them have been so good. You know,
I've been playing, I've been contributing, I've been making indifference.
I've been here to play for the team, for the club,
not for themselves.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
And of course you know.
Speaker 5 (15:02):
There's here and there are some injury guy who didn't
you know, feel welcome or whatever. It is homesick sometimes
you know, going different team. But I think it just
it just shows that it doesn't matter all the time.
It's okay to spend money, yes, but you need to
have the player and find a player where you know
I'm spending that money because he is all ready and
(15:23):
like we talk about it, like you want somebody who
come to Philly with a different type of team than
er Galaxy or LFC or Atlanta who spend so much money.
You want to put you want to spend money, but
put it in a in a place that it makes
sense for the fans. You know, it makes sense to
make maybe the stadium better, to make like and people
(15:45):
can enjoy a great you know game slash everything else.
And plus you know, making it to the academy to
make it to like Adam say, create players and then
you can sell and be a business, you know, like
be making money and not to be in a deficient
every year of millions because you still have to pay
for so many things. So I think the union is
(16:08):
on a good strike and the example they are doing
is successful and looking understanding and we are first.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
So they are sustainable, and let's be honest, they're not
making money. You can look at the Forbes things. Not
a lot of Major League soccer teams are profitable. The
owners are always dumping money into it because there isn't
the television revenue and everything else. So people, I think
I have to understand that the owner's Jay Richard everybody else.
(16:35):
They're putting in their own money year after year because
they're not taking out Everybody thinks the fifteen dollars beers
at Union Yards is going right to Jay's pocket and
he's fueling up his lear jet. That's really not the truth.
But you know they are in a sustainable model and
right now you can't argue with it because we keep
saying they're in first place. They're winning, and you know,
(16:56):
I'm on the mindset right now, and Adam correct me
if I'm wrong. Go US Open Cup, Shield MLS Cup
we're going for the three for three.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
You know, I'm like, yeah, And look, I don't want
to sound like a propaganda arm or anything. I'm not
trying to tell you. Yeah, the Union ownership is great
things and slice spread. You know. I like what they
do with the game. You know, I'm liking what they
what they do with all of this, and I commend
the fact that they have made a sustainable enough model.
(17:26):
Not that because we've been doing this for a while
and they still are one of the top teams in
Major League Soccer year after year after year outside of
maybe last season.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
And we remember the old days.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
We know how bad it was exactly. We remember the
knicksack days exactly. So when I break so I don't
want to be like, oh, like too gushing, But at
the same time, I'm like, look, these are just results
being results. And I'm like, look, if you want to
run a business, if you were running a business, if
you were like someone said, I need you to moneyball
(17:58):
major League soccer. I don't know how you and moneyball
major League soccer better than how the Union do it.
It's literally the blueprint of how that would work. And
when you play in I believe it's the second smallest
stadium in the MLS. You're not worried about having to
get Messy or sign Jiu or sign all these guys
(18:20):
to fill your stadium in and to get tickets done,
because you know, if you make just a good enough
product anyway, super Rupark will be full. So that's almost
the thing that works in our favor in terms of that.
But ultimately, look, I want to sign up the players
that help this team win the trouble. I want to
(18:40):
sign the player that at minimum gets us the Open Cup.
You know, after all these years, after all this time
of waiting, I believe that trophy at minimum should be
in Chester by the end of the year. And you
have to figure out the best way to make that happen.
And half the time, it's not bringing in a six
million dollar person who hasn't been in any of what
(19:02):
you've been working towards to get to that Open Cup
in the first place. I remember famously when they signed
Barnetta right during one of those Open Cup runs, and
it's great to know what barnetsa did for us as
a as a number ten eventually, but beforehand it wasn't
even close. You know, beforehand you had a situation where
(19:24):
you had him try to figure out how to play
Major League soccer with the rest of these guys and
gave himself acclimated and it didn't help us during that
Cup run essentially, So I'm saying like, look, I don't
want to sound again like we're just trying to blow
smoke up the ownership and saying everything is sunshine and lollipops.
But at the same time, I think you have to
(19:45):
honestly take a look at this and say this isn't
half bad. Yep.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Well, speaking of trophies, Adam are belove. Chelsea plays July
fourth in Philadelphia on pursuit of another trophy, the Club
World Cup. Unfortunately we won't be in town for it,
so we'll see. But we are in Nashville or I'm
in Nashville and Sub is in Nashville, And if you're
in Nashville, you should make sure you come out and
hang out with us and Adam. At some point, I'm
(20:12):
going to have you plug the socials because we're going
to send some content to our boys, Ander just so
he can share with everything going on. But we're waiting
for mister Latou to get on his private jet and
come down to Nashville to hang out with us. So
we're looking forward to us up and make sure you're
ready to go.
Speaker 5 (20:30):
I am, but I just want to make sure what
you saying our team Chelsea, that's not my team, that's
Seals and Adam.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
Okay, I just don't want to clear this that I'm
the Chelsea guy.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
Mighty mighty Arsenal.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
Mighty mighty Arsenal. Yeah, so lead News and Adam we
talked about it last week and guy, we might be
no shra Damas for all the Muller people out there
that were crying that we would say no to this guy,
we compared him to one player you and I Olivia
Asia Rude. And you know what happened to him? He said,
I buy MLS. They agree to terminate his contract with LAFC,
(21:04):
and he basically said, like MLS was not a fit
for me. So just funny enough that we keep talking
about it. If you're gonna spend money on these players,
it's got to be the right fit. He wasn't the
right fit. MLS wasn't the right fit for him.
Speaker 3 (21:20):
So he gone, do we want to have the real
conversation that it's not a fit for most of these
guys who do this move Like I don't know if
we've actually did the statistics on this, but like the
amount of players that have come over from Europe and
have actually had this thing hit properly is such a
low percentage. Like, yes, Beckham, I think was the og
(21:43):
MESSI is messy, So I think he would be phenomenal
in any league that ever existed for the rest of
Glory exactly. But like for the rest of these guys,
Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, like you
have all of these guys who just came over here
(22:03):
doing the exact same. It was good for Slotson, it
was good for Slots and I'll give him credit for that.
But he even but he didn't even win a trophy
with LA.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
No, he cold handle the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
If everyone wants to talk about this being a retirement league,
not a lot of these dudes are retiring here. They're
kind of eventually leaving realizing, oh, this might have been
a different thing than I was expecting. And look, I
respect the hell out of Olivia Jeru. I don't know
what his expectations were going to LA, but he got
(22:34):
a rude awakening. And it's one of these things that
I think a lot of these players are gonna have
to realize moving forward that like the United States isn't
just a place where you can go hang out.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
And let's have some a touch on this. Because you
know he's played in the MLS, he can tell you
how the travel is daunting. It's a physical league. It's different,
you know, I mean some of what was your adjustment
when you first came over to play with Seattle.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
It's defund It's different for me when I came because
I played back to that game in USL and I
was like, what the heck is that? So yeah, it
was very different for me. But it's a bit, I
would say in MLS because yourself was different. You know,
you play on Saturday and then you play on Sunday,
so it was a weird. But it's a trouble, you know,
(23:21):
Like it's you play games, you know, with a you know,
six hour flights, You play games in a different type
of weather than when you live, so it takes a.
Speaker 4 (23:33):
Lot on your body.
Speaker 5 (23:34):
So like for a guy like I feel like Jeru
came here. It's not to say, but sometimes especially when
it's la or so people who come like it's for fun.
Speaker 4 (23:47):
You know, I'm going to be cool, but you cannot,
like it can't really be cool.
Speaker 5 (23:51):
You need to really like give a lot of you
to perform, especially like it doesn't have maybe the leg
you had like ten years ago. But I think mentally
he was not prepared to be like, oh shit, okay,
I need to play hard, you know, not just be
relaxed and the gold are going to come. And yeah,
maybe he was not the right fit for him in
(24:11):
LFC because you know, when they're one guy who you know,
guys who are good on the wing, you want to
you know, number nine like him, you know, just staying
in a box didn't have maybe as much service. But yeah,
I don't think he came with the right mentality. And
again it's so we talk about if you sign an
older player who have a great career and is a
great player, you need to come here like being still
(24:33):
hungry and want to do something. Robbie kin for his
ompointent like the older but he was so good with
them and he was a perfect fit for the Galaxy anyone,
you know, so many title with them, But he was hungry.
But after you know, Harry spirit maybe defferent than a
French one as well. But but yeah, it's I think
it's just a mentality of how you.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
Came here to this country and in which team you are.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
You know, the LA it's not you know too for me,
Like when I came here, LA was like, oh, Hollywood,
you know, like a cinema start.
Speaker 4 (25:06):
It's how you perceive, you know, like America.
Speaker 5 (25:10):
That's what like the only let's say two city if
you ask any players or like LA or New York
is a two you know they want to go because
there's a too famous one. You tell them, hey, what
do you know about Sandy other I don't know. I
know it's on the beach, but nothing else. You know,
same for Kansas City, but they need to know more
about the history of the team, what the people who
(25:32):
live there are all about, and kind of like take
this identity and as they fit with themselves or they
know not able to play. So yeah, it's it's tough,
but you can see some guys make it. But I
feel it's a lot about being the right fit for
them and being mentally ready to play at a level
that MLS you know, level is better than it was
(25:55):
you know, ten years ago, so they cannot believe that,
Oh I'm in my study five years and I'm going
to come here and make a splash.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
You know, I don't need anything just myself.
Speaker 5 (26:04):
No, it's not the case. There's a lot of good
defender now and you cannot, you know, do whatever you want.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
Yeah, and I think it's I think an aspect that's
not even talked about enough is how much MLS is
a stepping stone. There's so many Latin American countries getting
to Europe, Like, there's so many players that come through
South America, Mexico and all that and look at the
MLS as a stepping stone to keep moving forward in
their career. So there's so many of these guys coming
(26:30):
here on the downslope of their career whilst they come
head to head with all of what you said and
a roster which of people who are hungry to accelerate
their career. And that's a disaster waiting to happen, you know.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Yeah, And I'm sorry and I can see too.
Speaker 5 (26:47):
Like now I feel a lot more as well with
South American club espescially in Brazil, in Argentina, all the
big clubs there after, young player who come to play
in MLS. You know, like you sign those players and
then they go back and they signed got signed by
those club. And you can see the number ten of
(27:08):
New York City, a c who went to play in
South America. There's a player who was in Orlando, Enrique
who played for the Fulminans or I forgot, one of
the Brazilian team who were in a club World Cup.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
I saw him and he was starting. So it just
shows you that.
Speaker 5 (27:23):
Those clubs in South America were big clubs. They understand that.
How it's a good young player he make it is
one of the best in MLS. Let's sign him back
to South America.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
He can play.
Speaker 5 (27:34):
It's not going to sign him and just put them
on the bench and forget about him. So yeah, the
level definitely get higher, and the young player from South
America especially come here grew because they play at a
tough level and then they are ready to, you know,
maybe play for a bigger team, and you see the
impact they have when they go to the big clubs.
So yeah, it's the league change and the level I
(27:55):
think really it's getting better and better.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
True, it's not the retirement league anymore. And you see
those younger players from South America coming up, and you
have all these academy players that are coming up, these homegrowns.
It's it's it's totally a different league now, speaking of homegrouns, Adam, USA, USA,
USS be Costa Rica, you know, and p K. So
(28:21):
the only thing I gotta say is Matt Efin Freeze,
you know, Matt Freeze, good God. And then we had
Guatemala and we take care of Biz so you know
it does does does Punch know what he's doing? I'm
not sure? But their face in Mexico in the finals. Now,
so let's just recap real quick, just us.
Speaker 4 (28:41):
We don't have to go into depth.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
But the USA, did we think that they were going
to play Mexico in the finals when this with this
Gold Cup? When this Gold Cup started, I didn't think so, Adam.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
I mean I thought they were going to lose to
Canada in the semifinals. But Canada found a way to
lose the Guatemala and the quarterfinals and then we had.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
To take that, Jesse Marsh.
Speaker 3 (28:59):
So that's how that works. I mean, look, there's three
there's four teams in Conka calf that are good. That's it.
I'm gonna say, I'm gonna die on that hill. So
I expect the United States to be in uh the
semi finals of any competition that involves Conka, caff and
Saudi Arabia apparently, but look good for them, and I'm
happy for them. I think Matt Freeze uh definitely deserves
(29:22):
every flower and definitely in the conversation of the goalie
pool for twenty twenty six. You know, I'd be shocked
at this point if he's not in the top three.
You know, I don't know what Zach Stefan or any
of these other guys are gonna bring to the table
that he hasn't displayed in the last couple of days.
That is not good enough. And diego Luna. He's a
He's a star in the making. I think there's there's
(29:43):
something about him that I actually really like. If he's
haircut not well yeah, I mean I actually kind of
like the hair up cut. But overall, I like him.
I like I like his heart, I like his I
like his energy. He has the passion that I think
has been lacking in a lot of the US national team,
Like every time I see polistic put that like tiger eyes,
(30:07):
tattoo up when he scores a goal, it just feels
so forced for me. But I think the way that
Diego was about to literally rip the badge off of
his jersey after scoring that second goal, that that felt
like realness to me, And that felt like the real passion.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
That's your Sicilian hate for for Polisic, that's all thought,
But I I like to that.
Speaker 3 (30:26):
Chelsea.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
I'm gonna I'm gonna say one thing. I'm gonna say
it for Subah. He told you so, Adam. He told
you the USA was gonna be okay. He's been saying
it the whole time. Oh you think we're okay, that's
cy No, No, sub sub tell him USI.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
Gonna beat Mexico, right, I.
Speaker 6 (30:43):
Think so, I think we're going to like and then
you're like, oh, okay, there's a hope, you know.
Speaker 4 (30:48):
We we can maybe do it.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
Uh No.
Speaker 6 (30:51):
I mean it's fifty to fifty.
Speaker 5 (30:52):
It's a one game, fine ord, but yes, the motivation
of the fos of guys, I think they did everything
they to do to be in a fine order.
Speaker 4 (30:59):
I think he was kind of goal for them, but
now they need to win it. So it's one game.
Speaker 5 (31:03):
There's some players are revealing themselves to maybe be possible
for the World Cup. But yeah, I think it's the
moment for them to keep pushing, and they need to.
If they win the Gold Cup, whoever starts should.
Speaker 4 (31:18):
Be in the roster for the World Cup.
Speaker 5 (31:22):
It's my thinking if that course, after they stay healthy
and they do a great season, because we all know
a lot of things can happen in twelve months.
Speaker 6 (31:31):
But yeah, I think it's a big chance for you know,
the bare art or the lunar, the Matt.
Speaker 5 (31:36):
Freeze, you know too, and even the half standing on
the web side with the right back of Orlando, I've
got the free men on the right side. I think,
you know, all those guys if they play a big game,
now the enemy is there, you know, and now is
going to push the other guys who didn't make the
trip and you know, get some rest to it. Okay,
(31:58):
Like I need to play because these guys. One can
play in my position because he has a trust off Pokatino.
Speaker 6 (32:03):
So yeah, I really wish they are going to have
a good games.
Speaker 5 (32:08):
I'm gonna be scaled, but you know, played to the
occasion and he's going to be you know, fifty percent
of sixty percent Mexican find in the stadium and hopefully
he's a US finds.
Speaker 3 (32:15):
I'm gonna be he haswe yep.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
That takes place Sunday in Houston, Texas, and we'll get
off this. But I have one question for Adam and Saba.
Give me an over under number. How many times Landon
Donovan and or Alexi Lallas says doci cerro during their pregame.
I'm gonna say they're gonna say doci sero fifteen times minimum.
Speaker 3 (32:39):
Oh god, more times than I would ever hope any
person would ever talk in the history of mankind. I
can safely say.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
That lazy, lazy journalism.
Speaker 3 (32:48):
I could finest and look full disclosure. We doubly had
Alexi Lawless on our podcast once upon time ago, but
I cannot find two people I find more insufferable. Now
for US Soccer, it's just like, Okay, we get it.
Your your debt, you have depth in your you're clever,
and you're not afraid to say the thing that no
one wants to say out loud. And I'm like, all right, yeah,
(33:09):
like they are.
Speaker 2 (33:11):
They are a little brutal to listen to. Uh in
NWSL news, Adam, it's not even NWSL news. The WNBA
is coming to Philadelphia.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
Oh yeah, maybe there's hope for the NWSL.
Speaker 2 (33:25):
But just remember Josh Harrison Company spent two hundred and
fifty million dollars out of an expansion fee for the WNBA.
Speaker 4 (33:34):
The w WSL is gonna be NWSL is gonna be
the same thing.
Speaker 2 (33:39):
You know, if you want a women's team, get ready
to pony up two hundred and fifty three hundred million dollars.
But I'm excited for twenty thirty, twenty thirty one when
that happens. So we're gonna we're gonna see. But let's
just get into the good stuff.
Speaker 3 (33:52):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
One thing, Adam, is are the some have been culturally
bankrupt because I saw a sign or a flag something. No,
don't get into it. We're not even give that guy.
Speaker 3 (34:00):
I'm Matthew, you know, but let's talk about now vacation. Matthew,
don't do this to me.
Speaker 2 (34:05):
Nashville, We're here, live stubs coming down. I keep calling
it the revenge game. Nashville's playing. Well, they've got the
Golden Book winner right now. What are our thoughts on
this game? Who wants to who wants to? Hashes out first?
Speaker 3 (34:22):
I go first.
Speaker 5 (34:24):
Yeah, I mean it's gonna be uh, it's gonna be tough.
Team is very confident right now. They just went in
DC one zero. I mean we know actually it's solely defensively,
it's you know, they don't give up a lot of goals.
But you know with now you know Bijack hag And
as a new coach, I have a bit of defferent style,
you know, and the way they play before offensively, but
you can see that they still have Mukta. We don't
(34:46):
maybe say his name as much, but we're still here
create a lot of chances. And now you have surge
with finishing his chances. I think he had chances before
he was not maybe putting all of them in the
back of the net. But right now he's hot. So
for sure somebody we need to have an eye on,
you know, Mark marking closely. Glass is going to be back,
which is good. And yeah, I think we may have
(35:08):
maybe a healthier team that game. And yeah, I think
we need to play with a little cheap on shoulders
that you know, we are first, but if the bidders
they pass in front of us, So it's.
Speaker 6 (35:21):
Going to be I think intense game. I don't know
if Baribo can be bad for that game.
Speaker 5 (35:30):
I hope they could get some minutes not to have
the team, but then it's going to be a few questions.
Mark at the right by position again you know who
is going to be back for that game. But what
I like about it is the fact that we have
a full week of preparation, which you know, give some
guys some rest. And usually when we have a full week,
(35:50):
I feel like Brode, Karen and is coaching staff come
up with a good game plan and you know they
are a ready for the battle.
Speaker 4 (35:57):
So I'm excited about it.
Speaker 5 (35:59):
It's a it's a fourth of July weekend games, so
hopefully the fireworks would be to celebrate a Union win.
But yeah, I think the guys already and they know that. Yeah,
we lost at home against them, so why not you know,
giving them a kind of a test of them.
Speaker 4 (36:15):
Reason.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
Yeah, and Adam, you'll say to if we get three
points out of this, that's six on this road trip,
and that's that's a win for us. You know, So Adam,
your faults on Nashville.
Speaker 3 (36:27):
Yeah, when I came into this, I said, if you
get five points out of this road trip, you're you're
sitting pretty so if you find a way, it is
smash and grab and win in Nashville, and I think
you can count this road trip as a success overall. Look,
this is the gauntlet, but after you've got to get
through these last couple of really teethy matchups and then
the rest of the season. You know, there's a couple
(36:48):
of hurdles in there, but there's also a couple of
moments that you're going against teams that you've been very
successful again. So I think right now you're in a
bit of survival mode given all the things that are happening.
But you're gonna have more of your roster back. It's
gonna feel a little bit better, you know. I think
this is a game where you really show Major League
Soccer how for real you are, you know. I think
(37:11):
I don't think anyone is doubting the Union at this point.
I think if you're playing the Union, you know, outside
of the fans that just don't know enough about this
roster and about this team, I think anyone in the
no knows that this team is legitimate. But I think
this game alone will definitely put you know, a real
marker on where the potential of the season is for
(37:32):
the Union.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
Let's see what our roster looks like. And if our
roster is close to the strength that we're hoping for,
no war missing guys, it's gonna be a great test.
So we're gonna we're gonna see. All right, we can
wrap this up. But I'll tell you what Seba July
twenty first, twenty fourth, we still got the camp going on.
Everything looking good.
Speaker 6 (37:51):
Yeah, everything looking good, you knows, so cras on.
Speaker 5 (37:54):
So hopefully maybe a few more sign ups, so you know,
it'd be fun to have some more kids.
Speaker 6 (37:59):
But yeah, a lot to eat.
Speaker 5 (38:01):
And it's a last you know week before I thought
that then with Academy, So it's gonna be it's gonna
be fun. I'm seeing a lot of the new kid
coming back, you know, for the new ones, so I
can help them getting better.
Speaker 2 (38:16):
Looking forward to Adam as we wrap up Hot Birds,
Hot Birds.
Speaker 3 (38:21):
Yeah one went away for the playoffs. If we were
off this week, have a bye for the holiday. But
if we win one of the next three matchups we
have against New York, Boston or DC, we will be
participants in the twenty twenty five UFA playoffs. And if
we are lucky enough to win two or to have
the the Frisbee gods work in our favor. We'll be
(38:43):
hosting a playoff game in beautiful Ashton, Pennsylvania, so keep
an eye on us.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
All good stuff. Well, gentlemen, thanks for tuning in or
thanks for joining, and everybody else, thanks for tuning in.
This is episode number Man forty two. We're getting up there, guys,
forty to but everyone, thanks for listening, and hopefully you
will tune in and listen to the radio broadcast from
Nashville our Apple TV. Watch that and keep an eye
(39:11):
on our socials because we are going to have some
content on the socials from Nashville. So everyone, thanks a lot,
have a great night. Thanks guys,
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 (00:20):
Welcome back, everybody. I am coming live from Nashville, Tennessee.
Speaker 3 (00:27):
This is ex's of the U.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
I am again Matt Gondazik, the former president suns A Ben.
I'm joined with Adam Booth, former head Capo and of
course Union legend Sebastian Latwo. And this is x's the
U Episode number forty two.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
Gentlemen, how's everyone doing good? It's been great.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Yeah, Like I said, we were to all yep, Sebastian's
coming to join me in Nashville to take one the
revenge tour of Nashville FC. And then Adam is chilling
at the beach. So we are in different remote areas
and we just want to talk about some unions. So guys,
let's get into it. Union Columbus not exactly the result
(01:09):
we want it, but then again, wasn't the lineup that
we thought we were ever going to see as a
Union fan, No matter what we thought this team was
going to be, like, we never thought we were going
to have a lineup like that. Ali starts it right
back again. Columbus took the lead in the first half,
and that was kind of it, but huge weather delay.
(01:30):
I mean, I think I was watching the USA game
during that Guys, who wants to who wants to take
this Adam seven? Who wants to go about what they
thought about this Columbus game.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
I I'll go and uh, you know, real quick it
was I don't know, I feel kind of like luke
warm about the whole affair. I think once I saw
that lineup. You know, even when we went into the
podcast last week, we were saying, hey, a draw out
of this game would be pretty okay, you know, And
(02:01):
I think once I saw that was the lineup we
were going with, I'm like, yeah, draw would be phenomenal
if we got out of this, and to be honest
with you, to only lose one nothing, to actually have
some opportunities at the end to kind of smash and
grab and at least get a point out of this.
You know, the header goes wide at the end when
it was a really good chance literally at the death.
(02:25):
I actually am I encouraged that, you know, literally the
mash unit of U two and your reserves was actually
able to hold a Columbus team to only one goal
at home. Yeah, I'll take that positive. I'm not gonna
pooh pooh that. But I mean, look, I didn't expect
(02:46):
much and I don't really get much, so I'm kind
of like a par for the course. Really.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yeah, we've lost to Nashville with better squads than what
we've put on, so you know, one nothing, You're like, okay,
subber your thoughts on it?
Speaker 5 (03:02):
Yeah, I mean I was watching the game in a
cl with some fan as well, and kind of for me,
it was two different halves.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
You know.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
I think the first half we.
Speaker 5 (03:11):
Let's say, play to not lose the game kind of
you know, and unlucky on the last minute of extraight
time we get a goal.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
It's kind of like a big, you know thing for.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Us this year.
Speaker 5 (03:21):
We are lucky to score on you know, at have
extraight time for a lot of games, but we take
a lot of goal as well, So I'll be disappointed,
I think for the guys to be down once zero halftime,
but then whether delay, you know, maybe kind of a
lot of talk in the local room. I'm sure you know,
some of the guys are tired. You know, they play
in Chicago travel and you can see that coaches really
(03:44):
to do some rotation and it's very like he's trying
a lot of young guys. But yeah, totally second deferent half.
You know, we start defending attle bit higher, We start
pressing a bit more, kind of like the the Union
we know from the beginning season, like playing hard and
trying to win the board in half of the open,
and it was much better.
Speaker 4 (04:02):
I think we were a good performance.
Speaker 5 (04:03):
We didn't let's say, were as god in the final third,
you know, finding kind of like the last pass, trying
to you know, maybe get a short on goal.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
We are dangerous a lot.
Speaker 5 (04:13):
On the pieces as usual, which is great, but I
would love to see, you know, a little bit more
maybe risk taken by maybe a Donova and or you know,
a guy who don't play a lot like kind of
try his change to not always try to pass or
be scared. Even when Kelvin Sullivan came out, you know,
we can sell a little bit to the first fifteen minutes,
you know, playing a bit too quickly. Then he kind
of get the rhythm, get in the game. But he
(04:34):
was a good opportunity for them to show what they
could do. But you know, we can see that we
need to give them more minutes to kind of really
feel like the level of playing. You know, a team
like Columbus who is very good at home, but we
made them definitely struggle in the second half. But he
was still a bit too shy, you know, knowing that
we have the full roster. We were tired, you know,
(04:56):
two games in a week. So yeah, it was not bad.
But like I said Adam, I think with a full
squad and maybe a full week of readiness, we can
probably get maybe a winning in Columbus, you know, with
not being as.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Ridiculous as the first half. I think the first half
was like we are just winning. It was nothing really happening,
and at the end, you know, we just go good again.
So I think we could have got a tie, but
we get it.
Speaker 5 (05:25):
Also, now you know we need to get three points
in Nager because you know they are right behind us.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
I could not agree more. Two things I thought Cavin
sal all of Us gets his best is start the
kids aren't playing with any kind of fear. They don't
look like the moment's too big for them. They look
like they just jump in there and it's and it's
just a game. So I was impressed with that, but
the ref, adam Am I the only person that was
(05:52):
quote unquote bitching about the ref. I mean, we got
six yellows on the Union, one on gaz Dag and
he crushes and gets no call. So I was just
feeling a little Maybe I was just in my emotions,
but I wasn't happy with the pace with the referee
and all the calls, and I'm worried about guys on
the yellows because we're already missing guys, So that that
(06:12):
was kind of my that that hurt me a little bit.
But we did have opportunities, So I can't say that
the ref killed us or anyone else because we did
have opportunities to score and we just didn't make it happen.
So hopefully now we take care of that.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
I agree with you.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
I thought about that, that's that's a second yettle for sure,
Like i'n understand why you didn't receive a second youdle.
For all that, I understand this guy's he's an excellent prayer.
It was a referry like missed it up, like he
should have been ten Vsdvan and yeah, big big mistaken
on the referrer.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
He should have been a red kalfuck as that, and it.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Was kind of disappointing. I mean, look, I understand Gaza's
emotions in this particular game. I don't know how he
feels about the organization at the moment.
Speaker 6 (06:55):
You know.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
I'm sure he has a lot of buddies still at
the Union, and I'm sure he enjoyed his time here,
but I'm not sure if he enjoyed how his tenure ended.
So I mean, it looked like he was a little
kind of oh, you know, I don't know, he was
the most happiest even in the planet Earth. So I
normally you don't really crash into your former captain like
(07:17):
that unless you feel in a certain type of way.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
I'm just saying, I think he wasn't seeing Ali Badoya.
He was seeing Ernst Tanner when he tackled him.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Fair. I mean, I think, is it like in baseball
when like your star player gets hit, so you hit
the other star player if they had nothing to do
with it, and you're just like, all right, I guess
you know, Jose Batista gets smacked now because of it,
you know, but look, I'll say, ultimately, if there's anything
that resembles a scheduled loss, I think that was it.
(07:48):
You know, given all the circumstances. I think if you
have a full Union squad, you probably beat Columbus, to
be honest with you, they didn't really look that strong
and they were boasting a much high percentage of their
natural roster than we were. So I think if any,
if you take any positives from it, holding a team
like that to only one goal at home is impressive.
(08:11):
I will say that, you know, would have given the circumstances.
And you know, I think the people who were a
lot of them playing in makeshift roles did a good job.
And the real shout out I want to give is
to Bradley looking at the Cavin Sullivan situation and you know,
putting him probably in one of the best case scenarios
(08:33):
for him to really break through in terms of minutes
and in terms of playing a full half in everything.
Like I think, you know, with all of the hype
that surrounds Cavin, which realistically has kind of died down
a little bit because we haven't necessarily like it's not
so fresh off of the signing itself. There's still a
lot of clamoring to see how good he is. But
(08:54):
I don't think it's as feverish as it was maybe,
you know, three hundred days ago. But to see Bradley say, okay,
put him in on the road, put him in a
situation where he's playing with a bunch of his buddies
from Union two as anyway, you know, put him in
a situation where he feels comfortable. And I was like that,
you know, I think he contributed the best he could
(09:16):
in those moments and circumstance, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
So a little shout out on that end to Cavin
Sullivan's like obviously not his debut, but kind of like
an unofficial coming out party.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Most minutes' earliest time he's gotten in. So, yeah, he
brought up the roster. That's where I wanted to transition.
Let's talk about the spending. It's the elephant in the room.
We were talking about it because it came out from
the Major League Soccer Players Association. The Union come in
number twenty nine in salary, thirteen million, three hundred and
(09:52):
sixty five dollars in five hundred and forty nine, so
they're they're twenty nine out of thirty. But you know what,
I don't know if it's that fair all the time,
because you think about what the unions spend on. They
spend on the academy, they spend on the training facility,
they spend on that. So is it fair to just
go on that thirteen million? Do I want them to
spend more money? Hell yeah, But then again, I think
(10:14):
we talked about we don't need them to spend ten
million on one player.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
So I just want to get your.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Thoughts on that Major League Players Association list of US
only at thirteen million in Miami's what thirty million dollars
above us.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
I mean, look, when you're this successful with that level
of a payroll, like if you were an executive, you're
over the moon right now. As a fan, it looks awkward,
but as an executive, you're saying to everyone with the
(10:53):
lowest or second lowest MLS budget, in terms of spending
on our players the entire league, we are one point
ahead of every team in the league and the supporter
shield race right now with not even our full roster
around US right now. We spent We sent more players
(11:13):
to the Gold Cup and to international duty than any
other team in Major League Soccer. We sent eight players
on international duty. And as again as an executive, I
say that, look we I'm doing a great job. This
is what I'm doing. I am taking a limited budget
and I am maximizing my profit margin out of that budget.
(11:36):
If you look at it, yesterday, I saw, or maybe
it was two days ago, I'm not sure, but I
saw the news coming out of Toronto. Both Bernadesque and
Insigne have their contracts have been terminated. They're done. Their
era in Toronto is over. And we talk about this.
I almost think every week about wanting to spend money
(11:59):
in what the actual results of that spending is. And
I don't know how many clubs that are not named
Miami and possibly LAFC that wouldn't want to be the
union in this situation. You have an academy that is
continually making good talent to put on your rosters, so
(12:20):
you don't have to spend on middle on midline free
agents to fill out roster spots. You don't need to
spend three hundred, four hundred thousand dollars on a thirty
something year old midfielder who's a retread in MLS. You
have enough people in your academy who are making less
(12:41):
than that to fill in the margins just as well.
And like we're looking at that that it is somehow
a bad thing. Like I again, I say this almost
every week, but winning the off season does nothing for
me in terms of signing big names. It's about how
you can use the money and get enough depth. For me.
(13:02):
It's about making sure that we have enough bullets in
the chamber and give an any given situation. So if
you want to get me another center back so that
we're not playing another one unnaturally, or if you want
to make sure my right back situation is a little
more fluid, so Alejandro, Butdoya doesn't have to play minutes.
That's where I want you to spend money. I don't
need another striker. What I need is pieces to help
(13:25):
the good pieces I already have and maintain us through struggles.
That's all.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
No, I agree, I think. And there's people that they
want the shiny new toy, they want Muller, they want that,
but it's not a fit. So you know, yes, are
the union successful?
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Yep?
Speaker 2 (13:41):
Would we still want, like you said, a center back. Hey,
if they want to go out and spend two million
on a center back, I'd be thrilled to death. That
would be great. Subba your thoughts on I mean it,
it's this whole controversy. It's you know, they're doing everything right,
they're in first place, but yeah, we still like to
see a little bit more money in the first team salary.
But then again, if you're a realist, you know that
(14:03):
they're spending so much money on infrastructure, Like somebody you
could talk on this, the Whispers Complex, you're down there
helped coaching. Compare that to when you first started and
you're playing in a public park in Chester.
Speaker 4 (14:15):
It's a nightmare and paradise. It's so opposite.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
Like I mean, yes, they definitely spend money in all
the stuff, which maybe all the team doesn't spend on
because they want to you know, let's say, have the
spark and like the rainbow in the team because everybody
just talk about lid. But at the end, you want
to win, So yeah, you look like a little moneyballer
type of team. You know, we have like halurs study,
(14:40):
but it's money well spent. I feel like, you know,
it's the player we sign, I.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Will say.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
Eighty percent of them have been so good. You know,
I've been playing, I've been contributing, I've been making indifference.
I've been here to play for the team, for the club,
not for themselves.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
And of course you know.
Speaker 5 (15:02):
There's here and there are some injury guy who didn't
you know, feel welcome or whatever. It is homesick sometimes
you know, going different team. But I think it just
it just shows that it doesn't matter all the time.
It's okay to spend money, yes, but you need to
have the player and find a player where you know
I'm spending that money because he is all ready and
(15:23):
like we talk about it, like you want somebody who
come to Philly with a different type of team than
er Galaxy or LFC or Atlanta who spend so much money.
You want to put you want to spend money, but
put it in a in a place that it makes
sense for the fans. You know, it makes sense to
make maybe the stadium better, to make like and people
(15:45):
can enjoy a great you know game slash everything else.
And plus you know, making it to the academy to
make it to like Adam say, create players and then
you can sell and be a business, you know, like
be making money and not to be in a deficient
every year of millions because you still have to pay
for so many things. So I think the union is
(16:08):
on a good strike and the example they are doing
is successful and looking understanding and we are first.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
So they are sustainable, and let's be honest, they're not
making money. You can look at the Forbes things. Not
a lot of Major League soccer teams are profitable. The
owners are always dumping money into it because there isn't
the television revenue and everything else. So people, I think
I have to understand that the owner's Jay Richard everybody else.
(16:35):
They're putting in their own money year after year because
they're not taking out Everybody thinks the fifteen dollars beers
at Union Yards is going right to Jay's pocket and
he's fueling up his lear jet. That's really not the truth.
But you know they are in a sustainable model and
right now you can't argue with it because we keep
saying they're in first place. They're winning, and you know,
(16:56):
I'm on the mindset right now, and Adam correct me
if I'm wrong. Go US Open Cup, Shield MLS Cup
we're going for the three for three.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
You know, I'm like, yeah, And look, I don't want
to sound like a propaganda arm or anything. I'm not
trying to tell you. Yeah, the Union ownership is great
things and slice spread. You know. I like what they
do with the game. You know, I'm liking what they
what they do with all of this, and I commend
the fact that they have made a sustainable enough model.
(17:26):
Not that because we've been doing this for a while
and they still are one of the top teams in
Major League Soccer year after year after year outside of
maybe last season.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
And we remember the old days.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
We know how bad it was exactly. We remember the
knicksack days exactly. So when I break so I don't
want to be like, oh, like too gushing, But at
the same time, I'm like, look, these are just results
being results. And I'm like, look, if you want to
run a business, if you were running a business, if
you were like someone said, I need you to moneyball
(17:58):
major League soccer. I don't know how you and moneyball
major League soccer better than how the Union do it.
It's literally the blueprint of how that would work. And
when you play in I believe it's the second smallest
stadium in the MLS. You're not worried about having to
get Messy or sign Jiu or sign all these guys
(18:20):
to fill your stadium in and to get tickets done,
because you know, if you make just a good enough
product anyway, super Rupark will be full. So that's almost
the thing that works in our favor in terms of that.
But ultimately, look, I want to sign up the players
that help this team win the trouble. I want to
(18:40):
sign the player that at minimum gets us the Open Cup.
You know, after all these years, after all this time
of waiting, I believe that trophy at minimum should be
in Chester by the end of the year. And you
have to figure out the best way to make that happen.
And half the time, it's not bringing in a six
million dollar person who hasn't been in any of what
(19:02):
you've been working towards to get to that Open Cup
in the first place. I remember famously when they signed
Barnetta right during one of those Open Cup runs, and
it's great to know what barnetsa did for us as
a as a number ten eventually, but beforehand it wasn't
even close. You know, beforehand you had a situation where
(19:24):
you had him try to figure out how to play
Major League soccer with the rest of these guys and
gave himself acclimated and it didn't help us during that
Cup run essentially, So I'm saying like, look, I don't
want to sound again like we're just trying to blow
smoke up the ownership and saying everything is sunshine and lollipops.
But at the same time, I think you have to
(19:45):
honestly take a look at this and say this isn't
half bad. Yep.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Well, speaking of trophies, Adam are belove. Chelsea plays July
fourth in Philadelphia on pursuit of another trophy, the Club
World Cup. Unfortunately we won't be in town for it,
so we'll see. But we are in Nashville or I'm
in Nashville and Sub is in Nashville, And if you're
in Nashville, you should make sure you come out and
hang out with us and Adam. At some point, I'm
(20:12):
going to have you plug the socials because we're going
to send some content to our boys, Ander just so
he can share with everything going on. But we're waiting
for mister Latou to get on his private jet and
come down to Nashville to hang out with us. So
we're looking forward to us up and make sure you're
ready to go.
Speaker 5 (20:30):
I am, but I just want to make sure what
you saying our team Chelsea, that's not my team, that's
Seals and Adam.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
Okay, I just don't want to clear this that I'm
the Chelsea guy.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
Mighty mighty Arsenal.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
Mighty mighty Arsenal. Yeah, so lead News and Adam we
talked about it last week and guy, we might be
no shra Damas for all the Muller people out there
that were crying that we would say no to this guy,
we compared him to one player you and I Olivia
Asia Rude. And you know what happened to him? He said,
I buy MLS. They agree to terminate his contract with LAFC,
(21:04):
and he basically said, like MLS was not a fit
for me. So just funny enough that we keep talking
about it. If you're gonna spend money on these players,
it's got to be the right fit. He wasn't the
right fit. MLS wasn't the right fit for him.
Speaker 3 (21:20):
So he gone, do we want to have the real
conversation that it's not a fit for most of these
guys who do this move Like I don't know if
we've actually did the statistics on this, but like the
amount of players that have come over from Europe and
have actually had this thing hit properly is such a
low percentage. Like, yes, Beckham, I think was the og
(21:43):
MESSI is messy, So I think he would be phenomenal
in any league that ever existed for the rest of
Glory exactly. But like for the rest of these guys,
Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, like you
have all of these guys who just came over here
(22:03):
doing the exact same. It was good for Slotson, it
was good for Slots and I'll give him credit for that.
But he even but he didn't even win a trophy
with LA.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
No, he cold handle the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
If everyone wants to talk about this being a retirement league,
not a lot of these dudes are retiring here. They're
kind of eventually leaving realizing, oh, this might have been
a different thing than I was expecting. And look, I
respect the hell out of Olivia Jeru. I don't know
what his expectations were going to LA, but he got
(22:34):
a rude awakening. And it's one of these things that
I think a lot of these players are gonna have
to realize moving forward that like the United States isn't
just a place where you can go hang out.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
And let's have some a touch on this. Because you
know he's played in the MLS, he can tell you
how the travel is daunting. It's a physical league. It's different,
you know, I mean some of what was your adjustment
when you first came over to play with Seattle.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
It's defund It's different for me when I came because
I played back to that game in USL and I
was like, what the heck is that? So yeah, it
was very different for me. But it's a bit, I
would say in MLS because yourself was different. You know,
you play on Saturday and then you play on Sunday,
so it was a weird. But it's a trouble, you know,
(23:21):
Like it's you play games, you know, with a you know,
six hour flights, You play games in a different type
of weather than when you live, so it takes a.
Speaker 4 (23:33):
Lot on your body.
Speaker 5 (23:34):
So like for a guy like I feel like Jeru
came here. It's not to say, but sometimes especially when
it's la or so people who come like it's for fun.
Speaker 4 (23:47):
You know, I'm going to be cool, but you cannot,
like it can't really be cool.
Speaker 5 (23:51):
You need to really like give a lot of you
to perform, especially like it doesn't have maybe the leg
you had like ten years ago. But I think mentally
he was not prepared to be like, oh shit, okay,
I need to play hard, you know, not just be
relaxed and the gold are going to come. And yeah,
maybe he was not the right fit for him in
(24:11):
LFC because you know, when they're one guy who you know,
guys who are good on the wing, you want to
you know, number nine like him, you know, just staying
in a box didn't have maybe as much service. But yeah,
I don't think he came with the right mentality. And
again it's so we talk about if you sign an
older player who have a great career and is a
great player, you need to come here like being still
(24:33):
hungry and want to do something. Robbie kin for his
ompointent like the older but he was so good with
them and he was a perfect fit for the Galaxy anyone,
you know, so many title with them, But he was hungry.
But after you know, Harry spirit maybe defferent than a
French one as well. But but yeah, it's I think
it's just a mentality of how you.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
Came here to this country and in which team you are.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
You know, the LA it's not you know too for me,
Like when I came here, LA was like, oh, Hollywood,
you know, like a cinema start.
Speaker 4 (25:06):
It's how you perceive, you know, like America.
Speaker 5 (25:10):
That's what like the only let's say two city if
you ask any players or like LA or New York
is a two you know they want to go because
there's a too famous one. You tell them, hey, what
do you know about Sandy other I don't know. I
know it's on the beach, but nothing else. You know,
same for Kansas City, but they need to know more
about the history of the team, what the people who
(25:32):
live there are all about, and kind of like take
this identity and as they fit with themselves or they
know not able to play. So yeah, it's it's tough,
but you can see some guys make it. But I
feel it's a lot about being the right fit for
them and being mentally ready to play at a level
that MLS you know, level is better than it was
(25:55):
you know, ten years ago, so they cannot believe that,
Oh I'm in my study five years and I'm going
to come here and make a splash.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
You know, I don't need anything just myself.
Speaker 5 (26:04):
No, it's not the case. There's a lot of good
defender now and you cannot, you know, do whatever you want.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
Yeah, and I think it's I think an aspect that's
not even talked about enough is how much MLS is
a stepping stone. There's so many Latin American countries getting
to Europe, Like, there's so many players that come through
South America, Mexico and all that and look at the
MLS as a stepping stone to keep moving forward in
their career. So there's so many of these guys coming
(26:30):
here on the downslope of their career whilst they come
head to head with all of what you said and
a roster which of people who are hungry to accelerate
their career. And that's a disaster waiting to happen, you know.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Yeah, And I'm sorry and I can see too.
Speaker 5 (26:47):
Like now I feel a lot more as well with
South American club espescially in Brazil, in Argentina, all the
big clubs there after, young player who come to play
in MLS. You know, like you sign those players and
then they go back and they signed got signed by
those club. And you can see the number ten of
(27:08):
New York City, a c who went to play in
South America. There's a player who was in Orlando, Enrique
who played for the Fulminans or I forgot, one of
the Brazilian team who were in a club World Cup.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
I saw him and he was starting. So it just
shows you that.
Speaker 5 (27:23):
Those clubs in South America were big clubs. They understand that.
How it's a good young player he make it is
one of the best in MLS. Let's sign him back
to South America.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
He can play.
Speaker 5 (27:34):
It's not going to sign him and just put them
on the bench and forget about him. So yeah, the
level definitely get higher, and the young player from South
America especially come here grew because they play at a
tough level and then they are ready to, you know,
maybe play for a bigger team, and you see the
impact they have when they go to the big clubs.
So yeah, it's the league change and the level I
(27:55):
think really it's getting better and better.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
True, it's not the retirement league anymore. And you see
those younger players from South America coming up, and you
have all these academy players that are coming up, these homegrowns.
It's it's it's totally a different league now, speaking of homegrouns, Adam, USA, USA,
USS be Costa Rica, you know, and p K. So
(28:21):
the only thing I gotta say is Matt Efin Freeze,
you know, Matt Freeze, good God. And then we had
Guatemala and we take care of Biz so you know
it does does does Punch know what he's doing? I'm
not sure? But their face in Mexico in the finals. Now,
so let's just recap real quick, just us.
Speaker 4 (28:41):
We don't have to go into depth.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
But the USA, did we think that they were going
to play Mexico in the finals when this with this
Gold Cup? When this Gold Cup started, I didn't think so, Adam.
Speaker 3 (28:52):
I mean I thought they were going to lose to
Canada in the semifinals. But Canada found a way to
lose the Guatemala and the quarterfinals and then we had.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
To take that, Jesse Marsh.
Speaker 3 (28:59):
So that's how that works. I mean, look, there's three
there's four teams in Conka calf that are good. That's it.
I'm gonna say, I'm gonna die on that hill. So
I expect the United States to be in uh the
semi finals of any competition that involves Conka, caff and
Saudi Arabia apparently, but look good for them, and I'm
happy for them. I think Matt Freeze uh definitely deserves
(29:22):
every flower and definitely in the conversation of the goalie
pool for twenty twenty six. You know, I'd be shocked
at this point if he's not in the top three.
You know, I don't know what Zach Stefan or any
of these other guys are gonna bring to the table
that he hasn't displayed in the last couple of days.
That is not good enough. And diego Luna. He's a
He's a star in the making. I think there's there's
(29:43):
something about him that I actually really like. If he's
haircut not well yeah, I mean I actually kind of
like the hair up cut. But overall, I like him.
I like I like his heart, I like his I
like his energy. He has the passion that I think
has been lacking in a lot of the US national team,
Like every time I see polistic put that like tiger eyes,
(30:07):
tattoo up when he scores a goal, it just feels
so forced for me. But I think the way that
Diego was about to literally rip the badge off of
his jersey after scoring that second goal, that that felt
like realness to me, And that felt like the real passion.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
That's your Sicilian hate for for Polisic, that's all thought,
But I I like to that.
Speaker 3 (30:26):
Chelsea.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
I'm gonna I'm gonna say one thing. I'm gonna say
it for Subah. He told you so, Adam. He told
you the USA was gonna be okay. He's been saying
it the whole time. Oh you think we're okay, that's
cy No, No, sub sub tell him USI.
Speaker 3 (30:40):
Gonna beat Mexico, right, I.
Speaker 6 (30:43):
Think so, I think we're going to like and then
you're like, oh, okay, there's a hope, you know.
Speaker 4 (30:48):
We we can maybe do it.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
Uh No.
Speaker 6 (30:51):
I mean it's fifty to fifty.
Speaker 5 (30:52):
It's a one game, fine ord, but yes, the motivation
of the fos of guys, I think they did everything
they to do to be in a fine order.
Speaker 4 (30:59):
I think he was kind of goal for them, but
now they need to win it. So it's one game.
Speaker 5 (31:03):
There's some players are revealing themselves to maybe be possible
for the World Cup. But yeah, I think it's the
moment for them to keep pushing, and they need to.
If they win the Gold Cup, whoever starts should.
Speaker 4 (31:18):
Be in the roster for the World Cup.
Speaker 5 (31:22):
It's my thinking if that course, after they stay healthy
and they do a great season, because we all know
a lot of things can happen in twelve months.
Speaker 6 (31:31):
But yeah, I think it's a big chance for you know,
the bare art or the lunar, the Matt.
Speaker 5 (31:36):
Freeze, you know too, and even the half standing on
the web side with the right back of Orlando, I've
got the free men on the right side. I think,
you know, all those guys if they play a big game,
now the enemy is there, you know, and now is
going to push the other guys who didn't make the
trip and you know, get some rest to it. Okay,
(31:58):
Like I need to play because these guys. One can
play in my position because he has a trust off Pokatino.
Speaker 6 (32:03):
So yeah, I really wish they are going to have
a good games.
Speaker 5 (32:08):
I'm gonna be scaled, but you know, played to the
occasion and he's going to be you know, fifty percent
of sixty percent Mexican find in the stadium and hopefully
he's a US finds.
Speaker 3 (32:15):
I'm gonna be he haswe yep.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
That takes place Sunday in Houston, Texas, and we'll get
off this. But I have one question for Adam and Saba.
Give me an over under number. How many times Landon
Donovan and or Alexi Lallas says doci cerro during their pregame.
I'm gonna say they're gonna say doci sero fifteen times minimum.
Speaker 3 (32:39):
Oh god, more times than I would ever hope any
person would ever talk in the history of mankind. I
can safely say.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
That lazy, lazy journalism.
Speaker 3 (32:48):
I could finest and look full disclosure. We doubly had
Alexi Lawless on our podcast once upon time ago, but
I cannot find two people I find more insufferable. Now
for US Soccer, it's just like, Okay, we get it.
Your your debt, you have depth in your you're clever,
and you're not afraid to say the thing that no
one wants to say out loud. And I'm like, all right, yeah,
(33:09):
like they are.
Speaker 2 (33:11):
They are a little brutal to listen to. Uh in
NWSL news, Adam, it's not even NWSL news. The WNBA
is coming to Philadelphia.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
Oh yeah, maybe there's hope for the NWSL.
Speaker 2 (33:25):
But just remember Josh Harrison Company spent two hundred and
fifty million dollars out of an expansion fee for the WNBA.
Speaker 4 (33:34):
The w WSL is gonna be NWSL is gonna be
the same thing.
Speaker 2 (33:39):
You know, if you want a women's team, get ready
to pony up two hundred and fifty three hundred million dollars.
But I'm excited for twenty thirty, twenty thirty one when
that happens. So we're gonna we're gonna see. But let's
just get into the good stuff.
Speaker 3 (33:52):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
One thing, Adam, is are the some have been culturally
bankrupt because I saw a sign or a flag something. No,
don't get into it. We're not even give that guy.
Speaker 3 (34:00):
I'm Matthew, you know, but let's talk about now vacation. Matthew,
don't do this to me.
Speaker 2 (34:05):
Nashville, We're here, live stubs coming down. I keep calling
it the revenge game. Nashville's playing. Well, they've got the
Golden Book winner right now. What are our thoughts on
this game? Who wants to who wants to? Hashes out first?
Speaker 3 (34:22):
I go first.
Speaker 5 (34:24):
Yeah, I mean it's gonna be uh, it's gonna be tough.
Team is very confident right now. They just went in
DC one zero. I mean we know actually it's solely defensively,
it's you know, they don't give up a lot of goals.
But you know with now you know Bijack hag And
as a new coach, I have a bit of defferent style,
you know, and the way they play before offensively, but
you can see that they still have Mukta. We don't
(34:46):
maybe say his name as much, but we're still here
create a lot of chances. And now you have surge
with finishing his chances. I think he had chances before
he was not maybe putting all of them in the
back of the net. But right now he's hot. So
for sure somebody we need to have an eye on,
you know, Mark marking closely. Glass is going to be back,
which is good. And yeah, I think we may have
(35:08):
maybe a healthier team that game. And yeah, I think
we need to play with a little cheap on shoulders
that you know, we are first, but if the bidders
they pass in front of us, So it's.
Speaker 6 (35:21):
Going to be I think intense game. I don't know
if Baribo can be bad for that game.
Speaker 5 (35:30):
I hope they could get some minutes not to have
the team, but then it's going to be a few questions.
Mark at the right by position again you know who
is going to be back for that game. But what
I like about it is the fact that we have
a full week of preparation, which you know, give some
guys some rest. And usually when we have a full week,
(35:50):
I feel like Brode, Karen and is coaching staff come
up with a good game plan and you know they
are a ready for the battle.
Speaker 4 (35:57):
So I'm excited about it.
Speaker 5 (35:59):
It's a it's a fourth of July weekend games, so
hopefully the fireworks would be to celebrate a Union win.
But yeah, I think the guys already and they know that. Yeah,
we lost at home against them, so why not you know,
giving them a kind of a test of them.
Speaker 4 (36:15):
Reason.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
Yeah, and Adam, you'll say to if we get three
points out of this, that's six on this road trip,
and that's that's a win for us. You know, So Adam,
your faults on Nashville.
Speaker 3 (36:27):
Yeah, when I came into this, I said, if you
get five points out of this road trip, you're you're
sitting pretty so if you find a way, it is
smash and grab and win in Nashville, and I think
you can count this road trip as a success overall. Look,
this is the gauntlet, but after you've got to get
through these last couple of really teethy matchups and then
the rest of the season. You know, there's a couple
(36:48):
of hurdles in there, but there's also a couple of
moments that you're going against teams that you've been very
successful again. So I think right now you're in a
bit of survival mode given all the things that are happening.
But you're gonna have more of your roster back. It's
gonna feel a little bit better, you know. I think
this is a game where you really show Major League
Soccer how for real you are, you know. I think
(37:11):
I don't think anyone is doubting the Union at this point.
I think if you're playing the Union, you know, outside
of the fans that just don't know enough about this
roster and about this team, I think anyone in the
no knows that this team is legitimate. But I think
this game alone will definitely put you know, a real
marker on where the potential of the season is for
(37:32):
the Union.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
Let's see what our roster looks like. And if our
roster is close to the strength that we're hoping for,
no war missing guys, it's gonna be a great test.
So we're gonna we're gonna see. All right, we can
wrap this up. But I'll tell you what Seba July
twenty first, twenty fourth, we still got the camp going on.
Everything looking good.
Speaker 6 (37:51):
Yeah, everything looking good, you knows, so cras on.
Speaker 5 (37:54):
So hopefully maybe a few more sign ups, so you know,
it'd be fun to have some more kids.
Speaker 6 (37:59):
But yeah, a lot to eat.
Speaker 5 (38:01):
And it's a last you know week before I thought
that then with Academy, So it's gonna be it's gonna
be fun. I'm seeing a lot of the new kid
coming back, you know, for the new ones, so I
can help them getting better.
Speaker 2 (38:16):
Looking forward to Adam as we wrap up Hot Birds,
Hot Birds.
Speaker 3 (38:21):
Yeah one went away for the playoffs. If we were
off this week, have a bye for the holiday. But
if we win one of the next three matchups we
have against New York, Boston or DC, we will be
participants in the twenty twenty five UFA playoffs. And if
we are lucky enough to win two or to have
the the Frisbee gods work in our favor. We'll be
(38:43):
hosting a playoff game in beautiful Ashton, Pennsylvania, so keep
an eye on us.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
All good stuff. Well, gentlemen, thanks for tuning in or
thanks for joining, and everybody else, thanks for tuning in.
This is episode number Man forty two. We're getting up there, guys,
forty to but everyone, thanks for listening, and hopefully you
will tune in and listen to the radio broadcast from
Nashville our Apple TV. Watch that and keep an eye
(39:11):
on our socials because we are going to have some
content on the socials from Nashville. So everyone, thanks a lot,
have a great night. Thanks guys,
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