October 22, 2025 • 46 mins
The playoffs are here! Tonight on Sounders Weekly, Jackson Felts looks ahead to the series against Minnesota with Steve Zakuani and Ari Liljenwall, plus asks if Cristian Roldan has locked up a spot on the 2026 World Cup roster including hearing from the United States and Seattle midfielder himself.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Coming to you live from Orelliot Avenue Studios of Sports
Radio ninety three point three KJRFM. This is Sounders Weekly
with your host Jackson felt Good.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Even everybody, welcome into Sounders Weekly. Jackson Feldts here on
this Wednesday night talking Sounders Soccer. For the next hour
here on KGr, we'll of course have Rain Weekly with
Kiey Dunning coming up in an hour to talk about
the Rain entering the playoffs as well. But the Sounders
are starting their journey in the twenty twenty five Audy
(00:32):
MLS Cup Playoffs that will begin next Monday, and we
now know the opponent.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
It took a few hours after.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
The Sounders beat New York City, but it is Minnesota,
Minnesota United. The Loons will be Seattle's opponent here in
the first round, best of three series. First game is
going to be in Minnesota, second game back in Seattle.
Third game would be back in Minnesota if necessary. Let's
give you that schedule and all of the details and
(01:01):
what I can tell you about our broadcast details. Game
one next Monday, October twenty seventh. We gotta wait a
little more than just this weekend. It is all the
way into next week. Is game one in Minnesota that
will have a five to thirty Providence Swedish premat show
and six o'clock kickoff over on our sister station of
Sports Radio nine fifty kr AM nine to fifty am
(01:26):
next Monday night for Sounders Minnesota Game one. Folks, you
can also listen in Spanish language on LRA thirteen sixty
And I will mention MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
is where you usually watch these Sounders games. If you
are an Apple tz TV subscriber but you don't have
Season Pass, you can watch these games.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Listen. This is real simple for folks.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
I love the decision by Apple to do this to
get more eyes on the product. You just need Apple
TV in order to watch these games. You don't have
to have Season Pass and you don't have to have
that expensive package.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
All you need is Apple TV.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
So and I'm sure there's some sort of free trial
somewhere you can get on so in case you don't
have Apple TV, but I would recommend it. Apple TV
has some amazing TV shows and movies. Their hit rate
for great shows is phenomenal, So listen. Just get Apple
TV and you can watch all not only the Sounders,
all the MLS playoff games and that includes next Monday,
(02:27):
October twenty seventh, Sounders Minnesota Game one. Again, we'll have
that nine to fifty km on the radio side, all right,
So that is the broadcast details for game one. Game
two will then be at lumin Field on Monday, November three,
So it's back to back Monday night football games. Football
games for the Sounders in Minnesota here in this first round,
(02:49):
and then Game three, if necessary, would be later that week.
I believe there in early November. But hopefully the Sounders
can dispatch the Minnesota and move past them here in
this five four game. We're gonna be previewing this playoff
series for most of the night. In just a moment,
and there he is on hold, Steve Zachawani, the Flying Winger,
(03:11):
the Sounders legend, the great broadcaster who also does the
Sounders podcast.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
We'll have Steve.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Zakawana here in just a moment, Ari Lillianwall, Major League
Soccer dot Com and the podcast Lobbing Scorchers. He will
join us to talk about this series and lots of
other MLS playoff series questions that I have for him,
and I want to ask Ari Lillianwall if Christian Roldan
has locked up a spot on the United States men's
(03:39):
national team because listen, last week we saw Christian Roldan
ball out for the United States two assists in a
game Pachettino. Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach for the US,
had glowing comments about Christian Roldan, And we're also, by
the way, going to round out the night by hearing
from Christian Roldana talking about that experience with the United
(04:01):
States talking about his connection with Pachettino. You're gonna hear
from Christian Roldon later on tonight as well as he
may have locked up a spot there for the World
Cup with the United States, which, by the way, have
a game in Seattle. All right, but joining us right
here on Sounders Weekly to begin the playoff talk and
look back at the Sounders two to one win in
(04:22):
New York City. It's our good friend. He is a
broadcast analyst, he is the former winger, he is the
Sounder legend, and he also hosts the Sounders podcast. Steve
Zachawani joins us right here.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
Stevie. What's going on, man, how are you?
Speaker 4 (04:38):
That's great to be on. Thanks having me man.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Well Steve. Let's quickly start THEA.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
So much of tonight's show and this interview is going
to be centered around the Minnesota playoff series, the two
one win over New York City and the fact that
this team ends the regular season on three straight wins.
What are your thoughts and takeaways from that?
Speaker 4 (04:57):
Yeah, I think, you know, dere Jackson, I think a
bit of a lull after the League Cup. We couldn't
quite find a win. We're dropping points, conceding late goals,
and we just kind of wanted to get back to
winning way. So to end with three straight wins, and
I think you know, there's not been great performances, right,
It's not being gare of your seat exciting sort of soccer.
But it's not been about that. It's been about finding
a way to win, and the team's done that. And
(05:19):
sometimes in the playoffs we've done over the years, you've
got to win a bit ugly at times, and seeing
that in against Portland, against So Lake and then this
past weekend against New York CITYFC on the road, those
are the kinds of wins you have to rhyme out
in the playoffs. So the signs point really well, and
I think it was also great to see of course
Jordan Morris back on the score sheet. He needed one,
and for him to get one going into the playoffs,
(05:39):
you couldn't ask to enter the posts in any better
form than three wins on the bounce.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
I think that's one of the biggest takeaways, Steve, is
the fact that you know, and we said it on
the pregame show me and viewing about how Jordan Morris,
after you know, having the penalty saved in at RSL game.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Needed something to give him a boost.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
And I'm sure you can speak to it as as
an attacker where when you can just kind of get
off the schneide and when you can develop that confidence,
there's no better time to do that than right before
the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Yeah, there really isn't. And he's such a streaky player, Jordan,
where you know, he won't score for a few games
and he'll get one and the suddenly he can't stop
scoring it. So I hope that's what happens here. But
he needed it, you know against an urso he had
a chance from the penalty spot that will save. That
would have been tough for his confidence. No matter how
good you are, how long you've been around. I mean,
when you're a striker, when your guy he needs to
score goals. You know, I've been in that situation where
(06:29):
you just can't buy a goal and then eventually one
finds the back of the net and suddenly the goal
gets bigger and bigger. You find your confidence, you find
your rhythm, and you know, in specific to Jordan Morris,
he's that kind of player. So he needed this. I
think as much as he wanted it, the fans wanted
it for him, the coaching staff, his teammates because they
know to go far in the playoffs, you're going to
need Jordan Rice. It was last year where you know,
(06:50):
he got the big goal down against LAFC. So he's
a guy who over the years, I think, you know,
I had a big goal in the twenty sixteen run
to get away to Colorado. So he's the guy who's
come up big in a postseason, but he had to
get one in the regular season just to get a
Monkeyoki's back. And now that he's done so and you're
hoping this guy's the limit for Jordan.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Yeah, you gonna need Jordan Morris to be playing at
a high level and playing his best given the situation
with Pedro Dale l Vega and knowing that you have
Okay Rothrock and you have Ferrera, and you have Albert
Rusnak in between him, you have Christian Obed. It's still
a very talented attacking group, but without that oomph of
Pedro in there, you need Jordan playing his best.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Steve.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
When we look at this Minnesota team and we've seen
him a couple of times this year, They've beaten us
a couple of times this year. They play such a
defensive brand of soccer and they're willing to kind of
just sit back and say, come at us, we're gonna defend. Well,
when you look at the group of attacking players that
I just spread out there, I'm wondering the confidence level
for you in that group being able to break down
(07:47):
a Minnesota team that rarely gets broken down.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
Yeah, I'll give them a lot of credit. You know, Minnesota,
You know, did they surprise me this year to be
in aview the amount of points they got in almost
sixty points I think it was, or maybe even above that.
But they were a team that is not pleasing on
the eye. They're not a team that's going to get
you off your seat. They're not a team that you're
going to say, Wow, they're not they're not Miami, they're
not NAFC, and they're probably they're not even San Diego.
But they're very, very effective. You know, we had a
(08:13):
frustrating game and we went down there early in the season,
so I see the team that you have to pay
respect to. But with that said, I fancy our attacking
group against anybody. I really do. I think on their day.
You know, when you have the way Hey Suis Fherrus
played this year, you know we know what Albert's about.
Christian al But is the best dual midfield Tanamy the
entire league. Form me, I think Christian has been the
best eleven player this year for MLS all but it's
(08:34):
not far behind then above that rough Rock always finds
a way to get done. Jordan's back on form. You
probably have a guy on a bench in Masofski who
at one point was threatening to break the club's all
time single season scoring record. Is what sixteen goals this year,
So I think you're looking at those kinds of weapons.
You're going into the playoff battle with that branch medal
and the staff have to feel really good about that.
And again, I think as good as Minnesota has been,
(08:56):
you kind of know what the game is going to
be about. They're not going to try and go tall
to all they even at home, They're probably going to
play a bit over defensive spell and it really is
a case of can you break them down? And again,
then players we've listed just now, you've gone into the
season building the team for these moments. It's a group
that I'd be surprised if over the course of at
least these first two games, the Sounders don't find a
(09:17):
way to really cause that backline and that defensive team
a lot of problems.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
That's kind of where I'm at is the element of
you know, this team plays so defensive in Minnesota and
in the playoffs. You know, yes, defense wins championships. We
know that from the twenty sixteen team. And when you
have a great defensive squad that can win out. But
you also need playmakers and you also need guys to
step up, and it does feel like Minnesota relies so
(09:42):
heavily on set pieces and for a Sounder team right now,
I mean Steves Jackson, Reagan's coming off maybe his best
game as a pro. We hope to get jam Maargomez
Andrade Back. There is really good set piece defenders on
this team, and if you don't allow Minnesota that set
piece goal, then I kind of just look at their
roster and I look at what they've done and specifically
(10:03):
against the Sounders this year, and you're right. I mean
when they played in Minnesota, they did play the more
defensive brand of soccer. I don't know if they have
the playmakers that in the playoffs when you need that
guy to step up, I don't know if they have
that guy like we have a Jordan No.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
And I think they know they don't have that guy,
and I think that's why they'll play the way they'll play.
And you're right, they definitely seem that set pieces become
so key for them. And it's probably said sometimes in
the playoffs it might come down to a set piece
or so, but I think when you look at the
older areas of how a game can be won in
open play, I've got no doubts the advantage it was
with the Sounders, and then even in set pieces, which
(10:41):
is Minnesota's biggest strength. The Sounders are getting better and
better season's going on. I think we actually were let down.
We didn't get more from set pieces, but as you mentioned,
is a threat from them, as is Jackson Reagan. Now,
who's a guy who for years in disagreement, he can
get you maybe five six goals a year. Just know
the blueprint Washchad Marshall what he would do year. Jess
has got to be looking at that. He got a
(11:02):
score set on Sunday. So I don't think you're too
worried going into the set piece bolt defensively offensive against Minnesauta.
I think we match up quite well. I do think
he's probably be an ugly game against Minnesaula. Is this
time of the year. It's the playoffs. They don't mind
have been a bit ugly. It's it's, you know, the
time of the year.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
It is.
Speaker 4 (11:19):
But that's why I feel so good about the three
wins we got because they weren't pretty. Because if you
were blowing teams out four nail, five nil, that's that's
one way to win. It's when you're grinding out a
one nail here or two one day, you're playing against
Sol like you're missing eleven firsteen players're finding a way
to win. That's what's going to carry you through in
a difficult matchup on the road, and I think we
we equipped the word built for it.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Just a couple more questions here for Steve zach Awani,
of course Sounders Legend. You should also check out the
Sounders podcast that he does.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
Brad Evans and Keeley Dunning on that as well.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Some great stuff from Steve Zakhwani, who's also a broadcast
analyst for matches here on kJ are Steve, this playoff
format has changed about a dozen times since you were retired.
I mean, the playoff system in Major League Soccer is
just ridiculous. We now have it set up where it's
the first round, best of three, and you know, if
the game is tied after ninety it goes to penalties,
(12:10):
and then after this first round it's single elimination. I'm
not sure what it would You probably played under a
multiple different playoff format. Yeah, how does this playoff format
for you? How do you like it compared to maybe
the ones that we've seen in the years past.
Speaker 4 (12:26):
Yeah, you know, I was it changed a few times
to when I played, but I was a bit more
just traditional home and away. You know, you kind of
just get into the playoffs. You know, you have your
home game, you have your away game, the best of
you got to win the best of those two games.
But we used to this now, and what I will
say is the whole ninety minutes and going straight to
a shootout. The Sounders have shown it in thriving that
with the League Cup. I think that was excellent preparation
(12:48):
for that type of format where you're playing nineteen minutes.
You don't have the extra thirty minutes initial time to
kind of fall back on you if you don't get
within ninety you go straight to a shootout. And between
Stephan Pry between ninety to almost and some of the
guys on this team, I think you're confident is shoe
ou situation, So I think you know it's been around
now you accept the toy is I mean definitely the shift.
I'm thinking you might have to play a team three times.
(13:09):
You may have to be in a battle three time
if you can't get done in a first couple. But
again you just take it. Is what either thing. The
format probably changed again in a couple of years. It's
what we have now. And the only thing I will say,
I don't mind it too much because I know that
this team has shown in this type of format where
it's a nineteen minutes or shootout, we can get done
as approved in at least.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Cup Well, Steve, if you look at it right now,
the playoff bracket in the Sounders Minnesota or that five
to four game, San Diego gets the one seed after
a great decision day for them.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
They just destroyed.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
Portland in Portland. That was fun to watch. Then on
the other side he got LAFC in Vancouver. Maybe just
as we look at the Western Conference here handicapped the
Sounders chances to get it.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
I like how it's set up personally.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
I think San Diego, you know the you know, the
inaugural year, maybe they're not playoff tested. I would I
love to avoid reading LAFC until the West Final. How
do you look at the Western Conference and maybe if
you can tell me who you think is going to
come out of it?
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Yeah, I think the one that I did want to
avoid too. Again, you're a player who you've got play
and I think the Sounders are confident it can be anybody.
But I was LAFC the end of the season quite well,
especially at that spell when the sun first arrived between
him and Buanga. I think just the way that team plays,
it matches up so well against the Sounders. They don't
mind sitting deep. They're so good in transition that they
would give me a course of concern. Having to go
(14:28):
to LA wouldn't be nice. But I don't think it's
a team that the Sounder cannot be. I think the
Sounders can be that team. I've proven it also last season.
I don't think anybody wants to face the sound Is
That's the way I aways look at is the only
team they're thinking, Oh, we'd love to match aplate with
the Sounder. Is No, you don't, because it's a team
that just for a decade plus has maintained such a
high level of excellence in the postseason that you don't
(14:50):
want to be facing them. So you never know the players.
It's up for grabs all the time. But you know,
if you tell to me you have to go to
San Diego, you have to go to Vancouver, or you
have to go to a LEC. I don't think there's
anywhere that's not winnable for this team. But at the
same time, they're definitely a couple of teams there. Vancouver
when they came up a few weeks ago, definitely impressed me.
Thomas has made a massive difference, very well coach team.
(15:10):
They press so well that'd be a great game to watch.
And LFC, I think Vancouver and LSC for me are
the two. I think San Diego had a great regular season.
They reminded look of Saint Lewis on a couple of
years ago. We had a great regular season. They plays
a different story. And I think San Diego for me
just don't why have that punch goal proven yet? They
might do it. I don't think it's a team that's
proven a year, whereas someone like Thomas Muder World Cup,
(15:32):
win our Champions League going up just elevates Vancouver. And
then you bring Son to LFC and already good team
makes them even better. Those two are the two stand
ups for me.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Yeah, I'm kind of right with you there. Actually, I
think we're right in the same track that I think
that whoever wins Sounders Minnesota gets through San Diego and
I just don't believe it. And then I think the
winner of that Vancouver l AFC second round probably makes
MLS Cup and maybe wins it. All those two teams
are just what a what year for vank Hoover spectacular
(16:01):
and then lafc's freaking LAFC. Steve, great stuff, man. I
appreciate you given a few minutes. Look forward to seeing
you for these Monday night football matches for the playoffs here,
So I have a good few days and we'll check
in here come playoff time.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Yeah, thank you, Bob. Always a pleasure off season.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Good stuff there from Steve Zachwani. Love having Steve on
the show. We'll also continue talking about the playoff series
and the rest of the Western Conference with Ari Lillian Wall.
He's a writer and editor for mlssoccer dot Com. He
also hosts the podcast Lobbing Scorches. Want to ask him
about Sounders Minnesota, about the rest of the Western Conference,
(16:39):
and a lot more on the MLS playoffs ahead because
they begin this weekend around the league next Monday for
the Sounders against the Loons, Ari Lillionwell will come up
next here on Sounders Weekly Sports Radio ninety three point
three KJRFM.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Now back to.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Sounders Weekly on your home for Sounders FCS Sports Radio
and three point three kjr FL.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Welcome back Sounders Weekly.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Jackson Feldt's good be with you here on this Wednesday
night previewing the Sounders first round playoff series against Minnesota.
It'll be the Loons the four seed, hosting the Sounders,
the five seed in Round one. Game one coming up
next Monday, October twenty seventh at six pm, and then
November third will be Game two back at Sloomin Field
(17:27):
in Seattle at seven thirty pm.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Game three if necessary, later in the week.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Thanks to Steve Zachwani for joining us there in the
first segment to talk a little bit about this first round.
Let's dig into it a bit deeper now joining us
from mlssoccer dot com. He's a writer and editor there.
He also hosts the podcast Lobbying Scorchers. They had a
great live watch along show last Saturday night for the
Western Conference games. They're own Lobbing Scorches. It's our good
(17:55):
friend Ari, Lillianwall Ari. That was a very very fun
show last Saturday. I enjoyed being a part of it
with the whole group you guys had.
Speaker 5 (18:03):
Yeah, thanks for tapping in, Jackson. It was a lot
of fun. I mean we went for five and a
half hours, so it was a nice marathon. But yeah,
good to be here and looking forward to the playoffs,
getting Underwey.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
That was so fun.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
It devolved at some point into our fantasy football league
when it was me, you, Noah and Nico. That was
just a really really fun time. And you know, overall,
the decision day Ari it ended up kind of being
I wouldn't say a dud because we did see a
change at the very very top of the Western Conference,
but nothing really much happened in the East, and the
West ended up only having a couple of little things
(18:35):
that shook out. I don't know, I feel like it
was one of the lesser exciting decision days.
Speaker 5 (18:41):
I think the first slate was a little bit of
a dud. I think the evening slate picked up a
little bit and you saw a little bit more movement
in the standings. I was a little disappointed with the
Wooden Spoon Bowl between Atlanta United and DC United. That
had the potential to be such an electric matchup, and
that game was not very good, So I think that
was a dud. But yeah, overall, definitely not as crazy
(19:04):
as Decision Today has gotten in years past.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Well, I hope for fans, you know, your watch along
and your five and a half hour, which I believe
is now podcasted by the way on the Lobbing Scorchers
podcast page on the iHeartRadio up. I saw that this morning,
so folks can go back and listen to that watch along.
But it was very, very fun, all right, Ari, we
got to start with Seattle.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
Minnesota is the opponent.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
As we have said now for multiple shows, you wanted
the Loons. Why do you want the Loons handicap this
series for us?
Speaker 5 (19:35):
I just think the Loons have They have one of
the most unique styles, some of the most unique tactics
in the league. And we saw that when Seattle played
them twice this year, and Minnesota beat Seattle both times.
But I thought in the first game Seattle really did
not have much of a concept of how to play
against this team. I thought the second game was much
(19:56):
better and they had figured out the blueprint to playing
against them a little bit more. I know they lost
the game, but the way they played I thought was
much better, and I will take that matchup against them.
Compared to a team like San Diego or LAFC or
Vancouver who have all this attacking firepower, Minnesota really don't
have that as much, especially since they sold Tawny to
(20:18):
a Spanish club in La Liga so I think it
is a good matchup for Seattle comparatively to those other teams.
That doesn't mean it's going to be an easy runaway series,
but I like their chances better against this team than
a few of those other teams.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
I mean, the simple question when you talk about the
lack of Minnesota weapons is do Seattle or does Seattle
have the weapons? Because you know, not having Pedro de
la Vega. You know, I'm wondering if you look at
that group of Jordan and Paul heyesus Albert in between them,
with Christian obet As you're holding in fielders, is that
enough firepower in a starting lineup to get past the
(20:55):
Minnesota Minnesota team in a three game series.
Speaker 5 (21:00):
I think it is. I think having to play it
without de la Vega, which looks like they're gonna have
to do that, that's unfortunate and it does make it
a lot harder, not just against Minnesota, but against any
of these teams that they're gonna have to play in
the playoffs should they make it past Minnesota.
Speaker 4 (21:14):
But I do think this.
Speaker 5 (21:15):
Team has played with with without da la Vega quite
a bit since he's been on the team, and that
is a position group where this team does have maybe
even more depth than than other spots on the roster.
I mean, you've got Paul Rothrock and Georgie Manongu can
play that spot. And then I asked, I don't know
what you think, but I think Ryan Kent, if he's
able to come back, I feel like that could be
(21:37):
a potential X factor that people aren't even considering. He's
at the end of the timeline that they gave with
that injury, so he should theoretically be back for the playoffs,
and I think that could actually meaningfully give the team
a boost, particularly playing without Pedro de la Vega.
Speaker 2 (21:52):
Yeah, you know, Ryan Kent's funny because he started off,
you know, Gangbusters, and we're like, oh my gosh, this
guy's playing like a DP and then a player for
those uninitiated, you know, very very expensive, high priced, great player,
and then it kind of just fell off a cliff.
And I don't know, I'm not expecting much of anything
out of Ryan Kemp, but Georgie's a good shout. You know,
(22:12):
he's back from international duty and you know would expect that.
But yeah, you know, it's it's a Minnesota team that
has a certain style and they don't have the offensive
firepower pieces like a Jordan Morris, you know.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
So that's one of the interesting things.
Speaker 2 (22:26):
I mean on Minnesota Ari, you know, given the style
they play, what is the ceiling from Minnesota do they
have with their style what it takes to maybe get
far in the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (22:41):
I've been on the record as skeptical of their chances
of making a deep run in the playoffs. I just
think when you play against the ball as much as
they do, there's gonna come a point where you're playing
teams where you're gonna need to be able to play
with the ball and not just rely on yielding all
the possession and striking on these counters and obviously their
lead on set pieces. So I mean, I think I
(23:02):
tend to think a style like that is going to
run into roadblocks in the playoffs, but I could be wrong.
I mean, they've been proving me wrong for a while
this year, because I've been saying this for a long time,
but they have fallen off in the last month or so.
I think you've seen kind of the potential limitations of
how they do it because their tactics are just so
exaggerated even compared to teams who are kind of counterattacking
(23:24):
set piece oriented teams. They lean into that so heavily.
I don't know how far that can take them. We're
gonna find out, but I am skeptical.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
Yeah, no, that's totally fair.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
I always look at defense wins championships, and yes, they
don't have any offense, or they don't have much of
an offense, but boy they're good on set pieces, and
boy they have a good defense, and that just scares me.
But you know, I do like ari how the brackets
set up for Seattle, because I don't buy. I mean,
San Diego has seemingly fallen off a little bit. I
(23:55):
get what they did to Portland, but that's the freaking Timbers,
and they're horrible.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
I just look at the bracket and avoiding Vancouver and
LAFC and that side of the bracket. I kind of
like how this thing sets up for Seattle. They just
have to hit on all cylinders, and they can't have
Jordan Morris disappearing. They need Jordan Morris to continue to
do what he did in New York City. But if
they're firing Brian Schmeitzer playoff soccer ball, this is a
(24:22):
team I think that can make a West final and
then anything can happen in a final.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
Yeah, I mean, I don't see why not. I've learned
better than to doubt this team when it comes to
tournament play. It seems like it seems like in the
Brian Schmetzer era, every time they're in a tournament, it
doesn't really seem to matter what the form is going
into it, or how the season has gone or anything
like that. They just find this other level. We saw
it in League's Cup this year, So I mean it
is a little bit more daunting this year because they
(24:50):
did finish in fifth. They're gonna have to travel for
these games, but you know, I really don't think that
makes that much of a difference as far as their chances.
I think this is a team that knows how to
get results in these situations. So, I mean, with LAFC
and Vancouver also in the West, I think those are
gonna be two kind of juggernaut type teams that you're
gonna have to get past. But I don't think it's.
Speaker 3 (25:12):
An unmanageable road.
Speaker 5 (25:14):
I think a run DOWMLS Cup, it's it's in the
cards if nothing else.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
Yeah, No, I think it's it's somewhere in that deck
and we just got to see if that card ends
up getting shown, and they have to play their best
in order to get that card flipped. Ari Lillianwall is
our guest. He's a writer and editor for MLS Soccer
dot com. He also hosts the exceptional podcast Lobbing Scorches.
You can get it where every gear podcasts, including the
iHeartRadio app. They also have the YouTube show Lobbing Scorches.
(25:40):
Subscribe to it on YouTube. You'll be notified when they
go live on Monday mornings with Kickoff and Thursday nights
with Under the Lights. Ari.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
I mentioned Portland a minute ago.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
They lost for nothing on Decision Day at home to
San Diego, the one seed they because of that have
fallen all the way into the play in game. How
quickly do the Portland Timbers crash out of this postseason?
Speaker 5 (26:06):
I mean, that's a good question. It's funny you asked,
because I was actually just watching catching up on Phil
Nevil's postgame.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
Press conference after that four zero.
Speaker 5 (26:14):
Loss to San Diego. Needless to say, he was not
happy with the state of affairs. But it is as
an interesting situation for them because Phil Nevill himself has
said multiple times, including as recently as a couple of
weeks ago, that if they fall into the wildcard round
in the playing game, then that's a failure. So that's
where they are right now. That's actually what ended up happening.
I think he probably thought that that wasn't gonna happen
(26:36):
when he said that, But now they're going to be
scrapping it out with Rial salt Lake and it's it's
interesting times for the Timbers because if you have to
think that Phil Nevil's kind of coaching for his job there,
if they make a good run and improbable, kind of
underdog Cinderella run in the playoffs and they make it
to the conference final or maybe even MLS Cup. If
(26:56):
they do that, then I think Phil Nevill can probably
preserve his job. But if they crash out in the
wildcard round, or even if they make it past Real
falt Lake and then lose in round one, I think
you might be looking at a new coach for the
Portland Timbers in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
I mean that game, actually, I just looked it up,
and I don't pay too much attention to what the
Timbers are doing when they aren't losing. That game in
Portland does kick off here in about ten minutes, So
for folks MLS season Pass, Apple TV, Timbers, Salt Lake
that playing games just starting, and we'll all be RSL
fans to just, you know, eliminate Portland right off the bat.
(27:35):
The winner of that game will face San Diego, and
then that San Diego team, if they get past them,
would face the winner of Sounders Minnesota. That's how it
all shakes out in the other side of the West bracket, though,
Ari Austin LAFC is very interesting to me because Austin
beat LAFC twice in the regular season.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
So is this just a case of.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
You know, one off game and you can't put anything
into it, or does Austin have a shot to make
it three for three and knock out LAFC.
Speaker 5 (28:07):
I mean, to me, the fact that they beat LAFC
twice this year feels like kind of an outlier. I
had forgotten about that that they ended up doing that.
And I don't know if those games happened before or
after they got sun young men on the team, But
I don't know. I don't really read too much into that.
I think LAFC They've been probably the hottest team in
(28:28):
the league since Sun got to the team. They have
the best one two punch one two duo that we've
seen an MLS in a while. Frankly, so, I think
they are still a front runner, if not the front
runner in the West, and I would be pretty surprised
if Austin gives them much of a fight. I don't
think Austin has nearly enough firepower to keep up with
this LAFC team over a best of three series.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
You're probably right, but a man can dream.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
I will say that one of Austin's wins, one nothing,
was on October twelfth, just ten days ago. You look
at lafc's lineup in that game, and it didn't include
the Sun, and it didn't include you know, Bu Wongga.
It had Boba Ce tailman Moran Delgado is the attacking foursome.
That's just an entirely different LAFC team. So you're probably
(29:15):
right on that. Well, look at overall these playoffs are
I mean, that's one of the ones that I'm most
interested in. As you look at the entire playoff bracket,
maybe where do your eyes go? What are the most
or what is the most interesting series in the first
round to you.
Speaker 5 (29:31):
I mean, I think this Inner Miami Nashville sc matchup
that you we got coming up on Friday, that is
a pretty tasty one. And uh, I just think there's
so much pressure on Inner Miami in the playoffs this
year more than any other team. Frankly, they have to
win MLS Cup, not just for kind of validation of
their project. But you've got Serdio Busquetz retiring, you got
(29:53):
Jordi Albo retiring. This is kind of their last chance
to get a trophy with the Barca Boys intact as
it's been as a and constituted. So if I had
to pick one, that would probably be it. But then
you also have a hell is real matchup in the
East FC Cincinnati versus Columbus Crew. So anytime you get
a Darby in the playoffs, that's gonna be some appointment viewing.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Oh I love that Cincinnati Columbus. I love rivalries there
in that first round. That's great. Remind me Miami lost
in the first first round last year due Atlanta.
Speaker 5 (30:23):
Oh yeah, to Brad Guzan in number nine Steed Atlanta United.
Speaker 2 (30:26):
This is probably a two second answer. Messi's MVP more
or less obvious than last year.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
I would say just as obvious. Yeah, it's pretty obvious
Messi as the MVP.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
But yeah, that is interesting that Miami couldn't get out
of the first round last year, and if this is
the last run with that group they cannot that's a
good Nashville team. Nashville Ari right, they were towards the
top of the Eastern Conference mode for most of the year.
That's a very interesting series. I hadn't really considered that
being the most interesting in the bunch, but I think
(30:59):
you're probably about that. Hey, dude, let's wrap it up
with this really quick. In our next segment, we're gonna
hear from Christian rolled On. He got back from the
United States men's national team last week, did a press conference.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
We're gonna play that where he talks about.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
His time with the United States, and I am thinking
that this guy may have just locked up a spot
on the World Cup roster after the performance he put
together with the United States there on international duty over
the last couple of weeks. He gets a couple assists,
and I think right now, if I'm a betting man,
he may even start for the United States in that
(31:34):
game in Seattle. Based on what you saw from Christian
with the US over the last couple of weeks, do
you think he's clinched a spot on that roster.
Speaker 5 (31:43):
Yeah, you know, we're both admittedly biased, but I agree
with you. I thought I thought that Australia friendly was
the best he's ever looked for the national team. It's
frankly what we all in Seattle have known he could
do if he was actually given a chance at his
preferred position and got some extended run. So, as it stands,
if I had to guest today, yeah, he would be
(32:05):
definitely on the World Cup roster. He would have a
very good argument to start. You know, a lot could
change between now and the World Cup, but as it
stands right now, I definitely think he's at least earned
the right to be in that conversation and to keep
getting to keep getting called in. Absolutely, And the cool
thing about it is Pashettino actually seems to rate him.
He said at a press conference that he considers Christian
(32:28):
Roldan the perfect player, which, yeah, I think we all
agree with that out here, but the rest of the world,
in the international football community, they they don't know about that.
So I just appreciate act. I've had my issues with
Pochettino at times, I've given him a bit of a
hard time, but like I respect how he's handled not
just this situation with Christian, but he takes an objective
(32:50):
look at this playerpool and he calls in and he
thinks is the right decision to call in, So I
can at least respect that.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
Well, it's pretty cool what Christian Roldan's doing, and hopefully
he does make that. Ari, We'll let you go because
we're now gonna hear from Christian Roldan. So have a
good rest ever your week, enjoy the playoff slate starting
here with Portland RSL in a few minutes, and we'll
talk to you next week.
Speaker 5 (33:12):
My friend, you got it, Thanks Jackson.
Speaker 2 (33:14):
It's good stuff there from Ari Lillianwall. He's a writer
and editor for MLS Soccer dot com. He hosts the
podcast Lobbing Scorchers. Get it on the iHeartRadio app and
wherever you get your podcasts. All right, we talked there
about Christian Roldan. Let's continue talking about Christian Roldan and
the hope he has of being on that World Cup roster.
After an amazing time on international duty in US camp
(33:37):
over the last couple of weeks. Christian Roldon is next
to your on Sounders Weekly Sports Radio ninety three point
three KJRFM.
Speaker 1 (33:45):
Now back to Sounders Weekly on your home for Sounders
fc CL's Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM.
Speaker 2 (33:53):
Welcome back to Sounders Weekly. Jackson Feltz here. Good to
be with you here on this Wednesday night. As a reminder,
we're gonna have Rain Weekly with Kiey Dunning coming up
here in just about twenty fifteen, twenty minutes or so,
as she will look ahead to the rain starting the
playoffs in the NWSL there they locked up their spot
this last week, so the Sounders starting their playoffs the
(34:16):
rain looking ahead to their playoffs. It's a playoff soccer
time here in Seattle, as the weather is certainly turning
as we look outside, and we all know, you know.
One of the interesting things about the Sounders playoff series
here against Minnesota, as I mentioned, the Sounders have the
first game of the first round against Minnesota there on
(34:36):
October twenty seventh, that's next Monday, and then the following
game is also on the following Monday in Seattle. On
November three, in this kind of home away home to
the higher seed, so Minnesota Seattle Minnesota series here in
the first round. This weird best of three in the
first round and then single elimination after that. I hate it,
(34:58):
but you know that's just me anyway. So one of
the things is the fact that the first game is
next Monday, as opposed to this Saturday. Like if it
was three days away, the playoff would be so bold
in my mind right now, and it would be just
emphasized of we're three days away from a playoff game.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
Here we go.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
The fact that it's next Monday, like my brain is
sort of treating it like, Okay, it's next week in
some sort of way.
Speaker 3 (35:25):
It's weird.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
But you know, one of the things that is falling
out about that is the fact that it's allowing my
brain to kind of incorporate lots of other things going on,
including Christian Rolldon's performance with the United States men's national team.
And we spoke with Ari Lillienwall in that previous segment
about it, and you know, one of the things that
I wanted to do here I always like playing play
(35:48):
in the player interviews, and I know we had Steve
Zachowani on earlier. But last week we had the chances
reporters to catch up with Christian Rolldon about his time
with the national team. And yes, he was not the
Sounders team that went and beat Minnesota or sorry, beat.
Speaker 3 (36:02):
New York City FC two to one last weekend.
Speaker 2 (36:05):
But I think what there is so much of right now,
the emphasis of my brain is understanding what last week
may have meant. So the last two weeks may have
meant for Christian Roldan as it relates to a guy
who was really trying to on that kind of periphery
of the national team. Will he be on the national
team for the World Cup? Maybe in, maybe out? And
(36:27):
he goes out and he has as we were just
talking about that fantastic performance against Australia, the two assists,
clearly a veteran leader there in that locker room and
all of these things, and all this time with the
national team. When he got back to Seattle and we
had the chance to talk to him at a press conference,
it does feel like a guy who may have just
(36:48):
locked up his spot. So this is some really good
stuff here from Christian Roldan talking about his time with
the national team, talking about his influence in that clubhouse,
talking about his relationship with head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Some
really cool stuff here from Christian rolled on as for
a moment, we turned the attention from the playoffs starting
(37:09):
next Monday, and we do look at something very cool
that happened to a Sounder legend.
Speaker 3 (37:14):
Christian rolled on.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
Here was his visit with the media last week, Christian
Roldan talking about his experience with the United States men's
national team.
Speaker 6 (37:22):
Timing and football is everything right? You know, I get
invited to a camp in September. Last minute, I felt
like I got a good camp. But now after this camp,
you know, you feel like you took advantage of an opportunity.
So I'm excited. We'll see, you know, if my name
(37:42):
is selected for the November camp. But it feels good
to not only contribute in training and camp and being
a good presence within camp, but also contributing on the
field stat wise. Right, I'm a player that probably doesn't
necessarily get a lot of stats here with Sounders or
(38:03):
national team, so it finally feels good to contribute in
that way and and hopefully people are feeling uh my
presence on the team, whether it's on the field or
off the field.
Speaker 7 (38:13):
I was really understood where to play, how to play you.
He's even been us vocal as any coach has ever been.
You know, what is the relationship there and how has
that been that he's been able to like get the
best out of you?
Speaker 8 (38:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (38:27):
The really the relationship with with Borchettino is is is incredible.
Speaker 8 (38:32):
Right.
Speaker 6 (38:32):
Uh from the minute he the minute I stepped into camp,
I really felt comfortable and confident with him.
Speaker 8 (38:39):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (38:39):
He gave me that that confidence to to really step
forward and and believe that I can make the squad.
And as a player, right, you you want to feel
that confidence. You want to feel like that if your
your name is called, he's gonna he's gonna believe that
you're gonna get the job done. And so that was
my mindset right going into camp. Mindset when he when
(39:01):
my name was called, Uh, to be able to contribute.
But yeah, from the first from the first minute, I
felt really good about.
Speaker 8 (39:10):
Just being in camp overall.
Speaker 6 (39:11):
And uh, and you know, obviously the coach of that
magnitude believes in you.
Speaker 8 (39:18):
You know you you want to deliver for him.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
He had some pretty glowing comments about you after the game.
What was your conversations like with him after that performance.
Speaker 6 (39:26):
Yeah, a lot of him, him understanding that moment, him
him really believing.
Speaker 8 (39:32):
That I was going to get the job done right.
Speaker 6 (39:36):
As a coach, I think instilling confidence is a real
important thing, especially with guys that maybe are on the fringe.
So getting that sense from him was was really nice. Obviously,
hearing his remarks after the game very nice as well.
Speaker 8 (39:52):
You know, he's he's.
Speaker 6 (39:53):
A h a person that has seen so many great
players throughout throughout his time as a coach and as
a player as well. So for him to be saying
those things right, you know, it means the world. But again,
I have to deliver if he continues to say those
(40:14):
those types of things about me.
Speaker 2 (40:16):
There is a large part of that group that's a
younger group. Do you feel like a veteran leader when
you go into that locker room?
Speaker 4 (40:22):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (40:22):
I mean, look, I've been to a World Cup. I'm
now thirty. You know, I think Tim and maybe Matt
Turner are the only two guys that are older than me.
You know, I probably haven't played in as many important
games as those two guys, but I've been around those
those types of games, and so I definitely feel like
a presence over there in terms of leadership, being vocal,
(40:45):
trying to get the guys you know, on the same
page in that moment, whether it's in the locker room
or on the field.
Speaker 8 (40:54):
So understanding my role.
Speaker 6 (40:56):
You know, maybe I don't see a game, but how
can I still impact the group?
Speaker 2 (41:01):
How does Brian Schmitzer in his coach style compare it
all maybe or contrast with with Puchatino.
Speaker 6 (41:06):
Yeah, it's a look here at a club level, you
have a whole lot more time to work on things,
and so it's very organized in that sense, right.
Speaker 4 (41:14):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (41:15):
Specific days are are for building out of the back.
Speaker 6 (41:18):
Other days are for pressing, you know, other days are
for finishing attacks. You know, with with bus Chatino, you
have to kind of fit everything all into you know,
one or two days at times, and so that's that's
the that's the tough part of.
Speaker 8 (41:32):
Being a manager at the international level.
Speaker 6 (41:33):
You don't get to see those guys on an everyday basis,
so you have to rely on, you know, what people
say about about others, about the players. You also have
to rely on what you see, and so trainings are
extremely important and so the emphasis is always, hey, how
do you train? If you train well, you might play
and so you know all together, right, and you know
(41:58):
we see it with a lot of South American coaches, right.
Speaker 8 (42:00):
Intensity is always is always so important. How you how
you commit, how you.
Speaker 6 (42:07):
Show yourself in trading, how you display yourself each and
every training session. Those things are vital to to see
in the field. And so you know, slightly different, right.
I think the beta manager as a as a at
the international level is always tough because you don't get
to have all the days with with those players.
Speaker 3 (42:29):
Well, that's awesome stuff there from Christian rold On. So
happy for him.
Speaker 2 (42:33):
And you know, as I was talking about there earlier
with Ari, I'll repeat my thoughts is I think he's
locked up his spot.
Speaker 3 (42:39):
We'll see what happens, and you hope that no injury
gets in the way.
Speaker 2 (42:42):
But based on what he's done, and I mean, Aliston,
I'm a Tottenham Hotspur fan and I cheered from Risio
Pochettino teams for years and I think it's a guy
who understands certain moments and I think he understands that
it's a United States team in the World Cup that's
gonna be playing their first game in the group stage
(43:03):
in Los Angeles, and then the second game of the
group stage is in Seattle, and I think there is
a tangible value and I think Manicio Pachettino understands this.
There is a tangible value in having Christian rolld On
on your roster, and not only on your roster right now,
if there is. I don't think there's any Vegas odds,
(43:24):
but if there were Vegas odds, I would put money
down on Christian rolled On being a starter, not just
playing off the bench. I think he will honestly start
that second group stage match for the United States in Seattle,
because I think that Pachettino understands the value that a
guy like Christian Roldan can bring to his team in
(43:45):
that kind of a moment, in that kind of a
game in Seattle specifically. So I think it's awesome for
Christian Roldan and he earned that spot, and he had
just a fantastic last couple weeks with them, and awesome
to play that conversation and be able to talk to
him out there last week.
Speaker 3 (44:01):
At Long Acres.
Speaker 2 (44:02):
So wanted to get that in here into Sounders Weekly
this week, because Yeah, the the focus for me. You know,
the playoffs don't start funtil next week, and I get it,
it's next Monday.
Speaker 3 (44:12):
But it's next week.
Speaker 2 (44:14):
Sounders Minnesota first game, first round. It begins next Monday
night in Minnesota.
Speaker 3 (44:22):
Again.
Speaker 2 (44:22):
That will have a provident Swedish premat show of five
point thirty and a kickoff of six o'clock over on
our sister station of Sports Radio nine to fifty KJRM,
so nine to fifty am next Monday night for some
Monday night playoff football Sounders Minnesota game one folks. You
can also watch there on Apple TV. You don't even
(44:44):
need MLS season pass. You can watch all the playoffs,
including this game, for free on Apple TV. You just
need to be an Apple TV subscriber to watch Sounders
Minnesota and all playoff games next Monday night.
Speaker 3 (45:00):
So that's great, folks.
Speaker 2 (45:01):
You can also listen in Spanish language on LRA thirteen sixty.
All right, So that is the game coming up. The
first playoff game, Game two would be on Monday, November
third at lumen Field, and then game three, if necessary,
is later that week. We'll preview Game two and we'll
look ahead to Game two and have more details on
that next week, But for now the focus is going
(45:25):
to shift to next Monday night in Minnesota for Game
one of the playoffs which begin there in Minnesota. Two
final notes before we end tonight's show. First, that Sounders
FC Soccer is presented by Provident Swedish, the official healthcare
partner of Sounders FC. Second, michelob Ultra is ninety five
calories and two point six grams of carbs.
Speaker 3 (45:44):
It's only worth it if you enjoy it, all right.
Speaker 2 (45:47):
We will talk to you next Monday for Sounders Minnesota
Round one, Game one of the playoffs and this first
round best of three. So have a good rest of
your week everybody. We'll talk to you next Monday. But
right here and right now, it's Rain Weekly with Kie
Dunning coming up next on Sports Radio ninety three point
three kJ R FM
Coming to you live from Orelliot Avenue Studios of Sports
Radio ninety three point three KJRFM. This is Sounders Weekly
with your host Jackson felt Good.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Even everybody, welcome into Sounders Weekly. Jackson Feldts here on
this Wednesday night talking Sounders Soccer. For the next hour
here on KGr, we'll of course have Rain Weekly with
Kiey Dunning coming up in an hour to talk about
the Rain entering the playoffs as well. But the Sounders
are starting their journey in the twenty twenty five Audy
(00:32):
MLS Cup Playoffs that will begin next Monday, and we
now know the opponent.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
It took a few hours after.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
The Sounders beat New York City, but it is Minnesota,
Minnesota United. The Loons will be Seattle's opponent here in
the first round, best of three series. First game is
going to be in Minnesota, second game back in Seattle.
Third game would be back in Minnesota if necessary. Let's
give you that schedule and all of the details and
(01:01):
what I can tell you about our broadcast details. Game
one next Monday, October twenty seventh. We gotta wait a
little more than just this weekend. It is all the
way into next week. Is game one in Minnesota that
will have a five to thirty Providence Swedish premat show
and six o'clock kickoff over on our sister station of
Sports Radio nine fifty kr AM nine to fifty am
(01:26):
next Monday night for Sounders Minnesota Game one. Folks, you
can also listen in Spanish language on LRA thirteen sixty
And I will mention MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
is where you usually watch these Sounders games. If you
are an Apple tz TV subscriber but you don't have
Season Pass, you can watch these games.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Listen. This is real simple for folks.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
I love the decision by Apple to do this to
get more eyes on the product. You just need Apple
TV in order to watch these games. You don't have
to have Season Pass and you don't have to have
that expensive package.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
All you need is Apple TV.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
So and I'm sure there's some sort of free trial
somewhere you can get on so in case you don't
have Apple TV, but I would recommend it. Apple TV
has some amazing TV shows and movies. Their hit rate
for great shows is phenomenal, So listen. Just get Apple
TV and you can watch all not only the Sounders,
all the MLS playoff games and that includes next Monday,
(02:27):
October twenty seventh, Sounders Minnesota Game one. Again, we'll have
that nine to fifty km on the radio side, all right,
So that is the broadcast details for game one. Game
two will then be at lumin Field on Monday, November three,
So it's back to back Monday night football games. Football
games for the Sounders in Minnesota here in this first round,
(02:49):
and then Game three, if necessary, would be later that week.
I believe there in early November. But hopefully the Sounders
can dispatch the Minnesota and move past them here in
this five four game. We're gonna be previewing this playoff
series for most of the night. In just a moment,
and there he is on hold, Steve Zachawani, the Flying Winger,
(03:11):
the Sounders legend, the great broadcaster who also does the
Sounders podcast.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
We'll have Steve.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Zakawana here in just a moment, Ari Lillianwall, Major League
Soccer dot Com and the podcast Lobbing Scorchers. He will
join us to talk about this series and lots of
other MLS playoff series questions that I have for him,
and I want to ask Ari Lillianwall if Christian Roldan
has locked up a spot on the United States men's
(03:39):
national team because listen, last week we saw Christian Roldan
ball out for the United States two assists in a
game Pachettino. Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach for the US,
had glowing comments about Christian Roldan, And we're also, by
the way, going to round out the night by hearing
from Christian Roldana talking about that experience with the United
(04:01):
States talking about his connection with Pachettino. You're gonna hear
from Christian Roldon later on tonight as well as he
may have locked up a spot there for the World
Cup with the United States, which, by the way, have
a game in Seattle. All right, but joining us right
here on Sounders Weekly to begin the playoff talk and
look back at the Sounders two to one win in
(04:22):
New York City. It's our good friend. He is a
broadcast analyst, he is the former winger, he is the
Sounder legend, and he also hosts the Sounders podcast. Steve
Zachawani joins us right here.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
Stevie. What's going on, man, how are you?
Speaker 4 (04:38):
That's great to be on. Thanks having me man.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Well Steve. Let's quickly start THEA.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
So much of tonight's show and this interview is going
to be centered around the Minnesota playoff series, the two
one win over New York City and the fact that
this team ends the regular season on three straight wins.
What are your thoughts and takeaways from that?
Speaker 4 (04:57):
Yeah, I think, you know, dere Jackson, I think a
bit of a lull after the League Cup. We couldn't
quite find a win. We're dropping points, conceding late goals,
and we just kind of wanted to get back to
winning way. So to end with three straight wins, and
I think you know, there's not been great performances, right,
It's not being gare of your seat exciting sort of soccer.
But it's not been about that. It's been about finding
a way to win, and the team's done that. And
(05:19):
sometimes in the playoffs we've done over the years, you've
got to win a bit ugly at times, and seeing
that in against Portland, against So Lake and then this
past weekend against New York CITYFC on the road, those
are the kinds of wins you have to rhyme out
in the playoffs. So the signs point really well, and
I think it was also great to see of course
Jordan Morris back on the score sheet. He needed one,
and for him to get one going into the playoffs,
(05:39):
you couldn't ask to enter the posts in any better
form than three wins on the bounce.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
I think that's one of the biggest takeaways, Steve, is
the fact that you know, and we said it on
the pregame show me and viewing about how Jordan Morris,
after you know, having the penalty saved in at RSL game.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Needed something to give him a boost.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
And I'm sure you can speak to it as as
an attacker where when you can just kind of get
off the schneide and when you can develop that confidence,
there's no better time to do that than right before
the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Yeah, there really isn't. And he's such a streaky player, Jordan,
where you know, he won't score for a few games
and he'll get one and the suddenly he can't stop
scoring it. So I hope that's what happens here. But
he needed it, you know against an urso he had
a chance from the penalty spot that will save. That
would have been tough for his confidence. No matter how
good you are, how long you've been around. I mean,
when you're a striker, when your guy he needs to
score goals. You know, I've been in that situation where
(06:29):
you just can't buy a goal and then eventually one
finds the back of the net and suddenly the goal
gets bigger and bigger. You find your confidence, you find
your rhythm, and you know, in specific to Jordan Morris,
he's that kind of player. So he needed this. I
think as much as he wanted it, the fans wanted
it for him, the coaching staff, his teammates because they
know to go far in the playoffs, you're going to
need Jordan Rice. It was last year where you know,
(06:50):
he got the big goal down against LAFC. So he's
a guy who over the years, I think, you know,
I had a big goal in the twenty sixteen run
to get away to Colorado. So he's the guy who's
come up big in a postseason, but he had to
get one in the regular season just to get a
Monkeyoki's back. And now that he's done so and you're
hoping this guy's the limit for Jordan.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Yeah, you gonna need Jordan Morris to be playing at
a high level and playing his best given the situation
with Pedro Dale l Vega and knowing that you have
Okay Rothrock and you have Ferrera, and you have Albert
Rusnak in between him, you have Christian Obed. It's still
a very talented attacking group, but without that oomph of
Pedro in there, you need Jordan playing his best.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Steve.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
When we look at this Minnesota team and we've seen
him a couple of times this year, They've beaten us
a couple of times this year. They play such a
defensive brand of soccer and they're willing to kind of
just sit back and say, come at us, we're gonna defend. Well,
when you look at the group of attacking players that
I just spread out there, I'm wondering the confidence level
for you in that group being able to break down
(07:47):
a Minnesota team that rarely gets broken down.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
Yeah, I'll give them a lot of credit. You know, Minnesota,
You know, did they surprise me this year to be
in aview the amount of points they got in almost
sixty points I think it was, or maybe even above that.
But they were a team that is not pleasing on
the eye. They're not a team that's going to get
you off your seat. They're not a team that you're
going to say, Wow, they're not they're not Miami, they're
not NAFC, and they're probably they're not even San Diego.
But they're very, very effective. You know, we had a
(08:13):
frustrating game and we went down there early in the season,
so I see the team that you have to pay
respect to. But with that said, I fancy our attacking
group against anybody. I really do. I think on their day.
You know, when you have the way Hey Suis Fherrus
played this year, you know we know what Albert's about.
Christian al But is the best dual midfield Tanamy the
entire league. Form me, I think Christian has been the
best eleven player this year for MLS all but it's
(08:34):
not far behind then above that rough Rock always finds
a way to get done. Jordan's back on form. You
probably have a guy on a bench in Masofski who
at one point was threatening to break the club's all
time single season scoring record. Is what sixteen goals this year,
So I think you're looking at those kinds of weapons.
You're going into the playoff battle with that branch medal
and the staff have to feel really good about that.
And again, I think as good as Minnesota has been,
(08:56):
you kind of know what the game is going to
be about. They're not going to try and go tall
to all they even at home, They're probably going to
play a bit over defensive spell and it really is
a case of can you break them down? And again,
then players we've listed just now, you've gone into the
season building the team for these moments. It's a group
that I'd be surprised if over the course of at
least these first two games, the Sounders don't find a
(09:17):
way to really cause that backline and that defensive team
a lot of problems.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
That's kind of where I'm at is the element of
you know, this team plays so defensive in Minnesota and
in the playoffs. You know, yes, defense wins championships. We
know that from the twenty sixteen team. And when you
have a great defensive squad that can win out. But
you also need playmakers and you also need guys to
step up, and it does feel like Minnesota relies so
(09:42):
heavily on set pieces and for a Sounder team right now,
I mean Steves Jackson, Reagan's coming off maybe his best
game as a pro. We hope to get jam Maargomez
Andrade Back. There is really good set piece defenders on
this team, and if you don't allow Minnesota that set
piece goal, then I kind of just look at their
roster and I look at what they've done and specifically
(10:03):
against the Sounders this year, and you're right. I mean
when they played in Minnesota, they did play the more
defensive brand of soccer. I don't know if they have
the playmakers that in the playoffs when you need that
guy to step up, I don't know if they have
that guy like we have a Jordan No.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
And I think they know they don't have that guy,
and I think that's why they'll play the way they'll play.
And you're right, they definitely seem that set pieces become
so key for them. And it's probably said sometimes in
the playoffs it might come down to a set piece
or so, but I think when you look at the
older areas of how a game can be won in
open play, I've got no doubts the advantage it was
with the Sounders, and then even in set pieces, which
(10:41):
is Minnesota's biggest strength. The Sounders are getting better and
better season's going on. I think we actually were let down.
We didn't get more from set pieces, but as you mentioned,
is a threat from them, as is Jackson Reagan. Now,
who's a guy who for years in disagreement, he can
get you maybe five six goals a year. Just know
the blueprint Washchad Marshall what he would do year. Jess
has got to be looking at that. He got a
(11:02):
score set on Sunday. So I don't think you're too
worried going into the set piece bolt defensively offensive against Minnesauta.
I think we match up quite well. I do think
he's probably be an ugly game against Minnesaula. Is this
time of the year. It's the playoffs. They don't mind
have been a bit ugly. It's it's, you know, the
time of the year.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
It is.
Speaker 4 (11:19):
But that's why I feel so good about the three
wins we got because they weren't pretty. Because if you
were blowing teams out four nail, five nil, that's that's
one way to win. It's when you're grinding out a
one nail here or two one day, you're playing against
Sol like you're missing eleven firsteen players're finding a way
to win. That's what's going to carry you through in
a difficult matchup on the road, and I think we
we equipped the word built for it.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Just a couple more questions here for Steve zach Awani,
of course Sounders Legend. You should also check out the
Sounders podcast that he does.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
Brad Evans and Keeley Dunning on that as well.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Some great stuff from Steve Zakhwani, who's also a broadcast
analyst for matches here on kJ are Steve, this playoff
format has changed about a dozen times since you were retired.
I mean, the playoff system in Major League Soccer is
just ridiculous. We now have it set up where it's
the first round, best of three, and you know, if
the game is tied after ninety it goes to penalties,
(12:10):
and then after this first round it's single elimination. I'm
not sure what it would You probably played under a
multiple different playoff format. Yeah, how does this playoff format
for you? How do you like it compared to maybe
the ones that we've seen in the years past.
Speaker 4 (12:26):
Yeah, you know, I was it changed a few times
to when I played, but I was a bit more
just traditional home and away. You know, you kind of
just get into the playoffs. You know, you have your
home game, you have your away game, the best of
you got to win the best of those two games.
But we used to this now, and what I will
say is the whole ninety minutes and going straight to
a shootout. The Sounders have shown it in thriving that
with the League Cup. I think that was excellent preparation
(12:48):
for that type of format where you're playing nineteen minutes.
You don't have the extra thirty minutes initial time to
kind of fall back on you if you don't get
within ninety you go straight to a shootout. And between
Stephan Pry between ninety to almost and some of the
guys on this team, I think you're confident is shoe
ou situation, So I think you know it's been around
now you accept the toy is I mean definitely the shift.
I'm thinking you might have to play a team three times.
(13:09):
You may have to be in a battle three time
if you can't get done in a first couple. But
again you just take it. Is what either thing. The
format probably changed again in a couple of years. It's
what we have now. And the only thing I will say,
I don't mind it too much because I know that
this team has shown in this type of format where
it's a nineteen minutes or shootout, we can get done
as approved in at least.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
Cup Well, Steve, if you look at it right now,
the playoff bracket in the Sounders Minnesota or that five
to four game, San Diego gets the one seed after
a great decision day for them.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
They just destroyed.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
Portland in Portland. That was fun to watch. Then on
the other side he got LAFC in Vancouver. Maybe just
as we look at the Western Conference here handicapped the
Sounders chances to get it.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
I like how it's set up personally.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
I think San Diego, you know the you know, the
inaugural year, maybe they're not playoff tested. I would I
love to avoid reading LAFC until the West Final. How
do you look at the Western Conference and maybe if
you can tell me who you think is going to
come out of it?
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Yeah, I think the one that I did want to
avoid too. Again, you're a player who you've got play
and I think the Sounders are confident it can be anybody.
But I was LAFC the end of the season quite well,
especially at that spell when the sun first arrived between
him and Buanga. I think just the way that team plays,
it matches up so well against the Sounders. They don't
mind sitting deep. They're so good in transition that they
would give me a course of concern. Having to go
(14:28):
to LA wouldn't be nice. But I don't think it's
a team that the Sounder cannot be. I think the
Sounders can be that team. I've proven it also last season.
I don't think anybody wants to face the sound Is
That's the way I aways look at is the only
team they're thinking, Oh, we'd love to match aplate with
the Sounder. Is No, you don't, because it's a team
that just for a decade plus has maintained such a
high level of excellence in the postseason that you don't
(14:50):
want to be facing them. So you never know the players.
It's up for grabs all the time. But you know,
if you tell to me you have to go to
San Diego, you have to go to Vancouver, or you
have to go to a LEC. I don't think there's
anywhere that's not winnable for this team. But at the
same time, they're definitely a couple of teams there. Vancouver
when they came up a few weeks ago, definitely impressed me.
Thomas has made a massive difference, very well coach team.
(15:10):
They press so well that'd be a great game to watch.
And LFC, I think Vancouver and LSC for me are
the two. I think San Diego had a great regular season.
They reminded look of Saint Lewis on a couple of
years ago. We had a great regular season. They plays
a different story. And I think San Diego for me
just don't why have that punch goal proven yet? They
might do it. I don't think it's a team that's
proven a year, whereas someone like Thomas Muder World Cup,
(15:32):
win our Champions League going up just elevates Vancouver. And
then you bring Son to LFC and already good team
makes them even better. Those two are the two stand
ups for me.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Yeah, I'm kind of right with you there. Actually, I
think we're right in the same track that I think
that whoever wins Sounders Minnesota gets through San Diego and
I just don't believe it. And then I think the
winner of that Vancouver l AFC second round probably makes
MLS Cup and maybe wins it. All those two teams
are just what a what year for vank Hoover spectacular
(16:01):
and then lafc's freaking LAFC. Steve, great stuff, man. I
appreciate you given a few minutes. Look forward to seeing
you for these Monday night football matches for the playoffs here,
So I have a good few days and we'll check
in here come playoff time.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
Yeah, thank you, Bob. Always a pleasure off season.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Good stuff there from Steve Zachwani. Love having Steve on
the show. We'll also continue talking about the playoff series
and the rest of the Western Conference with Ari Lillian Wall.
He's a writer and editor for mlssoccer dot Com. He
also hosts the podcast Lobbing Scorches. Want to ask him
about Sounders Minnesota, about the rest of the Western Conference,
(16:39):
and a lot more on the MLS playoffs ahead because
they begin this weekend around the league next Monday for
the Sounders against the Loons, Ari Lillionwell will come up
next here on Sounders Weekly Sports Radio ninety three point
three KJRFM.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Now back to.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Sounders Weekly on your home for Sounders FCS Sports Radio
and three point three kjr FL.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Welcome back Sounders Weekly.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Jackson Feldt's good be with you here on this Wednesday
night previewing the Sounders first round playoff series against Minnesota.
It'll be the Loons the four seed, hosting the Sounders,
the five seed in Round one. Game one coming up
next Monday, October twenty seventh at six pm, and then
November third will be Game two back at Sloomin Field
(17:27):
in Seattle at seven thirty pm.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Game three if necessary, later in the week.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Thanks to Steve Zachwani for joining us there in the
first segment to talk a little bit about this first round.
Let's dig into it a bit deeper now joining us
from mlssoccer dot com. He's a writer and editor there.
He also hosts the podcast Lobbying Scorchers. They had a
great live watch along show last Saturday night for the
Western Conference games. They're own Lobbing Scorches. It's our good
(17:55):
friend Ari, Lillianwall Ari. That was a very very fun
show last Saturday. I enjoyed being a part of it
with the whole group you guys had.
Speaker 5 (18:03):
Yeah, thanks for tapping in, Jackson. It was a lot
of fun. I mean we went for five and a
half hours, so it was a nice marathon. But yeah,
good to be here and looking forward to the playoffs,
getting Underwey.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
That was so fun.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
It devolved at some point into our fantasy football league
when it was me, you, Noah and Nico. That was
just a really really fun time. And you know, overall,
the decision day Ari it ended up kind of being
I wouldn't say a dud because we did see a
change at the very very top of the Western Conference,
but nothing really much happened in the East, and the
West ended up only having a couple of little things
(18:35):
that shook out. I don't know, I feel like it
was one of the lesser exciting decision days.
Speaker 5 (18:41):
I think the first slate was a little bit of
a dud. I think the evening slate picked up a
little bit and you saw a little bit more movement
in the standings. I was a little disappointed with the
Wooden Spoon Bowl between Atlanta United and DC United. That
had the potential to be such an electric matchup, and
that game was not very good, So I think that
was a dud. But yeah, overall, definitely not as crazy
(19:04):
as Decision Today has gotten in years past.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Well, I hope for fans, you know, your watch along
and your five and a half hour, which I believe
is now podcasted by the way on the Lobbing Scorchers
podcast page on the iHeartRadio up. I saw that this morning,
so folks can go back and listen to that watch along.
But it was very, very fun, all right, Ari, we
got to start with Seattle.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
Minnesota is the opponent.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
As we have said now for multiple shows, you wanted
the Loons. Why do you want the Loons handicap this
series for us?
Speaker 5 (19:35):
I just think the Loons have They have one of
the most unique styles, some of the most unique tactics
in the league. And we saw that when Seattle played
them twice this year, and Minnesota beat Seattle both times.
But I thought in the first game Seattle really did
not have much of a concept of how to play
against this team. I thought the second game was much
(19:56):
better and they had figured out the blueprint to playing
against them a little bit more. I know they lost
the game, but the way they played I thought was
much better, and I will take that matchup against them.
Compared to a team like San Diego or LAFC or
Vancouver who have all this attacking firepower, Minnesota really don't
have that as much, especially since they sold Tawny to
(20:18):
a Spanish club in La Liga so I think it
is a good matchup for Seattle comparatively to those other teams.
That doesn't mean it's going to be an easy runaway series,
but I like their chances better against this team than
a few of those other teams.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
I mean, the simple question when you talk about the
lack of Minnesota weapons is do Seattle or does Seattle
have the weapons? Because you know, not having Pedro de
la Vega. You know, I'm wondering if you look at
that group of Jordan and Paul heyesus Albert in between them,
with Christian obet As you're holding in fielders, is that
enough firepower in a starting lineup to get past the
(20:55):
Minnesota Minnesota team in a three game series.
Speaker 5 (21:00):
I think it is. I think having to play it
without de la Vega, which looks like they're gonna have
to do that, that's unfortunate and it does make it
a lot harder, not just against Minnesota, but against any
of these teams that they're gonna have to play in
the playoffs should they make it past Minnesota.
Speaker 4 (21:14):
But I do think this.
Speaker 5 (21:15):
Team has played with with without da la Vega quite
a bit since he's been on the team, and that
is a position group where this team does have maybe
even more depth than than other spots on the roster.
I mean, you've got Paul Rothrock and Georgie Manongu can
play that spot. And then I asked, I don't know
what you think, but I think Ryan Kent, if he's
able to come back, I feel like that could be
(21:37):
a potential X factor that people aren't even considering. He's
at the end of the timeline that they gave with
that injury, so he should theoretically be back for the playoffs,
and I think that could actually meaningfully give the team
a boost, particularly playing without Pedro de la Vega.
Speaker 2 (21:52):
Yeah, you know, Ryan Kent's funny because he started off,
you know, Gangbusters, and we're like, oh my gosh, this
guy's playing like a DP and then a player for
those uninitiated, you know, very very expensive, high priced, great player,
and then it kind of just fell off a cliff.
And I don't know, I'm not expecting much of anything
out of Ryan Kemp, but Georgie's a good shout. You know,
(22:12):
he's back from international duty and you know would expect that.
But yeah, you know, it's it's a Minnesota team that
has a certain style and they don't have the offensive
firepower pieces like a Jordan Morris, you know.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
So that's one of the interesting things.
Speaker 2 (22:26):
I mean on Minnesota Ari, you know, given the style
they play, what is the ceiling from Minnesota do they
have with their style what it takes to maybe get
far in the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (22:41):
I've been on the record as skeptical of their chances
of making a deep run in the playoffs. I just
think when you play against the ball as much as
they do, there's gonna come a point where you're playing
teams where you're gonna need to be able to play
with the ball and not just rely on yielding all
the possession and striking on these counters and obviously their
lead on set pieces. So I mean, I think I
(23:02):
tend to think a style like that is going to
run into roadblocks in the playoffs, but I could be wrong.
I mean, they've been proving me wrong for a while
this year, because I've been saying this for a long time,
but they have fallen off in the last month or so.
I think you've seen kind of the potential limitations of
how they do it because their tactics are just so
exaggerated even compared to teams who are kind of counterattacking
(23:24):
set piece oriented teams. They lean into that so heavily.
I don't know how far that can take them. We're
gonna find out, but I am skeptical.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
Yeah, no, that's totally fair.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
I always look at defense wins championships, and yes, they
don't have any offense, or they don't have much of
an offense, but boy they're good on set pieces, and
boy they have a good defense, and that just scares me.
But you know, I do like ari how the brackets
set up for Seattle, because I don't buy. I mean,
San Diego has seemingly fallen off a little bit. I
(23:55):
get what they did to Portland, but that's the freaking Timbers,
and they're horrible.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
I just look at the bracket and avoiding Vancouver and
LAFC and that side of the bracket. I kind of
like how this thing sets up for Seattle. They just
have to hit on all cylinders, and they can't have
Jordan Morris disappearing. They need Jordan Morris to continue to
do what he did in New York City. But if
they're firing Brian Schmeitzer playoff soccer ball, this is a
(24:22):
team I think that can make a West final and
then anything can happen in a final.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
Yeah, I mean, I don't see why not. I've learned
better than to doubt this team when it comes to
tournament play. It seems like it seems like in the
Brian Schmetzer era, every time they're in a tournament, it
doesn't really seem to matter what the form is going
into it, or how the season has gone or anything
like that. They just find this other level. We saw
it in League's Cup this year, So I mean it
is a little bit more daunting this year because they
(24:50):
did finish in fifth. They're gonna have to travel for
these games, but you know, I really don't think that
makes that much of a difference as far as their chances.
I think this is a team that knows how to
get results in these situations. So, I mean, with LAFC
and Vancouver also in the West, I think those are
gonna be two kind of juggernaut type teams that you're
gonna have to get past. But I don't think it's.
Speaker 3 (25:12):
An unmanageable road.
Speaker 5 (25:14):
I think a run DOWMLS Cup, it's it's in the
cards if nothing else.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
Yeah, No, I think it's it's somewhere in that deck
and we just got to see if that card ends
up getting shown, and they have to play their best
in order to get that card flipped. Ari Lillianwall is
our guest. He's a writer and editor for MLS Soccer
dot com. He also hosts the exceptional podcast Lobbing Scorches.
You can get it where every gear podcasts, including the
iHeartRadio app. They also have the YouTube show Lobbing Scorches.
(25:40):
Subscribe to it on YouTube. You'll be notified when they
go live on Monday mornings with Kickoff and Thursday nights
with Under the Lights. Ari.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
I mentioned Portland a minute ago.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
They lost for nothing on Decision Day at home to
San Diego, the one seed they because of that have
fallen all the way into the play in game. How
quickly do the Portland Timbers crash out of this postseason?
Speaker 5 (26:06):
I mean, that's a good question. It's funny you asked,
because I was actually just watching catching up on Phil
Nevil's postgame.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
Press conference after that four zero.
Speaker 5 (26:14):
Loss to San Diego. Needless to say, he was not
happy with the state of affairs. But it is as
an interesting situation for them because Phil Nevill himself has
said multiple times, including as recently as a couple of
weeks ago, that if they fall into the wildcard round
in the playing game, then that's a failure. So that's
where they are right now. That's actually what ended up happening.
I think he probably thought that that wasn't gonna happen
(26:36):
when he said that, But now they're going to be
scrapping it out with Rial salt Lake and it's it's
interesting times for the Timbers because if you have to
think that Phil Nevil's kind of coaching for his job there,
if they make a good run and improbable, kind of
underdog Cinderella run in the playoffs and they make it
to the conference final or maybe even MLS Cup. If
(26:56):
they do that, then I think Phil Nevill can probably
preserve his job. But if they crash out in the
wildcard round, or even if they make it past Real
falt Lake and then lose in round one, I think
you might be looking at a new coach for the
Portland Timbers in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
I mean that game, actually, I just looked it up,
and I don't pay too much attention to what the
Timbers are doing when they aren't losing. That game in
Portland does kick off here in about ten minutes, So
for folks MLS season Pass, Apple TV, Timbers, Salt Lake
that playing games just starting, and we'll all be RSL
fans to just, you know, eliminate Portland right off the bat.
(27:35):
The winner of that game will face San Diego, and
then that San Diego team, if they get past them,
would face the winner of Sounders Minnesota. That's how it
all shakes out in the other side of the West bracket, though,
Ari Austin LAFC is very interesting to me because Austin
beat LAFC twice in the regular season.
Speaker 3 (27:56):
So is this just a case of.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
You know, one off game and you can't put anything
into it, or does Austin have a shot to make
it three for three and knock out LAFC.
Speaker 5 (28:07):
I mean, to me, the fact that they beat LAFC
twice this year feels like kind of an outlier. I
had forgotten about that that they ended up doing that.
And I don't know if those games happened before or
after they got sun young men on the team, But
I don't know. I don't really read too much into that.
I think LAFC They've been probably the hottest team in
(28:28):
the league since Sun got to the team. They have
the best one two punch one two duo that we've
seen an MLS in a while. Frankly, so, I think
they are still a front runner, if not the front
runner in the West, and I would be pretty surprised
if Austin gives them much of a fight. I don't
think Austin has nearly enough firepower to keep up with
this LAFC team over a best of three series.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
You're probably right, but a man can dream.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
I will say that one of Austin's wins, one nothing,
was on October twelfth, just ten days ago. You look
at lafc's lineup in that game, and it didn't include
the Sun, and it didn't include you know, Bu Wongga.
It had Boba Ce tailman Moran Delgado is the attacking foursome.
That's just an entirely different LAFC team. So you're probably
(29:15):
right on that. Well, look at overall these playoffs are
I mean, that's one of the ones that I'm most
interested in. As you look at the entire playoff bracket,
maybe where do your eyes go? What are the most
or what is the most interesting series in the first
round to you.
Speaker 5 (29:31):
I mean, I think this Inner Miami Nashville sc matchup
that you we got coming up on Friday, that is
a pretty tasty one. And uh, I just think there's
so much pressure on Inner Miami in the playoffs this
year more than any other team. Frankly, they have to
win MLS Cup, not just for kind of validation of
their project. But you've got Serdio Busquetz retiring, you got
(29:53):
Jordi Albo retiring. This is kind of their last chance
to get a trophy with the Barca Boys intact as
it's been as a and constituted. So if I had
to pick one, that would probably be it. But then
you also have a hell is real matchup in the
East FC Cincinnati versus Columbus Crew. So anytime you get
a Darby in the playoffs, that's gonna be some appointment viewing.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Oh I love that Cincinnati Columbus. I love rivalries there
in that first round. That's great. Remind me Miami lost
in the first first round last year due Atlanta.
Speaker 5 (30:23):
Oh yeah, to Brad Guzan in number nine Steed Atlanta United.
Speaker 2 (30:26):
This is probably a two second answer. Messi's MVP more
or less obvious than last year.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
I would say just as obvious. Yeah, it's pretty obvious
Messi as the MVP.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
But yeah, that is interesting that Miami couldn't get out
of the first round last year, and if this is
the last run with that group they cannot that's a
good Nashville team. Nashville Ari right, they were towards the
top of the Eastern Conference mode for most of the year.
That's a very interesting series. I hadn't really considered that
being the most interesting in the bunch, but I think
(30:59):
you're probably about that. Hey, dude, let's wrap it up
with this really quick. In our next segment, we're gonna
hear from Christian rolled On. He got back from the
United States men's national team last week, did a press conference.
Speaker 3 (31:10):
We're gonna play that where he talks about.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
His time with the United States, and I am thinking
that this guy may have just locked up a spot
on the World Cup roster after the performance he put
together with the United States there on international duty over
the last couple of weeks. He gets a couple assists,
and I think right now, if I'm a betting man,
he may even start for the United States in that
(31:34):
game in Seattle. Based on what you saw from Christian
with the US over the last couple of weeks, do
you think he's clinched a spot on that roster.
Speaker 5 (31:43):
Yeah, you know, we're both admittedly biased, but I agree
with you. I thought I thought that Australia friendly was
the best he's ever looked for the national team. It's
frankly what we all in Seattle have known he could
do if he was actually given a chance at his
preferred position and got some extended run. So, as it stands,
if I had to guest today, yeah, he would be
(32:05):
definitely on the World Cup roster. He would have a
very good argument to start. You know, a lot could
change between now and the World Cup, but as it
stands right now, I definitely think he's at least earned
the right to be in that conversation and to keep
getting to keep getting called in. Absolutely, And the cool
thing about it is Pashettino actually seems to rate him.
He said at a press conference that he considers Christian
(32:28):
Roldan the perfect player, which, yeah, I think we all
agree with that out here, but the rest of the world,
in the international football community, they they don't know about that.
So I just appreciate act. I've had my issues with
Pochettino at times, I've given him a bit of a
hard time, but like I respect how he's handled not
just this situation with Christian, but he takes an objective
(32:50):
look at this playerpool and he calls in and he
thinks is the right decision to call in, So I
can at least respect that.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
Well, it's pretty cool what Christian Roldan's doing, and hopefully
he does make that. Ari, We'll let you go because
we're now gonna hear from Christian Roldan. So have a
good rest ever your week, enjoy the playoff slate starting
here with Portland RSL in a few minutes, and we'll
talk to you next week.
Speaker 5 (33:12):
My friend, you got it, Thanks Jackson.
Speaker 2 (33:14):
It's good stuff there from Ari Lillianwall. He's a writer
and editor for MLS Soccer dot com. He hosts the
podcast Lobbing Scorchers. Get it on the iHeartRadio app and
wherever you get your podcasts. All right, we talked there
about Christian Roldan. Let's continue talking about Christian Roldan and
the hope he has of being on that World Cup roster.
After an amazing time on international duty in US camp
(33:37):
over the last couple of weeks. Christian Roldon is next
to your on Sounders Weekly Sports Radio ninety three point
three KJRFM.
Speaker 1 (33:45):
Now back to Sounders Weekly on your home for Sounders
fc CL's Sports Radio ninety three point three kjr FM.
Speaker 2 (33:53):
Welcome back to Sounders Weekly. Jackson Feltz here. Good to
be with you here on this Wednesday night. As a reminder,
we're gonna have Rain Weekly with Kiey Dunning coming up
here in just about twenty fifteen, twenty minutes or so,
as she will look ahead to the rain starting the
playoffs in the NWSL there they locked up their spot
this last week, so the Sounders starting their playoffs the
(34:16):
rain looking ahead to their playoffs. It's a playoff soccer
time here in Seattle, as the weather is certainly turning
as we look outside, and we all know, you know.
One of the interesting things about the Sounders playoff series
here against Minnesota, as I mentioned, the Sounders have the
first game of the first round against Minnesota there on
(34:36):
October twenty seventh, that's next Monday, and then the following
game is also on the following Monday in Seattle. On
November three, in this kind of home away home to
the higher seed, so Minnesota Seattle Minnesota series here in
the first round. This weird best of three in the
first round and then single elimination after that. I hate it,
(34:58):
but you know that's just me anyway. So one of
the things is the fact that the first game is
next Monday, as opposed to this Saturday. Like if it
was three days away, the playoff would be so bold
in my mind right now, and it would be just
emphasized of we're three days away from a playoff game.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
Here we go.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
The fact that it's next Monday, like my brain is
sort of treating it like, Okay, it's next week in
some sort of way.
Speaker 3 (35:25):
It's weird.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
But you know, one of the things that is falling
out about that is the fact that it's allowing my
brain to kind of incorporate lots of other things going on,
including Christian Rolldon's performance with the United States men's national team.
And we spoke with Ari Lillienwall in that previous segment
about it, and you know, one of the things that
I wanted to do here I always like playing play
(35:48):
in the player interviews, and I know we had Steve
Zachowani on earlier. But last week we had the chances
reporters to catch up with Christian Rolldon about his time
with the national team. And yes, he was not the
Sounders team that went and beat Minnesota or sorry, beat.
Speaker 3 (36:02):
New York City FC two to one last weekend.
Speaker 2 (36:05):
But I think what there is so much of right now,
the emphasis of my brain is understanding what last week
may have meant. So the last two weeks may have
meant for Christian Roldan as it relates to a guy
who was really trying to on that kind of periphery
of the national team. Will he be on the national
team for the World Cup? Maybe in, maybe out? And
(36:27):
he goes out and he has as we were just
talking about that fantastic performance against Australia, the two assists,
clearly a veteran leader there in that locker room and
all of these things, and all this time with the
national team. When he got back to Seattle and we
had the chance to talk to him at a press conference,
it does feel like a guy who may have just
(36:48):
locked up his spot. So this is some really good
stuff here from Christian Roldan talking about his time with
the national team, talking about his influence in that clubhouse,
talking about his relationship with head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Some
really cool stuff here from Christian rolled on as for
a moment, we turned the attention from the playoffs starting
(37:09):
next Monday, and we do look at something very cool
that happened to a Sounder legend.
Speaker 3 (37:14):
Christian rolled on.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
Here was his visit with the media last week, Christian
Roldan talking about his experience with the United States men's
national team.
Speaker 6 (37:22):
Timing and football is everything right? You know, I get
invited to a camp in September. Last minute, I felt
like I got a good camp. But now after this camp,
you know, you feel like you took advantage of an opportunity.
So I'm excited. We'll see, you know, if my name
(37:42):
is selected for the November camp. But it feels good
to not only contribute in training and camp and being
a good presence within camp, but also contributing on the
field stat wise. Right, I'm a player that probably doesn't
necessarily get a lot of stats here with Sounders or
(38:03):
national team, so it finally feels good to contribute in
that way and and hopefully people are feeling uh my
presence on the team, whether it's on the field or
off the field.
Speaker 7 (38:13):
I was really understood where to play, how to play you.
He's even been us vocal as any coach has ever been.
You know, what is the relationship there and how has
that been that he's been able to like get the
best out of you?
Speaker 8 (38:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (38:27):
The really the relationship with with Borchettino is is is incredible.
Speaker 8 (38:32):
Right.
Speaker 6 (38:32):
Uh from the minute he the minute I stepped into camp,
I really felt comfortable and confident with him.
Speaker 8 (38:39):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (38:39):
He gave me that that confidence to to really step
forward and and believe that I can make the squad.
And as a player, right, you you want to feel
that confidence. You want to feel like that if your
your name is called, he's gonna he's gonna believe that
you're gonna get the job done. And so that was
my mindset right going into camp. Mindset when he when
(39:01):
my name was called, Uh, to be able to contribute.
But yeah, from the first from the first minute, I
felt really good about.
Speaker 8 (39:10):
Just being in camp overall.
Speaker 6 (39:11):
And uh, and you know, obviously the coach of that
magnitude believes in you.
Speaker 8 (39:18):
You know you you want to deliver for him.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
He had some pretty glowing comments about you after the game.
What was your conversations like with him after that performance.
Speaker 6 (39:26):
Yeah, a lot of him, him understanding that moment, him
him really believing.
Speaker 8 (39:32):
That I was going to get the job done right.
Speaker 6 (39:36):
As a coach, I think instilling confidence is a real
important thing, especially with guys that maybe are on the fringe.
So getting that sense from him was was really nice. Obviously,
hearing his remarks after the game very nice as well.
Speaker 8 (39:52):
You know, he's he's.
Speaker 6 (39:53):
A h a person that has seen so many great
players throughout throughout his time as a coach and as
a player as well. So for him to be saying
those things right, you know, it means the world. But again,
I have to deliver if he continues to say those
(40:14):
those types of things about me.
Speaker 2 (40:16):
There is a large part of that group that's a
younger group. Do you feel like a veteran leader when
you go into that locker room?
Speaker 4 (40:22):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (40:22):
I mean, look, I've been to a World Cup. I'm
now thirty. You know, I think Tim and maybe Matt
Turner are the only two guys that are older than me.
You know, I probably haven't played in as many important
games as those two guys, but I've been around those
those types of games, and so I definitely feel like
a presence over there in terms of leadership, being vocal,
(40:45):
trying to get the guys you know, on the same
page in that moment, whether it's in the locker room
or on the field.
Speaker 8 (40:54):
So understanding my role.
Speaker 6 (40:56):
You know, maybe I don't see a game, but how
can I still impact the group?
Speaker 2 (41:01):
How does Brian Schmitzer in his coach style compare it
all maybe or contrast with with Puchatino.
Speaker 6 (41:06):
Yeah, it's a look here at a club level, you
have a whole lot more time to work on things,
and so it's very organized in that sense, right.
Speaker 4 (41:14):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (41:15):
Specific days are are for building out of the back.
Speaker 6 (41:18):
Other days are for pressing, you know, other days are
for finishing attacks. You know, with with bus Chatino, you
have to kind of fit everything all into you know,
one or two days at times, and so that's that's
the that's the tough part of.
Speaker 8 (41:32):
Being a manager at the international level.
Speaker 6 (41:33):
You don't get to see those guys on an everyday basis,
so you have to rely on, you know, what people
say about about others, about the players. You also have
to rely on what you see, and so trainings are
extremely important and so the emphasis is always, hey, how
do you train? If you train well, you might play
and so you know all together, right, and you know
(41:58):
we see it with a lot of South American coaches, right.
Speaker 8 (42:00):
Intensity is always is always so important. How you how
you commit, how you.
Speaker 6 (42:07):
Show yourself in trading, how you display yourself each and
every training session. Those things are vital to to see
in the field. And so you know, slightly different, right.
I think the beta manager as a as a at
the international level is always tough because you don't get
to have all the days with with those players.
Speaker 3 (42:29):
Well, that's awesome stuff there from Christian rold On. So
happy for him.
Speaker 2 (42:33):
And you know, as I was talking about there earlier
with Ari, I'll repeat my thoughts is I think he's
locked up his spot.
Speaker 3 (42:39):
We'll see what happens, and you hope that no injury
gets in the way.
Speaker 2 (42:42):
But based on what he's done, and I mean, Aliston,
I'm a Tottenham Hotspur fan and I cheered from Risio
Pochettino teams for years and I think it's a guy
who understands certain moments and I think he understands that
it's a United States team in the World Cup that's
gonna be playing their first game in the group stage
(43:03):
in Los Angeles, and then the second game of the
group stage is in Seattle, and I think there is
a tangible value and I think Manicio Pachettino understands this.
There is a tangible value in having Christian rolld On
on your roster, and not only on your roster right now,
if there is. I don't think there's any Vegas odds,
(43:24):
but if there were Vegas odds, I would put money
down on Christian rolled On being a starter, not just
playing off the bench. I think he will honestly start
that second group stage match for the United States in Seattle,
because I think that Pachettino understands the value that a
guy like Christian Roldan can bring to his team in
(43:45):
that kind of a moment, in that kind of a
game in Seattle specifically. So I think it's awesome for
Christian Roldan and he earned that spot, and he had
just a fantastic last couple weeks with them, and awesome
to play that conversation and be able to talk to
him out there last week.
Speaker 3 (44:01):
At Long Acres.
Speaker 2 (44:02):
So wanted to get that in here into Sounders Weekly
this week, because Yeah, the the focus for me. You know,
the playoffs don't start funtil next week, and I get it,
it's next Monday.
Speaker 3 (44:12):
But it's next week.
Speaker 2 (44:14):
Sounders Minnesota first game, first round. It begins next Monday
night in Minnesota.
Speaker 3 (44:22):
Again.
Speaker 2 (44:22):
That will have a provident Swedish premat show of five
point thirty and a kickoff of six o'clock over on
our sister station of Sports Radio nine to fifty KJRM,
so nine to fifty am next Monday night for some
Monday night playoff football Sounders Minnesota game one folks. You
can also watch there on Apple TV. You don't even
(44:44):
need MLS season pass. You can watch all the playoffs,
including this game, for free on Apple TV. You just
need to be an Apple TV subscriber to watch Sounders
Minnesota and all playoff games next Monday night.
Speaker 3 (45:00):
So that's great, folks.
Speaker 2 (45:01):
You can also listen in Spanish language on LRA thirteen sixty.
All right, So that is the game coming up. The
first playoff game, Game two would be on Monday, November
third at lumen Field, and then game three, if necessary,
is later that week. We'll preview Game two and we'll
look ahead to Game two and have more details on
that next week, But for now the focus is going
(45:25):
to shift to next Monday night in Minnesota for Game
one of the playoffs which begin there in Minnesota. Two
final notes before we end tonight's show. First, that Sounders
FC Soccer is presented by Provident Swedish, the official healthcare
partner of Sounders FC. Second, michelob Ultra is ninety five
calories and two point six grams of carbs.
Speaker 3 (45:44):
It's only worth it if you enjoy it, all right.
Speaker 2 (45:47):
We will talk to you next Monday for Sounders Minnesota
Round one, Game one of the playoffs and this first
round best of three. So have a good rest of
your week everybody. We'll talk to you next Monday. But
right here and right now, it's Rain Weekly with Kie
Dunning coming up next on Sports Radio ninety three point
three kJ R FM
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