Postgame Show: Lead Us, Greg

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – Postgame Show: Lead Us, Greg

Release Date: June 2, 2025

---

Introduction

In the Postgame Show: Lead Us, Greg episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, hosts Dan Le Batard and Stugotz, along with co-hosts Greg and Mike, delve into an engaging discussion primarily centered around the world of soccer. Filmed from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, the episode offers listeners a mix of insightful sports analysis, particularly focusing on Inter Miami's recent performance, the upcoming Club World Cup, and a detailed breakdown of PSG's strategic triumph in the Champions League final.

---

Defining "Dadication" ([00:00] - [00:21])

The episode opens with a heartfelt conversation about "dadication," a portmanteau blending "dad" and "dedication."

• Host: "What is dadication?" ([00:00])

• Dad: "The thing that drives me every day as a dad is Dariona. We call him Dae Date for short. Every day he's hungry for something, whether it's attention, affection, knowledge. And there's this huge responsibility in making sure that when he's no longer under my wing that he's a good person. I want him to be able to sit back one day and go, we worked together. We did a good job." ([00:01])

This segment emphasizes the profound commitment and responsibility inherent in fatherhood, setting a personal and reflective tone before transitioning back to sports.

---

Transition to Postgame Discussion ([00:30] - [00:54])

Following a brief public service announcement about fatherhood, the show seamlessly shifts gears to the postgame segment. The moderator cues the discussion, and Greg takes the helm.

• Moderator: "You ready to lead us?" ([00:30])

• Greg: "Well, you know, lead us not into temptation. What? Deliver us from evil. Amen. Thank you." ([00:31] - [00:37])

Despite a humorous misstep in quoting a prayer, Greg promptly steers the conversation toward the main topics at hand.

---

Main Discussion: Soccer Analysis ([00:42] - [04:54])

Inter Miami's Resurgence and Messi's Impact ([00:42] - [02:57])

Greg initiates the soccer discourse by highlighting Inter Miami's impressive turnaround.

• Greg: "Inter Miami was in a terrible 10 game slide. 9 or 10 game slide now they've won two in a row. Very impressive. Messi scored four goals in the last two games." ([00:54] - [01:07])

This resurgence not only rejuvenates the team's standing but also fuels excitement ahead of the Club World Cup.

• Greg: "I think it gives fans renewed hope for the Club World cup coming up." ([01:09])

Mike expands on the significance of the Club World Cup, emphasizing its competitive intensity and the strategic shifts within MLS teams.

• Mike: "I'm really excited about this competition. The prize pool suggests that teams actually have to go for it. It's not what you're used to in the summer when these teams come over to the US and just do friendlies. There's something on the line here." ([01:21] - [01:38])

He also touches upon the protests by Seattle Sounders members against the Club World Cup, highlighting internal tensions within MLS regarding participation and compensation.

PSG's Champions League Victory ([01:39] - [04:05])

A significant portion of the discussion centers on PSG's dominant performance in the Champions League final against Inter Milan.

• Greg: "PSG absolutely blitzing Inter Milan in the final. What's really impressive about that is PSG was always a club that failed to get over the hump... They get rid of all those names and then they win the final." ([01:34] - [01:58])

The hosts analyze PSG's strategic pivot away from relying solely on superstar talent like Zlatan, Mbappe, Messi, and Neymar, opting instead for a more organized and team-focused approach.

• Greg: "By playing great, organized team football, bringing along younger players. It's not the superstar megastar names that you're used to, although these are very good players. But it's really funny." ([02:11] - [02:27])

Mike draws parallels between PSG's strategy and that of the Oklahoma City (OKC) team in the NBA, noting the shift towards building depth and leveraging scouting over high-profile trades.

• Mike: "They trade away Paul George and they rebuild their franchise with that. When Mbappe leaves for less than market value... they're not in the mix because France has not looked as a great domestic league." ([03:06] - [03:45])

Greg underscores the historical significance of PSG's 5-goal margin victory, a first in the tournament's 70-year history.

• Greg: "In the 70 year history of this tournament, it's the first five goal margin ever, which is pretty darn impressive." ([04:05] - [04:13])

---

Team-Building Strategies: PSG vs. OKC ([03:06] - [04:05])

The conversation delves deeper into the contrasting approaches of PSG and OKC in building their respective teams.

• Mike: "The way to explain it is... they have to lean on their scouting. Now they have the ultimate resources. Their owners are very cash rich, but again, they're not in the mix because France has not looked as a great domestic league." ([03:06] - [03:40])

This segment highlights the nuanced differences in how wealthy franchises manage talent and foster long-term success, balancing star power with sustainable team development.

---

Club World Cup Dynamics and Team Disparities ([04:13] - [04:48])

Greg shifts focus back to the Club World Cup, discussing the varied levels of competition among participating teams.

• Greg: "What fascinates me is the disparity of competition among all of these teams. Example, Inter Miami opens with a club from Egypt which you don't think of in on the world." ([04:13] - [04:31])

He emphasizes the unique challenges faced by teams like Inter Miami when up against under-the-radar yet motivated opponents.

• Greg: "That team will never take a pitch more motivated than when they're playing Lionel Messi and that's what they have to put up every game." ([04:31] - [04:48])

---

Conclusion ([04:53] - [04:54])

As the discussion wraps up, the hosts offer final thoughts, maintaining the show's signature blend of humor and camaraderie.

• Greg: "Hey. That kind of thing." ([04:53])

• Amen: "Thank you, Greg. All right, thank you, everybody. All right, now you can take this down. Goodbye." ([04:54])

---

Key Takeaways

• Inter Miami's Revival: The team's recent winning streak, propelled by Messi's stellar performance, has revitalized their prospects and boosted fan enthusiasm for upcoming international competitions.

• Strategic Shifts in soccer: PSG's departure from a reliance on marquee names towards a more cohesive and younger squad exemplifies a successful model for overcoming previous shortcomings in crucial tournaments.

• Club World Cup Significance: The tournament is evolving into a highly competitive and commercially significant event, urging participating teams to prioritize performance and take the competition seriously.

• Comparative Team-Building: The discussion between PSG and OKC underscores the importance of adaptable strategies in franchise building, balancing financial resources with tactical recruitment and development.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dad on "Dadication": “[00:01] ...there's this huge responsibility in making sure that when he's no longer under my wing that he's a good person.”

• Greg on PSG's Victory: “[01:34] PSG absolutely blitzing Inter Milan in the final. What's really impressive about that is PSG was always a club that failed to get over the hump...”

• Greg on Historical Significance: “[04:05] In the 70 year history of this tournament, it's the first five goal margin ever, which is pretty darn impressive.”

• Mike on Team Building: “[03:06] The way to explain it is... they have to lean on their scouting... they have the ultimate resources.”

---

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz offers a comprehensive and engaging analysis of current soccer dynamics, blending personal reflections with in-depth sports commentary. The hosts' expertise and personable interactions provide listeners with valuable insights into team strategies, tournament significance, and the evolving landscape of international soccer competitions.

Transcript

[Host]

What is dadication?

[Dad]

The thing that drives me every day as a dad is Dariona. We call him Dae Date for short. Every day he's hungry for something, whether it's attention, affection, knowledge. And there's this huge responsibility in making sure that when he's no longer under my wing that he's a good person. I want him to be able to sit back one day and go, we worked together. We did a good job.

[Host]

That's dadication. Find out [e-mail] brought to you by the U.S. department of Health and Human Services and the Ad Council.

[Moderator]

You ready to lead us?

[Greg]

Well, you know, lead us not into temptation. What? Deliver us from evil.

[Amen]

Amen.

[Greg]

Thank you.

[Host]

We're rolling.

[Moderator]

Go ahead, post game. Dad, take us.

[Amen]

Yeah, keep praying. Go ahead.

[Greg]

What are you talking about? What are we doing here that's on this roll, guys?

[Mike]

You know, you don't put the man in that serious.

[Dad]

He does.

[Moderator]

I mean, he's done everything.

[Mike]

What's at the top of your head? You want to get any sports takes. You want to fire off here as this post game is now in your hands.

[Greg]

I mean, I would love to talk soccer. I. You know, Mike, you and I are interested. Inter Miami was in a terrible 10 game slide. 9 or 10 game slide now they've won two in a row. Very impressive. Messi scored four goals in the last two games.

[Moderator]

Did you just look at your topics?

[Greg]

No.

[Moderator]

The top one?

[Greg]

No. I think it gives fans renewed hope for the Club World cup coming up.

[Mike]

And I'm super into the Club World cup and it'll be curious to see how these MLS teams that are actually in season now. A lot of these clubs would have played like two weeks ago, but it is an advantage to be in season in form headed into that competition. I'm really excited about this competition. The prize pool suggests that teams actually have to go for it. It's not what you're used to in the summer when these teams come over to the US and just do friendlies. There's something on the line here. FIFA is really pushing the clubs to take this seriously, amongst other things, because that's what they've sold. This did fetch a big bill attached to it in terms of rights, and they want to make this one one of the biggest media rights entities on the planet. So I think the teams are forced to do this. However, not every team is happy about this. Seattle Sounders out of mls. We're seen wearing protest shirts protesting the Club World cup and the the wages that they will get for participating in that. But if we are going to touch on soccer, we have to mention the European Championship that happened. The Champions League final. PSG absolutely blitzing Inter Milan in the final. What's really impressive about that is PSG was always a club that failed to get over the hump. They brought in all these superstars, Zlatan, Mbappe, Messi, Neymar. They get rid of all those names and then they win the final. Yeah, by playing great, organized team football, bringing along younger players. It's not the superstar megastar names that you're used to, although these are very good players. But it's really funny. A year removed from losing Mbappe and having that hang over your club for years on end. You don't have Messi, you don't have Neymar. Apparently all they needed to do was get away from these personalities and finally get over the hump and, and achieve the ultimate success.

[Moderator]

I heard Amin before the show comparing PSG to this OKC team. Like they've had stars in the past, now they've gone younger, deeper, and it's just a young team.

[Mike]

And look, the way to explain it is, well, they still have very rich ownership, but these players aren't at the level of Achillean Mbappe, who's at the peak of his powers. Messi close to the peak of his powers, Neymar, peak of his powers in okc. They trade away Kevin, well, they lose Kevin Durant, but they trade away other players and they get all these pieces. They trade away Paul George and they rebuild their franchise with that. When Mbappe leaves for less than market value, when you don't get a big transfer fee there, how do you. Messi left as a free agent. They're not getting draft picks to help build their roster. They have to lean on their scouting. Now they have the ultimate resources. Their owners are very cash rich, but again, they're not in the mix because France has not looked as a great domestic league. They're not often in the mix for the best players in the world anymore. They were looked as a club that was a launchpad, club that, that people would either go to at the end of their careers or to launch padded success for more regular competition. So to see PSG in this spot so closely removed from the likes of Neymar, Messi and Mbappe is really impressive.

[Greg]

In, in the 70 year history of this tournament. It's the first five goal margin ever, which is pretty darn impressive.

[Mike]

You don't do that to Italian clubs in finals. You don't do that right.

[Greg]

I I, I watched every second of that game. I was riveted. But getting back to the club World cup for just a second, what fascinates me is the disparity of competition among all of these teams. Example, Inter Miami opens with a club from Egypt which you don't think of in on the world.

[Mike]

Sleep on them.

[Greg]

Don't. Yes, because here we go and, and Messi's used to this the past couple of years in this league you've got a team from Egypt that nobody knows very much about. That team will never take a pitch more motivated than when they're playing Lionel Messi and that's what they have to put up every game. Miami.

[Mike]

Look at that. You landed the plane nice. Good job.

[Moderator]

Just hit it. That kind of thing and we're done.

[Greg]

Hey. That kind of thing.

[Amen]

Thank you, Greg. All right, thank you, everybody. All right, now you can take this down. Goodbye.