← Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard
Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard
Altidore's Shocking Exit from USMNT, Richards injured and Where Is Yunus Musah? | Unfiltered Soccer
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- [00:00]
Landon Donovan
2017, you don't qualify. 2018, no World Cup. You were 27, I believe, at the time. And then it's just done. And was that, like, ever explained to you? Talked to you?
- [00:11]
Jozy Altidore
I agree with you. It was really difficult to just one day be there. You're in constant conversation and then, you know, all of a sudden, nothing. You know, I wasn't a fan of, you know, some of the moments there. At the end of that cycle, I
- [00:23]
Landon Donovan
can't help but think, what the hell were we doing? Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim, presented by Volkswagen. Volkswagen has long been a support of soccer in America and has proudly been a partner of U.S. soccer for over five years.
- [00:37]
Tim Howard
Welcome into Unfiltered Soccer. He's Landon. I'm Tim. This is, of course, presented by Volkswagen ld. What's happening, bud?
- [00:45]
Landon Donovan
Timmy, you know, I, like, really do love you.
- [00:49]
Tim Howard
Yes, yes, yes, you do.
- [00:51]
Landon Donovan
Because you can hear my voice at 6am Trying to be quiet. My kids are all sleeping, my wife's about to kill me because I'm going to wake up the house. But I only do this for you.
- [01:02]
Tim Howard
You do.
- [01:02]
Landon Donovan
I gotta work to do today.
- [01:03]
Tim Howard
I gotta, I gotta. I got another show. And yes, this is a lot of
- [01:06]
Landon Donovan
bills to pay, bud.
- [01:07]
Tim Howard
I appreciate you.
- [01:08]
Landon Donovan
Thank you guys. Welcome in fun show today. We will get to a really, really, really special guest in a sec. As always, please follow us on social media at Unfiltered Soccer. Whatever you are listening to this on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts. Hit the subscribe button. It helps people find it. I was at my son's soccer tournament this weekend. This guy walked up, he's like, hey, Landon. I'm like, oh, here we go. Autograph. He goes, I love your podcast. Like, all right, thanks. You can email Jordan feedback at Unfiltered Soccer. Reminder, guys, the live shows this summer. I told you before that the LA one was. Was sold out. Jordan was able to produce more tickets. Produce more tickets. She produces a lot of things. So there are more tickets now for the LA show. I don't know how they did that actually. That is Saturday, June 13th. I think it's in Vet in Venice. If you're in the LA area, on July 13th, we'll be in Dallas. That's the day before the first semi. And then NYC the day before the final is gonna be so fun. All right, Timmy. This gentleman was kind enough to have us on his show last week. And now returning the favor there, in my opinion, the best. Well, not my opinion. Best striker I ever played with with the national team and I played with some good ones. Amazing human being doing a lot of great things after his soccer life on the field as well. Welcome to this to the show, Mr. Josie Joseph Altidor.
- [02:44]
Jozy Altidore
What's up, guys? How you doing?
- [02:46]
Landon Donovan
Great to see you, man. It was fun to actually just chat with you a bit on your show last week with Jokim Noah and fun to see what you've been doing there and other things I wanted to ask you because I didn't ask you off the air and this was not planned but the sociality stuff you're doing, can you just fill us in on what, what that is and what you're doing?
- [03:05]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah. So basically sogility, what we do is we use technology. So it's tech infused soccer training and our main goal is to one, you know, take the sting out of training for kids right now that are playing youth soccer and kind of gamify it and help the kids kind of enjoy learning soccer.
- [03:23]
Landon Donovan
Make it fun.
- [03:24]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah. Because right now I think, you know, we see soccer as like the number one sport being played amongst young kids. But when you look at ages 14, 15 and 16, there's a huge drop off. Right. Because kids aren't having fun. And so I wanted to kind of go a different route and try to put soccer back in the fun fold for kids and also kind of attack individual training and, you know, private training in a way where it's much cheaper. And again, a way where we help kids have fun. And it's not, it's no longer subjective in terms of am I getting better? Parents can track what their kids are doing on our app and they can see for themselves how their kid is improving. And kids can see themselves, you know, how they need to improve, whether it be their left foot, right foot, agility, vision. And so it's been a really fun journey.
- [04:15]
Landon Donovan
That's awesome, man. And we're, we've, we talk a lot about that. It's just we're so passionate about this and I love that you're in this space too, man.
- [04:22]
Tim Howard
Yeah, it's, it's interesting. Josie, obviously you are a dear friend of mine and ours and, and teammates and I just think what you're doing post playing is so impressive because I think what, what people don't understand about you is some athlete, A lot of athletes get it wrong, but you were a young kid who burst on the scene at a very young age in New York and oftentimes when that happens, just the fact of the matter is most people don't make it out of that most people don't make it out of. They fail, they stumble along the way, and they just get lost. And you went from strength to strength. You did well in MLS as a youngster. You went to Europe, you then went on to the national team and World Cups and then back to mls. You won a bunch with Toronto, which we'll get to. And now post playing, you have so many business endeavors. Like, I can't. I can't say enough about the human being you are, all of your charitable opportunities that you, that you give back to, and then just the player you, You've been. Talk to us a little bit about, about some of those post playing experiences. Like, we, we all get done playing and we're like, what next? But you. You've gone. You got into the tech space.
- [05:31]
Jozy Altidore
You.
- [05:31]
Tim Howard
You're. You're a minority owner in the Buffalo Bills with a, With a group. You have so many things. How did that, how did that, how did that come about?
- [05:38]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah, I mean, like you said, Tim, right, We. And Landon, you know about this, right? We start young, and I think when you start young, you're able to get exposed to a lot of things, right? A lot of people, you're able to have the possibility to. To. To have some really cool relationships. And for me, I try to just keep all of that in the back of my mind because I knew obviously this game wasn't going to last forever. And to be quite frank, I was lucky to have good people in front of me. You know, I played with a lot of great players like you guys, and I was able to watch and see kind of how you guys started your brands, how you, you know, grew your brands. And I think that was amazing for me at that time to have so many guys now when you look post career that have these big brands and, and businesses and things they're doing, I got to play with all of them at once. So I got to kind of see, you know, at a really young age, from an early time in my career, kind of the blueprint of how I can position myself and take advantage of some of these things.
- [06:39]
Landon Donovan
Well, you pay attention, though, so congrats to you. Because a lot of guys don't. They just put their head down and that's fine, but. All right, Joe's. We're a month away from less than a month. God, how far are we now? Like three weeks. Jesus.
- [06:52]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah, it's crazy.
- [06:53]
Landon Donovan
And the roster gets announced next week.
- [06:56]
Tim Howard
26. Is that right?
- [06:57]
Landon Donovan
26. Yeah, I'll be there. I'm doing the thing the reveal for Fox. It's gonna be really fun.
- [07:03]
Tim Howard
That's cool.
- [07:05]
Landon Donovan
Just from your experience, Joe's. Because you. In 2010, for sure, with. With Robbie Finley, with Edson, like with Herc, you saw guys make it sort of at the last minute. And I saw it through each. Each of my cycles where guys, all of a sudden you're like, oh, they're kind of on the bubble, and then, oh, they're on the team. Yeah. I guess from a player standpoint, you knew you were going in 2010 for sure. That's the one I can speak to. And from a player standpoint, what are your feelings ahead of this? Because we remember our memories. But what were you remembering ahead of this? Was it in your mind? Were you just playing and not worrying about it? How were you approaching it?
- [07:47]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah, it's definitely on your mind. It's impossible not to think about it.
- [07:51]
Jordan
Right.
- [07:51]
Jozy Altidore
I think we played our last game before the roster in Connecticut, I think. And I just remember the nerves of everybody, but more so because, you know, up most of that cycle, I had played up top with Charlie. And, you know, at that time, we kind of didn't have a like, for, like, replacement. So I was really, you know, curious to see, like, how we were gonna play, you know, what player, you know, was Bob thinking to kind of play alongside me? And so that was actually a stressful time because in a lot of ways, I had to change how I've been playing the last three years to kind of fit a different model. But, you know, it's. It's nerve wracking for. For all players, whether you're, you know, somewhat a shoe in or one of the guys that, you know, you've earned your place or you're a bubble guy. Right. It's a nerve. It's a nervous time because you don't even know how to, like, you know, comfort guys in these positions. It's a first for all of us. So I would say it's not an easy situation for anybody.
- [08:48]
Landon Donovan
You know what, Joe? You just touched on something that I. I was. That we think we talk about with this team a lot, which is there are a lot of partnerships on the field right now that are just not solidified with this team. And it's one of our. It's one of my worries. Concerns going into this tournament. And you just spoke about. You and Charlie had such a connection. And, like, you guys knew each other so well. You loved each other off the field, you were friends. That is so valuable. And I think fans don't understand that they're like, oh, just throw this guy in. He hasn't been there for six months, but he's a good player. He plays for XYZ Club and it just doesn't work that way. And so can you help our fans understand the value in that? And then you just said, you know, you're having anxiety. I don't know who am I going to be playing with? Hercules? Gomez? Is Clint going to be up there with me? Is Landon? And you haven't built those partnerships help people understand that.
- [09:40]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah, it's tough. It's tough because you know, on one end you're thinking about, right, the team and when you're, when you're in playing in the team for a long time, that's what you want to be the star. And so you're constantly thinking like how each guy is going to affect that team. And but at the other end you're cheering for these guys, right? These are all good guys that are trying to fulfill a lifehood dream. So it's like, you know, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's a two sided coin I would say too like even Gooch, right, Gooch got, went down at the very end there. And so it's really difficult to navigate. And I think people don't understand like what I don't want to say the wrong pick can do, but what picking a guy that maybe is not as inundated in the group, how can it affect the mental. And I saw that in 2010, I saw it in 2014. And so I think, you know, the coaching staff has to be really, you know, honest about these selections and make sure that these are the right players, not only for the team but for the group as well. Because you need guys that are going to help you get through these next six weeks that may not play. But you know, if they, if you need them to play, they can perform, but also kind of help the group get through some difficult times.
- [10:50]
Landon Donovan
Yeah, that's right.
- [10:50]
Tim Howard
It's. Let, let our, our listeners, let's give them a history lesson because I think a lot of people forget you and Charlie were giving people fits. And we had the 2009 Confederations cup where we had that brilliant run and then Charlie gets injured in a, in a car accident, in a really horrific car accident at the back end of World cup qualifying. And the two of you, I off. I often say, like right now, in modern football, defenders get days off because you play one striker, you play a false nine. You and Charlie occupied a back Four. And it was just like, good luck to you, Clinton. Clinton. Landon ate so much because of the way you two play. You know, you and Charlie played off each other. And so I'm wondering, Joe's with this group now. Ajaeng has been injured, right. Which is terrible. So you got flow. You've got Ricardo Pepe, you've got Haji Wright. We sort of think between Land and I, we. We. We go back and forth with the roster. Obviously, Flo's the main guy, and we're just sort of figuring out, like, what. What, in your opinion, do you think he'll take all three of them and then add another striker, or do you think he'll just take the three strikers and then probably add another midfielder? Attacking player, Pochettino, that is.
- [12:04]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah, I mean, I think we've seen he likes to play out of the kind of 4, 2, 3, 1 setup, or 4, 3, 3, however you want to call it with the num1 number 9. So, you know, theoretically, if you're going to play with one nine, you know, I don't know if you need four. Right. I think maybe three is good. And. And especially the three you have, you know, the first three that pop to everybody's mind, you know, they're scoring a ton of goals, so you feel like you're covered there. I think the tough part for Pochettino will be, you know, is it a 10? Is it a winger? You know, what is that kind of guy that you call in that's like that, you know, that special call up, I would say, where you have that, like that one call up leftover, where you're like, hey, let's do something clever here? Or is it a young player, right? Is it, you know, one of our young stars that are, you know, lighting up MLS right now? So I think it'll be interesting for him. But I honestly think that choice, I'm not going to say it makes or break the group, but it could do a lot, especially as you go in deeper rounds and you're looking for a spark. So, you know, I'm very curious to see what he does there.
- [13:04]
Landon Donovan
Yeah, I always say Joe's went. And I learned this from. From Nate Miller, who I coached with. He said, you want players that have a superstar quality when you're building a roster, because you can get a lot of guys who are kind of the same, right? And they can all kind of do the same job. But is there somebody who has something different? And that's why you say guys like you say, okay, he has something different. Diego Luna, you know, not on. On the, you know, world class level yet, but he has something different where you could just pull something out that you're not expecting. And so I think it's. As this roster gets revealed next week, I think we're going to see one or two guys like that. And that superstar quality doesn't even have to be on the field. That can be. You know, we had. Frankie Haydock was a great player, but he just brought the energy and the vibes to our group so that every day you were happy to be there. And that is a superstar quality like that helps you get through a World cup for sure. So I wanted to ask you about a guy who's not, probably not going to be on this roster. So in 23, you were on the kicking it pod and you, you asked which player you would build your team around. I don't know if you remember this. I don't remember. And this was a guy that I would have agreed with you on. And you said Eunice Musa. And if you.
- [14:24]
Jozy Altidore
Wow.
- [14:25]
Landon Donovan
You remember. I know. And you remember back then, I mean, life comes at you fast, right. And things change fast. You remember back then, he was a guy. You were like, this guy could be a real star. A real star. And yeah, just. What do you think's happened there? I mean, we have our theories because he, he turned down an invite last summer to the Gold cup, and I think that's probably stuck with him with Pochettino. What, like, how do you break that down for fans who watch? Because we've all seen a lot of guys who are on that trajectory and then, you know, it doesn't go well for whatever reason.
- [14:56]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah. You know, to be honest, I'm a bit. I'm a bit surprised. You know, this is a guy that I felt like would continue to progress. I think he had all the ability and the tools and, you know, I would love to understand, like, a lot of fans, you know, kind of what went wrong there in the sense of him being called up, you know, quite frequently to now. You know, one of the guys that's on the fringe. And I'd love to understand more about that because I think it's one of the guys I put in the category of, like, even a Gio Reina, where they just, they, they offer something totally different. They can plug into a number of positions at a very high experience level. You know, he's been playing at Milan Valencia, so I think he's a guy, in my opinion, when you're looking for a team of flexibility, Like a World cup roster, you want a guy that can plug in everywhere, you know, and I think he's one of those guys, but hasn't featured and, you know, I'd be really curious to understand why, because again, seems like a bubbly guy, nice to, but, you know, has been missed around the team over the last few rosters.
- [15:58]
Tim Howard
The, the question that's on everybody's mind, Josie, is what can this team do? And so in your opinion, what. What can this team accomplish or not accomplish? And. And depending on your answer, I'd be curious as to why you think I. One way or another.
- [16:15]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah, I mean, obviously, look, I'm a fan first, you know, I, I think we always have to be critical and be honest about things. You know, I think this particular group, when firing on all cylinders, there's no reason why, you know, they can't make noise in a knockout stage. And I've said to people, I've gone on record and I've said semifinal or final, not necessarily because of the quality, but because of the circumstances, right. Being at home, I look at the group stage, I look at everything, you know, that, that, that comes in with this tournament and you say, if there's ever a time, right, where the US Team kind of does something that's never been done, this is the time to do it. On the flip side, I can also see why people feel like this team is uninspiring and won't do any of those things because of not being able to put in professional performances.
- [17:08]
Landon Donovan
Right.
- [17:08]
Jozy Altidore
Let's just be honest. The games against Portugal and Belgium, they're not fun games. We've all been there, right? They're middle of the summer, you know, I understand that, but, you know, the inability for me, when I see the group to just be professional about it, right. And you know, you don't want to make that run, but you're going to make it. You're going to get into guys and get a result more so for the people in and around it than the guys inside. That part, you know, worries me a bit, if I'm being honest.
- [17:37]
Landon Donovan
I want to talk a little bit more about some of the, some of your national team career. And I, I was, I've always wanted to ask you this. So after 2018, the team doesn't qualify, right? After 2017, you don't qualify. 2018, no World Cup. And Tim talks about this a lot, and I never thought of it this way, but I think it's had a massive effect on, on U. S soccer. You were 27. I believe that's crazy. And all of a sudden, you make a few more appearances, right? And then it's just done. And was that, like, ever explained to you, talked to you, or is it just. You're just. Just not called in anymore? Because that's, to me, is crazy. And if you look at the struggle we've had, particularly at Stryker, over that time with the national team, I. I think. I can't help but think, what the hell were we doing? Like, you could have. Even if you didn't play in the next World cup, you could have been a guy who helped everybody move forward. And Tim the same, right? And a bunch of these guys. Michael the same.
- [18:39]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah. Landon, It's. It's a great question. And, you know, for a long time, it's. It's something that, you know, you just try to forget, to be quite honest. I mean, you know, it was really difficult 2022, because of the discussions that I had with Greg Burhalter about, you know, a possible role in the team. And, you know, I just felt like in that moment wasn't the most professional in terms of the way we communicated. And then what had happened, and I agree with you, it was really difficult to just, you know, to just one day. One day be there. You're in constant conversation, and then, you know, all of a sudden, nothing. And, look, I understand it's a difficult job. I understand that there's a lot of things that come into play when you're leading a national team, but, you know, I wasn't a fan of, you know, some of the moments there. At the end of that cycle there. I know we didn't qualify for the World Cup. I'm very aware of that. But I still feel like there was something I could offer to that group, both as a. As a, you know, a senior player. I thought I connected with Christian on the pitch as well as I connected with anybody. And so, you know, I was really excited to hopefully be a part of things, but, you know, he had other plans, and I think that's part of also, right. Playing at this level and being a big boy. But, you know, I.
- [19:57]
Tim Howard
To.
- [19:57]
Jozy Altidore
To, you know, to say that, you know, that was an easy period. It definitely was not. Especially when you feel like you have something to give, right? You have something to contribute. So.
- [20:07]
Tim Howard
27 years old. You said a lot. I mean, look, I. I've. I've been. I've been very open and honest about it. That's. It's very simple. You and Michael Bradley and Brad Luzan. If. If. If A football federation doesn't think that you all have a, a place in a squad of, of all young kids. They're kidding themselves. So they, they, they, by the way, I mean, like Clint, they made a mistake and, and that happens. And unfortunately they were so short sighted about that team that didn't qualify. They were, they were so ready to just like do away with any memory of that. You know, I think they did had some tagline like next generation or something. They were just so willing and ready to like get rid of that. But that happens. It happens.
- [20:47]
Landon Donovan
But Tim, that's really impacted this group. I mean, really has. And not just like, not just soccer ways. I just. The way they handle themselves, the way they do things, the way they do interviews, the way they speak, those are. I learned so much from the guys ahead of me. Of course, watching Claudio give interviews and watching how Jeff Agus handled himself in the group and Eddie Pope and you know, Brian McBride and how to be a like real striker and a pro strike. I learned so much from those guys. That's right. That, I mean, we have to learn from that and never do that again. Like, God forbid it doesn't go well this summer. Don't just throw everyone out again because like you, that's not, that doesn't benefit anyone. Yeah. All right, guys, as always, remember to subscribe. We're going to take a break. When we come back, don't go anywhere. We got a lot more to get to. Right here on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim. As always, presented by Volkswagen Foreign,
- [21:50]
Jordan
The
- [21:50]
Landon Donovan
Unfiltered soccer podcast is brought to you by Volkswagen. It's really easy to become a passenger in life, to sit back and watch life go by day after day.
- [21:59]
Tim Howard
Of course, it's hard to do your own thing when everyone is following everyone else. But this is a call from me and ld, from Volkswagen and from all the other drivers out there. Make the most of every day.
- [22:10]
Landon Donovan
Choose a different path, take control, grab the wheel and get in the driver's seat of life. Because honestly, what are you waiting for?
- [22:18]
Tim Howard
Live life in the driver's seat. Learn more@vw.com LD MLS is back.
- [22:24]
Landon Donovan
Yes, it is. And you know what that means. Saturdays are once again all about soccer.
- [22:29]
Tim Howard
Walmart is making Saturdays of soccer even more glorious with Walmart Saturday showdown. From early practices to late night watch parties.
- [22:36]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah.
- [22:37]
Landon Donovan
Walmart and MLS bring every emotion of the beautiful game to Saturdays. Joy, nerves, excitement and unforgettable golassos.
- [22:46]
Tim Howard
Walmart plays on Saturdays.
- [22:48]
Landon Donovan
Who knew? This episode is brought to you by fanduel. We've got seasons coming to a close and some massive, massive games on the horizon, and fanduel is meeting the moment for all of us right now. New customers can bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if you win. That's right, place a $5 bet and if you win, you'll unlock 150 in bonus bets that you can use on goal scorer markets. Match results over unders, same game parlays, and so much more. Don't wait. Visit FanDuel.com Unfiltered to download the app and get started. Today must be 21 plus and present in select states for Kansas in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino or 18/ plus and present in DC, Kentucky or Wyoming. First online real money wager only. $5. First deposit required. Bonus issued as non withdrawable bonus bets which expire seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms@sportsbook.fanduel.com gambling problem. Call 1-800-Gambler or visit fanduel.com rg call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org chat in Connecticut or visit mdgamblinghelp.org in Maryland. Hope is here. Visit gamblinghelplinema.org or call 800-327-5050 for 24. 7 support in Massachusetts or call 1-877-8-Hopeny or text hopeny in New York. Joe's can we talk, talk about your club career a little bit? We forgot when, when we were doing the research. Andrew's was, I forgot you made your debut at 16 with Red Bubbles.
- [24:37]
Tim Howard
Yeah.
- [24:38]
Landon Donovan
What was that like? I mean I, I knew being a 16 year old in a grown men environment is daunting, right? Like you're just like this little kid trying to tiptoe around and you got guys trying to hammer you and kill you in training and all. You're like, well, what was that like for you? Probably a little different because I was in Europe. So you were probably. They wanted you to succeed.
- [25:01]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah.
- [25:01]
Tim Howard
Real quick, real quick. Josie's a Metro star. Tell him Josie. Just hope like you got signed as a Metro Star and then Red Bull.
- [25:12]
Jozy Altidore
I got, I got drafted as a Metro Star and then literally like three weeks later, Red Bull comes in and buys the team.
- [25:18]
Landon Donovan
What the hell's going on here?
- [25:19]
Jozy Altidore
I got the Metro in me. It is what it is. But you know, Landon, actually I was very lucky because, you know, I had a guy which you guys all know I had Tony Mayola, who was the best, like Big Bro. You can have as a young kid who was kind of obviously in the US Program, who I quickly identified with. You know, I had Yuri Zhorka there with me, Edson Buttle. You know, I had a, you know, I had a group of really good guys, Mike McGee, which you guys, I know, know well, who was like, yeah, my, my, my, my big brother in a lot of ways. Clint Mathis, Claudio Reyna. So I was very lucky. You know, I had an embarrassment of riches when it comes to like, older guys that had a ton of experience that again, I could watch and follow and maybe at sometimes mimic if I didn't know the way. Right. To kind of gain that comfort. And I'll tell you right now, without it, I don't know where I would be. You know, Claudia arena was huge for me. Juan Pablo, Angela, like I was. I had an embarrassment of riches. I got to watch these guys train and perform and conduct themselves. And that's where I really understood what it was like to be in a professional environment at a high level. Because Juan Pablo at the time, he had come from, I think Aston Villa and you know, he was banging in goals. And so to have somebody like that come in so fresh, you know, wide eyed, wanting to help, you know, I was, I was, I was blessed, man. I was very lucky.
- [26:45]
Tim Howard
Yeah, I mean, it's also, again, going back to. It's a testament to you, right? Like, there's a lot of, A lot of young players turn their nose up at some of the older players and don't. And don't take it on board. I mean, you, like you said, you had an embarrassment of riches, but you also recognize that and realize you could, you could learn from them. And ultimately the idea was then you could, you would, you would rise and you would go to Europe and then you did. Right. So you went to Holland. Is that straight, straight away, was it Holland or was it.
- [27:09]
Jozy Altidore
No, I went to Spain. Went to Spain first and then.
- [27:11]
Tim Howard
That's right, yeah. And then to the Premier League.
- [27:15]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah, went to the Premier League. It all happened for me pretty fast after leaving Red Bull. But again, man, like Juan Pablo angel, watching him train, watching him take care of himself, like it's what you said, Landon, like, obviously, you know, deep down where you want to go and maybe people expect that, but to have, you know, a guy like that and to be able to just absorb some of what's coming to me in a way, you know, like he was my shield. It was all coming, but it didn't all come at once because of those guys. Sure, it's so invaluable and I don't know where I would be without it.
- [27:46]
Landon Donovan
Yeah, it's so well said. It's what we were just talking about with this team, right. Like that's. They needed a bunch of that.
- [27:51]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah.
- [27:52]
Landon Donovan
So Timmy just talked about from going from Holland to the Premier League because you went from Alkmoor to Sunderland, right?
- [27:58]
Jozy Altidore
Yep, yep.
- [27:59]
Landon Donovan
So we. This Ricardo Pepe stuff that's happened on again, off again with PSV to Fulham. Can you tell people? Because I see this happen a lot. Joe's. A lot of people score a lot of goals in Holland or do big. Even Michael scored like 30 goals at Heron Faen or something. Right. And then you go to the Premier League and I think people wonder what the difference, the gap is. What's the difference? Can like. So Ricardo Pep going there is, you know, he's scoring 20, 30 goals at PSV. How big is the gap? How much harder is it when you go to the Premier League?
- [28:33]
Jozy Altidore
I think it's. It's. Obviously there's. It's a different league, right. Premier League is regarded as probably the best league in the world. Right. You have them Lalit Liga and I think there's no doubt about that. I think actually the bigger thing and more important thing for a striker is to really study where you're going. You know, I. I think the situation I was coming from, situation I then was in, in England, it was very personal. There are a lot of things off the field that took me away. But having said all that, when I look at Sunderland, if I'm being honest, and I look at, like how they played, it didn't suit me. Right. And I think Ricardo or whoever is looking, when you're looking, you have to make sure the money's great. And I think that is part of the reason why there's such a big allure to the Premier League. And Tim, you both know this, you both played in the Premier League. You know, what you can do there on a financial level is much greater than anywhere else. So that obviously seeps into your mind. And I don't know his upbringing, you know, I don't know his family situation. For me, it was important to secure that. But at the same time, deep down I knew this. The way they played, the style of play didn't necessarily suit me. And so I like to push back a little bit because when people say, oh, you're coming from that league, it's not that. I think guys, they don't necessarily study enough. The team, they're going to how they play, the coaching staff. And I think that is a real problem. And for me, it was a real issue. Yeah.
- [30:01]
Landon Donovan
So well said. Yeah. I say it all the time, like it's a little bit. The grass isn't always greener, but it's more than that. It's like, go to an environment, one where you're going to play. I mean, this drives me crazy with all these young kids, and I want
- [30:13]
Tim Howard
to go to Europe.
- [30:14]
Landon Donovan
Europe, Europe, that's fine. But you got to play.
- [30:16]
Jozy Altidore
Yes.
- [30:17]
Landon Donovan
And then if your chances of playing go way up, if it's a style and a system that fits. Sure. Big time. Right? Yeah, it's well said.
- [30:25]
Tim Howard
And then, Joe, so. So you were pretty young when you made your move back to MLS. You're still like in your mid-20s.
- [30:31]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah.
- [30:31]
Landon Donovan
What.
- [30:32]
Tim Howard
What went into that decision? Aside from the. The private jets and the bag full of money? What else. What else went into that decision?
- [30:40]
Jozy Altidore
Well, it's not. Well, Tim, I'm happy you said that because, hey, it wasn't prem money.
- [30:44]
Tim Howard
Right.
- [30:44]
Jozy Altidore
But obviously it's. It's still good. Right? You want to make sure, you know, that that's. That's part of the business. I think at that point for me, I was, you know, I think I was 25, 26 years old. I had the option to go to Lil, and a lot of people don't know this. You know, I was really struggling. So I went on a visit to Toronto. I got to spend time with Larry Tannenbaum, with Tim Leiwicke, which Landon, I'm sure, you know. And to be honest, the time with Tim Leiwicki and Larry Tannenbaum, you know, it did it for me when. When Larry talked about what I can do post career and things that I'd be interested in that he would help kind of usher in. Same with Tim Leiwicki. I knew that this was a special place because when you're in Europe and Tim and Landy, you know this as well, you don't have that relationship with ownership. You have a relationship, but not in this sense where it's like, hey, come on the plane and I'll show you kind of the blueprint on things that you're interested in on the business side. And so I thought that was an incredible opportunity for me at a time where I needed a change. And then talking to Michael a lot about what we could do in Toronto. How could we raise the level and do something that's never been done in MLS in terms of, you know, the DP structure and then Toronto. So I Thought all of those things, you know, were really exciting. And then you throw in the Drake and that element, like, it was a pretty cool offering at the time. And, you know, looking back at it, I still believe it was the right. The right choice for sure.
- [32:16]
Landon Donovan
It was so fun to watch, man. You guys were so good. Like, those four years. I think you won three or four years, something. Yeah. I mean, that was so fun to watch. All right, Joe's, we'll get you out of here. Just a few sort of faster fun questions. And we appreciate your time, man. It's just. It's so good to see you and how. How well you're doing. First one for me. Did you ever get starstruck? Like, were there any of these games where you walked on the field and you were like, oh, my God? Because it only happened a couple times for me. But I'm curious for you, to be honest.
- [32:49]
Jozy Altidore
The biggest starstruck moment I had was my first camp with you guys.
- [32:55]
Tim Howard
Where was it?
- [32:56]
Jozy Altidore
It was Mandela cup in.
- [32:58]
Tim Howard
Oh, yeah. South Africa.
- [32:59]
Jozy Altidore
South Africa. You know, I arrived there for, like, I don't know how long the journey was. I got diarrhea like crazy. You know, I don't know what it's like to be out of Jersey. Right? And then, you know, I get. I get to my room.
- [33:13]
Landon Donovan
I would have thought you would have had diarrhea from Jersey.
- [33:16]
Jozy Altidore
Nah, bro, come on, don't do that to us. Come on, man. And, you know, I have Jonathan Spector there again, and it's like, I think if I had anybody else as my roommate, it wouldn't have gone, like, the way. Jon was so welcoming. And until today, he's what I consider still one of the guys that. Just a different relationship, a special guy. And then I get to my room, I think I go grab my gear. I meet Chiampis for the first time after. I'm, like, crapping everywhere. Yeah. And then I meet you guys, and it's just like, I see Tim. I see. And I'm just like, you know, and for the first moment, you know, I was kind of like, man, like, this is it, you know, this is what I want. This is where I want it to be. And I'm telling you right now, I've played against Messi, I've played against the best. And, you know, because I wanted to be on the national team so bad. So to be there with you guys in that moment, that was. Yeah, that was the best moment, you know, in terms of, like, wow, I'm playing with the stars now.
- [34:15]
Tim Howard
That's Amazing.
- [34:15]
Jozy Altidore
Really special.
- [34:16]
Tim Howard
That's amazing. Our research department is also amazing. And your first. Your first international red card came after you said something to a referee. What did you say?
- [34:28]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah, man, you know, I don't even remember. I think it was against Switzerland. It was against Switzerland, right? I don't even know what I said. Like, the referee was like, you can't talk to me. I'm like, what do you mean I can't?
- [34:41]
Tim Howard
Why?
- [34:41]
Jozy Altidore
Why can't I talk to him? We just got into a petty back and forth and I regret it because we were on the way to, I think, win that game. I think we end up tying the game. But it was. It was so petty. I. I had an issue with referees in my day.
- [34:55]
Landon Donovan
You know what, Joe? And this reminded me in Germany when I was 16, I first when I was playing in some game with the under 17 Leverkusen team. And in America, you could say, like, come on, that wasn't a foul, right?
- [35:11]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah.
- [35:12]
Landon Donovan
And like. And I said something like that, the ref immediately, bang, red card. Because I was American, he didn't give a kid. He didn't care about me. And I was like, what? I got a six game suspension. I had to go before this, like, tribunal. And they're like, you can't say this. And I was like. I just said, it's not a foul. I didn't like MF the guy or whatever, but like, this some ref in Switzerland or in the Switzerland, he doesn't care. He's like, yeah. He's like, yeah, fine, you're gone. I don't care. MLS never happen, right? Like, they're not gonna. It's crazy.
- [35:42]
Jozy Altidore
No. L. I'm pretty sure that's what it was. Like I said. And he's like, don't say to me. And I'm like, I'm not saying it, like, to you, just like. And you know, the European refs, you know, they're difficult to talk to, man, but it was a learning experience. You know those guys, it's a show. They want to be the star of the show sometimes. And a lot of times it happens.
- [36:00]
Tim Howard
It happens.
- [36:00]
Landon Donovan
All right, question. These are always hard to do, but. So you're best Toronto FC team, which year would you say was that? Like, the best?
- [36:10]
Jozy Altidore
To be honest, Obviously we won a lot in 17, but I think the 2018 team that goes to the CONCACAF final, right? I think that's the best team.
- [36:20]
Landon Donovan
Okay. That team versus Inter Miami last year, who wins?
- [36:24]
Jozy Altidore
Come on, man, that's. That's such a tough one. I know, but to be honest. To be honest, I would have loved to have seen Prime Giovinco. I think he was as good as anybody in mla.
- [36:34]
Landon Donovan
So good, man.
- [36:35]
Jozy Altidore
You know, he was so difficult to play against. So you know what? I gotta take my boys because Inter Miami's defense isn't the best. So I think we would have had a field day.
- [36:44]
Tim Howard
Yeah.
- [36:45]
Jozy Altidore
And on the other side of it, you know, we had Chris Mavinga, Drew Moore, Gregory Vanderweel. I think we could have dealt with things. Michael Bradley in the holding midfield. So I like our chances, man. Heard it here first, baby.
- [36:57]
Tim Howard
I like it. All right, so. So of all the places you played, you talked about, you dropped a few names, which is amazing. Of all the places you've played, you can select a 5 aside team. I'm guessing you're on the team. So who are the four other guys? National team, international, whoever you actually shared a team with. A field, a dressing room. You can name four of the guys who you got.
- [37:20]
Jozy Altidore
You know, I've never done this actually with everybody.
- [37:22]
Landon Donovan
That's a great question.
- [37:24]
Jozy Altidore
And I never thought about it deeply. Five A side is tough. Well, I gotta go. West Brown is in there as one of my backs today. Play with Wes.
- [37:33]
Tim Howard
Yeah.
- [37:34]
Jozy Altidore
One of the best distributors on the ball as a defender I've ever played with.
- [37:38]
Landon Donovan
Wow. Yeah.
- [37:39]
Jozy Altidore
Amazing guy.
- [37:40]
Tim Howard
Yeah.
- [37:41]
Jozy Altidore
Always had a snooze on him. I don't know how he did it. So Wes Brown is in there, I think.
- [37:47]
Landon Donovan
Who's your goalkeeper, Josie?
- [37:49]
Jozy Altidore
Gotta go with Tim. Of course.
- [37:50]
Tim Howard
Tim.
- [37:50]
Jozy Altidore
I don't know if we play with. If we played with goalies at five a side, but if we do, I'll go with Tim. West Brown's in there. I gotta have Santa Casorla. He was just a ridiculous player.
- [38:01]
Landon Donovan
I forgot you played with him.
- [38:03]
Tim Howard
Is that Villarreal?
- [38:04]
Jozy Altidore
Villarreal. He was different. Different Gravy. And then Marco Senna. I have to throw him in there. This guy has a number six, Brazilian, Spanish.
- [38:14]
Landon Donovan
I remember. Yeah.
- [38:15]
Jozy Altidore
What a player.
- [38:15]
Landon Donovan
That was Via Real as well, right?
- [38:17]
Jozy Altidore
Villarreal. Oh, my gosh, then this is tough. 5. So that's 3. I'm gonna coach the team, Timmy, to get it.
- [38:25]
Tim Howard
We're taking you out. We're taking you out.
- [38:28]
Jozy Altidore
Landon. I gotta put you in there, my man. In terms of top players, right. I'm trying to get the best players possible. So that is that. 4. And then I'm gonna throw a wild card in there. I'm gonna throw in Freddie Adu because Freddie do with the ball. I still. I Mean, till this day, I've never played with somebody as special on the ball.
- [38:48]
Landon Donovan
Especially, by the way, in a five a side.
- [38:50]
Jozy Altidore
Yeah, Freddie, you do on the ball. Just different gravy, man. Like, you guys saw him briefly in that. I think it was the, the, the 2011 Gold Cup.
- [39:01]
Landon Donovan
Yeah.
- [39:01]
Jozy Altidore
Freddie in tight spaces, spraying a ball on the ball, different gravy.
- [39:06]
Tim Howard
People forget. People forget.
- [39:08]
Landon Donovan
Well, thanks. Yeah.
- [39:10]
Tim Howard
This is awesome.
- [39:10]
Jozy Altidore
I gotta throw my boys in there, you know what I'm saying? Three guys in there.
- [39:13]
Tim Howard
We appreciate you, man. Of course.
- [39:15]
Landon Donovan
Hey, Joe's. Thank you, man. It's so great to see you and I really like seeing former players just doing well in life and I could tell you're happy and you know, your sociality stuff's going great and you're the Bills and you're just. You're everywhere and I love that. And you're doing great and I hope you get to enjoy the tournament this summer. You get to root for us and Haiti. Yeah, right. Amazing for Haiti to be in the tournament. Love that about this tournament. It's going to be so much fun. So thank you, man. Continued success in everything you do. And we'll see you soon.
- [39:45]
Tim Howard
Thanks, Josie. Appreciate it.
- [39:46]
Jozy Altidore
Thanks for having me, guys. Pleasure.
- [39:51]
Landon Donovan
All right, Tim. It is time for the unfiltered refresh sponsored by Coors Light. Choose Chill. Get Coors Light delivered. Go to coorslight.com UFS I love, I love this man who chose Chill this week. Our guy to me, Seamus Coleman, Evertonian legend, after 17 years years with Everton, announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the year. Yeah, I just. I had so much respect for a man when I was there. He was kind of in and out of the team when I was there, but just an amazing human being. Such a lovely human Shamy is.
- [40:26]
Tim Howard
He's the best. I love him. He's the best. He's a. He's just a down home quiet kid from Ireland and he wants to play his football. He does everything the right way, Landon, everything. The way he trains, the way he treats people. He's a brilliant family man. He's a legendary Evertonian. He's been there 17 years. Trust me when I tell you it won't be very long until he's back at the club. Seamus Coleman, he is someone who I love and respect and admire and spent so many wonderful years with him. So big credit and cheers to you, Shami.
- [41:00]
Landon Donovan
Very interesting to see what he does next. I think it'll be amazing. Andrew put some trivia in so only eight players have made more Premier League appearances exclusively for one club than Seamus. He made 372 with Everton. Who are the top three? Top three?
- [41:22]
Tim Howard
I'm gonna say Ryan Giggs, Jamie Carragher.
- [41:25]
Landon Donovan
Oh, wow. What about Lampard? Or was he not Lampor?
- [41:32]
Tim Howard
Yeah, I'll take that.
- [41:33]
Landon Donovan
Okay, let's take three. Reveal. Gigsy. We were so close.
- [41:40]
Tim Howard
Close.
- [41:40]
Landon Donovan
The other five were Skulls. Terry Lampard, Mark Noble and then Shame.
- [41:46]
Jozy Altidore
Wow.
- [41:47]
Landon Donovan
All right. Well, Sheamus, cheers to you my friend for choosing Chill. Cannot wait to see what's next. Congrats on a great Everton con career.
- [41:56]
Tim Howard
Foreign
- [42:00]
Landon Donovan
stoppage time. Sponsored by FanDuel. New customers can bet five dollars and get a hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if you win. Download the FanDuel sportsbook app to get started. All right, the final matches of the Premier League season. City home to Villa. That is a no brainer. City will win that game. Spurs home to Everton. Everton struggling a bit at the end here. I think Moyes gets them going and I think they get a draw there at Spurs. West Ham home to Leeds. I think West Ham win that game. Leeds will be on vacation. Arsenal away to Palace. I think Arsenal still win the game. Palace have other thoughts on their mind with outside of Premier League games and. And they will be, I think also on vacation as well. So unfiltered soccer same game parlay this week. City at home beat Villa, spurs at home draw Everton. West Ham at home beat Leeds and Arsenal go on the road to palace and win that game. Don't forget to check out the full list of unfiltered soccer same game parlays on our socials later this week.
- [43:06]
Tim Howard
We're coming back in and something was said off camera. So I'm just going to have to address.
- [43:10]
Landon Donovan
Yeah, go ahead.
- [43:11]
Tim Howard
I'm going to have to address this. I quote Landon Donovan, If Biggie, Notorious B.I.G. was from the West Coast.
- [43:19]
Landon Donovan
Correct.
- [43:19]
Tim Howard
He'd be one of the greatest rappers of all time.
- [43:21]
Landon Donovan
Correct.
- [43:21]
Tim Howard
That's the most blasphemous thing I've No.
- [43:23]
Landon Donovan
What's worse, he is. You said he is the best rapper and that is sure absolutely ridiculous. As someone who clearly knows the rap, how many would.
- [43:30]
Tim Howard
How many would you put ahead of him?
- [43:32]
Landon Donovan
Tupac.
- [43:34]
Tim Howard
Just Tupac.
- [43:34]
Landon Donovan
Eminem.
- [43:36]
Tim Howard
Stop. I love him, but stop.
- [43:39]
Jozy Altidore
All right?
- [43:39]
Landon Donovan
We're wasting.
- [43:40]
Tim Howard
You're wasting my time.
- [43:42]
Landon Donovan
USMNT on us. Lnt. All right, first, bad news to me. Chris Richards limped off the field against Bretford. Part of me was thinking like, why is he even playing in this game? Yeah. I know, like the end of the season, I'm just. They have a Conference League champion, maybe. Yeah. Or Europa Conference League. So he twisted his ankle. They said it's quite swollen. I mean, the good news is, is he was walking off. Yeah, I've had like some bad ones where you cannot walk. Like, you cannot put weight on it. But this could be two, three, four, five, six weeks. Yeah, it really could. Hopefully. Hopefully it's okay. He obviously has all the resources to, like, get that thing healed, but, oh, man, that scares me.
- [44:32]
Tim Howard
Well, I. So I watched it and Igor Thiago and him went up for a header. Igor took off from Brentford and he rolls his ankle. That happens. I think his ankle was strapped because at the end of the game we saw his sock was off. So I think he had it. Probably had it strapped and wrapped anyway. That's hopefully helpful. But anyway, he rolled it. So my initial thought was one, is it a rolled sprained ankle or is it a high ankle sprain? Those are two completely different things. If it's a high ankle sprain, you're talking four weeks. But he was walking. Here's the other part. Ld.
- [45:07]
Landon Donovan
Sorry.
- [45:07]
Tim Howard
When he first went down, he was in agony. Agony. And that's not. I mean, if anyone who knows Chris Richards, he's not like rolling around just for the sake of it. So I was like. And then obviously he gets up and walks off, which is pure adrenaline. Right. So I'm sort of. I'm sort of trying to figure out which. What. What is real? Like, what are my eyes seeing and what is real. Like they've got a Europa Conference League final, then they have a sort of meaningless game, I think, against Arsenal. I mean, meaningful for Arsenal, but like palace, you know, the final weekend of the season. So, you know, the other part is these are big games, so you can get any sort of injection or anything to get. Get yourself going. But then my worry is, if he plays through all that, does he. Does he do more damage?
- [45:50]
Landon Donovan
So, again, yeah, there are some injuries where they'll say, look, you will not do any more damage. Sure, you can play. So, like, let's get you all the painkillers you need and you can play and it's not going to injure it more. Your ankle, you can't do that with a sprain. Like, the ligaments are really weak. And so that's like, that's risky. But I. I was. It was positive that he was walking. But you're right, the adrenaline and everything flowing is. Allows it. This morning, I can't even Tell you how painful that thing is if people have never had that. All right, let's hope he's good. We'll. We'll obviously keep monitoring this as it's crucial for the national team. Yeah. Talking of center backs, Austin trustee and Celtic completed their comeback. Wow. They beat Hearts and won the Scottish Premier League. Fifth straight season, they've done that. But Austin was. I mean, it was a massive piece for them. Started 33 games, all their matches down the stretch. I. I said, I think last week when we did the roster stuff, Pochettino takes the whole body of work. But you have to say, man, if you're just watching the last few weeks, you're probably like, you have to be influenced. If you're Pochettino saying he's playing well at the right time in big games, it's been a main piece for Scotland or for Celtic. Yeah, I think maybe he's on the team. I think I take back what I said. I think he's like you said, he's on, I think. And I think.
- [47:19]
Tim Howard
I think that was the one. Yeah, I think so. You know, again, I've said this to you a bunch. We're not really in a position to. To, like, take a guy who plays every week for a big European team and wins the league. I'm not sure. In a position to be like, no, leave them off.
- [47:40]
Landon Donovan
That's true.
- [47:41]
Tim Howard
Now, you know, we. Johnny Cordoso, we've had that same argument, Right?
- [47:44]
Landon Donovan
Yeah.
- [47:44]
Tim Howard
I think I might have left him off. So I take back a little bit what I said, but defensively, anyway. Defensively.
- [47:50]
Landon Donovan
Well, defensively, we're not. We have plenty of central midfielders who do.
- [47:54]
Tim Howard
Yes.
- [47:54]
Landon Donovan
Quite similar things. We do not have a lot of center backs.
- [47:57]
Tim Howard
No, we don't.
- [47:58]
Landon Donovan
We just don't. So I think there's a good chance. Yeah, we will find out next week. Roster veal is May 26. I will be there.
- [48:06]
Tim Howard
You're coming to New York?
- [48:07]
Landon Donovan
I'm coming to New York, baby.
- [48:08]
Tim Howard
We're gonna have dinner. What are we doing?
- [48:09]
Landon Donovan
Actually, I'd like to.
- [48:11]
Tim Howard
I lied. I'm gonna be there. I'm gonna be in Europe.
- [48:13]
Landon Donovan
You're gonna be on the Amalfi coast somewhere.
- [48:17]
Tim Howard
Capri and Sicily. I gotta go to London and work first, but then I'm going. Yeah.
- [48:21]
Landon Donovan
God bless you.
- [48:22]
Tim Howard
Thank you.
- [48:22]
Landon Donovan
I want to be you when I grow up.
- [48:24]
Tim Howard
You. You keep.
- [48:25]
Landon Donovan
All right. Some news and notes around Europe. Michael Carrick to me.
- [48:29]
Tim Howard
Yep.
- [48:30]
Landon Donovan
You said all along. I don't know if you said it on the pot or off.
- [48:32]
Tim Howard
Off Everywhere.
- [48:35]
Landon Donovan
You said they should not and will not hire. Hire Michael Carrick. Yep. So they did.
- [48:42]
Tim Howard
Yeah.
- [48:43]
Landon Donovan
Do you feel that it's the right move in hindsight?
- [48:47]
Tim Howard
I mean, like, I. Friend of mine, colleague, Gary Neville, mentioned something a few weeks back that sort of turned the tide. So, again, I have all these. I have all these different colleagues. Robbie must have sort of said, like, if he finishes a strong third. From where. You know, from when he picked up from him. If he finishes a strong third, he's got to be in consideration. They're a strong third.
- [49:07]
Landon Donovan
Yeah.
- [49:08]
Tim Howard
You know, myself and Robbie Earl were sort of like, look, we've seen this before. We've seen it with Oligon Solskjaer. We've seen this happen where you get a new manager, bounce. People feel really good about themselves and it's like, now what? Okay, let's. Let's name them manager. So I was. I was sort of guarding against that ld because there's going to be, you know, some decent managers out there that should probably be in contention. But I think Carrick has done enough where he sort of galvanized the backroom staff, the people in and around the club, from what we hear, sort of brought this togetherness. The fans certainly reconnected. He's improved the players. He's improved not just results, but he's improved the individual players.
- [49:51]
Landon Donovan
Yeah.
- [49:53]
Tim Howard
And look, I think this is sort of why they got rid of Ruben Amram. Like, if you go get. I don't know, it could be. It could be. Anyway, you go get a big manager, right? Whether that's Pochettino or Tuco or whomever, they're going to want their guys in, they're going to want their own sporting director. They're going to want to insulate themselves. And we saw this with Manchester United. This isn't a problem, it's just what. How they operate. Reuben Amram sort of wanted more of that power. And they're like, no, no, no, no. We have layers above you. You're just going to be the head coach, not the manager. And that's the hierarchy they sort of wanted. Michael Carrick gives them that.
- [50:33]
Landon Donovan
Yeah. So all that, he's happy to just be that.
- [50:35]
Tim Howard
He's happy to do that. Now, Gary Neville. I go back to what I was saying about Gary Neville. Gary Neville had said to me, because normally you see these. You see these Premier League clubs in like three years plus one or four years guaranteed, right? And then you get yourself, like, now you got to pay the manager up if it doesn't go well. I think they, I think they gave Michael and Gary basically said, look, if he does well enough, give him an 18 month contract or two years. And. And so now I'm looking at him going, if this goes completely pear shaped after like six months next year, then okay then, then you don't have to, you don't have a big payout. So the two year contract plus one sort of feels right. I think the big thing is one, you know, will he have any sort of input on signings? They need signings.
- [51:17]
Landon Donovan
Right.
- [51:18]
Tim Howard
And two, they have, they, you know, he, he has not had experience in managing a team in the Champions League. And that is a huge balance. When your team is in Champions League, which Manchester United is or will be balancing your squad week in, week out, midweek, that's a whole different managerial task. And he doesn't have that experience. Can he do it? Possibly. So anyway, he got the job and congratulations to him. He probably deserves this point.
- [51:42]
Landon Donovan
It feels to me and this I'm just watching from afar, I don't have the insight you have. It feels to me like that this is going to sound so dumb, but in modern soccer this is so much more rare than it ever was that the team is bought in and plays for him. It does. And you look at other situation, you know Liam Rosignior, right. Like they're the most recent where they're just like, nah, not doing it, this guy. So that tells me, okay, at least everyone's on board now. If they lose four in a row at the start next season. Yeah, it can all change, of course, but it just feels like everyone's on board and so I'm okay with it. And I hope, you know, I do hope for United States. I mean, you said they need players. I don't know, do they, do they need, do they need a lot? Because he's been on this, this tear with this group and it's not like they're, it's not like they're playing Burnley every week. Like they're playing real games.
- [52:36]
Tim Howard
You can't, you're, you're back for, you know, you're Manchester United.
- [52:41]
Landon Donovan
Yeah, I know, I get that. But they're a solid third. Right. So how much more do they need to compete to win the title? A lot. Two or three players?
- [52:49]
Tim Howard
No, I think a lot.
- [52:50]
Landon Donovan
Okay, well then, but then you're risking Tim, like losing the continuity of the guys that have done well.
- [52:54]
Tim Howard
Yeah.
- [52:54]
Landon Donovan
And are winning games. Right.
- [52:56]
Tim Howard
So like you have to be careful then you. Then this team can then finish third again. They. This is not a championship winning team.
- [53:02]
Landon Donovan
Right. I agree with, I agree with that. I'm just saying you don't want to go crazy because there's something working is my point.
- [53:09]
Tim Howard
Right.
- [53:09]
Landon Donovan
There's something working. Agreed. So speaking of Chelsea, they made Xavier Lanso their next manager. I love this. Love, love, love, love, love this. I think it makes sense for all the reasons I don't even like. I just, I just love it. I, they finally, I think, have made a good decision and I think he'll be great for them. Could be wrong, but I think he'll be great for them.
- [53:29]
Tim Howard
Well, I love what he, he did. He basically turned German football on its head totally. You know, Bayern Cruzen and went undefeated and you know, trump to Bayern Munich and, and won all the different cups. But, you know, I, I would, I would sort of argue ld that they've made good decisions before Chelsea, they just haven't got it their own way. Maresa was a great decision.
- [53:51]
Landon Donovan
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [53:52]
Tim Howard
Maresa was a great decision. Yeah, but he wanted more. He, he, he wanted more power. He, he rightfully didn't want the, the sports science department dictating to him who he could and couldn't play. And the powers that be above him said, no, we're giving autonomy to the sports science department, so on and so forth. And he ultimately left. So what I, what I said yesterday on, on air was you've got, you've got Javi Alonzo now just get out of the way. Just like, just get out of the way. You know what? Like, like, yes, this is a transactional business. Chelsea have decided to be a, a, a buying and a selling club. And in there they've won a few things for sure. So like let him, let, and he's a manager, by the way, not just the head coach. And that's a big deal, right? He's got that in his contract. So let him bring in some senior players down the spine of the team. You don't know. Every player you sign has to be 18 years old. Allow him, allow him to bring in some of his guys and balance that team out because ultimately it's a good team.
- [54:53]
Landon Donovan
Yeah, it's gonna be fun to watch because it'd be great if they're back competing too. Right? Because you can get, if you have Liverpool United now, Chelsea, in addition to City and Arsenal, now you get like a fun title race. Really fun last piece here. Mo Salah Sky Man, I love him. He went on Twitter. He loves social media. God, does he love social media. He went after the Club he said I'm just paraphrasing here, I'm taking part of his quote. He said us crumbling to yet another, another defeat this season was very painful and not what our fans deserve. I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies. That is the football I know how to play and the identity that needs to be recovered. Winning some games here and there is not what Liverpool should be about. He just went after him. He's obviously on his way out and I think his hate and disdain for Slot is so palpable. I don't love him doing this Tim. I don't. I just don't think it helps anything But I get it. I mean he feels aggrieved. I get it. I do.
- [56:03]
Tim Howard
I think what so a couple things came out of this right? So Mo Salah is a legend probably have a statue built at Anfield for him right. So there's a connection to the fans so he realizes he can, he can placate to the fans and, and, and they will bow down to him so he could say the sky is falling and people would run right. The problem with Mo Salah is two things. He, he in that statement is saying is, is he now the one who dictates how Liverpool should play football forevermore the heavy metal Heavy metal football. So, so no nobody, no coach can, no coach can come into Liverpool and play any other tactic but that and then, and then the other thing that really sticks out is he clearly has a disdain for Slot and he prefers Klopp's heavy metal football. I would, I would, I would say this to you. Mo Salah playing, playing Arnold slots football which is not heavy metal football had his best ever season in Liverpool Football Club and won the Premier League title so something doesn't add up and I appreciate and I appreciate the fact that he's pissed off or doesn't like a coach. I've been there and you know he's, he's burning things down on his way out. It's no problem but you know you sometimes you have to put things into
- [57:28]
Landon Donovan
context so this is yeah so well said. It just reminded me this is not apples to apples in any way. When I was coaching San Diego Loyal we had a player come in and he had spent most of his career in another country playing and he at the mo. His best scored like 11, 12, 13 goals was a good player. He came in and I think he scored 16 goals for us and we played a very specific way. And at one point during the season, he was like, I think we just need to, you know, like, put more crosses into the box. We don't do enough. It was like reverting back to. To what he was. You know, he's basically saying, I want to play the heavy metal. But that version of what he was doing before. Yeah, I remember looking at him and I was like, you realize you had your highest scoring year ever here, right? Ever. So I was like, and he was a great guy. I love him, Love him, love. But he just kind of was just throwing it out there. And I was like, you understand what you're saying? Of course, like, a year later, once he left, he was like, man, that was the best time of my life. It was. Just reminded me of that. But the other thing with Masala is 17 Liverpool players. A few from the past, but most from the present. And this is the world we live in. It's so dumb, but liked his tweet. And I was like, huh? Is that also placating the fans or is that. Is that indicative of something? I mean, it was really interesting.
- [58:47]
Tim Howard
It's stupid, man. These kids can't think.
- [58:49]
Landon Donovan
No, they can't.
- [58:49]
Tim Howard
They can't think for themselves. Like, they think, like, if they. I don't know this, but, like, if, obviously, if, if slot. If, like, if.
- [58:58]
Landon Donovan
If.
- [58:58]
Tim Howard
If slot doesn't have the backing of a lot of the players, then the players might be cheeky. And, you know, the English press always sort of gets onto that. They're like, who liked. Who liked it? That means they didn't like slots, which is fine. But, like, also so funny, but also, like, just don't like it. Just. Just pay attention to, like, take the temperature of the room.
- [59:16]
Landon Donovan
The kids, you know, much like, take the temperature of Tupac being the greatest rapper of all time. With that, we'll take a break. I got the last word. When we come back, we will get into Question time with Jordan in the AT&T fan Connection right here on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim, presented by Volkswagen. Go to pa. This episode is brought to you by Airbnb. So, Tim, we spent a lot of our lives traveling the world for the game, staying in all kinds of places, making memories everywhere along the way. Travel's always been a huge part of the soccer experience.
- [60:04]
Tim Howard
Yeah, it always has been a huge part of it. LD I remember you and I being on buses and planes, particularly with Bruce Arena. And he would always pass out those notes, Remember, handwritten notes, Right. He wasn't texting anybody Old school. And he had this, like, he had his pad and pen, and he write you a handwritten note about how you did it during the camp, what he expected of you, you know, coming, you know, in the upcoming camp. Sometimes he'd say, like, come up to my seat and let's have a. Let's have a chat. And so there was always, you know, that. That travel sort of always reminds you of the game.
- [60:39]
Landon Donovan
Yeah, I remember those long walks down the bus corridor, and everyone's like, oh, you're going up to talk to Bruce. Some of those are the best and of course, the worst memories. It's funny, that same conn travel and big moments isn't just true for the players. It shows up for all the fans, too. When big events like tournaments or concerts bring energy to a city, thousands of fans come in looking for places to stay. If you're planning to be away, it could be the perfect time to make the most of it and list your space on Airbnb to meet that demand and make some extra cash.
- [61:11]
Tim Howard
Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much@airbnb.com host so, Timmy,
- [61:19]
Landon Donovan
I was thinking about moments where you celebrate for a long time, right? It could be a goal, but that's not as big of a celebration as, like, a massive win or winning the Gold cup or things like that. But the moment that I celebrated the longest was actually my first MLS cup with San Jose. I. The feeling and, like, the emotion felt like it went forever because my first hug went to Joe Cannon, my. My roommate and our goalkeeper. You'll appreciate that. I know. And then just one by one, like, the reality that you did something special for the first time is so, so amazing. And Coors Light is the most refreshing way to celebrate every goal this summer.
- [62:00]
Tim Howard
Yeah, Coors Light seems to be the only way to celebrate big moments with friends. Whether it's a game or a concert or anything else, any of those big moments. Coors Light is the beer for me. When the mountains turn blue, your beer is as cold as the Rockies.
- [62:15]
Landon Donovan
Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Visit coorslight.com UFS or you can find it pretty much anywhere that sells beer. Coors Light. More goals, more celebrations.
- [62:27]
Tim Howard
Celebrate responsibly. Coors Brewing Co. Gold in Colorado Beer.
- [62:33]
Landon Donovan
Timmy, as you know, in soccer and in life, there are those moments where everything comes down to connection.
- [62:39]
Tim Howard
It's that call to your family right after a big win, the text before kickoff when the nerves hit, or watching the match from halfway across the world. Feeling like you're right there in the stadium. Those are the moments that matter most.
- [62:50]
Landon Donovan
And when the connection matters, it has to be AT AND T. Because it's not just about having service. It's about showing up when it counts. Whether you're watching the game at home or on the move, AT&T helps keep you connected to what matters most.
- [63:02]
Tim Howard
Yeah, because soccer isn't just about 90 minutes on the pitch. It's about the highs you celebrate, the losses you write out, and every message, call, and shared reaction along the way.
- [63:11]
Landon Donovan
So wherever the game takes you, make sure you've got a network you can rely on. Visit att.com yatt to learn more. AT&T connecting changes everything.
- [63:25]
Tim Howard
It's time for the Fan connection, presented by AT&T. Every week, we invite you, the listener, to connect with us by submitting your questions. At att, connecting changes everything. And on uslnt, our connections with you will help grow the game. Okay, it's time now for the AT T Fan Connection. We're gonna bring Jordan in. What's happening? What kind of heat are you wearing today?
- [63:45]
Jordan
Today I am wearing a Bring Me the Horizon, which is. Is a band football shirt. It's very cool. It has, like, the number six on the back. I went to see them a few weeks ago.
- [63:54]
Landon Donovan
Why the Second Square Garden?
- [63:56]
Jordan
I actually have no idea.
- [63:58]
Tim Howard
You got some wild soccer sweats. It's crazy.
- [64:03]
Jordan
No, I went looking for it. They do not. But one of the guitar players was wearing it during the show, and I was like, that is sick. I need that. And so I went online.
- [64:11]
Landon Donovan
Was it a goth band?
- [64:13]
Jordan
Yeah, it was a very obviously screamy band.
- [64:15]
Landon Donovan
Head banging and all that.
- [64:17]
Jordan
Head banging. Mosh.
- [64:19]
Landon Donovan
Why do people headbang? Doesn't that hurt your head? Hurts my brain.
- [64:22]
Jordan
It does, yes. You can end up with what they call a bang over the next morning. Also, Landon, they do this thing that you probably would find terrifying where they split the crowd in half, and then they make them run at each other, and they call it a wall of death. It's pretty great to watch. You don't want to participate?
- [64:39]
Tim Howard
What in the heck is going on, people,
- [64:43]
Jordan
anyway?
- [64:44]
Tim Howard
It's wild.
- [64:45]
Landon Donovan
All right, all right.
- [64:47]
Jordan
Job here is to. You guys are talking.
- [64:49]
Tim Howard
Do they have sweets at this place? I'm going to sit in the Sweets.
- [64:53]
Jordan
Sweets. It's Madison Square Garden. You could sit up in the.
- [64:55]
Jozy Altidore
In the.
- [64:56]
Landon Donovan
They performed at the Garden?
- [64:58]
Jordan
Yeah. They sold out the Garden.
- [65:00]
Landon Donovan
What?
- [65:02]
Tim Howard
Wild.
- [65:02]
Jordan
That's great.
- [65:03]
Landon Donovan
Yeah.
- [65:03]
Tim Howard
All right.
- [65:05]
Landon Donovan
You know who else is selling out the Garden in the next Few weeks. The Knickerbockers.
- [65:09]
Jordan
Oh, my goodness.
- [65:10]
Landon Donovan
Let's go, Nicks.
- [65:12]
Jordan
Me versus our friend Dan here on the team. Yeah, sorry, Dan.
- [65:17]
Landon Donovan
All right, go ahead, Jer. What do you got?
- [65:19]
Jordan
Okay, well, first I have a question in the mailbag that you guys talked a little bit with Josie Alcidore earlier in the episode. But I just want us to dive into this one a little bit bit. This one is from John via email. And John said my question is about Unice Musa. What happened to him after 2022? He was a critical piece of our midfield and now he isn't even in the discussion of the team anymore. Do you guys think that an informed Musa is a player who makes a push for the starting 11?
- [65:48]
Landon Donovan
I'll tell you exactly what happened. An informed Musa is not. He would, but he's not going to. Last summer that what got caught up in all or what got lost in all the Christian Pulisic not going to the Gold cup was Eunice Musa also decided he was not going to the Gold Cup. Were they on the same team at that point? They were. And this is part of the challenge with being a leader, whether you like it or not, or being one of the players that people look up to. I can't speak to any conversations that were had. I'm not claiming that they had conversations about this. I'm just saying if a young player is looking up to someone he idolizes in Christian. And Christian says, I'm kind of tired and worn out, I'm not going to play this summer. And Eunice can convince himself I'm kind of tired and worn out too. I'd like to go to Capri with Tim and hang out and you know, or go to Sicily. Yeah, that sounds really nice. Actually. I don't want to go play soccer all summer. And what happened then is his national team chances, at least for now, were wiped away. And let's hope that after this cycle, maybe if Pochettino's there, he gives him another chance to start over or whoever the new coaches gives him a new chance. But I always tell my kids, one bad decision can change the course of your life forever. And he made a bad decision. That's just as simple as that.
- [67:11]
Tim Howard
Look, the fact of the matter is, and Eunice Musa is a probably an example of I could probably name three or four other players. Landon in Jordan. But when you're that talented and you've. You fall off the face of the earth, it's on you. It's not. It's not about a Coach who didn't like me. It's not.
- [67:35]
Landon Donovan
That's right.
- [67:36]
Tim Howard
Like I play with a lot of players who like fulfilled their talent. And it was simple. They were talented, they were hardworking, they went after every day with a tenacity. They wanted to be great. They didn't take no for an answer. They didn't have to see eye to eye with the manager, but they put the team and club first. Like, this is easy. This is easy. So if a player as talented as that, which we all think so, Josie Outdoor said the team should be built around him, which we all agree with. If he, if he's not even on the fringes, if he's like out in the wilderness, that's a him thing. But that goes for a lot of these players.
- [68:12]
Landon Donovan
And by the way, everybody, and I don't know him at all, everybody I speak to says he's a lovely kid, like a sweetheart, great kid, just made a bad decision and that, you know, that is unfortunately impacting his life, his career at least.
- [68:29]
Jordan
Well, hopefully thing the pendulum can swing back.
- [68:31]
Landon Donovan
I hope so too. Agreed.
- [68:35]
Jordan
Let us discuss MLS a little bit. This question is from Mark. The email and Mark says we have all heard how MLS will soon shift its schedule to align with Europe and most of the world. My question is why? It seems like no one believes that MLS is legit unless it makes changes to become more like Europe. Is that what we want MLS to become, a second tier epl?
- [68:59]
Tim Howard
It's not what it's supposed to be. Every league in the world should be aligned the same FIFA calendar like that. That's not a system like a. We have to be great. In order to be great. We have to align with, with the, like the global calendar. That every league should be aligned with the global calendar. It just makes more sense for everybody involved. I don't think this is like, I, I don't think it's a, a situation where MLS thought they had to do this to gain sort of credibility.
- [69:26]
Landon Donovan
That's just a business decision. Yeah, that's. It just helps their business selling, buying players. It just makes it easier. I mean that is because number one,
- [69:35]
Jordan
MLS is about to go on break. Right. Like that's part of the problem is that they correct the whole league also because the fact that the tournament is happening in this country, but the whole league has to go on like a six week break, which is wild. That's crazy.
- [69:50]
Landon Donovan
Yeah. So just build it in naturally and it's easy. I mean. Yeah, it's just, it's just business. It's it's not. They're not chasing anybody.
- [69:55]
Tim Howard
No, I don't think so.
- [69:57]
Landon Donovan
No.
- [69:59]
Jordan
Okay. The next question is from Chris via email. And Chris says, I would like to know how managers communicate their starting 11 to the players. What's the process like? Do they talk to you one on one and let you know you're not starting or announce it to the whole team? Yikes. If you were expecting to start but don't get the call, do they tell you why? It would be great to hear your experience at both club and country.
- [70:21]
Landon Donovan
Great question.
- [70:22]
Tim Howard
Good question.
- [70:22]
Landon Donovan
I have so many places to go. Tim, you go first.
- [70:28]
Tim Howard
So. So when I was trying to think, so players are stupid. So let me start there. So like David Moyes used to name his team on a Friday. Players, then mostly players who were left out would tell their agents, this is how it works in England, which is so flipping stupid. Players would tell their agents. The agents would then tell the other team, this is Everton starting lineup. That would somehow get back to David Moyes. So the gaffer was like, okay, well, I'm not going to tell you the team on a Friday.
- [71:04]
Landon Donovan
This is why that changed. I never knew this story.
- [71:08]
Tim Howard
This happens all throughout the Premier League. I'm not going to tell you the team on a Friday. You guys lost that privilege, right? Our team can't get leaked and one of you numpties is leaking the team. So I'll name, I'll name the team when we get to the train, when we get to the stadium and we're having our team talk and they put it up on the board. So like, yeah, go on.
- [71:28]
Landon Donovan
So most of my career I was in mls and at that time nobody was paying attention. Nobody. So it didn't matter if you could try to leak the team. There was no social media. It wouldn't matter anyway.
- [71:39]
Tim Howard
There was a platform.
- [71:40]
Landon Donovan
So we would know at latest, we would know by Friday if we were playing Saturday. At least sometimes you'd know Thursday because you'd do an 11v11 or something. You basically knew. When I went to England my first week ahead of the Arsenal game, we were in the hotel, away.
- [71:57]
Tim Howard
Yep.
- [71:58]
Landon Donovan
And the night before, Moisey pulled me and he said, hey, we're thinking about starting you tomorrow, so just be ready. I'm like, holy what? I've trained three times, you know, I was like, what? So we get to the stadium and I didn't know when he was going to name the team. I had no idea how it worked. And we literally get to the stadium and I still don't know And I'm, like, having anxiety. I'm like, okay, well, I'm definitely not starting. Then he would have told me. And we get in the locker room and he names the team and I'm in it. And I'm just like, what? Which in hindsight was the biggest blessing ever because I had no time to think about it. I didn't have restless sleep. I didn't. I was just like, okay, well, time to go. Anyway. It's just interesting how different managers do it. And I had no idea that's why he did it. I thought it was just an old school whatever. But then we, you and I had a manager who took your national team to the 2014 World Cup.
- [72:51]
Jozy Altidore
Yep.
- [72:52]
Landon Donovan
Jurgen Klinsmann. Who would. I mean, literally, it would change three times the day of the game. Right. Like, you have no idea. I mean, zero idea. You'd change formation. I think I've told the story before. You change formation, you change. So managers would do it in all different ways. I think it's just preference. I'd be curious now in MLS what the process is, because, like, there's, you know, social media, there's more people, there's agents, all that stuff.
- [73:18]
Tim Howard
So, and, and, and when you get left out, here's. Here's the thing, which is. And I give managers. I give managers a. A pass on this. Most players, when they get left out, they want to basically go, well, you need to tell me I'm getting left out. You need to pull me aside and like, yeah, in a perfect world. But I'm always like, yeah, but the manager's got. The manager's got so much going on. And I've even had, like, David Moises, I've witnessed him say to players like, hey, I apologize, I should have pulled. You should have pulled you on Thursday and told you you weren't playing. That's my fault. But, like, there's so much going on that, like, as you said, you're chopping and changing between formations and lineups, and then you drop. Then you can get pulled away to a press conference and you gotta get on the plane and then. And you're like. And by the time kickoff comes, you're like, oh, shit. I didn't get around to.
- [74:07]
Landon Donovan
That's right.
- [74:08]
Tim Howard
I didn't get around to telling him he wasn't gonna play. So I give managers a pass a little bit.
- [74:13]
Landon Donovan
Well, the player's thinking about one player themselves. The manager's thinking about everybody. Right. And so it is hard, but I would. This is what I would do with loyal. If it was like a senior player or someone who played a bunch of games or whatever I would do them the courtesy of. But then we'd say in the beginning of the year or beginning of the week sometimes I'd say, look, I'm not going to pull you every single time. You're not. Of course you can. At some point you're going to have to just deal with it. And if you want to be in the team, you got to perform better. And I'm not, you know, I'm not going to do it every time because it's exhausting.
- [74:42]
Tim Howard
It's hard.
- [74:43]
Landon Donovan
Yes, it's exhausting.
- [74:43]
Tim Howard
Or. Or just be better manager. Just be better.
- [74:45]
Landon Donovan
Make force my hand.
- [74:47]
Tim Howard
I knew I was going to be in the team, so.
- [74:48]
Landon Donovan
That's right.
- [74:49]
Jordan
I'm so sorry. I have no idea what the two of you have said in the last three and a half minutes because I will never get over the story that Tim told at the top of the answer to this question about players going to their agent and leaking. That is the stupidest thing I have ever in my life.
- [75:08]
Landon Donovan
People don't understand how.
- [75:09]
Jordan
How could anybody ever trust you ever again after that?
- [75:13]
Tim Howard
But. But players are weasels. They like, they're like rats. They're. They're never going to get found out. They're never. Like, they're never going to get found out. That.
- [75:20]
Landon Donovan
Right.
- [75:20]
Tim Howard
Johnny so and so told his agent. It's just.
- [75:22]
Landon Donovan
See the Jordan, the lens you come through, it is like you're a Liverpool fan. So it's all about the team and the club and the. For the players. They don't care. Like a lot of them are like, I don't care. I'll be at a new club next year. I don't.
- [75:34]
Tim Howard
I don't care about Crystal.
- [75:35]
Landon Donovan
I don't. Yeah, I'm just mad I'm not playing.
- [75:37]
Jordan
I also think that something that's hard is like, my job is nothing like being a professional athlete. Right. Like, I can't do things that would hurt this team because I would get fired. Right? Like, period sentence. There is no, like, I cannot be bigger than.
- [75:55]
Landon Donovan
Well, you don't have this podcast, so.
- [75:57]
Jozy Altidore
Right.
- [75:57]
Landon Donovan
You don't have a five year, $100 million contract. Right.
- [76:01]
Jordan
So they know of.
- [76:02]
Landon Donovan
If they get rid of you, they got to pay you out. Right? So it's like we talked about Mosala tweeting. It's like, what are you going to do?
- [76:08]
Tim Howard
Here's the other small caveat.
- [76:09]
Landon Donovan
Sorry.
- [76:11]
Tim Howard
A lot of these agents are scumbags. So let me. Let Me, let me go back. The players are at fault. I'm not, I'm not giving them an out. But what happens is these agents are robbing Peter to pay Paul, right? So they're trying to gain favor. So they, they take their 17 year old client who plays at Everton and goes, hey Johnny, what's the team? And they get the team and then they call Tottenham. The agent then calls Tottenham because he wants to gain favor with whoever the Tottenham manager is or someone on the inside and he drops some inside information and so should Johnny calls a reporter because he wants. Right, right.
- [76:47]
Landon Donovan
Calls a reporter, right?
- [76:49]
Tim Howard
So this is all, There's a lot of scummy going on behind the scenes. So as much as I say like, hey, the player needs to be better and like, like by the way, just for the record, I've had like people who are close, this is about integrity. I've had people who are close to me go like, hey, what's the team? And I'm going, don't, don't disrespect me. You know, I'm not going to tell you the team. I'll never, I never would tell you but like, but some people don't have enough gravitas to say, I'm not going to tell your team to go, oh well, here's your team, you know, anyway,
- [77:17]
Jordan
I'd rather be the kind of person who participates in a wall of death, frankly. All right, I think that is enough for today. If you would like to have your question answered on the podcast, you can email me at feedbackunfiltered soccer.com Wait, Jerry, one quick question.
- [77:34]
Landon Donovan
When you come into this each week, I always wondered this, do you have the questions prepared or do you sort of go like where the conversation takes?
- [77:42]
Jordan
So what I usually do is I have more questions than I need and
- [77:45]
Landon Donovan
then you'll decide in the moment.
- [77:47]
Jordan
So yeah, I will kind of decide. Yep.
- [77:50]
Landon Donovan
Great job, Jordan. Great job connecting. Changes everything.
- [77:54]
Jordan
Thanks.
- [77:54]
Landon Donovan
Thanks for the connection.
- [77:55]
Tim Howard
Thanks.
- [77:56]
Landon Donovan
All right, Junior. All right, Timmy. That was fun. I love Josie, man. I love you so much. Yeah, it was so cool to hear him talk about like he was paying attention through his career. Oh yeah, Relationships. Because he was thinking about was just a smart guy, man, I really love him. So thank you Josie for coming on. That was amazing. Thanks guys for being here. Remember to subscribe Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, follow us across all social media Unfiltered Soccer for the bonus content. Thank you as always to VW, our presenting sponsor, our fan connection sponsor AT&T and our stoppage time sponsor, FanDuel.
- [78:34]
Tim Howard
Josie, thank you so much. Always a pleasure to see you. A dear friend of mine and Landon's, and just an all around amazing, amazing person and legendary player for the U.S. men's National Team. Thanks for coming on, brother. And you, you had me and Landon on your podcast last week with Joachim Noah, that is. MAN ON Give it a listen. Those guys are doing great stuff as well. Thanks also to our unfiltered refresh sponsor, Coors Light. Our additional sponsors, Airbnb and Walmart, have an amazing week. We'll be back next Tuesday with another edition of Unfiltered Soccer.