← Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard
Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard
Club & International Coaching with guest Bruce Arena
00:51:23
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- [00:00]
Landon Donovan
You know, if you look at every national team in the world, the coach is usually a domestic coach.
- [00:06]
Tim Howard
Yeah.
- [00:07]
Landon Donovan
When you have coaches that don't know our culture, our environment, our players, it's hard. I mean, I'm watching, I'm shocked that we can't beat Panama and Canada. Time is running out and they gotta get going.
- [00:20]
Tim Howard
Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim presented by Volkswagen. Volkswagen has long been a supporter of soccer in America and has proudly been a partner of U.S. soccer for the past past five years.
- [00:30]
Bruce Arena
Welcome in everybody to another edition of Unfiltered Soccer. We keep saying we have amazing guests and sometimes you are in the presence of greatness and we are honored and humbled. And Landon, I'm going to let you do this intro because our next guest is very special to both of us. But I know your history and so I'll let you take it away.
- [00:54]
Tim Howard
Yeah. Before we get to that, just a reminder, always follow us on social media at Unfiltered Soccer. Subscribe to the show on YouTube. Make sure you follow Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts, please leave a review and you can also email us and there's going to be lots of questions after this week. Feedbackunfiltered soccer.com yeah, so this is a man who has been much more than a coach to me. He has been a father figure, a reference point for me through many, many years. He's probably absolutely hated me at times, absolutely loved me at times, but we've had an incredible relationship through the years. We've referenced him a lot on the pod. Without further ado, I welcome in Mr. Bruce Arena. Welcome, Bruce.
- [01:46]
Landon Donovan
Bruce, that was very nice you to say, Tim, good to see you as well. Two great people. Not only great players, but great people. So it's great to see that you're still in the forefront of the game in our country and you mean a lot to a lot of people. Your voices are heard and we really appreciate everything you've done for the game in our country.
- [02:08]
Tim Howard
Thank you.
- [02:09]
Bruce Arena
And likewise, we appreciate that. Yeah, you are. You're a living legend and it's just great to have you on. Great to see you back kicking ass in the mls. So this is going to be a fun episode.
- [02:21]
Tim Howard
So, Bruce, let's jump in. I want to take people back, just to start. So there I. I find in our country now, there are a lot of new soccer fans, which is great, but they have no context of the history and what this sport has been through. And for Tim and me, we reference it basically from 2000 on, but you've seen it from much earlier days on. And we were just reminiscing about the early days with D.C. united. Last weekend, you guys beat D.C. 61 in what was a commemorative game for the 30th year. Can you, first of all, can you remember back that far to that first game and what, what it was like then and what the league was like then in 96?
- [03:02]
Landon Donovan
Well, just think about the league in 96. You know, I, I was going back to my playing career, which is, you know, nobody knows anything about which is good. I was, I was drafted by the Cosmos and chose not to play for the Cosmos because of the, the. How the American play was treated. I was finishing up my last semester at Cornell playing lacrosse at the time as well, and I was going to back up Shet Messing, and they offered me $200 a game and I could work at the KLM counter at JFK airport. So I chose to complete my degree at Cornell. And then I played professional lacrosse. I had a soccer, but that's, that's where the American player was at the time. And then, you know, Pele came, then a year and a half later and I look like an idiot. And then the league folded and then there was this dead period and you know, I'm coaching at the University of Virginia and you know, we don't have a professional league in the country and then we get the World cup. And then part of that deal with the World cup was that we had to start a league in 96 and we did. And we didn't know what the hell we were doing. And that's what I remember about 96, that opening game, how poorly we played and the quality of the game, and we just were all going in different directions. And I think three weeks later I cut maybe six players that started in that game. You know, everything was crazy. And then by mid year, we got it going and the league got better and, and we, oddly enough, had some very good players to start the league. When you think about Valderrama and Donadoni and Echeverri and some of these great players and, you know, we went through tough times and I think the US national team moving forward after the 98 World cup and having success in 2002, it helped keep the league afloat. And then things are happening now. We're getting better. The state of MLS today is remarkable compared to 96. You know, when I look around and I see these stadiums and these training facilities and the players we're attracting now and, and Thinking about what's going to happen after 2026. You know, we're going to be in a position where, you know, we were all worried about, you know, can soccer be the number one sport in this country? It doesn't have to be. We're in America. It. It can be one of the five major sports, and it will be.
- [05:29]
Tim Howard
Right.
- [05:30]
Landon Donovan
So there's such a great future. And to think about the role you guys played where we are today is remarkable. So, you know, you asked me, can I remember 96. I can, and I know of 2025 now and see the battle we've had over the years and where we are now. And, and. And I really think there's a bright future for the game in this country.
- [05:53]
Tim Howard
I was in San Jose, ironically, in 01, and I distinctly remember at. Towards the end of the year, I don't remember if it was Goose, Jeff Agus or somebody. I remember them talking about hearing wind of the league was in real trouble and considering folding. And I don't know if that was sort of hyperbole or. And Jeff was on the players union, I think, and so he had more insight into it. But was that a very real thing where the league was on the verge?
- [06:21]
Landon Donovan
My understanding, yes. And. And if we didn't have the World cup we had in 2002, I think the league would have folded now.
- [06:29]
Tim Howard
Oh, wow.
- [06:30]
Landon Donovan
Let me be fair about this. I could be completely wrong, but I've been told that by a number of people.
- [06:35]
Tim Howard
Wow.
- [06:36]
Landon Donovan
Because the league was in not great shape.
- [06:38]
Tim Howard
Right.
- [06:39]
Landon Donovan
And the 2002 World cup excited people and ownership, you know, got a little. An injection of momentum from that and decided, you know, I. I think at that time, if I can recall correctly, Bill Anschutz owned 16s, right?
- [06:59]
Bruce Arena
That's right.
- [07:00]
Landon Donovan
I think in San Jose, it was. It was jointly owned by Kraft and Hunt and Anschutz, and these. These gentlemen were keeping the league alive. And if it wasn't for 2002 World Cup, I think the league may have folded. And.
- [07:15]
Tim Howard
Wow.
- [07:15]
Landon Donovan
Listen, if you talk to the commissioner today, he might deny the whole thing.
- [07:18]
Bruce Arena
Sure.
- [07:19]
Landon Donovan
What do I know? You know?
- [07:21]
Bruce Arena
Yeah. And, Bruce, one of the things that Landon and I often say on this podcast, and it's not. I think some people probably take it as arrogance, but we've seen the highs and the lows between he and I. We've seen European soccer, usl, nwsl, mls, national team. We've seen everything. I have a daughter going to college, and she's gone through the youth system, and she's playing at college and Landon has kids, we've seen everything. But the person, I think, in American soccer who might have seen it all as you, and I mean that sincerely. We talk about living legend, and if you look at every pillar of the game you've won, you've had the best teams at every pillar of the game. I remember watching your UVA teams in 1990. I do. I remember going to games when you're on the east coast. That was the best college team possibly ever. Your D.C. united teams, they were untouchable. Not just the first iteration, but in the subsequent years, as you started to trim the fat and add, those are, you've won the Cups, you've done it. And then in 2002, you took the US in South Korea and brought us to our best ever finish in a World Cup. So you've seen it all. And I just think about the growth of the game and going back to. You're off to a brilliant start in San Jose. Even though we've evolved, even though the league nearly folded and we've talked about all these different things, I do think your teams in dc, Your best teams in DC Would still have the ability to compete at the highest level of today's mls. Do you agree or disagree with that?
- [08:45]
Landon Donovan
I do to a certain degree. I mean, Marco Echeverri and Jaime Moreno could play in the league today. I don't question that at all. You know, maybe the. Our. Our lineup could go, I'd say six, seven, eight players strong. I think. I think maybe at the bottom of the. The first 11, they'd be a little weaker than they are today. The American player today is so much better than it was in 96. I mean, we have a bunch of good players. I mean, even here in San Jose, which is not a perfect situation yet for developing players, what we have, we have some very good young players. I am just amazed watching these kids every day. So, you know, the American player is better. I mean, I don't want to drop names, but I had some guys playing at D.C. united. They probably wouldn't play, so.
- [09:39]
Bruce Arena
But.
- [09:39]
Landon Donovan
But our top players were terrific.
- [09:42]
Bruce Arena
And you talk about. You talk about the young talent in this country, which I. Which I completely agree with that. You brought that team in 2002. Landon was a part of it, and he was one of the youngsters. Right, but you had. You had a good mix of veterans, there's no doubt, but you bled through a bunch of young players, the top young players, some of them that this country's ever seen. Taking a step back how important was it? You had a great run in D.C. like, I know you're a bold, confident coach, but deep down, how important was it for you to get that U.S. national team job? Was that, like, was that something at the top of your wish list your entire career or.
- [10:16]
Landon Donovan
I was on a phone call, not that I wanted to be, but I ended up on a. On a call, on a speakerphone with a US Player in France during the World cup complaining. And I'm listening and, and I'm pissed off. And I'm. I'm saying that what are we doing? You know, and the 98 team and not being critical, they didn't advance, but they embarrassed us. And I. And, and when that opportunity came about for me to become the national team coach, I said, I want to bring pride back national team. And, and we built that. And, and, and, you know, I knew Landon from. I don't know if I think I've mentioned Landon in 1997. I had D.C. united at Bradenton in preseason, and Landon. Landon was pretty damn good, and Beasley was playing and Landon was shooting his mouth off and Marco Echeverri wanted to punch him out. This kid has some balls.
- [11:21]
Tim Howard
And.
- [11:22]
Landon Donovan
But I knew he was confident. And I remember watching him in DeMarcus. And then I do remember two days before we played Portugal in 2002, I told you and DeMarcus you were going to start, and you guys didn't blink an eye. And I was amazed at that. Our two 20 year olds, you guys were great. And it was exciting for me as a coach to be part of that, to have young, promising players. And then, you know, to this day, I always think about the leadership that Ernie Stewart gave us and Kobe Jones and, And how it all blended in to make that whole thing work.
- [11:59]
Tim Howard
I want to touch on all that because we've talked a lot here about the lack of. It's funny, you use these words, pride, that we see now with our current national team, and it's hard to get inside their minds and know exactly, but it doesn't. When I watch games sometimes with the national team, it feels like there's a lack of pride or enough pride. And then the other one is leadership. And when I think about 02 team, 06 team, we didn't play well, but we didn't lack that. 2010, even 2014, to some extent, there was pride and there were good leaders. You've seen it all. So is that an accurate assessment of what you see too? Or what is it?
- [12:39]
Landon Donovan
You know, if you look at every national Team. Every in the world, the coach is usually a domestic coach.
- [12:46]
Tim Howard
Yeah.
- [12:47]
Landon Donovan
And I think when you have coaches that don't know our culture, our environment, our players, it's hard. And, you know, I'm. And listen, I'm sure our coach is a very good coach. Coaching international football is different. In club football, it's a completely different job. People ask me all the time, hey, what did you like, this or that? What you like better? I go, they're two different jobs. They're two different jobs, and people don't understand that. And, And I think when you're a national team coach, you need to know your environment. You need to know the animals you coach. And, and, and we're lacking that. And if you're an American coach in the US Team, you, you, you. You know the culture, you know the pride and, and how important a national team is. I think when you bring in somebody from the outside, they. They don't. And especially in our country, because we're so different. So, you know, you ask me, you know, do we lack that kind of. I mean, I'm watching. I'm shocked. I'm shocked that we can't beat Panama and Canada. It was shocking to me. And, And I don't want to be disrespectful. I want them to do great in the World Cup. There's no question about it. But we only have a year left now. Yeah, time is running out, and they got to get going.
- [14:02]
Bruce Arena
Well, I mean, listen, I think our listeners are going to be so appreciative of your honesty because, you know, after games and after perceived failures of finishing fourth in a Nations League, Landon and I come on and we pontificate about what we think, but for our listeners to hear it from one of the greatest managers to do it, that. That speaks volumes. And the interesting thing is. Right, you're right, Landon. I wrote. As soon as you said the word pride, I wrote it down in bold letters. You know, the interesting part about you, Bruce, is you are. You are direct and you're ruthless with your players. Loving. But as a foundation, your teams have to run through a wall. Care. Want to wear the shirt? And I think about a time. Two quick, funny stories to set this up. We were coming back from South Korea prior to the World cup. So I think in December 2001, we played in South Korea. And this is my. You know, I was young. I probably wasn't going to make the World cup team, but I was young and I was hungry and I was arrogant. On the plane, you had this amazing Thing about writing notes to players that, like, it's crazy now because of technology, but you'd sit on every plane ride and write notes to players and walk back and hand them to them. And that could be what you need to do better. What? I think you did well, but it was great. And you handed me this note and you talked about my progress and said, I'm probably not going to make the World Cup. And I was thinking, I'm going to make the World Cup. You were right, I didn't make the World cup, which is amazing. And I.
- [15:26]
Landon Donovan
And I. Shitty goalkeepers ahead of you.
- [15:28]
Bruce Arena
I know. Well, I know. And the funny. And the funny thing was, as a testament to you, I remember being young, saying, I'm gonna keep this note and this is gonna drive me for motivation. And later that turned into like, I have a note from Bruce Arena. And I mean, no, and I mean this humbly. It's special to me. I still have it in my office. And then I went to Manchester United and I thought I was the greatest. And you and I, I was sitting in my house and we were on the phone and I said, I should be playing, Bruce, I should be playing. And he said, playing over who? I said, well, playing over Brad Friedel and Casey Keller. I'm in the Premier League, they're in the Premier League, and I play for a better team. And I think you just laughed at me and like, well, this kid has no idea what he's doing. But the point is, you were honest and you were. And the players, all of the players, to a man, respected you for that. I just wonder. We always talk about football changing players, taking the emotion out of the game, being more on social media. Have you had to find yourself adapting to the player? Or are you still the same Bruce arena that is, that will give it to you right between the eyes and give it to you.
- [16:26]
Landon Donovan
Honestly, I'm pretty close to being the same, but. But, but it is different. But I'll tell you, all the clubs I've worked for, the players have been great, great professionals. The, the part that's kind of interesting today is, is the, the young American player, they all think they should be playing right away. We have 18 year olds here that think they should be starting, you know, and I always tell them, your time will come, you got to work at it this and that, and they don't want to hear it, and their agents are telling them this and that and they want to go to Europe and blah, blah, blah, you know, so you've got that. The only Thing I try to do, and it's hard. Just be honest with the guys. You got a chance of developing a good relationship with players and a good culture in your team. You know, I tell them, you know, I make mistakes just like them. You know, that's all. That's all part of it every day. But I want to be honest with them. I want to be fair and, And I. And I want to be there for them whenever they. They need me, and. And that's all I can do as a coach.
- [17:28]
Bruce Arena
It's. It's obviously your first season there. You're probably exceeding expectations. Maybe not your own, but as, as a group, your team is off to a flying start. Is there, Is there a sense, and obviously you don't have to speak in absolutes. Is there a sense where you think this team can go in year one? I know it's always a process with a manager. You look to what you can do in years two and three and beyond. But do you get a sense of where this team is positioned?
- [17:53]
Landon Donovan
29 out of 29 teams last year, and we gave up the most goals in the history of the league. And I think this year we can.
- [18:01]
Tim Howard
We can do better than that.
- [18:03]
Landon Donovan
We will improve on that. We'll. We'll finish 28th and I'll be the coach of the year. I think. I think we. We're capable of making the playoffs. It's not going to be easy, but I think we're capable of that. And we have some good players here. We're going to have to have some breaks along the way, obviously, but that's my goal for the team is to make the playoffs. Can we finish? And that means in today's era of mls, can you be in the top nine teams in a playing game? That's something we got to shoot for. I think we can do that. We have a decent roster and it'll get better, but obviously, organizationally we have to grow. We have to develop our facilities better so we have a better everyday environment. But as a starting point, we're improved and the guys have a great attitude. I have a great coaching staff with Dave Sarkin's here with me again, like the 40th year. Shelby Joseph, who I think is an upcoming terrific coach, is going to be a head coach in this league one day. He's terrific. Steve Raulston, who I think Landon. You played with Steve.
- [19:12]
Tim Howard
Yeah. And against.
- [19:14]
Landon Donovan
And Aiden Brown, our goalkeeper coach. It's a great staff. They're doing a great job, and the players have been very supportive. So we're we're enjoying ourselves. We really are. And I think. I think we have a chance to be decent.
- [19:27]
Tim Howard
Bruce, do you have a. I think people would love to know, do you have a favorite one team you coached?
- [19:32]
Bruce Arena
Oh, tough question.
- [19:33]
Tim Howard
Either national team.
- [19:34]
Landon Donovan
That is a tough team. And I must tell you, Landon, the, the, the ride back on the bus after the Germany game in the 2002 World cup was special.
- [19:45]
Tim Howard
You know, that even though we lost.
- [19:48]
Landon Donovan
We had a collective group of guys that knew that they gave everything they could possibly give, did the best they could, and we fell short, but we were, we were so proud of ourselves. And that is clearly one of the great moments in my coaching career. And. But I look back, you know, I had, I've been fortunate to be part of so many great teams at the collegiate level, having four consecutive national championships. It was brilliant. The D.C. united run was great, even. And, you know, obviously the Galaxy was terrific. Even New England Revolution, we won the Supporters Shield. You know, those things.
- [20:27]
Tim Howard
That's right.
- [20:27]
Landon Donovan
Those things are special, you know, and I, I don't want to take anything away from any of those teams. They've, they, they were all great, and they were great experiences. You know, I'm very fortunate. You know, you said before the, we got on the call, you said, oh, Holy Mac, you're 73 years old. And I said, yeah, I'm going to be 74 this year. And I'm saying I'm still working and enjoying myself and, and fortunate to be around these wonderful guys every day to keep me young, and it's exciting and, you know, I get up at 5 in the morning every day to go to work, and I enjoy it. And so I'm fortunate. You know, you, you can talk about this or that, and, you know, I've experienced this and all these other things in my career, but, boy, I, I've, I've been a lucky one. I, I really have been. So, you know, it's, it's, it's been special.
- [21:17]
Bruce Arena
The Germany game. I wasn't on the bus, but I saw the scenes. I mean, that answer gave me goosebumps. And Bruce, you. I mean, look, you are the lucky one, but all of your players who have played for you are, you know, we're fortunate and again, as I said, to be a, to be a living legend, be able to give you your flowers in front of our audience, who absolutely adores you and the U.S. men's National Team, it's really special for us.
- [21:40]
Landon Donovan
Well, thank you. And I'm hopeful that we, we have a lot to Celebrate next summer.
- [21:44]
Bruce Arena
Amen.
- [21:45]
Tim Howard
Before we go, I want to share a story, and we'll let you go do your. Your real job. You were just talking. It just reminded me you were talking about the 25th player as important as the first player in 2014. My last game, we played New England at home with the Galaxy in the MLS Cup Final. And I will never forget this, and I'm getting goosebumps talking about, I will never forget this till the day I die. The final whistle blew, and we had a player on our team who, you know, might have played 100 minutes that year, Raul Mendiola. You remember, Bruce? And the final whistle blew, and I looked kind of around whatever was aware of what was going on, and Raul Mendiola was sprinting over to me to hug me, and the guy played maybe a hundred minutes all year, Tim, maybe. And he was so invested in it, the same way that me and Robbie Keane were. I mean, it was no different. And I think that kind of tells you everything you need to know about how you build a team. And, Bruce, just. In the modern era, everybody's talking about game model and tactics and how you do this and how you build, and all those things have a place, and they're important. But I think the message to everybody listening is that to do this over decades, you've been through all those things and had to change and adapt a little bit on the field. But the way you treat people and the way you get the most out of players is what's most important. And that's why you've been successful, in my opinion.
- [23:08]
Landon Donovan
And I think some weeks ago, if you saw the comments by and Saladi, he basically said that how you treat people is more important than your tactics.
- [23:19]
Tim Howard
Yeah, well, you've proven it. So, Bruce, thank you so much. We hope to have you on again when you make the playoffs.
- [23:27]
Landon Donovan
I love you guys. I'm grateful for us having the opportunity to spend some time with you.
- [23:31]
Bruce Arena
Love you, too, Bruce.
- [23:32]
Tim Howard
Love you, too, Bruce. Thank you, man. Have a great season, and we'll. We'll talk soon.
- [23:36]
Landon Donovan
Thank you.
- [23:37]
Tim Howard
Thank you. All right, thank you, Bruce. We will let you get back to your day job. You still got a lot of work to do, but you guys stay right there. We're going to take a break. When we come back, we're going to talk about all the Champions League fixtures from the week right here on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim, presented by Volkswagen. Stay right there.
- [24:04]
Bruce Arena
The Unfiltered Soccer podcast is brought to you by Volkswagen, the presenting partner of U.S. soccer.
- [24:09]
Tim Howard
Since 2019, Volkswagen has been on a mission to drive the future of the sport we all love, and VW is committed to making it more diverse, inclusive and accessible for everyone.
- [24:19]
Bruce Arena
They're not just talking about it, they're out there doing it. VW's partnerships, programs and soccer clinics are unlocking opportunities for the next generation of players and fans.
- [24:29]
Tim Howard
As a longtime friend of Volkswagen, I've seen firsthand how VW are connecting with fans and driving the sport forward. From working with them on clinics to being part of their incredible campaigns, it's clear U.S. soccer is truly powered by the people.
- [24:42]
Bruce Arena
Thank you to VW for being our presenting partner. Learn more about how VW are supporting us soccer@vw.com this episode is brought to.
- [24:51]
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- [25:22]
Bruce Arena
24 chefs 24 culinary showdowns for 24 hours straight which chef will out cook.
- [25:32]
Landon Donovan
Outpace outlast the competition?
- [25:37]
Bruce Arena
No chef escapes the clock. Season Premiere 24 and 24 Last Chef Standing Sunday, April 27th at 8 see you first on Food Network Stream next day on Max man, that was awesome. I mean awesome. I you know what, I said it there, you know, to his face. But we have to pull out all of this knowledge from people who have been there and done it. You know what I mean? And like he's, I keep saying he's a living legend. He's wanted every facet. Every facet.
- [26:09]
Tim Howard
I mean how about the Revolution supporters shield? I was like I totally forgot about that.
- [26:14]
Bruce Arena
Forgot about that. And the Revs fans are going to hate us more. But I know, but I mean that was amazing. I mean amazing. Every level multiple multiple national championships at Virginia, multiple MLS Cups D.C. louisiana Supporter Shield with the Revolution best ever finish with U.S. men's National Team in the World cup in 2002. And Craig, you've been along the ride for so much of that with him. He's just, he's awesome. I love his brutal honesty.
- [26:42]
Tim Howard
When you just think about all that, Tim fans are crazy. Like how could you hate on that? It's just ridiculous. And and we're talking about lack of what we sense as Enough pride, lack of leadership, whatever. Like, he oozes it. He cares about the national team. He always did. He cares about his teams, he cares about his players, and that's why he's been successful. And I think there's a lot to learn for all young coaches, for GMs and people hiring coaches, and they want the next, like, new, exciting, sexy coach who plays this way and does that and has all. It's like, hold on a sec. This is a big part. A big part of winning soccer games.
- [27:22]
Bruce Arena
Yeah. And, you know, the interesting thing is two thoughts come to mind if you. You said he's. He said he's 74 this year. Right. Still seems to have the hunger and the desire to. To get on the grass every day. And. And I hope that he. He has incredible success in San Jose and sees out his career. But by the way, if I was in a hiring position and I ever needed to, and I ever. There was a coaching vacancy, I just go to the board and go, we're hiring Bruce Arena. And if they ask me any questions why, I go, here's a stack of papers.
- [27:51]
Tim Howard
Just read that this is why he.
- [27:53]
Bruce Arena
Should coach our team. You know, the other. The other part is I was distraught, and that's an understatement. When we. When we lo. When we lost out in 2017 and didn't go to the World cup because they brought Bruce back right after the first two games of qualifying, fired Jurgen Klingsmann, brought in Bruce, and I was just like, this is it, man. Like, this is. This is the savior. This is. I wanted to be a. I mean, selfishly, I wanted. I wanted it for myself as well, to go to a fourth World Cup. But I was like, bruce arena is supposed to be this coach. He's supposed to be our coach to take us to the World Cup. And obviously, as players, we, you know, we disappointed him. We didn't get the job done, but it was a fun little run that hopefully was going to end in a fairy tale, but didn't. But he's a special man.
- [28:35]
Tim Howard
He was awesome. Hopefully we get him back again. We're wishing him the very, very best in San Jose. And I don't. I don't think we need to wish him anything. I think it's going to happen. It's just a matter of time. So. All right, let's move on. We are recording this for everybody. We're recording this on Thursday, April 16th, 17th, 17th, whatever the day is. 17th. So this is not on a Monday. So we have not seen any of the Premier League action. We haven't seen any of the MLS action. So we're going to talk about the Champions League that we just saw yesterday and Tuesday. Let's start with PSG Villa. So pretty cool for Villa park to have a quarterfinal match. The game was wild, exciting, fun in the NPSG advance 54 on aggregate. They were the odds on favorite. They were the money favorites. Do you still see it that way?
- [29:22]
Bruce Arena
Yeah, I mean, I don't know if I can argue with that too much. I do like. I do like Arsenal's chances in the semifinal match. We'll get to that. Look, the one thing I. I was talking to our producers just before the show and saying, like, Champions League is great. Oftentimes in the early rounds, I do think there's just a lot of games, and I think the big matchups are fun, but I'm not sure, Landon, honestly, I'm not sure. The drama of the second half of the second leg, if you know where I'm going with this in the knockout phases, I don't think it gets more exciting in sports because it's just like the world's greatest players basically going, who said tactics? Ain't no tactics. We got to go chase a goal, you got to defend and then hit us on the break. And it's just such chaos. And the one thing that stood out to me, because I think, you know, we. We both played at such a high level, but these players rarely make mistakes. I'm thinking about, like, I think it was Nuno Mendez goal for PSG. Not. Not 100% sure. But anyway, the ball gets squared across. He takes a touch to open up his left foot and smacks it right, like, just tucks it inside the post. And when I. We did the highlights for NBC yesterday in studio, and I looked at this replay and I'm like, the ball wasn't even sitting for him. Like, it rose up, but he realized it was going to be kind of like on the half, and he just slapped at it. And I was like, the technique and the execution of players at this level is, like, mind blowing. And to watch it, like, the play out over the course of 90 minutes or 180 minutes, it's special, man love knockout football.
- [30:59]
Tim Howard
And the beauty of it is it's. It's the top teams, obviously, at this point from their leagues. And so there's the top players. And they're used to playing a certain way.
- [31:08]
Bruce Arena
Yeah.
- [31:08]
Tim Howard
And they're used to having all the ball and all. So when they. Those two types of teams clash, it just Becomes a free for all. Tons of goals. You know, for people who are not the most die hard of soccer fans who are more new to this and are listening. Can you imagine? I'm just thinking this out loud. Say the Lakers and Warriors were playing and they had a two game series like this, home and away. And it wasn't who won the games, it was the total score of the games. Right. And that's what you get in the second half of these second legs. Because it doesn't matter if you could be losing 3, 0 in the game.
- [31:41]
Bruce Arena
Yeah.
- [31:41]
Tim Howard
But one goal and you advance. Right, right. And so it makes it so fun and it's so exciting to watch. And it. The. There was a moment during the Arsenal, Real Madrid game and Arsenal, big credit to them.
- [31:52]
Bruce Arena
Yeah.
- [31:53]
Tim Howard
For putting on a show, really. But there was a moment in the game where Arsenal are attacking and Madrid literally have their four defenders and a six and everyone else is just hanging out up the field because they needed goals, they needed three or four goals. So it was just this back and forth, the risk. And you knew, yeah, it was worth the risk and you just knew there were going to be tons of goals. In the end, Arsenal got two, Real Madrid one. And it, I mean, I know PSG are the odds on favorite, but it'd be hard to bet against Arsenal right now. Yeah, I mean, and they have all their focus, like these other clubs have to worry about their league and making Champions League and the title and they're just like, don't matter.
- [32:31]
Bruce Arena
Yeah, they're rest players.
- [32:32]
Tim Howard
Everything. That's right. Everything's going into this.
- [32:34]
Bruce Arena
Yeah. It's interesting. You make an interesting point. Like they're gonna, they're gonna rest play. And McKellar, Ted has done it the last two weeks for, for these two legs against real Madrid. He's gonna rest players on the weekend. They're most likely going to finish second probably. If they drop down at this point, it's worth the risk. Not drop out of the Champions League spots, but drop down a place or two. I think it's big credit to them because look, this is the part we're talking about with Champions League. I was having conversations yesterday in the morning before the game and they're up 3 nil on aggregate. Right. People were saying, people in the know were saying, look, they expect Real Madrid to get two to four goals on the day. Right. Didn't happen. But that, but like that's a real comment. Like they're going to get two to four goals. If they get two, it's now Three, two. What does Arsenal do? They come out of a shell, right? If they get four or three, then they got to chase the game. So, like, in the end, it didn't work that way. So that's why I think big credit to Arsenal. But this is. This is real. Like, where do you go into a second leg and say, oh, we're up three nil, but we might have to score today because they could put four on us. It's. It's incredible. But, yeah, I think Mikel Arteta has the ability to kind of bunker his team in and play on the break or get the football and play free flowing. So it will be a good game. And I think Arsenal will look at Villa, by the way, you have to be precise. Every moment of 180 minutes where Villa failed was the back end of that first leg. Right. They'd have been a little bit more switched on. They were in it. They proved they can be in it. So Arsenal will look at those two legs and say, villa's a good team, but we think we're better than Villa.
- [34:09]
Tim Howard
Yeah.
- [34:10]
Bruce Arena
Villa gave them a certain type of game and they'll be able to as well. It'll be a good tie.
- [34:14]
Tim Howard
Oh, wow. Speaking of Real Madrid, Tim, just in the chat here from our producers. According to Sky Sports, Carlo Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid immediately after the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. The report states Ancelotti will not complete the La Liga season and the El Classico will be his last game in charge. Wow.
- [34:38]
Bruce Arena
Wow.
- [34:39]
Tim Howard
Okay, maybe expected a little bit, but I didn't think it would come that fast. Did you?
- [34:43]
Bruce Arena
Kind of.
- [34:44]
Tim Howard
Well, maybe it was always in the works. Like, if they don't advance, then.
- [34:48]
Bruce Arena
Yeah, there's been some rumblings of kind of like turmoil in the background. I know there was. You know, things just haven't been right there. And, you know, look, the bottom line is at these big, massive clubs.
- [35:00]
Tim Howard
Yeah, you're right.
- [35:01]
Bruce Arena
You don't. I mean, we've seen managers win titles and get sacked like these, these big clubs, there's no. There's no room for error. And so things just haven't gone according to plan. Obviously, getting knocked out against Arsenal was probably the final straw. So, yeah, you know, hopefully for them, they can produce a performance in the Copa del Rey final, which is April 26th, I believe. So, yeah, a very short stay for Ancelotti.
- [35:26]
Tim Howard
What people forget, too, Tim, about these things is these are human beings making these decisions and there's big egos involved. So I'm not saying that was the case here, but there have been lots of cases. I remember in the early days of mls, Ziggy Schmidt, rest his soul, was in first place with the Galaxy and got fired. And, you know, you don't know exactly what happened, but if you know there's just a clash in egos, it's like, all right, well, you're out. You know, I'm the boss here. You're out. So it happens. Wow. Really interesting to see what happens now going forward. The other side of the bracket, we'll see Barcelona, who got by Dortmund? They lost, but they got by Dortmund and they will play now Inter, who drew at home to Bayern Munich. So Inter is. Inter is an interesting team. Not a lot of, like, they're the one team in this whole thing that people don't really talk about. They're the one team and. But all of a sudden, now they're in a semifinal against Barcelona and they can absolutely win that tie.
- [36:22]
Bruce Arena
You know the interesting thing, you remember when Inter did it with Jose Mourinho. If you don't follow Italian football, Italian football is tailor made for knockout football. They know how to manage moments. They know how to take the sting at a game. Oh, you want to sit in a deep block and have eight behind the ball, no problem. The Italian. Listen, the Italians can defend with their backs against the wall for as long as humanly possible. If you put 300 minutes on the clock and said, don't concede, they'll go, okay, we'll show you how this is done. It's insane tactically, the way the Italian team set up, so.
- [36:52]
Tim Howard
And with their national team, too. Yeah. It's just. They can just soak up all the pressure and deal with it. PSG will go to the Emirates on April 29. That is going to be absolutely cracking. That'll be so fun. The return leg will be, I believe, on the 6th, and then Barcelona host Inter on the 30th, and the return leg is on the 7th. Interestingly, Inter, Milan, Barca and PSG could all still win the treble, which, you know, they. Barcelona is kind of in my, you know, my fandom here in the States. I haven't heard a lot about Barton, I haven't followed a lot, but all of a sudden they're up for the trouble again. Right. And so you have to give them a lot of credit. It looks like they're gonna win the title race. Still, Real Madrid got a little. Got a little bonus with Mbappe only getting suspended one game. Yeah, people, I got so many texts. Tim and Bape's challenge was terrible. How could he only get one game? I said, well, who are they playing this weekend? He said, I don't know who. I said, who are they playing after that? Barcelona. I said, well, that's why you got one game. They're only suspending, they're not suspending him for the, for the Super Classic.
- [38:02]
Bruce Arena
No chance.
- [38:03]
Tim Howard
So could one of these players, by the way, from one of these teams, win the Ballon d'Or? Inter barca, PSG?
- [38:09]
Bruce Arena
I think that's possible. I mean, I.
- [38:11]
Tim Howard
Do they, I mean, they win a treble, they win the Champions League. You're the best player on the team.
- [38:15]
Bruce Arena
Yeah, look, I think it's possible. And again, we were having this conversation offline, like, I, I, I love Cristiano Ronaldo. I love Messi. The, what we experienced in our time and, and in that window of time with them owning and dominating everything was special. But the fact of the matter is, it was going to be one of them. Who, who, who won the Ballon d'or. So you're just like, now it's kind of open, which I like better, because it's. Everyone has a chance. Before, no one had a chance. They didn't. They didn't. It was, it was, you knew it.
- [38:45]
Tim Howard
Was one of those, it was messing.
- [38:46]
Bruce Arena
With, like, maybe one other token guy they threw in there now. No, it's true. They were in third place. Was a distant third. So I, you know, I'm excited to kind of see how that pans out.
- [38:55]
Tim Howard
All right, let's take another break. When we come back, we will dive into all your questions. A lot of MLS questions this week in the AT&T fan connection, right here on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim. As always, presented by our friends at Volkswagen. Please stay right there.
- [39:20]
Bruce Arena
There's a lot in life that feels like it should be guaranteed that just isn't your team winning the championship. The weather being good on game day, your friends remembering who has the tickets. Some days, you're just a goal scoring machine.
- [39:32]
Tim Howard
Yeah. And some days, the ball just passes you by. Right here. On Unfiltered soccer, we know that no matter how much you love the beautiful game, nothing on the field is guaranteed. Thankfully, AT and T is introducing a brand new guarantee, the AT and T Guarantee.
- [39:45]
Bruce Arena
The AT and T guarantee means connectivity you can depend on, deals you want and service you deserve, or they'll make it right.
- [39:53]
Tim Howard
Whether you're in the stands watching with friends or just cheering from home, you can count on the AT and T guarantee.
- [39:58]
Bruce Arena
Learn more at att.comforward/guarantee Terms and conditions apply.
- [40:03]
Tim Howard
AT&T connecting changes everything.
- [40:08]
Bruce Arena
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. The best way to grow the game of soccer in the US is to keep asking questions and keep talking about the sport we all love. At, AT and T. Connecting changes everything. And on us lnt our connections with you will help grow the game. Welcome back into our AT&T fan Connection. Everyone's favorite time of the week, including our very own Jordan. Welcome in, Jordan.
- [40:37]
E
Thank you very much.
- [40:39]
Tim Howard
Hello, Junior.
- [40:40]
E
Hello. We put out a graphic on Instagram asking people for their MLS questions and we have a bunch of them, so.
- [40:47]
Tim Howard
That'S probably a bad dive in.
- [40:48]
E
All right, let's talk about the revs. Chris via Instagram says, will the revs write the ship? I don't think they're far off. Despite the mood of the supporters towards the coach in the front office.
- [41:00]
Bruce Arena
No, Give us context on. On the mood there.
- [41:03]
E
What do I think the mood is there to the coach?
- [41:08]
Tim Howard
Not great, Bob.
- [41:09]
Bruce Arena
So. So are they saying that they. They think that it's Caleb Porter's fault or is that what's going on?
- [41:15]
E
I just read the questions I don't have. I don't see how many people and say, could you please tell me more?
- [41:21]
Bruce Arena
I'm asking the class.
- [41:22]
Tim Howard
I think. Here's my. These things all permeate from the top. Is permeate the right word to use there? I don't know. It all trickles down from the top and when the ownership isn't doing a good job and then, you know, for the long year or long time, they had a terrible GM there. It's just all these things then trickle down and, you know, is it Caleb Parter's fault? I don't know. Is the roster good enough? Is the environment good enough? Is the training environment good enough? They're playing on turf in an empty stadium. Like, there's all these things, but it starts at the top always. So until the. Until the top is changed or the top changes the way they view it, then. And then nothing changes.
- [42:03]
Bruce Arena
Sorry for consistency. I'm going to correct you. It isn't an empty stadium. They are inside the concourse, at the heating zones, warming themselves. Warming themselves.
- [42:11]
Tim Howard
Okay. Just wait till the schedule change.
- [42:15]
Bruce Arena
Yeah. Could you imagine?
- [42:17]
E
Let's move across to the other side of the country. Callan via Instagram said, is it time for people to start taking San Diego FC seriously?
- [42:26]
Bruce Arena
Yes, yes, yes.
- [42:27]
Tim Howard
Yes. Here's. Here's San Diego fc. Is they. This is why. And I was talking to someone recently about this. They have a playbook from Norshaland, which is their, their sister club. It's same people who started and own Norshin own sdfc. They said, here's the playbook, here's the type of players, here's the profiles we want, here's the way we're going to play go. And when you have clarity in that, early on, the Sounders had that early on, and that's why they were successful, and a few other teams early on have had that, then it's going to start. Well, does it sustain? That is the question. We're going to see how long. And once people figure out that playbook and what they do, they will start adjusting to them. And then in the second half of the season, when you play them a second time, a third time, you'll go, oh, okay. Or do they play three times now? A second time, you play them a second time. The Western Conference teams for sure will have ways of combating that, and then we'll see if they're able to change a little bit. And, and can they divert from that a little to be successful still?
- [43:33]
E
Okay, this one is from Braden, also via Instagram. If you could force one U.S. national team player to be traded to a specific club, who would it be and what club would it be?
- [43:44]
Tim Howard
What a good question for.
- [43:46]
Bruce Arena
Sorry. So force a trade.
- [43:48]
Tim Howard
Like, force a player to go to one club.
- [43:51]
E
Yeah, but someone from the US Men's national team.
- [43:56]
Tim Howard
There's obviously. There's an obvious one. I don't even want to go there. Well, I'm just gonna say it then. Geo.
- [44:02]
Bruce Arena
Oh, he stole anywhere.
- [44:06]
Tim Howard
No, I, I. This, I'll say this honestly. Geo. To somewhere where there's a manager who is going to take a vested interest in helping him become not only a better player, but, like, a proper professional and, like, really change the course of his career. That's. That's what I would say, because we've talked about a million times. But if he's playing and playing well, the whole dynamic changes, and the team's a lot, lot better. I stole yours. Huh?
- [44:38]
Bruce Arena
You stole mine.
- [44:39]
Tim Howard
What about Matt Turner?
- [44:40]
Bruce Arena
Yeah, that's a good one. I'm thinking, because we're. It's a hypothetical question. I'm thinking Tyler Adams back to New York to win them a title. That's what I'm thinking.
- [44:51]
Tim Howard
But he's playing at a high level at Bournemouth.
- [44:53]
Bruce Arena
That wasn't the question.
- [44:54]
Tim Howard
Oh, all right. Oh, you just want them to win a title. Okay, fine. All right, I'm going to say Matt Turner to New York to win them a title.
- [45:01]
Bruce Arena
Well, you get two.
- [45:01]
Tim Howard
Do whatever I want. It's my show, bud.
- [45:03]
Bruce Arena
Which New York team?
- [45:04]
Tim Howard
Red Bull. They never won a title. Bright, by the way.
- [45:06]
Bruce Arena
No, that's what I was saying. I know this isn't a question, but it should be. Are we going to talk about Houston nicking points off your Galaxy or that we're leaving that for another time?
- [45:15]
Tim Howard
No, I mean, just what it is this year. We talk about what people care about, so we'll let that go.
- [45:21]
E
Okay, Last one from Tommy via Instagram. What is stopping MLS right now from becoming the best league in the world?
- [45:28]
Bruce Arena
Wow, that's a. That's a docu series. It's not.
- [45:33]
Tim Howard
It's not. What is stopping MLS right now? I think time. I think time there. We'll get into this when we do more on the business side of soccer at some point, but it needs more time still. One of the biggest problems, though, in MLS is all of these rules and mechanisms for getting players, which at one point were absolutely necessary to ensure the survival of the league, are now archaic and completely holding the league back. Completely holding the league back. There's too many rules and ways. I mean, the de Bruyne thing's a perfect example. Inter. Miami has his discovery rights. What if they have no intention of signing him now? They're just holding an amazing player who could come into the league hostage. Right. And this happens all the time. We don't. We don't want to sign him, but we have his rights. So, hey, Colorado or San Jose or. You're not signing them either. And it's. It just kills the league. It's a. It's. It's. So those. If those all wiped away in three or five years, decent chance it's a top five league in the world.
- [46:46]
Bruce Arena
My opinion. Yeah, agree with that. No, I mean, there's. There's a. There's a laundry list of things that. That gets MLS to. In the com. In that conversation, obviously, calendar change is probably happening, but yeah, to your point, Landon, there were a lot of. There was a lot of necessary mechanisms in place to ensure the survival of the league. That being said, you can't get into the conversation of being the best league in the world if those mechanisms are still in place.
- [47:16]
Tim Howard
Right.
- [47:16]
Bruce Arena
So, yeah, when that changes, then I think absolutely, like you said, Landon, then at that point it wouldn't take very long. Yeah, you're talking under, you know, in and around five years to get, you know, the players through the door to make it, what, you know, arguably one of the top leagues.
- [47:36]
Tim Howard
Yeah, that's right. Because players do want to be here.
- [47:38]
Bruce Arena
Sure, sure.
- [47:39]
Tim Howard
Like, they want to play here. You just. You have to allow them to. And right now, there's not enough of those top players that can get into the league because of all these. These rules.
- [47:49]
Bruce Arena
I mean, just imagine for a second, right? And I know it's sort of pie in the sky, but it's also not. Because think about how many really good players, top players in and around their prime, maybe back in their prime, went to Saudi Arabia. I'm not suggesting that it be completely that wide open. I'm not. I'm. I'm simply saying when you close your eyes and you allow your mind to think about, like, those players playing for Charlotte or Minnesota or Houston or New York, wherever. Right. Like, that's exciting as heck. And then that.
- [48:23]
Tim Howard
And.
- [48:23]
Bruce Arena
Yeah. And it's possible.
- [48:25]
Tim Howard
It is possible. It is. They're willing to spend the money. The owners are totally. Yeah. Good question.
- [48:31]
E
Thanks, guys.
- [48:32]
Tim Howard
All right, thanks, JR Guys. Another great week. Thank you all very much. Thanks to our former coach, manager, friend, hall of Famer legend, Bruce Arena. It was awesome having him on. We appreciate, as always, all the support. Remember to subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts. And if you want, lots of bonus content that we send out all week, follow all of our social media platforms at. Unfiltered soccer.
- [48:57]
Bruce Arena
Yeah, L.D. i can't overstate how much these days mean to us, and I know they mean to you. Thank you, Bruce. Absolute legend. There are a lot of other accolades, but Legend is the one that I think of. And again, some really amazing moments that we shared and really appreciate today. Thanks, everybody, for listening. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, VW, our Fan Connection sponsor, AT&T, and our unfiltered refresh sponsor, Coors Light. Have a great week. Look forward to seeing you back next Tuesday with another edition of Unfiltered Soccer.