Landon Donovan, Tim Howard & Cristian Roldan talk REAL football in San Francisco| Unfiltered Soccer

Summary

Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan & Tim Howard — Live in San Francisco with Cristian Roldan

Episode: Landon Donovan, Tim Howard & Cristian Roldan talk REAL football in San Francisco
Date: February 8, 2026
Location: Live from The Block, San Francisco
Hosts: Landon Donovan, Tim Howard
Special Guest: Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders, USMNT Midfielder)

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Overview

This special live episode of Unfiltered Soccer sees Landon Donovan and Tim Howard welcome USMNT and Seattle Sounders stalwart Cristian Roldan. They discuss Roldan's journey with club and country, preparation for the 2026 World Cup, the culture of Seattle Sounders, shifts in MLS scheduling, national team selection drama, and broader themes around accountability, mentality, and evolving expectations for American soccer. The episode closes with banter about MLS news, World Cup roster speculation, Super Bowl talk, and some classic host chemistry.

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction and Audience Engagement
2. Cristian Roldan: Career Reflections & USMNT Comeback
3. Inside Pochettino’s USMNT — Culture & Expectations
4. MLS Change & Seattle Sounders Culture
5. MLS Schedule Shift: Player Perspective
6. Pochettino, MLS, and the National Team Pipeline
7. World Cup 2026: Internal Mindset & Tactics
8. USMNT Roster Debate: ‘On The Team, On the Bubble, or On the Out’
9. MLS News: James Rodríguez to Minnesota United
10. Club Crossroads & Inter Miami’s Messi Equation
11. Super Bowl, Athlete Crossover, & Cultural Banter
12. Notable Quotes

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Introduction and Audience Engagement [00:02—03:37]

• Donovan and Howard greet the crowd, express gratitude, and reflect on how the show has grown thanks to fan engagement.
• Audience interaction about show subscriptions, and teasing the special guest.
• Quick banter about jerseys spotted in the crowd and playful ribbing about each other’s highlights.

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Cristian Roldan: Career Reflections & USMNT Comeback [03:37—08:56]

• 2017 Gold Cup Memories & Early National Team Days
  • Roldan recalls being dropped for more senior players but still celebrating with the squad:
    “You want to come to the game? Of course. I got to celebrate with my boys.” [04:27]
• Preparation for a World Cup Year
  • Turning 30, Roldan shares how his offseason routines and mindset have matured to prepare for one last World Cup shot:
    “This offseason was really important for me… World Cup is six months away… making sure I take care of my body, take the necessary time to recover mentally, physically, and be ready.” [04:58]
• Comparisons of Youthful vs Veteran Approach
  • “When you’re 22, you just kept playing through the offseason... Now, you understand your body so well. The game has slowed down for me.” [06:19]
• On Being ‘On the Bubble’ and His Mentality
  • “I have the nothing to lose attitude… I’m rejuvenated. I feel like Tim Ream four years ago. I feel great. I have confidence that if I’m playing well, I’ll be there.” [07:44]

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Inside Pochettino’s USMNT — Culture & Expectations [08:56—17:12]

• Pochettino’s Call-Up & Expectations
  • “He told me to be myself… He wants warriors at the end of the day… guys that are going to defend the crest... show up every day.” [09:32]
• The Call-Up Experience
  • Unexpected return after a two-year hiatus: “I got a call from our GM… I was on vacation. He was like, ‘Would you, would you like to come out?’ I was like, ‘Absolutely.’” [10:56]
  • Serendipitous feeling: “My wife couldn’t sleep that night. She said, ‘I just feel like you should be called up.’ ... The next day we get that call. It’s unbelievable.” [11:28]
• Pochettino’s ‘Non-Negotiables’
  • “No individual is bigger than the team. That’s first and foremost… Number two is intensity and the way you train... the duels… practice the way you play.” [12:38]
• Flipping the USMNT Mental Switch
  • Australia game as turning point: “Pulisic gets kicked a couple times… we got our asses kicked… Next camp he shows the film sessions, says: ‘Why are we waiting to get punched in the face?’ … That’s when the culture really flipped.” [14:28]
• Accountability Within the Team
  • Roldan on speaking up: “I feel comfortable pushing guys… bring it into training, tackling guys in training. I have nothing to lose, like I said. If that’s my role, then I’m gonna try to perfect it.” [16:40]

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MLS Change & Seattle Sounders Culture [17:12—19:34]

• What Makes Seattle Different
  • “Trophies are part of the culture… It’s a disappointment if you don’t win in our locker room.” [18:27]
  • “Homegrowns have seen it… They start thinking this is part of our DNA. And it is. We don’t make splashy signings, but we compete.” [18:27]

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MLS Schedule Shift: Player Perspective [19:45—21:19]

• Moving to “European Calendar”
  • Roldan: “It’s going to grow our league… can we get guys to either leave or come to MLS during the start of the season? … It’s going to be difficult for teams in the north… but could create a huge home-field advantage.” [20:21]
  • “We might have to invest in some of the grass.” [21:03]

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Pochettino, MLS, and the National Team Pipeline [21:39—23:08]

• Valuing MLS Players
  • “He’s proven with his decisions… he values MLS players. In the past, that’s not always been the case.” [21:39]
  • Roldan: “Day in and day out, he’s shown that he’s not afraid to choose a player from MLS… It truly doesn’t matter where you play, it’s how you’re playing.” [22:19]

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World Cup 2026: Internal Mindset & Tactics [23:08—25:23]

• Mentality before Tactics
  • “The bare minimum is not to get outworked. It’s intensity… the duels, the nuances of the game… We cannot be outworked on home soil. That’s number one.” [23:36]
  • “You can throw tactics out the window if you don’t bring it.” [24:27]
• Formation Fluidity
  • “It changes depending on who you play… but we’ve had a lot of success with a back four building out in three.” [24:44]

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USMNT Roster Debate: ‘On The Team, On the Bubble, or On the Out’ [30:32—40:55]

Interactive fan segment where the audience votes on possible World Cup roster inclusions

Tanner Tessmann [31:01]

• Most say “on the bubble.”
• Discussion: Versatility may hurt his stock vs more “star quality” midfielders.

Aidan Morris [33:08]

• Morris seen as “bubble” or “on the outs.”
• Lacks “superstar quality” but solid for club.

Gio Reyna [34:41]

• Polarizing. Consensus: Huge talent, inconsistent playtime.
• Landon: “He has magic in his feet… I would put him on the team.” [36:21]
• Tim: “If you need a goal in the last 20 minutes... not many you’d choose over Gio.” [36:32]

Noah Kai Banks [38:22]

• Young Augsburg center back nobody knows much about yet.
• Tim’s bold prediction: “I think he is going to be starting for us in the World Cup.” [38:56]
• Discussion about the US lacking a right-sided CB, and March camp likely decisive.

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MLS News: James Rodríguez to Minnesota United [41:36—43:29]

• Hosts dissect the six-month loan:
  • “When I first heard about this, I could not hate it more. Then I found out it was a six-month contract...” [41:44]
  • “Every time he steps on the field, he’s the best player unless they’re playing Inter Miami.” [42:53]
  • Caution expressed about injury history, but hosts agree it’s a “brilliant” short-term move.

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Club Crossroads & Inter Miami’s Messi Equation [43:29—46:19]

• Tim’s “Crossroads Club”: LA Galaxy
  • “Once you win a championship, you get some leeway... You can’t be as bad as the Galaxy were consistently or you’re going to lose your job.” [44:56]
• Landon’s “Crossroads Club”: Inter Miami
  • “I just wonder where Inter Miami will be going into the World Cup and then sort of coming out of it.”
  • On Messi: “This will be his last World Cup. There’s an emotional toll there…” [45:05]
• Both agree: Messi’s post-World Cup motivation is a unique X factor.

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Super Bowl, Athlete Crossover, & Cultural Banter [46:58—51:18]

• Playful discussion about Super Bowl allegiance among the crowd.
• Comparison: What’s harder, NFL player to soccer or vice versa? “It’s harder for an NFL player to play soccer. If you’re not kicking a ball by age five, you can’t catch up.” [49:25]
• Merchandise questions: Premier League gear more popular in US or NFL in England? Fun trivia about Jets gear in the UK.
• Audience laughs, hosts riff about fandom and their own athletic upbringings.

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Notable Quotes

• On mindset at 30:
  “I have the nothing to lose attitude right now... Even though I’m 30, two years removed, I feel like I’m rejuvenated.” —Cristian Roldan [07:44]

• On team culture under Pochettino:
  “No individual is bigger than the team… Number two is intensity… the way you train. And also the duels — duels, duels, duels.” —Cristian Roldan [12:38]

• On the Australia match shift:
  “Why are we waiting to get punched in the face? Why are we the second team to finally kick someone or win this duel? … That’s when the culture really flipped.” —Cristian Roldan [14:28]

• On Seattle’s mentality:
  “It’s a disappointment if you don’t win in our locker room.” —Cristian Roldan [18:27]

• On MLS respecting talent:
  “He’s shown that he’s not afraid to choose a player from MLS and put him under pressure… it truly doesn’t matter where you play, it’s how you’re playing.” —Cristian Roldan [22:19]

• On coaches’ expectations:
  “You can throw all the tactics out the window if you don’t bring it.” —Cristian Roldan [24:27]

• On Gio Reyna:
  “He’s special, he is special… There’s a lot of reasons why he could be on the bubble, but you have to have a difference maker at a World Cup.” —Landon Donovan [36:21]

• On Messi’s motivation:
  “Everything about human nature tells me no way… Except, it’s Leonel Messi.” —Tim Howard [46:58]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [03:37] Cristian Roldan joins, reminisces with Tim & Landon
• [04:58] Roldan details his World Cup prep and mental shift at age 30
• [09:32] Inside Pochettino’s call, expectations, and camp culture
• [12:38] Roldan outlines Poch’s “non-negotiables”
• [14:28] Australia match as team’s mentality tipping point
• [17:12] Seattle Sounders’ unique winning culture
• [20:21] MLS schedule shift: player perspective
• [22:19] Pochettino & valuing MLS players in the national team
• [23:36] World Cup focus: intensity and group stages
• [31:01] On-the-team/on-the-bubble/on-the-outs audience segment
• [41:36] James Rodríguez’s MLS arrival
• [43:29] Club “crossroads” of LA Galaxy & Inter Miami
• [46:58] Messi’s legacy, Super Bowl, and cultural crossover banter

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Tone & Style

The episode is fast-paced, irreverent, often self-deprecating, and full of “locker room” camaraderie — classic Unfiltered Soccer. Roldan’s earnestness and candor offer an inside look at both club and international mentality, while Landon and Tim’s banter keeps the crowd energized and the discussion grounded in both expertise and humility.

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For newcomers:
This episode dives deep into not just tactics, but also the cultural, psychological, and personal realities of top-level American soccer, providing rare access to the kinds of candid conversations typically reserved for the dressing room — or a live crowd of fellow diehards.

Transcript

[A]

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a special edition of Unfiltered Sapphire. Live from the block in San Francisco.

[B]

Put your hands together.

[A]

Here's your hosts, Landon Donovan and Tim Howard. Let's go. What's happening? Hello. Hello, Hello. So we heard there was a lot of people in this room doing a lot of different shows. What. They said that Unfiltered is the best, so we appreciate you guys. You guys made it.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

And we got. We have a. We have an incredible guest today, one that I'm. I'm delighted to sort of.

[B]

Yeah, you guys, I think, will be excited about the guests we have.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Tuck into someone you might be seeing a lot this summer. We'll say.

[A]

Let's go. A little tease. We got. Is that a Clint Dempsey jersey there? It is. I like it.

[B]

Attic.

[A]

Yeah, it's a good one. That was a good one. That's it. Oh, my God. Donovan. I like it. Yes.

[B]

Did you say you saw 10 of his saves?

[A]

At least. At least 10.

[B]

Oh, I was going to say. What about the other ones? You see the others?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, got it, got it, got it.

[A]

Well, we. We certainly appreciate the love, and when we. When we started this thing, we didn't know what it was going to become, but it's. It's blossomed into just an incredible something beyond our wildest dreams and land. And I always talk about it. We like to talk about soccer, but we're constantly digging into what you all want to hear and what you all want to see from us. So that's the most important thing. We appreciate your support.

[B]

Yeah, we're very grateful, guys. And like he said, we didn't know where this thing was going to go, but you guys have made it really enjoyable for us. Tim says this all the time. We have things we like to talk about, but hearing from you guys is. Is what we want. We want to talk about what you guys want to hear. So keep following, keep listening, keep sending in questions, all that. We really love it.

[A]

Let's kick this thing off, make it official. Welcome, everybody. Thank you. Unfiltered Soccer. He's Landon. I'm Tim. Today's show is presented by nhtsa. We all seem to be in a rush these days, but when you're behind the wheel, please do not speed. Follow the speed limit. A few minutes saved by going faster is never, ever worth the risk. Paid for by Nitza Man.

[B]

Welcome, guys, to the show. As I always say, raise your hand if you actually subscribed to the show.

[A]

Leon loves this.

[B]

Okay. If not, you'll Be trouble. All right, so why do you subscribe? Why do you need to subscribe? Every time I talk to someone about our show who has not listened, they say, okay, should I listen? I say, yeah, listen. So they listen to the show, and then they call me or they text me and say, God, I really loved it. When you subscribe, it helps other people find the show and. And fall in love with it, too. So my plea to you, please subscribe to the show. Follow us on all the social media channels. You can get it everywhere. You get your podcasts. Also, she is not here today. She's in New York. But Jordan does all of our emails and does our AT&T fan connection, which we love. And you can always email [e-mail] all right, Timmy. Without further ado, we are joined today by a Southern California native, one of our own US Men's national team midfielder. Let's see if you guys can get who this is based on the clues they will. He won the gold. He won the gold cup in 17 and 21. Oh, you already saw him. He has two MLS cups, a Concacaf Champions cup, and the league's Cup. That's insane. All with his current club, the Seattle Sounders. Please welcome to the stage, Mr. Christian.

[C]

Roll down.

[B]

Good job, coach. How we doing?

[A]

Good to see you, bud. Really good to see you. Here's a crazy thing. I. We didn't realize we were on the same 2017 Gold cup team.

[B]

Oh, interesting.

[A]

Yeah. Which was here. We won the final game.

[B]

2017.

[A]

He was a young. He was. He was a boy. I was a young man. I mean, now I'm just old and washed up.

[B]

You were an older.

[A]

Crushing it.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Do you remember that team?

[C]

Yeah. Great team. I got kicked off the team a little early for. For guys like Michael Bradley.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah, sure.

[B]

And. Oh, that was. Right. That was the time where they could change the roster.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

But he came to a party, so he's part of team gets a medal.

[B]

He got a medal.

[A]

That's it. So we roll.

[B]

Did he get to celebrate?

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Come back at the end.

[C]

Yeah. I got a call from. From Fleischman.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

He was just like, you want to come to the game? I was like, of course. I got to celebrate with my boys.

[B]

That's awesome. Cool. So you guys, you were just saying you're in Marbella, right? In Spain. So. It's crazy, man. The season is right upon us. A couple of weeks, right? Until the season starts. How are you? I mean, how are you feeling? How Are you physically. I know it's exciting. When you go into a World cup year, we remember those. So how are you feeling? But also then just as you're looking ahead to the summer, how does that impact how you're doing things now, if at all?

[C]

Yeah, I think this off season was really important for me as I'm getting towards the later part of my career. Right. That the off season is extremely important. Just understanding that the World cup is six months away, making sure I take care of my body, making sure that I take the necessary time to recover mentally, physically, and then just be ready, fit, physically fit to compete for a spot.

[A]

If you do it right, you should get better with age. Right. If you take care of yourself. And last year you had making the MLS best 11 for the first time that you, you, you sort of, you've won everything that there is to win, but you're getting better individually, sort of take us back in time. What's different now at 30 than, let's say 22, 23 and 24? And the reason I ask is because you're in preseason. You just flew back from Spain literally, you know, 24 hours ago. And I can remember the older I got and I don't know if you can attest to this, but I used to say to my mat, like they'd give us a, an off season training. Yeah, give us an offseason training. And I literally said to my manager, I'm not coming back fully fit. I'm just not, I'll use the preseason to get fit. And that's sort of how I operated. But I'm just curious, sort of like your mindset from when you were, you were 22 to now when you're 30.

[C]

Oh, when you're 22, you just kept playing through the off season, right. You played small sided with your buddies back home. You found the field as much as possible once you turn 30. You understand your body so well in the off season. It's all right. You got tendinopathy here, you got tendinopathy there. What kind of loading do I need to do to get back in the best place possible to do some damage? Right. I feel like the game has slowed down for me. I have switched from being on the right side, left side, attacking mid, defensive mid, to now a six. And I think that's helped me tremendously. Just, you know, seeing the, the same situations and games day in and day out. The repetitiveness has helped me so much.

[B]

I think you can't help, I'm sure. But think about the summer, right?

[A]

You're.

[B]

You're human. You're a guy who is probably. I mean, we both have said on the show, too, we think you're going to the tournament or. But it doesn't matter what we say. It matters what Mauricio Pochettino says. You're probably a guy who's right on the bubble, and he's. And we think, leaning in. Do you let yourself go there and think about it and. And how much does it maybe motivate you or inspire you? Because I knew during World cup years, coming into the season, I was like, I want to be at my best. Do you feel that way? Because realistically, probably your last chance, right, to make a World Cup.

[C]

Yeah, absolutely. And I feel like I have the nothing to lose attitude right now. You know, three months ago, I still had that nothing to lose attitude. You know, I wasn't getting called up, right? I was playing the best footy of my life, of my career, and I finally got that call up, right? And I treated it like it was my last. And. And I still to this day feel that way. You know, when you're two years removed from. From. From the National Team and you get that first call up, oh, it's so special, you know, you don't take that for granted. And so for me, I have the nothing to lose attitude, right? I've already, you know, come back to the national team with a fresh set of eyes. Even though I'm 30, right. Two years removed, I feel like I'm, I don't know, rejuvenated. I feel like Tim Ream right now, who was four years ago, he's still playing, and he's still playing, and he's still doing it. And so I. I feel. I feel great. You know, I have confidence that if I'm playing well, I'll be there. But I'm excited. I'm excited to see what the roster looks like.

[A]

So Landon has had interactions with Pochettino. I've had interactions with Pochettino both in my professional career and now on this side of it. But we're essentially all fans, really? Everybody in this room, besides you, who's the player? We're all fans. So take it like, what is that after the fact? You come into camp and Pochettino basically says, and I'm paraphrasing, Christian is the perfect player if I was to build a player, this is who I want. So you're out of the national team frame for two years, and he calls you. What are those conversations? Like, what is he seeing to say, look, I need you to come in and be a part of this. Like, what is that conversation?

[C]

Like, yeah, he told me to be myself. I think that he spoke to a few different coaches about me before calling me up to understand what he was going to get out of me. So he did his homework and then when I got there, it was about showing my personality. And, you know, for me, I'm a competitor. I hate to lose. I gotta be honest with you, like, whether it's a possession drill, a passing drill, like, you know, I'm a perfectionist at heart when it comes to soccer. I hate losing. And so it was about bringing that attitude into camp. You know, things weren't going as smooth as they. They were over the last three months. And so just going, going there and having that attitude mentality and then understanding what he wants. Right? He wants warriors at the end of the day, right. He wants guys that are going to defend the crest, that are going to battle in training, that are going to show up each and every day when you're at camp. And I think that that is my mentality every time I put that jersey on.

[B]

Can you help everybody here understand? So you got called in because who, who. Someone got injured, right? And you get. Can you just take us through? I just want to know the process. Vis a vis. He the one calling you? Is it the team admin, how that process happened? Because we were all surprised. And I'm sure you were surprised, right, when that call came.

[C]

Yeah. So it was after leagues cup finals, a late call up three months ago, four months ago, in the September window. I wasn't originally on the preliminary roster, but I had a good leagues cup final. I had a good summer with the FIFA Club World cup. And I got a call from our GM and, and I was on vacation. He was like, would you, would you like to come out?

[B]

You might want to come back.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

He's like, would you like to come out all the way to New York? I was like, absolutely. Got on a red eye train the next day.

[B]

Wow.

[C]

And you know, my wife, you know, actually she couldn't sleep that night. She was like, I just feel like you should be called up. And I'm like, it's over with, you know, maybe next camp, right? And the next day we get that call. It's unbelievable.

[A]

That's incredible.

[B]

Which remind me, which of the two games did you. You started one of the two games, right?

[C]

Japan. I started Japan. You started. I came in for South Korea. And then the next game it was Australia, but that was October window.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, go ahead.

[A]

So, so with, with Pochettino, Christian, what you're doing, you're doing a lot of things, right? For him to say what he's saying, for him, for him to bring you in and even consider you for the, for the, for the World cup team. So take us sort of inside Pochettino's non negotiables for the team. So you're obviously an example of this, what he wants, right? And he's building that. And, and the team is starting to come together. So when you get together as a group, you're getting ready to go on the field. Like, what are sort of his. Like, yeah, you want to win the game, you want to score goals. Yeah, great. We don't know if that's going to happen. But what are his non negotiables for you as players, when you step on the field?

[C]

Well, no, no individual is bigger than the team. That's first and foremost, right? And I've, I've never gotten along with players that have been selfish. And, you know, I always feel like the team comes first. Right? And. And he said that from the very beginning. Number two is intensity and the way you train. And also the duels, you know, Argentinians, it's duels, duels, duels, right? And you got to show that in training, right? It's not about just showing it in games and for a lot of young people, you know, that, you know, practice the way you play. And so for me, it's mentality from what he's said to me, what he brings into camp. The non negotiables are the way you train, the mentality, the intensity, but also the individuals not above the team.

[A]

Let me ask you a follow up to that, because I'm curious. Landon and I talk about it ad nauseam. Fans are talking about it on the outside. Those non negotiables that you talked about, putting the team first. No one's bigger than the team. The effort that seemed to sort of be lacking, maybe there's a better term for that, but. But then, and now we've seen a switch. Was that like, from someone on the inside, Was that, was that tangible? Have you seen that? Or was it always there? Or maybe you can tell me, Tim, you're full of shit. And it's always been there, but on the outside it seemed like it had been lacking, and now it seems like there's a massive buy in.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

Look, I can't speak for the time that I wasn't there, right. You know, I was a fan like you guys But I remember vividly, and this is where I think it flipped. Australia game. Christian Pulisic gets kicked a couple of times, right? We didn't. We. I don't know if we could swear.

[B]

And you can swear, but we got.

[C]

Our asses kicked in the first 45 minutes of just getting fouled and just not bringing it right. Next camp, he shows the film sessions, right? And you know, he just said, like, why are we waiting to get punched in the face? Why are we the second team to like, finally kick someone or, you know, win this duel, right? And I think that's when it switched. You see players like Tillman, who is probably more of a luxury player, right? Number 10, going into tackles and training, and that's when I'm like, oh, my God. Like, that's. I think, when the culture really flipped, at least from my time being there.

[A]

Amazing.

[B]

It's hard for us to. It's almost hard for me to hear you say that, because that was a given or it felt like it should be a given when we played. And if someone did, if I came into camp when I was young and didn't do that, and I probably didn't, these guys would kill me. Like Burhalter and Agus and these guys, they would kill me. So I was talking. I was talking to someone about this generation. And it feels like, and you tell me if I'm wrong, it feels like there's a lack of people who are willing to hold each other accountable in the team, Right. It's one thing to have your coach doing it all the time, but my guess is, and you tell me if I'm wrong, you do do that, right? I'm guessing in Seattle you do that. And that is something that this group, I think, desperately needed. Do you believe that's one of the reasons also you're here? And do you feel comfortable having not been around the team, constantly holding people accountable in those moments?

[C]

Yeah, that's a great question. Because being two years removed and then hearing a player that, you know, hasn't played in the biggest games at the World cup or some of the biggest friendlies over my course, course of time, like, I didn't. I haven't started that many games, but, you know, I'm yelling at Christian Pulisic to get back and defend, right?

[B]

And you feel comfortable doing that?

[C]

Absolutely. I mean, I've played in big enough games at my club, and I've played in 400 plus games in Seattle in big moments that I feel comfortable pushing guys. I feel comfortable, you know, bring it into training, tackling guys in training. Right. I have nothing to lose, like I said. And so if that's my role, then I'm gonna try to perfect it to the best of my ability.

[A]

I want to sort of segue back to Seattle for a second, and then we'll talk a little bit about MLS versus Europe. But I always say, atlant. I'm jealous because he got to play. He played for mls. Blue blood. Right? And the Galaxy is. Is the biggest organization in the mls, and it has been since its inception. We had your manager, Brian Smith, on the show, who's brilliant, by the way. He's absolutely brilliant. And my uncle is a Seattle Sounders season ticket holder. He's the one who got me into soccer when I was little. And there's just something different about Seattle. You've been there. You're a part of the fabric of that green. And I'm just. I'm so fascinated by Seattle Sounders culture. You know, when I first came back from Europe and I was playing with Colorado, and we came to Seattle while you guys kicked our ass. But I remember going out on the field, Christian, for warm up, I've told this story to you. And I went back in the dressroom, and I just said, look, lads, for any of you who don't make it to Europe, this is a European environment. Like, I was. I get goosebumps telling the story. I was, like, playing in that environment in Seattle is incredible, and yet you guys always win. What's it like to sort of be a part of that and help have helped grown that culture?

[C]

Yeah, I think trophies in general is part of the. The. The culture. The. The. The goals that we set each and every year. Right. It's a disappointment if you. If you don't win in our locker room. And so we carry that. We believe it, too. I think it's one thing to just say it, but it's another thing to actually believe it and going out there and. And feeling like you have a shot. And I think the beauty of it is that when players from the homegrown, and we have a lot of homegrown, we have a lot of guys from the Seattle area, they have seen it through the course of time, and so they start believing it. They start thinking that this is part of our DNA. And it is. And so I think that a. It's the closest thing to Europe and MLS to me as well. And also I think the DNA within the Sounders organization, we don't make splashy signings, but we compete. And I think that's the standard that we set throughout the year.

[A]

This is what I was saying yesterday. The youth system is so broken and so fractured. Like, you need youth clubs, a youth system all the way through that. These kids are desperate to play for.

[B]

Seattle Sounders one day, and they understand what the. What the club is about because every club's different. But those kids actually firmly believe that the Galaxy is different.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

Galaxy. Young kids don't really believe they're gonna play for the Galaxy you're spending tons of money on. But those kids believe. Yeah, I mean, like, they really believe they can come through the system and play. Can you give us your opinion on. So the schedule change in 2027 is changing from whatever March to November to the European. What is it from a player's perspective? Trying to put myself in your shoes. How do you, like. How are you processing that? How are you guys thinking about that? How are you preparing for it?

[C]

Well, I think, number one, it's going to grow our league. I think that's the most important thing. When you talk about transfers. Right. Obed Vargas just left. Right. In the December window. Right. Can we get guys to either leave or come to MLS during the start of the season? So I think that number one is going to help our league tremendously as a player. When I think schedule change, I think weather, I think that is going to be difficult for teams that are in the north to have to play away for the first parts of the year. But also it could create an advantage if you're on a roll. First 10 games of the season, and then now you get to go home and have that advantage of a lot of home games in a row.

[B]

It could be.

[C]

Be a huge advantage. But overall, I think it's great for the league. I think it's great for transfers, number one. And I think that the quality of games, I think we might have to invest a little bit more in some of the grass. But I think overall it's going to be great.

[B]

Seattle, it doesn't matter because it just rains all year.

[A]

That. That shoulder season. I can't remember what exactly Ms. Is calling it. It's going to be crazy. We so fast.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And you almost have to build. And we're doing, you know, we're going through this in Houston. You almost have to build a roster out for basically a season and then that little shoulder season.

[B]

Interesting.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Can you. So Pochettino's talked a lot about. Now that we're touching on the international and MLS in Europe, Pochettino's talked a lot About? Well, I don't even know if he's talked a lot about it. He's proven with his decisions, which is way more important than talking, that he values MLS players and past coaches. Klinsmann certainly didn't. Bob Bradley, maybe a little Burhalter, I don't know how much, but he really values MLS players. Does he talk about that over. Is it just through his decision making? Do you guys. You must feel like MLS guys really feel like they have a chance, because I know in the past that's not always been the case.

[C]

Yeah, I think we feel that especially based on his decisions to bring in guys like myself who, you know, had a good year and, you know, if, if you have a good year, you might get rewarded. And I think that that's the belief that you need to have. But he, day in and day out, he's. He's shown that he's not afraid to choose a player from MLS and, and put him under pressure. And if you, if you provide, if you show that you can play under pressure, you know, you, you can have a national team career with Pochettino. And I think that it truly doesn't matter where you play, it's how you're playing. And I think that's what I've appreciated with Pochettino, that he's given chances to a lot of players this year.

[A]

When I think about this next World cup, right, it's always such a gimme sort of question, like, what do you think is going to happen? I expect everybody inside of the team to go, we're going to win the World Cup. Of course, that's normal sort of what are, what are being. What's being talked about on the inside in terms of not realistic expectations. But what are you guys focusing on, right? Like, you want to win the tournament, of course you want to win the tournament. But, like, what is the, what's the absolute first step in focus once that whistle blows in the first game?

[C]

Well, I think the bare minimum is to not get outworked. It's intensity, right? It's the nuances of the game that we sat down and watched film over against Australia, right? It's the duels, it's the intensity. We cannot be outworked on our home soil. That's number one. It's a given that we need to be there at that level to maintain it. And then at that point, you can be anybody if you bring it, right? And for us, if you win the group, you put yourself in a good spot, but getting out of the group is Gonna be so important. But for us, yeah, tactics are really important. Right. Sometimes you build out one at three, sometimes in a four, sometimes four, two, four, one. But you can throw that all out the window if you don't bring it.

[A]

You said that. Sorry. It makes me think, is there a preferred system with a back three or back four? Is it opponent dependent or does Poch sort of think, okay, this is our best sort of formation and then we can morph into this, or does it matter?

[C]

Yeah, I think it changes depending on who you play, depending on your personnel. You want to put the guys that are in the starting lineup in the best position possible. And, you know, a guy like Alex Freeman at right back could also play center back, for example. Right. And so depending on how they're pressing, you can decide on how you want to play. But I think for me, you know, we've had a lot of success in the four in the back and building out in three, and, you know, things probably will change, but again, bare minimum, you got to bring it.

[B]

Well, Christian, you've been very gracious. I just. I have so much respect for you as someone who also played at a club for a long time. I talk a lot with Tim about the grass not always being greener and like, you've had a truly. People use this term too flippantly. A legendary career with the Sounders. And I really hope you go to another World Cup. I think you deserve it. We both think you're going to be there. Wishing you all the very best and thanks for being gracious with your time here.

[C]

Thanks for having me.

[A]

Thanks for. Hold on.

[C]

Thank you, guys.

[B]

Yeah. All right, you all stay there. We're going to let him go, get back to his wife and his 18 month old kid. We're going to take a quick break. When we come back, we're going to Talk about more U.S. men's National Team players and the team right here on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and tim, presented by NHTSA. Stay right there, guys.

[D]

I'm U.S. transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. We all seem to be in a rush these days, from work to driving our kids around. But when you're behind the wheel, please do not speed. A few minutes saved by going faster is never worth the risk. So follow the speed limit, enjoy the drive, maybe bring some snacks for the kids, and know that along the way, you're getting quality time with your family. Paid for by nhtsa.

[A]

Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim, presented by nhtsa.

[B]

All right, Timmy, we are now going to jump in and Christian was so gracious with his time, more of his teammates, things going on with the US Men's National Team. This is USMNT on USLNT, presented by ZipRecruiter. Let's talk about.

[A]

I want to talk about you for a second. U.S. men's National Team. I want to talk about land. I forget that you were a legend in San Jose.

[B]

You do, right?

[A]

I kind of. Kind of. Because I think. I think of you with, like, the dirty, nasty galaxy, and then everyone thinks you as a. You got a statue there and then you've got a mural here in San Jose. It's. Yeah, you're pretty good. I had.

[B]

I had some good days here.

[A]

I mean, there's a land in Donovan. That's an amazing Everton jersey, by the way.

[B]

That is cool.

[A]

That's amazing. Wow. Yeah, you were good. It's just a national team thing and we're here and I wanted to give you love.

[B]

Keep going.

[A]

That's all I got, man. Move on.

[B]

Moving on. Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you. I had four amazing years here. Yeah, I missed this place. All right, let's talk about Christian Pulisic. So, you know, we follow every week and I'm, like, checking the scores or sometimes you get to watch games. I didn't realize. Andrew put this in. So from mid December to today, Milan have played 10 games. He's appeared in eight of those games, six of them starts, two sub appearances. He has just one goal and no assist during that time. And it kind of snuck up on me quick because. And this tells you how good he's been there. You're so used to him showing up on the score sheet every week that now he doesn't. And you're kind of just. I kind of just assumed it was happening, but it's not. So this concern, you. Are you. Are you worried about this? He's got, like, bursitis now and he's got.

[A]

I don't care. Here's why. He's a top player. He trains well, he plays well. He's going through a purple patch. Everybody, like. Like, the only people who don't go through purple patches are named Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, right? Like, they score 50 goals every season for 15 years, everybody goes through this. I'm worried about, is he training well? Is he playing and performing well? Like, his numbers were brilliant for Milan. So if he's going to have a dip, yeah, sure, whatever. I don't worry about that, because I also know we also can get lulled into this false sense of security and he still has time to regain that form before the World Cup. But you understand he could be in blistering form coming out of the season and then lay an egg in the World Cup. So as long if you're a top player, you're going to do all the right things. He knows, like he's not dumb. He's elite of the elite. So he knows, you know what, maybe I haven't been scoring as much, maybe I haven't been getting as many, as many assists. He's going to be doing things number one, stay at the top, but also tweak things to change it. He's not just going to rest on that. So. No, I don't, I don't worry about it. Do you?

[B]

No, I don't. But I'm just thinking, let me give you a crazy hypothetical that's not going to happen. If for some reason he didn't play another game the rest of the club season or he played only a few games, then do you worry, you talking about injury? I'm talking about injury or like selection, whatever reason. Or he only comes on as a sub. Does that bother you?

[A]

No, not really. He's got, you know, he also has a, he always has a point to prove. He always has a target on his back. And so yeah. Do you want, you want your best players in the best form, fit and healthy? Of course, that's be stupid of me to say otherwise.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But I still think no matter what happens in his, in his club season, I do think and, and, and he's going to regain the form that we've, we've, we've seen. But like he's the man on that. He's the best player. He's going to be inspired. It's a World cup on home soil. Like, I don't, I don't worry one, one iota about Christian Pulisic.

[B]

Okay. Yeah, I think I agree with that. I just, I get like PTSD sometimes with these guys, especially when they get injured.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And you're like, oh my God, here we go. And again. But let's, let's hope for his sake, for our sake, for everyone's sake that yeah, it's okay. We're gonna do a little thing. This is fun. Let's actually, let's engage with the fans. So we do this segment called on the team on the bubble or on the outs. Okay. We're gonna name a player from the national team. And you guys, actually, I'm gonna help you.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Have you guys tell us what you think Tanner Testman. Tanner Testman.

[A]

So as the game goes on, the team is. Obviously, he makes the World cup roster. He's at the World cup on the bubble. It's Pochettino's thinking, yeah, maybe he goes, maybe he doesn't. And then on the outs, as of now, he's watching like we are.

[B]

Okay. By show of hands, you guys think Tanner Testman is on the team?

[A]

Not many.

[B]

Not many.

[A]

Not many.

[B]

Interesting. On the bubble majority and on the outs.

[A]

All right. I think. I think. I think he's bubble.

[B]

He is a bubble guy. So it's interesting. Like, he's another guy who plays every week. He plays well, important role. But there's. And we just talked to one of them. There's this sort of logjam of guys in there. Burhalter, Roldan Testman, Tyler Adams, Weston McKinney, Sebastian Burhalter. So if he takes six, okay, but if he's taking five, who gets. Who's the odd man out? You think it's Tanner Testman?

[A]

I tend to think he's on the bubble, but on the out, really? Yeah. Here's the thing. And Landon brings up a really good point, and we talk about this on the show a lot. It's not a perfect science. Or maybe it is a perfect science. Right. So when a manager is building a World cup roster, they always take a certain number of positions. Right. So the most positions you'll take is probably midfield, I. E. Wing backs. Right. You take a certain amount of defenders, a certain amount of strikers. So you have, what, three strikers?

[B]

Four strikers, probably.

[A]

Right. And if you. And if your 4 striker isn't necessarily good enough, you might add another midfielder. Right, Right. So. So it's just sort of like puzzle to. To. To create a roster. Yeah, I think he's. I think he's firmly on the bubble.

[B]

You know what makes it so. The problem with Tanner Testman is he plays one specific position.

[A]

He's a six.

[B]

And you think about Weston McKenna. He can play all over the field. Christian Roldan, through his career, has played in a bunch of different spots. He can do that. Tyler Adams can play in different spots, so that could end up being a detriment to him. Oh, Aiden Morris is the other one, by the way. I forgot. So that's seven guys now.

[A]

So he's next.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Look at that. We have good producers. Okay, let's move on to Aiden Morris. By a show of hands on the team, Aiden Morris. Only a couple on the bubble. Nobody wants to raise their hand on the Outs. Oh, geez. On the outs. I wonder why you.

[A]

Another guy playing important minutes. First club.

[B]

No, I know he is at Middlesbrough. He plays a lot player. The problem with Aiden, again is one very specific position. And I learned this from Nate Miller, who was our coach at San Diego. Loyalty. You would always say to me, I like players that have a star quality.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

And when you're building a roster, you need people who are solid, but you. Then you also need people who have a star quality. Like with Christian. Just listen to him speak. Christian Roldan. He's a leader. He's a dog impacts. He's nasty. He has some of these star qualities and tangible things that really help him and that can help you make the roster, or you can be supremely talented, or you can be really athletic or great at set pieces or. And with Tanner and Aiden, both seem like they don't have a superstar quality, but they're very good players. So what do you think?

[A]

I would take him, but if you're asking me as the manager, he's firmly on the bubble. I think one of the. I don't know if both of these.

[B]

Players go, no, I don't think so.

[A]

I don't think Testman and Aiden Morris go.

[B]

And I think given the way Pochettino has treated them and the minutes and etcetera, I think Testman's ahead of him.

[A]

I think test ahead of him. No doubt.

[B]

Based on that.

[A]

No doubt. All right. The next one's an interesting one.

[B]

Okay. Boy, he gets a lot of airtime on this show.

[A]

He gets a lot of airtime.

[B]

Gio Reina, for a guy who really rarely plays soccer, he gets a lot of airtime on the team. People like him on the bubble.

[A]

It's a lot of on the bubble.

[B]

And on the outs.

[A]

Not many. Yeah, okay.

[B]

Ah, it's really interesting.

[A]

He's polarizing. He's an enigma.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because I think you can argue as I sit next to arguably the greatest U.S. soccer player. The greatest.

[B]

My man.

[A]

Heard it here, heard it here. But you can argue that, like. And I'll say this like, when I talk about Zach Steffen, right. We come from a long line of brilliant American goalkeepers. I look at Zach Stefan, and I've said this. He should be the greatest US Men's national goalkeeper of all time. Physically, his body's incredible. He can do things that others we couldn't. Not all the time. And so I look at Gio, and I think this might be one of the most talent, like, physically gifted footballers. Ewan Clinton had it but, like, not many US players have that. Like, so that's why I think he's such an enigma, because people want in the spurts that we see, we're like, holy heck. Like, nobody does this. And so, look, there's a lot of reasons why he could be on the bubble, partly because he's not playing consistently enough. But you know me, and I do think, I do think at the World cup, you have to have, like, you have to have a difference maker. He's special. He is special.

[B]

I know when he's on the.

[A]

When he's on the field and he's on the ball, he's. He's special, he's nasty, he's willing to mix it up. I think he has magic in his feet. And I would put him on the team. I would put him on the team. I would.

[B]

This one's hard for me. You know, I always say sports are the ultimate meritocracy because they don't care who you are, where you've been from, who you love, what you look like, what language you speak. Like, you have to do the job. And if you don't do the job, you're out. And if you do the job, you're in. But in some cases, it's just not the case. And with Giovanni, if you said right now, and you take his body of work with his club team and with the national team and say he does not deserve to go to the World Cup. However, if he's fit and he's healthy and you need a goal in the last 20 minutes, you're looking down the bench, there's not many people you're gonna look past, or there's not many people you're gonna choose over Geo, if any, right? And so now it's like, it's not fair. And it might not be fair, right? But he probably needs to go for that reason, especially if the roster is 26 players, correct? Yeah, he probably does. But I personally, I think given everything, I would say would be on the outs. But I think in Pochettino's mind, he's like, I got something here. Maybe I can just squeeze a little out of him.

[A]

And maybe it's. Maybe you only need a little bit of juice out of him. Like, like, to your point, let's sort of take you inside. Inside a team. When it, like when the, when the first starts flying. Sometimes you have this amazing game plan and you train, right? And you're laughing because, you know, and then you get into a game and the game plan was get in the half Spaces get on the half turn, take the ball and all of a sudden, for whatever reason, there's players on your team like deer in headlights, can't get on the ball. That might be, that might be a moment where he goes, okay, I'm making a change at 55 minutes. Gio, you're on. Because guess what? We, we have no focal point. We can't get out. We got nobody who's willing to take the ball. And maybe in that moment, for those 40 minutes, he becomes an asset. So, yeah, that I think he's on, I think he's in, I think he's going.

[B]

What I know is that we're going to have this conversation all the way till all the way. Roster gets announced. Okay, last one, interesting one. 18 year old, I believe, playing at Augsburg center, back consistently and playing well. Noah Kai Banks. So if you don't know about him, you're going to learn about him. I'd be curious if he gets called into these March friendlies by show of hands, assuming you know who he is on the team. Okay.

[A]

On the bubble.

[B]

I'm not sure many know of him yet. He's gonna be an out and on the outs. Yeah, I think not many people know about this kid. I have a bold prediction.

[A]

Go on, give me.

[B]

I think he is going to be starting for us in the World Cup.

[A]

It's amazing. It's an amazing prediction.

[B]

Yeah, you said that and this is why.

[A]

Give it to me.

[B]

Tim Ream is locked and going to play. Chris Richards is more than locked and going to play. I think Pochettino wants this team to have the ability to play in a back three. Yes, I think, I think the team performs best in a back three. So your options become McKenzie, Miles Robinson, I don't even know, Akai Banks. You can maybe move if you, if Joe Scally makes the team. Maybe Alex Freeman can play there, maybe Anthony Robinson can play on the left, but I think he's a kid who's in his last game played, I believe on the right side of A three earlier in the season, played on the left side of A three. So he's clearly comfortable. He's playing in the Bundesliga every week as an 18 year old. And I just think when push comes to shove, Pochettino might go, okay, look, he's like, yeah, he's young, but what are the alternatives?

[A]

Yeah, I mean, just quickly, I think with respect to him, he might, he might make it and might start by default. And what I say by what, what I mean by that is we, I don't believe we have a right sided center back to plan three. We've got Tim Ream, we've got as you said, Chris Richards and the other one sort of, it's, it's a bit piecemeal together. Like there's not a, there's not a standalone right sided center back and so. Or it does. It hasn't seen to sort of show itself with Pochettino selection. So I think he, I think he might, you know, again playing the Bundesliga even though he's 18. That's a big deal.

[B]

That's a real deal.

[A]

But, so, so we will but I think overlook that. I think to your point though, we'll know the answer to him as opposed to Gio, which I think we'll know way further down the line. I think we'll know the answer to Noah Kai Banks probably in the next month or two. If he comes in the camp or doesn't come in the camp or comes in the camp, doesn't play, time's running out.

[B]

Yeah, that's true.

[A]

Right. And so I think we'll know the answer probably back in the march.

[B]

Well, Pochettino I just saw before we came on like an interview he did and he said for him the World cup starts in these March games. That, I mean that is the way he's viewing it. So I'm taking him at his word. I don't know if it's just media speak or whatever, but it feels like that's, that's where his head's at. Okay, so it's gonna be interesting to see. All right, let's move on to mls. There was a really interesting signing this week. James Rodriguez signed a six month loan deal like that United. You guys like this, huh? What do you like about it? Coming to mls? That's one way to put it. He's had an interesting journey.

[A]

The last three stops were vacation stops. You got, you got Athens, Sao Paulo and ra, Right? I mean you have to.

[B]

Minnesota.

[A]

Minnesota is definitely not going for a vacation. So that, that'll give.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. When I first heard about this, Tim, I could not hate it more. Could not have hated it more. I was like, this is the dumbest thing I've ever seen. Then I found out that it was a six month contract.

[A]

Correct.

[B]

And so he's still an important piece for Columbia, still captains the national team. They're going to be playing in the World cup. And for him, okay, six months. Let's see how it goes. This is what I, this is my biggest fear. And you see this all the time. In soccer, he comes for six months. He's amazing.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Tears up and Minnesota's like, oh, man, what a guy. Let's sign him to a three year deal.

[A]

You have to. And then imagine I know Minnesota after he has six good months and.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And. And the owner's going, now we're getting rid of them. Here's why I like it. Yeah, Hot take. And you can, you can disagree if I'm wrong. I think he comes to the MLS and every time he steps on the field, he's the best player on the field. Unless they're playing Inter Miami.

[B]

You, you think he is going to be or he's the most talented.

[A]

Sure. Most talented. Whether he brings it on the day or not, right?

[B]

Yeah, for sure. I mean he's one of. He's a, he's like a top 15 most talented player in the world still. I mean, he's oozes.

[A]

So that's why I like, you know, that's why I like the six month thing because I think he's. I don't love his injury record at all.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So if you talk about signing him for two years, plus two or three years, I'd run the other way because of his, because of his injury record. But for six months knowing that he has to and wants to play in the World Cup.

[B]

Yeah, course. I think it's a great, it's worth a flyer.

[A]

I think it's brilliant. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, for sure. Okay, it is time now, Timmy, for Crossroads. Presented by nhtsa. As you said earlier, we're always in a rush, we're always doing things fast. But please, guys, when you're behind the wheel, do not speed. Follow the speed limit. My mom did this calculation with me one time where she was like, whether you go 75 or 85, if you're going like 12 minutes, it's gonna save you like 14 seconds or, you know, like there's some math. And I was like, God, that's smart woman. Think about. So like, yeah, so don't speed. It's just not worth it. Okay? So for me, you can tell me if you agree or not. And I'm saying it because it's close to home and close to my heart. I think this is a big crossroads season for the Galaxy. So you win it in 24, 25 is a total disaster, including Ricky Pooch getting hurt. Now he's injured again this season and they've made some defensive signings that are going to help them. But I think for the Galaxy and for Greg Vanny, candidly, you can if once you win a championship, I think people understand this in sports, you get some leeway, like you get some time. You can't be as bad as the Galaxy were consistently or you're going to lose your job. And so to me, they're at a real crossroads. I have no idea what to expect. They were so reliant and dependent on Ricky Pooj in 2024 that in 2025 it all just fell apart because they didn't know what to do.

[A]

It imploded you.

[B]

They didn't know how to play without them. And so has Vanny learned from that. What things are they going to change? How are they going to look different to be competitive again?

[A]

Yeah, mine would be Inter Miami and here's why. I know they brought in a ton of good players, six probably key acquisitions, but they lost Alba and lost Brisquets. Those are major pieces. Those were guys who came to the MLS and didn't mail it in. They were brilliant. Yeah, they were Inter Miami. My other, my other concern is just the human element of Lionel Messi, right? They win the Supporter shield, they win the MLS cup in back to back years, and now in the middle of the season, he's got the World cup and this is going to be. And by the way, it's almost impossible to doubt Leon the Messi and say like, okay, after the World cup he gets a few weeks rest, he'll come back. The guy, the guy never steps on the field and isn't highly motivated. I just wonder like the end of the road for him in regards to like, he's in the sunset of his career. This will be his last World Cup. There's an emotional toll there, right, that, that, that giving him two weeks off isn't gonna like change. And so I just sort of wonder like, where will my Inter Miami be going into the World cup and then sort of coming out of it. And Messi's motivation, again, it's, it's nearly impossible and blasphemous for me to sit up here and question his motivation. I just know that the end is really difficult.

[B]

That's a really good point. And I'm, I, I said, I said last week I read this book that Paul Tanorio wrote about the Messi effect and he, the one thing that came through so clearly in that book is how competitive he is. Messi is. And so we're going to learn a ton about him. Not that we don't know everything about Lionel Messi, but this is one of those moments. Now, after the World cup, forget about what happens before then, whatever. After the World cup, can he do it again and like be crazy motivated? Like he's all. I. Yeah. Everything about human nature tells me no way.

[A]

Except.

[B]

But he's Leonel Messi, so. Except it's going to be really interesting to see. All right. Before we get out of here, anybody going to the Super Bowl?

[A]

Yeah. Wow. Okay.

[B]

Can I come with?

[A]

How are we getting tickets, people in the back. Ask her in the back if you need tickets. I think she got extra.

[B]

All right, so let's touch on the Super Bowl. Do you curious your thoughts on any of NBC's doing it? Right? So you're on the desk this morning. This guy was up at 2am this morning, by the way.

[A]

And tomorrow you can tell.

[B]

And tomorrow we do. He's the hardest working man in unfiltered soccer.

[A]

That's a fact. That's a fact.

[B]

That is a fact. I just golf all day, so. Super bowl thoughts on it? Do you care? Do you have a team?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So I don't know. Some people don't care.

[A]

No, I know. I, I'm, I'm a huge. I'm a huge this weekend Patriots fan. I like the Patriots. Here's why. I'm a. I'm a Giants fan. They gave us two Super Bowls, so I love the Patriots. They're incredible. That's what I got you. Hmm.

[B]

I like, I don't get caught up in fandom and like, pick. Someone asked me, like, who do you want to win? I'm like, I don't really care, but I bet. I did not bet. That doesn't mean I won't. But I feel like. I don't know. My gut is telling me I'd like Seattle to win the game.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And I don't really know why.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Can you walk me through this therapy couch? I have no idea why. I just feel like I want them to win.

[A]

Well, now that, now that Christian's not here. Maybe it's because you beat up on Seattle your entire career.

[B]

I did beat. We beat this out of Seattle.

[A]

Maybe we did. Maybe you just feel bad.

[B]

Maybe I feel bad. They deserve a championship. I don't know. I think it should be a great game, though. Yeah, it's gonna be a lot of fun.

[A]

You know, someone asked me the other day, which is gonna sound dumb and crazy given my answer, but I was with a bunch of kickers, so bear in mind that plays into it. So I was doing Radio Row and someone said to me, what would be harder for an NFL player to play Top level soccer or for a soccer player to play in the NFL. And I said it'd be harder for an NFL player to play soccer. Yeah, because you can kick. Give me a kicker.

[B]

No, no, but if you took that.

[A]

Out of it, wow, hell no. I don't get on the field.

[B]

You would be fine. I'd get killed. You know, I, the, the one thing that's, I've talked to people about this about soccer is if you don't, if you're not kicking a ball from three or four or five years old, you can't just catch up later.

[A]

Right, correct.

[B]

Like LeBron could have started catching a football at 16 and been the best tight end in the history of the game. Yeah, right. So like you can't learn how to kick a soccer ball way later in life.

[A]

Good point.

[B]

So we're clearly much better athletes, players. Oh, this is a good question, Andrew put in. What is bigger, the Premier League in the US or the NFL in England?

[A]

Oh, that's. That's not even a question really. No, for sure.

[B]

But are we biased though? Like, is that you guys really believe we are biased?

[A]

Absolutely. Gonna. Yeah.

[B]

Do you really believe that? I saw a guy in the elevator today with a San Francisco jersey on from Australia. Like he flew here from Australia to watch.

[A]

I tell you what, that's an interesting question. Here's one for you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Some, some, I don't know, NFL maybe did it. Someone did it. The highest selling team merch in the uk. You'll never guess what NFL team. No, you'll never guess. New York Jets.

[B]

Why?

[A]

I have no. I think it's because so many Brits go to New York. That's that they were saying like, why not? No other reason? I don't know. No idea. Isn't that wild?

[B]

That is wild.

[A]

I never would have guessed that.

[B]

What do you think the highest selling merch, Premier League merch is in the U. S?

[A]

I think, I think, yeah. No, it is, I think, I think it's. It's not City.

[B]

It's not Liverpool. I think United before Liverpool. Arson. It's probably Arsenal.

[A]

No, no, no, no, no, it's not, it's not. It's Liverpool or United. Definitely Liverpool. United. I'm almost certain of that.

[B]

All right, all right, final thought. Do you have a prediction for the game?

[A]

I asked if you're betting. I said I. I'd like to pay.

[B]

If you had to bet. My.

[A]

I have to bet. Given what the experts are telling me, I'd bet the Seahawks coming and win money.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. You like money.

[A]

Do you play the games with squares and all that?

[B]

Yeah, it's fun.

[A]

Not fun. I never win.

[B]

Yeah, I never win either. All right, thank you guys. Enough football talk. We appreciate you guys all being here with us. I hope you guys had fun. Tim promised me before the show that he would stay here for three hours and sign all autographs and take pictures as long as he wants. Actually, he has to get to bed because he's got to be up at.

[A]

Eventually. Yeah, soon.

[B]

2:00Am Yeah, 2:00am thank you all for being us. Remember, like I said in the beginning, Please subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcast, Spotify, anywhere you get your podcast and you can follow us on all of our social media platforms at Unfiltered Soccer for bonus content. Thank you, thank you. Thank you so much to nita Reminder, guys, be safe out there. Don't speed. Our segment sponsor, ZipRecruiter. And thank you to our all the time sponsors, VW AT&T, FanDuel, Airbnb and Coors.

[A]

And thank you guys. We mean it. It's. It's so delightful. We sit behind cameras and we do the pot every week. And being here in the flesh and sort of getting a taste of what you all want and appreciate and love means the world to us. So thank you. We really, really do appreciate. Thank you everyone for tuning in. Have an amazing week. No episode next week. We'll be back on February 17, so have an incredible Valentine's Day, whatever you're doing. And we'll be back with all.

[B]

Welcome for the hint. All you guys. Thank you guys.

[A]

Yeah.