← Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard
Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard
US Soccer’s Crocker & Miami’s Mascherano OUT, Arsenal & Spurs LOSE | Unfiltered Soccer
01:05:56
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- [00:00]
A
Youth soccer in this country isn't bad, it's horrific. This isn't a Matt Crocker problem. We have a systemic problem in America. Did everybody hear that? Our youth soccer is broken. Matt Crocker could have the best ideas in the history of football. He comes from a country that implemented those ideas. That is the size of Alabama. This is our problem. Youth soccer in America is our problem.
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B
Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim, presented by Volkswagen. Volkswagen has long been a supporter of soccer in America and is proudly been a partner of U.S. soccer for over five years.
- [00:35]
A
Welcome into Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim, presented by Volkswagen LD I had a weekend.
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B
I did you. I saw a lot of you, bud.
- [00:43]
A
Yeah, you did.
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B
I saw you with Alan Shear, with Theo Walcott, Beck, with a lot of legends around you.
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A
It's all. It's. The NBC Fan Fest is crazy. I mean, it's just like, it's amazing. And then like.
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B
I have a question. How did they get all those. Do they, like. Do people just show up?
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A
Yeah. Well, it's insane.
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B
There's like thousands of people out there.
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A
Oh, there's like. I mean, over the course of the weekend, the thing, there's like, I don't know, I think 30,000 sign up and then however many trickle in. You know, it's not always that number, but like, it's a lot, man. And it's. It's crazy because what happens is depending on when your team is playing. Like, if you're like, let's say Arsenal's playing early, which they didn't, or like Leeds is playing, you get all these lead spans coming in at like 10:30, then there for a bit, and then they go out and Chelsea fans come in. It was wild, man. It was super crazy. But like being. Here's a. Here's the thing. We've both played in the Premier League. I. I feel so lucky and blessed. I know it sounds cheesy, but like, you stand shoulder to shoulder Alan Shearer, and you're like, holy hell, this guy. Like, this is Alan Shear, all time striker. I play and I played against him. But like, you're like. And I get that way against some of these Premier League legends. I'm just like, you are big. Bigger than the game. It's incredible.
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B
But anyway, it was fun to watch. I was home finally.
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A
Nice.
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B
I was supposed to come home Saturday from Seattle. And then you ever do this, like Friday night I did this golf thing with Ken Griffey, which was really cool, in Seattle. And then right after I Was like, man, is there a flight? There was a flight. I'm like, I'm out. I went home. Got home at, like, midnight and just spent the weekend with my family. Oh, it was the best.
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A
Good, good. I know. That's the feeling. You and I have been traveling.
- [02:19]
B
2. We've been traveling, man. Okay, we got a lot today, so let's get right into it. Make sure, as always, guys, follow us on social media at Unfiltered Soccer. Subscribe anywhere you get the show. YouTube, Apple Podcast, Spotify. And then always, you can send in questions to JR feedbackunfiltered soccer.com.
- [02:37]
A
wait, can I interrupt you real quick? Sorry.
- [02:38]
B
Yeah.
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A
As I was. As I had my hand like this, and I have this NAS tattoo. Did you see what I did this weekend, which is, like, the highlight of my weekend? No, there was a. There was a Premier League fan, and she. Oh, yeah, she's running over to me. She's like, can you. Can you sign? Can you sign my knee or leg? I want to get a tattooed. And I'm like, yes, absolutely, I can.
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B
And so that's amazing.
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A
Which is. Which is amazing because I've never.
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B
So then you tell her, like, she's got to put a picture or whatever when she gets it.
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A
Yeah. Post it and tag it. So I sign. I signed, like, the top for me and, like, my. My autograph. And then. And then she's going to get a tattoo, which is how I got nas.
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B
Do you think she'll regret that more or less than, like, if she got, like, a significant other tattooed on her?
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A
No, she'll love.
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B
She'll love that, because at some point, you'll get canceled, and then she'll be
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A
like, God, no, no, no. Getting an American Legend tattoo.
- [03:29]
B
Let's.
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A
Let's move on.
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B
Let's move on. Okay. Anyway, we digress. All right. USMNT on uslnt. Okay. There was a lot of play on the field this week, but something that happened off the field that really shocked a lot of us. Matt Crocker left his role as U.S. soccer sporting director. So just so people understand, Matt Crocker, I believe he's Welsh. He came in three years ago. He was hired by U.S. soccer to run all of the soccer side. And. And for people. So they understand his job description was a few things. Hire and fire the national team coaches and then basically oversee the entire technical sporting side of the sport. And so that. That was his charge. The main thing people pay attention to with him is who's he hiring as a national team coach? So he hired Emma Hayes. He hired Mauricio Pochettino. He rehired Greg Berhalter in the beginning before firing him. That was sort of his main charge. And then he's also like a big picture strategist. And. And we'll get into this, this us way that he helped create. So I was obvious. Well, we both had comments on it. You weren't as bothered by it. Um, and by the way. Well, I wasn't as bothered by the go, like, get paid part. We all, at some point, like, great money makes the world go round and it's great to get paid. Just the timing of it was bizarre. And people, I think, were a little worried. What does this mean for the World cup and the team and all? It doesn't mean anything for the team other than if you're anywhere in life and all of a sudden your boss or one of your bosses just bounces out of nowhere for no reason. You're like, wait, is something going on here? Like, am I missing? Is the ship sinking? And he's the first one to jump off? And so I think for the players, there might be a tiny bit of that. Like, what is going on here?
- [05:23]
A
Yeah, yeah. So. So, yeah. So, Matt Crocker, I don't. As I mentioned in the. The little clip I dropped you and I dropped on social. I go get paid, man. Like, that's a huge role. Good for you. Like, that's what you probably should do. I. I guess for the players, from. From what I heard, ld through having a few different conversations over the last few days. This had sort of been in the works during the last camp.
- [05:53]
B
Right.
- [05:54]
A
So the last two games, Belgium and Portugal. So I have a feeling, or I was told this, that I think the player, you know, you and I have been senior players on the national team. Nothing gets. Like, nothing can happen that's happening at U.S. soccer on any level without somebody, one of us knowing. Like, between me and you and Clint and Josie and Michael and Carlos in the meal room, one of us talked to somebody, you know, high up at the. At. In the soccer federation or wherever. We knew everything. So those players apparently had had wind of this possibly happening prior to those games, which I don't think is a reflection of the results, but I can't imagine. No, but I. But I do think, like, in. In a. You know, I don't know, we could probably go back four years, but let's just take the last two years as. As sort of a snapshot there. There seems to be, I don't know, the right terminology A wishy washy nature to this team, whether that be players not coming in or. Or different moments throughout this last two years. Again, people, we have been critical of them. Other people have been critical, but it just sort of seems like the handling of. Which was Matt Crocker, but the handling of like the hiring or the rehiring of Greg Barhalter, then the firing because of results, and then Pochettino coming in, and then again the. The players sort of picking and choosing when. When they want to turn up, and now Matt Crocker leaves. It just sort of is a similar narrative. Does that make sense? Like, yeah, if everything was like this and Matt Crocker left, I'd be like, oh, that's a big news. But I'm like, this sort of, kind of goes along with the narrative of this current team.
- [07:40]
B
It's a good point. I just thought of something I hadn't thought about. As you said that when he. Remember in the. In when. With the pulisic stuff last. Last summer. And you were saying, Matt Crocker, when he first took the role, should have been sitting with every sporting director of every one of these clubs and saying, hey, just so you know, every time we have a camp, our players coming in and just start like, that's your baseline now. Can you negotiate off that and whatever? Sure. But it makes me realize now, just as you're saying, that we'll get into this later with Brendan Aronson, too. And do these guys care? Yeah, they care. But is this the number one priority for them? And for Matt Crocker, was this the number one priority in his life? No, absolutely not. Right? Absolutely not.
- [08:24]
A
So on that point, and this is where, and I have, as you do, an amazing relationship with us men's national team fans. Right. Just through our history, we have an incredible relationship. You oftentimes hear me say, and I know some fans don't like it, and I respect that. Inside of our borders, we think U.S. soccer's the best. We think the American players are the best. We love it. And I drink that Kool Aid too. The fact of the matter is, when you go outside of here, you know what I'm gonna say? Yeah, you know, it's. It's why we said, Ricardo Pepe, force this move to Fulham, because if they pass on you, they might go get somebody else. You ain't that important. American players aren't that important in Europe. And so. And so I think US Soccer is looked upon as we said it, and we said it with the center back, Noah Kai Banks. We've talked about this as sort of us being second fiddle. Like, I'll give you an example. I'll give you a hypothetical and you can answer it, or fans can write into us and answer it. If The World Cup 2026 was in England, okay. And Matt Crocker was a technical director of the England national team, okay, you know what I'm about to say. Would he have left?
- [09:42]
B
No chance.
- [09:43]
A
Two months before that World Cup? He wouldn't have. You know, he wouldn't have. Or he would have said, look, I'm willing to take the Saudi job, but I'm going to, I'm going to negotiate tooth and nail to make sure it's after the World Cup. There's no chance he would have, but I feel like it was easy. This is maybe a little disrespectful to Matt Crocker because I don't know his decision making. It just feels like it was a little bit easy to leave. I just don't think you leave as a technical director of U.S. soccer before the biggest World cup in the history of the game. The history of the game.
- [10:17]
B
Agreed. And by the way, I don't like it. I've had some interactions with Matt Crocker. I've always had a not great feeling about him. But I will say also, because, you know, we are, we're honest here. The Emma Hayes hiring was an A plus plus plus plus plus. I mean, like, absolutely. Pochettino, I think, was a great hire. We'll obviously, we'll find out with the results in the World Cup. Uh, the Greg Burhalter rehiring was. Was not a good choice at the time. And then the last thing he's been put in charge of. And this, honestly, this part of it, Tim, bothers me the most because I can't tell you how many message I got from people saying, hey, in January, Matt Crocker was lecturing us. Not lecturing. I mean, he was giving a presentation about how passionate he is. And they are about changing youth soccer and soccer in this country. And then two months later, he's gone. And this is the guy who's like, who just set this whole curric and this whole development pathway. And now he's gone. And now you're like, now you think, well, do we need to start over now? When. When you had a guy doing it who couldn't, you know, doesn't care about U.S. soccer? Sure. So that, that part bothers me. It's like, okay, can we get somebody in who genuinely. Of course, yes. It's A job.
- [11:35]
A
Yeah.
- [11:36]
B
Genuinely cares about soccer in this country and the growth of it. I mean, genuinely cares.
- [11:41]
A
Well, here's what I. You make a great point. And I would suggest to U.S. soccer that they seriously think about hiring you. No, no, no. Because you're passionate about. And you have. And you. And you have connectivity about youth soccer's country. You saw. Listen, guys, ladies, gents, Youth soccer in this country isn't bad. It's horrific. It's horrific. So get this. Why I said about Matt Crocker, like, go, go get that money. This isn't a Matt Crocker problem. This is U.S. soccer's problem. Hear me out. U.S. soccer. Stop hiring anybody with an English accent. Anybody who's worked for the Dutch fa, Belgian fa. Yeah, hear me out. We have a systemic problem in America. Did everybody hear that? Our youth soccer is broken. You've literally hired somebody who comes from a country the size of Alabama. I looked it up. Iowa. Same. Same thing. England. England. Matt Crocker could have the best ideas in the history of football. He comes from a country that implemented those ideas. That is the size of Iowa or Alabama. So if he was in charge of the Alabama youth development program, I'd say Matt Crocker would knock it out of the park. This is our problem. Youth soccer in America is our problem. So we have. We have got to have the expertise in this country to figure out how to fix it. A foreigner can't fix it. They've. And Matt Crocker. And you're gonna read Matt Crocker's quotes. Matt Crocker has never seen football issues this size. He has it. And with all due respect, he knows how to implement a youth development system and create a curriculum, but he doesn't know how to do it for the country the size of America. Football in England is this big. It's the size of Alabama. I mean, I don't know how else. It's our problem to fix. So every time we go outside. Yeah, well, the. The. You know, the. The. The way this. The way the Spanish and Spanish be, and they. They bring these kids through. That's amazing. That's amazing. That's never going to work in America because our system's so broken.
- [14:06]
B
Just to your point. Has. I mean, he had a. He did a long article on the athletic, and then just the one quote, he said, it's a bigger beast than I ever expected. It's so complex. It's so political. Yeah. No, dude, like anybody who's been here for a long time or grown up here or no, it's. Yes, it is. And so you can't just, hey, let's all do it the same way. And, like, we're all in it for U.S. soccer, right? And these clubs are making 20, 30, 50 million a year. They're like, yeah, do me a favor. Yeah, I'm going to keep doing it my way because I'm making a lot of money. So anyway, we'll get into that another time. I'm. I am curious what you guys all think about him leaving. So you guys always have good, like, perspective. And it. We're in it. And so I'm curious what people think, because maybe you guys are like, who cares? Whatever.
- [14:50]
A
I think they care. The other part of this, this ld is sort of like, if you go back to. If you go back to. We didn't qualify. 2017 qualification, right? We didn't qualify for 2018. All right? So we didn't qualify for 2018. US Soccer was so ashamed of that group that they. That they basically pushed everybody aside, right? They said it. That happened over here. Look over there, right? They just wanted you to, like, forget about it, right? So they got rid of. I. I was done. Other players were done, but they got rid of your. Your Josie Aldo, Michael Bradley's the ones who could sort of usher in a new era, right? They gave the reins to these kids. They went. They had a good showing of themselves in the 2022 World Cup. And then. And then there. And in between that time, right? It took them forever to hire Greg Burholter. They then hire Greg Burholter. All that crap happens after the World Cup. They don't know if they're going to hire him. They rehire him, right? Then they fire him. Then they bring Potch in, and then this has been a bit of a mess. Then Matt Crocker leaves. Like, this has been going on for a while. So my point to you is. So my point to you is Matt Crocker is gone. Pochettino. Come July 18th 19th, he's out. So, like, who are we tasking? Like, so. So does this continue? Or who are we tasking to actually go out and find us the next head coach, the right coach who happens.
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B
I will say this, who happens to
- [16:13]
A
live in Canada, by the way.
- [16:16]
B
So Cindy Parlo Cohn and J.T. batson, who. Basically, the President and CEO now or. Yeah, present CEO. I've gotten to know them well. I think they do a phenomenal job in the things they do.
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A
Agree.
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B
And by the way, for people who are like, well, they don't know it well. Cindy knows a lot about soccer, but J.T. doesn't know a lot about soccer. J.T. played soccer. He understands soccer. He, he would admit he's not the expert on it. JT is a machine in what he does. He just got a new training facility built in Atlanta that costs hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars. And that is so valuable. My suggestion, and you know, I would say, I will say this to them, get somebody in the room with you who can help advise, correct and help make sure that this hire is done right. This next person, whoever is, and I, who knows who it is. There's lots of candidates, lots of people out there. This has to be right. You have to get it right.
- [17:10]
A
You're right. And again, I speak to J.T. i really like J.T. the point that you're making is the biggest problem is the person you're talking about most likely needs to be an ex player of sorts. Right? But they have to have gravitas. They have to have gravitas in the business realm. They have to have it in the, in a sort of front facing media realm. It can't just be a former player. That doesn't tick the box.
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B
I agree.
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A
It doesn't tick the box. It's bigger than that.
- [17:43]
B
I agree with that. And there's lots of, by the way, lots of good candidates. There are, there are a lot of people out there who genuinely care and would do it the right way. Let's go real quick. I just want to touch on Brennan Aronson had a phenomenal assist this weekend and there were a lot of our guys played and whatever, but we're just, we just want to dig into this. He, he made an interesting quote and he's playing really well and it's been fun to watch him. He said he was asked about the US Team by Julian Lawrence and he said, I think it's tough because I feel like there's this kind of stigma that people don't think that we care and stuff like that. But we do care. I think we care a lot. And I just want to address that because sometimes when I say, I don't know if these guys care, I think that's the wrong way to say it. Yes, I don't think that's a pro. I was having a conversation with someone last week about it. By the way, Brendan Aronson cares a lot. So when you say the team, they're all individuals. Some prioritize it more than others. Some probably care a little bit more at times than others. What we want to see as fans and people who played the game, we want to see our national team prioritized. And the Matt Crocker thing's a perfect example. It's not a priority for Matt Crocker. It's not. Is it a priority for these guys all the time? Is it the number one priority for them? And it should be. I think it should be. My personal opinion is it should be. Now, if you're playing a friendly against New Caledonia, you have an FA cup final the same weekend. Yes, you should play in the FA cup final. Okay. But I just want to see this be a priority all the, and I think for a lot of them it is, and for some it hasn't been. And that, I don't know, I mean, that's the way I see it.
- [19:18]
A
I don't know if overall it is a priority. I agree with you. I, I, I am sort of like, unless I'm, unless it's nailed on. And I know for a fact I very rarely will say, I don't think someone cares. Cause that's, that's, yeah, you're sort of, that's sort of hard. It's hard. It's a hard judgment for you to, for me to make without someone saying to me, hey, I actually don't care. It's hard for me to judge on the outside. I would say. I don't know if guys have, Guys on this team have always prioritized the team.
- [19:44]
B
Oh, we know they haven't based on their decisions.
- [19:47]
A
So that's sort of like. Yeah. Do I think Brendan Anderson cares? Absolutely. Do I think when he says overarchingly, we care? Yeah, I think for the most part they care, but I don't know if it's a priority. And there's a difference there. And so look, yeah, I mean, ultimately, in the role that Matt Crocker used to have, I do think we've talked about this over the last, certainly, eight months, where it starts at the top. And it's always. And it's uncomfortable, by the way. It's uncomfortable, but it starts at the top. You hire a manager who you're in lockstep with, and you just basically say, look, I ain't got time for this. And you use the World cup as sort of the benchmark. So you say to players, we're either going to be all in or you're not. And if you're not, okay, we might take a half a step back as a federation, but you're going to miss out on the World Cup. And I Guarantee you that starts to set some priorities straight. And for people out there who are saying, well, you couldn't, you couldn't possibly take the World cup away from one of our best players, you can. And when you do it at the top, everyone else falls into line. It's time for the unfiltered refresh. Sponsored by Coors Light. Choose Chill. Get Coors Light delivered. Go to coorslight.com UFS LD Talk to me. Tell me who chose Chill this week.
- [21:11]
B
Yeah, I'm taking this one, Tim. So this week, weekend, a young woman who played for me during my very short time at San Diego, Wave Kennedy, Wesley, got subbed on for the national team. U.S. women's National Team against Japan at halftime and proceeded to have an assist on a corner, a fantastic header back across the goal that Naomi Girma, another woman I had the pleasure of coaching, headed in. And then later, when it was 2 0, she got a goal of her own. First international goal. And you know, Tim, when you're around people, when you're a coach, like, you just, you build amazing connections with certain people. You know, with the loyal. There were certain people. When you're a player, there's certain connections you build. And as a coach, it is so rewarding. It's literally like one of your children succeeding. And for Kennedy to watch her score and the joy in her face. I sent her a message after, and she said it's literally a dream come true for her to score a goal for her national team.
- [22:16]
A
Of course.
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B
I am just so proud of her. I'm so happy for her. I told her, this is only the beginning. Keep going. And the first week I was there with her, she just had something different about her. And I told somebody, I wonder if I have the text still. I said, I think this girl's gonna play for the national team. Like, she's really special, and she has something special about her. So I'm so happy for her, man. She absolutely chose Chill this week. Amazing, Ken. To many, many more.
- [22:42]
A
Congratulations.
- [22:44]
B
Cheers to you. Reminder, guys to subscribe. Hit that subscribe button. Let's take a break, Tim. When we come back, Matt Crocker was not the only one abruptly departing his job. Javier Mascherano also left Inner Miami this week. Wild scene. So we will talk about that and more right here on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim, presented by Volkswagen. Stay right there,
- [23:09]
A
Foreign.
- [23:16]
B
The Unfiltered Soccer podcast is brought to you by Volkswagen. It's really easy to become a passenger in life, to sit back and watch life go by day after day.
- [23:26]
A
Of course it's hard to do your own thing when everyone is following everyone else. But this is a call from me and ld, from Volkswagen and from all the other drivers out there. Make the most of every day.
- [23:37]
B
Choose a different path, take control, grab the wheel and get in the driver's seat of life. Because honestly, what are you waiting for?
- [23:45]
A
Live life in the driver's seat. Learn more@vw.com LD MLS is back.
- [23:51]
B
Yes it is. And you know what that means. Saturdays are once again all about soccer.
- [23:56]
A
Walmart is making Saturdays of soccer even more glorious with Walmart Saturday showdown. From early practices to late night watch parties.
- [24:03]
B
Yeah, Walmart and MLS bring every emotion of the beautiful game to Saturdays. Joy, nerves, excitement and unforgettable golassos Walmart plays on Saturdays. Who knew? This episode is brought to you by FanDuel. We've got some massive matches on the horizon and FanDuel is meeting the moment for all of us right now. New customers can bet $5 and get 150 in bonus bets if you win. That's right, place a $5 bet and if you win, you'll unlock $150 in bonus bets that you can use on goal scorer markets, match result over unders, same game parlays and so much more. So don't wait. Visit FanDuel.com Unfiltered to download the app and get started. Today must be 21 plus and present in select states for Kansas in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino or 18 and present in DC, Kentucky or Wyoming. First online real money wager only $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as non withdrawable bonus bets which expire seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms@sportsbook.fanduel.com gambling problem. Call 1-800- gambler or visit fanduel.com rg call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org chat in Connecticut or visit mdgamblinghelp.org in Maryland. Hope is here. Visit gamblinghelplinema.org or call 800-327-5050 for 24. 7 support in Massachusetts or call 1-877-8-HOPENY or text hopeny in New York.
- [25:54]
A
All right, L.D. some MLS news. Big one. My former team Colorado Rapids Inter Miami inter Miami win 3 to 2.
- [26:05]
B
But.
- [26:06]
A
But. Big news. Big news. I don't want to bury the lead, so we'll go Mashano first go.
- [26:14]
B
Well, for most people in the world it might be messy as the lead as he always is, but this was Bizarre. Out of nowhere. Javier Master on at least nowhere for us just quits up and leaves. And I'm curious from your perspective. You always have interesting perspective on all this. Like when a coach just up and leaves and it's not like he, you know, Matt Crocker had the Saudi Arabia thing.
- [26:42]
A
Yeah, yeah.
- [26:43]
B
And it's, I don't, we don't think Javier Mashon has somewhere else to go. He just bounced.
- [26:49]
A
I mean, maybe what's going on here can just real quick so I can laugh.
- [26:53]
B
Yeah.
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A
Shout out to Dax McCarty. Can you read Dax's quote?
- [26:56]
B
Oh, you want to hear it now?
- [26:57]
A
Yeah, I want to hear it now.
- [26:58]
B
Dax McCarty. So, yeah, he says, if you believe Tata Martino, fresh off the best regular season in MLS history and Javier Mascherano, fresh off winning MLS cup four months ago, decided to just up and leave due to, quote, personal reasons only. I've got some oceanfront property to sell you in Nebraska. So. Yeah, yeah. So what's going on here?
- [27:27]
A
So here's the thing.
- [27:28]
B
Help listeners understand.
- [27:30]
A
I oftentimes get in trouble for this because it's not accurate. But if a man. No, no, I'm being serious. Like at NBC, we, like, I, I, we're not going to speculate. And so we like, we, we are definitely by the book and we do it right.
- [27:44]
B
But I'm of you can speculate here.
- [27:46]
A
I personally, if a manager, if, if there's a language from a club about a manager leaving, to me, he just got sacked, like, there's nothing, bro. I don't believe anything. Cuz, cuz there's payment. Like there's, there's a certain language that has to be said so the payments get through and you know, like you got sacked for whatever reason. I don't know why.
- [28:11]
B
Right. Okay. Actually I hadn't even like taken it that way. But I think you're right. I mean, if, just so people know, if you get fired, you get paid, you get paid out. Right. Unless you're getting fired for cause, for doing something right. If you up and leave, you're not getting paid. Correct. And I'm guessing Javier Mascherano wanted to get paid and so I actually hadn't even thought. I'm, I'm stupid now for not even thinking.
- [28:38]
A
No, I just, I just, I just, I just think if you, if you leave your post, if you leave your employment, like sort of like unwillingly, like you really don't want to leave. You got fired. Right.
- [28:49]
B
And you wouldn't just leave because you want your severance package. Or whatever. Right. So something happened alongside.
- [28:55]
A
Something happened. I also think that, look, that they're. They. They didn't sort of achieve what they wanted to achieve this year.
- [29:01]
B
Yeah.
- [29:02]
A
And. Well, and season's not over yet, but for. In terms of. In terms of silverware, the one they wanted. And there's also a good possibility, you said, you know, where is he going? I. I don't know, bro. He might have something lined up. You know what I mean? Like, he might have something else lined up. Weird time, because he could probably just wait till the summer, but I don't know. I don't know.
- [29:22]
B
What do you think? It's. Do you think people want to. This is going to sound like a really dumb question. Sure. And I'm sure, like, maybe the people write in and say, landon, you're an idiot, which they mostly always do. Do you think people want to coach Messi? And I like, just really taking that into, like, is that a something That's a lot of pressure, a lot of expectation. It's all about him, right?
- [29:44]
A
Yeah.
- [29:44]
B
As it should be.
- [29:45]
A
Yeah. You know my answer to this, right? My answer is, no, I don't. Everybody, okay.
- [29:51]
B
Everybody wants to say, take the job.
- [29:52]
A
Everybody wants to see. Everybody wants to watch Messi, everybody wants to play with him, and everybody wants to coach him. Because. Because that's like, that's better than gold dust on, on your cv. Even, by the way, if you get sacked, even if it doesn't last long now, where you and I sit, it's very easy to sort of go, well, well, don't do that, because that's. That's just going to be. He's going to call the shots and it's going to be dumb. Yeah. But I just think people, if you're
- [30:15]
B
a coach and they call you.
- [30:16]
A
Yeah.
- [30:16]
B
You're going to.
- [30:16]
A
Ultimately. Yes. I mean, this club is run by three people, right. I mean, Jorge Moss, David Beckham.
- [30:24]
B
David. Yeah.
- [30:24]
A
But mostly Lionel Messi.
- [30:27]
B
Right?
- [30:28]
A
Right. Yeah.
- [30:30]
B
So, yeah, it reminds me of the LeBron stuff. Like, do these. Do you really want to coach him or not? Because he's, you know, behind the scenes, probably making decisions and trying to get guys signed and, you know, that kind of stuff. And it doesn't mean it's always bad, but. Yeah, I just. I don't know. I always view these things differently.
- [30:48]
A
Yeah. It'll be interesting. I mean, it doesn't seem like many coaches have stuck.
- [30:54]
B
Right.
- [30:55]
A
This latest coach, is he going to stick? Maybe. Maybe for 12, 12 months or so. I don't know. But it's Fine.
- [31:02]
B
The new coach is Guillermo Hoyos. He's the man in charge, temporarily at least. And one source said he is the one that never says no to Messi.
- [31:14]
A
Like, jeez, don't mind it here. Okay, let me. Let me say that. Let me put this in perspective. Ld yeah, you played for, and I often say this, probably the best run organization with its own flaws, but in all of mls, like, historically, done a lot of things right. LA Galaxy, hats off to you. If all is said and done right, and Messi retires from football wedding. 12 months, 18 months, I don't know, whatever. Right. He's done. I would still look at this and go, okay, they had some. They had Phil Neville, they had Tata, they had Javier Masrano. They had another one. They might have another one. If in all of that, during Messi's time, they end up winning two, three trophies, I'm going to say it's actually not. Not a bad blueprint, right, for that. Not, not. Not for continued success.
- [32:02]
B
But it's the opposite of Montreal. Last week we were saying they've had 10, 12 years or something like that. Or 12 and 10 years or something.
- [32:09]
A
Yeah, 10.
- [32:10]
B
But they're not winning. Right? Right. So Miami's winning and. And yeah, I agree. If that's like, if that's what it takes for now, you got to move on and remotivate and. Yeah, totally fine with that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's kind of interesting to see who they hire and how that comes about, because I thought Master Auto would be there until Messi was gone, to be honest. They were tight. They were friends, all that.
- [32:30]
A
So I. I sort of thought that too.
- [32:31]
B
But yeah, you guys let us know what you think.
- [32:34]
A
Also, huge. Can we. Can we talk about the. The attendance for that game?
- [32:38]
B
Yeah, big. 775.
- [32:40]
A
Yeah. Second most.
- [32:41]
B
Second Mile High. You know, when I played there in 01 this weekend, there were 75,000. When I played there, there were 75 people in 01. Similar. Very similar.
- [32:55]
A
But we have so many stories about MLS 1.0 wild.
- [32:59]
B
It's come a long way, my friend.
- [33:00]
A
Yes, it has.
- [33:01]
B
All right. Premier League. Oh, what a weekend. Great weekend. Tim, let me just tell you this. This is all I'm going to say about the Everton Liverpool match.
- [33:08]
A
Oh, God. Did they play?
- [33:10]
B
Oh, actually didn't. Yeah, there was no game.
- [33:11]
A
I didn't see it.
- [33:14]
B
If Everton had won that match or even tied the match, this might have been my favorite Premier League weekend in history.
- [33:19]
A
Yeah.
- [33:20]
B
Because watching Arsenal suffer, watching spurs get equalized at the End by Brighton. There was so much joy flowing out of me and it got dampened a little bit by Everton losing, but still, what a phenomenal weekend. It was so fun to watch.
- [33:36]
A
I said, I said sort of off the cuff during the weekend. I said like, thank you, Premier League. I did. Because I was like, I was like, I. I don't know how many playing. I played 400 times in the Premier League or whatever. It was like, I still, this weekend was nervous, excited. I'm just. I'm just a bystander.
- [33:54]
B
I'm just like enthralled. I'm like, so fun to watch. There's so much going on.
- [33:59]
A
It was wild. Yeah.
- [34:01]
B
There's like Champions League races with Liverpool, Everton stuff.
- [34:03]
A
Everything.
- [34:04]
B
The top of the table, which we'll get to. And then. And then the Villa Sunderland game was amazing, which you didn't even pay attention to because all the other stuff was going on. That game was phenomenal. Okay, let's start with City. Arsenal.
- [34:17]
A
Yep.
- [34:18]
B
Wild stat. City have lost only one of their last 40 league matches in April and May.
- [34:25]
A
Yeah.
- [34:25]
B
Winning their last 20 in a row at home. Winning their last 20 in a row home. So like, Pep gets these guys going at the end and it is. I mean, I want to put you on record here. Yeah.
- [34:38]
A
Y.
- [34:38]
B
Do. Do. Arsenal lose the title, City win it now.
- [34:44]
A
We. Yeah. So I'll answer that in a sec. Yeah. Pep. Pep is so incredible. Pep's so incredible. He. This is like, this is like winning time for him, you know, like, like April, April, May. He. He. He turns. He turns a screw and it's impressive. And, and the. I. What I would say. And this isn't like, this isn't like, I'm not sort of dampering what he's. What he's done, but this, the. The genius of Pep and I. And I remember speaking to Vincent Co. When, when he and I share. I think we were at the airport or we were or something and we, we were chatting and he was just like, look. And this, this came out right after. In years, years to come. He says Pep is just so hard on us every day. It's. It's a. It's draining. It's draining. And it was a summertime. We were going. I think we're going to New York. So he was like, I just. I'm so excited to get away because, you know, he's the captain. He was the captain of Man City. And Pep's so draining. But what he has. So. So you and I have played in seasons, right? And you start to get to the end of the season, you're like like petering out here, right? He has. City has had so much money and have spent it so well that they've. They've essentially had like seven starting 11. You bet about seven guys in the waiting being like, come on, you know, whether that be a Phil Foden or in certain years Doku. So he has this ability to like really press guys so that when one of them is like, oh, faltering bang, they'll phone you going, or Doku, you go in. Or Shirky. By the way, don't forget beginning of the year, Shirky was a luxury player. Couldn't get in the lineup. They went not sure he knows the City way and he just bided his time. And now, by the way, Shirky's the man of the moment when April and May. And so he has the genius of pep is his ability to like gas pedal these guys the whole way through without letting up. He's relentless. So that's not surprising. I don't. When it comes to analyzing. And you're on the desk a lot as well. And in this show, I don't like the flip flop because these are flip flop, right? It's easy to sort of go, oh my God, someone lost. Oh my God, someone won. I picked Arsenal last couple years. I'm staying with them this year. They aren't playing well over the last. And the stats will tell you over the last, I don't know, eight games, right? And Cities on the. In the ascendancy. Here's why. City will win the game at Burnley this Wednesday, I think Wednesday and they'll go level on points. That leaves five games for both teams, right? If both of them win out. It's a big if. But what I saw from Arsenal yesterday, LD Arsenal was a better team as a hit the post, like almost double doinked it, right? Really good strike. Kai Havertz goes through one on one with Donnaruma. He makes two brilliant saves. Should have been a goal. Then he misses the header that clangs off to a crossbar plus the goal. So they had like, they should have had at least two or three. That should have been a draw. They were the better team and they went and everyone said, you know, will. Will Mikel Arteta go for it? They. They went for it more than they ever have. So if they play like that, they haven't played like that in weeks. If they play like that, then I think they can win out and if they win out, I think they went on goal difference. So You're. That's your. That's your answer.
- [38:10]
B
That was. My next point is. I was going to say, I think this Wednesday game with Burnley, everyone's kind of like, ah, City one. I think City need to win like 4, 5, 6, 0, because the goal different. I think they're a goal behind right now in goal differential.
- [38:22]
A
Just. Yeah.
- [38:22]
B
And so I think that could actually end up being determining factor which would be really interesting to pay attention.
- [38:28]
A
Well, it's funny you say that. It's funny. I actually think. And this. This is going. This is drilling down way too deep into minutiae, but I do think this. If. If. If City win, which they will on. On. On Wednesday, if I'm Mikel Arteta and I'm not, we go. We go for the win. If we're in a position, LD and we're two nil up, I think we. I think you. I think you make attacking substitutions and you go for the third. And in the next game, if you're ahead, I think you go for. I think you go for more. I agree, strategically, like, don't throw caution to the wind and concede. But I think if, like, if you're. You know how you can get to a 2 nil game, LD and you're like, all right, let's just bop it about. We've got this. I think if they're in those positions, I don't think you bop it about. I think you're direct. I think you're foot on the gas and I think you try and get. Because I do believe that. I do believe that Arsenal's only way now, sitting here today, the only way to win the League is by goal difference, I think, unless someone drops, you
- [39:27]
B
know who does what you're talking about all the time. City. So, like, they're up three, zero. They want four. Four. They want five. Five. They want six. And so it's. It'll be interesting. Wednesday is actually everyone's. It's kind of like a throwaway game at Burnley. I think it's an important game.
- [39:40]
A
It's important.
- [39:40]
B
I really.
- [39:40]
A
And they've shown they dropped point. I mean, not now. No, I know, but they've shown they've dropped points this year, so it's hard
- [39:45]
B
to imagine right now they would know. Okay, the other end of the table.
- [39:49]
A
Yep.
- [39:50]
B
Spurs. Oh, God, poor Dan. Andrew. All these guys on our stuff love Spurs. And we're watching at the end and like. And shabby Simon's. What a goal. And then you're just feeling like, oh, they finally got over the hump. And they concede at the end. And I have to say, I loved it. I just love the chaos. It's so fun to watch.
- [40:14]
A
Let me just tell you, for, for, for all the people listening, when you watch these guys on TV and you think you're watching robots, you think you're watching your superheroes, just remember they are human.
- [40:25]
B
Yeah.
- [40:25]
A
Because spurs, spurs are fragile. And I said it, I said it on the desk this weekend. They have better players than Forest, they're better players than West Ham. They've got a new manager in who knows his tactics. He's got people playing, and they played well. But when it matters the most, in moments, they are fragile. And I don't, you know, I don't know how you knock that out of a team. You know, Deserby comes in. I don't know how you knock that out of a team.
- [40:53]
B
You knock it out. If they won this game, if they had won this game, they would have said, okay, now we got over the hump. Now they're like, oh, now they expect to concede.
- [41:01]
A
So my issue, I'm looking at the table now, and this is something that I made reference to on the weekend. I had spurs staying up. Had I did. You did hear me say H A
- [41:11]
B
D. But here's why.
- [41:13]
A
Here's why. Here's why. Because I was expecting them to get last week and this week a result and by do. By not doing that. And we have another score here. Forest, who were brilliant at home, they went one nil down. And then Morgan gives. White just decided, hang on, where's my cape? Let me tie this thing on. I'm gonna score a hat trick. They, they, they won. Running away. Four one. But that. Then put that. Then put Forest four points ahead, maybe five. Five points ahead. And if West Ham win today against palace, if they go, they go four. Yeah, they go four points ahead.
- [41:50]
B
They're not going to.
- [41:51]
A
So four and five points. So. So then you get five games left. And so this is how I, you know, my. The way I math is like 4 points. 4 points is 2. 2 results either way, right? So you have to get a draw, you have to get a win. Then the teams above, you have to, in certain cases, lose. There's only five games left.
- [42:10]
B
That's right.
- [42:10]
A
So, like, they haven't shown.
- [42:14]
B
It's getting dicey, but tight. It's getting dicey.
- [42:18]
A
I'm so bummed. I'm so bummed. I don't want spurs to go down,
- [42:21]
B
by the way, at some point. I do. At Some point we're going to put up my graphics where I texted the group and said spurs will get one point from this game. Forest will get three this weekend. Both are right and West Ham will lose today. And then we'll show the rest of the results because they're calling me Nostradamus right now. Nostradamus. It is stoppage time. Sponsored by FanDuel. New customers can bet $5 and get $250 in bonus bets. If you win, download the FanDuel sportsbook app to get started. Okay. Relegation race is in full. Full force Wolves, by the way, with the spurs result at home, tying Brighton meant that they did not get relegated. So they still have everything to play for. Will they get relegated? Yes, I think so. They're not going to win all five of their remaining games, but they still have something to play for and you never know. So now they will be extra motivated to play spurs and beat Spurs. However, I see this game being very dull, very boring. It could end up a little back and forth ish at times. But I still think both teams have too much to lose and spurs in the end will absolutely take a point. So I think this game finishes goalless. So recap. Unfiltered soccer same game parlay this week. Winner neither ty final score 00. Will both teams score? Of course not. Then score at halftime 00. So I'm really inspiring you guys to watch this game, but I think it'll be 00. Don't forget to check out the full list of unfiltered soccer's same game parlays on our socials later this week. Let's take a break. When we come back at&t fan connection should be very interesting. We have J.R. back. She was miserable last week with Andrew doing it. She'll play it off when we bring her in. But she was miserable.
- [44:13]
A
I saw her behind the scenes. She was wearing a Liverpool shirt. She will not come on the show if she's wearing a Liverpool shirt.
- [44:19]
B
No, she will not. Okay, okay. Just for the record, we will be right back. We'll get into all of that right here on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim. Presented by Volkswagen. Stay around. So, Timmy, I was thinking about moments where you celebrate for a long time, right? It could be a goal, but that's not as big of a celebration as like a massive win or winning the Gold cup or things like that. But the moment that I celebrated the longest was actually my first MLS cup with San Jose. I the feeling and like the emotion felt like it went forever. Because my first hug went to Joe Cannon, my. My roommate and our goalkeeper. You'll appreciate that.
- [45:07]
A
I know.
- [45:08]
B
And then just one by one, like the reality that you did something special for the first time is so, so amazing. And Coors Light is the most refreshing way to celebrate every goal this summer.
- [45:21]
A
Yeah, Coors Light seems to be the only way to celebrate big moments with friends. Whether it's a game or a concert or anything else. Any of those big moments. Coors Light is the beer for me. When the mountains turn blue, your beer is as cold as the Rockies.
- [45:36]
B
Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Visit Coors Light.com UFS or you can find it pretty much anywhere that sells beer. Coors Light. More goals, more celebrations.
- [45:47]
A
Celebrate responsibly. Coors Brewing Co. Golden Colorado Beer Timmy
- [45:54]
B
as you know, in soccer and in life, there are those moments where everything comes down to connection.
- [46:00]
A
It's that call to your family right after a big win, the text before kickoff when the nerves hit, or watching the match from halfway across the world, feeling like you're right there in the stadium. Those are the moments that matter most.
- [46:10]
B
And when the connection matters, it has to be AT and T. Because it's not just about having service. It's about showing up when it counts. Whether you're watching the game at home or on the move, AT&T helps keep you connected to what matters most.
- [46:23]
A
Yeah, because soccer isn't just about 90 minutes on the pitch. It's about the highs you celebrate, the losses you write out, and every message, call, and shared reaction along the way.
- [46:32]
B
So wherever the game takes you, make sure you've got a network you can rely on. Visit att.com yatt to learn more. AT&T connecting changes everything.
- [46:46]
A
It's time for the Fan connection, presented by AT&T. Every week, we invite you, the listener, to connect with us by submitting your questions. At att, connecting changes everything. And on uslnt, our connections with you will help grow the game. Welcome into the AT&T fan Connection. Hello, Junior. I'd love to say it's great to see you, but it absolutely is not insufficient.
- [47:05]
C
Is it because of. Because I'm. What I'm wearing. Yeah.
- [47:08]
B
Terrible shirt.
- [47:08]
C
I wish I could say I was sorry, but I'm certainly not. Not after what they put me through.
- [47:14]
B
It was a foul, by the way.
- [47:16]
A
We've lodged a protest. Van Dyke pulls Tarkovsky.
- [47:19]
C
And I have to tell you something. And I think that the two of you will understand where I'm coming from when I say This I will never, ever, ever be upset about. Virgil Van Dyke putting one past Jordan Pickford after.
- [47:32]
A
That's right.
- [47:32]
B
Oh, yeah.
- [47:33]
C
Never ever.
- [47:35]
B
Timmy, did Jordan, like. Jordan didn't do great there. Right? Kind of halfway came and then I was wondering that. I was going to text you. He, like, starts to come and then backs off, and then it's. If he stays home, he maybe gets his hand on it.
- [47:47]
A
Oh, yeah. Oh. In terms of. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The distance. Yeah, Maybe. I don't know. Just had the ball.
- [47:52]
B
Just had the ball away.
- [47:53]
A
All right.
- [47:53]
B
Go on, Jordan.
- [47:54]
C
I will say this was not the shirt I was actually planning on wearing today, but I couldn't help myself. I was actually planning on wearing this shirt, which came in the mail. It's from Onondaga FC in Syracuse.
- [48:07]
B
Oh, that's cool. That's a.
- [48:09]
A
What league is that shirt?
- [48:10]
C
I'm. I. I'm not sure, but it has my name on the back.
- [48:14]
B
Dude, these guys know how to get on Jesus. Right?
- [48:17]
C
Yeah. Onondaga fc. Yes, I. And I'm pretty sure this shirt is their brand new shirt for the season. So that's. You guys have them too. And they have your names on the back.
- [48:28]
B
Really nice shirt.
- [48:29]
A
It's a dream. It's like the Dreamsicle.
- [48:31]
B
What is it?
- [48:31]
C
And I have. They have the. So the. The blue that's on the back of this is also their away shirt. And so I have a blue one too with the orange. It's very.
- [48:39]
B
What is Onondaga? Is that a city?
- [48:43]
C
I think it's the lake in Syracuse.
- [48:46]
B
Is that the Hudson River Valley?
- [48:49]
C
No, it's way up. So it's like Albany, but to the west of Albany. And Tim, I can tell you because I have a spreadsheet, I have 23 football shirts right now. This is number 23.
- [48:59]
B
So that have been given to you or that you have?
- [49:01]
C
No, no, I purchased most of them. But thank you to everyone who has sent one and I appreciate it.
- [49:06]
A
The only thing better than your jersey collection is Landon's lack of east coast knowledge that doesn't know where anything is. Hudson Valley. It's amazing anyway.
- [49:15]
C
Or. Or his musical knowledge, which we're expanding land. And I'm gonna. I'm gonna be adding a oh, my God song to the playlist this week because of the tifo in the Manchester City Arsenal game because they had panic on the streets of London as their tifo. I know it's from Clever.
- [49:30]
B
It's very good. Forgot to tell you earlier, we didn't talk about Rudy.
- [49:36]
C
Oh, my God.
- [49:37]
B
What A movie.
- [49:38]
A
You buried your lead, bro. What a movie.
- [49:41]
B
I watched this on the plane. I was bawling. The woman next to me was like, what is wrong with this guy?
- [49:46]
A
Landon. Don. And watch Rudy.
- [49:49]
B
What a movie.
- [49:49]
A
The movie for the first time.
- [49:50]
C
For the first time.
- [49:52]
B
What?
- [49:52]
C
What is going on?
- [49:53]
B
I mean, I don't make them like that anymore. That's right.
- [49:56]
C
No movie. And then I will say that we had a really great discussion in the group chat about the best sports movies of all time. I feel like, Tim, you and I are pretty much.
- [50:05]
B
How about you guys? Yes. You guys send us your best top five sports movies of all time, I think.
- [50:11]
C
And then we'll do. We'll do a question.
- [50:13]
B
Too many.
- [50:14]
C
We'll do a question next week where we'll. You guys give your top fives, and then we'll read the best answer from the connection.
- [50:21]
B
All right.
- [50:22]
C
All right, let's get into the questions. I tried to bring a little bit of smoke for you.
- [50:26]
A
We like. This is the best part.
- [50:28]
C
The first one comes with Tim's favorite thing in the world, trivia. Okay, so this is from Daniel via email. Daniel says, please name all of the teams who have folded in MLS history.
- [50:41]
A
Oh, that's a great question.
- [50:43]
B
Okay. Miami Fusion.
- [50:45]
C
Correct.
- [50:46]
B
Tampa Bay Mutiny.
- [50:47]
A
Well, by the way. Stop, stop. I saw a Tampa Bay Mutiny Nike jersey this weekend in Tampa.
- [50:52]
C
Oh, really?
- [50:53]
A
The little alien. Remember the little alien?
- [50:55]
B
Yeah. That's cool. The Earthquakes folded at one point.
- [50:58]
A
Yep.
- [50:59]
C
But they're back now, so any team, like the Metro Stars that have come back.
- [51:03]
B
Okay. Chivas usa. That's three.
- [51:07]
C
That's it.
- [51:08]
B
That's it.
- [51:09]
C
That's the three. Yeah.
- [51:10]
B
Let's go.
- [51:11]
A
All right.
- [51:12]
B
There you go.
- [51:12]
C
Okay. His question is, do you. Wow. Let's try that again. Do either of you believe another MLS team could fold in today's landscape? And if there were to be a team, who would be your most likely candidate?
- [51:25]
A
No, no, here's why.
- [51:28]
C
No, not at all.
- [51:29]
B
What a great question.
- [51:31]
A
No, here's why they wouldn't fold because. Sorry, Sorry. When was the last team to fold? I'll do, like, give me a rough year.
- [51:41]
C
Who do we say is the last one?
- [51:45]
B
Which wasn't mid 2000.
- [51:48]
A
Okay.
- [51:48]
C
Yeah, 2014.
- [51:49]
A
Okay. Which seems not that long ago. But what I would say, ld, is the. Which we know the appetite for football ownership right now is so strong that if we. I won't name any teams out of respect, but if a certain team were to fold, I think you'd get four ownership groups. Five ownership groups with billionaire owners who are like, nah, give me that. I mean, I want in. So many people want in.
- [52:15]
B
That's right.
- [52:15]
A
And there's not enough parking. There's not enough parking spots in the parking lot right now. So I don't go.
- [52:20]
B
I don't see anyone folding. I could see a team relocating again.
- [52:25]
A
Really?
- [52:25]
B
Yeah. I mean, that happens even in the NFL. The Raiders just relocated. I know, but I could see it happening.
- [52:33]
A
Yeah, but. Okay, so let me ask you this, LD Relocation would be based on pretty much stadium, right? You don't think that means. I think.
- [52:41]
B
No, not necessarily. It could just be that they don't think the fan base works. And there's another, you know, Vegas still doesn't have a team. Phoenix doesn't have a team. What's another big say? I will just say Cleveland.
- [52:53]
C
We did talk about this at the end of the year last year when all of that stuff was happening with Vancouver not being able to secure a stadium.
- [53:00]
A
But it's always a stadium, right?
- [53:02]
C
Yes.
- [53:02]
A
Yeah, it's always a stadium. I'm just saying, I think. I think if there's enough money out there, LD that I do think people are like, I want this team. I want. And they can. And they'd be willing to put the money up.
- [53:14]
B
But I will say modern MLS has succeeded with new teams in new cities like the. The old, you know, Colorado is a good example. They do okay. Dallas, okay. Houston, okay. But the new teams, Austin, like these new cities, get behind it because it's new. San Diego, it's new.
- [53:33]
A
It's novel.
- [53:34]
B
It's exciting. So you could see that I don't
- [53:38]
A
like relocation in general, but I know
- [53:40]
B
it doesn't matter what you like.
- [53:43]
A
No, I know it's very American.
- [53:45]
B
You are.
- [53:47]
C
Let's go back to the Matt Crocker conversation for a second. This one is from Nick via email. This one's kind of long, so bear with me for a second. The US Soccer faithful needs someone in the TD role who has knowledge of our country's youth programs, understands our media challenges, and knows success at the pro and or national level. I have five names in mind when I think about this role. Okay, this is this. These are Nick's suggestions.
- [54:12]
B
Okay.
- [54:13]
C
Bob Bradley, who's an experienced winner and devoted to U.S. soccer. Jim Curtin, who knows how to develop young talent, is a winner with a Philly attitude. Clint Dempsey, heart of the lion winner, knows how to punch someone in the face if they need it. Kobe Jones. No one has played more USM&T matches. Or Bruce, the godfather of US soccer. Arena. No explanation necessary. I want both of you to tell me why none of these guys will be selected, because we know they won't. And I would love to hear who you would put in this role.
- [54:46]
A
That's a great question. That's a great question. I think
- [54:51]
C
so. Just a reminder, it's Bob Bradley, Jim Curtain, Clint dpsy, Kobe and Bruce.
- [54:57]
A
I think Jim Curtain's a great show. I think Jim's a really good show. Jim, you know, was part. I think Philadelphia Union have probably are one of the very few teams who have sort of cracked youth development. So he has an understanding of that. He's come, you know, he's run a team in this, in this country. Yeah, it's a good shout. You know, I think it's a good shout. You know, does Bob Bradley or Bruce arena have the appetite to do that? Maybe. They obviously have the knowledge to do it, but Jim's a good shout, I would say so.
- [55:29]
B
Bob, Bob wants to be on the field. Right? So I don't, I. Would Bob be great for that? Yes, I do think so. Would Bruce be great for it? Fantastic. I don't know if Bruce would want to, but you also need. They need someone with them who understands all the different. Bruce has done it at the. Well, he's done at every level, but people who understand all the different parts of what the role is. So someone who can go hire a head coach and help redefine youth development.
- [55:57]
C
So sorry, you're saying Bob wouldn't want the job because he wants to coach?
- [56:01]
B
Yes, that would be my guess. I mean, I'm not, I'm sorry, speaking for him here, but I think Clint, with somebody who's like really business savvy and understands that piece of it could be great. I mean, like he commands a room, he's passionate, he cares. I don't know if he has the appetite. Jim. I don't know well enough. Jim Curtain. I don't know if he wants to coach again or if this is some. But if, if he was interested in it, I would absolutely consider him. Kobe, I don't know if Kobe has the appetite. Kobe, again, with the right person with him, I think can do a great job.
- [56:34]
A
I, I, I just. You and I have talked about this. Landon Offline, you sort of need. There needs to be more than one hire. There has to be like the head of, of Voltron. It has to be a Matt Crocker role. But then you need some sort of like consiglieres underneath you. Right? That, that, that are the, the, the face of U.S. soccer. Right. Like, and I've said this before, someone that sits between the sporting director and Pochettino, right. So when the hits the fan, this person comes out, they're front facing in the media, they answer the hard questions, they protect Pochettino, they protect the US Soccer name.
- [57:14]
B
They're very well respected people listen to what they say.
- [57:17]
A
Yeah, right. And, and, and there might be someone else that sort of reports into the, into the sporting director, but they're all this like team. It's just like a whole Voltron sort of thing. Because, because ultimately what we're saying, and this is sort of like where, again, with, with respect, where Matt Crocker, like Matt Crocker, whether he got it right or wrong, sort of put this plan together and this implementation of like this new youth system, well, that's different than someone being a dog who's out in front of the media going, no, protecting Pochettino, protecting Pulisic, like a figurehead. So, so that it's more of like a trifecta sort of role, not just like a one person, if that makes sense.
- [57:54]
B
Well, he might argue too that Matt Crocker might argue that that Gooch was part of that Guccanyewu. Right. Who also will be a candidate for this, for this job and I think would be a good, a good candidate to like, look at seriously. So he would argue that piece of it. But yeah, I think it needs to be multiple, multiple people.
- [58:14]
A
But we haven't seen that. Well, my point is. The point is when all of this was happening, we saw nobody but Pochettino, who had to measure his words. We had to decipher sort of how he was saying things and why he was saying things. He was hamstrung. He couldn't say certain things about certain players. You and I know that. Right. And we can read between lines. But so that person, whether they exist in the current U.S. soccer setup, they haven't come to the forefront. We haven't seen them.
- [58:48]
B
Well, they don't. Yeah, they don't exist.
- [58:50]
A
Okay.
- [58:50]
B
Yeah, good question.
- [58:52]
A
Good question. Great question.
- [58:53]
C
Okay, this one is from Scott via email. And Scott says you two always talk about how development sucks in the US And I agree for that on the men's side. But how come the US Women's national team has success year after year, yet the men's side isn't as successful. Do you think there is a difference in development or is the women's side of this discussion just totally different than the men's?
- [59:17]
B
Great.
- [59:18]
A
Totally different, but great question.
- [59:19]
B
Totally different. Totally different. And we have years of head start on the women's side. And the rest of the world does a great job now too. For as a general statement. But on the men's side, we. There. There seems. Best say this. There seems to be a more common goal with girls in the women's side about doing what's best for the national team. And I've seen. I have a daughter who plays now. I saw it when I'm coaching the Wave. Kids would come over all the time from local club teams and they were like, yes, train with the Wave. That's an amazing opportunity. Whereas now with SDFC here, they're like, no, no, no, don't go train with them. We don't want you leaving for sdfc. We want you to stay here. And, And I think because for the longest time there's been so much money made off the backs of these young, young male players that that is like the ecosystem that exists. And for the women's side, it just doesn't exist that way. Maybe it will at some point, but it just doesn't exist that way from what I've seen.
- [60:26]
A
Yeah. I think. And by the way, because. Because we know you. You can catch strays having this conversation. I'm open to someone coming in next week and saying I'm wrong for what got lost in the conversation, which is a. Which is a very healthy conversation about equal pay and all the rest of that. What got lost in that conversation was women's soccer in America at every level, top all the way down to the bottom, was so far ahead of the rest of the world. Like our. Forget the fact that they were underpaid. That's important. Women were playing. Little girls were playing soccer in this country, in Mass. Since when 80s. I don't know right where you're looking at other countries. Little girls can't get on the field. We were. We're so far ahead now we talk about the rest of the world, like, catching up to us. We've had such a head start that it's great that these countries are catching up to us in 2026, but they're still miles behind. There's a couple countries, you know, Germany and England and the rest. But like the rest of the world is so far behind, so far behind. So we have like we have for every. For every youth soccer team, there's equal amount of. Of boys teams as girls teams. Then you go to the high schools, then you go to college and college had. Then had title nine. Right. Go to some of these Caribbean countries. Girls aren't allowed to play soccer. And if they are, they're getting hand me down uniform. Like, we're so far ahead. And so when you talk about, like, why. And then contrast that with sort of contrast. That was sort of like men's. Men's sports when you look at it. LD and I grew up, there's hockey, baseball, basketball, football. Right. Like, there's all these sports for women. Like, one of the hot. One of the highest level sports in America is soccer.
- [62:15]
B
Yep. I think there were only a few.
- [62:18]
A
There's only a few to play.
- [62:19]
B
Yeah, that's right.
- [62:20]
A
For a long time, basketball, there was not, you know, there wasn't no football.
- [62:24]
B
Now there's flags.
- [62:25]
A
Soccer was so far ahead.
- [62:27]
B
Yeah.
- [62:28]
C
I also think, like, as somebody who was 12 years old when the 99ers came into the public eye, that the fact that the women's national team was winning the World cup that long ago versus, like, I think a lot of young men who are probably the same age as me were looking at guys like Kobe who were going to play in England. Right. So we were also looking at the. The. The sport from a different perspective. Like, to us, it was like, if you start playing Soccer now at 12, you could grow up and win the World Cup. Right. Versus, like, if you play soccer now as a boy, I don't know if you're going to win the World cup, but you could end up playing in the Premier League, which was where everything was going at the time. Yeah, exactly.
- [63:13]
A
Well, I mean, bring up a great point because, you know, Land and I are of a similar age. But you. The first time you saw. You talk about the 99ers, the first time you saw soccer as a woman, like, really? Michelle Akers was the best in the world. 1990. Mia Hamm was an absolute star in that light blue shirt. I don't know. We're reading Soccer America, Whatever you were, you're like, she's an absolute star. So as soon as it sort of came into your. Into your vernacular or it kind of came into your headspace, you're like, these are the best.
- [63:45]
B
Yeah.
- [63:45]
A
Where Landon and I, the first time we saw someone was Michael Jordan, Ken Griffey, we saw all these different stars had nothing to do with soccer. And then when we did see, you know, Tony Meola, Tab Ramos, John Harks, we sort of like, they were like, they were our heroes, but they weren't. Like, people didn't see them as that. So, yeah, the women's game is really far ahead. It's a great conversation.
- [64:08]
C
Okay. I would like to leave us with one new rule. We haven't done one in a while, so here we go. This one is from Charlie via email. What if goals scored in open play were worth 2 points and PKs were worth 1 point? This makes more sense to me since PK goals don't seem equivalent to regular play goals.
- [64:32]
B
You're right. They're not equivalent. They're. They're from an XG standpoint, which, whatever, is way more likely to score. Do they do this in other sports? I'm trying to think. I mean, the three point line versus two point or free throws. Yeah, right.
- [64:49]
C
It's like that in football too, right? Like certain. If you kick from a certain time in the game or place or whatever. I don't know anything about American football.
- [64:57]
B
Wait, what? No, no, no, no.
- [64:59]
A
But here's the thing.
- [65:00]
C
Here's the thing. Please, time out. A field goal is not worth the same number of points every time as a touchdown.
- [65:06]
B
Yes, it is.
- [65:07]
C
It is.
- [65:08]
B
Yeah.
- [65:09]
C
Whether you do it like in the
- [65:10]
B
middle in fantasy versus at the end.
- [65:12]
A
I'll correct you, J.R. fantasy.
- [65:13]
B
Oh, oh, oh. If you kick it after a touchdown,
- [65:16]
C
it's worth one, it's one. Okay?
- [65:17]
B
If you kick it in the game, it's three. No, you're not insane. I just didn't want you to go out in public and say that everyone hammer you.
- [65:24]
C
I'm not talking about American football in public.
- [65:25]
B
Don't worry.
- [65:26]
C
This is as much as I will ever do.
- [65:28]
A
I will say, Charlie, LD When I was a kid, we played in the youth soccer tournament, local Jersey tournament. And it was the same one every year, Matuchin or St. Joe's or something. And it was the only one I've ever played in. And goals are worth one and corner kicks were worth half a point. I have no idea why. So you get like. You'd be in the. And we're six, bro. We were like running around, we're so happy, right? Like grabbing an arm slice from mom and like, you're running down and you get a corner kick and you're like, you're losing. You're like, get another corner kick. Get another corner kick. You just add these up and you win. Like, you actually win. The other team scores more goals, but
- [66:03]
B
you win more corners.
- [66:04]
A
You didn't score, you had more corners. Rule change that I really like. Sorry, I'm going on record and I think I talked to the group about this. It's not the XFL anymore. What is it? Ufl. The new football league? Yeah, ufl. They're they're trialing loads of new rules. And I love this. And Andrew hates it. Anything ld you can kick a. So on fourth down or whenever you want to kick a field goal, any field goal that you kick 60 yards or longer, because you know how people are starting to be able to kick, you get four points instead of three instead of three. Love it. Because also, there's a decision to make. If you. At 60 yards, you're on. You're on.
- [66:42]
B
You're on the 50.
- [66:44]
A
No.
- [66:44]
B
To kick at 60 yards, you're on
- [66:45]
A
the 50 yard line. Right? So you. So you miss.
- [66:48]
B
They got it at the 50.
- [66:50]
A
You're getting great field positions. So it's like a. It's sort of like a.
- [66:53]
B
By the way, how about the games that are like 24, 20 in the fourth? And so now you're like, we got to score a touchdown. Now you could be like, oh, we just got to kick 60 yarder.
- [67:02]
A
Or, or, or you get. I mean, I mean, Brandon Orbee's like, what does he kick?
- [67:05]
B
These guys are kicking like 770 yards now.
- [67:07]
A
It's crazy. I love it. I love it. Actually, just get the kickoff. Fair catch the kickoff and kick a field goal from 78.
- [67:14]
C
Wait, okay, but what about Charlie's new rule?
- [67:17]
A
Charlie, you're out. Charlie, you're out.
- [67:18]
B
I don't like it. Sorry, Charlie.
- [67:19]
A
Sorry, Charlie. Corner kicks, half a point, maybe penalties. I'm out.
- [67:24]
C
Okay, just a reminder for Everybody listening. Number one, send your questions to feedback soccer.com but also send in your top five sports movies of all time. Pick the best one and talk about them next week. That's it. Thanks, Jaz.
- [67:39]
B
Thanks, J.R. great job, Timmy. Another great show. Hope everyone has an amazing week. Thanks to all of you for being with us. As always, subscribe. Hit that little button on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, anywhere you get your pods. Follow us at Unfiltered Soccer for all the bonus content. Thanks as always to our presenting sponsor, VW, our Fan Connection sponsor AT&T, and our stoppage time sponsor, FanDuel.
- [68:03]
A
Yeah. Thank you to our unfiltered refresh sponsor, Coors Light, and our additional sponsors Airbnb and Walmart. Have an amazing week. We will be back next Tuesday with another edition of Unfiltered Soccer.