USMNT Report Cards, Tim Howard vs Timo Werner, Ian Darke Talks Algeria Goal | Unfiltered Soccer

Summary

Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard

Episode: USMNT Report Cards, Tim Howard vs Timo Werner, Ian Darke Talks Algeria Goal
Date: April 28, 2026

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Episode Overview

The latest episode of Unfiltered Soccer dives into the state of the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) as Landon Donovan and Tim Howard grade the seasons of prominent American players plying their trade in Europe, offer candid thoughts on the Premier League and MLS headlines, and debate coaching decisions around world football. The episode’s special guest, legendary broadcaster Ian Darke—famous for calling Donovan’s iconic Algeria World Cup goal—joins to reflect on his place in US soccer lore, discuss the expanded World Cup, and preview contenders for the upcoming tournament. The episode is packed with friendly banter, deep soccer analysis, and personal behind-the-scenes stories.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter & Weekend Recaps

[00:34–05:33]

• Tim shares his journey to Morgantown, WV for a University of Tennessee women’s soccer game, juxtaposing the NFL Draft’s spectacle in Pittsburgh with the (relatively humble) status of an MLS draft.
• The hosts call out the energy at the NFL's draft, marveling at the massive crowds (“NFL King, dude, it’s King.” – Landon, 02:29) and imagine what it would take to bring that level of excitement to MLS.
• Landon attended the Kobe Jones statue unveiling in LA, celebrating Jones’s impact and legacy.

2. USMNT Club Season Report Cards

[05:39–19:54]
In a rapid-fire format, Landon and Tim offer grades and candid takes on Americans abroad, including:

Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United):

• Landon: "I have an A minus and the only reason it's not an A is they've struggled a little bit near the bottom." (07:13)
• Tim: "My initial thought is a B, B plus... he’s leading a Premier League team in assists... started every Premier League match since December.” (06:36)

Tyler Adams:

• Landon: “When he's fit and healthy he plays and he usually plays well… just hasn’t always been on the field.” (07:40)
• Tim: “For all the reasons you said...because of the injuries and it's been stop start.” (08:04)

Folarin Balogun (Monaco):

• Both give an A+, highlighting his 18 goals, 4 assists, and 5 in the Champions League: "All day long.” (08:42)

Johnny Cardoso:

• Rotates starts, steady but unspectacular; both settle on a B/B- noting the challenge of playing for a big La Liga club but lack of consistent starts. (09:52)

Weston McKennie:

• “A plus. He’s crushing all year... literally the first name on the team sheet.” (10:33)

Aiden Morris:

• Praised for fitness and consistency: “He's played 41 times for Burrow... Easier an A for me, he's an A plus.” (11:20)

Ricardo Pepi:

• Debate over available minutes due to injury, but per-90 minute productivity is outstanding: “In the Champions League. 2.96 per 90 minutes... that's insane.” (12:25)

Christian Pulisic:

• Landon: “C plus… it's just been too hot and cold.” (13:53)
• Tim: “From the start of the season until January 1, 10 goals, three assists. From that point till now, no goals, one assist.” (13:53)

Chris Richards, Jedi Robinson, Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman, Austin Trusty, Haji Wright and others are similarly graded and discussed, with honest takes and some constructive criticism—especially for players struggling with form or injuries.

Notable Quote:

• Landon on Pulisic’s drought: “We have this recency bias…you forget, Tim, remember how good he was in the beginning of the year?” (13:14)
• Tim on Weston McKennie: “How many pluses can you give?” (10:32)

3. English Premier League & MLS Headlines

[21:03–25:59]

• The hosts debrief recent EPL events: title and relegation races, and FA Cup final (Manchester City vs. Chelsea).
• Deep dive into Chelsea’s managerial chaos, focusing on the firing spree and the pitfalls of running the club as a business over a team.
  • Tim: "Chelsea are running this team in a different way... they're running it like a business and not a team." (24:13)
• Discussion transitions to MLS, with praise for managers like Tata Martino leveraging their history for job security and the importance of relationships in decision-making.

Memorable Moment:

• Landon, on why some coaches get more time: “People who are good people or who have a history get a way longer leash.” (27:20)
• Tim, about Tata Martino: “He basically just told his employers, I should probably be sacked. But you won’t sack me because I won for you. Good for you, Tata.” (28:13)

4. Tim Howard vs Timo Werner & MLS Debate

[28:23–30:09]

• Playful banter about Tim’s earlier doubts on Timo Werner’s transfer to MLS and his recent goal-scoring form.
  • Tim: "I think the exact quote was, he couldn't hit a cow's ass with a banjo." (29:04)
  • Landon: “A bit of egg on the face, buddy.” (29:04)
• Praise for Bruce Arena’s coaching, and how he gets the best out of players.

5. Unfiltered Refresh & Joe Scally Milestone

[30:21–32:27]

• Spotlight on Joe Scally, the youngest non-German to hit 150 Bundesliga appearances.
  • Landon emphasizes the achievement for American players in Europe: “Well on his way to another US Soccer legend, Steve Cherundolo’s type of career in Germany.” (32:02)

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Interview Segment: Ian Darke

[34:06–62:43]

Reflections on the Legendary Algeria Goal

• Ian describes the enduring impact of calling Landon's 2010 World Cup goal:
  • "People still remind me about the goal. It was weird when it happened...All I did was talk about it.” (35:04)
• On preparing for iconic moments:
  • "You should know in the moment, as a commentator, what a goal means...it's a gift for a commentator." (36:29)
  • Landon probes whether Ian prepares signature lines or lets the moment guide him: "By and large, I think you've got to feel it. You've got to let the game tell you the story." (37:58)

Insights on Broadcasting

• Detailed breakdown of how much research and preparation goes into calling games.
  • "It takes several hours to answer your question, Tim. Too, too long, really. We're in danger of becoming geeks, but you hope, when you do the commentary, that you're a good guest in somebody's living room." (39:42)
• On the crucial role of the stats/research team: “A lot of times, we’re relying on those fellas being as good as they are at their job.” (42:48)

The World Cup’s Magic & Expansion

• On the World Cup as a commentator’s highest stage: "I love the World cup to bits...I do it for nothing. Don’t tell the bosses that." (46:04)
• Italy’s absence: “That is so depressing for the millions and millions of people who follow the Italian team…We need them in it.” (46:50)
• Addressing expansion to 48 teams: Ian shares "mixed feelings," agreeing with both Landon (celebrating new nations’ opportunity) and Tim (concerns about diluted quality):
  • "It's meant to be the Cream of world football. And it isn't when it's got 48 teams…But I do know what you're saying, what it means to people from those countries." (47:59)

World Cup Predictions & England’s Chances

• Candid England squad analysis, with concerns about injury and defense:
  • “I think they've got bags of attacking flair ... I’m a bit worried about the defense." (49:25)
• Predicts potential breakout for Spain or France in 2026: "If you put me in a corner, I'd say Spain, or France. But hey, I’ve been wrong most times before." (61:55)

USMNT's Outlook from a European Lens

• Ian: "There's a big...focus on the US team in the usa, but as yet, I don’t think anybody's really talking about that team in Europe." (56:07)
• On the Americans’ prospects: the USMNT has talent, but "they're too easy to play against at the moment…If they can mix in that grit and fight and character that the old squads used to have, they might be able to surprise one or two people." (56:07)

Broadcasting Philosophy

• Both Ian and Landon agree the approach differs for World Cup broadcasts due to the larger casual audience:
  • "Make me interested in the game, make me want to root for one of those teams, get me involved in the game." (60:27)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tim, regarding Timo Werner’s form:
  “He couldn't hit a cow's ass with a banjo. But it's a long season, clearly he can.” (29:04)

• Landon, on historic soccer celebrations and moments:
  "The reality that you did something special for the first time is so, so amazing.” (66:46)

• Ian Darke, reflecting on artful commentary:
  “You hope, when you do the commentary, that you're a good guest in somebody's living room.” (39:42)

• Ian on why MLS might not attract top European managers soon:
  "Being a top manager, top international manager, managing an MLS team is harder than being a DP and coming into a team." (77:49)

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Bonus Segment: Listener Q&A – The Fan Connection

[67:16–82:21]

• Sports movies debate: Jordan shares listener submissions for top five sports films; new consensus emerges that Rocky and Karate Kid are sports movies too.
• Tattoo Bet: Tim puts his money (and skin) on the line: “Timo Werner, if you score 10 goals, 10 assists in all comps…the best drawing that one of our fans sends in of a cow and someone swinging a banjo, I will get that tattooed on my ass.” (73:19)
• MLS and the Manager Question: Prompted by a listener, Landon and Tim discuss what it will take for a world-class coach to manage in MLS, citing motivation, money, and lifestyle, but ultimately noting the challenge: “Being a manager’s hard… a harder job than being a DP.” (77:15)
• Leeds United banter: Tim both baits and praises Leeds supporters—in classic “unfiltered” style, noting the squad's limitations compared to Tottenham, stirring up the rivalry with a story from a difficult away visit.

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• USMNT Report Cards: 05:39–19:54
• Chelsea/Firing Managers EPL/MLS: 21:03–28:13
• Timo Werner Debate & Bruce Arena Praise: 28:23–30:09
• Joe Scally Milestone: 30:21–32:27
• Ian Darke Interview: 34:06–62:43
• Fan Connection (Listener Q&A): 67:16–82:21

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Episode Tone & Style

• Relaxed, self-deprecating, but passionate and opinionated.
• Candid banter between Landon and Tim, not afraid to rib each other or their listeners.
• Deep respect and warmth in conversation with Ian Darke, blending nostalgia with journalistic insight.
• Language is friendly, accessible, and peppered with memorable catchphrases.

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Final Thoughts

This episode is a treasure trove for US soccer fans: from straight-talk report cards on Yanks Abroad, to inside-the-booth broadcaster stories, to spirited debates about what’s next for both club and country. The addition of Ian Darke’s legendary voice—both literally and figuratively—brings unique perspective and vivid reminiscence of American soccer’s most historic moment. Whether you’re an MLS devotee, a USMNT stalwart, or just miss that feeling of World Cup fever, this unfiltered conversation is full of strong analysis, laughs, and a look ahead to a landmark summer for soccer on these shores.

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Note: Ad reads, intro/outro, and sponsor transitions omitted for clarity; all content focused on substantive discussion and listener engagement.

Transcript

[A]

We have guy who called our goal Tim against Algeria, the one and only Ian Dark.

[B]

That's the first time I've ever heard you say our goal. That just made me feel 10ft tall.

[A]

We're going to grade the season for some of our prominent players.

[B]

Feel like this is a dunk contest. Like if I start too high, you

[A]

know, can't do it. I think he hasn't scored since December or something. And I'm like, well, this is like a d. Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and

[C]

Tim presented by Volkswagen.

[A]

Volkswagen has long been a supporter of soccer in America and is of part proudly been a partner of U.S. soccer

[C]

for over five years.

[B]

Welcome into Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim presented by Volkswagen. Ld steaming in. I'm steaming in with a hot take.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I don't even know if it's a take this weekend. We always talk to each other. What do we do this week? And here's what I did. I was in California for something and then I flew. So University of Tennessee women's soccer played Govals.

[A]

Go.

[B]

Vols played West Virginia in Morgantown. So good luck getting from anywhere in America to Morgantown, West Virginia.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So if you do a little, little geography lesson, you, like fly into Pittsburgh, right?

[A]

Oh, right. And then you try the night. Yeah.

[B]

I drove up, got a coffee, drove an hour in the morning, right. To campus, watch the game, drove an hour back. Cool. I stayed the night in Pittsburgh, but I didn't realize the NFL draft was going on. And so, and so I, I was fascinated. Here's why I was fascinated. Like day one, everyone gets excited. There's like hundreds of thousands of people.

[A]

L.D. right? And you're saying there were 300,000 people there.

[B]

Yeah. And you're a fantasy football guy, right? So I'm going, oh, yeah. So, so I'm, I'm watching this, right? And I'm like, whoa, this is a lot of people to get excited about. Like a 19 year old kid who like might save your franchise, right? And then so like day one, I gave everybody a pass. Day three, round, whatever it was, I don't even know how many rounds, the end of round two or something. Like, like Roger Goodell has, has his private jet has already taken off and landed like three days ago. They're wheeling people out to announce like the Los Angeles Rams, 850th pick. This place still has like hundreds of

[A]

thousands of people cheering, dude.

[B]

And I'm thinking, this is an offense. You just selected an offensive tackle from Utah with the 850th pick and people are going crazy. And I was thinking to myself, NFL

[A]

King, dude, it's King.

[B]

I was thinking, what in the heck is going on? And then I go to the airport. I mean, people have like, they've got like a Steelers hard hat and a Penguins jersey, and I'm just like, this is wild. Shout out to Pittsburgh, by the way. Anyway, that was my weekend, by the way.

[A]

It's 6am so if I sound and look terrible, that's why.

[B]

Yeah,

[A]

you know, I was, I was watching that draft too, by the way, and when they said on the thing, they said some. I was, like, vaguely listening. And they said, 100,000 people here, blank. And I said, 100,000 people. There's no way. And then they said, 300,000 people. And I said, that's impossible. How do they even like, I, I. It blew my mind. Like, that's like seven concert venues.

[B]

I know. Let's start a trend. Does remind me, does MLS still have a draft? I, I, I, no.

[A]

Right? Yes, they do.

[B]

Right?

[A]

It's not like a, it's just like you're at home and you call in your pet. It's not a whole thing.

[B]

Don Garber, you've been on the show. Let's get this show live at the MLS draft. We're bringing the MLS draft back. I don't know where we're going to do it. Let's do it in New York. Let's do it in Times Square. Our producers are like, what in the heck is Tim Toma? We're doing a live draft and we're going to get. I don't know. Let's get, let's get 2,000 people.

[A]

We're going to get a thousand people.

[B]

Come on. We're giving, we're doing giveaways. Don Garber said we're doing giveaways. Let's go. We're bringing this back. We're bringing it back.

[A]

I saw, Speaking of Don, I saw Don yesterday. I was in la.

[B]

Oh, right.

[A]

For the Kobe Jones statue unveiling.

[B]

Statue looks amazing, by the way.

[A]

Hey, you know this, right? So when you get married, you don't fully, like, get to enjoy it because there's so much going on.

[B]

Is that the reason you don't enjoy it?

[A]

You're just stress? Well, you're just, you're just stressed and, like, you got to say hi to everyone, all this stuff, right? I enjoyed Kobe's so much more than my own. Like, I just sat there and, like, listening to people talk about him and the people who shot. I mean, like your guy Robin Frazier flew in this morning from Toronto. Don Garber flew in that morning. That's so cool. Yeah, it was awesome, dude. It was so much fun. He totally deserves it. I am so happy for him.

[B]

Congrats, Kobe. The hair is amazing. He's got, like, his hair flying up when you.

[A]

Oh, it's so cool. It's really cool. They did an amazing job. All right, guys, welcome in. Please, as always, follow us on social media at Unfiltered Soccer. Subscribe to the show, YouTube, Apple Podcast, Spotify, everywhere you get your pods and then make sure you leave a rating. I haven't even checked those. Do people still leave ratings? Yeah, they do. All right, review the show. I think we're well rated, Tim.

[B]

I would hope so.

[A]

I would hope so.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And you can email Jordan at Feedback. Unfiltered Soccer. Little bonus piece of news. So later in the show we have. He's one of my favorite humans guy who called our goal Tim against Algeria, the one and only Ian Dark. We have an amazing interview with him, so that'll be a lot of fun. And he's going to. He'll share some stories and then talk about this summer. It's going to be awesome.

[B]

This is a good day. That's the first time I've ever said. Ever heard you say our goal. That just made me feel 10ft tall. Thank you. Thanks for including me.

[A]

I let that one go. Okay, let's start out USMNT on uslnt. So we're gonna do a little thing. We're gonna grade the season, club season for some of our prominent players. So this is obviously all subjective. You guys tell us your thoughts at the end and who we got right wrong and all that. But we wanted to just sort of figure out where are guys at in their club seasons because we see them a little bit with the national team here and there, but how have they been with their club? And I. I bet you po does obviously something similar as he's going into it. So I'm going to start with the name Timmy. You tell me your grade. If we want to expound upon it, we can. If not, we can move on. But let's start with your guy at Leeds United. Yeah. Brendan Aronson.

[B]

Yeah. Feel like I. I feel like this is a dunk contest. Like if I start too high, you

[A]

know, can't do it, can't up it.

[B]

My. My initial thought is a B, B plus. And then I'm like, oh, that. That's a bit. That's a bit. I feel like I'm. I'm short changing them. Four goals, five assists. No one else on leads. Has more than three, three assists.

[A]

He's leading the. He's leading a Premier League team in assists.

[B]

I know, I know.

[A]

That's like my decision.

[B]

I was like well and it, and it started every Premier League match since December. Like also for a kid, for a kid who. And we've said this on the show. They were, they were asking for him to be out of the team.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

Leeds fans weren't having. But I have seen, I've seen some really good stuff from him recently. Yeah, I feel like B plus is, is really bit low. What do you got?

[A]

I have an A minus and the only reason it's not an A is they've struggled a little bit near the bottom. He didn't. The beginning of the season. He wasn't always in the team. Now he's always in the team and he's been very. So that I could have, I could have lived with an A. But I think an A minus was fair. But he's had a, I mean a very, very good year. Okay, let's move on to Tyler. Tyler Adams. Yeah, yeah, go ahead.

[B]

No, you go. We're going to flip flop here.

[A]

I have Tyler as a B when he plays like when he's fit and healthy he plays and he usually plays well. The problem is, is he, he missed two months with the MCL tear. He missed a few weeks with his hamstrings. So he just hasn't always been on the field and their teams had a good year. Solid year. So I have him as a solid B.

[B]

Yeah, B, B minus for all the reasons you said. Tyler, if you're listening, you're actually an A. You're just a guy who I, who I love and I think because of the injuries and it's been stop start so if we're grading that season. But him on the whole got zero doubts about him and the guy's a gamer. So love him. But you know, just based on, just based on injuries and timeout. But yeah.

[A]

Okay, let's move on to Monaco and flo Bal again, a plus. Yeah, he's a strike.

[B]

He's a striker. He's got 18 goals, four assists, five goals in ten Champions League games. So all day long.

[A]

I didn't realize he had 18 goals all day long. He's going to hit 20 by the end. That's really good.

[B]

When you're a striker in any league season or any season you're getting 20, whether that's all.

[A]

And in that league, like they're not a, they're not one of the teams that just dominates and scores all the time. Whatever. He's, he's fourth in the league in scoring. I mean he's. Yeah. A plus. Okay, John, my turn. Johnny Cardoso. So this one's a tough one. I mean I'm taking out the national team stuff because he just, he hasn't been around or hasn't played or played well for the national team. He's basically, as I follow him and watch, he's basically in one game and then I think the guy K who's the captain plays the next game. So they basically like flip flop those two.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So I have him as a B. I think he's been solid. He's been good at times. He has missed time due to injury. He's. He's played a bunch of games. He hasn't started a ton. He kind of starts half and plays. Plays in most of them. So I, I have him as a solid B. Yeah.

[B]

Probably B minus. Other than the fact that like it's, it's La Liga, it's a giant team. Like he's, that's not, that, that's not sort of like again, I don't want to shortchange him.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Like he's, he's playing essentially flip flopping and, and getting on the field every other week. Like that's still a big deal. He's not, he's not like a Mickey Mouse club. So.

[A]

Yeah, that's a good point.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But you can only judge him on sure.

[B]

No, no, that's right.

[A]

If he was playing at a bottom third team, he'd play every minute of every game. Right, Right. We might have him higher, but yeah. All right. Okay. This, I mean if this was the biggest slam dunk, easiest one ever. Weston McKinney. Yep.

[B]

A, A plus.

[A]

How many pluses can you give?

[B]

Yeah, A plus.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean he's crushing all year. He's played all over the field, every position. He just, he's literally. We say this kind of jokingly, but he's literally the first name on the team sheet.

[B]

Aiden Morris.

[A]

Aiden Morris. So this one, I don't, I know you probably don't follow the championship. You only watch high class, world class football. But I follow the championship a lot. Aiden's been fantastic. I mean really good. He's played 41 times for Burrow this season. Just doing that is hard. You know that league, how hard it is, they will be in the playoff and I mean if he Gets them promoted. He's absolutely an A plus. I think he's probably close to an A plus anyway, but he's an A easily an A for me, he's an A plus.

[B]

I mean, to be fit, by the way, that league is. That league's actually way harder than I say.

[A]

It's the hardest in the world.

[B]

Like, physic, like physicality. You play more games. It's like, to be fit and available every week and then to be informed in order to, like, be picked. Yeah. I mean, A plus for me. And if they get promoted, Sheesh. Okay.

[A]

Yeah, easy. All right. Ricardo Pepe. This one is. This. This was hard for me. I don't know. This.

[B]

This. I'm giving a lot of minuses. A B minus. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, you know, I know he was out with the. With the injury, obviously. Injuries are part of the game. Like, I get that, you know, but he does. In that. In that league in Eredivisie, he does score.

[A]

He scores all the time. That's why it was hard for me. It's just. We just don't see him that often.

[B]

Yeah. I'm also wondering, like, it's a. It's a what if, but that. That move to Fulham sort of went through, you know, former desperate for a striker. They, you know, Anyway, whatever. That's not. That's not his issue at the moment. What do you have?

[A]

I have him as a B because when he plays, he plays while he scores, but he's just not on the field. Andrew, put his. His goal contributions per 90 minutes. This is wild. In the Champions League. 2.96 per 90 minutes. Yeah. I don't know if there's a higher one in the Champions League. That's insane.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So when he's on the field, he produces. He just can't stay on the field. So let's hope he stays on the field. Okay. Christian Pulisic. This is wild. I. You know, we have this recency bias in sports and in life. And so I'm just thinking about, like, since I think he hasn't scored since December something. And I'm like, well, this is like a D. This part of the season's been a D. And then you forget Tim. Remember how good he was in the beginning of the year?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Oh, my. I mean, he. He was definitely the best player in that league.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

I wish. Unequivocally.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it was like, every week it was another goal, another two goals, an assist, another assist. They win. They win.

[C]

They win.

[A]

They win, they win. And he was lights out, so consistency matters a lot to me. It does because over the course of a season, you have to be consistent. I think he played 60 minutes this weekend, wasn't fantastic, and then got subbed out. So I have him as a C plus. That could change if it gets into some form over the last few weeks, but it's just been too hot and cold.

[B]

Yeah, that's a tough one. I was looking at the stats here, like, from the start of the season till January 1, 10 goals, three assists. And then from that point till right now, no goals, one assist. It's. You know, overall, it's not. Yeah. I look at the season and sort of think, like, you know, it's probably too late for him to get 15 goals, especially now, you know, but, like, it's still not. It's not a terrible season other than the fact that it started off like. Like it was on a heater.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Would you give a C? What? Yeah, it's probably.

[A]

Probably right.

[B]

Probably right. He's gonna. I'll tell you what, he's gonna hate us. He already doesn't like us. We're giving him Cs.

[A]

Well, I mean, that's right. Is what happens. Yeah, it happens. It was interesting. His coach, Max Allegri, said the other day, he said Christian's very sensitive. He's a sensitive man and his drought is hitting harder. Yeah. He said he's also someone who struggles more with the physicality of duels and the lack of a center forward. Interesting. I was trying to think, Tim, he hasn't scored in 16 games. 16 games without scoring. And I was trying to think back in my career, like when I went four games without scoring, how it weighed on me.

[C]

He's gone 16 games without, I think, kill you.

[B]

The good news for our fans is he's saving them for the World Cup.

[A]

Let's hope so, man. And you know how it is, man. Just get one, he gets one, and it'll. It'll all come back. G, O. Yep. I have a D. Probably. I was probably being a little generous. He hasn't played in the game for more than 22 minutes all season, so. All right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Another easy one. Chris Richards.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

A plus. A plus. A plus. Plus. Plus.

[B]

Yeah, A plus. I mean, the guy's.

[A]

He's a stud. Stud. What about Jedi the spinach? I'm curious what your thoughts are on him. Yeah, he's played a lot more after he was injured.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, I think Fulham are being. Being careful with him a little bit, which is great. You know, I think overall I sort of great. I'm sort of grading him on being injury free more than anything. Like his production is, is way down and you know, going back a season, season and a half, he was probably one of the best left backs in the Premier League. And he was on Liverpool's radar obviously, you know, with the, with the injuries. So I'm sort of not going to grade Anthony Robinson on production, which is probably unfair to the rest of the list. But I'm more grading him on like, is he match fit? And when he's match fit, is he, you know, getting himself through game? Look, he's just not going to be bombing down the left side, whipping balls in at a, at a regular clip like he was. He's just not. And that's okay. If he's finishing the game and he's playing sort of consistent ball, then like, that's, I'm okay with that. Yeah, I'd give him based on that, B minus. Maybe.

[A]

I had a B. I think that's fair.

[B]

I'll give him a lot of B minus.

[A]

Tanner Testman. So he started the season well, was playing a lot, and then it seems like he's lost his starting spot a little bit. I, you know, I, to be admittedly, I don't follow a ton of that league. So I have him as a B and I think, you know, he's firmly, firmly on the bubble.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He's coming to the World cup or not?

[B]

Yeah, yeah. B.

[A]

Okay. Malik Tillman. So he does have eight goals for Leverkusen. Did start the season well. And then I think. Did they have a coaching change?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And this is what I always tell people, man. They're like, oh, I'm going to this club. I'm like, okay, but what about the coach? Does a coach like you? Coach loves me. Okay. Are they in, Are they struggling? Yeah, they're struggling. Well, you might want to think about that because that coach is gone and then everything changes. Right. So. And that's what's happened with him. He just, he rarely starts games now and it. I think he's probably looking to get out of the club. Right. And find somewhere where he can play.

[B]

Yeah, that's what it sounds like. But yeah, I don't mind. I don't hate that. I still think like at Leverkusen, big club, as you know. Big, big club. Eight goals, first season there, coaching change. Yeah, I'm having that. I'm having that.

[A]

What'd you give? Yeah, I, I gave him a B. A little generous, but it's kind of like Johnny Cardoso, right? Like, if he's at a, if he's at a, if he's at Munching Gladbach, he's playing every week and he's probably, he's probably more productive but, you know, and that, that might be a type of club where he ends up at next year. Sure. To be honest.

[B]

Well, I mean, yeah, he's had a good, he's had a good season, so. Yeah, don't see why not.

[A]

All right, couple more. Austin Trusty.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I do not follow the Scottish Premier League, but he's, you know, he has played a lot. He's been a sort of a mainstay there especially.

[B]

You don't have to follow the whole league. Just follow, just follow.

[A]

That's true, that's true. But you want to like base it on some, some knowledge of the league. Right?

[B]

I know, I know.

[A]

I have him as an A minus for his, for his club. I think he's been solid. He's played a lot. Cameron Carter, Vickers went down and he ended up, he was already playing, but he's just, he's just now been a stalwart. So I think he's had a solid season. Again, another guy firmly, firmly on the bubble. Be really interesting to see what happens with the roster. Last one, easy one. How'd you write?

[B]

Amazing.

[A]

17 goals, A plus. He's been so good. He was named to the championship team of the season. We said that's so great. And they helped his team get promoted. He's going to be playing in the Premier League presumably next year. Yeah, amazing.

[B]

I mean, I'm hoping they, they feel like they can spend their money other places and give him a proper good run out in, in the Premier League.

[A]

He deserves it. He does deserve it. All right, let us know what you guys think about the grading. I think we were pretty fair, but you guys will let us know. We. Too harsh. Too generous. Email Jordan feedback at Unfiltered Soccer. I'm sure there will be plenty of comments next week on that. Okay. Want to remind people, this Friday we have a really cool bonus episode coming out. We're counting down the top five biggest question marks around the US Men's national team this summer. So these are big picture ideas. Thoughts. What are the question marks? And then next week, big, big, big pod. We, Timmy, you and me, we got work to do.

[B]

Yeah, tell me.

[A]

Are predicting our 26 man World cup squad. Who's in, who's out, who we disagree with on each other, etc. And by the Way this is going to. And I'm making an executive decision. It's going to be who we think will be there.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Not who should be there. Who we think Pochettino is going to pick. I was thinking about that this morning. I'm like, no, I want to, I want. It needs to be who we think he is going to choose.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. So you got homework, bud. I know you're busy, but you got easy money. Easy money. All right, fine. Let's talk a few quick EPL and MLS things. And they're. They're related and people know why. First of all, nothing changed in the champion. The race for the championship. Is that how I say it? The race to win the Premier League. Nothing changed in the relegation race because all three teams won for the first time in like 600 years. The FA cup final will be City against Chelsea. That'll be interesting. And then leading into the Chelsea stuff. So Liam Ross senior got fired. And I'm really curious to hear your thoughts on this. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Because you're around all this and I'm. You talk to people and all this. So three and a half months into. I didn't realize this. A six and a half year contract. They signed him to. They fire him after three and a half months. And my question is, Tim, how does this happen? I can't figure this out. Because if you're doing your due diligence in your homework, you're saying this is absolutely our guy. He ticks every box in every way. And three months in you go. We kind of got that wrong. I'm like, how the hell does this happen? I can't figure this out, dude. And if he wasn't, if you weren't sure, give him a year and a half deal. Can you please help me? I, I rack my brain trying to figure this out.

[B]

Yeah. You're asking for, you're asking for my advice. I, I've got none. I mean, I, I. Potter, Potch.

[A]

I don't want advice. I want to know how this happens.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, they had three really, really good managers. Grandpa didn't work out. Pot is po. Is a top. Premier League manager gets a sack. Maresca has a team flying. I mean, when I say flying again. He inherited a team with a squad of like 800 people, right? He had to trim the squad. He made two different squads. He had one that won the Europa Conference League. His Premier League squad qualified for Champions League. Then they won the club World Cup. Whatever you think about that. And then he gets fired. Here's why because, well, you know, people, people will tell you different things. The sports science department were given carte blanche to dictate player minutes by the higher ups, meaning they were dictating to Maresca. You can't play him because he's on a minutes count. And Maresca just said, I've had enough, I've had enough. So like you sack, it's crazy to me. And then Liam Rose senior, with, with, with all due respect to Liam Rose senior, he didn't have the CV to manage Chelsea. Not that you shouldn't have, you shouldn't get opportunities, right, but they went in house, right, because of, because blueco owns, they have a multi, multi tier system and they own different clubs. He was already in house, but he, you know, he had, he had experience at Darby and Hull and sort of, and then like in the French First Division. But like managing Chelsea is a different kettle of fish. And he just, like, he wasn't equipped for it. And he had a squad, by the way, which I've stood by. Got no senior players, he's got no leaders. His two, I'd say they probably have three leaders. They're captain, Rhys, James, Enzo and Kugureya. A couple weeks into his, his ring, Enzo and Kukurea start, start talking in the press. And he's gotta, and he's gotta leave him out for like big matches. Like this is what he's inherited. So look, I have a lot of, I've got a lot of friends who are Chelsea fans. They have a lot of opinions, strong opinions. The fact of the matter is Chelsea are running this team in a different way and it's a business for them and it's a business for everybody. They're running it like a business and not a team. And I, I, yeah, I would, I

[A]

would secretly go on. Let me say I'm secretly glad this happened. Not, you know, I never, you never want people to get fired or whatever, but the, this always happens. The pendulum swings too far. And, and Chelsea was like, we're not going to have a guy like Moresco or Poacher. Guys who have all the power, all the control, make all the signs. So we're just gonna go get a head coach, right? And this is where all of now football is going to like, we're just going to get a head coach. We make all this, we want all the power. We decide the players and you just go on the field and coach, guess what? Sometimes that doesn't work, dude. Sometimes it doesn't work. And so, and I'm not saying there's not a case for that, you know. Brantford, great example. Brighton, great example.

[C]

But,

[A]

yeah, it's. It's just. I'm. It doesn't surprise me at all.

[D]

It's.

[B]

It's. It's a bit of a mess. It's a bit of a mess.

[A]

It's a mess. Yeah, go on.

[B]

Well, they just have a massive, you know, and again, this is. This is not being in touch or in tune with sort of the nuances of football. And I. I talk about this all the time with certain clubs and Chelsea's one of them. What you do by sacking the manager constantly when results aren't good is you let the players off the hook. What, you got to hire another manager when the going gets tough. You think those Chelsea players are going to play for their manager? You know what they're going to say? They're going to go, we'll get you sacked. Like, we got the last four sacked. We ain't worried about that. Our contracts are nine years long. I'm here, I'm good.

[A]

That's the problem with long contract. You see that in baseball, too. The guy's like, I got signed for 12 more years.

[B]

There's a nuance.

[A]

It doesn't work out, you're going, not me.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

One other quick thing. In mls, we thought this was interesting, too. So Tatso Martino's at Atlanta and they've had an awful start. Although they did win this weekend in Toronto. That was a massive win. They needed that. He had a quote last week and he said, to be clear, if I didn't have the past I did with Atlanta United today, I would probably be fired. That was after their loss last week. And I. I mean, of course, we love the candor. It made me think, Tim, in life, this isn't just in soccer or in sports, people who are good people or who have a history get a way longer leash. And I played with players where that happened. I saw executives, I saw coaches, where, like, if the coach was a genuinely good human, people would give him more moral leash. And the opposite of that is when the guy was real nasty or people. You knew people didn't like him. As soon as results went bad, bang, knife in the back, you're out and gone. And it's really. It's just a really interesting thing because his history is keeping him in his job right now. And people are like, oh, well. But the results and like, that stuff does matter sometimes, man. These are humans making these decisions.

[B]

Can I tell you who wears the pants in Atlanta? Tata he basically just told his employers.

[A]

It's amazing. Right, you should buy.

[B]

I should probably be sacked. But you won't sack me because I won for you. Good for you, Tata. Hey, it's your world, mate.

[A]

We're just amazing. All right, last thing. You know those Walgreens receipts?

[B]

You got some.

[A]

You know those, like, really long ones?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, you got some. You got some.

[A]

I do remember at one point, not just you, actually me saying that Timo Werner signing was the shocking idea for San Jose. Well, he scored two goals this weekend for San Jose, who are top of the table. Three, two, win over St. Louis. I think he has goals in three consecutive games. Now, we'll see how this plays out, but for right now, there's a bit of. Bit of egg on the face, buddy. No, I.

[B]

Look, I think. I think the exact quote was, he couldn't hit a cow's ass with a banjo. But it's a long season, clear. Clearly he can. But I'm happy. And I said this to you, by the way. I said this to you because I actually witnessed, like, I witnessed him completely get the yips at Tottenham and other places and, like, just couldn't, like, literally couldn't put the ball in the ocean. And it was bad, man. I mean, it's. It's bad for people's mental health to be like that. Scrutinized and booed. So, like, I hope he's enjoying Los Gatos and scoring goals. I mean, God bless him.

[A]

Isn't Bruce the best man? Like, he just. He just gets the best out of humans. Like, he just does, man. He knows how to do it.

[B]

Yeah, I can just imagine Bruce going, timo, just shoot the thing. And then, boom, goal.

[A]

And then, boom, it goes in. Bruce Magic bags of brace. A reminder, guys, to subscribe. Bruce, Timo, Long may it continue for both you.

[B]

It's time for the unfiltered refresh. Sponsored by Coors Light. Choose Chill. Get Coors Light delivered. Go to coors light.com UFS all right, this is exciting one who chose chill this week.

[A]

Very, very a massive, massive congratulations to him. To Joe Scally. So Joe Scally is 23 years young. He became the youngest non German player ever to reach 150 appearances in the Bundesliga. He's started 26 games this season. He's been a stalwart at Gladbach. When I was reading that, I thought, oh, maybe he's the youngest American.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

To ever reach 150. He's the youngest non German. And I just want to share when I Went to Leverkusen when I was 17. The number of Croatians, Turks, Argentinians, Brazilians, Eastern Europeans in the youth system is crazy. I mean, they are everywhere and they're very few Americans. So by the time you end up making it to the first team, you're competing with lots and lots of these people. And he is the youngest non German player ever, ever to have 150. That is a phenomenal achievement. Yeah, really, really is.

[B]

Yeah. And, and you sort of, when you look at the two best leagues in the world are the Premier League and the Bundesliga. Bundesliga probably tips, sort of. Their development is probably better than any league in the world. Like any major league in the world. They can develop and you're, you know, you were part of that you system. They can develop players like nobody. So like he's, it's not where they're just buying and selling players for fun. They're, they're producing these young players.

[A]

A great point.

[B]

And they give these young players opportunities.

[A]

That's.

[B]

So he's competing.

[A]

And especially Tim, they give young German players or young, you know, whatever, Eastern Europe. It's very hard as an American to break in like that and then solidify yourself. He is well on his way to another US Soccer legend, Steve Trundelo's type of career in Germany. And Joe Scali, Massive congrats. Long may it continue.

[B]

Awesome.

[A]

Cheers to you, my friend.

[B]

Well done, Joe.

[A]

All right, we're going to take a break. When we come back, as we talked about, in my opinion, the goat. The absolute goat of broadcasting. Ian Dark will join us right here on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim, presented by Volkswagen. 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.

[B]

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.

[A]

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?

[B]

Live life in the driver's seat. Learn [e-mail] LD MLS is back.

[C]

Yes, it is.

[A]

And you know what that means. Saturdays are once again all about soccer.

[B]

Walmart is making Saturdays of soccer even more glorious with with Walmart Saturday showdown. From early practices to late night watch parties.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Walmart and MLS bring every emotion of the beautiful game to Saturdays. Joy, nerves, excitement and unforgettable.

[B]

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[A]

Who knew? All right, Timmy.

[C]

It is my immense pleasure to welcome a man that I have worked with many, many times over the years now, and I will be working with again this summer.

[A]

A man who was once quoted as

[C]

saying, landon Donovan is the best co comms analyst I have ever worked with. And that is none other than Ian Dark. Ian, welcome to the show. You did say that, right?

[D]

Yes, of course. Yeah. A million times. I say that to all the co commentators, though.

[A]

Yeah, I know.

[C]

They all say the same thing.

[B]

Ian, good to have you. This is great.

[A]

Great to have you.

[D]

Good to talk to you both.

[C]

Exciting times coming this. This summer. But I do want to, because I don't. I'm not sure we've ever properly talked about this. Is it strange now for you?

[A]

And I've always.

[C]

I mean, we've talked about this a

[A]

bit, but is it strange to have

[C]

called goals that are iconic and for US soccer, obviously our Algeria goal was iconic, and then be working with some of the people or seeing some of that.

[A]

You. You call the goal or you called the goal of.

[C]

Is that a weird dynamic?

[D]

It is kind of weird, yeah. But there's a. There's a lovely sort of symmetry about it for me to sort of. To get to know the players or the guys. I used to commentate on a little bit as. As human beings as well. And, goodness me, you and I, Landon, spent about six hours every time getting to matches on the road in Germany. So we got to know each other a little bit. You even got to meet my D. I remember. So, you know. Yeah, looking. Looking back on that goal, it's amazing to think it was. It was 16 years ago, but, you know, people still remind me about the goal. I mean, it was weird when it happened. I had no idea what I'd said. And it was only when I got back to the hotel and people said, oh, that, you know, that was. All these local radio stations were ringing me up to talk about the goal, like I'd scored it. All I did was talk about it.

[B]

Ian, I'm curious on in the Moment, because you said you were speaking from the heart, you were speaking from the scenes that you're seeing. And in the moment, you've called big games, big moments, big goals, big everything in US Soccer. That's probably one of the most iconic moments that we've ever had. And I just wonder now it feels like, yeah, it was iconic. And, you know, do you ever know in the moment or is it. Is it Too immediate?

[D]

No, you should know in the moment, as a commentator, you should have the editorial brain to know what, what a goal means. And that goal was, you know, took the US as you guys know better than me, from bottom of the group to top of the group, suddenly qualified and in the most dramatic circumstances. And it's a gift for a commentator because you can go to 10 on the Richter scale with a, with a goal like that, nothing you to be over the top. And I mean, I do think it was a bit of a light bulb moment, Landon's goal for soccer in the US I think a lot of people who thought, well, this is all quite boring, nothing ever happens. And then that happened. And I think a lot of people thought, wow. And it was big news.

[C]

Yeah, I've always wanted to know this too, Ian. And you know, now that Tim and I are both in this space and you know, Tim on the desk a lot, but he also calls games during the Olympics and things like that. And I try to prepare as much as possible. You prepare more than we always do. Are you thinking consciously in the moment if this happens, then not, I will say this, but this is the reaction I might have, or if this peters out and it's 00 against Algeria, then this is the attitude and the tone I take. Do you think about that consciously or are you sort of just living it in the moment? Because I live it in the moment, but I don't have to be prepared in the same way you do.

[D]

Well, I think you try to think maybe on a grand scale, say you were doing the final and Argentina win the World cup, and at last Lionel Messi wins the World Cup. You might have a think then about the kind of things you might say in this situation, but by and large, I think you've got to feel it. You've got to let the game tell you the story. You can over prepare matches. And I think that's the biggest mistake young commentators can make, that they do mountains and mountains of research about the game, and they're determined to show the audience how much research that they've done. Well, I do all the prep, but the best games, you probably only use 5% of that. You know, it may be that you wouldn't use any of the lines you've. You've done on maybe 18 of the players, but you try to concentrate on the guys who are the story in the match and hone in on them. So I think, I think it's best if you do it that way. It's. It's a 90 minute sometimes. 120 minutes sometimes, and even more with the shootout.

[B]

Yeah, I wanna. I wanna keep on that theme. And I think for people at home, it's just so you become accustomed to turning on the television, seeing the pictures and hearing the voices, and the voices become so natural to you over the years. But. But preparing for a game is anything but natural. And I just sort of. I. I want you to take our. Our listeners inside a week. What that looks like. How many hours are you. You know, you're calling. You're calling City, Southampton this week, right? So how many hours in the week are you using? That's just dedicated to research. And then when you do that, how much of that is listening to manager sound, writing statistics? How can you. Can you take us sort of inside the week?

[D]

Well, too many is the answer to that, Tim, to be honest with you. How many hours are there between now and the kickoff? There's always something you're worried. You don't know when you're preparing the game. But like I say, I think you can over. Over prepare it. So I like to think, in a way, about. In fairly broad brushstroke. So, yeah, okay, you say that game we're talking about this week is the FA cup semi final. Manchester City and Southampton. So I started today doing some things on Southampton. They're on a very big unbeaten run at the moment. They've got a great chance of going up from the Championship. So I'm starting to look, you know, who is the last team from the. You from the second tier to win the FA Cup? That was 1980. West Ham United. Who are the last team to even get to the final? When have there been huge upsets? What. You know, City's amazing record at Wembley. You know, they've been there 23 times since Pep took over, that kind of thing. So you're getting lines and then you. I'm looking at players and I found out today, reading through, Erling Haaland has never scored for Manchester City at Wembley in all the times they've been there. So there's another line that's the kind of thing that you. You may be just rooting around, dig up and I mean, I think the problem is, though, you know, to cut right through this. It takes several hours to answer your question, Tim. Too, too long, really. And it's kind of sad, and we're in danger of becoming geeks. But you hope, when you hope, when you do the commentary that you're a good guest in somebody's living room and you're not piling all that stuff at them because most of the time they're just not interested in that. And they're probably looking at the TV and saying, what is this idiot? He needs to get a life. You know, how does he know that? So you hope what you hope what you say. Kind of people go, well, that's, that's. That's quite interesting. I wouldn't have known that.

[B]

So, great line. The guest in someone's living room. And that's the best. The best are like that. And that's. That's. You are the best. So that's. That's brilliant. Thank you.

[C]

Yeah, you certainly do that. I think when I'm. When I'm calling the game the lens, I go through it. And I'm curious. You too, Ian. I'm trying to tell the audience something they wouldn't have seen with their eyes or they wouldn't have noticed. Right. And that's sort of the lens I'm always looking at it through. And, you know, the Erling Holland stat is actually. I would go, wow, I.

[B]

That.

[C]

That's hard to believe that he has never scored at Wembley. I also wanted to ask how people, I think, don't realize how much we rely on a stats person or. Or the research that. That people do. You know, Fox has dedicated people they hire for the whole tournament who send us notes and notes. So it helps the preparing in the game. And I've never asked you this, but in the game, how much are you relying on that stats person to give you some, you know, if you didn't know about Erling Holland and they say that's the first time he scored in 24 times at Wembley, how much are you relying on that? Because for me, that helps a lot. I can ask that person quickly and they can get me some info that I think the audience really apprec.

[D]

Well, the stats guys do a great job. I mean, it's amazing if you think that we come out with odd lines or great lines sometimes, often we're relying on those fellas being as good as they are at their job. I mean, you and I work with Dave Ray, who will be with us at the World cup, and, you know, he's got reams of stuff about every player that's going to be on that pitch, even if it's Curacao, you know, playing Germany, which is a game you and I are going to be covering in Houston. I think that's our second assignment at the World cup, and you're starting with a blank page there. But I think To. To answer your question, Landon, I mean, you talked about your role. I always think the role of you and. And Tim, for that matter as well, if you're on a game is, I can watch a thousand football matches, but I'll never know as much as you do about. About football. You played it at the top level and you see things that I would never see because you're that good. And if you can bring those insights, I think it's, you know, that's what I think. The viewers love to hear that, to hear those kind of perceptions from top players.

[B]

And I'm curious, were you surprised in the way that the American fans embraced you as the teams announced or the voice of the team? Was there any trepidation on your end, thinking that they might want, like, an American voice? Going into that, how did you feel?

[D]

Well, I'm quite flattered, really, that they seem to enjoy the commentary and the moment, whether they would have done if the US had just gone out in the Neil Nil draw with Algeria. I think he might not have enjoyed you as much. Yeah, they wouldn't have enjoyed it so much. It's like being a manager, isn't it? You know, the 11 guys you pick all think you're a great manager and the rest. So, yes, very flattered. And I mean, US fans have been very, very nice to me over the years. And even on the anniversary of Landon's goal, it. It still gets recycled quite a bit on social media. But, I mean, I've got fond memories of, you know, because you guys, and I'm not just saying that I found the difference between covering, say, the Premier League in England and, you know, with the US team, you know, I always had a pretty good relationship. The coaches were amenable. The players were mostly amenable as well. And, you know, I always admired. What I admired about the US team was that. That fantastic. I mean, I hope this team have got it, that grit and fight and character that U.S. teams, you know, used to have. I may always, always remember, you know, like with Clint and Steve Chirandelo, Carlos Buckner and Michael Bradley, you know, you two. I remember Frankie Haiduk as well. I mean, he was amazing character, wasn't he? So, yeah, they were good times.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Well, let's move into this World Cup, Ian. So first, as a starting point is the World cup. For, as a player, the World cup and maybe the Champions League is. But really the World cup is the epitome, right? Like, that's the top of the mountain for us because you're representing your country you're playing in the biggest sporting event on the planet. Do you feel that way as a commentator as well, that that's a dream and a goal for someone in your position?

[D]

Absolutely, yeah. I mean, I love the World cup to bits and I always want to be commentating on it and I do it for nothing. Don't tell the bosses that.

[A]

Nobody's listening. Don't worry. Yeah. Okay, so in this.

[C]

This summer. So let's start. I want to start actually with a

[A]

team that didn't make it. Is it.

[C]

As someone who's been around the game for so long and sitting on those bus rides in Germany for six hours together, you have so much knowledge that you don't give yourself enough credit for

[A]

how much you know about the game.

[C]

But as you're also an historian and for Italy not to make it now three times in a row. Can you put that in context? I mean, this is a team that's won the World cup and only a few have won it.

[B]

So what.

[A]

I mean, how do you feel about that?

[D]

Quite sad, actually. I mean, it is a great story that they haven't made it, but it's three times in a row now. I mean, that is so depressing for, you know, the millions and millions of people who follow the Italian team and I mean, four times winners of the World cup. And you think back to Paolo Rossi and Roberto Baggio, Maldini, Viale, Mancini, Tadali, Riva, Rivera, Franco Baresi. You know, all those names reel off the tongue and you think, they're not going to have a team at the World Cup. We've got a 48 team, World cup and Italy not in it. And I think, you know, I think we need them in it, really. We do, as a storyline. We need them in it. And I'm sorry, they're not there.

[A]

Ian, also with the.

[C]

You mentioned the 48 team. So, you know, Tim doesn't like it. I. He thinks it's going to be watered down. There's going to be some bad games,

[A]

which there probably will be.

[C]

I like the fact that Uzbekistan and Jordan and Curacao and Cape Verde now have the chance for the first time to play in a World Cup. I think that's amazing because I know the feeling of what that means. Your thoughts on the expanded tournament?

[D]

Mixed feelings, really. I can see it from both points of view. I kind of have a sympathy with the view and Tim probably agrees with this that it's not a village tombola, you know, where everybody gets to go. It's meant to be the Cream of world football. And it isn't when it's got 48 teams in it. And you might get some very, very lopsided games. But I do know what you're saying, Landon, what it means to the people of. From. From, you know, those countries to be in the World cup is, you know, the scenes in, you know, Cape Verde and. And Curacao when they qualified is incredible. I mean, and the story of Haiti is amazing, too, isn't it, with the capital overrun by gangs and the team unable to play at home, and there they are qualified for the World Cup. So, yeah, I think it swings and roundabouts with that. I can see it from both sides. And let's see how it turns out.

[B]

You're brilliant. I'm in. I'm in. Just that. I'm ready.

[D]

I sold it.

[B]

All right, so let you sold it. You're good at what you do. I'm in. Let's go, Cape Verde. All right, all right. All of my friends in England say it's coming home, but they just keep pressing record and repeat because it's always coming home, apparently. Talk to me about Tuchel and your thoughts on sort of the job that he's done with this England team so far and your expectations of the tournament this summer.

[D]

Well, I think he's proven as a winner, isn't he? Thomas Tuchel, he's won the Champions League and he's been with top clubs, and he's very much his own man. He isn't going to pander to what the media say. All the decisions are going to be his views, and they might be quite controversial ones, like picking Jordan Henderson, who's a lovely guy and is going to be a great tourist. But not many people would have had him in the England squad, but when Thomas Tuchel came on board, he put Jordan Henderson in. He's not in Brentford's team at the moment. So is he going to pick him? Is he going to leave out somebody like Adam Wharton, who's a beautiful passer between the lines for Crystal Palace? I mean, my view is that Wharton's got to go. I mean, I look at the England team and I think they've got bags of attacking flair. Saka Bellingham, Morgan Rodgers, Cole Palmer, Ebericher Eza, if he picks him. And of course, Harry Kane is one of the world's great goalscorers. I think they're going to score goals. I'm a bit worried about the defense, if I'm honest with you. Are they going to be able to defend well enough against the Bigger teams. And I think a little bit of the evidence of the March friendlies against Uruguay and particularly Japan was it might be a little bit of a problem and you know, they could do with having a fit and firing John Stones, who's been in many, many championships as a lovely, classy defender. But he's never fit. He's hardly played this season and it's going to be a bit of a job to pick him really, unless he plays in City's running. But I can't see it, to be honest with you, Ian, I tend to

[B]

agree with you on that. Give me your back for it. Bearing in mind who, who you think will be fit and not fit. England going to the first game, who's your back four starting?

[D]

Well, it'll be Rhys James if he is fit. But you'll know Timmy's got a patchy record on the fitness front, but he's, he's the best right back. And then I'd, I'd have Trent Alexander Arnold in the squad because if you're one nil down, he might come on and produce a moment, you know, some gorgeous ball to set up a goal. I think it's going to be ESRI Consa of Aston Villa and Markehy as the central defenders. Left back's interesting, I'd say in pole position is Nico O'Reilly who's come from nowhere this season. I think he'll be the left back for England myself. I'd also have Luke Shaw in the squad just because he's a steady Eddie and knows the position. Once or twice you've seen O'Reilly just get caught out a little bit positionally because he doesn't know that left back position so. But I think it's, I think that's probably going to be the look of it.

[B]

Yeah, and I agree with that. But. But again, Nico O'Reilly, not a ton of, I mean big game experience, but not on the international level. And that sort of back four doesn't scream solid. So yeah, really interesting take, Ian.

[C]

You've seen a million football matches called. A million football matches are when, as you go into the summer now, are there teams or players? I get excited about certain games and you know, then you hope that we get to call them and, and teams, groups and players. Do you feel that way or do you just sort of, you know, you're agnostic to all of it.

[D]

You know, the weird thing is about, I think the world. You never can tell what the big stories are going to be and that's what I do love that about the World Cup. Sometimes it's the games that look like they might be routine or a bit dull that turn out to throw up some of the best stories. But, you know, from this range, you know, I think we're all looking forward to seeing, you know, Spain, European Championships, particularly Lamine Yamal. Might it be his big stage? Look at France with Mbappe, you know, been in the last two finals. Dembele Bacola, Due Alise. I mean, what, what a lot of attack trying to stop them. I'm not sure about their midfield and defense quite as much. So that might be the Achilles heel for them, too. I mean, Brazil with Carlo Ancelotti, Rafinha Vinicius and who knows, maybe even Neymar. Yeah, that looks a long shot, doesn't it, at the moment? Germany, Musiala Viet. So it's exciting, isn't it? And, and, and what about Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? Have they got one more tournament in them? I don't know.

[C]

Right.

[D]

What do you think

[C]

they do? But I don't know how effective they'll be. I mean, the interesting thing, one other thing, I want to get your take on with the travel and the heat, right, which is real. We can't say it's not real. However, the counter to that is with the 48 team World cup, you now basically have a week in between games and as you know, in the past it was four or five days max in between games, and now you're going to get six or seven days. So I'm curious to see, and I don't know if you have thoughts on this, but generally speaking, in the past, if you. Let's take Brazil, who had a very. Or France, very, very deep roster, if they were playing a team that they pretty much knew they're going to beat, they would rotate the squad and play different guys because you want to rest some guys after four or five days of rest only now with a week between the games. I'm curious to see how teams approach this because it might just be put the best players on the field no matter what, even though there is travel and heat. Do you. Do you think that's accurate?

[D]

I don't know. I think the coaches are probably best to tell you that whether they would just want to keep the team together for the chemistry and to build the momentum as the tournament goes on or. Yeah, you might be right. They might look at a certain fixture and say, well, we can probably rotate quite a lot and still get the points we need from this particular assignment. I'm not sure, but yeah, I mean, I remember. I'm old enough to remember the 1994 World cup in the USA and how hot that was. And now we've got this thing, haven't we, where the kickoffs could be or the game can be delayed because there's a storm in the area. So, I mean, I hope we don't get. I hope we don't get too much of that, because that's going to be chaos, isn't it?

[C]

Be chaos for us trying to travel to our next game.

[D]

We're missing flights. Yeah. So the team.

[C]

Yeah, exactly.

[D]

Although they've got their own luxury planes.

[B]

Yes, of course. Ian. One one team I don't think will be feeling the heat or the travel is the US team. I think they're used to it. They're. It's sort of normal to us. Can you give us your thoughts on. We're. We're in this bubble in America. We're sort of. We. We buy into everything because we're so excited about the team. But on the outside, and you live, you know, abroad, you're in England. What's sort of the perception of the US team and, and what sort of run they could go on?

[D]

Yeah, I mean, there's a big, obviously focus on the US team in the usa, but as yet, I don't think anybody's really talking about that team in Europe. Not from this range, but that's okay, too. But if you look at that squad, I know there's been a lot of criticism and it's not been an easy run. And, you know, the 52 defeat against Belgium, they lose to Portugal as well. I mean, my impression, I watch both of those games is they're too easy to play against at the moment. It's too easy to score against them. There are too many chances being created. But you look at the squad and there's enough players there playing in, you know, good, good clubs and with plenty of talent. And I think if they can mix in that, you know, that grit and fight and character that the old squads used to have, they might be able to surprise one or two people. When, you know, if they. Those two games, I hope they were learning exercises for Pochettino and the squad, but, you know, I do worry. I mean, I love. I love Tim Rainey Remy. He's been a fantastic footballer in the Premier League and, you know, particularly for fulham, but he's 38 now. Can they. Can they play Tim Ream in a World Cup? What do you think?

[C]

Yeah, it's going to be I mean,

[A]

it doesn't matter what we think.

[C]

It looks like he's going to play. And so it goes to what you said about England, what you said about France. There's a lot of solid attacking players

[A]

in the US Team.

[C]

There's a lot of elite attacking players in the other squads. I just talked about defensively, when you play against real teams, and we saw it against Belgium and Portugal. Can you handle that? And can you handle it by just sort of rolling the ball out and saying, okay, you know, you attack and

[A]

then we'll attack, you attack.

[C]

And I mean, they're just better, right? So there has to be that grit and that sort of nastiness or else it feels like we can't beat, though. Can we beat Australia and Paraguay playing that way?

[B]

Of course.

[C]

But can you beat the bigger countries?

[A]

I don't think so.

[D]

Well, that's the first job and I think they can get through the group and do well. I think they can be Paraguay first time up. I think they can be Australia. Not sure about Turkey. That makes the group a bit tougher than them having qualified, but yeah, then. Then you. You never know how the momentum changes. You guys know this better than me being, you know, you've been part of it runs like that at World Cups, the feel might be different and they may feed off the kind of not frenzy, but the amount of momentum that they're getting from the American public, and it'll be like nothing they probably ever experienced before. So who knows how the story could develop if they get it right in those first couple of games.

[B]

Right?

[C]

Ian, last question for me. And you've been very gracious with your time and very, very excited for this summer, and we're going to see a lot of each other, which you won't be too happy about, but I will.

[D]

You're threatening to take a lot of money off me on the golf course. I'm glad you think we might even have time to get to a golf course.

[C]

We won't have time, but it's going to be really hot. You'll struggle on the back nine.

[D]

And don't bring mine too, but

[C]

bring your wallet, but don't bring your clubs. Okay, last question for me. So I. When I go into certain games, if I'm calling an MLS game, for example,

[A]

or a game where I think the

[C]

audience tuning in is sort of die hard soccer fans who know the game pretty intimately, I. I will call it a little bit differently, not, not completely differently, a little bit differently than I might a World Cup. And. And the reason Is. Is we will, you know, let's pick a number. If there's 20 million people watching the first US game, 6, 7, 5 million of them will be pretty die hard soccer fans, they'll really understand the game. But a bunch of people, maybe as many as 5 or 10 million, will be tuning in. Like I tune into skiing in the Olympics. I don't really know what I'm watching, but I want to watch because I'm supporting the US Team. So I will. I won't dumb it down a lot, but I will a little bit change to make sure that I'm bringing people in and sort of educating that group too. Do you approach it that way or do you sort of just call every game the same way?

[D]

I think that's a good point you make. There's more of a casual audience for something like the world. People who wouldn't normally watch the game will watch this. So I remember once a producer giving us some very good advice and said, if I'm sitting at home with a beer in Chicago and it's a game between, you know, the Czech Republic and Poland, make me interested in the game, make me want to root for one of those teams, get me involved in the game. So I think that. I think that's a good thing for us all to remember to tell, you know, and I think you do that by maybe telling some stories about that country, you know, and like. Like the story of Haiti and, and. And about maybe some of the players. I mean, I can. I could tell you, you know, if you go back to 2010, that, you know, Diego Forlan had scored this many goals. But, you know, more interesting to me was that, you know, his sister had been very ill and they couldn't afford the family, couldn't afford his medical bills. And he said, whatever I make as a footballer is going to pay your medical bills. And I thought that then you want to root for him. That's a much more interesting thing to tell the viewers about him than the fact that he'd scored seven goals in the last 12 games or something like that. So, yeah, things like that. And we hope we get through it somehow.

[A]

Brilliant.

[B]

Well, listen, I want to leave on this, Ian, give us a winner. Who do you have?

[D]

I think if you put me in a corner and I'd say Spain, I think Spain or France. Yeah. But hey, I've been wrong most times before.

[B]

No, I agree with Spain or France. For me, I'd probably bet them against the field.

[A]

Well, Ian, thank you.

[C]

This is very insightful. Our fans love hearing from you.

[A]

Listening to you.

[C]

We will be listening. Well, I'll be listening to you right next to you in the stadium. Everyone else will be listening on tv. Yeah.

[D]

You realize we've just upset everybody in Brazil and Argentina and Colombia. Uruguay as well.

[B]

It's fine.

[A]

That's right.

[C]

That's fine. They're used to it. Thank you, Ian. I look forward to it. Safe travels over the pond and I will see you a lot this summer. Thank you.

[B]

Thanks, Ian. Great to see you.

[D]

Yeah, thanks, Tim. Thanks. Lather. Thank you.

[A]

It's stoppage time. Sponsored by FanDuel. New customers can bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if you win. Download the FanDuel sportsbook app to get started. All right. Great one this week. Manchester United. Liverpool, a classic derby in the Premier League. United in a good run of form. Liverpool also in a good run of form. Both teams should get into Champions League comfortably. They're eight points clear. So a win for either team almost assuredly secures Champions League football next year. Or maybe it does actually secure it. I think United are slightly better in the moment. Liverpool have had a good run of form, but I think United are a better team in the moment and I think they win the game. Bruno Fernandez is heading into this summer's World cup in fantastic form. It feels like every week he's on the score sheet, so I think he gets on the score sheet again. Both teams will score in the game. Both high powered offenses and not great defenses. I think it'll be a great first half. I. I anticipate it being tied at halftime. 1 1. So United, unfiltered soccer EPL, same game parlay this week. United to win the game. Two 1. Bruno Fernandez to score or have an assist. I absolutely believe both teams score in this game and I think the score will be 1:1 at halftime. Don't forget to check out the full list of unfiltered soccer same game parlays on our socials later this week. All right, let's take a break. When we come back, we will dive into your Questions in the AT&T fan Connection right here on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim. As always, presented by Volkswagen. 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. We 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 and present in select states for Kansas in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino or 18/ plus and present in DC, Kentucky or Wyoming. First online real money wager only $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as non withdrawable bonus bets which expire seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See [e-mail] gambling problem call 1-800- gambler or visit fanduel.com rg call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org chatinceneticut 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-ATE HOPE NY or text HOPE NY in New York. 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, I know. And then just one by one, like the reality that you did something special for the first time is so, so amazing. And Coors Light is the most refreshing way to celebrate every goal this summer.

[B]

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.

[A]

Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door. Visit coorslight.com UFS or you can find it pretty much anywhere that sells beer. Coors Light More Goals, More Celebrations.

[B]

Celebrate responsibly. Coors Brewing Company Gold in Colorado Beer 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 question at AT&T. Connecting changes everything. And on USLNT, our connections with you will help grow the game. Welcome back in it's time now for the AT&T fan connection. Jordan. Hello. Welcome.

[E]

Hello.

[A]

Hi.

[E]

How's it going?

[A]

Hello.

[B]

What kind of T shirt is that?

[E]

This is an LS Dunes T shirt. LS Dunes is a side project for one Frank Iero of My Chemical Romance. So.

[A]

Is it LSD for short?

[B]

No.

[E]

I don't know. I don't think so. It's LS Dunes.

[A]

See what I did there?

[E]

Yeah, I do. And I'm feeling uncomfortable about it. Can we talk about the sign that's in the background?

[A]

Clearly, she wants attention. Okay. What is it, Jordan?

[B]

I wish I saw you all the time.

[E]

Yes. This is also band merch. I'm trying to incorporate more band merch because I've got plenty of soccer things

[A]

back there, but now I'm trying to get free tickets.

[E]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. We don't do that. We do not do that. Bands need to make money, and so we pay for our concert. Yes.

[A]

You probably didn't do. When would. When did, like, pirating music come out? Remember when piece? Pirate music. You probably didn't do that.

[B]

Napster.

[E]

No, Napster.

[A]

That's what it was. Now,

[E]

I don't want Lars Ulrich from Metallica suing me in. You know.

[A]

What is it? What's the sign? I wish I saw you all the time.

[E]

Yes. It is my favorite lyric from my favorite song by this band, Signals Midwest, which is from Cleveland, Ohio.

[B]

You listen to some Wild Signals.

[E]

I do, yeah. They're not scary, though. Landon, I think you might.

[A]

Oh, I might like it.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

I'm gonna write it down, actually. Signals Midwest.

[E]

Yes.

[D]

Okay.

[E]

In the chat, what do you got for us? Before we get into questions, and I do have some smoke this week, I would like us to Revisit our top 5 sports movies of all time because we got flooded in the mailbag inbox with people's lists. And I have two really good lists that I would like to share with you. The first one is from somebody named Tara Hammer, which I can't get over. I think this is. Should be a wrestling character.

[A]

Tara Hamler is an amazing character's real name.

[E]

I don't know, but it's. What? Tara.

[A]

Is it one word?

[E]

No, it's two words.

[A]

Tara. T, A, R, A. I'm gonna look

[E]

up T E, R A. T, E,

[A]

R, A. I'm gonna look up Tara Hammer.

[E]

Okay, give it to us. Tara's list is a League of Their Own.

[A]

Yeah.

[E]

Remember the Titans.

[A]

Don't hate it.

[E]

The sandlot.

[B]

Okay.

[E]

McFarland USA.

[A]

What? I've never heard of that.

[E]

It's a running movie with Kevin Costner. He's watching, like a running team.

[A]

Right?

[E]

And number five, Cool runnings.

[A]

Oh, yes.

[B]

Good job.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

Yep. And then feel the rhyme from Nate on YouTube. And Nate's list is a little different. It's got a good soccer movie in here, though. Any given Sunday.

[B]

Yep.

[E]

Miracle.

[B]

Yeah.

[E]

The Damned United.

[B]

Oh, good.

[E]

Remember the Titans and Moneyball, okay.

[A]

Oh, Moneyball was good.

[B]

I'm revamping mine as we speak. And I'm thinking there's so many movies.

[A]

There's so many. Someone told me you guys this weekend, that was a great.

[B]

Draft day was really good, by the way.

[A]

Great movie.

[E]

Hence, you guys have seen the Damned United, right? That's a great movie.

[A]

I have not, but I've heard of it, so I will watch it now.

[E]

I also thought about putting Unite Just United, the one about the Manchester United, the Busby Babes, because it has David Tennant in it and I love him. Hey, be nice. Okay.

[B]

Okay. Did we get. Did we give our top five?

[E]

Not on the show. That's what we were going to do this week.

[B]

I completely bottled.

[A]

Can we just put out a graphic with this?

[B]

We'll put out aggressions because you need to.

[E]

You need to think about it.

[B]

I gotta think because I've. I've totally.

[A]

I'm nervous now and I don't want to mess this up.

[E]

The only one that I could think of that was on my list that nobody mentioned because all the rest of them, like, remember the Titans and Field of Dreams and Sandlot are on my list, is the Karate Kid. I love karate kids so much.

[A]

That counts as a. Yeah, that's a. Well, then Rocky is a sports too.

[D]

Of course.

[E]

Rocky's a sports movie.

[A]

Yeah, of course. Karate Kids are great shout.

[B]

Of course, bro. I. I have. I just redid mine with none of the ones that I had on my original.

[A]

Yeah, I know. That's the problem.

[B]

And I've got. I've got a baseball one that. That tops everything that you're not even thinking of. Anyway, we'll.

[A]

We'll.

[B]

We'll go.

[A]

All right. We'll put a graphic out. Look forward to it.

[E]

Okay.

[A]

All right. What do you got, Jer?

[E]

Uh, the first one, I've got something that you mentioned earlier in the episodes. This is from Brian via email. And Brian, this wanted to ask this question of Tim Howard and he said, if Timo Werner amasses the most goal contributions in MLS this season, would you consider getting my. As a big fan of yours autograph tattooed on you?

[A]

That's amazing.

[B]

Definitely not getting. Is it, Justin?

[A]

Come on, Brian, Brian, Brian. You wouldn't even know.

[B]

I'm not.

[A]

You have so many tats.

[B]

I'm not getting your autograph tattooed.

[A]

But I will pro.

[B]

I should get Timo Verner. I should get Timo's autograph. If he. He doesn't even have to have the most goal contributions. I think he's gonna. He's got like 4 and 4 and 4 in all comps and he hasn't played a ton. Like, there's a good chance he gets 10 and 10 and I'm. And I'm gone.

[A]

If he gets most goal contributions per 90, you get one of two tattoos. A crow eating. Are you eating? No. Are you eating crow? Okay. You eating a crow? That's pretty dark. Or your face with a big egg on it.

[B]

Yeah, I had I. Good, good answers. I have the answer and I'm going on. I'm going on record. I'm going on record. Ready? Here we go. This is how. This is how I operate. So anybody who thinks I sidestep things, do one. Timo Werner. All comps. If you score 10 goals, 10 assists in all comps, the season finishes and there's a 10 and a 10. I will get tattooed on my ass. The best. The best drawing that one of our fans, any listener right now sends into the show of a cow and someone swinging a banjo. I will get that tattooed on my ass. So Timo, you do your job. Our fans and listeners do your job

[A]

creatively begging you draw, begging you send it to get on a heater and I'll do mine.

[B]

That's. You see how this works, junior? It's very simple.

[E]

I need a new job because now I'm gonna get flooded in the inbox with pictures of cows and banjos.

[B]

You know what's gonna happen? You know what's gonna happen? Lord, we're gonna get jail. We're gonna get an amazing assortment of pictures and I'm going to love one of them so much that I'm going to be in the stands with a team of earner jersey on, like cheering him on. Please score another brace so we can like get 10. 10. Anyway.

[A]

Okay, good. It's on record. We have the receipt.

[E]

Okay. How about speaking of mls, this question is from Ross via email. In the last few years, we've seen the arrival of world class players to mls, albeit towards the end of their careers with the likes of Messi, Son, Mueller and others I'm sure I'm missing. We've also heard Pochettino talk about the quality of the MLS players. When will we start seeing world class managers in the MLS like Pep Guardiola, Hansi Flick or Xavi Alonzo? And what will it take to get them to mls?

[A]

Good, great question.

[B]

Good question.

[A]

What do you, I'm curious to you, Tim, because you're like the Premier League obviously still for everybody is the pinnacle. So what would it take for one of these guys to say, I mean, outside of a gazillion dollars, but like, what would motivate, like, Pochettino did it with the national team. Right. There was something special that motivated him to be here.

[B]

Oh, oh, something special.

[A]

A lot of money.

[B]

It was a duffel bag.

[A]

Okay. By the way, I know this for a fact. He did have other options too, and he chose to come. Right. So like, yeah, still, yeah, obviously the money has to be there, but still

[B]

there's a home World cup. He gets to live in London and come whenever he wants and is $6 million. It's a lot of motivation there to coach his team.

[A]

Yeah, it's fair. But I mean, he had lots of great offers.

[B]

I, I think, I think he's a brilliant manager. I'm saying, like, I, yeah, yeah, I think he's doing a great job. That's a good question. I, I, I always ask David Moyes, like, when, when are you, like, when are you.

[A]

Because he loves America.

[B]

Like, stop. He, he's got it, he's got a house, he's got a home here in the sunshine. Like, when you coming? I, you know, the, the Pep Guardiola one is interesting because he loves New York. Obviously City is New York City FC is part of City football group. And you're like, isn't that nailed on? But I don't know, it's not, it's an interesting one. I, I, here's what I think this is probably going to be a disservice because I think, I think without naming names, LA Galaxy had one or two like top four managers and it didn't work out. But I guess Landon, for me, you know, when we have like really amazing players, right? And you've played with some really great dps, but there's been dps that come to other teams and just chucked it off. But you're like, they're one part of the team, they're a big part. You can sort of turn the faucet on and off like on a Thursday, like, okay, I'll train hard today and then play. So you can kind of do that like a ma being a manager's hard.

[A]

Very.

[B]

You know, and like you look at David Moyes, Pep Guardiola, all these, all these managers, it is like full on all fricking day. And I just wonder sort of their motivation of like, do I want to get on a six hour flight cross country, manage this team if we lose 5 nil, do I have like, do I still have the stomach to like get these guys? Like, it's a harder job, I think. I think being a ma, Being a top manager, top international manager, managing an MLS team is harder than being a DP and coming into a team.

[A]

Agreed.

[B]

I think, yeah.

[A]

I mean, yeah, it's hard. It is hard. But at some point you think one of them will. Sure, you know what that's like. Just like David did, right? Playing and I'm messy and one of them would say, yeah, I'm gonna go do it. And they will. Eventually it'll happen. Jordan. I just.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[E]

Okay. One more question. This one is from Cameron via email. And I'm sorry, I'm realizing all of my smoke this week is for Tim.

[B]

Let's go.

[E]

Recently, Recently Tim said that spurs have the best squad by a trillion miles over other relegation zone clubs. But then he included my Leeds United squad and I took Umbridge. Does this include unavailable spurs players or are we just talking wage bills? Because this lead squad are unbeaten vs Liverpool rude Chelsea and Manchester United this season. I wanted to see if you can see through the Manchester United colored glasses and give Daniel. This is so funny. Give Daniel Farkey. Farkey. Right. Daniel Farka. Thank you. Props for this leads season. He has changed tactics in the right spots. Seems to have kept leads up semi final of the FA cup and we've been competitive in all but two matches. Our goal differential is almost entirely from the misfortune of playing Arsenal twice. Just wanted to give the man his flowers.

[A]

I'm gonna. Before you answer, I'm gonna go get a bag of popcorn, bring it back. I'm just gonna sit by and enjoy this.

[B]

Who's that again? I haven't addressed him by name.

[E]

Cameron.

[B]

Cameron. There is. There is a Manchester United song that starts out we all hate lead scum. And it's, it's. It's sort of accurate. So there's that part of it. It's a good song actually. But beyond that, you make some brilliant points. Brilliant points. That being said, my point is the same if. If you give me injuries. Not injuries. I don't know. If you just give me a list of the Tottenham squad, it's a trillion times better. Talent wise than Leeds or Forest, by the way, Forest is battering teams of recent times and West Ham. It's a better squad. Yes, because they've spent more money. So it's not about the money necessarily. I'm saying man for man, player for player. It's a better squad. Are they underperforming? Are they fragile? Are they injured?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

What I said was this. The Tottenham Hotspur squad is far better than any of the teams around him, including Leeds. What a place. Have you ever been to Leeds? Don't go, how's that for smoke? Put that in your pipe and smoke

[A]

it, Cam, by the way, I mean, it's not even a debate.

[B]

The Tottenham squad, that's all I was saying.

[A]

Billion miles better than the lead squad.

[C]

Now.

[A]

Leads are a better team right now. Yeah, they're a better team for sure. But I mean, there's no.

[B]

I didn't say.

[A]

Yeah, you don't say they're a better team. You said squad, that's all.

[B]

Has done brilliantly.

[A]

I've done brilliantly, absolutely.

[E]

I do think it's so interesting how an entire fan base for a club can make or break how other people think about your club. Because we were just talking this weekend about if Millwall gets themselves promoted. I don't want that at all. Because I don't.

[B]

No.

[A]

Yeah, I do.

[B]

No, definitely not. Can I tell you a funny. Can I tell you a funny lead story? Like.

[E]

No, you don't. I don't believe that for a second.

[C]

I do.

[A]

I love chaos. That's so fun. I want all those.

[E]

No, no, no. That's not good chaos. That is.

[A]

You're putting a lot of players in a bad Chelsea fans and players to have to show up at Millwall on a Saturday night. No, it's hissing rain.

[B]

No, listen, can I tell you a funny leave story? Like I, I, I love Manchester United. I obviously identify with Everton because I played there 10 years, but I played three years at United with NBC. We went, we went, we did a game at like Christmas, Boxing Day or something during that period at Ellen Road at Leeds, they were giving me all sorts of help and honestly I was like, like, get me out of this place, man. What's wrong with you people?

[E]

Okay, that's it for me. If you would like to have your question feature. If you would like to send some smoke Landon's way so we can even things out. I would appreciate it.

[A]

Just a nice guy. Everyone just likes me.

[E]

Feedback at Unfiltered Soccer.

[A]

I can't wait to see these pictures that they send in for the test.

[B]

I know.

[A]

It's giving me a lot of ideas now.

[B]

I'm buzzing. I'm buzzing for it.

[E]

I'm stressed about it. I'm leaving. I'm out of here.

[A]

Bye, J.R. thanks, Jer. All right. Amazing, amazing show. Thank you so much, Ian. God, I love that man. Cannot wait to spend the summer working together with Ian. Calling the World cup games. Appreciate all of you guys. As always, Remember, subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, everywhere you get your pods. Follow the show on all our social media platforms at Unfiltered Soccer. Thank you so much as always to our presenting sponsor, VW, our Fan Connection sponsor AT&T and our stoppage time sponsor, FanDuel LD.

[B]

And for my part, I want to thank Ian Dark, absolute gentleman and legend of the sport, and appreciate everything you've done for us and obviously the insight. I know our our listeners are going to be buzzing for it. Thanks also to our unfiltered refresh sponsor, Coors Light, and our additional sponsors Airbnb and Walmart. Have an amazing week. We'll be back next Tuesday with another edition of Unfiltered Soccer.