1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,080 Speaker 1: Everg that's right, like ESPN thirteen thirty. Cincinnati's all right. 2 00:00:05,160 --> 00:00:08,240 Speaker 1: Five minutes after four o'clock. This is ESPN fifteen thirty. 3 00:00:08,240 --> 00:00:10,840 Speaker 1: I'm mowegor. Good afternoon. Thank you so much for listening. O. 4 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 1: We're having just an awesome, awesome I said Wednesday afternoon. 5 00:00:16,400 --> 00:00:19,240 Speaker 1: It'll be fun on Monday night. That's the three series 6 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:24,440 Speaker 1: FC Cincinnati and Columbus in the MLS Cup playoffs. The 7 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:27,480 Speaker 1: Orange and Blue wrapping up the regular season with a 8 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:31,360 Speaker 1: win over Montreal on Saturday, clinching the two seed and 9 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: setting up first round series against the Crew, starts on 10 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:39,639 Speaker 1: Monday night at TQL Stadium. That game will start at 11 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 1: six forty five, with Game two in Columbus next weekend. 12 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 1: The general manager of FC Cincinnati, and first of all, 13 00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: I want to thank him because he was supposed to 14 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:51,840 Speaker 1: join us tomorrow. I thought it was yesterday because I'm 15 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:54,840 Speaker 1: a dope and I'm off tomorrow, so he was nice 16 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 1: enough to rearrange his schedule. The GM of FC Cincinnati, 17 00:00:58,080 --> 00:01:01,640 Speaker 1: Chris Albright, is with us. I appreciate you adjusting things 18 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:03,400 Speaker 1: for us. Chris. It's awesome to have you. How are 19 00:01:03,400 --> 00:01:05,720 Speaker 1: you all? Good man? 20 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 2: No worries I'm just happy to be all with you. 21 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:11,880 Speaker 1: It's good to have you. I say this, and you're 22 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 1: you are free to correct me or confirm. I feel 23 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 1: like from way back in February when training started until 24 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:22,760 Speaker 1: the end of the transfer window about a month and 25 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:24,960 Speaker 1: a half ago, it feels like this has been the 26 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 1: most influx the FC Cincinnati roster has been since you 27 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:31,600 Speaker 1: took over. Would that be a fair and accurate assessment, 28 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:34,160 Speaker 1: that is that is confirmed? 29 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:38,560 Speaker 2: I would say the winter window had more drama than 30 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:42,080 Speaker 2: than we wanted. A lot of turnover. Uh. We got 31 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:44,640 Speaker 2: through the winter window and I thought to myself, well, 32 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:46,840 Speaker 2: I'll never see a window like that again. And then 33 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:50,600 Speaker 2: a summer window opened then, and we added five more 34 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 2: guys and moved a few guys out, And so I 35 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:54,919 Speaker 2: think we're in a good spot now with our depths 36 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:57,160 Speaker 2: and hopefully ready to make her up for it. 37 00:01:57,240 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, you know what you did late summer 38 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:03,360 Speaker 1: felt like like, Okay, these moves are specifically for October 39 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 1: and beyond. You still feel that way, I. 40 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 2: Do you know? I think once you see a group 41 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 2: together for twenty five or so games and you're really 42 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 2: building around key pieces in a Vander and Kevin Dankey, 43 00:02:16,639 --> 00:02:20,000 Speaker 2: you can kind of diagnose what you need, but you 44 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:21,640 Speaker 2: don't want to. You don't want to just add short 45 00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:25,360 Speaker 2: term solutions that you can't build around going forward. So 46 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 2: I think we were able to identify guys that are 47 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:30,079 Speaker 2: kind of win now pieces, but also pieces to help 48 00:02:30,160 --> 00:02:32,120 Speaker 2: us build around as we as we move forward. 49 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:36,600 Speaker 1: When when you acquired a Vander, we all knew you 50 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:38,400 Speaker 1: were getting a great player, and we all knew you 51 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:40,919 Speaker 1: were getting a guy that at times, you know, especially 52 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:43,239 Speaker 1: as as Pat was trying to figure out who was 53 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 1: going to do what you could lean on because he's 54 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:48,160 Speaker 1: a star. Aside from what we see, give me an 55 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: idea of what his impact on the club has been. 56 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:55,560 Speaker 2: On you, You know what instantly mo he really fit 57 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 2: into the group. You know, you can always kind of 58 00:02:59,160 --> 00:03:03,120 Speaker 2: gauge the the culture and the atmosphere around the team 59 00:03:03,160 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 2: in the meal room, and you know, once we got 60 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 2: past some of the drama that we needed to get 61 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:11,400 Speaker 2: past and Evander showed up, the volume in the meals 62 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:14,000 Speaker 2: and preseason was just at like an all time high. 63 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:17,880 Speaker 2: And so he really did a great job for being 64 00:03:17,919 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 2: such a special player of fitting in with every member 65 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:23,120 Speaker 2: of the team, not just guys his own age or 66 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 2: guys from South America, but literally everyone, And that was 67 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:30,600 Speaker 2: really the best compliment that I could pay him. You 68 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 2: see his ability on the field, but that soft stuff 69 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 2: has been really important for our group. 70 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 1: Every week we get on a match analyst or the 71 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 1: play by play person for your next game from Apple TV, 72 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 1: either on Thursday or Friday, and over the second half 73 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:48,520 Speaker 1: of the season, I think every single week, whether it's 74 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 1: been an analyst, whether it's been a studio host, whether 75 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 1: it's been a play by play person, all will go 76 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 1: out of their way to mention the job that Pat 77 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 1: Noonan has done with his team. And I've asked a 78 00:03:57,760 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 1: few of them, you know, for a guy who has 79 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:01,160 Speaker 1: been the coach of the year in this league before, 80 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 1: it feels to me like this was his best individual 81 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 1: coaching job. You've seen them all and you, you and 82 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 1: Pat are in total alignment. But is is the best? 83 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 1: Is this the best job that that Pat Newton has 84 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 1: done with an individual team? Perhaps? 85 00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 2: I mean, it's it's tough to beat a trophy winning season, 86 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 2: and we were we were a point just short of that, 87 00:04:21,240 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 2: So I know we set really high expectations for ourselves. 88 00:04:23,839 --> 00:04:27,039 Speaker 2: Pat certainly does for himself but him and his staff 89 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:32,040 Speaker 2: that did an incredible job again pulling all these pieces together, uh, 90 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 2: you know, figuring out different lineups, injuries. We've had some 91 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 2: injuries to some key contributors, and I think understanding how 92 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 2: to use the debts. 93 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:41,920 Speaker 1: Uh. 94 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:44,359 Speaker 2: Those pieces have now played a lot of minutes so 95 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:47,560 Speaker 2: that if they are called upon come playoff time, they 96 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:50,039 Speaker 2: should be ready. So I think a great job managing 97 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:52,360 Speaker 2: the group and has set us up for success, hopefully 98 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:53,840 Speaker 2: over the next month and a half. 99 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:56,200 Speaker 1: I think if you asked, and your perspective may have 100 00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:58,360 Speaker 1: been different. I think if you asked the average FC 101 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:02,279 Speaker 1: Cincinnati fan going into the postseason last year, it didn't 102 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 1: feel like your club was going into the postseason with 103 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 1: a ton of momentum. It feels a little bit different 104 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 1: this year, though. I think the Eastern Conference feels more 105 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:12,520 Speaker 1: wide open, although last year it proved to be very 106 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 1: wide open once the postseason began. Do you feel like 107 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 1: your team is better positioned to make a run than 108 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 1: maybe it was a year ago. 109 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 2: I think both things are true. I think we're well 110 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:24,359 Speaker 2: positioned to make a run. I think we're in a 111 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:26,479 Speaker 2: better place than we were at the end of last year. 112 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 2: Certainly a deeper group, kind of more tools in the 113 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 2: tool belt, but the East is a gauntlet. The bottom 114 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:39,359 Speaker 2: of the East. I think the ninth place team was 115 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 2: like on fifty three points. I mean, I think that 116 00:05:42,320 --> 00:05:45,840 Speaker 2: was good for like fourth the last few years. So 117 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:48,159 Speaker 2: I think as deep and as competitive as the East 118 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:51,000 Speaker 2: has ever been, we're certainly up for the challenge. I 119 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:53,039 Speaker 2: think that's what makes it. It's going to be a 120 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:55,599 Speaker 2: really good product for MLS, for TV, for you know, 121 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 2: hopefully the fans to come out and see it live, 122 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:00,600 Speaker 2: you know, especially with a matchup with like with US 123 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,640 Speaker 2: in Columbus. But uh, we we're confident in our group, 124 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:06,239 Speaker 2: confident in our in our top end talent and and 125 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:07,920 Speaker 2: and sort of the bottom of the roster as well. 126 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:11,720 Speaker 1: Is a playoff series with a rival more fun or less. 127 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 2: Fun, It's uh, it's it's more fun. It is it's 128 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 2: more you know, the stress and anxiety that comes with 129 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:23,960 Speaker 2: rivalries and angst, you know, all that certainly bubbles to 130 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 2: the surface. And whether you enjoy that or not, I 131 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:29,200 Speaker 2: guess that's how you kind of rate, you know, rate 132 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 2: the series. But like I said, it's it's I think 133 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:37,279 Speaker 2: it's the best rivalry in MLS, which is really, you know, 134 00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:40,520 Speaker 2: great for the state of Ohio, great for for FC Cincinnati. 135 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:42,720 Speaker 2: Uh and so I think it's gonna be a really 136 00:06:42,760 --> 00:06:44,560 Speaker 2: enjoyable series for for the average fan. 137 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:47,960 Speaker 1: FC Cincinnati general manager Chris Albright with us FC Cincinnati 138 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:50,039 Speaker 1: is getting set for Game one of their best of 139 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 1: three series against Columbus at home on Monday night. The 140 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:58,200 Speaker 1: length of the season is extraordinary for for folks who 141 00:06:58,279 --> 00:07:00,839 Speaker 1: follow other sports. If if you go all the way, 142 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:03,400 Speaker 1: you're going to be playing in early December and then 143 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 1: like a week later the next you know, the twenty 144 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 1: twenty six season is going to begin CONCACAF Champions Cup 145 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:11,480 Speaker 1: and all that. What what's on your plate right now? Like, 146 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:13,800 Speaker 1: what is the general manager of a major league soccer 147 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:16,120 Speaker 1: team that has a team in the postseason working on 148 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 1: at the moment? 149 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:21,520 Speaker 2: We right when the window closes, what we try to 150 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:23,600 Speaker 2: do is kind of turn our eyes internally to the 151 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:27,360 Speaker 2: rest of the organization. So whether that's SCC two, MLS, 152 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 2: next pro, you know, our second team, whether that's kind 153 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 2: of continuing to build out our academy and improve our academy, 154 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:37,640 Speaker 2: you know, those kind of things right as the window closes, 155 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 2: and then shortly after you kind of address some of 156 00:07:40,200 --> 00:07:43,840 Speaker 2: those key items you're we're on the next season. You know, 157 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 2: we're already trying to make guesses on uh you know, 158 00:07:47,640 --> 00:07:52,080 Speaker 2: some some salary cap uh calculations and what pieces will 159 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:55,840 Speaker 2: will be around, what pieces won't, what additions we need. Uh. 160 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:58,480 Speaker 2: You know, we have scouts internationally that are already out 161 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 2: watching games. So our at tension, you know, for sort 162 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 2: of me and my guys very quickly goes on to 163 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 2: twenty twenty six. 164 00:08:06,480 --> 00:08:08,720 Speaker 1: What's match night like for you? What are you doing? 165 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:15,280 Speaker 2: What am I doing on match night? Angsting with all 166 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:19,120 Speaker 2: the fans is what I would say. Basically, I'm like, 167 00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:21,960 Speaker 2: I'm like everybody in the bailey biting their nail nails 168 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:25,720 Speaker 2: for ninety minutes. No, MAT's day's that's day's great. 169 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 1: Now. 170 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 2: Look, I try to I try to be supportive to 171 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 2: the coaches. I try to have little conversations with players 172 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 2: here and there, but ultimately a lot of you know, 173 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,480 Speaker 2: the work that we've done in my part of the 174 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:39,240 Speaker 2: of the houses should be done come match day and 175 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,079 Speaker 2: try to enjoy it. I'm enjoying it more as the 176 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:45,480 Speaker 2: years go by, and maybe angsting left, so that's probably 177 00:08:45,480 --> 00:08:46,160 Speaker 2: good for my health. 178 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I can relate to that. It's been a terrific year. 179 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:52,680 Speaker 1: Best of luck on Monday and over the course of 180 00:08:52,720 --> 00:08:55,560 Speaker 1: the next five or six weeks. It's been fun to 181 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:58,000 Speaker 1: watch your team this year and a lot of moving parts, 182 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:00,920 Speaker 1: a lot of drama, but it's been fun to watch, 183 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 1: and hopefully it continues until early December. I can't thank 184 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:06,120 Speaker 1: you enough. Always awesome to have you. And again I 185 00:09:06,120 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 1: appreciate you adjusting your schedule. Oh no, worries. 186 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:10,920 Speaker 2: Well, had you liked your knicks tonight or no? 187 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 1: I like my knicks, you know. Yeah, my teams are 188 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:17,000 Speaker 1: Orange and Blue. So we got to beat the Calves, 189 00:09:17,559 --> 00:09:19,679 Speaker 1: get the season off to a good start, and then 190 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:22,559 Speaker 1: you guys carry the Orange and Blue, you know, thing 191 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:25,360 Speaker 1: moving forward on Monday, all right, and I like it. 192 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:28,360 Speaker 1: Good luck man, all right? Likewise, Chris Albright, general manager, 193 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:31,840 Speaker 1: FC Cincinnati, the Orange and Blue, the soccer Orange and 194 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 1: Blue home on Monday, Game one, best of three series 195 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:39,280 Speaker 1: against Columbus at six forty five on Monday evening at 196 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 1: TQL Stadium. It's Quota Raph for four. It is remarkable 197 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:45,839 Speaker 1: the job he is done, and he and Pat nowt 198 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:50,120 Speaker 1: in both. I remember the first time we had him 199 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:52,400 Speaker 1: on and look, man, take it, you know, with a 200 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 1: grain of salt when it comes to me giving you 201 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 1: the nuts and bolts of soccer. I've always been transparent 202 00:09:57,440 --> 00:10:00,680 Speaker 1: about that. But like the first few years of play, 203 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:05,000 Speaker 1: it just it felt like instability. It didn't always feel professional. 204 00:10:05,040 --> 00:10:07,960 Speaker 1: It felt like there wasn't alignment. And I remember the 205 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:10,240 Speaker 1: first time I talked to that guy going, I think 206 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:14,920 Speaker 1: they have like a legitimate soccer executive. I think they 207 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 1: just became a real major league soccer franchise. And job 208 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 1: he has done, job Patten and has done has been 209 00:10:19,520 --> 00:10:24,440 Speaker 1: awesome and hope it continues. All month. A lot of 210 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 1: folks got antsy when they saw, Man, we're gonna play Columbus. 211 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:31,600 Speaker 1: We'll see should be fun. Should be fun again? Monday 212 00:10:31,679 --> 00:10:35,040 Speaker 1: night Game one, best of three? Speaking of fun, is 213 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 1: the UC basketball season gonna be fun? Because, frankly, last 214 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:42,520 Speaker 1: year was not. Scott Springer's the Big twelve Media Days 215 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 1: in Kansas City. He joins us. 216 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:49,560 Speaker 2: Next Cincinnati's ESPN fifteen thirty. 217 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 1: Traffic from the UC Health Traffic Center. Mamma Grahams Save Lives. 218 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:57,200 Speaker 1: Call five one three, five eighty four. Pink to schedule 219 00:10:57,280 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 1: your annual mammogram with UC Health's expert team. That's five one, three, 220 00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 1: five eighty four pink on southbound seventy one seventy five 221 00:11:05,559 --> 00:11:09,280 Speaker 1: before Donaldson Road. It's an accident off onto the left shoulder. 222 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 1: Traffic stuff and go from two seventy five and Erlanger. 223 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:16,760 Speaker 1: Another accident on Dixie Highway at Buttermilk Pike, and police 224 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 1: activity on Winton Road at Dutch Colony Drive. I met 225 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:23,240 Speaker 1: Exelic with traffic. This report is sponsor