1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,440 Speaker 1: I've been fortunate enough to play with great American players, 2 00:00:03,680 --> 00:00:06,560 Speaker 1: some of the greatest American players of all time, and 3 00:00:06,680 --> 00:00:08,680 Speaker 1: what I can say about that is that none of 4 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:11,840 Speaker 1: them had all of the tools in the toolbox that 5 00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:13,319 Speaker 1: Clint Math has had. 6 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:19,919 Speaker 2: Greetings, folks, and welcome to Inside American Soccer. I'm Matt Doyley, 7 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 2: armchair analyst, and I'll be filling in for new dad 8 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 2: Tom Bogert for a couple more weeks. Reports out of 9 00:00:27,120 --> 00:00:31,760 Speaker 2: the Boger household have indicated no strife early days after 10 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:36,040 Speaker 2: the transfer window move for Young THEO. I am honored 11 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:38,400 Speaker 2: to be joined by my new friend, one of the 12 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:42,240 Speaker 2: greatest players in US soccer history, a veteran of three 13 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:44,720 Speaker 2: World Cups, you can say, the face of the national 14 00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:50,040 Speaker 2: team in the nineteen nineties tab Ramos, and where joined 15 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:51,760 Speaker 2: by a guy who might have been the face of 16 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:55,280 Speaker 2: the national team for part at least of the two thousand. 17 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:58,760 Speaker 2: It's an incredible guest, another US soccer legend, an MLS 18 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:01,840 Speaker 2: Cup champion, and one of the greatest metro stars. 19 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 3: Of all time. 20 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 2: Clint mathis gentlemen, it is wonderful to be here with 21 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:07,720 Speaker 2: the two of you. 22 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 1: Oh, thanks for having me. I appreciate it. Clint, Yeah, 23 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 1: thank you so much for coming on. Obviously, I don't 24 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 1: I don't really know where to start with you, because 25 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:19,320 Speaker 1: it is a little bit difficult for me. Clint and 26 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:21,960 Speaker 1: I were roommates with the Metro Stars for a little while, 27 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 1: and then, you know, I was so happy to see 28 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:29,680 Speaker 1: like that was his sort of where his career started 29 00:01:29,680 --> 00:01:35,200 Speaker 1: to lift into international stardom, and I had an opportunity 30 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 1: to live a little bit of that with Clint in 31 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 1: the room, with him eating all the jelly beans possible 32 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:45,240 Speaker 1: that he could eat. And I have to say this. 33 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:48,120 Speaker 1: I couldn't start the show by not if I didn't 34 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 1: say that Clint has been my favorite American player of 35 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:55,200 Speaker 1: all time. And I know that everyone has different lists, 36 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 1: and everyone can judge different people according to stats or 37 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 1: how long their career was, or what teams they were on, 38 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:06,040 Speaker 1: or whatever else. But I can tell you that I've 39 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:09,760 Speaker 1: been fortunate enough to play with great American players and 40 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:13,120 Speaker 1: some of the greatest American players of all time, and 41 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:15,240 Speaker 1: what I can say about that is that none of 42 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 1: them had all of the tools in the toolbox that 43 00:02:18,880 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 1: Clint math has had, starting from his great technical ability, 44 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:27,440 Speaker 1: his speed, his ability to process information on the field, 45 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:30,919 Speaker 1: to deliver a pass, the quality and pace of a pass. 46 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:33,800 Speaker 1: He was good in the air. He could take a 47 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:35,920 Speaker 1: free kick with the right foot or the left foot, 48 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:39,280 Speaker 1: which no one can do. I mean, I could go 49 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:44,160 Speaker 1: on and on is dribbling. Everything Clint did was amazing. 50 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 1: And on top of it, he was a down to 51 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 1: earth person with a huge heart who always spoke about 52 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:53,359 Speaker 1: his mom. We talked about his mom and Georgia in 53 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:57,400 Speaker 1: the room all the time. You know, Clint, I'm so 54 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:00,280 Speaker 1: happy to have you here. And for all those ads 55 00:03:00,280 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 1: out there who don't know as much about you, I 56 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:04,880 Speaker 1: really wish they did. 57 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:09,399 Speaker 3: I appreciate it. It does sound like tab you did 58 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 3: get the brown envelope that sent before the show, So 59 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:17,080 Speaker 3: I appreciate that. So you went right on Q. I 60 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:20,480 Speaker 3: think you read it verbatim how I wrote it, But no, 61 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:23,680 Speaker 3: I really appreciate it. That is, it was a it 62 00:03:23,720 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 3: was a weird transition. I think at that time a 63 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 3: lot of people don't know I enjoyed LA that's you know, 64 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 3: who I got drafted by. And it was kind of 65 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 3: a weird situation that nobody in today's world of the 66 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:39,920 Speaker 3: MLS would even understand. All the rules and stipulations and 67 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 3: how I ended up at New York. But it was 68 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:45,200 Speaker 3: a blessing in disguise. Like Tab said, it was one 69 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:47,040 Speaker 3: of those things that I think kind of really launched 70 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:49,480 Speaker 3: my career. I mean I was doing, you know, pretty 71 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:51,560 Speaker 3: good at LA and getting to play and things of 72 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:54,120 Speaker 3: that sort, but I was definitely put on a different 73 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 3: pedestal at the MetroStars and to have someone like Tab 74 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 3: to put me under his wing and he helped me 75 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:04,440 Speaker 3: out was it was definitely a blessing. So I appreciate 76 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 3: all the con words Tab, and you know, you have 77 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 3: a lot to do with that, you know, being able 78 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:13,320 Speaker 3: to walk in your footsteps and watch what you did 79 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:17,160 Speaker 3: on the field and how you carried yourself. Definitely, you know, 80 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:19,279 Speaker 3: I think emulated a lot of stuff that I wanted 81 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:19,880 Speaker 3: to do as well. 82 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:24,520 Speaker 2: Well, it worked, he passed it down Tab and Clint 83 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 2: of course became a star for the US during that 84 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:30,360 Speaker 2: two thousand and two World Cup. And on today's show, 85 00:04:30,440 --> 00:04:32,640 Speaker 2: we're going to discuss some guys who are hoping to 86 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 2: have their moment in the spotlight this summer in the 87 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:39,920 Speaker 2: twenty twenty six World Cup, including Weston McKenney, who's scoring 88 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:42,599 Speaker 2: goals for fun with Juventus now playing as a number ten. 89 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 2: I'm not sure everybody saw that come. And we'll get 90 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:49,600 Speaker 2: Clint starting eleven for the current US men's national team, 91 00:04:49,960 --> 00:04:52,920 Speaker 2: and of course his unique perspective on how this team 92 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:55,719 Speaker 2: would be best in attack, because Clint wasn't just a forward, 93 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:57,599 Speaker 2: he was also a playmaker and he would play out 94 00:04:57,640 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 2: wide a little bit, so he kind of sees the 95 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:03,240 Speaker 2: game a little bit differently than I think most people do. 96 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 2: And we'll also go inside the locker room with Glint 97 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:09,359 Speaker 2: for some stories including I don't know folks know this, 98 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:11,479 Speaker 2: but he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated pretty 99 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:14,920 Speaker 2: famously back in two thousand and two sporting that mohawk 100 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 2: that became a signature. Look, you were a valuable part 101 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:23,480 Speaker 2: of that team that made it to the quarterfinals and 102 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 2: arguably could have gone even further, maybe even should have 103 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 2: gone even further. Pretty famously outplayed Germany in that quarterfinal game. 104 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:35,720 Speaker 2: So what did make that two thousand and two team 105 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 2: so special? 106 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:39,080 Speaker 3: I mean, I think Bruce, I mean, what he's done 107 00:05:39,279 --> 00:05:43,039 Speaker 3: really a great job in his career is managing the 108 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:47,920 Speaker 3: locker room. You know, is he the best tactician or 109 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:51,120 Speaker 3: you know, soccer mind or anything like that. I mean, 110 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:55,159 Speaker 3: that's up for debate on anybody's you know, standpoint of 111 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:58,240 Speaker 3: what they thought of Bruce. But I enjoyed Bruce. I 112 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:02,520 Speaker 3: mean he brought that, you know, that level of respect 113 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:05,840 Speaker 3: in the locker room, that each player valued each other. 114 00:06:06,839 --> 00:06:09,159 Speaker 3: But he also got good soccer players. So I think 115 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:11,799 Speaker 3: that that's a mix that you know, maybe we didn't 116 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:14,839 Speaker 3: see all ways in the past. I mean, I bring up, 117 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:17,800 Speaker 3: you know, the the ninety eight World Cup, which I 118 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:21,599 Speaker 3: think TAB would agree was a disaster, and that was 119 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:25,760 Speaker 3: on many levels and things of that's you know standpoint, 120 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:28,200 Speaker 3: But I don't think you really saw that on that 121 00:06:28,279 --> 00:06:30,960 Speaker 3: team in two thousand and two. I mean, everybody was 122 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 3: having fun, They enjoyed themselves, they wanted to go win, 123 00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 3: and they cared about each other. We were always hanging 124 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 3: out with each other, whether it be in the hotels 125 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:41,760 Speaker 3: on trips or going out to dinner and things of 126 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:44,200 Speaker 3: that sort. So I think Bruce did a really good 127 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:47,479 Speaker 3: job of being a manager in that case when the 128 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 3: American you know, soccer team or the whole portrayal as 129 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 3: a coach, and I think that, you know, you look 130 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:58,480 Speaker 3: across the world it's really you know about managing players, 131 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:01,000 Speaker 3: especially at the level that and what kind of money 132 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 3: these guys are making now. Is being able to manage egos, 133 00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 3: being able to steer them in the right, you know, 134 00:07:06,520 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 3: direction and get to that common common goal. And I 135 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:12,240 Speaker 3: think Bruce, you know, I think did a really good 136 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:12,720 Speaker 3: job there. 137 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:15,000 Speaker 1: You know, if I could go back a little bit 138 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 1: on that team, because I was, I was part of 139 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 1: that team until two thousand year, is a neat thing 140 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:23,200 Speaker 1: and I want to see if you remember. So I 141 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 1: was on that team through the qualifying process until we 142 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 1: got to the hecks, to the final hex, and I 143 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:33,920 Speaker 1: noticed obviously that you know, Bruce was not playing me 144 00:07:34,040 --> 00:07:36,080 Speaker 1: all the time. I used to come into games like 145 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 1: the last twenty minutes. Sometimes I started sometimes and then 146 00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 1: sometimes I would come off the bench. And I'm sure 147 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 1: you remember at the time, I have both of my 148 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:47,400 Speaker 1: older kids now we're small at the time, and I 149 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:50,280 Speaker 1: always had them with me, and I really suffered, you know, 150 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:53,720 Speaker 1: traveling and being away from my family a lot. And 151 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 1: then when I noticed that I wasn't going to play 152 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 1: all the time, I went and spoke with Bruce and 153 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:03,400 Speaker 1: it was we're gearing towards that end before the hex came, 154 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 1: which is obviously the most important games. And I said 155 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:08,280 Speaker 1: to Bruce, Hey, Bruce, you know, I went to meet 156 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 1: with him, and I said, hey, Bruce, you know, I 157 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:13,640 Speaker 1: you know, you're not playing me all the time. I 158 00:08:13,680 --> 00:08:17,840 Speaker 1: really don't feel like I totally understand it. Respectful of 159 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 1: your your your your opinion, but you know, I just 160 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:24,360 Speaker 1: want to see where you see me between here and 161 00:08:24,440 --> 00:08:26,080 Speaker 1: the World Cup, because that would have been my fourth 162 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: World Cup. And he said, well, look, I mean I 163 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:31,160 Speaker 1: I like what you have to offer, but I see 164 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:33,280 Speaker 1: you more as coming off the bench holding the bow 165 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 1: for us when we're winning or when we're losing, helping, 166 00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 1: you know, to make some plays in the final third. 167 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:40,840 Speaker 1: And I understood that, and I but I at the 168 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 1: same time, you know, and every player is different. You know. 169 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:45,880 Speaker 1: Sometimes you have the veteran players who like taking the 170 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:47,320 Speaker 1: role of Hey, you know, I'm going to be on 171 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 1: the bench and I'm just going to be supportive and 172 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: I'm just gonna sit there and watch and when they 173 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:54,319 Speaker 1: need me, I'll come in. And I wasn't that guy. 174 00:08:54,720 --> 00:08:57,480 Speaker 1: And I recognized that I wasn't that guy. And I 175 00:08:57,520 --> 00:08:59,480 Speaker 1: said to Bruce, I said, well, Bruce, listen. If that's 176 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 1: the case, everything is good. But after this round, I'm 177 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:06,800 Speaker 1: just gonna retire. And you know, I remember this because 178 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:09,319 Speaker 1: sometimes you also want the coaches saying, oh no, please, 179 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:14,600 Speaker 1: don't retire. But he didn't say that. He was like, well, 180 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:17,440 Speaker 1: you know, if that's how you feel about it, you know, 181 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:19,480 Speaker 1: and that's how you feel that this is gonna serve 182 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:23,000 Speaker 1: you best, he goes, you know, then I will support 183 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 1: you in that. And so the reason I'm telling this 184 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:29,000 Speaker 1: story not about me, but because my last game, in 185 00:09:29,120 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 1: the last game of that round before we went into 186 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:35,600 Speaker 1: the hex, was in Barbados against Barbados, and Clint, you 187 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:39,640 Speaker 1: scored your first international goal that day on my last 188 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:42,080 Speaker 1: game with the national team, so we have a little 189 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:44,679 Speaker 1: bit more of a connection. Actually, that ball of that 190 00:09:44,760 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 1: game that you scored the goal with is right here, 191 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:51,040 Speaker 1: right behind me, right over my left shoulder. So yeah, 192 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:54,840 Speaker 1: so good story with your beginning of your great international 193 00:09:54,880 --> 00:09:56,439 Speaker 1: career and my end. 194 00:09:57,840 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 3: Yeah no, that is a good story. Remember uh that 195 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:04,280 Speaker 3: goal and actually my leg I got I remember that 196 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 3: game that I might remember more than the goal, as 197 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:09,720 Speaker 3: I got studded pretty good about halfway up my leg 198 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:13,559 Speaker 3: and I still have that to where like the capsule 199 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:16,120 Speaker 3: that holds your calf. I guess that ripped and I 200 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 3: had like a golf ball sticking out at halftime, and 201 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:22,960 Speaker 3: I remember the trainer Rick Gooters like, oh yes, just 202 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:24,800 Speaker 3: your muscle popping out. I was like, all right, no 203 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:26,040 Speaker 3: big deal, let's just move on. 204 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 1: And by the way, we were zero zero in that 205 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:32,560 Speaker 1: game a half. I started that game, yes, and we 206 00:10:32,559 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 1: were zero zero at halftime. It needed to win that game, 207 00:10:35,320 --> 00:10:38,320 Speaker 1: which we ended up winning four zero. But but yeah, 208 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:39,160 Speaker 1: it was not easy. 209 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, no, the field did The field didn't help. 210 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean that was a pure cocky field. It 211 00:10:45,960 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 2: was a cow past year. And I remember watching that 212 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 2: one and being nervous, and then I think the first 213 00:10:50,559 --> 00:10:53,080 Speaker 2: goal was clean set about the hour mark, and then 214 00:10:53,400 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 2: the floodgates opened. You guys were spun that forward into 215 00:10:56,840 --> 00:10:58,520 Speaker 2: the hecks and the hexs was up and down, but 216 00:10:58,559 --> 00:11:00,440 Speaker 2: you got through it. And then when you got to 217 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 2: the World Cup, you know, made it all the way 218 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 2: to the quarterfinals, and it's the one World Cup that 219 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 2: I think people for the US US fans consider to 220 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 2: be unambiguously successful. Bitterness over how it ended, the referee 221 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,480 Speaker 2: not calling that obvious handball on torsed and springs, but 222 00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:21,760 Speaker 2: pride and success nonetheless, and it's always been shades of 223 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:24,560 Speaker 2: grace since then to one degree or another. And that 224 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:27,200 Speaker 2: brings us to this summer because we have players now 225 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:29,959 Speaker 2: playing some of the biggest clubs in the world and 226 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:33,400 Speaker 2: not just playing bit parts, right like Christian Poolisic is 227 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:36,920 Speaker 2: one of the best players for AC Milan and Weston McKenny, 228 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:41,640 Speaker 2: who I already mentioned scoring for fun for Juventus and 229 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:44,199 Speaker 2: playing a bigger and bigger role seemingly by the week. 230 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:49,800 Speaker 2: So given that, what is the barometer for success for 231 00:11:49,840 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 2: the US at the World Cup this summer? Does it 232 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:56,480 Speaker 2: have to be at least quarterfinals or like, do you 233 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:58,560 Speaker 2: have to go further than the previous do you have 234 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:00,720 Speaker 2: to go all the way to the semi final? Where 235 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 2: is that bar for you guys? 236 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:06,560 Speaker 3: I mean, I think you just look at through the 237 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:09,840 Speaker 3: history of this team or whatever, and the furthest that 238 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:12,600 Speaker 3: you know the teams have made it is the quarterfinals, 239 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:17,280 Speaker 3: and every team's come up short. Granted you know that 240 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:20,040 Speaker 3: two thousand and two team. I think people think you 241 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:22,839 Speaker 3: got stiffed or whatever. But the game is the game 242 00:12:23,280 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 3: and whether you get through that, if we would have 243 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,800 Speaker 3: scored three goals, nobody would have been talking about the handball, 244 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 3: So it is unfortunate that you know, that did happen, 245 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:34,480 Speaker 3: and you know we were the better team. I mean 246 00:12:34,520 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 3: I remember even the German players even admitting that and 247 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 3: telling some of the guys that, you know, the Claudia Arenas, 248 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:44,280 Speaker 3: the other players that played against those guys and with 249 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:46,719 Speaker 3: those guys in Germany, was like, yeah, you guys were 250 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 3: the better team, but it wasn't our day, so it 251 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 3: was unfortunate. So I mean, I don't really look at 252 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:56,480 Speaker 3: it as a success of failure. You never know who 253 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:58,240 Speaker 3: you're gonna get when you get out of group play, 254 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:00,840 Speaker 3: per se, or you don't. It's any even Sunday, like 255 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:04,360 Speaker 3: any sport, So you want to go out there and really, 256 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:07,400 Speaker 3: as far as success, you want to make to that quarterfinals. 257 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 3: But I mean you want to see them go all 258 00:13:11,679 --> 00:13:14,600 Speaker 3: the way. But is that going to happen. Nobody's gonna know. 259 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:17,200 Speaker 3: I mean, in two thousand and two, nobody would have 260 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:20,440 Speaker 3: thought England, Argentina, France wouldn't have made it out of 261 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:23,560 Speaker 3: their group play. But now you got a team the US, 262 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:25,760 Speaker 3: You got South Korea making it out of their group 263 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:31,319 Speaker 3: with Portugal in it, and so it is one of 264 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 3: those weird things. And I think the level of soccer, 265 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:37,559 Speaker 3: you know, from a world standpoint, has gotten better. I mean, 266 00:13:37,679 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 3: just look at us here in Conca calf when you 267 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:43,200 Speaker 3: could literally go all right, US and Mexico, we're going 268 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:47,359 Speaker 3: to go through, no problem, no big deal. Now we're struggling, 269 00:13:47,800 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 3: you know, sometimes against you know, these Central American teams, 270 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:55,320 Speaker 3: and it's just goes to show that the sport itself 271 00:13:55,360 --> 00:13:58,679 Speaker 3: has gotten better worldwide. So I think as far as 272 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:00,679 Speaker 3: just getting out of the group and then taking it 273 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:04,440 Speaker 3: step by step and knowing that it's game, game to game, 274 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 3: I think that this team does have the potential to 275 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:10,720 Speaker 3: do things, but it's about stepping on that stage and 276 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:14,360 Speaker 3: not worrying about, you know, the surroundings or you know, 277 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:16,840 Speaker 3: putting pressure on yourself. I mean, I go back to 278 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:18,920 Speaker 3: two thousand and two, and that was one good thing 279 00:14:18,960 --> 00:14:21,240 Speaker 3: that I think that I was good at my career 280 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:25,120 Speaker 3: is not putting any pressure. I was always joking. That's 281 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:27,680 Speaker 3: how the mohawk came about. I was trying to get 282 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:30,840 Speaker 3: the guys laughing. I don't think it made Bruce laugh 283 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:33,800 Speaker 3: too well, because I ended up showing up late to 284 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:37,240 Speaker 3: that team meeting because we thought it was thirty minutes later. 285 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 3: But that's another story in itself. But it's just about 286 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:43,960 Speaker 3: making the guys laugh and not worry about it. Just 287 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:46,760 Speaker 3: go out and have fun and play. And that's what 288 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:50,280 Speaker 3: my mom always taught me, you know, And that's when 289 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 3: you're gonna play your best. That's what I tell my 290 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:53,840 Speaker 3: kids now. No matter what you do, go have fun 291 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 3: doing it, because that's when you're really gonna thrive and 292 00:14:56,480 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 3: shine because once pressure sets in, just to your live. 293 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:04,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, And uh, I mean I couldn't agree with that more. 294 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 1: And obviously, you know, that's the one thing about Clint 295 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:11,360 Speaker 1: that always stood out to me was that nothing was 296 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 1: too big for him, you know, and he Clint would 297 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 1: come in and regardless of the game, regardless of the pressure, 298 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 1: regardless And I think you'll remember this, Clint, right before 299 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 1: you ended up going to Hanover that you know, Bayron 300 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:26,200 Speaker 1: Munich obviously was really interested in you and all of 301 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 1: those things. You know, Clint was really the guy in 302 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:34,200 Speaker 1: US soccer that everyone was looking looking at and looking after. 303 00:15:34,760 --> 00:15:38,240 Speaker 1: And I don't remember Clint ever changing at all. I 304 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:41,280 Speaker 1: remember being his roommate and him always being the same 305 00:15:42,680 --> 00:15:45,320 Speaker 1: and we always had sort of that that type of relationship. 306 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:47,040 Speaker 1: And now you know, I'll go back to the story 307 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 1: now that actually has nothing to do with this World Cup. 308 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 1: But you know, later on I became you know, technical 309 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 1: director youth national team and the under twenty coach, and 310 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:57,960 Speaker 1: I broke Clint with me on a trip. Clint, if 311 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:02,040 Speaker 1: you remember, we were in Atalanta in Italy. We're getting 312 00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:03,760 Speaker 1: read to play at the lant time. We're training at 313 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:07,360 Speaker 1: this facility out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by horses. 314 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 1: Let's see if you can read, if you can call 315 00:16:09,680 --> 00:16:12,120 Speaker 1: this story right. And so what I did with all 316 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:15,760 Speaker 1: the coaches is before before we start the training sessions, 317 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:17,600 Speaker 1: the coaches would get there early. We'd set up the 318 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:20,840 Speaker 1: whole field and then we'd play soccer golf. So it 319 00:16:20,880 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 1: didn't matter if it was you know, if I brought 320 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:24,840 Speaker 1: on Landon Donovan or Clint or whoever it was. The 321 00:16:24,840 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 1: assistant coaches. We would all get together. We each have 322 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 1: a ball and we'd say, okay, now you got to 323 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:31,440 Speaker 1: bend the ball around that goal and then on the 324 00:16:31,480 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 1: second touch you got to put it into the d. 325 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:36,000 Speaker 1: On the third touch you got to put it into 326 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 1: let's say the goal only hitting the net, right, So 327 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:41,560 Speaker 1: you make up all these things that we play soccer golf. 328 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:43,480 Speaker 1: But I don't know if I don't know, if you 329 00:16:43,520 --> 00:16:46,640 Speaker 1: remember it was you and I and Tony Miola and 330 00:16:46,920 --> 00:16:49,920 Speaker 1: we're playing soccer golf, and you know, I think you 331 00:16:50,040 --> 00:16:51,840 Speaker 1: kick off and it's like, you know, you had to 332 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:54,000 Speaker 1: hit a fifty yard ball. And then I'd go next, 333 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:55,720 Speaker 1: and I hit like a fifty yard ball, and then 334 00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 1: Tony comes on in shanks one. 335 00:16:58,000 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 4: And by the way, Tony hit a great ball, but 336 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:03,200 Speaker 4: shanks it, and see shanks it. Do you remember what happened? 337 00:17:04,560 --> 00:17:07,960 Speaker 4: I'll try shanks it. There's a horse in the background 338 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:10,760 Speaker 4: that goes like, oh. 339 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:15,679 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, yeah, you were dying laughing because like a 340 00:17:16,240 --> 00:17:19,680 Speaker 1: jackass right right. It was like the horse is paying attention. 341 00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:22,920 Speaker 1: When Tony shank that ball, that horse right away made 342 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:25,439 Speaker 1: that noise. It was the funniest moment I had with 343 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:28,600 Speaker 1: the youth national teams. That's good stuff. 344 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:32,760 Speaker 2: Keeping it loose is gonna be key for any team 345 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:35,119 Speaker 2: that wants like you never hear a story about a 346 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 2: team that goes into a tournament does well. It says, yeah, 347 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:40,239 Speaker 2: we were tight the whole time, Like there's always a 348 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:43,440 Speaker 2: certain level of camaraderie and everybody being on the same page. 349 00:17:43,440 --> 00:17:46,840 Speaker 2: It's what we're hoping for from the US men's national 350 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:50,600 Speaker 2: team this summer. Guys who are gonna be playing key role. 351 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:54,000 Speaker 2: I already mentioned a couple of times. Wes McKenny doing 352 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:56,960 Speaker 2: really well for u Ventus right now. They have reportedly 353 00:17:57,080 --> 00:18:00,639 Speaker 2: offered him a four year contract and now want to 354 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 2: make him a centerpiece, which is something that it felt 355 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:05,320 Speaker 2: like he was never going to happen for Weston. He 356 00:18:05,440 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 2: had to come in and prove himself over and over 357 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 2: and over again to one new coach after another. Now 358 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:14,960 Speaker 2: there's inter Milan rumors as well, they may try to 359 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:18,440 Speaker 2: swoop and because he is out of contract this summer. Technically, 360 00:18:19,640 --> 00:18:22,440 Speaker 2: what did we think, like what role should Weston play? 361 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:25,280 Speaker 2: And do you want to see him stay with Juventus? 362 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 3: I mean, for me, I look at it as it's 363 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:33,679 Speaker 3: always easier looking from the outside end. You don't know 364 00:18:33,720 --> 00:18:36,520 Speaker 3: what's going on behind closed doors or anything like that. 365 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:41,399 Speaker 3: I honestly won't what's best for him. If it's something 366 00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:43,560 Speaker 3: where he feels like at his point of his career, 367 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:45,720 Speaker 3: if he wants to make it change, so be it. 368 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:48,920 Speaker 3: I mean I think I learned this a long time ago, 369 00:18:49,760 --> 00:18:53,000 Speaker 3: with a little help from Tab as well. But nowadays 370 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:55,720 Speaker 3: loyalty is out the window. I mean people expect that 371 00:18:56,040 --> 00:19:00,440 Speaker 3: loyalty to be from players, but it's not recipile it. 372 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:03,920 Speaker 3: And so, you know, what loyalty is there for Western 373 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:06,119 Speaker 3: or you know, it's what's going to be best for 374 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:08,760 Speaker 3: him and his family and his future. And and the 375 00:19:08,800 --> 00:19:11,000 Speaker 3: only person that's really going to know that is Weston. 376 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:14,600 Speaker 3: So there's going to be shame whether he stays. There's 377 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:19,120 Speaker 3: going to be shame whether he leaves. But I honestly 378 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 3: just want what's happy for him and what he thinks 379 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:24,880 Speaker 3: what's best for him and his future, you know, moving forward. 380 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,960 Speaker 3: If that's somewhere that he's comfortable and he thinks that 381 00:19:29,040 --> 00:19:31,479 Speaker 3: he's going to you know, play better, get more minutes, 382 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:33,680 Speaker 3: I mean that can change at the drop of a hat. 383 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:38,119 Speaker 3: But I think that that's something that you know, he 384 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:40,560 Speaker 3: needs to think through and say, hey, is it time 385 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 3: for a change. Do I want to push myself to 386 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:47,800 Speaker 3: try another team, try another league? You know, where where 387 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:51,200 Speaker 3: does that sit with him? So? Uh, that's that's really 388 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:54,000 Speaker 3: the advice that I could give him is like, don't 389 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:56,119 Speaker 3: worry about what people are telling you what to do 390 00:19:56,200 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 3: and what you should do. Just think about what's best 391 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:02,080 Speaker 3: for you right now now and what's gonna you know, 392 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:05,879 Speaker 3: keep you mentally right because as tap can at test, 393 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:08,800 Speaker 3: you know, in a blink of an eye, this career 394 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:13,360 Speaker 3: is gone, and so you're always looking back going could 395 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:15,480 Speaker 3: I have done this? Could I have done that? Should 396 00:20:15,520 --> 00:20:18,320 Speaker 3: I have done this? At that point it doesn't matter. 397 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:20,639 Speaker 3: So when when you do have it in the in 398 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 3: the palm of your hands, you know, think what how 399 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:25,240 Speaker 3: this is going to affect you in the future and 400 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:27,840 Speaker 3: what's going to make you happy, because that's going to 401 00:20:28,240 --> 00:20:32,680 Speaker 3: you know, drive the career longer. Happiness is is what 402 00:20:32,760 --> 00:20:36,400 Speaker 3: this everybody in this world needs and so you need 403 00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:38,040 Speaker 3: to find what's going to make you happy in that 404 00:20:38,119 --> 00:20:42,200 Speaker 3: regards and not about putting you know, these great patches 405 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:45,920 Speaker 3: of of all these great clubs wherever, because at the 406 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:47,480 Speaker 3: end of the day, it's going to be gone. 407 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:51,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean Matt, you know, Uh Weston is in 408 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:54,159 Speaker 1: a great situation right now. He's been the best player 409 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:56,560 Speaker 1: for you vent this over the last two months. Uh, 410 00:20:56,720 --> 00:20:59,679 Speaker 1: you vent this fell asleep on this one big time. 411 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:03,200 Speaker 1: This is something that they should have done likely about 412 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:06,119 Speaker 1: six to eight weeks ago and now they're in a 413 00:21:06,160 --> 00:21:09,520 Speaker 1: tough situation. I think the offer, I'm sure I've seen 414 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:12,840 Speaker 1: the same you've seen. The offer seems like a pretty 415 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:17,399 Speaker 1: good offer for Weston for multiple years. I would like 416 00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:20,159 Speaker 1: to see that happen because it seems like Juventus is 417 00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:22,800 Speaker 1: really putting their foot forward and making a good effort 418 00:21:22,800 --> 00:21:27,880 Speaker 1: to pay them like a true international star player, which 419 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:31,200 Speaker 1: he deserves to be. And I'm not surprised that other 420 00:21:31,240 --> 00:21:33,040 Speaker 1: teams are in at this point. You know, Western's in 421 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:38,199 Speaker 1: a great situation and and he'll have plenty of teams 422 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:40,840 Speaker 1: to choose from, but haven't said that. I mean, you know, 423 00:21:40,880 --> 00:21:42,920 Speaker 1: the value that he has for Juventus. I mean, let's 424 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:44,960 Speaker 1: you know, you look over the last two months. He's 425 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 1: played three or four different positions for them and has 426 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:50,760 Speaker 1: done well in all of them. And I think he's 427 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:53,399 Speaker 1: invaluable and I and I think they will do if 428 00:21:53,520 --> 00:21:56,800 Speaker 1: if Western McKinney ends up leaving Juventus is not going 429 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:59,879 Speaker 1: to be because Juventus hasn't tried their absolute best to ca. 430 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:05,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, especially now that he is playing not just the 431 00:22:05,160 --> 00:22:07,000 Speaker 2: utility role though, as he said, he does play three 432 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:09,960 Speaker 2: or four different positions, but he's become a centerpiece player. Right, 433 00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 2: They're finally putting him in position not just to cover 434 00:22:13,960 --> 00:22:16,880 Speaker 2: for other players deficiencies, but in a position to sort 435 00:22:16,920 --> 00:22:19,520 Speaker 2: of maximize his skill set with that box arrival, his 436 00:22:19,600 --> 00:22:22,320 Speaker 2: ability to pick the last past. It's fun to see. 437 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:25,560 Speaker 2: It's also what we've seen from ac Milan with Christian 438 00:22:25,560 --> 00:22:28,440 Speaker 2: Polistic the past couple of years. Now, there are some 439 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:33,320 Speaker 2: reports out of Italian media. I'm gonna call him dubious, right, 440 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:35,240 Speaker 2: They're not as well sourced as the stuff around Weston 441 00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:41,400 Speaker 2: at this point, saying that Tottenham Hotspur have identified Christian 442 00:22:41,640 --> 00:22:46,680 Speaker 2: as one of their primary transfer targets this summer. You 443 00:22:46,880 --> 00:22:52,600 Speaker 2: understand why, given how much they're struggling Spurs, and given 444 00:22:52,600 --> 00:22:57,040 Speaker 2: how good Christian has been, given that he has experience 445 00:22:57,320 --> 00:22:59,760 Speaker 2: in the Premier League and has played really well at 446 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:05,280 Speaker 2: times for Chelsea. Do we want that to happen or 447 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:09,840 Speaker 2: is that something where you know what you have it 448 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:13,639 Speaker 2: good with a great team in Ace Mulan, you know, 449 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:17,040 Speaker 2: ride that and become a legend there, rather than trying 450 00:23:17,040 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 2: to salvage something with Spurs. 451 00:23:21,640 --> 00:23:24,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, I agree with what you're saying. I mean, 452 00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:27,120 Speaker 3: it's one of those things that you know is Spurs 453 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:30,919 Speaker 3: obviously trying to rekindle everything what they had you know 454 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:35,200 Speaker 3: during the Harry Kane times and things of that that sort. 455 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:39,040 Speaker 3: I go back to what I said about Weston. You know, 456 00:23:40,080 --> 00:23:43,880 Speaker 3: Christians should be selfish and what makes him happy. It's 457 00:23:43,960 --> 00:23:46,480 Speaker 3: not just because you know it be like a squirrel 458 00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:50,520 Speaker 3: and every golden shiny thing you go to chase. He's 459 00:23:50,920 --> 00:23:53,879 Speaker 3: proven that he can play in that in the Premier League. 460 00:23:53,920 --> 00:23:57,240 Speaker 3: He did it with Chelsea. You know, maybe he didn't 461 00:23:57,280 --> 00:24:01,000 Speaker 3: get you know, all of the chance says and all 462 00:24:01,080 --> 00:24:03,680 Speaker 3: of the playing time that maybe he should or he 463 00:24:03,800 --> 00:24:06,119 Speaker 3: is getting at a C. Milan and then that does 464 00:24:06,280 --> 00:24:09,520 Speaker 3: that does come into a factor. So I think that 465 00:24:09,520 --> 00:24:12,400 Speaker 3: that's one of those things too. From from his standpoint, 466 00:24:13,960 --> 00:24:15,679 Speaker 3: you know, is it going to be a money grab 467 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:18,399 Speaker 3: and say hey, I would like to go back to England. 468 00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:21,879 Speaker 3: Maybe he misses it. Who knows. That's something that he's 469 00:24:21,960 --> 00:24:25,200 Speaker 3: going to decide. But you know it's about, you know, 470 00:24:25,600 --> 00:24:28,280 Speaker 3: once again, what's going to make him happy during his 471 00:24:28,359 --> 00:24:30,879 Speaker 3: playing time. Is it to stay somewhere where he's playing 472 00:24:30,920 --> 00:24:34,080 Speaker 3: and comfortable and doing well. Is it something where he 473 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:36,600 Speaker 3: just stays in Italy and maybe goes to another team 474 00:24:36,720 --> 00:24:41,600 Speaker 3: like you know Weston's looking at as well, because that 475 00:24:41,720 --> 00:24:44,200 Speaker 3: is a big jump, especially when you know you're used 476 00:24:44,240 --> 00:24:46,600 Speaker 3: to a certain playing style, which we all know that 477 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:49,199 Speaker 3: playing in Italy is definitely going to be different than 478 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:51,879 Speaker 3: playing in the Premier League. Do I think Christian can 479 00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:55,159 Speaker 3: do it, Absolutely, but it's going to be more of 480 00:24:55,240 --> 00:24:58,240 Speaker 3: something that I think that he needs to make that 481 00:24:58,359 --> 00:25:01,360 Speaker 3: more selfish decision of of where he's going to be happiest. 482 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:03,639 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I'll make it sure. I mean, obviously I 483 00:25:03,680 --> 00:25:06,919 Speaker 1: agree with all of that. You know, money obviously is 484 00:25:06,960 --> 00:25:09,360 Speaker 1: a factor. You know, I don't think that Milan would 485 00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:13,119 Speaker 1: be able to match an offer that potentially, you know, uh, 486 00:25:13,200 --> 00:25:16,320 Speaker 1: Tottenham could put put on the table. Christian has been 487 00:25:16,320 --> 00:25:19,840 Speaker 1: in the in the Premier League before. That helps. He's 488 00:25:19,920 --> 00:25:23,360 Speaker 1: done great in Italy now, which means that even if 489 00:25:23,359 --> 00:25:25,439 Speaker 1: he went to England, he could always come back to Italy. 490 00:25:25,800 --> 00:25:29,479 Speaker 1: I'm sure. But you know, having said all those things, 491 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:32,920 Speaker 1: you know, I've been sort of against Christian leaving Syria 492 00:25:33,119 --> 00:25:36,080 Speaker 1: because he's done so well in it and he's comfortable there. 493 00:25:36,119 --> 00:25:38,560 Speaker 1: As Clint said, at the same time, you know, if 494 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:40,760 Speaker 1: you could look at you know, the future there and 495 00:25:40,800 --> 00:25:45,920 Speaker 1: potentially Solaki with with Chabi Simmons and Polisic behind, it's 496 00:25:45,960 --> 00:25:47,800 Speaker 1: not so bad either, you know, And that's a good 497 00:25:47,840 --> 00:25:50,440 Speaker 1: opportunity for him as well, to play. By the way, 498 00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:52,240 Speaker 1: it's the best, you know, the EPL is the best 499 00:25:52,320 --> 00:25:54,160 Speaker 1: league in the world, so it would be a great 500 00:25:54,160 --> 00:25:57,600 Speaker 1: opportunity for him. But I think at this point, you know, 501 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:00,680 Speaker 1: looking at it from the outside, staying in Melon seems 502 00:26:00,680 --> 00:26:01,440 Speaker 1: to be the right thing. 503 00:26:03,160 --> 00:26:08,359 Speaker 2: Yeah, he's done well there. Milan for my money, better 504 00:26:08,359 --> 00:26:10,520 Speaker 2: city than London. But you know, not everybody feels that 505 00:26:10,560 --> 00:26:13,520 Speaker 2: way necessarily. But for us, it's time for a break. 506 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:16,560 Speaker 2: We'll be right back and get into Clinton starting eleven 507 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:19,440 Speaker 2: for the US men's national team. In the meantime, please rate, 508 00:26:19,560 --> 00:26:23,479 Speaker 2: review and subscribe to Inside American Soccer. But Tom Boger 509 00:26:23,800 --> 00:26:37,920 Speaker 2: and Todd Ramos wherever you get your podcasts. All right, 510 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:41,359 Speaker 2: welcome back to Inside American Soccer. We're here with Clint 511 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:44,600 Speaker 2: Mathis and Clint we want to get your thoughts on 512 00:26:44,720 --> 00:26:49,120 Speaker 2: the best starting eleven for the US for this World Cup. 513 00:26:49,160 --> 00:26:50,680 Speaker 2: So my friend take it away. 514 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:53,119 Speaker 3: All right, Well, you gotta bear with me. I'm not 515 00:26:53,160 --> 00:26:56,880 Speaker 3: gonna be as knowledgeable as everyone, all the viewers out there. 516 00:26:56,920 --> 00:26:59,800 Speaker 3: I do have four kids, so it's not the easiest 517 00:26:59,840 --> 00:27:01,200 Speaker 3: to keep up with all the soccer. 518 00:27:02,480 --> 00:27:04,680 Speaker 2: One of them, work one of them into the lineup 519 00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:07,359 Speaker 2: and we'll give you that pass exactly. 520 00:27:07,880 --> 00:27:11,400 Speaker 3: All right, Well, I got freeze in gold and then 521 00:27:11,400 --> 00:27:15,159 Speaker 3: we'll go from left to right. Left back with Anthony Robinson. 522 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:20,240 Speaker 3: I still like Tim Reien in there, just because he 523 00:27:20,720 --> 00:27:23,480 Speaker 3: has that veteran side of him. He holds the fort 524 00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:27,080 Speaker 3: down really well. And then putting Richards beside him to 525 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:30,600 Speaker 3: add a little speed there. And then I still like 526 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:33,960 Speaker 3: Desk on the right. I think he's a great player. 527 00:27:34,240 --> 00:27:36,800 Speaker 3: He's able to get up and down on that right side. 528 00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:39,880 Speaker 3: He'd al we's seen. I know he's at PSV now, 529 00:27:39,920 --> 00:27:43,000 Speaker 3: but just bringing back his Barcelona days watching him, so 530 00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:47,240 Speaker 3: I like him there. I'm gonna throw Tyler Adams in 531 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:51,200 Speaker 3: that holding spot. I like Tyler being able to hold 532 00:27:51,200 --> 00:27:54,040 Speaker 3: the fort down and right beside him. The reason I 533 00:27:54,080 --> 00:27:57,720 Speaker 3: want Tyler there is having McKenny right beside him. But 534 00:27:57,840 --> 00:28:01,520 Speaker 3: give McKenny a role where he's free to go forward more, 535 00:28:02,240 --> 00:28:04,840 Speaker 3: you know, more of that up and down midfielder where 536 00:28:04,880 --> 00:28:06,960 Speaker 3: Tyler can hold the fort down a little bit more. 537 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:10,639 Speaker 3: And then right in front of them, I think, you know, 538 00:28:10,760 --> 00:28:13,000 Speaker 3: just from the little bit that I've seen him play, 539 00:28:13,080 --> 00:28:16,159 Speaker 3: I think he's done real well as Tilman, so I 540 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:18,560 Speaker 3: think he would be a good one holding it up there. 541 00:28:19,280 --> 00:28:22,120 Speaker 3: You could also put Christian in that same role where 542 00:28:22,160 --> 00:28:27,400 Speaker 3: Tilman is, but I think from what we've seen push 543 00:28:27,480 --> 00:28:31,240 Speaker 3: Tino do is having him out on the left side 544 00:28:31,280 --> 00:28:33,000 Speaker 3: sometimes on the right side, I think he does a 545 00:28:33,040 --> 00:28:35,639 Speaker 3: great job coming in, So I'll put Christian on that 546 00:28:35,760 --> 00:28:39,160 Speaker 3: left side, kind of like as that winger forward that 547 00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:41,520 Speaker 3: has a little bit more freedom, kind of like a 548 00:28:41,640 --> 00:28:44,120 Speaker 3: landing sometimes when he would play out out on the 549 00:28:44,120 --> 00:28:47,400 Speaker 3: wide being able to come in underneath on the right side. 550 00:28:47,560 --> 00:28:51,640 Speaker 3: I will go with Weeya. I like his speed and 551 00:28:51,680 --> 00:28:54,040 Speaker 3: I think him and Desk would be able to be 552 00:28:54,120 --> 00:28:57,760 Speaker 3: able to interchange a lot. Weya still has the engine 553 00:28:57,760 --> 00:29:00,440 Speaker 3: to be able to get back where him and could 554 00:29:00,480 --> 00:29:04,440 Speaker 3: intertwine there and then put Baligan up top. I think 555 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:08,040 Speaker 3: that he's been real consistent from the games that I've 556 00:29:08,040 --> 00:29:10,959 Speaker 3: gotten to see, so that would be my starting eleven. 557 00:29:12,560 --> 00:29:14,480 Speaker 3: So this is the World Cup as of today. 558 00:29:14,600 --> 00:29:18,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, So so this is interesting because you know, we've 559 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:21,440 Speaker 1: all been talking about potentially the three or five in 560 00:29:21,480 --> 00:29:24,080 Speaker 1: the back right because that's what Pochettino has changed to 561 00:29:24,520 --> 00:29:26,720 Speaker 1: over the last couple of months, and he's been successful 562 00:29:26,720 --> 00:29:30,360 Speaker 1: with that. To be fair, this is also not a 563 00:29:30,400 --> 00:29:32,400 Speaker 1: bad way to look at it, because if you think 564 00:29:32,440 --> 00:29:36,360 Speaker 1: about it, you know, our first two games being Paraguay 565 00:29:36,440 --> 00:29:41,520 Speaker 1: and Australia, it's likely that we're gonna need more attacking players. So, yeah, 566 00:29:41,640 --> 00:29:44,840 Speaker 1: you know, Pulisic coming inside and playing sort of a 567 00:29:44,880 --> 00:29:47,520 Speaker 1: little bit of a ten role right instead of being 568 00:29:47,560 --> 00:29:49,719 Speaker 1: all the way wide and then way I be in 569 00:29:49,840 --> 00:29:53,120 Speaker 1: on the on the right side with desk overlapping and 570 00:29:53,240 --> 00:29:55,719 Speaker 1: the two of them changing. Is is certainly something that 571 00:29:55,720 --> 00:30:00,520 Speaker 1: could that could give other teams fits. I'm more of 572 00:30:00,560 --> 00:30:03,160 Speaker 1: the idea that we, you know, having Reim on the 573 00:30:03,200 --> 00:30:06,520 Speaker 1: field sort of obligates us to play three center backs 574 00:30:06,520 --> 00:30:08,680 Speaker 1: instead of two to protect him a little bit more. 575 00:30:10,120 --> 00:30:14,160 Speaker 1: But of course everybody's gonna have different ways to go 576 00:30:14,240 --> 00:30:17,160 Speaker 1: about it, and obviously it depends on the opponent as well. 577 00:30:18,840 --> 00:30:22,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, Clint, you you played, as tab was saying, all 578 00:30:22,840 --> 00:30:26,240 Speaker 2: over the place, right, You played underneath two forwards, You 579 00:30:26,320 --> 00:30:29,440 Speaker 2: played as a second forward a lot, you even played 580 00:30:29,440 --> 00:30:34,360 Speaker 2: as a center forward in my like, where would you 581 00:30:34,560 --> 00:30:38,440 Speaker 2: fit best in this lineup? And do you see anyone 582 00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:41,480 Speaker 2: like Christian kind of has some of the same skills 583 00:30:41,760 --> 00:30:44,160 Speaker 2: that you had in terms of finding space, picking the 584 00:30:44,200 --> 00:30:47,680 Speaker 2: ball up underneath a big target forward. Is that something 585 00:30:47,720 --> 00:30:49,280 Speaker 2: that you notice when you watch him? 586 00:30:49,800 --> 00:30:51,480 Speaker 3: Oh? For sure, I think that that would be a 587 00:30:51,480 --> 00:30:54,520 Speaker 3: great spot for him. I mean I just remember starting off, 588 00:30:54,560 --> 00:30:57,000 Speaker 3: and you know, obviously with Tab being on the show, 589 00:30:57,040 --> 00:31:00,960 Speaker 3: but I just remember Tab saying, hey, just get open. 590 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:04,280 Speaker 3: He goes, I don't care where you go, just you 591 00:31:04,360 --> 00:31:07,120 Speaker 3: have the freedom to run everywhere. Our Tavio's Imbrano was 592 00:31:07,120 --> 00:31:09,480 Speaker 3: our coach, and he goes, Clint, I'm just putting you 593 00:31:09,480 --> 00:31:11,720 Speaker 3: on the field. Just get open and do what you 594 00:31:11,800 --> 00:31:14,280 Speaker 3: gotta do. And you know, I was luckily to have 595 00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:17,040 Speaker 3: a player like Tab, you know that was underneath that 596 00:31:17,480 --> 00:31:20,760 Speaker 3: had that freedom too. But he was really that playmaker 597 00:31:20,880 --> 00:31:24,120 Speaker 3: and at the time to where he said, Clint, get open, 598 00:31:24,160 --> 00:31:25,680 Speaker 3: I'll get you the ball and then once you get 599 00:31:25,680 --> 00:31:28,720 Speaker 3: the ball, just go do your thing. And so I 600 00:31:28,800 --> 00:31:31,560 Speaker 3: see Christian is one of those players that has that 601 00:31:31,640 --> 00:31:35,160 Speaker 3: ability to do that. And you know with having the Adams, 602 00:31:35,320 --> 00:31:37,840 Speaker 3: you know, off the lineup that I mentioned, having a 603 00:31:37,920 --> 00:31:41,680 Speaker 3: Weston behind him, if I was those two guys I 604 00:31:41,680 --> 00:31:43,800 Speaker 3: would say, hey, we're going to be the workhorses for 605 00:31:43,880 --> 00:31:46,280 Speaker 3: you here, Christian. We want you to have that freedom, 606 00:31:46,360 --> 00:31:50,400 Speaker 3: save your energy defensively and things of that sort. If Tyler, 607 00:31:50,520 --> 00:31:52,959 Speaker 3: you know, cheats out a little bit left or whatever 608 00:31:53,040 --> 00:31:55,720 Speaker 3: to give him more of that freedom, I think they're 609 00:31:55,760 --> 00:31:58,560 Speaker 3: fine there. Or if it's a Weston that cheats, I 610 00:31:58,600 --> 00:32:01,680 Speaker 3: think both of those guys can you know, definitely intertwine 611 00:32:01,720 --> 00:32:04,120 Speaker 3: and hold that position down. And then you look at 612 00:32:04,160 --> 00:32:06,640 Speaker 3: a guy like Tilman, I mean he can even squeeze 613 00:32:06,680 --> 00:32:08,800 Speaker 3: out on to the left and you know, use his 614 00:32:08,920 --> 00:32:11,239 Speaker 3: size and things of that sort to help out. But 615 00:32:11,520 --> 00:32:14,880 Speaker 3: I definitely see Christian being one of those players that 616 00:32:14,960 --> 00:32:18,240 Speaker 3: is underneath, you know, a big forward that's just picking 617 00:32:18,320 --> 00:32:21,760 Speaker 3: up little balls, whether it's flick ons or whether Baligan 618 00:32:21,800 --> 00:32:23,760 Speaker 3: wins the header or not. You know, kind of like 619 00:32:24,040 --> 00:32:26,160 Speaker 3: I used to do a lot with you know, Brian 620 00:32:26,240 --> 00:32:28,640 Speaker 3: McBride up top. You know, I didn't know where the 621 00:32:28,640 --> 00:32:30,120 Speaker 3: ball was gonna end up. I tried to get to 622 00:32:30,200 --> 00:32:32,440 Speaker 3: flick or if it got knocked down or anything. You know, 623 00:32:32,480 --> 00:32:34,640 Speaker 3: you're just trying to pick up whatever trash you can 624 00:32:34,760 --> 00:32:37,800 Speaker 3: right there. And then that just leaves the defense vulnerable 625 00:32:37,880 --> 00:32:41,200 Speaker 3: because they're not set, they're not organized because they don't 626 00:32:41,240 --> 00:32:43,160 Speaker 3: know where the ball is. And a lot of times 627 00:32:43,160 --> 00:32:45,800 Speaker 3: you can break out and you know, get a get 628 00:32:45,840 --> 00:32:47,680 Speaker 3: a one on one with a goalkeeper there, or at 629 00:32:47,760 --> 00:32:49,680 Speaker 3: least a one on one with a last defender or 630 00:32:49,680 --> 00:32:53,480 Speaker 3: anything like that. So I definitely see, you know, Christian 631 00:32:53,720 --> 00:32:56,200 Speaker 3: in that type of role. I put him out on 632 00:32:56,240 --> 00:32:59,080 Speaker 3: the left now just because that's what we've seen as 633 00:32:59,080 --> 00:33:02,120 Speaker 3: far as on paper, but I think that he should 634 00:33:02,160 --> 00:33:04,240 Speaker 3: have more of that freedom to be just like a 635 00:33:04,320 --> 00:33:06,720 Speaker 3: roamer type of a player. I mean, you see it 636 00:33:06,760 --> 00:33:09,120 Speaker 3: in Messy. I mean not to compare the two or 637 00:33:09,160 --> 00:33:12,000 Speaker 3: anything like that, but you know they try to just say, hey, 638 00:33:12,560 --> 00:33:14,840 Speaker 3: you know, Messy, do your thing when you get the ball, 639 00:33:15,200 --> 00:33:17,480 Speaker 3: but you know we're going to cover you defensively. Not 640 00:33:17,600 --> 00:33:19,680 Speaker 3: that you know he's older now and who he is, 641 00:33:19,720 --> 00:33:22,440 Speaker 3: but even as a younger player, I think that you know, 642 00:33:22,480 --> 00:33:25,120 Speaker 3: you look back in the day that yes, he would 643 00:33:25,200 --> 00:33:27,920 Speaker 3: work hard defensively and things of that trail and try 644 00:33:27,960 --> 00:33:30,240 Speaker 3: to help out and show where he should be. But 645 00:33:30,960 --> 00:33:33,400 Speaker 3: for the most part, when you have special players like that, 646 00:33:33,840 --> 00:33:36,800 Speaker 3: I think it's good to try to take some of 647 00:33:36,840 --> 00:33:40,280 Speaker 3: that extra load defensively off because it does make a 648 00:33:40,280 --> 00:33:43,080 Speaker 3: big difference when you know they do have that freedom 649 00:33:43,080 --> 00:33:46,480 Speaker 3: to go forward. Because the hardest part about it is 650 00:33:46,560 --> 00:33:50,200 Speaker 3: it's scoring a goal. It's not, you know, necessarily defending 651 00:33:50,240 --> 00:33:53,040 Speaker 3: the goal. It is hard to do that as well, 652 00:33:53,080 --> 00:33:54,880 Speaker 3: but to get one in the back of the net 653 00:33:54,920 --> 00:33:58,200 Speaker 3: you can endo game one zero if you're organized and whatnot. 654 00:33:58,240 --> 00:34:02,160 Speaker 3: But that he should have more of that freedom. 655 00:34:02,480 --> 00:34:04,760 Speaker 2: All right, it's time for one more break for us. 656 00:34:04,760 --> 00:34:08,520 Speaker 2: We'll be right back with a story about Clint being 657 00:34:08,719 --> 00:34:11,839 Speaker 2: on the cover of Sports Illustrated back in the day. 658 00:34:12,040 --> 00:34:15,960 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to Inside American Soccer. Please rate, review 659 00:34:16,200 --> 00:34:31,200 Speaker 2: and subscribe. Welcome back to Inside American Soccer with Tom 660 00:34:31,200 --> 00:34:34,440 Speaker 2: Boger and Tabraamos. I am Matt Doyle hosting for Tom. 661 00:34:34,960 --> 00:34:38,640 Speaker 2: We're joined by Clinton Mathis, cover boy of Sports Illustrator 662 00:34:38,680 --> 00:34:42,120 Speaker 2: almost twenty five years ago now. And you could tell 663 00:34:42,200 --> 00:34:45,719 Speaker 2: it was in days long past because when I was 664 00:34:45,760 --> 00:34:50,400 Speaker 2: talking about that cover earlier in the show, I remembered you, 665 00:34:50,680 --> 00:34:52,080 Speaker 2: Clint having the. 666 00:34:52,000 --> 00:34:54,439 Speaker 1: Mohawk while you were on the cover. 667 00:34:54,560 --> 00:34:57,960 Speaker 2: But you could see clearly this was from before you 668 00:34:58,080 --> 00:35:00,800 Speaker 2: had the mohawks. So, first of all, tell us about 669 00:35:01,160 --> 00:35:03,719 Speaker 2: how this unfolded. You ending up on the cover and 670 00:35:03,920 --> 00:35:06,600 Speaker 2: what the reaction of the rest of the guys was, 671 00:35:07,200 --> 00:35:10,080 Speaker 2: and then tell us about the mohawk and the process 672 00:35:10,120 --> 00:35:13,160 Speaker 2: for deciding to pretty famously. I think he had the 673 00:35:13,200 --> 00:35:17,160 Speaker 2: second most famous haircut at that World Cup behind a 674 00:35:17,160 --> 00:35:19,240 Speaker 2: certain guy from Brazil, gotcha. 675 00:35:19,960 --> 00:35:23,160 Speaker 3: So yeah, through this we were preparing for the World Cup, 676 00:35:23,280 --> 00:35:25,960 Speaker 3: A lot of media stuff is going on as tap 677 00:35:26,080 --> 00:35:28,759 Speaker 3: kind of test, and they were doing photo shoots and 678 00:35:28,800 --> 00:35:32,440 Speaker 3: things of that, and actually they didn't know who was 679 00:35:32,440 --> 00:35:33,920 Speaker 3: going to be on the cover yet. There was a 680 00:35:33,960 --> 00:35:39,879 Speaker 3: possibility myself landing and DeMarcus Beasley also did which ended 681 00:35:39,960 --> 00:35:42,719 Speaker 3: up coming out for ESPN magazine. We were on the 682 00:35:42,760 --> 00:35:45,520 Speaker 3: cover of that, and they were like, oh, are we gonna, 683 00:35:45,680 --> 00:35:47,880 Speaker 3: you know, have Clint on the cover of this. He 684 00:35:48,040 --> 00:35:49,800 Speaker 3: was just on the cover of that, So they didn't 685 00:35:49,840 --> 00:35:51,920 Speaker 3: know what they were going to do, and then I 686 00:35:52,000 --> 00:35:54,400 Speaker 3: ended up getting the call that it was gonna happen, 687 00:35:54,960 --> 00:35:59,640 Speaker 3: which was cool. It was before obviously the World Cup 688 00:35:59,640 --> 00:36:03,480 Speaker 3: and before or the mohawk, because I had no intentions 689 00:36:03,520 --> 00:36:07,120 Speaker 3: to do a mohawk er. It wasn't really pre planned 690 00:36:07,200 --> 00:36:10,240 Speaker 3: or anything like that. Pretty much like my whole life 691 00:36:10,280 --> 00:36:12,560 Speaker 3: and my career was was just flying by the seat 692 00:36:12,600 --> 00:36:16,200 Speaker 3: of my pants and you know, surprising people with stuff 693 00:36:16,239 --> 00:36:20,439 Speaker 3: they agreed with and stuff they mostly disagreed with, and 694 00:36:21,480 --> 00:36:23,600 Speaker 3: this was one of those instances. Yeah, it was fun. 695 00:36:23,680 --> 00:36:25,520 Speaker 3: It was cool. Right before we leave to go to 696 00:36:25,600 --> 00:36:29,000 Speaker 3: the World Cup. A funny story about Sports Illustrated. I 697 00:36:29,080 --> 00:36:33,000 Speaker 3: ended up finding out that they were talking about putting 698 00:36:33,040 --> 00:36:36,960 Speaker 3: me on the cover back to back issues, which has 699 00:36:37,040 --> 00:36:40,680 Speaker 3: never happened at Sports Illustrated at that time. I don't 700 00:36:40,680 --> 00:36:43,160 Speaker 3: know if it has now where an athlete did back 701 00:36:43,200 --> 00:36:46,640 Speaker 3: to back covers on Sports Illustrated, but I guess some 702 00:36:46,760 --> 00:36:49,960 Speaker 3: things happened. I did not start the first game, and 703 00:36:50,000 --> 00:36:54,560 Speaker 3: then that's when Landing came on the cover, so it 704 00:36:54,600 --> 00:36:59,160 Speaker 3: was good to have another soccer player in Landing beyond 705 00:36:59,200 --> 00:37:01,759 Speaker 3: that next cover whatever. But a funny side note, that 706 00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:05,880 Speaker 3: could have been back to back, but cars didn't follow 707 00:37:05,880 --> 00:37:08,480 Speaker 3: in my favor, which is okay. I enjoyed that one 708 00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:10,239 Speaker 3: because I at least I have Kobe Bryant on the 709 00:37:10,280 --> 00:37:13,400 Speaker 3: cover with me and the little snippet and up lose that. 710 00:37:14,320 --> 00:37:18,280 Speaker 1: But anyway, what you know, I just I wish people 711 00:37:18,280 --> 00:37:21,239 Speaker 1: could imagine how big that was at the time, right 712 00:37:21,360 --> 00:37:23,840 Speaker 1: because now we're a little bit more used to seeing soccer, 713 00:37:24,840 --> 00:37:28,440 Speaker 1: you know, being featured in stories and in magazines and 714 00:37:28,480 --> 00:37:32,360 Speaker 1: obviously all over social media. But at that time, that 715 00:37:32,520 --> 00:37:35,640 Speaker 1: was so huge to have a soccer player on the cover, 716 00:37:37,000 --> 00:37:39,400 Speaker 1: you know that I wish people could sort of understand, 717 00:37:39,520 --> 00:37:42,080 Speaker 1: like the moment and how big it was. 718 00:37:43,960 --> 00:37:46,160 Speaker 3: No, it was really cool. I mean I grew up 719 00:37:46,200 --> 00:37:48,759 Speaker 3: seeing people on the cover of Sports illustrateds, cover of 720 00:37:48,760 --> 00:37:51,920 Speaker 3: wheaties boxes, things of that sort. And like you said, 721 00:37:51,960 --> 00:37:54,120 Speaker 3: you do see more soccer now because it is more 722 00:37:54,160 --> 00:37:57,200 Speaker 3: mainstream than what it was back in our day. Tab 723 00:37:57,280 --> 00:37:59,640 Speaker 3: but yeah, that was one of the things. And I 724 00:37:59,640 --> 00:38:01,719 Speaker 3: don't remember what the numbers were, but there was only 725 00:38:01,760 --> 00:38:04,560 Speaker 3: a handful of soccer players that have ever been on 726 00:38:04,600 --> 00:38:07,120 Speaker 3: the cover. I think Ernie was back in ninety four. 727 00:38:07,520 --> 00:38:11,200 Speaker 3: I think Maridonna was one time, maybe Pele, So there 728 00:38:11,239 --> 00:38:14,120 Speaker 3: was only a handful at that time. So it was 729 00:38:14,560 --> 00:38:17,680 Speaker 3: a great honor for me to you know, be captured 730 00:38:17,960 --> 00:38:21,439 Speaker 3: and be asked to be on that cover. And it's 731 00:38:21,480 --> 00:38:23,479 Speaker 3: one of those things that's still come up, Like you said, 732 00:38:23,480 --> 00:38:25,640 Speaker 3: twenty five years ago, it still comes up now to 733 00:38:25,680 --> 00:38:28,239 Speaker 3: where all of a sudden, I'll get even here at 734 00:38:28,239 --> 00:38:32,040 Speaker 3: my office I'll get a package because I'm glad they 735 00:38:32,040 --> 00:38:35,880 Speaker 3: don't know my home address, but I'll get some package 736 00:38:35,920 --> 00:38:37,879 Speaker 3: here or whatever, and it says, oh, you please sign 737 00:38:37,960 --> 00:38:40,279 Speaker 3: this Sports Illustrated cover and that type of thing. So 738 00:38:40,960 --> 00:38:43,280 Speaker 3: it is one of those one of those cool things 739 00:38:43,320 --> 00:38:46,120 Speaker 3: that don't really happen too much in people's lives. So 740 00:38:47,280 --> 00:38:49,880 Speaker 3: I do cherish that and I'll never forget that. It's 741 00:38:49,920 --> 00:38:51,759 Speaker 3: pretty cool, pretty cool moment. 742 00:38:52,840 --> 00:38:56,520 Speaker 2: Nothing but support inside the locker room. After that, I imagine, ah. 743 00:38:56,440 --> 00:38:59,239 Speaker 3: Yeah, well they're probably getting fun, and I think on 744 00:38:59,280 --> 00:39:01,640 Speaker 3: the inside of Sports Illustrated, I'm sitting in the back 745 00:39:01,680 --> 00:39:04,719 Speaker 3: of a pickup truck. Because I was always the redneck 746 00:39:04,760 --> 00:39:07,280 Speaker 3: on the team, and that's how I ended up getting 747 00:39:07,280 --> 00:39:11,160 Speaker 3: my nickname. Cletus was from Paul Kallajeri when I go 748 00:39:11,280 --> 00:39:15,880 Speaker 3: straight from my roots of Georgia to Los Angeles to 749 00:39:16,320 --> 00:39:19,400 Speaker 3: play for the Galaxy of ninety eight. So yeah, a 750 00:39:19,400 --> 00:39:22,880 Speaker 3: lot of little redneck and making fun of my twaying 751 00:39:22,920 --> 00:39:26,399 Speaker 3: and stuff like that, but I rolled with it. 752 00:39:24,719 --> 00:39:30,319 Speaker 2: It's authentic. It makes you stand out. So we're going 753 00:39:30,360 --> 00:39:31,759 Speaker 2: to close the show, and I want to ask you 754 00:39:31,800 --> 00:39:34,560 Speaker 2: before we go, what is your prediction for the US 755 00:39:34,680 --> 00:39:37,520 Speaker 2: national team this summer at the World Cup. Like I 756 00:39:37,560 --> 00:39:40,080 Speaker 2: said at the start, you guys laid a marker with 757 00:39:40,120 --> 00:39:43,800 Speaker 2: that quarterfinal run twenty four years ago, trying to equal 758 00:39:44,000 --> 00:39:46,879 Speaker 2: or better it this summer, I think the boys will 759 00:39:46,920 --> 00:39:48,960 Speaker 2: be doing what is your prediction, Quinn. 760 00:39:49,239 --> 00:39:51,360 Speaker 3: I think they can make it to the quarterfinals and 761 00:39:51,760 --> 00:39:54,799 Speaker 3: get through that. Obviously it's going to be dependent on 762 00:39:55,160 --> 00:39:58,920 Speaker 3: obviously injuries things of that sort. But I think the 763 00:39:58,960 --> 00:40:01,719 Speaker 3: team gets through the group, see who that draw is, 764 00:40:01,760 --> 00:40:04,319 Speaker 3: they win that game, and then I think that that's 765 00:40:04,320 --> 00:40:07,279 Speaker 3: where the pressure sets in. I think this group, you know, 766 00:40:07,320 --> 00:40:09,359 Speaker 3: probably has a little pressure to do a little bit better. 767 00:40:09,400 --> 00:40:13,320 Speaker 3: I think we do have the players the experience, which 768 00:40:13,520 --> 00:40:15,960 Speaker 3: you know, most most of the previous World Cup teams 769 00:40:15,960 --> 00:40:18,880 Speaker 3: don't have that world experience. And we talk about all 770 00:40:18,880 --> 00:40:20,520 Speaker 3: these guys that are playing in the big leagues in 771 00:40:20,560 --> 00:40:23,319 Speaker 3: Europe and stuff like that. So I see them getting 772 00:40:23,360 --> 00:40:27,400 Speaker 3: to the quarterfinals and maybe squeaking through and having our 773 00:40:27,440 --> 00:40:28,440 Speaker 3: first semi finals. 774 00:40:28,880 --> 00:40:31,360 Speaker 1: Yeah that, I mean, that's a great prediction. And I 775 00:40:31,800 --> 00:40:34,359 Speaker 1: do think and I'm not sure if you were going 776 00:40:34,400 --> 00:40:36,279 Speaker 1: in this direction or not, but I do think that 777 00:40:36,680 --> 00:40:39,320 Speaker 1: you know, as a an American team, we have always 778 00:40:39,360 --> 00:40:42,719 Speaker 1: been a great underdog, and unfortunately in this World Cup 779 00:40:42,760 --> 00:40:44,880 Speaker 1: we're not going to be the underdog for a while. 780 00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:48,520 Speaker 1: So but if we do get to that quarterfinal game, 781 00:40:48,840 --> 00:40:51,759 Speaker 1: I think the pressure will finally be off. And if 782 00:40:51,800 --> 00:40:54,360 Speaker 1: at that point we're playing a quarterfinal game with the 783 00:40:54,400 --> 00:40:56,799 Speaker 1: pressure off, watch out for the US team. 784 00:40:57,160 --> 00:41:00,839 Speaker 2: Absolutely, from your lips to God's ears, let's hope that's 785 00:41:00,840 --> 00:41:03,920 Speaker 2: how it plays out. Voice and to all our listeners, 786 00:41:04,000 --> 00:41:08,080 Speaker 2: thank you so much for listening to Inside American Soccer. 787 00:41:08,160 --> 00:41:11,560 Speaker 2: Please rate, review, and subscribe, and please continue to leave 788 00:41:11,719 --> 00:41:15,399 Speaker 2: your questions and comments on all of our platforms, Twitter, Instagram, 789 00:41:15,480 --> 00:41:20,600 Speaker 2: TikTok and YouTube, tab and I. We'll be back next week. Clinton, 790 00:41:20,680 --> 00:41:23,040 Speaker 2: thank you so much for joining us. Folks. We will 791 00:41:23,080 --> 00:41:23,759 Speaker 2: see you next time. 792 00:41:24,280 --> 00:41:27,360 Speaker 3: Thanks Glad, Thank you guys,