1 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:08,360 Speaker 1: What's going everybody. 2 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:11,000 Speaker 2: Welcome back to Inside American Soccer and we are here 3 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 2: for episode four, a special episode reacting to the World 4 00:00:14,480 --> 00:00:17,120 Speaker 2: Cup draw that just happened. Yes, the United States has 5 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:20,120 Speaker 2: learned their group stage opponents. We're gonna break it down, 6 00:00:20,280 --> 00:00:22,520 Speaker 2: what all of it means, what all the permutations are, 7 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:24,720 Speaker 2: what we're excited about, and Tab, we are excited. 8 00:00:25,239 --> 00:00:26,080 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Tom. 9 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 2: Boger, joined as always by Tab Ramos, one of the 10 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:32,600 Speaker 2: US Soccer's best ever players, very successful USU twenty youth 11 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:33,440 Speaker 2: international coach. 12 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:34,120 Speaker 3: Tab. 13 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:36,280 Speaker 1: The ping pong balls bounced weirdly. 14 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 2: FIFA decided that they are going to be the authority 15 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:41,080 Speaker 2: on peace and gave out a prize to Donald Trump. 16 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:44,159 Speaker 2: Kevin Hart was there because he needs a job. He 17 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:46,319 Speaker 2: doesn't work enough, and so he had to be there. 18 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:49,200 Speaker 2: Why wouldn't he be. Wayne Gretzky's there, did not brief 19 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:52,280 Speaker 2: himself on how to pronounce Kurosaw, among others, And there 20 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:54,640 Speaker 2: was a whole lot of cringe in the ninety minutes 21 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 2: before we got to the World Cup draw actually happening. 22 00:00:57,440 --> 00:00:59,120 Speaker 1: Tab, you were invited to go. 23 00:00:59,080 --> 00:01:01,680 Speaker 2: To the draw, but we we kind of held you 24 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 2: back because you were you were here to do this, 25 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:05,319 Speaker 2: So I got to tell you it's snowing in Washington, 26 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:05,600 Speaker 2: d C. 27 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:08,039 Speaker 1: And that was a very very long ordeal. 28 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 2: Tap are you disappointed that you're sitting here and you're 29 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:12,280 Speaker 2: not still filing out of the Kennedy Center? 30 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 3: And you know, there's there's very few things that are 31 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:18,240 Speaker 3: good about getting old, but this is one of the 32 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:20,639 Speaker 3: good ones that you know to not go to stuff 33 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 3: like this. I mean, where do we start, right, Kevin Hart? 34 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:27,039 Speaker 3: I mean, I know you're saying he needs a job, 35 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 3: but you know, I on YouTube, I see him. Every 36 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:33,200 Speaker 3: other commercial is Kevin Hart, So I don't I don't 37 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 3: think he needs a job exactly. Yeah, obviously, Wayne Gretzky, 38 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:39,320 Speaker 3: there's not a lot of hockey being played in Kurasau, 39 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:42,840 Speaker 3: so he's likely not knowing not knowing that name, right. 40 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:45,920 Speaker 3: But overall, I have to say, you know, pretty uh, 41 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 3: pretty happy day. I mean, we we got the absolute 42 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 3: possibly the best row we could get. You know, we're 43 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:58,840 Speaker 3: playing teams. We know, I think Group B I'm sorry, 44 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 3: Pot Too was gonna be the one that was gonna 45 00:02:01,720 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 3: dictate where we went and how the how this was 46 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:06,760 Speaker 3: gonna go. And by getting Australia in that group. I 47 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:10,640 Speaker 3: think we we ended up being in good shape. But yeah, 48 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:14,000 Speaker 3: overall it's a little bit of a circus. I get it, 49 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 3: and uh No, I'm happy to be home and not 50 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:17,959 Speaker 3: be in DC right now. 51 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:19,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, I agree. 52 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:22,200 Speaker 2: I think the snow coming in uh in early December 53 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 2: and DC really set the tone for what the day 54 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 2: would be. Listen, we want to get to the soccer, 55 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:29,240 Speaker 2: that's all you and I really care about. But I 56 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:31,440 Speaker 2: also wanted to just get to the soccer the whole 57 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:33,919 Speaker 2: time during the draw. So because FIFA decided to do 58 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 2: what they did, I'm gonna take a minute here to 59 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 2: shred the pomp and circumstance and everything that just happened. 60 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 2: It's it's good to joke about. I'm glad we laughed. 61 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:44,440 Speaker 2: That's the That's the best way to get through the 62 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:45,360 Speaker 2: misery of of. 63 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 1: What that was. Honest to God, who is this for? 64 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:50,800 Speaker 1: Who asked for this? Who wanted this? 65 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 2: Outside of maybe Johnny and Fantino, maybe maybe the United 66 00:02:54,880 --> 00:02:58,519 Speaker 2: States government, maybe a couple of other really powerful people. 67 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 2: Does any average fan want any of that? Does any 68 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:07,560 Speaker 2: average fan want Rio Ferdinand doing skits jokes within the 69 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:10,639 Speaker 2: arena that did not get a single laugh? 70 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:11,520 Speaker 1: The entire time. 71 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 2: I was cringing the entire time the fact that FIFA 72 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:20,200 Speaker 2: is making a peace prize. Why, I don't understand who 73 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 2: is this for. I don't understand ol FIFA can continue 74 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 2: to be so out of touch. The best way I 75 00:03:24,880 --> 00:03:27,519 Speaker 2: can sum it up is my expectations were low, but 76 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:29,920 Speaker 2: my god, they still did not come close to that. 77 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 2: So TAB, let's finally get into the soccer. All right, 78 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 2: I've had enough of the Red Guard, but the Tom 79 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 2: Brady jokes everything else. At least you kill O New 80 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 2: was funny. That was the bright spot. 81 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 4: But let's talk. 82 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 1: About some soccer. The United States leading Group D. 83 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:47,400 Speaker 2: They got a very very favorable draw Australia, Paraguay and 84 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 2: the UEFA playoff winner, which will be one of Turkey, Slovakia, Romano, 85 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 2: Romania or Kosovo. Now I sound like Wwayne Gretzky. So 86 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 2: TAB big picture thought, what a favorable draw? 87 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:00,600 Speaker 3: Well, I think you have to say that, right and 88 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 3: always always with the disclaimer that every game is tough, 89 00:04:04,640 --> 00:04:06,480 Speaker 3: and you're gonna go to the World Cup and it's 90 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:08,560 Speaker 3: not like these teams are going on vacation. This is 91 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 3: the real deal, right, so every game is going to 92 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 3: be difficult. Having said that, I think, if you know, 93 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:16,880 Speaker 3: Turkey is likely the best of the European group that 94 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:20,040 Speaker 3: we can potentially play, and if we play Turkey, these are, 95 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:22,719 Speaker 3: you know, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey are three of the last 96 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:27,160 Speaker 3: five opponents we've had already this year. So I think 97 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:29,600 Speaker 3: we're in a great place. I I you know, I 98 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:33,360 Speaker 3: like our matchup with Paraguay, although I do feel Paraguay 99 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:36,360 Speaker 3: in a one off will be much more difficult than 100 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 3: they were in a friendly game in the middle of 101 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:43,800 Speaker 3: October in the US. You know, Australia obviously we played 102 00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 3: them in Colorado. Australia is Australia. They're a hard working team, 103 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:51,240 Speaker 3: give nothing away in terms of the fact that they 104 00:04:51,279 --> 00:04:54,960 Speaker 3: have good players. But we're better than Australia. There's no 105 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 3: other way to say it. And then we'll see what 106 00:04:56,960 --> 00:04:59,640 Speaker 3: happens with the Turkey group. If they get through, Turkey 107 00:04:59,640 --> 00:05:02,240 Speaker 3: will be the difficult They already beat us, but I 108 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:04,559 Speaker 3: think we beat ourselves a little bit more than Turkey 109 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 3: beat us when we played them. So the reality is 110 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:10,599 Speaker 3: this is a very good group for us, and it 111 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:13,159 Speaker 3: forced me to look past this group and say, hey, 112 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:16,480 Speaker 3: you know, we likely don't have a really tough matchup 113 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:20,679 Speaker 3: until round of sixteen where we could potentially beat Belgium 114 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:24,240 Speaker 3: meet Belgium. So I think this is a great draw. 115 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 3: This is a great draw. 116 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:28,279 Speaker 2: I do think it's important to eco what you said. 117 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 2: I don't want to sound disrespectful to these other teams. 118 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:32,280 Speaker 2: They're all here on merit, they're all really good. There 119 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:34,480 Speaker 2: are nothing There is no such easy game at a 120 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 2: World Cup. You know that better than anybody. But there 121 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:39,600 Speaker 2: are harder games, and there was a whole lot of 122 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:43,960 Speaker 2: harder opponents on the board here. Just again Australia Pot two. 123 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 2: We avoided Columbia, Croatia, Uruguay, Ecuador, and a handful of 124 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 2: others that I think would have been more difficult than Australia, 125 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:54,120 Speaker 2: particularly after the United States. Just speed Australia and I 126 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:57,080 Speaker 2: thought they were very handedly the better team, and like 127 00:05:57,120 --> 00:05:58,840 Speaker 2: you said, like just just kind of no two ways 128 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:00,600 Speaker 2: around it. I think this is a better team, and 129 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 2: I think Neutrals would say the same with no disrespect 130 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 2: to Australia, right, Like I'm trying to threat walk the 131 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:08,400 Speaker 2: line here that I'm not sounding like we're jumping for 132 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 2: joy about this as if it's going to be a cakewalk, 133 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:12,920 Speaker 2: but it could have been much much harder. Norway was 134 00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 2: in Pot three. We avoided Norway again. Paraguay are a 135 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:18,599 Speaker 2: good team. They're a very very feisty team. They defend well, 136 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 2: they play well in transition. They have some special players 137 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:23,039 Speaker 2: that can hurt you in attack, but they don't have 138 00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:26,599 Speaker 2: Holland right, like, this could all have been worse and 139 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:31,160 Speaker 2: tad I right before the show, we were double checking. Okay, 140 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 2: if they win the group, they have to win the group. Right, 141 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 2: If they win the group, then who do they play 142 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 2: in the round of thirty two? Okay, who would they 143 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:37,599 Speaker 2: play then in the round of sixteen? 144 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:39,440 Speaker 1: So our first. 145 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 2: Takeaways are like, this is going to be a massive 146 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:45,559 Speaker 2: disappointment if if they don't look good in the groups, 147 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:48,040 Speaker 2: Like I think that they have to win the group. 148 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:52,279 Speaker 3: I think there's no doubt that's what has to happen. 149 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:54,600 Speaker 3: We'll be the favors in the group to win it. 150 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:57,720 Speaker 3: And you know, here's one thing I look at. You know, 151 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:00,680 Speaker 3: we in ninety and now go I'll go a little 152 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:03,599 Speaker 3: bit into this later on, but in nineteen ninety we 153 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:06,600 Speaker 3: hadn't qualified to the World Cup for forty years. But 154 00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:09,120 Speaker 3: since nineteen ninety you look at all the World Cups, 155 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 3: we haven't really had a US team play a game 156 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:16,400 Speaker 3: in the World Cup that they're supposed to win and 157 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:19,880 Speaker 3: not win it. I mean, you know, we listen, we 158 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 3: criticized teams, right, So you can go all the way 159 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 3: to nineteen ninety eight World Cup and we can talk 160 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 3: about we lost a round two to one. We likely 161 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 3: likely were the favorites in that game, but I'm not 162 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:35,040 Speaker 3: sure by how much in our minds we were favorites, 163 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:38,200 Speaker 3: but I'm not sure by how much. But then if 164 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 3: you look at the World Cup before, we weren't favored 165 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 3: in any games we won one, and the World Cup 166 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:45,280 Speaker 3: before that we had three Europeans in our group. We 167 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:47,520 Speaker 3: definitely weren't favored. And then you look at the World 168 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 3: Cups ahead of that, and there hasn't been American teams 169 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 3: have always come through in the World Cup. And if 170 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 3: we just do what we're supposed to do in this one, 171 00:07:55,120 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 3: we should be in first place in this group. 172 00:07:57,960 --> 00:07:59,120 Speaker 1: I completely agree. 173 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 2: And when we're talking about to draw on the abstract, honestly, 174 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:04,800 Speaker 2: the only way that you could make an argument that 175 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:07,640 Speaker 2: there was an easier path would have been because every 176 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:10,120 Speaker 2: group has to have at least one European team, which 177 00:08:10,200 --> 00:08:13,520 Speaker 2: is why when Paraguay came up in Pot three that 178 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 2: Pot four had to be one of these playoff winners 179 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 2: for the European So like that's going to be a 180 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 2: stronger Pot four team. But the United States got favorable 181 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 2: draws in Pot two and Pot three. The only other 182 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:26,560 Speaker 2: way that this could have been argued of, like you know, 183 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:30,000 Speaker 2: pick your dream kind of draw, maybe if you got 184 00:08:30,160 --> 00:08:33,320 Speaker 2: Scotland in Pot three and then like Cape Verney in 185 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:36,440 Speaker 2: Pot four. But again, like that's splitting hairs, and the 186 00:08:36,520 --> 00:08:39,120 Speaker 2: expectations for this group, for this team has to be 187 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:41,240 Speaker 2: to win the group. For me, I know it will 188 00:08:41,280 --> 00:08:43,400 Speaker 2: be from recent Patino, the staff in the locker room. 189 00:08:43,720 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 2: They hopefully would have felt that same way no matter 190 00:08:45,679 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 2: who that they drew, but particularly now, the pressure is 191 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:51,280 Speaker 2: going to be on and it'll be like I think 192 00:08:51,280 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 2: back to the twenty two World Cup against Wales, expected 193 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:56,840 Speaker 2: to win against Iran, expected to win against England. It 194 00:08:56,920 --> 00:08:58,440 Speaker 2: was a really it was a good draw, but it 195 00:08:58,520 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 2: was okay. They have to take the game to us. 196 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:04,560 Speaker 2: And in these games again, particularly Australia and Paraguay, the 197 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:06,719 Speaker 2: United States, the impetus is going to be on them 198 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:10,240 Speaker 2: to break down the other team, to implant their will 199 00:09:10,280 --> 00:09:12,440 Speaker 2: on the game rather than reacting to the other team. 200 00:09:12,679 --> 00:09:15,000 Speaker 2: And anything less than six points from those two games 201 00:09:15,559 --> 00:09:17,160 Speaker 2: is going to be a very big disappointment and it's 202 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 2: going to be heavily criticized. And obviously, weird things happen 203 00:09:19,720 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 2: in one game sample sizes, but that's the World Cup, man, 204 00:09:21,920 --> 00:09:22,920 Speaker 2: that's the pressure that's here. 205 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 1: And like you said, if they. 206 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 2: Topped the group, they would face in the round of 207 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:30,320 Speaker 2: thirty two one of the third place teams, because this 208 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:32,440 Speaker 2: is an expanded World Cup, it's not just the top 209 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:35,319 Speaker 2: two to get through. They it's too difficult to try 210 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:36,600 Speaker 2: to figure out who could one of the third place 211 00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:40,440 Speaker 2: teams could be. If they win that, then they, like 212 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 2: you said, would be set up for Belgium. And while 213 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:49,480 Speaker 2: Belgium are really really good, that's still avoiding Spain, France, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, 214 00:09:49,559 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 2: whoever as a potential. 215 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:54,000 Speaker 1: Like the path to the quarterfinals is wild. 216 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:58,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, But so here's where it gets a little interesting, right, 217 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:02,680 Speaker 3: because coming in first place in that group gives you 218 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:05,600 Speaker 3: that headway to first you draw a third place team 219 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:08,160 Speaker 3: who knows obviously we can say what groups, but it's 220 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:10,679 Speaker 3: so hard to speculate a third place team. I'm not 221 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:13,280 Speaker 3: so many teams right, so there's too many years. But 222 00:10:13,679 --> 00:10:16,319 Speaker 3: you likely are supposed to win that game. You win 223 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 3: that game, and now you meet Belgium. But here's the 224 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:21,560 Speaker 3: interesting part. If for some reason we end second in 225 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:24,160 Speaker 3: our group, which I think would not be where we 226 00:10:24,200 --> 00:10:27,439 Speaker 3: want to be or we deserve, you potentially meet Argentina 227 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:30,600 Speaker 3: right after your first you play, you play a G two, 228 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:34,320 Speaker 3: which would could be around, could be Egypt, could be 229 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 3: one of those teams, but then you would play Argentina, 230 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 3: so instead of Belgium, you'd have Argentina. So I think, 231 00:10:42,040 --> 00:10:45,240 Speaker 3: you know, all teams look at this. You know, uh, 232 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 3: when you start the tournament, obviously you always you're gonna 233 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 3: get the same line one game at a time, you know, 234 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:54,360 Speaker 3: the whole thing. But the reality is we for us 235 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 3: to have a good pathway, we have to end first 236 00:10:56,800 --> 00:10:58,640 Speaker 3: in our group. And this is something that we can 237 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 3: it should be favored to. 238 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:05,720 Speaker 2: To do absolutely, And obviously we're all gonna intimately learn 239 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:09,720 Speaker 2: every detail about these teams. Again, like you're gonna watch 240 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:11,840 Speaker 2: the coaching staff, We're gonna be watching the other team 241 00:11:11,840 --> 00:11:15,199 Speaker 2: in like warm ups and stuff after having studying them 242 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 2: for so long, knowing what they're gonna do, even in 243 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:19,040 Speaker 2: the little small side of games. But these are already 244 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:21,960 Speaker 2: opponents that the United States knows very well. Again, if 245 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:23,840 Speaker 2: we're assuming that it is Turkey that gets out of 246 00:11:23,880 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 2: that playoff lost to Turkey in June, then they beat 247 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,320 Speaker 2: both Paraguay and Australia over the last two breaks in 248 00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:34,360 Speaker 2: October November. So these are three opponents that they will 249 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:36,559 Speaker 2: have already played within the last twelve months leading into 250 00:11:36,559 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 2: a World Cup, which. 251 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 1: I think is pretty unique. 252 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:41,520 Speaker 2: I have not done research to definitively say this, but 253 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 2: I doubt that this is very often the case in 254 00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:48,760 Speaker 2: the history of the US. So is there extra challenges? 255 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:51,160 Speaker 2: Is there extra I guess comfort, particularly for the two 256 00:11:51,160 --> 00:11:53,160 Speaker 2: teams that the United States beat. I'm like, oh no, Like, yeah, 257 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:54,920 Speaker 2: we just saw it. We're not talking in the abstract 258 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 2: about hey, what will mcgil moron look like against Joe 259 00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:00,319 Speaker 2: Scalley or or insert any defender because. 260 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:01,080 Speaker 1: What we just saw it. 261 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:06,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, I think you're exactly right, And I 262 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 3: think not only I think should we be looking at 263 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:12,480 Speaker 3: this group because here's where the excitement goes, right, because 264 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 3: we can talk about our group, and now we can 265 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:17,520 Speaker 3: continue to talk about teams that we've already talked about, right, 266 00:12:17,760 --> 00:12:20,600 Speaker 3: And so the reality is we're favored. We have to 267 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 3: do our job and pressure comes with that and that's 268 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 3: not easy, right, And that's not us being too hard 269 00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:29,000 Speaker 3: on the US team. This is the reality of the 270 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:31,080 Speaker 3: teams we have in front of us. We hope that, 271 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:33,800 Speaker 3: you know, thirty five years from han't qualified to a 272 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:36,040 Speaker 3: World Cup, that we're in a better place and that 273 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:38,040 Speaker 3: we should be able to take this group in first place. 274 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 3: Now I haven't said that. Let's think about the fun 275 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 3: of this World Cup, right, Seeing Brazil against Morocco, see 276 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:47,640 Speaker 3: in Portugal against Columbia. I mean, these are matchups we 277 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:51,520 Speaker 3: don't normally seems like I'm excited about this. This is 278 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:52,240 Speaker 3: gonna be amazing. 279 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:54,160 Speaker 1: I really am too. 280 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:56,920 Speaker 2: Like hell, even even like I was watching the draw 281 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:59,920 Speaker 2: with some people and like when Haiti got drew in 282 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:02,600 Speaker 2: group with Brazil and Morocco in Scotland, I at first 283 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:05,120 Speaker 2: you're like, oh, man, like that is a real uphill battle. 284 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:07,439 Speaker 2: But I'll like their World Cup final was getting to 285 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:09,439 Speaker 2: the World Cup. What an incredible team in for Haiti. 286 00:13:09,800 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 2: Even if they lose eight nothing to Brazil. They're gonna 287 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 2: enjoy every second of that. And I just think that 288 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:16,280 Speaker 2: those kind of things are beautiful. You talk about cape Verde, 289 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:19,240 Speaker 2: you're talking about curus out some of the other matchups. Again, 290 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:20,880 Speaker 2: we will we'll dive into that a little bit later 291 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 2: as well. But like Franz Senegal, it's gonna be all Norway. 292 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 2: That's the same group. 293 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:27,360 Speaker 3: And by the way, I'll say this about Haiti. So, 294 00:13:27,559 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 3: there was a player we had at n JSO four, 295 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:32,840 Speaker 3: Duke Lacroix, who plays for Haiti, and so after the 296 00:13:32,920 --> 00:13:34,959 Speaker 3: clave to the World Cup, I texted him, Hey, Duke, 297 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:36,600 Speaker 3: is so great to see you at the World Cup. 298 00:13:36,640 --> 00:13:38,680 Speaker 3: There's gonna be amazing. And now I'm gonna have to 299 00:13:38,720 --> 00:13:41,080 Speaker 3: text them again to say, hey, you're playing for Zil 300 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:43,880 Speaker 3: my man, how great is that? Right? I mean? This 301 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:46,240 Speaker 3: is this is He and Fafa are two of my 302 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:48,920 Speaker 3: favorite guys that I've ever coached, and I'll be so 303 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:49,920 Speaker 3: happy to see them there. 304 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:53,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, one more thing before we dive into each opponent 305 00:13:53,960 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 2: really quickly, because we won't know exactly who the the 306 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:02,480 Speaker 2: third opponent is. It can be Turkey, Slovakia, Romania, Kosovo. 307 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:07,640 Speaker 2: Obviously Turkey is the strongest of that group then probably Slovakia, 308 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:10,720 Speaker 2: but Turkey would be the heavy favorites. And if you're 309 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:13,839 Speaker 2: ranking who who do you I guess not want to 310 00:14:13,880 --> 00:14:16,440 Speaker 2: see or who is I think the strongest potential opponent, 311 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:19,280 Speaker 2: it's Turkey with a bullet and then it's I think 312 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:20,640 Speaker 2: it drops off several tiers. 313 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 1: If there's an upset here. 314 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:26,120 Speaker 2: This has the possibility of becoming the easiest group. 315 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:32,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, without question, because Turkey is not an easy opponent. 316 00:14:32,480 --> 00:14:35,560 Speaker 3: You know, I had the fortune of working for Beshiktaj 317 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 3: about a year and a half ago. I did some 318 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 3: work as a North American and South American director of 319 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:44,800 Speaker 3: scouting for them, and I have to tell you I 320 00:14:45,120 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 3: had the chance to attend some games. I attended Beshita's 321 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 3: at Gilea Tassarai. I got a chance to be on 322 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 3: the field on some of those games where the stadiums 323 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:57,680 Speaker 3: are on fire. And I have to say, these players 324 00:14:57,720 --> 00:15:00,400 Speaker 3: play under a lot of pressure there you to it. 325 00:15:00,440 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 3: They're good players and I think Turkey could definitely definitely 326 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:06,640 Speaker 3: make a run if they get into this World Cup. 327 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:09,080 Speaker 3: I mean, if you're Turkey right now, you're thinking, man, 328 00:15:09,120 --> 00:15:11,000 Speaker 3: we got to get through this playoff because if we 329 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:12,600 Speaker 3: go to the World Cup, we're gonna be first place 330 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:14,520 Speaker 3: in our group. I mean, if you're them, you have 331 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:15,920 Speaker 3: to think that, right. 332 00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:17,920 Speaker 1: It's a great way to put it. That's a great 333 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:18,480 Speaker 1: way to put it. 334 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 3: As By the way, if you're Paraguay, I think you're 335 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:24,160 Speaker 3: saying the same thing. I think you're saying, Okay, we 336 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 3: got we We we got a group here where we 337 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 3: can be in first place and avoid Spain two. So 338 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:31,760 Speaker 3: it's not just us saying that this is gonna be 339 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:33,800 Speaker 3: and this is the fun part of being in a 340 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:36,200 Speaker 3: group like this, where I think anybody can win and 341 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:38,760 Speaker 3: anybody can be in any position. We just happen to 342 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:40,040 Speaker 3: think that we're the better team. 343 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 2: No, And I'm really glad you brought that up too, 344 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:46,240 Speaker 2: because obviously, well we're talking about Australia, Paraguay all what 345 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 2: favorable matchup. Literally every POT two team was hoping to 346 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 2: draw the US Canada of Mexico, not because of disrespect, 347 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:57,520 Speaker 2: but because that's a hell of a lot better that England, Brazil. 348 00:15:57,280 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 1: France, Argentina. 349 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 2: Right, So let's let's refocus back on the United States group. 350 00:16:02,880 --> 00:16:04,800 Speaker 2: We're gonna take a very quick break, so we're gonna 351 00:16:04,800 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 2: dive deeper into the two opponents we definitely know, and 352 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:09,800 Speaker 2: then I think we're just gonna assume that Turkey is 353 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 2: the third and we're going to talk about that again. 354 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:14,680 Speaker 2: Please rate, review, and subscribe to Inside American Saco, Tom 355 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:16,520 Speaker 2: Boger tab Ramas wherever you get into podcast. 356 00:16:16,560 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 4: We'll be ready. 357 00:16:31,920 --> 00:16:34,760 Speaker 2: All right, welcome back, and right before we dive very 358 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 2: deep into the three or three issue World Cup opponents 359 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:41,200 Speaker 2: at the group stage. We've spoke on the show previously 360 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:45,240 Speaker 2: that depending on the group draw, that could maybe influence 361 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:47,840 Speaker 2: the last couple of roster spots, given there are a 362 00:16:47,880 --> 00:16:50,520 Speaker 2: lot of good options for the twenty six man roster, 363 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:53,760 Speaker 2: So tap today initially, Again, we are less than an 364 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:56,760 Speaker 2: hour after this World Cup draw happened. Is there any 365 00:16:56,800 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 2: players in particular that you feel might have gotten a 366 00:16:59,600 --> 00:17:03,040 Speaker 2: slight to their World Cup chances based on this group 367 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:04,800 Speaker 2: in that the United States are going to have to 368 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:07,080 Speaker 2: break teams down probably and have more of the ball 369 00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:08,520 Speaker 2: than say they got a much harder group. 370 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:12,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean one comes to mind immediately, and that's Giorna. 371 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:16,840 Speaker 3: I mean, he had his game against Paraguay. This is 372 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 3: where we thought, Okay, Giorreyna is back and I think 373 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:22,560 Speaker 3: if you're the coach, you were thinking, hey, you know, 374 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 3: had we drawn two European teams and maybe an agent team. 375 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:29,320 Speaker 3: Everybody's in the picture still. But now you know you 376 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 3: drow Paraguay, and you know that you have players who 377 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:34,919 Speaker 3: have been successful, gbing one of them. You know. I 378 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:37,320 Speaker 3: think if anything, this this makes even more of a 379 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:40,400 Speaker 3: case for Giorrena than any other time, right, I mean, 380 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:43,359 Speaker 3: this is this is one, but I think in general, 381 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:45,280 Speaker 3: if you look at the roster for that game, it 382 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:48,600 Speaker 3: was a little bit of a heavier MLS roster. I 383 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:51,440 Speaker 3: think Aaronson played that game as well. I think there's 384 00:17:51,480 --> 00:17:56,560 Speaker 3: a lot of players that now will potentially some players 385 00:17:56,560 --> 00:18:00,680 Speaker 3: that could potentially be rescued because of this draw, because 386 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:03,480 Speaker 3: I think we can be successful with a lot of 387 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:05,200 Speaker 3: different combinations of guys. 388 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:06,760 Speaker 1: Now I do too. 389 00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:09,280 Speaker 2: I think the only thought that I have based on 390 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:12,920 Speaker 2: that is this probably increases the chances of four center 391 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:15,680 Speaker 2: forwards beyond the roster, just to have different options with 392 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 2: different combinations of the TAC tab like you said, and 393 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:21,040 Speaker 2: also there's going to be given what the pool is, 394 00:18:21,240 --> 00:18:23,080 Speaker 2: there are guys like Patrick godga Among and Brian White 395 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:25,119 Speaker 2: and Hodgie Wright, is in quite the physical presence that 396 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:28,159 Speaker 2: those guys are. But having an option of all right, 397 00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:31,480 Speaker 2: it's the eightieth minute. They're sitting deep, we're just putting 398 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:34,240 Speaker 2: balls in a box. We need somebody who's in aerials, right, 399 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:35,800 Speaker 2: whether or not they were going to be one of 400 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:38,639 Speaker 2: the three forward like, So I think that that could 401 00:18:38,640 --> 00:18:41,639 Speaker 2: be a boost that instead of I don't know, a 402 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:43,639 Speaker 2: sixth center back, you bring a fourth forward. 403 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:45,399 Speaker 1: So that's the only thing that comes to mind for me. 404 00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:48,159 Speaker 3: Yeah, and uh, I mean you have to look at 405 00:18:48,200 --> 00:18:50,280 Speaker 3: this and you just mentioned which is a great point. 406 00:18:50,280 --> 00:18:53,520 Speaker 3: You just mentioned the eightieth minute, but potentially you played 407 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:56,960 Speaker 3: Paraguay in Australia, what will they do against you. Chances 408 00:18:57,040 --> 00:18:59,480 Speaker 3: are they're going to sit back and counter both of 409 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:02,560 Speaker 3: those teams. So now if you're gonna play a team 410 00:19:02,600 --> 00:19:05,159 Speaker 3: that sits back, this is where you need those guys 411 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:07,560 Speaker 3: that break a team down, right, And you're gonna need, 412 00:19:08,359 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 3: like you said, additional forwards, but you're also gonna need 413 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 3: likely to potentially think about using Way as a winger. 414 00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:18,159 Speaker 3: You're likely gonna have to open up teams. So I 415 00:19:18,520 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 3: think there's a lot of possibilities with these teams because 416 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:24,200 Speaker 3: we're gonna have to. We're the favorites to win these games, 417 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:27,440 Speaker 3: and we're gonna have to open teams up, which, let's 418 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:30,320 Speaker 3: be fair, we have not been great at that when 419 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:34,119 Speaker 3: we've had a chance, and so but yeah, so I 420 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:36,240 Speaker 3: do agree with you on that, and I think I 421 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:38,639 Speaker 3: think even Turkey for that matter, I'm not sure that 422 00:19:38,680 --> 00:19:41,439 Speaker 3: Turkey go all out on us either if they're the 423 00:19:41,440 --> 00:19:44,000 Speaker 3: ones that come out of that group. So we're in 424 00:19:44,040 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 3: a situation where we're likely gonna have the ball on 425 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:48,960 Speaker 3: the opposing side of the field and we're gonna have 426 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:49,920 Speaker 3: to do something with it. 427 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:53,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think that is the big takeaway here, and 428 00:19:53,880 --> 00:19:55,560 Speaker 2: I'm very interested in that. I think that that beats 429 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:58,560 Speaker 2: the alternative of bunkering and trying to hit and counter 430 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:01,000 Speaker 2: against one of the superpower in the world at Egg 431 00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:02,800 Speaker 2: At some point, if they want to get to where 432 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:04,560 Speaker 2: they where they're going, they're gonna have to beat or 433 00:20:04,600 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 2: at least played very well against one of those powers. 434 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:10,439 Speaker 2: Look for the group stage, they open against Paraguay in 435 00:20:10,480 --> 00:20:13,000 Speaker 2: a quick scouting report. Again, people listening to this probably 436 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:15,360 Speaker 2: watched the game against Paraguay, so you're probably very familiar. 437 00:20:15,680 --> 00:20:17,880 Speaker 2: What I think that they do best. Can tap feel 438 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:20,800 Speaker 2: free to jump in wherever you either disagree. I think 439 00:20:20,840 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 2: that they are are very good in transition, They are 440 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:25,639 Speaker 2: excellent defending, and they are just they don't give you 441 00:20:25,680 --> 00:20:27,960 Speaker 2: anything easy. You have to earn every blade aggress against 442 00:20:27,960 --> 00:20:31,800 Speaker 2: this Paraguay team. The work rate even on set pieces there, 443 00:20:31,800 --> 00:20:33,760 Speaker 2: they're going to be really difficult to kind of get 444 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:35,680 Speaker 2: an opening on. This is going to be a very 445 00:20:35,680 --> 00:20:38,119 Speaker 2: tough team in the literal sense, as we saw with 446 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 2: that kind of you know coming together at the end 447 00:20:40,119 --> 00:20:43,280 Speaker 2: of that Paraguay game that revolved around Alex Freeman. So 448 00:20:43,320 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 2: I think that those are the pillars for this team. 449 00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:48,479 Speaker 2: A couple of players that that should scare the United States. 450 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:52,800 Speaker 2: Miguel Morone, but in Quiso and Diego Gomez, I think 451 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:56,040 Speaker 2: are three different makers, difference makers going forward to potential 452 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:58,520 Speaker 2: difference makers. And then the US can exploit this team 453 00:20:58,560 --> 00:21:00,880 Speaker 2: by killing them with the ball and breaking them down, 454 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:03,679 Speaker 2: shifting them around. Yes, they have an incredible work rate 455 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:06,560 Speaker 2: and an incredible engine. Make them earn it, make them 456 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:10,320 Speaker 2: make them have to at every point scrambling side the side, 457 00:21:10,440 --> 00:21:13,200 Speaker 2: possession it with purpose, but not letting them off the hook, 458 00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:16,680 Speaker 2: not giving them a chance to really, you know, establish 459 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:19,080 Speaker 2: that lower block keep them moving around and doing so 460 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:19,640 Speaker 2: with the ball. 461 00:21:21,280 --> 00:21:25,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, no question. I think what I'll add to that 462 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:29,600 Speaker 3: is the mentality of the Paraguay and player right because 463 00:21:29,640 --> 00:21:32,600 Speaker 3: you look at the their three they're the sort of 464 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:37,400 Speaker 3: their three neighbors to the south, southeast and west are Uruguay, 465 00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:42,000 Speaker 3: Argentina and Brazil. They they have been neighbors to the 466 00:21:42,119 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 3: three countries that win absolutely everything in South America for 467 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 3: the last one hundred and twenty years. And they're not 468 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:52,119 Speaker 3: afraid and they know they have to fight. And I 469 00:21:52,280 --> 00:21:55,119 Speaker 3: know that we can be going into this game thinking 470 00:21:55,240 --> 00:21:58,000 Speaker 3: we are the better team against Paraguay. But I can 471 00:21:58,040 --> 00:22:00,680 Speaker 3: tell you that not for a second are they gonna 472 00:22:00,680 --> 00:22:02,840 Speaker 3: be sitting in Paraguay thinking that they can't win this 473 00:22:02,920 --> 00:22:05,800 Speaker 3: game against the US, because they're thinking, you know what, 474 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:09,200 Speaker 3: they just beat us and they're not gonna beat us again, 475 00:22:09,560 --> 00:22:11,920 Speaker 3: and that's gonna be that's gonna be difficult. Now let's 476 00:22:11,920 --> 00:22:14,080 Speaker 3: take the other side of it. And you mentioned, you 477 00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:17,600 Speaker 3: know players I can see so and and and al Maron. 478 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:20,320 Speaker 3: You know, these are good players. These are like world 479 00:22:20,359 --> 00:22:22,960 Speaker 3: class good players. And I look, I know al Moron 480 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:25,240 Speaker 3: didn't have a great season this year at Atlanta. But but 481 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:27,959 Speaker 3: we know what he's like. We know when the lights 482 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 3: get turned on at the World Cup, that's where the 483 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:33,080 Speaker 3: real players show up, and I think he's one of 484 00:22:33,080 --> 00:22:36,600 Speaker 3: those players. This Paraguay team will be more than a 485 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:39,159 Speaker 3: handful for US, and we're gonna have to do a 486 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:40,880 Speaker 3: lot of work to break them down. 487 00:22:41,320 --> 00:22:42,800 Speaker 1: And particularly those three players. 488 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:47,080 Speaker 2: They can their best in transition, and that is where 489 00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:49,560 Speaker 2: what part of it is. They're gonna sit deeper and 490 00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:51,639 Speaker 2: again be difficult to play against. But that invites the 491 00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:53,240 Speaker 2: US forward, which is how they're gonna have to try 492 00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:55,520 Speaker 2: to break them down, so at any moment giving space 493 00:22:55,520 --> 00:22:57,800 Speaker 2: to Almroner and see So in particular. But Diego Gomez 494 00:22:57,880 --> 00:23:00,240 Speaker 2: is really good at this too. Now with Brighton, those 495 00:23:00,240 --> 00:23:02,800 Speaker 2: are three players that can hurt you in transition, so 496 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:04,480 Speaker 2: that those are the things that the US have to 497 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:05,000 Speaker 2: look out for. 498 00:23:05,160 --> 00:23:07,800 Speaker 1: That is the opening game, So I'm extremely excited for. 499 00:23:07,960 --> 00:23:10,120 Speaker 1: So we're talking about the opening game, let's talk about 500 00:23:10,119 --> 00:23:12,040 Speaker 1: starting eleven's tab. I'll go first. 501 00:23:13,080 --> 00:23:14,840 Speaker 2: I don't think this is any different than than what 502 00:23:14,880 --> 00:23:17,240 Speaker 2: I've previously written, so I'll run through quick Freese and 503 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:21,440 Speaker 2: goal back three of Miles Robinson, Chris Richards, tim Ree midfield, 504 00:23:21,480 --> 00:23:26,399 Speaker 2: four of desks, Adams Tessaman, Anthony Robinson, dual Ten's of 505 00:23:26,440 --> 00:23:29,560 Speaker 2: pool sickond Wea and I could probably be talked into 506 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:31,680 Speaker 2: Tim Leek Tilman particularly for this game, or Jill Rayner 507 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:33,239 Speaker 2: for this game. I think Jill Rayner for sure will 508 00:23:33,280 --> 00:23:35,040 Speaker 2: play a part, whether he's able to start or if 509 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:37,119 Speaker 2: he's coming off the bench for a significant chunk. And 510 00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:39,119 Speaker 2: then Balgon up top. So that's the eleven that I have. 511 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:43,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, and now we'll go with I think something similar 512 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:47,440 Speaker 3: to what I've had. I'm gonna go with freezing goal 513 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:51,760 Speaker 3: and and in the back with I'm gonna go Freeman 514 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:56,000 Speaker 3: Richards and Miles Robinson. Uh. And I could go with 515 00:23:56,080 --> 00:23:59,960 Speaker 3: McKenzie there too, one of those two the four uh, 516 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:02,639 Speaker 3: in front of them. I'm gonna go Desk on one side, 517 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:06,240 Speaker 3: Robinson on the other side, if he's healthy, if not 518 00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:09,119 Speaker 3: totally fine, going with Arstin he's done a great job. 519 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:12,520 Speaker 3: In the center. Is gonna be Adamson McKinney. You know 520 00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:15,080 Speaker 3: McKinney is at a good level. Again, it could be 521 00:24:15,160 --> 00:24:18,200 Speaker 3: testament if we need a little bit more feet again. Uh. 522 00:24:18,240 --> 00:24:21,879 Speaker 3: And then Tillman and Polistic right behind Ballaghan. But but 523 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:24,640 Speaker 3: that could also be Waya there, and it could also 524 00:24:24,760 --> 00:24:28,000 Speaker 3: be Giorina. There, so a lot of options. I think 525 00:24:28,040 --> 00:24:29,840 Speaker 3: Waya in a game like this where we need to 526 00:24:29,880 --> 00:24:32,440 Speaker 3: open up an opponent, it's likely that way I may 527 00:24:32,600 --> 00:24:35,760 Speaker 3: get put out as a as a wide player, more 528 00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:37,800 Speaker 3: as a wing back than than than one of the 529 00:24:37,840 --> 00:24:38,400 Speaker 3: guys up top. 530 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:41,639 Speaker 2: Yeah, the only the only issue is that like I 531 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:43,600 Speaker 2: toyed with that as well, but like death is still 532 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:46,320 Speaker 2: good an unlocking defense and being really creative in type spaces, 533 00:24:46,359 --> 00:24:49,360 Speaker 2: So at least for for what same way I might 534 00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:52,640 Speaker 2: not have in that that biggest strength of the combo 535 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:55,159 Speaker 2: of Death and way on the right flank or in 536 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:57,359 Speaker 2: the right channel as well would be pretty strong. So 537 00:24:57,400 --> 00:25:01,840 Speaker 2: that's Paraguay. Next opponent is Australia. What do Australia do well? 538 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:03,960 Speaker 2: They defend, They defend very well. They are they are 539 00:25:04,000 --> 00:25:06,600 Speaker 2: difficult to play against. It's a different brand of defending. 540 00:25:06,760 --> 00:25:10,920 Speaker 2: It's more it's more rigid, I think than Paraguay's. And 541 00:25:11,560 --> 00:25:14,440 Speaker 2: they also were going to try to open up in transition. 542 00:25:14,760 --> 00:25:16,680 Speaker 2: I don't think that they're as good as Paraguay, particularly 543 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:18,400 Speaker 2: in that regard. But this is a team that's gonna 544 00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:20,479 Speaker 2: defend very well, not be afraid of the moment. They 545 00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:23,360 Speaker 2: did give the US a decent game. I don't think 546 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:27,480 Speaker 2: the US played particularly great against Australia and they're probably thinking, okay, 547 00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:29,920 Speaker 2: with with a better lineup, with a better performance. 548 00:25:29,680 --> 00:25:32,840 Speaker 1: This should be easier. Some players that concern you for 549 00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:36,760 Speaker 1: Australia ness roy Iaran Kunda, a young player for Watford, 550 00:25:36,840 --> 00:25:40,040 Speaker 1: and the goalkeeper Matt Ryan. That again for a for 551 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:42,720 Speaker 1: a Pot two team, it could be, it could be 552 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:43,320 Speaker 1: much worse. 553 00:25:43,720 --> 00:25:45,040 Speaker 2: How the US are going to have to exploit this 554 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:49,159 Speaker 2: team possession and pressing, both breaking teams down, but immediately 555 00:25:49,160 --> 00:25:52,560 Speaker 2: counter pressing when the ball is lost. And again, even 556 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:55,360 Speaker 2: more important than I think against Paraguay is don't give 557 00:25:55,359 --> 00:25:57,280 Speaker 2: this team a moment to rest. Continue to put them 558 00:25:57,320 --> 00:26:02,000 Speaker 2: under pressure with and without the ball, and chances will come, 559 00:26:02,119 --> 00:26:04,280 Speaker 2: and it's about getting it past Matt Run. 560 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:09,320 Speaker 3: Not a lot to add to this Australia team. I 561 00:26:09,400 --> 00:26:13,320 Speaker 3: really unfortunately, I you know, obviously don't want to be 562 00:26:13,359 --> 00:26:16,640 Speaker 3: disrespectful to any team. They're all good teams. And I think, 563 00:26:16,760 --> 00:26:19,680 Speaker 3: by the way, I commend Australia for going into the 564 00:26:19,720 --> 00:26:23,199 Speaker 3: Asian Federation to get more competition because They could have 565 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:27,800 Speaker 3: stayed on the Oceania side and played New Zealand every 566 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:29,520 Speaker 3: year just to go to the World Cup, but they've 567 00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:34,119 Speaker 3: done a better job to get more competitive. Having said that, 568 00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:37,960 Speaker 3: I think Aaron Kunda, as you said, could be dangerous. 569 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:40,520 Speaker 3: He's a nineteen year old. By the World Cup next summer, 570 00:26:40,720 --> 00:26:42,880 Speaker 3: with a little bit more experience, a little bit stronger, 571 00:26:43,080 --> 00:26:46,359 Speaker 3: he can be a handful. But man, there's just not 572 00:26:46,440 --> 00:26:48,520 Speaker 3: a whole lot to worry about overall. I mean, we 573 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:52,879 Speaker 3: can come up with the names, but I think it's 574 00:26:53,119 --> 00:26:55,399 Speaker 3: they're not at the level we are. This is a 575 00:26:55,440 --> 00:26:58,720 Speaker 3: team we should be and if we play our game, 576 00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:01,400 Speaker 3: the only way Australia is gonna beat US is if 577 00:27:01,400 --> 00:27:04,080 Speaker 3: they outwork us. And I don't see a US team 578 00:27:04,119 --> 00:27:05,880 Speaker 3: being at worked at home in a World Cup. 579 00:27:06,200 --> 00:27:08,640 Speaker 1: I don't see it. I could couldn't agree more. 580 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:11,000 Speaker 2: You talk about qualifying, so part of the reason that 581 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:13,560 Speaker 2: they wanted to go through Asia because Oceania you only 582 00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:16,720 Speaker 2: get through with the playoff, I believe. Orry previously it 583 00:27:16,760 --> 00:27:18,480 Speaker 2: was with the playoff when it was a thirty two 584 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:20,840 Speaker 2: team World Cup. And like you said, they're they're getting 585 00:27:20,920 --> 00:27:24,760 Speaker 2: much more difficult opponents, so then qualifying through Asia is 586 00:27:24,840 --> 00:27:28,959 Speaker 2: no small feat. In the final round of qualification, they 587 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:31,160 Speaker 2: finished second in their group of six to get direct 588 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:35,439 Speaker 2: qualification World Cup, finishing and buying only Japan. But they 589 00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:38,280 Speaker 2: had only sixteen goals in ten matches, and some of 590 00:27:38,320 --> 00:27:42,000 Speaker 2: those matches include two against Bahrain, China, Indonesia, which just 591 00:27:42,119 --> 00:27:45,080 Speaker 2: kind of shows they don't have the same kind of 592 00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:48,159 Speaker 2: edge going forward or the players that can really really 593 00:27:48,240 --> 00:27:49,520 Speaker 2: hurt you when concerned. This is going to be a 594 00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:52,879 Speaker 2: team that's built defensively. But you know, they still finished 595 00:27:52,920 --> 00:27:55,240 Speaker 2: bying Japan and struggled against that team, and I think 596 00:27:55,280 --> 00:27:57,879 Speaker 2: Japan is more of a comparison to the United States 597 00:27:58,040 --> 00:28:01,440 Speaker 2: than Australia is. Again, there are no easy games the 598 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:03,800 Speaker 2: World Cup, but the US has to be very very 599 00:28:03,800 --> 00:28:06,439 Speaker 2: happy with that. And then the third opponent will be 600 00:28:06,640 --> 00:28:10,320 Speaker 2: again the winner of the playoff between Turkey, Slovakia, Romania, 601 00:28:10,600 --> 00:28:14,119 Speaker 2: Romania Kosovo. Let's just assume this is Turkey, because we 602 00:28:14,119 --> 00:28:17,359 Speaker 2: can always change this and talk more about it when 603 00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:20,440 Speaker 2: when this uh, when of these playoffs happened in the spring. 604 00:28:20,880 --> 00:28:22,879 Speaker 2: But right now, let's work on the assumption at Turkey. 605 00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:26,080 Speaker 2: My first question here before even diving into it, I 606 00:28:26,080 --> 00:28:28,760 Speaker 2: think Turkey would be the hardest of the three three opponents. 607 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:31,719 Speaker 1: I guess I wasn't a question. That was just a statement, 608 00:28:31,760 --> 00:28:32,080 Speaker 1: wasn't it. 609 00:28:32,160 --> 00:28:34,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, well I was. You finished that, and then I 610 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:35,879 Speaker 3: was waiting for the question. 611 00:28:38,240 --> 00:28:42,560 Speaker 1: Ok, new Jersey question, you know, opinion. Yeah, yeah, that's my. 612 00:28:44,440 --> 00:28:48,200 Speaker 3: Now you following your line of questioning, that's you're yeah, 613 00:28:48,720 --> 00:28:52,520 Speaker 3: Turkey will be Turkey would be the most difficult. And 614 00:28:52,520 --> 00:28:53,360 Speaker 3: and by the way, so. 615 00:28:53,840 --> 00:28:56,520 Speaker 1: I'm saying, I'm saying over Paraguay in Australia. 616 00:28:58,040 --> 00:29:01,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, creak, Okay, I agree with you. I just 617 00:29:01,800 --> 00:29:04,400 Speaker 3: think that this team is uh has played a lot 618 00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:06,760 Speaker 3: of big games. Obviously, they lost to Spain six or 619 00:29:06,760 --> 00:29:08,800 Speaker 3: seven zero in one of the games, let's not forget 620 00:29:09,000 --> 00:29:11,760 Speaker 3: and European qualifying, but they did well in all the 621 00:29:11,800 --> 00:29:14,120 Speaker 3: rest of the games, including their last game against Spain. 622 00:29:15,400 --> 00:29:17,800 Speaker 3: You know, they have Arta Ghouler, one of the youngest player, 623 00:29:18,040 --> 00:29:22,760 Speaker 3: youngest best players in the world. And and yeah, that 624 00:29:23,040 --> 00:29:25,960 Speaker 3: would be if they come into our group, that would 625 00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:28,840 Speaker 3: be the toughest team to be in our group, and 626 00:29:28,880 --> 00:29:31,040 Speaker 3: we end with them. So it's likely that we're going 627 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:34,520 Speaker 3: into that third game already knowing that we likely have 628 00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 3: six points. And if you have six points going into 629 00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:39,600 Speaker 3: the third game. Now you're playing to try to avoid 630 00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:43,680 Speaker 3: our being on Argentina side and being more with Belgium 631 00:29:43,720 --> 00:29:47,920 Speaker 3: for your year second, so you're now afforded to take 632 00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:49,120 Speaker 3: a few chances. 633 00:29:49,680 --> 00:29:52,320 Speaker 2: Agreed, But that will be that in that scenario would 634 00:29:52,320 --> 00:29:54,520 Speaker 2: still be very crucial tin to finish first and that second. 635 00:29:55,040 --> 00:29:56,960 Speaker 2: So I think that will still be a really important 636 00:29:57,000 --> 00:30:00,440 Speaker 2: game in s like there's sometimes in the past where 637 00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:02,920 Speaker 2: that third game becomes a dead rubber because everybody knows 638 00:30:02,960 --> 00:30:05,240 Speaker 2: where they're qualifying, or you're you're playing against a team 639 00:30:05,640 --> 00:30:09,200 Speaker 2: that you're either vastly inferior to or superior to, and 640 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:11,560 Speaker 2: that both teams can pretty safely assume, all right, that's 641 00:30:11,600 --> 00:30:13,200 Speaker 2: gonna be the firs place team, that's gonna be the second. 642 00:30:13,400 --> 00:30:15,600 Speaker 2: This group is wide open that as we've said fifteen 643 00:30:15,600 --> 00:30:18,320 Speaker 2: times already, and if if it comes in where Turkey 644 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:20,120 Speaker 2: and the United States have both sitting on six points, 645 00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:21,680 Speaker 2: I think both will really go at each other for 646 00:30:21,720 --> 00:30:22,720 Speaker 2: this game to top the group. 647 00:30:23,120 --> 00:30:23,239 Speaker 3: Uh. 648 00:30:23,360 --> 00:30:26,000 Speaker 2: Talking more specifically about this team, I think that they 649 00:30:26,040 --> 00:30:29,040 Speaker 2: do a lot of things well. They possess well, but 650 00:30:29,520 --> 00:30:32,040 Speaker 2: they do set pieces like hawkdan Chanoglu is one of 651 00:30:32,080 --> 00:30:34,600 Speaker 2: the best set piece takers in the world, and that 652 00:30:34,840 --> 00:30:37,959 Speaker 2: is a very important quality at a knockout round at 653 00:30:37,960 --> 00:30:41,920 Speaker 2: a World Cup tournament. There's Channoglu, who's obviously very very good. 654 00:30:41,960 --> 00:30:45,120 Speaker 2: You talked about Art Goulair their best player, Keenan Yieldaz 655 00:30:45,320 --> 00:30:47,760 Speaker 2: maybe could be their best player as well of Juventus 656 00:30:48,280 --> 00:30:53,600 Speaker 2: khan Ujan Erkankoku. This this like young core that's going 657 00:30:53,600 --> 00:30:56,760 Speaker 2: forward again and lu is the veteran, more veteran presence. 658 00:30:57,040 --> 00:30:59,480 Speaker 2: But this like young core of Gulair, yield As, Uzan 659 00:30:59,640 --> 00:31:03,400 Speaker 2: Andku those are some players, man Like. This team has 660 00:31:03,440 --> 00:31:04,200 Speaker 2: a lot of talent. 661 00:31:05,040 --> 00:31:07,360 Speaker 3: And Chinoguo has got the shot from mid distance. I 662 00:31:07,360 --> 00:31:09,600 Speaker 3: mean this guy can hit a ball. I mean he 663 00:31:09,640 --> 00:31:11,680 Speaker 3: can hit a ball like very few people in the 664 00:31:11,680 --> 00:31:14,480 Speaker 3: world can. No, this is a this is a dangerous 665 00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:17,680 Speaker 3: team with good players. But they have to get through 666 00:31:17,720 --> 00:31:19,960 Speaker 3: those groups, and you know, in Europe it's it's it's 667 00:31:19,960 --> 00:31:22,240 Speaker 3: hard to get out of groups like this. If they do, 668 00:31:22,280 --> 00:31:23,960 Speaker 3: they will be the team to beat in the group. 669 00:31:24,000 --> 00:31:28,920 Speaker 2: For US, I totally agree on that front. The United 670 00:31:28,960 --> 00:31:33,280 Speaker 2: States lost to Turkey in June. That team, it's just 671 00:31:33,320 --> 00:31:34,840 Speaker 2: call it what it is. They were in a very 672 00:31:34,880 --> 00:31:37,200 Speaker 2: bad way at that point. And they're in a much 673 00:31:37,240 --> 00:31:40,800 Speaker 2: better spot right now. That team didn't have Christian Polisk, 674 00:31:41,760 --> 00:31:43,520 Speaker 2: that team was not playing the three four two one 675 00:31:43,520 --> 00:31:44,840 Speaker 2: that has worked so well. They did not seem to 676 00:31:44,880 --> 00:31:48,040 Speaker 2: have an identity. So while Turkey was much better than 677 00:31:48,040 --> 00:31:49,680 Speaker 2: the United States on the day, it was only to one, 678 00:31:49,720 --> 00:31:52,000 Speaker 2: I think Turkey was more than that. Like I thought 679 00:31:52,040 --> 00:31:54,560 Speaker 2: that they were in control, but then friendly has happened 680 00:31:54,560 --> 00:31:56,320 Speaker 2: and there's a lot of subs. But I think this 681 00:31:56,360 --> 00:31:58,520 Speaker 2: would be a very difficult opponent. And while they looked 682 00:31:58,680 --> 00:32:01,680 Speaker 2: much better than us, you've gotten better since that that point. 683 00:32:01,720 --> 00:32:04,640 Speaker 2: So I think that that is a very important part 684 00:32:05,080 --> 00:32:07,600 Speaker 2: as we continue to establish first place in the group 685 00:32:07,600 --> 00:32:10,480 Speaker 2: has to be the expectation. There is legitimate pressure on 686 00:32:10,600 --> 00:32:14,080 Speaker 2: this group to succeed, and the fun part about having 687 00:32:14,120 --> 00:32:17,040 Speaker 2: a favorable draw is thinking about the possibilities. But it's 688 00:32:17,040 --> 00:32:18,840 Speaker 2: hard and it's gonna be pressure to actually go on 689 00:32:18,920 --> 00:32:36,520 Speaker 2: and do it. In nineteen ninety things were a little 690 00:32:36,520 --> 00:32:37,880 Speaker 2: bit different from the United States program. 691 00:32:38,080 --> 00:32:39,800 Speaker 1: You said earlier in the show, that was the first 692 00:32:39,840 --> 00:32:42,400 Speaker 1: World Cup that we qualified. Forward forty years. You were 693 00:32:42,400 --> 00:32:44,760 Speaker 1: part of that team. You guys got a very hard draw. 694 00:32:45,280 --> 00:32:46,360 Speaker 1: What is the differences? 695 00:32:46,520 --> 00:32:48,000 Speaker 2: And I guess what is you know, going back to 696 00:32:48,040 --> 00:32:50,880 Speaker 2: that moment in that time, what were you kind of 697 00:32:51,160 --> 00:32:53,600 Speaker 2: you know, remembering from those days or what comes in 698 00:32:53,640 --> 00:32:55,120 Speaker 2: mind between the difference between then and now. 699 00:32:56,880 --> 00:33:00,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, really really interesting actually, because you know, it sort 700 00:33:00,560 --> 00:33:03,000 Speaker 3: of sets me back. I start to think about the 701 00:33:03,040 --> 00:33:05,720 Speaker 3: fact that we are thinking right now about we're going 702 00:33:05,800 --> 00:33:07,840 Speaker 3: to be disappointed if our team is not in first 703 00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:11,040 Speaker 3: place in a group in a World Cup. And back 704 00:33:11,080 --> 00:33:14,920 Speaker 3: then we were trying to qualify to World Cup when 705 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:17,120 Speaker 3: we had not been to a World Cup to forty years. 706 00:33:17,160 --> 00:33:19,920 Speaker 3: So you know, for us to even say that we 707 00:33:19,960 --> 00:33:23,680 Speaker 3: thought we could qualify would be exaggerating because we didn't 708 00:33:23,680 --> 00:33:26,720 Speaker 3: think we could qualify until probably until we had one 709 00:33:26,760 --> 00:33:30,920 Speaker 3: game left. So but but here's here's the neat thing, 710 00:33:30,960 --> 00:33:33,040 Speaker 3: and this is this is what I love, you know, 711 00:33:33,920 --> 00:33:36,840 Speaker 3: the part about how much soccer has come along in 712 00:33:36,880 --> 00:33:40,000 Speaker 3: the last thirty five forty years. You know, we were 713 00:33:40,000 --> 00:33:43,800 Speaker 3: playing World Cup qualifiers at Saint Louis Soccer Park, which 714 00:33:43,840 --> 00:33:47,200 Speaker 3: I think was called the Budweiser Park or something at 715 00:33:47,240 --> 00:33:50,440 Speaker 3: the time, and you know it, I think the capacity 716 00:33:50,520 --> 00:33:53,480 Speaker 3: was about six thousand people and I and I remember 717 00:33:53,560 --> 00:33:56,400 Speaker 3: the first time, I remember the first time we pulled 718 00:33:56,440 --> 00:33:58,720 Speaker 3: in with the bus with the US team and we 719 00:33:58,760 --> 00:34:01,440 Speaker 3: saw no more tickets and we sold out Saint Louis 720 00:34:01,480 --> 00:34:05,040 Speaker 3: Soccer Park. That was a big deal. I mean, you know, 721 00:34:05,080 --> 00:34:06,760 Speaker 3: there are a lot of big games that I've played 722 00:34:06,760 --> 00:34:09,480 Speaker 3: that I forgot. You know. People come up to me 723 00:34:09,520 --> 00:34:11,200 Speaker 3: all the time, hey remember this, remember that? And I 724 00:34:11,200 --> 00:34:13,759 Speaker 3: don't remember a lot, mostly because I'm old, but I 725 00:34:13,760 --> 00:34:16,839 Speaker 3: don't remember a lot. But I tell you what I remember. 726 00:34:17,239 --> 00:34:20,200 Speaker 3: I remember the day we sold out Saint Louis Soccer Park. 727 00:34:20,440 --> 00:34:23,239 Speaker 3: That was a big deal, so to think. And then 728 00:34:23,320 --> 00:34:25,279 Speaker 3: we went on. We qualified to the World Cup. It 729 00:34:25,320 --> 00:34:28,799 Speaker 3: was it was practically a miracle that we did. And 730 00:34:28,840 --> 00:34:31,560 Speaker 3: then we got drawn into a group with three European 731 00:34:31,600 --> 00:34:35,239 Speaker 3: teams including the host, so it was it was almost like, yeah, 732 00:34:35,239 --> 00:34:37,960 Speaker 3: thanks for coming, but you're going to be Your tickets 733 00:34:37,960 --> 00:34:40,120 Speaker 3: are already set for you to go home, like before 734 00:34:40,160 --> 00:34:43,239 Speaker 3: the first round is over for everybody else. So and 735 00:34:43,320 --> 00:34:45,760 Speaker 3: now look at where we are, right forty years later, 736 00:34:46,080 --> 00:34:49,319 Speaker 3: we're hosting a World Cup and we're the leaders of 737 00:34:49,360 --> 00:34:52,040 Speaker 3: Group D and we're hoping to win Group D. I mean, 738 00:34:52,080 --> 00:34:54,719 Speaker 3: I couldn't be more excited about how far this has 739 00:34:54,760 --> 00:34:55,400 Speaker 3: come along. 740 00:34:56,480 --> 00:34:58,719 Speaker 2: And but I know you won't say it yourself, is 741 00:34:58,760 --> 00:35:01,680 Speaker 2: your humble guy, but like that the foundation, like where 742 00:35:01,719 --> 00:35:04,000 Speaker 2: we are, those expectations, the foundation was laid by you 743 00:35:04,080 --> 00:35:06,920 Speaker 2: and your teammates in that era. So I'm sure it's 744 00:35:06,920 --> 00:35:12,640 Speaker 2: particularly sweet and prideful and just honestly probably surreal to 745 00:35:12,680 --> 00:35:14,600 Speaker 2: your point to iblike of oh my god, we sold 746 00:35:14,640 --> 00:35:18,080 Speaker 2: six thousand tickets to a World Cup qualifier, or you know, 747 00:35:18,520 --> 00:35:20,439 Speaker 2: you tell me what the feeling was around the team 748 00:35:20,480 --> 00:35:24,960 Speaker 2: of echoing like smaller countries that qualified for this World Cup, 749 00:35:25,040 --> 00:35:28,279 Speaker 2: of like, hey, Curras, how much much different the United 750 00:35:28,320 --> 00:35:31,400 Speaker 2: States but still in their their football and development. We 751 00:35:31,440 --> 00:35:34,719 Speaker 2: talked about Haiti, curs Ou, Cape Verde, insert a lot 752 00:35:34,719 --> 00:35:36,120 Speaker 2: of these other kind of small teams that are making 753 00:35:36,120 --> 00:35:38,320 Speaker 2: the World Cup for the first time, and that final 754 00:35:38,360 --> 00:35:40,080 Speaker 2: game to qualify for the World Cup was their World 755 00:35:40,120 --> 00:35:40,600 Speaker 2: Cup final. 756 00:35:40,760 --> 00:35:42,239 Speaker 1: And then you're just kind of happy to be there. 757 00:35:42,320 --> 00:35:44,920 Speaker 1: Was that part of the feeling for your group. 758 00:35:45,000 --> 00:35:46,799 Speaker 2: Again, as competitive as I know you are and know 759 00:35:46,840 --> 00:35:49,120 Speaker 2: all of them are, it was so important just to 760 00:35:49,120 --> 00:35:49,840 Speaker 2: get there, right. 761 00:35:50,560 --> 00:35:53,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean we you know, such a different time. 762 00:35:53,680 --> 00:35:56,560 Speaker 3: And by the way, I'm so excited about countries like 763 00:35:56,640 --> 00:36:00,200 Speaker 3: Cape Verdi and Currosaw to Haiti because I know I 764 00:36:00,280 --> 00:36:03,359 Speaker 3: know that feeling. I know the feeling they have, and 765 00:36:03,400 --> 00:36:07,080 Speaker 3: it's it's a tremendous feeling. It's you know, of accomplishing 766 00:36:07,120 --> 00:36:11,759 Speaker 3: something that nobody thought you could and and and that's neat. 767 00:36:11,880 --> 00:36:14,880 Speaker 3: And that doesn't that doesn't necessarily mean money or anything 768 00:36:14,920 --> 00:36:17,600 Speaker 3: like that. All it means is like you're happiness, a 769 00:36:17,600 --> 00:36:19,359 Speaker 3: memory that you have for the rest of your life, 770 00:36:19,360 --> 00:36:21,839 Speaker 3: you know, And that's I think that's the most important part. 771 00:36:21,920 --> 00:36:25,759 Speaker 3: So I'm I'm very happy for those players. Yeah, and 772 00:36:25,920 --> 00:36:28,000 Speaker 3: for us, I mean to just to show you the 773 00:36:28,040 --> 00:36:30,360 Speaker 3: difference of where we were. I mean, John Harks and 774 00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:33,919 Speaker 3: I used to drive together, this is before the World Cup, 775 00:36:33,960 --> 00:36:37,040 Speaker 3: maybe six nine months before, to prepare for a game. 776 00:36:37,120 --> 00:36:39,680 Speaker 3: Sometimes John Harks and I used to drive across to 777 00:36:39,719 --> 00:36:42,520 Speaker 3: Brooklyn to play for the Brooklyn Italians for a couple 778 00:36:42,600 --> 00:36:47,280 Speaker 3: hundred bucks a game. So so people want to compare 779 00:36:47,400 --> 00:36:49,880 Speaker 3: sometimes and they say, oh, this player, how can you 780 00:36:49,920 --> 00:36:52,640 Speaker 3: can play Compare a player from the past a player 781 00:36:52,640 --> 00:36:56,600 Speaker 3: of today. You can't. You can't because we had nothing. 782 00:36:57,040 --> 00:36:59,480 Speaker 3: And from there you're supposed to land the contract that 783 00:37:00,080 --> 00:37:03,120 Speaker 3: like a big European club. How would that even happen. 784 00:37:03,200 --> 00:37:05,319 Speaker 3: We were. The fact that we even got there was 785 00:37:05,320 --> 00:37:07,919 Speaker 3: an absolute miracle. And the fact that you know, John 786 00:37:07,960 --> 00:37:10,120 Speaker 3: Harks ended up at Sheffield Wednesday, I ended up at 787 00:37:10,120 --> 00:37:12,759 Speaker 3: Figueras and then at Bettie's and Eric Winola, I ended 788 00:37:12,800 --> 00:37:15,799 Speaker 3: at Bochum or wherever else. I mean, these were all 789 00:37:15,840 --> 00:37:19,480 Speaker 3: little miracles. More than anything else I need. 790 00:37:19,880 --> 00:37:22,200 Speaker 2: Did anybody recognize you when you were playing for the 791 00:37:22,239 --> 00:37:24,440 Speaker 2: Brooklyn Italians and like, Hey, what the hell are you 792 00:37:24,480 --> 00:37:25,400 Speaker 2: doing in this league? 793 00:37:25,680 --> 00:37:29,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, of course we were a big deal. We were 794 00:37:29,160 --> 00:37:30,600 Speaker 3: a big deal in those leagues. 795 00:37:31,120 --> 00:37:33,640 Speaker 2: Could you imagine showing up for again, I know it's 796 00:37:33,680 --> 00:37:36,399 Speaker 2: not exactly Sunday League, but it certainly ain't professional. Could 797 00:37:36,440 --> 00:37:38,560 Speaker 2: you imagine showing up and I'm warming up and like 798 00:37:39,000 --> 00:37:39,920 Speaker 2: is that fucking tabraight? 799 00:37:40,000 --> 00:37:42,560 Speaker 1: Are you kidding me? What am I to tell you? 800 00:37:42,760 --> 00:37:45,640 Speaker 3: I tell you where? It help and help in the 801 00:37:45,719 --> 00:37:49,440 Speaker 3: sense that we played our home games at Brooklyn College 802 00:37:49,840 --> 00:37:54,880 Speaker 3: and the turnfield. The turn field is so hard, But 803 00:37:54,920 --> 00:37:57,160 Speaker 3: that wasn't the most difficult part. The difficult part was 804 00:37:57,160 --> 00:37:59,279 Speaker 3: that people would hit you with umbrella as is you're 805 00:37:59,280 --> 00:38:01,839 Speaker 3: going down the side. So the fact that we were 806 00:38:02,120 --> 00:38:04,319 Speaker 3: the fact that we were known a little bit helped 807 00:38:04,400 --> 00:38:06,600 Speaker 3: us to not get hit with an umbrella when you went. 808 00:38:06,520 --> 00:38:13,319 Speaker 2: To, Oh, my goodness, proper football man that is in 809 00:38:13,360 --> 00:38:14,080 Speaker 2: this country. 810 00:38:14,480 --> 00:38:16,560 Speaker 3: I would like to tell you a better story about 811 00:38:16,600 --> 00:38:18,040 Speaker 3: how great it was, but it really was. 812 00:38:18,239 --> 00:38:20,080 Speaker 2: No, that's that is the best story. That is the 813 00:38:20,080 --> 00:38:23,400 Speaker 2: best story right there. Again, I just can't put myself 814 00:38:23,400 --> 00:38:25,000 Speaker 2: in the minds of like some other player that's getting 815 00:38:25,000 --> 00:38:25,799 Speaker 2: a hundred bucks or something. 816 00:38:25,800 --> 00:38:27,359 Speaker 3: It's like, oh my god, you can, by the way, 817 00:38:28,040 --> 00:38:30,480 Speaker 3: by the way, six months later we were playing against 818 00:38:30,480 --> 00:38:32,360 Speaker 3: Bozzio in Rome at the World Cup. 819 00:38:35,080 --> 00:38:37,239 Speaker 1: Unbelievable, Oh my god. 820 00:38:37,360 --> 00:38:40,560 Speaker 2: If there was no better way to tell how things 821 00:38:40,560 --> 00:38:43,080 Speaker 2: have James, Whereas now you know, you look at Pulisic 822 00:38:43,080 --> 00:38:45,839 Speaker 2: and McKinnon and everything that these players have, and I've 823 00:38:45,840 --> 00:38:48,160 Speaker 2: grown to again starting with the foundation of what you guys, 824 00:38:48,360 --> 00:38:51,960 Speaker 2: what you guys built. We're talking about Pulisic playing in 825 00:38:52,000 --> 00:38:55,160 Speaker 2: the Milan Darby not playing for the Brooklyn Italians getting 826 00:38:55,160 --> 00:38:56,040 Speaker 2: ready for a work up. 827 00:38:58,200 --> 00:39:01,440 Speaker 1: It's just delightful. Yeah, this has been great. 828 00:39:01,520 --> 00:39:05,520 Speaker 2: There's been there's been if just really quickly to talk 829 00:39:05,560 --> 00:39:08,040 Speaker 2: about some of the other teams. 830 00:39:07,800 --> 00:39:08,400 Speaker 1: Here at the World Cup. 831 00:39:08,400 --> 00:39:09,920 Speaker 2: We're obviously focused in the United States We've got to 832 00:39:09,920 --> 00:39:12,719 Speaker 2: look around right now, I've seen some betting odds come out. 833 00:39:13,040 --> 00:39:17,040 Speaker 2: Spain are the betting favorites, followed in order by England, France, 834 00:39:17,160 --> 00:39:20,800 Speaker 2: Brazil and Argentina. So those are the five favorites according 835 00:39:20,800 --> 00:39:23,319 Speaker 2: to the book makers. And then in terms of group 836 00:39:23,320 --> 00:39:26,000 Speaker 2: of death, there's a couple options and group of death 837 00:39:26,080 --> 00:39:27,600 Speaker 2: is going to lose a little bit of its luster 838 00:39:27,680 --> 00:39:30,600 Speaker 2: now where you can get be third place and qualify, 839 00:39:31,000 --> 00:39:34,040 Speaker 2: whereas in the past it was only the top two 840 00:39:34,360 --> 00:39:36,919 Speaker 2: at the previous World Cups. But for me and you, 841 00:39:36,920 --> 00:39:38,640 Speaker 2: you tell me what the group of death is, it's 842 00:39:38,640 --> 00:39:44,920 Speaker 2: either this one England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama or France, Senegal, 843 00:39:45,120 --> 00:39:47,319 Speaker 2: Norway and then the winner of a playoff that will 844 00:39:47,320 --> 00:39:50,640 Speaker 2: be Bolivia Iraq for sure now. But the France, Senego, Norway. 845 00:39:50,680 --> 00:39:51,960 Speaker 2: Part of that is what makes it the group? What 846 00:39:52,000 --> 00:39:53,759 Speaker 2: could make it the group of death? Which one of 847 00:39:53,760 --> 00:39:56,120 Speaker 2: those do do you believe is the hardest group? 848 00:39:57,680 --> 00:40:01,759 Speaker 3: Wow? That's that's that's a good and those groups being 849 00:40:01,880 --> 00:40:04,520 Speaker 3: potentially the most difficult, And I agree with you, group 850 00:40:04,560 --> 00:40:07,319 Speaker 3: of death is kind of like a tough turn when 851 00:40:07,400 --> 00:40:10,759 Speaker 3: three can qualify, right, I'm gonna have to go with 852 00:40:10,800 --> 00:40:14,400 Speaker 3: the France, Senegal, Norway because I think if any of 853 00:40:14,440 --> 00:40:17,480 Speaker 3: those three teams get hot, including and I will include Senegal, 854 00:40:17,760 --> 00:40:19,560 Speaker 3: if any of those three teams get hot, they can 855 00:40:19,600 --> 00:40:23,919 Speaker 3: go win the whole thing. And so I would pick 856 00:40:23,920 --> 00:40:29,200 Speaker 3: that group slightly over the England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama because 857 00:40:29,320 --> 00:40:33,520 Speaker 3: that will be a very that's a difficult group, the England, Croatia, Ghana, 858 00:40:33,560 --> 00:40:37,400 Speaker 3: Panama because it's so even. You know, England always disappoints 859 00:40:37,440 --> 00:40:39,680 Speaker 3: a little bit at World Cups, especially in first round, 860 00:40:40,160 --> 00:40:42,800 Speaker 3: and because of that they probably drop a couple points 861 00:40:42,840 --> 00:40:45,640 Speaker 3: and I think because of that, this will be a 862 00:40:45,640 --> 00:40:46,280 Speaker 3: crazy group. 863 00:40:46,280 --> 00:40:50,040 Speaker 2: I feel as for our other co hosts Mexico or 864 00:40:50,040 --> 00:40:52,960 Speaker 2: with South Africa, South Korea and then a European team 865 00:40:53,000 --> 00:40:56,240 Speaker 2: to be determined later. And Canada are with a European 866 00:40:56,280 --> 00:40:58,880 Speaker 2: team to be determined latter that could be Italy, Qatar 867 00:40:59,120 --> 00:41:01,520 Speaker 2: and Switzerland. I don't think that that was the worst 868 00:41:01,560 --> 00:41:05,080 Speaker 2: case scenario for Canada, but it certainly won't be easy. 869 00:41:05,160 --> 00:41:08,360 Speaker 2: And I was with Jesse Marsh this week ahead of 870 00:41:08,360 --> 00:41:11,440 Speaker 2: the draw and his what his messages to the locker 871 00:41:11,520 --> 00:41:13,280 Speaker 2: room to the team is it's not just about getting 872 00:41:13,280 --> 00:41:15,640 Speaker 2: out of the group, which they that is the ultimate goal. 873 00:41:15,920 --> 00:41:18,160 Speaker 2: It's we want to top the group because if we 874 00:41:18,200 --> 00:41:19,840 Speaker 2: topped the group, we get to stay and play in 875 00:41:19,880 --> 00:41:23,439 Speaker 2: Canada moving forward. So that's that's where things are set 876 00:41:23,480 --> 00:41:25,840 Speaker 2: for the other co hosts for the World Cup. Again, 877 00:41:26,040 --> 00:41:28,560 Speaker 2: we will be talking plenty about the World Cup. 878 00:41:28,560 --> 00:41:29,520 Speaker 1: That is what this show is. 879 00:41:29,560 --> 00:41:32,759 Speaker 2: We are focused on United national United States national team. 880 00:41:33,080 --> 00:41:35,000 Speaker 2: Everything is built towards the World Cup. I'm sure we'll 881 00:41:35,000 --> 00:41:36,799 Speaker 2: talk a little bit of Mexico in Canada here and 882 00:41:36,840 --> 00:41:39,759 Speaker 2: there along the way. But tap, this was fun. I'm 883 00:41:39,760 --> 00:41:43,120 Speaker 2: glad that we did this much more efficiently than the 884 00:41:43,160 --> 00:41:46,400 Speaker 2: World Cup draw itself. I'm sorry I didn't bring in 885 00:41:46,440 --> 00:41:48,720 Speaker 2: a word for you. I probably should have brought something, 886 00:41:48,760 --> 00:41:50,800 Speaker 2: made up, something for us, but I came empty, and 887 00:41:51,000 --> 00:41:51,400 Speaker 2: I'm sorry. 888 00:41:51,400 --> 00:41:53,160 Speaker 3: I think I think we needed an award. I think 889 00:41:53,160 --> 00:41:55,840 Speaker 3: an award to the tallest guy would have fit today. 890 00:41:55,880 --> 00:41:56,160 Speaker 1: For me. 891 00:41:57,239 --> 00:41:59,280 Speaker 3: It would have been perfect to go with the celebration. 892 00:42:01,320 --> 00:42:03,120 Speaker 2: I think that would not have been the most absurd 893 00:42:03,120 --> 00:42:06,680 Speaker 2: thing that came from the day. Listen, Thank you, everybody, 894 00:42:06,719 --> 00:42:09,120 Speaker 2: Thank you tab first, and foremost, thank you to iHeart 895 00:42:09,160 --> 00:42:13,160 Speaker 2: everybody listening. Please rate, review, and subscribe. Inside American soccer. 896 00:42:13,320 --> 00:42:15,360 Speaker 2: We will be back very soon. We got a lot 897 00:42:15,360 --> 00:42:18,480 Speaker 2: of fun stuff planned coming up, so again please subscribe 898 00:42:18,480 --> 00:42:19,440 Speaker 2: and thank you very much for Lis