Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America - #672: Gozo and the youths keep shining in MLS, Serge does his hammy, Balo, Pepi and Haji strike

Episode Date: March 9, 2026

Vince and Charlie recap a busy weekend, heavy emphasis on Major League Soccer, as the nation emerges from a long winter. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus any bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show, plus all patrons get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffedAlso, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.comAnd check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedhq.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the scuff podcast when we talk about U.S. soccer. It's the Monday Review. Bells is out on a family vacation at an undisclosed locale that I would love to share, but Bells doesn't want to, you know, a very private man in that way. And so I got Charlie Bowen here with me. Chuck B., how you doing? I'm very well. So glad to be here with you, Vince.

It's been a long winter, but I'm in shorts again. It's going to hit 70 degrees in the DMV today. Even if it snows next week, I don't care. I don't care. The best is ahead of us. That's right. It was a long and arduous winter. Maybe the worst one of my adult life.

But we've made it through. I think I can firmly say, maybe I shouldn't say this. But yeah, I think we've made it through. And the fact that we got these temperatures peeking through, even though they might, like here in Louisville, it's been, you know, they've been giving these these little respites, these little pieces of relief in between these cold winter days, you know, and it's starting to pick up. It's starting to become more and more often that we get these hot tamps. I saw my, I don't even know what the plants are. Maybe some hostas. I think I got some hostas. Some green shoots. There's some green shoots. Some green shoots coming out the ground, Chuck. So I'm feeling good. Buries are back out. Me and my kids were, just watching some, some Cardinals. They were on my,

on my front porch yesterday. Beautiful birds, by the way. I mean, I get a lot of birds around here. Cardinals, Blue Jays. Just, I understand bird watches. You got a healthy ecosystem

in your, in your neighborhood. That's right. Property there, so that's a good sign. And the clocks have changed now, which is always for me a big milestone to get past.

It's a big deal. And it's huge for me. Because, I mean, listener, you're listening to two parents here. that are, you know, still, Chuck how old you kid? Just turned 12 in January.

So we're middle school now. Okay, okay. So that. But she's still up early, man. She's not sleeping in for better for worse. But she can take care of herself when she wakes up, though, you know, isn't it? Oh, yeah. But this daylight savings time for me, big deal.

Big deal. Usually you don't want a time change because any disruption to a kid schedule or whatever can mean impending doom. But my youngest, my three-year-old has been waking up at 6 a.m. on the dot consistently for, you know, many months. And so if we can push that thing back to seven, now we're really cooking with some gas. We're cooking with grease, baby. So I'm feeling good. Chuck's feeling good.

I feelishly the bells is, I haven't talked to him, but I assume he's feeling good as well. Yeah. I think he's feeling that I can reveal that I'm strongly confident he feels a, sun on his face. That's right. That's right. Despite the price of gas, maybe about to double, but we still got, you know, the days are getting longer.

Summer will be here soon. You can't hold us down, man. You can't hold us down. Something about the human spirit. Speaking of the human spirit, by the way, I do have to kind of bring the podcast down a little bit. But this is the biggest news of the weekend. We have to start here.

We have to start here. Sergenio Dest. off against A. Z. Akmar in the 57th minute with a hamstring injury. Seems like a pretty serious hamstring injury just by the nature with which he had to be taken off of the pitch, Chuck. But not the best news. Yeah, this looked worse than your average hammy strain. Couldn't walk without assistance. And we had extensive statements from both the club and the player.

I quote from PSV, exactly how long deaths will be offside. It's currently difficult to predict the 37-time international of the American team is focusing on a return to the final phase of the season with the World Cup next summer in the U.S. Canada and Mexico as the important goal. Yep. And, you know, Chuck, when I read this statement from PSV, it did set up some red flags in my head just because of the fact that if I know anything about this specific region of Europe.

I feel like they are usually not non-committal about most things. You know, if they usually, if they have an answer, they will give it to, you know, they'll say it with a chest, you know. And so the fact that, and I understand it's a hamstring injury, hamstring injuries can be tricky or whatever, but, you know, you usually do have a timeline, you know, a timeline to be ready to return to play or whatever based on the severity of the strain and you know surge obviously wants to play in the world cup he wants to get back and you know the fact that they're not saying that he can do that or that he can't do that it just it just makes me wonder it seems like there

is a lot up in the air and it'll depend on surge to just turn that super serum on and get to work yeah we don't have a great number yet and maybe we'll get that in the next day or two here it's conceivable there could even be you know the real bad ones involved surgery which would be probably the worst case scenario for him so yeah we'll have to see but this is as we were discussing earlier this man is not necessarily confined by the normal laws of physics and human human physiology yes exactly sir Sir Gino Dust, his brain is one that is not confined by the limits of the reality that we live in. And that's the thing about, I don't know, Chuck, how much ayahuasca you've done or anything like that.

But from what I've heard from people that have partaken is that it kind of takes the limiter off your brain. You know, there's all different types of things that your brain is capable of processing and seeing. You know, but, and people think it's an evolutionary thing that, you know, your brain shuts a lot of it out just so we can focus on the things we need for survival, you know, water, food, whatever, etc. I think we know enough about search to know that he is one of those special minds that is not, he's not limited by these things. So imagine, imagine how well a man can heal when you don't live in the same rules as the rest of us. So, and that might come into PSV statement as well, you know, they're like, I mean, we are as perplexed by the character that is Sergenio does as you are. And thus, we know that we can't put, we can't put any limits on anything. But being serious, though, it is a good sign that they did not mention surgery.

Yeah. We'll take that. We'll take that. I mean, and think of he's, I know he's already cooking up incredible ideas for the recovery hype reel. It's going to be like some rocky. You know, Rocky training in the Euro Mountains kind of vibes. Like, I think he's got real potential here in the World Cup year to bring us some of his best content ever, social media wise.

Yeah. Yeah. Inshallah. We shall pray daily. So, PSV, this is at Al-QAmar game. So, Serge did come off. But we did get, we did get a. Rico Pepego.

Late winner. Late winters had kind of, I don't want to say flood, but had not done well. He had a couple good looks right at the keeper earlier in the game, kind of having looked like was maybe one of those nights, and then right near the end gets served up a glorious chance and roost it. So, you know, he keeps scoring, and he started this one and played 88 minutes, which is always a good sign. You know, you watch, they made a hard slog of this game. They had to come back. It took an own goal, like kind of by goalkeeping howler to equalize with Al-Qmar.

Man, it's just, you know, the Erdivisi still has this, this allergy to defending, right? Even the big clubs sometimes it seems like are just allergic to the some of the basics. So we never know what the conversion rate is, right? What the currency exchange is. But, and I've been asked a few times lately about where Pepefey fits into the striking death chart and I have no idea man I really have a I rate the kid I think he's got to be on the plane

but I'm not at all sure that Potch sees the same as me yeah well we'll see big question big question for this window right yeah we're coming in we're coming into it we'll see I know the Pepey proponents of which I probably

am one but they would say that, you know, anytime he's playing for Potch, for the most part, he scored. You know, so it would probably be hard for Posh to look the other way when somebody's banging in goals for a year time you play. But, you know, he's kind of been out of sight out of mind for the last, what, a few windows, few windows, I'd say. So we'll see, but I'm expecting him to be striker number two in camp. So we'll get there.

Now, on to MLS. We got Chuck B here. It would be a shame. It would be a shame to have the esteemed writer for MLSsocker.com on and not get into MLS. We got to. Listen, there's a lot of things going on. There's a lot of things going on. And I'll be the first to admit, you know, some of these things.

Like, for instance, San Diego, Pedro Soma got a start for San Diego. This is my first time watching San Diego FC play. since they've been introduced in the MLS. That's how much MLS I've been watching these past few years. But, well, number one, before we even get into a game, and this is something that has been known, but it awes me every time the production, man, of these games. That's some good stuff.

Apple TV, Apple TV, I got to applaud. And, you know, all the other stuff, you know, cutting back, allegedly that's an MLS thing, cutting back on on-air talent or whatever. There's studio shows, all the different type of stuff. Understood. But as far as watching a game, I don't know if anybody's doing it better than Apple TV. To be honest with you, I mean, they're up there on the NBC tier, which NBC, if you watch any sports, now they got, you know, NBA basketball, Notre Dame football, you know, all of a set.

Like, they are the goat, like, Premier League, all these different types of stuff. that they are the goat of just HD television in general, like the way they make that colors pop and all the different types of things. Apple TV's up there. I got to say it's interesting to hear your perspective on this because it's a, it's kind of a, I guess a contentious topic in MLS circles because you had this initial 10-year deal. It seemed like a real like tight marriage.

They've moved up the date. It's kind of gotten mutually shortened. There's a little bit of, I'd say, debate or, or curiosity or doubt about where unless it's headed, they seem to want to bring up, bring forward the date for the next big deal that they negotiate in broadcasting terms. But and they are, there's been some of the shoulder programming has been cut back a little bit or streamlined or, you know, there's definitely been some criticism that there wasn't enough shoulder programming leading up to, you know, the 2026 season with the World Cup coming. but all that being said, you see the Apple effect.

I think when you just, when you tune in, you know, as someone who's a power user, right, watching every week, I can mount some little quibbles, but for sure, especially, especially the showcase games, right? So there's at least two games every weekend. There's a Saturday night game and a Sunday night game that are getting, like, chief billing that get a little bit extra attention, a little bit extra activity.

Andrew Weeby treatment. Exactly. Exactly, exactly. But, you know, it's MLS, right? So there's now 30 teams, and there's so many games, there's so many storylines. It can be a lot to keep up with, even for those of us who are immersed in it. So, but we had, probably from a USM&T perspective, one of the most gripping storylines in the first couple weeks was the Michael Bradley Revolution at Red Bull, New York, which is, of course, a program legend who is now, who is now entering the coaching ranks with the baby Bulls.

Red Bull not only brought in a very young, inexperienced head coach, he's brought up a bunch of kids from the second team and academy kids. They've started three teenagers in their lineup right off the bat, Julian Hall, Adjima Medi, and Dos Santos is this even super young kid who's promoted to Lev Back. And they were extremely good, right? in the first couple weeks of the season. Started off 2 and O, starting to get hype,

starting to get people like me talking about him. So in the most MLS sequence of events possible, they're hosting CF Montreal at home yesterday, far and away, the worst-looking team in the first two weeks, the team that people are discussing is being historically bad, and the Red Bulls get comprehensively outplayed, out-thought, out-fought, and they lose 3-0. we had a silly early foul from Justin Chey,

who had been excellent as this kind of marauding centerback up until now. It gave an early penalty kick that tilted the game states against the Red Bulls. Mamedi got little brothered a little bit in midfield a couple times, had a hard time with the strength of Prince of Wusu Montreal striker. They just couldn't carry the play against a team that was set in with an advantage that was kind of letting them dictate. And then we had to cap it all, we had a playing out of the back howler from USM&T, USMET's own Ethan Horvath.

He made a really, really dodgy decision in his own box, and it leads to a nutmeg finish to cap a really sobering crash-to-earth type of afternoon for RBNY. So super, super peak MLS. In fact, I put on Blue Sky. This game was not just peak MLS. this was this was strapped in a helicopter hovering above the peak of peak MLS to have Montreal do that to the Red Bulls darlings. But the thing about it though is like, it's not like Montreal, it's not like Montreal was good. You know, like in the game, like it's just.

It was a Catonacio type of game for them. Yeah. Yeah, right, right. It was like they did not come and necessarily like play them, play New York like off the pitch. necessarily. You know, I mean, their man-marking system definitely caused Red Bulls some issues. But it also,

you know, they found out some ways to get around it a few times. Like, I mean, Justin Chey on the carry, you know, getting past a couple dudes. I mean, he did it multiple times in the match, but there was one early, on the ninth minute, like right after he gave with a penalty, like the ensuing attack. You know, he dribbles past,

whoever it was pressuring him, Montreal's winger or something and just, I mean, goes for probably about 50, 60 yards, gets the ball up to who's number 11 for the Red Bulls? The left winger, good player. Oh, hold up, I'll look at up.

Let's see. Oh, Ruvacaba. Jorge Vakaba. Yep, yep, yep, yep. Good, good player, good player. I think it got it to him. He laid it off for Emil Forsberg. Forrestberg took a shout out from the top of the box. got to earn to save

and the Horvavavv thing I think if he the decision is one thing and I'm not necessarily mad at it if he gets it to Audrey Mehmeti's correct foot which I think would have been his left foot in this situation I think they would have been okay

he wrong footed him there yeah yeah and he's getting a chance to bump it to you right and then ping it but he had multiple chances to ping it out of his out of a tricky situation is in his own box. And listen, it's, you know,

Horvath, I think, has acquired a little bit of reputation, or has a, there's a perception of him as, as jittery. And it really, there wasn't any sign of that in the first two weeks. He was super good. And it was like,

it was looking like a, you know, a smart play by Bradley to invest trust in this maybe undervalued asset, you know, bring him home. And now it's like, he's got to, he's got to fend off that,

that perception all over again, right? Which is, which is tough for him. But in the, bigger picture, I suggest to any USM&T hard cores, you need to keep an eye from an LS context, even if you just are strictly USM&T or Eurofocus or whatever, go watch the Red Bulls every once in a while because Bradley has them playing. His whole idea was he wants to sort of progress the Red Bull concept to something that's

more proactive, play at pace, but with possession, right, and with movement. and it's been really interesting. I mean, for a coach this young, he's got some good ideas. Obviously, we know the kid's pedigree. He's, it's an interesting project that I think in the long run is going to potentially groom some, some USM&T, you know, future, future cracks because these kids, man, these kids are so young. And if they're going to be getting real minutes of them, unless, like they're going to get,

they're going to get bought for big money very, very soon. And we'll get to San Diego in a minute, but I'm going to say something similar. I'm not about San Diego. And that's the thing, I guess I want to relay before we get off the Red Bulls. It's like that the idea, like, for me, if you look at the score line as like, ah, them kids got figured out and whatever, something like that. I'm not necessarily sure that I agree. You know, like they, they just played a bad game and made some mistakes.

You know, I mean, the Justin Chey penalty was like, and that's the thing. He did, he had reps. It's a 1v2. It's a 1v2. And he, I guess maybe he's feeling good because, I mean, he was cleaning up extremely well last match against, what, the revolution. You know, he was cleaning up fires left and right, like, no problem, just like taking out the trash. You know what I'm saying? And maybe he came in with a little bit of hubris into this match.

I mean, but he hit my boy with a forearm shiver in the box. It was like, come on, we got to clean that up a little bit. But I am coming around. I'm coming around on all these dudes. Like, Justin Chey's talent, I think, is kind of evident to see now that I've really sat down and watched him. Mehdi, I've talked ad nauseum. But even in this match, it's like you still see the quality when he was able to get away from Carmona, who was manmarking him fiercely. And Julian Hall and Doe Santos as well, like, I've been, like, I've been impressed by them, but I've been.

wondering what their future prospects are. And, you know, the more I watch him, man, I mean, Julian Hall, first of all, he's just like, I think I come away struck by the fact that he's just a, he's a welcome dance partner in any, like, attacking situation, you know, kind of, kind of Tim Way-ish in that way where it's like, you know, he can just keep it ticking. He can keep a ticking with these little randos that you play around the box or whatever to try fashion a chance or whatever. He's always there.

whether it's a nice back heel, a layoff, an overlapping run that he'll make, you know, when playing in these kind of small side of games or whatever, like, he just knows how to play ball. And I think I'm just coming around on the fact that, like, I think that's just going to, I mean, if he's doing this at 17, 18, or whatever, we're going to keep going up from here. And then Matthew Dos Santos, you know, he played a one, two late in the match and ran away. I think it was from Longstaff with the ball, just carrying it, like, because it, once again, Montreal, man marking, just carried it away from his marker, you know, just, and I've been wondering about Hall and Dos Santos specifically, like, their physical capabilities. Not that I've been, like, unimpressed by them, but I'm just, like, wondering where they are and where they can go, you know, that type of thing. And so, yeah, I think I've been full before.

And I'll be fooled again. But yeah, I'm, and I probably got another two, two more games to watch before I really come down and bang the gavel or whatever. But yeah, I like these dudes, man. I really like these dudes a lot. And I'm enjoying watching them. And I want to say, too, for me, not to get too meta here, but if you think in a big, try to think in the long range about what is the vision for America? soccer, right, and set aside all the marketing speak and some of the kind of hot air we maybe sometimes detect coming from official bodies. If you can merge the rising soccer IQ

that the average academy kid has now and the technical ability has all been steadily growing with what we know is like the norm that just the median athleticism, the median level of physical fitness and recovery and sports science and everything you have in this country is still admired by the rest of the soccer world, even if they don't always want to admit it. You can merge those things and do play them, that modern style at a pace and with a depth in your squad that makes it hard to keep up, right,

with high-level execution. For me, that's like the ideal future. And so, and it's great because it's like we, people have been down on Red Bulls in general for years as just kind of car crash soccer. But if Bradley really, you know, he got some less. since year two is his lineup was a little overly attacking and maybe maybe he assumed too much

against a bottom side but that's these are these is going to be the growth for him as a coach and if it's so fascinating to think about this guy being being maybe somebody who can be the standard bearer for what the next generation of us soccer looks like yeah yeah like i said i'm coming around i got to put some respect on michael bradley um which is painful for me to i'm just i'm just go keep this agenda going. Anyway, right, one more point before we get off Red Bulls. I think we're going to look back on that Ethan Horvath, Nations League

performance as just one of the great WTF performances of all time, man. Because I mean, you know, but back when it happened, that's when you know, people still kind of respected Ethan Horvath a little bit. And it was like, it's like, oh, he got shafted at Bruges. Was it Bruges? I think it was Bruges.

Got shafted at Bruges or whatever. And he's still kind of respected as like his goalkeeper that like has some talent as some. Eh. It, you know, it's essentially like, I don't know, what if Daniel Lovitz came out and was a USM&T hero against Mexico in the match that kind of set this new generation on its path? You know, it's just, it's very interesting. It's very, the heroics, man, I won't forget. And as he gets ass here, the legend grows. That's the thing about it.

Listen, don't make me quote St. Fredia, I do. Never put a period where God put a comma vince. I will admit, it certainly looks like we're entering period phase, but maybe there's a comma. Maybe there's a comma. I don't root for teams as often because of my line of work, but I do find myself rooting for dudes and dudettes. And I just know too much about his backstory.

I know what he's overcome. I don't want this to be his, his legacy. Look, I'm not saying, I mean, it's like, it just takes one mistake and that's the,

the beauty and the terror of that position, right? It's one howler and you're like starting over from scratch. So let's see how he responds. Yep. And so on to what is maybe, you know, the USYNT slash

M&T hopeful that is garnering the most buzz the second most but you know he's he's fighting with the Red Bulls you know fighting with the Red Bulls for the most buzz Zavri Gozo

he continues cooking scored a banger with his left foot as right as RSL Blitz Atlanta United in Mercedes-Benz um first of all Chuck what's happened to this once a proud club

uh that I think uh I think Tata Martino there was a a lot of romance about bringing him back to Atlanta, understandably.

I think he's a very good coach. A big part of it, he maintained in his remarks to media, and I was on a couple of his availability early on when he got hired that he thought this was an underperforming squad, that they could get more out of this roster that they had spent crazy, record-breaking amounts of money on last year and before last year. And things were not good behind the scenes with Ronnie Daila in charge last year. So the thinking was maybe a new charismatic leader could get more out of the group.

And it sure is not looking good. Their 0 and 3 down there at the bottom of the table, pointless, winless. They look slow as hell in every phase of the defensive game. Their centerbacks were awful. I mean, Gozo just had, he got isolated against Barracal, their centerback, and just, I don't know why he turned the wrong way. the path of goal was obvious for Gozo, but that's the thing, the kid's 18,

but his physical numbers are off the charts, and he's ahead of the curve because he's an elite athlete. They tell me his running stats are crazy for his age. Quick flog, I wrote a profile on Zavir a week or two ago now, because I got to sit down with him during preseason. Really interesting kid, interesting backstory, potentially special player. man and he's not the only one too so you know i think he's he's grabbing the headlines right now he's

kind of the jump out of the gym kind of uh we need wingers kid that yeah exactly right and they shifted him he's not necessarily a wing back they're they probably lost training he's got them in this three four two one system that's um got a lot of pressing elements to it they're trying to maximize diego luna who by the way ourselves off to a good start and and luna hasn't played a minute of regular season action yet he's uh he's got what i'm told is it or he's been recovering covering. One of the tolls at MCL strain, but they've had the luxury of being real cautious with him, and it's a wise move, and you want to hear that from the USM&T perspective, because this

he's got a big year, and he's already a little stretched, I think. He already feels it from my conversation with him in Coachella last month. He's the face of MLS of the World Cup. He's one of the faces of the USM&T right now. But thankfully, they haven't had to rush him back because these three teenagers that they, too, have been starting in every game, have really. stepped up and it's cool to see but and gozo is is uh has played a couple different positions but they've got him as a right wing back right now because they want to maximize

that engine that he's got and the athleticism and the one v one ability and you saw why um i do want to get in a word to the other guy the other 18 year old aiden hasarkani really interesting story as well to him um he's from irvine california so rsell are pretty pretty smart with their scouting it looks like they've after a period of underinvestment in their academy and they had some turmoil at the ownership level. They are now trying to crank up what has at times been the best pipeline in the United States for developing youth talent. And he's a kid who didn't get snapped up by either of the SoCal or any of the SoCal teams.

Arselle brought him in. He's Persian American. And he's playing kind of one of those pocket winger attacking midfielder roles. And I really like his profile. Like clever, really good with both feet. He scored a banger in the last two games, each of the last two games. two games, one of the left foot, one of the right foot, just seems to have a nose for things, has that kind of clever profile that you don't always see from like an American teenager in an

attacking mid. Yeah, I've been impressed. I've been impressed by Azacani. I mean, the goal that he scored this weekend, I mean, it was nasty. You know, I mean, he's closed down pretty well by whoever that Atlanta centerback is, who probably should have did better to not allow Hezacani to, take the ball off his chest, bring it down,

kind of fumble it through. You know, a lot of things that, a lot of places where a better centerback could have intervened or whatever. But anyway, when he got in the shooting position

and the shot that he did eventually hit with not a lot of, not a lot of room to do it, I mean, that is extremely nice. Quick release, not much backlift. Come on, bro.

Like, wrist it. Disgusting. Yeah. Yeah. Near pose like that. The usual sample size cautions apply, right? We're only three weeks in, and Atlanta may turn out to be historically terrible. I don't know yet, but it's not looking good.

But this is the same R.S.L group got a W at home last week against a pretty good Seattle Sounders team. And, you know, so there, and they were very competitive as well against Vancouver at Vancouver in Week 1. So I'm more intrigued than I expected to be by Mastroini's R.S. Yeah. And Gozo, just real quick, just to, I don't know, illustrate it. You know, he makes a run in behind, behind the Atlanta United back line, basically drags the center back out with him

because there's another RSL attacker that's checking towards the ball. And it's another thing that had an issue with Tata Martino's setup is just a fact. If you watch, even on Hezikani's goal, that midfield line of two, that I guess is supposed to be shielding the back line, something. You can see it on Hazarkani's goal. You can see it on Gozo's goal.

They're doing absolutely nothing. And so with them being pushed up as far as they are despite not having like any responsibility, it led to Atlanta United's back line being able to be manipulated in the way that they were because they were basically, they're essentially like

on their own. So it's like, okay, if you're going to have these two dudes here doing nothing, we'll put two attackers on your on your left back and left center back and we can drag them wherever we want to. And then so they were able to create that lane for Zavri Gozo to get the ball with the running head start. You know, and he's, I'm really liking him, bro.

I'm liking his bravery. The fact that he knows what he's there, what he's there to do. And he does it. And, you know, so getting that ball on that left foot, smacking at home. Love to see it. Love to see it. And so I'm, hey, man, these kids, these kids, we got, we got some kids, man. that's that's RSL so now one nice thing I can say about Atlanta they got the grass in ahead of the friendlies

it looks nice man it looks nice and all these NFL all these NFL vennies have put in put in grass and if they make it work for months with in and around and before and during the World Cup we got to stay on them like like why don't you do this all the time come on yeah well why would they take it out right that grass Right, why would they take it out? The football players want it. Something that I really don't. I enjoyed playing on turf myself.

But the football players want it, both footballs. You know, so I don't see why not. I don't see why not. I mean, come on, the Home Depot, man, can't have a grass field. The Home Depot man can have a grass field, man. Anyway, all right. So on to San Diego, man. Pedro Soma.

first start for San Diego FC you know I've heard a lot about them like I said earlier well did I say it on this iteration? Listener I don't know I haven't watched San Diego FC since they've been introduced into MLS and I was excited I was excited to watch them because I've heard a lot of good things and I saw a lot of good things they beat sporting KC 1-0 in Canada Kansas City. So I take it away. What you want to talk about?

Yeah. So this wasn't as dominant a result in the end as, as you come to expect from San Diego. I think maybe those SoCal boys were a little chilly in the Midwestern temperatures. They had a goal ruled off that for a handball on the finish by Mall Pellarino that would have iced it. Somo was involved in the buildup on that. But this is another team. I'm going to rank them level with RBNY for MLS projects that U.S. projects that USM&T fans should keep an eye on.

So we know Mikey Varus, right, he's got lots of U.S. soccer previous. And Tyler Heaps as well, the GM there. They are playing essentially with one designated player, right? They could have two or even three if they want to. They told Chucky Lozano to hit the bricks over the winter because they didn't feel like he was committed to the project, despite having some major money into him. So they're almost playing, you know, at short of,

full strength under MLS rules and they are still just controlling almost every game they're involved in. They finished first place in the Western Conference last season, the regular season, and they haven't skipped a beat, right? They blasted Humus out of the water in the first round of, or very early in February in Coffee Calf Champions Cup, very impressive result. And just game after game, and they collect so much as one of many U.S. youth national team players or overlooked, undervalued Academy players from elsewhere in MLS, MLS Next Pro. And they just find these kids. I mean, they've had multiple kids from the Quakes second team,

which they got some talent up there, but you wouldn't think of that as a place that MLS teams are pilfering, right? Right. So Arfson came out of there as well. But like, they go get these kids that clearly are not fully valued by their clubs, and they just plug them into a role. They plug them in it right back or left back or whatever. I mean, and get them to, they show that they're, have the technical ability and the tactical understanding.

to execute what is an intricate, dominant, risk-taking possession scheme. So long range, I think this is a kind of project that has a possibility of helping the M&T in unprecedented ways. Yeah, for sure. And, yeah, so this is my first time, yeah, it's my first time sitting there watching Pedro Soma outside of a U.S. youth-nash team situation. Also my first time watching Luca Bombino. And yeah, these are some good players, man. Look at Bombino, left-footed kid playing as a right-back right now. And he handled it.

Handled it with relative ease. You know, he's getting the ball on the touchline. He's, I mean, he's good. He's a good soccer player. I mean, these Rondos that San Diego FC play are just disgusting. You know, whether it's, you know, close to the touchline, in the middle of the park, they'll do it. and somehow find a way to just,

I mean, they'll play a Rondo, and then all of a sudden, you know, they're hitting a ball to somebody, whatever position it is, or somebody that's, like, looped out to, like, the right wing or something, and then they're, like, off and running. The technical security, I mean,

dryer is nice as hell. I mean, I don't know how many midfielers are better than him in MLS, just off first viewing. I'm like, this dude is cold. But, like, so he's amazing. Pedro Soma, for the most part, you know, nothing too crazy, you know, kept it ticking.

His best moment probably was playing drier up the right touchline for the goal that got called off. Had a decent amount of time to, you know, think about what he was going to do with that ball and put the weight on it, you know. But he looked good out there, though. He looked good out there. Luca Bambino as well. I was impressed by him. But yeah, Mikey got it going, man.

Yeah, I think we're going to be talking about him. I mean, if this trajectory stays anywhere near what it is, he's going to be somebody we have at least in back of mind for future USM&T coach down the line. Again, I know it's early in his first team managerial career, but he's getting rave reviews from people on the inside, people around the league clearly respect the dude. And what impresses me is that there's dogma in what they do.

There's a possession dogma, but it's not, it doesn't have that kind of impractical edge that we sometimes saw, let's say from Greg Burhalter with the U.S., where they, like, this team is really good in transition, and it's because they're good in possession. So they're using the ball to move around the opponent. And then when they break through and it's just running downhill, they score a lot of goals that way.

So it's that kind of five-tool kind of mentality to use the ball, but not strictly for, for what we perceive as like that traditional tiki talk. I mean, they cut you open with efficiency too. So it's nice. They're one of my destination viewing teams, and I think others should consider it as well. Yeah, they really do.

Just seeing how the dudes, like, I was watching Luca Bombino do this specifically, but just watching how he like interprets the space. Like when they get these Rondos going and, you know, they get it going like one, two, three passes or whatever. And then as the defense, moves the way the players involved in that rondo take up like the next base and it's almost like you know it's almost automated you know and it's it's it's beautiful to watch it's it's it's a real good stuff man

i'm impressed they got a massive game uh they play to luca reigning the game max champs uh in the next round of ccc wednesday night is a brutal for those on the east coast 1130 p m eastern kick I don't know if I'm going to make it to watch this one live or have to watch in the morning, but massive, massive test for a really interesting project. All right. So up to Cascadia, you know, Vancouver gave the Portland Cimburs a 4-1 thrashing. Sebastian Burrhalter goal and assists. What, Brian White, what, two goals?

He had one goal. Okay. Burrhalter scored a goal pretty finished to kind of create some distance. I think it was their third goal. Yeah. And then he also put a dime of a set piece right on Tristan Blackman's head. He smashes it off the post and then it hits, clangs back and hits him in the face and goes into the goal. So Bear Halter didn't get the assist technically, but it was all got him.

It's a spiritual assist, yeah. Indeed. And he just run the show, man. And in my notes here, I've got that, that Seb Bralter has taken on this kind of methodical, cold-blooded Terminator persona on a week-to-week basis with the white caps, which I think can only help his U.S. chances. We talked about him as a set fee specialist, but like he's just like a machine in the engine room right now. And when you see him do interviews and stuff, he's like, he's just practiced with everything. They got so close, right. They got to two major cup finals last year.

Oh, they won the Canadian championship. They lost in CCC final and an MLS Cup final. And he's got that feeling of someone who's thinking about his life in destiny terms this year. So very impressive. Portland really came out a lot of energy, tried to match them. But the gulf between the two teams is pretty evident. Bear Halter set up White for his goal. Classic Brian White, kind of like just a lunging one-touch finish.

The dude just sniff stuff out in the box. Again, I'm afraid that he's going to have to play out of his mind to make the plane this summer. But so far, he's doing his best. And then a word about Blackman as well. I think he's also on the bubble. But what I suspect is going to catch Potch's attention is that the Vancouver system is very comparable to San Diego, very aggressive. They want to have a high line. They ask their defenders, particularly centerbacks, to defendants.

in space a lot and go one v one. And Blackman's one of the best I've seen in the last few years. Among U.S. players, among MLS players, you name it. Like, he just reads things so well. He's got the pace to match with the most strikers, and his instincts are so strong. So, like, he'll just gobble up turf

and close stuff down where you think there's a fire, and then there just isn't. Okay. Yeah, we'll see, man. I was impressed with Seb watching this match. He's definitely, I mean, you know, they got Thomas Mueller on this team. And it helps.

To me, when you watch the games, you know, the big dog is not Thomas Mueller. I'm putting my head, but maybe I'm glazing, you know, maybe my love for the Burrhalter family. And it's coming out on the spot. But look, all I'm saying is, I mean, you would think Thomas Mueller coming to MLS. even though you know he played the position that he played well at byron you know it's like this type of thing where it's like he comes to mLS and he's just like everyone he's like a dryer like he's like the um the sun that everyone rotates around that's really not the case and i think it i think you do got to give a little bit credit to sebastian burhalter and kubas for just their they like he lets them

handle their responsibilities you know um Thomas isn't coming into the you know double pivot line like with his just hands down to his feet like giving me the ball you know he's playing a role in this team as a cog as anybody else is and i think that's that might be the greatest compliment to be honest with you um so it's good to see so elsewhere round up unless we got we had a couple things to hit real quick because we we do plan on getting to the european action after the break but real quick um chuck well what do you need to get up for us i'm running through some notes real quick here. Keaton Parks, Texan, might just be the best U.S. player in the league who's apparently nowhere near the national team picture. He scored two of NYCFC's five goals in a five-nill

red-cardated route of Orlando City, Yankee Stadium, and their home opener. And shout out to the homie Matt Doyle over Tech's Free Zone. He kind of charted out extensively what Parks does so well. he's just that, you know, Regista, tempo setter type of guy in the midfield. And he just makes everything go for one of the most enjoyable teams to watch with the ball in the league. And, man, Orlando City, they now are rock bottom of the league. O and three, worst goal differential in MLS. And they sure do miss Alex Freeman. His stock is just skyrocketed in absentia.

It seems like Orlando, Oscar Preha's seat is the hottest in the league. despite his extensive track up his success in the league. So rough times in Central Florida. And it looks like they're not going to get Antoine Grisman, at least not right now like they wanted. It sounds like it's done in the summer. May have to wait a couple of years. He's left another MLS team with the altar.

So it's been a rough season for Orlando. Yeah, Griseman. I mean, he's like, do I play in the Copa del Rey final or play for bottom of the MLS? table. It does not work out in the Lions' favor on that, on multiple

contexts. And then up in Toronto, for their own reasons, Toronto F.C, they made a big deal out of finally getting Josh Sargent signed into training last week. 22 million plus, going up to 27 million is reporting on the transfer fee to North

City. And then he didn't even travel to Cincinnati for yesterday's match, citing his lack of and match fitness. Because of getting frozen out at Norwich, he hasn't played a game since January 4th. Toronto's still won, 1-0, a significant upset to get their first points of the season. But I was able to travel up to Toronto to cover Sargent's unveiling. It was big Josie Bradley Giovinco era vibes at TFC. Lots of hype. They spent what they needed to get this kid. They decided early on that Sergeant was the only one for them. And Sergeant did the same.

he had multiple opportunities to come back to MLS over the last couple of years. And as TFC's decision makers, we want to remind everyone, multiple Bundesliga, Premier League, and championship clubs, we're trying to get this guy out of Norwich, best 11 in the champion of the last year. So while we in the USM&T firm tend to think of him as kind of just another striker who's on the outside of the picture right now, TFC look at this kid and see the next Josie. They see somebody that can be a transformative player at MLS. the centerpiece of their rebuild, which is kind of interesting.

Well, we'll see. We'll see. Lastly, do need to check in on Christian Rodon. The main reason why I wanted to do this is just to make sure that we checked in. I mean, because some, if not all these dudes that we talked about that y'all know that have been involved with the national team

will be involved with the national team in March. And so I haven't watched Christian Rodan play for in a while, but it's looking like he's in contention for starting in the World Cup, man. I mean, you know, as Tanner Testman's form has kind of dropped a little bit, you know, we got a group of dudes. And I think at this point, it might be Christian Rodan sticking out from those group, from those group of dudes to start alongside a Tyler Adams. So, Seattle, they play, they play St. Louis City.

and yeah Christian I thought I mean he did a Christian thing you know he was he he keeps a ticket in there man he facilitates their buildup like he is he is that guy moving side to side if the ball is moving up the pitch he is the guy doing it for the Seattle Sounders for the most part so what do you think Chuck at the at the at the risk of of enraging the skeptics and the haters

he is the closest thing that in the deep midfield picture for the U.S. right now that we have to the old apocryphal quote about Sergio Bousquetts. You know, when you don't see him, you watch the game. When you see one, you see the game, right? I used to say that about when. He's not always on the stat sheet, although he did score in the loss at Arsel last week, just does a little bit of everything and just raises the level of everybody around him.

and I can't help but think that that's going to mean something come summer. That's going to count up for a lot to poach. And to quote one of the MLS GMs in the Athletics Annual Anonymous Survey that recently came out, he just wins. He doesn't know anything else but winning. Against St. Louis, 90 minutes, 68 touches, 4455 passing, four defensive contributions, four recoveries, five passes in the final third. And up next, he's going to lock horns with none other than Sebastian Burrhalter.

We got a tasty Cascadia Clash in Champions Cup. Sounders at White Caps 10 p.m. Thursday night in Vancouver, first live. Yeah, see, that's the type of stuff. That's the type of stuff I like to see. Some real, you know, guys go. A little edgy. A little edgy, high-level competition for a spot, baby, for a spot. So, yeah, I'm tuned in, man.

I've been, I've enjoyed this MLS watching that I've done of these games at a 3x speed. You know what I'm saying? Look, I've been enjoyed. I've enjoyed it hearing Marisa Doe and Kailen Carr's voice at three-time speed. It's interesting how I've been able to pick them out, even while they've, because you know, you don't know who's doing the game, but I'm like, oh, look. But anyway, so that's it for MLS this week.

We're taking a break. On the other side of this break, we're talking about the European action. Once again, real quick, I want to. plug the Patreon, where you can get ad-free episodes, where you can get the clip notes. Once I finally do them,

I'm sorry, y'all. I took a couple weeks off. It's been a lot going on in life. I'm getting back to them this week. So consider joining the Patreon. And also, Atlanta. We will be in Atlanta for the Belgium match. I think, what, it's March 28th.

That's Saturday, playing pickup in the morning, and also tailgating. And I think, I think it's called the Westlott. but but don't um don't quote me on that go back and listen to bells uh give this same plug if you really want to know where the with a tailgate will be so let's go let's go hope i can get my spot in that pickup man oh absolutely check i look bells bells told me you nice and bells don't throw around compliments easily so that's all i'm like these raised expectations but i'll bring or bring some pleats.

All right. We'll be back after this. We're back. And we're starting off in Milan. Christian Pulisic and A.C. Milan are the kings of the city. After 1-0 Derby went over Enter, their first league double over the rivals in 15 years. And, you know, I mean, I had no clue that Milan was doing as well as they have been. Until I looked at the table, we got a seven.

point gap here for the Scudetto. You know, they're soft pedaling it. They're not talking about it, right? But there's at least a little bit of suspense now in the title race. Seven points now with a couple months ago here. And I can understand why the red half of Milan is feeling good right now. They can hope, right? They can hope.

I thought they definitely rode their luck, though. almost every time I watch a Sariya match, I see something confusing from the referees. And that sure did look like a handball in the box and injury time on some of the Ritchie. But it's not my problem. Let's talk about Christian for a minute. According to Sempre at Milan.com,

he rocked up the most mileage on his team. I think they gave him a six rating. Citing is the only modest impact with the ball. He's now up to 10 games without a goal, and I believe it's goal contribution either. and I'm wondering if we should be fretting about Christian. What do you think, Vince? I'm going to give you a firm answer, and that answer is no.

Number one, in this match specifically, I actually think he looked pretty good. He was the creator of a decent amount of danger in this match. I know he had a nice 1v1 against Bissec, caught him out on the left wing, faced him up, you know, stuttered a couple times, got to the, got to the in line, played a cutback with his left foot. Nobody was home,

but it was just nice to see that burst from him. A couple nice carries into attacking third from him. A ball over the top to, I think, was it? No, no, to Liao, to Liao. They created some danger. I was going to say Chiquesea. I was going to say, Chiquesea.

I was tripping. But I think he looks, good. Number one, and I thought he looked good in this match. And then number two, when you look at, when you look at his numbers over the past two games, and now I understand these are not goals in the goals in the net. So if that's what you're into, um, forgive me. But okay, so last match against criminense, 0.4 XG. Um, and then the match against Parma previous to that one, let's see. 0.58 xG. You know what I'm saying?

So he's getting chances. He's just not finishing him at the moment. Sometimes the ball just don't go in. Sometimes the ball just don't go in. I would be a lot more worried if, yeah, if he just looked like a shell of itself, which I don't really think he does. And I think he, in a game,

you know, a game where you're playing into Milan and you're not bodo glimped, You know, I'm saying who I guess has the... Shout out photo glimps. Shout out of glimps. But, you know, in a kind of cagey match where, you know, it's a derby, you know, all these different things. I think he looked quite good, to be honest what you and did what you could. Maybe, you know, you expect him to be like the game breaker, understood and just will a go home.

But other than doing that, I thought the performance was actually pretty good. And so I'm not worried about it. I'm not worried about anything going on. As far as Christian Policicc goes, I'm considering him ready to go. And I know it seems like nobody else in the USM&T sphere agrees with me. They continue to chicken little. Is that the sky's falling with regards to Christian Politic? I don't think that's the case.

We have reports. His manager is still talking about managing Niebersitis. He has, it's kind of wild to me that he's almost, it has as much expected of him with his club as with his country. Yeah. He's playing a different role too. They play what most sites are describing as a 352 yesterday or in the Derby where he's up front with layout. Doesn't necessarily have a reference point in the way that he generally does, you know, number nine type to play off of the national team. So it's a really interesting situation.

I think it's a reminder of the pressure cooker he's in that I was reading a line of punditry in Italy that he's somehow saving himself for the World Cup this summer, and that's why his productivity has fallen off, which is pretty ridiculous, but there's enough of that going around that Andres Chouchenko actually comprehensively dismissed it when he was presented to him in a recent interview. So I think what's more likely is that he's carrying some mileage for months now and, you know, feeling the long season.

I'm sure he'll benefit from a trip home and some of that American air and culture that we know he loves. Maybe he'll even sneak in around a golf with the homies if it's okay with Potch in down in Georgia. We'll see. But possibly I'm hearing rumors that J.T. Basson has declared a Magic City Night. They're going to be there out of my. Monday, right? I mean, they're in Atlanta for more than a week. So, you know,

logically speaking, logically speaking, there's, that'll heal you. Pull this out. That'll heal you, brother. You know what? I was going to make another joke, but let's keep it moving. We're staying in Italy. We're staying in Italy. We got some, we got some people rising from the grave.

The theoretical grave. and we're starting here Ben Ha Kramowski gets a start a start for Parma against Fiorentina that's huge a nil-nil draw

in I think it's in I think they were at Parma but got a clean sheet got a clean sheet and you know what before we go any further I do want to

make sure that I that I bring attention to this the fact that we are seeing some racial justice playing out right now. Ben Ha Kermaski, midfielder by trade, some would say. Guess where he lined up this weekend? Right wing back. Right wing back. Okay. That's what I'm talking about, baby. I thought that was only reserved for the brothers. And I see you...

It's a power. I see you Italy coming around. Hey, they don't see color over there. They don't see. They've come a long way from the different shades of guerrillas on the the little Syriott-Racism campaign. We've come a long way. We don't got calorie out the league. Like, come on, man. Come on, man. That's what I'm talking about.

Ben Ha Kramowski, pace and power, I mean, he is known for the pace and power. Started that right wing back. And let me tell you something, Chuck. I thought he played almost extremely well. He was very good. He was very good. Good in combination.

Brought the industry that we all known for. Tenacious. defended very well. I mean, and the stuff in the, the stuff in the buildup was, was good money. Good, good stuff, man. Like, I was, I did not expect to be that impressed.

I have not necessarily rated Benachrymowski, but I think he might have found something in this position, this position changed, man. And, and this is, I'm just so happy that he was allowed to be great over the right wing back change. And yeah, I think he's earned another start, to be honest with you. Like, that's how good I thought he played in this match.

I love to hear that, man. I'm rooting for him to make it. I hope this works out for him. It hadn't started. The lone sin hadn't started particularly auspiciously. So, so you love to see it. And that's, you know, a kid like that spent his whole life pretty much in South Florida. Hadn't had to leave the key, keep his game too much.

And so getting out of his comfort zone. there. Let's go, Ben-up. Let's go. Let's go, man. So, may along continue. I'm excited to see it going forward. Because, yeah, I mean, once again, though, just like, he is just like an extremely large, athletic dude

that can run for days. He's got that dog for sure. Yeah, he's got that dog in him, too. He's right at home playing in that right wingback spot. I'm just happy that we've advanced enough as a society that it could happen. So next, Eunice Musa start against Udinez. Off the back of two goals and his last two appearances. Eunice gets rewarded being in the 11th for the first time since January 28th.

Now, maybe this is the case for maybe me taking everything away from Italy that I just said previously. He got hooked at half. You just did. And let me tell you something. He was actually pretty good. like he was I don't understand why he got hooked the half they were down 1-0

and I wasn't watching at that in real time but once I saw it was halftime and they were down 1-0 I was like unis coming out I just felt it I felt it in my soul and come out he did and the thing is at Atlanta was actually pretty dominant

in the mat in that first half I think Udinezse maybe had two shots and the first shot was like some BS they scored a goal off a corner. I don't know if it was off a set piece. Had nothing to do with Eunice.

Goal scored, whatever. But yeah, he looked like he looked like Eunice Musa. And once again, and I'm just scored another, scored a goal, scored a second goal in the midweek,

continues to put up decent performances. I think at the very least, if he's not a starter, he's not going to be a starter for that too much. But at the very least, he's going to be

getting minutes from now to the end of the season, I think. And I think at this point, I kind of would like to think that we see him in March. Apache's got to be watching, right? And they're allowed to have a busy run in, so you would hope that he'll continue to be in the rotation at the very least. And don't, I mean, don't you want to get a look at the kid? And you know that he's got a history with a bunch of guys in the group already. so for sure i still i'm still in love of those tools man i haven't sold my sock that's right

bells and i were doing some wish casting last week to which people uh people in the discord kind of got on us like y'all really believe unis moose isn't that but like and and you know last week i was just like you know it's really not even worth you bringing this up because we were just kind of doing some remembering some guys kind of thing and just like you know talking about something that's not going to happen. But at this point, though, at this point, hey, bring them in. Bring them in, man. Because once again, nobody's truly set themselves apart aside from maybe Christian.

But, all right, so that's Italy. Now we're getting over to Germany, nokey, kind of shaky, and a 2-1 lost to Leipzig, maybe one of his better games on the ball, to be honest with you. But, you know, just these mistakes that, you know, have been kind of a feature of his game, they're creeping back in. He eliminated him for a little bit. But in the 50th minute, he had a Justin Cheish kind of tackle that I'm kind of mystified was not called a penalty.

Like, he basically tackled a dude in the box. Like, I mean, ran into him, did not touch the ball. Like, the dude got the ball and. released it before Nokey made contact with him, but I mean, cleaned them out in the box after the ball was gone. I'm just, I was mystified. Mistified they got away with that. But, you know, whatever. 72nd minute got played around by a slick Leipzig 1-2 to led to a shot on target.

And then later, lost out on a bouncing ball in the midfield that he got beat to areaally that led to Leipzig's first goal. so and and then and then he got hooked in the 85th for for a man named Tim Schnitzer all right so I certainly hope that the dual national drama is not is not turning

into a distraction with this young man I mean I hope not but I mean he kind of started it you know I mean and so we'll see we'll see what happens um this was This was kind of a disappointed honor for Nochi, but we move.

We move. Elsewhere in Germany, I just had a quick note on James Sands. The man just keeps grinding for St. Pauley. They grabbed themselves a zero-zero home draw with Eintracht Frankfurt. He had just 27 touch to the ball in 81 minutes, but every point is precious in the relegation scrap that they're currently waist deep in. I'm pretty impressed with Sanz's contributions to the cause. this man is pretty clearly

down in the furnace room just shoveling shoveling coal furiously doing whatever he can do to keep St. Pauli above water. I'm compressed. I'm not at all sure that Maricio Pochitino will be you might see him this month, but I have a feeling I have a feeling the numbers game is not going to work

in Sands favor. Balo continues his dominance of PSG with a goal and assist as Monaco wins 3-1 the park de prance um assist came in the first half psg turned the ball over deep in their own half i mean really i mean in their own box ballo gathered it steps on it trying to figure out what to do until aclius basically takes the ball off ballo's foot thumps it home love there's a lesson in this goal for all of us go watch the highlights sometimes you just got to get out the way that's right and that's you know a minimalist assist let's call it because he he he just

just got out the damn way and let his teammate fire it in at the near post. So well done, Paula. So this rings true, like, like, especially when Akliush has fed Balo in the way that he has this season, you know, you got to return a favor. Yeah, return a favor. So, yeah, that was cool. The goal was kind of lucky. Took a nasty deflection off of Nuno Mendes's foot. Kangin Lee lost a ball right outside of PSG's box. Ballo ran onto it. A little prep touch with his right. Shot from about 20 yards out.

Boom. In the back of the net. You love to see it. You love to see it, Chuck. I mean, we're not used to seeing Superteens self-destruct the way the PSG did in this one, but hey, that's, there's sometimes there's justice in this world.

This is a better lucky than good outing from Balo, as I see it. But let's give them Daps for being right around the ball when Monaco had their best moments in the box. Yeah, we'll take it. We'll take it, man. I mean, yes, yes, this was a lucky better than a good game. But he, um, Ballo can sometimes run short on luck.

You know, I mean, is, yeah, it's finishing luck, whatever, whatever you will call it. It can run a little cold at times, despite whatever great chances he might be getting in a game. And so, yeah, it's nice to see it go the other way, and it's nice to see this narrative against PSG continue. If he only played against PSG in his professional soccer career, he would be maybe the greatest striker of all time.

I mean, he just kills them consistently. And, you know, Chuck, we did the Ecuador recap together. And I think that centerback, William Paccho, yeah. He sees Balo in his nightmares, man. Any time they face off against each other within this past, like, calendar year. He's doing something. He's doing something.

He's got to bode well for the big spotlight of the World Cup, right? That's right. Balo's going to be hype for those NFL stadiums, surely. That's right. So, how's you right? Score it again? Again. Again.

16th goal of the year. He's got Coventry City five points clear atop the top the champo table. And he's just one go back in the division golden boot race. Vince, should he be starting one of this month's friendlies? Starting one of these months friendlies. No, probably not. Probably not. And all due respect to Haji.

All do respect to Haji. I respect the man. I respect his game. And I'm happy that he's doing as well as he's doing in the championship. But Portugal and Belgium, I need, I need. following battle gun on top on top or at the top at striker you know because one thing about balo that i don't well first of all balo now he has 12 non-penity goals on the season he is three goals away from the non-penity total that he put up in his 22 goal season 22 goals season he has seven

pens. Okay, so if we get to 15 non-penity goals, he has matched his total from that 22 goals season, doing it in a totally different style. And that's what I wanted to talk about is the fact that I think, unironically, you know, no jokes here, I'm going to stop joking for this next sentence I'm going to make. I think a follower in Jerry Balagan is one of the best counter-attacking forwards in the world. And we're going to, I, I've been feeling pretty good about our chances against whoever we get in that knockout round game or whatever. If it is a better team than us that we are playing, I'm going to feel extremely great about the fact that we have flow on the pitch.

That's going to be able to run channels. I mean, he does it thanklessly and endlessly. Whether he gets the ball or not, he's going to keep hunting for those opportunities. And he's just extremely good at it. extremely good at it at making those runs, at getting the ball, at providing the outlet. And so against a Portugal and a Belgium,

I think we need flow out there. And I think we'll be operating at a pretty severe handicap if we choose to play without him now. And friendlies, you know, I'm not going to be mad if we choose to play somebody else. But yeah, I think those type of games, that's where Flow's superpower just really,

just really comes to play. So, Paschita said the World Cup starts in March. So I suspect the gaffer agrees with you. Okay. Okay. And then the other note I have from this one, it's kind of fun to see Middlesbrough keep in pace with Haji and company. They smash QPR 4-0 in London on Sunday. BBC wrote that Aidan Morris in particular showed Premier League class. Afterwards, his manager, Kim Helberg said, the way he plays, what he presses, Aden is a key player for us. He's always wanting the ball, always being brave on the ball. That is what we want.

one or both of these dudes is looking very likely to be in the prem next year. Will it get them on the plane, the proverbial plane? Well, I think Haji's in. I think Haji's on a good run, good trajectory. I'm not so sure where Aidan stands in the mix, but he's doing his part. He's doing everything you can. And I love the personal growth from this young man. Yeah.

No doubt about it. I haven't checked in with Aiden in a while. but yeah it seems like the performances are back to where they were at the beginning of the season you know kind of had it interrupted with the i think a injury coming back from i think maybe that ecuador window um he was hurt for a little bit but he's back to ball and so love to see it and then that muscle milk takes time sometimes you know it's not always overnight with the muscle milk so The most, yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Last but not least, Austin Trustee. Clean sheet and a PK in the shootout calmly buried to see Celtic passed Rangers in the Scottish Cup quarterfinals. This was at Ibrox, and it looked absolutely insane in there.

Like any old firm game, it doesn't matter whether it's cup, whatever. It was the lion's den, and he held his own, stood on business. Scottish League still isn't being the charges. Sorry, I love it. I love the vibes, everything you all got going on. Like, there's still some ugly soccer being played over there. But Austin trustee's found his place, found his way, playing well.

And will he be any of these squads? I don't know. I don't know. I'm a little bearish on his chances, but again, he's handling what's in his control. Yeah. We'll see. I've seen some people

Bandy his name about because we're all worried about Tim Ream. Speaking of that, since we got you here, Charlie's Tim, we watched? Too soon.

Too soon is what my magic eight balls telling me. They were pretty good against a team that got a first half red card and Charlotte was

and beating Austin. Man, though, it's the mastery of Father Time I am questioning a little bit, though. He's gotten caught out in open space a few times, and it's not necessarily always he's getting skinned by speed merchants.

He has something to prove. I don't think he can do anything to drop off the roster, but when you think about what's invested in him, certainly seems like he's one of the faces of the program and someone who has Potch's trust as a leader. I hope that he's going to have to keep earning his spot week and week out because he's been shown his age. a bit more than we're used to the last few weeks.

All right. Well, that's that. The World Cup starts in two weeks, ladies and gentlemen. So that's it. Chuck, thanks for joining me. Always a pleasure, Vince. Yes, sir. We'll see you.