Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America - #701: Long-time freelance USMNT beat reporter Andrew Jones

Episode Date: June 16, 2026

Vince and Belz are joined by Andrew Jones, the New York-based sports reporter who writes for several outlets and covers the USMNT (and USWNT) faithfully, often providing the best moments in press conferences with his questions. We talk about the cultural impact of the World Cup, the songs, his approach to asking players questions, how people are feeling about the USMNT, things like that. Follow Mr. Jones on X: https://x.com/sluggahjells Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus 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: https://www.patreon.com/scuffedCheck out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/storeAlso, 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.scuffedpodcast.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. Hey, everybody, we are here late Monday night recording another episode, and we are honored to have with us the man who always gets the last question in at a USMNT press conference. It's often the best question at the USMNT press conference. His name is Andrew Jones. Welcome. Andrew, how you doing? Good sir, bells.

Good sir, me. let it be that is a proper introduction well i think even shannon sharp can do a better introduction than that i appreciate that appreciate those kind words for you i do want to i do want to ask you before we get into the world cup and there's a lot to talk about right um i do want to ask you so what's your strategy with those questions because they're always two well that's the first part and i got a i got a two part of there but what's your like what are you thinking how are you thinking that through yeah my main thing about is that i want to make sure that i want to make sure that's sure that the questions that I give any player or any coach is something that the very least is

original. Now, whether it's a lighthearted question or a serious question, the main objective for me, and I had this objective for when the first time I interviewed Christian Pulitzer's back when he was just getting on a national team, and frankly, I asked him a very cliche, a boring-ass question where it was just basically about, you know, do the perception of American players in Germany, do they view you as just, you know, being American, not skillful, and blah-da-da-da. And we know how Christian can believe when he has a question that he doesn't like. He's like.

When you get that Christian-polistic side? I mean, you clearly did from the teenager status room. So you did. It was something weird. It was like, I said to myself, you know what, that question sucked. It really, really can suck. And it's something where I can understand him being maybe a little bit annoyed with it, because he's probably hurt endlessly when he was a teenager.

Oh, you're American, so you have certain limitations, blah, blah, blah. So I just always make it from that point on. And not only just in guard soccer, but just anything in general, sports related or not, to try to ask something that at least hasn't been asked before or just be able to give something that is going to elicit any real emotion from somebody. So that's the main objective for me. And then everything else just goes to specifically who that person is. And that's how it pans out to be.

Bills, before you get on your two part, the question, you know, Andrew, it seems to me like you do a little bit of research to get the, to get the receiver of the question a little buttered up too. You know what I'm saying? I do, man. That's a fact on that V man, because at the very least, it's just trying to make sure that they're comfortable talking to us collectively. It's just something where they feel it could be a root canal situation sometimes when they participate in these interviews. Now, sometimes it's because they're not the best personalities themselves to want to do interviews with anybody. But other times it's because they already have probably been used to having a lot of questions that they know that they're tired of hearing. So I just try at the very least make sure I give them something specific.

That's always just at least some preparation in there because if you interviewing these guys and you don't know what you went to ask them off the top, then you can't fault them from them having that dismissive attitude. I know it sucks with us with that, but that is something where you want to just make sure that you clearly ask them something that they know. oh, he knows a little bit about me or, you know, or if there's any female that asks her, she knows something about me. So that's what goes into it. I love it. Yeah. I was, my second part of my question was just like how long do you, how long before the moment you asked the question, do you decide what the question is going to be?

Mm-hmm. It sounds like kind of quite a way's beforehand. I mean, endlessly with shout out to the good sir, Michael Cameron, who really been solid with me. all the way, but, you know, because of how, and I think people can see in terms of press conferences, at least for a lot of sports outlets. Normally, they'll go with the big outlets or established longtime journalists first. So it leads to at least me having that chance to say, all right, I know in advance the possibilities of these questions are going to be asked. So let me go ahead and see what I can jot down. So at the very least, if I'm called on for a question

in that setting or just in any mix zone, that I just have something ready just in case, because we know the general topics about players form, it's about opponents, about certain things that are happening with the team in terms of roster selections. We know those are going to always be the general questions that we're going to ask. So it just is about having maybe a list that I have beforehand in my mind and just seeing how that unfolds with the press conferences. Now, I will say also, if there's a funny quote or interesting statement that's made, that'll then let me deviate and say, is someone to ask a proper follow-up? Do we need someone to get to the bottom of why Great Burlehalter felt that Giorina had a run

like Maradonna did in the Azteca way back in before, in the call for? fine phase for guitar and how that was something that needed to be asked to both Gio and to Christian Pulitzer when that happened and how they had to have that funny reaction saying, we are invoking Maradona out of nowhere.

What is going on? So it just is just about not only happening things from playing, but if there's someone... I remember that, yeah. It's his history. So was that the hype me up? The hype me up question? Yes, sir. That was the heighty up. That's what I'm talking about. See, Andrew, this is

first of all, that's one of my, that's one of the great USM&T press conference moments of this generation to me. I didn't know that came from an Andrew Jones question. Yeah, I'll send you the link on that with how I cashed it, man. But yeah, like when, you know, and it's so funny because especially it being from us in Zoom, because I wasn't in as second person. So this is when Conca Cap and they still are at least doing for their qualifiers in Nations League, they'll have the Zoom option for us, reporters.

to talk to if we're not able to travel there. And it made it even more hilarious because of me not physically being there. And yet them having that real emotion towards how, you know, hilarious that whole quote was from Greg. And how that's the first they heard of it. So that made it even more raw, the reaction. And it's just something where it just came from what Greg said. I didn't know Greg was going to stay, Maradon. You know, we didn't know he was going to do that.

So it was just from listening to interest and responses too can lead to some of the best questions that you ask somebody down the line. A managing editor of mine, Renee Sanchez, back in Minneapolis, said, B. Issa told me, be the nexus. Be the nexus. Great quote. And that's what you were in that case, you know. Thanks, ma'am. Should we talk about the World Cup a little bit? Yes, I mean, I think we can talk about it a bit more than how bad, certain, the official songs have been. But other than the official songs have been, everything else has been not bad.

You know, Andrew, you bring up a good point. You bring a good point about the official songs, man. Because none of them are truly hit for me. You know, they made my favorite, the I Show Speed champions, you know what I'm saying? They don't because because of the fact that he keeps the energy up throughout the entire song. It's organic. You can feel his passion for the World Cup. These GMOs that they feeding us on the, you know, on the fist on front.

You know what I'm saying? But, you know, it's just like. You guys talking about the Shakira song mostly, right? I mean, that's the official song. Well, even the future song, bro. The future song. As somebody who believes that future is probably the goat of the trap era, bro. I mean, this is like, Future could wake up out of bed and give you that song on any day of the week.

It don't matter what state he's in. What, what, you know, he could be, you know, I don't want to put, he. He could be on his deathbed and give you that and give you that chorus and verse, bro. Like, you know what I'm saying? It's just not like, like I said, it's GMOs, bro. I can see the CEOs or the marketing people sitting in front of the board. Like, you know, you put them and them together. Yep.

This demographic and this demographic. You can tell the energy is just not there. Like, the songs don't float. It was as reminiscent of when Gunner randomly performed at the roster to a month of U.S. soccer, but at least Gunner shows some energy. Future, my word, when I mean this man might as well have been as immobile as Infantino in any scenario. He did not show any energy, and we believe both of them lip-sing, him and Tyler, who, by the way,

had to do a back to back because she sung South Africa's anthem and that was the only offense that unfortunately the Bofana Bufana showed that day in general. But you know, it's something with me Vince, as you said it, this is the second at least

major moment of an unofficial song outshining an official people song and both of those moments happen to be Shakira's song. So I show Speed song way better just like Canaan's song, in the 2010 South Africa World Cup

where we were wondering, what is Shakira doing seeing the World Cup for Africa in terms of the official song? So and Kena's right there. He is literally African descent, waving flag for all the nations. And I shall be, I don't know if he

listened to that song to influence him, but he was evoking all the nations. And that's why it resonated no matter if you think he's a plant or someone that's annoying streaming that's got his fame, it's just something where the guy really loves soccer and that's why

it resonated as a soccer song he distilled the emotion and put it on the track. Amen. You know what I'm saying? That's the thing that that's most music is about that, bro. It's not about lyrical miracle all the time. I mean, Andrew, you're a musician. It's about conveying emotion, man.

Communicating all the different episodes. That's what it exactly is, man. Like, even though I have New York full rapper, integrity, and 48 bars in me anytime, sometimes you just need just a damn few lines melody song it's always about the music not about the words the music first then the words I don't want to hear future saying game time gang time and how it doesn't resonate like go to the NBA finals with that that's what the NBA finals not for that set it so that's why his song resonated and you know that's weird they continue to get it weirdly wrong but I will say this though for 20 30 World Cup, since Spain is part of the three co-hosts, as we all know, I can guarantee that FIFA

will not have Shakira for that song because of everything with Shakira in Spain. So I would be highly surprised if that happens. So maybe then they will have an official song that matches the vibe of this sport. Yeah. Yep. That's the thing that they try to get it over the line. But the real music listeners, they know. They know, like, you can turn the die-a-di-s song on and, like, you know, it's just, it's okay to have in the background if you shop at H&M or something. You know, whatever. But you re-listed a song. I liked it when it first came out.

But hearing at the beginning of every game, you know, they play it at the beginning of it. It seems like every game, isn't it? Yes. I've heard, yeah. Yeah. It was played beginning the Spain game, ironically enough. you know, Kate Verdi and them doing it

every time is now drawing it out in that way and you forget even that Berna boys on the song. So like, it's an unfortunate thing, but that's people for you in terms of just

not having the full common sense of situations. What do you think of the U.S. men's national team's performance on Friday? Well, even the presence of seeing certain celebrities that you wondered why the hell are you there

other than just the World Cup, it being the World Cup. It was just something that was very beneficial. I don't have to see the good colleagues at the athletic, our good colleagues there, have at least a negative headline story based on just a shaky-so performance. You know, it was just a wonderful display of seeing what the talent has grown with this program, you know, throughout the years. Now, you know, as people immediately rushed to say that this was the best World Cup performance, one game performance that they've ever seen, you know, from the team, you know, us and maybe Vince

all the way back to and Bells for sure for you. For me, like I really had at least maybe one other performance that could have had the full level of just adulation for that best performance group stagewise or just in World Cup in general. And that was, you know, the O2 World Cup for Portugal, where in short hell, no one expected us to do anything against the pre-tournament favorites or, you know, do anything in that tournament in general after the 98 embarrassment. But I thought clearly that that's something where this game, you know, presented just a sea of positivity that made everyone say we can begin or put in the past everything that happened in Nations League last year. the stadium was 20% occupied and Panama had viral moments with Waterman and Sierra Re

to all these other scenarios of being outdrawn by South Korea in terms of fan support in New Jersey and how that was where we were second best in the game and then everything that happened in the March debacles that took place. It just put all that negativity

aside and particularly for the casual U.S. fans who probably thought that we were probably as bad as the 98 team or lack talent, they got to say, oh, wait a minute, like, we really improved. Like, we do have guys that actually play on clubs that we could have never thought that they were going to play on 15, 20 years ago. No matter of some of those clubs, big clubs have diminished, it's still A.C. Milan, it still events.

So it was just a refreshing thing just to see at least a pot. positivity from that sense. Yeah, what do you think? Yeah, what's your sense of what the nation thought of it? Like, how you, because you're, because you cover a lot of different sports and you're, you're out there. And what do you, what's, what do you feel like the impact is so far? I mean, the impact, I think for me is just being able to see that this team is really actually talented, that this team can actually put together a decent display against any team,

at the very least, not embarrass itself. That's something where I think a lot of people, once again, were getting into the notion, casually speaking, that, you know, this was a average U.S. team that was all about grit and fight, that there aren't any top 100 players on this team, that there's no, you know, marquee player, that this team is just, you know, about the vibes of the situation. and we pray that things are going to go well.

But I think now that they were able to clearly see that this team has some abilities to be dynamic, to be fun, to have those moves where you say, that's not the U.S. team that I thought we all knew, or this U.S. team is not some also ran that is my third or fourth team where I have to support my heritage team from my family first and then another country that I like second. Like, I can really be a fan of the scene and be excited to watch them and believe that they can have a deep run. So just from that perspective of those that are not fully plugged in like we are, that perspective could be had in having that positivity. With us, it's just something where we had to say to ourselves, is this Pocetino thing going to lead to him showing elite results? When you pay the man $6 million, you're expecting this.

guy to say, hey, we need that step up from Burrhalter. We need to see the quality that we saw on the BJ Callahan, be able to show against now this full World Cup that we were waiting for. So I think just from us in the full circles of the full atmosphere of the team, I just think that it was just a reinforcement to just say, all right, Houch, you showed us something now. This is what we paid you this money for. And we are seeing now that progress. that we expected to see to start the tournament. Yeah. I mean,

to your point about having fun, let me just say this real quick. If you count players on the 11 who embarrassed somebody, 1 v1, it's basically everybody except our two centerbacks. Yeah.

Like everybody did. That man, Tyler didn't either. Don't let me get out of myself. Yeah. Tyler and the two centerbacks, only ones. I will say bells went on that great 20 sequence, G.O. and Fuego move. Started with Tyler doing a lovely backhill to get that whole thing going. I know he didn't dice anybody up one-on-one, but it was like, this is how I love him.

Yeah, he had that little dance in the box and then fed Balo for the chalked off goal, too. So it's not like he didn't do anything. But he didn't. You know, but I was listening to, you know, we talked about this on the calling show bells, but like I was listening to The Coach's Corner, too, which I feel like everybody should listen to. If you're not tapping into that, you're missing out because these boys, they give them some ball knowledge, like Bruce Arena, Rob Bradley, Greg Burrhalter with Rob Stone. It's amazing they got those three together, you know? Yeah. That's been due bag.

Right. It's essential listening, bro. essential listening for anybody that's following this team, sickos and casuals alike, because, I mean, the way they just see the game so easily, you know, it's like it's another level, obviously when they do it professionally. But Bob Bradley said the same thing, bro, and he was like, you know,

because Bruce Serena was like, man, like he was saying Paraguay was terrible. And Bob Bradley was like, I mean, maybe they were terrible, but like, look, there's nothing you can do tactically if the first person you send us somebody gets skipped by it every time. Every time somebody

Like, you know, if somebody just dribbles by you, like what, what tactics can you pull out to say, hey, hey, don't, don't let them double by you. You know what I'm saying?

So that level of skill, regardless of Paraguay were good or not bad, whatever, you know, if you follow this team, we've seen performances against teams that we should treat

like that, that we almost never do. You know what I'm saying? Like so, and that was. And Paraguay is not one of those teams. Paraguas. No,

they're not. Typically. Maybe they're not. Maybe they had a really bad night, but yeah. Yeah, I mean, first, you know, we know with Bruce, you know, he still probably fell the type of way about Portchino being on the team. And this is someone that has had cherishments of Bruce Serena in regards to stuff, not in terms of certain actions in the Revolution,

but in regards to him being that coach that showed that we had quality and least young talent in MLS to be able to be competent against the world's best, particularly, of course, as I mentioned, with the Portual of the future. game. So I'm always going to be fine of Bruce in certain ways, but Bruce definitely has that little bit of why do we have to get this coach when we have good American coaches here. Yeah, yeah. That's it. That's right. But he's just doing the service to the full team. I mean, the thing about it is that when you have Portucino said himself, I know that Diego Gomez is a talented player, but he doesn't like to consistently track that. So what I can do,

is that I can have Jedi either deliver quick passes or go with Christian to have this overload, and I know it to be one of Cesaris. And Casares just said, bless his heart, he's like, what the hell is this in this SoFi stadium or Los Angeles Stadium? I'm dealing with an overload. Where is my guy Diego Gomez helping me when Jedi is coming with these quick passes or runs and pull his stitches now showing confidence? After the first few minutes of the match where he didn't get a touch on the ball,

all the nerves had to come out. It was just a whole tactical plan that you just saw right there was getting exploited. And that is what any solid level manager, you know, should be able to do. And that really took up because of Stavo O'Farro, who's a good manager in his own right. This is, again, a good paraguad team that had their successes in Comedy Bowl against Arkansas and Brazil. Like, they had their successes. They have talent. Julio Sincio looked pretty damn healthy.

it was not making a lot of people. It was just something with this team and the greatness of the home atmosphere with the fans actually looking like the 94 World Cup and actually having us have a fan atmosphere that was a home atmosphere. It just made it a perfect storm of things and how I just think people just can't immediately

than Russia say, oh, Paraguay is, you know, just pedestrian abad. This is not Bolivia. This is Paraguayi team that has a lot of, of guys that play in quality top-by leads just like with us, that have at least a team that has

a solid defense, or at least normally a solid defense, and having the guys in Adoretti that players Sunderland regularly, we know that they have the guys that have established themselves in major ways. And it's just a dismissiveness towards anyone thinking

about that by just not imagining that an American team can look that good in that What? Real quick, I got the, I got the Eidon, New Zealand match on. We got a shot of Johnny and Fettino on the box. Who's sitting to his left, George Wea. I just wanted to point that out.

Also, this game is bonkers. It's like, it's 2-2 right now, 67th minute. Yeah, it's full Oceania versus AFC, drama all the way galore. Three points needed. You know, seeing George Weir last. week be next to infantino for zoron's press conference where they opened up in central park you probably saw it in the middle they opened up a little um football field that's going to be lasting the entire world cup in century park so george way was there infantino marco mazorazzi was also there um with roberto

baja so i mean it was quite the uh combination of people so so Andrew uh you you you You in NYC, of course. Cultural capital of the world. I mean, I think anybody will, I was going to say in my opinion, but I don't even know if I got to qualify it with that. I don't think he did. So what are you feeling on the ground? I know the city was consumed by the Knicks.

So maybe it hasn't fully manifested because the Knicks had to handle their business first. But what are you feeling as far as like the World Cup just on the ground? I don't know. What are you hearing from people that people get at you following the USA performance? Like all these different types of things. Man, like, despite all of the FIFA ridiculousness and, I'm crazy, exorbitant costs and inflation in this world, you would act like some people out here have completely forgotten about those major financial issues that they're still dealing with

and have been able to just be in the spirit, you know, with this thing. Now, yes, like the Knicks run coinciding with this in their sort run, like, has been that extra little boost of more watch party environments that is provided. And then having, you know, a mayor now that is fully as we all know, the best soccer person he is in on display. And after the Arsenal title. And by the way, as you all know and everything, you know, we had these massive bars here. they were a perfect precursor towards full Nick celebrations and World Cup parties where you had the Arsenal celebrations on tilt, you know, the minute that they saw Mark Gahey basically give them the title with the mistake he made for City, you know, and now they lost and also the Bormand the way they did. So, or tied to Bormant the way they did. So, you know, the energy has just been crazy now with the watch parties that they made around.

around the full New York, New Jersey committee. They've transformed the U.S. Open Tennis Center into a watch party for all the games in the group stage. Yeah, yeah. They did a NOS concert, which was a free on the same night as the USA Paraguay. Maybe not the best planning, but that was the opening night with the game. And they did that. So not only for, you know, certain parts of Queens, the Bronx has a New York, New Jersey. committee watch party.

They made a watch party at formerly Red Bull Arena, now Sports Illustrated Stadium. So they really have packed it out in this area to try to give so many things of gatherings if you cannot afford tickets that will cost maybe

your right or left arm to give at MetLife Stadium. But the energy is real. The energy is really real. Yes, the NICS have helped that energy in a major way. But, But how many people love the soccer in this most diverse city, arguably in the world, lending the Toronto could battle us, but we say us, it's not fake.

This is a real febber for this tournament here. I was just noticing that, like before we got on the call, that Los Angeles Stadium sounds really good tonight, too. I don't know if you notice. I mean, just the sound in that stadium, whether it's New Zealand or Iran scoring. It sounds good. These stadiums packed out, bro. You know, you talked about the arm and the leg, but it seems like people willingly gave that arm or leg.

Or gave the kidney, or gave the kidney or gave something. Either way, the only stadium, and it was bizarre where, as I mentioned, some colleagues at the athletic about this, where when the second game, when it was in Guadalajara with South Korea in Czech Republic, now, come on now. is despite my whole appreciation for the wonderful AFC power, that is Korea Republic. And we know Czech Republic has been able to,

Chequia has stabilized themselves to get back. That's a bit of an axe to be in the middle of Guadalajara and expect that stadium to be packed out with those two teams. Every other game, you have to say, you're like, damn, all the way at the top. At the top of it. can't argue can't

and these stands are going crazy too like people don't sit down you know what I'm saying like these the stadiums look the stadiums look beautiful the fields look beautiful I mean FIFA's gonna make so much money

for the last month I mean just like it's gonna break all the records by so much it's gonna make infantino feel like move over moron much I'm the second trillionaire

in the world here Yeah, you were talking about how immobile he is. He's just going to get, like, carried around on one of those. What do you call those things where you got people with, like, like, wooden rods? And then he's, like, sitting on a thing. I forget the word for it, which is embarrassing. But anyway, one of those.

Yeah, I mean, he's already full, I mean, he was at Seattle earlier today, as a live recording of this, at Seattle for Belgium and for Egypt. Yep. And now he flew his behind down here to see this. And, you know, as we know, many Persians connects living in the L.A. area, we're going to at least have stadium packed out despite all the dynamics that we had placed on the country of Iran in terms of issues that they still willing to support their team and pack it out. But the key we support, as you mentioned, Vincent and Bells, it has been massive when you had Elijah just scored that. goal the first goal to match they were loud you know they were they were loud representing a little Auckland Wellington type vibe down there

yeah I really don't even understand what what how does happen like you know I'm saying are we getting sold to smoke you know obviously Twitter is like a you know doom scrolling negativity spiral whatever but like it seemed like

actually factually in some of these games these tickets are selling well that's a great point you mentioned because you know Fabian Rinkle who does this stuff for MLS for I forgot the company that he does it for in terms of stuff

but he was part of the many people that were saying hold the line the tickets are dropping these tickets are empty because the tickets were there were a lot of tickets that weren't sold it really was an issue and you know I remember one fan for USA Paraguay he said he was able to get the ticket the night before when he told Harry Bushnell

this and it was it was pretty decent seats like not in the lowest section but about like middle way and he said it was a thousand those were at least I guess maybe 2000 you know as a week and a half ago so you did see people try to hold on the last minute and then buy the ticket but I mean it is something where they're still pricey. I mean, I'll tell you real quick, you know, for France Senegal tomorrow, I just saw a friend, you know, she went and had a ticket in a very good spot in the stadium, like, literally low level, actually, like in the top part of low level. And someone else, I guess, couldn't go. And, you know, they were selling a ticket for still

$713. So, I mean, it's still crazy. The prices it is. But that's way lower than that That's crazy, maybe. It's insane. It's insane. But, you know, in this area, we dealt with Nickstick as being, the chiefness being 11,000. When in Rome. That's what if you were saying, man.

Win in Rome, man. Yep. On Adderall, on any drug that you can say of insane capitalism. What else? What else is striking you this Monday night? Well, I got something. Real quick. I'm not on TikTok, but Andrew, are you familiar with the Diamond's Little Brother phenomenon?

The Diamond's Little Brother phenomenon? I actually am not, man. I'm on some unstatus right now. Oh, okay. I mean, I am too, but the people that the Discord put me on. Apparently, okay, there was some TikTok that a girl made about the World Cup. And essentially the Jist was like, apparently we got a soccer team and they plan tonight. We need to get out here and support the boys.

and she goes through like this kind of list of things and apparently I think the girl's name is Diamond she got in the comments and was like my little brother plays for the national team and this is caught on her little brother is Alex Freeman and this is Tonya Freeman did you name your daughter Diamond

Tony One world I mean it's lovely but I mean okay So apparently this has been something that's caught on. And like everybody's just talking, they're not referring to Alex as Alex. He's the Diamond's Little Brother. I've seen memes.

You know, people like, you know, the Diamond's Little Brother, we got to tune in. Diamond's Little Brothers playing on Juneteenth. Everybody, you know, getting formation. You know what I'm saying? We've all, we're all circling around supporting. And like, as the days gone on and I've kind of like thought about this and thought about this, this is the first Domino. This is exactly what we want. want. You know what I'm saying? This is exactly

what we want, bro. I thought it could potentially happen in the winter World Cup, but the Winter World Cup was just very strange for a lot of different reasons. We back in the summer now, we're back in a position where we can catch the attention of really the entire sports watching American populace,

which you just can't in winter, which is why I don't know about MLS. But anyway, that's a different topic. But, like, it's become a thing. Like, Daimus Little Brother, blah, blah, blah. And this is what I wanted. You know, this is what, this is a good sign as far as where we can go. And if we keep these performances up,

when everybody's watching Diamond's Little Brother on Juneteenth in Seattle. You know what I'm saying? I mean. I'm seeing it now, man. I'm like, U.S. official U.S. soccer just, over this day, it's got like 4 million views on this thing on TikTok. out. So, like, I mean, this is legit. I mean, this is someone, I mean, I feel partially embarrassed considering that cover, well, not covering, but watching Antonio Freeman growing up as a wide receiver, obviously. And then, you know, us now having Alex be on the scene Orlando. I didn't even know anything about him having sister. So, I mean, this is, this is, but you're right. This is part of just how you get that full, consistent mainstream, you know, attention. the relatability, you know, across the board.

This is what you dream of. This is what, you know, I was saying to myself, like, wow, you know, oh, too, I wish you get this relatability for the team because we're showing first that we have to be good. Team has to be good to be able to be good. You got to be good. You got to be. No doubt. You know, and maybe good is underselling it, you know, to be really what it is.

But that is what it's all about is making sure that you can then use the full culture and just make it be something that the average fan, no matter what color they are, you know, what gender they are, what background they have, that could be just say excited. Like, I'll tell you this real quick. Like, speaking of TikTok,

when the full roster announcement was made and stuff and going to perform, there was this one Paraguay fan that came and wrote on a comment saying, what are they all getting hyped about about this? So I said, well, I mean, they're getting hype because it's just the roster announcement. So they're saying, oh, you know, this is, the scene is going to get cooked.

The U.S. fans are delusional and everything. By the way, this is a guy that didn't realize that the U.S. Paraguay played in last November in the friendly. So, but he was one of these stocking people that was like, oh, I have institutional knowledge. These Americans are average, blah, blah, blah. So let's be known. after the game happened and when I had time on

Sunday after all the next celebrations on Saturday night I made sure to give the quote reply and make a video back to that guy there but that's what you know we want our team to be able to do is then be able to have those social moments

in comment sections to really be able to clown someone in such a hilarious fashion just like it was NBA or NFL related type things of course So, Andrew, did you go to Pier 14 or whatever for the... Yeah, I was there for that. And, you know, the Tyler Adams whole, you know, Nixon 4 thing is because I wanted to ask.

I had to ask him that. I had to ask him that. You know, and, you know, that and with Western and everything there, you know, I had to ask that. I mean, it was a nice event, but it was just something weird. I mean... Look at that, bro. But you can really create... You could create your reel.

You need a matter of fact. Yeah, dude, if you, like, if you trace all the lore, I wonder how much of it goes back to one of your questions. I haven't done the research to figure that out, but it's going to be. I mean, he's just casually missed in two legendary moments. Extremely disproportionate, yeah. Guys, appreciate it, man. It's just, we just want to have entertaining moments, you know, people.

We want to make this be an enjoyable time doing this work. You know, we are not interested. interviewing full government official. We'd be serious about that. Now, yes, if there's a serious issue on the team and obviously injuries and important matters, we know

everything with Tim Webb's situation in terms of tickets and Marie still saying that. Me happened to ask that, by the way, in terms of not thinking that was going to be dramatic, but lo and behold, it became that, but it was something where that was a question that was relatable towards the topic. And again, it wasn't

trying to gin up any controversy, but it's just all about making sure that we can have this team show their personalities. Some players, you know, even if you ask them something interesting, you still may not get that much. Shout out to the good stuff. Hivey, right? Good guy, but he's not here for interviews no matter what. He just had a ball on the field with his very, very terrific skill, and that's it. And that's perfectly fine. It's just being able, at the very least, to simply have them

open up and just give them something that just shows their personality more than than just them being players. So, Andrew, how'd you break down the door real quick just to, because you know, if Adam Bells hops in a

call, there's no guarantee scuffs going to get a question. You know what I'm saying? So for you, Andrew, to be in your intranced position as you are, bro, how did you How'd you get to that? Bro, I had this door slammed in my face before I had to break it down, you know, to be real with you. I mean, the thing was is that, you know, everything that's happening with COVID, you know, really change a lot of the landscapes of the full profession. But before COVID, you know, I, you know, covered the team directly for the first time, you know, back in 2017, when we had the unfortunate moment of going through the process of, of, of,

failing to make the World Cup. And that was, of course, the Costa Rica-friendly here in New York, and when Bruce Arena came and took over the team. So I at least had like a full, like, contact there in regards to just, you know, Uiasek. And then Michael was at the time, the PR got at the time. But, you know, it was something weird, at the very least, like I had that least coverage of the team directly to be able to have them, like, recognize me before.

But it really heightened up to the level of the beginning of COVID, or in the middle of COVID, where once you had these full, you know, virtual meetings now and stuff, it allowed more of a process for those that can't travel with the team directly all the time. And let alone then them realizing that, hey, this is better for us to simply do a Zoom call so we can be able to have all the journalists talk to us, get some promo for the game, with articles written and stuff. That's what it came to be. So just when I was doing some stuff for Spotify Green Room, when Spotify thought they were going to challenge Clubhouse for, you know, full audio war battles and how that is obviously pilter out now, you know, utilize that fullness of just being Spotify for a second to be like, hey, you know, we're doing sports here.

You know, if you are having us a chance to cover the team, cover the team in terms of audio stuff. So that was me getting back in contact with Michael. and just being able to be like a trusted source or trusted, you know, journalists as just another person in there. But, you know, sometimes it was like wondering, like, man, like, am I going to get a question, get a chance to ask a question? And, oh, like, you know, it's the same people getting, you know, these questions and, like,

what's going on? Like, why is it obviously not going to be diverse in terms of certain things and how this thing is how to set up worked out? So it was still just making sure that any PR person, if they're honest with you, you have to at least give them a chance to be like, all right, I can trust this person. And this person is not going to ask something crazy about, oh, you know, how CP's full golf game and this full, you know, relationship off the field stuff, like Time magazine when it did. And that obviously pissed Christian off about asking about anything private in his life.

So it's just something where just being able to ask at least the quality questions or at least original questions allowed that trust there. Was there like a sort of a trial period that you could perceive where he was like, all right, I'm going to let him ask a couple questions to see how he does. Because I can imagine, I guess I can imagine that that might have been the case. And then you asked two really interesting questions that the players or whoever obviously enjoyed. And he was like, all right, maybe this is a great way to, because you're like, it's like a custom. I mean, you end the press conferences now. Yeah, I mean, it is, you know, sometimes, you know, it's to give and curse with that because it's the thing where you're like, damn, like, I really wanted to ask like a specific question

to somebody, you know, went and, you know, took that in the full, you know, orders it be. But, you know, if. Right, they stole, somebody stole your question. Is it like that happens, I'm sure. Yeah, and, you know, it's no fault of any, you know, other, you know, reporter in there because they don't know if I'm going to ask that question. And a lot of the questions that, you know, that we have, we are plugged into the team and plugged into what they're doing over in their clubs,

that we have a general sense of what's an interesting question to at least ask that could get, you know, an answer. But, you know, it's the thing where it's about still big outlets. And this goes not only, you know, with just in the men's national team and the women's national team, but with all, you know, any sports, you know, PR, you know, they are going to always be predisposed to go to those that are in like the recognizable outlets as an order because you'll have them complain

and be like, why wasn't I getting this whole question? And that shapes out to a thing that leads to the team thinking maybe we don't want to piss off this guy from Yahoo or ESPN in this certain way. So it's a, you know, catch 22

with that, but it's at least Michael having that respect, you know, towards me. And then also Aaron hyphen. it's on the woman's side as well, too, where he sometimes doesn't care about order. He'll just see who's first come first serve and be like, whatever. But at the very least, it's just proving that this is not a crazy person asking anything, but someone that's like a legit, you know, guy that's offering something different.

And then it leads to them feeling like that's a quippable question, and you see them posted on their social. So it's like, I'm basically doing your job almost. So it's that truck factor, you know, bells that leads to have it established. And, you know, luckily, you know, Lord willing, that's how it's come to be with it. Anybody impress you? Well, like, I mean, obviously there's been a lot of surprises in the World Cup, but anybody, any performances stick out to you?

Obviously, outside of the U.S.? I will say that first of Japan, the Netherlands game. is something that as we still feel that trauma from dealing with the Netherlands loss in the round of 16 and the way that was, you know, that was a game where those two teams have that real opportunity to be semifinals, better teams. And I don't say that lightly because,

I don't think that there's a clear-cut favorite in this tournament. And that's before the games you have taken place as we saw, obviously, with Spain, you know, in Cape Verde. But, you know, I will give Australia their love and it's fitting this is the timing of who's the next opponent is, you know, because, you know, you had a Turkey A team that Vincenza Montella, quality manager, like, they had gotten their act together by being able to push past Kosovo, you know, and get into the World Cup, Turkey A. And, you know, for Australia, with the calls that Tony Popovich went and made and having beach replaced Matthew Ryan, you know, that was a big call. Damn, what a call. I'm talking about false.

I mean, you see him make that call. The fire Tunisian man at Lamushi, he was getting ripped for replacing his

primary goalkeeper with Chimak. We saw that with. So, you know, for them to just have the quality organization that they had

considering that, you know, it's a East and Australia's side, but Australia's side that, you know, had their little bit of issues in the AFC qualifying. That wasn't like Japan in terms of wiping everybody away on the floor with it. It was impressive to see them step up and represent how people, you know, were trying to say Turkey A was right there or better even in the USA.

And it's like, hold on. Like, show you reminding us that they still have some players that can make things happen in a decent level. So, and, you know, as you, Vince Layton talked about with Nestorah Ovalhoek, uh, less than Caleb Wiley on that because we know what he did in the fall against us last year and he does that at Wapford constantly. Caleb Wally seen that in practice. For sure.

So like, we know it. So they really, to me, had that stand out because, you know, we knew that they were going to be at least a decent bit of competitor game. to begin, you know, this tournament and how Haiti has risen up and done, you know, their thing in a way to be competent. But, you know, that was the one that

stood out for me for what they did and how not a lot of people were saying to nothing or sure you winning that game. Yeah, for sure. I'm happy you brought up Haiti. Because, man, Haiti was going crazy in that match, bro. 150 miles an hour.

Bro. And so well, what's his name, John again? He scored the goal. He got man in the match or whatever. But, like, Haiti gave him a long day. You know what I'm saying? And he played well. Don't get me wrong, but Haiti put him in a bunch of different situations

where he was giving the ball away. Like sometimes he did well to keep it in tight space and keep the ball moving forward for Scotland or whatever. But, hey, man, they really impressed me. Oh, the Haitian fans are like, we got robbed. I mean, they really are upset. Now, I won't go that far, you know, with that. And, you know, they clearly show that sometimes at this level that sometimes may be adjusting the pace of play

that then lead to the opening with it, but made no mistake. You know, they show with how they handled the Kiwis the way they did and how they played the way they did in qualifying, even if it was awarded down qualifying without, you know, U.S.-Mexico and Canada in a 48-year-old. Cup, they show that athleticism and those smarts to be quick like that, is that real in the counter? So, you know,

that was something that was great. And you know, bless those in Carousel, at least you got to go. Because, you know, he's got to rough after that. Yeah, it's going to be a little bit different for them. But, but yeah, man, like people just kept talking about Haiti, like, oh, you know, I applaud Haiti for being brave and blah, blah, blah.

You know, talking about them as if, I mean, I understand they are Haiti, but they're not playing Germany. They're playing Scotland. You know what I'm like, bro, it's Scotland. Why y'all keep talking about them? I'm like, hey, you know what I'm saying? Like, they should just be kissing these dudes boots. Like, I understand they got Scott Pantam and they got.

So you guys think they were the stronger team? I didn't, I wasn't able to watch that game. That was Saturday, right? Yeah. They deserve something out that match, bro. That, like, I'd say, that's too bad. I would say, I would say legitimate. And it's because Scotland, honestly, you know, having Chey Adams try to show some pace,

but they really didn't have anyone over the top that was like, oh my goodness, this guy is going to win the match by himself up there still. Despite having Tominy and McGinn and Lewis Ferguson and them being a down to Scotland teamed and past version of Scotland recently, they still lacked a level of being dynamic. And Haiti was the more dynamic team at times, a large portion of the large portion. the match. It's just the fact that Scotland did a better job, at least in terms of maybe getting the final pass here and did.

And that's something that Haiti now has to really be mindful of because with Brazil, no matter what happened against Morocco or in beginning, Brazil leaves still wants that high level with Venetius and Rufinia to be able to make it be a basketball game, obviously.

So, you know, that's going to be a fun dynamic either way. And fittingly, on June team. also not dynamic turkey they I mean man like they couldn't even

put a glove on Australia like nobody's even move a totally static I mean everybody's just it's like you could just they just standing there it was bad

it was bad because yield is you know being with the injury that he got he had to come off the bench in the second half so you're already he brought a little something something

but Yeah, yeah, with the hamstring. So, you know, you already are down half a year to star two with him in Goulir. And then Chalinago pissed off the Australians. He pissed off the Sakaroos. And one thing you don't do with the Aussies as Mike Grilla has learned over the past, you know, full, like seven, eight months is that soccer rules are going to always be privy for no matter what sport. I mean, the Australians is going to always be prideful no matter what sport they are.

if you talk some shit towards them, excuse my language. And like, that is the thing that gave them full extra boost. And Turkey A fully felt the pressure with that. They thought that they were going to comfortably be able to pass and play. And I'm sure it wasn't organized and they thought wrong. And they're in trouble. They really are, yeah. I was really impressed with Cote d'Ivoire.

the um that's a good Ecuador team obviously and they also I mean there were the the crossbar was rung the post was wrong but it was all from Ecuador it was all stuff from distance they were not they did not they were not able to they were not able to carve up like really good clear-cut chances against Ivory Coast not very often and man that was oppressive to me. Yeah, when you're still relying on in Valencia at this age, like, you know, that's one thing with Ecuador, that's the concern, is that where will the goals come from? We know the back line is terrific. We know what they can do with Encape and Pacho with Ardenas. The back line's legit, but what's hurt them is that Kendri Pius, and this is how we hope Calvin

Sullivan, doesn't have this level of plateau. He's not the guy. He hasn't hit yet. Yeah. He hasn't hit yet. He hasn't, and it's, I mean, you know, he came on our radar when we played him and was that U-20 World Cup? Mm-hmm. Yeah, and, you know, since then, I've had my eye on him, whatever, because he cooked Josh Wander like a couple times in that match. I remember. I mean, I was making sure I had the right Wander brother in my head. I was like, hold on. But, yeah, ever since then, like, it just hasn't went on for him.

They tried to get him at Strasbord. That didn't go at the actual. I had to go back the real plate. I mean, it was, it was just something where he just has not at all shown it. And honestly, Copa America two years ago, it was like, you were waiting for something to pop, and he just never really provided that moment, you know, for them. You know, you know, they rely on John Yaboa, but he was chilling with our guy Jan Luca Buccio, you know, in Venencia. Like, he's a decent talent, you know, but he's not a guy that you could say, all right, this is our guy,

Ecuador that could be a difference maker. They don't have that guy like Luis Diaz up top at the moment because we know we see Colombia. They got the full energy like Ecuador and everything, but they have that difference maker and Luis Diaz is the way that they have. So, you know, it's just a concern for me with Ecuador that way. With the coast, you know, with Diomande and with Torre and... The Yamonde is outrageous, yeah.

That's why Jay-Z was there. He was going crazy. He was going. That's why Jake, he was there. You know, he's a rock nation client, him and Ebola. So that's why he was randomly there instead of at Brazil, Morocco, or down with the next celebration. So, I mean, I just think that's the concern with Ecuador. Shout out to the good home girls in Ecuador in terms of my people's here in New York.

But they know that when they were down there in Philly yesterday, the pain of seeing Diallo scored that goal. just showed them that they once again don't have that real striker to say this is the team that if they get out the group stage, then you'll say, wow, like they're not going to at least put two goals past me. They're going to have to have the one nothing to feed or win on penalties, and that's just hard to do at this old level like that. I see that. I wouldn't think about that way. I was just so impressed with the Ivory Coast.

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Centerbacks. Like, we were, we were, we were, fawning over Jonathan Taugh after the Germany game. Like, just a centerback who just handles things. And, man, I felt like both of those dudes back there. Like, very mobile, very physical, very composed, like, very good decisions.

And then you got those difference makers, like, in Pepe. I mean, I don't know if Pepe is a difference maker, but he's good. It's pretty good. And then he got Diomande. So I want to see him play Germany. I want to see how that goes. Oh, that's going to be still out here for Germany with that.

And even Ecuador, you know, as well, too, because, you know, yes, you know, we saw what they did to Curis out after that goal, but they're still vulnerable like they are. And, you know, they had just rough group stage access to past two World Cups. They just did. And, you know, you still got questions. about Kai Haverts at the top of that field. You do. We know the midfield attacking is phenomenal

for them. We know, like, Nathan Brown, he's emerging his left back as someone that, you know, may put Afonzo Davies on the bench in buying next season. Like, they got, they sound, but and we know Julian Nagelsman, I'd rather have him

coach the team than when Thomas Tuckel, without Tuckel, pisses all of everybody. But, you know, they have their vulnerability still, Germany. This is not the ironclad, Germany, you know, 2014 in that way. And it's a thing where they're going to make that interesting. And one thing with Ivy Coast, you know, they did that with the Amundi on the bench as a defender in Kosonu, with how he's been quality at Alonza.

They did that with them on the bench in terms of that. So, you know, Emerson S, you know, he's got that team going from when they, I mean, Emerson Files got that team going from when they went. Afcon at home and he's really got them in a solid way and that was before them beating France the way they did. All right. Vince, you got anything else? No, I think I'm good, bro. I mean. Andrew, anything you wish we had asked you? I mean, in terms of like, how long the celebration is going to go on here for the blue and orange?

I'm saying we're smoking on that wimby pack out here. But, you know, like, that's right. That's right. He got a little bit too comfortable, bro. You know what I'm saying? He's talking a little bit too, a little bit too much. Like, look, we know you coming. We know that you're just an incredible otherworldly type talent, blah, blah, blah.

But, you know what I'm saying? We got to humble you a little bit, bro. You're not just going to come over in big, bro, it's like that. They thought that he was naturally as the biggest bro, that he was faced to the league already, and that, and this is I blame in terms of media who wanted to usher, Shay Gilh, Alexander off to the side immediately, that fixated on that. And they simply thought that once they got past the thunder, that that was the real NBA

finals. And it turned out not to be. And now it makes it interesting where, like, the New York, New Jersey host committee guy was asking, say, hey, like, you. You cover women in Binyama and everything. Like you think you, you know, you know he would want to come. And I'm like, well, he's certainly not going to be there for France, Senegal tomorrow, I think, after all this.

Despite him loving his guys on France and being friends with him, how he's slanted that mic or left at press conference, I'll be very shocked if you see him immediately around. Maybe for the final, France gets to the final, but then it'll be awkward because finals here. But, you know, it's what it is. All right. Well, congrats to you and the Knicks.

Thanks, sir. To all of us in the USMNT, you know, winning their first game at the World Cup. Yeah. I mean, it was great. It was great. Long way to go, though. Let's get some rest. Thanks, everybody for listening.

Thank you, Andrew. Thank you, Andrew. Thank you, sir. For doing this. We'll put his, any links about him in the show notes. We'll see you.