Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America - #714: RBNY midfielder Adri Mehmeti joins the pod

Episode Date: August 1, 2026

The 17-year-old discusses his rise, soccer in his Staten Island home, playing for Michael Bradley, his national team future and more. 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. Welcome to the scuffed podcast. Sanjay here. I'm joined by Red Bull, New York midfielder, Audrey Mametty. Audrey, thanks for coming on the pod. Thank you for having me, man. I appreciate it. So I've started calling you Roderimetti on this podcast. Your thoughts on that? I mean, to be compared to Roger, that's something big for me.

So if you're saying that, I really appreciate it. No one's ever used that before. No, no. Like, people have said it obviously, like, and compared him to me, but, you know, other people actually saying it that, you know, I'm just meeting now. It's really cool. And I look up to him. I watch them in the World Cup City, so great player. Him and Biscets are your two guys.

Yeah. Bousquet's, then it was Roder when Bousquet's retired. Have you, a listener was wondering, have you thought about having Audrey on the back of your jersey ever, the way Pedri does? in Rodriguez-Rodrigo, I think, right? Yeah, actually I did. When I first started, actually, the second team, I wanted to put Audrey. And the kick guy just said, I'm putting Mementi because, you know, we didn't have good communication. It's like, I'm going to put Mementi, and you're going to deal with it, and I can't change it now after the first game.

So I stuck with Mementi, I didn't change it to Audrey. So you go. Mementi now. She your family like that. Yeah, of course. I do with them as well. So we're talking on match day minus one here at the incredible new, Red Bulls Training Center.

You're not playing tomorrow because you got a second yellow for dissent at the end of the last game. I thought that was crazy, by the way. I thought that was ridiculous. But you're a leader, right? You talk to the refs naturally a lot. I see you doing the good cop, bad cop, talking to refs. Can you tell us what happened there? And is that going to change your habits at all with the refs?

Listen, I mean, sometimes it's just a moment of the game. Of course, you know, you get emotional. and I think, you know, all the players understand, the coaches understand. But, again, it's a learning moment for me at the end of the day because obviously I let the emotions get, my emotions get the better of me. And, you know, the reps have been very cooperative all season long with the players, with all of us, you know, especially with Emil, you know, as him being captain. But, you know, it's just a moment where, you know, I got a little bit too crazy. You know, I was, we were going back and forth a little bit. And then, yeah, it's his decision at the end of the day.

And, you know, again, it's a big learning moment. for me and that's going to definitely change the way I approach the reps the games you know I'm not going to talk as much you know I'm going to be more easy on that so yeah again big luck big learning woman for me I think it's getting you ready for conga calf early right yeah baby man so what has this year been like for you like have you had a chance to really just take it all in maybe during the the World Cup break reflecting on how much your career has really taken off in the last six months right yeah 100% I mean, all the coaching staff, all the players have done a really good job of pushing each other.

And every day in training, whether it's a harder day or a lighter day, you know, we try to go out with 100% intensity, 100% focus to even get the little details right. You know, whether we're doing something simple and basic, try to make that as lively as possible. And again, credit to the coaching side, they've done a really good job with all the players. And they've gotten a lot of trust in me and a lot of other young guys. So I'm really thankful for that. And again, I'm just going to try to keep on going and keep playing the best best, best ones. football again. For you personally, like I'm sure it hits players in different way, like with Maddie with Jules. Like, was there a moment where you realize like, damn, I'm really doing this like this

season? Like did it happen during the season? Has it happened more recently where you just kind of like realized you're living your dream. You know what I mean? Yeah. I mean, I think after the first couple of games, you know, you start to get the minutes. Obviously the coaches again have trusted the young guys really well and given us the opportunity to showcase ourselves. And I think, Again, they've given us a lot of confidence, especially all the older guys, have pushed us in a really good way and not really giving us too much pressure to, you know, do anything like crazy. But if you make mistakes, of course, it happens because we're young. And, again, we're going to learn from those mistakes. And, yeah, again, I've taken it all in a good way.

And again, I'm trying to get 1% better every single day and be the best I can every time I step on the field. What's changed the most about your game in the past year? I think my game is the best. developed in a really good way. I think on and off the ball, I've been improving and, you know, getting better every day in training. I think the ability to cover ground has been a big thing for me. And, you know, move my feet defensively, try to make tackles and not lunge, more like move my feet and win the ball more cleanly. And that's something, again, I've been working on with big players and training, like, you know, Emil Berry Shifty player. You have Gustav Roni and a lot of other guys, Nemi, whoever's playing at the 8-6.

again, it's something that everybody tests against each other in training, and then when it comes to the game, you know, everybody's prepared, everybody's ready. Yeah, let's talk about that defensive side, because everyone sees your talent with the ball, but you obviously have a ton of responsibility playing the six. Tactically, do you think you've come a long way about where to be and when and what angles today? I know you watch a lot of film, but it's talked to us about that part. Yeah, 100%. I mean, I think being in the right spots off the ball is the biggest thing for six,

especially being in the center of the field and being that kind of one of my old coach, you say the engine there. But you should have to be always aware and always scanning. And being in the right spot is so important because if you're one step too late or one step too early, then that ball's going the other way and it's a transition. The other teams are going on a counterattack. So again, I think every day you work on it in training and then it prepares you for the game. Yeah, we see you scanning in possession obviously too.

Do you find yourself scanning outside of soccer when you're just seeing what I mean, going about life like head on a swivel like where am i what's going on i feel like sometimes i do it and i don't realize it but when i do it and realize it i'm like it's just translating you know what it's funny but i know what you mean it's good habits um you mentioned footwork and and agility uh anything you're doing specifically to work on that um that that we don't see like like in training or after training like i i would say footwork wise i think with the ball i think i'm trying to get better at turning with the ball and using my touches. So when we're in training, you know, if I can get an extra five, ten minutes with one of the coaches and Mike has done it, Mike Sober has done it a couple

times with me where he's playing me a ball and I'm trying to take a touch, turn, the pictures change, go the other way. So that's when I'm trying to, you know, continue and getting better at, which is getting better, but I want to keep on getting better at that. Defensively, same thing, you know, whether it's intercepting passes or, again, shifting my feet, don't step in too early in lunch. That's something again. You work on in training, so you're ready for the game. Yeah, because I'm wondering how much of it is just you adjusting to the speed of play versus like, okay, there's things you can actually do defensively to improve. So you're saying there are some things that have led to like noticeable growth. For sure. 100%. Yeah. I think, again,

when you work on it in training and the results show in the game, that means, you know, you're doing, you're doing something right and you want to keep doing that and not change it. If you do, like one other coaches just tell me, if you fill one bucket, if you, that bucket over flows, you go to the next bucket. What are you to work on here? And the next one, you keep on going. Playing that six, you know, having to get stuck in a lot. A lot of people are wondering about your shingards. Have you thought about getting bigger ones? And a listener wants to know, where do you get the shing guards for ants that you probably wear? All right. Where I get the shing guards, I get them on Amazon. Okay. They come in, too. So I always have an extra fair. I haven't thought about getting bigger shingards, but a lot of people see that they fall in the games.

So I might have to like strap it, shrap it with some tape so they don't fall off because it's a waste of energy kind of, you know. There's one against Charlie where it was all the way halfway line and we got a corner. I had to sprint back in the shingars firm back up. So I got to tape it or something. So yeah, it's not like you play like some pretty boy in possession. Like you get after it defensively. So I'm wondering, like, has there been like a tackle where you're like, damn, my mind? need some bigger shing guards there.

Some of the old school, like the ankle, or the actor kind of thing, you know what I mean? I mean, yeah, some of the players tell me some of the coaches, too, that you got to be careful with yourself, you know, but for me, I'm very comfortable playing with the smaller shing guards, and I think that helps me a lot. If I had bigger shing guards, I feel like I wouldn't be able to kind of be comfortable than without the ball, you know what I mean?

That's just something, I don't know, I prefer. No, I know. The ankle thing is probably crazy. that people even when I was playing like people kind of stopped doing that but now everyone um and everyone does things with the socks right that are yeah to their liking um so so let's go back in time a bit um let's talk about your dad vani right so we talk a lot about player development on this podcast soccer starting at home in the words of tom buyer uh and it seems like that really happened for you to the fullest because of your dad right he played semi pro in albania

Told your mom before they got married, he wanted to raise a pro player, right? What a legend. He had you not just kicking soccer balls, but in your bed with you, like when you were like a kid, right? Just to get that feel that touch, you know, even when you weren't even training. So, and you had to make a thousand passes, right, before we were. Before we can put when we won't. There you go. So, so, and you guys still touch the ball.

Of course. Yeah. All the time. So, like, this is incredible to learn about. Tell us about, first off, the setup in the backyard, in the basement. Yeah, yeah, I mean, first of all, my dad's helped me a lot, like you said, my mom as well. But the setup, it's not big. It's not crazy.

We have the concrete, two steps, and then we have grass. So I'll usually be on the bottom, he'll be on the top, and I'm kind of passing in balls, and he's turning and scoring. That's what she is. But we make it intense, make it intense. And yeah, I mean, get a little more specific with that if you can. Like, is he telling you, play it to this foot, like, weight it in this way? What kind of things did you do exactly? Or was it more fun?

You know what I mean? Like, how the balance between serious activities and, you know, let's just touch the ball. Let's just kick the ball. Yeah, it's always fun with him. But it's also, I wouldn't say serious, but it's, like, enjoyable to be competitive. You know what I mean? and I think sometimes like I'm kind of playing him to the correct foot and I know when I play to the wrong foot like we have a couple of cones there trying to play through the I'm trying to pass it through the window between two cones he's trying to score as quick as possible because defenders in the game are going to close so it's it's fun and competitive because we want to make it quick and we want to make it as as game-like as possible how much was him pushing you versus you loving it like Like when did like has it been you loving it since you were little and like bugging your dad to play or versus like your dad being like we gotta go do this we got to put him work you know what I mean yeah I mean he obviously helped me fall in love with the game and then after that I was always telling him let's go play let's go play let's go play and that's go play and that's where the 1,000 wall passes.

1 because all I wanted to do was play 1B1. I wanted to beat him and be happy. And he was like, no, a thousand passes, 500 left, 500, right, and then we'll play. And then, yeah, I was always bugging him. Like, let's play, let's play, let's play. And then he was like, no, no, you do this first, then I'll play with you. So it's always a deal, you know? Yeah. So you first beat him in a 1v1 when you were like 5 or 6, right? Yeah. But when did you start consistently beating him? That first one was a big moment for me. Yeah. You know, I rubbed it in his face the whole time. and he couldn't catch a break. But when I started to beat him more constantly,

I would say probably when I was like seven or eight because he would obviously still take it a little bit easy on me. But then there was a point where we played a 10 and then I'd be winning like 9, 5. And he's like, okay, I'm going to start trying now. I get a lucky touch. The ball goes in the goal. 10, 5 game over.

He's like, no, no, it's your fault. You let him go away to 9 goals. That's on you. No. Do you guys still go at it like that? Or is it like, I'm a pro player now, I can't get hurt? You know what I mean? No, we still go at it sometimes.

But we don't do as much one-by-one. We do more like me trying to threat passes into the strikers and all that. Technical stuff, exactly, you know. What soccer was on TV at home? Everything. I come home from training. I'd never be a game on a TV. Even if it wasn't like La Liga or Premier League, it'd be all being in league sometimes, you know?

I wouldn't even know what's going on. I just see soccer on the TV. But there's always a game on the TV. We're always watching. And even when I'm walking around the house, I'm always walking with a ball on my feet. He kind of got that into my head so I can help, you know, that can help me technically.

Like a small wall? Like a small ball? Yeah, size three. Okay. Did your dad have a preference in terms of style of play he wanted you to watch on TV team? I would say he loves football as well. and he loves watching good football, of course. I would say he wanted me to watch mostly Man City, the Barsas, you know,

because of how technical the players were. You had Chabinistas, you had great players on that Barsa team. So just kind of, he kind of made me fall in love with those players so I can kind of implement those things that they were doing into my game as I could grow up. Yeah, and we see it. So like you said, you're Biscuits guy, Roderie. Are those the teams you grew up, like, supporting, dream of playing for one day?

Yeah, those are teams. I've been supporting since I was young, of course. I'm still a city fan. Okay. A lot of my teammates don't like that. They say I'm a bed wagon. I don't know why they say that. But it's crazy, I know.

But I just love the football. They play, especially when they had PEP. Obviously, PEP left now. But no, I just love the football they play at end. And hopefully one day, if I could play one of those clubs, that'd be a dream come true. Yeah, he's a city fan, but he's loyal to Red Bull, New York. York, right? There was interest once upon a time from that, that other team, if I'm not mistaken, but you stay loyal to this club, right? Yeah, this club is given everything to me, and I'm just

very thankful. So I owe it all back to them. That's why I gave my 100% every single day, and this where I'm developing, this club has done so much for me. So again, I'm really thankful. So you've played at least one age group up, pretty much your whole life, right, from Steyland United on? One or two age groups? Yeah, it was one or two. Yeah, it was one or two. And you played as a six since you were like, you 13? Yes, since I was your team, yes. So has that always been in like a single pivot or are you used to playing it in different systems? Like was the game always playing through, like was your team always playing through you and you were kind of running the show or had you, you know, played a different kind of?

I think obviously how the first team and second team, when I was in the academy, of course, how the first team and second team played, that would be the academy philosophy as well. So it always changed sometimes we play in a 4-2-2-2 with two-sixes or maybe sometimes with the one-six. maybe sometimes I played to eight, you know, dropping in as a six. So it was always different. But again, I adjusted to everything well and the players around me regret. Yeah, I'm glad you mentioned that because there was a change in terms of how the club wanted to develop players around the time. Sean McCaffrey took over, right, valuing more players like you, right, like high IQ, technical. So from the time you came into the academy was that the style of play that you were,

comfortable with like what you were sold on or was there kind of like an adjustment from the old red bull way you know to to what it is now that we see with the first team and the young young groups you know what i mean yeah 100 percent i think there was a difference that especially when sean came in he kind of the whole the whole philosophy changed even without sean like with the first team and second team and then sean came in and he tried to add that to our game because why can't we do both you know what i mean like we had the rebels always known for pressing pressing pressing but we also have great football ideas and And especially when I was in the academy, Sean always used to call me a rule breaker because I was always so good with the ball.

But I wasn't the best off the ball. And Remples was always, wow, these guys are great pressures. You know, they work, they work. And again, that's something I had to develop as I kept going. But when the philosophy changed that, hey, we can play football too. If I just got that, then, you know, I would be in going in a good way if I got both down. What age group would you say that? That change was really noticeable?

You're saying when the philosophy changed? While you were here? Or was it like, yeah, my question is like, was it like that pretty much the whole time you're here? Because people look at, you know, you joined in 2019. Yes. Right? And Sean came in around that. And so, like, was there a transition from, from that old style to, to the new style?

Or was it? And philosophy. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. 100%. I think. When I look back at it, like I said before, the rebel philosophy.

philosophy before was, you know, work hard, press, and obviously we had some football in us. I would watch the first team, but again, that's what Red Bulls known for. And when Sean came in for the academy, I would say that we started playing more football. And the coaches started to add into training sessions, build up play, being brave to play, you know. Like from the very beginning when you were. When Sean first came in. Yeah. Yes.

Yeah, yeah. Okay. But that was like around the time you came in too, right? Well, I was in the pre-academy before. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I was known to the Red Bull pressing stuff. And when Sean came in, it was like, we're switching. Yeah, gotcha.

Not switching, but adding. Yeah, adding. Because you guys still get after them without the ball. Of course. We want to do that too. We want to put teams in games like that too. So another thing I talked to Sean about a while ago, there's a big conversation about winning versus development in new soccer.

But the club prioritized winning MLS Next Cup with you, Jules, Mattie, right? And you guys did that that year, 23, right? After you lost GA Cup that year, right? But you came back on won the last next cup. In hindsight, how valuable do you think it is to wait? Like with these guys coming up, like later on in your career, how well does it serve you guys to have won a championship like that? I think looking back at it for a lot of us, especially me, Jules and Maddie, I think that was the year like we all realized, okay, we have a pathway. you know what I mean and I would say that's the year we also had the biggest skyrocketed our development because after you 15 then you know you have conversations with okay can he get to the

second team and can you push himself to to match that intensity match the speed of play and again you look back at it and you realize you remember when we won that championship you know you talked to jules and mad you remember won that championship you know and it translates here hopefully even here we can win that unless cup and then it'll be history you know yeah that would be that'd be great. And then, yeah, I mean, even before you got to first team, you win X pro too, right? So that's another same kind of thing where, you know, looking back, that helped you develop a lot? 100%.

I think even Michael, when he came in, it was Ibra for like first six months. Then Michael came in for the last six months, I think. And Ibra gave me the captain's Arbin and Michael, let me keep it, which helped me a lot. I would say develop that maturity because, you know, that helps. me a lot and that's going to keep helping me a lot, keep growing for the rest of my career. You know what I mean? So that was, I was really thankful when they gave me the captain's arm band to lead the team and, you know, make history.

Yeah, we'll talk about my goal in a second, but just your leadership style. How would you describe yourself, you know, as a leader, especially when you're, you know, in a locker room with guys who are, a lot of guys who are older than you. And also, how do you think your teammates would describe you as the leader? All right. So for me, I think I try to be vocal and positive towards my teammates. You know, if there's a good action or if someone sets the tone, I try to, you know, hype them up so they can keep on going.

And, you know, whether it's training or games, same thing. I try to give them encouragement to keep on going. And my teammates, I would say, it's funny. Obviously, because I talk a lot to the ref. They kind of joke about, you know, like my hand signals and all that. So it's funny, but they know the kind of person I am by now. They know, you know, how passionate I am, I think. So I try to be as passionate as possible.

I try to, you know, give as much a career to my teammates as possible. Has anyone here brought up Tyler Adams to you? Anyone who's been here for a long time mentioned Tyler Adams. Have you ever had a chance to talk to him? Because obviously a lot of people make the comparison to a young player at your position, who's a leader, taking control. the team? I would say recently no, but

when, before I signed, I think a lot of people said that there's a similar pathway for me there that he had, like when he went from first team to Leipzig, and then beyond their Premier League. But recently, no, but I think before a lot of people said that you can have that

pathway if you just keep doing the right things and, you know, go offence close. When, let's talk about Michael, when he took over the second team, showed you guys some clips of Barsa, right? And that felt doable? Yeah, that was fun. You said you didn't watch him too much.

That makes me feel really old, by the way. Sorry. But is there anything you remember him about, remember about him as a player? Like, what does get in your memory? I mean, obviously, like you said, I haven't watched too much. I didn't watch it much growing up.

obviously I know he had a great career as a player and he also says he wants to have an even better one as a coach. But obviously he played with the national team. He captained the national team. And when, you know, I think of Michael, I think mostly of that. Of course, he had a great club career, but I think mostly of that because of the impact that he had in U.S. soccer and U.S. football. So it's, you know, it's something that, you know, it's great to have him coaching me because obviously he's playing the same position and to learn from him to see how he knows. coaches and how he carries himself, you know, that's great to see. And I'm very thankful for him to be my coach. You mentioned the national team with him. Have you seen that goal versus Mexico? You've seen

that right? Yeah, the chip, like kind of like chip or volley. Yeah, yeah, yeah, is that yeah. You think you pull that off one day? I hope to. I don't know how I think so, but yeah, how is he as a coach? You feel like there's a specific tone that he cultivates in the locker room or a way he adjusts for the number of young players in the roster? Um, Is there like a mantra, like a focus he really plays up for the team, especially the young guys? First of all, I think he's a great coach. And like I said, he's very passionate about what he does. And he wants to have a great coach in career.

And I know he will, and I hope he does. Like I said, he pushes us every single day. He sets the standard very high. So everybody has to be 100% every day and dialed in, focused, and push each other. Because that makes him better, that makes all the staff better, that makes us better. and eventually, you know, we want to, everybody wants to make it even further. So we have a great group, honestly. We have a great group.

And everybody, the bond is there on and off the field. So no complaints about anything. And again, he's a great coach and he's been doing really well with us all season. People perceive him as, you know, this serious, intense guy, this leader, right? He's very meticulous. But there's got to be a side to him that maybe we don't see, especially the way he's working with young players and getting the most out of you guys, right? Yeah, of course.

And he's young himself too. He's young himself too, so he knows kind of all the jokes and stuff with the young generation nowadays. But obviously he has that serious side of him on the field, of course, and everybody understands that. That's completely normal, completely fine because that's what you want in a coach, of course, and to push you and to make you better every single day. And then off the field, of course, you know, we have jokes and all that, you know, especially when the older guys make fun of the young guys. He's always laughing there.

So it's great. You know, that we have that bond with a, you know. everybody in the group. Does he jump into training a lot? No. You can see that? No, no,

okay. Because I saw some clips the other day, like Chavi Lonzo, like training with Chelsea on yeah, yeah, but what's your relationship

like with him? Like, he clearly believes in you in a big way, played the same position, like we said, and yeah, obviously you had the arm band

with him. How close to you guys and what's that relationship? Like, he's obviously pushing you art, but I'm sure there's, there's a lot more

to it on and off the field, right? Yeah, we have a great relationship, I would say. And I think, again, Michael helps me a lot in a really great way, on and off the field to make me a better player, to make me a better person, to keep maturing on and off field in my game. I would say, again, there's a side to it where on the field, you know, it's serious, and when can we have video moments, you know, so we can go over clips and all that and, you know, see what I'm doing well here,

something I can get better at. And again, like you said, he's played my position. So it's great to learn often. And then off the field, again, we have a great relationship, and he has a great relationship with all the other guys. So it's very easy to communicate with him, I would say, and he's very expressive. So it's not like it's hard to communicate or, you know, to talk to him.

He's very, very easy to talk to. How often, like, when you guys leave the facility, when you go home, are you still, like, watching and fail communicating by that kind of thing, like tactics? I mean, I would say, no, not out of the facility. Yeah. In the facility, mostly that's where it all happens. Okay.

Because that's why we come in earlier, then we have the hour or maybe after training, you know. But again, we have video, we have huddle, so the players can watch the training back and kind of look at themselves because that's where the balance comes in. How can you develop yourself and how can you develop with the coaches? How can they help you and how can you help yourself? So it's a good balance.

Yeah. Yeah, it's amazing the tools the young players have now. Yeah. Let's talk about the national team a bit. So you've played for Albania. and the U.S. under 15s. You haven't been in the youth national team camp since then, right? It's been a while.

How are you thinking right now about your international future? For me, I'm still open to anything. I mean, obviously, like you said, I've played with both national teams at the UK teenage group. And all of them, both of them were both different experiences. You know, both nationally playing different ways. Off the field, how they do things, it's different, of course. And again, I'm still open to.

to anything. The national teams have good respect for me and I have good respect for both of them. Obviously, my parents come from Albania. I was born here and obviously they came here and America gave them the opportunity to, you know, create a great life and, you know, again, listen, I'm open to anything. I'm open to both. So I respect both nationalities. Did you visit Albania a lot growing up? Yeah. That's where I learned to swim, actually. My dad just threw me in the deep and I just gave swimming back. I swear. I'm like, what do you do it. The rest of the day, 30 minutes later, I'm going as far as possible coming back. I'm like, dude, I got this.

You speak the language at home as well? Yeah, sometimes. Okay. Would you play for the U.S. under 20s or are you and or the club, like when it comes to getting released, obviously, because that's a thing and you have a big role here? Are you, would you say you're waiting for a senior team call up or are you open to the under 20s? listen like you said whatever whatever they call me into i'm very thankful and grateful of course uh whatever it is first team u20 u 19 it could be anything but again it's when the time is right of course to go into those camps and all that because it depends you know how many games we have here

is there a break or am i able to go at this moment but listen again uh i'm very thankful when they call me up because it shows that i'm doing something right and i'm going at a good way so When they call me up, it's a great opportunity. Yeah, and we talked about this before, about earlier in your career, but if you got called up to the U.S. and say they're playing something like closer to double pivot, is that a big adjustment for you, or do you think playing with the partner?

How much does that change, playing with someone else a little bit deeper? Yeah, it's a different style. It's a different way of playing because you have to get used to whoever's next to you, and it depends the formation. Because if you're playing two pivots, then something else is different in front of you. If you're playing one pivot, then you have the two-eighths. sometimes and the three, three attackers.

So I wouldn't say it's really a difficult thing that I would have to get used to, but it's something different. Do you like staying deeper and directing, or is there part of you that maybe is open to, like, oh yeah, I'll drift a little bit further and see if I can do something closer to goal, you know, arriving, that kind of thing? Yeah, I think I do a bit of both. I think the style here helps me do that. And, you know, to kind of illustrate behind the ball, like, and, you know, break line.

because that's what I want to do to play forward as quick as possible. And then it also gives the opportunity to get into the box. I had a lot of good moments where I got top of the box against Charlotte and could have had a shot. I had a shot, a good save from the keeper. But again, it gives me a lot of freedom in our system to get at the top of the box and knowing that the guys behind us are going to protect the space behind me. And if I'm going up, then one of the eight is protecting the space behind me.

That banger's coming, man. I know Jules is getting a lot of the goals this season, but I can see you getting closed. Julius get in the right spots. I'm like, I'm really happy for it. A lot of people say it happens, but that's a dine's bread and butter for me. Yeah. If you were doing that, you're doing your job. So we saw you and Joel's links with Captain Sullivan, right, towards the end of the World Cup.

Do you guys talk about, or even just you and Jules here, do you talk about the potential of your generation for soccer in America? I mean, yeah, no. I would say we talk about, obviously, there's a big, there's a big future for U.S. soccer. I like to call it football. I don't like to call it. It's football. But, yeah, there's a lot of young players coming up. And, you know, everyone's really excited for the future.

Of course, you know, you have a lot of great young players in MLS, overseas. And, again, we try to talk about it sometimes, you know, but we're ultimately focused about how we're developing in our club. And hopefully one day we can be, you know, the next generation, the next one's up. What do you think about the World Cup? We can talk about the U.S. for a bit, but also just like generally. experiencing a home World Cup? Yeah, the World Cup was great.

I mean, I try to watch all the games. I watched all the games besides when you had training. You couldn't watch, of course, but that's okay. But again, it's a great experience. This happens every four years, and to have it here in America, it was great, honestly. The U.S., listen, I thought they had a good group stage. They had a good group stage. They played against Bosnia.

They got the red card. Of course, Badlug when it got overturned, but they won that game. And then against Belgium, I think they fell a little bit short. But listen, when you play in your country, when you're the host nation, you have a little bit of that pressure, of course, against a great team like Belgium. They have great players. They're known for their football. So, again, it's a good start. It's a good start for the U.S.

And they're going in a good way. They'll bounce back. I'm assuming you duels of Mattie are pretty close on and off the field, right? Is that you'd say you're tight width around here? 100%. Is there anyone in this league with better drift than Julian? Anyone in this building, maybe? In this building?

I would say, Jewel's has good drip. Jules has good drip. I would say, though, Justin. Justin Chet. Okay, okay. I think he has better drift than Jules. Oh, wow.

I think he does. I like the way Justin dresses. But Jules is honestly top. I kind of copy his fit sometimes. But I would say, say Justin has a bit more of a mature fit because you're a little bit older. You know what I mean? Yeah.

So, yeah. That's interesting because Jules, his drip has stood out to this podcast from the job. But Justin, I think, yeah, we got to go back and check. You got to check it out. And tell us about yourself off the field. Any hobbies, interests, how you kill your free time outside of football. You're clearly, football is clearly in your blood. Yeah.

Right. Philly Ball's life. Yeah. I'll go home and train. I'll hold it not. Of course, I like to train with my dad and stuff for fun. But, no, I like to spend time. My family, you know, video games, all that.

You know, for going out after training with some teammates, like with the younger guys, golfing, go-karting, whatever it is, arcade. That's obviously fun. Any music? You're into what you listen to before a game? Any music you're really into? Not a big music guy. Really?

I'm just on TikTok. Okay. Yeah. Audrey, thank you so much for coming on the pod. No, I appreciate it, man. Thank you for having me.