Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America - #724: Poch (implicitly) warns Cavan not to get cocky, Gio scores

Episode Date: September 8, 2026

Cavan scores again. His enthusiasm for playing for the USMNT, and his liquid jaw in media appearances, maybe edge over into cockiness a bit for Poch, and the coach (without directly naming him) warned that young players who haven't proved much should put their heads down and work. Fascinating stuff. Vince and Sanjay talk it over. Also Gio scored, Sanjay believes Tyler Adams played well because he saw it online (Vince notes he was preyed upon by Harvey Barnes on his way to a banger), and much 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 scuff podcast. We're back, man. It's Labor Day and we are laboring. Once again, it's a Monday review. I got myself here with Mr. Sanjay Sousaath-Kumar. Sanjay, how you doing? I'm doing good. Good to be with you. Eventful weekend. And we got some more news this morning from the man with the plan. so excited to get into it. But firstly, let's wish a happy birthday to the boss man, Adam Bell's.

The only thing I remember about Bell's birthday is him and Waki had the same birthday. So, Waki, if you're out there, have birthday to you as well. But, you know, America, what's more American than working on Labor Day? You know what I'm saying? That really distills it all down

to the nitty-gritty, to our ethos and pathos, if you want to really, learn what America's about. So here we are, man. And we got some great, the reason why we had to be here, we couldn't skip this week. Because we got some, we got some, there's news all around. Let's start with the great. Let's start with the great news over in Strasbourg, France. They played, they played twas. I don't know how you pronounce it, but anyway, they played them. And Mr. Giovanni Raider scored himself a goal, didn't he, Sanjay? The renaissance.

is happening knock on wood knock on every piece of wood in sight brother you need to hug a tree but now honestly I thought he was better

last week but he gets the goal me too this week and he had he had a dangerous moment before the goal as well with his left foot in the box and I thought

there goes his chance. He's probably going to come out soon. But no, he gets good work to get the shot off quickly with his left. It's deflected, but you make your own luck. He's like kind of running around. He's getting there? We know what he does on the ball, but that for me is what I'm intrigued by. He's doing some stuff.

His manager is calling him out incessantly if you watch the game. All you hear is just, Geo, Geo! I thought it was one of those things you think you're triven. And then I saw Marcus, Marcus tweeted it. I was like, all right, yeah, it's not just me. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Right, right, right, right. And I think we got some, I think we got some quotes from the game, after the game, from the manager,

where he was basically saying, you know, geo, when you're playing this 4, 2, 3, 1, GEO's at the middle of it, you know, he got some defensive responsibility. We know what he could do on the ball, but we want to get that out of. him so that's why that's why he's hollering at the man that's why he's hollering at him and you know like you said sanjay i was much more impressed with last week's performance than this week's um but he got the goal and and you know that that moment that you alluded to before the goal you know that was a nice piece of work kind of receives a ball left side of the box is marked um and and chops it from his right foot over to his left and gets a nice little snapshot off

That was saved, but, you know, it is what it is. But, yeah, there's not much as far as creation yet. He was involved in Strasbourg's second goal as well, whether, you know, I'm actually kind of, so they're doing the thing on like the left side of the pitch. Somebody's played into the cutback zone. Somebody plays a cutback. Cupback comes to Gio, and Gio swings at it with his left foot. Oh, yeah, he whiffed.

He whiffed. Right, right. And the result of that. of the whiff or the scuff or whatever you want to call it is basically a perfect square ball to his teammate who then gets a shot. It gets a shot off. It is saved and then the ball comes right back to him and he scores.

But you, look, if you didn't know any better, you might think that's a pass. We'll counter as a hockey assist. We'll count it. Well, we'll count it. Yeah, yeah, for sure. Counter and one. Hockey assist.

Yeah, so look, I'm enjoying watching Strasbourg play. Nanasi that is on the same side with Gio like their winger over there that Gio kind of combines with a lot he's a good player the dude on the other side I think he might be like Moroccan maybe Algerian or something he's a live wire as well they got some they got some nice attackers I've enjoyed watching this team they got some they got some talent and they seem to definitely have an understanding how to play together on the pitch for sure that that's like very very

obvious. And so I'm, I'm enjoying watching Geo play with Strasbourg and everything. I need to see, I do need to see more though. I do need to see more, but I'm being patient. Hopefully, I mean, because look, he's trying to figure out how to play with this new body and all this different

stuff. As much as we're trying to figure out how to assess his performances with this new body and this, I guess, diminished athleticism. I don't want to be negative about it, but like he has not had a run of games kind of sense all these things have happened to him, you know?

And so I am I'm willing to give him some time and, you know, all soccer players need confidence, I mean, or whatever. Like, you know, Cavan gets going on his run. It took him, you know, now he's officially rolling, but it took him a little bit to get those starts, get his

his seat legs under him, and really start asserting itself on this pitch. And I mean, and this is to say nothing from Gio with like moving to a new country, getting acclimated to new teammates, etc., etc. transition time in his life he's expecting a kid you know like a lot a lot going on for him and we're happy for him we're happy all that stuff but yes we're happy for him he is getting he's he has a place that believes in him it seems and he is getting coached and he has a he's getting coached up he's

kind of crazy he's kind of crazy right how good this fit is like like like again not come with we're all holding our breath but um yeah they're enjoyable enough to watch we're like my alarm went off on Sunday morning. I was ready to sleep in. I went to an Ed Shear in concert. I got home late. Brie be everywhere. I only go to MetLife for soccer events now and Ed Shear and I'm damn sure not going for Jets games. I'm in love with the shape of you. Come on man, let's go. I would have been in there kind of grooving a little bit. So yeah, my alarm went off and you know it would have been easy to just tap out, sleep in, why scouted, but, you know, the way Strassburg plays did make me want to, like, it's not like we're waking up to watch a relegation scrapper, you know what I mean?

Like, we've seen plenty of our guys play on those kind of clubs, but no, I'm enjoying watching it. Hopefully it keeps going. Geo's got confidence, you know, some might say arrogance to him, and that reminds us of... Well, hold on, hold on, hold on. But before you go forward, and that was a nice segue, Sanjay. I'm going to give that to you. I'm sorry I had a step on it. But before you go forward real quick, because I'm going to help some people out.

Geo is over in France, right? Playing in League on. And therefore, people need to be informed how to get League on TV. I'm going to tell you the cheapest way. I'm going to tell you the cheapest way. I've had been since I've become a soccer fan. because, you know, I don't, I don't poo-poo the French League. I respect it greatly, okay?

I respect, I've always been a French League, League on, back when it was Uber Eats, McDonald's. You know what I'm saying? I'm a respecter. I'm a respecter. So this is what you do because I feel like people are going to be inclined. They didn't do it for Flo Bolligan for whatever reason. They didn't do it for Tannettism.

But now the G.Rena's over there. I feel like people are going to be inclined to maybe fork up that money for a BN subscription. First of all, misconception number one, because I saw Jonathan Tanner, I'll talk about this. He tweeted. He was like, oh, you'd be forgiven for not watching Giorana because of their TV deal in the United States. All right. This is the simplest, most straightforward streaming package that you can get for a soccer league in the United States. You know what I'm saying? If you get Peacock, you're not getting on the Premier League games. You're not. You need a cable subscription along with Peacock. If you get B in sports, you get an auto league on games. So let me tell you

how to do this. Sling TV. They got a BN package, $5.99 a month. Back when they had La Liga, it used to be $10 a month. This is the most value for money in the modern economy you're going to get. This is somebody losing some of their offerings

and giving you a discount on it. So let me tell you, person, if you are inclined to get some BN sports, sling the BN package, $6 a month. $6 a month. You can't beat it. That's cheaper than peacock. I pay for all these things.

That's cheaper than Paramount Plus by like, you know, 50%. I want to say. That's cheaper than the, what are the other streamers? Maybe not cheaper than Fandango. But just so you all know, man. Cheaper than ESPN Plus as well. So just so you all know, man. $6.

$6. All right? Yeah, Gio, Tan Man, Tim Wea, pardon. McKenzie's still there for a bit. Flow, for now. If he gets released from a dungeon. I got to say, a lot of people, when I tell them, I'm a soccer journalist,

they ask you right away who your club is. I gave up on Everton a while ago because I couldn't just, between the Jets and them, I couldn't do it, man. I couldn't do it. To a lot of our scuffed friends this, but yeah, I'm kind of relieved that the Everton, he's not going to Everton in hindsight. Like I was, you know, it's confirmation bias. We're telling ourselves this will be cool.

Now that's not happening. I don't mind it. No shade to Everton. Or not too much shade because they got a nice result, right, this weekend. No shade, no shade at all. But maybe some shade. Well, when all is revealed, I will be fully ready to shade Everton because I don't have any stock.

I don't like Jordan Pickford anyway, et cetera. Yeah, speaking of the Prem, how's that for a segue? Yeah, go ahead, go ahead. Someone who will be headed to Manchester City eventually. Who knows if he'll end up playing for them, hopefully he will. But he has the confidence. I wouldn't call it arrogance at this point. I don't think it's fair.

I think it's charisma, really. Gio, if you want to say there's arrogance there, that's one thing. but I think Kavana is confidence and charisma and, yeah, like, I don't think. So we'll give, well, first off, we'll talk about his performance this weekend. Another goal does really well to, I mean, I'm sure everyone's seen it, you know, does really well to stay with the play and follow up. What's that I'm playing? What's up? Who were they playing?

Montreal. Montreal, yeah, yeah, okay, yeah. So he does really well to put them up. I think it was their second goal, right? I think so. But it was, I mean, regardless of it was second, first, whatever. You might say this is kind of like a gimmie or something like that. I think it was a Loski, got in behind the Montreal defense.

It kind of became like a one-on-one with the keeper. I mean, it was definitely one-on-one with the keeper. He couldn't dribble the keeper, I think. and then the ball kind of squirted out and wants the keeper got a touch to it and there's Kevin Johnny on a spot but he smoked his ball you know like it was

it was a gift of an opportunity for him for the ball that just squirt out and for him to first of all he made the run he hustled to get there he made his own luck kind of accelerated right but when he got there he smoked the ball and that was nice to see you know all the other

stuff is probably not a repeatable process or like anything skill related necessarily. But the actual shot on goal, that's something. You know, just to have that ball striking ability, I mean, which we know, we know he possesses it, but it's like every time you see it. You want to see repeatable processes, you know, when it comes to rating players. You want to see them do it over and over again and really know that they possess

these skills and see them put those skills into play. So, yeah. Yeah, he placed it well. He plays it really well. But there was a clip that went, I guess, he could say viral about, you know, him talking about how he could have come off the bench in the Belgium game. And he didn't say, like, he didn't say it like, if I was there, I would have come in and done something. You know what I mean?

Like, he was, it came from an area of confidence, like, damn, I wish I was there, kind of thing. Right, right, right, right, right, exactly. So that's, that's an important distinction. Yeah. Where it's like, now these dudes is bumps. They're not Kevin Sullivan. They needed me. Yeah, they needed me.

You know what I'm saying? So it sounds like, and this was on Alexi Lawless State of the Union, I want to say. Yeah, it was a good interview. You guys should listen to it overall. And you'll... Ah, hold on, Saj. No free ass, man. Alexi got to come out of pocket for that, man.

Come on, go on, go on. Come on, go on. But, like I said, important distinction, it was not these dudes are bums. They really needed a Kevin Sullivan. and you saw why they needed a Kevin Sullivan, it was just like, if I had that opportunity, I think I could have got something done out there. But anyway, so what happened in the fallout that we learned this morning?

Yeah, so Marista Pocetino was on a call with the small group of reporters, and this is from Paul Teno's piece on it. While the U.S. coach did not mention Kevin Sullivan's name, Potchino's response felt pointed toward a recent interview that Kevin gave that we just referenced. Pots said, we were very happy to have all these. potential good players being young and with a possibility to perform and to play. Only we need to be careful, no. We need to be careful because when you are young, of course,

you need to be confident. You need to have the trust in yourself and believe that you can perform and you can do well. But I think there is a limit. And he goes on to say, if you play well, you're 17, 16, 18, and you play well and people start to talk like you're Leo Messi or you're a big star in the world because you do a few good things. If you factor, like, you get the gist of it. He says, you know, we want players, you know, playing improving every day, being humble, being careful when they talk in the media. He said that explicitly. And, yeah, I mean, that's, you know, he said they need to be respectful. So you get the point.

He's saying, like, it's one thing if you're messy. You can talk with certain arrogance, but even messy, never are you going to hear him talking in this way? So I get where he's coming from. But first of up, Messi's a very introverted person. I wouldn't compare him to Cabin Sullivan. Kevin Sullivan has the charisma that America is craving in a superstar and unfairly criticizes Christian Polisic for lacking when he's injured or not playing well. It's unfair to him, in my opinion.

But yeah, he's not – we've talked about it on here. Like, Kevin has that swagger to him. So it sounds like we are going to see him. this in this window. Pach also talking about young players on this call said, Philadelphia has good young players, good kids, that maybe we will call a few of New York, yes,

Orlando, Nashville, I can keep going now. And that quote is courtesy of a friend of the pie, Jonathan Tannewald. Who you just mentioned. But yeah, I mean, what do you think about this, Vince? I guess a part of me is happy that he's kind of consistent

as far as being careful what you say in the media kind of thing because you know he came down on Tim Weyer for talking about he came down on Tim Weyer for talking about ticket prices at the World Cup also coming down on Kevin Sullivan for I guess projecting confidence when he shouldn't be

when he has not established himself on the world stage yet all this is understood but I guess mainly I'm just like shut you all that stuff you know what I'm saying like Like, I don't want to... Potch is old school, but I don't think this is like something. Like, Cabin's going to get into camp.

They're going to get along great. It's going to be fine. I don't think it's a thing either. It would have been nice to maybe hear how you said it, but this wasn't like an official press conference kind of thing. Just like a round table, I guess, a little precursor to... But before he puts out the roster for this next in-comer window. but I

I'm thinking like why did he even have to say this at all but whatever man whatever I'm not I'm not getting worked up about any of this stuff it just is what it is I guess ultimately but he's his old school

yeah yeah yeah and that's the thing you just got to accept that and and just move on you know what I'm saying because like the thing that trumps all this all this stuff that I might not like that he says or whatever is like, you know, the scenes from the World Cup, Giorana scores the goal, the way he runs over and celebrates with the team. And like, you know what I'm saying?

That's a real, the way he galvanized his team once they really started to, I mean, specifically in the World Cup when they really started to take the form and the shape that he wanted to have and we really saw his imprint on the team or whatever. Like, because, I mean, even in the pre-World Cup friendlies we had work to do right i mean i remember calling out some of our counterpressing against like senegal whatever and then when the world cup comes out we're flying we're counterpressing teams to hell like as soon as we lose the ball all this different type of stuff and you see how the team reacts to the barbecue king the man with the plan mariso pastino so uh overall that cancels out any of this other stuff that i kind of deem silly that he says so it just is what it is

yeah i think cabin i think it's just you know an early message to come and put your head down and work i think those guys are going to do that anyway they're going to be thrilled to be in that environment um you know a lot of them together but it's it's they know why they're there and yeah potch all the players love potch so um it's gonna be fine like there is going to be a lot of attention though on cabin the american uh sports media machine already you know he's on the radar and he hasn't been capped yet and he's going to turn if he's called up he's going to

turn 17 during this camp so so like there's going to be you know and and we're expecting a debut like this is the this could be the cabin camp but obviously no one's bigger than the team i think that that's where potcha's coming from but uh i kind of wonder i wonder if like if he starts becoming a regular on the national team and he starts cooking i like christian polisic way back when if like it's really going to break into the mainstream. Because I remember I became aware of Christian Polisic while he was going crazy and qualifying. I didn't know what we were doing. I wasn't a fan then.

I didn't know what the U.S. Minnesota team was doing. All I saw was a lot of football accounts that I followed at the time tweeting out Pulisic in all caps. You know what I'm saying? Constantly. It was like a constant thing. I'm like, bro, this man must be going crazy. I didn't look any of it up.

But I feel like maybe Kevin getting called in and going crazy for the national team off the back of the World Cup where we might have more eyes on ourselves than usual. Maybe that really breaks, man. He's in MLS too, right? That's different. Yeah, fair, fair. All this stuff could combine and make something magical for sure. So it remains to be seen.

But shout out, Kevin. I don't know if you, I don't think you mentioned as Sanjay, but he hit the, what, he hit the LeBron talk to Tully? Yeah, yeah, that just speaks to the charisma, right? He's talking about lobbying, lobbying LeBronan, and Bron to come to a game, following back on Instagram maybe. I love this. Like, America's going to eat this up.

So, speaking of which, so we had Braun, Bron was in the news over the weekend. because he unveiled on social media partnership with Polymarket. So I just want to take a second here to thank our patrons. We're always grateful for your support. And I'm especially grateful nowadays because we do a bit of advertising on the free feed, right? But patrons, you get to skip that if you're not a patron, jump in. but yeah there's a there's a prevalence of gambling companies and prediction markets

in our society now and I'm not anti-gambling to be clear I'll bet before I'll bet again but you know it's advice as my mother says you know anything of too much is good for nothing it's addictive right and kind of like drugs and alcohol um like you know gambling too. I know I've had family and friends who have been affected by those addictions in the worst way. And I just want, and we don't take, we're proud of the fact that we don't take any money from gambling companies or prediction markets and we never will. And a big reason why is because of the support of a patron. So thank you. Again, this is not, this is not, this is not a lot of people are talking about, you know, sports being rigged and stuff after what happened in the

Michigan game this weekend. I don't know if that had anything to do with gambling in prediction markets, but that was crazy. But yeah, I just wanted to talk about it because it's, it really became, it's gotten out of control ever since it was legalized in, the effort came from my state, New Jersey, and now it's everywhere. And it's, you can't win at the end of the day. The book always wins. If you're really good at it, they're going to squeeze you out. That's how it's set up. It's designed to squeeze people. There's a huge social cost.

That's what's so crazy about it. It's crazy. If you're too good at it, they're going to shut you down, and you're going to have to figure out a whole bunch of a certain rigmarole to get your bets in anyway. So, you know, you know the game stacked against you. Also, just for me, like, if you saw the scuff DMs, pre-World Cup, Kalshi, etc., was beating our door down, brother. And we decided to take none of that just because, I mean, look,

yeah I don't necessarily believe I'm not I'm not a gambler I'm not and it's not to go against anybody likes to place a little friendly wager here and there but I have seen some lives run to it etc and I think there's just better ways to make you money

but but yeah once again we're sitting from a privileged position if we did not have the the great 2,000 or so patron that we do, maybe we have to make some business. Yeah, to be clear, this is not a dig at any, anyone else in this space or in sports media who does take, you know, advertising revenue from those companies. But just be, be wary of what you're getting yourself into before you do so. I guess would be the message here.

We'll see what happens with prediction markets, but it's adequate. control now in our country. The way it's, I have some experience as a teacher and I've learned how it's being socialized with kids younger and younger and it's, it's traveling in. I don't bet often, like you just said here and there, a future thing probably the worst was, this was not even the last time I bet. I put money on baiting out of the season. These are the kind of bets I make like Heisman, future champion, whatever, for Dortmund to win the league when Holland was there. Remember the last day when they blew it? I think that was the last thing.

But anyway. Giorina would have been a hero, man. Maybe like six gold contributions in that, in that, in that Ruck Runda, to lead them boys to the, you know, to the position that they were in. But yeah, truly blew it. So anyway, let's transition to a man that, I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty certain it's never made any bets in his life. This is a good, disciplined young man. to Eunice Musa over in Milan, Italy

once again starting and going 90 again for Milan as they draw 1-1 against Yuvei. They played I don't know about the A, the fully A team Christian Polisic is still not back in playing yet. I mean, he was on the bench, but I mean

he's just on the bench, I think, for ornament, like a decoration or something like that. Yeah, we got an an Amoryam quote, I'll find it, you keep going. he um but we got the a midfield is the point i wanted to make uh modridge on the pitch rabbiot also on the pitch and eunice musa was able to remain on the pitch even with um robbie on the pitch not somebody who you would think maybe would would take unis's spot in that double pivot next to um madridge but no no that's not that's not the case unis goes he plays against uveh and probably had his word

worst match? I think you would expect that based on the first two opponents they played and then you know you go play Juventus. He, uh,

yeah, it was just a, it was just a lot of give and take. There were a lot of, uh, silly. There were sloppy. There's sloppy.

That's what I'll say. Um, there was some sloppiness, some giveaways, some stuff, some decisions that maybe he should have made quicker, etc. But also you saw,

you saw some Eunice Musa stuff. You know, receive the ball deep in his own half. Made the tight Eunice Musa turn. Carried it 50 yards of the pitch. Now that only happened once. Most of the rest of the match was just him kind of keeping possession. A few backpasses here and there. Him also settle in possession in some sometimes chaotic situations.

So it was a give and take. But you know what? I will take that performance against Juventus. We all know he has some growing to do. But once again, similar to Geo, it seems like he has the backing of a manager and the belief to where he's going to get coached up and he's going to be able to progress. And this is what we need to see. And once again, I always got to mention this one Eunice Musa.

You see some of the vintage Eunice Musa touches and turns and drives up the pitch that we became accustomed to. you know, seeing him go crazy against Mexico, El Salvador, et cetera, et cetera. This has not always been the case in his professional minutes. And now, I mean, for this, in these first three matches from Milan, at least once a match, we're seeing, we're seeing vintage Eunice Musa. So as he gets more and more comfortable, gets more minutes in the center of the park, hopefully we see more and more and more of this.

And we can really see him start to maybe take that step to become who maybe we thought he could become. back in 2022. Yeah, the best part, again, is that Emram doesn't take him out, right? Like, there's waves of subs, and he doesn't come out of the game, covered a ton of ground. There were definitely nervy moments, like, just to start the game, he has a pass picked off. Then he blasts the ball to the center back. Yeah, he had a terrible start to him.

Into a fire. Then, bro, the second, then he kind of settled down. In the second half again, like, there's some, like, he had a giveaway around the 54th minute that led the Conce de Consetau hitting the post on the other end, that that that could have been bad. Yeah. And then, yeah, end of the game, he has, like, a good defensive header in the 81st minute to cut out across. And, you know, everyone's, like...

Yeah, everybody dot them up. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So it was a mixed bag, but, like, again, a mixed bag for him is still, like, like, he survived. He stayed in the game, so good signs. Amram did say, you know, regarding Christian, he's back from an injury on managing him. So, um... Okay. Yeah, that's that.

We'll talk about the roster on the roster episode, but not expecting to see him. But, yeah, Eunice, this is good. Hopefully he comes in and he gets a few starts. Yeah. All right. And let's transition to another attacker who's starting his professional career off at Dorman. Matisse, Matisse Albert, he got to start in the poll call against, hold on, let me think. something Hamburg

it's obviously not you know Hamburg it's a 5th Division club in Hamburg that uh Dormann was playing against Matisse got to start it looked all right

yeah tough to read into but by the way first off this game was in Hamburg right because I was like you know the opponent like you can't learn anything about him on Fott Mob right so I was like

all right they must be pretty down there but it's just crazy seeing a pitch like that for 5th Division Club. If it was in, I think it was in Hamburg, right? Yeah, it was in Hamburg. H-E-B-C-H-E-B-C-Hamburg is the club's name. There you go. So, yeah, Matisse, positive performance, you know, enterprising. Easy win for Dorman, but we got some good comments from Niko Kovach afterwards.

He said, I told Matisse in person today that I was very, very pleased with his performance. He did exactly what I wanted him to do. He's a one-on-one player, someone who goes forward and tries to tie the opposition in one-on-one or one-on-two situations. Of course, there are things he can improve on, but he's a young man who's still developing. There's only good and bad, not young and old. I said that a few times.

If he carries on like this, he'll get plenty of playing time this season. What I saw on Tuesday justifies him staying in the squad and hoping for more playing time. So that's encouraging. Obviously, Dorman, they did have an injury recently,

the Greek guy whose name I can't pronounce slash forget right now. It's a Greek winger that they had just Yeah, who ACL, I think, right? So, yeah. Pass to more minutes from Matisse also, and we'll go into more death about this in the roster episode, but they have a lot of fixtures coming up on the other side of the break. Like the congestion is crazy. They have something like nine games in a month.

It's like game Saturday, game Wednesday, game Saturday, game Tuesday, game Saturday, game Tuesday, game Saturday, game Tuesday, game Saturday, game Tuesday, game Saturday, game Wednesday, game Saturday, like the games come thick and fast. So it's an interesting one where it's like In terms of calling him up Do you bring him in because he'll probably play anyway When he goes back because there's so many games Or do you just leave him there and let him bake? You know what I mean? I don't know if you get a take on this, what do you think?

So with the information that we got after Mr. Kovach's comments That in Dortmund's very next game I think they played Hoffenheim I want to say this weekend Oh yeah, he didn't play right? Yeah, where Matisse was a D&P. I think I would lean towards maybe leaving him. You know, like give him that extra time.

Like, he hasn't, he hasn't like broken in, broken in yet. So give him that extra time to stay with the club, really embed within that team, especially when you, I guess, have a little bit more opportunity when the internationals are gone. They're going to be gone for a long time. and yeah, maybe let him just get ready for that stretch and so that he's fully ready to go firing and can hopefully get some minutes and make an impact for Dortmund against teams that are not full of German sausage makers.

Yeah, yeah, I'm with it. I'm with it. We'll be keeping an eye on him. More good news in Europe from this week, this weekend. Rigo with a goal that gave PSV an early lead against Syax and they go on to win it 3-1. I don't know if it's an easy header, but he did his job there.

I thought he was decent overall. Sergino was solid too. It's funny seeing Serginio actually have to do defending in this league or play against the team that can kind of defend. He had some stoppage time. He had some late goal recently where He just picked up the ball and ran through the team at the end of the game. Yeah, he just ran through an entire defense.

Like he's Maradonna. Yeah, when they play his old club and you feel the different intensity in the stadium and the way the game goes. So, yeah, good to see them. Yeah, it was funny. We went, when we were in Amsterdam, the scuff podcast, in case y'all don't know, listeners, we have been taking the trip once a year over to Europe to watch some Americans abroad play. this time we went to we went to Germany

and the Netherlands we got to watch a PSV match we got to watch a globbach match a levercues and first cold match as well when we were in Amsterdam hanging out

we went to an Algerian place to grab some lunch excellent food fresh food you know what I'm saying you got the kuskos green beans the chicken etc just yeah they essentially like made bowls for everybody

the man bells picked up and took back to Vondel Park. We were kind of telling them what we do or whatever, and he was a big football fan, the Algerian do that work there. And then we started talking about Sergenio. And this just tells you about the IACs PSV robbery. And he basically hated the dude.

He was like, he's a traitor. He's a traitor. He came up with us, came up through IAX, and he's going over to PSV, whatever. Like he had no time. He did not want to talk to talk about. Srigio Dess. He instantly shifted the conversation over to, I think,

shoot, what's my boy at Byron, the French dude, the attacker? Crystal Palace, former Crystal Palace, man. I know you're talking about. Alise. Alise. Alisei is like half Algerian, I think, and he was just so proud of him. So then he quickly bends Sergenio Dess. He was like, you know what?

You know who's a great player? And he's Algerian, too, Michael Alise. So, uh. I did not know that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So it was fun. Like, just to give you all a little bit of a look into, I mean, of course, we all know that rivalry is something. The two biggest clubs in Amsterdam.

I mean, not in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. But, yeah, they don't play about that. And PSV was able to come in there. IAX has kind of fell in on pretty hard times. This isn't your dad's I-X, your grandpa's I-X, yeah. No, no. to shame not at all

so it is what it is shout out PSV more good news and just real quick Champions League is about to start up and we will see them you know we'll be more typed in with PSV going forward

as its Champions League really starts to get underway of course we will tap in for them but not Celtic Celtic you're tapped out for this year unless Landon and Manalo is playing then maybe we'll tap in for for example not watching Celtic mother well but

it's Sorry, fellas. More good news in Europe this weekend. Some guys back in the starting lineup where they usually belong. Tyler Adams went 76 minutes in its U-2 draw in Newcastle. He was good. They can see an equalizer at the very end after he went off, but he was good, right? Vince, what did you say?

I don't think he was good, to be honest with you. I really don't, like, he did some Tyler Adams things. He has some nice tackles in midfield or whatever on the ball. I mean, I guess he was good for Tyler Adams. I don't know. Like, I've watched a lot of Tyler Adams for Bournemouth. I think this is one of his worseer performances, to be honest with you. And I don't know if you saw Newcastle's first goal, but Harvey Barnes,

Tyler ended up out wide guarding Harvey Barnes in a transition moment. And Harvey Barnes, you know, similar to it. like Looney Tunes when like you see the Tweety Bird or whatever and the Tweedy Bird turns into like a Cornish hen like in the in the predator's eyes you know what I'm saying that's what Harvey Barnes saw he saw nothing but you know what I'm saying just a Thanksgiving Day turkey he licked his lips he took Tyler Adams on from the left wing chopped inside completely lost Tyler after from the chop and Curr went into the far post Just completely

disregarded the man, discarded him and scored a banger on him So thoughts and prayers of Tyler Adams I watched a ton this weekend This is one of the few Games I didn't And I entrusted him to you

And I've learned now to trust but verify When it comes to Tyler Adams' commentary with you And Bill's next time I got to before I just let you guys have him. I got to double check. Because I saw some praise online and I was ready to, you know, he's starting again. Let's wrong with this. And this is not like just me being idealistic.

Like he doesn't play defensive midfield and the way I like defensive midfield to be played. I just don't think he was that great playing the way Tyler Adams plays. Like I've seen much better Tyler Adams performances. Okay, fair. Yeah, I mean, there's a high standard. him to be clear. Right? We're going to keep a high, brother.

You know what I'm saying? We're going to keep a hat. Fair, fair. No, we have to. For the way he plays the position, he's going to be older, right, at the next World Cup. So we've got to hold him to that high standard

because there's guys coming for a spot. Alex Freeman went 90 in a three-two loss versus Deportivo, Rokournia. I thought he was pretty solid. I don't really fall to him for like he was at the scene of the crime

for a couple goals but I don't like I'm not knocking him for it like the first one it's someone else's someone else should have been tracking that run like the guy's making a run you know in between him and the centerback I think it was and Alex just kind of ends up on the guy

but it wasn't his run to track initially and maybe it could have been tighter but that's not on him and then later on he finishes the game at center back yeah which is interesting and I thought he you know so he had to defend a few guys in in space and there's one where it's like like a 1B1 but he he cuts the angle pretty well like I think he closes off the angle pretty well and I thought the keeper should have done better so so that's probably true but it's it's a villa real attack breaks down

transition moment for Deportivo la Carunia. Pierre Emrich Obamian running in behind. It's him versus Alex Freeman. And basically he's on Abba's hip. And Abba's able to keep him there as he's kind of carrying the ball into the box and slides it with his right foot into the goal. You know, you're probably right, though, as far as the entire far part of the goal was taken away from Abba. This is all he can do, right?

Well, first of all, also, it was like a terrible giveaway. Like, homie played it back to, played it back inside, and, you know, the Villarreal player receiving the ball just stood there, and they're going the other way. And Freeman's, you know, recovering. Like, he had a few good recoveries. He had a nice sliding challenge earlier. Like, I'm not knocking him for this goal.

I thought overall he was pretty good. Now, hold on, hold on, though. Because he was at a scene in the crime for all three Deportivo. goals. And the second goal is probably the one I give him the most blame on because it's like there is an attacker's Deportivo number nine standing in between Alex Freeman and some other player. And he's in a situation where his hips are kind of face towards the attacker that's in the space. But he has his head kind of focus on the ball. This is somebody he should have been alert to. So basically that that player

gets played in to go and then he basically, I think he takes a first time shot with like his left foot from a tight angle and kind of roofs it. I think Alex should have been more on his toes to be able to get there and not allow Deportivo number 9 to get that shot off, essentially.

For me. This was a second goal? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. It was a second goal. Yeah. Basically it's like, okay. All three of these situations, he was at the scene of the crime. And when I talk about business handling, it's the thing.

It don't always got to be your business necessarily. Sometimes, I mean, you know how defending is. You come over, you make a heroic play, and then you get up and you get to scream at everybody. You know what I'm saying? For being out of position or whatever. That's advanced business handling. You know what I'm saying? It is like you snuff, you see the player early.

You get there regardless of who, whose responsibility it was or whatever, and you snuff it out. Now, of course, Alex Freeman, very young in his footballing journey, so I'm not saying this to knock him. But I would have liked to see some of these plays being handled. Oh, this is a keeper's fault, too. Come on now. Brother, but how do you get the opportunity to shoot? Yeah, but you cannot get beaten your post like that.

I mean, how did he get the opportunity to shoot the ball? I understand what you're saying about the keeper. But the shot, the shot? shouldn't have been what it was. I don't think he's not a business handler. I'm talking about advanced business handler. You know what I'm saying? For me to give me... Okay, I see what you're saying here.

Like, he should not be... For you to be a Six Sigma business handler? You got to snub some of these things, though. I see what you're saying on this flight. Like, there's... Like, he should have kind of stayed where he was or even moved closer to the attacker there because you're not totally out of the woods yet.

Yeah. Yeah. It's fine. We can keep moving. As a matter of fact, this is a game I'm excited to talk about. So real quick, though, the takeaways, though, got started right back, look good. I mean, the stuff he's doing a combination, you know, he's able to come inside sometimes. He's popping up on the left side of the pitch.

There's a lot of fluidity that Villarreal is playing with right now. And also the fact that he moved to centerback late in the match. Those are some things that you should take away from this. Food for thought. Because maybe there are things going forward. Yeah. I've been thinking about what if we kind of slide everyone. Like he becomes a centerback and Sergenio becomes a right back.

At this point in time. And we have other wide players who can play in that wider. It's interesting. I usually shut down a lot of things as far as like things that are out of the ordinary and maybe like young players that I don't think of. baked enough yet and all those different types of stuff but you know what the centerback's position is so dire yep that let's go ahead let's go ahead i wouldn't be mad at seeing it uh speaking of uh well actually we'll get to noki in a second but we'll talk about one more guy

who uh started for the first time this season uh mr jose scalli oh got a goal good work as we up. Go work with I was with his left foot, right? And then it came off of a Cole Campbell getaway. So they were at home against Elversburg.

They also, this is another common theme, they blow a lead too. Three unanswered goals late in the second half. Two after Joe came off. He came off in the 77th minute. But I thought he was, you know, it was kind of a Joe Scali performance all and all.

Yeah, for sure. And also he had an, he had Alex Freeman in first goal kind of situation where Elversberg kind of pounced on a I think it was a shot from Elversberg

that I think either went off the post or the crossbar took a funny bounce and Joe was basically there like it basically bounced to the far post off of the crossbar I want to say

and Joe was there he's the far post like the shot came from the other side and Elversberg attacker was like first to it which really he came from a line behind so it should have been the midfielder

following that attacker and kind of trying to take care of that situation but either way Joe was at the scene of the crime there but other than that though let me tell you brother Cole Campbell Cole Campbell got putting Joe Scally's damn pocket Joe was not playing with that man bro

yeah he was not good he was not good that was one of the more comprehensive pocketings I've seen in a while like Cole was trying to do his cold thing get out in transition get on the run do some kicking runs etc Joe wasn't going Joe was matching them for pace

Joe was like Cole would try to kick and run Joe Joe knew the playbook as soon as it would happen he would try to push it past him Joe just you know turn box out you know we're going other way brother so yeah

Cole Campbell got a he got something he got a lesson he got a lesson from Joe I have to say. But even when like there's a situation in the first half where he gets the ball in the box and a little bit of space

and he's just like... He does a little bit too much with it. Yeah. I mean, he'll slash he doesn't really know what to do with it. He feels, he's pretty one-footed, right? Is that a fair criticism? Yeah. And like you said last week, I don't know, we don't know what position he is. We don't know what he is.

He's just out there running around like he's got, sure, some athleticism, some juice to him, some speed, but like, and like he's okay technically, but, uh, I'm not, I'm not buying stock yet. Okay. Probably not ever, to be honest. I'm just, I love to hide people of it.

If I see the talent, the genius, you know, like a Jack McGlynn, uh, but otherwise, if I don't see it with you, I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna traffic falls hope. And, uh, Cole Campbell. Yeah, not, not on my, not appointment viewing for me just yet. It's the first time I've seen him play live in a long time, to be fair. Okay.

I mean, fair enough. Fair enough. But look, Elvisburg, let me tell you something. Brothers up top, once again, they get it done. I mean, if you see that Elvisburg goal, who was scored by their striker, they are a danger in transition, bro. They are, they seem to be a kind of respectable side. The defense might not be, well, not might not. We'll let them down, it seems.

but I really do think they got enough to stay up. I've been pleasantly surprised watching them play for sure. Also in Germany, Misanochi Banks went 90 for Augsberg and a 4-1 win over Frankfurt. Augsberg is a... They're kind of flying right now. Yeah, it might not be a relegation battle for them this year, let's see.

Yeah, Mr. Banks at the center of it all. I mean, started... all three matches, and has some words to say about his international decision, Sanchez? He did. Well, I was going to lead with what Pottshed. Go ahead. Go ahead. Yeah. Noki's not going to be in this next camp, so Pottshed today.

Firstly, he said, we are in contact with all the potential dual nationals. I think it's important for us to see, of course, because that is the connection, the human connection that is so important. Even if they, like in that case, and he's referring to Banks, then changing his mind and his way think still no decision. And of course, we cannot consider him from the next camp. That is the case. But also the organization is working with all dual national and player with the possibility to make decisions.

So, yeah, he's not coming in. He's still undecided, is the gist of it. Yeah, what are you thinking about this? I really don't know what to think. It's, so, no key, he himself said, basically that he told um is the the the dfb

that's what the german thing's called yeah uh yeah the df and the ussf that um he's not ready to make a decision yet but also in his quote he says I know I have to make a decision by next international window meaning

the November window and I'm kind of confused as to why he would even put a timeline on that because he'd be tied then right if he plays for the U.S. I guess because it's conga calf I think. Don't call me, but those are Congacalf games coming up.

That's Nations League. Right, right. The Nation's League qualifier, whoever we. Quarterfinal. Yeah, the home away. Home away against whoever we get. So I don't understand

why he feels like he needs to make a decision, why he has to put a timeline on it, especially if, especially with Germany being one of the, one of the teams. You know what I'm saying? Like, if you make a decision by November, are you getting a call up to Germany by November? Who knows?

So it's like you can look at this any way you want to. You can say, oh, he's putting a timeline on it, which means the USA is in a good position because there's no way he's getting a Germany call up by November, you know, kind of thing. Or you could say he's putting a timeline on it. He already thwarted our advances pre-World Cup. And so he's going to commit this fast after turning us down for a World Cup. There's no way he's saying yes to the U.S. three months after saying no to a World Cup, you know, kind of thing.

So I don't know, but I also do not feel like all is lost. Yeah, Clot watched him play recently. I'm not sure if he's really in his ear. I'd be kind of surprised because obviously a lot of guys in the pipeline always we get really excited about him, but he's just a number to them. Hopefully he makes the right decision. But if he doesn't, I don't care. I'm over it after the World Cup.

I mean, like we said, too, we talked about this before. He's not a business handler. So I'm not like, like, if this was like a Neil Pierre, like in terms of his profile, not necessarily his quality, but if he's like, you know, out there mauling people, then I, you know, but like we talked about his, what his actual game is like. So we'll see. I think maybe he's putting a timeline on it because, bro, if he waits any longer, then you might as well just say I'm waiting for Germany.

You know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah, yeah. That's fair. That's fair. He was really young for the World Cup, but it's a complete slap in the face to us if he's waiting even longer.

Because then it's like, you know, we know what's up here. You're right, right. We're like, we're like, clearly we want you for the senior national team. You're keeping us off, then, yeah, that makes perfect sense to me. Real quick, let's go over to France. Tim Weyer, Marseille, lost to Paris FC, 3-1. I just, I just want to

mention this real quick. Tim Way I got roasted by Luca Coliocho, but Paris FC's first goal. For those who don't know, Luca Coliocho is, he is an American who grew up in Connecticut. His father played running back for the University of Oklahoma.

To give you his American bona fides, you know what I'm saying? This is not to downplay the Americanist of anybody. But this is somebody who has been born and in the U.S. He has the opportunity to represent Canada.

I think his mom is in a Italian or Canadian Italian. So he's somebody who has an opportunity to represent the U.S., Canada, and Italy. He's someone who has had opportunities. He played a little bit in the Premier League for Burnley when they were up, what, three years ago at this point, has bounced around, went to Espanel, where he started his professional career, if I'm not mistaken. And also now ends up at Paraset. F.C. Seems to be doing a little bit. He's doing a little something. I know he had a, he had a good

spell for them in the second half of last season. And here, he just clearly, he just, just absolutely burns Temwaya for pace. He just played in behind. Timway is basically unable to catch up until Luca Coliocho was like firmly in the box causing danger for the Marseille defense and he squares the ball and a goal is scored. And the main reason why I want to be able to, to talk about this is not not the point not necessarily to point out timwaya's um defensive ineptitude that that's part of it but i do i do want to say you know we talked about the fact of him being uh the captain of marseilles and and we applauded it and we said good job timwaya i'm proud and excited etc but that's a perilous position brother because if if y'all don't know if y'all

know. The fans of Marseille are some absolutely crazy people. And so far in League on this season, they beat Strasbourg and they lost to Monaco and Paris FC. So if, if, I'm not saying it's going to happen, but if results continue this way, we might see our boy Tim Wea under some serious strife, like a situation where he's going to have to face some very scary supporters as the captain of the club and come out and try and talk to them and kind of talk to them off the ledge before they start blowing up the training ground or whatever they'd be doing in Europe. I mean, I mean, for people that don't know, like, look it up. Like, stories of supporters just going crazy during some, like, bad stretches of, and for Marseille,

it's not like, being relegation threatened is not what's going to set them off. It's like being firmly mid-table is what's going to set them off, you know. So just keep an eye on this. Keep an eye on this situation. I forgot about Colioche, to be honest. Wait, what did you say the American football connection was? I did not know that. His dad played running back for Oklahoma. Luga Colioch's dad?

Mm-hmm. I don't know if he actually played, but he was, yeah, he was a University of Oklahoma running back. Damn. Hmm. Yeah. Oh, yeah, squad man running back. Look at that. Wow.

All right, let's move on to Malik, 167 minutes. Easy win for Leverkusen. The real news recently with him is that we learned, so we talked about the drama there and, you know, comments he made that almost pushed him, they got him out out of there. but now we learned that Brighton made a serious push for him and were ready to pay 45 million euros is according to build

and yeah they held on to him so I mean yeah that's interesting it kind of seemed like maybe both parties wanted that move kind of sort of but I guess it didn't happen it would have it would have maybe been nice to see him about Brayden but man let me see because for me

I mean I don't even think this is controversial Malik still does not have like a true top five league season under his belt where he was what we think he can be you know what I'm saying

and so go ahead stay in Germany this season and smack the Bundesliga which really he has yet to do even at the start of this season so like really really go crazy over there and then we can you know we can talk man have your people talk to my people um and we'll get back to it but yeah i need to see some i need to see some production out of you young elite let's go man

may not have mentioned this before but sergenio also could have gone somewhere before the window closed apparently there was interest from fulham but he obviously has stayed put in the netherlands uh let's look to so john luca went 90 venecia lose 3-2 though um they came back they were down 2-0, and then equalized late, but then concede a game winner late, and that's a crucial three points, you know, points slipping through their fingers against another team that was just promoted in Fresnoe. Tanner Testman, John Lucas' former teammate in Manitia, Tanner Testman came off the bench for last 15 to see out a 3-1 win for Leone against Occer.

That was on Friday. Johnny also got about 15 minutes off the bench. athletic was down 2-0 and they end up losing 3-0 to Athletic Club Boba so not an ideal start in terms of minutes for

for Johnny this season we'll keep an eye on that I think Potch seems to like Johnny I think he'll bring him in but who knows we had more Yanke on Yank Crime in England this weekend

and Hesuz were in attendance for this at Craven Cottage on Saturday Chris against Jedi Chris went 90, Jedi went 80. Palace pull it out. Three to win. Needed a win. Yeah.

You know, we're kind of a little anxious about what could happen in them this season, so good to see them get three points. Gozo did not play. Again, he's probably better off staying over there, right? During the international break, what do you think? Yeah, yeah. Brendo came off the bench for about 30 minutes for leads in one-one draw. He was subbed off at halftime.

last week and then didn't start this week so I'm going to keep an eye on and then what else I think that just about does it oh wait we got some standing for a sec we got some champo debuts rougas poxas came on in the 8th to 4th minute to see how to 1-0 win at QPR the three bros

started and poxas came in which was good to see Jack McGlynn gets 30 minutes for Stoke they were already at 4-0 and they were up a guy too Luka Bombino didn't play over the weekend, but he made his debut on Tuesday play the second half

and I won no win against Norwich And that just about does it for us Also want to shout out Justin Ellis Gets another assist back-to-back weeks Him and Griesamond got a good connection With Dekh starting With Grisemont out, Ellis in a different role But I mean I'm just really intrigued by him

He's one of these guys like I don't know what position he is But I'm intrigued and he's so talented that I want to see more of him. It's not like a guy where, kind of like Cole Campbell, where to me he's like maybe not that good and kind of lost. Justin Ellis can play.

I would hope, you know, when Potch mentions Orlando, that's a reference to Justin Ellis, right? So we'll see what the allocation is like between the Olympic side of camp, the U-23s and Steve Shrondolo, and Pott's group.

Pott's other working closely together. but um just and ellis i talked about you know this wave of technically gifted guys coming up audrey cabin you know hopefully we get a geo renaissance um just and ellis i'd put him in that uh group like like you you were you were you were you're honest i just never seen him play but watching him play even a little bit like it's you can see it man there's something there yeah like i said in that prospect episode like as soon as i turned to turn a tape on I was like, who, okay. You know what I'm saying?

Like, I mean, yeah, we've talked about a metastium. But yeah, the fact that these skills are able to play up in the MLS, in his first exposure to the MLS, that tells you all you need to know. And so going forward, I think he's, yeah, I think he's going to be able to go abroad and take his talent somewhere at some point. But anyway, that is it. It's Labor Day. It's a scuff podcast.

It's a Monday review. Thank you all for, again, for your, Patrons, thank you for your support. Hope you enjoyed the long weekend. And, yeah, we appreciate you guys and the fact that we don't have to take a bag from... That's right. That's right. That's right.

You know what I'm saying? We are laboring on Labor Day, and we are happy to do it and not... And not, I don't know. I was going to say conforming. But not... No, yeah, yeah, yeah, we're Mavericks, but it's because of you. That's right. We're lucky.

We're always grateful, but we are lucky. But also get excited, guys. Like, you know, we're excited to be at this point, you know, going into a new cycle, Champions League starting, a long FIFA window coming up. We had three pods last week. We got a lot coming for you this month into October and into this World Cup cycle. So thank you guys and stay tuned. All right

We'll see you