SoccerWise - MLS Rivalry Rankings w/Andrew Wiebe

Episode Date: May 15, 2025

Rivalry week is here in MLS and it means Tom & David wanted to rank the best rivalries. They turn to the list master the maestro with "La Qualita" Andrew Wiebe to run through all of MLS's best matchups.6:50 LA Historic Loss to PHI10:30 Bruce Arena Saving Messi15:22 Dejan Loving STL18:00 Ranking The Best Rivalries In MLS Soccerwise Live 2pm ET Every Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday on Youtube/Twitch/Twitter

What's up everybody? Welcome back to Soccer Wise. A beautiful day for Soccer Wise. We have a huge show coming up for you. Of course myself, David Goss, Tommy Scoobs, if you are watching on YouTube or if you check the title of the podcast before you got there, we've got the legend in the house himself. We said we would list the MLS rivalries. And as the word list went through my head, Andrew Weeby's face came up and I had to bring in the go.

It feels like I'm in my 2016 Mazda CX-5 taking the boys to daycare right now because this is my soccer wise experience. That's when I mainline the boys and get my MLS talk. So yeah, the sun is shining proverbially on this on this base. We do have some we do have some windows there, which by the way, my boys broke two photos out of with a soccer ball. Ask yourself how that ask yourself how that's physically possible. No, we're here. We're happy about it. And I've got a I've got a not the most fleshed out

list, but you know me, man, it's been a while. Once I hit the ground running, it's just going to be, you know, feet hit the pavement, we're off. I think for me, are there 30? Are there 30 robos? No. No, false. Are we going to find out? I could invent them. I could do that. Well, I think we, in our experience, know that you have invented many a rivalries in the past. Yeah Mainly built around expansion. I'm the IP creator. All right, like you just bring it to me throw a trademark on it We're off and running man. It's you know, the world accepts it as a true brand

That's that's I do say before we get into this because I would love to talk about kids and fatherhood a little more before We can I just say we have an early rivalry here Just because I mostly am interacting with Dave in the group chat The rivalry between the gray hairs and the other hairs in your beard is it is It's really right up. It's really I got a message from a friend the other day and it's like the double screen of Tom on Top and me on bottom and the message was you are both Every haircut and facial style in Brooklyn at the same time Great point a great point if you just transpose your heads on top of each other, you know, like there we go

We're basically Kevin Durant James Harden and Kyrie just like the Brooklyn all mixed into one but what I was gonna say was you said this a video yesterday and Wyatt's ability to get in the paint and finish off the rim. That's like something to be so there's some Brunson Ask now we're skipping the dribbles and for those of you that didn't get the video This is my son's playing Fisher-Price basketball everybody but Kayla while watching the NBA We're watching the Knicks and the Celtics and I got to tell you, it didn't happen. Cameron's been Celtics guy. So I don't know how that happened or why that happened. We're trying to break him of it. Yeah. You know, I think that's early days

front runner and this is a child who doesn't have enough grounding. This is what happens when you've got this is why we're going to Jersey. Please. We're going home. You know what we got to get in the soul. Got to what? We gotta get him. There's no soul. We gotta get him in the cocoon. We gotta get him sucked into some bad seasons. Live that Royals life, have the back end of the Chiefs. Where no, maybe it goes down a little bit for him. KU basketball's dipping.

So yeah, hardship has not been a crucial factor of his sports upbringing and we've gotta change that. Kids these days. Game's gone. But did you see, did you see? Three pointer from Cameron in true Celtics fashion, you know, it was like game five. He was dunking it.

Derek Wyatt. Just keep, just keep, I don't understand. Wait, wait, whoa, whoa, whoa, what's happening? There's 97 different things said. Three pointer, dunking. Look, it's not, look, I'm not a basketball commentator. I'm just trying to fit in. This is a two point.

I'm just trying to fit in here, okay? Yeah. We've gotten some messages, Tom, by the way. People do appreciate our, I think, our Bing Bong style intros that have been occurring. I don't know if they say that in the context of knowing that the Knicks had lost and we were coming back today. But I'm not going to let you spin me. I'm not going to be affected by this.

You guys know ball. Pure confidence all the time especially when our team vomits on themselves. In fatherhood you clean it up okay so you look you guys just get the towel out you know the one that you don't use to actually you know after showers wipe up the vomit. Oh that was a terrible fight. Throw it in hot water in the washing machine and move on alright. There's the next day. Can I just say so so like Weeby said for the people who haven't seen the video that Weeby sent only to five people in hot water in the washing machine and move on, alright? There's a new day.

So like Weeby said, for the people who haven't seen the video that Weeby sent only to five people, his kids playing basketball, it was adorable. Weeby, I.R. Weeby cannot not be a referee. All I heard in the clip was, oh I think that was a foul, no shots though, take it out on up top. It's like he can't turn it off. Well, if you listen, this is part of this is part of raising four and seven year old boys. A lot of fouls. So, you know, look, physical play. We're talking early nineties, Nick's, you know, mentality here. And so we've got to sort of, you know, we're, we're playing right next to a stone fireplace. We've got to set some limits. Otherwise we've got some potential, you know, missing, missing teeth issues.

To show them the video of Josh Hart yesterday, where he's profusely bleeding and saying, can I shoot my free throws with a towel on my face? And Jaylen Brown is laying on the ground because he got bumped by Jaylen Brunson. Just be like, who do you want to be in life? This or that? You tell me, it's your choice. Tom is ready to roll. I, the comment in the chat is we becoming on a show called soccer wise to be questioned about His basketball knowledge. It's a pretty good. Yes. It's perfect. By the way, I saw a video of Jalen Brown today He was working on in the gym on his grip. I Bet he was

Lot of squeezes in there my buddy the one I've been telling everyone about who got married Celtics fan He's on his honeymoon now, so he hasn't been watching the games. I get a text right after every time. I texted him after game four. I said, I want my thank you gift, my thank you note to say thank you for the win in game three. I don't want you to even mention a gift that I actually gave. Yesterday, he said, didn't see the game.

Brunson must have been foul baiting once again. I said, you couldn't see the game. It was rated R because of Jalen Brown's movements and actions and it's probably, it's probably restricted from the international view. Depending on the country, I don't think they, they might not allow that, you know? Yeah, exactly. Let's talk about MLS for a second.

We're gonna do our takeout containers from Wednesday night. They are obviously not as cold and in the fridge. So maybe some of them you could eat without reheating them. Some of them you might want to reheat. And then we're going to dig into our rivalries that are lists so that we can get Weeby out of here when he's ready to go back into his everyday life. Let's start with our thoughts, our comments from yesterday.

I would assume someone has something to say about the LA galaxy, although we've done this about 500 times. Weeby, you're new here. Is there anything you'd like to add? We're still packing up a little bit here, but we've still got the candles up. They're all out. They're melting. It's a real disarray. I texted the group chat probably, I don't know, 60th minute, something like that. as soon as Philly came back and scored the two goals that even the game, my mind, it was just absolutely unquestionable that the Galaxy were going to lose that match.

The way that they are losing, finding ways to lose, contriving ways to lose, setting historic marks in losing, is unbelievable. The last three games, lost without allowing a shot. Had a rematch with a mediocre Red Bulls team. I feel good saying that. From MLS Cup, which is the last game they won, got a touchdown on their head, and then lose at the last second to Philadelphia. And they scored two goals. That's cool. They took three shots. They took three shots and had 43% possession against noted ball-wunters Philadelphia Union. Like this is, you know, I was talking to Greg Vaney coming off the field at halftime of that Kansas City match.

He just kind of looked at me and he was like, yeah, we're finding ways to put ourselves in this position. And it could not be more true. Through 13 games, they don't have a single win. Through 13 games, they have three points. Through 13 games, they have the worst worst 13 game start in MLS history. They are averaging like, I don't know, what was it, like 0.2 something points per game? If you extrapolate it out to 34 games and look, I believe they will win a game.

So this will be, you throw it in the trash at some point. This is just for shock value. Tom Bogard, this is for shock value. They're on pace for 7.84 points. It's like real. Are you kidding me? We're at a point now where you have to be realistic about the fact that it's very possible that they join like the, you know, the bottom five in MLS history on total points. Yeah,

it's it's unthinkable. Even without Ricky points. Yeah, it's it's unthinkable even without Ricky Pooj it's unthinkable. But like the final goal is it's a microcosm of their whole season. They have a throw-in, they're mad about where the throw-in is taken, so they're complaining about that and then Maya Yoshida gets bumped a little bit in the back but he throws himself down he's looking for the foul it goes out for a corner kick he's complaining at the corner and as he's complaining he's to run back into the box a corner kick, he's complaining at the corner and as he's complaining, he's to run back into the box, a corner kick that they then defend, but Tucker Leppley can't clear and then they can't defend the second phase and

then they can't defend the cross and then they don't defend Ty freaking Borrebo on the back post. He's like, if there's what everybody look around, find Ty, like gather around that guy if anyone nobody's buying. They get scored on they fall to their knees in disbelief and it's just like man it's this on repeat. It's just like a record scratch of this over and over and over and over and now you have El Trafico and Denny Belonga is looking like it's an obvious LA Galaxy win.

It is the most obvious LA Galaxy win of all time. With their DPs are hurt. We didn't include that in the sporting Kansas City recap It I'm I Didn't think it would get this bad, but now I'm wondering how bad it can get to be honest with you It is an experience It is wild to think that this team that struggles so much goes up to zero and that ends up being the worst-case scenario this team that struggles so much goes up to zero, and that ends up being the worst case scenario for them. I think coming out of this is worse than the seven zero.

Because the whole, oh, we keep putting ourselves behind the eight ball, they didn't. Now you get a game where it broke your way. Like, Cuevas is hitting a banger early on at Philadelphia. Here's the whole blueprint. Marco Royce has two assists. You're like, okay, well, this could work. Yeah. Looks like a live human being.

Like, lock it in. Lock it down. And that's not the case at all. Tom, you want to add to this? You got a different one. I feel like I've done enough on. I think that's fair. On the galaxy. So for me, my takeouts, I'm going to center them around quotes. And my favorite quote of this weekend was Bruce Arena saving Lionel Messi from a red card saying, I really just wanted to make sure he didn't get a red card.

I don't have the best Bruce, but I've heard so many of my sponsors have a Bruce that I just want to join the party. It makes me happy because he's touched so many lives here. But anyway, Lionel Messi is losing his mind might be too strong, but he's refusing to give up the argument with the referee. Already gets a yell card in debating with him after the game. He's in the middle of handshakes. I think my favorite part of the video that I put on Twitter was that he's just got his hand out, just staring at the refs, talking to the refs. And then it's like Mark Anthony Kay comes over and he just leaves

his hand out for the next Quakes player. Yeah, open dap, you know? There's a little... I could use that. Locked in. I could use that personally, like in and around. Locked in on arguing with the referee, and just anybody who wants their moment with Messi, still giving it to him.

That's legendary. But so he's going back and forth, and he goes back again. Anyone who wants their moment with Messi. And then Bruce Arena. Bruce Arena! Just like, you know what, referee player, you guys, we shouldn't be arguing, you know what I mean? Bruce Arena, who's screaming a ref, do the everything, saves him from a red card, because I think that's where that was going to end. And I think, I wonder, one of the referees were like, I don't want to

give a red card, and like, they shouldn't, nobody, you have to be really awful to get two yellows yelling at the referee after the game so I'm sure that they're trying their best to just defuse let it go let them leave but it's Bruce Arena and then the video after the game of Bruce Arena still walking with Messi in the tunnel that is exposed at San Jose somebody threw a towel towards them and Bruce just one hand catches the towel keeps it moving just legend just just what a wonderful performance of after a crazy 3-3 game in which it was 1-1 after two minutes the stink of disrespect in this podcast

You know locker room right now is just incredible say his name Joe Dickerson Noted I wasn't I wasn't totally Wise guest friend however you want to fill in the blank on that Joe Dickerson is who messes yelling at Joe Dickerson is the one saying him walk away Get out of here. So I just out of respect for Joe I just I would like to make sure that we we don't just call the referee value stack added by We've he's coming out of a deep IR record It's true

Yeah, he's got every name on a list. Weeby's the only person that should be allowed to vote for the referee and assistant referee of the year. I wish I could leave it blank sometimes. Yeah, it's crazy. But also we take it very seriously. We appreciate our votes and also congratulations to everyone who's winners. Fully deserved. I do my homework. I've considered this for many, many hours. On the back of the work they put in. I will throw in for one of mine, or maybe my only one, because let's get into some Ravelry talk. Bol LaRue being the best player in MLS history, I think is kind of exciting and fun. Someone challenged me yesterday, they're like, name

a better American center mid right now in MLS It's Submitted brother, that's fair. I think you can always say nagby, which is a easy one to say I think you say Georgie my love itch if you want to but like it's not obscene No, and that alone is kind of fun and exciting that she's just been a really good player You know, it's really fun for me is that I've stopped thinking of Bolaroo in a two-name scenario because when I listen to you guys you mash it together. So it sounds like a Brazilian. It's like Bolaroo.

That's how I think of him now. I'm like Bolaroo. It's like a one-name player. It's not a name I'm super familiar with. Like I don't... Get in the bed and learn buddy. I've never met a bow before, but I think it is common in some parts. Yeah, you haven't spent enough time in the south. Is it always spelled like that?

I mean, a recent vintage I would say I've seen a good number of those. Okay. Yeah, so then you combine it with LaRue. I mean, I give props to his parents. That's a really good naming job by them I think it's got good flow, you know So I'm here. I'm here for Bolaru, but I just think of it as like you know a little bit like Lucha Roo, but

like Bolaru Weeby brings it back around the legend back in the building last one to close out on Which will connect both is will for Nancy saying we rotated because hell is real as a big game And it's insane that we have a midweek game before is Another really good takeaway, which I appreciated coming out of this midweek of action. Yes I completely agree But I'm gonna I have one more quote that I want to get to before we get to the rivalries. Speaking of rivalries, Kansas City-St. Louis,

Dan Jovovich after the game saying, Can we play them every week? That would maybe be good for me and good for the team. I love Dan Jovovich. I just need that quote to be everywhere. It's the most perfect Serbian direct blunt, very true for him and what he's talking about, but very painful for St. Louis City and all their fans like how? Painful is that you get done playing a rivalry match that you blew a lead in and the opponent looks across the aisle and is like Publicly like we'd like to play them as much as possible

Like can you make that a thing the team that fired their manager after going whatever 15 games? 13 games without a way between last season and this season. These guys, these guys are the ones we want. More of them, more of them. If we're just going to throw in rivalry quotes here, Jansen Miller is fast becoming one of my favorite players in the league because I have a soft spot for the Superdraft pick. I'm Jansen Miller, Hive as well. I like this.

I will come in, if you are the queen of the Hive, because we're talking bees, we've got to be, can't be the king of the Hive, it's Queen. I will be a loyal worker for you, I will gather the honey, here is the honey for you Doyle. Jansen Miller after this game, he had 200 people at this match and he has officially sworn off his like St. Louisdom, quote, they, St. Louis had the seventh pick, I was picked eighth,

and the fans say I'm not loyal, question mark. That is a bar. Like that is, like that is a, mm. That is so good. Did he say a barbecue thing? Uh, yeah I think he did, I think he slandered. I think I saw pregame, he was like, Kansas City has the best barbecue.

Is that the St. Louis in debate? No, they're not, no they're not. Yeah, right, that's not really their thing. No. We beat just Gold Goss Doyle and just not letting him. Did I? No, they're not. No, they're not. Yeah, right. That's not really their thing. No. Get... We beat just GoldGos Doyle and just not letting you... Did I?

Did you not hear that? I don't think I... Run the tape. I don't think I said that. Yeah, I deny that. That didn't ever happen. All right. On that note, we could still move on to our next piece.

Let's do our rivalry ranking. So I threw in the Discord. And anyone who doesn't subscribe, subscribe to our Patreon and get you access to our discord. It was cooking during the game yesterday. Really fun place to talk about soccer, MLS, NWSL national teams, whatever else you're talking about. People are trolling us about the Knicks in there as well. That's always fun. I really appreciate another platform for that to be possible about. So that's really been healthy. We brought this on ourselves. Yeah, it's been a healthy addition to my life. So you can get that as well as you get access to our depth charts and everything else on the MLS and NWSL side as well. So we've got some input from there and obviously we've got the list expert in here in Andrew Ruby.

I brought this up on Tuesday and everyone's response was I would love to see this show. So this is what everyone asked for going into. I believe it is the S&P 500, Qatari Airways, Stella Artois, Heineken Raveri week coming up this week in Major League Soccer, but we can just blink and we can continue on from there. So now we're going to go into our standings. Weeds, you're gonna lead here because you're the list master. But I will say, there's a reason you bring on the legend.

Like, when you get ready to rattle off, you can cook. Don't feel limited to the list you've written down. And follow that. Iso, Iso, Iso, this is, we got Brunson on literally any cell. Yeah, so I'm treating this, we're going, we're going, starting with one, and this will be a meandering list.

So we'll start with one and we'll try to create what we think is the proper list by eliminating the top dog remaining in the pool. So I'm basing this both on sort of historical, which I think is important, but I also think the present is really sort of the, that's where the history comes to life still, right? You can't just lean on the past, otherwise we'd still be talking about Atlantic Cup and like that's kind of dormant you know like it's a little bit dead like Cali Classico has a lot of that but like is it still in the top tier of this list? I would say probably not, no. So we are starting and I think there are three options for number one

your options are hell is real more of a new addition to the list certainly new in the sense of FC Cincinnati coming to the list, certainly new in the sense of FC Cincinnati coming to the league, but also new in the term of FC Cincinnati being, you know, not historically bad. So Hell is Real is there. El Trafico is there for obvious reasons. It's sort of been the king of the castle for a while now. And then Cascadia remains a big time player in this. When I say Cascadia, no offense to Vancouver, I even talked to people in Vancouver about this and they were sort of like yeah We're like we might be a little bit over this and I was like, yeah You know, you were kind of the third third wheel anyway, so like it's okay like, you know

Fine, they bail too soon though. Now they're gonna dominate it It feels a little bit. Yeah, that's a good point It feels a little bit like LAFC is more of a Natural rivalry for them right now, not a derby but a rivalry which I think is an important distinction Which was why I put the question in discord because I think that's the thing where for us on the outside It's like these are the rivalries and some of them are a little bit of history with some of this and others are like No, this is what the fan base cares about the most and this is the thing we've latched on to And I think the balance between what's now and what's past is big. To me, Cascadia is still king.

Really? In that scenario. Yeah. I think as bad as Portland has been up and down and has as office, Seattle has been at times in the regular season. You've still got a team that won the champions league for the first time and is going to a second club world cup in this span, was in a Western Conference final. So there's still relevance, I think, for the two squads.

And I think when you add in history, quality, rivalry, moments, all of that stuff. I mean, they played in the playoffs three years ago, was it? Four years ago, like post-COVID, there was a playoff series where they played. You obviously have the Sebastian Blanco, Zerrick Valentin moment in 2018. 4 years ago, like post COVID, there was a playoff series where they played, you obviously have the Sebastian Blanco, Zarek Valentin moment in 2018. As much as some of these others are, I think this is the only one that combines great history with still great quality. So let me, the top three I think that you would lay out, Weeby, is unimpeachable.

I think that is the top tier right now that both combines history and current. For me, it is those three. I'm sitting on the fence, like I'm leaning Cascadia Cup, but like if you made a strong argument for Hell is Real, I'd be like, yeah, that makes sense. And then also El Trafico would be like, oh yeah, that also makes sense. So I'm fence sitting here, but I think it's a clear top three. The argument on Hell is Real and El Trafico is like we've actually never really had a bad one. Yes They are when the teams are bad. Yeah. Yeah, they are short-lived and they have I mean that first Hell is Real It was like a miracle that it was an entertaining game Caleb Porter Columbus and yet it was super entertaining at nipper. I think it was

At the time and so they've good. No, he's been really good. You know all the things Yeah, then you add in now weaves where it sounds like you were not leaning towards. No, I actually am leaning away from Cascadia. For me, actually, right now, and a lot of what I base it on is like, what am I most excited for? Yeah. You know, what do I want to watch? Where do I feel the most juice? What game do I think will kind of have Toronto, DC? Oh, you know, quick way to bring it down, you know, like I just had images of DC, New Toronto DC. But you know, quick way to bring it down, you know, like I just had images of DC New York City in my head right there from midweek and I was just like Shut down. It's just what what I think is where I'm gonna walk away from the most gobsmacked from this weekend

And that's not to say that I don't think you know, Portland and Seattle can deliver that I just think it's more likely that we'll get it from Cincinnati and Columbus or El Trafico. The El Trafico one is interesting because it is not like heavyweights at the top of their game. It's like one heavyweight that is like, sort of like, oh, are they still there? Are they still good enough? And the other heavyweight that's just like

a puddle on the mat right now. And like, can they pick themselves up and in the moment that nobody believes in them, and I still don't believe in them, Tom, I know you're like saying for the sake of content that maybe this is the one, and maybe based on history it is. But like, I feel like this is a potential bludgeoning by LAFC, and that's interesting.

And it's also interesting if the Galaxy can stand up and make it a game and get their first win of the season. Like, imagine the scenes if that happens. I have trouble doing it, but I'll be there to see it on Sunday Night Soccer. I cannot wait. And I just think the soccer is going to be best in Hell is Real. That's the other thing. I just think the soccer, the teams themselves, the coaches as personalities, I think it has like if you're looking for five

things, I think it has all five of the things right now. And so I would rank it for the time being and this is not a disrespect on anybody Is your top three? These are the best the best the crimp de la crimp I go hell is real al traffico and then I would go Cascadia and these things can change every single rivalry week It really can I Don't yeah, I don't disagree with anything. I think the hell is real stuff is as You said like perfectly laid which is clash of styles clash of personalities both in the cities and in the clubs I mean even the stars at times the difference is last year between Lucho and Cucho

Just like styles of play soccer and now this year you switch it and it's what a Vander and Rossi again very different like everything about them is So polar opposite. It's the perfect thing you want for a rivalry. I can't get over the history I get it. I completely although the playoff series two years ago helps a ton of like the comeback In that big moment and Columbus gets there and you've got a lot of trophies now in this four or five year span in that okay, so Let's say we step outside of these three. Yeah, we agree that these are the top three I've made this as hard as possible from Morgan to cut this so I feel good about that as well in that whole conversation

The real rivalry right there, I'm sure To blue blue skies one-minute video max versus me and gosh talking in that whole conversation. The real rivalry right there, I'm sure. Yeah. I'll be honest. I do. But the, to Blue Sky's one minute video, Max, versus me and Goss talking. We have a lot of Montreal, Toronto complaints in the chat. I think some of that's fair. I think it's completely fair. We've got some Hudson River Darby mentions. It's not top tier.

So that's why I've been waiting this. Weeby, what is your next tier? Like what is the next tier? Let's just finish out a top five And I think that's an interesting way to do it because then you're gonna have snubs that can't get into the top five and feel Like that's completely unfair and unjustifiable and then you're gonna have to that say hey, that's what sounds about right to me I'm gonna right now say Sorry, Texas Darby. Sorry, Copa de Tejas like you're not in the top five

like we just have not had enough of the vitriol and energy and meetings in the playoffs and big time games and all the teams being good at the same time to get there. And I just think it's a little confusing right now. What is it? Is it all three teams? Is it just Houston-Dallas? Is it Austin-Dallas? What is it?

What is it? I'm not exactly sure. So you're outside my top five with that one. I think you're New York Derby. You're out. You're outside the top five for me right now. Completely agreed. That does not resonate in a national way in any way. It just neither of the teams are good enough, interesting enough. And it doesn't feel the same as when it started where it was like, Hey, this might be number one. When it started, like going to those games felt like the event.

Being underneath the train in the Bronx, and just the buzz was at a different level. And I'm not. Shout out to Stans. Let me just clear up that this would have been when I was in college. And I'm a New Jersey guy. So I want to say I did not throw a sandwich board at anybody

in whatever year that that was. Do we think NYCFC Stadium changes this? Do we think like the first one at NYCFC Stadium? Yeah, I think it has. That'll help. I think it can really help. I also think that New York City going into their stadium maybe crystallizes a little bit more who they are and what they're about.

And I do think that that is a lot of what, like, especially the historical side that bleeds into the presence of rivalries is. Like I think that's what makes Cascadia still so so so strong. It's just you have these very clear sort of feelings of identity and place and belonging and like what it means to be a Timbers fan and what it means to be a Sounders fan. What does it mean to be a New York City fan right now? Like there's a good starting point there. Like there really is, but like it needs to mature a little bit and I think having your own building

will do that. Here's the other question for you. So your other, Canadian Classique is in here, you gotta talk about that one. I think you have to talk about St. Louis, Kansas City. I don't know if it'll get in, but you gotta talk about it. The other one for me is like, is there a Miami one? Would it be Orlando?

Would it be Atlanta? Is it a rivalry or is it more of a state Derby? And then Rocky Mountain Cup, would we stretch in? Would we stretch into the top five? And I think two or three years ago, I would say no, because RSL had just so thoroughly dominated things But it seems like it's starting to change a little bit But it seems like both teams are still sort of in this like we're not quite a complete package

Place for this particular game So if I'm just going on games I want to watch and sort of making that my first determination and going from there We already saw st. Louis, Kansas City. I would say Orlando, Miami. I would sneak in in the top five there. I would sneak it in. And then I would go Canadian Classic at four because it's sort of like desperation

is a very powerful drug. And desperation for Montreal is pretty familiar and desperation for Toronto is pretty familiar. And it goes across You know boundaries on a map it goes across sports It goes across culture and then like you put yeah, you put two like you to throw two desperate people in the ring And you're just like well who's gonna walk out like that? I'm here for that. I'm here for that

So I'm gonna say for Canadian class eat cuz I love my my neighbors up north. And then I'm going to sneak in Orlando, Miami, mostly, mostly, mostly on present star power and what I want to watch the most. Oh, classical del Sol right? Oh, I forgot about a classical del Sol. Yeah, me and john Rollins are pushing it a ton. Shout out to john in the chat. That is a very league's cup style. Wow. Okay. Okay. Okay. So that gives it even more juice for me. It gives it even more. Yeah, you know what? Let me reexamine my positions. I feel great about

that now. Tom, how do you feel about that? So Canadian Classic for me is four. And I think the strongest argument for that is, it doesn't matter if these teams are bad or good. I'm looking forward to that game and no more than this year is a good example of that. So I think that that shows how strong that rivalry can resonate and does resonate. I know that we're almost a decade beyond some of those playoff series that were just legendary. Yeah, 2016 I think is like one of the greatest playoff series, if not the of all time. I still keep thinking about that.

Like I still go back to that. Like when you're, you know, whatever the pregame package is gonna be before this game Saturday, those highlights are gonna come up and it brings you right back. And like I'm juiced and like even silly things like the blue verse red, I think that's a nice,

like when you watch these teams play, it's so consistent over the years in terms of that. But the cities hate each other. Like you said like you said we be this spans not just soccer other sports territories you know all this good stuff like that for me is there and again I think the strongest case for that is that it like we're talking about how is real like I think that that was the other one where it's like doesn't matter if they're good or bad they always deliver it's always something look forward to and that's at the top right now because of how good these two teams are and how contrasting they are.

Montreal-Toronto if this was a year where both of these teams are up they'd be in this this rivalry would be absolutely the top tier. How long does that last for because we're now in six years where that's not the case you could argue seven. But that's the thing I'm still sitting here looking forward to that and it's still in this tier. Okay I think the hard thing with the Canadian round is one. I agree with Dave though, that history is doing some real lifting for the present. Yeah, oh yeah.

And it's okay if one's good. So like Montreal was good under Nansay for a year and obviously didn't last as long as it could. Toronto obviously had some big years. That helps a rivalry I think. Like if you bring that team down a peg when they're up in your town And that becomes your season great Toronto's been bad for such a long time. The other hard part is because of Canadian Championship, they play a lot and Should almost you reach the point of like mmm. This is less exciting. I Still would keep it in there. I

Would argue I think Miami Orlando is the biggest rivalry of those two teams I think it's fair to say that like to not bring Atlanta into that Although we have some of that saying Brad Guzman didn't fall into the goal to lose to Orlando in this I think that's fair. I just wouldn't have it in here. I'd still have Hudson River Derby. Look at the playoffs last year Just like again, you talk red blue you talk about across this market and you have so many people who live with the other fans. Like that's the one along with El Trafico where it's not like when we travel to your city, we don't like you and we boo you.

It's like my friends suck because they're a fan of the other team. And if we don't win this game, I have nothing that I can talk about. And what can I throw in their face? And they both have something. Red Bulls have a stadium, NYCFC has an M MLS Cup they toss them at each other like sandwich boards as Tom said It's the whole experience. I still think that one pushes into the top five over Miami, Orlando because

You still have history with a little bit of current success and rivalry. But in saying that I've definitely missed more of the Hudson River Derby games that are on on weekends where it's not like, oh my god, this is happening, this is the whole weekend, which I think is why it's out of that top. And look, I think it could be there. I think it could be St. Louis, Kansas City could be there. Like, you're really just picking and choosing what your measuring variable is, and I'm guilty of picking and choosing based on personal enjoyment in this moment, and sort of that's antithesis to some of the rivalry heat because I'm a neutral.

You know what I mean? Like the whole point is like I shouldn't experience it the way that a Red Bulls fan would experience it. I should not be experienced in the same way like a Dallas fan would. So you know I do think it's very fair to be like well there are different sort of interchangeable rivalries just strictly based on perspective And that's the beauty the whole thing is like your perspective rules everything when it comes to these games Someone put in the chat the third wheel Darby, which is San Jose and Vancouver. I love that that is wild

Pretty sure they have an actual name for San Jose becauseanguarde? I think it's like the 74 thing. That's a little bit different. Do you have a next tier? Hold on, Rocky Mountain Cup is five for me over those. I don't think there's enough history with Miami and Orlando. Like I said, I just don't think that New York, New York are relevant enough across the country. But like, I don't think that an LAFC fan or Seattle fan or even like a Miami fan is juiced about, oh, Red Bull's are playing NYCFC this weekend, can't wait.

The same way that I think Neutrals are about the other ones we've already listed. I mean, look, and I love the Rocky Mountain Cup. You think Neutrals are coming out of the woodwork for this? Well, not all of the time. I, but right now I think both of these teams are relevant enough. Like I wouldn't call them great or anything, but I'd put them. I'd end again with the history as the balancing here. I'd put that there's some good moments in the history. Maybe he remembers the Pablo Mastroeni.

I actually think the best recent moment is Cole Bassett, like truly showing you what rivalry means and being like very shaken up and upset when they lost Terrell Salt Lake and it kind of being an overall like barometer point for the Rapids as an organization like those those are the moments to me that speak to a wider audience of like oh got it got it this means more but you have it so I won more for me to throw in the mix I don't think that it's like one of those classic lists where it's like, I'm not actually putting them in, but I want it to mention.

Okay, Bill. Cali Classico still does it for me. It really does. Yeah, I think that's totally fair. I mean, I have that in my list. Sam. Okay. I would rank it above a Atlantic.

Get a better slant. It's above an Atlantic Cup, right? Okay, so let's officially rank here. Can we just, let's make, like, we kind, but let's look let's make some hard and fast decisions Are we saying Canadian class? He get four? Okay, what are we settling on at five? Are we will we settle? I think all three of us have different opinions. Okay So you it's you're the type you're the list. What was your opinion again? Tom Rocky Mountain Cup out it goes. Sorry. I'm gonna tell you, you know what,

I think that the weight of history here is more important than my desire to watch Lionel Messi against Orlando, so I am going to, I'm going to agree with David Goss. We'll push New York Derby in at five. So at six, then we have some options. We have, we have Rocky Mountain, we have obviously the Copa del Sol, I think we have St. Louis and Kansas City. And are we doing Darby Q with that yeah we'll do Darby Q and then then Texas Darby and Cali classical are there other options any feel Texas Darby when you say that do you mean El Capitan between this is the issue this is a big issue for for this particular rivalry is that the branding is not as it's not as

universal anymore it's it's not as universal anymore. It's it's the John Arnold's Cup at this point and I like that brand. You know, I think I think you get that sponsored by continental tire. I think we're cooking with something like that could really get some traction. I think it needs to go to Coba de Tejas. I think you if you have three teams in Texas to me you should widen it. But that's a very nonas opinion that I'm sure Houston and Dallas fans are like, no, we don't need the Verdan Black punks rolling into our neck

of the woods. But I think that hurts it. I think it's hard. Yeah. Yeah, I think that's fair. Tom, you need to get out of the group chat and talk to me in person more often, okay? I'm like this all the time, okay? It was the most Midwest, like, oh damn black punks get out of here you!

Well he just doesn't like cuz the Grackle thing. We'd be so mad about the birds. That's actually the number one rivalry on this entire list is Weeby versus Grackles. There are still stories told in Kansas City, Missouri of me running out of my back door straight out of waking up with a pot and pan banging it in underwear and my neighbors being like what is wrong with this person? What is wrong with him? So. We, so where you have now inserted a Classico Del Sol as six? No, I'm saying it's in the running. Orlando Miami is in the running for six. St. Louis, Kansas City is in the running. The Texas Derby however you want to interpret that one is in

the running and then the Cali Classico to me is also in the running and Rocky Mountain Okay, sorry. Yeah What's your heart? Dave? What's your heart tell you just off the jump if we don't have Rocky Mountain Cup in the top five I put that six and I would put sorry. No, that's wrong. I put Cali Classico six and Rocky Mountain seven Okay, because I think Cali Classico 6 and Rocky Mountain 7. Okay. Cause I think Cali Classico has history, high points, low points, the Stanford Stadium thing. You have Western Conference, like you have a lot in there. Landed, just landed in Donovan, like as a human.

Right. Yeah. Yeah, there is a lot in there of success, success against each other, success in the wrong direction, teams being up and other side pegging them down. I think you do have good regional rivalry of like NorCal, SolCal is a genuine thing that's happening. So I give respect to to Cali Classico there.

And again, it's one that I'll tune into even in the last few years when one or two of these teams. Okay, I respect that. We'll take that as our six. And then we have our seven is Rocky Mountain, correct? So I would go I look I think history also matters here. No offense to my brother in the Midwest I would go Texas Derby afterwards just because I do think it has history and potential

And then I go st. Louis kid city after that and just because you know, I've been swayed to the to the side of history We'll go Orlando Miami after and say hey Kobe del Sol build on yourself I've the Darby queue it's big that it got our playoff game so yes in a playoff game To your point about good and bad teams that dynamic was everything I think that really launched a lot of it because St. Louis were at this high point in Kansas City.

We're at a desperate point of like, we just scraped in, but we have a chance to sort of knock you down a peg in your very first go that sets the tone for a long time. So we're probably under rating St. Louis, Kansas City. Um, but it's, it's early and both teams are right now. And so it's a little bit. It's hard to really get it going above some of the others. This is partially on the league for putting Houston in the Eastern Conference for a while.

Houston Dallas have not faced off in a playoff game since 2007. That's hard because I was trying to think like I can't think of the big Flashpoint game that makes that and that would have been what that probably would have been back in the day I've been like the Rico kicked pescadito days. That's Denelson days. Well actually I Yeah, I guess they were Houston already because they were yeah. Yeah, but right they just gotten there Yeah, that's probably the one fly. That was like cup winning Houston era right there. Yeah Yeah, and Dallas was OK at the time. Shout out to Steve Morrow, wherever you are, whatever you're doing.

I think that, you know, look, is that a comprehensive list? No. But is it a Weeby list? Absolutely. We have a bunch of questions in the chat on some different stuff. Weaves, I'm going to let you you go though, so I appreciate you. We may not have a meeting, so I'm just gonna lurk for a second.

Yeah, we... Corporately... All right, Tom, here's a couple questions. I'm gonna circle back on this particular topic. Here's one of the questions for you, Tom, from the chat. Can a team have more than one in like this list? Yeah. Like can Red Bulls have both NYCFC and DC United?

There's a lot of love to go around. We don't have to stick to norms, historical norms. We have two fan bases. Wow, very grateful deadpick from Tom here. Extremely great. Ooh, we got some balloons on me too. We have two fan bases that are like, everyone thinks they're our rival or hates us

and it's Seattle and Red Bulls. I think for the Red Bulls side, I get it. Being the Knicks fan, like, we come out of every playoffs series, I'm like, that was a blood feud. And you look at other teams, they're like, no, we just played each other, that was it. And it's like, you don't despise everything about

every piece of that team in city. It's such a good take. It's such a good take. It's true, you're like, I didn't know there was other ways to operate. And I think Seattle is saying like, a lot of people feel that it's either a a grudge match or an already anointed rivalry. And then part of that's being good.

We've got some LAFC stuff thrown in there. I don't know that there's a specific one to me right now as Weebylux and Tom talks that is like, this is not an obvious one, but it's a low key one that's brewing of, they've played so many big games outside of Some of this LAFC stuff Yeah

And it's almost like now you could almost say a little Columbus LAFC just for how many times that they've met in finals or games Like that we're like that's not that's not a rivalry right because that is Situational rather than anything else like if LAFC or Columbus aren't getting back to finals that just goes away And then the next time that it comes back We're talking about it again. Hey, remember 2023 remember 24. I don't know if I agree with you on that being situational I think it just has a it just has a half-life Right, like there's a half-life to those rivalries just like when Kansas City and RSL were literally fighting each other in preseason and playing In finals it was like heated heated heated heated and then when you start to change personnel and like eras end

Then the matchup doesn't have the same heat So it's just like it degrades over time naturally and so I would still say there's a rivalry It just isn't going to last forever. How is that different than situational? Yeah situational felt just a bad word choice Be a better communicator. Okay, I Feel for Minnesota and all of this. It's hard to get involved. But they're helping themselves by being petty. Like, being nice is not a way to get rivalries. That's a great point. Their social media team is doing everything they can and I love it. I'm so

here for it. And happy birthday to Dylan Walpoe's, by the way, in all of this. It was a big day for him yesterday, so that's a little addition. I don't think Tom knows what that means, which means Tom did not watch the video that I sent him. And Doyle tweeted about it, he's super juiced about it. Oh, Doyle tweeted, so. You mean Blue Sky.

That's right, he Sky'd it, yeah, he did Sky. Someone sent us a graphic that Austin FC has never played at Columbus Which was a thing I was unaware of if you had asked I would have guessed that because I can't remember it and like I feel Like I'd really would yeah, but it's been five years now and I know Covids a piece of that But does not feel by accident that does not feel accidental We will get we be quotes on that coming up in about a moment The scheduling around that.

Because I asked in the chat, like, is this one that sticks out to people? Yeah, Weeby's mic disconnected at the exact perfect moment. Is this one that feels like it, and people are like, it's tough, because it hasn't really happened the way you'd expect it? Columbus is a lot going on right now. Is Cincinnati-Philly one that we think is gonna come

into play, or is going to come into play? Or is Jim Curtin walking away? I'd like, there's still so much ties between the two organizations that yeah. And like, you made that spark when you said something about a preseason fight. Since he plays Philly in preseason every year, and it feels like we get just incredible stories out of it. Like, there was the year where Aaron Bupenso rounded Andre Blake, stopped on the goal line and back-yielded and then Jose Martinez just clocked him. I forget, I'd be tackling him off the ball. Immediately got a red card in a preseason game.

Do you know what you have to do to get a red card in a preseason game? Like and then all of the like they had they had a couple playoff games and again just the way that their styles match up. It's like it's it's a rock fight. It's a car crash, insert, whatever metaphor you want to use or simile, I remember school, that it's just, it lends itself to like that physical, it's like going back to like when you're like, oh you don't hate everybody you play all the time. Yeah. That's Philly too. And since he has so much Philly DNA in their organization that I think that's absolutely one for now. Yeah, Philly NYCFC was pushing for a little bit Obviously the Eastern Conference finals like there there was a bunch of pent-up energy in that

Philly's just never found one like DC They tried to the problem The problem for DC is now the Red Bulls don't really claim them And so they're just stuck in rivalry purgatory where they like they're all just like fans versus owners It's like the good old old days talk, you know, like, well, back in the day when the Atlantic Cup was everything and it's like, well, you kind of, yeah, back in the day. Yeah. When did you fax over the scores at the time when the cup was relevant?

The revs in the box score in the newspaper the next day? The revs have never had one. In my head the revs should be Houston because they met in MLS wasn't there a situation situation ship can we call it that like I'll get on board with you for situation ship wasn't there a situation ship with the with the fire at one point and the red yeah just cuz I'm from the playoffs like they were just playing each other in big games so often in those years like the 12 men

years and you know, and those were also the years when like, you know, it was the start of everything for the fire and Bob and and And all those just really epic teams. So I would throw that one out We got an RSL Houston shout for kind of around those years the Beckerman years of like some open cup games some playoff games Some stuff like that. I think RSL is again was one where in that six year span, I think a lot of teams, a lot of fan bases disliked them because they played a lot of big games. And so I think you had a lot of animosity pent up of semi-finals and finals and playing against the ball sometimes so frustrating for

people. I think Kaelin Carr caused a lot of angst in people's lives. The other thing I would say about all of this, and that specific situation too, where you just said we see them a lot, is you need faces to hate. So you need consistency and you need guys that are easily hateable. I'm looking at the Brooklyn combination of a very hateable person right here You know like you smash your two heads together like that's hateable But you need that you need Beckerman barking at you need Nick grab a boy on the field being like like this guy's like doesn't Look like he'd be an sob, but he is really playing like it, you know

So Sabo is running through us a lot of a and and Borchers like this is miserable and they seem to love whooping us like that you need that hateable face that hateable persona and good teams usually have a good bit of that so. We now sit on the verge also of what will be next. I think part of that is I think Nashville sitting in an interesting place like can they get enough playoff games and not move conferences again to be able to play someone whether it's Charlotte or Atlanta or Chicago honestly the Red Bull they've had a lot of decent like yesterday was their first win ever against the Red Bulls in their franchise's history I heard that and I was like that can't be right like obviously it is but I was just like wow I feel like that

they've done well against them no that is not the case at all. They did really well yesterday. They looked really good. Can we like invent? I mean, I know people are gonna groan at this but just try to Can we try to envision a future where there's a real rivalry for teams and try to figure out what that rival would be? And why like surely adding expansion teams in this is fan fiction., we could do San Diego. Who's their most likely rival? Yeah, that was one I was gonna ask you. I don't know. LAFC? It's gonna come down,

that's gonna come down to the games they play. Like, if the Galaxy are horrendous this year, and San Diego and LAFC play in the playoffs, and then next year San Diego takes a step back, Ricky's back, they're good, and then in two years, LAFC, San Diego play in the playoffs again, that's it, right?

Like, I don't think there's any difference between those two clubs from a cultural point of view to San Diego. I think the galaxy are probably bigger in the region, and it's more of a name. And so that's the only thing that would stand up. It's fair. On a different thread, I like that in rivalry week, it's Kayla Porter versus Bruce Arena. That's an individual thing, not a team actually, but we can try to make it as San Jose. And there's, I don't know, 700 players that went between the two teams this off season. No, I'm personally circled that one on the calendar. It's even better. It's in New England,

obviously. How about a Charlotte? Where's Charlotte sitting in this rivalry spot? Charlotte National. That could be one. Could that be one? I don't know. It could be. I will say, I think Orlando has a bit of Nick's energy to them. I think people don't like playing them and losing them. I feel like Charlotte's coming for Orlando off the playoffs last year already, but in saying that, I think Atlanta's coming for Orlando.

I think Miami's coming for them. So maybe Orlando starts to be one of these many mistresses rivalry situations. That's what it felt like with Charlotte. I think your best bet would have been Atlanta. The Elmi Rowan thing happened, two NFL stadium setups, trying to sort of beat each other as best in that Southeast region type thing. Atlanta being a mess this year. And just in two cities that, I mean, I don't know if there's a real rivalry between the cities. No offense to Charlotte. Another kind of taking a beating this week

with the PGA championship. But I don't even know what Charlotte will know. Charlotte will try. I think Charlotte will know many, many, many will know. But like, I think if you're looking at the region, there's not like a is Charlotte better than Atlanta thing going on. It's mostly I think assumed that Atlanta Would be the better city and that's not a dig on Charlotte. I really like Charlotte have enjoyed every moment. I've spent there I don't know. Maybe I'm just inventing something there. How about Chicago? It feels like a Chicago fire Like a team in Chicago needs a rival irrelevant for yeah dozen years. They They've had some good Red Bull stuff

Obviously the Tyler Adams playoff game, I think back then through to like the Dennis Hamlets years. Chicago being bad is bad. We got something in the chat if we're doing other teams. Indianapolis would be a clear one if it ends up coming in. My assumption would be Detroit would be a clear one if it ends up coming in as well. Those are all new teams that would have to come about.

My guess at this moment, if you ask me, it's going to be Burhalter related. Like if in five years you're like, oh, this is actually a rivalry. It's kind of Vancouver MLS Cup. Here we go. Yeah. It's going to be Nashville. You know, it's going to be BJ and him or it's going to be Columbus and him. That one didn't exactly pop off in the way that maybe it did. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, Jesse, Burl, like there's a lot of infighting, not infighting, but you know what I mean. Like there's a lot of different branches

off of all those trees that are close, but you know. So that'd be good, particularly after how Martian Burl's are with the national team where all that. Not really a lot of that. Yeah, rivalry arborist over here. Just, you know, these trees, we got the branches. I'm a homeowner now, so. Let me finish on this.

Let me do an instruction on this rivalry. Like, well, what's the mechanical on this, huh? Secure the perimeter. Let's finish on this. Let me do an instruction on this rivalry. Like, what's the mechanical on this, huh? Secure the perimeter. Let's finish on this. So we have sort of our 10. I appreciate everyone for all the feedback and obviously let us know how we're dumb and what we've done wrong and I will read through all of it. Maybe we'll pull some of it into the show next time.

For the weekend, Canadian Classique is the early game on Saturday. Hudson River Derbies then at 4 430 p.m. Eastern Time Then you get into the full slate of games at night including that Bruce Bowl or whatever you want to call it You have I think in the end of it You've got Cascadia at 930 p.m. Eastern Time and then on Sunday You've got the Florida game and you've got El Trafico. It's a great doubleheader Sunday night soccer, baby I was literally about to say Tom. Let's start with with you so we don't just end up in the full promo.

No, no, no, no. Weeby's giving us 55 minutes. He deserves a promo. Yeah, that's fair. What do you, okay. I said go ahead and go over him. Look, he's the host now. He's the host.

I have to follow directions. The juices, I think for Miami is just like, is it falling apart or is it not? Where is this season going for them? The first two minutes of that game in San Jose was I feel like the Miami experience this year, which is, oh my God, they're great. Oh my God, they're terrible. What? So that's been the seesaw that we've been on and it feels like Orlando Seesaw lately has been either up or dead even they're not dropping like they're not winning as many games as you might expect But I thought it was a really good performance

Against a little bit better Charlotte maybe midweek to pile up a win there So I just think to go back to our point about rivalries These are the moments like Orlando trying to climb ten games unbeaten Miami trying to figure out Are they a great team or a team in disarray? this is where it can kind of pop off and obviously Leonel is he's a passionate guy like he he has himself an ability to make this rivalry pop off like in the same way that any attention

all the attention gets paid when he and Andres Kubas just have a little beef or when he's talking to a referee like everything he does just has a different level of Sort of hype pushed around it So, you know look a lot of people on that field is gonna be speaking Spanish and it could get crazy and I love it I like I like the matchup for Muriel here, right? You get centerbacks on this Miami team whose minds float. Muriel's in a really good moment. Like you saw that against Charlotte popping up

on back shoulders being dangerous, even if it's a gift of a goal in the first one. I don't think anyone strikes the ball better right now in the league than Ojeda. Oh my God. It feels like there'll be goals. It feels like it'll be exciting. It is meaningful.

I think on top of the Miami thing of like who they are and whatnot is what are they playing philosophical? Yeah, what are we all doing here? Right? They're out on they're out on concha calf Like those were these were that are they are you gunning for Sport or shield? Did you win it last year is the goal MLS cup? Then are you sort of biding your time through Club World's Cup and if Orlando can put like a pacing down on you in the middle of that. What do you think they should care about most? To me I would care the most about Club World Cup right now.

I would say that like for Miami putting in the best possible performance in Club World Cup should be like short term their number one goal. You got to think of La Familia, family, it's why we're all here trying to live a good life and do good and I don't know think about it That's what you meant What you're trying to get you talking about what if what is it all for why are we all what are they? Yeah, what are they looking this is like the ass in furious 12 like what do we do? What are you doing here? I throw it. Yeah throw it and throw it in first bro. Like let's burn some rubber

All right Bro, I don't we be I don't disagree with you I would just say I don't think that matters right now in terms of you have to start playing some relevant To do it. You have to you're right. Yeah, I would say I don't know that the team will say shield is the most important thing But the way they've played in knockout competitions, that is the most likely thing you're gonna win Like the way this team is structured, non-specific, don't have time to fully game plan for us, the games a little bit more open and more free, regular season games, is where they are at their best.

And so to over index on knockouts and cups, when you've won one, that was League's Cup, the day he got there and whatever else. But isn't that the whole point though? Is got there but isn't that the point though is that like winning something different is the point winning something that has a different historical weight is the point I will say it's good news that a shindig got a couple goals last night because all that sort of early season hype of like Segovia and a shindig doesn't matter that they lost Gomez or doesn't matter they lost Campana or you know all that like which was a rojas that was sort of just like Like form started to show you that that really did matter that was a good sign

That was like a canary in the coal mine of like okay, okay It's not as bad as it seemed for the last ten games in terms of getting help But yeah, I mean look you guys are right every game matters because every game is basically like Tune in unless he's yeah Well, I didn't I didn't hear you before I said yes, so take that yeah I mean, look, you guys are right. Every game matters because every game is basically like. To an M1 season best. Yeah. Well, I didn't hear you before I said yes. So take that yeah off the record. To a global audience.

But it's just like, our Maserato's under huge pressure. Like, you know, like. Absolutely. So every game truly does matter for them. We had some questions about Denke. So let's go into Hell is Real. That one's 715 is what it says on the schedule so it starts hold on hold on i'm on i'm on el trafico so we already

gave the rundown of that one but uh somebody's calling me why aren't you in this meeting uh no the meeting was reportedly cancelled uh i just we already said sources yeah we already we already said it but like look i just i i just i just want to see how the galaxy respond. How do you pull yourself off the mat? This is the game that would pull you off, and if they don't get up off the mat with some real energy and passion, that's going to be really, really difficult watching. Really difficult. But I think they will.

Can we do a Hell is Real now? Yes, you can. Top of the Eastern Conference. I don't disagree. I just thought we did You know, yeah, no, I think everyone everyone can agree that the appearance was worth it at this point Look, you got to pay your price man. This is the big okay He's gonna go on LinkedIn after this Tom, what do you what for Hell is Real for me? Oh man. So I'm still of the belief that Cincinnati are the best team in the league

and every chance that they get to prove that is or display that they're the big dogs, that they're the team that other teams should be chasing and particularly against Columbus. And it's just stylistically where both of these teams are at, I think is so fun because there's so many different reasons before you get to the current teams for this rivalry that you're excited to watch. Like everything off the field, the fans, that they're both high in the standings. But then to go on the pitch and they just the styles that both of them are so committed to the way that they play. And both of them think we're the best team on the field, you adapt to us, you counter to us, you have to like

we're gonna play we're gonna throw our fastball and hit it. Both teams are doing that. And I just love when those two styles kind of come together. And there's a more star power now in Cincy. But there's still a lot of stars with Columbus like Diego Rossi. Is this the Daniel Gazda game where it's like, oh hell yeah, this is why we traded for one of the best players in the league, one of the most productive players in the league over the last four or five years. So I think on the individual front of the, or the storylines that I'm kind of following

where it's like, yeah, Kevin Denke has been phenomenal this season. Be pretty cool to do that in his first derby. The goal in Serrano was gross. Like, that's the thing. That was unbelievable. Um, the way he celebrated was like what made it more scary for me because it was like that dude, like that was some weak foot. And like, we talk about everything that he's good at. His, his movement off the ball, his, his finishing, his pace, his, his, he can win balls in the air.

He dribbled through three, four dudes, smacked one with his weak foot into the upper 90 and turned around like it was a training seven-a-side goal. And I was like, if you challenge somebody to a fight and they're just like calmly like, yeah, like not emotional at all, it's like, oh my god, I'm gonna get my ass kicked here. Like that's what that thing he like gave to me. Yeah, his ability to dribble into it his ability to shoot from anywhere quickly like doesn't take a lot for him to get to the power and A Columbus team that's gonna open up the game. I think that's like the excitement in all of that

And I think that's thank you saying that in four sentences what I said in two and a half minutes I think that's part of why I was much better. It's the best game of the weekend It's also probably gonna decide a decent chunk at the top of the East. Clearly these two teams are not going away. So it's a six point. I mean, it's going to decide who potentially who's the supporter shield leader and potentially who's leading the Eastern Conference. Yeah. Can I also just a pure Weeby side here? The you see the little like things that they put inside the let the numbers on

the jerseys sick. Oh, yeah. Super sick. Love the skeleton. Like the Cincinnati one, but love the skeleton, but just love that that happened. Quick question on Cincinnati, though. I hear you on best team. Plus four goal differentials, not exactly screaming it to me. Totally fair.

I'm more projecting they're getting the results. Plus they were my shield pick. I think it's sustainable. I think at their best, they're getting the results plus like they were my shield pick. I think it's sustainable at their best They're better. I agree. I think it's sustainable and like we're sort of hovering not at the floor But obviously above the floor, but nowhere near the ceiling with this team right now. How do you get more about up or Ashana? Because it's not right now clicking the way Lucho and or Ashana clearly clicked Yeah, so so is do you go back to, like, when they signed Orochano, wing back? That was the plan.

Do you, but then you have to tell Lucas Engel that like you need to stay at home more on the other side if you put Orochano at right wing back. And then that means Deandre Yedlin out of the team. I think it's a good problem to have, but I would like to see the game where they move out. It's funny that you assume Engel's 100% still starting in that scenario, and it's not Yedlin in Origano. Oh, that's fair. Yeah, so maybe Origano on the left. I could assume on the left because Evander likes to hover over there and come inside on his right.

One of the wingbacks, whoever is at the opposite side, you have to stay. Because Origano is going to play wingback like Christian Espinosa versus San Jose. You're really a winger, and it's just a lopsided for 2-1. The theft by the way of Espinosa not getting that goal last night, that would have been the 4-3 of like it would have been the Mexico goal of his career against Messi and he actually had the celebration on lock again where he was like I'm not gonna overdo it. It's gonna be cool guy and then they called it back. It was brutal. Yeah I think part of the Origano-Lucho connection was when he started at wingback they played nuclear space together and then they called it back was brutal. Yeah, I think part of the Orojano-Lucho connection was when he started at wing back, they played in a clear space together. And then when he

moved up the field, he occupied different space where it feels like Evander and him cross over more because Evander actually wants the ball in more areas of the field, which is a positive on Portland when there was less direction. It's a little bit harder here where you have other players. And I think it makes him less predictable for his teammates and a guy like Orojano where it's like, okay, well, where am I living and where am I popping up? And that's the question marks for me, which I said to you last time, Tom, of like, this team has not peaked.

In saying that, if you have them as your supporter shield pick, that's great. For a team to have not peaked and be in first place, that's the dream and they're getting healthier as well. And they also are a team that's clearly like, if there's a small gap or opening, they're going to try and take it in the summer window or wherever. And the flip side is the crew have a huge gap. They have a massive gap that they could exploit still. The upside, yeah.

There's a big piece that they could bring into their team that would change who they are. On both of these fronts, Columbus, I am very firmly expecting to add a designated player this summer. And Cincinnati, you never say never on these things because they have some really smart cap people at the club. But my understanding is pretty safely they're staying the 242 model because they need the game. And hey, they have a lot of flexibility with U-22 initiative.

And that's a way for them to add a high upside, high talent player. But even if that might not really impact this season because you'll be 24 games in and U-22, you know all of that, but like this front-off, they hit on a lot of this coaching stuff, they hit on a lot of signings. This is the club that like low key got Santi Arias to sign on like a vet minimum because he was looking for a place to play and they gave him the right plan. Also, shout out to Dotto Valenzuela for being the offseason or their summer window big pickup when he just starts destroying.

Dotto is like the this is I actually want to walk this back, but it like it reminds me of Vander being like, I know, I know. It just made me feel bad. I just like I'm cursing Dotto, but like I immediately thought when a vendor was like That's my guy. I'm bringing him up. I'll put him under my wing. I was like Zlatan and Efra but then I just like but I want to Pull that one back real quick. Dude, dude efforts on a great season in league of neggies Yeah, that's true. He's back. He's fully back and fully alive. Okay any games?

I guess New England San Jose would be the big one outside of the Rivalry specific games that everyone would sort of have earmarked Charlotte, Chicago is a fun one Charlotte hosting Zaha scored a couple goals or scored a goal last night cuz dude he's Wilfred Zaha like come on, bro Obviously Tom are you in or out still? I'm in Till we go down. Yeah, there are there are clear. It feels like there's a lot of time that's about to go down There are never his fault when he's really good for the game. Yeah, there's question marks on all three lines Like back line midfield and the attack with this group And that's where it feels really hard to put them into like the elite combo Charlotte and Chicago had a

great win last year. Yeah Charlotte This road test was always gonna be the are you elite test and it's ongoing for a while now What'd you think of the three four three they went into last night and and sort of put Zaha more in a half space I like you. Jaquille Marshall ready. I like it coming around a little bit My biggest critique of Zaha this season is there's just so many times where he's just hugging the touchline and static and like, like, hey, if you guys pass the ball quicker and switch quicker, I'll have more time to get the ball and run at somebody. He's just never off, he was never off the back shoulder, it felt like, and he was never

really tucking into space. It just felt like it was really easy to mark him out of a game. And I think with a three, four, three, or 3-4-2-1, give him a little bit more freedom. And like, again, his goal, his first touch was at the top of the 18 in the channel. Like one touch brought him to zone 14 and he scored. And I think that they need to get him into more spaces like that. I do. It makes me feel for Liela Bada because it's like, Hey man, we brought, we bought you for $6 million DP. like big, sorry, you have to buy wing back because we need to accommodate Tom. I mean, no offense. I don't feel bad for Leo Abbata even for a half second. I mean, Bernadeski

played right wing back like for eons. Oh, relax. That's the fact that he was best on best 11 as a fullback. Like dude, he was a winger. It's like same thing. If Christian has been a- Okay, you can play it that way, Leo. You can play it that way. Like- I don't think that you can if the other side is March right because he's an attack mind to play because then you're really three in the back They are exposed in the back no matter what right now like guys are losing one through one battles Reem Malonda and it was one of the concerns with them

You know Malonda has these moments where he sort of falls apart in the game, whether it's in a game or for stretches. Feels like he's in one right now. And I don't think Reem's helping. I actually think normally I would say I love a partnership where like two different skill sets. It actually feels like right now they're kind of falling. Their deficiencies are falling into each other. And that's making it pretty difficult for the team structurally overall. And they don't have a central midfield that protects them Like you don't watch this team and you're like, yeah, no, no this, you know, whoa, but oh, we'll clean this up Charo will clean this up. That's like not the case with them

I think that's another part of this team that I worry about on top of all that. Okay, do we feel good? Feel good. I feel great. We haven't been on Do we feel good? We feel good. I feel great. Weebs, you haven't been on a volume. Anything else you got to fire off before we get out of here? I feel like somebody who hasn't exercised in a couple months and just hit a good workout and they're like,

endorphins are high, great. But tomorrow I'm going to wake up and I'm just like, oh, why does that hurt? You're going to want to do a nice salt bath after this, just to make sure you get all the lactic acid out. Gotcha. Weebs, could youaves any good books or something Not recently no I outlined all of those on the scuffed podcast so

You know if you like to listen to that wonderful show Wow promotion for others Thanking them for the invite But no I have not recently read any good books But I I need to return my library book that I lost momentum on and get a new one So I'll report back in the group chat and we be supporting local libraries It's just a free actually to get a library card So I don't even know how much support there is on this other than it's late So I probably owe them a leader in this space

I would like cultural libraries if anyone that listens to this works for the Miami-Dade Public Library system I would like for you to just explain The late fee plan. I don't understand it. I've read it 15 times You you don't owe a late fee unless someone else wants the book then you owe the whole fee of the book unless you bring it back Whoa Yeah, so just let me know what I owe what I owe it let me read the book as long as I want I've also run out of steam on it. So I'm trying to find my way back Back back home on that. That's punitive. I gotta tell you that's pretty that's punitive. I like but I

I've read it like five times. I don't understand it. You need a legal degree right? I don't know. I want while we're Aaron just random grievances, I'll go. Um, from my commuting to, uh, Connecticut, all the driving. I don't understand why people cannot just adhere to the cardinal, the golden rule of the New Jersey Parkway. Keep right, except to pass. And it just so happens a lot of those license plates are in New York and Pennsylvanialvania who do not adhere to this rule do you the fastest driving car what lane do you drive in when you pass and then the next fastest driving car what lane do you drive in

so the parkway that i'm taking is usually two lanes okay that's like a whole other thing i said this to my partner and she was like i don't know what you're talking about. I'm like, well, you only pass on the left because you don't want to be in someone's blind spot. Right. And so that's why you leave the left open unless you're driving the fastest.

So all tortoises should be in the right. Correct. And happily so. She acted like I was making this up. Well I was going to respond to you and say the second fastest inevitably has to drive on the right Because the person in the middle is so in their own world that they don't understand that they're the slowpoke. Yeah Oh, you know middle lane ever no, I would I do but then there's always the person in the middle That's getting passed on both sides and doesn't move over

That's the big things like see look the signs are there people are streaming past you you are the rock in the river Like move this person especially because the exits are on the right streaming past you you are the rock in the river like move this person Just said especially because the exits are on the right. Thank you. Thank you I spent like an hour in a car being like Everyone knows and then I realized because Miami drivers are the worst. It's this is the worst place I've ever driven in my life on the planet. I have driven on Multiple continents I lived in Boston and delivered pizzas like I been in, I've been in these streets for a while and this is insane.

And then I'm like, well, maybe all these people learned it the same way as her, which is no rules. So maybe that's why it's pure chaos. But I don't think that's why. The education is failing our youth. And on that note, thank you so much, Sandra Weavey for joining us. This was an absolute pleasure

I am glad that everyone guy gave us some input. I'm looking forward to this weekend of rivalry matches We will have a weekend recap coming out of it to sort of get you all the notes of what you saw We've got some great shows lined up for next week. I have no idea what's going on next week either So I'll make that up when we get there and we'll figure out guests or whatever else that we might end up doing So thank you. Of course to you Tom Weebs. Thanks for all the music