SoccerWise - Sit down w/Seb Berhalter(VAN), Tim Ream(CTL), Steven Moreira(CLB) & Paxten Aaronson(COL)

Episode Date: January 15, 2026

David sit downs in person with these four MLS stars. They talk about a range of topics from youth development, to living in the moment around the World Cup, Wilfred Nancy's future in Europe, Jersey pizza, and much more.1:00 Seb Berhalter (VAN) on player development, World Cup memories, making the WC roster, and who is next up for the Whitecaps.8:05 Tim Ream (CTL) on growth of MLS, living in the moment, work life balance, Charlotte's next steps, and more.22:19 Steven Moreira(CLB) on what makes Nancy special, good fighting in the locker room, his position change, losing Darlington Nagbe, and what Columbus means to him.37:32 Paxten Aaronson(COL) on coming back to MLS, Jersey pizza, having a professional soccer brother, and much more.

Hey everybody, David Goss here on Soccer Wise. Welcome back. We've got a special episode for you today. I was lucky enough to sit down with a bunch of players in Major League Soccer in Miami at the MLS Media Marketing Tour. So we're going to put together a few of those interviews for you coming up. We chatted, we hung out, got to know some of your favorite players from some of the different teams around the league. Hopefully it makes you like your already favorite player a little bit more. Maybe you find some of your favorite player a little bit more. Maybe you find some of your favorite players. I got to know some of your favorite players from some of your favorite players from some of your favorite players. Hopefully, one new that you like as well. A lot of these are really endearing. These players were really, really open and relaxed with us. We always appreciate the time they give us. So enjoy the show. We'll be back next week with another normal episode with all of Tommy's big scoop. So enjoy the show. Spassion Burrhalter here at MLS Media Marketing. And unfortunately for you, the last interview we did on the show was with Greg Burrhalter. So I have to start you here, which is he said basically one year ago in this state in Florida you guys were playing golf and you turned to him and said I think this is going to be my year do you remember that moment and do you remember why yeah he actually he brought

that up a couple weeks ago and he said like do you remember that moment and I was like yeah you know for me it just felt like it was like compounding interest you know I think it was going in my sixth year and each year was just you know a build on on the next you know some some were good years some were not good years but every year I was learning from it so I don't know I just I had a feeling that this was my next step and that, you know, I was ready for it and I feel like I've, you know, gathered all the tools and, you know, just felt almost like resourceful, you know, for heading into the year that, like, I could do this. So, yeah, I'm just glad that, you know, did it and I want to keep going. Where you sit, it's interesting because your club has a lot

of young players you're pushing through. What do you think about development now? When I asked you that question, it's obviously not your job of what it took you to get here, the long steps you've been through and maybe what you would tell another player coming through of what it takes to get to this level. Yeah, I mean, you have to believe in yourself. You have to, you know, I was talking about it. I almost had a delusion about it. And, you know, delusion is good and bad because if you're not working hard and you have delusioned, then it means nothing.

But I think if you put the work in and then have that delusional self-believe, like he said he'd look at me, be like, dude, what are you talking about right now? You know what I mean? And I'd be like, you know, I believe it. Like, I believe I can be one of the best midfils in the league. 100%. And I'm telling this, you know, years ago. So, yeah, I think believing in yourself and then going and putting the work in is probably the best mixture. This year was special.

Is there one specific moment that stands out when you think back on it? I don't know. I think just the first time putting on the U.S. jersey was something that I'll never forget. And even just the bus ride to the game was something that I'll never forget. And then just I think there's the – just with the Vancouver guys, you know, being with those guys for four to five years. you know, having that success and, you know, not ultimately ending it how we wanted to end it, but feeling like we can do it. We're one of the best teams of the league, and that was a nice feeling that we've been searching for for years now. So that was also great.

Where the group stands right now, Ali, we know, sold to Norwich, huge opportunity for him. Jaden traded on. How does it feel now, as you say, it's been four or five years, but the team's starting to shift a little bit? Yeah, I mean, those are two great players and even better people, honestly. So, you know, yeah, they're both losses. They are, but I'm, We have guys that, I think, this whole year we've had guys stepping up, you know. So it's not something that you're worried about. And we have a great core and guys that can just, you know, step up anywhere. So, yeah, it's feel good about it.

You're going to talk about the World Cup a lot today, but I want to ask you two questions around it. First around Vancouver, it's a host city. Yeah. It's become your home. What should people know about Vancouver? What do you expect from the World Cup experience there? They're going to be blown away. I think it's as same as I was.

I didn't know too much about it. And when I came, I was like, wow, what a city. It literally, it blows your mind every time you're there and just seeing the mountains and seeing the water. I think people are going to be shocked about how nice of a city it is. And then, yeah, I think it's just great for the city. I feel like, you know, the city deserves something like this

to be there and, you know, hopefully just keeps escalating soccer in Canada. On the U.S. side, huge opportunity for you. Who is your favorite USMNT player of all time? I won't say my dad, because of the vice, but that's a good question. I mean, honestly, like, you know, being my dad was a coach, like I just think seeing Christian's progression from a guy that was like a great player on the team and, you know, was kind of a leader but not really.

And then growing into what he is today and the person and the type of character he is today, I think that was so inspiring, you know. And, you know, he didn't come naturally, it seemed like to him. And, you know, the way like in those Mexico games and some of those moments when we need him, most he was always there. So I think for me he's one of the, you know, one of the best players we ever had and, you know, hopefully he keeps going. But that journey, those couple years was, was big for me. It was pretty cool to see. When we, as we get ready for the World Cup for us, we've been reminiscing a lot about the great World Cup moments. Do you have one, whether it's

U.S. or non-U.S. World Cup moment that's your favorite? Yeah, I think I think Landon Donovan's Alger. You know, I remember staying home from school and the teachers had no idea why. And they're like, look, he was watching a World Cup game. But, you know, like realizing I was not at school, you know, at home, how much this meant to our country. My parents emphasizing that was, yeah, that's probably my favorite moment and the most memorable one for sure. And for you this year, what have you heard from where you so much? You know, what's your goals of how you get yourself to that tournament? I mean, I'm just going to keep taking it one day at a time, you know, and if I'm at the World Cup, great.

And if not, it doesn't mean I'm not a good player, you know. So for me, it's just about just do my thing. And, you know, I'm not a guy that's going to be like every day wake up. I'm at the World Cup. You know, that's just, that's not how I am. And I do better when I just focus on the moment and keep going. So, yeah, I just keep doing more things that I've been doing, and nothing really changes. Focusing back on the moment, a special coach on the other side and Yesper Sorensen,

what's it been like working with him? He's been great. He's been, I think he just makes things easy and just stuff makes sense. You know, nothing's like trying to make this crazy, whatever. It just, it all makes sense. You know, we have guys that know how to execute. And I think the mixture between the two has created a great balance. and he's a great person and a great leader and knows when to talk to you,

knows when he'll be a little bit harder on you. So he's been very impactful and we're really lucky to have him in Vancouver. As I went through those guys who have elevated their game and you being one of them, who do you think is next? Who should people be watching out for with the white caps? That's a great question. I think I want to give you three answers right now. I was going to say, there's no way you can say just a lot.

I know. I know. I think, I mean, Tate Johnson's a pretty obvious one. I mean, the way he understands the game at 19. years old just coming into the league is ridiculous um riana loomi i think he's only played a handful of games but he's a really good player and then jeevin bodwell i think you know he's um someone that i love playing with in the middle and he's someone that just wants to learn wants to get better and you know i think he has a bright future too so um you know two Canadians there but but both you know really good

players both called into the january camp so it makes a lot of sense yeah really uh last one for you then you had a lot of success this year. What's the goal for 2026? Yeah, I mean, it's just, it's, you know, using that base that I developed myself last year and extending upon it, you know, and again, we fell short. You know, we didn't win the MLS Cup.

We didn't win the Champions League Cup. So those are definitely two goals. And then for me, it's just about the little details within the game that, you know, I think if I can get those down, I can still be a lot better than I was this year. So I'm really excited and I can't wait. It's going to be great because then you can come back on the show

and talk to us again. There we go. Awesome. Have a good day. Awesome. Thank you. Tim Rume here, the elder season of the U.S.N. Sassel team, as we just got through talking about, as well as Charlotte FC.

Let's start on the MLS side. Yep. Come back, sort of get settled in with the team. What do you make of what MLS is now, what the experience is for you after coming back? It's so different. It's so different from when I left and different in a good way. The number of, and I said this early on when I came back, watching and playing games against so many different systems and players and coaches is is just leaps and bounds beyond what it was when

when I left and that's a good thing that's a great thing there's so much so much flexibility and and you know the players understanding different systems and and and not just run and gun let's let's overpower let's let's be more fit you have to be fit everyone's fit yeah at this at this point now right And, yeah, it's just great. The level of the player, the level of the coaching, and now you've matched those up. It makes for an exciting league. Let's take Charlotte out of it.

Do you have a favorite MLS team to watch? No. Honestly, you want to know the full truth? I watch as few games, probably the least amount of games of any player in the league. Always, or this is as you've played? No, I've never. Is this an escape for you or it's just not your interest?

No, I just have other interests. For me, it's, I play the game, right? And we have loads of meetings and we see loads of teams play and we play against loads of teams and you see players. And when, you know, you're sitting at home, I've got three kids. I don't need to bring my work home with me, right? So, I mean, I think I watch more Premier League now than I do anything and I never watch games. When I was over there, never watched the game.

Is that watching for them to support? Yeah, of course. Yeah. just to stay connected. But, yeah, I watch very few of the games in the league that I play in. What do you, do we have a TV show at night or do we watch anything? Not really. Okay.

My kids take over everything. Well, that seems like a reasonable thing. And by the time. And if you get bored, you could just pop a fourth then. Yeah. Is this audio only, the look on his face? Okay, great. No, like, by the time they go to bed, it's like, I want to wind down.

I want to relax and not have to follow along. on a TV show. So not a big TV guy. Okay. What books? Should I keep going here? A little bit of books. I mean, I do, you know, my kids.

Are you out just like, cut down trees and building furniture? No. Yeah, right. I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy that. My wife might actually like that. No, I mean, like read a book, do some Sudoku, maybe do some Lego. Nice. Mostly because my kids don't finish, like follow through with it.

um love to just be outside i know in the nighttime you can't really do that but love to be outdoors so okay those are my those are my go-toes what have you made of charlotte from a lifestyle point of view it's great um it's been a heck of an adjustment coming from london um it's a little bit different but i i equated to going from new york to bolton yeah so it's just we're just coming back the other way um but it's it's it's great we were just talking about how you know there's there's a lot of different things that you can get into and do, especially with the family and the kids. And, you know, the city, the appetite for soccer is incredible. Support incredible. Fans, great. So, yeah, it's been a pretty good fit, you know, especially now that I'm able to play centerback.

Has been, you know, a much easier time. But listen, we're talking to our neighbors the other day, It's like, it's going to take you three, four years to fully, fully settle in. So I'm glad on the field that, you know, things have settled down. And now I think off the field is trying to get your bearings more and more. Because you're going to play left mid later this year, right? God, I hope not. I might retire at that point. As you come into this stage, this project, Charlotte, this experience,

you have a family like, is this an idea of this is the X amount of years I'm going to play and this is where I'm going to do it? Or was it this was the right? next step and then we'll figure it out from there. Yeah, I think it was a little bit of both. I think it was, okay, what are, what's each side willing to, to, you know, compromise and look at? You know, I didn't feel like moving somewhere and only going for, you know, six months

or a year was going to be, was going to be enough time for the family to kind of put themselves down and settle in. So listen, we'll stay as long as the club will have us. And that's that. I mean, we did not fully promise, but we told the kids like, yeah, this is where you guys will be. This is where you're going to go to school. This is, and you'll stay there until you're, you know, you go through high school. And so that's kind of the plan.

I mean, after, I'm so focused on this year, this year specifically. I mean, everything that we've done is the decisions we've made. have been because of this year. Is something happening this year? I don't know. Something big, like maybe the biggest tournament ever. Have you done 14 stations about your favorite World Cup moment? Yeah, so many.

But like it all has been culminating into this. And it's once in a career. And so, yeah, all the decisions have been made based on that. And it's, you know, six more months of tough work to hopefully still be involved and be able to go to a home World Cup. I want to talk about on the field. Obviously, Adelson Malanda came on in strides and your partner. He moves on, Luca Deloere coming in.

The spine is where you operate. What needs to happen this year and how do you at least, for starters, get back to where you were at the end of last year and then take the next step as a team? Yeah, listen, it's great for Adi. I think everybody saw that he and knew that he had ambitions to go and go over to Europe, back over to Europe and play. Fully deserves it. He's one of the best kids I've ever played with. Humble, you know, down to earth, wants to work, wants to learn.

And he'll be a big loss. It'll be a huge loss for us. And, you know, I think we're still trying to figure out, you know, his replacement. obviously you have a ready-made one in Prives who can step in. And so we'll... You're talking to the Primus Fan Club right now. I'm sure that's kind of the route we're going to end up going, at least to begin with. And we'll see what happens.

You know, like you said, we've got a pretty strong spine. At the end of the day, the goal is to progress and improve on the previous year. And to do that, okay, we need to go top four again, but we need to do something in the playoff. Offs. Ultimate goal is win an MLS Cup, right? Everybody says that. Every team wants to do that. Being a relatively new club, you know, what are the standards? Okay, we've set standards. Now we have to go beyond that. And that's where we are. That's the mindset. That's the, you know, as Brant Bronicoe says, the grind set. And you have to, you have to, you know, you have to put yourself out there and do everything you possibly can to continue to move the club forward. I'm going to have to pay the trademark to brand for that one. Obviously, the attack is not your expertise, but that's that next step, right? In the playoffs, scoring goals, what is it that unleashes that? Is it Toklamadi getting more comfortable in more time?

Like, what is, or is it Luca's edition? Yeah, it's a little bit crazy, to be honest, because we were scoring goals and, you know, flying going into the playoffs, and then it was just like, bang. Yeah. Just completely, just went dry. And, you know, it's one of those things that strikers and attackers, when they, when they feel it, they're feeling it. And it just seems like everything goes in. And then when it goes cold, it's a tough one to get back. So, yeah, I think Luca is going to be an important player. He's really going to come in and help us progress the ball.

You know, hopefully unlock the opposing defenses. And having PEP BL healthy is going to. going to be a big a big thing for us. You know, he was, he was flying before his, his injury and, you know, in some circles in discussion for, you know, outside MVP. So, yeah, having him, obviously, Wilf, will be back and, you know, contributing on that side. It'll be interesting that the different combinations we can, you know, we can have throughout the season. And I think it'll change, you know, opponent depending. But Edon, you know, you get him in front of goal.

He's going to put goals away. Fast, physical, you know, strong in the air, unbelievable leap on the guy. So we get the ball in front of the goal more times than not. He's going to do his part, but we got to get the ball to him in the right positions. You talked about PEPBL. We've seen it in flashes. Yep. Is your belief that he can be a.

top elite attacker in this league week in a week out? Without a doubt. I mean, the number of guys who I speak to on other teams, you know, throughout the Gold Cup and different, you know, national team camps, they're all like, what is this guy? Like, he's, he's unbelievable. And he is. He's so technical. He's so tidy on the ball. You know, can see the short pass, can see the intricate, you know, interplay, can see the, you know, the long, you know, purposeful, not just, I'm going to close my eyes and hit it up the field, as we saw in the Miami game down in their place. He has that ability and he has the eye for the long and the short passes.

And he's going to be another one. I think if you can't key in on just Will for just Luca or just Pep, now all of a sudden, now what are you doing? You're in trouble because you've got three guys who can fully unlock a defense. So it'll be important to have all those guys healthy. And yeah, we'll see how far they can take us. All right, let's do the other thing that everyone's asking you about the World Cup this year. How do you stay in the moment then?

If it's this once in a career opportunity, how do you handle it? You can't get there without doing your day today. It's impossible. As soon as you start thinking, oh, the World Cup is there. It's six months. It's going to be here and you're going to miss all the opportunities. opportunity to work and do what has gotten you to that point anyway. So it's, we've been telling all the guys, it's, it's important to stay in the moment. It's important to continue to do what you're

doing at your club because it's gotten you to the national team in with that, you know, that, that picture and potential to go to a World Cup. There's more to it, obviously, than that, because it is a home World Cup. There's more pressure. There's, there's more eyes. There's more questions. More Times Square appearances. More Times Square. more Times Square appearances, more media appearances than ever. And you just have to be in the present. You have to focus on you. You have to focus on being better than you were and doing that every single day.

And if you can do that, you still might not get picked. But at least you've given yourself the best possible opportunity to get there. In that situation, you're a veteran of this team. You don't know that. You're on the team. How do you communicate with guys outside of camp? Is there a constant communication? There's so many group chats, I swear.

Like, the group chats are ridiculous. There's a group chat from Gold Cup. There's a group chat from each and every, you know, camp that we're in, you know, throughout the, throughout the year, March, January, you know, September, October, November. And then there's little group chats that form off of it. Like, we, I formed a group chat the other night. You know, when I saw all the, you know, what guys were coming in here. And I was like, all right, let's go to dinner, guys. Like, let's do it.

Let's all get together. Replaces our January camp. And let's just go have a meal and chit-chat and catch up because everybody's done something different in the off-season. So there's a lot of communication, a lot of banter still flying around from a lot of guys. I mean, Chris Richards, Tyler Adams, all these guys were in the Gold Cup. There was a Gold Cup group that was just absolutely kicking off the other day because someone put in something. So those are the ways like we all still stay in touch. And that's great.

You know, it keeps everybody connected. I can't say that's always been the case. But it does keep everybody connected and together and knowing that we're all working towards the same thing. Last one for you before you go. What's the one moment this year that you think of and think that's the thing I'm the most excited about when it happens?

That's real for me, that it's really happening. In terms of the World Cup? Honestly, it won't really, and it was the same with Qatar. It won't feel real until you're on the plane going to that camp before. obviously we know it's here i know it's here i know it's right around the corner the the draw felt okay we're we're getting there now we know um the turn of the new year okay now we're in the same

we're in the same calendar year right but until that that phone call comes and you're on the plane that's when it feels real yeah that's when you say this is it this is us like there's no turning back like we're going forward, you're in it, like put your head down even more, you got more to do. And that's when it, that's when it'll hit. Well, you can relax now. You're done. You can go read a book, go to a fire, go hiking. I've got about 15 more of these. All right. Well, that sounds like fun. Thanks for coming on, though. No problem. Thank you.

Stephen Marrera, former defender of the year, Columbus crew defender. Let's start out with obviously the big story for your team, the coaching change. Well, Franunce is he's one of one. We talk about it a lot. lot. Let's start with what was the experience like working under him? What does he mean to your career? That was amazing. A very good coach. You're not surprised. Everyone is not surprised about him. He pushed me a lot because you can say sometimes I'm a little bit non-challant, a bit more chill, but he changed my position, the right by to center back. And I really enjoy the the few years with him.

We do amazing stuff with the crew. I was very happy for him to go to Europe and not doing well, but that's part of the game. So as he came in and you started to work under him, what is it that you learned about him? How is it that he pushes players? Because players seem to love him, but being pushed is not fun.

Yeah, yeah, that's not fun, especially with me. Sometimes we fight a little bit. it, honestly, he push us a lot, like a lot, a lot, a lot. And sometimes it was a little bit too much, but we trust him a lot. So you have the staff too, so they can come talk to us and say like, yeah, I understand, but like it will be good for us and stuff. So we have a nice group, so we trust him a lot. but like sometimes, and you know that,

like we fight a lot, me and him. We fight a lot. Did you fight within the most of all the players or just? Honestly, I would say me and Kucho. Okay. Yeah, Kucho, too. I see Kucho a lot. Like, when you will be me, Kucho will be nice.

Okay. And reverse. Yeah, me and Kucho, yeah, for sure. Well, you guys both won a couple of awards. Yeah, yeah. It seems like, did you feel like it was because differences or because you were a leader and you were sort of stepping up for teammates as well? Yeah, because of my teammate too, because like I say, when it was hard with me or even Cucho,

like with all respect, like we don't care because we play in Europe before, so we're not surprised about that, but like for some player it was hard, especially we have a young team. So it was hard for some players, so sometimes we have to step up for the team. So obviously we're talking right now just after he was let go by Celtic. You went on a quick vacation. We're not going to talk about that. But you talking about playing in Europe, the question everyone's asking, and obviously you're not the master of this, is what Wilfred will do next.

I think he's a coach who can coach in Europe. From your point of view, where do you think he ends up? And what do you think his ability is at the higher levels? Me is not because he fell in Celtic so he can coach in Europe. For me, he will coach in Europe and he will do well. I'm 100% sure and like that's just an experience and that's hard to come in mid-season. That's very hard and honestly I watched the game and I have no disrespect but I really think like MLS is where, where, where better than this country. I was very surprised.

Yeah, especially the two of the best team in the league. And the defense was a lot for me. That's just my opinion. I just watch one game, but... What was your opinion of the league before you joined MLS? What was it... And has it changed... Has the league changed a lot from when you started to where it is now?

Yeah, of course. Honestly, like I said, when I came here, I was a little bit scared. I didn't know about the league. And I was very surprised because this league for me is amazing. The quality every year, getting better, every year, every year. Even last year was very hard, every team.

I have crazy players. No, they see that's very hard. The league is, like, most of the people I know in Europe talking bad, not bad, but like, yeah, it's still a MLS and stuff. But like for me, yeah, of course top five, top five league, for sure, 100% the quality of players of the staff of the media everything emmless put is amazing you think it's top five league in the world right now oh yeah of course 100% over France or similar to France honestly right now I would say like like similar than France maybe but even like France I feel like they

drop a little bit to quality I would say similar maybe but like even when And before I came, like one of my best friend, Brunga, he asking me. And I just tell him, like, come here and you would enjoy it. Just trust me. And you will be a big star here, and you would enjoy it. And like, just enjoy. You regret saying that? Yeah, yeah.

Big story for you this year, of course, is going to be the World Cup. What's the last few months been like as you qualified, the draw, heard from people? I'm sure you've got ticket requests out there as well. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. What's it been like? Amazing. I feel like when we won the game, we didn't realize for the moment we was in the World Cup. And like when we saw we play against Spain, Urugu and Saudi Arabia, like, now you understand, like, this is real.

Now it's amazing for me, for my country, my family, and for the league too. Like, I'm very happy to play here. especially the World Cup is here. For me, everything is amazing. So now, yeah, he's a big year, and I hope to start well with the crew and do good stuff with the walkout. One of the things I think that's really fun about MLS,

and I think this World Cup will show it is there's pockets of communities around the country. I didn't know there was a huge Ghanaian community until Jonathan Mentsa had the flag out in Harrison Elphol all the time. Have you felt support from Cape Verdeans around the country and should people know about that? Oh, yeah, of course. You know, like, most of the people, like, in Boston,

most of the Boston than in Cabell. And this is for me, it's crazy. Yeah. So, like, you have more people in a city like Boston than in all country in Cabell. So now it's nice. Even the crew fans, like, they support me a lot. They follow me a lot.

I wish we can play a game over there. I was going to say. You got to get a pre-tournament. Yeah, honestly, yeah, yeah. I hope that it's not possible, but now it's just amazing. We just enjoy and go over there to win. Yeah. For all of us, I think the World Cup, it's how we become fans.

It's our child, it's our memories. Do you have a favorite World Cup memory? Yeah, we say, 2018, of course, from France when we won. That was amazing. I remember I was a cry and yeah that was amazing and even

2022 a lot of emotion yeah both of them what are you like as a fan versus as a player like how do you shift when you're watching when you can't control it you know like you being a fan

like when player meets something you're just screaming like how you can do that how you can do that And I'm like, damn, like, that's the same for me when I miss something. The people are talking about it. So, yeah, sometimes it's harder a little bit, especially when I was my friend and my family when I watch the game. And they told me, look, that's the same when you miss something.

We're talking bad about you, too. Yeah. So you're an angry screaming fan. So crew fans don't have to feel bad about yelling at the field. No. All right. One thing I did see where you were a bit of a fan was, I saw you with the Bullhorn after Darlington Nagby's last regular season game. He's a legend. What was he like to play with?

What's he like as a teammate and what is his loss going to be for the club? He's an amazing person. I can say one of my best friend when I came here. But he was the last person now. Now I'm a bit by myself with Bushie. That's the old one. Now it's just amazing player, amazing teammates. What you bring to the team is just a little bit. joy. Come to training every day with a joy, with a smile, try to be better. You know, sometimes you can be like,

a bit tired to calm, especially in the winter, Columbus is cold. Like, like, oh, go to training, and him is just happy man to play in front of his family.

I have a crazy family too. This beautiful kid, his wife, like, you feel like he's a dream. Like, you look at him and like, damn, I wish I have the same life.

He's a family and the kids and everyone love him. I never heard someone talking bad about him. And the beach is amazing. Like, one training, I remember I play, the coach put me in midfield. And I was like, yeah, I would show you because too many people respect you too much in the league. I will show you and like, wow, can't even touch the ball. I was like, okay, I understand now. Now it's just amazing and I hope you will retire.

Of course he will walk to the club, but I really think he will be, like, very, very close. You think he's a coach? I know he's working on that. After he can be a coach, I don't know. I can't tell people who have, like, a lot of respect for him. Yeah. So, of course, like, they will try to play good, but, like, maybe, yeah, he can be coach. He can be coach.

He can do whatever he wants. Speaking of coach, you have a new coach. Yeah. Have you heard from him? What's the play? Like, from the outside, we've only read all the articles. He has a very unique style, it sounds like. What do you make of what it's going to be like playing for him?

Honestly, I don't know. I just text me, but I was in Paris, so we have to talk to tomorrow about it. But, like, I don't know, it's just a new era. It's from Europe, too. So that's a connection now. We will see. we help him to doing well

with the team because he's not hard to come in a new team especially after Wilfrid and everyone's talk about with him, so maybe for him it would be like annoying like yeah I'm a coach too like I can do my own thing

so now we help him and we're just excited to start the season with him One of the big things for you guys last year was obviously we played San Cucho which came later with Wessam Abu Ali we saw a little bit but you obviously he saw more, what can he be in this league? I really hope he will be

good and boot this year. He would be amazing. No, he's a really good player. He worked hard. Different than Cucho. Diffin than Cucho, Cucho, I would say was more, maybe complete. You can do more stuff. But he's a real striker.

You can tell the finish him. You have a crazy shoot, too. Like, the way you shoot, the ball is crazy, the free kick. So last year was, like we say, was a hard season for us and for him too. So now I can tell I just saw him. He's very excited to start the season. He's feeling good, so it can be like a really good piece for us.

You mentioned the changing of the guard from the MLS Cup team to what it is now. What does it feel like the identity of this group is? Yeah, we lost a lot of players last year. So we knew it. It will be hard. I really think like we start very well and after like the team bring other players and stuff. So it starts to be a little bit hard. We have a lot of injury too.

Rijicamacho, didn't play all year, more farcy, even Sean with his knee. That was hard last season but like I feel like the group still still good. We compete. He's very young too. And I think we will bring some new player, too, to bring some freshness to. Because it's to be like three years, we're all together. And we know each other, but we need some crazy people come in the locker room, make some joy, especially we lost with Darlington.

So hopefully we bring some good players. Last one for you, you're going to meet the new coach when you introduce yourself. And you say what position you play, what are you going to say? This will be hard on the scene. Listen, it's a blank slate. You get to decide. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Do you like being a centerback?

Yeah, sometimes, yeah, sometimes not like, I'm not tall. I don't like to hear the ball with my head. I like to attack, so I would say right by because the national team I play right back and to be ready for the World Cup, it would be maybe better for me to play right by back. But honestly, just the coach, we just decide. You've told me to play wing back or center back or even midfield. I will, honestly, I will. I just want to be in the pitch and have my teammate.

At this stage in your career, when you made that position, so do you feel like your perception of the game has changed? Yes, of course. I feel like, honestly, with Wilfiel, I have the freedom. So it just taught me a certainty. And just like, if you want to go, you can go. You can go in the middle. like just how you feel depends

of the game so we talk a lot about this tactically and I really enjoy because I was more like coaching myself and understand the position of the coach how they think and stuff so yeah that was good. And last one for you what does Columbus as a city mean to you?

Amazing, that's my first city in the U.S. I really love the city it's cold in the winter but like I love it the people over there like just nice people hopefully I can stay over there longer. Well, I'm sure they would love to have you there.

I love to having you on the show. Thanks for taking the time to join us. Coming into a big season for Paxton-Irinson here, joining us your first full season with the Colorado Rapids. What's the off-season, like sort of what's been your focus? Yeah, my focus on the off-season has been kind of winding down and getting my mindset right in terms of just spending time with loved ones and family members that I haven't really gotten

the chance to spend over the past couple years. just with the minimum off season that I've had. So being able to wind down and enjoy the holidays and kind of just spend relaxation with my closest friends and loved ones has been really amazing. And then being able to get back into training with my father, I've always joked around, but I feel like I'm at my best coming into a season

after training with him. He always pushes me and he knows exactly what to do to kind of get me sharp and the most fit for the new season. So just kind of adjusting and tweaking things that I didn't get the chance to work on in the season and kind of perfection. and perfecting my craft. Is that recharging the New Jersey batteries,

getting all that Jersey energy back into you? Yeah, I love the Jersey energy. The Jersey energy with the Jersey pizza, it's a great combination. What's your slice? I mean, I honestly eat everything. If I go to a random shop, I'm a plane kind of guy,

but from this one specific shop, close to my house, it's a buffalo chicken slice. Buff chick? Yeah, that's a strong one. They do it like no other. You don't like a vodka? I do, but I don't know. It's just sometimes doing a little too much.

Like if I go for traditional style, it's always just a plane. Yeah. My dad always says you have to have a plane first to see if they make good pizza. Yeah. Then you can start to explore a little bit. I'm a red Sicilian guy, but I'm from Long Island and that's my thing. Sicilian's also good. Yeah, it's always good.

No, but that's a good point. Your father made a smart man. He's the guidance for all of us. You said training with your dad, big for you. coming back to MLS this whole, you know, last year, is it about sort of getting yourself back on to the right path of where the player you want to be? Yeah, for sure.

I think I was on a good path in Europe, but I want to become so much more, not only in terms of how I play on the field, but also becoming a leader, being more vocal, and just getting that fluidity back in my game of when people watch me, they're just excited. And, yeah, I excite the crowd, and they walk away from the game saying,

He's a really enjoyable player to watch. Just having fun with it, taking guys on, using my skill moves and the dribbling and kind of stuff that excites a crowd. And since I was doing since I was seven, eight years old, I want to get back to that. Yeah, I remember the first GA Cup I was at. You were training on the back field, shortest guy. And they said, with the ball, best player on the field, best player you'll see as you grow into it. How do you balance the creativity, the fun, the flare with production? Yeah, I think the best players in the world are able to do both.

I think for me, it's always been when I'm at my best, when I'm keeping it simple, and then implementing the style of play, knowing when to take guys on, just kind of being the best of both worlds, being smart in certain situations. If I have three guys around me, obviously not going to take them all on, but then when I'm in a one-v-one situation with space, knowing that's the time to kind of go for the kill. And then I know myself and I believe in my ability in and around the box, just being smart and getting into certain situations where in and around the goal, I believe in my

finishing and just being clinical. And the pressure, privilege, experience of being the 10, being the central point of the attack, replacing Georgie, whatever phrase you want to use, how do you go about handling that? Yeah, I mean, for me as a player, I've never read into kind of pressure in terms of that. Obviously, coming back wearing number 10 for me, it's just a huge honor. but I think in terms of pressure, I've played in front of 70, 80,000 people over in Germany. Every time if you lost the ball, the whole crowd just whistles. So I've played in pressure environments my entire life, and I think it just has helped me grow.

And each game that goes by, you just get more and more kind of used to it. But in terms of the image of number 10 production, I think that's ultimately what guided me and had a huge decision in coming back to MLS and just this opportunity that presented itself in getting the best out of myself as an individual. And it's something I haven't experienced in my career so far. So kind of taking on this challenge is something that's amazing and I know to help me grow so much. You're obviously a big soccer family,

American soccer family. I assume know how big it is as well for a young American to get this opportunity, which has been rare in any platform. Yeah, yeah, 100%. When you look around the league, yeah, there's not many American, especially young guys in the position that I am.

so I'm extremely grateful for that. It was such a unique opportunity, and that's one of the reasons why I took it. Do you have stated goals for 2026? Do you write them down? How do you go about it? Yeah, always like before the season. Like before the FC Utrecht's season,

I would write on my chalkboard, how many goals I wanted, and stuff like that. I'll do the same this season. I don't have a chalkboard in my new apartment, but I have a... Let's get a chalkboard sponsorship. Yeah, seriously. Let's get packs of a chalkboard.

No, but I have a whiteboard, so I put it on my... Put it on my refrigerator. I'll, yeah, list how many goals and assists I want and, yeah, hopefully achieve it like I did at Uptchuk. Have you talked to the new coach yet? Yeah, two times on a Zoom call and then just a regular phone call. Super ambitious, super hungry, young guy, so resonates with not only me but the rest of the team and kind of the project that we're trying to build over there. So I think he's a great fit.

And, yeah, super hungry, super motivated. So I think it would be really good. It felt like at the end there's a lot of talent, Darren. Yeah, Bia Hafa Navajo, there's a lot for you to play with. Figuring it all out. How does it all fit together? Yeah, like you said, we have the pieces. Then it's just about solving the puzzle.

I think I was only there for seven games, so I can't really speak about the entirety of the whole season. But even in my seven games, we were always in the matches. It was just the little things that we kind of missed out on. So it's about fixing those being disciplined in the decisive moments, and that's what ultimately makes a great team. And especially in MLS, if you can narrow down on those small moments, and kind of win those in the long run at the end of a long season. That's what's going to help you get higher in the table.

You're obviously from here. You came up through an academy, but you didn't really play in MLS. So what was it like to finally get on the field and start to play in these different stadiums and against these different teams you had never experienced before? Yeah. Like you said, I experienced a little bit in MLS with Philly, but I never really experienced the West Coast like that. So being back and just, yeah, going to L.A. and these West Coast places, obviously a nice, great atmosphere, getting used to the travel again,

which is very different from the Netherlands or Germany, where everything over there is super close. But, yeah, it's something I really enjoy, to be honest. Are your mountains guy now? Yeah, I have to be living in. Mountains over beach, is that what you're saying? Oh, I never said that, but I'll always be a beach guy at heart. Up the shore? Yeah, if I'm from Jersey.

What am I supposed to say? Down the shore, yeah. I'm a Jersey Shore guy. Okay. That's just what I've been rooted at since I was five or six. So, yeah. But what's it been like landing in Denver, sort of finding your feet on your own? Yeah, it's been great. Having my girlfriend out there, having family so close by as well to kind of help with the adjustment period, finding the apartment that I can call home. It's been super nice. City's been great. Fans have been great as well. And just, yeah, like we spoke about, the beauty and the nature and stuff. I've been going on hikes, just kind of enjoying the mountains and everything that I has to offer. So I'm excited for a full season there.

Do you feel like your altitude comfortable yet? I was when I first got there, probably going back now, not so much. I need another week. But yeah, the first training session I was like gassed after one sprint. I was like, is this normal? You got to drink a lot of water, but yeah. Do you sense it against opponents as you start to play and they chase as games go along? Yeah, it affects them.

It's definitely a huge advantage for us. I think, I mean, obviously when they're coming to Denver, especially maybe on a three-game week and then you have to deal with the altitude. It's not nice for them, but it's not nice for them. That's nice for us. You can see like in the 70th minute they start the tire and then we can use that to our advantage. Who are you most excited to link up with this season going forward? On the team? Yeah. Yeah, I think Rafa, we got a little glimpses of it last season, but just in training and stuff, just his knowledge for the game and the pockets he picks up on the combinations.

It'll be really nice for a full season. And then Cole Bassett, we have a great relationship off the field as well and then incorporating that on the field. I know it'll be great. For you, do you want to be the creator? Do you want to be the finisher? Because Hoffa can do a little bit of both. How do you want to affect the game? No, I think both. I think it's important to know when the situation is right to kind of score the goals, but then to also make the extra pass and kind of create and have assist.

I think that's the most important part of being in number 10 is when to pass up the situation when somebody's in a better spot or to take the shot when it's on. There's a World Cup coming this year. Have you thought about it from an individual? point of view? Have you thought about it? Obviously from a family point of view of what this year will be? Yeah, of course I thought about it. I've been thinking about it since it was announced. Obviously it would be a huge moment for me, wishing the same for my brother as well. But I think it's just important to focus on yourself. You can't look too much into or to

stress yourself too much about it. At the end of the day, I always just tell myself if I'm killing it from my club, if I'm putting up the stats and putting the work each and every single day and continuing to develop, then I'll always give myself a shot at the national team. As a fan, do you have a favorite World Cup moment, that one that you've ever watched? Yeah, I've been saying a few today, actually. My favorite was Robin Van Persie's diving header. That was a great one. And then favorite World Cup was 2010, South Africa, the first goal against Mexico,

and then that celebration after was iconic. Well, we're going to get a rematch of that game. Yeah, yeah, that would be great. Going the other way. and for your family as you talk about this stuff. Like how do you talk to your brother about what he's doing and what you're doing and how you can help each other? Yeah, having a brother in the same situation as I am is definitely unique.

Being able to bounce things off of him. Experience that we both have shared, being able to, yeah, when we were at national team camp together for 40 days, just being able to train each and every single day with him ask him, what do you think is going on, how do you think I'm doing, and vice versa. So having a brother in the same situation, both trying to achieve the same goal of playing for your national team at the World Cup is,

for me, definitely a huge benefit. And, yeah. Are you the best brother duo? In the world? At least in the U.S. soccer sphere. Yeah. I don't know who else is on that list. In the U.S. soccer sphere?

Yeah. There's a lot of siblings going on. There are. Yeah. Bellingham brothers are great ones. Well, yeah. Yeah. Timbers.

Yeah. Not, not. There's a lot of. But, yeah. We've got to get a tournament set up. Yeah, that would be. We'll do it in Medford, New Jersey. Okay.

We'll do it in the basement. You can get Bellingham to Metro New Jersey in the basement. Prop to you. All right. So next time we'll see you in the basement. We look forward to it for a big tournament. Thanks for taking the time. Good luck this season.

We'll talk to you again soon. Thank you. Appreciate it. All right. Thank you to all of the players for taking the time. Thank you to all the PR teams who help set this up and make it happen as well. And most importantly, thank you to you for listening. And we'll talk to you again very, very soon.