He's a tough kid.
Hello and welcome to another episode of Sounders.
I'm Scott O'Budd. I'm your host for the day Cameron Collins and I am here with my co-host, the one, the only, the treasurer of ECSF.
He is Nicholas Biela.
Yeah.
Hi.
You sound excited.
You sound full Daria, right?
Oh, you are way ahead of me. I need to catch up.
I'm thirsty.
I am too. So let me get that going.
That's good.
Yours was pretty textbook.
That was pretty textbook. I'm very impressed.
Still, you must have bought a lot of PBR if you're still drinking it after your trip to Colorado.
We had a great trip. It was a great trip, except for the fact that we got snowed in a little bit and had to walk a quarter mile hiking to the house after we couldn't get up the hill.
Oh, no.
You were snowed out.
We were. We were.
But the funny thing is what seemed like a good idea at the time is we were always running a 15 passenger van because we got to put a lot of hockey gear in there.
And it was kind of a pain in the ass to put all the hockey bags in.
So we took out one row of bench seating and one of the individual seats.
And those things are pretty heavy, especially those big bench seats. It's like 200 plus pounds.
Yeah.
And so we put it in the garage of the house we were staying at, which was just awesome house, hot tub, all sorts of cool stuff, pool table.
So we had a good weekend.
But after we got snowed in, we realized we're going to have to carry these seats a quarter mile in the snow downhill to get them back in the van because there was no way we were going to get the van back up to the house.
Could you use them like a sled?
Oh, wait, uphill.
No, no, we're going downhill for that downhill.
Going to it.
We didn't want to damage the seats.
So rented.
But fortunately, one of my former public, actually my former public coach moved to Denver a few years ago and plays in this tournament every year as well.
So I sent him a Hail Mary and big shout out to Andrew Dillon back.
And I reached out to Andrew, I'm like, Andrew, are you by any chance in the area with the truck or anything with a, you know, chains or four by four all wheel drive and he came through big and basically did a couple runs of anything that we needed to drive down to the to the van, including those seats.
So saved us.
Saved us pretty bad, you know, we're we're in we're a little trouble, but that night they're here know there.
It was a great time.
It was great to see him great to see people.
But we got a lot to talk about today.
This is our beginning of the season kickoff party podcast.
Oh, yeah.
All right, what sounders are back.
In fact, they've even played a game they have and you know, we're going to be we are less than we are less than one day from we are what are we we are 26 hours.
26 hours to kickoff.
26 hours and 15 minutes.
Well, are we in Fox tomorrow?
No, we're on or probably on Apple.
So what's that at another nine minutes?
Something like that.
Yeah, but it's great stuff.
So we're excited for this season.
We got some some new things on Scuttlebutt land some some new games and ideas that were thrown around.
Today we got a big preseason prediction episode coming up. So do we want to just hit hit it and quit it because it's going to be I got to feel this would be a long one with you me and all the stuff we have to go over.
Yeah, I think we can just say, you know, Champions League weekend.
Well, I guess they already had a matches the previous week or week with some of the Mexican teams playing each other but no real surprises, I would say.
I think we're losing to surprise.
It might be a little bit of a surprise.
Just because surprise can be hit or miss but not really we've seen how tough they can be so no real surprises and champions like we'll talk about our match but yeah I mean anything stand out to you.
I heard the messy goal was really good.
I have not seen it.
To be honest, the, you know, the the Cincinnati Montagua game.
That was another road win for Cincinnati.
Winning on the road in Conkacap is difficult.
It's difficult even seeing some League of MX teams struggling on the road.
Calvary FC beat Pumas, for example, Pumas.
Pumas versus X.
Although I think yeah Pumas went through.
Oh no, you're right. That was they eventually did go through. Yeah, but but the first leg on the road.
They started first time a Canadian Premier League team has ever beaten a Mexican team.
Yeah. And so so these things happen on the road.
Tigris lost on the road.
And then they ended up coming back and winning.
So so you know just it's just funny because during the game friend of mine texted me and said it can't be true that the Sounders haven't won a Champions League game since 2012.
Can it. So I had to go back and take a look through that and and actually post a little trivia question on the road road road. Yeah.
Because we won the Champions League final so we won them at home. Yeah, no, did I did not say wrote it.
You didn't say wrote a road game. Yeah, which is it is very surprising.
I could have sworn we won at New York City. Did we go to penalty kicks along.
Okay, draw. Yeah, I had and then we won in penalties because that was knockout stage was it was knockout stage, but but we had both legs.
Oh, that's right. Two legs.
Duh. Remember you and I were sitting in the suite for the home game for the home leg. Yeah.
Anyways, I got really drunk that night because I knew I was going to Mexico City after that.
Shout out to fantastic trip. But more importantly, want to just hit the ground running and talk about that game a little bit talk about that 3-1 victory.
I think before that one thing I would like to hit a little bit of scuttlebutt here is that Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava was
disciplined after referring the messy match, not because of bad refereeing, did he because after the match with after the match, yes, for messes Jersey.
Oh, yeah, I mean, messy gave it to him. But I mean, I, you know, obviously, but hey, this is what I've been saying, like, it didn't affect the match outcome.
Obviously, it was wrong. He deserves whatever punishments coming to him. But if it's me, I think getting that game more in messy Jersey in a match that I left is worth getting fired for if that's what it takes.
That's a good question. I mean, would he get fired or would he know he would just get disciplined? I don't know.
I mean, it depends on it.
They would question every every movie made during the match after that for sure.
Yeah, yeah. And I mean, I'm surprised that the ref beat all the other players from the opposing team to it.
Was he just standing next to messy when the game ended like I'm gonna just keep jogging next to him.
I mean, at that point, you know, you're the one that controls when that final whistle blows. Oh, I just happened to be right next to you.
Wait, wait to blow the whistle until you look at that.
I mean, I might have to go watch the final final two minutes of the game. Yeah.
Be very curious now that now that happened. But no, I had not seen that. But as soon as you said sanction, I'm like, it's got to be related to so.
Yeah, obvious discipline is obvious.
Yeah, we don't know. We don't know what I haven't seen what the discipline was and who knows if we will know. We just know that he's been disciplined.
So he by who?
Conca cap. Okay. I mean, honestly, which takes a lot for Conca cap to act because they they rarely act in the case of Mexico's national team violations and it takes outside pressure from Brenda Elsley and fair.
Yeah.
To make that happen generally. And even then it's so rare.
I mean, one, that sounds like a business decision to.
Where do you feel on the outrage meter on this? I kind of think of it as a nothing burger personally, but I do think there should be some sort of a sanction. It doesn't.
Yeah, really have to be a big one, but I'm kind of happy for the guy.
Yeah, I mean, it's fine.
They were talking during the postgame handshakes immediately after the whistle. So,
Hey, have you seen some roughs? I've been seeing some roughs kind of as they're walking out of the stadiums. Some rest will like hand their their notebook to people and the kids and such like that.
I'm like, you know, that's cool. I like that.
I thought that I thought that was pretty cool touch.
Anyways, that's a fun.
That's I need to do that with my girl who ref the sounders match.
Hey, well, well, I have I have some stuff I'd like to talk about regarding the refs in that game.
Spoiler alert on the positive.
Yeah.
So what don't we let's see do we have any discord Scuttlebutt that is non match or related.
No, it looks like it all is. Oh, we have one. So let's let's do this real quick and then we'll take an early break and put in our discord Patreon ad and then we'll get into sounder stuff.
Okay, Tim Hamilton, formerly muffin top model asks, what's everyone's pre match routine? Do you go to the March? Are there any new options for season ticket members?
Oh, that's a really good question. Actually.
Yeah. So for me, if I have my daughter with me, I can't do my my traditional routine, which is to go to Flat Stick Pub.
I do love supporting Flat Stick. They've been a longtime sponsor of ECS Pub League. I love going there.
My wife, it is.
Yeah, I love to manage her there.
But but they're they're fantastic people there.
But when I'm when I'm going solo, where I don't have my daughter, I go there. If I do have my daughter, I try and get in right at Gates and we play around together.
Sometimes we'll we'll do the meeting up with the former player event experience. Sometimes we just kind of walk around we'll we'll get down to our seats pretty early because we're usually in the front row of ECS so she's got a good sight line.
And and mostly just kind of catch up with people. You know, that's one of the things I love about being an ECS is some of our some of our listeners like Eric.
I love seeing him every day Eric 13. A lot of times, yeah, save me a spot. So always appreciate that Eric you you you know that that's always appreciated from me. I thank you.
It's super fun because we got our listeners and then you know there's people that come up that have introduced themselves to me that follow me on Twitter and that's how they know me and so it's super it's super fun like I really enjoy the time I you know I'll come
hang out with you down there sometimes pre match in the past I don't know how much time we'll get to do that this year.
The community that's what it that's what it really is all about for me even when we're having a bad season or rough season.
Particularly where oh we might be making the playoffs but home games maybe are a little bit of a slog.
It's everyone that I see a match day that always makes it worth it for me I'm a maybe a soccer romantic in that way.
Yeah, for sure. I mean I think flat stick was always my go to often that would be where Aaron, our other co host of Sounders Cutter but would come down and hang out every match when he was attending most matches before he had a second baby.
And I don't I think he's been to one since then and he had to leave at halftime because his daughter was not happy so it's been a while.
Well, you're getting alarms going off of trying to remember what I said.
I remember what I said alarm for maybe it was recording this episode.
I don't.
I don't have a clue. Why did I why would I have set an alarm for 527.
It's a good time. Maybe you were sending it or 527 am.
No, no, it might have been something. Yes.
Well, whatever it'll occur to you like 20 minutes from now when you've already missed whatever it was.
No idea. No idea.
Yeah, good times. I love it. I usually plastic was my place of choice.
Often my dad will come down and have a beer since he goes to pretty much every match with me and then we get head over head over at, you know, before kickoff.
But lately he's been coming a little later, especially when the weather is crappy. So I probably will come hang out with you there until my dad shows up around seven, which I think will already probably be near the stadium by then.
So definitely if you hear this episode before the match, come come over to a plastic pub on Second Avenue and we'll be there and you can say what's up.
Yeah, absolutely. Please, please do. I would love to see would love to see all there.
But we'll be the guys wearing sounders kits. Oh, oh, yeah, just just us just us just find us with that in mind, though, the sounders have released some new details about some pre match activities this year.
Sweet. Just give a little, you know, high level rundown on that.
Some more menu items under $10. So that's good. Trying to get some more more food concession items. That's something we know that they listen to this with the other.
They don't right now. So we'll try and get maybe we can get some clarification on that on the Alliance Council.
But yeah, that's something we've been pushing for for a while and it's kind of hit and miss sometimes.
There's going to be the Alliance member central and Olympic Hall. There will be a special button meet non dressing players and or sounders FC alumni. That's that's encouraging to hear.
So maybe that's replacing the legends from the past. Yeah, I mean, that was something that I mean you've heard me say repeatedly to the front office that I thought that was an activation that should absolutely be part of our regular match day experience after the
success of it last season.
I thought that was a really good way to keep honoring our history.
And then the club level Alliance members will also have a DJ in the club area sounders player and or alumni meet and greets as well.
And this time around a champagne toast led by Craig Weibull.
That's interesting. Wow.
So the Olympic Hall is the one at the pro shop just if you're looking at the pro shop inside the stadium.
It's just to the right as I.
Yeah, that whole that whole thing is the Olympic section though like because it's the Olympic club is the one above it and that's where I see it.
But yeah, so definitely it's it's where they have all the what's the what do you call it the sale where the sales are the clearance section for the pro shop they have that little shop in corner.
Yeah.
So, so we'll see how that goes throughout the throughout the season.
I'm excited. I'm excited to go to the game. I am very you know I'm feeling really good about this season.
Yeah, I had a super freaking Craig had a super fun conversation with them at the Louisville City match because we were just standing on the sideline it's not like we had bleachers or anything because it was on there it was on the Academy field the turf field there because it was so cold and frozen out.
But you know Craig I think sometimes he is not the most vocal, especially compared to Garth, you know, on terms of stuff but I can tell you that when he when he's not in front of a camera.
He's so nice and talkative and such a good dude.
I really have enjoyed being able to talk to him and get insight from him.
I wish we could share more of it at times but I also know that he's not afraid to share things with fans so if you see him, stop and say hi and ask him questions he will he will say stuff to you.
Yeah.
He's he's been really good about that he's been pretty open about that and I really enjoy that the accessibility of this club is something that always impresses me.
Now with that said there is one other thing I'd like to talk about something that's near and dear to my heart, and something that you and I originally proposed and instituted is kind of soccer for all that's something that's really important to me.
But a few years ago you and I, along with our Alliance Council colleague, Dan, Dan row. We proposed a husky pass equivalent for the sounders where you know there was a value season ticket, where the seats would change from game to game with the idea being that
the club had often said we want to make it affordable for a family afford to get to a game under $100. And so proposing this the idea was, we proposed to at that time Peter Tomasowa the CFO, Chief Business Operator, what was his official title CFO, Chief Business Operator?
He's the president of the club, President of Business Operations.
And the idea was, you know, fill in the gaps with empties where there are empty seats with with this and give, you know, give give fill these seats with people that are buying this value season ticket.
They loved it. It did take a lot of back end doing because you kind of had to assign it each game so they kind of limited it to I think a test run of 200 accounts.
And it was going well, except that it was 2020. And so three games into the season.
All sales were stopped for every season ticket holder so we never really picked up that program. But one of the things that we, it was replaced with was the student program.
And so long winded version of saying the student program now has a website. Instead of going to the, going to the box office each game.
Oh, that's huge. Yeah, that was launched today, where, and I'll just read a little bit about that soccer for all student offer at Sounders FC we believe in soccer for all we want all college college fans to be able to attend matches and enjoy all the
activities that come along with it. College students have the opportunity to purchase tickets to all Sounders regular season home matches at the discounted rate of $19 and 74 cents.
They are first come first serve require an edu email address limit is six tickets tickets are not eligible for resale and the tickets will be made available 48 hours prior to the event start.
So we might want to put that link in a little bit of link should today for sure I think one thing that we definitely will talk to the Sounders about on that because we've done this on the Alliance Council side is it needs to be open to all students not just college students.
Yeah, and I don't know how that's going to work if you are. Yeah, if you need the edu website so my thing is, I would still request that they offer the box office option.
Yeah, well, yeah, so we'll talk to them. Obviously that's not going to happen for Saturday but definitely would be good although if the tickets sell out before then, you know, it's they're sold out I will say, I have an edu from being a professor.
So I'm gonna get some of those ticket no I have my own already.
But it's a great it's a great program I love seeing this kind of stuff. I want to see, as you and I put together in our original presentation on the value package the whole idea of we want people who are working poor or students, people who get their foot in the door,
make them become fans make them make them see how great this is and as their career goes and as they have more income hopefully they they they remember these good feelings and become sitting together members.
And if not then hey, while while you have that opportunity and you can buy these tickets at a good price great.
Anyway, so so that's news that came out today. The other piece of news that I did want to bring up is on the rain side. Did you see who was just announced as an assistant coach today.
No, Lee when.
Oh really, I always liked his fascinating. Yeah, yeah, he was a great player he was never a superstar but he was like a perennial.
I felt like he was a every man great like making the all star team regularly. He just you knew he was always going to be solid and and definitely would make a
good number of national team appearances in that you know, mid odds to early 2012 ish.
Yeah, I always like display and then and then it looked like he was doing some really cool stuff after his time with MLS. I know he was.
I think he was playing in Vietnam for a while.
Maybe two years or a season, the span over two years and Ho Chi Minh City, that's pretty cool. Yeah, so so anyways, I thought that was cool because I always liked him.
He was one of those players that him Nick Romando, just some of those guys that I just really enjoyed and kind of wished would eventually become a sounder for a season.
Yeah, I actually am surprised he I didn't realize this before the New England Revolution. He played two seasons for two different teams in Vietnam.
Before that and then of course he was in the Netherlands and Denmark Denmark before that.
So he's played all over but yeah, oh, I forgot that he played five matches for Inter Miami as well.
So yeah, but lafc. I remember that those years he was on lafc for sure.
So got those nine appearances with the USA. Great, great, solid player. You know, he he most recently was the assistant for Angel City FC was there for one year and had been coaching Kansas City current and the Washington spirit before that as an assistant.
So super cool to see him come over to Seattle as an assistant.
Yeah, yeah, I mean, it's going to be I you know hope that means we get an opportunity to chat with him from time to time I got a feeling that might be a thing that comes up to play.
Yeah, that'd be super super fun.
And oh it looks like just learning a little more about him I put them as Wikipedia his father fled the US a few years before the fall of Saigon in 1973.
Interesting. It settled in Texas so that's how that's why he holds dual citizenship for us in Vietnam and was able to go back and probably play there a lot more easily.
You don't need to deal with visa rules.
Yeah.
But yeah, that was news that came out so we did apparently have a few Scuttlebutt things.
So why don't we have a quick break and then talk about the Champions League match because we're about, you know, 25 minutes in.
Yeah.
And and then let's get to the fun. I've got a lot of a lot of fun stuff to get to.
Let's take a break.
Hey everybody, this is one of your hosts Cameron Collins.
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Now back to your regularly scheduled program.
And we're back.
Those were really wise words spoken by me.
You should do what I say.
We did get a bunch of stuff into the mail bag, but I think most of it is season preview stuff it looks like.
So why don't we start off with the match that we just played, which of course was a 3-1 Sounders FC victory over Antigua FC in Guatemala in a very interesting match.
My first question for you would be, did you see the post game press conference with Brian Schmetzer?
I did.
So what did you think of, let's just start with the post game press conference.
Did you think that Brian handled it pretty well where he was very diplomatic with them?
I mean, honestly, it did harken back to some of his previous press conferences and Champions League.
I appreciate that he's always, in true Brian fashion, always complimentary towards and gracious towards the host, always finding a way to thank them and to do it in a sincere way.
And to find and highlight positives from that side of things and also be very respectful to the opponent.
So I thought that was good.
Yeah, especially I think because everyone knows this is a lesser opponent than us.
This is not a team that was expected to give us a run for our money.
It doesn't mean they couldn't have won.
No.
But over 180 minutes, you don't expect them to come out on time.
And we've talked about how winning on the road is hard.
That is a two way street.
So we have a lot of experience not only in Kaka-Ka-Ka, but also, you know, these kind of situations.
I mean, he said it best.
The only way they beat us now is if they win 3-0 because we won 3-1 and we have the away goal rule.
Correct.
I mean, they could, yeah, but the point is we're not giving up 3 goals, let alone 4 or 5.
We're not giving up 3 goals without scoring a goal of our own.
Right.
It's going to be very difficult.
No, I don't want to get too ahead of ourselves on that, but we, that third goal made us huge.
Yeah, they made things.
And that was basically the last second.
They just blow the whistle after the next ball.
Yeah, I mean, it was great.
That, that Obed interception was fantastic.
Obed, what a game.
Huh.
Yeah.
What a game from him.
Really fun stuff.
I mean, I posted in our, oh, that's another thing that happened for this.
We launched a game day thread for, for Sounder Scuddlebot and our discord, a match day thread.
And it was just a whole bunch of us shooting the shit and, and, and reacting and talking.
And it was a really fun activity there.
It was great to see.
The other thing I want to do is that this season, before every match day, I'll be posting a prediction thread and we'll keep a running tally of the scores.
Yeah.
Yeah, we, we, you did that for that match.
How many, since you just posted it, it wasn't announced ahead.
How many people actually filled it out for, for this first match?
About a dozen.
Nice.
That's pretty good considering no pre announcement.
Just, just threw it in there.
I did it on the fly about an hour before kickoff and, and a big shout out to Alex Diaz to, to win.
He overwhelmingly won.
They usually, this is going to be, I'm going to keep the same format throughout the season on this for, for consistency.
And in that, basically what we're going to do is we're going to predict what the end result of the game will be.
Win, loss, draw.
I'm going to set an over under and you choose either the over or the under.
And then I'll ask how many goals will score, how many goals will be scored against us.
And then for another bonus point, who will score the first goal for the sounders.
Yeah.
So that's basically going to be the format of this.
You know, keep it relatively simple.
Something you can quickly fill out.
And, and I'll probably try and close out the, the submissions at kickoff.
But that's going to be what we're going to do all season long.
I already put the thread up for the Charlotte game tomorrow.
Which channel did you put it in?
I did put it in both the game day, the match day and the, the regular scuttlebot.
The regular scuttlebot.
So, and I'll post a reminder of it tomorrow as well.
So, so good times.
But what a game.
What'd you think of the game?
Yeah, I mean, you know, I live and by, die by this team.
I was frustrated by some of our mistakes in the first half.
I mean, we easily could have been down three one, 24 minutes into the game.
Or is that when they scored 24 minutes?
Yeah, they scored there, but there was that, there was that moment where Fry had to come out and.
Yeah, right after we, well, no, it was before we scored.
No, I don't know.
It was right around when we scored.
We scored three minutes in.
So it was, yeah.
But it was very close after I was like five minute mark.
Yeah, I mean, I mean, I think scoring in the third minute with, with, uh, areola getting the goal on an assist from.
Uh, Ferrara immediately was huge.
I mean, that make your mark, make your mark immediately show people why Craig went out and got them.
And I think they did that right away.
Yeah.
I mean, you saw that goal in, in, and you saw us, I think.
Even the, the 10 minutes after that still kind of dominating the field, um, until, uh, we made a few mistakes.
I mean, even then, I think we were Fry Fry, like you said, had that mistake that, that could have easily been a goal knew who had a pretty poor, uh, mistake that, that could have led to a goal.
He overran a player and then let the player be wide open for what, uh, was just an open shot on goal should have gone in.
Yeah.
Um, and then, um, and then we saw, uh, something that I do when I play on FIFA was get, uh, basically two on one with a defender and knew who, uh, could make up his mind what he was going to do and flay it all over the place and just let the guy have one on one with the keeper and score.
And, you know, is it new who's fault? Not necessarily because they should have never, he should have been never put in that position, but he rather than making the right choice, he just seemed to make almost no choice until he just dove at the feeble player.
Yeah.
Which is frustrating, but he had a solid game after that.
He, he, he definitely, he didn't crumble.
We've seen him in the past get a red card after stuff like that, uh, in Champions League.
Was that, um, the year we won, I think that happened where he, he ended up getting frustrated and getting a red card pretty, pretty early on in a match.
And that did not happen.
He solidly took his place and saw him.
I mean, there was that play later in the game where Reagan was beat one on one and he slid in there and got the ball out of there.
Yeah.
I thought it was really interesting for sure.
Um, one of the other things that really stuck out to me was, uh, well, well one very much.
He did a great job of covering for Reagan at times.
Um, but the other thing that was really interesting is for a game that there were a lot of hard challenges.
Oof.
Yeah.
A lot.
I do think the referee crew did a pretty good job of keeping control of a game that can sometimes otherwise get out of control.
There was a few times where it looked like it might when there wasn't a yellow card that came out, but then you saw after those challenges, whoever made him.
Usually it was Antigua, but the few times the Sounders did, they would shake hands with the other player or tap each other and smile.
And I think the referee made sure that they reminded each other that they're both human beings, not just warriors.
Yeah.
And by the way, a really interesting game note where all four officials were female.
Yeah.
You don't see that very often.
So that was super cool.
Yeah.
And I thought they controlled the game pretty well.
Uh, in those moments, I will say one of the things that really impressed me going off into another direction was in, uh, midway through the game when Paul areola, who I also thought had a really good game.
There was a situation where he's coming down the left side and he's surrounded by three players from Antigua and he's going down to the touch line and he is just, you know, just, just playing with them.
And he gets around and, and, and messes with them and gets around the edge. Nothing came of it, but the fact that just taking on three players, one, one V three, I guess in that case, with some skill moves kind of makes you remember.
Oh yeah, this guy is a is not far removed from being a designated player.
This is a guy who at the same time, Jordan Morris was at Swansea. He was at Swansea getting a look that same, same time period. Um, he's got some skill.
Yeah.
No, and, and getting to see him in person was really fun. I can't wait to see what people think on Saturday, but being at Long Eggers and doing it, he is a short guy.
I think he's five, six, five, eight somewhere in there. But he, he's shorter than he's listed for sure. And then he plays shorter because he doesn't stand up. He almost has this little like gremlin crouch that he has when he runs and he's like,
And so he plays very small and looks like he's ready to pounce. And it's there's so much, there's so much power and so much ability to just burst forward out of that in the way that he plays that seeing him in person, I was truly impressed.
You know, I, I remember being frustrated by him when he was on the US national team. And I think that may have been more tinged by the fact that he was a Dallas player and me hating Dallas players more than the more than his actual skill.
Yeah. By the way, this was Jesus Ferrara's Champions League debut.
Oh, wow.
The last time Dallas was in Champions League was 2018. And that was, he had only made one appearance for Dallas that season, and it was not in Champions League.
So, and Paul had been there through DC.
Definitely not with Dallas.
But he was with DC from 2017 to 2021. And I feel like one of those years did they win the open cup. So he might have, they might have qualified for Champions League at that point.
But I'm not 100%.
Yeah. And, and let's see, when did he play for Tijuana 2013 to 2017 so he definitely would have been in there with them.
Yeah, I mean, I got to imagine he's played.
He scored, he scored. That's not, that wasn't even, he scored for Tijuana in the Champions League versus CD Victoria in his second ever match with Tijuana, it looks like.
Okay, I mean, that would make sense. I mean, and not to mention he's got extensive, you know, international experience as well.
But, you know, it's just, it's just great to see both of these players coming to Seattle because they wanted opportunities to play for winning teams and to really make their mark so early.
Also great to see Pedro de la Vega letting a shot rip deflection or not just taking that shot with confidence and putting the ball on frame. Good things happen.
And just before that he had a little like pass that was over his head up the field that I thought was pretty impressive too, which, which I saw him do against Louisville he, he was running to the side of the field and then rather than just kicking it with his left foot, he swung I forget what it's called but when you swing your right foot behind your left foot and then kick it with the from behind like he did that
and shot it way upfield and so he's not afraid to try things when he thinks it will benefit the team. And I think that's pretty cool. Yeah, you know, little bit of a rough first half there for him.
I think it's the same thing we saw in the playoff match at home versus Houston when it was really, really wet and it was preventing the ball from moving he's a dribbler and when you can't dribble on the field it's going to affect his play a little bit.
But unlike that match where he couldn't put it together, he eventually in the second half figured out how to play on the kind of crappy field there and and with the rough conditions and was able to get it together and play a pretty great second half when he was in.
Yeah, yeah. Now, no, no, granted. A lot of my thoughts on this match are colored by the fact that we won 31.
Yeah, I there were definitely moments especially in the second half I thought we looked a lot better.
I mean, there are definitely.
That makes sense though, right as they tired out our talent is going the talent gap is going to show more.
I mean how many times in Champions League past think think to their early days where we are in Champions League, where, you know, we'd be we'd be keeping it close keeping it close and then a team would sub on absolute starters on any team in MLS, you know, and that's kind of what we did we brought on Alba wrist neck we brought on Georgie we brought on
Albert Albert was great to yeah we like who's we brought on Paul Rothrock I mean we just kept kept bringing on. Yeah, it was kind of nice to to think about that and to see our depth in action.
But yeah, one of the so one of the things like midway through the game.
I felt like there were a lot of moments where yeah it's clear that it's our first competitive match of the season.
It's also clear that you know we're traveling down to Guatemala that is not an easy flight to get down to that there's no way around it.
But I thought that one of the things that was really good to see were were a lot of extended moments of control and possession and and getting really interesting attacking opportunities.
And it made me really excited to see what's going to happen when this team starts to cook.
Yeah.
All right, so with that in mind, want to go to the mail bag and then hit up some of this preseason prediction stuff that we got planned.
Yeah, for sure let's let's get a few mail bag general questions and then we can and we'll hop around these and then hop back into one specific about the team in the season.
Let's start with this one we've a pride match.
This from Alex Diaz we have a pride match but I don't see us having a Latino night.
African American night Native American night etc.
Why don't we have those matches when we have multiple youth matches this year and some home matches with no special tie to it example heritage match throwback match celebrate the world's game stuff.
I will say this.
We will be having those.
It's just it's it can largely be dependent on windows of the league sets.
Yeah, for example September is kick childhood cancer month.
And well, I mean, look at look at other teams so yeah Philadelphia their pride night is in May.
Ours is typically around the Seattle pride march because the sounders take part in it so you're I haven't seen when it's listed because I don't know our schedule that that weekend but I would assume it's going to be on either side of that.
Their unity night they have a unity night which is which is more of the celebrate diverse culture type.
It's like BS so that Republicans don't get mad.
That's in mid June and then they have their fiesta in Spain.
Don't forget in.
Yeah, sounders will probably do something for Juneteenth for sure. They don't do that in Philadelphia I'm just looking at Philadelphia and then other fiesta Hispanias in August but then if you look at Houston.
They have a bunch of nights as well.
You know they have space city night and stuff like that their kick cancer is in May in the May.
So, they can vary based on what works with your schedule and when you have home matches.
Their home their military appreciation night is the end of July.
They have their kids night in August which I think ours is usually later than that I feel like it's it's September.
Last year I think we did a few pod nights and involving kids and that but yeah as we learn more about that kind of stuff usually we'll get a heads up on Alliance Council and.
Yeah, so we'll share that for sure but I mean their Noche Latina is in September.
I would accept I was gonna say I would expect the June 28th match against Austin to be our pride game considering that's pride.
Yeah, that's anyway that's pride weekend for sure.
So, day after my birthday.
Let's see what day of the week is that the 28th.
Yeah, that is a Saturday.
Yeah, it'll be interesting because usually we march in the pride parade, but I can't remember the pride parade is Saturday or Sunday.
That's also right at the end of the group stage of the club World Cup.
So there's a chance that game might get moved.
Yeah, that's true.
Spoiler alert that's going to be a question that comes up in the survey or the questions the predictions that I have so.
Interesting.
We'll talk about that.
So, so the answer to your question Alex is those will happen.
You know, they have warm up jerseys that they wear for those various things.
They always they also do a API.
There's there's Latino or Hispanic night depending.
It's so weird having lived in California.
You would never say Hispanic would say Latino or Chicano or depending on the national origin of the group you're celebrating.
Seattle loves that Washington loves that different different wordage.
It's more political down there.
And so those things will happen.
I think they're just not always determined.
Part of that is that it depends on when MLS will make those jerseys available.
Part of it is when how do I say this without giving away information.
Part of it is there are several huge sounders announcements throughout the season.
And those are on specific dates but require MLS involvement.
So we need to wait to find out when that will happen based on stuff like that.
I know that's vague.
But I think the sounders have never been good about planning ahead on stuff like this.
Before the season I we I can say I know I have I know you have Nicholas have asked the sounders to make a schedule much like the Mariners do and have nights have giveaways.
You know tell us before the season look at you've repeatedly talked about the Filipino night at the Mariners and have asked them to bring it to the sounders.
And so yeah I mean this is something that you're passionate about and we've talked about with them and and they hear us and they're currently revamping everything they do internally.
Everything has changed.
And truth be told I think that is a Hugh Weber strength.
He has.
It's my understanding that in his time and other professional teams in the NBA NHL.
His strengths was taking teams that maybe we're struggling with attendance and finding ways to have authentic fan engagement with them.
So yeah, I would expect to see more of those kind of things now what that looks like I don't know because there's a balance to be had so so we'll see how that how that trades off but.
Yeah, I mean I think I think long term we will see more of that stuff. And as it becomes more normalized as it becomes successful.
Because some giveaways I mean cool we got a Starbucks theme pride.
Cap cleared whatever yeah whatever like a fanny pack you know it's it's like.
No one's lining up or let me not know one basically no one's lining up early to get those compared to.
Oh yeah there you have you have.
Yeah you have that that ugly see see the clear one was at least much cooler than that.
No, but but here's the thing the thing is there are two different ways you can do it you can do the the giveaway that goes stadium wide or the first X 1000 fans.
And then you have the giveaways where you need to buy a special ticket which you were seeing some of that last year the sounders had like a pickleball night with a special pickleball paddle or.
I'd love to see more of those. Yeah, I think they're starting to roll those out and and one of my requests to the club and I and I need to reiterate that is it would be nice to give existing season ticket holders an option to do like an a la carte add on for something like that because
they're not going to buy another set of tickets right but the Mariners don't do that so I thought they did for some reason but maybe no.
Before the season you can if you're a season ticket holder or flex holder you can buy the entire season's giveaways but it's not it's not the special things yeah yeah.
Okay so you still have to buy the specialty nights if you want the Hello Kitty backpack or the the Filipino Jack although this year's not a jacket you told me it's a hockey jersey though it's a.
Oh that's cool for the second night is a hockey jersey.
Second night is a hockey jersey sweatshirt.
Okay yeah so I think that's the night we're going to target anyways we are getting on a tangent there but ultimately no no but yeah those are important conversations though because we are having these conversations with the club they are.
I almost it's susceptible they are.
What's the word I'm looking for the receptive receptive to them.
And I think that these things will happen I will say the other question Alex had was around what can they do to get new fans and that there are you know plenty of different types of fans that aren't reached out to.
That's that's what you is here to do and that that will happen I mean I think there's actually Fossberg and my Mendoza extra.
Yeah my of course runs the rain now but she still is part of that leadership brain trust but that is the those are those are pillars of the sounders ethos in you know the right to play defend the right to play that is something that is very important to them.
In the past, they largely left some of that stuff to the rave foundation, and that has I mean the rave foundation still exists and it's still separate but actually who's around the rave foundation has now been brought back into the club officially as a officer of some sort,
so that more of that will be driven internally which is great for rave because there was always I mean I think Alliance Council is the same problem problem the chicken and the egg argument it's like, well, we can't get more recognition because we don't get enough support but we're not getting
enough support because we don't have enough recognition.
I think rave made that jump last season when they decided okay the rave gala is no longer for us poor folks. This is for rich people. Yeah. And you know what I can't I can't get mad about that because they're doing good work and the more money they raise the more work they can do.
Last year, there was not a single item, except for the one that I bid on because I felt bad because no one was bidding on Maya's thing and I almost won it. And I didn't have $2,500 so luckily I got out did last second after after time it was over and then someone's they had someone else jump in.
I was like Maya I was so scared.
I have a lot of medical pills right now.
But but these things were going instead of going for 1000. They were going for 10,000 15,000 20,000. So rave has figured it out. They're on the new things and so bigger things like that and so Ashley's been brought into to work that within the club.
Oh and speaking directly back to things we didn't mention. Theme nights I think the whole there definitely will be a Native American night but the whole season, I think we'll be celebrating First Nations and Native Americans because of the second kid and there's a bunch of stuff planned around that all season.
But I'm also going to throw out there just a reminder that to the clubs detriment they're not always publicizing these things but they you know last season there were a API Asian American Pacific Islander themes where there were their activities going on pre pre match
there were activations at food trucks activations in the Eastern open court where that that they can flex in who is coming in there. So these things happen and even I don't always realize what's going on until halfway through like where the hell did you get those macaroons or where did the
yeah yeah from you know they are happening they're just not yeah they're not good at you know it'll be in that email they send out to you like the what is what is it called like on the 90 yeah yeah and so it's in the know before you go yeah of the beyond 90 email where it'll
it'll say this is happening these are the activations I don't ever read that email. Oh I try to always read it, especially since we did we did ask for last year one of our big asks was hey can you publicize what food trucks will be there can you publicize the stuff
ahead of time so that we can we can really talk about that as a matter of fact why don't we just talk about that right now so tomorrow by pocket diverse owned businesses will be featured food trucks will be the swaggin wagon
we're gonna see celebrate black history month for this black owned business on match day Monique Gatterson's food truck Zuri's gourmet donuts including galaxy swirl donuts garlic chili chicken donuts Bailey's apple fritters you've never seen
donuts like this it's a David Vincent is a US Navy veteran black owned business beer beer yeah pepe El Toro Tijuana style beer yeah slow cooked beef and everything from tacos to ramen
to po boys and teams so some Creole vibes to it and then the pop up restaurants outside of 113 will be those coy Japan. Japanese flavor to Seattle and then seven sons kitchen.
So so yeah so they do they do these things. We're trying to get them to be more aware.
They are publicizing it you just got to look for it so so yeah which they shouldn't be you should know like it but it changes on a week to week base so it so I
but in advance we should know the theme nights we should know stuff like that I think I think they can get better around that I will also say that
try stuff by the way and get there early because the lines can be crazy.
Yeah yeah and they they they also have cheap beers that you can get in advance if you're beer drinker sometimes and they want to make it more of an experience inside the stadium so that you don't I mean support the local businesses around it
but get in early so you're not trying to get in it right before kickoff in the line super long.
You're not wrong.
Yeah so that I mean we'll keep you updated on here as we know those nights are coming to. Oh the one other thing I want to say because I just looked at the link that you sent around the sounders
student tickets is that the student tickets for 1974 for this upcoming match are in the ECS section and that's not always going to be the case is my understanding but right now that is the case and so make sure you know if you're getting those as a
student the experience you're going to have there will be flags.
There will be the item.
Yeah come say hi to Nick there will be flags there will be chanting you'll be expected to participate if you don't.
I don't think there's militant as they used to be but I've been yelled at.
It's changed.
There was a time where I let's put it this way if there are a lot of areas in GA in which hey you're there to watch.
You're there to observe.
You're going to be fine.
If you're standing next to the drummers or if you're if you're if your goal is oh I want to be on TV and do that and you're not part like.
Yeah you know have a little have a little social awareness on that you know read the room but generally speaking you're going to be fine it's very.
I hate that I hate that perception because it just doesn't really exist.
That's how it used to be though because I've been yelled at before but it's clearly gone now which is great to hear yeah I mean it's just it's been a it's been a change and hey I'll tell you what if anyone ever wants to talk supporter culture and history of supporter culture or even history of you know that here in Seattle come find me I'd love to.
I'd love to share my thoughts on that.
It's a really fascinating thing that you know I'm passionate about.
Yeah and the one thing I've learned is there's bad apples everywhere.
Doesn't matter what you're doing and you can't let your.
And this is an ECS specific it could be any group I've dealt with people that are bad in in timbers army in in you know Colorado it helps with.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah you just you just need to realize that you're putting yourself in a situation where.
You aren't always going to understand what's going on and so don't put yourself in a situation where you come off looking like a jackass.
Ask questions hey why are you singing this song or what's what's the meaning of that I don't know what should I do where should I go if this is what I want where should I sit you know I think.
I think that's important because you can have a fun experience and you can engage or you can be pissed off I know people that have gone and been pissed off the flags about but in front of the whole time is like there's a giant.
Now it's not on the.
What I from I can tell I didn't go all the way through but I didn't see anything on the student ticket section there but in ticket master in general.
It is there it tells you your view could be blocked by flags stuff like that it tells you when you walk into the stadium.
Or yeah I think when you walk in and then also when you walk into the section so just just remember like.
This is an experience this isn't just I'm gonna sit there in my seat and watch the match you're going to take part in the match essentially won't be on the field but you're going to take part in the match.
Although I will I will say I am I feel fairly confident.
That if you had a seat in ECS and you went to an usher and asked to be relocated they would accommodate your.
Oh sure absolutely so just just know.
The only other warning don't wear opposing team gear but with that in mind because they will with that in mind.
Come find me I'm always in the front row or two of section 120 which if you're looking at the field one one twenty one.
Sorry one twenty one you're right.
Which is if you're looking at the field from the stadium in the in the ECS section I'm on the right side and you're right behind the.
Hi Roma you're right behind the we not what do you call that well there the camera well yeah yeah so but but come say hi don't be don't be don't be afraid.
But yeah so do we have.
Another question for the mail bag.
Yeah well let's see.
Patrick GC asked this is a recent one should we give do more giveaways like the Mariners do yes.
We've already discussed it but I wanted to acknowledge that Patrick.
Said that so yes definitely yeah and so so some to keep in mind that a lot of times what happens is when there's a giveaway mariner any sport.
Usually it will be branded with some some local company you know in Alaska Airlines hat or Starbucks fanny pack or what not.
Though sometimes it won't be like when there's a special like the Sammy the sounder bobblehead or or.
Zach Scott didn't have one of course it is.
Zach Scott but I'm looking over at it right now there's there's no sponsor on that one.
But there is on most of the Mariners ones.
Yeah and especially if it's like clothing or branding like that if it's if it doesn't require the purchase of a special ticket it's usually going to have some sort of branding on it.
Yeah that's how that's how it works as a partnership there for those kind of giveaways doesn't necessarily take away but just some to keep in mind.
I got me excited I look back at home you know if you see the video obviously you can see behind me a little bit on mine where you can't see it right now because we're in half windows but I've got a what do you call those like babushka dolls that are one inside the other inside the other.
That's exactly the bushka dolls that's what I always yeah so I have a Sonic's one that's like I don't know who's inside of it right now I can't remember.
But I'm sure it's Nate McMillan is the outside and I'm sure it's like Gary Payton Sean Camp players like that so I love that.
And of course I have Bernie Sanders and Macklemore and Good Mythical Morning and I have a whole bunch of Mariners ones up there.
I feel like the the sonics of babushka dolls should be like you know the all time tallest player on the team all the way down to the smallest.
Yeah they didn't do it.
Oh and you make Melons is shorter guy.
I know I'm like where's where's you know for example like I know he didn't play for the sonics but where's the Mugsy Bogues in the.
Oh yeah right.
It would probably be Eric Snow or someone.
Yeah.
So tiny.
But yeah I mean I think I would love that you know I've gotten to the point in my life where I don't need any more giveaways unless there's something I really really like.
You know I think I just Gorillapsey founder Kevin Zalco just moved and he had so much Mariners stuff that when I went and picked up.
What do you call it a jock box jocky box it's like it's like your keg that you have but it's your your refrigerator keg but it's actually in a like cooler.
Okay it's in a like a.
I think he gave it to me cooler type of deal.
Yeah yeah.
No but for like beer.
I don't know if that's called swamp cooler than that in the window for like air conditioning.
I'm thinking about how I've seen some people like like kind of rig up a using those kind of things and kind of.
Oh yeah yeah so so it's like that but this is professionally made.
Okay.
Right.
So it's already like the taps are put into it professionally it's got that why so you put ice in there and that cools the beer and then you have like a.
A CO2 tank and the kegs that you plug in and then you can have two different kegs and do it so there was a we've had a Gorillapsey theme one that we were given by the company.
And so I went and picked that up and I was able to pick up a bunch of old mariners and a few a few sonic I mean excuse me sounders things I got.
Remember the when we got that really nice 10 that came for the season tickets.
I was able to get an extra one of those so I could give it to my parents because I know they would like that it's the one that the championship book came out.
Oh yeah yeah yeah.
So I gave I gave that book to one of my mom because she is in that book because she was right in the front holding the flag that the banner with me.
Nice.
So yeah.
Outside of that our mail bag is mainly.
Season questions which I think would be a good time to jump over because that's our next topic.
Well one of the questions you know before because this will not come up in my preseason predictions.
Yeah Dan the bastard asks what is everyone's ideal first 11 or does the team even have one.
Maybe I think that's a great point.
I mean honestly there are probably 15 people that I feel I feel very comfortable with starting on this team and belonging as a starter.
One of the things I'm really looking forward to I think I mentioned in our last episode is I'm really looking forward to seeing when healthy having Brian Schmetzer really change those lineups from game to game and seeing how he manages not only the lineups but the substitutions as well.
Yeah.
It was kind of a fascinating lineup because it was run out there as a 442 but the players they had on the field were more like a 541 or you know if how do you put it 4231.
I mean foot mob had the formation as a 4231 with ariola up top with Morris Ferrera and Delevega.
I'm like I don't think that's exactly how that works.
I think it was more ariola maybe being left left left mid.
Yeah. It was I mean it was ariola left mid you had Alex right mid you had Christian and Obed is so defensive meds and then we had to to attacking meds and forward.
But yeah I mean just the thing is looking at that lineup. Who do you replace what one you're going to have to because Bruce neck was on the bench.
Right.
And I think that where does it go though. Does he go in for Ferrera. Does he go in for Delevega. Does does Ferrera move up and play forward instead of Morris.
Can Morris Morris move the left mid and you said ariola or does Pedro move the left like there's so much you can do.
Yeah. And that's just just just beautiful stuff. I mean I mean of the actual bench players the ones that I think we could see that from this match will say from this match.
The ones we could see start regularly are I mean we will see Russ next start regularly.
Rothrock.
So that's one. I think the next level is JP and Rothrock.
Yep.
I agree.
And outside of those players.
I'm going to see Georgie make a make a continue his progression this year.
Right. I could see him and Leyva make spots starts but I think until until we're into a part of the season where they're starting to get tired from over playing.
I don't think it's going to be an immediate impact. I think he's going to sub most of the time.
Yeah. I agree with that.
And then when Reed is healthy he potentially could be starting it's in I think he would be up there with Russ Knack and Rothrock and players that you will see start regularly.
And by the way, I know I was talking about this a lot late last year talking about Georgie making the most of his time because I always push back against people that are saying oh all he does is go to the touchline and make a pass or take a shot.
He's creating key chances every time he does whatever he's doing. And once again in just a few minutes of play he had two chances created and one big chance created.
Yeah.
I mean I will say it's nuts. It's really nuts.
My big knock on Georgie is that all he does is go to the touchline and it doesn't really seem like he has much else going on. Do you think he will continue to advance from that this year?
I hate you.
I mean it's so nuts because...
I mean I think but that was the knock on him when he was at Defiance and that was what he had to develop past because he could make... he could get in positions to make himself go dangerous but they were not leading to goal opportunities.
And that's what has changed and that's why you saw him make the first team roster and that's why you're now seeing him continue to get minutes.
I think his speed right now is enough. I mean imagine I view him as a less talented right now Steve Zackewani.
Okay. I will say this. On a per 90 basis now we're going to be careful here because sample size.
Right.
And he's playing against backups or tired players.
Well, but still.
Well if that's what we're going to use them as... that's the formation we're going to use them as then okay that's going to be fine.
Yeah.
So that's 561 minutes last season.
So that is what that's essentially about five games.
Maybe seven.
Six. Yeah. So 561 divided by 90.
You know that's 6.2 games. Okay.
Math is hard.
So about six game sample size.
But with that in mind.
So his per 90 numbers.
5.29 successful dribbles with a 59% success rate.
Does that have a percentage basis in the league?
The thing you're looking at?
Maxed out on a green.
Wow.
Just maxed out.
Like we are talking, we are talking of Vander numbers, messy numbers.
We are like it's pretty nuts.
And we've seen it not just in person but close up when he came in.
100.
In Vancouver.
And then we have a couple of games.
So the first one is the duals.
18.82.
You know, just possession one final third just really high up there.
But the other thing that I'm big on is chances created.
2.09 per 90.
So.
Small sample size.
And then we have a couple of games.
And I think it's not fair to compare him coming in expecting to be
offense at the end of a game and extrapolate that to 90 minutes
versus.
Let's just use messy as an example.
Yeah.
Who's doing it for the full 90 minutes.
Not the same.
I get that.
I understand that.
But even, even on those small scale numbers,
I think it's not necessarily going to be the first attacking option
off the bench.
This year where.
And that's that's not a bad thing per se.
Okay.
No, no, but yeah, I think, I think I agree with you.
I could still see depending on how Russ next feeling,
I could see him not starting again.
Oh, if he's not 100% this weekend.
That was actually something that came out not today,
but after the previous game, Eric 13 asked.
Of the 10 field players who started tonight,
how many start on Saturday now?
Yeah.
And he's, and so he set the over under at 4.5,
which is way too low.
Yeah.
I think the over over on that one, I think, I think at most we see
three or four changes.
I yeah, because I mean, if for me, I think.
I think the back line is going to remain the same.
Yep.
So I think you, I think you expect to see new who Reagan,
Yamar and Alex.
Yep.
Um, between Obed and Christian,
I could see one of the two sitting in, in.
I agree.
The one thing I will say is like, I don't think they would sit Obed.
And so it's going to be Christians on a player that likes to sit.
So it's, it's, it, it will, it will depend on his relationship with
the coach and what he can convince him he's ready to do.
I mean, but then the other question is maybe, yeah.
Okay.
Wait, now that I'm thinking about this out loud,
I also wouldn't be surprised to see nine of the 10 starting with the
10th being putting on Albert for someone with the idea of being,
let's hit the ground running on MLS because of that third goal that we got.
I agree.
Knowing that because you can play more backups against Antigua next time.
I think we're going to be seeing more of the same.
I think if we're changing starters, it's not because we're resting people.
I think it's because we want other players to get an opportunity to start,
but at the same time it's opening night at home.
You kind of want to show off your shiny new toys and you kind of want to come
out and get the crowd some and in Charlotte.
I just mean we can see Russ next start.
We could see Joe Palo start.
We could see Danny.
Uh, Leva start.
Uh, I think we're going to see a lot of people.
We could see Joe Palo start.
We could see Danny.
Uh, Leva start.
Uh, if our BW is healthy, which I don't think he is, but I don't, I'm not,
there's no reason for me to know either way.
I just, I haven't heard anything that he's back.
Uh, we could see him start.
I mean, I could see ariola slot, slotting off maybe.
Um, but as a whole, yeah, I don't.
I don't necessarily see us changing it too much for this match because you're
right.
That third goal gave us the opportunity to do so.
Driver Rightback for Alex and then bringing in a, you know, a center to
Wavering then bringing in a center tag team.
Or playing one.
This I've always wanted to do this playing one and then throwing
Albert in as maybe a center mid, which he was doing at the event.
Center attacking in front of what we're coming together.
You know, one of them would be the years we were winning Champions League.
If we were dropping one of the two of them back a line.
So because we know, Albert can play CDM and he plays it really well with
Oh, so I could see him playing more of a center mid position, but with the ability to drop back when Obed goes forward because we saw Obed.
This is making my head spin.
Oh, this is amazing.
Like that's the thing is, dude, did I want us to go get a DP level striker?
Yes.
Do I think it's going to bite us in the ass in terms of making the playoffs?
Hell no.
We're going to be at the top of the league if we don't have major injuries.
I mean, here's the way I see it, though, is we have five DP level quality players on this roster.
Now, yeah, we don't have an Evander.
We don't have a Kucho.
But DPs change games and they've often said when you take those three players, when you don't start one of those three players, your record drops.
Well, now we have five of those players in my opinion.
And I would be interested to.
I haven't seen the player stats for the match.
Jordan was not involved with the goals if I'm not mistaken.
No, because he didn't have a goal notion.
Yep.
But you saw the way he could play with Areola.
You saw the way he could play with Ferrer in the game throughout different opportunities.
And we already know how he can play with Pedro de la Vega if you've been watching the preseason where he's gotten tons of assists and the assists the other way from Pedro to him.
I'm not yet worried about Jordan.
I know I said my thing is Jordan has to play like a DP.
Jordan's a type of player.
He's a little streaky and there was nothing in that match that made me concerned because he's going to be able to do what Brad Evans did when he was a midfielder for us, which is pull players towards him, which opens up other players.
Yeah.
Areola doesn't get that goal if we don't have a Jordan Morris quality level of forward pulling players his way.
But with all that said, my goodness, Obed was just so good.
I mean, if we can keep our defense solid, which is going to be hard, not because they're not talented, but because we're pushing forward more, which means more counterattacks and more opportunities to make mistakes.
This should be a very successful year.
And with that in mind, why don't we get those predictions?
Yep.
You read my mind.
All right.
Cool.
So, spoiler alert, I am going to post these predictions.
I made a spreadsheet or a Google form.
So I'm going to post that onto our discord and would love everyone to start filling those out.
I'd love to see your predictions and we'll compare at the end of the year.
You're going to get a point for every question you get right.
So our co host Aaron did fill out his so I will be able to give his answers as well.
He says, Hello, he's he's in San Diego still getting all settled in his mother in law's in town.
You know how that is.
Indeed.
So starting off, let's start with the sounders.
Oh, let's start with that.
Where will the sounders finish in the Western Conference at the end of the regular season?
We'll start with Aaron, who Aaron stated that he believes the sounders will finish second in the West, which coincidentally is what I said as well.
But what about you?
You know, I can you share your screen?
No, I was just about to do that.
Yeah, because you showed it out.
I mean, I believe I did what I said preseason, which was third.
I still think LA Galaxy and LA FC are the teams to beat.
I don't I actually think LA FC is going to be realistically, I could see us finish second right now.
But lately, it seems we've found a way at the end to fall out of that first or second and drop to third.
Not every year because last year before last week or second, but I'm going I'm still sick.
I'm sticking with third right now.
I'm impressed by what I've seen and that we could easily be better.
I think MLS or excuse me, across the MLS, all the sports writers I've seen have us finishing between second and third in the West, including Ozzy has us finishing second.
I just think that for me, I do not see LA Galaxy being a top three.
I think they're going to I think their season is going to be more akin to our season last season.
Yeah, I just I just could also see them doing what Galaxy traditionally do, which was what we did in 2016, which is a rough start and then being unstoppable down the strike once Ricky Pooge is back.
I mean, depends on the history of that.
When does he come back and when is he healthy is the question.
But when Pooge comes back and they've added more good young resilience potentially.
They've added some some people they can get excited about.
But now that let's see how they you know how they how they buy about how they how they acclimate.
That's the word I want.
Yeah.
Okay.
So question number two, where will the sounders finish at the end of the MLS playoffs?
Yeah, I have us same as last year losing in the conference.
Okay, Aaron and I both have an agreement and we both are predicting the sounders to win MLS Cup.
Yes, I love it.
Some of that is optimism.
Obviously, it's always optimism when you predict the championship.
But for me, the depth, it comes down to the depth.
And that's going to matter for any team because one of the biggest things that we've done is we've done a lot of things.
It doesn't matter for any team because one of the biggest things that that is a predictor of a team success is injuries or lack thereof.
And that's where that's where that's going to come into play, I think.
I'm just waving at Roma.
Hi, Roma.
But yeah, so I'm going to hit mute for a second and just check it out.
I mean, I think I would agree with you. I think the reason why I have us losing in the conference finals is I would love to see us go further, obviously.
And I think we can make it to the MLS Cup.
I think that when you're at that level, it's a crapshoot and you really don't know what's going to happen and they can take one bad kick that leads directly to a guy who was a torn ACL who was able to pass it up and kick it in the goal.
So do I think that we have better offense this year? Absolutely.
And that should help us. I worry about how good LA FC is going to be.
I know most people are like, they're not going to be a problem.
I think they have lost some key players, but they've added, I think they did like us.
They lost high level players, but added significantly more 1A players.
So I think they're going to be good.
What do you think about LA Galaxy losing Dejan and trying to go?
I mean, I think I see us, depending on how things scratch out, it's going to be the opposite of last year.
I could see us beating LA Galaxy and then losing to LA FC in the Western Conference Final.
Obviously that will determine or be determined by where we finish in the standings.
But if we finish third, like I predict, I think I would have LA FC one and LA Galaxy two.
And that would mean ultimately we would be playing LA Galaxy in the semi-final of the West.
So the quarterfinals. And then we would be playing LA FC in the Western Conference Final.
And so that's why I see us beating the Galaxy, but losing to LA FC who then would go on to, I don't know if they would win or lose the MLS Cup.
It depends on if they get one of the top two in the East or any of the other teams in the East.
Where will the Sounders finish at the end of the Conca Calf Champions Cup?
Is that mine right there?
Yeah, that's yours.
Okay, yeah, I have us losing in the final to a Mexican team.
Aaron has a loss in the semi-finals. We do have a very difficult path.
Yeah.
I got us winning the double.
That would be so fantastic. I mean, this is the more important one for me, right?
Yeah.
I want this more than MLS Cup.
Even though I want the other star.
I mean, yes, but there's something about getting a two-star head start on Conca Calf.
Yeah. And then our jerseys, like we saw in this last match, they had the one inside the Cup logo.
Yeah.
We would get a two inside the Cup logo.
We sure would.
By the way, it looked like the fringe on those jersey patches were perfectly tailored for our jersey.
Yeah.
I think that's the universal fringe color.
And it just so happens to work perfectly with our Salish Sea Kit.
Now, LA Galaxy, are they in Champions League this year? They have to be.
Yeah.
I wonder if they got a one in theirs.
Because they won it in the old competition, but it was still Conca Calf.
But it was the Conca Calf Champions Cup back then.
So it would be curious. We'd have to look. I don't know who.
Oh, they got a buy, didn't they? So they didn't even play it yet.
So we'll see. We'll see if they get the one or not.
And that will be interesting. That's a great question.
Now you got me curious.
Okay.
So moving on to the next tournament, where will the Sounders finish at the end of the FIFA Club World Cup?
I think for being realistic, we should all be the same on this, but maybe you're being hopeful.
I said it. So what are you saying?
Group stage. We're out. We're out in the group stage.
Aaron and I both think we're going to lose in the round of 16.
Oh, here's my thinking.
That would be fantastic.
Here's my thinking. One, I've been saying this since even even with the draw.
I think there's not a great chance, but a higher than people expect chance that we can get out of the group stage.
I think that this being the first format of that, it's an X factor of how the European teams are going to take this competition.
Yeah.
Do not discredit the fact that we're playing at home.
Yeah.
And I think that if we can get a result against Bota Fogo, I think all bets are off.
I agree with that.
So I want to believe.
Yeah. I mean, I will say, I don't mean to burst your bubble here.
Oh, I know.
I know.
The bench players on Atlético and PSG are still better than the others.
Are all DPs.
They're not just DPs.
They're like quadruple DPs.
I mean, and it doesn't mean we can win because it's preseason.
They're not, they're not going to be taking it seriously.
I know.
But so you're right.
I mean, it totally, it doesn't mean much to them.
It means more to us.
And so that's where you're right.
We could make it through.
I just, here's my question to you.
You take all 11 starters, all 22 players, all 22 players starting on the field, and you rank all 22 players.
Based on their, their energy level, desire to win the game, how up they are for the game.
I think it's going to skew heavily towards those, those teams that feel like they're hungry.
I agree.
And so I agree.
I just don't know if, if that plays out over a full 90 minutes.
You know what I mean?
Like, will the talent, I mean, we've seen it before.
Oh, and Champions, you were just talking about it, but we've seen it again in other friendlies where they start their backups, the sounders hang with them.
I mean, Freddie Monteiro scored twice versus Chelsea.
Yeah.
Right.
Like, but then they bring in starters and everything changes.
Well, you only get five subs.
But, hey, true, you can't sub the whole team.
So, so it'll be fun to see.
And I mean, the other thing is when those games happen, we play Potofoga first, that might be a great thing.
You know, anyways, we'll, we'll see.
I think, I think Bonifogo is lineup though.
I mean, I could see them taking it seriously.
Number one.
I think, I think anyone that's not Europe is going to take it seriously.
And I think their lineup.
Their starters from top to bottom are better than our starters on the equivalent.
That doesn't, I think maybe the end of their roster were better than so it's it will depend on are they.
Do they do they think we're going to be easy and start some of their backups or are they going to go all in against us?
But will that also be will be midseason form? Is that preseason for Brazil as well? That's a good question.
I'm not sure the answer when there's I mean their season is on right now.
I mean we're going to talk about this for sure as we get closer to it, but I mean they're they
won in 2024 for the Serie A, but then in the karaoke karaoke, I don't know how to pronounce karaoke.
Oh karaoke. They did bust a move. Oh yeah. Yeah.
You see. Yeah. All the fellows trying to do what they know.
That used to be mine, but but they finished they finished fifth in that with Flamingo winning that tournament.
So it'd be interesting to see. I think their season is not quite the same as Europe, but it may be short.
I will double check on that. We get you're right. We have plenty of time.
I mean, oh, they haven't even really started their season yet. So who knows?
They'll be they'll be in midseason, but it might it might be a little further along.
They did lose to racing yesterday. Oh, well, that changes everything.
Yeah. Oh, of course. No. So they will be I can tell you right now actually.
So it's in June, right? So when they play in that, they will be in week they will have played
12 weeks of Brazilian Serie A. Okay. Okay. So that I caught that in midseason form for sure.
Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So now let's go to some of the other things in the regular season.
Where were the sounders finished in the Cascadia cup standings? Oh, I have a swimming.
I mean, so does I think Vancouver's going to struggle and I don't I haven't seen Portland address their
there's any link to some really good players, but I've yet to see them address their largest
concerns from last season. Where were the sounders finished in the Heritage Cup standings?
I still have us beating San Jose and same with Aaron. I mean, we play at San Jose
next month and then they come up here in September, maybe. Now here are some fun questions that I put
together. How many sounders will be named to the best 11 at the end of the year? Yeah. This
interesting one. I have a set two and I'm going to say Pedro de la Vega and it will either be Fry
finally getting his due or it'll be one of our defenders. Okay. I also have or sorry, I have
one. Not bad. I mean, getting one on there is still better. Yeah. And Aaron's got two. So
I'd be curious to see his mindset. And that's the thing is I think it will be very tough
in this league to get an attacking starting 11. I agree. 11. But I do think we have multiple
defenders that could be in that running. Yeah. I'm hopeful for Pedro. That's why I'm saying it.
But I also think that the problem with the sounders is they are so
now they're so heavy with wingers and attacking mids that he's going to have to share goals and
assists. And so that's going to hurt all of them. Well, these are good problems I have.
Right. So along that line, how many sounders will be named to the All Star squad?
I had one in Pedro. Okay. Aaron said three. Nice. I said three as well. Because I think
All Star squad has expanded roster. And I think I think, you know, I think Obed might get a shout.
So I think the I think nationwide people are really kind of tuning in to Obed for sure.
Yeah. I think it's a hard position, though, you know, he's not he's not the type of player
to announce himself on the field unless it's through like a really nice assist.
He's not an Aussie. He's not a Beckerman. He's not the type of center defensive mid
who's going to make a huge tackle. And and everyone's going to see it. So I think that his
position makes it harder for him to get noticed in a way that from a All Star type perspective.
So that that'd be my only concern. But I do agree that he should have that level of play. I mean,
we're already seeing teams in what Netherlands interested in him. Yeah.
How many sounders will be finalists for MLS and the season awards? Now that includes Defender of
the Year, Coach of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year. Oh, I didn't consider comeback.
All of that. Any of those any of those end of season awards? Yeah, I mean, I got three. I got
three. I got Fry as goalie. I think he's the year he finally gets the nomination.
I think he gets a nomination. He gets nominations other times. I think this is not the year he
wins because he never wins. Yeah. Yeah. I think he gets a nom. I think one of our center backs
gets gets the nom. And then I could see if Pedro plays like I think he is, I could see him getting
an MVP nod or he could easily become back player of the year. Which is so suit coming back for
a while. He didn't have a major injury. But that that that category too many times I've seen
you came back from being shit last year. That's I mean, that's me. That's what it is. You were
shit last year and you need to get better. That's that's the big thing. But that's not the spirit
to me of what that award is. But okay, but I said three as well. And Aaron said four. So I'd be
very curious to see what's going on there. But then again, if we're predicting MLS Cup wins,
we're expecting, you know, good things in these teams. So that makes sense. Now, the next question
I thought would be interesting. Who will be named team MVP at the end of the season?
I mean, I had to say Pedro based on all the other accolades I've given him throughout this
sheet. I mean, I agree with you. I have Pedro. Like I said, if I'm predicting us winning a double,
that means Pedro is fucking killing it. Now, Aaron has Christian rolled on.
Yeah. I mean, he's the he's the glue, right? Yeah. He and Ressnack.
Okay, so now we're going to do a couple over unders. So yeah, let's just ask because there's
like a million on here. Yeah, let's just ask the important ones. Okay. Yeah. I mean, obviously,
the Seattle ones, but when we get in the MLS, maybe Miami, maybe a few teams, but I'll explain
what's going on there. And then I'll yeah, yeah. Okay. So Seattle, over under on the total goal
scored of the regular season. I had the I set the line at 57.5. And last season, we scored 51.
Take the over or the under? I'm over. If we only score six and a half more goals than last year,
I think we're in trouble. Well, well, wait, I'm going to I'm going to give you a little line on
how I came up with this line. I looked at all the teams last year, and I was kind of looking at
what were the total goals scored. Not a lot of teams were in the 60s. I think our best ever
was 61, maybe. So so 60 is harder than you think. I mean, it is. But I just think with the lineup
that we have and how top heavy some of these divisions are conferences, we should be able
to put up more goals in that. I and also it's just because I don't want to win every game,
one nothing. Hey, don't get me wrong, we all said over, but I'm just saying that I don't I think I
set the line in a I mean, what is 60 goals is two? Is that right to two goals a game? Do we
have 37 games 34 games 34 games, not 32. Okay. So if we two goal average would be 64.
Okay. So so I have us around 1.7. Okay. Yeah. Fair enough. And then total over under on total
goals allowed in the regular season. Now last year, we allowed 35. I set the over under at 40.5.
Yeah, I have us at over just because I think we're going to be more susceptible to goals because
we just are going to be pushing forward more. And so we're going to be leaving our players
on an island. It's just a trade off. Yeah, we're going to allow, you know, I would say probably
nine or 10 more goals, but we're going to score. I mean, I have a scoring obviously nine or 10 more
goals. So it's going to be more than that, I think ultimately. Okay. I both Aaron and I,
we all took the over. So, you know, I wanted to try and be competitive. But yeah, I don't know if
that means they set the line bad or if it may be that's just we're all kind of in agreement.
Okay. And then so for the rest of this, what I did and so all the all of you listening that want
to fill this out, I took each team and I put them in order based on their supporter shield
standings from last year. And I set the over under at half a point higher than last year's rank.
Yeah. So it's pretty simple. Do you think the team is going to do better than last year or worse?
Yep. That's how I took it. So with that in mind, why don't we just kind of hit a few of these? Maybe,
maybe. Yeah. I mean, and these are my assessment without without seeing any of them play. Yeah.
When I went through, I know who their signings are and some of it's less
brain and more heart. I would like to see Austin do better because I like the city of Austin. And
so I have them over. Yeah. That doesn't mean that because I don't know their schedules, I don't know,
you know, there's things where a team could be a better team, but lose more games because they
have a tougher schedule. So how about this? How about I just kind of highlight teams where we
had differences? Yeah, let's do that. So LAFC, let's start with LAFC. Let's start with Miami just
because it's Miami. We all sit under. We all sit under. In a historic season last year,
it's not going to repeat. And same thing with Columbus losing Kucho. We all sit under. Yeah.
Yeah. Best coach in the league, but I don't think they're they're going to be able to repeat.
Yeah. So LAFC.
Yeah, I have them over. Aaron and I all took the under. Yeah, I think they're an improved team.
I think they're finishing first in the West. Honestly, I think they're going to be right
around 64. I think it's going to be pretty damn close to where that line is. Yeah,
I don't know if they'll be much higher than that, but I do have them as over. Yeah.
Yeah. Let's see the next team where we have some differences since an addy.
Yeah, I had them over. I just obviously they've lost some key players, but I think by
I think they're going to find a way to do it. They always do. I don't know what Pat Newton
and what kind of magic he's had because he certainly wasn't that good of a player,
but as a coach, he's killing it. Yeah. Aaron took the over. I took the under. I just
I don't think you can just plug a Vander in there and get the same kind of results. I think it's
a different type of they played different Lucho Costa and him different. So I just I'm not convinced.
I think they're going to be a strong team. They'll probably be a top three team in the East,
but I don't think they're going to be better than last year. Let's see.
I assume we all took the over on Seattle. Yep. We all took the over on Seattle. We all took
the under on Houston. We differentiated on Orlando. You and Aaron took the over and I took the under.
Yeah. I think they underperformed in the regular season a little bit and we saw who they
truly were in the playoffs. Now they've lost some key players, but they've brought in some talent.
I don't know if they brought in talent at the same level, but I feel like they brought in
more talented players overall. So they replaced a couple superstars with like four all stars.
Minnesota, you took the under. I took the over so did Aaron. What was there that you thought
about that one? Not really. I was just thinking about Minnesota. Now that we're talking about it,
I mean, their coach was incredible in the way he changed how they did things, the way they built
from the back. They haven't had an incredible off season in my opinion. So that's where my brain
was. But now that I think about it, they didn't need to because they revamped that team last year.
Tomorrow's opponent, Charlotte, you and I both agreed on over. Aaron took the under.
But I think they're going to be better. I think they're going to be one of the top teams in the
east. I put them out three. Yeah. I think Charlotte's going to have a good season. Plus that
Jersey. Yeah. Yeah. Right. As we talked about in that in that special Patreon episode, Colorado,
you and Aaron both agree on the over. I don't see it. I don't. I don't know. Even with Josh
Totensio going over there. I don't know. I just think that they got a lot of questions that need
to be answered. I mean, and then you had what's going to happen to Reggie Cannon. Was he hurt
badly in that match? We don't know. He had to be walked off the field against LAFC.
I think I just have a special place in my heart for Colorado.
Their fans have always been really good to me when I've gone there. Yeah. And we got Dan Boniface,
who's our Colorado correspondent. I think that's what it comes down to. I would assume
they've got to get it right sometime. They did a few years ago and then didn't work out.
It's crazy that they won their top of the west and it's just kind of under the radar.
But then again, they also had a really good coach that year. Yeah. I mean, but having Mahail a
little bit, I can never say his name. What's his name? Mahal? Yeah. Having him healthy for full
season, I think can make a difference. Well, we saw what he did against LA and Champions League.
So yeah. Yeah. Let's go to Cascadia. We got Vancouver and Portland, both at 47.5 points.
Let's start with Vancouver. What are you going to take? I got, I mean, I can give it on both.
I got the under and both. I think neither addressed their major needs, unfortunately.
And Vancouver made a run in the playoffs, but I just can't see either team making the playoffs
right now. Especially with the owner issues with Vancouver. That was my biggest reason.
Yeah. I think if they get bought like early on in the season, maybe they can start buying players
mid season at the transfer window. I just don't see that coming through in time. It takes a while
to put that together. We saw what it did to the rain last year. Yeah. I just can't see them having
the talent to be able to sustain a full season that would get them in the playoffs. Yeah. Now,
with Portland, I also had the under and how much of that is that we don't believe in them and how
much of that is, how much of that is disrespect? How much of that is, you know, something? I mean,
I would like to say it's not disrespect just because they haven't addressed their major
needs from last season and they lost a superstar. Yeah. And you don't think bringing in David D'Costa
as his replacement is good enough? No. I mean, it's good enough for that, but they didn't address
their defense, which was their major issue. That's actually a really good point there.
They bring link to other superstars though. And so if they start bringing in enough,
then it won't matter how bad their defense is because their offense will be amazing.
Well, their offense was really, really good last year. And it will be this year. It'll be good.
But their defense was such dog shit that it didn't help. Let's see. Interestingly enough,
the defending MLS Cup finalists, New York Red Bull, you took the under. You think they're going
to regress? And I took the over. Yeah. I think they've lost some key players that have moved on.
And I think as we saw in the final, I mean, okay, they came back and made it a close game,
but they were getting absolutely obliterated. They can't hang with the West, let alone the
top in the East. I think they got lucky and made it through. Yeah. Yeah. I think you're right there.
And plus they can't win a championship. So a couple other things we all thought Dallas was
going to be dog shit. We all took the under on San Diego. We all took the over on Atlanta.
Some of these seem kind of like shooting fish in a barrel. Yeah. Philly is an interesting one.
Did we all take the under and Philly? Philly is an interesting one. But before Philly, let's go to
Toronto. Because Toronto is also a team in turmoil. But interestingly enough, we all took the over
on Toronto. I think bringing in, help me out. It was Colorado's coach is now coach.
Yeah. Robin Frazier. Thank you. I couldn't have done that. Yeah. I mean, that's why I see him
turn. I mean, he's already in Cignets at his name. Yeah. They've already said like, you don't have a
place on the team. You're on the bench. They got a DP on the bench that'll be straightened out
midsea by midseason. Like, yeah, I just see them being better because they have,
well, they got to get out of some of those contracts. Like they, right? They just,
and I just see them being able to do it this season. If they can't, then it'll be next. But
yeah, with their coach, and that's the thing. That's the thing you got to always remember is,
and I hate to keep harping on this episode after episode. But with the sounders, we consistently
are top four. And part of that is because we don't screw ourselves too hard on the contracts. And
you see teams like, you see teams like Toronto's, teams like LA Galaxy. Yeah, they just won MLS Cup,
but they were wooden spoons twice in the last like six years. Right. And I think we see that with,
we saw it the year we didn't make the playoffs because we were tied to those contracts.
I don't know if it was the contract. I think it was more the injuries and
fighting too hard in the Champions League, but they could have figured it out. And they just, yeah.
Okay. I think you tech the under on St. Louis. You think they're going to regress even more?
I took the over, but not by much. And then I mean, really, oh, how about supporting Kansas City?
Yeah, I just have them being better. I mean, they brought in one of the best players in MLS.
Yeah. Yeah. I just see them being better than they were. I took the over Aaron took the under. So
curious there. We all think Chicago is going to do better. We all think San Jose is going to do
better. But to be honest, both those teams, it's pretty hard to do much worse. Sure, especially
San Jose. But I will say both of them have better rosters. Oh, yeah. Better coaches. I don't love
Burr-Hulter, but he's in coach made for MLS. I mean, when you take those two bottom teams in the
league last year, Chicago and San Jose, and then you basically take like them or not, you take two
legendary MLS coaches in Burr-Hulter and Arena, you're not going to you're going to have an
improvement in the way San Jose is overhauled. That roster is impressive. Yeah. I mean, they really
hit the ground running on that and took that running. So we're going to record these. We'll
see who, you know, we'll see who does best. We'll revisit these at the end of the season. So get
your picks in. I'm probably going to keep it open for a week or so. I figure even if it's one, you
know, one, it's not going to it's not going to give anyone a big advantage after after one week.
But I would love to, you know, I would love to see give people a chance to fill those out.
But, you know, that's kind of what I have in vision for this season is a little bit more
games and ideas and and things like that to try and have a little bit more interactivity with the
with the discord people. So anyone who has ideas of what they'd like to see, please don't be afraid
to reach out to us. Let us know. Yeah. But before we go, I just there's some breaking news that I
need to tell you. I can see you're setting me up right now. I can I can tell just from your tone.
Yeah, I think you're going to be really upset about this. It might change your entire
opinion about not just the sounder season, but your future career.
Hooters is going to declare bankruptcy.
What exactly is my future career? I don't know. It has something to do with them.
Wow. Wow. I I Wow. Okay, so
that's actually the second time Hooters has been referenced this week for me.
And I haven't thought about Hooters in I don't know. It's been probably a few years. So
yeah, it's not it's not something that comes up a lot in my world. They can tell you that much,
especially as a vegan. There's no there's no reason to even go try to eat there.
No. Do we even have one? There's someone in Bellevue, I presume, but I don't know. Is there?
I have no idea. I can there was there was 20 years ago. That's well, let me go into new incognito
mode because I do not want this in my search history. I don't want to get targeted ads.
Oh, I do. Give me all the ads. There is there's one permanently closed permanently closed
permanently. There's one in Seattle. Oh, no, it's permanently closed.
Yeah. You know, here, how about Hooters and then isn't there a way to search by open now?
Oh, I went to their locations on on their website. So so I can I can tell you there.
Typing in. Okay, we'll put in my address there.
I just want my zip code. Whatever. Seattle, Washington. Boom. The closest one. No Hooters
found. That's all it says. No wonder they're going bankrupt. I feel like I feel like I feel like
Portland would have a few. I think that what are you looking at? Holy cow. I see there's your future.
I think that the perhaps your restaurant, Buffalo Wild Wings and Wicks, Wick,
took over and kicked Hooters on its mighty way. You're right. That is my future right here. Yeah,
there you go. We are just in Hooters clothing. Yeah, I got the booty shorts. I can make that
happen. Yeah, you do. You've shown us. Oh, wow. No, that was a speedo. So thank you. How you feel?
Oh, wait, we haven't even done any review for Charlotte. Okay, well, let's keep it short because
we have to keep it under two hours in order for the video to go on to YouTube. Okay, even if it's
just audio. Okay, so here's the deal. We've got Charlotte coming to town. They are, I think a
revamped roster. They've got they've got some new pieces. They've got a few, a few new signings,
some new shiny, shiny toys. Things I'll be interested to see Zaha come into the game.
What are your thoughts for what we're going to see tomorrow?
Yeah, I mean, I picked a 3-2 final. I don't know why I picked that. I think I was thinking
that the Sounders were going to have another three goal game and I couldn't see us beating them by
two using my actual brain. I think it's more likely to be two one Sounders. I think we are a better
team, but I think Charlotte's even more improved than last year. Fantastic goalie. You know, good
fans. I just I see this being a close match that the Sounders come on top because we're at home.
Yeah, I think there's some truth to that. I do think that this as much as I as much as my heart
wants to go offensive explosion, I think realistically, because it is league play,
that the teams will be kind of feeling it out. I think Charlotte's got a fantastic coach in Dean
Smith. I was surprised that he stopped coaching North Carolina basketball and started coaching
North Carolina. Every time I hear it. I really when they announced that was the coach, I was like,
I don't get it. What? No, you're not wrong. You cannot have that name and live in North Carolina.
What are you doing? No, I mean, you're just going to be confusing people because I'm sure there's
a bunch of people in North Carolina that are like, Dean Smith is code. Yeah, Dean Smith can do whatever.
I will say I'm excited. Although except Carol is the future Sounders coach. Oh,
Dean Smith's been dead for almost a decade now. Actually, this isn't his son. Is it
the Dean Smith for the I'm assuming not. No, this is very much this I believe Dean Smith is from
England. Oh, okay. The British Pete Carroll will be coaching the Sounders next. So don't worry.
Yeah. So wait, what?
Yeah, that's that's him, right? Yeah. Yeah. So he former Leicester City and North City
asked him. I mean, he's a good manager. Holy cow. No, only 53 and he's coached some big teams.
Yeah. Bro, they may not have been in the Premier League then but still Brentford,
Asin Villa, Norwich City, Leicester City. Yeah, it looks like when he was at least when he was Norwich
and Asin Villa's coach, they were in the championship. I can't speak to when he was Leicester coach. But
yeah, this could be a good year. I mean, they've they've they've done good things with them. So
I'll be interested to see what the game happens and I'm hopeful for a victory and hopefully an
early Sounders goal. Yeah. I mean, bring in Wilfred Zaha. It'll be in it'll be interesting
because this is one of those situations where one, how is Zaha gonna adjust to MLS?
Yeah, take a little bit for sure. But but the other side of that is, you know, how is
how's that going to work with, you know, his age, he's getting up there in age and
and is he gonna play turf game? I don't I don't know if he's what his style is gonna be older guy
playing on turf. Yeah, and I could see it being a little I mean, the weather's gonna be cold, right?
I don't know. I haven't looked at the weather yet for this weekend, but I'm assuming it's not going
to be very nice. And so he did I forgot that he was in the Manchester system for a little bit. So
they have crappy weather 98% chance of rain. Yeah. But you know, when you're at Gallatassereye
in Leon, a Christopher palace probably has crappy weather. So yeah, he'll be used to it.
So it'll be a wet one quarter of an inch of rain. I mean, that that feels like a that feels like a
lot of season. It feels like a first game of the season kind of vibe. Yeah. Yeah, that's a lot of
rain. So yeah, I'm going to one. What's your score prediction? I think I'm going to go.
You know what? I think I'm going to go to nothing else. Nice. Love it. I'm going to go to nothing
else. I think I think it's going to look a little disjointed from both teams. I think it will play
to our benefit that we've had competitive matches already. Yeah, yeah, their last match was a
two bow win over Portland in preseason. Yeah, but that doesn't I think I think they're going to be
on the road. They're going to probably be a little bit more sit back and react. So as long as we
keep our shit together, I think we'll be okay. And it looks like their goals in that match were
from Nicola Petkovich and Enzo Copetti. So neither of their star players scored in that game. Patrick
I can never say a name. Agui Amang was subbed out in the 77th minute for Copetti. And I don't know
that Zaha even play. So we may we may still be waiting for him. Yeah, he didn't he wasn't even
in the 18. So I wonder, do you think is he eligible to play? It largely depend on if he's cleared
his visa and all that kind of stuff, which you never know when it depends on I think when they
made the move. He's obviously signed that contract. Let's see what was the date of that because
that unfortunately is largely a political thing. And so yeah, it was after January, it was January
22nd is when his loan agreement was officially transferred. So yeah, he's he's waiting on those
Trump administration visas. So it may take a while. I mean, he is here. But but that was
after a long time of waiting. But that also may not necessarily mean he's got a work visa.
Right, that's true. So you know, he's present as of today, he showed up. But it doesn't
necessarily mean he's eligible to play yet. Yep, because you got to get that work visa,
those are taking a lot longer, especially when you're seeing a lot of shenanigans. Yeah, I mean,
I wouldn't be surprised not to get too political, but doze if they fired the entire department and
then realize that oh, no, we need them to get those visas in order. That's what's happening. Fire
everyone and then get told, oh, wait, we need we need the people that are saving us from saving
our nukes from being stolen. Yeah, oh, yeah. Yep. Yep. Yeah. That's just a reality of who
who's president and who they have in their administration changes how long work visas
take for professional athletes, especially in the MLS. Oh, by the way, soccer wise had a really good
had a really good podcast a few weeks ago from an immigration lawyer who specializes in bringing
over soccer players and getting their cards. So it was a really cool. It was a really good listen.
So so definitely some check and check out. Anyways, where can they find you? I am everywhere on the
then the social medias at legal minded punk. How about you? You could find me on, you know,
I need to really just stop my Twitter, but on Twitter, cast gates to see, but really, I think
Instagram or sorry, Instagram, my cast gates to see Twitter and Nikita banana. And I got to really
start dialing my loose guy again. James, take it away. You can follow the Sanders Scuttlebut
podcast on Twitter at SSFC Scuttlebut. And for all inquiries, including questions for the gents
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And don't forget to share your feedback by rating and reviewing. And you can follow me on Twitter,
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