You're listening to Raising Anchor, the Rhode
Island FC podcast. Now part of the Blazing Musket
family. We're glad you're here. Hello and welcome
to Raising Anchor, your podcast and source for
all things Rhode Island FC. My name is Matt Etrigan,
and I'm sitting here joined by the legend himself,
Michael Parkhurst. He's a co -founder and owner
here at Rhode Island FC. We're sitting in the
beautiful suite number nine, I believe, at the
newly ready -to -go Centerville Bank Stadium.
Michael, how are you doing, first and foremost?
Welcome back to the Rhode Island State. How's
life been? Thank you. It's good to be here. No
complaints. Life is good. My kids are happy,
healthy, and... doing well in their sports. So
no complaints at all. No weather complaints out
in Columbus right now? Everything's good? We
can all complain about the weather, but it doesn't
help things. And summer is soon upon us. So that's
what I'm focused on. What are the priorities
for you? Obviously, we're launching the stadium
this weekend, San Antonio. It's going to be a
big game. But what have been your priorities
in life? I know you have the mentorship. How's
everything going beyond your responsibilities
of being a football investor? Yeah, aside from
Rhode Island FC, yeah, the mentoring is my main
focus. I really enjoy what we do there, me and
myself and Greg Garza, a former teammate of mine.
Yeah, it's a really cool project that we do,
and it leads to different opportunities and connecting
with different people and helping a lot of youth
athletes, so that's awesome. And then other than
that, watching my kids play their softball and
baseball. Brings me a ton of joy. And so that's
my focus. And that's why we're in full force
here as we get into spring. It's that season.
So yeah, it makes traveling difficult. A different
type of mentoring, right? It's just your kids
on that one. They don't like to be mentored at
all by me because I am dad and I don't know anything.
But I know a lot of people can relate. A story
as old as time on that one. Why did I sit here
today and talk to you about a couple of different
things? Because I think... With all of the performances
that are coming up very quickly, you're probably
one of the most uniquely positioned individuals
here right now in Rhode Island to talk about
it. So I want to jump straight into the Open
Cup and your connection to the big game next
week against the Revolution. First and foremost,
you're a champion of the Open Cup, having won
it with the Revolution. I won't give the date
because I don't want to age anyone here in the
conversation. But as someone who's played in
the Open Cup many times, who's won the Open Cup,
I want to ask you first and foremost, what makes
this soccer tournament, what makes the U .S.
Open Cup so special? Yeah, I think it's unique
when you get to play in competitive games against
teams that are outside of your... normal league.
And that's what makes the FA Cup special and
all the league cups of different countries, because
it means a little bit more to these lower division
clubs. And it's a huge opportunity for them.
And that's why, you know, from an MLS perspective,
there is no such thing as an easy game in the
Open Cup, right? You see teams, top teams lose
all the time. It was so challenging for us when
I was playing in MLS to go to a USL, even a League
One team or a championship team. It didn't matter
because you knew like you were up against it
and they were going to give everything they had.
And it was just always a battle and always so
challenging. So, you know, from now being on
the opposite side of it, you look at it and you're
like, it's such a cool opportunity. It really
is. Bring MLS here, right, to show everyone,
you know, the competition level. And so, yeah,
really looking forward to watching that one.
It's going to be fun. You know, interesting to
drill in on that for a second. We obviously hear,
you know, people live for the cup sets, the quote
-unquote, right? David slaying Goliath. We've
heard that the lower division teams will always
play 10 % tougher. We actually heard Coach Cano
say that last week with Westchester playing against
Rhode Island FC in the Jägermeister Cup. On the
other side of it, as the veteran MLS presence
that is playing these lower division clubs, is
it just as similar as it's the same game for
them? You're just taking it as it's 90 minutes
on the pitch, or is there something more about
making sure that that lower division team doesn't
cup set you? Is there a matter of pride that
changes, or is it just business as usual? No,
it's tough. It's a really tough balance. I think
there's one part of, God, I got to play this
midweek game against a lower division team. You
know, and for me as a defender, it's kind of
like this is a tough place because if I play
perfectly and we have a zero, well, that's the
way it should be. And if I make a mistake and
they score, it's how the heck is that possible?
You know, so it's a tough situation sometimes.
But and you do have that pride of like, hey,
this is why. we're up here and you're not type
of attitude you know as far as players and you
want to show that and so it's conflicting a little
bit and it brings a lot of challenges because
i do think that some of the top players in mls
don't really want to play a midweek game against
a lower division team on a midweek you know um
it's tough um but it provides other opportunities
for other guys on those rosters to show why they're
a part of that roster so um yeah i think kano
is right though as far as the lower division
teams get a little extra motivation right and
and they should right we've said that from day
one like we want guys motivated to go on and
play at a higher level and we understand that
there is a higher level and we want guys to have
that aspiration will they all get that opportunity
of course not but we want to have that aspiration
so yeah i hope that they bring a little extra
on for that night. I know it'll be tough because
I talked to the team already today and I said,
hey, tomorrow is going to feel like a cup final
with the energy. And so then they've got another
cup final on Wednesday. It sounds like to me,
too, that maybe Coach Kano has it a little easier
in his playing days as an attacker against a
lower division team. I didn't really think about
the pressures of being a goalkeeper or a defender
having to maintain the superiority of the better
product, so to speak. So that's a fascinating
part. Speaking of Kano himself, what was the
conversation between the two of you when you
guys found out that the Revolution were going
to be the seeded draw for the Open Cup, a hosted
match here? The first time these two teams will
play each other and it's here at Centerville
Bank Stadium. What was that dialogue like? Yeah,
I think it was, I mean, obviously we knew it
was a strong possibility going into the draw.
We knew that we weren't going to be matched up
against the USL team. So it's kind of one of
two. And so, but I think we were all just, we
were both just like, you know, it's a dream.
It's a dream matchup. It's honestly to have that.
to experience an opportunity in such a new stadium
for a pretty new club is pretty cool. You know,
result aside, just to have them in our stadium
and some of their fans come here and see what
we are building here and what we're trying to
accomplish here, I think is really cool. And
just an opportunity for our fans and our players
to match up against an MLS team. So for sure,
it's going to be exciting. Having both of you
been winners in the Open Cup, now in the leadership
side of things, do loyalties get tested in a
match like this? We've heard from lots of fans
because, like you said, these two teams don't
normally see each other. So it's easy and acceptable
to be a fan of the New England Revolution and
also be a fan of Rhode Island Football Club.
That all changes for 90 minutes this week coming
up. How do you guys feel about it personally,
like literally lifting that trophy and then also
now being on the other side of things? Where's
the loyalty? The loyalty on Wednesday will be
with Rhode Island. And, you know, that's I'm
not afraid to say that out loud and clear. So
that is definitely the case. And, you know, we've
of course, we've had our successes with New England
and had some good relationships there and good
ties. But, you know, for me, full focus is on
Rhode Island FC and the project that we've got
going here and building it and growing it. opening
up this beautiful stadium. So yeah, no issues
there on Wednesday night. How significant is
the meeting of these two teams right now? It's
so early in Centerville Bank's opening. Is it
something that was destined? I mean, you kind
of said it was almost like lined up for the Open
Cup, but in terms of the optics of it overall,
is it more important now than ever that these
two teams see each other now? Or is this something
that it would have had the same table stakes
if this happened two years down the road? Yeah,
I don't know. I'm not sure. Because in one sense,
I don't think that most of Rhode Island knows
yet what lies here in the stadium, right? And
the uniqueness of it and the experience of it.
And so not everyone's going to have experience
or the opportunity to experience that before
this game comes. You know, 10 ,000 people will,
but a whole lot of other people won't yet. You
know, in a perfect world, do I wish it was a
few weeks away? Sure, maybe. But, you know, I
think we're really, really thrilled to have the
opportunity to host it and show that where we
line up and how we line up and stack up. And
I think that, you know, of course, when you have
a local game like that, it's always more intriguing.
So a lot of good storylines and great opportunity
for us as an organization. macro level for the
Open Cup itself. Do you think that the tournament
is in a better place than it was in your time
playing? Do you think that there's still more
room for it to grow? And if so, are there ideas
on how the tournament overall can improve for
all players participating? Yeah, I think that
it's... I don't know if it's in a better place
or not. I think that last year was tough, obviously,
with the controversy of MLS teams. So I'm glad
that... They're trying to figure that out. And
this year is a balance between, you know, first
teams and MLS next pro teams. So that's good.
I understand that there's challenges and travel
and finances. And, you know, there's a lot of
different components to it. And honestly, some
of the surfaces that teams need to play on when
they go on the road. And so I get it. We have
to figure out a way to make sure that this carries
on because there's a long legacy of this cup
and it means a lot. And like we talked about
earlier, it's unique and there's different opportunities.
So, you know, I think that U .S. soccer understands
that and we're trying to figure it out. But I'm
glad that this year there's MLS teams involved
and that's the way it should be. And then, you
know, final topic here on the Open Cup. What
was your favorite memory? And it can't be lifting
the trophy. There's got to be something else
that uniquely stuck out to you about your time.
Maybe it was an off -the -pitch moment. Maybe
it was a traveling moment. Maybe it was something
that did happen. But what's something that when
you think back to the Open Cup, close your eyes,
and not lifting that trophy, what is something
that always rings out true to you? I think just...
bus trips to random stadiums where you don't
know what's going to be there when you get there.
And this was true with both my time with New
England, but also Atlanta and Columbus and, you
know, going to Akron for a game and, you know,
in Atlanta going, I mean, Charleston, you knew
what you're going to get, but just different.
I mean, Charleston road trip, our bus broke down.
on the way to the game. And so I think we ended
up flying. I think they, yeah. And that's the
Open Cup. It's just crazy things happen. I remember
in Columbus going to Akron and you play 120 minutes
because of course the game goes into extra time.
And it's a grind. And there's no easy games in
Open Cup. And that's what I learned over my time.
It doesn't matter who you're playing. There's
just not an easy game. uh but yeah a lot of a
lot of good memories and yeah glad i got to win
it a couple times it was fun you know moving
on to rhode island fc now here for a minute uh
when we last connected one of the things i asked
you was what was one of the biggest learning
curves thrown your way being a participant now
being a co -founder and owner of a sports franchise
at the time you had mentioned a lot of red tape.
Ironically, Brett Johnson, Dan Krober, they've
all said the same thing. And I have seen firsthand
the complications of getting this stadium online.
But, you know, looking at it now, you're under
your belt with the product on the field. What's
something beyond the red tape that you had to
learn and grow as an owner and co -founder with
this organization? Yeah, I think, you know, for
me, obviously the focus is on the technical side.
So it is just the roster construction year over
year. When you have success as a team like we
did last year, I get why it's difficult to keep
a team together. Everybody wants a new contract
and bumps and raises and to be recognized for
their contributions to a successful team. And
I understand that. part of that on the other
side as a player so i get it um and so we're
doing our best to try and do that and keep the
core together and obviously we've done that you
know from last year to this year we had very
little turnover some here and there but um overall
the same team and um but that's that's tough
and so i think that for me it's always a learning
curve understanding the contracts and players
and budgets and relationships with agents and
and all that stuff so um that's a part of my
job and part of my gig and um but that's that's
a challenge for sure because you want to do do
right by players because i've seen clubs not
do right by players from the other side of things
and i never want to be that the club right now
managing through a extensive number of injuries
i think there's seven that are at some point
between day to day to longer term injuries From
the technical side of things, you don't have
the deep reserves of an MLS side, a billion -dollar
backer. What goes through your mind as you help
Kano try to navigate through the trials and tribulations
of a depleted roster? Yeah, it's something you
can never plan for. It's just tough. You might
go through a whole year and have very little
injuries, or you get some here and there, and
that's why you've got a roster of... backups
and 20 odd guys uh but yeah you can never plan
for having five six seven injuries at the same
time it's tough and i've seen it occur before
and uh you try and get through it the best you
can you know we had a conversation last night
of kind of like you know who do who do we have
relationships with that we can call if we need
some extra bodies and extra players and you know
for short -term loans and things and uh It's
a tough time of year, though, because all clubs
are dealing with different competitions, and
that makes it challenging because really nobody
wants to give up anybody because they need their
bodies. So it's tough. That being said, no one's
going to feel bad for us, and we need to continue
to put the best product on the field as we can.
So it's definitely one of the challenges that
every team faces, and right now it's us. It's
a strategy, and obviously you can't get into
it. giving out the secrets here, but we saw the
25 -day contract to Riojo Gund. That now gets
extended through the remainder of the season,
whether that was because of a need or just also
in combination of the performances that he put
in the defensive work over the games he was able
to showcase himself. You know, looking back,
I don't think 25 -day contracts was a thing in
your playing time. Is that a mechanism that helps
or is it really... a band -aid to the longer
term problem? Is it something where you'd like
to see the loan options? You'd like to be able
to navigate and maneuver through having players
get a little bit longer consistency than just
showcasing less than a month's time with a team?
Yeah, I think it's both. There's a combination
of things, right? It gives us an opportunity
maybe to sign a player that we're not 100 % sure
on, but we're going on somebody's recommendation
or we've seen a little bit, but... We're not
100 % sure yet. And so let's give him a contract
here and get him in. And it's a good opportunity
for that individual to prove himself. But doesn't
tie us down long term if things don't work out.
The loans are good options. It just depends on
how much of the salary are we picking up? What
does that contract look like? What are the details
of it as far as recalls for them and things?
But those are good options as well because it
provides us with usually a little bit more flexibility
if things don't work out or just financially,
right? Where we try and have some of the MLS
team cover some of the salary. And so you try
and get a pretty good player for a lesser salary
than it would normally cost us. So everything's
on the table all the time. There's no doubt about
it. And especially when you're going through
an injury crisis like we are. Eyes and ears open
to everyone and anyone. So what I'm hearing is
you may put the boots back on and give Karno
15 minutes at the end of a game? That is not
what you're hearing. We're trying to win games
here. So, you know, talking more onto the technical
side of your participation with this club, how
invested are you in the day -to -day? I know
you guys have... Daily calls, I think I've heard
this a couple of times, but are you watching
tape at the end of the game? Are you looking
at the Y -Scout details that come out, the Opta
breakouts afterwards? What is the level of your
time in relation to this team's on -field performance?
That sways. I get all the training sessions,
all the games, all the information, so it's available.
I watch all the games. I don't miss anything.
So I rarely have to go back and watch anything.
And to me, statistics, I don't know. Some of
them are good. Some of them I don't really care
for. If things were based off statistics, I would
not have had the career I had. That's for sure.
They didn't really do me any favors. So, you
know, here and there. But, you know, I think
that those things become more relevant maybe
when things aren't going well and you're kind
of. trying to figure out why or what's underlying
problems maybe what are your eyes deceiving you
of type thing but um you know day to day i try
not to get into the weeds you know we hired kano
because we believe in him and the staff and so
i'm very cognizant of staying in my lane giving
him his space and you know i'm there as a resource
and a guide and an extra set of ears and eyes
I take a look at every player we sign. Week to
week it varies, but pretty heavily involved.
As a player, first and foremost, now an owner,
when you watch a Rhode Island FC game, can you
actually enjoy the game or are you in that technical...
you know, analyst mode. And, you know, I look
at like a chef, right? Like a chef looks at the
presentation, the temperature, the way the ingredients
combine. They very rarely get to enjoy the meal
that they made because they're so critical of
what they've done and contributed to it. Can
you actually enjoy watching a Rhode Island FC
game? I can, I can. And I've said this where,
you know, even for teams that I've played on.
I'm not as heavily invested. When I watch New
England or Atlanta United or Columbus play, I
root for them. But I don't get... My palms don't
get sweaty. My heart rate doesn't rise. If they
lose, I'm going to enjoy my night no matter if
they won, lost, or tied. It doesn't matter. With
Rhode Island, it's different where I actually
get that sense of... I'm rooting for the team,
like really want them to do well and, you know,
get nervous at the end of a game when it's close
and things like that. So that part of it's really
cool for me because I didn't have that before
this, other than the Red Sox when I was little.
But even though I am that heavily invested, I
still enjoy the games. I don't get that crazy
emotionally. I'm not the head coach, and even
if things don't go that well, it's not on me
right away to solve it for the next game tactically.
If I see things, I might mention it to Kano if
he asks. Maybe I'll give my opinion, but again,
otherwise, that's why we hired him. I more look
at big picture stuff, but yes, I do enjoy the
games, and I like that. Looking at the idea of
big picture, I think... Again, you're so uniquely
positioned here. A professional player in New
England. You also were someone who grew up as
a Rhode Island native. You got to watch the Stingrays
play what Pierce Field in East Providence. Here
we are. Gosh, what has that been? How many years
is that? I don't want to age it, but at least
two decades. Professional soccer now once again
here in this beautiful stadium. Bring this full
circle for us. What's this like knowing that
you're basically a kid watching a level of professional
soccer in Rhode Island, and here you are after
a very, very exhausting player career that you
had. What's this like for you kind of sitting
here now? Yeah, that's the coolest part for me
is I know that tomorrow and throughout the next
decades, there's going to be hundreds and thousands
of... young kids that come into this stadium
that can then really see themselves playing professional
soccer or having role models and idols that play
in front of them like I did when I was with the
Stingrays. And those guys came to like our camps
in the summer and you got to play soccer tennis
with them. Right. Javier was a legend in for
us growing up. And, you know, so now I think
that. those kids are going to be able to come
here and experience such a different atmosphere
and a different level that we experienced at
Pierce, which was awesome at the time. But we're
definitely taking it to the next level here.
So I think that part of it is so, so cool to
me that really going to help fulfill some dreams
there for local kids. I get that some of them
get it when they go to Foxborough, but we think
it's going to be a unique experience here. How
important is the local and regional game outside
of the professional landscape for you? Brett
has often talked about you're the glue to the
community. You're the one that understands the
system, having been a part of it yourself. How
important is that aspect to the future of Rhode
Island FC? Yeah, very important. And that's why
we want to make sure that everyone feels included.
We know that, you know, the communities are tight
-knit here and we want to make sure that we are
a uniter of those tight -knit communities and
everyone feels like they've got a place here
and this team represents them and they're welcome
here. It's one of the reasons why, you know,
when people ask us, do you have an academy, we're
like... No, we don't have an academy right now.
Are we going to take the best players from each
club? Like, how is that going to affect our relationships
within the state? So, no, it's really important.
I mean, growing up, you know, I played for Bayside,
but we played in Laza. And it's like, you know,
you've got these Portuguese leagues and you've
got these Hispanic leagues. And, you know, then
you've got, you know, surf down south. And, you
know, there's things all over in different pockets.
And the game is there. So, you know, we just
need to make sure that we are. including everyone.
And that's the plan and giving them a space and
hopefully bringing everybody together, rallying
around the sport. I know you've said, and you
just re -echoed it about, you know, there's,
there's no immediate plan for an RFC Academy,
but how do you make sure you're the front runner
when it comes to the local talent that's developing?
You know, how do you get, I think most recently,
like the Damien Rivera's to not go to the New
England Academy. How do we, how do we get them,
you know, signing for, for Rhode Island FC in
a future state? yeah it's a good question and
uh it's a tough one right now obviously they've
been around for a long time and um have things
set up and um they've got which is great and
you know they that was a long time coming right
that academy didn't exist when i was there uh
so you know it's it's come a long long way which
is great for the sport in this country but yeah
of course we want some young Rhode Islanders
to be a part of our squad in the future. And
so, yeah, we still need to figure that out. But
we do hope that, you know, through being local,
through providing a really good atmosphere here
and to be welcoming to those players that maybe
need training opportunities or to be seen here
and there or different things that we can be
a little bit more accessible and open to those
players and provide some different opportunities
that, you know, maybe they couldn't get. you
know from other clubs moving on here just want
to ask your early thoughts on the whole conversation
about division one now opening up for the usl
as well as pro rail kind of coming in tandem
it it was like we didn't have it and now we're
going to have both at the same time it feels
very fast uh what's your overall confidence in
this in this you know it what's the overall perspective
as the ownership group like what do you need
to start doing to set yourself up for success
for that longer -term phase or project of the
club. I asked Kano the day it got announced.
He's like, I'm taking this game by game. My focus
is on, I think it was Phoenix Rising at the time.
So for you, though, macro level, what are your
overall thoughts, and how are you preparing yourself
and the club to handle the eventuality of Pro
Rel and Division I coming? Yeah, I think that
we've... thought or known that there was a possibility
for a while so you know that's why the stadium
was built in a way where it could expand pretty
easily if we ever need to and so I think the
concept of ProRail is very exciting I think that
it does make a difference to the competition
and once fans get accustomed to it and learn
it and can appreciate it I think that it does
provide next level. type of excitement and entertainment
but i also think it's a long ways off i think
that there's a lot that needs to be figured out
and there's a lot of logistics that go into it
and and how division one is classified right
now uh we're just a little ways off of it um
so i do think that it's a way to differentiate
ourselves from mls and um maybe bring in some
more fans that way but you know i'm also cognizant
i'm a realist of like there's a lot that needs
to be accomplished before this is a reality and
we can actually do it uh so for me you know i
need to see that and and some more commitment
from different ownerships in usl i think that
we or i view us as you know like atlanta united
and mls like newcomers push the league forward
right that's hopefully how things occur, right?
That's what Atlanta United did and LAFC and all
the new coming teams did for MLS. We're one of
those for USL, like bring it to the next level,
the next new team, bring us to the next level
and keep bringing us up and dragging the lower
teams with us and say, Hey, it's not good enough.
Bring it up. Let's go invest more type thing.
So, you know, I think that as that occurs, that'll
become more realistic. we can do it the right
way. You've experienced promotion and relegation
directly. I think it was in the Danish League
that you helped the team move up. What is, since
you've been such a world traveler in your professional
playing career, what in your eyes is the best
version of a style of Pro -El that you'd like
to see adopted? You know, a lot of people are
instantly saying it's the English style, you
know, three up, three down, and then a playoff
in -game for that third slot. There's so many
different versions of pro -rel out there. What
would you like to see from having been a player
yourself in a pro -rel system? Yeah, I think
it totally is dependent on the league and the
size of the leagues and how are they going to
structure it. And also, what is the likelihood
of the teams in the lower division being able
to bump up as far as infrastructure -wise to
the top league and things like that. So I'd imagine
it'd probably be one team to start. But I do
get the English way of having the playoff. It's
exciting. It is really, really cool. I think
Bundesliga also does a playoff as well. So that
is really, really entertaining. If there's two
teams and one gets automatic and one's got to
play a playoff, I really like that idea. That
would really intrigue me for sure. Yeah, I don't
know. I've never thought about it, but some sort
of combination would be pretty cool. Do you think
ProRail can live independent of American fans'
desire for the playoff format for the rest of
it? Because I look at it as you've got the USL
Cup, but what does that mean against promotion
then in a championship where there's a Premier
League ahead of it? Do you think that you're
going to need both to be a viable solution, or
do you think the fan base can be educated to
kind of... be weaned off of one and embrace this
other version. Yeah, my personal opinion is I
think you can do both. I think that we don't
need to really become like everyone else. We
can have some uniqueness, I think. I don't know
what the plans are for USL. I'm not privy to
all those conversations, so I have no idea. Personal
opinion, though, I think that we keep the playoffs,
and you have the top teams, and maybe it's just
less are getting in the playoffs, and you still
have that battle for the championship after the
playoffs. I want to touch really quickly here
into the players' CBA. It's expiring for the
USL, I think, in June. I'm sure negotiations
are already getting ready to ramp up. But where
I'm really interested is in the USLPA's efforts.
I remember back that you were once on the bargaining
committee for the CBA for MLS. So I know how
personal that is for you as a player. And then
now moving into the ownership side of things,
I guess asking you this, you know, one, how important
is it that the league gets this contract right,
knowing that it will? potentially bump into the
beginning of division one pro rel and then also
two for you as both first and owner and then
a former player how do you mentally navigate
through the the the turns of a cba discussion
like that yeah i think that you know right now
you need to have flexibility right because the
future is so unknown all right so you know with
the world cup coming next year with difference
of and talks of pro rel and calendars and this
and that, you know, it's, we just don't know
where the future lies. And so I think that there
needs to be, you know, probably opt outs and
structure of like, you know, Hey, we need to
have flexibility in the future because there's
a lot of unknown. But yeah, no, I think it's,
it's important for the players. I do view it
from a player perspective because that's where
I've spent most of my life. So I think that that's
important. From the ownership side, for me anyways,
I want what's best for the players in a way that
the league can still grow. That's super important.
We're not at a place where I think MLS is right
now, where valuations are crazy and there's a
lot of finances being involved and the players
should be getting more cuts of that. And they
are now, which is great. We can't constrain ourselves
so much where it's impossible to grow or to bring
in new teams or things like that. So just finding
that balance of like, hey, we need to take care
of players and treat them the right way and make
sure that they are in a position to be at their
best, but also be in a position where we can
continue to grow and put money into the league
and really flourish. do you think that a contract,
whatever the outcome of that is, does it need
to be put into whatever the implementation of
D1 becomes? Because I feel like everything gets,
all bets are off the table again once you, because
it's salary restructure, a new level of competitive
requirement, who knows what the international
game will look like in terms of players coming
abroad. Is this maybe at best probably a two
- to three -year contract, and then we'll see
where things go from there? Is that what's right
for the players? That would be my assumption.
I think that's – and I haven't been involved
in any of the PA conversations up until this
point, none. So I don't know. But that would
be my assumption from the outside. There's just
so much unknown, and there's – I've heard things
of like, are the D1 – parameters going to get
changed a little bit um so i think because of
the unknown it's really difficult to try and
forecast and you know create that and it just
we're negotiating something that's like maybe
gonna happen possibly gonna happen don't know
when it's gonna happen that just seems like a
waste of time to me where it's like hey let's
focus on the now and the next couple years or
next year or whatever and then good faith, hey,
let's revisit this if this becomes a possibility
or whatever. That's how I would view it, but
again, I'm not really making those decisions,
I don't think, until they ask me to help out,
but that would be my recommendation. I can say,
having talked with some of the players, that
they don't even feel the CBA affecting them because
they've gone on multiple times, multiple lengths
to say... The Rhode Island FC treats them far
better. And they are one of them. I won't name
the player, but even said, like, I didn't know
that these were problems that, you know, other
USL teams face. And like, I would hope that I
never get traded to one of those teams and not
knowing that such a high standard has been set
here by the club. I want to kind of end here
on just the conversation with your relationship
to Atlanta United specifically. I'm always fascinated
about the relationships that owners, that coaches
have. You know, I think. To last year, we saw
the Jack Pan EO2 loan. We saw the Morris Dugan
loan. So obviously there's some bridges that
have been built between New England and Minnesota.
But then I think to the ownership side of things,
right? Like there's the Ipswich connection with
Brett. And of course, you're such a fan favorite.
You know, I look at your interactions. I look
at your dialogue with Atlanta United. You seem
very much still invested in the success of that
team. Not rooting for them, as you said earlier,
because it's Rhode Island FC now. Is there a
pipeline, especially to your mentoring, to the
way that you're still connected to that club?
Is there any potential success where we could
see a talent pipeline develop between the two
organizations? Could you be the facilitator of
bridging that gap at some future point? I hope
so. I hope so. There's been some conversations
and nothing's come of them yet, but we've had
dialogues and just like with a lot of different
clubs, but it's just finding the right. player
in the right situation. And I think that, you
know, we're still in the phase of prove it to
us type thing of, you know, do you have the infrastructure?
Are our players going to get the right training
and the right games and the right this and the
right that, right? We're so young. So, you know,
I think that that's why it's important that we,
you know, had those early loans and, you know,
gain respect of MLS clubs and like how we do
things and how we treat players and things. So
I think that all helps us. So, you know, I think.
With that comes more opportunities for us, and
hopefully I would love to have an Atlanta United
player or two up here and helping us and help
grow them and give them experiences that honestly
they can't get in MLS Next Pro. What's made it
easy for you to have these continued dialogues
now? Is it the stadium finally being here, the
tangible product established? Is it the result
all the way up until the USL Cup Final in Colorado
Springs? as that person that will facilitate
those conversations what what makes your job
easier when you go out and have those uh those
reach outs yeah i think it's how our players
are treated so if their player reaches out to
any player on our team of what their experience
is like what the training sessions are like how
kano is as a coach the results on the field the
atmosphere at the stadium right that's a huge
huge thing mls next pro right they they don't
They don't get the experiences that you get in
USL Championship as far as atmospheres, as far
as pressure, as far as playing against men. That's
a big differentiator. And so, you know, I think
that MLS Next Pro is great for what it is. But
I think there's definitely opportunities. And
that's why their loans happen, that top end players
that aren't quite ready for first teams. need
something more than MLS Next Pro, and need to
be pushed a little bit more, and need to play
against men. And so that's why these opportunities
arise, and I think that they will continue to
arise. And then without getting yourself in trouble
here, if you could change one thing about the
way the USL operates today, since you're so close
to it, your finger is on the pulse, what would
you do if you could to make a positive change
with how the USL operates today? I think that
we need to take a look at the standards of some
of the fields. I think that it's an issue when
the fields are really affecting the play on the
field. And it affects the quality on the field.
It affects when you're watching it and what you
see. So it needs to be examined, and I get that
the league is young and we're growing and it's
difficult and it takes huge investments, but
I will say it's just different when you watch
a game that's on grass or it's on good, wet turf
versus if it's on a rock -hard turf field that's
dry and you can't dribble because the ball is
getting stuck under your foot and you can't get
it under control because it's bouncing up at
your shin every time. There's a big difference.
in the quality of play uh so i've noticed that
numerous times and uh so i think at some point
it needs to be addressed and final thoughts you
know here we are the game by the time this goes
out the game will have already happened against
san antonio but what are your overall thoughts
you know is it all real for you now how are you
feeling about everything going on with yourself
with rhode island of sea with the state this
project overall? What are those, what are those
final thoughts to impart with, with listeners?
Yeah, I think we're in a good place. I think
that's, um, it's been a long, tough road to get
to where we are. Um, there's a lot of people
who have lost a lot of years and got a lot of
gray hairs, um, in the process of getting to
where we are this weekend. So, you know, and
a lot of people have been grinding. working crazy
hours. I got emails last night at 3 a .m. in
the morning from somebody that works here at
RIFC, and it's like people are just working around
the clock right now. And it doesn't go unnoticed.
It's a lot. It's a lot to put together this and
to provide this. And so it's going to be a celebration.
It really is. A lot of people are going to be
thrilled, and we're looking forward to it. It's
having people come into our home and making it
their home and feeling like they're a part of
the club. Michael, thanks for joining the podcast.
Always a pleasure to get your unique perspectives.
Can't wait to see the results both on and off
the pitch for the remainder of this season. And
you are welcome back anytime. to join us and
have a talk about Rhode Island FC. Awesome. Thanks,
Matt. Appreciate it. Thank you. In the meantime,
don't forget to check out our friends at the
Blazing Musket for all of your New England soccer
coverage, including Rhode Island FC. You can
also find us on Instagram at Raising Anchor and
the rest of the social media accounts, RAFC Podcast.
Don't forget to check out our website, RaisingAnchorPodcast
.com. And remember that we are on Thursdays every
week at 8 p .m. for live podcasts. Talk to you
guys soon and anchors up.