You're listening to Raising Anchor on 990 WBOB.
Welcome to the Raising Anchor Soccer Show with
Matt Entrickett and Jason Carey. Your home for
news, analysis, and everything Rhode Island FC.
Each week they take you inside the locker room,
inside the tactics, and inside the storyline
shaping RIFC. Here's Matt and Jason. Rhode Island
FC take care of business, defeating Westchester
SC 3 -0 in Pring's Tires Cup action on the weekend.
Jason, was this a result enough to restore the
hopes of advancing further in this tournament,
or does the journey still end here? despite the
success on the pitch. We're going to find out
that and so much more. First and foremost, the
chairs are restored in their rightful places.
You're on this side of the window. I'm on this
side of the window. How are you doing, my friend?
I'm doing great. It was a great weekend. Great
to see RFC get a good victory there and inching
ever closer to the World Cup here. Just a few
more days. I'm so excited. We were at the Cape
Verde send off yesterday. I don't know that that
went off as well as I would have expected. I
mean, the fans of the national team seemed excited
just to see them. I probably would have coordinated
that event a little different. You got to experience
firsthand what island time really means. So I
got to appreciate that from my side of things.
But nevertheless, you're right. World Cup is
here so much so. want to talk a couple details.
Don't have any graphics tonight because we're
still on island time in terms of production of
this show, but there's a lot of watch parties
and a couple people have reached out asking where
we are going, what are Rhode Island FC and Defiant
1636's watch parties. So going to kind of break
these down because there's some things you should
know if you want to be amongst your forever faithful
or other soccer aficionados for some of these
games. So first and foremost we'll go over Rhode
Island FC's official watch parties really quickly.
They are all at the guild. That doesn't surprise
me at all. They're going to have a couple of
their pub partner activations as well, like G
pub and a couple of the other bars. But for most
of it, it's going to be guild based locations.
It's the biggest setup. It's the best bang for
their buck. And again, that partnership with
owner Duffy, it just makes the most sense. So
here's what we know. They will be having a several
watch parties. So Sunday, June 14th, they'll
be for the Germany versus Cressado games as well
as Netherlands versus Japan. Friday June 19th
of course USA versus Australia and Scotland versus
Morocco and then Saturday June 27th again Panama
versus England and Colombia versus Portugal.
Now you need to go to RhodeIslandLC .com and
claim the free ticket access. This will be a
ticketed event to get into the guild. These tickets
are free. but they know that they are going to
be exceeding threshold for headcount. So they
want to understand who's coming, how many people
are coming and be able to turn people away that
maybe thought they could just roll in and be
first come first serve. So go get those tickets
for free. Jason, we saw that at the Cape Verde
match. That was a free event and we saw people
who couldn't get in because there weren't any
tickets left to be distributed. However, we also
know that Centerville Bank Stadium was not officially
sold out. There was plenty of space for more
people to come in if they had wanted to. Yeah,
but that also probably was due to like the staffing
on the night, right? They allotted for a certain
amount of people. I don't know if there was a
situation where too like people will claim free
things and never exercise the right to actually
attend these events. So I'd be curious what that
conversion rate looked like. I hope that considering
how many people wanted to go that, that people
who got the tickets actually went. And, you know,
when we think back to our FCs playoff runs, the
guild was packed to the bone and that is just
our FC. This is the world cup. Now we're going
to have people visiting from out of town. You're
going to have people maybe who aren't privy to
our FC or just kind of don't care about it. Cause
they have allegiances to other, other teams,
other leagues. And so it kind of makes sense
that they're going to have to kind of watch this
carefully so they don't get in trouble the fire
marshal again there. Yeah, no, absolutely. And
then so that's the Rhode Island FC official side
of it. Now we're going to get into the defiant
side of what they've announced so far. So Rhode
Island FC partnering with three separate locations
for select watch parties. First and foremost,
the American opening game against Paraguay on
Friday, June 12th. That's a 9 p .m. game. That
will also be at the Guild. So now you have a
third game or fourth game with technically a
watch party at the Guild. Then Saturday in a
game against for Brazil against Morocco on June
13th. at 6 p .m. They're going to be at Trinity
Brew House. There's a relationship going there
where you know Trinity's reached out to Defiance.
They want them there for that match and then
here's the conflicting one which goes against
what Rhode Island FC is doing. Defiance obviously
partnering with Robin Front and they're going
to be doing the Germany versus Curacao game on
Sunday June 14th at the German American Culture
Society of Rhode Island. So you can't go wrong.
You're going to watch that game with someone
from Rhode Island if you choose either camp I
think we know we're going to be and that's probably
going to be with the Germans hanging out and
doing German stuff. So really excited on that
one. We've talked about other matches we want
to go to. I think without burning out the spots
or getting this too long in the tooth when it
comes to the locations, I know we're going to
go to Monica for a couple of matches. I know
we're going to go to the PVD fan zone. I know
we're going to explore like going to one of those
Mexican bars downtown for the Mexico home opener.
So is there any, is there any location that I'm
missing that you've been studying? Like we got
to go catch at least a match there? No, I think
a lot of it, like you said, sometimes we'll come
down to who's actually playing and it's like,
is there a community there that we can just go
like have a great time and, and support their
team with them and watch the match? You know,
I think I'll probably Try and hit as many matches
with other people as possible Maybe one or two
or just kind of like have to just stay home and
watch it because there's no other option But
uh, but yeah, I think it should be fun. We're
gonna be out in the town try and meet as many
different people and just enjoy the World Cup.
Yeah, so if you guys have recommendations, slide
into the DMs, message us, do whatever it takes.
We've heard about Continues and Picos for the
Cape Verde team games. I've heard about a couple
places in Central Falls and the Greater Pawtucket
area for some Colombian matches. So if there's
a place we need to be to watch a game amongst
the people, please let us know. We'll be happy
to make sure that we go and support because we
do want to be to as many of these games as possible.
But got to move on and start talking about the
big news that happened on Friday. Producer Torn
got this completely wrong because Logan Dorsey
was not an X factor on this match so much so
that he was X off of this team. I've got some
details that I can expand upon. I know a lot
of people have been asking us all week. We've
shared some things, but we have some more things
we can unpack here. Do you want to start things
off or is there anything that you need to ask
before we get into this? I just like it kind
of feels like it was out of left field. You know,
like like you said, it was funny that producer
Torn was like, oh yeah, it was hyping him up.
And then of course, like he just often disappears.
It's unfortunate to see him go especially now
that like we see that he's in another team in
the league and especially a team that we haven't
played yet so he could be used against us which
is not ideal and I think that will be the thing
that we see the most is he will be used against
us in that August 29th match Clay also had some
comments about it at the end of the game. Listen,
this is a first for the club. We are no stranger
when it comes to having low knees recalled. We've
now seen it with first and foremost Jack Paniotou
famously getting recalled. We've seen it with
Matthew Corker in where we didn't even understand
that signing in the first place. It was only
going to be a handful of games. And now we see
Logan Dorsey, you know, there was a couple of
questions in the mailbag, like, do we need to
protect pity at all costs? I don't think that
move is even financially viable to recall him
at this point, because I'm not sure where he
would be able to even make it make sense cost
effectiveness wise to find another playing opportunity
somewhere else. So I think pity is at any risk.
There's a lot more to unpack here with Logan
Dorsey, though. And you know, first and foremost,
we have to talk about where Logan Dorsey is in
this career. You know, he came off of being one
of the most electric strikers out of MLS Next
Pro last season. There were a lot of clubs that
wanted to see Dorsey in their camps during the
preseason or maybe being a trialist or even just
signing outright on the championship and even
USL one side of things. And you have to understand
that there's a very good relationship between
Minnesota United and Rhode Island FC. It's not.
Just luck that we've had Morris Dugan, Hugo Baccarac,
and now Logan Dorsey on alone. There's a relationship
between these technical staffs that has grown
into something very, I think, successful when
we look at all three of these players. But then
when you look at Logan Dorsey specifically, it's
pretty transparent as to why he's no longer with
Rhode Island FC. Only gets 146 minutes across
all of his playing opportunities, gets the first
goal of the season. He's plastered all over at
ilnfc .com, or at least he was for that first
goal at home this year. Two goals in that same
time span. That's not a bad per 90 stat line,
but here we are almost at the halfway point in
the season and only 146 minutes for a player.
who was playing in almost every match, almost
the entirety of her match, scoring in the double
digits last season in an MLS Next Pro side, you
start to have to ask questions, whether you're
Minnesota United, you're Logan Dorsey yourself
on like, what exactly is this going to be for
me? Especially if Minnesota is looking at him
as being the next guy, possibly being a secondary
tertiary striker for the senior team sooner than
later. These questions all start to kind of percolate
to the top and say like, hey, what's really going
on with Logan? Why isn't he playing? Yeah. And
then what's crazy is you, you brought up a few
other players there. Like if you compare them
to a Matthew Cochran who was here for what four
or five games, he put up more minutes than Logan
Dorsey did. So it does make you wonder like what
was going on behind there. Was it, he just wasn't
fitting. Like what was Kano's vision for the
team? Why wasn't he getting enough minutes? I
mean, at this point it's all speculation. But
clearly they, they were not happy and they, like
you said, they, they see him as someone who needs
that development time. And, you know, Tulsa from
what I understand needs a striker. So he's probably
going to get quite a few minutes there. Just
from a curiosity point, I'll kind of be like
half paying attention to see like, okay, how
is he doing? Or are we going to like look back
on that and regret that? Is he going to have
a, a good rest of the season, or is this going
to be one of those things? He comes out the other
side of it with. Three goals from like, you know,
900 minutes away. Okay. Yeah, whatever. Like,
I mean, it's, it's unfortunate we didn't keep
them, but maybe really not a big loss on our
side. I mean, so from the conversations I've
had with both sides, the only person I haven't
talked to is Logan himself. Ironically, he was
next on our interview list. So I feel like I
got to start going after the low knees faster.
The same thing happened with Jack. I got Jack
last time, but I got to pay attention to this
in the future. But so from what I've heard from
both campuses, it's twofold is one. Yes, Minnesota
wanted to see Logan be playing more, but obviously
there's no. There's no rules written to the contract
that if they're not at X minutes, then they get
recalled. I've heard some things say that like
the the loan expired, which that was interesting.
I haven't been able to confirm that either on
whether these are set up in six month windows
and then they're reevaluated so that both teams
can analyze and say, hey, we're. I'm going to
recall him at this point. We're at that maturation
date, but what is the thing I know for sure is
that this was not a decision from Minnesota United.
A lot of people and maybe I maybe misled people
too, saying Minnesota wants to see Logan take
the next step. This entire decision was activated
by Logan Dorsey himself, so I want to make sure
people understand that that Logan chose and requested
to be released from Rhode Island FC to then go
play somewhere else now. clearly with the level
of speed and expediting that this happened in
both the recall of the loan and then the signing
of FC Tulsa, this was probably something that
was being negotiated as soon as Logan felt uncomfortable.
And we'll hear some things from both Kano and
Clay a little later that kind of match that up.
But from what I've been told directly from my
sources is that Logan needed, he felt that he
needed to get more playing time, he needed to
be more productive, and he needed to use this
year to catapult himself. It wasn't a decision
he came easily to. He did not want to leave Rhode
Island F .C., but I think all parties understood
where he was at and said, OK, Logan's got to
do what's best for Logan. And unfortunately,
that means his time with Rhode Island F .C. comes
to a rather albeit short end, unfortunately.
Is that something that you say like you're a
little surprised and when you see strikers wanting
to get out because Jack door Jack Panagiotto
Jack Dorsey Jack Panagiotto was his own like
that was not in his control he would have never
wanted to leave at that point just for a one
leagues cup match and Matthew Corcoran I think
he was just doing everything he could to get
minutes so that he could make a senior team claim
by the time they got to playoffs which he did
especially in that open cup run this one feels
like the first time ever where Hey, I'm I'm choosing
not to stay with you Rhode Islanders. I'm breaking
up with you that change How you feel about a
player when they do that? No, I think I have
to you have to respect it right a lot of these
players do not have long careers and If you feel
you're in a position where you are not getting
the time to showcase or develop your talents
Waiting another six months to a year. That's
a long long time in regards to a soccer player's
career So I kind of understand it if he if he
felt that he needed to move on to develop his
game. Some fortunate like I said if it turns
out that he comes good then maybe we look back
on that and think maybe could we have done better
there you know could be could be a lesson for
us but yeah I can't hate him for it. I think
the two interesting things for fans to watch
in Logan's career now progression wise with FC
Tulsa remember John Morris he said one of his
biggest like. got it wrong or surprises of the
year in player pool was the fact that Philip
Goodrum was not really being activated FC Tulsa.
So now with his time there, would that transform
into more productivity? And I look at Goodrum
as a similar player profile to Williams. We kept
asking, could we put two brute force strikers
in at the same time in a double strike force
pairing? If we see Logan play alongside Goodrum.
What would that mean for this team? And did we
not take those notes because that's I think the
most interesting part on will he be successful?
And then of course, how many goals is he going
to score against us on August 29th? I mean, hopefully
none, but. The way we're cursed. I mean, yeah,
he'll probably at least pick up one. Logan Dorsey
chose to play on a baseball field and said they
would stay with Rhode Island FC. That's all I'm
going to say. But hey, we got to get to break.
And when we return, we're going to break down
the table standings and Prinks Cup action, as
well as how Kano constructed this team ahead
of that match last weekend. All here on the Raising
Anchor Soccer Show. Thank you for listening to
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with Matt Entrickett and Jason Carey. All right.
With the win over Westchester there, RAFC were
in second place. and uh the group there until
uh sunday afternoon when uh brooklyn kind of
thrashed part uh partland hearts of pines there
five one something we can't do apparently every
other championship team no problem getting through
the hearts of pine yeah not sure what happened
there um we do play brooklyn in the final round
so beating them can put us in a really good potential
spot for second place The thing we don't know
is how Hartford will manage their last game,
but they play Westchester. So I don't expect
them to drop any points there. And the thing
is second place is just for the wild card. So
we're currently not the best wild card moving
forward. So we definitely have to hope that some
other dominoes fall in our place. So. Still still
work to do, but it's unfortunately really not
in our hands there so mathematically though what
you're saying if I interpreted that right is
that should Rhode Island FC win. And Hartford
lose and Brooklyn lose you obviously they would
have been you're saying there's a chance there
is a chance maybe maybe Westchester pulls out
a generational performance. Connor McGlynn you
know turns into like. Prime Daniele De Rossi
from Roma and just, you know, thrashes them somehow.
Like, who knows? Is there any way where we're
allowed to legally loan players down to Westchester
for that game? I mean, USL has some weird rules.
I mean, Westchester has a, I heard on last week's
show when I was absent, they have their goalkeeper
coach activated as their backup keeper right
now. How, like, do we need to have a one day
contract for JJ just to dunk on them or something?
How do we help Westchester help us at this point?
But looking at it though too, even if we were
to win and they were to lose in a draw based
on the goal differential alone, not only do we
then have to beat Brooklyn, we would also have
to mathematically do it by a factor of what we
are down. We're plus two, they're plus five.
So we need at least three goals without Brooklyn
responding and it would need to be a nil nil
where they lose in pens to Westchester. that's
the minimum floor or they lose outright and we
win and it doesn't matter so it's possible but
a lot of things have to go our way there that's
that is tough you don't like to see it and like
you said there's so many other teams that are
already at six points or more with again similar
opponents in their competitions remaining that
the wild card is really out of our reach so a
lot of things have to go really right for this
now It sucks to see I have one question that
I want to advocate for and I think this needs
to be something that's changed at the USL HQ
level moving forward. I feel like that one of
the things that did not go well for us in this
is that both of our first rounds of the tournament
were away matches and I feel like that teams
need to be given every opportunity to not fall
so far behind in the point standings that they
need a way home away home or a. home away, a
home away. Like I really feel for the sanctity
of this tournament that that's something that
should have to happen. I also think that if you're
going to mix things up, it could possibly still
be championship side, then a USL one side, then
championship side. I think there needs to be
a little bit better schedule regimen on this.
Do you think I'm crazy for saying that? Or because
I mean, our first game, imagine the momentum
that this would have built if this had been our
opening salvo in the Prince Tires Cup. You know,
I don't think you're crazy there. I mean, we,
the benefit of having two away is then now we
have two at home, right? So if we could have
mustered a little bit better of a performance,
then, you know, maybe we be in a really good
position. The problem is with only four matches,
you really don't have any like room to slip up,
especially because there's numerous teams in
each group where they're not all playing each
other. So it's not really an even playing field.
So some of it is just unfortunately just kind
of a dice roll I think as the league continues
to expand we grow more teams Maybe they will
continue to look at this competition and there's
some things they can do to maybe Maybe even actually
expand the amount of groups right and just have
smaller groups and become a little even more
regional and just say hey You know, these are
the four teams in this group Everyone plays each
other once home one away or something and then
we'll move on from there into like some sort
of bracket but at this point like a I can't hate
it, you know, we I think we just we kind of Got
a little bit of a favorable draw last year and
this time maybe not so much But we also kind
of shot ourselves in the foot there, too I know
this is like not the point of this conversation
But one of the things that irks me the most is
that I just don't believe that we needed this
tournament yet. I feel like with the amount of
teams that are in each of the USL one and the
championship. I think this could have been a
tournament that lived in USL one for a little
bit longer because they only have what? 17 teams
in USL one with championship at 25. I still much
would have rather seen us play every opponent
in both the Eastern and Western Conference and
get to this when the teams kind of more spread
themselves out evenly when Premier activates.
I still don't really like. Cause now mathematically
it's possible. I hear what you're saying, but
I think part of this is to like, they're trying
to mirror European soccer more, right? So you
have a tournament that is just your, your divisions,
your teams throwing the top on the fact that
open cup is it's still alive, but it feels like
it's, you know, MLS is trying to ignore it. Like
it's not that important of a thing. Who knows
what that'll look like in a few more years. If
that competition will even like still exists.
I hope it does, but. But at that point, I think
USL was trying to get ahead of the fact that
like they're trying to bring like more and a
ride to their own league. And like, look, we
have our own competitions. If you don't want
to do the Open Cup like, you know, we're going
to just do our own thing. Or when Birmingham
Legion doesn't even qualify for the Open Cup.
Yeah, we go that route. But listen, we got to
move on. It's just an observation. Let's get
forward. So how did Kano set up for this? Because
I think he fielded. Probably the best possible
starting line. If we had questions ahead of this,
would he do that or would he go a different direction?
And I think he got this one right. Yeah, he fielded
a very strong lineup here with Koke Vegas and
Net here. Back for Nick Skardina, Kareefa Yao,
Freg Nodarse and Aldair Sanchez. We saw a return
of Nodarse there, kind of a center back roll.
Holy midfielders there, Clay Holstad and Hugo
Baccarac. With, uh, your attacking midfielders
of know if you saw an Amos Shapiro, Thompson,
Augustine Rodriguez, and JJ Williams up top.
Conno definitely showing that he's taking this
very seriously, pulling no punches. I mean, that
kind of had to there's if they did not win, there's
no opportunity to all for them to advance. Right.
No, I mean, and, you know, we're going to talk
about a couple of things really quickly here.
Good to see Jamie Peters back in the rotation.
Obviously now someone's got to fill in for striker
number three or two on the night with Logan Dorsey
now gone Leo Afonso. I'm not sure if he was relegated
to the secondary role because there was a lack
of striker output. That'll be something we're
going to have to watch because historically we've
seen Afonso get on the starting eleven. He gets
a goal in this game, so that'll be something
to watch. I want to ask, though, beyond the fact
that Jamin Peters and, of course, the legendary
Kevin Vang get into their USL Cup debuts, want
to ask about Petty Rodriguez out on the left
wing. We've seen him float there. We've seen
him combine with Afonso or even Quisera when
he gets over there. How do we feel more with
Rodriguez pushed out wide versus being tucked
in centrally in a more distribution and chance
creation role? I thought he had another and another
good match there. We saw him play out there out
wide against Indy. Very much a little bit a little
too little too late there kind of to salvage
anything from that match But he was he was definitely
creating some attacking opportunities whipping
in some crosses there So I I don't I don't hate
it as long as the team continues to perform well
and pick up points I Agree completely on that
the other question, you know, we saw this we
were discussing on the discord with some people
earlier in the week We were talking about will
Danny Rivera ever see the light of day on this
team again didn't see him in this match in that
capacity. I hope they let him outside. That being
said, though, you know, we're definitely a back
four now. And I had mentioned how, you know,
it's it's unfortunate to not be able to see a
player like Frank D 'Arcy find his way into this
team because he's not going to unthrone Kareefa
Yao. He's not going to unthrone Omni -Joke when
he's, you know, looking good. I do think and
I still continue to believe that he's a better
defender right now than Grant Stoneman. So it's
good to see right back to in left center back
to his positioning now on the weekend. He looked
comfortable. He looked good in that role. Is
there a case to be made that he should be considered?
I mean, maybe Homidy is probably going to slot
right back in as soon as we get his timetables
on his health. But is there a reason that we
should think that we see rotation between him
and Stoneman for competing over that spot until
Omidy returns? I mean, I think it would be Frank's
position at this point to kind of fight for.
Um, Stoneman obviously still has some qualities
I think that he can bring to this team, but I
think more often than not, you'll see him like
in that tertiary kind of rotational role. Um,
maybe if we were in a better position in this
match, you know, you would have seen him play,
right? Because we wouldn't have like, this is
one of those lineups where like we're not taking
a chance. We have to win this. So I'm putting
out the best possible lineup I can. But I you
would think against a you know usl1 team that
he can he can hold down the fourth. They're perfectly
fine Yeah, I did remember someone reached out
and said I didn't realize Kevin Vang was a right
back because he was swapping in for Nick Scardina
in the substitution and listen all that matters
is that you know is that it's not Danny Rivera
making those plays and Something needs to be
fixed about that. It's still that still boggles
my mind really quickly. Who were your heroes?
Who are your zeros on this roster? Yeah, I'm
going to have to go with Noah. If you saw him
as my hero, he put up a really strong performance.
Didn't get any numbers in terms of goals or assists
there, but I think that if he continues playing
the way that he does, he's going to pick some
up and it's just good to kind of see him playing
with a little bit more like confidence than,
than last year with the commanding performance,
the way that we did, it's hard to like, I can't
really pick a player as a zero, especially if
you statistically look at all of them, they all
were fantastic. You know 730 match time. Maybe
that's a zero. We got rained on at the end of
the night They had to push up the fireworks right
away after the match because the rain was gonna
happen if the game started a little earlier Maybe
maybe that wouldn't happen. I don't know It just
it feels it feels a bit late. I I have heard
unconfirmed, but I have heard through multiple
people that have the ability to influence this
in next year's calendars that there will never
be a 730 match again. I don't know if that's
true, but I've heard from several sources that
it is something that the club is taking a deep
look at and that they will probably never see
the light of day again. Those are meant for Tuesday,
Wednesday games where it's midweek and it's open
cup or something, right? You could even argue
the heat of summer. It's like at the apex of
it. I could see it then too. But not when there's
still rain prevalent or it's still like you're
fighting for 50 degree temperatures. Those are
4 p .m. Games. Let the kids come out and play
because it was kids night too, especially. All
right. Well, my hero was Aldo Sanchez. He gets
an assist. He continues to show really like how
much he has cemented that left back. Originally
left wing back role. I don't think there was
I think there was a moment from last year even
through now where it's like, you know, could
you interchange this with any other player? Joe
J. He was fighting for. That that role amongst
your J. Now with him on the right side of things
often, I just don't think there's another player
that could unsettle all day. All day, Sanchez
would have to get in his own way to unsettle
himself and not be a starter on the squad. You
said it's hard to find a zero. I think that's
right. I'm going with Zach Carrevo. He doesn't
deserve it, but I'm not going to be like you
and not name a player. I think Zach Carrevo had
the weakest showing on the night, especially
as a substitute only. didn't feel like he did
much to change the game. In fact, it felt like
Rhode Island was a little bit sloppier once he
came in. Like the rhythm just seemed a little
off. Took a while for him to grow into it. But
by no means does he deserve a zero. But I've
got to give it to one player. And I'm not afraid,
unlike you, to hurt some feelings along the way.
But we got to go to our break. And when we return,
we're going to talk to Kano as well as Klay on
their opinions on the match and then break down
some of the biggest moments from a weekend's
result. It's all here on The Raising Anchor Soccer
Show. Fans, as the weather becomes more and more
unpredictable, be sure to check out 990 WBOB's
weather page for all your temperature, storm,
and travel info. Stay prepared for whatever Mother
Nature has in store with the 990 WBOB weather
page. Now, let's get back to the raising anchor
soccer ship on 990 WBOB with Matt Entrickett
and Jason Carey. All right back here on the raising
anchor soccer show We're gonna start things off
with coach Kano and his thoughts after the match
We've heard a lot of feedback about people not
being able to hear the interview questions So
I'm gonna break these down for the first time
ever So we're gonna do this a little bit differently
tonight, and this is a this is a first run So
we ask everyone to bear with us in case we get
this completely wrong But here's coach Kano on
recapping the match overall So much more from
the team, I think we can be so much more clinical
So much dominance in the game and territory.
They made it difficult for us in the first half.
They put so many numbers behind the ball. It's
difficult to break them down. But I still think
we have players that are good enough to be able
to break that down. So yeah, obviously happy
we won at home on kids night and send everybody
home happy. But so much more we can be better.
So that's Kano. You know, it's weird. I ran into
producer Torrin at the match. We actually had
a 10 minute conversation and this is the truth
about the inability of this team to break down
the low block and find scoring opportunities,
scoring lanes, getting that momentum. It's interesting
to hear Kano say, despite a very commanding win,
you know, didn't really give any flowers other
than it was kids night and that they got the
win. More frustrating that, you know, and we've
seen this all season, Jason, that when teams
start to turtle against us and get more compact
defensively, that it suddenly becomes a lot more
difficult for Rhode Island to find the back of
the net. And a lot of that has to do with the
way that this team plays, right? They're direct.
They like to go on the wings. They send in crosses.
When you think about, like, how do you break
down a low block? Well, you want tricky players
who can kind of find those intricate passes to
cut lines and create opportunities. And I just
look at the squad and I don't see anyone with
any sort of resemblance to that with the exception
of maybe is that what we thought pity was or
is pity more like, you know, our traditional
type of like winger. It's hard to say this early
into his career with our FC. He hasn't really
shown us that he can break down those low blocks
yet. So I don't think maybe that's not something
he has in his wheelhouse. I think that's. A little
bit of it. I also think though that at times
when and this happens a lot to any team that
faces a low block. We even saw this with Arsenal
and PSG in the Champions League final that to
me it's always that when they recycle the ball
and they bring it to the top of the box, it seems
very static. There's not players trying to screen
lanes. There's not players trying to create and
draw defenders away. It's very much what. Is
the positioning of the player on the outside
looking in trying to do? Does it become a law?
Is it a? Is it an overload on the wing to current
create and force the change in direction that
that attacks and it come from? A lot of the times,
though, I see we're done enough. See players
when they get to that moment in time, they just
kind of stand there and go. We're going to wait
to see what you do with the ball. No, if you
saw on or what you do with the ball, they are
Sanchez. And I think that's why we do see a lot
of crossing be a result, because that's one of
the best ways to. break a low block is like okay
we're gonna throw something in the mixer and
if jj can get the vertical that he got in this
game where he had like a 10 foot jump to head
that ball in like okay then that's what it's
going to be so i think that is part of kano's
planning but it is still frustrating to see this
team not find the ability to to to carve through
a team even when they are in that low block I
don't know which team is the best Jason in the
championship at breaking down the low block.
I'd love to find out and then just start watching.
Maybe Tampa. It probably is Tampa at this point,
but nevertheless frustrating for Kano. Here's
what he had to say about his roster selection.
I asked him, you know, historically we've seen
an open cup and especially these types of pranks.
Jägermeister cups against USL one sides we've
seen across the league a little bit of experimentation
and this is what he had to say on it from his
side. I don't know if I agree if I experiment
in cup games and certainly try to give players
minutes that deserve minutes but my thought process
and our thought process is always to put a team
on the field to win the game. I will never put
a team on the field that I don't think can win
a game. Our number one goalkeeper, we're trying
to win the game so you have to earn the right
to play. I forgot to mention, I also asked in
that question why we haven't seen a goalkeeper
outside of Koke Vegas. Kano making it very clear
and transparent. Koke is the number one and no
one has earned that spot above him. Feels a little
bit interesting considering how much we saw of
Jackson Lee and I don't think there would have
been a single time that Kano would ever say that
Jackson Lee was better than Koke Vegas, so that
felt a bit... disconnected from what we've seen
in the past out of him. Maybe he just doesn't
like the idea of us challenging him on why none
of the backup keepers have seen minutes this
season. But it sounds like then, despite whether
it's Brooklyn or any other competition this year,
unless Koke is not healthy or for some reason
he slipped on the performance ladder, we probably
won't see Castro or Meyer at all this season.
Yeah, I wonder if that final line there from
him about like having to kind of earn the right
to play I wonder if that's You think there's
any sort of dig there to anybody does he feel
that maybe some of the the fringe players are
not? Working hard enough to get themselves into
the first team. I Don't think he I don't think
he does not much as a dig but more like a challenge
like a like show to me like why I should put
you in I mean look at Danny Revere as a better
example than Jacob Castro then. Danny Revere
was a starting right back for the best defensive
side in the in the Riverhounds two years ago.
Injuries notwithstanding from last season he's
got to be better or as good as maybe not Nick
Scardina but you know one of the centerbacks
that have been masquerading in that role at times
like to me like to not even make this the 18
-man roster for the for the match day like what
is better look like? Danny Rivera's situation
reminds me very much of Gabby Albus from year
one at this point. Like it seems like if you're
not doing what Kano wants you to do, that no
matter how good your performances are, that it's
just not gonna get you on the roster. But with
the keepers and like how much of a core they
are, I... I don't know if this is a challenge
to his players. It certainly feels like it's
a challenge to us when we ask the question of
saying, hey, why are these players not playing?
Well, yeah, obviously, we don't know the comings
and goings of how good they are on game day.
But we would think that that's a moment to allow
a player like Jacob Cacher to show you what he
can do. Now doesn't look necessarily like it.
But at the same time, you can't argue with the
man about wanting to get the results. It's Koke
Vegas, the sixth clean sheet now across all competitions.
It's the 28th of his Rhode Island FC career.
He's played every single minute of the season
something we didn't see in years one or two So
like I'm not mad about it I just kind of feel
like I thought we would see Castro because that's
been the example that's been set from previous
season. That's all Yeah, no. All right. So then
next up here's a question We asked him about
the upcoming match against Loudon as the last
match before the World Cup break and then also
what the players would be able to experience
For their downtime considering there's a pretty
large gap between the Loudon and Orange County
match They're close to us in the table. The table's
close. We want to win the game. Yeah, the break
will be nice. Everybody in the league, I guess,
has a weekend off, but we have a bye. So that's
why ours is longer. But yeah, it's trying to
win the game. They have a five -day mental health
break that every team in the league has to submit
that you. pick dates and it has to be league
approved or union approved and ours is five,
five days. I think just about everybody in the
league is I think that's intentional that they
wanted to take some sort of break in the league
through the world world cup but ours is just
happens to be longer. So that's Kano. telling
us basically that there is a bi -week built in,
which is why they have an extended gap, and then
also there's the five -week mandatory sabbatical
for player mental well -being. It makes sense
that they all chose it for the World Cup break
period, but a bit surprised to hear that we also
had another bi -week strategically placed here.
I'm gonna have to look at the rest of the USL
calendar. I thought... Everyone was on these
larger scale breaks. Maybe that's something that
we're gonna have to go back and reflect on as
teams will be. I know teams were playing through
the corridor, but I didn't know it was gonna
be that necessarily close. So kudos to whoever
wrote the schedule for Rhode Island FC to allow
us to focus completely on the World Cup instead
of our USL one side there. Any common, any curiosities
about that or pretty straightforward? No, I think
that's pretty straightforward. It's, it's, it's
cool that they're, they're getting that opportunity,
right? They, they're all fans of the game. So
for them to kind of get to, to kind of enjoy
that and not have to just constantly be working
like that's awesome for them. Yep. And then here's,
here's Kano's final comments on Logan Dorsey
being recalled to Minnesota United. And then
of course, signed to FC Tulsa. We wish him the
best. He left in the best, best possible way.
He, I think it was a tough decision for him to
go, but He obviously had conversations with his
parent club and Tulsa, and ultimately he's Minnesota
United's player, so that was the decision that
was made. He was a great guy to coach right up
until the end. He left early yesterday morning,
but he wanted to communicate to the guys, but
he couldn't. He had an early flight, but we wish
him well. I think it's August 29th when we play
him. He's a great kid and so coachable. So humble,
just works hard, but I think it was going to
be tough for him to get minutes. And I think
he can get more there, wherever that works out
for him or not. Hopefully it does, but that was
just as simple as that. behind, or do you feel
like you have the talent on the roster to carry
yourself through until maybe that moment comes
a little later in the season? Yeah, I mean, we're
always looking to add everywhere. I think we
have enough forward -thinking players. I think
Noah can play in the nine. I think Leo could
play in the nine. There's some situations where
Dwayne can play up there, Jamin. So I think we
have enough in -house, and we won't just bring
somebody in for the sake of bringing somebody
in. As I always say every position is upgradable.
So always trying to get better Yeah So one he
again kind of reinforcing from the conversations
I had separate from that about Logan Dorsey's
decision to activate getting recalled Not sure
how FC Tulsa got into the mix on that one. That
will be the curious thing I think what you said
earlier it made sense based on their profile
and lack of attacking Menace that it's a good
opportunity for Logan want to touch into though
the need to replace them immediately. Right now,
Kano thinks, and maybe there's something to it
that, you know, that's not necessarily something
that he needs to even really consider, that there's
enough depth in the ninth or the number nine
position, I should say, to kind of carry us through
until he needs to take it seriously to evaluate
if there's a player he can find out there to
reinforce. Yeah, I mean, Kano does love to kind
of, you know, take Square pegs and make them
fit into round holes, right? So we've seen You
know clay play as a right wing back. We've seen
multiple center backs play as full backs plays
midfielders so Absolutely, could we put no up
top could put busy up top like you can do all
those type of options that the concern there
is then What does that drop off look like? Can
we continue to get? performances we need from
them and can we Sure. If we go up two or three
nil in the first half, yeah, you can close the
game out. Just throw someone up there to just
kind of press and just work so that we can keep
JJ rest and healthy. The problem is, and it's
one thing for a keeper to play every game in
the season. They don't, they're not running,
you know, like 10 miles a game like some of these
other guys do, but do we get to a point where
we run some of our players into the ground and
we don't see that kind of Late fall kind of late
early or late summer kind of early fall kind
of running where like our form really catches
fire because we ran everyone into the ground.
I think they will be looking for someone but
i think he's right they're not just gonna go
pick up anyone it's gotta be someone that makes
sense but jj will need some sort of backup there.
Because unfortunately, we just haven't seen it
yet for him to stay healthy for a full season
for us Yeah, lots of questions in the mailbag
about who we should go out and get but we'll
save that for then Wanna now move into clay and
this is gonna be our extra time segment So this
is exclusive to our YouTube and our podcast channels.
The radio group will not hear this So let's get
cracking on what clay holsted had to say about
his goal on the night Did you see my first shot?
It wasn't exactly close. I think the first one
was in the parking lot. The second one was a
bit better. I mean, it feels good. I think, like
anything, it's just a confidence game. So seeing
one go in is, I mean, it's always nice. It just
kind of gives you the confidence to keep going,
keep shooting, and know that you haven't quite
lost it yet. So no, I mean, it feels good. So
I mean, it was definitely the, after all the
work we put in for the first 10, 15 minutes.
finally needing like having one drop was nice
so that was me asking i opened up the question
with uh what's it feel like to finally score
this season and and i meant to say prinks tire
but I didn't say that. And so he's like, what
are you talking about? I've already scored a
goal this season. I'm like, yeah, that was in
league play. This is Prinks tire. And so then
he started talking about skying it. Listen, Clay
has, you know, and we talked to, I also cut this
out of the question part, but Clay historically
known for bangers. Uh, we've seen a different
version of him this season. Now he's been getting
a little bit more close inside the box, closer
to goal mouth, been doing some damage in different
ways, not just that, you know, taking one from
25 yards and letting it rip. Have we seen an
evolution in his game, despite the fact, like
he said, he skied one into the parking lot to
begin the match? Possibly. I mean, that could
be somewhat of the direction of this team where
they're trying to get touches into the box and
trying to create slightly higher goal scoring
opportunities in regards to, you know, just,
you know, not taking shots from 35 yards out.
We know that he can do those pretty well. He's
usually good for a few of them a year, but those
can be so few and far between that. Give yourself
a much better opportunity getting like, you know,
six yards out. Yeah, that goal, by the way, his
10th of his Rhode Island FC career. He's now
the fifth player to enter the double digit goals
club. So we got to get him his card for into
the card carrying member now of Rhode Island
FC. Here's Clay talking about now, despite the
win, what the challenges that he's going to face
in advancing and Prinks Cup look like. I think
it's one game at a time as always just. unfortunately
how we started it wasn't ideal so from now on
I mean we win just do what we can I mean at the
bare minimum it's gonna be momentum games for
us so we go out there just win the rest of them
and then you know hope that fate's got us going
in if it doesn't it doesn't but we're gonna use
these games for improvements statements all that
so I mean it's another game that we get to get
better and we get to like entertain and show
what we're gonna do so I think it's Let's just
go out there, do what we can, give everything
we got and then just hope for the best. Yeah,
I think that's the only way you can look at this
point is that if the result doesn't necessarily
impact your future because it's not within your
control, you can still use this as momentum.
There's a question here in a second about Loudon
and I'm really curious. how that translates,
especially against a side that we haven't ever
seen success. Do you think a loss could have
devastated this team then from a morale standpoint?
Like, obviously it didn't happen, but to play
devil's advocate for a second, if we say it's
all about momentum and setting some standards
for yourself, does that change anything? Possibly.
I think a loss would be pretty demoralizing for
them. So for them to go out there and make a
win, like you said, for statements, right, to
say that, hey, like Sure, like we are we are
still here. Don't forget about us Like we're
you know, they can also if anything use these
as a free swing right so that they can just keep
Kind of getting that more practice under the
belt and kind of fine -tuning some of their their
tactics and skills there And then here's clay
on running into former teammate Connor McGlynn
out of Westchester saying saying Connor's awesome
I think everybody on the team loves them. It
was I mean, just a top tier guy. So having him
not start was definitely nice, because it definitely
minimized the amount of long balls we were going
to, like those pings that he always hit. So that
wasn't exactly the worst thing in the world.
But no, I mean, it was great. So I mean, when
he came on, he definitely made a difference too,
which we could have had him off for another 30
minutes. That would have been nice. But no, it
was great to see him. I think everybody here
loves him. He's a great guy, great player. So
you asked earlier about, you know, did Westchester,
we talked about this, we didn't really bring
it up in the show, did Westchester play their
best, strongest 11, or are they already in experimental
phase, knowing that they have no hope of advancing?
I don't know the roster well enough, I know you
and Toren did the breakdown last week, but I
was genuinely surprised that Connor McGlynn was
not in this lineup to start the match, and he
was a very late sub at that, especially concerning
that Westchester was already down to, to begin
with. So in neither was their best attacking
threat this season, uh, in Guzan. Yeah. Like
those two, those two combined have been like
where they've been getting their goals and to
see neither of them start the game kind of felt
like last year's Portland hearts of pine match,
where didn't seem like Bobby Murphy wouldn't
admit it, but kind of didn't feel like they were
taking this match as serious. They thought we're
not in a good position. We're worried about the
league. Let's just rotate some players will sub
some of the better ones in second half and just
see what happens. Yeah, and with three games
with Westchester in the next seven days, they
desperately need to start recovering points in
the USL one standings. That makes a lot of sense.
And then here's Clay's final conversation about
Loudon and taking on that opponent this upcoming
weekend. I think just I mean capitalizing knowing
that we have stuff to work on, but. capitalizing
on the positives. I mean, just three goals in
one night is great to see. And then, like you
said, working on stuff on the low block. But
I mean, a win's a win. So USL League One or championship,
a win's a win. I think that we kind of dominated
tonight and that we showed that when we're playing
and we're really clicking, that it doesn't really
matter what team we're going to play. We're going
to cause problems. And then just using that going
into next week and just know that it doesn't
really matter. We need to start stringing more.
more than one game together so instead of riding
the roller coaster string in a couple wins and
a couple good performances. So talk to Clay about
that and we talked about the low block and that's
something that they are continuing to work on
also asked him about Logan he said he's a good
guy sucks to see him go he's happy he won't get
confused anymore for being Logan Dorsey from
behind so he's really excited about that and
the other thing he mentioned too I said what
are you going to tell him when he comes back
or when you go see him on August 29th he said
why don't you just pass me the ball. Maybe you'll
remember to pass me the ball instead of your
new teammates and I can score. And he also said,
you know, please don't score a couple of goals
against us. So even even Clay subscribes the
idea that former Rhode Island FC players can
do some damage to the squad. But speaking of
the goals, speaking of the electricity on the
night, three goals in this match, two coming
in the first half. We've talked that this team's
not a first half team when it comes to goals.
Well, Clay also says, you know, hold my soccer
ball here for a second. J .J. also then goes
right back into it. One, I want to talk about
beyond the goals in the first half. I think I
could not find this step fast enough for the
show, but I think this is the quickest succession
of goals being scored in Rhode Island NFC's short
history. I think it's pretty close. It was what?
Three, two, three minutes, three minutes between
each goal. Yeah. So like they, they didn't have
enough time to reset the graphics to get ready
for that second goal. That's how fast it came
to it. JJ Williams, of course now with his team
leading eighth goal of the season across all
competitions. Uh, it's his 13th, it's his eighth
goal in 13 appearances. It's his fifth goal in
nine games. We talk about the consistency of
keeping JJ red hot. I don't think he can get
much hotter than that. And of course now he leads
the club with 20. 27 goals all time in his record.
We can talk about the Leo Fonzo goal. I think
it was great that he gets that goal. He needed
to continue to find the back of the net. He's
been a little bit of streakiness in the season.
It was good to see Aldair Sanchez, of course,
with the assist. Did you have a favorite goal
on the night? I liked how Clay's happened from
the like it wasn't maybe the most beautiful goal,
but to like Like that's what you want to see
from Kano's team, right? Pushing the team back,
pressing them, winning the ball in a threatening
position, immediately turning into attack. It
kind of felt like the perfect example of like
this is exactly what he wants. Yeah, so I mean
there was what 20 shots in the first half for
Rhode Island. It was something insane. You look
at like the way they were able to recycle and
contain and pin Westchester's back line. I thought
in the first half before the goals came because
they came so close to almost the end of that
first half. I thought the only thing Rhode Island
FC was missing was. that secondary tertiary runner.
They were putting the ball into space, but there
just wasn't anyone there at that final moment.
But again, they would continuously recycle the
ball. They'd get that ball back and then go at
it again. And again, they were relentless. The
goals just weren't coming. It felt like a reflection
of the season where 20 shots is the macro for
the entirety of the of the night. And then we
get two goals out of it. It's one of those things
that was very reminiscent. So I agree. I think
JJ's header, when you get that high, you get
that kind of verticality over a keeper. that's
something to behold. Usually you just don't see
that happen. Too often, JJ is getting pushed
around, held onto. When JJ is left like that,
he can soar, and we saw that on the night. But
we gotta go to break for our final one, and we're
gonna get back to the regular show here. Don't
go anywhere. When we return, it's the mailbag
all here on The Raising Anchor Soccer Show. Now,
let's get back to The Raising Anchor Soccer Show
on 990 WBOB with Matt Entrickett and Jason Carey.
All right here with the mailbag to Ross writes
in how did Logan Dorsey end up in Tulsa? I think
we covered this Yeah, we pretty much covered
it essentially. He wanted more minutes. They
need a striker So it just kind of worked out
that way They I think they they lost some of
their gusto after making the finals last year
So they need to retool a bit there I hope he
is not successful for Rhode Island of sea reasons,
but selfishly also I hope he finds success with
that team Yeah, uh, we've got two people asking
basically the same question. So, uh, Ben S and
Matt J both asking with Dorsey gone, who are
we bringing in or who would you want to see get
picked up? So I think Conno said he's not just
going to get a player for the sake of getting
a player. I talked to a couple of the technical
staff members on the weekend and said, like,
you guys always have your ghost squads ready
to go. Like those, the roster construction is
never done. Like do you already have player profiles?
They said absolutely we can activate a player
tomorrow if we needed it six months down the
road or we could wait the entire season like
they have flexibility. Kano, I don't think will
leave it open because it's a spot on the roster.
He can go back out. He's very good at finding
loans even if we can't hold on to them. So I'm
sure post World Cup will see something. I talked
with Ben S personally and he and I are on the
same wavelength. I think Matt Hughes would be
a good get. He's one of New England's best strikers
after Bazzini last season or two seasons ago
and not really doing a lot in his in his current
setup. We could see a lot of value in getting
a player like Matt Hughes onto the team. Eric
Enrightson. Realistically, do we have a shot
at the prinks wild card spot? So I mean Eric
doesn't even believe we have a shot at the top
spot in group five We're talking wild card. I
mean there it's possible. It just requires that
basically all the other second teams like Do
their worst I think there's seven six teams that
have six points already. So six teams have to
lose For us and then I think the only other team
that has five is Pittsburgh. So yeah, I mean,
it's just kind of like If all those other teams
like draw nil nil draws and then somehow losing
penalties to whoever they play. Then it's possible.
It's just it's it's really out of our hands.
Unfortunately, Brad K here says fought mob now
has us rated as the 4th best team in the championship.
Considering we are a 9th in the standings, do
you understand what underlying stat is driving
this frustrating? This team isn't in a higher
position. Yeah, so we talked about this because
I also was like, hey, like. This this team should
be higher up the table for what it is and and
Jason had the better answer, but I didn't highlight
this the right way So I have to answer it now
Rhode Island whether they're passing the success
eyeball test of like the results and the points
they're doing everything else that the indicators
would say are the right things to do. They lead
or at least are a top quartile team in things
like possession, in passing sequence, in crossing,
in shots, in goals. I mean they're at 1 .7 goals
per game right now. We again scored 19 last season
so we were under one for the entirety of the
season. They're doing a lot of the mechanical
things correct. I think we're leading in tackles,
defensive interceptions, and recovery. Like we,
this team is good. It just doesn't end up working
out in a way that gets us the favorable result
or three points in certain conditions in certain
matches. So holistically this team is very good
and that's why when people say Kano out I don't
know what they're talking about because this
team just needs this one little thing which I
think Jason you would say might be just luck
at that point. You can be really good and still
lose a game and I think that's what Rhode Island
is seeing right now. And I think this seems only
get better as some of these players that have
been integrated in season are gelling more and
more. I mean, we see the relationship between
the midfield trio. We see the strikers and the
wingers now getting better and better with their
wing backs and their new back four system. Like
this team continues to improve. I think that
this team is a fourth place team and that maybe
if we can get the results our way, maybe there's
a home playoff breath. But I think we are also
getting further and further away from that. So
in my heart and what the statistics say, we're
a good team. Unfortunately, sometimes it just
doesn't manifest in that thing we call luck.
Yeah, if we continue the way that we're we're
going on like we're definitely going to go on
a late run like we have in the past. Leo O writes
in, we've seen both mid -season low knees and
permanent transfer players come in each season
so far in this club's existence. Assuming this
trend continues, where would you guys expect
to see reinforcements brought in? And would you
guys be hoping for either low knees like we've
had in Corcoran or permanent signings like Bizzi
and Omidy? So a little bit different than Matt
Jean and Ben's questions. Do we want a low knee
for this second half of the season or do we want
a permanent? I would almost lean towards Loney.
And the only reason being that maybe if it's
something that doesn't have as many strings attached
to it as like them being able to leave. But the
problem is this team feels like Kano already
has his decided 11 and you can maybe extend that
to like 12, 13 or 14. But any player we're going
to bring in is not going to be in a position
to really like crack that star 11, unless we
find another hominy joke who just is somehow
a massive upgrade to, to a position that we didn't
know we even needed. Um, so in that regards,
I mean, like, or why not even both? I mean, if
we have the space, you bring in a loan for temporary
to kind of get us through those. The dog days
of summer. And then you bring in another kind
of youth player who's like, they're going to
start to integrate in the second half of the
season and someone maybe for next year. I mean,
again, results don't show it, but I almost wonder,
like, we haven't heard a lot of player contract
extensions. We know the ones that are going to
26, 27, now even 28. I don't even know if there's
a player that I would say Kano should be releasing
at the end of the season, at least out of the
starting 11. So unless there's a player that
maybe potentially they would lose because he
could get scouted to a better league or would
want to activate some way of moving on, that's
the only spot I would see. So yeah, you are looking
for that secondary tertiary role. To me, you're
playing a lot better when you are playing with
low knee money than versus a permanent transfer
because I just don't think we need another starting
caliber player right now. Yeah. Joe P here. Good
back on track game or what I call a morale booster
against West Chester. It was good to see Clay
get back to his dominant form and Noah showed
flashes of his play in 2024. I know Kano looks
at the defensive formation of sides before he
decides to press or not. We will see if he uses
it against Loudon. We need the three points to
keep pace before the break. We need the three
points for a lot of different reasons. We need
to beat Loudon for the first time ever. We need
to keep the pace before the break and we need
to be able to jump Loudon and get further into
the, well, we're not jumping them, but we need
to get further into the, a win could put us back
into playoffs for the first time in a long time
this season. I don't even know if we were ever
in the playoffs officially. Have we been, have
we been over the line yet this season? I don't
think if it was it was like the first game of
the season. Well, no, cuz I don't I don't think
we How does the roster start when there's zero
matches played? I think it's alphabetically.
So we're still towards the bottom. Yeah, okay
Stacey L writes in did you get to say happy birthday
to chip this weekend? I did get a chance to run
into him. So yeah, I I did get that opportunity
I have a video of him hugging chip and doing
a little twirl. So whether he remembers that
or not different story Bob D here says, were
you surprised to see Koke Vegas and net on Saturday,
given that Westchester has gone one year without
scoring, winning a single game on the road? Wouldn't
this have been the perfect game to see Castro
or Meyer? Yes, I mean, I'm not surprised because
I think I'm the one, especially I remember the
notes and then Jason and Torrin were talking.
Oh, it's Torrin. I was like, it's it's the Vegas
show. I listen, especially for what Kano said.
It sounds like Castro and Meyer won't find a
way in unless. Vegas gets hurt and I'm going
to knock on wood on that because we don't want
to see that. I just I think this is the Vegas
year, the year of the Vegas in the Chinese Zodiac,
so I just don't see it any other way. Unfortunately,
but it would have been a perfect game to see
a player like Castro or Meyer in Mike are catching
up on the pods just finished the John Morrissey
episode. You are behind my friend. Who do you
guys think are early contenders for our AFC player
or defender of the year? We're sticking to defenders.
You got to throw Kareef his name in there. The
consistency justice person. I was going to say
Sanchez, but the problem is like a funny thing.
I would put him more in the player there because
he he does. He played on both sides of the ball.
Right, and so there's no one. There's no one
taking that away from JJ Williams this year or
Georgia. It's one of those like you just know.
I guess you would put him in the. you know, the
discussion then for defenders well too, especially
because we haven't seen consistency from our
other defenders yet this year. Not that they
have been bad at all, but they've all kind of
had off games where I, I can't say that about
Sanchez or Kareefa. I think Nick Scardino also
making a case, but he missed a lot of early.
He didn't hit the ground running with us. He
needed a few more weeks to jail. Rachel H saying
it feels like all we do is score a crazy amount
of goals at home. Is it to say to say we're good
at home? I mean, I yeah, I don't think this is
a bad team. I did do the numbers. 21 goals in
10 games at Santa Real Bank Stadium so far this
year. So just that's 2 .1 goals per game. And
I'm counting 10 games because we have to count
the revs match that was away. We scored one in
that Jason 21 goals. I will remind you, we scored
19 all season at home in Centerville Bank last
season. I think we are a very good team at home
this year. Even if we have weird results like
that Birmingham match or a draw against Tampa
Bay, I think we're a very good team at home.
And that's, again, why this isn't translating
that this table standing should be better than
what it is. This question shouldn't even be asked,
but I forgot that it was. Ben W, what's your
favorite pregame sandwich that you've ever had?
Ever. Oh, man. That's tough. Is a burger a sandwich?
I mean, that's like asking is ravioli a hot tart,
you know? He wants to know if the Cuban he made
you was the best sandwich that or maybe he wants
to ask me this. He's asking you because I didn't
have it. Oh, Ben, I don't remember. You're gonna
have to make me another one and then I will be
able to report it. That's the answer. I mean,
I'll take it. I'll take a Cuban. I remember The
sliders he had, he made the first game were fantastic.
So stop giving Ben credit. He doesn't deserve.
Thank you for feeding and thank you for everyone
that feeds us at the pre games. Joe. Who else?
If I don't remember your name, yell at me in
the DMS and we'll go from there. Kyle K says,
who's your dark horse for the world cup? So a
couple of episodes ago I joked that it was France
and then someone I think was Sam Ladoff was like,
France is a good team. Like it was called being
facetious. So statistically we talked about this
yesterday. Japan for some reason is considered
one of the best dark horses. Everyone's been
saying that and I'm like, I've I've been. I guess
I'm sleeping on Japan, too. I haven't paid that
much attention to them. So if you're asking me
for the future bets here, then apparently it's
Japan. But my heart of heart tells me and it's
not even fair because to be a dark horse means
you have to you have to be like questionable.
And I think I think Morocco could have a really
good run again, considering how well they did
last time around. They've only gotten better.
They're hosting the World Cup next year. Their
federation has put a lot of resources into building
their talent. So four years later, This will
be the test of are they getting better or was
that a fluke? Was that a flash in the pan? My
money is on Morocco. I know you've got 2014 Belgium
as your dark horse as you should. Yeah, they're
running it back. Did you see the Lukaku training
video where he missed every single... I mean,
you could do that for any player, but it was
also absolutely hilarious. So yeah, there's your
answer, Kyle. It's either Morocco, Japan or Belgium.
So just bet on one of the three and you'll get
a... Nice pay down. Oh Justin Justin asking for
of course just this see this is what I knew Justin
in the chat going I don't get a shout out for
cooking. Of course you do. You're the you're
the cook. You're the cook supreme. Okay, my friend
Thank you for all you do not just for Jason and
I but the entirety of Defiant 1636 at those parties
love when you're manning the grill Listen, it's
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