Leagues Cup Turns Ugly, USMNT Friendlies Roster Surprises, and the EPL Transfer Window Brings Chaos

This was the coldest game.

I can't even begin to describe how physically cold I was.

My head's steaming.

So like so much of the game, I'm just like this.

I'm just like, I have my gloves on my head because I'm thinking the only way I could like melt this sheath of ice on my gloves is through the hot air coming in my head.

That's so good.

Unfiltered soccer with Landon and Tim presented by Volkswagen.

Volkswagen has long been a supporter of soccer in America and has proudly been a partner of U.S.

soccer for over five years.

Back at it again, LD Unfiltered Soccer, another episode.

A lot going on.

We got League's Cup.

We got U.S.

MNT roster announcement, Premier League.

I mean,

you've got an incredible kit on.

Shout out to Portland.

Yeah.

Maine.

Hearts of Pine.

The main team in Maine.

Isn't it beautiful?

It's gorgeous.

It's a beautiful shirt.

They're crushing it up there.

Beautiful shirt.

How are you?

So I just got back.

I was on vacation.

That's why we didn't do a show last week.

I went to a Malfi coast in Italy.

You've been?

It's amazing.

It's good.

Have you been?

No, I haven't been.

No.

I live a dream life.

Yeah, we say that every week.

So I went to Amalfi with a bunch of friends and then went to Saint Trope.

You heard of this place?

I didn't know you went to San Trope.

Tim.

Have I heard of this place?

Have you been to San Trope?

Yes.

You've been?

Yeah.

Oh my God.

I have never, I've been very fortunate to do well in life.

I have never felt more poor or more ugly in my life than when I was in San Trope.

What a shit.

You walk through this walk and it's mega yacht.

Mega yacht.

Right like across the street's a Gucci store and right here, mega yacht parked.

Mega Yacht.

And San Trope, bro.

It's insane.

Good for you.

Good for you.

Not an inexpensive trip.

And through all of that, I mean, our listeners are lucky.

You did all of that.

Drink loads of champagne and apparel spritz and all these different things.

And yet here you are still covering soccer, watching all the clips.

That's good.

Good for you.

And where were you this weekend?

Where was I?

I was

in the Hamptons.

I was in the Hamptons.

I don't have this.

I didn't have this on the bingo card.

Go ahead.

What were you doing?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I was at

a horse show in the Hamptons and it was great.

It was great.

You know, just drinking champagne, living a high life.

No, I'm joking.

I just was relaxing.

Did that with some friends?

You're not joking.

Saw a great movie.

What movie?

It was,

what was it called?

The Austin Butler movie.

Was it called?

No idea.

I forget.

I didn't know going in, but it was incredible.

It was Caught Stealing.

It was really, really good.

So anyway, it was good.

All right, let's jump right in.

Lots of stuff going on this weekend.

And you know what I love, actually, Tim, about soccer, amongst other things, is if you do like a college football podcast, you got like four months of the year where there's really stuff going on.

If you do an NFL, it's five or six months.

You do a baseball, it's eight or nine months.

But there's always, always something going on and something to talk about.

And this week, there was so much.

So we were debating where to start.

We're going to start with the League's Cup final.

And not because of the result, but more, which was great for Seattle.

3-0, they beat Inner Miami.

But more what happened after the game.

So after the game, Inner Miami, if you haven't seen it, go watch,

just lost their minds.

Busquets, Suarez.

Busquets was throwing punches.

Luis Suarez

spit on, I think it was the head of security for Seattle.

Lots of videos, lots of

YouTube videos and

Twitter videos, et cetera, that people sent.

And it was just a nightmare.

And I think people are trying to figure out, Tim, what is going on with this inner Miami?

Like, we've seen Messi go after referees.

What is it?

Like, how do you, if you're a, if you're a psychologist, how do you describe this?

You know, I've got my glasses on, so I'm a psychologist today.

Look, I

bullies don't like to get bullied.

Simple as that.

Right.

The issue I have with

this particular game, like Intermiami didn't register a single shot on target.

You lost.

Sometimes you just lose.

Okay.

And they've taken it two teams.

They played a really good Seattle Sounders team, one that's really well coached.

They lost.

That's it.

Like, like

there's an entitlement there.

The Lu Suarez

spitting incident is,

I watched the game, and I watched the clips of the close-up.

I just thought to myself, how has this guy not had his nose rearranged?

And I say that because not to condone fighting.

But I say that if in my life I bit two people, I spit on someone and I had a racial incident,

I would expect that at some point, someone's going to go, you know what?

Let me take care of this guy.

That's what I would expect if that was me walking down the street.

So the fact that

he's still doing these things is crazy to me.

It's crazy.

Busquets throws a punch at a player.

He threw a few.

Like I saw him in another altercation today, like throwing another one.

Totally.

So here's what I would say.

MLS, stand up.

I'm putting the onus on you, MLS.

Yeah.

This was too far.

Some of the other things, okay, you let go.

We let go.

No problem.

This was too far.

It's a joke.

You don't spit on anybody.

You don't punch people.

And if you do, there are repercussions.

The repercussions should have been on the field.

Seattle Sounders should have handled it.

But okay, they didn't.

They won the game and

they walked.

So MLS, the commissioner's office,

let's make sure that we

we handle this in the appropriate manner.

And that is some serious sanctions because you don't spit spit on people.

Like, I like, like, I would, I would say to you this, and if I was walking down the street, I'd rather you smack me than spit on me.

Because if you smack me, I'm going to, I'm going to laugh and go, all right, this is on now.

But if you spit on me, I'm going to go into a blind rage.

You just don't do that to another human being.

It's disgusting.

So anyway, yeah, I'm

fucked at that.

When I, after I watched it, I was thinking this morning, because I have, I have three kids.

And sometimes my oldest kid, well, all kids have this challenge, right?

But my oldest kid, especially, he has, and I use the word impulse control with him.

He has problems controlling his impulses.

So like they're playing, everyone's getting up, someone's pushing him, da-da-da.

And then he'll like hit someone, right?

And I'm like, you can't do that, right?

You can't escalate to that level.

And it feels like as a grown man who's been through this many, many times, Luis Suarez is the same.

I can't imagine Tim in his life at home.

He's sitting around, gets in an argument.

I don't know if he has kids or he's married, gets in an argument, and then just decides to spit on his kid because he's upset.

Like that doesn't happen.

right?

Sure, so he gets in these moments and he just can't figure out how to control himself.

Like, he literally just loses his mind.

He like sees red, and he can't.

And I don't know how you change it because over and over, we've said, okay, this punishment or this time, he'll learn.

Yeah.

And he just doesn't.

And I don't know why.

I take that on board.

What I would say to you is: the thing about Suarez

and not doing it like in his

personal life or how you explained it is this, he's protected.

He's not walking down the streets of New York spitting on somebody because the repercussions would be outrageous.

He knows he's protected by security and all the other, and 22 other players and all that kind of stuff.

So he gets off scot-free.

But again, hopefully the MLS handles themselves.

It's actually a good point because sometimes I say to my kid, I'm like, hey, man, one day you're going to do that to the wrong person.

And like, I'm not going to, nobody's going to be there to protect you.

Right.

So you can learn.

So you just have to think, actually, if someone on the field many, many moons ago, when he first did it, just took control and just laid him out, he might have said, okay, I ain't doing that no more.

All right.

Well, let's not overlook Seattle, who were fantastic.

They were great.

They deserved to win.

They were,

I just think they're well coached.

I think they're, you know, Schmetzer gets a lot of stick because he's not.

He's not new and modern, but they get good players there and they win.

And he does a good job man-managing, and they win.

And I think that's now nine trophies since they started in 09.

And that's a remarkable record.

So you have to give them a lot of credit.

I mean, I just,

you're up, you know, you're in the West.

You've played them a bunch of times.

We've talked about it.

I almost think we can't emphasize it enough.

Like, what an incredibly run organization this is.

I mean, Smetzer, hats off to them, 10th season as Sounders coach.

Their fans are incredible.

The soccer kind of culture that's in and around the stadium and in and around Seattle is second to none.

I mean, it's incredible.

It really is.

The atmosphere in the stadium.

So like they do it right.

You know, they, as you said, they select like

MLS teams miss on players all the time, right?

Like we could, we could, we have a longer list of players that they miss that.

teams miss on.

I'm just trying to think like Seattle just doesn't miss a lot, right?

Like they have this blueprint.

Obviously with Smetzer, he understands the players he wants.

You know, they, they, they go out and get those players and it just just fits the system.

It's really good.

And I'll be honest, I love what's going on.

The good side of what happened last night in Inner Miami and this

fight, I like it because there's not enough of these rivalries in MLS, right?

So now it's like next time they play,

by the way, two weeks from now, two weeks from now from now, or later in the season or in the final or next year, like Now these rivalries are like real, you know, so the more of them, the better.

That's going to be great.

And a shout out to Adrian Hanauer and all the ownership in Seattle.

They do a great job.

Their facilities are great.

They treat the players well.

You know, they had that little scuffle with the Club World Cup stuff where they were worried about their pay and whatever.

It got handled under the radar, quietly.

They dealt with it and they just do a great job.

So cheers to them.

All right, Timmy, and that leads in perfectly.

It is time for the unfiltered refresh sponsored, as always, by Coors Light.

Choose chill.

Get Coors Light delivered.

Go to CoorsLight.com slash US L N T.

Timmy, for me, there's only one man, and he deserves it.

He's been there so long, never gets enough credit, never in the national conversation for best coaches in MLS, but he is.

And Brian Schmetzer has done it year after year after year.

Lots of turnover, new players, players coming and going, players retiring, players leaving, and he just keeps winning nine trophies now for the Seattle Sounders since they began MLS, many with that man there.

And he's been phenomenal.

He has.

And the amount of respect that I have for him, because

you can win, right?

And

that's great.

And that's probably the most important, but the way he carries himself.

I mean, every time I see Brian Schmitzer,

he's a gentleman.

He conducts himself well in the media, on the sideline, with other former pros and coaches and fans.

I mean, he's a class act.

Again, a decade,

to be anywhere for a decade in sports.

I don't care what position

in the front office, as a manager, as a player.

You've cracked the code if you're there 10 years.

He's beloved in that city.

Again, makes so many right decisions.

It's easy to see why they've been successful

under his reign.

So again, another trophy in the cabinet.

Unsurprising if you start to look at the history and how they build things out.

So,

yeah, Brian's.

You know, what's interesting is there have been times along the way, Tim, where like you were waiting for him to get fired.

You were like, oh, they lost five in a row.

And it's like, and by the way, it plays in a fan base where like they're very demanding, right?

You have to win.

And so, but then sure enough, they win.

They'll go on a winning streak or they'll win a trophy that year.

And he's just a little bit of nine lives in that way, but it's because he's good at what he does.

He really is good.

He doesn't panic.

He's calm.

He's done a phenomenal job.

He is a gentleman, man.

Every time you see him, I was in Seattle one year.

I was doing something in Seattle, and he was in the same bar.

And he walked over.

He's just so great to see you.

And he's so genuine, you know?

Like, he doesn't need to go out

to say anything.

And he's just genuine.

And very happy for him.

You chose chill this week amidst a lot of chaos, Mr.

Schmetzer.

Cheers to you, buddy.

Cheers.

All right, Tim, as if that wasn't enough going on, there happened to be a little announcement last

week.

pochatino named his squad for the september friendlies they named 22 at first and then i believe brian brian white i think hurt his hamstring and so flow flabalogun got called in so 23

man roster um

my first take was

a little confusion to be honest

um

i I'm trying to figure out Charlie Davies, our old teammate, wrote a really good article in The Athletic

saying it's time to get your squad together.

And we've been saying this for months, Tim, right?

And

I'm a little confused because it seems like the experimental phase is still going on.

And my opinion, and I think you agree with this, is

it's better to just say, here's my 15, 20, 25, and let's roll with it.

Maybe I miss on a guy or two, and we can bring a guy or two in here or there.

But it just feels, and look, in fairness to Pochtino, there's lots of injuries, there's lots of things going on that prevent him from calling certain guys,

but some of these are a little bit, they're a little bit head-scratching, to be honest.

Yeah.

No, I'm with you.

I think, I think, to add to your point, like the, you might miss on one or two, but you ain't missing on the big players, right?

So the ones you're missing on are probably like

numbers 20, 21, 22.

You ain't missing on the big squad players.

So yeah, I'm with you.

And,

you know,

time is past being of the essence because

here we are again.

Like, here we are again saying the same thing.

We're in September now.

We're in September.

We're running out of time.

Like, there is an optics part of this.

And this is kind of why I look at U.S.

soccer, and I'm not sure.

I'm kind of scratching my head a little bit with U.S.

soccer and saying, like,

This team can't go one for two in September or 0 for 2 in October.

Like, this is a home World Cup.

We're trying to, like,

you know what I mean?

Like, it means something to

U.S.

soccer that there's momentum, that there's a buzz.

And guess what?

If you go 0 for 2 or 1 for 2 in these friendly, in these friendlies, and then October, the same thing in November, there's no buzz.

There's no buzz.

So,

yeah, I just, I'm.

What I would say about the roster when I look at it is

Pachatino has been at big clubs, managed big teams, bigger than the U.S.

national team.

I mean, US national team is big, but he's been at PSG.

It's a bigger institution.

He's dealt with big

owners,

huge players.

Pachatino knows what he's doing.

Okay.

He knows what he's doing.

The part for me, and I meant you and I had a long discussion about this, but you and I have also been around the game, seeing the upside of down, the bad side of good.

And I know a thing or two about soccer as well and my thought process and what he's showing us isn't matching up now that's not for me i'm not saying that he's wrong because i in pachattino i believe but i'm just kind of looking at it and and and now i'm like patiently waiting to kind of see what what the method to the madness is because there has to be He's not just chucking the cards in the air and going, I don't care if we're successful.

He wants to be successful.

I believe that.

But,

you know, the goalkeepers are a perfect example.

I'm looking at at it and thinking,

what's the purpose?

You talk about getting your best in and riding with it.

Like, I'm saying,

Silentano, Flinsman, you're nowhere near the frame.

You're nowhere near the frame.

Right?

So,

so, who are your goalkeepers?

Like, he has to start making decisions.

Who are your goalkeepers?

Your best goalkeeper?

Like, the guys in camp, they're not going to be going to a World Cup, right?

We've talked about this.

So, Matt Freese, Zach Stefan, Matt Turner, Patrick Schulte, get those guys in a room and go, hey, I'm picking three from the four of you.

You got 10 months to give me everything you got.

Battle it out.

Matt Freese, you're the number one for this camp.

Guess what?

Matt Turner, get in here.

Zach Stefan, get in here.

I want to see you guys compete, right?

And say, look, I'm going to give you an opportunity.

It might not be exact.

I might give this guy five games and the other guy three games, but it'll be enough for me to see over the course of 10 months.

I don't know.

You know, I don't, I don't know.

I just, I like,

again, I said to you, let's say for

what Poch is showing us from a goalkeeping standpoint, let's say Freeze is the front runner.

I'm only saying that because that's what has been given to me over the last two months, right?

And I like Matt Freeze.

You know, I do.

We've had him on the show.

He's a fantastic kid.

He's done well for himself in the league and in the Gold Cup.

But at best he's going to have 10 games under his belt before going to a world cup if that's your starter so i'm looking at it and thinking pochattino knows that he this is my point he knows that is he comfortable with that

anyway and that's that's that's just one position yeah it it it feels like and again

you'd have to have a conversation with him to understand but we're just so we're guessing we aren't but it's an educated guess sure of course it is it feels like there's a few things one is there are some messages being sent right

two there are some guys who you would say okay because maybe they just started with their new club team i want to keep them there and let them get

but then tim waya just started with a new team and he's here yeah sure right so like so maybe he's saying that for weston mckinney or there's another thing he's sending messages maybe sending weston mckinney a message

um it it's it's confusing and it's a little difficult.

And understandably, Pochatino's not tipping his hand publicly.

Sure.

Right.

Because i i listened to the press conference some people asked him

very pointed questions and like with weston mckinni said we already we already know weston

right and so what does that mean i don't know joe scally not being included right i don't know let me let me give you a player this this one's this one is boggling my mind right now yeah i'm gonna give you a player see if you can name him this guy started on an mls team over two other players who are in camp here he has been the man of the match for three consecutive games now with his team in the championship.

Yeah.

Can you name him?

I can because I have the cheat code.

So this is Aiden Morris for people who don't know.

And if you don't know a lot about him, go watch Middlesbrough play.

He's been the man of the match three games in a row.

They haven't lost a game in the championship.

He started over Sawatsky and Berhalter in Columbus.

He started over two very good central midfielders.

I have, I cannot figure out for the life of me why he's not getting a chance.

And now Swatski comes in.

And this is no

disrespect to Sawatsky, but like this is straight up there.

There's some bizarre, there's some very bizarre ones.

Him, Haji Wright.

He's four goals.

Haji Wright, the other one.

Four goals in the championship.

Tied for second, only behind

Joshua.

Just

yeah.

So, like,

yeah, you know, in a team that that's kind of been starved for goals at the nine positions.

So, yeah, it's, I know, Ross, I know, I know roster build outs aren't necessarily like for like, but still, I mean, we want our best players in camp, you know?

Um, obviously the Weston McKinney thing,

I don't think anyone believes the fact that the we already know, the we already know thing.

I can tell you now,

if that was ever said to me, I'm literally calling the coach back and going,

but okay, but just bring me in the camp.

I'm not, I know, let me, let me show you more of what you already know.

Right.

Like.

You never want to be left out of camp.

And for the manager to say, we already know.

One other takeaway from the roster mount: this was this uh in the interview.

This I wanted to ask your opinion on this because

I don't

understand this.

So, when Pochetino was asked if he had spoken to Pulisic,

he said, I'm going to quote him, No, we didn't talk with Christian.

I think there's nothing to talk about.

I think everything's behind us, all that happened in the summer, and I think now we need to look forward.

And so, my question for you, Tim, is, is that more common?

I don't want to say at that level, but in like in England or in your, is it just sort of like, let's just sweep it under the rug?

We're not going to get into this stuff?

Or, because everything I know from, you know, Bruce and my first coach, Frank Yallop and Bob Bradley, these things would happen and they'd be like, let's go, get in the room, sit down, we're going to hash this out right now.

And he said they had, after all that happened, they haven't even spoken.

And I can't imagine.

how awkward it's going to be when they see each other for the first time.

But is that just, you know, he coached Mbappe and Nim or all these guys.

Is it just like, I'm not going to deal with this?

Like, just show up and play?

Possibly.

I mean, like, again,

I'd be shocked.

And I trust that he's, they haven't spoken.

If they haven't spoken, then I think it's difficult to say that everything is behind us.

Now, that could be Poch flexing his muscles and basically saying,

it's behind us.

You know, he's coming into camp and he's going to perform.

And if he doesn't, then he doesn't.

And that could be what it is.

I think everything is behind us doesn't necessarily say to me that everything's been glossed over.

So I don't know.

But were you not confused?

Like, is that not kicked?

I was surprised by that.

I thought for sure at some point the phone would have been picked up or, I mean, probably a flight and sitting down and saying, look, you're my most important player.

I guess I was surprised in the summer when Christian spoke about

Potch's decision publicly, which then forced Potch to talk about his decision publicly.

So I found that to be odd, strange, and awkward.

So this kind of plays into that.

There's obviously not a good dialogue between them if one that has to be.

Well, there's no dialogue.

Well,

no dialogue.

Right.

So

if he's being honest, right?

Yeah, I don't know.

Gotcha.

That's not great.

It's not great.

I mean, you know, our listeners are going to be like, hang on, we want some synergy with our captain and our best player and our manager.

So

well, on the plus side, look, I'm not trying to be all negative, but like on the plus side, Geo got a move.

Let's hope that that gives him an ability to play at Gladbach.

Tillman scored, Balogan scored.

Haji Wright, we talked about Sargent keeps playing well.

We have guys like Aiden Morris who are performing well, even though they're not in camp.

Tyler Adams goes away to Tottenham and wins.

So like there are a lot of positive.

Christian started the season.

Chris Richards had a had a good season.

Chris Richards again, right?

So there are a lot of positive.

It's just

we want this thing to get right and fast.

So we'll pay attention to the game.

Obviously, the games next week.

Not easy opponents, Tim.

Korea, Japan, really good.

So it's going to be interesting to see the line.

I'm excited for it.

Excited for it.

I mean,

it's just incredible how much onus is on all these games because

they come and they go, and then we move on to the next one.

And then the World Cup's going to be here.

So big challenge ahead.

And last thing on this: Jeff Carlisle at ESPN, Jeff's great.

Including this window, just four more opportunities before the team convenes for their pre-World Cup

camp next May.

So like, it's, it's not.

It's kind of deflating, actually, when I read, when I read Jeff say that, I was like, wow.

You know, which, which again plays even more into what we've been saying about, like,

you probably need our best squad together.

And I actually said this before last World Cup.

So I think I've said it already on the pod before.

It's like, that was my major concern going into the last World Cup in 22 was like.

It just didn't feel like, and maybe this was a precursor to what we're talking about now with this team and the way these guys aren't all together.

I remember thinking, like, I haven't seen Greg Broholter be able to put his best team on the field.

So we're going to have our best team at the World Cup for sure, but I haven't seen these guys play together because it was like players dipping in and out, not always there.

So

as you, you know what?

Let me stop BSing.

That's a U.S.

soccer problem.

U.S.

soccer from the tippy top needs to mandate that.

And there's ways to do it.

So people are out there questioning like, well, how do we get players to there's ways to make sure players come in the camp and that they're completely unified.

So I agree with that.

U.S.

soccer can fix that problem.

Yeah.

And then last thing here, Tim, interesting comments too in the press conference from Pochatino about his respect for MLS.

I'm going to quote again.

We need to give MLS the value because I think competing there, I think the.

players can show that they can perform in the national team.

I think it's not necessary to move from MLS to Europe because sometimes MLS, under my assessment, maybe is more competitive than some leagues in Europe.

Well, it's definitely more competitive than some leagues in in Europe.

It's not just words, though.

Like sometimes in the past, national team managers would say that to like boost MLS and be a good partner and all that.

His decisions are showing that, right?

We talked about Sawatsky.

We talked about over Aiden Morris, guys like Sargent not coming in instead of Brian Weitz coming in, guys like that.

So really interesting.

12 MLS players in this current squad.

You know, the argument is dumb and it's old.

Like people, people out there who are like,

you shouldn't stay in MLS.

You shouldn't come back to MLS, all that, blah, blah.

You go where you can perform at your best for the time being, right?

So like, I'll give you an example.

If you are in and out of a championship squad, right?

Are you not the first name on a team sheet?

I would suggest for the sake of the national team, you're actually better off having a player that plays in MLS who's banging in 20 goals.

Absolutely who's feeling the rhythm of the game and who's who's kind of worn, as opposed to someone who's like, oh, he's a really talented kid, but he doesn't always get on the field.

So like, it's a silly argument.

Obviously, it's good that Pachatino sees how valuable it is.

I know the value of both playing in Europe and in MLS.

They're both important.

It's about rhythm.

It's about timing.

So I'm okay with it.

He clearly is, as you said, putting his money where his mouth is with the 12 MLS players in the squad.

Obviously, once we get to the World Cup, we'll see what that final makeup of the roster is.

But it's an interesting conversation.

Tim, there was a time in MLS where you could really honestly say, look, the environment, the training facilities, your players you play with, the games you play in on a Wednesday night somewhere where there's 3,000 people.

It was clearly much more competitive and better for you to be competing in Europe.

I'm using Europe in quotes because who the hell knows what that means?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

But like at a real European league or club.

That was the case.

But now, like, there's real pressure, right?

Like, you play LAFC last night in your San Diego.

Like, that's a real soccer game.

And for LAFC, losing at home, that's a real deal.

The inner Seattle game, the League's Cup game, that's a real soccer game.

And so, this argument now that, like, being in a, in a European environment, now, look, if you're playing at Leeds and you're trying to stay up,

is that different than playing for sporting Kansas City, who, you know, is probably not going to make the playoffs?

Yeah, of course.

But for the most part, like, there's enough good teams in this league and enough real environments where it's plenty fine to be playing in MLS, as long as you're playing every week.

Well, by the way, Dreyer, when he talked to us, MLS All-Star, he said that.

He's like, I bounced around Europe.

Now he's like in the race for the MVP in MLS.

And by the way, his national team coach is now looking at him thinking,

this guy's a real, real player and real asset.

So it's not one size fits all for all those critics.

All right, let's take a break.

When we come back, lots of Premier League.

All this stuff happening.

We haven't even talked about the Premier League yet.

We'll get into that right here on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim, as always, presented by Volkswagen.

The Unfiltered Soccer podcast is brought to you by Volkswagen, the presenting partner of U.S.

Soccer.

As the U.S.

gets ready to host the world for soccer's biggest moment, Volkswagen is helping people discover new turfs and new ways to play the beautiful game right here in the U.S.

From deaf and power wheelchair soccer to beach and futsal, BW is actively supporting all the communities and teams within the U.S.

soccer ecosystem.

They've signed U.S.

soccer talent from across the portfolio of the Federation and will be helping to give these less popular forms of soccer a platform moving forward.

As a longtime friend of Volkswagen, I'm excited to support them in their mission to increase visibility of all forms of soccer.

I was recently on set with them shooting their new campaign to do just that.

Keep an eye out for that launching soon alongside the all-new redesigned 2025 Tiguan.

It's a beautiful car.

We've even had one with us at our recent live show.

Make sure to check it out in person and learn more at vw.com.

There's a certain energy to soccer in Latin America.

The footwork, the creativity, the passion from fans.

It's more than a sport.

It's a rhythm.

That same spirit shows up in Cafe Bustello.

Bold, vibrant, smooth.

Turn up the Latin flavor Cafe Bustello has been bringing for generations.

You can't miss this iconic staple anywhere.

From the bodega to your local grocery store, they are everywhere.

And now there's even more to love.

They released a whole new line of roasts to match every mood.

Light roast, medium, dark, and dulce de leche.

Each one with its own vibe.

Available in pre-packed bags and cake-up pods.

Delicious hot or iced.

However, you take your coffee, Café Bustello shows up strong.

I like mine black, strong, every afternoon.

Café Bucello is more than coffee.

It makes you feel alive.

Try the new Cafe Bucello roasts today.

All right, Timmy, this episode is brought to you by our friends at Virgin Atlantic.

Yeah, we're here at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at JFK.

Honestly, it makes you rethink what an airport lounge can be.

It's beautiful.

It's what Virgin does.

They've been bringing joy back to flying since day one.

It starts with the people.

The crew makes you feel seen.

You're not just seat 31A.

And the planes, comfy seats, mood lighting, fresh new plane smell, and hours, hours of the best entertainment.

Yeah, I know you travel back and forth across the pond all the time.

The food's amazing, all the little amenities.

They have their mile high tea.

If you want tea at 35,000 feet, you can have the jam, the scones, the finger sandwiches, all the things that you loved about British times when you were playing.

Yeah, and speaking of the food, you can pre-order your meal before you fly, not just tell them about the chicken or the fish.

I had the Thai curry last time and it was absolutely amazing.

Yeah, everything's been thought through.

It's flying the way you wish it always was.

So if you're headed to the UK soon, do it in style.

After the pod, go to virginatlantic.com to learn more about their amazing experience.

All right, coming back here.

We got a lot going on in the Premier League as every single week is

drama.

I mean, it's just

a soap opera.

I mean, that's what it is.

And it's very compelling.

So you have to stay glued to it.

The big one of the weekend on Sunday was Liverpool Arsenal won by Liverpool in a stunning free kick from Sobasly.

Not an amazing game.

It's oftentimes cagey when Arsenal play, particularly in the big games.

The question was asked by a couple people, like, if they went for it from the beginning, I think

one of the interviewers asked Mikel Arteta after the game, like, if they went for it,

like right from the off, what does that look like?

Because obviously the team is incredibly talented.

But they have a way of

staying in the game, giving themselves

the best chance to win these big games.

And yeah, so look, the argument is they haven't always won them.

So maybe

foot on the gas from the off is a way to do it, but

give credit to Liverpool.

I mean, timely goal, brilliant goal, actually.

Do you think, Tim, do you think the Arsenal players like playing that way?

I was thinking about that.

Because these are like top, top, top players.

Yeah, what I would say to that is, I hear you.

If they didn't like it, or if there was a consensus in the dressroom and you've been in dressrooms that they were going guys we got we need more like you know like then then you know what the big senior players whether it respected the manager and vice versa they would they would have a conversation they'd say goffer listen we hear you but there's a there are there are there not moments we can open up and and and talk through that from a football philosophy standpoint behind closed doors i think that would happen so i i do think they feel like they are and they they probably give themselves a really good chance in these games because otherwise, yeah, I do.

I think that

they would change that narrative.

I mean, I'm not the first person to say this.

I've heard Tyrio Henri say this and others, but

some of these games get really boring now.

And I remember Tim, like through the heart of my career, Champions League Knights, you know,

United, Real Madrid, or Barcelona, Liverpool, whatever.

Like you knew the game was going to end 3-1 or 3-2, or there's going to be 27 chances in the game.

And it was so fun and exhilarating to watch.

And now it just, I watched the game the other morning and I'm like,

I just, like, I was so excited for it, you know?

And then it just lets you down.

I will say this,

and

it's probably a deeper conversation, but

when you think of what the Premier League has been built on, right?

You're thinking of like, you know, Man United, Liverpool, Newcastle's,

Arsenal.

It was like Blood and Thunder.

It was like, you have it, we have.

The big games would always end 3-2, right?

Like, that was

the joy of the Premier League or 4-3 or something crazy, right?

As

there's been a kind, and that was kind of the English way, right?

So the English way, LD, was

knock the ball forward, play on the knock and get the seconds, right?

It was physical.

Then there started being this foreign influence, right?

So you're getting your Henri's and your Vieiras and all the different players, and they're basically

strong and physical and nasty, but now they have a bit of class, right?

And so that's where the Premier League then starts to evolve.

And Man United gets those players, and Liverpool gets those players, and Arsenal gets those players, but it's gone completely now shifted, right?

So now, yes, the Premier League is still the most physical league in the world, but now you get the likes of Pep Guardiola and you,

the tactical side of things, and you now know, right?

Or, or at least for the last 10 years, it's like, well, we can't go blood and thunder against Pep because they'll pick us apart, right?

So we need to be cagey.

And then that begins to creep into the philosophy of coaches.

So, yeah, you have seen a shift.

I hear you.

I hear you.

We all want to see a 3-2 or a 4-3 back and forth, but you're just seeing less of that now.

Yeah, I wonder, like, I don't know, people are scared for their job or like, I don't know.

It's just, it's just so much more enjoyable, but whatever.

No one cares what I think.

They do.

Okay, so we, you know,

last night, today, today's transfer deadline day, when this comes out, it will have been yesterday.

Yeah.

So Isak finally gets his move to Liverpool.

So we talked about this.

Is it the right way to do it?

Is it not right?

In the end, he got what he wanted.

And so you have to say, like,

you know, whether you like it or not, that's your own opinion, but he got his move.

My question, actually, my question, Tim, is more than that is, so Ekatike goes for whatever, 80 million.

And now you sign Isak.

And I know they have a lot of games, but modern players now, you know, Sala plays almost every game.

And the way the science is behind it and like how they recover and the way they travel, someone could play every game.

So, what does that mean now for Ekatike?

You're not paying a guy, you're not spending $130 million on Isak and not playing him.

Liverpool have for a while now, just done really good business.

And

I think

I don't have inside information here, but I it feels to me given the spending, right?

You go get Ekatike and you're like, he's our guy, right?

And then Viertz and

Viertz.

Do you need Isak?

And what I would say to that is,

I think the hierarchy at Liverpool have seen a shift.

That being the team they built for Klopp

before he retired or left, right?

Then Slot comes in and wins.

And I just think they see an opportunity for like world domination for a period.

Because because the window opens and opens and closes very quickly, right?

So you go like three, five years, you got to rebuild, and you've missed your window.

I just think Liverpool's looking at this and thinking,

we can do a city here.

We could do a man city here and

champions league, right?

And champions league and basically run away with this thing and win three on the bounce.

Now, that's not easy.

That's easy for me to say, but I think with this side, because

rightfully so, with what you're saying, we've added Vierts, we've added Ekatike, we've added a left and a right back.

We feel good about this squad.

So you could say, well, then why go get him?

But the fact of the matter is, when you looked at the bench yesterday, Arsenal versus Liverpool, just the bench,

Liverpool bench was one a lot there.

One lot there.

So you're still trying to create competition and numbers.

And yeah,

go get him.

You know, like, I do think there's a,

I ultimately think, and it's not my money, but in general, like, go get your guy.

If this is the guy you want that you think is going to be, he fits the profile in terms of age, in terms of position, go get him.

You might have to pay a little bit extra for him.

It's fine, but the return is going to be greater than what you've shelled out.

And by the way, it also keeps someone else from getting him.

Of course.

Right.

So now, if Yokeris doesn't work out at Arsenal and they want to go get Isaac now, you can't.

Can't get him.

Right now, you can't get him.

So yeah, okay.

Okay, Chelsea Fulham, this VAR controversy.

So this was, I was kind of had it out in the background.

My boys were watching, and

I saw the goal, and then I just assumed it was a goal.

And I was like, okay, now I think it made it, it would have made a 1-1, right?

And then there was this long delay, and they end up overruling it and going back for a foul, right, at midfield.

Anthony Robinson had interesting, he was back on the bench, which was great and played some minutes in the game on Instagram after he said, if they can check something for five minutes and still get it wrong, then what's actually the point?

This was crazy.

I couldn't believe he said this publicly.

Standard of officiating in the Premier League has been shocking for a while now.

Jesus.

So I think we can all agree that even the Premier League said they got it wrong, right?

They took the fourth, VAR guy off the

off the game the next day.

Are you still in favor?

of VAR?

What's your take on it?

I don't think we've ever talked about this on the pod.

So

what's your opinion?

I'm a huge proponent of VAR.

The numbers speak for themselves.

They're getting nearly all the calls right.

I agree with Anthony Robinson, though.

If you do have to check something for five minutes with all the angles that you have and you get it wrong, then that's a tough one to swallow.

Where I disagree with him, and this is just fair because

when I had my boots on, I would have agreed with him.

Like the standard of officiating the prem has been shocking for a while now.

I'm not sure I ever walked off the pitch LD in 10 years and thought refereeing, the referee was horrible today, right?

Like it's just a natural, you can't distance yourself from, right?

So you feel hard done by.

I think it's gotten more difficult on referees,

even though they have VAR, right?

Because you're almost like second guessing yourself.

But

I like the fact that the

Premier League is taking officials off games and

backing their officials, but also saying like, hey, you made a mistake and we're pulling you here, right?

Like that's Howard Webb and he's very strong.

And so that's good.

I think that helps referees.

I think it take, I think that helps you grow.

It helps you grow as a player.

When you don't play well, you get dropped, right?

It helps you as a player.

Yeah.

So and it builds trust with the fans, too.

You're like, okay, fine.

For sure.

Yeah.

For sure.

So, so in certain instances, when it gets it wrong like this, you're like,

it's terrible.

But ultimately, there's not a lot of those every year.

Right.

I'm a big fan.

And what I would always say to people,

I didn't play with VAR.

So I don't know if you did maybe right at the end.

So I didn't play with VAR.

So I never had.

So there are parts of it, though, that do bother me.

But as an overall statement, I want the call to be right.

So whatever, whatever it is, it's a goal.

It's not a goal.

It's a foul.

It's not, I just want it to get, because you work so hard, Tim.

And like, imagine I get dragged down in the box in the 90th minute and they don't call it and there's no VAR.

And I'm like, dude, that's, I worked so hard to get in that position.

I want it to be right.

Now,

this whole like going back basically and looking at the whole play from the inception to see if there was any possible foul, I don't like that.

I don't like it at all because it's like you didn't call a foul on the field, then let it play.

You can't go back and pick apart every foul.

That I don't like.

And this is not a VAR thing as much too, but the whole idea of letting a play play on when a guy's three or four yards offside or a girl's three or four yards offside, that drives me crazy too.

Cause it's like, if they're offside by that far, just put your flag up.

I like when they keep it down when it's tight, but when it's not.

So as a general statement, I like it, but this is frustrating.

This one for Fulham, they must feel off for it.

And look, points are hard to come by, man.

You go right to a rival.

It's a Derby.

Yeah.

And you get a point there, and it helps your season a lot.

So I feel bad for Fulham there.

Of course.

I do.

City.

Woof.

You know, there's so many other storylines, Tim.

I haven't been paying as close attention to City.

I just figured like they're off to a good start.

I saw they won again, but then I forgot they lost to Spurs.

And then they lose yesterday to Brighton.

Yeah.

And now on three points from three games.

They didn't play well.

Like I was at, I was at Molyneux at Wolverhampton when they, on opening day, when they beat Wolves and they just were, they were sparkling.

It was good.

They were just like, you know what I mean?

Like they're back.

You know, all the signings are kind of hit the ground running.

It was like perfect.

And

And then last week, they just didn't look good at all.

Like you can lose a tough game.

Like they didn't look good against Totem.

Right.

And then, then,

you know,

you almost have to slap yourself for saying this because, like, Brighton,

they bring it, they're talented, they're well coached, they're a tough out, but ultimately, it's still City Brighton, right?

So, you're thinking they're they're gonna win here.

And if you watched a lot of the first half, it was City, City, City, and you know, the fact that they lose again,

oh, it's not great.

Like,

it for me and all of my time watching sports,

this sort of like fall from grace over the last 18 months is one of the more impressive ones that I've seen and not in a good way.

So, yeah, it's really interesting.

I do wonder, Tim,

when I coached, you start to see

how things are,

you view soccer way differently and you look at it from a bigger picture and how the game is evolving and changing.

And so Pep for whatever, a decade, he was was so unique, right?

And then everyone starts to not steal his ideas, but take his ideas and start to.

So what happens on the other side of that is that people adjust to that.

And how do you play against that?

Of course.

And so now people have had years and years and years to learn how to play against what Pep does.

And so I'm going to be curious to see now how Pep,

it's like the drug testing thing in sports.

Like

the people who are cheating are always a step ahead of the drug testers.

And then the drug testers catch up and then the cheaters go another step.

And so, like, how is Pep going to now adapt to now counteract what teams are doing against him?

And it's gonna, it's gonna be interesting to watch because if he doesn't, he's gonna become Jose Mourinho, sure, you know what I mean.

And so, you know, I think he's I think he's got more potential to not let that happen, but it's gonna be interesting to watch.

Well, listen, it was Rod, yes, Roger's back.

Roger for me is as important as yeah, Pep Guardiola.

I know they lost, but

he gets back in his stride, some of these summer signings kind of settle back in.

Um,

ultimately, I think they'll be okay.

What does okay mean?

Because it's very vague when it comes to city.

Um, I think they get it together and go on a run, um,

and are in the conversation at the end of the season.

That's what I think.

But right now, it doesn't seem that way, right?

Uh, United,

last-minute winner.

I was watching that too.

Um,

my

reaction, Tim, you know, this having been in the game for so long.

Sometimes you can tell a lot about a team by the way they celebrate a win.

And

Bruno Fernandez's

celebration after beating a team that just got promoted at Old Trafford

was way beyond what it should have been.

And I was just thinking, man, there's got to be some real stuff going on there because there was just so much relief came out to beat a team they should should smack right as United.

It was really interesting.

Well, I think the United shirt is heavy.

I know it's heavy.

And it's just

what's been going on at this club for so long, these players feel that.

And when you're a player, it's like having a championship mentality.

You don't even, losing doesn't phase you.

But when you're, when, when you've lost for so long, things have been toxic, it's very hard to get a winner's mentality back.

That's why so often you got to like get clean house because you got to get rid of the

ick, right?

And so, yeah, these players are celebrating.

You know why?

He's so, he wasn't celebrating that to your point.

He wasn't celebrating that because, like, oh, it was three points.

It was

we got knocked out of the league cup to Grimsby Town.

We're, we're about to blow a lead against Burnley, a newly promoted team at home.

And, and, and

we're just not good, we're not good enough, right?

And so, that was a, an exhale of, of relief.

And And so,

look, I

it's not great, you know, 2-2 with a late drastic

third,

it's still, it's still essentially a 2-2 game plus.

You know what I mean?

It's not like a, it's not like, you get what I'm saying.

So, um, yeah, I think we're still in the same spot with Manchester United.

You, the hope is that it's getting better, but what I would say is they, they,

they need,

they need a goalkeeper, they need a fullback and they need two sixes

and hopefully uh sheshko is is the is the real deal right so at a bare minimum you need a wingback two sixes a goalkeeper and possibly a center back

so

there's still a ways away you could probably get away with not getting a center back but you're still it's still a ways away yeah you know like but that's that's always been the case the only the reason the reason we we say that and then forget about it is because man united say that you just want more right and and it's a talking point, but ultimately

they are who they are.

They're still a ways away.

Yeah.

Really bad performance by Spurs.

I didn't watch the game live, but then went back and watched the highlights.

Bournemouth were really good.

Tyler Adams was excellent.

That was a bizarre because Spurs have looked really good.

Just a, that was a bizarre outing.

And that, that,

you can't really have that if you're Spurs.

Like you can lose the game.

It's fine, but you can't look like that.

It's a one-off.

They've been good.

Thomas Frank is a brilliant manager, one of the best in the Premier League.

And, you know, this, I don't, you know, you even see that he's even sell this from his Brentford teams.

So you just don't put much into it.

No, I don't put much into it because even on the moments where something like this at Brentford would happen, he nips it in the bud and sorts it out.

He's just that good of a manager.

But again, Credit Bournemouth, they're well managed too.

And Donnie Darola, really good manager.

They've got some good players.

They press from the front.

They're physical.

They have finishers in the team.

So it's a good team as well.

It really is.

And so I think

on balance, they were good value for a 1-0.

Spurs,

Thomas Frank has a few new toys, too.

Xavi Simone's coming in,

or 51.8 million pounds.

And then Columbani is coming on loan from PSG.

So that should help them as they get into the season.

Bad loss for Forest.

and a massive three points for West Ham.

I had them pegged like they are going down.

And I was watching the game and and Forests were like on the verge, on the verge, on the verge.

And then all of a sudden, West Ham,

Jared Bowen, scored a great goal.

And then bang, bang, it was 3-0, just like that.

And it was like, woof.

And so good for West Ham, but Forrest, I think we predicted this.

Like, they're going to have some struggles this year.

Who Forest?

Yeah, they are.

Yeah.

I mean, you can.

I mean,

the interesting thing about

the Premier League, we just, I mean, the game we just talked about with Tottenham, right?

But this is, and so many, you hear so many managers hint at this, but this league is so incredible because you get a Tottenham are brilliant.

They're rolling.

They look good under the new manager.

New signings are clicking.

And then bang, poor performance, lose 1-0 against

Bournemouth, right?

West Ham, who we saw closely in preseason, can't get out of their own way.

They stink, right?

That's what everyone's saying.

And then they probably feel low.

Jared Bone, our captain, a guy I really admire, he clashes with fans on social media and at the stadium.

And then next thing you know,

3-0.

Like, that's a huge, huge result.

Like they didn't squeak by on that one.

So like it's really, really, you know, in terms of how the league plays itself out, week to week is incredible.

But yeah, Forrest, watch the space, man.

It's pretty volatile there under Maranakis.

There's been a fallout with Nunu Spirito Santo and Edu and Maranakis.

So like

everything should be fine, but should it, you know, I put that in air quotes because anything can happen.

Yeah, to your point on the league, the other four results, you you know, Villa Champions League team lose at home, 3-0 to Palace.

Sunderland come back to win, 2-1 against a decent Brentford team.

That's huge for them.

Games like that, if they want to stay up.

And then our beloved Toffis won away to Wolves.

So that was great.

All right, lots there.

Let's take a break.

When we come back, we'll get into your questions in the ATT fan connection right here on Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim.

Presented by Volkswagen.

Stay right there.

LD, let me tell you about this time recently, this weekend, that I chose chill.

You'll appreciate this more than most.

Game ends at Anfield.

I'm walking out.

A bunch of fans walked past me.

Unfortunately, I had to walk through some very lively Liverpool supporters, shall we say.

And someone very nicely asked me for a picture.

So,

sure, why not?

I took a picture and

then an autograph.

And then they very cheekily said, you'll never walk alone and walked away and giggled.

And I thought,

now is the moment.

It's best you choose chill.

Get me back to the hotel.

So I got a cold Coors Light.

Thank you very much.

As always, when you embrace a chill mindset, it's a good time to choose chill.

Crack open a cold Coors Light.

Make the most of the times you choose chill.

Choose Coors Light.

Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door.

Visit CoorsLight.com/slash USLNT.

Celebrate responsibly, Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado.

Beer.

There's nothing better than feeling like someone has your back and that things are going to get done without you even having to ask.

Like fans who start to sing and chant at the exact moment their team needs to rally.

A coach who can change strategies at halftime to help their team win.

A keeper you know is defending your goal.

Or a forward who is always ready to receive the ball.

At Unfiltered Soccer, Tim and I know all too well how important it is to be sure someone out there has your back.

And that's precisely why ATT has a new guarantee.

The ATT guarantee is all about having your back.

When you're with ATT, if there's a network interruption, they'll proactively make it right with a credit for a full day of service.

Guaranteed.

Visit ATT.com slash guarantee to learn more.

Terms and conditions apply.

ATT, connecting changes everything.

Credit for fiber downtime lasting 20 minutes or more or wireless downtime lasting 60 minutes or more caused by a single incident impacting 10 or more towers.

Restrictions and exclusions apply.

See ATT.com/slash guarantee for full details.

Attention, all small biz owners.

At the UPS store, you can count on us to handle your packages with care.

With our certified packing experts, your packages are properly packed and protected.

And with our pack and ship guarantee, when we pack it and ship it, we guarantee it.

Because your items arrive safe or you'll be reimbursed.

Visit the UPS store.com slash guarantee for full details.

Most locations are independently owned.

Product services, pricing, and hours of operation may vary.

See Center for Details.

The UPS store.

Be unstoppable.

Come into your local store today.

LD, it's time now for our ATT fan connection, which also means we get to welcome in Jordan.

JR, how are you?

Jordan.

What's happening?

All good?

Yeah, I'm good.

Hanging in there.

Kind of swag you got today.

T-shirt.

I got some unfiltered soccer swag.

Yeah, you do.

Usually I'm wearing that sweater and you're wearing a jersey.

Yeah, it's a good thing that you texted me this morning so that we didn't match.

That would be embarrassing.

What's the scarf behind you?

The green one.

That is the one for Dundella, which is

Northern Ireland.

Yeah, they're great.

Amazing.

Hey, by the way, speaking of jerseys, I was on the plane ride home from San Trope to Newark.

Your guys is back of the woods.

Not mine.

Big TH.

It's big TH.

Yeah, it'sh-ish.

It's all the same.

Newark, New York, all that.

So,

um, and this woman walked up and she said,

Landon, I

been a fan for a long time.

I had this jersey that you signed when we were like, whatever, six years old.

And it was in our parents' home and it burned down in the fires and the palisades.

Oh, no.

It was like our most prized possession.

And I remember a long time ago, she had like DM'd me and asked me about that.

And I was like, Yeah, let me like, she was like, Is there any way you can find one?

I was like, Yeah, let me see what I want.

Long story short, so I went into my like closet, I got like five big bins of jerseys,

and I'm gonna send her one.

But also, there's like I have gazillions of cool jerseys, and I was thinking I should start showcasing them on the show.

You should because that would be stupid.

No, it's me, or I can send them to you, Jordan, if you don't want them.

We'll try it out, and if you think it's dumb, then just tell me that I started with the May, the Portland Hearts of Pine, not Palm one, not Palm.

But anyway, so if you make up some cool story like that, I'll send you a jersey too.

It wasn't made up, though.

She was genuine.

She was so sweet.

All right.

Anyway, what do you got, Jare?

Um, I have a variety of questions for you.

We like variety.

Um, okay, Tim, how about a question for you to start then?

Sure, let's go.

Um, Tim, this one's from William via email, by the way.

It says, Tim, when you were with the Rapids in 2019, you played in the coldest recorded game in MLS history.

Oh, really?

Against Colorado is also known across the league for its altitude.

How much does the setting contribute to those games?

And do you ever get acclimated?

What were they like for you personally?

And Landon, what was it like to be a visitor?

That's an interesting question.

So

I think the game

that William was talking about was against Toronto.

I'm almost sure it was.

It was LD.

Did you play in the Costa Rica game when it started?

No, I didn't.

I didn't either.

This was the coldest game.

I can't even begin to describe

how physically cold I was and all the other players.

And I remember, you'll laugh at this, right?

I remember,

so on the palm of goalkeeper gloves is like the latex, right?

And so goalkeepers are like, get it wet to get like, get it nice and stick to the ball and it's normal.

Well, because it was like, the latex was wet, it started icing over.

So you get this like film, right?

Did you get this film of ice LD.

And I can remember literally thinking, oh no, my gloves just got slip off my hands.

So, so there's so many parts, if I could go back and watch the game, I, and I also realized like naturally, but I'm also bald, right?

So, so my head, because I'm warm inside, my head's steaming.

So, like, so much of the game, I'm just like this.

I'm just like, I have my gloves on my head because I'm thinking the only way I could like melt this sheath of ice on my gloves is through the hot air coming on my head.

Yeah, but it was cold.

It was a terrible.

About the altitude thing, I always thought to myself that the rapids with all the sports signs out there should absolutely build a team that is more

powerful and athletic and fit and

endurance than

a tactical, technical team.

Obviously, you need tactics and technique, but I'm just saying like the altitude sucks.

Obviously, as a

home player, you get used to it.

But I always remember thinking, we're getting the pants beat off us by some of these teams that are coming to town.

Like,

this shouldn't be the case.

They should be on their knees, you know?

But yeah, I'd be interested, LG, to get your take on it.

Yeah.

So the way we always approached it was,

and I think the science is still the same, but it was like, get there as late as possible so you get on the very last flight Friday night.

And then so your body has no time to really adapt.

The biggest two things we always did were in warm-up, you have to really, really, really push yourself and get yourself like just breathing as hard as you can so that you get your second win then and don't do it in the game.

Otherwise, and I saw this to happen to so many players, like foreign players would come in, they'd be like, Oh, fine, normal warm-up, whatever.

I'd be like, All right.

20 minutes in, you look over and like Robbie Keene was like bent over.

I'd be like, I told you, man, in the warm-up.

But after that, you're kind of like, you're fine.

It's not, you know.

it's not as big of a deal.

Once you get above that Colorado altitude, you get to six, seven, eight thousand feet, then it becomes a real deal.

I had this player, um,

I think it was Demikalis.

He was uh

Argentine International.

He played at Galaxy?

No, no, no, when I was at Levercuzz, Levercuzz, yeah, yeah, yeah.

And he said they would go to Bolivia to play qualifiers, and Bolivia and La Paz is like 12,000 feet altitude.

That's inhumane.

And he said, there were players on the team, Tim, JR, when you landed and got off the plane and started walking, they would throw up because it was so gnarly.

Imagine playing a soccer game, that's amazing.

People,

so anyway, thank god it's not that.

Um, okay, so first of all, Tim, the game was on the 2nd of March 2019 against the Portland Timbers.

Good memory, pal.

And the temperature was recorded at 18 degrees Fahrenheit.

That was two, too.

I do remember that game.

I just thought the Toronto game was colder.

Anyway, whatever, yeah.

Good grief.

Yeah, uh, 18 degrees.

Yeah, that sounds very cold.

No, thank you.

You know, the funny thing is, superstitious-wise, LD,

so if, if, when I came out to the MLS, we would play on turf every now and again.

So I would wear like leggings under my shorts because, like, I don't want to get like burned up, you know?

But if I was playing on grass, I would, like, as a, as a, as a rule of thumb, I would never, ever wear tights.

So like, that was on grass.

So I was like, wow, I can't wear it on grain tights.

So the idiot that I am, but I'm just, I couldn't go against the grain.

Anyway.

Tim, I do like your idea of basically having like the space jam team of soccer on the for the Colorado Rapids.

That makes a lot of sense.

Nice analogy there.

Totally like that.

Didn't have that on the bingo card either.

A lot of bingo cards today.

Okay, this one is from Rich via email.

Since both of you have been involved in USL club ownership, I am curious of your thoughts on the long-term upside of the league.

Specifically, can they pull off Division I status and a promotion relegation arrangement?

And if so, is this enough to allow them to survive alongside MLS going forward?

Great question.

Three years ago, my answer would have been a pretty definitive no.

My mind is changing, and I'll tell you a few reasons.

One, they have

really good leadership in charge now with Paul McDonough, who I think will do a great job.

Louisville now has, I believe, the only stadium that would be adequate for league one status which would be 15 000 plus

but i'm hearing and i'm seeing now lots of things in the work not only at the usl championship level but like boise are coming in next year and they have really good ownership really good support they've sold i think 5 000 plus season tickets already i'm starting to see momentum build in smaller cities like that

now can they compete against MLS like for like i don't know i don't have the answer to that i'm curious what you think tim um but I do think there's a scenario where as soccer keeps growing,

that there are, you know, New Mexico, we'd go, when we travel to New Mexico, there's 12,000 people there, right?

They could add a few thousand seats and have Sacramento can do it, no problem.

Phoenix could do it, I would guess.

There are lots of cities now that are on the verge of that.

So I could see it happening.

Yeah, I mean, as long as they get

the financial part right in terms of parachute payments and whatnot.

Look,

I think

if we're ever going to create a promotion relegation model in this country, it's going to be at the USL level because they already have this sort of pyramid structure in place.

Again,

I'm against it because, like I said, I've constantly, well, no, I'm not against it.

I doubt it can happen

successfully.

And I hope I'm wrong because I think it works in a lot of ways.

But

if you look at, you can probably name LD, we could probably name like

25 teams off the top of our head.

But if you look at a team like Macclesfield, which is basically in and around Manchester, right?

Although the finances aren't great, that stadium operation produces jobs in that local village, right?

So it's an institution within these small local villages.

So this team Macclesfield has been supported for 100 years, right?

And so

you're still getting people to go to the games.

Not, not, not great.

It's not a lot, but

if you take a team,

I don't know.

Let's take Boise.

It's a great example.

Good ownership, right?

If they all of a sudden falter and get relegated, like the

time has,

I don't know if there's a certain level of years or if you're a new team, you can come in and you get grandfathered in for a couple of years and you can't be relegated.

But if it's immediately you come in, I worry about some of these smaller teams who don't have big followings and then get relegated to a lower level.

Do you think, Tim, that would, I see what you're saying, but do you think that would really impact the fan base?

Like, Boise is a good example, right?

Like, I grew up going to Boise every year, right?

So I know that area.

I think my opinion is if they start in League One and they get promoted, those people are going to be there.

They get relegated.

I feel like the people are still going to be there.

I don't know.

I don't see it like drastically.

Now, in MLS, I would say, yeah, if the galaxy are now in league two, like maybe people aren't going to show up the same way, but I don't know at that level.

I don't know either.

But I also, I also think what we can't do,

it matters, LD.

And what I'm saying is

we can no longer, we can no longer throw a blanket over these silly, dumb American fans who don't know anything.

American fans are incredibly educated.

And the incredibly educated fan around the world, when they get relegated in Germany and when they get relegated in England,

they go from 40 000 people to like 20 000 people because they're sophisticated soccer fans and i think and i believe that we are sophisticated soccer fans in this country now and i do i think you're going to get hit with

you know i remember i remember thinking with with when when i was part owner of memphis thinking as we as we're building this thing if if we were to get knocked back and you know we were in a top league in usl and we were to drop down yeah our fans would feel that and be like i ain't buying into this.

And so, yeah, I do think that that part's a problem.

But yeah.

I have a strange follow-up question to this.

You usually do that.

So I

that's what I'm known for, my strange follow-up questions.

And I'm going to make a band analogy.

So we're just hitting all of the Jordan favorites today.

There is something to be said as somebody who spent the summer going to a lot of very big concerts about when the band that you've always loved starts playing venues that maybe price you out of attendance.

So I kind of wonder with the USL, there's going to be some clubs that are leveling up in a way.

And I wonder if that also becomes a problem because people are going to start saying, you want me to go to a 15,000 person stadium and the tickets are going to be more expensive.

And I used to bring my four kids with me, but I don't know if I can do that anymore.

So it's almost like.

Being relegated is a business problem, but being promoted might also be a business problem in its own way.

Let me, let me, it's a great great question.

My initial thoughts that I feel strongly about is

sports are about dreams.

And I think I hear you in terms of the economics, but I do believe

when

the Clippers

go into a new building and that new building is sparkling and the Clippers organiz LA Clippers organization goes, yeah, but you got to pay more for your season ticket, people are kind of like, all right, like, yeah, because we got a new building and we feel great.

And so I think if you get somebody who's like locked and loaded on onto a certain team and they go up and the stadium gets bigger and they got to pay more money, I still think they've already bought into that dream and they feel a part of that promotion.

So I, I, I, I, I don't know if, if you'd lose supporters, but that's my own personal opinion.

And to your point, JR, the, the level between

playing in a 2,000-seat venue as an artist and playing at Wembley, like the amount of difference in price is going to be exponentially.

Like, I think USL League One to championship instead of $10, it might be $14 or $17 or so.

But yeah, that's a good point.

Okay, how about a question about MLS since we're talking about USL and MLS?

This one is from James via email.

Greetings from Tennessee.

First of all, go vols.

Go vols.

But

where is the love or the hate for Nashville SC?

It's not just landed in Tim, but it feels like all sports media completely avoids my team.

We have the current golden boot leader with super in quotes, Sam Surich.

Why does the media avoid my team?

Is it because they're new?

Maybe due to their, let's say, rough playoff history.

They are a true contender for the MLS Cup.

They built the biggest soccer-specific stadium, and it's so much fun to go to, and they are exciting to watch

unless you are an Orlando Orlando fan.

Shots fired.

Show Nashville SC some love.

Go on, Tim.

Show them some love, pal.

Yeah.

I also, I left myself a note here just in case anyone was curious.

As of this recording, Nashville are fourth in the Eastern Conference and sixth overall.

Yeah, no, look, Nashville, right from their inception, have crushed it.

I remember talking to, I was just finishing my career and they were, I had some really good conversations with them just about what they were doing, about the project.

And they walked me around,

you know, the lot where the stadium is, and we spoke at length.

So, to see what Nashville have done,

great town, really well-run club.

What I would say to that, and this isn't fair, but this is, I think, reality, and Landon played and is part of the fabric of one of the haves.

And the MLS you have the haves and the haves-nots.

There are certain teams that are just sexy, they're just sexy to media.

And then there are other teams that just literally have to fight and scrap for every last bit of media attention, both locally and nationally.

And so,

God, what, what, why?

You know, because I can make the sometimes it's hard.

And I wish I had the answers.

Because, like,

you could actually make the point of like,

why the hell are the galaxy on the tip of everyone's tongue in LA?

You got the Lakers, you got the Dodgers, like, what?

But there's just certain teams in this league

who have done it and are sexy.

And I know I get it.

Like, I get what we're saying in Nashville because there's a bunch of teams like that.

Like, you, like, you, Nashville could probably

win the supporter shield or MLS Cup and people would still kind of overlook them.

And that's just unfortunately some of these markets.

I love what Nashville's done on the field, off the field.

I went to the Leagues Cup game against Inner Miami last year at Geodis Park.

Is that what it is?

Phenomenal stadium.

I love Nashville in general.

I love the food.

I love the music.

I love the line dancing.

I love the bars.

I love all.

I love Nashville.

My guy.

You didn't have that on your bingo card either, did you?

But what I would say is, and what BJ Callahan has done is phenomenal.

You got to win.

You got to win.

You're not a New York or an L.A.

and it's or inner Miami.

You're not going to sign Messi, right?

So you have to win.

And once you win, then you'll get that attention.

But I agree.

I mean, James, it's a good point.

And they've done a phenomenal job, but you got to win.

If you're going to have, look, people talk about the Dallas Cowboys all the time.

They haven't won in three decades.

So you got to do it.

And you got to put yourself on that platform.

And then people talk about you more.

It kind of reminds me of like when you're in school, those kids who just like do fine.

They don't get as much attention as like the class clown, the kids who are really underperforming or the kids who are like, you know, maybe getting bumped up.

And you take them for granted.

Yeah, for sure.

So I'm not suggesting, James, that you should encourage anyone on your team to start biting people or spitting at them.

But, you know, he would have talked about you, though.

That's for sure.

So maybe, maybe, you know,

go some of those Miami players and put yourself on the national map.

Okay.

Amazing.

That's it.

Great questions.

That's all I got.

Great questions.

Thanks.

Thanks, guys.

Thanks, JR.

All right.

Great show.

Lots and lots and lots of content there.

That was fun, team.

I enjoyed that.

Good to be back with you.

It was good to be on vacation, but better to be back.

Appreciate all you guys being with us today.

Remember, subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, anywhere you get your podcasts and follow across all of our social media at Unfiltered Soccer for all the bonus content.

Yeah, thanks, LD.

Thanks, everybody, for listening, for participating, sending all your questions, comments, and concerns.

Big thank you to our presenting sponsor, VW, our fan connection sponsor, AT ⁇ T, our Unfiltered Refresh sponsor, Coors Light, and our newest sponsors, Cafe Bustello and Virgin Atlantic.

Have an amazing week.

Take Take care of yourselves and your families.

We'll be back next Tuesday with another edition of Unfiltered Soccer.

Listen.

That's the sound of the fully electric Audi Q6 e-tron.

The sound of captivating electric performance,

dynamic drive, and the quiet confidence of ultra-smooth handling.

The elevated interior reminds you this is more than an EV.

This is electric performance, redefined.

The fully electric Audi Q6 e-tron.