Transcript
Speaker: Yeah.
Speaker: Welcome to Loon Calling, a podcast dedicated to Minnesota United Football Club. I don't know why I'm looking into the camera or not. recording video right now but welcome to our podcast that we record sometimes apparently um we took league's cup off and then we had one match And then...
Speaker: we had a little bit of a break life gets in the way or whatever but we have more than just me and gortz on this episode andrew welcome back to the show how are you doing I'm pretty good and glad to be here.
Speaker: I'm glad you're here too. I'm glad you could join us. It's always a treat when Andrew can join the show and Gortz. Old Reliable over here, always on the episode. How are you doing? You know, I'm good.
Speaker: I'm good. Excited, to you know. Talk more loons and... The mediocrity. yeah You're excited to dive into the mediocrity of our football club. Yep.
Speaker: Oh, I can't wait. I can't wait. Um... do you ah Do you want to share your plans for for this week at the top of the episode? What what you're going to get up to? I will...
Speaker: I mean I don't know are we gonna have one next week? Yeah. I will be at the San Jose game. Yes. In San Jose. Wow.
Speaker: That's one of the stadiums I want to go to before it closes Yeah, I will not be in the away section, unfortunately. so Oh, you're going to be amongst...
Speaker: The Quakes fans. I'm going to be amongst, I'm going to be sitting next to some Quakes fans. Are you going to be repping Loon's gear, or are you going to be... An antagonist or are you going to? be an imposter.
Speaker: I am going, um I have my wounds gear pack. Okay. Good. I'm going to ask them what hope that but what the hope tasted like. Yeah. Put the slide back down again.
Speaker: Because... We in Minnesota know what his hope tastes like right before the fall. Yep. Although I'm... I'll probably, get I'm going to get their jersey. So from this season, so.
Speaker: What are you gonna get a name on the back or you're just gonna get the blank one? Uh... I'm going to get Nico Tazaris on the back.
Speaker: So... I didn't know if you were a big, what's what's what's his name, the German player? Timo Werner. Timo Werner, yeah. I didn't know if you were a Werner fan. of fan What did you say, Andrew?
Speaker: He's a great football manager, just not in real life.
Speaker: We'll see. Yeah That was actually, that's some good chirping, Andrew. theyre Like, oh. You like what hope tastes like? This is the this is the problem with having a team that performs well, sometimes you get your hopes up and then Nothing happens. But we've had...
Speaker: mediocrity for the most most of the years so you know. it's a It's okay. Well... Speaking of mediocrity, do we want to start talking about League's Cup?
Speaker: And the stuff that we missed. Um... From Lee's Cup? Andrew, you have things to say about League's Cup. What what are your... what are your takeaways from this tournament that we didn't do a whole lot i mean Like you said.
Speaker: before we started recording. There is a lot to talk about, but... Not a whole lot of it matters. So what do you got to say? that The big problem with League's Cup is that people take it seriously.
Speaker: The less you take it seriously, the more enjoyable it is. until honestly I enjoyed it a lot. Because it doesn't really matter anything at all to me. I thought playing Tigres was awesome.
Speaker: ah That's a huge club, a lot of history. They don't play in the capital, so they're always. naturally like one of those because it's like a Manchester club. There's not that much going around sometimes except for t -grays uh, the mascot game was on point every game.
Speaker: I loved that. Um... the The devil horse. in the first game that we lost. um The tiger. who honestly just looked like a lion.
Speaker: Let's be real Uh... But yeah, i thought I thought it was great. it The first one was pretty sad. ah Losing in shootouts felt bad.
Speaker: But drawing against Tigres is not a small achievement. um and then I thought our performance in the Tigres... match was fairly good i was happy with i was happy with that draw and then penalties are penalties right Yeah. but yeah you had that classic minnesota Oh, where it's so over. And then, oh, oh, oh, oh, hope's coming. Hope's coming.
Speaker: Hope's coming. It was exactly like playing Club America last year in the same tournament where we're just like, oh shit. We actually don't look too bad. like we look We're playing toe -to -toe with this man. and then oh Well, oh well.
Speaker: you know. Oh well.
Speaker: Um... yeah what what are our uh gourds do you have any thoughts about lease cup overall any any any takeaways before i have a couple of things i wanted to talk about but Do you have anything?
Speaker: Um... i mean not Not particularly, you know, I mean, like like I said, it is, you know, fun to go toe to toe with, you know. Mexican powerhouses like You know, tigress.
Speaker: Um, It's just... You know, love, especially, you know, the the atmosphere, especially getting. More fans on to...
Speaker: Watching MLS although, you know I think. It is but... oh Overall, you know.
Speaker: It's it's a Is it... Fun, yes. Do I still want? the us to take the Open Cup more seriously than League's Cup. Yes.
Speaker: I do.
Speaker: That's all I have to say. Yeah. um I also wish there was more emphasis on Open Cup. Um... But... Um... My take on League's Cup, I've shared this before on the show, but League's Cup is the reason... I mean, I'm sure I would have i would have become a Loons fan.
Speaker: if the league's cup didn't exist but like My... My first match was a Leagues Cup match. Um... watching. Emmanuel Reynoso and Bongi absolutely ball out against Puebla, I think. was the matt was the team that we played. And I was just like, oh, shit.
Speaker: Oh, shit. Are we good? Is our is our team good? um And I hate to say it, but, man, that's that's the whole reason why they do. love the league's cup. And why they'll never stop doing it. It's a good reason to do it. I'm sorry. Like, I feel like I get why on principle, I get the logic of why people don't like the tournament.
Speaker: but Listening to... I don't agree with everything that Manny Lagos has to say, but I agree with his takes overall on League's Cup. Like, I think it's a fun tournament. I'm glad they changed the format to where you really only pause. the the season for what like a week and a half you have three matches so we play tuesday saturday tuesday So.
Speaker: Yeah, you you take a ah small break from your season. It's not ideal timing for... The Liga and Meki sides because they're just ramping up their season. It's not ideal timing for us because we just took a long ass World Cup break. And then you have one regular season match back and then you break for League's Cup. So it's like.
Speaker: It's not ideal, but like, I think it's fun. Like. I like watching. budding rivalries between these sides because Like, Kunkka got... Champions Cup. Like, you have the same...
Speaker: Like... big Mexican sides playing in that tournament. And it it's... I think it's fun to watch. and and From what I can tell just by like watching the matches. They're like The players take it fairly seriously. Like, they don't look like friendlies. Like, they look competitive.
Speaker: like Not as competitive as you know a CONCACAF Champions Cup match or not as competitive as a regular season match, but like I think the level is good. I think the players take it seriously. like Real chippy.
Speaker: It's real chippy. like You want to see some physicality, you're going to find it there. Absolutely. guys want You want to see refs that don't know the rules are and will just allow whatever to happen? This is what you're going to get.
Speaker: Do you want to see players fall over because they ran into your player because they overestimated how much energy they have? And Momo Deng is like, Bro, I'm like six foot two.
Speaker: I played it in college. You're not gonna hit me. What are you going to do? So overall, I think it's an enjoyable tournament. It's just one of those things where like, and also there's three.
Speaker: CCC spots up for grabs. Like that's a very real thing to go for. Like... If... If you're not doing well in the regular season, if you have no hope, like, we like we would have, like, we have next to no hope of, like, getting...
Speaker: a CONCACAF Champions Cup spot from the MLS Cup. either winning the supporter shield or going far in the playoffs so like That's reason enough to take the tournament seriously. Um...
Speaker: Don't. I don't mind it. I think the big thing to take away from this tournament is that we saw more minutes from younger guys. And I think we should go through and... and give our evaluations on what we saw from the younger players. Let's start with Mauricio Gonzalez. um Andrew, you have any thoughts about his development so far? we We saw more minutes from him. in the league's cup and then i believe We saw minutes he subbed in at the RSL match, right?
Speaker: Yeah. um So what are your thoughts on Gonzalez so far? He needs a USLC loan. But the team can't afford it because they need him for depth. He needs to be playing a lot more. You can definitely see where he is.
Speaker: When Gonzales is good, he's really good. but he doesn't have the consistency that comes with active playtime. So he desperately needs a loan. but the team doesn't have depth. So they can't. Let him go alone.
Speaker: i would agree i would agree with that take Gortz, you have any thoughts on Gonzalez? i Mean I I agree as well, you know Get him a... Uh...
Speaker: a championship lawn. But you know like I said, you know depth in that position I'm... you know amazed, you know You know now that we have you know AZ Jackson back. that's That's more depth. there.
Speaker: um You know, you have like, you know, core of like, you know, chancali. ah Barrera. Um, kind of surprised i think at the beginning of the season they kind of said hey we're gonna play bongi more higher up i think that like ca I think Cam was saying that. and It seems like he's been playing.
Speaker: You know, when he's subbed in, he's played right wing back. So yeah, no, it's... As much as I love to see, ah you know.
Speaker: alone it's you know a deaf different, you know, presence. You know, he looks... say You know physically that you know he's got he's got some good physical attributes. and You know, like I said, it just needs the game time.
Speaker: Yeah. Alright, moving on to another young player that we saw a lot more of. of in the league's cup is um Marcus Caldera.
Speaker: I'm just caldera Three assists in three. matches for Marcus Caldera. um Andrew. What do you think? What do you think of this kid? I think he's Canadian.
Speaker: I think he played college soccer. I think he had a USLC loan. Um... And who is that exactly like? like And his name rhymes with Oluwaseyi. Yes.
Speaker: Uh... If we didn't have leaked crap, we wouldn't see them. Honestly, he'd still be in twos. I think he's great. If they're not starting him, I will be very...
Speaker: very unhappy. You're going to be unhappy because we're not going to start him. He's done the most to earn a starting role in these last four games. i Four c assists in four games.
Speaker: That's not That's a hot hand. And he hasn't had that much time. on the field to do those things. It's it's insane. He has to start. Mm -mm. There's no other, there's no question behind it.
Speaker: He's not. I think he deserves a half hour, though. I think he'll sub in for more. you don't You don't have a guy play that well and then reward him with...
Speaker: Sorry bro, you're on the bench again. It doesn't matter who you are. If you're if if you're Mark and Itch. And he scores a goal. five goals in a game, you're like. Well, Your replacements back, but I guess we're just sending you forward to see what happens That's fair Gortz, what what are your thoughts about Caldera?
Speaker: I... Think he's... Probably the most He does. A lot of stuff, right? It seems like. compared to, you know, like, Yeboah.
Speaker: Or Diaboa, he He does not look. the same like he has for like the past like 18 months he has not looked the same That's the same guy that...
Speaker: when we when he came in. those, you know. came off and You know. was scoring goals for for fun when when he joined. But, yeah, no, I'm i'm really hoping.
Speaker: you know. Caldera is really taking his chances, and I think... you know, Go there, I... think is probably You know?
Speaker: Is he the next O .S .A.? Let's... Hope so, you know. I hope so. Yeah. I hope so. I really have liked what he just...
Speaker: To have a number nine that has competent. hold up play and can dish the ball around. And. I don't know. I think it just worked out perfectly that Potato was ready. for all of these opportunities, but Pineda was just like, fucking finally a player that can give me the ball so I can run up the pitch. Like, he was like, give me the ball. I'm going to score. Just give, like, just give me the ball. Just let me get up the pitch and give me the ball.
Speaker: Yeah. um He sat down the new guy and said, look, I don't know who you are. I don't know what you do but just give me the ball and we'll see what happens. He's like, a funnyicas like oh let's do that. Yeah, let's go.
Speaker: Don't turn the ball over. Don't dribble the ball right into the back line. Put it. In an area where other people can make... something happen. And that's something like...
Speaker: Like... DeJang? Doesn't... do that very well, but at least he's got height and he's got strength and looks like he's going to score. Like, I think like.
Speaker: He will score and in these next couple of matches. He looks, he's like right on the precipice of scoring and he'd like, he's still developing. I give him a pass for that. Caldera.
Speaker: Comes in. and immediately makes a difference and looks like he just knows where the ball is supposed to go to score goals, which is a really important thing for your number nine to have.
Speaker: M. I'm sorry. The... The book needs to close on Yuba World. God bless you. my guy. but the book needs to close. It's done. It's over. I don't want to see him start.
Speaker: I'd like... he can come in and he can sub in and if he starts scoring he can earn it back i guess But... Every time he comes into the match. The ball dies at his feet.
Speaker: And... it's better for him to get a move too is the thing like it's been dire for so long that he also needs a change of scenery if he's going to get his game back Um...
Speaker: So. Yeah. Caldera. Your only hope. Please keep balling out. I agree with you Andrew, he deserves a start. 0 % chance he starts.
Speaker: Um... But I think he will... I think he'll get... 30 minutes like he'll get subbed in And he will get... more minutes than he has been getting. Or... There is a reason why he's not getting minutes. It's because, like you said.
Speaker: Wait, he already got loaned. We were talking about Gonzalez needs a loan. But... Probably still needs time. so Yeah. caldera Very, very...
Speaker: Like, one of the only big pluses out of out of the League's Cup is Marcus Caldera. um i thought smur was also serviceable And that. but He's our backup keeper, so there's not...
Speaker: Really? a whole lot to say there I said to the person I go with, im my sister, to every game. he's gonna As soon as his contract rolls out, he's going to make a lot more money in the USLC.
Speaker: Hmm? Yeah? It's a fish out. It's a fair shout. Um... Just like a dick.
Speaker: Who's dick? The last backup glue we had. Oh. I see. I see. I didn't remember the backup goalie. Don't worry. i No one remembers the backup goalkeepers. Yeah, no. no I'll remember. Smear.
Speaker: Smur. Smear? how do you How do you say it? this is I think it's smir. Smir? Alex Murr. I'll remember. He's been around for a while. He's in a fair amount of the social media content, too. He's really good friends with Marcanic.
Speaker: Um... They're like bro -ing it up. and i think it's like yeah i don't think it's like the three musketeers i think is mechanic dug in and smurf yeah dug in too i forget i forget that they're all like around the same age i think right it's smart It's sperm.
Speaker: How old is he? You see like 25 Okay. that's That's about what I... That's about what I thought. Yeah. I think Andrew, I think you're right. Like he, he should get a starting job so because he'd like, he looked like.
Speaker: Yeah, there's nothing wrong with that. Serviceable. look Good. So get you a starting job somewhere. Stop. mormon He's a top 25 goalkeeper in MLS. I'll just say that.
Speaker: is Is he ahead of Dane Sinclair? Oh, yeah. Dane Sinclair is not even on the bench anymore for Miami. And the guy who replaced him just completely let the ball right by him. Oh, God. i'm that Do we want to debrief how that's gone? For Dane, like, could that be, like, top? Five worst decisions in history to take that deal. He was the starter for Miami before the World Cup, and then after the World Cup, they started...
Speaker: ah Rio Novos. And that's... oh that that i mean you have to feel for dane and you know you're like you're i'm on the bench for that guy yeah look at him You know, I won fucking, you know, MLS gold. I mean.
Speaker: keeper of the year but it was is more you know the the play style that ramsey was playing And he you know he was just, you know. He's a good shot stopper He's good at save he's saving. the ball. He's not good at about anything else that... ah He's good at organizing five defenders in front of him, not one and a half.
Speaker: that's true also miami does have an awful defense, especially transition defense. I mean, i can I can go on a Dane rant all all we want, but like... That's going to be like for an end of the year.
Speaker: If his next transfer, he's going to go somewhere else, that's going to be like, ugh. How much money did he leave on the table? Where is he going to get a job, though, is the thing. Another league. what He has to leave now. Yeah he does. You're right.
Speaker: Because nobody else in MOS is going to pick him up because nobody else is looking for a goalkeeper besides Miami. And he lost the job in Miami. so You know?
Speaker: Seattle. Sorry, guy. you You made the wrong decision. It happens. i get I get what you were going for, but, like, my God, you had a comfy gig here. Not only that, but like... He had a funky gig in that he was a star of a team.
Speaker: Goalkeeper of the Year. Starring for his his national team. All he had to do was sit down. and say hey Six months goes by I start in the World Cup and then I'm out of here in the transfer window And everyone would have been like,
Speaker: Yeah, that makes yeah makes sense. bro You get to showcase yourself on the larger stage. and Instead... What he did... was take Less money. At Miami. And also...
Speaker: Wait until free agency so we didn't get any money for the transfer. Which I get, I get it. Like the the player doesn't have any responsibility to do that. Neither do the agents, whatever. It still pissed me off. that it was to Miami and the team didn't get any fucking money.
Speaker: from it. So we just left. We went to Miami. That's my personal vendetta. For defense, he has to know. He has to be smart enough of a soccer player to know that.
Speaker: Awful defense. and a completely different situation. More eyes on you, I guess, was the logic. in And then the World Cup? And then he lost the...
Speaker: the national team starting spot to Kropot, and Kropot's looked leagues better since the World Cup. Like, he's looked really good. Since the World Cup. I'm kinda surprised he hasn't.
Speaker: maybe gone kripal hasn't gone to europe i'm pretty sure you know dan i don't know if could this be the one that's like oh crap you know now i'm gonna be an mls lifer you know is there still teams that are interested i mean i'm sure there's probably still teams interested in him.
Speaker: in Europe up that he'll go. In the winter. Yeah. something, you know. I guess there's still time for him to go in this transfer window. yeah But he's not going to be on a championship side looking to get promoted anymore. Nope.
Speaker: that That's your payday right there. No, he'll be in then you get the chance get Turkey or... Some second division somewhere. That's where he'll be. so The reason why the championship squads can like secure the level of talent they get is that all almost all of them have like a 40 pay rise.
Speaker: So if they get into the prim. They get a plus 40 % and their it's all guaranteed. Mhm. He could have had that. Yeah, Hull City has been acquiring a lot of MLS players.
Speaker: Middlesbrough. has been acquiring a lot of MLS players. Birmingham could use a goalie. Hm? I mean... Wish the dude...
Speaker: wish to do the best from here like let's start a new the the era's over Like... Get. Hopefully he can get a solid spot somewhere. Until he's gone and admits it was a mistake.
Speaker: I don't need it Give him anything. He'll never admit that publicly. I think he will. a lot of players have that would That would be a classy move on his part. It's just like, hey, I made the wrong move.
Speaker: Okay. Cool. Good for you, bro. Okay, we should probably talk about... No, I want to talk about Joaquin Pereira. Because he's been on a tear. lately.
Speaker: um ah Two goals in the Adelante. Match. Which is... I guess we should mention was the only match that we won. We won that pretty handedly, but I don't think Atlante is...
Speaker: That great of a side? They were still on the hunt for that last spot. If they had beat us... It would have been a matter of gold if.
Speaker: Definitely... We always like a win. um For sure. That first half was bleak, though. Yeah. And I hope the vibes were very down. at halftime.
Speaker: And then they picked it up. Yeah. Then they picked it up, and Joaquin Pineda decided... decided Hey. I'm just going to make this happen myself. I'm going to assist the Gonzalez goal, and then I'm going to score two. mar is a Shout out Marcus Caldera as well for making both of those goals happen.
Speaker: um And, uh... Yeah. Joaquin Potato. Keep them on the squad. is is my takeaway from that. Um... I really hope to see that performance carry in into the rest of the season. Like, I hope that's a sign that this dude is locked in.
Speaker: um And he's like, hopefully we can get him. to play further up the pitch consistently, which means we need competent distribution from the midfield. Um... Which I guess is and another thing we can talk about. Julian Gressel.
Speaker: started. and another line take in. Uh, what did, uh, Gortzel throw out to you? What did, what did you think of Gressel in, uh... in that Atlante match. did you Did you like his play? Do you think it was serviceable? Do you think he should see the field? uh more You know, I like. you know what i saw from russell but at the same time We're really missing Triantis. I mean, Triantis has just been, I think, you know... of...
Speaker: fair phenomenal ah pick up the the partnership that you know he has with... Owen Jen is... If we can get, you know...
Speaker: Though I mean I would assume I think there were i think there were you know there's always suitors coming out for i think uh coming out for Triantis and if we can, you know.
Speaker: You know keep a hold of them until you know we get um you know somebody to on his level to to replace, but... No, I mean, I like, uh... You know, Grasso is still, you know...
Speaker: He knows how to find a a final ball and especially. No, I mean, I know you know Pereira has been taking a lot of set pieces but um you know I remember you know for Very, you know.
Speaker: at Atlanta.
Speaker: you know. Uh... how many, you know, how he played great for Atlanta. Um. Is he going to come back after this year? I don't know.
Speaker: i feel I feel like, I feel like. I feel like we'll let him go at the end of the season is is my... Honest opinion. Andrew, what did you think about...
Speaker: Grussell. I felt it was putting him in the window shop. for an interleague transfer that just hasn't come through. Seattle desperately could have used him. I am shocked to see Al Azanvin sniffing around just to get him from the midfield.
Speaker: I think he'd be a great midfielder for them. I thought the ball progression looked significantly better with him in the lineup. um I think he has significantly less to offer defensively, though.
Speaker: Um. So... Like, if you want defensive stability in your midfield, you definitely want Triantis back and you want Zhen in there as well. Because Zhen just...
Speaker: He is very, very good at getting the ball out of a sticky situation. And he finds... Passes. That. are frankly impressive. um I just think he needs... to be a bit more comfortable.
Speaker: like he's still gaining confidence he's still you know Getting his footing, he's still a very young player, but I think he's very good. And with Triantis, I think they...
Speaker: have the best interplay with each other i think jen plays pretty well with trap too but We do need a midfielder that can distribute the ball. And...
Speaker: Break lines with their passing. Because it's one of the only ways we're going to unlock the attack is if we get someone in midfield that can distribute the ball to both wings consistently. So Pineda can get higher up the pitch. and Chonkai can get further up the pitch because Chonkai has shown. that if he's in space,
Speaker: He's got a good shot. He can score some goals. And obviously, Pineda... Probably has the best playmaking ability in the final third of anybody on the squad. Like he's ridiculously good.
Speaker: if he has the ball in an advantageous position so I liked... The offensive upside we saw with Gressel. Um, but I don't think he offers much defensively. I think we looked worse.
Speaker: defensively. Um... Alright. That's all I want to talk about Lee's Cup. I said I didn't want to talk about Lee's Cup, and then we talked about it for a half hour. So...
Speaker: that's just that's just podcasting for you let's talk about this ah rsl match um we're actually making great time wow what perfect hosting on my part without even a rundown Let's go. RSL match. um Yeah, that was surely a match.
Speaker: That happened. Um... Yeah. Andrew. Do you have any takeaways from this performance? Away. In ah RSL.
Speaker: um What did you think? God, they're gonna miss Gozo oh It's so bad. You said it. it goes ah like Them losing Gozo is equal to us losing Tani.
Speaker: like They might even miss playoffs. I can't forget this they still have Luna but He can't do it by himself. yeah Luna and Goza was like the engine that could.
Speaker: Like Luna is like. Very obviously the best player on the pitch, and it's not even close. And he needs help like they need. They need... other players in. Sorry Andrew.
Speaker: God bless his loyalty. to that cloud. They have not earned it. Yeah. He should get a transfer anywhere. after this season. I think he deserves one. like if if teams are coming and calling like he needs to just move on because It's also it's just unfortunate, like MLS's place in the market. Right now, like...
Speaker: We're seeing the trend go up and up that the transfers out are getting higher and younger. Um... So... You get... a young talented guy like Gozo or you get, I can't remember the defender that the Rapids just sold. Oh, like Farrington? Farrington, yeah. Yeah.
Speaker: You get... It's really great that these teams are signing these young guys, but then... The premier league comes a knocking and they're going to shove the $20 million dollars in your face. And of course you're going to take it. Because that's big money.
Speaker: But the the championship is the real killer of rosters now. because they Oh, you're telling me you have an English speaker on your team? That is tough that plays with pace from college.
Speaker: yeah he'll plug right into a championship league squad i mean it's the perfect profile for sure you make a great point like that is the exact profile for a fucking championship slog Like...
Speaker: absolutely the worst team on an MLS squad knows how to run the worst player on an MLS squad knows how to run And how to suffer at the end of the game Because that's what you did in college.
Speaker: That's what you did to scrap some way into the league. And that's exactly what they want. Gortz, what were you gonna say? Oh, uh... Damn I forgot
Speaker: Dang. Sorry about that. Yeah. Yeah. this this ah rsl match um Was a whole lot of nothing for a while. Up until...
Speaker: I thought... The first half was just... It was good. Like we looked solid and ah RSL did not look threatening at all. I thought we looked organized, but again, like the attack is just so nothing. When the defense is playing well and organized and...
Speaker: Like. It seems like everybody's focused. The attack just does not get going. So we see after the first half. Cameron Knowles makes a tactical substitution, takes Duncan off, and then Bungie comes on. And then I... think we become far more vulnerable ah on defense. And our transition defending has not been stellar all year.
Speaker: I know why he makes that substitution because we did need spark in the attack, but honestly, the attack didn't get sparked until RSL scored. that goal. And then things got going. And even then.
Speaker: Again, it took Marcus Caldera. To get subbed into the fucking match. To make something happen. um And a Drake long ball. Let's not forget that. That's true. Drake threw put the ball right on the dot my right on his head.
Speaker: and caldera knows where to put the ball and joaquin's just like i'm gonna run because he's gonna put the ball there Yeah, he't he's scrappy enough from the college days that, yeah, I'm just going to go up and get that ball.
Speaker: He just wins balls. Like he's just like, I need to win this. So I'm going to win it. Like. He just knows how to position himself. in that way. Um...
Speaker: like y 'all to be honest there's not like a whole lot else to unpack from this game like it was a whole lot of nothing And then. Bongi came on the pitch. And I really wanted more from that.
Speaker: But honestly, it wasn't Bongi's fault. It was like... like When we switch to the back four and kind of committing to that back four. Our transition, like it opened up that long ball. that switch long ball to their left winger.
Speaker: And then they just push it up the field and cause chaos. And that's how the goal came about. And then... that's when the team kicks it in high gear and it takes... you know. some last -minute subs to to to make it happen. So.
Speaker: I don't know. Maybe we should shift the conversation to like.
Speaker: the future like we should shift the conversation to The match is happening to you tomorrow, maybe. Like, what what what do we think? is gonna happen we have az jackson AZ Jackson.
Speaker: um is cleared to play tomorrow according to reporting from I think it was Greeter. reported it. Um. So Gortz, I'll throw it to you. um do you have any predictions for tomorrow it's the 10th anniversary celebration oh we need We'll talk about that later. There's...
Speaker: there's stuff i remember we need to talk about but tomorrow of course what are your what are yours I mean, I think, you know... it'll be i think it'll be a good game i'm i'm hoping for a win because you know and Atlanta are definitely under, you know, they're in the in the rebuilding.
Speaker: Uh... Faye is, you know. Uh, The... second tenure of Martino has has not gotten off. to the Bash star.
Speaker: um you look at you know they want to add you know uh a DP striker, and they've you know they've gone after... you know, several big names. I think, you know, like yesterday or something. I think, yeah, I know within the last few days, I think.
Speaker: They had made an offer to, you know, Briel and Bolo. And then he ended up. turning them down the i think I think he's in talks with Ipswich. Um,
Speaker: No, I i'm I'm really hoping. hoping for a win. Um, Again, you know, get kind of. Start. you know.
Speaker: the second half with a good, a good comprehensive win. Andrew. you have any thoughts Any predictions for the match tomorrow? ah It's a dangerous game.
Speaker: I never underestimate an MLS team on the road. But... especially in an emotional game. Like this. I think we should win I think the message to everybody is like, we've got to win this.
Speaker: Um, saying, Wonderwall at the 10th anniversary is just and to pay them back for the first time. This is the first time Atlanta's been at Allianz? Which is a shocker. The last.
Speaker: time Atlanta's been away in Minnesota was this is an opener way back So there's a lot of history. there's some There's some players I really like.
Speaker: I liked on Atlanta that just haven't turned out. So it should be very interesting. Um... I expect us not to score on set pieces again.
Speaker: Um... They're unhappy about that. Uh... halftime when they bring out Everybody. I don't know what's going to happen when Heath shows up. Yeah. Oh yeah, that's an interesting point.
Speaker: That's gonna be good. There's a lot of mixed opinions on Heath. I think he'll get cheers.
Speaker: He led the club into the like transition and was like... You had the open cup run and like there are moments like he deserves cheers. I think like you got to. You gotta out -plot him.
Speaker: Like that would be pretty poor taste. Yeah, no wooden spoons. The guy is, uh... I think especially the way you look at how he came in.
Speaker: Because and there's a... ah a podcast with So... that Heath did and it was... A majority of it was about his his playing career at Everton.
Speaker: But it went on to... um You know, talk about his, you know, managerial career and touched on Minnesota and basically. when Uh...
Speaker: when they When they hired him, it was like... you know, three. three four months before like you know before a preseason and he comes in and he gets the job and he's like Okay, so what does our roster look like?
Speaker: And they're like. We have four players signed. So in like a space of like two, three months. Basically, he's had to...
Speaker: get a roster, had to Get a... Get a... roster together and front office together. I think he also had, like, another one.
Speaker: where I think about the the the snow ponder how He got to the... like he still he was amazed that the game was actually able to be the game was to be played with how much snow there was.
Speaker: And he said it was also kind of funny, just the fact. that Um... minute you know that the minnesota that game. you know. Minnesota had a lot of Scandinavians who are you know used to kind of playing you know in the snow.
Speaker: And Atlanta had a bunch of South america south Americans. And the South Americans just schooled us. Um... But yeah, no, I mean, I'm i'm really hoping he's...
Speaker: He thought. Gets cheered. I hope so. I think so too. Cause like, obviously like. The end of his tenure, it was more just like a fizzling out. It was just like everybody kind of knew it was just time for something different. like It happens.
Speaker: to ever to to any club. It's just like, it's not necessarily... that that it was a poor performance is that it was a lot of the same and we need a bigger boost than just another mediocre season.
Speaker: Um... Yeah. I'm... I think we'll win. I haven't said that a lot this season of predicting next match matches. Like I've been.
Speaker: Um... you know there's a poll that's that gets sent out in the discord every every every week of like what do you think is going to happen in the match and i'm finding myself clicking the draw or the loss a lot.
Speaker: Lately. I think there's so much juice in this game that like you have you have to win. You have to win this match. And it it atna it's Atlanta. Atlanta. Like you. You gotta find a way.
Speaker: To get this win. Even if it's the scrappiest. 1 -0. you've ever played in your life. Like, and... All of the back lines on a yellow.
Speaker: And like. just scrap it out, just get the win. Um... Yeah. I really... I really hope... ah I hope... ah Mawadu Djang gets his first goal.
Speaker: That would be... That would be pretty epic if you did it on the 10th anniversary. It was just like, this is the next generation striker. That could be starting for the club. That'd be some. some good vibes there.
Speaker: Um... I hope we see Caldera. get at least 30 minutes. in this game. um If he starts. Andrew. I'm... I will be very happy.
Speaker: If he does. I don't think he will. I think it'll be... I'm doing shit. Dajang. And then. Potato. up top. Um... But...
Speaker: Yeah. Yeah. I think it'll be, I think it'll be good. It'll be good I'm looking forward to watching it um Let's see here. There was a...
Speaker: I did not read the story, but. I did read. the tweets and the reactions to it. Greedo did a little bit of reporting. On.
Speaker: the courts knows what i'm gonna talk about i know i know what you're talking about yeah Did a little reporting on um not everybody RSVP'd to the loons. a 10 -year anniversary And... I think you mentioned that Eric Ramsey. said no.
Speaker: um and cited some... maybe differences. That occurred. And let me tell you this. Let's just say this. i don't know if y 'all remember me saying but i've said this in discord i know this that i'm just like Y 'all.
Speaker: There's something more that happened. There was something more... Like, they're... He left so abruptly and so late into preseason.
Speaker: And into the situation he came here to avoid. Exactly. It did not feel like an... Some other people were just like, nah, you know you gotta take you gotta take the opportunity. I'm just like, no, you don't.
Speaker: You have a starting job in a league where everybody admires you. You're the next up and coming coach. You have a comfy job. You got players to buy into it. Frankly.
Speaker: Like... A boring system? Of just like. like sit and counter but it got results you got buying until the very end of the season when it was clear it was not gonna work out because you sold your best fucking striker that worked in that system You got players to buy in. Everybody respects your ball knowledge. You got another season to hopefully.
Speaker: Evolve the play style. And then... Apparently... There's disagreements. With. With Khalid or whoever, we don't know what... We don't have any details of what the... the philosophical disagreement was or they disagreed on targets or whatever. Or maybe he was frustrated that the ownership doesn't spend money.
Speaker: that's also a possibility. But... I still think it doesn't make any fucking sense for your career to take a job in the championship.
Speaker: When it is absolutely cutthroat for managers and he himself mentioned in interviews, he's getting these big interviews and these big like. in the athletic and like other big publications. And he's the. Next. big up and coming English coach. And then he jumped ship in the middle of preseason to join West Brom in the middle of their season.
Speaker: How does that make any logical sense at all? based on what he was talking about. Andrew, dude do you agree with this? like What is your perspective on this whole situation?
Speaker: I think there's a lot of things that could have happened. keep in mind our front office a lot of people want to blame our front office right now our front office works Very weird at the moment. We don't hire... conventional scouts.
Speaker: and Minnesota United. We went from having no analytical department. Before Heath. Left. to only having a political department now that Heath is gone.
Speaker: So I can't imagine the absolute frustrating nature of trying to talk to the front office of them saying no i have no idea who these players are no i'm not going to go look at them Whenever I want a player, I'm just going to plug into this the service we have. and plug in exactly what i want it'll pop out a couple players for me Um...
Speaker: Selling Tani. I could see him really not being happy about that. Um... A low -balling Ludd. I can see him really not being happy about that.
Speaker: Uh, uh, Dane. yeah He probably got advanced. Dane leaving? Probably got real frustrated about that. you're I'm gonna have to like have my third year. It's gonna be a brand new goalie. Well, where am I gonna get one?
Speaker: I don't know if if Drake was signed by then, but... it was if There's a lot of changeover. I don't think it was And I didn't think he thought that there was going to be like a big purchase coming from the tiny money.
Speaker: and that just never came through
Speaker: I think there's a lot there that's possible. I don't understand the championship. I still think you ride it out. Yeah, but even if you're like waiting until summer. Wait until summer. Yeah. You can't wait. summer ah Season.
Speaker: Yeah. Or winter. You're getting paid? there's also other factors at play here we were in the and in the middle of a siege on our on our fucking city as well. Yeah, that could have been like the final straw of like, i think that was that we can't sign the player you want. because he doesn't want to come here in the middle of this. I think if the federal government wasn't...
Speaker: ah Terrorizing us? uh he he might have stayed and wrote it out but he was just like i i'm getting my fucking family out of here like i have an opportunity to leave i'm gonna leave like The story of KEA?
Speaker: Like having a note. on standby for his kids in case he didn't come home Yeah. My God, that's heartbreaking. Yeah.
Speaker: Yeah, there's some very real shit happening. i'm I'm still of the of the opinion like... Add. I don't know it. I can't tell anybody what decision that they should make with their career, but I still, it was weird. I was just, it was blindsiding. I was just like, really? He left.
Speaker: Like... He's going to the championship? to West Brom in the middle of the season. Like... It is what it is. It happened. And also, why would... ah Why would he come to the... The...
Speaker: the 10th anniversary celebration. Bye. I think reader said it was... something like logistically I think Ramsey said that he might have.
Speaker: He might would have come it was just basically logistic logistically as far as flights and stuff. Sure. But that's... I don't buy the problem. MSP is like one of the top hubs in America.
Speaker: He's not working right now, as far as I know. What are we talking about? He just didn't want to, and that's fine. Like, Art Yaga could have made it. He's not doing anything huge had a hop on a plane Back emission through degrees.
Speaker: Why do I still miss Arriaga? He wasn't even that good of a player, but I still miss him. He had the passion. Because as soon as he left, he got up on his soapbox and had the courage to speak out about him and his fellow players that weren't being paid by the club.
Speaker: Hmm. And does he just stood up for that. You can't. You can't be more proud of a player after doing that. Yeah. Absolutely.
Speaker: Um... yeah so we have that going into the 10th anniversary match um Yeah, I'm going to take this opportunity for it being the 10th anniversary to brush up on some Loons history because you told me some Loons history that I wasn't aware of.
Speaker: um So maybe I'll try to, I'll seek out that Adrian Heath. podcast all hopefully ah I will send it to you. ah Yeah, please do. um Yeah.
Speaker: Anything else we want to talk about? Let me review Daya's notes here. Uh... Um...
Speaker: I think transfer window? yeah Yeah. Let's talk transfer window. Are we going to get anything? probably Are we going to sign players? i don't fit I seriously think we aren't going to sign anybody. the track Okay.
Speaker: I'm tired and I really don't like being the guy that does devil's advocate, but there's something in me that constantly does it. But, like... If you sign a player, you have to replace a player. and the pi players that you'd replace are either young or on dp money We have zero flexibility in our roster right now. yeah That's a great point.
Speaker: You could buy down JP's contract and sign a d DP, but... Then it's like, what? What one position are you going to blow on? If anything, we're going to re -sign JP to a DP deal.
Speaker: Yeah. divings that's like oh We did that. last we did that a year ago oh yeah we extended him Because he had that, like...
Speaker: seven or $8 million dollar offer from Turkey that we turned down. and then it was like a little while later just it was like out of the blue oh Pereira got a...
Speaker: new bumper deal
Speaker: Which is great now. Which is great. it it It only ages better. the the longer we go it only ages better because he's like one of the only pieces that is like guaranteed lock you need to like keep him on the roster like an argentinian attacking him midfield is always worth the money. you know Also, Tranquil Eye.
Speaker: Also aging very well. as a signing also we got him for next to nothing Um. But he's... He's scoring, and he looks threatening in the attack, which is what we need. He's legitimate DP.
Speaker: Huh? He's a legitimate designated player. No, he's, I mean, he's a tam TAM level sign. He's a TAM. No, we bought his DP contract from ah New England.
Speaker: They're offloading it. No, he signed a new... contract with us that yeah he's not a dp for us oh no he's not he's uh he's a tam contract.
Speaker: yes so we we have them on a good price and we paid next to nothing for a transfer fee for them what like 200k and damn or something like that like well no i think it was like a thousand or no 10 Ten hundred.
Speaker: 100. 100k. Yeah, 100K. That's even better. Again, just ages better every, every. Every single day. A Markanavich -level signing. Yeah, i like...
Speaker: We have zero flexibility. We're not going to sell anybody this window. I think the only player we could sell is Triantis, and I think we want him on the roster. So, are we going on the impression that Fitz, I think Fitz is going to win? Fitz is gone. Yeah, I think he'll go back to Austria.
Speaker: Fitz is gone. gone. Uh... that that yeah we have to move those pieces if we want to sign an attacking mid so fitz has to go And Gressel.
Speaker: Did you say Simon attacking mid? But where are we going to find ah an attacking midfielder that scores goals and assists? You know. a guy that was like maybe like the golden boot. of the U -23 AFCON.
Speaker: I don't know where we would find a player like that I don't know. It was crazy. I don't know I think we might. Maybe we shouldn't get bought. and If it doesn't get bought by, what's the team? Elf? Elfsberg?
Speaker: Elfsberg? Yeah, Elfsberg. um if he doesn't get bought i think he comes back and yeah he's on a first team contract right we only have to wait 104 days until that day comes no he's on a second team contract second team well then sign him to a first team contract if he doesn't get bought and just See how that fucking works out, because we don't have many other options, do we?
Speaker: Um... so Yeah. Transfer window equals... Yep. That's what it's gonna be. It's gonna be zilch.
Speaker: and We're also waiting on new roster rules and CBA. Those are other things too. Like... theoretically. we don't know what the roster rules are going to be and we don't know if the cba is like wit We're waiting on that too.
Speaker: so there's rumors that they're going to turn cam into hard cash I think they will have the player teams by itself being account Yeah, I mean, there's... ah there's A mark – they They did the cashfors and... People are... ah are you teams are utilizing those just yeah just open up the cash market Last year was insane for cashfors.
Speaker: So many teams got bailed out of ballot contracts by League MX squads. Or you can be like Nashville and get the luckiest thing to happen, which is San Jose being so incompetent that they didn't file the correct paperwork for. the best wing like one of the best wingers in the league and then they just go We'll take him, and now they have the best attack in the league.
Speaker: um That still to me is still like the most insane thing. It's crazy. how How do you be like, hey. Um, yeah, um...
Speaker: You made a mistake. we should have picked up your contract we didn't now you're a free agent now you're a free agent and he said Fuck you. I'm going to Nashville and I'm probably going to win an MLS Cup.
Speaker: And probably going to win the Open Cup. Like... Ah. Anyway. I think that's about all. we Does anybody else have anything to say before we leave? We're approaching an hour. I'll give you a tight thought.
Speaker: ah Two extra target ads for the transfer window. We could come out of nowhere. Okay. Give give us some names that we won't sign. Milton Jimenez He's a leading striker for Boca Juniors.
Speaker: They're having a really off season and his transfer market value is 350. Three mil through 500 thou uh, is everything and That would be a splurge for our ownership. Yeah, but he is everything you want in a lead the line striker. we We do need a starting number nine.
Speaker: And my other guy would be the most target forward. though outside of England as the world has ever seen in use of Polson. he's twenty He's 32.
Speaker: Six foot four. and just hammers things home. 32. I mean... He'd be a basketball player if he was an American. Yeah.
Speaker: I thought you were going to say... I thought you were going to say, what's his name that used to play for DC United? Um... Exactly. Like a target forward rips. mls defenses apart just absolutely annihilates and wins wins like it's just gonna score like 10 corner like goals off corner kicks Like...
Speaker: we could use that we need set piece goals we need people to put set pieces in the back of the net It's true. any Anything else you got for us? Any other names? Ezekiel Zebulos.
Speaker: He's setting it. he's He's aging now. He doesn't have any more European interest. so you'll probably be gone for a good so like amount of money He's an atypical, like...
Speaker: Argentinian winger. Hmm. playful, not the fastest person, but... puts in a good cross, does unpredictable things. He'll just...
Speaker: Dribble. over the feet the biggest impact would be attacking mid and starting nine Yeah. In this squad. Like you you need a you need a number 10 and you need a number 9 If you really want to make an impact.
Speaker: on the attack and we don't have the roster flexibility or. The... roster spend to do that. So. unfortunate Alrighty.
Speaker: Well... Another episode of Loon Calling in the book. books thank you so much andrew for being here it was great to have you on the show again thank you for having me Yeah. anytime anytime you can be on the show please be on the show um yeah so we will be back next Tuesday.
Speaker: um for your listening pleasure um and we will break down two matches the A game against Atlanta and the match against San Jose. That is happening on Saturday. That Gortz will be attending in person. So we'll be reporting.
Speaker: Live. On the ground. From PayPal Park. with is that what it's called paypal yeah he's just gonna go back to the state he wanted the tuesday yeah fly back and you do you do the show from the press box that would be iconic he's gonna say how did you get it how'd you get in there I see the janitors sweeping up behind you. What's going on? It's the Raquinia rule. If you can get in, you can get in.
Speaker: Absolutely. Okay. We will catch y 'all then. Bye -bye.
Speaker: Yeah.
