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The Interviews from the Sounders Marbella preseason - a sit-down with Cristian and Alex Roldan
1.3k Plays4 days ago
(This is the second of three interviews that were done while Jeremiah and Noah Riffe of Lobbing Scorchers were visiting the Sounders preseason in Marbella, Spain.) Jeremiah got the chance to sit down and talk to Cristian and Alex Roldan. We also learn what Jeremiah’s poker tendencies are.
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Transcript
Introduction to Will Bruin and Sounder at Heart Podcast
00:00:01
Speaker
Hi, I'm Will Bruin, and I was just recognized as a Seattle Sounders legend. Now I get to do voice reads for the Sounder at Heart Podcast Network. Here we go.
00:00:11
Speaker
Come on. Hey, O'Shaan. Let's
Celebrating Seattle Sounders' MLS Cup Victory
00:00:15
Speaker
go. The Seattle Sounders have done it. MLS Cup winners. Here comes Ruiz Diaz through the middle to crown it for Seattle.
00:00:25
Speaker
The Sounders rule the region.
00:00:58
Speaker
what was the thought process in terms of who you decided to use and who you didn't? Ever since I wrote a commentary that we didn't take the outcome seriously.
Sponsorship by Full Pull Wines
00:01:18
Speaker
This episode of Nos Arietes is sponsored by Full Pull Wines, a Seattle-based wine retailer and proud sponsor of Nos Arietes since 2011. Full Pull was founded in 2009, is based in Seattle, and is owned and operated by longtime Sounder supporters.
00:01:32
Speaker
They offer the best boutique wines of the world to members of their mailing list, with special focus on their home, Pacific Northwest.
Inside Look: Sounders' Poker Games and Team Dynamics
00:01:50
Speaker
All right. So you guys were, ah I understand you guys were playing poker before this. yeah who who's who's the Who's the top poker player on the team? ah In different ways, I think. um different Different styles of playing for sure. i So I play really tight. So I'm... ah You fold a lot of hands? I fold a lot of hands. Okay. um Usually when I bet, ah I have it. And so i've been I've been using my image quite a lot here. Okay. Yeah.
00:02:20
Speaker
So I was a big winner last year. um But this year i've I've started off a little slow. I would say I'm a combination of um two. I play tight sometimes, but I also feel like i ah I bluff at times where it kind of throws people off. But would say and right in the middle for me. And then best poker player. I mean, we can't say who that is because then it'll get to their head.
00:02:44
Speaker
so that So who are the normal poker players? Let's get there. It's me, Christian, Jackson, Albert, Jordan, ah Danny, and Kalani.
00:02:55
Speaker
and Okay. And Yamar. Okay, so I'm going to guess. Danny, he's from Vegas, right? He's got to have a decent foundation of playing. Something tells me Yamar is also a good player.
00:03:06
Speaker
yeah Danny probably plays the most, i would say. Okay. and He plays outside of our friend group. Okay. Okay. Yeah, Mar. He also knows how to play. I mean, when we first started, I would say half of us didn't know how to play.
00:03:17
Speaker
And we kind of learned throughout the year. But Danny Jackson and Ymar were the ones who came in knowing and Albert. OK, I was guessing Albert was probably it because I think the reason I say Ymar Shout out Nico Moreno. He is friends. he He knows Yamar pretty well. And I understand that he is not a he is not out there throwing money around. He's not like Yamar is not about playing games to lose. Yeah, exactly. I mean, he's like that, but he there's oftentimes, you know, you can get tilted and OK. And and he becomes it a bit of a chaser, um you know, own kind of chasing flushes and straight. Okay. Oh, yeah. I can vibe with that. I am addicted to playing hands. I just cannot fool. Like if I have a decent starting hand, ah i am very bad about like I will throw away a lot of aunties. Yeah.
00:04:04
Speaker
Yeah. But what I will say about. our friend group and the way we play, it's not a traditional poker game. Okay. People will start to have vendettas against someone and they will call anything just to stick it to them and get lucky on the river. Okay.
00:04:22
Speaker
It can happen where sometimes that happens and it's just an untraditional poker game. So umm here I'm guessing you're mostly playing hold them then Texas. hold yeah yeah Yeah. Okay. yeah That's kind of the easy one to be, yeah have a group with. Yeah, for sure. oh for sure.
00:04:35
Speaker
I played a game not to get too. I played with my dad one time and his buddies was dealers call. Every single game was a different game.
00:04:46
Speaker
So in a round, is we would play for a couple hours. we probably played 12 different styles of game, play high, low, I was out of my depth. Yeah. Like completely, i have no idea what we're doing here. Yeah.
00:04:59
Speaker
Yeah. I think for us, uh, because we've played the same game for so long, people start changing their strategies and having the vendettas, like Alex said, and all of a sudden you'll lose to someone that has Jack too. And you're like, why the heck are you in that hand? And so it's, it's, it's tricky. Our, our game, uh, the, the highs are high. The lows are low for sure.
00:05:22
Speaker
All
Training Challenges in Marbella
00:05:23
Speaker
right. Well, I guess we mean this is a good intro. I'm Jeremiah Shan. I'm here with Christian Roldan and Alex Roldan. We're here in Marbella. Beautiful weather here we're having. you guys have had this has been following you from Portugal, right? From Seattle, I guess, technically. Well, insane because when we left Seattle, it was the clearest of skies. Oh.
00:05:42
Speaker
For the first two weeks, I think here, 10 days or so, there was zero rain in Seattle. And so ah frustrating to leave Seattle when it's really nice like that. Yes. um But in the end, right, we're here with our team, um getting pampered and and trying to work on some some little some tactics that that we've we've ah we've been watching and and trying to learn.
00:06:08
Speaker
So was today the first day that was bad enough that you guys couldn't actually get outside? There might have been one other day, but um yeah, for the most part, it's been manageable and in terms of training. But yeah, today the fields were unplayable. So um it was one of those decisions that was just better to keep us hit inside here.
00:06:27
Speaker
Especially with games tomorrow. Yeah. yeah Two games tomorrow, which I guess they're having to find alternate venues because you it's the weather is bad enough. Give people an idea. Weather is bad enough that they're not letting you guys play on the fields because they're not built basically to withstand this kind of weather.
00:06:44
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, that's part of preseason is part of, you know, our coordinator's job. That's why he gets paid the big bucks. He'd probably argue with me about that. But, um you know, things happen like, ah you know, you you have to adjust real quick, um you know, and and that's footy for you, right? Like things things can change so fast. And um now we might play on an alternate field and, you know, it might be turf. it's just It's just going to be different for us.
00:07:12
Speaker
Yeah. So he does that do you still find that there's a benefit to you know, you're not out here enjoying the weather necessarily, you're not getting as much rest and relaxation.
Building Team Culture with Christian Roldan
00:07:23
Speaker
But is it there's still something to be said about spending 18 days with your teammates? Or is it start to get like maybe too much? You know, I find it, uh, I see both sides to it. Um, you know, I think preseason is ultimately the time where you can really hone in on building a culture, getting to know your teammates. Um, you know, I think a lot of people overlook what it is to build a culture and, how that impacts your season. Um, I think last year was a great example. I mean, um,
00:07:57
Speaker
from the start of the year to the end of the year, our, our group was really tight. Um, you know, we, we really focused in on that and I think it really helped us, um, in some of those tournaments and then, um, you know, especially the style of which we play, uh, every, every guy stepped in and played their part. And so I think that's, that's important, but at the same time, yeah, you know, being away from your families and be with the same people for 18 days can ultimately,
00:08:21
Speaker
come to ah come to a a part where you're like, okay, I kind of need to see my my loved ones, but we're towards the end. And so ah just going to close this out. Hopefully we play this game tomorrow and have a good game and then and then head home and keep working on our our games.
00:08:36
Speaker
yeah You know, so you you mentioned the dynamic in this team and there's a lot of continuity, not just from year to year, from last year to this year, but like building on each other.
00:08:47
Speaker
You've got guys who have years and years of. of you know, you mentioned ah the the poker game where you have sort of like vendettas almost against one another.
00:08:57
Speaker
and I'm curious, how how does that end up helping and or how does that shape the dynamic in the team when you have all these players who are that that know each other on different levels and and both good and bad? and And I guess as two guys who have even more history together, how do you how do you play into that?
00:09:19
Speaker
I think for me, it's getting the the the new guys up to speed fast, right? um Making sure that we get to know them quicker, right? for it's They can often feel left out. Sure. It's because, you know, I have a good relationship with Alex or Jordan and you and he sees us joking around the way we joke around with these guys.
00:09:39
Speaker
um So we've been working on on things to build our culture. We have Len Hart here ah helping us um you know tell stories and get to know our teammates a lot better. um But ultimately just getting the the new guys up to speed.
00:09:56
Speaker
And then forming chemistry on the field, right? Like I have, I have really good connection with Jordan and long balls. um But now can I, can I still form that with Paul Riola, who seems like a new player because he's, he was out all year, right? Those are the things that I think that we, we need to establish, right? Chemistry on and off the field, um being open with each other, trying to get to know, know one another.
00:10:20
Speaker
And, you know, you guys, do you ever, don't know, we're now, what, seven years into you being teammates. Is there ever a moment where you look back on it and go, this is not this is not normal? Like, we ah to have as many games together as brothers that you have. You've played each other in ah competitive international match even.
00:10:41
Speaker
ah Is there sort of pinch yourself moments where you're like, This is like, this is the stuff that we talked about as kids and it's really coming
Roldan Brothers: Family and Career Highlights
00:10:51
Speaker
true.
00:10:51
Speaker
Yeah. I mean, I think for me at least, um, ah people's careers go by so fast, you know, and before you know it, you're towards the end of it. right And so there are, there have been moments in my career where I've taken a second to really feel the moment and, and and really understand what we are living currently.
00:11:15
Speaker
Leagues Cup, for example, we, we won, we won the final and we're getting interviewed and he's holding his daughter and I'm holding my son. And so it's just, For me, that was a small moment in which I kind of took a break and just really felt it.
00:11:32
Speaker
um And so there's moments like that throughout the throughout my career, but it's it's just incredible to see you know, us both grow um both as players and as individuals, um as family members, husbands, fathers. And so, um yeah, it's it's a special feeling. And just to have our parents always come up and and get to see that as well is is is ah a unique feeling. And so um I definitely myself at least take take a time or two within the season to to really appreciate it.
00:12:02
Speaker
I think for me, honestly, my my pinch moment, right. Um, was when I gave the ball to him for the penalty at least cup. Like I'm like, Holy crap. Like I'm, I'm literally giving the ball to my younger brother to seal the game. And I, and and I believe that he's going to do it.
00:12:22
Speaker
And I've seen, you know, all the sacrifices this guy has made. you know, all the battles in the backyard, like that just came to my mind when I'm step when i'm stepping over the PK spot, getting trash talked, and then just about to give the ball to Alex. So like, that was a ah ah moment where I just like pinched myself like this is the best, like being able to share the field with my brother and and and win this trophy.
00:12:46
Speaker
Yeah, you know, um um one some of those other things that make this story, I think, so interesting is, you know, and and at this point, we've kind of glossed over it a little bit because you've established yourself as like a real firm player in the team. But in what was it? The 2019 after 2019, you you had been cut by the team.
Alex Roldan's Position Transition
00:13:06
Speaker
You decided to come back. And sort of make another run at it. What was sort of your i mean, you must have had ah there must have been competing ideas in your head about what to do. And and so sort of like take us back to to that offseason for you.
00:13:21
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, it was a tricky offseason because um I didn't want to leave. I was happy there, obviously. um a little bit ah disappointed with how my career had started. You know, it's a tough team to break into. Sure. I was playing midfield um all over the midfield, winger, center mid. And so, you know, to try to break into a team that was just so successful was was difficult in itself. And so I kind of understood that. Yeah.
00:13:49
Speaker
And in the offseason, or at least my talks with Garth, um you know, he he gave me the news and um he said, I'd like to invite you back to preseason.
00:14:01
Speaker
And so you have that option. And I and I kept that with me and checked to see if there were any options. And nothing really came to my doorstep in terms of at least a trial or or something with another team. And so.
00:14:12
Speaker
Decided to give another shot. But um when I came back, I figured, you know, I tried out. it I was there as a center mid or winger and, you know, it didn't really pan out. And so I don't really see what a trial at the same position would do for me. um And luckily, towards the end of 2019, I wasn't making the 18 man roster for games. And in training, they were using me as a right back because of numbers.
00:14:39
Speaker
And so had a few reps there, was a little uncomfortable still trying to learn it. And then um I figured I told them we at the time, Kelvin was coming back on his last year of contract and there was no backup right back. And I said, can I try out as right back? I was playing there all of last year.
00:15:01
Speaker
All of ah basically playoffs, I was training there. And so they were like, yeah, that's fine. um And then Jimmy Traore was a coach at the time, the assistant coach, and he really helped me focus in on on trying to learn the position. And I think he was a big help for that. And and um I give him a lot of credit. And so, yeah, fortunately, I was able to come back to the team at that position. And um since then, just kind of ran with it.
00:15:25
Speaker
And you sort of broke through at a very opportunistic time there, sort of down the stretch run very good in the playoffs and obviously helped the Sounders get to mlos Cup that year.
00:15:36
Speaker
i And it's been sort of a pretty steady trajectory since then. ah You guys both obviously were in in international World Cup qualifying together.
00:15:47
Speaker
ah you were both kind of you that. Another thing that kind of dovetailed nicely where you were kind of getting into the national team at the same time. Was that was there internal competition between you guys of.
00:15:58
Speaker
how you're doing on the international stage or is that more just pure happy to see what the other guy's doing? Yeah. For me, it was just pure happiness for him, pure happiness for myself. Um, just trying to, uh,
00:16:13
Speaker
make it right. Like for me, at least it was trying to, to, uh, push into the 26 men roster for the world cup. Alex was, you know, succeeding with El Salvador, um you know, doing so well for them. And then for me being so proud of him, uh, to be able to, to achieve something like that. I mean, it's hard, it's hard to go down there and, and you know, the, the three days, four days that you might get off with the Sounders, like you're busting your butt, like,
00:16:43
Speaker
you know, getting on a plane and and then, you know, not sleeping and then training and then playing in those conditions. Like it's not easy. And so for him to succeed in that, I mean, it's it's just kudos to to who he is as a person.
00:16:57
Speaker
And what was the experience of playing for El Salvador like? I mean, it's a country that you have an affinity for. I don't know how much you had spent, how much time you had spent there, but ah you were coming in as a little bit of an outsider, even though there were some other sort of players in your similar situation.
00:17:11
Speaker
mean, what was that whole experience like? Yeah, I mean, I loved it. I i thought some of my best... ah memories in my career will be and the, on the national team. I think playing in a national team game against international players in kind of different countries, um, are experiences that, you know, even 90% of pro athletes won't have. And so, yeah,
00:17:36
Speaker
ah The games were incredible. The atmospheres were incredible. um So for me, you know, although it was kind of cut short, I enjoyed so much about it. And, you know, the passion that that country um kind of fills their their stadium and, um you know, the the feeling that they give you is is an incredible feeling. And, um yeah, for me, it's all great memories that I think I'll get to look back one day and and be super grateful for.
Christian Roldan's National Team Aspirations
00:18:07
Speaker
And so, Christian, you obviously went to a World Cup already, but this experience seems pretty different from the the last one. How has this, you know, what how would you describe the differences in terms of the team dynamics and sort of the way that the buildup has been for this one?
00:18:24
Speaker
Yeah, interesting because ah I didn't think I'd be part of this buildup, right? um Been out for two years. um It came by pretty fast. And so I've i've had to get up to speed ah very quickly with the squad, with the coaching staff.
00:18:40
Speaker
understanding what role I might have, um, understanding their philosophies. Um, so, you know, I think with Greg, it was a little bit, uh, more steady in terms of, I was in January camp. I had been called into camps throughout the four years leading up to, ah the world cup. And now it's, it's all right. We're, we're in, we're in go time. right we're we're We're four or five months away from ah the roster being released. And so for me, just um enjoying that that part of it because you know I have nothing to lose at this point. you know
00:19:19
Speaker
Five months ago, i was i was' I wouldn't be in this position you know if I didn't get that call up in September. So I'm just taking it day by day and and understanding it um that it could be taken away and and not taking it for granted.
00:19:33
Speaker
You know one of the the big differences this year is you're playing a different position as well. You know, last year you were during the last cycle, you were more of a an attacking player this year. You're more of a defensive player.
00:19:44
Speaker
Alex, were you at all surprised to see his transition go as well as it's gone from sort of going from a ah more attacking player to a more defensive player? um No, because I think he when he was playing a right winger in front of me, um you know, I mean, I loved it because he was in front of me. He made my he made my job so easy and he probably was the reasoning why.
00:20:10
Speaker
I had success early on in in playing right back. But um no, naturally, naturally, I think his best characteristics as a player were defensively as a six and just kind of covering ah players. And, you know, he's always had that characteristic. And and so i don't see to me, it didn't catch me as a surprise on how successful it's been for him.
00:20:32
Speaker
um He's such a he's such a smart player, such a talented player um and and really has. extinguishing like really good factors that help a team not only on the field. I mean, he's such a great leader as well. He's, we all look up to him here in the Sounders. And um I know for a fact that the, the coaching staff and the national team is looking at him for that aspect as well. And so, um, he's, he's a player that you want to have on your squad because he'll make it whole in terms of bringing everyone in for, for the collective. And so, um,
00:21:03
Speaker
Last year we had success because he really he really took that in and and made it his priority to bring us together. And so I don't see how um that won't happen with the national team if he's if he's involved with them.
Sounder at Heart Podcast Subscriptions
00:21:16
Speaker
so Thank you for listening to the Sounder at Heart Podcast Network, which now includes No Sarietes, Lobbing Scorchers, and The Cooler Guild. Although this podcast is free, it's only made possible through our paid subscribers. Plans start as low as $30 a year and allow us to remain independent and mostly ad-free.
00:21:32
Speaker
subscribers get access to all our written and podcast content, including a full text RSS feed and a mostly ad free podcast feed that includes every show in one spot. If you really like what we're doing though, I'd encourage you to sign up at our higher tiers, which include all sorts of various perks. The most popular of those is our members only discord or the real Sounders sickos hang out. I know I've called this group, the smartest, funniest and best informed Sounders fans in the world, but it's more than the rough equivalent of a Sounders Mensa meeting. Discord is where we make things happen. Like, for real. You know the promotion the Sounders ran that offered fans the opportunity to trade in their messy jersey for a Paul Rothrock one? That originated in our community. You'll not only be the first to know about stuff, but you also have a semi-direct line to the movers and shakers at the Sounders organization. If you want to be one of the totally normal people who occupy the Sounder at Heart Discord, just become a supporter of Sounder at Heart. Anyway, thanks for listening, and go Durs.
00:22:31
Speaker
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00:23:33
Speaker
Were you, are you, i don't know. You, you've talked, i feel like this has happened a few times where you've talked about how you're finally in a position that you are going to stay in But we've also said that multiple times, multiple seasons. This, this feels different though, right? Yeah. it feels different. um You know, after ah best 11, I think that Schmetz is like, you know, finally buying in. We want to keep you there, you know, ah you know, we're, we're,
00:24:01
Speaker
chatting a little bit ah you know with Obed being gone and you know having different profiles in the midfield. And Hassani was um you know letting me be a little bit more free. And Schmitz is like, no, I want you to do that, Hassani. We're going to keep Christian in the sixth spot. It feels solidified. Okay. In that sense. um But again, i know I can do, you know, what Obed was doing in the eighth spot, right? um Getting up and down the field. And it's it's about being flexible um because things change so fast in soccer. And when you're with the national team, you're not going to complain when they're when they're telling you, hey, you had to you have to play as a six today or an eight today. Yeah. Are you guys prepared to start answering the the question or telling people I knew Obed when?
00:24:52
Speaker
i mean, yeah, I knew him when he was a kid, right? and I'm so happy for him. i mean, like he has known when he was a literal yeah child, like a child. Yeah. I mean, he his nickname to me, ah he would call me Unk.
00:25:06
Speaker
Yeah. as As much as I hate to say that and where I'm at in life, but I'll be his unk forever. And so, you know, we're we're proud of him. He's a talented player who had so much going for him. And, you know, it was inevitable where, when and where he was going to end up. And so we're happy for him.
00:25:23
Speaker
that ist I mean, it is sort of another sort of surreal storyline that here's this kid who you guys bring in from Alaska who dreamt of playing for Atletico Madrid. And he's playing for Atletico Madrid.
00:25:35
Speaker
When you guys are conveniently in Spain. Right. And he can take like a one hour plane ride to get there. Yeah. yeah I mean... Just in general, what a story, right? like we We played Atletico last year, right? yeah you know You see real tears in his eyes after the game meeting Griezmann, right?
00:25:57
Speaker
You couldn't have written a better script for Obed to to go to Europe. and you know It took a long time, um but in the end, I think that he'll say that it was absolutely worth it.
00:26:08
Speaker
What do you think he, if you had advice for him, what would you tell him? Like, is there like, you you've never necessarily been in those shoes, but you've been in, you've played with these types of players before. Yeah, I think for me, it's believing that you deserve to be there, right? Like treating those practices, those games, like you're the best player out there. um that's That was the way I treated Club World Cup. And I wish I had that mentality earlier, right? Like that I can compete against these guys that these guys aren't that much better than me. Like um if if that, right? I think if you have that winning mentality, if you have that confidence,
00:26:46
Speaker
um it'll show in your play because i he's capable of of so much. um and And I said it to Jordan um when it happened, like he's capable of of starting for that team at some point. Right.
00:26:59
Speaker
And but he has to believe that. And so that was that was my message to him when I saw him last. Yeah, I mean, for me, I would say um kind of along those lines ah to keep working as well.
00:27:13
Speaker
um You know, he he's so talented. He has all the tools to to to be successful, especially at that level. um and And the one thing that's going to really help him propel forward will be to learn learn from the people around them learn from those coaches um you know the fact that he was playing Champions League for us at 16 is an incredible thing to and that shows his type of character where he has that confidence and so I have no doubt that he will be confident in in competing against these guys it's just continuing to learn and and and getting better at those small things that really make a difference at that level
00:27:50
Speaker
What were those last few? I guess he was only here for a couple days, right? Or a few days. what Was there a sense when he got here that this might be the last time we like have him as a teammate?
00:28:02
Speaker
Well, Obed was really quiet about the whole situation. i know he didn't He didn't talk much about what was going on. i tried to get more out of him and he would just be you know really short with his answers. And so I kind of you know i kind of figured something was going on, but he I don't know if he wanted to like let it out and you know if it didn't happen, be be sad that it didn't happen. Right.
00:28:28
Speaker
And so he kept it hush hush. We figured that something was going down. But um the the fact that it happened so quickly, I think was was very difficult, I think, for him, for for us not to get like a a proper send off after what he's done for the club.
00:28:45
Speaker
And i think I think that also kind of goes towards his character as well. he He mentioned to me once, he said, I'm letting my agent figure that out and I'm just going to keep playing. So, you know, it's the type of person he was in. And I think that's exactly um the reason why he deserves to be where he's at.
00:29:02
Speaker
He just wanted to play the sport he loves and and that's all he cared about. And so um it was going to take him at those lengths regardless. So the fact that he didn't even want to think about it or...
00:29:14
Speaker
Communicate about it is is is something that really defines him as a person as well. It does leave some hole on the on the roster. I mean, he was ah a player who was going to presumably play a lot of minutes for you guys.
00:29:26
Speaker
ah How do you think that changes the the way the midfield stacks up? Well, I think that you can't replace him, right? Yeah, I mean, a hope Obed is such ah a wonderful player. um He did so much for the team that doesn't show up on a stat sheet.
00:29:43
Speaker
um So just I think it's going to take a ah group effort to kind of replace what he he provided for the team. um But we have different profiles and in our midfielders. um You know, we've we've got Hassani who...
00:29:57
Speaker
you know, can tackle really well. He's very direct. You got Snyder, who's probably the closest to Obed in terms of on the ball and, and dribbling and and getting into the box.
00:30:08
Speaker
And then you have Nico, who's a ah really good passer. It's probably likes to play a little bit deeper. And so it's a, it's an interesting dynamic. I think that the coaches are going to have to work on, um you know, who they like the best and what they, they want out of that player. But,
00:30:24
Speaker
Again, I think it's going to take a whole effort. So I think whether it's Albert coming down a little bit more, Jesus coming down to to help fill that void, um really important for us to um ah just ah compensate for who who we just lost.
00:30:40
Speaker
You know, Alex, it seems like in the from the limited access we've had to your guys' as preseason games, it seems like you've been a little bit of pinching in some to kind of create numbers in the in the midfield. Is that and I don't guess you hadn't played with Obed in any of the preseason games or guess played with one. You did play with one. OK, but how does that how does that change? Does that seem like a real change for you in terms of what you're being asked to do? Um, you know, something that, that I think the coaching staff wanted to experiment with. Um, obviously throughout the season, you'll see me in there or out wide. And and so i think the way they utilize my position is more, um, free flowing. So they've kind of given me the Liberty to go, ah depending on where other players are to kind of see the space in and, and, uh, fill the void and in certain areas. And so, um,
00:31:28
Speaker
I would say to to answer your question, I would say that nothing is set in stone in terms of where they want me. um And so they are always pushing for me to either be inside or be outside and kind of just have that freedom to, to look and help the team either build out or connect from back to front. And so, um, I think, um, you'll see that more often this year where, especially with different personnel, now that we lost, uh, Obed, um, so depending on the profiles of different players, what they tend to do will dictate where they want me on the field.
00:32:05
Speaker
So, um And I think that's always what I've done in that position is where where they need me to be is is where I'm willing to to to help. And so um I think moving forward, that'll kind of be the messaging from them to me.
00:32:19
Speaker
And what have you made of the way Brian and the coaching staff in general have evolved the way you guys build out the way that you defend, you know, two years ago?
00:32:31
Speaker
two or the last two Two years in a row, you were the top defensive team, but you guys were kind of struggling to score last year. you guys are suddenly scoring a ton of goals, maybe not ah not quite as tight defensively.
00:32:42
Speaker
But i think it, I mean, to me, it's at least it been an interesting tactical evolution of of the way that you've approached the game. Yeah, I think that we've we've all evolved a whole lot. Players, coaching staff, we've kind of all grown together.
00:32:57
Speaker
We've learned from one another. um i think that when we work on things, we see results. And that's that's a beautiful thing, right? um So this year, we need to work on not conceding goals in transition and set pieces and um continue scoring goals in in the the way we were doing because it it it it puts us in a really good spot. But um I think they've evolved a lot since I've gotten here with the Sounders. Our coaching staff has gotten so much better throughout the years. um And again, I think it part in part is it's experimenting, in part it's um reflecting, in part it's watching film to get better. And um I think we've we've all grown together and in a great way.
00:33:44
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I would i would also say um the the messaging on the tactics with this group has kind of um kind of been there since we've done it for so long now. And now it's just refreshing on those little things. But the the thing that that kind of...
00:34:02
Speaker
um sticks to me is that at first we had issues scoring. Now we had issues allowing goals. We've seen both work. And so now it's the belief of how we piece those both together and and, kind of have more of a balanced season where we're scoring goals, but also limiting goals. And so, um you know, the tactics they're going to, they're going to make sure that those are as perfect as they can be. But at the same time, it's, it's, it's how can we balance the two sides of the, of the football pitch?
00:34:32
Speaker
You know, one of the other changes this year seems like it's going to be Andrew getting more run as ah with the first team as a starter. How does his style different from Steph's?
00:34:46
Speaker
Well, I think both ah goalies are are you know good shot stoppers and they they do a really good job of 1v1s.
00:34:58
Speaker
I don't know who's going to start and on game one of of the season. ah i know you guys can speculate, but honestly, yeah i don't even know. and Yeah. um but andrew But Andrew has the ability to to really kick the ball far and it really stretches our our field. It makes the field so much bigger.
00:35:18
Speaker
um Being able to to kick the ball long, it's something that Vancouver does really well. um And if you want to play in tight areas in front of our box and we want to build out in in from goal kick, um you also have to be able to be extremely direct and almost direct towards goal. And so Andrew provides that.
00:35:40
Speaker
Um, now Steph does a really good job of, of, um, not making mistakes. And sometimes that, that gets overlooked, um, uh, because what the, what the job of the goalie is these days, um, is to build out of everything. Right. But Steph does a really good job of being conservative and and not making mistakes. And I think that's why he's had such a steady career. Um, but both go great goalkeepers, both reliable, and, I'm excited to see, um their, their battle, their challenges.
00:36:11
Speaker
Anything that you that changes the way you play, depending on who the goalkeeper is? Or is that something you just are always doing? no i I don't think so. I mean, I think the messaging is is from the coaching staff, at least, is if the ball goes back towards the goalkeeper, you know, we have to be there to support in terms of building out. And I think our identity in the last few years changed.
00:36:36
Speaker
has been really strong in terms of building out. I mean, we're probably one of the teams that have um the most possession or retain the ball as much. And that's due in part to us being able to play out of the back. And so um I don't think it changes on who's back there, but um you know, they both have,
00:36:56
Speaker
distinguishing qualities that are that are both similar and different and you know I think I think regardless whoever's there is it's going to be you know um someone that's going to help us with the ball ah on offense and defense all right well we're getting close to to wrapping this up I do have one last question though the last time you guys were on this show together you guys arm wrestled do you remember this yeah He'll still beat me. but there's There's no question about it. i don't I felt like the dynamic was unfair, though, because you were playing, and Alex was just here to prove a point.
00:37:32
Speaker
i don't think we could do that again. no i't Last time we did that, I remember our GM getting a little bit upset at us. Yeah, Garth was watching, and he did not seem very happy about that. But I know the clear answer and the clear winner, and and that's my little brother. yeah And I got to keep saying little brother because...
00:37:50
Speaker
People forget that, I think, sometimes. It's a bit condescending. yeah I got to put him in his place every now and then. Okay. one I do have one more question. So there is a you know, you guys are obviously, everyone knows you guys are brothers, but you're actually one of three. You're two of three brothers.
00:38:06
Speaker
How does the, how does Christian being the middle brother actually play in? Because I think people think of you as the older brother, but you're not really the older. You're the... You're the middle believer. Yeah. I mean, obviously, ah ah my oldest brother, Caesar, would probably say the same thing as me, is we both look up to Christian. Okay. We both look up to Christian. um He's obviously paved the way for us. He's had such a successful career and is such a great individual that we do we just both look up to him. So...
00:38:36
Speaker
it It definitely is a little bit different in terms of our dynamic as a family. um Most people would probably say that they look up to the oldest. Sure. um And so um even though we still do look up to our oldest brother, he's had and a great career in terms of what he does for the galaxy where he's worked his way up and and. Blasted through multiple coaching changes. multiple Multiple coaching changes. Has his own MLS Cup now that he can kind of talk some some crap to us. um And so ah he's he's catching up to us with that with that as well. But yeah, we look up to k Christian and then I'm the youngest. I'm always trying to
00:39:11
Speaker
um not get left behind. I'm still still clawing my way, trying to follow their footsteps. And so um that's kind of how how, you know, our family dynamic is. and my And my parents love Christian so much. So they look up to him as well.
00:39:30
Speaker
Yeah, I don't have anything to say towards that. It's true. It's true. it's cheap That's bad. That's bad when you know he yeah admits it. Yeah, that's pretty. It's pretty telling. It's true. ah But I do. I do feel like we've grown a lot whole lot as as siblings and, you know, we all have kids now and um ah life. The perspective on life is a little different. And so and you can't take the favorite away from me.
00:39:55
Speaker
<unk> But what are you what are you going to do? are you guys I mean, it is weird, though, that your folks still are living in Southern California, right? Yeah. They can't get it away from the sunshine, they say. Is that what it is? Yeah. I was i was i thought it was season. we we' try No. No, that's definitely it. It's not that. No, because if we lived in ah or if we lived in a sunny place, there they would be there would be a possibility of coming up. it's just purely Seattle yeah I think so I think so but in all seriousness ah ah they they they like me for sure but i but it's it's hard not to like these two my older brother and Alex firm with what they've done thought were about to say it's hard not to like me no no no come on i thought he was gonna say it's hard not to like the son but no no okay
00:40:47
Speaker
That's a good place to end it. Hey guys, I really appreciate it. ah This is shaping up to be another fun season. I'm sure though the Seattle weather will turn just in time for you guys to get back there and it will be back to raining and you guys will just be endless, so endless winter.
00:41:03
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. We're excited to get back, but we are thank you for having us. We appreciate it and Thank you for flying all the way up here. Yeah. Just for this. Yeah. Just to have Seattle weather in Spain. spain All right. Well, with that, I'm Jeremiah Shan. This is Nosadietes and we'll catch you next time.
00:41:48
Speaker
Let's go at Sounders.