WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:04.000 RSL finish their preseason action earn a three to three 2 00:00:04.080 --> 00:00:06.639 draw against the New York Red Bulls. Now, it's not 3 00:00:06.719 --> 00:00:09.560 a the Conker CAF champions Cup. Let's bring in Kurt Schmidt, 4 00:00:10.199 --> 00:00:12.439 the guy in charge of all the decisions. Nobody else 5 00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:15.039 makes any choices. It's only Kurt, so he is the 6 00:00:15.080 --> 00:00:17.800 chief roster constructor. Hello Kurt, Happy Thursday, sir. 7 00:00:17.800 --> 00:00:18.199 How are you? 8 00:00:19.440 --> 00:00:20.320 I'm good, I'm good. 9 00:00:20.399 --> 00:00:22.879 How you doing I'm well, appreciate the time. So just 10 00:00:23.239 --> 00:00:26.160 let's get some big picture thoughts from you. Now that 11 00:00:26.519 --> 00:00:29.640 the preseason is behind us. What'd you like about the group? 12 00:00:29.679 --> 00:00:32.280 What are you hoping to learn? And now the preseason 13 00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:34.439 is behind us, what are some of the things that you, 14 00:00:34.600 --> 00:00:36.359 as the guy in charge of putting this thing together 15 00:00:36.600 --> 00:00:37.119 like the most. 16 00:00:39.159 --> 00:00:39.359 Yeah. 17 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:41.759 I think one of the things that jumps out of 18 00:00:41.799 --> 00:00:44.119 me the most is the depth of the squad. I 19 00:00:44.119 --> 00:00:47.640 think is shown to be really good in preseason. You know, 20 00:00:48.039 --> 00:00:51.280 there's a lot of competition in every position on the field, 21 00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:53.679 and I think that's something that's going to bode well 22 00:00:53.719 --> 00:00:55.920 as we go through the season. If guys are pushing 23 00:00:55.920 --> 00:00:57.840 each other every day in training, it's gonna make them 24 00:00:57.880 --> 00:01:01.119 that much Scharper on game days. It was really positive 25 00:01:01.560 --> 00:01:05.879 to see that. And then I think a close second 26 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:09.239 or a one to eight of that is seeing the 27 00:01:09.239 --> 00:01:12.400 way the new guys that joined us last summer vetted 28 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:15.439 in with the full preseason and looked to settle a 29 00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:16.120 bit more. 30 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:19.480 So early returns as far as the abilities to find 31 00:01:19.480 --> 00:01:21.239 the back of the net. You know, we had Pablo 32 00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:24.159 on a couple of weeks ago now and Jay stopped 33 00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:26.040 by last week, and they both kind of echoed the 34 00:01:26.040 --> 00:01:29.079 sentiment that the goals would be by committee. You know, 35 00:01:29.200 --> 00:01:33.239 you had a dominant individual goal scorer for a number 36 00:01:33.239 --> 00:01:36.560 of matches last year in Cheat Show, and you know, 37 00:01:36.719 --> 00:01:38.840 Jason actually brought up you'll get a kick out of 38 00:01:38.840 --> 00:01:41.000 this because we're going to talk a little Jeff Cunningham 39 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:42.959 on the show today. Kurt, Yep, you didn't think we 40 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:45.959 were going there, you know when Jay, Yeah, when Jay 41 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:48.840 took over as coach, and you know, Jeff had scored 42 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:51.480 I don't know, like sixteen goals, had twelve assists the 43 00:01:51.519 --> 00:01:54.680 year before. No love lost between those two. Jeff knew 44 00:01:54.719 --> 00:01:57.280 he was gone. It took like twenty four hours and 45 00:01:57.319 --> 00:01:59.439 the question was, well, who's going to score the goals? 46 00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:02.920 And ultimately, you know, obviously that led to a situation 47 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:05.879 where you know, euromopsising was good, Sabo was good, but 48 00:02:05.879 --> 00:02:08.360 it was more of like a group effort. So early 49 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:12.039 returns of the roster you put together and the ability 50 00:02:12.080 --> 00:02:13.520 to find the back of the net, give me your 51 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:14.159 thoughts on that. 52 00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:18.479 I mean, I don't think we struggled to find the 53 00:02:18.479 --> 00:02:21.599 back of the net in in preseason. You know, three goals, 54 00:02:22.520 --> 00:02:24.240 well three three goals in each of the games we 55 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:27.800 played yesterday with with both groups, you know, three goals 56 00:02:27.840 --> 00:02:30.039 on the weekend, I believe, and a couple of goals 57 00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:32.919 against New York City, and so I think we've we've 58 00:02:32.919 --> 00:02:35.120 been able to find it. You know, guys like you 59 00:02:35.159 --> 00:02:37.240 know Forsters hit the back of the net, Alreadys hit 60 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:40.759 the back of the net, Dominic Diogo, Lockey, you know, 61 00:02:40.840 --> 00:02:43.560 the guys that play those positions that you expected a goals, 62 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:46.120 they all have all picked up goals in preseason. So 63 00:02:46.120 --> 00:02:48.960 obviously it's a you know, it's preseason, so it's always 64 00:02:49.080 --> 00:02:51.400 taken with a grain of salt. But seeing those guys 65 00:02:52.479 --> 00:02:54.639 find the score sheet, you know, even in preseason, is 66 00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:56.080 a huge positive heading into the year. 67 00:02:56.840 --> 00:02:59.560 So the window closed is April twenty third, so it's 68 00:02:59.560 --> 00:03:01.800 not like you tomorrow. You do have some time, and 69 00:03:01.960 --> 00:03:06.400 obviously RSL fans and people that follow the club curious 70 00:03:06.479 --> 00:03:09.840 as to what potential additions could could come their way, 71 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:12.680 and namely maybe a designated player since you do have 72 00:03:12.759 --> 00:03:15.240 that option, and namely a number nine. 73 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:17.319 I'm just asking the question, Kurt, what do you think? 74 00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:20.840 Yeah, I think the guys that we've got right now, 75 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:23.719 you know, Rane Forster has been the two that have 76 00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:26.479 gotten the line, share those minutes, and they're gonna they're 77 00:03:26.520 --> 00:03:29.199 gonna play early games and settle in and we'll see 78 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:31.400 how they do. But yeah, we're looking for someone that 79 00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:34.319 can come in. And you know, I think those guys 80 00:03:34.360 --> 00:03:37.039 have done really well in terms of what they give us, 81 00:03:37.080 --> 00:03:39.479 how they execute the game model, the attributes they bring 82 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:41.639 to that, and they fit in. 83 00:03:41.879 --> 00:03:44.560 Really really well. And I think the only. 84 00:03:44.360 --> 00:03:47.120 Thing that we would be looking to upgrade over them 85 00:03:47.280 --> 00:03:50.240 is is just that experience and track record of finding 86 00:03:50.280 --> 00:03:50.599 the back of. 87 00:03:50.560 --> 00:03:53.719 The net on a regular basis at a high level. 88 00:03:53.759 --> 00:03:57.240 And obviously those those guys don't have that, not through 89 00:03:57.280 --> 00:03:59.560 any real fault of their own. They're just young players. 90 00:04:00.719 --> 00:04:04.120 Any other areas, because you reference the depth of the team, 91 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:07.159 And of course number nine is the obvious question that 92 00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:09.199 people have on their minds as a result of what 93 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:11.240 happened with not just Chico but a number of other 94 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:14.919 attacking players. But away from that area, as you analyze 95 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:17.399 other additions to the roster prior to this window closing 96 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:18.879 in April, what are some of your thoughts. 97 00:04:20.839 --> 00:04:23.199 Yeah, I mean, look, obviously Diego's out right now. You know, 98 00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:25.759 Lachlan brook has gotten a lot of minutes in his place, 99 00:04:25.839 --> 00:04:28.079 and you picked up a good goal and covers this 100 00:04:28.160 --> 00:04:30.040 hunt of ground, and I think he's done really well. 101 00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:31.680 I think we've got good depth in the middle of 102 00:04:31.720 --> 00:04:35.680 midfield with Ojeita and America and Nelson and Pablo Luiz 103 00:04:35.720 --> 00:04:38.519 and even you know, obviously Noelklifkin, who's played a few 104 00:04:38.519 --> 00:04:41.480 different positions, even you know behind them, and then and 105 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:44.480 then we've added definitely the back line guys like Kobe Henry. 106 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:46.399 You know, Phil Quintin's injured right now, but he should 107 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:50.240 be back soon, Sam Junkua, all those guys are just 108 00:04:50.279 --> 00:04:53.759 adding an extra element of competition at both center back 109 00:04:54.040 --> 00:04:57.920 on both sides and both sides at fullback. Javane Brown, 110 00:04:57.959 --> 00:05:01.120 Body Hidalgo, those guys that we didn't have as much 111 00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:04.680 last year, and so just gives us the extra little 112 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:07.839 bit of accountability and kind of, like I said earlier, 113 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:10.399 when you've got to perform every day in training, it 114 00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:12.120 makes you that much sharper for the game. So if 115 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:14.600 guys want to want to get their spot in the 116 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:16.839 squad for Saturday, they've got to bring it every day 117 00:05:16.839 --> 00:05:17.279 of the week. 118 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:21.040 And that obviously is something that is such a healthy 119 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:23.519 approach when it comes to the old cliche of iron 120 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:26.120 sharpening iron, and you know, you want to make sure 121 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:29.000 guys are working for their food and working for their spot. 122 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:31.279 I did want to ask you about Diego though your reference. 123 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:34.680 Diego's out obviously, situation with a national team and that 124 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:36.920 broken nose or whatever else came down. I mean, it 125 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:40.240 was amazing that he went back in and hopefully that 126 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:42.839 kind of solidified his spot with that staff and they'll 127 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:45.600 continue to look to bring him in for collups and such. 128 00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:47.720 And I know it's kind of like a running joke 129 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:51.319 behind the scenes of who found Diego? I give you 130 00:05:51.399 --> 00:05:54.600 the credit, you know, but it's just fun banter, you know, 131 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:56.000 because it's funny. 132 00:05:56.480 --> 00:05:57.399 What's that old saying? 133 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:00.519 I can't remember the saying is something about success sons 134 00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:03.560 have several fathers and failures, you know, have none or whatever. 135 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:05.879 Of course, everybody wants to take credit because the kid's 136 00:06:05.920 --> 00:06:08.959 so good, but what stands out most of you about 137 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:11.879 his growth and what are you expecting from him this year? 138 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:14.240 Because it does feel like I hate to, you know, 139 00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:17.000 kind of do the media cliche thing, but in a way, Kurt, 140 00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:19.160 it feels like this is kind of Diego's team. 141 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:23.879 Now, Yeah, I mean, I look, I'm always reluctant to 142 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:27.439 maybe say that kind of and put that stuff on anybody, 143 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:30.000 but I think he's a guy that has shown to 144 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:33.120 be a reliable key performer and that's what we need. 145 00:06:33.160 --> 00:06:36.160 And so like for him, his work rate is defending. 146 00:06:36.480 --> 00:06:38.199 Those are all things he's had to add to his 147 00:06:38.279 --> 00:06:41.000 game since coming here, and those are now big strength 148 00:06:41.079 --> 00:06:43.000 of his The thing that he needed to add in 149 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:45.240 last year that we were counting on him for was 150 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:48.120 the production, the goals and the assists, and he was. 151 00:06:48.079 --> 00:06:48.759 Able to do that. 152 00:06:48.839 --> 00:06:51.600 And so the reality is like we think, I think 153 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:55.439 Diego can take another step and contribute even more on 154 00:06:55.480 --> 00:06:58.240 that side of things, and you know, while still maintaining 155 00:06:58.600 --> 00:07:00.800 all the other elements that he's doing as he continues 156 00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:03.319 to settle in and grow and develop and become more 157 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:05.720 comfortable in his own skin and in this environment. 158 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:08.079 So that stuff with the national team is huge. I 159 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:12.000 agree with you. I think that should give him enough. 160 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:14.439 Credibility with that staff that they should look at him 161 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:17.920 again and give him a shot with with uh maybe 162 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:20.439 maybe the more you know, first choice group and then 163 00:07:20.519 --> 00:07:23.000 rather than just the January camp, and we'll see how 164 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:25.600 he debts, because that's another level up, you know, for him, 165 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:28.839 and a mecca where the speed of plays higher, mistakes 166 00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:31.639 get punished faster and more, you know, more heavily, and 167 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:33.720 so you've got to raise your game to make sure 168 00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:35.879 you compete at that level. And then when a player 169 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:37.560 does that and then comes back to us, brings that 170 00:07:37.639 --> 00:07:41.120 to our environment and maintains that standard with us, holds 171 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:43.639 holds his teammate, heer to that standard, that's going to 172 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:44.959 make us that much better as well. 173 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:47.240 What about you know, what are you asking? 174 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:49.839 And this is always a difficult thing because it does 175 00:07:49.879 --> 00:07:53.079 feel like at times, maybe there are young players that 176 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:56.519 have innate leadership and look, all of these guys are pros, 177 00:07:56.600 --> 00:07:58.439 and so they came up through the ranks where they 178 00:07:58.439 --> 00:08:01.240 were the best player for their their club team, or 179 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:03.399 their high school team, or their college team or whatever. 180 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:05.439 And so at times throughout the course of all their 181 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:09.279 journeys they've probably been asked to lead. But have you, 182 00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:11.000 you know, as a staff or maybe this is a 183 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:15.319 Pablo question, have you asked more from Diego as a personality, 184 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:18.199 as an outspoken leader, not just a great player. 185 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:22.439 I think part of what we want to. 186 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:26.120 Do this year is ask more from everybody, So not 187 00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:28.680 to just make it Diego specific, but I think asking 188 00:08:29.160 --> 00:08:33.200 asking everyone to hold themselves to a high standard, but 189 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:35.080 then also hold their teammates accountable. 190 00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:36.519 And I think when we do. 191 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:40.279 That, then everyone's doing their job, everyone's working for the team, 192 00:08:40.679 --> 00:08:42.399 and we're going to get the results that we want. 193 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:44.679 So it's it's I mean, the answer to question I 194 00:08:44.679 --> 00:08:46.679 guess this is yes, But it's not. 195 00:08:46.679 --> 00:08:48.360 Just Diego, it's the whole team. 196 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:51.360 We want everyone to hold themselves to have a center, 197 00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:54.000 but hold their teamates accountable. Because you know, even though 198 00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:56.639 you might be the most professional, the most consistent guy, 199 00:08:56.960 --> 00:09:00.200 even the most consistent guys have bad days and and 200 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:02.919 someone needs to, you know, bring you up when that happened. 201 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:04.919 So we need everyone to bring. 202 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:07.159 That, so I wanted to kind of kick the tires 203 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:09.279 with you. Also about a Mecca. Oh, who do we 204 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:11.639 give credit for finding a mecca? 205 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:12.320 Is that also you? 206 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:16.639 It's a group effort. All of them are group efforts, 207 00:09:16.679 --> 00:09:19.000 Ben Sweet. We have an amazing scouting. 208 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:24.440 Department, you know, Mulholland, John Spencer, Joe Thomas, you know 209 00:09:24.519 --> 00:09:25.720 these guys are doing a great job. 210 00:09:25.759 --> 00:09:28.000 All right, I'll give you credit. Nice work finding a Mecca. 211 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:31.200 And Elly he is He's just another player that I 212 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:32.840 think then this is just me. 213 00:09:32.919 --> 00:09:33.679 Talking out loud. 214 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:36.320 Obviously I'm not speaking for anybody over there, but it 215 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:39.840 feels like potentially some of the decisions you made to 216 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:43.879 pivot and recalibrate and let some players go in part 217 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:46.639 was due to the evolution of some of the other pieces, 218 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:49.320 namely Diego, who've already talked about, but also a Mecca 219 00:09:49.519 --> 00:09:52.960 who at every stop seems like he continues to outperform 220 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:56.200 everybody's expectations. I mean, I've always kind of had this 221 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:58.159 thing with the MLS draft and like, why do we 222 00:09:58.440 --> 00:10:01.000 do this? It doesn't feel like the ever any players 223 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:03.919 that we drafted play well outside of a handful like 224 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:06.879 Tony Beltran, and you know, I know Gasper gave you 225 00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:09.519 some good minutes or whatever, but he may already be 226 00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:12.799 the best player that RSL has ever had via the draft. 227 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:15.320 All due respect to Tony Beltran, who probably still deserves 228 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:18.080 that Moniker, But what stands out most to you about 229 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:20.919 a Mecca's growth and what are you asking from him 230 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:23.120 this year? Not just as a player, but same question 231 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:24.960 as Diego also as a leader. 232 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:29.200 Well, I won't, I won't stand for any Tony Bell translander. 233 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:31.320 We'll have to back away from that. 234 00:10:32.279 --> 00:10:33.799 But no, I think, look, we. 235 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:36.679 Have to look at every player acquisition method and you know, 236 00:10:36.720 --> 00:10:38.720 like he had Jasper, we moved. 237 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:39.720 Him on and we traded him. 238 00:10:39.720 --> 00:10:41.679 But like he's the guy that we drafted I think 239 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:44.519 eighty something in the draft and he's still like he's 240 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:46.960 playing a MLS and you know, three four years later, 241 00:10:47.200 --> 00:10:49.759 he's still giving good minutes. He's gotten on a second contract, 242 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:51.919 Like those are wins for us even though he's no 243 00:10:51.960 --> 00:10:52.960 longer play for us. 244 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:55.000 Still so but yeah, I mean. 245 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:57.200 A Mecca's a Mecca is just a guy. And I 246 00:10:57.200 --> 00:10:59.279 think what I tell people when I get it questions 247 00:10:59.320 --> 00:11:00.960 like this, like kind of what is it about him? 248 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:01.159 Is? 249 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:04.279 You know it's it's about his learning curve and his adaptability, 250 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:07.240 and he's just he's just a really good learner. And 251 00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:10.279 those are the guys that I think make the best 252 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:13.879 leap from college to to MLS because there's a lot 253 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:17.960 to adapt to physically but mentally mostly. And the quicker 254 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:20.480 you can take on new information and incorporate it into 255 00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:22.879 your game, the quicker you can adapt, the better you're 256 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:25.320 gonna you know, the better career you're gonna have. So 257 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:28.840 obviously he's a smart, smart guy, a smart kid. He 258 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:32.159 leads by example. I think this year the challenge to 259 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:34.519 him a little bit is, you know, coming coming out 260 00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:36.240 of now his first you know, last year was his 261 00:11:36.279 --> 00:11:38.080 first year as a guy who plays all the time, 262 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:40.559 you know, so this year he's he's a guy that 263 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:43.240 the expectations to him are known, and so can he 264 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:45.440 not just lead by example but also lead vocally at 265 00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:47.919 times and help the team that way. So I think 266 00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:50.399 he's got that in him. That's the kind of person 267 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:53.200 character he is, and now it's just about feeling comfortable 268 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:55.320 in his own skin to bring that to this group 269 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:56.360 in the. 270 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:59.559 Pros as we were talking about so far, and you know, 271 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:02.279 it's kind of interesting so Ari and Forrester are kind 272 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:04.440 of getting the bulk of the looks at nine. 273 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:08.200 And I don't know if this is an. 274 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:11.000 Exact parallel where we can be analogous entirely, but the 275 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:14.240 world of pro basketball now, they've kind of eliminated positions 276 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:16.799 depending on which coach you play for. Like Will Hardy 277 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:18.600 talks about, I don't care if he's a point guard. 278 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:20.480 I don't care if he's a two guard. I just 279 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:22.679 want playmakers. I want guys that can make plays for 280 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:25.159 themselves and make plays for others. And I don't know 281 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:28.000 if there's anything there there as far as what Pablo 282 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:31.519 wants to do. But when you have the potential, and 283 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:34.240 I really mean this, I'm not just blowing smoke. I 284 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:37.799 just think the potential of Diego, Diego and Mark Zuke, 285 00:12:37.960 --> 00:12:41.399 the three of those specifically, those players specifically seem to 286 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:45.440 have such bright, creative flare and potential to provide opportunities. 287 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:48.120 I'm not saying it doesn't matter who's at nine. I'm 288 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:50.440 not saying that at all. But when you look at 289 00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:54.480 the creative potential of those three specifically, how much easier 290 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:56.759 will that make it for the team if and I'm 291 00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:59.960 talking about Diego Diego and Mark Zuke specifically, those are 292 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:01.919 the three players that have stood out to me is 293 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:04.720 the most creative. And I'm sure I'm missing others because 294 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:06.039 I have to get to know these new guys. 295 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:07.399 I don't know them very very much. 296 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:09.360 But what do you hope that I guess I'll say 297 00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:12.200 Triumviant in the midfield looks like when it's fully baked. 298 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:15.799 Yeah, you know, I'm glad you brought up Dominic because 299 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:17.600 because I don't think he gets enough credit, and he's 300 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:19.000 been fantastic this preseason. 301 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:21.039 He's He's a really talented. 302 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:23.200 Player that works really hard and creates a lot of chances. 303 00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:25.360 I think when you talk about who's playing the nine, 304 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:27.759 and the important thing for us is that they do 305 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:30.279 what they're supposed to do and they're they're predictable, not 306 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:33.159 for the defense, but for our team, right, And so 307 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:36.600 those are three creative players. And if if they know, 308 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:38.480 if they're on the same page with the striker, no 309 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:40.279 matter who it is, you know, if they're on the 310 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:42.799 same page, the odds of us getting the ball to 311 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:45.879 people in the right spots to generate quality chances are 312 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:49.840 really high, and we'll be less reliant on all right, 313 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:52.120 let's get it to this guy and expect him to 314 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:54.720 create some magic to create a chance or a goal 315 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:58.799 for us. So when you have sort of that system 316 00:13:58.840 --> 00:14:00.480 based approach to attack, I think it's gonna. 317 00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:01.159 It's gonna. 318 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:03.840 It almost doesn't matter what the name on the shirt says. 319 00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:06.480 I mean, obviously, once you're in that situation, you've got 320 00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:08.480 to have the quality to finish. I thought, you know, 321 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:12.200 Forster did an excellent job of that twice yesterday, where 322 00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:14.639 you know he's he's done a breakaway and you know, 323 00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:19.039 despite his relative inexperience and relative youth, you know, slots 324 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:21.639 it away in the corner pretty calmly and and takes 325 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:23.480 a second chance really well. And then Ari gets a 326 00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:26.679 good goal in the game after that. So those guys 327 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:28.279 are going to get chances if they're doing with ask 328 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:30.080 of them, and they are, and then it's just about 329 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:33.360 finishing them and those three guys underneath, it's just about 330 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:36.919 giving them service. And again that knowing where the striker 331 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:39.759 is going to be at very specific times and parts 332 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.240 on the field. 333 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:42.360 So a lot was excuse me, a lot was made 334 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:45.120 last year and Pablo was really good to come on 335 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:47.600 the show and kind of walk us through this quote 336 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:51.360 unquote new system that you guys wanted to implement, and 337 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:53.799 you had a massive change over with his staff. You 338 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:55.639 kept your head coach, but you moved on from a 339 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:59.639 lot of the assistants and that system, combined with the 340 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:02.320 real the bright personnel you provided, led to a lot 341 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:05.679 of exciting, bright moments, and for me there was probably 342 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:07.399 a six or seven week stretch where I thought it 343 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:10.320 was the most entertaining soccer quite frankly, we've ever had here. 344 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:15.639 Now in twenty years of RSL's existence, is there a 345 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:19.120 adjust Is there an adjustment now to that system catered 346 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:20.720 to the new personnel or is it kind of the 347 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:23.240 same deal based off the success you had a year ago. 348 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:27.320 I think there's yeah, there's a lot of similarities. And 349 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:29.639 last year it was kind of building it from scratch 350 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:31.960 because it's not what we did the year prior. This year, 351 00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:35.440 it's more about adding on to that, integrating new players, 352 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:38.759 and then tweaks that can help us in specific situations. So, 353 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:40.960 you know, there's a lot of the bulk of the 354 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:43.559 group is comfortable with how we play and what we 355 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:46.279 want to do, and now how do we integrate you know, 356 00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:48.360 both the guys that just joined us right now, but 357 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:50.240 also the guys that joined us in the summer more 358 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:53.519 fully into the system what we're doing. And then and 359 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:56.519 then the other piece to go beyond that is, okay, now, 360 00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:59.759 when this isn't working, what's the second thing that we 361 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:02.039 can do to break a team down that a little 362 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:05.080 more difficult to break down. So it's just just integrating 363 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:08.039 the new guys into that group and then enhancing what 364 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:09.799 we're doing and just being consistent with it. 365 00:16:10.440 --> 00:16:12.360 So last year and you and I have discussed this, 366 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:14.960 and for listeners that maybe just missed it, let's kind 367 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:17.879 of rehash a little bit. It was clear that the 368 00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:22.159 situation and goal was left wanting and potentially a little untenable. 369 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:24.600 You know, you transfer gav On. He stays in the 370 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:27.200 Blitzer umbrella. I will not ask you on the record 371 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:29.200 why Zach waited so long to get surgery. I'll just 372 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:31.799 keep that to myself. A little frustrated, I would imagine. 373 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:35.080 But you did make some additions, namely Rafa Cabral, who 374 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:38.799 got the start yesterday. So talk about Cabral, the Brazilian keeper. 375 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:40.679 What you're expecting from him. It seems like he's the 376 00:16:40.679 --> 00:16:42.720 first choice guy and the death you have behind him 377 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:43.080 in goal. 378 00:16:45.080 --> 00:16:47.440 Yeah, I mean, Rafa is just the really really experienced 379 00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:50.000 guy that brings some calm and some leadership to the 380 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:52.080 group in the back line. He's good with the ball 381 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:55.559 at his feet. He's a good shot stopping goalkeeper. He's 382 00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:58.159 played at you know, Napoli's played at Reading, He's played 383 00:16:58.200 --> 00:17:01.159 at Gramio, you know, in a few of the clubs 384 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:03.879 in Brazil, like he's he brings a lot of experience 385 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:06.319 to the position. He's a good you know, a good egg, 386 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:10.160 a good character back there. He talks, he organizes, he communicates, 387 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:12.319 I think all of that, and you know, obviously he's 388 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:15.720 an older player, but in goal, that's that's kind of 389 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:17.839 okay back there, and you're it's okay to have a 390 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:20.440 guy who's a little bit older. Goalkeeper's age a little 391 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:23.799 better than you know, let's say, center forwards do and 392 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:25.839 and they get better, you know, as they get older, 393 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:28.319 with more experience and they can organize, and you know, 394 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:30.920 it starts to look maybe more like shots are right 395 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:33.519 at him because hopefully their positioning gets better. So he 396 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:36.279 brings a lot of that calm and composure that you know, 397 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:38.640 we want back there, both in and out of possession. 398 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:41.400 How many languages do you speak, Kurt, and not like 399 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:44.480 Trey who claims he speaks Spanish but can't even formulate 400 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:46.839 the sentence, how many actual languages do you speak? 401 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:50.839