WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:02.839 But time now for the triumphant return. He's been a 2 00:00:02.839 --> 00:00:06.000 busy boy. He's traveling all over the place, but I 3 00:00:06.040 --> 00:00:10.880 believe he's back in town now. Brian Dunseeth RSL Legends, Dottie, 4 00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:12.919 how are you, buddy, I'm good. 5 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:15.519 I'm good. Yeah, I appreciate that. By the way, two things. 6 00:00:15.599 --> 00:00:18.519 Number one, I'm so happy for you, man, you're absolutely 7 00:00:18.640 --> 00:00:20.440 killing it. I love to see the arc of your 8 00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:24.280 career and how you've established yourself as the voice of 9 00:00:24.359 --> 00:00:27.079 sports here in Utah, and just the role that you 10 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:29.839 have in educating people and getting the guests that you have. 11 00:00:29.920 --> 00:00:31.399 You do such a great job. And then I'll know 12 00:00:31.879 --> 00:00:34.079 in my own minds. I like to think that tribe 13 00:00:34.119 --> 00:00:38.359 called Quest is be open just specifically for me. So yeah, man, 14 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:40.520 I'm always appreciative of the opportunity to talk with you. 15 00:00:40.520 --> 00:00:40.840 My man. 16 00:00:40.880 --> 00:00:43.359 Well, I appreciate the kind words. And yes, when we 17 00:00:43.399 --> 00:00:46.159 think Dottie, we think RSL. So it is for you, 18 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:48.320 or excuse me, we think tribe call Quest it is 19 00:00:48.359 --> 00:00:51.280 for you. Are you back? Are you back on the ground, Bryan? 20 00:00:52.679 --> 00:00:55.399 I am, I am. I was just my wife and 21 00:00:55.479 --> 00:00:59.039 I were just calculating what these last two months have 22 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:03.679 been since I did the United States first game against 23 00:01:03.719 --> 00:01:09.560 Turkey two months ago out in Stanford, Connecticut, and I've 24 00:01:09.599 --> 00:01:14.319 done thirty eight games in two months times. So the 25 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:16.599 FIFA Club World Cup, I think I did twenty five 26 00:01:16.640 --> 00:01:20.000 games in twenty eight days back to MLS and then 27 00:01:20.040 --> 00:01:22.959 I just came off doing six games in eight days 28 00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:27.439 for the League's Cup. So very very very fortunate and 29 00:01:27.760 --> 00:01:30.640 a very very busy time. And my wife Jade is 30 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:33.680 doing what I mean or can give me this opportunity 31 00:01:33.719 --> 00:01:34.719 for a dream drib. 32 00:01:35.400 --> 00:01:41.280 And it feels like to reciprocate your kind words, your 33 00:01:41.400 --> 00:01:44.519 career has really taken off as well. I mean, what's 34 00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:46.439 it kind of been like to expand this role that 35 00:01:46.480 --> 00:01:49.959 once upon a time was calling RSL games on the 36 00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:53.079 radio or doing pre aff and postgames on the radio 37 00:01:53.120 --> 00:01:56.000 with me, and now to experience where your career arc 38 00:01:56.040 --> 00:01:56.680 has taken you. 39 00:01:57.799 --> 00:02:00.760 Yeah, no, man, listen for those that don't know when 40 00:02:00.760 --> 00:02:03.280 I retired or what, they just basically said, you're not 41 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:06.799 good enough. My first job in the business was with 42 00:02:07.040 --> 00:02:11.080 you doing prem postgame radio for real sell late games 43 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:13.560 and that was that was two thousand and six. That 44 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:15.960 would have been right around May two thousand and six. 45 00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:21.080 And you know, here hear this crazy path of not 46 00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:24.080 having an agent, and you know this trying to create 47 00:02:24.439 --> 00:02:27.439 relationships and be a man of your work and be 48 00:02:27.479 --> 00:02:29.879 a man of you know good, you know, like your 49 00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:32.280 morals and sticking to it, especially in this business which 50 00:02:32.439 --> 00:02:34.039 you know you can sell your you can sell your 51 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:36.039 soul pretty quickly, as we've seen a lot of guys 52 00:02:36.599 --> 00:02:40.840 in our business do. Yeah, man, really really really fortunate. 53 00:02:40.919 --> 00:02:43.039 And the FIFA Club World Cup was the first time 54 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:46.280 that I was getting the opportunity to be the undisputed 55 00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:50.120 number one analyst, you know, being able to call some 56 00:02:50.199 --> 00:02:54.199 amazing games with Andris Cantor for Lionel Messi, and then 57 00:02:54.199 --> 00:02:59.199 to Miami, to being there and watching PSG thrump Real 58 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:02.080 Madrid and call the game from MetLife Stadium and that 59 00:03:02.159 --> 00:03:04.639 four mil thrashing, and then you know, four days later 60 00:03:05.199 --> 00:03:10.560 watching Chelsea beat PSG at their own game in the 61 00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:13.560 sellout of MetLife Stadium. You know, to the point where 62 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:17.280 I got invited to a FIFA dinner one of those 63 00:03:17.319 --> 00:03:19.919 Gallas and I said, nah, I'm my left coast, Jay goes, 64 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:22.479 are you out of your mind? You are absolutely going 65 00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:25.919 And it's Cipriani's on fifty fifth Wall Street and being 66 00:03:25.919 --> 00:03:29.599 there with Infantino and Arsen Benger and you know, iconic 67 00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:32.960 players like Stoychcough and Cofu and being around all the 68 00:03:32.960 --> 00:03:36.199 guys from the zone and you know, hearing them speak 69 00:03:36.199 --> 00:03:38.080 in front of me about you know the job that 70 00:03:38.120 --> 00:03:40.719 I do. It was. It was wild man, so very 71 00:03:40.800 --> 00:03:44.319 very very thankful, very fortunate. You know, a broadcast that 72 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:48.120 on his own was doing good, jillions of numbers doing 73 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:52.719 on T and T almost two million eyeballs for the game. Yeah, 74 00:03:52.840 --> 00:03:56.240 it's outside of outside of calling a World Cup or 75 00:03:56.280 --> 00:04:00.120 calling a ua F Champions League final. This was the 76 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:02.319 biggest game that I've could have been a part of. 77 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:05.639 And yeah, hopefully keep the ball rolling and continue to 78 00:04:05.639 --> 00:04:08.080 grow and evolved as a broadcaster. It's it's been a 79 00:04:08.080 --> 00:04:08.560 fun ride. 80 00:04:08.599 --> 00:04:09.599 Man, it's really cool. 81 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:12.879 I wonder, Donnie, how you would articulate because I heard, 82 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:16.480 you know, Don Garber has told the story when he 83 00:04:16.519 --> 00:04:18.879 was in for our listeners who don't know. Don Garber 84 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:21.480 is the commissioner of Major League Soccer and when he 85 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:25.000 was with the NFL, they went overseas and he saw 86 00:04:25.079 --> 00:04:27.120 a real Madrid game and I think it was in 87 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:30.680 it ins to Don who scored like a crazy scissor kick, 88 00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:34.759 like thirty yard bomb, and that was like Don's eye 89 00:04:34.759 --> 00:04:38.360 opening moment to wait. Soccer has played like this, And 90 00:04:38.600 --> 00:04:41.879 my father oftentimes tells the story similarly of being with 91 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:45.199 the NBA NBA International prior to his staying with MSG, 92 00:04:45.839 --> 00:04:49.399 and he was over in Madrid and went to a 93 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:52.879 Real Madrid game and saw the way soccer was played 94 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:56.720 over there juxtaposed the way that it's played here. How 95 00:04:56.759 --> 00:05:00.319 do you articulate, like when you're calling a FIFA World 96 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:05.720 Cup Championship match between two powerhouses like Chelsea and PSG, 97 00:05:06.439 --> 00:05:09.040 and then you're asked to call like a Columbus crew. 98 00:05:09.319 --> 00:05:11.600 I don't know, San Jose, game? What what? 99 00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:14.240 What are the main differences in the way the game 100 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:17.519 is played at the highest of levels in Europe or wherever, 101 00:05:17.800 --> 00:05:19.600 opposed to the way that it's played here in Major 102 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:20.319 League Soccer? 103 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:22.279 And are we making progress here? 104 00:05:23.319 --> 00:05:25.920 Yeah? Let me let me, let me, let me attack 105 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:31.360 this from the way you fit or doesn't get the 106 00:05:31.399 --> 00:05:34.959 respect that it deserves. And you and I go back 107 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:37.480 to that first year with Real Salt Lake, playing up 108 00:05:37.480 --> 00:05:40.800 at Rice Cycles and trying to put together a team 109 00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:44.240 led by Jason Christ and Clant Mathis and Eddie Pope 110 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:48.560 and Dante Washington myself, you know, mixed in with Brian Candler, 111 00:05:48.600 --> 00:05:53.439 mixed in with a bunch of dynamic, young, inexperienced, heavily talented, 112 00:05:53.519 --> 00:05:58.240 heavily egoed kids, and where the modern game is now 113 00:05:58.360 --> 00:06:02.240 versus then it's undescribable. I mean I could sit here 114 00:06:02.240 --> 00:06:04.879 and try to wax poetic verbally and I still wouldn't 115 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:07.120 touch the growth that we have in a league soccer, 116 00:06:07.560 --> 00:06:10.680 the speed of player, the technical ability, the infrastructure. I mean, 117 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:16.000 we were getting dressed in the football locker room, stepping 118 00:06:16.040 --> 00:06:18.680 out on that turf, and our bodies were breaking down 119 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:21.480 on a daily basis because ten months training on turf 120 00:06:21.519 --> 00:06:24.480 and never being on grass is absolutely murdered all of us. 121 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:27.160 And to see now what happens, you know, down at 122 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:30.879 the Zebra, the training facility for we also like the 123 00:06:30.920 --> 00:06:33.879 infrastructure for the academy, for the Monarchs, for the Royals, 124 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:38.839 the investment, the collective bargaining agreement, all these things. It's 125 00:06:38.920 --> 00:06:41.920 incredible what we've seen in real time. But we're also 126 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:45.399 then trying to judge the you know, this juxtaposition of 127 00:06:45.800 --> 00:06:50.319 a team that's thirty years old, versus these infrastructures that 128 00:06:50.360 --> 00:06:52.560 are over one hundred years old. And even the game 129 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:54.839 against Club America the other night, I mean, you have 130 00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:57.560 one hundred years worth of difference between these two clubs. 131 00:06:57.920 --> 00:07:00.839 We all saw laking Club America. You're talking about Chelsea, 132 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:06.319 You're talking about PSG. It's to spend. You know, Chelsea 133 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:09.879 spent over two billion dollars on players in the last 134 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:15.920 three seasons, versus a PSG that has an unlimited checkbook 135 00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:20.519 because it's state funded. So when you're talking about that, 136 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:23.399 you're talking about players that are worth you know, anywhere 137 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:26.839 from fifty to one hundred million that are sprinkled throughout 138 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:31.600 that roster. And to see the speed, the athleticism, the intelligence, 139 00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:35.480 the technical ability to see and try to put together 140 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:40.040 food for thought when you're talking about tactics and you know, execution, 141 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:45.079 it's it's it's just not fair to try to compare 142 00:07:45.160 --> 00:07:48.720 the elite of the elite versus what we've seen in 143 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:51.920 Major League Soccer. I know, we're constantly trying to wed 144 00:07:51.959 --> 00:07:53.480 and this is what the brilliance of the FIFA Club 145 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:57.040 World Cup because we say, oh, you know, like Fluminense 146 00:07:57.319 --> 00:07:59.800 in Brazil. You know, I wonder what they would look 147 00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:03.199 like against a premier league team, a game that matters. 148 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:06.160 This summer was not about friendlies. This summer was about 149 00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:11.040 the winning team taking home over one hundred million dollars 150 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:17.800 one hundred million dollars. So the balance is the speed 151 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:19.800 of play is going to look different, the technical ability 152 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:22.240 is going to look different, and the overall quality the 153 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:26.439 assets are astronomical versus when you're in Major League soccer, 154 00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:30.040 you know that there's a really strong starting eleven and 155 00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:32.039 then it's going to taper off a little bit. But 156 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:35.039 I think that's the brilliance of having owners like inter 157 00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:39.240 Miami with Jorge Mas and David Beckham that are pushing 158 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:42.080 the envelope of growth in Major League soccer. I still 159 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:44.320 don't think David Beckham gets the credit he deserves for 160 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:45.879 coming at the time in which he did to the 161 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:48.759 LA Galaxy. But I also don't think he gets the 162 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:52.080 credit for what he's done in terms of building inter Miami, 163 00:08:52.480 --> 00:08:54.919 because I think that club is really going to push 164 00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:58.320 the envelope and fast track and rising tide is going 165 00:08:58.360 --> 00:09:01.559 to lift all ships in Major League socer, and I 166 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:04.879 think we're going to see I call it nuclear arms spending, 167 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:06.919 Spence I think you're going to see more and more 168 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:09.399 nuclear arms spending because it's going to be the necessity 169 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:12.720 of MLS teams having to spend between ten to fifteen 170 00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:16.080 million just to stay with him touching distance, as other 171 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:19.159 teams are going to look to push the threshold somewhere 172 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:22.440 between twenty five and thirty five million per off season 173 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:24.039 and per summer transfer window. 174 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:27.360 There have been some very notable signings as of late, 175 00:09:27.600 --> 00:09:30.159 and the sun has set in La Donnie. 176 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:32.519 See what I did there, my guys, Sonny. 177 00:09:32.320 --> 00:09:33.440 I did and I can't. 178 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:34.799 I'm excited. 179 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:36.919 He's been my favorite because you know, I'm a Spurs 180 00:09:36.919 --> 00:09:39.480 guy and I've loved him for a long long time. 181 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:45.159 In a vacuum. What sort of effect does this have? 182 00:09:45.320 --> 00:09:47.720 Not just for LAFC, but what does this say about 183 00:09:47.799 --> 00:09:52.559 players willingness to look at MLS. 184 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:54.879 As strong as ever? Rodrigo de Paul leaving at Atletico 185 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:58.720 Madrid to go play in Miami, you know, think about 186 00:09:58.720 --> 00:10:04.879 Thomas Mueller signing Invancouver leaving you know, FC Byron. This 187 00:10:04.919 --> 00:10:07.360 one's a little bit different though, because I don't think 188 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:09.639 I know, you know the power of funny with the 189 00:10:09.639 --> 00:10:11.399 South Korean market. A guy who has one hundred and 190 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:15.279 thirty four international appearances for South Korea. He is he 191 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:21.519 is a a K pop superstar footballer and it's funny. 192 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:24.759 I do the podcast, the LC Podcast of an Expertos 193 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:27.559 and the moment that there was the announcement that Sonny 194 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:31.799 was leaving Tottenham Hotspur, we were doing the podcast and 195 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:36.559 the jump in numbers on the podcast was extraordinary. Whether 196 00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:42.879 it's TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, the numbers are outlandish 197 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:48.879 because out the money. Don't worry about the money the 198 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:51.159 twenty six twenty seven million that's spent, that's going to 199 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:55.480 be recouped the Jersey sales. I hope LFC and Adidas 200 00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:58.840 are prepared because that black and goal number seven in 201 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:03.399 English and in care is going to be unbelievable. They 202 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:05.799 had a Hello Kiddy Night at Bimo Stadium about a 203 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:10.240 month ago and it was outrageous to see the response. 204 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:14.440 This is going to be a destination demo stadium, a 205 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:18.159 destination for not only the Korean fan base in Los Angeles, 206 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:21.000 but the Korean fan base as a whole. I think 207 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:24.480 it's genius. It's a messy level type impact, and that's 208 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:27.720 what I think is the most fascinating that fans truly 209 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:32.720 don't understand the South Korean market and this is so 210 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:36.399 much bigger than anybody could truly understand in real time. 211 00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:39.559 And by the way, that's a branding commercial side. On 212 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:42.200 the field, I'm in love with Sonny. I think he's 213 00:11:42.200 --> 00:11:46.320 fantastic as a human being. As a player, his net 214 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:50.360 goal contribution, goals and assists is extraordinarily high. And for 215 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:53.279 anyone says, yeah, but he's thirty three, he's thirty three 216 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:56.600 with young man's legs, so plenty left in the tank. 217 00:11:56.960 --> 00:12:00.279 Brilliant execution from LAFC and I'm glad to deal up done. 218 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:04.320 Your guy, Max handled that politician. I don't know if 219 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:06.919 you saw the clip, but there was a city council woman. 220 00:12:07.559 --> 00:12:11.759 Oh my gosh, can we not have politicians involved in signings? 221 00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:13.840 They don't know their elbow from their rear. 222 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:16.759 So she alluded to the fact that now that Sony's 223 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:20.200 playing in LA somehow he's gonna help us win a 224 00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:23.240 World Cup, and then Max step steps up and brilliant 225 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:25.559 It's like, yeah, we might get a US South Korea final. 226 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:28.639 I thought your guy handled that so well, del. 227 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:31.360 Max man, he's the best. He's absolutely you know it 228 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:35.159 reminded me of when Bastin Steinsteiger signed with the Chicago 229 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:40.759 Fire and a similar thing happened. And so this is where, 230 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:43.799 you know, let's I agree with you. Let's just keep 231 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:46.879 politics out of sports and just let sports be sports. 232 00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:47.159 No doubt, no doubt. 233 00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:49.879 All right, before we get to some specifics with RSL, 234 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:52.200 we've got a couple of years sample sized with this 235 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:53.200 League's Cup tournament. 236 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:54.440 Donny, what do you make of it? 237 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:56.480 What do you like what we're trying to do here 238 00:12:56.480 --> 00:12:59.519 with MLS and LEGUA Macki's yeah, I do. 239 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:02.000 I do the adjustment to the format that it is 240 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:05.799 MLS versus League A Mechi's in every single game. I 241 00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:09.440 think it's brilliant. I think it helps both sides to 242 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:12.879 really understand from a business perspective, from an on the 243 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:18.240 field perspective, what's happening. Covering the Club America game, Pablo 244 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:20.200 and I talked about it's going to make him and 245 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:23.519 his coaching staff better because they're going to understand going 246 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:27.240 against Jardiney, the manager from Club America, being one of 247 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:30.559 the best in the region. You know, the influence, the tactics, 248 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:34.600 the shape, the change of systems, the substitution patterns. All 249 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:39.240 of that are hugely, hugely beneficial. And again, I think 250 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:42.639 it's naive to suggest that there's not an opportunity for 251 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:46.240 maybe Club America fans that see Real Salt Lake beat 252 00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:48.320 them to say, hey, hold on a second, I'm in 253 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:51.480 Salt Lake City, my family, we grew up Club America fans. 254 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:53.320 I'm going to go out and support Real Salt Lake. 255 00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:55.360 They're going to be my local team. And I'm still 256 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:58.440 going to support Club America each and every time they're 257 00:13:58.480 --> 00:14:00.240 on television, and we can go to a game and 258 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:03.000 support them. So there's a cross branding effect ahead of 259 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:07.080 the World Cup next summer, Mexico, Canada and the United 260 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:10.559 States holding games. And I think within you know, my 261 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:13.320 friend is my rival, my rival is my friend. I 262 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:18.559 think somewhere there's a conversation and the relationship between legan 263 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:22.360 Mechi's and Major League Soccer to continue to evolve and grow, 264 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:25.440 as well as creating organic rivalries in the meantime. 265 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:27.960 How do these two leagues match up currently? I think 266 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:31.159 once upon a time the gap between where League at 267 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:33.840 Mekis was and MLS was was massive. 268 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.440 Is that gap closing? 269 00:14:35.559 --> 00:14:37.639 Do you think these two leagues are at least on 270 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:39.120 similar footing at this point. 271 00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:42.879 Yeah, I think there's certain teams that have passed the 272 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:46.799 majority of the League A Mechi's teams, but the superstar 273 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:50.960 teams are still the superstar teams. And you know, when 274 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:53.879 you talk about the monsters and the giants of chieves Ta, Guadalajara, 275 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:58.120 Pulmas Cruz, as who think about America, think about Tige, 276 00:14:58.200 --> 00:15:01.759 I think about Pachuca, think about Monterey, you know they. 277 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:07.480 I think more and more you're seeing LEGA Mch's leadership 278 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:11.399 adopt ideas that MLS has had. I think you're seeing 279 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:15.799 League A Mechi's teams be really impressed with the infrastructure 280 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:19.399 and the spend of the way that MLS is doing things. 281 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:22.000 And I think more and more, as these games happen, 282 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:24.679 there's going to be more players that their first instinct 283 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:27.120 would be to play for League A Mechis that are 284 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:29.639 now saying, hold on a second, I've played against that 285 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:32.679 MLS team. They're really good. I'd rather be a part 286 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:35.919 of that. And thinking about from a family perspective, off 287 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:38.639 the field perspective, and what that looks like of life 288 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:40.919 in America. So I think a lot of things are 289 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:43.919 happening right now that are wake up calls for league 290 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:46.440 at mechis that are wake up calls for Major League Soccer. 291 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:49.559 And overall, I think it's going to strengthen the product product, 292 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:50.679 both on and off the field. 293 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:53.320 So over to ours. A couple of minutes left, I've 294 00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:55.960 got with you, Donnie. There they are unbeaten in nine 295 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:58.559 of their last ten. We'll get to the new additions. 296 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:00.759 But what do you what do you to tribute this 297 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:02.000 recent turn of form too. 298 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:08.159 I think it was adapting to who they weren't and 299 00:16:08.200 --> 00:16:11.600 by that I mean the departures of Crooks, Chicho Anderson, 300 00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:17.480 Julio Andres Gomez. I thought, and I understand the ownership 301 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:21.679 change created its own circumstances, but Pablo was kind of 302 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:23.519 put in a lurch to try to compete with the 303 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:27.320 big spenders and the strengthening of rosters at the start 304 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:30.480 of the season. He's adjusted. And by the way, for 305 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:33.519 anyone that doesn't think Pablo is very very intelligent, he 306 00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:36.639 and his staff in terms of tactics, just look at 307 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:38.720 the response of how they got the best out of 308 00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:41.720 Paulo Luiz. When Brian o'heeda was away trying to get 309 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:45.360 his paperwork sorted. The evolution of Diego Luna while he 310 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:48.279 was gone and coming back to a team, and now 311 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:52.000 you know the significant spend on both Rowan Cruz and 312 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:56.480 Olatunji and what that means even with strengthening maybe a 313 00:16:56.519 --> 00:17:00.159 couple other domestic spots before this summer transfer window closes. 314 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:02.519 I think what Pablo and his team have done if 315 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:06.440 they put themselves in a position to get into the 316 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:10.960 playoffs when that certainly wasn't a certain It wasn't for sure. 317 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:14.720 And now how quickly can they adapt both the new 318 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:17.400 players into the team. Can the new players adapt to 319 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:21.519 the culture, the dynamics, the training habits, and then the 320 00:17:21.599 --> 00:17:24.400 structure and go out and be the best version of 321 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:26.880 themselves and the reason why they were brought into play 322 00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:27.640 for Risso Lake. 323 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:32.440 So let's dig into these signings real quick. Ron Cruz, 324 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:35.160 we saw him last night for about thirty minutes. It 325 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:38.200 was a pretty quiet thirty minutes. He's brought in as 326 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:41.240 a DP. Pablo on the show called them a nine 327 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:44.319 point five somebody who can play striker but also make plays, 328 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:47.759 so designated player. There's a purchase option at the end 329 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:50.279 of eighteen months. What do you know about him? How 330 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.480 do you think you'll fit in here. 331 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:54.839 Yeah. So a player that was a part of Bodafogo's 332 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:59.200 squad for FIFA Club World Cup, didn't play, hasn't played 333 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:03.400 a lot of minutes recently, very dynamic, high high, high ceiling, 334 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:06.920 spent some time over in Europe, scored I think twenty 335 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:09.559 four goals and like fifty appearances, came back. If he's 336 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:13.839 coming out of Brazil, I would put him. Yeah. I 337 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:18.359 would use the example of Colorado's Hafel Navajo, the number nine, 338 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:20.000 where it took him a little bit of time to 339 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:23.000 adapt and once he did adapt, these last ten years 340 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:26.160 two years, he's been fantastic. So I'm hoping he's like 341 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:32.200 Hafa Navajo in Colorado. Great size, great intelligence, great technical ability. 342 00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:35.359 He's adapting to the teammates. The teammates are adapting to him, 343 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:39.440 similar to Williagatta. Similar. The good news is he's early, 344 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:45.480 like Chicho al Latunji, great experience Nigerian in Sparta Prague. 345 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:50.359 He's got some international understanding of what it means. He's 346 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:54.400 kind of a right side underneath type Ish player. They 347 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:58.200 need that, especially with Dominic Marchuk being nowhere near the 348 00:18:58.240 --> 00:19:01.400 player we thought he was capable of being so we'll 349 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:04.200 see how quickly they adapt. Still think they need competition 350 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:07.640 at right back. Besides that, everything else looks pretty good. 351 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:10.839 I need to see more from Diogo Gonsalvez. Still haven't 352 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:13.720 seen enough from him. But they got some tough decisions 353 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:16.920 to make, and we'll see as important players coming in, 354 00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:19.400 I think is as important as some of the players 355 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:19.799 going out. 356 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:22.680 So the Olatunji kid, the Victor Olatunji kid more of 357 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.559 a natural nine. 358 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:24.519 Yeah, And also. 359 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:27.920 Both these two players Doney are big and tall and long, 360 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:30.119 and Pablo on the show a couple of weeks ago 361 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:33.480 was kind of bemoaning the fact that they just aren't 362 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:35.960 a very big team. They actually just scored their first 363 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:39.119 corner of the year and it was Oheita, who suddenly 364 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:41.200 is like scoring goals left and right, which is wild. 365 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:43.559 But as far as the natural nine, how do you 366 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.799 think a tune Gi fits in? 367 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:47.759 Yeah, I don't know if he's a true number nine. 368 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:51.640 To be quite honest with him, With what I've seen 369 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:55.640 so far, I think he's I would probably use very 370 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:59.279 similar the nine point five conversation, or maybe an underneath 371 00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:01.640 type of guy, or maybe even like on the right 372 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:07.519 hand side when he's facing goal. He's frightening, and that's 373 00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:10.000 what they're going to look Listen. You know for Pablo 374 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:12.200 talking about bodies, you know, a god is good size, 375 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:17.119 peels and good size, but they need players that conversion 376 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:21.160 to opportunity is much higher. And you know, the Cover 377 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:25.200 Medica game is maybe the perfect example of the Cincinnati game, 378 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:27.960 the perfect example that Willie a Gotta puts himself in 379 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:31.359 some great spots, but he's not a natural converter. He 380 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:34.799 needs three or four opportunities. And so that's effectively what 381 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:38.640 you're trying to buy is guys that need two chances 382 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:40.960 to find the back of them as opposed to guys 383 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:43.839 that you have that need three to four chances. So 384 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:45.880 that's going to be the challenge for the two new 385 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.599 guys coming in. 386 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:48.880 You may have answered this question because you reference the 387 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:51.279 compet right back that you think needs to be there. 388 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:54.200 But Kurt on the show yesterday alluded to one or 389 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:58.079 if not two potential additions before this window closes, which 390 00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:59.799 I believe is in about two and a half weeks. 391 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:02.720 Any thoughts on where that could or should be? What 392 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.640 does that look like? 393 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:08.000 I mean, I'm of the belief since Brooks Lennon and 394 00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:11.920 Aaron Herrera left Real salt Lake And these are multiple, 395 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:15.880 multiple years that Real Salt Lake has been extremely weak 396 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:20.720 at the right back position. You know, Andrew Brody was 397 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:22.960 supposed to be the guy, and Body Hidalgo was supposed 398 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:25.440 to be the guy. You know, You've gone through three 399 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:28.559 or four or five different options. Noel Kalaskin has done 400 00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:31.039 a fantastic job, but I'm not of the belief that 401 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:34.319