WEBVTT 1 00:00:11.320 --> 00:00:15.119 Welcome in to MLS six pack. Here on the SDH network, 2 00:00:15.160 --> 00:00:18.320 I'm Madison Cruz. We got a three way dance with 3 00:00:18.440 --> 00:00:21.120 all of us here today. We have Jason Longshore, one 4 00:00:21.160 --> 00:00:22.800 of the voices of it Landy United, and then we 5 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:25.800 have Jared Smith joining us as well as we recap 6 00:00:26.199 --> 00:00:29.120 the absolute chaos that is Major League Soccer. 7 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:29.920 What's up, guys. 8 00:00:31.440 --> 00:00:34.119 Jared Smith is also one of the voices of chaos, so. 9 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:37.119 It fits also one of the voices chaos. 10 00:00:37.399 --> 00:00:39.799 If I can find it, I'm going to drag it, 11 00:00:39.880 --> 00:00:40.679 kicking at screaming. 12 00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:45.840 So yes, correct, all residents of chaos, we all enjoy it. 13 00:00:46.119 --> 00:00:50.479 Everything's phenomenal. But speaking of chaos, this week was a 14 00:00:50.479 --> 00:00:54.240 little chaotic in many different ways. Before we get into 15 00:00:54.600 --> 00:00:57.240 our thoughts on last weekend, I want to talk about 16 00:00:57.240 --> 00:00:59.560 a big piece of news that did drop this week. 17 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:04.680 See if Montreal parted ways with Laurent Courtois after I 18 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:06.359 believe six games on the road. 19 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:09.920 Didn't even get the game six on the road. Montreal 20 00:01:10.040 --> 00:01:14.120 is drunk and stupid. I think it's a horrible decision 21 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:19.120 because Laurent Courtois has not had the weapons to actually 22 00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:22.640 put up a good fight. Somehow, he did he got 23 00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:24.200 that team into the playoffs last year when they had 24 00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:27.599 no business being in the playoffs, and you're starting with 25 00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:31.239 six games on the road this season because the Big 26 00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:34.920 O is doing some renovations and statsuputo. I guess they 27 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:38.120 were worried about it being frozen, although I think he 28 00:01:38.200 --> 00:01:40.159 probably could have played Montreal. I haven't checked the weather 29 00:01:40.159 --> 00:01:43.680 there these past couple of weeks, but I would think 30 00:01:43.799 --> 00:01:45.840 maybe you could have dealt with it. I don't know. 31 00:01:46.359 --> 00:01:50.439 Welcome to CF Montreal. It is always dumb, and it 32 00:01:50.480 --> 00:01:55.319 shouldn't be and it is, and it's really really frustrating 33 00:01:55.560 --> 00:01:58.959 because they've never gotten it right, except for like one 34 00:01:59.079 --> 00:02:02.400 year where they brought in Didier Drogma and he still 35 00:02:02.439 --> 00:02:06.319 had functioning knees and they had Nacho Piati, who's one 36 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:08.639 of the best signings in league history, and it was 37 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:13.919 a lot of fun. And it's been pretty much really crappy, 38 00:02:14.520 --> 00:02:16.520 too much gravy on the poutine ever since. 39 00:02:17.159 --> 00:02:19.960 Yeah, I'd never forget as well that one year they 40 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:21.840 forgot how to measure an eighteen yard box. 41 00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:22.599 Oh there's that. 42 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:27.879 Yeah, Maddy, you seem surprised by this so quick story 43 00:02:27.919 --> 00:02:31.479 time the Eastern Conference Final that year was Toronto and Montreal, 44 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:33.719 which was super important, super fun at the time because 45 00:02:33.759 --> 00:02:37.000 Toronto take away those couple of years where Toronto was 46 00:02:37.039 --> 00:02:39.840 competing for titles. Toronto has been kind of a failure 47 00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:44.240 pile and a sadness bowl their entire existence, and they 48 00:02:44.360 --> 00:02:47.759 put it together with Greg Nanny. But Montreal did as well. 49 00:02:47.840 --> 00:02:51.800 Eastern Conference Final was two legs. It was Montreal and Toronto. 50 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:54.439 It was a blast. They played it in Olympic Stadium, 51 00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:58.159 which is where the Montreal Expos used to play. They 52 00:02:58.439 --> 00:03:01.120 drew the lines for the field and the eighteen yard 53 00:03:01.159 --> 00:03:03.319 box was not eighteen yards like it wasn't even close. 54 00:03:03.639 --> 00:03:06.199 They had to like delay the game to redraw the 55 00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:09.199 eighteen yard box because I don't know if they were 56 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:13.719 measuring in cubits instead of feet. Man, I don't know. 57 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:17.599 But that was also that entire tie, one hundred and 58 00:03:17.639 --> 00:03:19.400 eighty minutes of it. All of it was drunk and 59 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:20.759 it was a really fun series. 60 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:23.520 Yeah, it's it's one go back and watch. I think 61 00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:26.919 they did a package on that Eastern Conference Final and 62 00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:31.439 it was incredible, maybe the best that the league's ever had. 63 00:03:31.520 --> 00:03:34.520 And that's the high water mark for CF Montreal when 64 00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:36.639 they shouldn't have even changed the name. It should be 65 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:40.360 the Montreal Impact. Yeah, man, I'm mad about it. 66 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:44.800 And to Jason's point, like at this point, like I 67 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:46.759 know there were there were I think it was Matt 68 00:03:46.800 --> 00:03:49.360 Doyle dropped that there were rumors that there was a 69 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:52.879 lot of friction in the locker room between laur Uncletois 70 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:56.520 and players. But saying that after the fact is such 71 00:03:56.520 --> 00:04:02.759 an easy throwaway. Yeah, I think fired. But it's not 72 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:04.879 even like a thing where like, well he's got rid 73 00:04:04.919 --> 00:04:07.520 of him for that reason, like Joey Supputo has has 74 00:04:07.639 --> 00:04:10.960 operated on a level that makes knee jerk reactions look 75 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:14.599 well thought out for so long at this point that 76 00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:18.600 it's really hard to hold it against any Montreal fan 77 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:21.079 who has zero faith in what's going on up there, 78 00:04:21.120 --> 00:04:24.800 because it's just been this constant. We got a manager, 79 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:29.079 we have a roster. We made the playoffs. Oh that's fun, now, what, Well, 80 00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:31.240 we struggled on the road because we have to play 81 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:33.399 our first few games on the road otherwise teams have 82 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:36.360 to go through the Northwest Passage to get here and 83 00:04:36.399 --> 00:04:39.120 it's still frozen. We struggled on the road out of 84 00:04:39.160 --> 00:04:40.879 the gate. Well, it looks like we're firing the manager. 85 00:04:40.920 --> 00:04:44.160 It's not exactly what I want at this moment. Someone 86 00:04:44.600 --> 00:04:46.240 got it at some point has to take the control 87 00:04:46.240 --> 00:04:48.560 away from Joey Supputo as the problem is is he's 88 00:04:48.600 --> 00:04:50.720 in charge, so there is no one above him who 89 00:04:50.759 --> 00:04:52.439 can't take that controller away from him. 90 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:56.399 I feel so bad for Montreal fans because I think 91 00:04:56.519 --> 00:04:59.920 in the times that we've been in Montreal for matches 92 00:05:00.120 --> 00:05:04.399 is the fan base is so intelligent. 93 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:05.360 It's such a. 94 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:09.160 Definitely my favorite away. 95 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:09.680 Day as well. 96 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:13.560 It's it's a wonderful little stadium that, yeah, they probably 97 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:15.079 need to expand a little bit so they can make 98 00:05:15.079 --> 00:05:18.360 more money. Okay, work on that. I don't know. Firing 99 00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:23.560 managers on a regular basis, it's just frustrating because Montreal 100 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:27.560 could be such a great club in this will be 101 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:31.240 It's such a great soccer city and it just hasn't 102 00:05:31.279 --> 00:05:35.800 been served well. And it's very frustrating for me. It's 103 00:05:35.839 --> 00:05:37.560 just a fan of the league. I can't even imagine 104 00:05:37.680 --> 00:05:41.560 for a Montreal fan it should be better. They shouldn't 105 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:43.839 have moved on for Courtois. I think when you got 106 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:48.040 the anonymous survey of sporting directors around the league, and 107 00:05:48.120 --> 00:05:52.120 Courtois is one of the highest like most I think 108 00:05:52.160 --> 00:05:55.639 they said underrated managers in the league. He got as 109 00:05:55.680 --> 00:06:00.160 many votes as anybody. Uh, very well respected guy who 110 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:02.079 I think did as much as he could with that group. 111 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:05.639 And it's not on him. Whoever takes it permanently moving 112 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:08.279 on is not gonna have it any better, and we're 113 00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:11.160 just gonna do the rents and repeat once again here 114 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:13.759 at some point when Joey Saputo wakes up and decides 115 00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:15.279 to fire his manager again that day. 116 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:18.399 For me, it's also too like even if Matt Doyle 117 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:21.959 did say there was tension, I mean, God, always, there's 118 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:22.600 always tension. 119 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:25.240 I mean also to. 120 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:28.639 Four games lost literally this is it. Lost to Atlanta 121 00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:32.120 three to two, Loston Minnesota one nil, lost a Vancouver 122 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:36.120 two nil, tied DC United nil nil. Then you lost 123 00:06:36.120 --> 00:06:39.800 to Nashville three nil. Of course there's gonna be tension 124 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:42.680 in the locker room, especially home not winning. You haven't 125 00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:45.680 been home either, like tensions are gonna rise. It might 126 00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:48.600 have been one game, maybe they just had like a moment. 127 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:51.360 It happens like that. For me, I'm like, that's no 128 00:06:51.480 --> 00:06:55.040 reason to fire a coach that has gotten you to 129 00:06:55.480 --> 00:06:58.319 a wild card game and arguably has looked better than 130 00:06:58.360 --> 00:07:00.000 you guys have looked in the last couple of years. 131 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:02.680 I've said it before. I love the way that he 132 00:07:02.759 --> 00:07:05.439 develops talent. I mean, you look at what he did 133 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:07.879 with Columbus Crew in MLS Next Pro and you look 134 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:09.519 what he did there, you know, took him to a 135 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:12.759 championship and then took them to the championship unless than 136 00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:16.240 they lost to Austin too, but went to back to 137 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:21.680 back championships in MLS Next Pro. That's that's hard, like 138 00:07:21.680 --> 00:07:23.920 like for me, it's like and then coming into MLS 139 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:26.519 and the first like year he's an MLS he takes 140 00:07:26.519 --> 00:07:27.600 them to a wild card game. 141 00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:30.759 That's unheard of like for me. For me, I think 142 00:07:30.759 --> 00:07:31.680 it's a stupid decision. 143 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:34.839 I think it's really really dumb on Montreal's part, and 144 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:36.800 I think it's really going to hurt them throughout the 145 00:07:36.839 --> 00:07:38.560 rest of the season, you know what, And you know 146 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:41.439 they're playing Chicago. Maybe it's the new Hope coach head bump, 147 00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:44.240 like they'll go in Chicago, it's not. 148 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:49.040 Fighting Halters. 149 00:07:49.480 --> 00:07:51.839 So I I think it's a stupid decision. I don't 150 00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:53.879 like it. It makes me mad because I really like 151 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:57.120 Laurent Courtois and wherever he goes. I hope that he 152 00:07:57.160 --> 00:07:59.800 does so well and he just you know, shoves it 153 00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:02.560 in everyone's face because I really love him as a 154 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:03.040 head coach. 155 00:08:03.160 --> 00:08:03.639 I really do. 156 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:07.800 Laurent, Please don't go to the insanity, even more insanity 157 00:08:07.839 --> 00:08:10.639 that is a legua uh or the second division in France, 158 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:13.720 Like stay away, because that's even more ridiculous than what 159 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:16.920 you just dealt with. Wait and get a good opportunity, 160 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:19.480 because he will get it and he will do well 161 00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:22.639 if he's backed by ownership with I don't know, some 162 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:24.959 actual functioning rosters to work. 163 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:27.160 With well and to build on that. I mean, the 164 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:29.360 question is now, like, what does Montreal do next? Well, 165 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:31.040 they put an interim in place, I'm like, good luck 166 00:08:31.079 --> 00:08:34.240 getting somebody, because Jos Aputo is operating on such a 167 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:35.600 knee jerk level at this. 168 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:37.759 Point, I think you've already went through pretty much every 169 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:41.080 Montreal impact legend that you had that you could give 170 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:45.360 it to. You've already burned Yellow, You've already burned DeSantis. 171 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:48.879 I mean, everybody that was a star for that team, 172 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:50.919 going back to the days when they're playing the Atlanta 173 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:55.639 Ruckus at Adams Stadium, North drud Hills Drive here, you know, 174 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:59.320 like there's nobody else, So you're gonna get somebody who 175 00:08:59.399 --> 00:09:01.120 is desperate, and it's going to be bad. 176 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:05.240 Yeah, anybody who has like an idea and who has 177 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:07.720 like plans, they're not going to be interested in this. 178 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:09.240 They're not going to want to put up with Joey 179 00:09:09.240 --> 00:09:13.559 Saputo's bs. That's no problem. It's it's a it's a 180 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:17.360 crappy situation for the fans that have to deal with. 181 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:19.399 And Joey Sputo has kind of made his bed at 182 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:22.120 this point, and there's so many needles in that bed. 183 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:24.399 You're just kind of wondering why he doesn't sleep standing up. 184 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:27.799 Well, you mentioned it, Maddie. They go to Chicago next, 185 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:31.279 and I believe we have a little bit of intel 186 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:32.960 on the Chicago fire. 187 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:35.279 We do, in fact have a little bit of intel. 188 00:09:35.320 --> 00:09:38.200 It was really really fun yesterday I had the opportunity 189 00:09:38.200 --> 00:09:39.879 to catch up with Joe. 190 00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:43.440 Chats, he is of on Tap sports Net there in Chicago. 191 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:45.799 We talked a little bit just about Chicago. We talked 192 00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:48.960 about them beating Vancouver, the top of the Western Conference, 193 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:51.440 beating them three to one, and then now getting to 194 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:54.519 go back home and face a very very depleted and 195 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:57.440 kind of in a rut. CF Montreal. It was a 196 00:09:57.440 --> 00:10:00.080 really really fun conversation and you'll get to hear it, 197 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:00.679 and then a couple of. 198 00:10:00.679 --> 00:10:05.600 Minutes, Faces drops on a new week of soccer down here. 199 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:16.320 It would be amazing. I'm just saying, ninety minutes compelling content. 200 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:19.639 It's it's non stop entertainment. 201 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:24.039 Could I to Knakna? 202 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:25.639 Want to say? Could I to Knaka? 203 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:27.960 Cleans it up? Hey? Cold I to knock up? Says 204 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:30.120 good night? Keep back to the left, keep back to 205 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:32.559 the right, back to the left, cleanse it off, god 206 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:40.799 able to slip it? 207 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:41.720 Thrill is gonna. 208 00:10:41.559 --> 00:10:42.000 Driving a. 209 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:49.639 Godar with the left, puts in the cross over the 210 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:52.120 head of Carlson. It fall to him anyway, right but 211 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:53.000 it shot, Go. 212 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:57.519 Go go Atlanta United too and they take the four 213 00:10:57.799 --> 00:10:58.559 three lead. 214 00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:08.559 Alrighty everyone, I am joined with Joe chats of on 215 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:09.720 Tap Sports Net. 216 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:12.720 They're in Chicago. Joe, thank you so much for joining 217 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:14.000 us here on MLS six pack. 218 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:16.320 Oh, thank you so much for having me. I just 219 00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:17.639 need a six pack at this point. 220 00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:19.879 Listen, don't we all? Don't we all? 221 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:22.759 Yeah? Maybe not from a car, but like other than that, yeah, yes. 222 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:25.399 No, that'll be later when you get home then. 223 00:11:25.440 --> 00:11:29.600 Yes, of course, of course responsibly, everybody be responsible. Of course, 224 00:11:29.679 --> 00:11:31.799 this is how we should start everything. Yeah, just don't 225 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:32.639 be an idiot. 226 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:34.879 Guys, don't be an idiot. Don't be an idiot, go home, 227 00:11:35.080 --> 00:11:37.080 have a six pack, then watch MLS. That's what you. 228 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:40.080 Yeah, exactly, great way to introduce myself to your audience. 229 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:43.399 Hey, the beauty of it. It's the beauty of it, 230 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:44.559 beauty of a whole. 231 00:11:44.679 --> 00:11:47.919 But one thing is for cool actually is you actually 232 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:51.120 just got done chatting with Greg Burholter at Chicago in 233 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:51.960 media today. 234 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:54.000 What were the conversations like there today? 235 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:56.039 Couple things. 236 00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:59.080 So, the big headliner of the day is that Brian 237 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:01.559 Gudierrez is going to be out for their match against 238 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:02.679 the CF Montreal. 239 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:05.919 He suffered from muscular discomfort. 240 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:08.159 Is how the usmn T described it, and so he 241 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:11.159 missed out on that third place game against Canada. 242 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:13.399 I guess that's kind of for the better, whatever you 243 00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:13.879 want to say. 244 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:15.840 But so he's going to be out. So that was 245 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:18.919 a big talking point. Kellen Acosta's availability. He suffered an 246 00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:21.679 injury in Dallas. We'll see. He seems like more of 247 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:25.519 a bench option at this point. And then general talking points. 248 00:12:25.559 --> 00:12:27.919 You know, the team's been playing well, three straight wins 249 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:30.679 on the road, but you're playing a CF Montreal side 250 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:33.799 that just fired their coach because they're CF Montreal, not 251 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:37.919 because they do things logically. Laurent Courtois is a great coach. Honestly, 252 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:40.960 he's been of a yeller for me, but it's clear 253 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:44.080 that they were a good team. So Greg definitely said 254 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:47.679 some interesting things about that, and he told me personally 255 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:50.120 the day before, like, I was surprised by this because 256 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:53.799 the big fear for Chicago Fire fans this weekend is 257 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:55.559 this just feels like such a trap game, and for 258 00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:58.559 a team that's trying to re establish an identity, is 259 00:12:58.679 --> 00:13:00.759 a real team in MLS, so not the team it's 260 00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:05.279 been recently. A result against Montreal at home would be 261 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:07.799 massive for this size confidence, even though they have the 262 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:09.159 expectation for three points. 263 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:12.919 Yeah, listen, I'm echoing your sentiment as well. I was 264 00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:16.600 very upset when I saw that Laurentourtois was fired because 265 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:20.000 they were my dark horse the entire season. When I 266 00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:22.600 just he is such a phenomenal coach and I was 267 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:24.919 really excited to see what they could do. I feel 268 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:26.879 like it's a little bit of like too early to 269 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:28.879 even think about it, like you had six games on 270 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:29.320 the road. 271 00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:33.559 It's like, exactly, you sound like Greg, That's exactly what 272 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:35.320 he said. It's just like, how are you going to 273 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:35.759 judge this? 274 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:38.240 A little a little scary, and just you've got a 275 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:41.600 guy who won with Crew two and then made Montreal relevant, 276 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:43.720 which is all they can really be at this point 277 00:13:43.799 --> 00:13:45.279 until they actually develop an academy. 278 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:47.320 So like I thought, he did a great job. 279 00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:51.720 Yeah, Which, speaking of Greg, what did he say about Montreal, 280 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:54.600 especially going into this match on Saturday. What were some 281 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:57.440 of the things he's highlighted, especially with how they play 282 00:13:57.519 --> 00:13:59.600 and how Chicago can come out with the result. 283 00:14:00.440 --> 00:14:04.000 So basically, it was the idea of ignoring their goal total. 284 00:14:04.200 --> 00:14:06.240 If you go more to their goal chances, they've had 285 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:08.000 a lot, it's just they've not been able to score. 286 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:09.480 They've had to deal with the post, and they've been 287 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:11.480 playing good teams and they've not really been at home, 288 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:13.919 so there's a lot of reasons why they haven't scored yet. 289 00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:18.159 So that was a big talking point, is really understanding 290 00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:20.559 that defensive cohesion and this is going to be one 291 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:23.480 of the first matches or first times where it's consecutive matches. 292 00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:26.039 It appears with the same back four. It looks like 293 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:29.519 it'll be Leo Barrosso at right back, Jack Elliott and 294 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:32.399 Sam Rodgers at center back, unless maybe Carlo Thron slides 295 00:14:32.440 --> 00:14:34.279 back in there and then Andrew Gutman at left back. 296 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:36.320 So that's a massive thing for the Fire because they 297 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:38.600 still don't have a clean sheet this year, so just 298 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:40.960 to have that kind of cohesion was big. But also 299 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:45.600 understanding that this is one of those games in MLS 300 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:48.039 where you can't take your foot off the gas pedal 301 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:49.919 at all or else you will end up losing three 302 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:52.960 nothing at home and then you're embarrassed and understand you 303 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:54.960 know everyone's going to say it the same old Chicago Fire. 304 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:57.559 So this is kind of a litmus test this week 305 00:14:57.639 --> 00:15:00.200 for the entire club. That's what Greg said, and it's 306 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:03.039 really they understand the quality in Montreal squad. They've got 307 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:06.600 it all. I mean, the Fire beat them through, you know, 308 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:09.320 the sheer help of God. Last year just still the 309 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:12.279 funniest goal I've ever seen, Like it's I was watching 310 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:14.679 the replays this week because they put it out in socials. 311 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:16.159 And it remains the funniest thing. 312 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:19.320 And Ariel last got traded to the team last year 313 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:21.360 after being on the wrong side of that, and I 314 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:22.879 talked to him, I think it was September and he 315 00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:23.919 was still. 316 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:24.240 Mad about it. 317 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:26.279 Just he's like, I don't think I'll ever get over 318 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:29.519 that because it's so ridiculous. So there's going to be 319 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:31.559 a lot of people in that Montreal side that are 320 00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:33.919 really going to want to get a result. And Fabby 321 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:36.720 and herber is making his return to the Chicago Fire 322 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:39.360 playing against Chicago Fire, Like, there's a lot of reasons 323 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:40.679 why that team is going to want to get a 324 00:15:40.679 --> 00:15:42.960 result on the road. So the Fire, if they take 325 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:44.480 their foot off the gas pedal, they'll be down three 326 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:45.639 nothing and fifteen minutes agains. 327 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:47.879 The Montreal side, you can't do that. 328 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:50.840 The Montreal's dangerous and how they can just come out 329 00:15:50.919 --> 00:15:52.240 the way it happened to Atlanta. 330 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:53.799 It happened in the first game of the season. 331 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:56.720 You know, we had all the momentum going into halftime 332 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:58.519 and then they came back in they were able to score. 333 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:02.000 It's Montreal's a scary side, especially when you when you 334 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:05.559 face them. But with all those storylines like intermidst it, 335 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:08.679 what's like the vibe? What was the vibe of training, Like, 336 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:11.600 what was the vibe seeing everyone there? Everyone excited, hyped 337 00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:14.879 up for this game, especially after beating the number one 338 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:17.399 Western Conference in Vancouver white Caps. 339 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.240 Yes last week. 340 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:21.039 Yeah, this is I mean I've been covering the team. 341 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:23.200 This is going to be my third full season. Last 342 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:25.240 two were not pleasant. So like, they've never been this 343 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:27.120 confidence since I've been doing it. And it's only five 344 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:30.000 games in, right, so there is a real shift in 345 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:33.320 the building. But the expectation is, you know, another win. 346 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:36.159 They want to win, they want to consistently win, and 347 00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:39.759 they understand that. It's like you look at the attacking room, right, 348 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:43.360 You've got Hugo Kuiper's starting off wonderfully. He has been 349 00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:45.600 what the Fire needed him to be when he's their 350 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:49.159 club record signing, understanding that he needs to get those 351 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:51.080 chances in front of goal, right, Like if you look 352 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:53.000 at his numbers, I think he's five goals and it's 353 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:55.559 four point eight or four point nine expected goals this year. 354 00:16:56.039 --> 00:16:59.480 So the understanding is that, Okay, he's lifted off. So 355 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:02.320 Jonathan Bombo is the other guy. Joe Bamba, I guess 356 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:05.000 is the other guy who did press today and he 357 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:07.079 was also saying, you know, I want to get to 358 00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:09.160 that level. We're seeing that success on the field, but 359 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:11.799 now I want to get to that personal level of successes. Well, 360 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:14.519 Philip Zinkernagel got a goal in this last week. He 361 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:16.839 really that was a big thing for him. Get on 362 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:19.319 the score sheet. You can see the confidence level rising. 363 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:23.039 So it's another reason why everyone is kind of saying 364 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:25.319 you cannot let your foot off the gas pedal against 365 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:28.279 this Montreal side because there's been so much positive momentum 366 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:29.680 built that they don't want to lose it. 367 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:34.279 But there is still that understanding that this is not 368 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.319 a joke of a game. 369 00:17:35.400 --> 00:17:37.039 And I feel like a lot of people on the 370 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:40.799 outside just don't unders understand how good this Montreal team is. 371 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:45.359 And it seems like the Fire due as you look. 372 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:47.839 At it too, especially with them firing their head coach. 373 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:49.640 Now people are like, ah, you know, like, well here 374 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:53.160 it is. The foundations still there, especially the room coming 375 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.680 in like it's all still there. 376 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:57.599 So they're still very, very dangerous in what they want 377 00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:57.799 to do. 378 00:17:58.400 --> 00:18:01.880 But I want to talk about Halter, especially with him 379 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:04.400 coming in new head coach for the Fire, how have 380 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:07.519 you seen the players buy in to what Gregor Halter 381 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:09.480 wants to do with this squad. 382 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:12.519 And with this team, there wasn't really a choice, right 383 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:14.000 you had to buy in or you're going to get 384 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:14.480 shipped out. 385 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.319 It's as simple as that. 386 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:18.680 There was going to be a shift when you get 387 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:22.319 the head coach also as the director of football, it's 388 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:25.039 going to go to a different level. Frank Lopas, one 389 00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:26.799 of my favorite people, was not. 390 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:28.319 Fit for the role by the end of it. It 391 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:30.200 just didn't work with him as fire coach. 392 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:32.279 He's got a new role in the organization where I 393 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:34.880 think he'll thrive and he had success in his own 394 00:18:34.920 --> 00:18:36.640 right in Montreal, but just at this time with the 395 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:40.799 fire didn't work out. So it is a very serious 396 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:44.000 building when you're in there. People are there to work 397 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:46.279 at the training center, people are there to be there 398 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:49.359 to be serious. We are there to work, enjoy and 399 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:55.079 get better every day. There is a level of heightened pressure, yes, 400 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:57.720 but it's also your professional athletes, right, you kind of 401 00:18:57.799 --> 00:19:00.200