WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:03.040 All right, we're live today at Tim Dally Nissan. It's 2 00:00:03.120 --> 00:00:05.719 forty five to twenty eight South State Street. Got off 3 00:00:05.759 --> 00:00:07.839 to a little weird start to the show, got a 4 00:00:07.879 --> 00:00:14.000 little loose, was trying to say donors and boosters. 5 00:00:13.119 --> 00:00:16.199 And landed on a board right in between. But we're 6 00:00:16.199 --> 00:00:17.480 gonna move on because. 7 00:00:17.199 --> 00:00:20.559 It's Friday, and it's beautiful outside and RSL is at 8 00:00:20.600 --> 00:00:21.440 action tomorrow. 9 00:00:21.719 --> 00:00:24.199 Our next guest midfielder for Rayel saw Lake. 10 00:00:24.239 --> 00:00:26.440 It's always a pleasure to catch up with a Mecca 11 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:27.960 and Nelly on a Friday afternoon. 12 00:00:27.960 --> 00:00:29.440 A meta Happy Friday, buddy, how are we doing. 13 00:00:30.239 --> 00:00:32.079 I'm doing well. I'll be Friday to you as well. 14 00:00:32.679 --> 00:00:33.600 Thanks for the time. Man. 15 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:37.600 First of all, tell me about your off season experience 16 00:00:37.799 --> 00:00:40.600 and you know, no big deal of Mecca. You had 17 00:00:40.600 --> 00:00:43.039 your first call up for the US men's national team, 18 00:00:43.119 --> 00:00:45.119 So tell us about it, man, how was it? 19 00:00:46.439 --> 00:00:51.039 Yeah, it was fantastic. I mean I got the the 20 00:00:51.119 --> 00:00:53.439 email I guess that I was going to be called 21 00:00:53.479 --> 00:00:56.399 into camp I think just a little bit before Christmas, 22 00:00:56.439 --> 00:01:00.679 so it was a nice little Christmas gift and then 23 00:01:00.840 --> 00:01:05.560 obviously the camps early January for two weeks. It was 24 00:01:05.560 --> 00:01:07.599 it was a great experience, you know, to meet some 25 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:09.519 of the players, some of the best domestic players in 26 00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:12.640 the MLS, some of the best coaches you know, and 27 00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:15.400 the coach that you know Chelsea PSG are the top 28 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:19.079 places Spurs and just to be coached by them for 29 00:01:19.200 --> 00:01:21.200 two weeks, it was it was a great experience. 30 00:01:21.879 --> 00:01:24.959 I've got to know, what is it like in that 31 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:28.760 moment when that email spills in, Like what goes Because 32 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:31.799 I know that you and anybody that has grown up 33 00:01:31.799 --> 00:01:36.239 playing at a high level, this is like the ultimate dream, right, 34 00:01:36.319 --> 00:01:39.640 Like the ultimate goal is to represent your country. And 35 00:01:39.760 --> 00:01:42.319 obviously I know you have World Cup aspirations and we're 36 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:42.920 all pulling for. 37 00:01:42.879 --> 00:01:43.799 You to make that squad. 38 00:01:43.840 --> 00:01:47.319 But when that email spills in and you realize that 39 00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:49.400 that dream is coming true and Macca, what's that like? 40 00:01:50.959 --> 00:01:52.879 Yeah, it's hard to put it into words, honestly, you know, 41 00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:56.000 like you get it and you yeah, I had to 42 00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:57.799 double check the email to make sure, you know, it 43 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:00.319 wasn't like it wasn't vague or anything like back and 44 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:04.239 I was just you know, so excited and yeah, just 45 00:02:04.359 --> 00:02:06.280 like it's a real moment, you know, it was. It 46 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:07.040 was fantastic. 47 00:02:08.039 --> 00:02:10.639 Well, we're very happy for you. Let me ask you 48 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:13.719 what playing against you know, because we've had a lot 49 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:17.080 of players here in our market. You know, Kyle and 50 00:02:17.240 --> 00:02:19.439 Nicky and guys went they went to the World Cup, 51 00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:21.159 and even prior to that, it was Clinton Mathis and 52 00:02:21.240 --> 00:02:24.960 Eddie Pope, and they always would talk about how playing 53 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:28.000 for the national team on that level helped them when 54 00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:30.800 they came back to play in MLS. How can these 55 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:33.280 experiences help you be a better player for your club? 56 00:02:34.759 --> 00:02:36.759 Yeah, you know, I think whatever you're playing with with 57 00:02:36.879 --> 00:02:39.919 top level players, you just kind of take some experience 58 00:02:39.919 --> 00:02:41.639 from them and bring it back to the club level. 59 00:02:41.800 --> 00:02:43.599 And I think it also just gives you, you know, 60 00:02:43.639 --> 00:02:45.840 an added sense of confidence when you come back to 61 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:48.159 the to the club level after playing with you know, 62 00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:49.719 some of the players at the national team who have 63 00:02:49.840 --> 00:02:53.759 been dominating it and the MLS for for many many years. 64 00:02:53.879 --> 00:02:56.240 Some that came from Europe came back like Tim Reim 65 00:02:56.680 --> 00:02:59.120 I'm playing with them and then obviously coming back to 66 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:01.719 ere ourselves. It just gives you a sense of confidence 67 00:03:01.719 --> 00:03:03.879 when you're on the field, and when you have that, 68 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:07.319 you really just play with a sense of freedom and 69 00:03:07.360 --> 00:03:09.879 can really really show your true talent. So I've felt 70 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:11.639 it since I've been back for the past you know, 71 00:03:11.719 --> 00:03:14.319 two or three weeks, I've just felt more confident on 72 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:16.280 the ball, more confident in my decisions, and just more 73 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:18.840 confident in everything that I'm doing here at RSL. 74 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:21.840 So, Amecca, You've been asked to do a lot of 75 00:03:21.879 --> 00:03:24.680 things in just a couple of years here with RSL 76 00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:27.159 playing a couple of different positions, and you know, carry 77 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:28.199 a few different roles. 78 00:03:28.759 --> 00:03:30.919 Can you play striker? Do you have that in your 79 00:03:30.919 --> 00:03:31.960 back pocket? 80 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:36.439 I actually did play striker in college. I probably could. 81 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:38.280 Well. 82 00:03:38.479 --> 00:03:40.479 I mean, obviously tongue in sheet because I know Pablo 83 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:42.360 likes you where you're at. But I got to know 84 00:03:42.680 --> 00:03:46.560 from a player's perspective, you know, the front office decided 85 00:03:46.599 --> 00:03:50.280 to jettison players that represented forty two goals in twenty 86 00:03:50.400 --> 00:03:53.479 nine assists last year, and as of now, I'm not 87 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:55.840 trying to be disrespectful to anybody who's on the roster now, 88 00:03:55.840 --> 00:03:59.639 but as of now, fans and RSL supporters just waiting 89 00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:02.319 for re enforcements to come along after guys like Chi 90 00:04:02.439 --> 00:04:05.719 Sho and Andres and Crooks and Anderson were moved on. 91 00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:07.719 Is there frustrating? 92 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:12.520 Is there frustration mounting among the group that the front 93 00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:14.759 office decided to get rid of the bulk of your 94 00:04:14.759 --> 00:04:18.120 attacking options and hasn't necessarily brought in a ton of 95 00:04:18.120 --> 00:04:19.279 reinforcements yet. 96 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:23.199 I don't think necessarily, I think I think it's still 97 00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:25.519 super early in the season. You know, we've only played 98 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:29.199 we've only played three games, really, and I think we're 99 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:32.920 most focused on the process and creating those chances, because 100 00:04:32.920 --> 00:04:34.759 I honestly think in the three games that we've had, 101 00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:39.399 we've created a decent amount of chances. You know, in 102 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:43.160 the first game in Costa Rica, we missed three or 103 00:04:43.160 --> 00:04:46.319 four big chances. In San Jose, I think we had 104 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:48.199 a next year of almost two, but we oftenly didn't 105 00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:49.920 put any in the back of the net. And then 106 00:04:50.519 --> 00:04:53.879 on Wednesday at home against the Coast we can team again. 107 00:04:53.920 --> 00:04:56.319 We had thirty shots, eighteen shots inside the box, and 108 00:04:56.319 --> 00:04:58.040 we only were able to put one goal in. So 109 00:04:58.079 --> 00:05:01.120 I don't I don't think the personal problem. I think 110 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:04.600 it's a bit of you know, like I haven't really 111 00:05:04.639 --> 00:05:06.959 been on our side these last couple of games, but 112 00:05:06.959 --> 00:05:10.360 I think we're getting into really good areas and the 113 00:05:10.480 --> 00:05:13.120 sas just aren't hitting the back of the net at 114 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:15.639 this point in time. But I do feel like, you know, 115 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:21.000 if we continue to do these things correctly, come Saturday, 116 00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:23.199 we'll score plenty of goals. The next Saturday, we'll score 117 00:05:23.240 --> 00:05:25.399 plenty of goals, and we'll just continue just to work 118 00:05:25.399 --> 00:05:27.920 on our craft to you know, continue to create these 119 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:31.279 chances and then just be more clinical in the box 120 00:05:31.279 --> 00:05:32.680 when we have these chances. 121 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:34.639 So and well said there. 122 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:38.680 So, instead of maybe speaking for you laced in my question, 123 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:40.800 I wasn't trying to lead you. I'll just ask you 124 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:44.399 from your standpoint, as one of the better players on 125 00:05:44.439 --> 00:05:47.399 the roster and one of the leaders with the potential 126 00:05:47.399 --> 00:05:50.439 of wearing that captain's armband from time to time, what 127 00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:53.959 was your reaction to the moves that the front office 128 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:56.720 decided to make getting rid of the bulk of the 129 00:05:56.720 --> 00:05:59.160 production up top, Like, just tell me how you feel 130 00:05:59.199 --> 00:05:59.600 about that. 131 00:06:00.680 --> 00:06:04.399 Yeah, I mean, obviously, when when it happens, like in 132 00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:06.519 the moment, it's a little bit shocking just because you 133 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:08.959 don't expect it at that time, you know, but you 134 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:11.959 also understand that things like this kind of happen in 135 00:06:11.959 --> 00:06:16.680 the football world, you know, where transfers happen, things happen 136 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:19.399 during the season that people don't see eye to eye on, 137 00:06:19.680 --> 00:06:22.639 and you know, they maybe feel like certain players are 138 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:24.319 better fit at a different club, or I don't fit 139 00:06:24.360 --> 00:06:26.519 at this club currently. So like when it first happened, 140 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:28.120 obviously a little bit of shocked. I think everybody had 141 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:31.079 a little bit of shock when when when it happened. 142 00:06:31.079 --> 00:06:34.639 But then you know, kind of just a couple of 143 00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:36.360 days after week after, it kind of got past it 144 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:38.680 and we're kind of just focused on how can we 145 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:42.199 now as a as a group, as a collective, focus on, 146 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:45.720 focus on the future, focus on this new season, because 147 00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:47.360 you know these players aren't going to come back, so 148 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:49.079 it's kind of done in dustin now and just kind 149 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:49.759 of move on with it. 150 00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:52.920 Tell me, you know, and I guess what I'll say 151 00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:55.639 is during training where a lot of. 152 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:57.680 Us don't get to see what you guys are doing. 153 00:06:57.839 --> 00:07:00.720 So you know, we've seen the games and you point 154 00:07:00.759 --> 00:07:03.120 out the chances that have been created, but of course, 155 00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:06.199 as you know, chances that are created don't do much 156 00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:09.480 unless they're capitalized on. And one goal in three games, 157 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:11.040 as you know, is not going to get it done. 158 00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:14.519 So tell me what you're seeing a mecca in training 159 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:17.480 from this attacking group, and whether or not you believe 160 00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:19.879 that you guys do have the personnel in that area 161 00:07:19.879 --> 00:07:23.199 of the field to start going to start scoring goals 162 00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:24.600 and getting better results. 163 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:27.160 Yeah, I know, one hundred percent we have it. I mean, 164 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:30.240 I think I was with both competitions going on, there 165 00:07:30.279 --> 00:07:33.240 was a lot of rotation in the squads and the 166 00:07:33.279 --> 00:07:36.000 attacking players. Maybe maybe a little bit of a lack 167 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:40.120 of chemistry and that and that department. But I think 168 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:43.120 in training, you know, the chances we've created in changing 169 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:46.560 they've been finished off. In preseason, I mean, we scored 170 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:50.199 two goals in the game, three goals, another three goals. 171 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:52.399 Everything was falling that and then we come to the 172 00:07:52.399 --> 00:07:55.879 real season and the chances are missed, you know. So 173 00:07:56.120 --> 00:07:59.560 I don't so I think as long if you just 174 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:02.399 you know, cantinue to really focus on the little details 175 00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:05.759 in training, you know, finishing off every single attack. If 176 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:09.800 we continuously do that, you know, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 177 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:13.279 Friday comes Saturday, the goals will start to flow in. 178 00:08:13.399 --> 00:08:16.040 As long as each day in training, you know, we're 179 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:19.839 content continuously hitting on what we need to focus on 180 00:08:19.959 --> 00:08:23.399 and continuously focusing on those little details of finishing every 181 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:25.920 single attack. So I do think it's just you know, 182 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:29.759 a matter of time before the goals start start flying in. 183 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:33.159 And like I said earlier, I mean, we played three games, 184 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:37.720 we'll probably have another with League's Cup another forty games 185 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:41.159 left in the season, so I think it's just it's 186 00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:41.960 just a matter of time. 187 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:44.440 Is there any silver lining? 188 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:48.600 And I know the answers probably know because the Conky 189 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:52.279 CAF Champions Cup tournament is a lot of fun and 190 00:08:52.360 --> 00:08:55.519 something that a lot of RSL supporters were excited to witness. 191 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:58.480 It's been a number of years since RSL was in 192 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:01.519 this tournament, and once upon a time nearly won the thing. 193 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:04.080 Now Seattle is the only MLS team to win it. 194 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:06.600 But because you guys did lose in the first round 195 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:08.399 of back are what it means is you do not 196 00:09:08.600 --> 00:09:11.840 have these midweek games as I'm looking at the schedule 197 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:13.519 for like a month and. 198 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:14.879 Maybe even a little bit more than that. 199 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:17.559 Your reference League's Cup that will come at some point. 200 00:09:17.720 --> 00:09:20.919 But is there any silver lining to not having such 201 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:24.240 a crowded schedule as you enter MLS play to try 202 00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:27.120 to understand how this new group is going to manifest itself. 203 00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:30.759 I mean I think yeah, I think others outside might 204 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:33.360 say like it could be a positive that we don't 205 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:35.720 have these big week games. But I know me personally 206 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:38.639 and the whole team is very, very frustrated with how 207 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:43.320 we with how we went out of Concata Champions Cup. 208 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:45.919 Because I mean, I could speak for it myself. I 209 00:09:45.919 --> 00:09:48.600 love playing mid week games, you know, I mean, we play, 210 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:52.600 we play for the games. We don't maybe we don't, 211 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:54.720 we don't. We don't like training as much as we 212 00:09:54.759 --> 00:09:56.080 like the games. Obviously like to play for the game. 213 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:58.200 So if we have a game Wednesday Saturday, Wednesday Saturday, 214 00:09:58.200 --> 00:10:00.159 it's better for me, better for the team. Every he 215 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:03.840 likes to compete in that aspect. So I mean, not 216 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:11.440 really a silver lining. I'm really disappointed, and yeah, nothing 217 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:13.159 we can do about it now, but I just wish 218 00:10:13.200 --> 00:10:16.399 we took our chances better on Wednesday. Hopefully just something 219 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:18.600 that we can learn from and continue to grow on 220 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:20.679 throughout this season. 221 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:24.480 What was Pablo's message to you guys after that, because 222 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:26.720 I mean it was it was gutting you guys were 223 00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:29.519 on your way and to your point about the chances, 224 00:10:29.679 --> 00:10:32.159 I felt like, you know, another couple of goals were 225 00:10:32.200 --> 00:10:35.200 coming and then boom, just a rough turnover. 226 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:38.120 Nelson had a rough turnover. Boom they score and. 227 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:40.960 Then there's a counter and I'm watching that game a mecan, 228 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:43.440 I'm just stunned. I can't imagine how you guys felt. 229 00:10:43.440 --> 00:10:45.720 What was the message from your head coach after that match? 230 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:50.039 Yeah, he was pretty disappointed as well, because, I mean 231 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:51.639 it was there for the taking and we just didn't. 232 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:54.240 We just didn't grasp the moment. So I think he 233 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:58.159 was just reiterating, you know, the points on just to 234 00:10:58.919 --> 00:11:01.399 we have to just show up every single day, you know, 235 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:03.840 before the match and training and just put our best 236 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:06.759 foot forward and every single effort that we're doing so 237 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:10.879 that you know, little lapses of you know, judgment or 238 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:14.320 focus don't happen on Wednesdays on we have games, or 239 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:16.960 on Saturdays on we have games, and he made it 240 00:11:17.080 --> 00:11:20.480 very clear and very apparent that things like that cannot 241 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:23.639 happen I'm going forward in the future. So it's again, 242 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:27.559 I hate to say it, a learning moment because it's 243 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:33.440 something that really frustrates me losing that game, but it's 244 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:35.919 just something that with how long the season is, with 245 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:37.799 how many games were, it is something that we just 246 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:41.879 have to learn and grow from and you know, just 247 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:43.159 go with that. Yeah. 248 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:46.080 So Ultimately, when it comes to the strikers on the 249 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:49.080 roster and we're still getting to know, you know, Forrester 250 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:53.080 and the p old kid, it seems like, you know, 251 00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:56.320 there are rumors that additions. 252 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:58.159 Are kind of on the way in that space. 253 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:00.799 But one of the things, you know, we have Kurt on, 254 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:03.519 we have Jason on, we have Pablo on. A lot 255 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:06.120 of people are talking about, you know, where will the 256 00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:08.759 goals come from? Well, not all the time, it has 257 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:11.919 to come from the striker, right it can come from 258 00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:12.279 the group. 259 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:13.960 So if we remove because. 260 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:16.360 All the attention right now in Mecca is a lack 261 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:18.919 of goals, So what's going on with the number nine spot? 262 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:21.519 But if we remove that, which of course you can't 263 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:24.639 entirely because it's such an important spot, is there enough 264 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:28.320 support with the midfield, with Mark Zuke and Diego and 265 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:31.960 Diego that you guys maybe can overcome the lack of 266 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:34.639 a season striker to get goals from other places if 267 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:35.320 that makes sense? 268 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:40.360 Yeah, absolutely, I mean you obviously saw what Diego can 269 00:12:40.440 --> 00:12:42.960 produce last year. I mean you have plenty of goals, 270 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:46.879 plenty of sists. Obviously, Diogo and Dominic came in halfway 271 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:50.000 through the season and we're finding their legs. And then 272 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:54.559 this preseason they've been been amazing scoring goals, assisting goals. 273 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:57.000 So they all have the quality, you know, and I 274 00:12:57.039 --> 00:13:01.240 think without you know, like a a season nine, you know, 275 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:04.679 it's going to be a group effort, you know, with 276 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:11.759 with goals and assists and all of them, you know, Diego, Diogo, Dominic, 277 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:15.840 Lachlan Woolfee. I mean, they can all provide it, and 278 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:18.120 I've seen them all provide it and some of the 279 00:13:18.159 --> 00:13:21.559 preseason games we had in training, you know, so very 280 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:26.799 confident in their ability to to definitely keep up the 281 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:27.879 goal contributions. 282 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:31.639 Do you guys follow because every time I fire up, 283 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:34.159 you know, one of these websites with transfers, there are 284 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:37.080 rumors that are SLS in the mix to either make 285 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:39.279 a move to get an MLS striker, bring somebody in 286 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:41.639 from overseas. Do you guys in the locker room follow 287 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:43.440 this or is it just like you got to focus 288 00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:44.720 on what's in what's in front of you. 289 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.519 I'm kind of focused on what's in front of you. 290 00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:50.200 But obviously, you know, if you're on social media, you'll 291 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:52.639 probably come across it, you know, but it's not something 292 00:13:52.679 --> 00:13:58.120 that we really like linger on or react to because 293 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:01.879 you know, it's it's so normally not and in soccer, 294 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:03.559 you know, for things like that to happen, for transfers 295 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:05.000 to happen, so like we'll see it, but it's not 296 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:08.559 anything like, oh no, nobody really makes a big deal 297 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:10.679 about it or anything. It's kind of just okay, we 298 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:12.080 see it and then kind of just get on with 299 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:14.000 our day, get on with the train and focus for 300 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:17.120 focusing on the task at hand to hopefully, you know, 301 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:17.960 win on the weekend. 302 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:20.559 This might be an odd question, but do you want 303 00:14:21.080 --> 00:14:24.480 to see reinforcements at it? Are you guys anxious to 304 00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:28.759 have more experience and season players in that spot up 305 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:29.799 top and number nine? 306 00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:35.279 You know, it's not really my place to answer, you know, 307 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:40.679 but I think it's just you know, you always want 308 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:43.399 to want to have top level players on your team, 309 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:47.240 you know, in whatever position that is, So like, wherever 310 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:49.399 we can get players to just strengthen our team overall, 311 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:51.720 I'm on for it, you know, because that not only 312 00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:54.840 raises our team, you know when we play on the weekend, 313 00:14:54.919 --> 00:14:58.080 but then competitively competitively in trainings, you know, we're trying 314 00:14:58.120 --> 00:15:00.840 to push each other to be better. So it's always 315 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:03.600 good when you know you have when any type of 316 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:05.440 player is added to tow a squad, because it just 317 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:09.000 raises the level, you know, and the competitive competitiveness within 318 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:09.519 the squad. 319 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.879 You, young man, are good at this. 320 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:16.240 That is a seasoned season veteran answer at the ripe 321 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:17.480 old age of twenty five. 322 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:20.120 That's exactly the way you should handle that question. 323 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:23.240 I'm very impressed, which leads me to this next question, 324 00:15:23.320 --> 00:15:27.320 which is it feels like Pablo and Kurt and Tony 325 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:29.759 and I could keep going. It seems like you're viewed 326 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:32.799 as a leader on this group, on this roster, with 327 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:34.879 this group, even though you're only twenty five years old. 328 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:37.480 So I don't know who's going to wear the captain's 329 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:40.000 arm band. All year we had Pablo on and he said, 330 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:42.840 you're certainly a candidate. Have you been told whether or 331 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:46.039 not that armband is yours? And what sort of leadership 332 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:48.440 role are you asked to take even though you are 333 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:50.679 twenty five and year three in MLS. 334 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:54.600 Yeah, yeah, I'll be wearing it. But I think it's 335 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:57.000 you know, it's only my third year, but I think 336 00:15:57.000 --> 00:16:01.480 I've learned a lot in these three years, and you know, 337 00:16:01.559 --> 00:16:05.279 I think leadership is just a you know, an evolving 338 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:07.919 and a growing thing that you have to take with it, 339 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:12.000 you know. So I think previously, I think my first year, 340 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:15.720 in my second year, I think I led very well 341 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:17.919 by example, you know, my actions on the field, my 342 00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:19.759 actions off the field. I think I set a great 343 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:22.320 example for everyone at the club, you know. But I 344 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:27.080 think especially in year one, I didn't really have as 345 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:29.360 much as a much of a voice. In year two 346 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:32.919 definitely grew in that in that department, and even now 347 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:36.120 continuously trying to grow to lead with my voice, you know, 348 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:38.759 because I think there's there's many different ways to lead, 349 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:43.960 you know, with your voice, by example, you know, personal relationships. 350 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:47.039 So it's just, you know, there's not one one tool 351 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:50.240 that can lead everybody. So it's just continuously to build 352 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:56.240 my toolbox in this leadership role to help the team 353 00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:59.960 in whatever way succeed, you know. And I also want 354 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:04.079 to say that it's it's not just it's not just me. 355 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:06.440 You know, we have other fantastic leaders on the team, 356 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:10.799 you know, Jay glad Rafa, Philip Yoga, who are you know, 357 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:13.480 all leading as well. You know. I think the best 358 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:15.720 teams are the ones where everyone on the team is 359 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:17.920 a leader. You know, you can turn to your left, 360 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:20.640 you can turn to your right, and everyone there is 361 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:22.960 trying to lead each other and holding each other accountable. 362 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:25.599 And I think that's what we we we've set that 363 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:30.480 that culture so far, so I think it's something that's 364 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:32.799 been going pretty well and it's just something that you know, 365 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:37.279 we want to continue with and grow with throughout the season. 366 00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:42.319 What are your personal goals, aspirations, soccer dreams? 367 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:44.519 You know, I had diego on last year. 368 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:46.440 I straight up asked him the same question and he 369 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:48.720 wasn't shie And I want to play in Europe. And 370 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:50.599 you know, at the age of twenty five, I Meka, 371 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:52.039 you got a lot of soccer in front of you. 372 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:53.759 And I know you're focused on where your feet are 373 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:56.400 at now with RSL, But when you dream as big 374 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:58.720 as you can dream for your soccer life, what does. 375 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.000 That look like? 376 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:03.559 Yeah, I think I would love to play in Europe. 377 00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:06.119 You know, obviously people always look at the age things. 378 00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:09.559 I'm a little bit older and you know, if the 379 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:11.559 timing's right, but you know, I would love to play 380 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:15.720 in Europe if if the stars aligned the right way, 381 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:18.000 the cars fold the right way, you know, and things 382 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:21.640 go well. I've definitely. It's definitely been a dream of mine. 383 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:25.759 You know, I always love watching European soccer. But you know, 384 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:28.720 really just focused on what I'm doing today and tomorrow 385 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:32.039 hopefully get me to that point, you know, So just 386 00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:35.000 really focus on the ins and outs week in and 387 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:38.240 week out, you know, and then if a conversation has 388 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:40.799 to be had of you know, me going elsewhere things 389 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:43.079 like that, then it'll be had when it's when it's the. 390 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:46.559 Right time, you know, I mecka, please do not refer 391 00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:51.119 to twenty five years old as old. Okay, I sprained 392 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:53.400 my ankle in the shower at my age show. You're 393 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:55.599 you're not old, young fella. You got a lot of 394 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:57.720 good soccer. How do you last thing? Before I said, 395 00:18:57.720 --> 00:19:01.519 you lose tell us going into tomorrow and look, as 396 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:04.400 you referenced, it is early, nobody's panicking. 397 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:06.079 Well, I shouldn't say that. 398 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:10.119 Your your fans are a little concerned after you know, 399 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:13.160 getting stopped by San Jose and losing in the Cocky 400 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:16.240 CAF Champions Cup first round. So while it is early, 401 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:18.640