WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:02.879 And it is time to welcome back. 2 00:00:03.879 --> 00:00:06.000 I feel like we need like the big intro with 3 00:00:06.040 --> 00:00:09.119 the pyro and everything. It's been a while, it's been 4 00:00:09.160 --> 00:00:13.279 too long, but we bring in Jamie Watson to come 5 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:15.359 and hang out with us here to put a bowl 6 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:19.320 on a Thursday. Jamie, my friend, it has been too long. 7 00:00:19.399 --> 00:00:21.879 Great to see you, John, I'm so happy to see 8 00:00:21.879 --> 00:00:26.160 you man. And no pyro necessary. That was a very 9 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:28.800 kind introduction. And following Nico, who does a great job. 10 00:00:28.839 --> 00:00:32.799 Sounder at hard is a must read when it comes 11 00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:36.039 time to prep for a Seattle Sounder game, and so 12 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:38.560 just like soccer down here with you, it's you know, 13 00:00:39.000 --> 00:00:42.679 there's some local must read must support people doing some 14 00:00:42.719 --> 00:00:44.799 great work in markets. Nicos one of them, and John 15 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:46.840 you're one of the best as well, my friend. 16 00:00:47.200 --> 00:00:47.880 No, I thank you. 17 00:00:48.079 --> 00:00:50.880 I mean it's me and Jason and Jared Smith and 18 00:00:50.920 --> 00:00:53.079 the Nico Lafey, Maddy Cruse and the Castle. 19 00:00:53.159 --> 00:00:55.159 What a crew, What a crew that is right there. 20 00:00:55.679 --> 00:00:58.840 I know we're half past crazy. That's the reason why. 21 00:00:59.240 --> 00:01:00.399 What cup of coffee you on? 22 00:01:00.520 --> 00:01:00.920 By the way? 23 00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:05.439 Oh boy, you know hey as a data three normally 24 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:08.359 what is it? It's ten am Central here eleven Eastern. 25 00:01:08.599 --> 00:01:11.239 I'm at least three deep at this point. What about you? 26 00:01:11.079 --> 00:01:13.400 You host a show, so you've got to be just 27 00:01:13.439 --> 00:01:14.200 an IV. 28 00:01:14.120 --> 00:01:16.680 Of it, right, Mountain dew, I don't do coffee. 29 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:19.920 Do you just standard mountain dew? Or is it like 30 00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:20.599 the Code red? 31 00:01:20.840 --> 00:01:23.599 Oh no, no, no, no oh, that's like. 32 00:01:23.560 --> 00:01:27.040 Well, I'm sorry. I didn't realize there was a hierarchy. 33 00:01:26.599 --> 00:01:30.040 Of Mountain Dew class here, and I just showed that 34 00:01:30.079 --> 00:01:31.000 I'm lower class. 35 00:01:31.040 --> 00:01:34.200 No no, no, no. To me, Code red tastes like 36 00:01:34.280 --> 00:01:36.200 Vix formula forty four M. 37 00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:39.680 That was wildly specific. 38 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:42.760 And now I'm not going to be able to think 39 00:01:42.760 --> 00:01:45.400 of anything else when I have a Code Red, I'm 40 00:01:45.400 --> 00:01:48.480 gonna be thinking. This taste like vis forty four m 41 00:01:48.840 --> 00:01:50.040 red whatever you said. 42 00:01:50.680 --> 00:01:51.879 It tastes like cough syrup. 43 00:01:51.920 --> 00:01:54.159 Brother, It's that cough syrup we had when we're growing up, 44 00:01:54.200 --> 00:01:56.920 you know, the red cough syrup with the vis Vix 45 00:01:57.000 --> 00:01:59.079 formula forty four M, the red cough syrup. 46 00:01:59.480 --> 00:02:00.920 That's what red taste like. 47 00:02:00.959 --> 00:02:01.159 To me. 48 00:02:01.319 --> 00:02:04.239 I am die hard original and I have caught so 49 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:07.680 much clap. Oh you don't like the you don't like 50 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:11.800 the Baja blast. No, I don't just give me the original. 51 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:13.960 It's like, look, I'll own the market. Give me all 52 00:02:13.960 --> 00:02:16.000 the original. You guys can have all the weird flavors 53 00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:17.800 to yourselves and boost the market share. 54 00:02:17.840 --> 00:02:20.400 I'm just an original guy. Look full disclosure. 55 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:23.000 By the way, hey, look any Mountain Dew executive, but yes, 56 00:02:23.080 --> 00:02:23.520 there we go. 57 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:24.360 Any Mountain New. 58 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:27.680 Executives that are die hard fans of the show. There's 59 00:02:27.719 --> 00:02:30.199 an easy sponsorship right there. All leverages out the door 60 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:30.479 for you. 61 00:02:30.599 --> 00:02:32.919 Huh correct, Absolutely true. 62 00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:35.400 A couple of reasons that we wanted to bring you on, 63 00:02:35.919 --> 00:02:40.800 and I am hoping that you will take advantage of 64 00:02:40.840 --> 00:02:43.800 the open door and walk through it on Friday's in 65 00:02:43.840 --> 00:02:46.639 the last hour at ten Eastern because we're kind of 66 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:48.360 kind of turn it into a Friday free for all 67 00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:50.719 and just like drop in, give your thoughts, drop out, 68 00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:51.639 go finish your coffee. 69 00:02:51.639 --> 00:02:53.400 That's kind of what I think we're gonna do this year. 70 00:02:54.840 --> 00:02:56.960 The reason, the first reason that we wanted to have 71 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:00.960 you on is because there is some international women's soccer 72 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:03.319 that is going on, but folks kind of need to follow. 73 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:06.360 You know, it's not just I believe, it's not just 74 00:03:06.479 --> 00:03:09.319 you believe. It's not just we believed, but it is. 75 00:03:09.360 --> 00:03:11.400 She Believes and you're. 76 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:13.560 Getting ready for that, and it's a handful of matches 77 00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:16.159 in a very short period of space from thirty thousand feet. 78 00:03:16.199 --> 00:03:17.439 What are you anticipating here? 79 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:20.039 First of all, that is that's hilarious. 80 00:03:20.039 --> 00:03:22.719 I'm probably gonna steal that joke when there's a new audience, 81 00:03:23.639 --> 00:03:25.719 So thank you for that one, like. 82 00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:26.400 All my good ones. 83 00:03:26.879 --> 00:03:30.000 Look, it's the tenth annual She Believes Cup, which has 84 00:03:30.039 --> 00:03:34.919 become the pre eminent tournament in women's world football. Four 85 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:37.520 teams in the top twenty one this year, two new teams, 86 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:41.000 two new countries. You've get Japan who's returning for the 87 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:43.800 third time, obviously, the United States, who host and have 88 00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:47.039 been the dominant team in this tournament year after year. 89 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:50.680 You welcome in Colombia for the first time, very young, 90 00:03:50.879 --> 00:03:54.280 up and coming program in world football, ranked twenty one 91 00:03:54.360 --> 00:03:58.400 right now. And then you also welcome in Australia fifteenth overall, 92 00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:02.120 a name that we familiar as manager in interim role 93 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:04.560 as Tom Smani. It's his third time being back with 94 00:04:04.639 --> 00:04:08.319 Australia as a coach and former Orlando Pride coach as 95 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:11.000 well too, so he knows the lay of the land 96 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:13.360 in this country. Very well, so tonight we'll have a 97 00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:18.199 doubleheader starting at five eastern. We've got Japan taking on Australia. 98 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:20.639 That one will be on MAX. You can stream that one. 99 00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:26.600 I will be alongside a woman who needs no introduction, 100 00:04:27.240 --> 00:04:30.160 comes to her accolades, but I'm gonna give it anyways. 101 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:33.360 Three Olympics, four World Cups and five was. 102 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:37.199 The voted third best women's footballer in the world. Shannon 103 00:04:37.240 --> 00:04:39.480 Box will join me in the both one hundred ninety 104 00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:41.560 five caps, so I get to have her experience and 105 00:04:41.720 --> 00:04:44.319 her relationship with Tom SMANI will be pretty incredible. 106 00:04:44.360 --> 00:04:46.000 So Japan Australia. 107 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:47.720 Will kick off five pm Eastern on Max and then 108 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:51.399 immediately following that coverage will start at seven pm on 109 00:04:51.639 --> 00:04:55.279 TBS Linear and you can also stream on Max as well. 110 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:58.319 That will be the hour long pregame show where you've 111 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:01.639 got Sarah Walsh taking you through. Melissa Ortiz will be 112 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:05.000 on the desk as well, and Julie Foudy is there 113 00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:08.600 and we welcome in a new member. Becky Sauerbrunt will 114 00:05:08.600 --> 00:05:11.680 be joining and it's exciting to have Becky because she's 115 00:05:11.720 --> 00:05:12.759 got over two hundred caps. 116 00:05:12.759 --> 00:05:13.199 Of the team. 117 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:17.160 Being with Becky yesterday at training. He couldn't go further 118 00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:20.079 than two feet with her seeing a former player and 119 00:05:20.120 --> 00:05:22.000 coming up and talking. And then you've got Boxy and 120 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:24.720 you've got Julie Foudy and it was incredible. And then 121 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:26.519 Luke Wildman will be on the call for that one 122 00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:30.519 that kicks off at eight pm Eastern. So USA taking 123 00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:33.519 on Colombia should be a good matchup and a good 124 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:36.120 test if you knew new faces in camp and some 125 00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:39.199 younger players. So it's an exciting time for the US 126 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:40.079 Women's national. 127 00:05:39.839 --> 00:05:43.959 Team doubleheader at Helenaschelle and that is tonight, as you say, 128 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:48.040 and then on Sunday double header and Glendale, Colombia and Japan, 129 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:51.680 followed by the USWNT in Australia. Then everybody heads to 130 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:57.319 snap Dragon for Wednesday Australia Colombia at seven thirty Eastern. Yeah, 131 00:05:57.360 --> 00:05:59.519 they get the afternoon sunshine at snap Dragon, and then 132 00:05:59.560 --> 00:06:02.279 it's the WNT taking on Japan at ten thirty. So 133 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:06.120 that your triple, your three days of double headers. One 134 00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:08.800 of the things that I thought was interesting, and we 135 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:11.839 have Bart Keeler from the Soccer for USPOD on every Monday, 136 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:16.639 we discussed Emma Hayes and this particular group, and it's 137 00:06:16.680 --> 00:06:18.720 not just been this group, but it's been a couple back. 138 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:22.399 Emma Hayes has made a point to bring in some 139 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:27.199 newer faces, newer faces into camps and newer faces getting 140 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:30.319 their first caps, being put in these kinds of situations, 141 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:33.759 and I you know, because you don't have triple espresso, 142 00:06:33.800 --> 00:06:37.240 you got to do something. And so Emma's looking in 143 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:41.000 places I think that either others just didn't or they 144 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:42.800 might have just kind of put to the side and 145 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:44.480 tried to look at for other folks. But you're getting 146 00:06:44.519 --> 00:06:46.959 a lot of new faces in these camps and for 147 00:06:47.040 --> 00:06:49.759 these competitions for the WNT. 148 00:06:49.160 --> 00:06:51.480 Which is really cool to see and I'm really excited 149 00:06:51.480 --> 00:06:54.439 to see how this group holds up to that challenges. 150 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:55.800 You know, A list and a Are. 151 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:59.000 Now has retired from international women's football as a goalkeepers. 152 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:01.240 Now you get Jane Campbell who plays for the Houston Dash, 153 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:03.160 so she'll get a chance to be a goal here. 154 00:07:03.199 --> 00:07:05.839 But you're right, there are some new names. Another Houston 155 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:08.360 Dash player that I'm really looking forward to. I think 156 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:13.240 she was wildly underrated, and that's partly because Gotham were 157 00:07:13.279 --> 00:07:15.399 so good last year and have so many good players. 158 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:19.240 Yasmine Ryan was traded in the offseason to Houston Dash 159 00:07:19.399 --> 00:07:21.480 So those two players I've really got my eye on. 160 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:25.519 Cat Mercado comes back into the group and getting to 161 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:28.600 be back in with the US women's national team. She 162 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:31.480 has a wild story after being out for nearly eighteen 163 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:34.480 months getting a chance to come back in and compete 164 00:07:34.519 --> 00:07:36.439 with the group. That is something that we spoke to 165 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:38.959 her about yesterday and she said it was mentally challenging, 166 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:42.040 but you appreciate it more when you're back in, so 167 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:46.399 that'll be interesting. There's some good, real good storylines you've got, 168 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:49.879 like Emily Sands, who defended her the year for Orlando Pride. 169 00:07:49.879 --> 00:07:52.720 She was a converted center forward to center back now 170 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:54.959 one of the best in the world. Young players though, 171 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:57.160 like Ali sent Nooor getting called up. She was the 172 00:07:57.279 --> 00:07:59.360 NWSL Rookie of the Year. Jaden Shaw goes from the 173 00:07:59.399 --> 00:08:03.319 wave to the courage. She's in with the group. Let's see, 174 00:08:03.319 --> 00:08:07.399 there's there's just so many players that are trying to 175 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:11.480 make a impression in front of m Hayes and that's 176 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:13.519 what I'm looking forward to most. 177 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:15.399 And when we talked to her, she said, look, there 178 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:16.240 are sixteen. 179 00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:19.040 Of twenty three NWSL players, And I said this yesterday, 180 00:08:19.079 --> 00:08:22.120 and I think what she's saying is, I think there's 181 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:25.000 a real value on this league as being the best 182 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:28.040 league for women's soccer in the world. And now we're 183 00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:29.800 going to give some players who did well in that 184 00:08:29.879 --> 00:08:32.320 league an opportunity and we're going to find out where 185 00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:35.600 you fit because if you're not quite at the US 186 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:38.919 women's national team level, which that level, I don't know 187 00:08:38.919 --> 00:08:40.399 why I put here. It should be way up here 188 00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:43.879 right off the camera first, to you know, first in 189 00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:46.919 the FIFA World rankings. Hayes wants to put an INMPAS 190 00:08:46.919 --> 00:08:49.720 on this, and I thought this was really key. She says, Okay, 191 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:53.919 then we can use the U twenty threes as a 192 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:57.679 growing and developmental route that has maybe been skipped over 193 00:08:57.720 --> 00:08:59.159 in the past. So I think Ema Hayes is looking 194 00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:02.519 at this holistically. How can I use this tournament to 195 00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:06.120 identify players that are ready to surpass the U twenty 196 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:08.279 three level. But if you're not quite ready, it's okay, 197 00:09:08.279 --> 00:09:09.919 because we're going to put you at the twenty threes 198 00:09:09.960 --> 00:09:11.679 and we're going to give you an opportunity to grow. 199 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:14.399 So I think the US women's national team much like 200 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:17.240 we spoke about with Australia, and Colombia will be looking 201 00:09:17.320 --> 00:09:21.000 to be able to try to establish where players fit 202 00:09:21.480 --> 00:09:24.399 going forward in this group. And Japan will be an 203 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:26.200 interesting one as well too in this tournament because they've 204 00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:28.279 got a brand new coach for the first time, a 205 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:31.840 non Japanese coach. So it's a lot of storylines going 206 00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:35.039 into this tournament, and I think it's one of the 207 00:09:35.559 --> 00:09:38.360 she Believes Cups where every team will feel as though 208 00:09:38.480 --> 00:09:41.480 they have a chance to win it and some will 209 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:44.360 have an easier role than others. But at the same time, 210 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:47.799 I think that it'll be a tournament in which there 211 00:09:47.799 --> 00:09:50.360 could be some surprises and I'm excited to see it 212 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:51.360 unfold over the next week. 213 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:54.960 No triple Espresso, no Rose Levell, no Naimi Girma. So 214 00:09:55.039 --> 00:09:58.399 then let me ask you this. You mentioned a tournament 215 00:09:58.399 --> 00:10:03.039 of surprises if, and like I said, this is just 216 00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:05.720 an if that I'm putting out there, and with the 217 00:10:05.720 --> 00:10:08.440 time that you spend covering the women's national team in 218 00:10:08.440 --> 00:10:10.279 soccer in general, this is why I'm going to ask 219 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:13.360 this question, because you're out there far more than I am. 220 00:10:14.200 --> 00:10:17.559 If for some reason, you know the you know Bain 221 00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:20.639 comes by and it's like hines Field and he blows up, 222 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:24.240 you know, the turf and everything, and the US does 223 00:10:24.320 --> 00:10:29.480 not win. She believes cup for whatever reason, you know, 224 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:31.759 you get a loss of deflection whatever if they don't 225 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:34.559 come away with the title, even though it is anticipated 226 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:39.240 as such. If something happens and they don't, then how 227 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:42.879 do you think it will be received? I guess externally 228 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:47.480 and internally for fans watching, and then Emma Hayes looking 229 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:49.960 outbound with all of this youth and the first timers 230 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:50.480 that are there. 231 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:54.799 So I'll start off by saying, I think it would 232 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:58.799 take something extraordinary for the US women's national team to 233 00:10:58.840 --> 00:11:00.279 not be the team standing at the time of the 234 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:03.799 Mountain this time next week, right, I do think that 235 00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:06.039 they will win the tournament. I do think that they 236 00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:09.000 have the best team in the world, but also especially 237 00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:09.639 in this tournament. 238 00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:11.879 But let's play the what if game? What would happen? 239 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:15.559 I think that right now with this group, what it 240 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:18.960 would do is it would really help solidify where that 241 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:22.720 next wave of US women's national team players are going 242 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:23.120 to come from. 243 00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:24.440 I don't think that there will be. 244 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:28.399 Any downfall Tom Hayes or should we looked at differently 245 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:32.559 after this tournament, I think that I actually truly believe 246 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:36.519 that being around Ema Hayes, she has this level of 247 00:11:36.559 --> 00:11:42.559 respect and control from top to bottom. Emma Hayes quite 248 00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:46.120 frankly doesn't care about what happened before she was here. 249 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:48.720 She cares about what's happening while she's in here. She 250 00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:53.519 has this assertiveness in this confidence that commands respect. I'm 251 00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:58.600 really impressed when I'm around her and how she carries herself, 252 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:01.879 and I don't think she cares that she impresses me 253 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:05.919 and has my respect, Like it's almost actually an admirable 254 00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:08.559 quality as a human being that she has such belief 255 00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:11.559 and conviction and what she wants to do in her 256 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:14.840 everyday life, but also with the US women's national team program. 257 00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:18.919 So I think that regardless of how results go in 258 00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:21.759 this tournament will be it the expectation, and I believe 259 00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:25.240 the belief is that US will win this tournament. I 260 00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:27.120 don't think that it will change anything in the big 261 00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:29.879 scheme of things, because there's a bigger picture to this, 262 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:32.799 and so I think what players can do is they 263 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:36.360 can really help themselves in this tournament and really give 264 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:38.200 this as a launching point to say when it comes 265 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:40.440 time to tournament football, I can be a part of 266 00:12:40.440 --> 00:12:43.240 this group and contribute, or it may just say for 267 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:45.759 some players, Okay, your path that maybe is just going 268 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:48.200 to take a little bit longer because you're going to 269 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:50.080 need to go prove that again at the twenty threes 270 00:12:50.200 --> 00:12:52.600 and then when you get your opportunity again with the full. 271 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:55.960 Team YEP, four players uncapped, Claire Hutt and Giselle Thompson, 272 00:12:55.960 --> 00:12:58.840 both nineteen. Terry mcew and Michelle Cooper all forward international 273 00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:01.360 experience in the twenty sive for the US, and that 274 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:05.440 is she believes it is six matches, three days of doubleheaders, 275 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:09.120 starting at Hele Michelle and Houston tonight, then going to Glendale, 276 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:11.480 then going to snap Dragon in a week's time. Jimmie 277 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:13.720 Watson here crashing the party on a Thursday, as you 278 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:14.960 darnwell should. 279 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:15.399 Uh. 280 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:18.120 I just I just have this vision like if something 281 00:13:18.159 --> 00:13:20.559 happens and the world opens up that you will that 282 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:23.559 it will be uh some fans taking to it very 283 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:26.840 very calmly and just running out in the street and going, ah, 284 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:28.720 you know, you know you have one. 285 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:29.840 You have one of those moments. 286 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:31.960 And that's kind of what I was asking is is 287 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:35.039 everyone that you have seen from a fan perspective, Do 288 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:38.000 they understand where Emma is coming from here and looking 289 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:41.440 at things in a larger picture, just step at a time. 290 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:44.120 We're here to learn and figure out the future and 291 00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:48.000 immediate results. Yes, why we anticipate winning. There's a bigger 292 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:49.559 picture to play here. Do you think a lot of 293 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:52.039 folks from the outside get that. With Emma Hayes and 294 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:54.080 what she's trying to do, I don't know. 295 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:58.080 And and the reason I'm not one hundred percent sure 296 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:01.120 is because I think and believe the way that Emma 297 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:04.600 Hayes views her role as the manager of this program. 298 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:07.039 And she said a word in the middle of it 299 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:10.480 of the press yesterday, and a little phrase that I 300 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:15.720 thought was so telling, but also I caught and I noticed, 301 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:17.600 and I hung on to and it's worth mentioning now, 302 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:21.279 you know. So one of the questions was from the 303 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:24.639 media about, you know, the younger players and getting the 304 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:26.600 chance and will they be okay you know with the 305 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:30.799 moment or something along those lines, and she remembers saying that, 306 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:32.679 you know, there's my job as a manager. 307 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:35.120 I don't I don't need to motivate because. 308 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:37.720 When we we all wake up and we put this 309 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:40.840 crest on, and this is the phrase she goes, We're 310 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:45.240 all renting the ability to wear this crest, and for 311 00:14:45.320 --> 00:14:48.240 how long that's none of us know, but we all 312 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:51.480 know what a privilege and an honor it is. And John, 313 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:54.000 I was a part of the seventeens, the eighteens, the twenties, 314 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:55.440 the twenty threes. I played for every part of the 315 00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:58.200 youth national team except for the full team, So I 316 00:14:58.279 --> 00:15:00.600 understand what it feels like to put on on the crest. 317 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:02.759 And I've done a lot of things I'm very proud 318 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:06.399 of but in my playing career, but wearing the US 319 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:08.080 Soccer crest is up there. 320 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:10.320 I mean, it really really is up there. 321 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:13.120 But for Emma Hayes, who's the leader of this program, 322 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:16.759 to say that and feel as though even herself is 323 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:21.080 renting the ability to wear a US Soccer crest goes 324 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:24.360 to show that everyone understands how much of a privilege 325 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:26.159 it is to do it, and even the top of 326 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:29.039 the total pole does. And I think that there is 327 00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:33.600 a mindset that is being instilled with this group and 328 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:36.200 a level of confidence that she is the right leader 329 00:15:36.200 --> 00:15:40.000 for this program, and so does everyone outside of that 330 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:43.840 understand it. I don't believe so yet, but I think 331 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:46.440 they will continue to the more that they get to 332 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:49.759 see what this group is evolving into. How she is 333 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:52.440 as a leader. Every time she speaks, how it just 334 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:57.480 seemingly adds another layer of respect and command and shows capability. 335 00:15:57.559 --> 00:16:00.879 So I think the mindset, if there were any doubters 336 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:03.039 about Hayes, I would just encourage you to listen to 337 00:16:03.080 --> 00:16:05.840 her talk for five minutes and it will remove a 338 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:07.279 lot of those doubts because she. 339 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:10.360 Is a competent and capable leader. 340 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:13.519 And I would have loved to have played for somebody 341 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:15.399 like Ima Hayes in my playing days. 342 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:18.360 Strong Jamie's hanging out with us talking, she believes, and 343 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:20.639 he full well knows that I can't let him go 344 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:24.919 if if we don't talk about Major League Soccer, because. 345 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:25.840 Absolutely let's do it. 346 00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:27.600 I don't know if folks have heard, but there are 347 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:30.279 games that are gonna matter coming up this weekend on 348 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:35.080 Saturday and Sunday. We've been going over it. We did 349 00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:36.919 it Tuesday, we did it a little bit this morning. 350 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:40.039 About the separate tiers in the east and the west 351 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:44.759 when it comes to this particular side of the Mississippi. 352 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:48.360 Considering this is where you live Eastern conference to you, 353 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:51.039 what are the highlights and the big storylines that you're 354 00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:52.519 going to be looking at here as we head into 355 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:53.279 match week one. 356 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:56.360 Man, I think that we'll start off with Atlanta, right, 357 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:58.320 because I think that's going to speak to a large 358 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:02.919 portion of your viewers. Even though this is broadcasted worldwide, 359 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:06.920 I think there is a large contingencies of fans in 360 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:09.480 the chat that'll be very curious to hear. How it's 361 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:12.720 how you know other people outside of Atlanta viewing what 362 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:16.559 Atlanta Night have been up to. I first and foremost 363 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:22.599 think that the off season was wildly successful for Atlanta. Look, 364 00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:26.599 you've got an owner that willing, is willing to spend 365 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:29.000 and has continued to show that and put it put 366 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:32.799 it in perspective. I think just the latte leaf, Am 367 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:34.839 I saying that right? I got a practice on that one. 368 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:37.880 It's a hard tea, So it's a latte lot. It's 369 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:40.359 almost like a lot. There we go like you're slurring 370 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:42.279 the tea in the h together, So it's a latte. 371 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:43.240 Lot, laatee lot. 372 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:45.079 I got to get my pronunciations right before I get 373 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:48.759 Atlanta in a couple weeks on the dock here I 374 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:53.279 think what is rumored transferfrea about twenty two million dollars perspective. 375 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:55.960 Philadelphia Union came into MLS to believe in about two 376 00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:57.920 thousand and nine, and they've gone sort of the homegrown 377 00:17:58.000 --> 00:18:02.160 route and have spent less than that on total transfers 378 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:06.039 of players in so Atlanta United in one player this 379 00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:09.599 offseason have surpassed what Philadelphia have done, and their cumulative 380 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:13.759 of transfers in reportedly right. All these numbers. We don't 381 00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:15.599 know how it completely works in the back end of it. 382 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:18.640 I don't read the books math Man. All that to say, 383 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:20.319 it is Math's hard man. I gotta count the fingers 384 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:22.880 and toes and all that stuff. All that is to say, 385 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:27.680 I do believe that Atlanta United have every reason, the 386 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:30.160 faithful there and the seventeens have every reason to be 387 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:35.279 optimistic of a top four finish in the East, which 388 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:38.039 obviously would have felt like a million miles away at 389 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:41.319 certain points last year. They'll have to cope with losing 390 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:44.160 Dax McCarty, who I felt like his leadership at times 391 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:49.839 was maybe under appreciated and undervalued. But with that, this 392 00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:55.000 group has added layers each window, and with Garth Logerway 393 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:58.839 and now Chris Henderson there as well, who I thought 394 00:18:58.839 --> 00:19:00.640 should have been the Executive of the Year last year 395 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:02.720 with the way that he was able to be a 396 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:06.960 gymnast and be flexible with that salary cap. In Miami, Man, 397 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:10.640 you've got two masterminds putting it together. And I'm just 398 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:14.240 very excited to see what this group can do in Atlanta. 399 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:16.720 I think top four should be the expectation for them, 400 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:18.359 and then from there, you know you're gonna have to 401 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:21.680