WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:03.240 Our next guest joins us on a consistent basis. He 2 00:00:03.319 --> 00:00:06.759 is the chief roster constructor over at RSL. It's always 3 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:09.400 great to have Kurt Schmidt, even though I'm laboring a 4 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:11.800 little bit, playing injured with the voice. But Kurt Schmidt 5 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:14.320 stops buying a Monday Afternoon Kurt, Happy Monday, sir. 6 00:00:14.359 --> 00:00:16.320 How are you good? 7 00:00:16.440 --> 00:00:19.079 I'm good? Sorry, sorry about your laboring. 8 00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:22.239 Well, hang it in. You know, we all have challenges, Kurt. 9 00:00:22.519 --> 00:00:24.879 Problems are inevitable, but they're also solvable. 10 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:27.320 Yes, yes, agreed. 11 00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:30.640 Okay, Well I'm glad you agree, because right now there 12 00:00:30.640 --> 00:00:33.320 are some problems with the roster. See what I did there, 13 00:00:33.359 --> 00:00:35.640 a little bit of transition. Look, man, you know what 14 00:00:35.640 --> 00:00:38.359 I'm gonna ask you. Everybody's wondering if there's help on 15 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:40.719 the way up top at number nine, and you're the 16 00:00:40.759 --> 00:00:43.079 guy that's making the phone calls talking ownership. I know 17 00:00:43.159 --> 00:00:46.719 these things are complex and nuanced and oftentimes take time. 18 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:49.799 But when we last spoke, you kind of implied that 19 00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:52.640 you felt like you were getting close. I would imagine 20 00:00:53.159 --> 00:00:54.719 that you're still kind of there. But where are we 21 00:00:54.799 --> 00:00:57.439 at with this fan base who was anxious to see 22 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:00.000 if we're gonna get some help with some playmakers either 23 00:01:00.159 --> 00:01:02.119 up top or on the wings surrounding the forwards. 24 00:01:03.439 --> 00:01:06.599 Yeah, obviously, you know, and we talked about this before, 25 00:01:06.640 --> 00:01:09.319 but certainly there's there's help on the way. Like you know, 26 00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:11.719 we see it as well as as everyone else can, 27 00:01:11.799 --> 00:01:13.560 and we we know we need strengthen things a bit, 28 00:01:13.760 --> 00:01:17.359 and we're close with two or three options that we 29 00:01:17.439 --> 00:01:20.239 think will come in and improve the group and hopefully 30 00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:21.079 tie it all together. 31 00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:24.560 So two or three options, and I would imagine those 32 00:01:24.599 --> 00:01:28.519 options are all on the attacking portion of the pitches. 33 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:29.799 They say, is that fair to say? 34 00:01:33.159 --> 00:01:33.359 Say? 35 00:01:33.400 --> 00:01:36.799 Then again, the two or three options. 36 00:01:36.879 --> 00:01:40.959 The two or three options are either strikers, they're attacking players, right. 37 00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:44.920 Yeah, yeah, attackers, And not that we're going to sign 38 00:01:45.040 --> 00:01:48.120 three guys. But you know, obviously when we're working on deals, 39 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:52.519 we need to have a couple couple avenues to work on, 40 00:01:52.640 --> 00:01:55.560 and you know, not everything goes according to plan all 41 00:01:55.599 --> 00:01:58.280 the time. So it's just about about having options and 42 00:01:58.359 --> 00:02:01.719 being able to pivot if necessary, from from one to two. 43 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:04.599 Is there an amount of players that you would like 44 00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:07.040 to sign prior to that April window closing. 45 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:12.280 I think we need one guy for sure, and if 46 00:02:12.280 --> 00:02:15.000 we can if we can add a second we will 47 00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:19.520 look into that, but certainly are our situation with international 48 00:02:19.520 --> 00:02:21.879 spots is a little tight at the moment, so it 49 00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:24.240 would have to be a domestic player. And you know, 50 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:26.360 I think if we can free up a spot and 51 00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:30.680 start to integrate, you know, a young player from the 52 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:32.800 draft that we think has done well in training as 53 00:02:32.879 --> 00:02:34.840 well in Hasus Bray, we might might do something like 54 00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:35.400 that also. 55 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:41.360 So looks like MLS announced Friday the cash from players 56 00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:43.719 sales kind of spilling in and r SL if I'm 57 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:46.159 reading this correctly as the fifth most gam in all 58 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:47.719 of the MLS card, is that correct? 59 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:52.759 I believe you are spot on. Probably hasn't changed since then, 60 00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:54.560 but it will probably change soon. 61 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:58.319 But yes, so for our listeners, and this probably includes 62 00:02:58.360 --> 00:02:58.919 most of them. 63 00:02:59.159 --> 00:03:01.560 Uh what is and why is it good that you 64 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:02.240 have a lot of it? 65 00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:06.400 Yeah? I mean, gam is essentially a roster of flexibility. 66 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:09.439 But it kind of comes into play in a couple 67 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:12.719 of different ways. And one is it's the internal currency 68 00:03:12.759 --> 00:03:15.840 within MLS. So if we want to trade for a player, 69 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:19.000 we have to you know, before the cash trade rule 70 00:03:19.039 --> 00:03:21.680 which just came into effect, there was just league assets, 71 00:03:21.719 --> 00:03:24.120 and so league assets are like draft picks players. But 72 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:27.800 then GAM was an asset that you could put into 73 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:29.680 trades and add on top of trades. And I think 74 00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:32.800 when you're using it in that way, it has a 75 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:35.719 little bit of a It has an inflated value over 76 00:03:35.960 --> 00:03:38.360 over and above what its sort of face value is 77 00:03:38.680 --> 00:03:40.919 relative to real money. But then you also use it 78 00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:43.800 to extend your roster. So you know, when we spend 79 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:48.280 on salaries an amount that exceeds what the the cap is, 80 00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:51.000 we can use GAM to buy players down so that 81 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:53.360 we fit back into the cap. So when we sign 82 00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:56.479 new players right now, we're at the cap or cap neutral. 83 00:03:56.800 --> 00:04:00.800 When we sign a new player, basically do for dollar 84 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:02.840 his cap charge comes from GAM. 85 00:04:03.879 --> 00:04:04.360 There you go. 86 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:08.080 The education session on Game Today on the show on 87 00:04:08.120 --> 00:04:10.719 a Monday afternoon, courtesy of the guy that could break 88 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:13.919 it down, Kurt Schmidt joining the program today. All right, 89 00:04:14.599 --> 00:04:19.480 upon rewatch, do you feel any better about San Diego 90 00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:22.360 rolling in here and winning three to one after you 91 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:23.600 went back and watched the game? 92 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:30.360 No, I don't feel better about it. You know, I 93 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:34.879 think any any result like that is going to be frustrating, 94 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:37.079 you know, for me, for the for the staff or 95 00:04:38.160 --> 00:04:41.480 the players. You know, I think there was that that's 96 00:04:41.480 --> 00:04:43.439 a game where we feel like we can get a result, 97 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:45.879 that we can win that game, and and so coming 98 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:48.439 out with not even a draw but a loss is 99 00:04:48.560 --> 00:04:50.920 certainly setting, especially when it comes as late as it 100 00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:54.480 does or it did in that game. So from that standpoint, no, 101 00:04:54.720 --> 00:04:57.040 I don't feel better looking back on it. I'm going 102 00:04:57.120 --> 00:04:59.480 to be frustrated until we win the next game, and 103 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:02.639 that how I've always been and it won't change. But 104 00:05:02.920 --> 00:05:05.439 from the standpoint of how we play, I do think 105 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:10.120 that there's there's certainly positives to pick out of how 106 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:12.879 we're playing, how we're creating chances, the chances we are 107 00:05:12.920 --> 00:05:15.720 creating that you can pick out of sort of the 108 00:05:16.360 --> 00:05:18.639 mucket negativity of a negative result. 109 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:21.800 And ultimately that's why I ask the question, because you know, 110 00:05:22.040 --> 00:05:26.040 while in the moment, it is frustrating for obviously all 111 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:28.560 of you with the club and fans that care about 112 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:32.319 the club, to have an expansion franchise roll in and 113 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:35.759 essentially dictate play. I mean, it felt like at the start, 114 00:05:36.079 --> 00:05:38.120 you guys were a little bit fortunate not to be down, 115 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:41.959 you know, three zero. After fifteen or twenty minutes, you know, 116 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:45.439 you do hear a lot from Pablo after some of 117 00:05:45.480 --> 00:05:48.000 these losses, Like I like the flow, I like the 118 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:49.519 way we're playing, we. 119 00:05:49.480 --> 00:05:51.319 Just can't finish. We're just not finishing. 120 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:54.079 So that's why I ask the question, like it is 121 00:05:54.120 --> 00:05:57.319 it as simple, Kurt as the guys up top not 122 00:05:57.360 --> 00:05:59.040 putting the ball in the back of the net, or 123 00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:01.199 are there more proper problems with the way you're playing 124 00:06:01.279 --> 00:06:01.680 right now? 125 00:06:03.160 --> 00:06:05.879 Well, at the moment, the two guys up up are 126 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:08.519 actually the two that have scored so far, So I 127 00:06:08.519 --> 00:06:10.360 don't know if it's quite that simple. You know, our 128 00:06:10.680 --> 00:06:14.800 force are both both picking up goals. I think maybe 129 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:16.600 they both could have picked up a few more goals, 130 00:06:16.600 --> 00:06:19.279 But you know, I don't want to take anything away 131 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:21.160 from from the way they've played and the goals they 132 00:06:21.160 --> 00:06:25.199 have scored. I think it's it's the other attacking group 133 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:27.519 that I think we can get a little more out 134 00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:30.519 of in moments. You know, obviously, we had especially two, 135 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:34.319 maybe three really good chances, and I'm the goalkeeper that 136 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:37.279 I think any other day of the week we do 137 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:40.879 a lot better with each one, and you know, to 138 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:45.759 miss both is certainly you know, unexpected, probably doesn't do 139 00:06:45.800 --> 00:06:48.439 it justice, but just just out of the ordinary enough 140 00:06:48.480 --> 00:06:52.079 that I know that that I feel confident that if 141 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:55.399 we continue to create champions of that caliber, you know, 142 00:06:55.560 --> 00:06:57.519 the result is not going to continue to be the same. 143 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:00.160 You know, these are all very very good players, and 144 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:03.920 they can play and finish at a high level. That said, 145 00:07:03.959 --> 00:07:06.600 they're human, and you know humans aren't perfect. But I 146 00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:08.519 know that if we continue to create chances like that, 147 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:11.639 for whether it's Diego or Dom or Force or Ari 148 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:14.720 or Diego Luna or Diego like they they're going to 149 00:07:14.839 --> 00:07:15.839 score those goals. 150 00:07:16.360 --> 00:07:18.839 And to your point, and I didn't mean to highlight 151 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:21.680 only the Nines, because you know there were a lot 152 00:07:21.720 --> 00:07:24.199 of uh, you know, Diego had some chances. 153 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:26.680 Diego had chances, Dom had some chances. 154 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:29.120 You know. So I guess what I'll say is when 155 00:07:29.160 --> 00:07:33.040 you if you just don't you don't take away the Nines. 156 00:07:33.079 --> 00:07:36.399 But if you include all of the pieces of your attack, 157 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:40.240 your your central midfielders they're in the attacking portion, your wingers, 158 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:43.639 and your forwards, are you satisfied at least with the 159 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:45.279 chances that are being created. 160 00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:52.399 I'm I I like the chances that we're creating. I'm 161 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:54.879 not satisfied in that work that we're not going to stop, 162 00:07:54.920 --> 00:07:57.240 but we we like the chances that we're creating. I 163 00:07:57.279 --> 00:07:59.560 think if we continue to create chances of the caliber wheels, 164 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:02.560 score roles, will win games. So the key is how 165 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:04.800 we're playing and how we're getting into the final third 166 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:08.639 and also even you know, generating shots in the final third. 167 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:11.959 So I think that we can improve those aspects of 168 00:08:11.959 --> 00:08:15.480 our game. But I think we are also doing doing 169 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:19.319 a good enough job right now to you know, to 170 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:21.560 get a better result this past weekend for instance. But 171 00:08:21.839 --> 00:08:24.759 it's something that we're always working on, we're always improving on. 172 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:28.199 But it's enough encouraging signs. It's you know, you know, 173 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:30.439 you don't come into work and feel like where do 174 00:08:30.519 --> 00:08:33.440 we start? You know, I think we have some clear 175 00:08:33.440 --> 00:08:35.879 ideas about how to improve the group. And but again 176 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:38.080 me sitting in my seat, I have confidence that at 177 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:40.720 the coaches and the players continue to do what they're doing, 178 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:42.000 we're going to score those goals. 179 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:46.080 What is your response, Kurt to fans that are frustrated 180 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:49.279 that the money the club was able to garner as 181 00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:53.080 a result of a number of transactions including Sealdandres, which 182 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:55.600 was proof of concept and we all understand why you 183 00:08:55.679 --> 00:08:58.039 did it, but what's your reaction to fans that were 184 00:08:58.080 --> 00:09:01.360 hoping that the bulk of the money that was made 185 00:09:01.399 --> 00:09:05.120 on those transactions would be reinvested into the roster by now. 186 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:10.279 So it's an interesting question. You know, when you sell 187 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:13.279 a ten, ten or eleven million dollar player, you know, 188 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:16.039 it doesn't mean that you you take all of that 189 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:18.039 and you buy a ten or eleven million dollar player. 190 00:09:18.080 --> 00:09:21.039 That's not always the way things work, especially not I 191 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:25.120 guess with with clubs like ours. It's easy to forget 192 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:27.320 since we did sell him for eleven million or so 193 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:31.159 that that, you know, Andreas wasn't eleven million player when 194 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:33.159 we signed him. We signed him for three million, right, 195 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:34.799 And so I think we're always going to be a 196 00:09:34.840 --> 00:09:38.240 club that's looking for those guys. Dominic Marzouk is a 197 00:09:38.279 --> 00:09:40.799 good player. We didn't spend ten million on him. We 198 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:43.399 spend just under two. You know, he's a guy that 199 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:45.559 is going to come in and you know, we hope 200 00:09:45.639 --> 00:09:48.519 to develop him and he'll show us, you know, what 201 00:09:48.600 --> 00:09:51.279 he has and we'll be able to potentially do the 202 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:53.600 same thing with him. And you know, I do think 203 00:09:53.639 --> 00:09:57.399 there's some players where we can we can buy at 204 00:09:57.399 --> 00:10:00.240 that level, you know, show their quality and their value 205 00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:02.840 and make them worth more money. But I think when 206 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:04.799 we look at, you know, the sales that we've made, 207 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:08.519 you know, it's it's We're a club that is not 208 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:11.840 going to just go ten million, ten million, ten million 209 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:16.360 every single year. It's not something that is in how 210 00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:20.279 we can operate within this ecosystem. But I do think 211 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:22.440 we can operate in a way where we pick up 212 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:28.200 players that are either undervalued or overlooked or developing in 213 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:31.320 certain ways at the right price points, and they can 214 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:33.799 add a lot of value to our club for a 215 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:36.240 number of years and then and then make that right 216 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:37.399 transaction at the right time. 217 00:10:37.679 --> 00:10:40.279 Tell me, Kert, from your vantage point, what you've seen 218 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:43.840 with Diogo, who is the loan DP on your roster, 219 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:47.720 who at times, you know, you definitely see the quality. 220 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:50.840 You definitely see moments and spurts here or there. But 221 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:53.120 if we're honest, I'm not sure that the DP production 222 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:57.159 has necessarily been there so far. So what have you 223 00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:59.279 seen up to this point about his growth and what 224 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:00.799 are you hoping to see moving forward. 225 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:05.799 I think he's he's a good player that shows his quality, 226 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:07.679 as you said, and in a lot of a lot 227 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:09.480 of good moments. You know, the ball he played, the 228 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:12.759 forcer for his goal the other week was a very 229 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:16.519 very good pass. You know, his technical quality is very high, 230 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:21.799 and you know usually usually his finishing quality is very high. 231 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:25.759 His production. It's fair to criticize at this moment, but 232 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:29.240 it's another one where I have confidence in the quality 233 00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:33.399 and quantity of chances he's creating that that the goals 234 00:11:33.440 --> 00:11:36.120 will come. And so you know, he it's easy to 235 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:38.360 forget he hasn't played quite that many games with us 236 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:41.399 yet when you look at the grand scheme of things. 237 00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:44.919 But I think, I think that he will come good 238 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:47.440 in terms of you know, getting in the right spots, 239 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:49.799 and if he keeps getting in the right spots, he'll 240 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:53.080 get the assists, he'll get the goals. You know, sometimes 241 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:55.879 the assists are a little bit elusive because you can, 242 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:57.720 you can put a guy in a good spot. You know, 243 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:59.639 you can pass the ball, but you can't always you know, 244 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:02.159 can't have the ball and take the shot and score 245 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:04.320 the goal. You have to pass the two teammate and 246 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:07.080 then the teammate has to do his thing. So assists 247 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:08.679 are a little bit mercurial that way. And I think 248 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:11.159 when he gets in those champions like the other night, 249 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:14.080 that was in my opinion, on characteristic and I think 250 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:16.120 he's going to finish those chances to. 251 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:17.000 Your earlier point. 252 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:20.320 Forrester and Piola found the back of the net, and 253 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:22.679 for our listeners that are just tuning in Skurt Schmidt 254 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:25.159 from RSL, who's indicated that he believes help is on 255 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:27.360 the way. I know a lot of fans hoping to 256 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:29.200 see a big time number nine sign or at least 257 00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:31.039 a number nine that can provide a little more quality 258 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:33.360 up top. But we should give them credit for at 259 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:35.279 least finding the back of the net. How do you 260 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:40.120 envision their role once these reinforcements are brought in. Have 261 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:43.399 they shown enough that okay, maybe neither of them are 262 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:46.120 I'll just use a chi Cho you know, for about 263 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:49.440 three months last year type prime striker, but they do 264 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:52.279 have a place on the team, like Pablo can utilize 265 00:12:52.320 --> 00:12:54.799 them in spurts. Have you seen enough from the two 266 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:56.879 nines that we've seen for the most part to indicate 267 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:58.840 that they do have a place on the team. 268 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:02.600 Yeah. Absolutely, and you know that's why we brought them 269 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:06.919 both in. You know, both are in terms of per 270 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:10.120 ninety goals per ninety rates are on incredible rates, you know, 271 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:12.039 and scoring as early as they did in the season 272 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:16.480 is great for their confidence and their sense of belonging 273 00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:21.039 in their development. They're both young players, they're both in experience, 274 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:24.000 so they do need to gain, you know, experience, They 275 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:27.639 need to continue to play and get those minutes which 276 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:30.120 are going to help them develop. But again, you know 277 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:34.120 they're they're young, young players that aren't the finished products. 278 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:37.480 So there's plenty of confidence in them playing a role 279 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:42.840 going forward, irrespective of additions. But I'm happy to see 280 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:44.639 them excelling at this stage. 281 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:49.120 I always remind people, whether it's a good start or 282 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:53.000 a bad start, that this season, more so than maybe 283 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:56.360 any other, is such a slog it's such a marathon 284 00:13:57.039 --> 00:13:59.039 that there will be ebbs, there will be flows, there 285 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:01.440 will be highs, there will be I didn't mean that 286 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:03.720 to rhyme. Maybe I should write children's books when I'm 287 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:04.399 not on air. 288 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:04.879 I don't know. 289 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:08.519 But at what point in the calendar do you start 290 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:11.879 to feel a little bit of urgency for a year 291 00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:14.200 like this when the start hasn't been very brighter? What 292 00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:17.120 point do you kind of get that pressure mounting on 293 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:18.159 you just a little bit hurt? 294 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:24.039 I mean, honestly, like, this isn't the methodical or well 295 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:26.080 thought how to answer it, like now, like I feel 296 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:28.000 that pressure now, I feel that pressure all the time. 297 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:30.120 I want us to be good. I want us to 298 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:32.440 get better. I want to add quality in the team. 299 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:35.120 I want them to to play at a high level, 300 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:38.559 you know, all the time. So I guess you know, 301 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:41.000 if you're asking what, you know the pressure that I 302 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:44.120 put on myself, that we put on ourselves here, it's yeah, 303 00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:48.000 it's there. Now we want to pick up those wins now. 304 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:50.639 It's you know, certainly it's how you finished, not as 305 00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:52.559 much how you start in this league, and the summer 306 00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:55.639 can be a slog, but you know, points in March 307 00:14:55.679 --> 00:14:58.600 count the same as points in September October, and you know, 308 00:14:58.720 --> 00:15:01.360 we want to pick up points and we want to improve, 309 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:03.440 you know, not just match, but improve upon what we 310 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:04.440 were able to do last year. 311 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:08.320 I don't want this just to have the negative context 312 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:11.559 or kind of tone. So I will ask you from 313 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:14.000 your vantage point as you watch the games in real 314 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:15.840 time and then have gone back to kind of look 315 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:19.080 at tape, where are the bright spots so far, kurve 316 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:20.039 that you're seeing. 317 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:26.200 In terms of individuals, or just play either whatever. 318 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:28.440 I don't want this to be all negative So is 319 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:30.639 there a couple of players, is there a way you're playing? 320 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:33.399 Are there things that are and maybe there's nothing. I mean, 321 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:36.080 if we're honest, it has not been a very good start, man. 322 00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:38.639 I just wanted to give some space for maybe things 323 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:40.879 that are actually bright that maybe we're not seeing. 324 00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:44.440 Yeah. Look, I think the play of our pivots, you know, 325 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:47.519 a Mecca and Oheta have a great partnership and really 326 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:50.639 like to see a Mecca building on a strong twenty 327 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:53.399 twenty four and Ojeita has been really good this year. 328 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:58.480 The level of depth of competition, especially along the back line, 329 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:01.200 is really high, and some of the new guys that 330 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:04.519 have come in there and pushed pushed the starters for 331 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:06.960 for minutes and for time, and I think that's just 332 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:11.080 only going to serve us well along the way. You know, 333 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:13.320 I think there have been a lot of really good 334 00:16:13.320 --> 00:16:15.799 moments from our attacking group, you know. I think Dom 335 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:19.120 has been really well in moments, Diego Diogo, you know, 336 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:22.360 and the two young strikers. So there, Look, there are 337 00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:25.519 a lot of bright spots. Now, not everyone is always 338 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:28.279 a bright spot all the time, but I think there's 339 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:31.120 been a lot to be encouraged by, like I said 340 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:33.759 with the young strikers, I think with you know, Don 341 00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:36.600 coming out of Champions Cup, I think he's, you know, 342 00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:39.639 put on some really good performances. So there's a lot 343 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:43.120 there to be happy with and proud of going forward. 344 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:46.799 But now it's time to put the results away. 345 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:50.759 The options for the nine or a couple of options 346 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:53.480 you're looking at. Are these players that currently are in 347 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:57.240 MLS or are they potentially international transfers to come in. 348 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:04.200 Both? All right, yeah, OK, not a lot of context 349 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:04.519 around that. 350 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:08.160 Okay, fair enough Before I say you lose, tell me 351 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:08.839 about Houston. 352 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:10.359 That's the opponent coming up. 353 00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:13.440 And I mean luckily you're at Houston in March and 354 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:16.400 not July, because that's impossible. But tell me about this 355 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:17.880 team you're playing coming up this weekend. 356 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:22.839 Yeah, I mean, Houston's always a fun, fun road trip, 357 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:25.440 but like you said, the weather is a little bit 358 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:27.759 a little bit cooler now than it is in the summer. 359 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:31.319 You know, they're a team that's lost a few key 360 00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:35.279 pieces from last year and is trying to figure out 361 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:37.359 what they look like in twenty twenty five as well. 362 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:40.000 And you know, I think that's what makes them a 363 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:43.160 little bit tough to maybe game plan for or to 364 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:46.480 to really expect a lot out of or know what 365 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:50.279 to expect out of. You know, they lost their left centerback, 366 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:53.359 who's a really, really good, good young player that they 367 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:55.400 picked up in Brazil. They sold them back to Brazil. 368 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:59.839 They lost Hector Herrera, was like a real metronome in 369 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:02.319 the for them in the middle, and so they're trying 370 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:04.720 to fill those gaps now with some guys who haven't 371 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:07.799 maybe tell you as many minutes in the past couple 372 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:11.279 of years. So it's about, you know, making sure that 373 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:15.519 we basically don't let them figure it out against us. Right, Like, 374 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:17.039 there's Trulls trying to do some of the same things 375 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:20.359 they did last year, and they're not quite doing it 376 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:23.000 as as high level as they did last year, and 377 00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:26.119 so it's just about us imposing our game on them, all. 378 00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:28.279 Right, Kurt, Well, I appreciate the time man, been a 379 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:30.960 rough star, but like I said, it's a long, long season. 380 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:32.720 So best of luck as you're trying to get these 381 00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:35.279 things across the line. I'm innately aware that it's not 382 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:38.119 as easy as a lot of people think. And appreciate 383 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.640 your time man, have a good week and good luck 384 00:18:39.640 --> 00:18:40.200 against Houston. 385 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:43.279 Okay, so good. Thanks man, all right, Kurt Schmidt. 386 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:47.720 RSL got smoked over the weekend, and it looks it's unacceptable. 387 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:52.160 San Diego is an expansion franchise. They rolled into America 388 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:54.440 First Field, and they could have been up three to 389 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:57.880 nil after like fifteen minutes. RSL did get a really 390 00:18:57.960 --> 00:19:01.119 nice goal by Pole to tie it up one. San 391 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:03.759 Diego got two in the second half, came on the 392 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:06.759 heels against a really good winning their MLS opener home 393 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:09.240 opener against Seattle, I should say their MLS opener, they 394 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:13.039 got smoked by San Jose. So I would imagine if 395 00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:15.759 you're an RSL fan, you're not too pleased with a 396 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:18.000 state of well, quite frankly, everything. 397 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.319 Cocka CAF Champions Cup. 398 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:21.440 First time you qualify in like a decade, you get 399 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:25.720 smoked by a club that isn't very good. The reinforcements 400 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:27.440 that I've been rumored have not been able to get 401 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.119