WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:03.600 Ral salt Lake is back in action. Coming up on Saturday, 2 00:00:03.600 --> 00:00:06.400 they hit the Roady take on Nashville. They'll be back 3 00:00:06.400 --> 00:00:09.279 home to take on Toronto the week after that after 4 00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:12.199 getting all three points over the weekend against the LA Galaxy. 5 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:16.920 Our next guest sporting director, decision maker, intelligent soccer minds 6 00:00:17.800 --> 00:00:19.600 and a good time if you want to grab some 7 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:20.359 dinner hangout. 8 00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:23.280 Kurt Schmidt. Tuesday afternoon, Kurt, how are you, sir? 9 00:00:24.600 --> 00:00:26.239 I'm good. 10 00:00:26.519 --> 00:00:29.480 It sounds like you are in transit somewhere. Where do 11 00:00:29.519 --> 00:00:31.039 we find you on this lovely Tuesday? 12 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:36.799 Yeah? Yeah, in transit, heading heading home and I gotta 13 00:00:37.520 --> 00:00:40.240 get on the phone when I get there. So was 14 00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:41.600 lucky to squeeze in. 15 00:00:42.280 --> 00:00:43.679 Well, I feel lucky you made time. 16 00:00:43.719 --> 00:00:45.200 Do you have to get on the phone with a 17 00:00:45.240 --> 00:00:48.600 potential signing or two that you are trying to get 18 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:50.920 across the line prior to the transfer window closing in 19 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:52.600 about two and a half weeks? 20 00:00:53.159 --> 00:00:55.799 Yeah, yeah, I mean it's definitely related. 21 00:00:56.119 --> 00:01:00.560 So okay, fair enough? Follow up? Where we at in 22 00:01:00.600 --> 00:01:01.439 this process? 23 00:01:01.560 --> 00:01:05.480 You know, the last few weeks, it's been Jason, it's 24 00:01:05.519 --> 00:01:09.400 been Tony, it's been uh, Pablo a couple of different times, 25 00:01:09.439 --> 00:01:11.879 and since you are the guy and the buck stots 26 00:01:11.959 --> 00:01:12.200 with you. 27 00:01:12.359 --> 00:01:13.840 Yes, I know it's a collaboration. 28 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:17.159 You guys are talking together in a room, you know, ourself, 29 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:18.079 fans chomping. 30 00:01:17.879 --> 00:01:18.239 At the bid. 31 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:21.840 Are we getting close to getting these things across the line? 32 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:26.640 Yeah, Yeah, we're getting close, you know, not sleeping a ton, 33 00:01:26.920 --> 00:01:30.719 trying to trying to adjust my body clock to to 34 00:01:30.760 --> 00:01:34.719 try to match the European time change a little bit. 35 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:38.040 But we're getting close a little bit, a little bit 36 00:01:38.120 --> 00:01:41.439 every day. Obviously we all want it to go a 37 00:01:41.480 --> 00:01:44.680 little bit faster, but it takes what it takes. 38 00:01:45.319 --> 00:01:45.560 Well. 39 00:01:45.599 --> 00:01:49.359 Since you alluded to your body adjusting to the European clock, 40 00:01:49.560 --> 00:01:52.680 I imagine you are speaking with players that play there 41 00:01:52.879 --> 00:01:53.959 soccer in Europe? 42 00:01:54.000 --> 00:01:54.879 Is that fair to say? 43 00:01:56.280 --> 00:01:57.560 I can't believe I let that slip. 44 00:02:00.040 --> 00:02:02.319 Europe's a big place, Kurt. There are plenty of soccer 45 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:05.200 teams over there. I mean a lot of people. 46 00:02:04.879 --> 00:02:07.359 Wondering, because look, I could read you the rumors that 47 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:10.039 I see online, and I've got three strikers in front 48 00:02:10.080 --> 00:02:11.800 of me that I'll play at MLS that you've been 49 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:16.000 linked to. But you're speaking the players internationally or are 50 00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:17.680 you speaking of players domestically too. 51 00:02:19.319 --> 00:02:21.680 Yeah, I mean there's not one option, right, so we've 52 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:24.719 got a couple options. There are some options in the league. 53 00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:28.000 You know. It's teams are in an interesting spot. We're 54 00:02:28.080 --> 00:02:31.199 right around that time where you know they've got what 55 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:34.000 they or they think they know what they've got. After 56 00:02:34.400 --> 00:02:37.039 the early games of the season, we're coming up towards 57 00:02:37.080 --> 00:02:39.879 the trade deadline, so you're going to start to see 58 00:02:39.919 --> 00:02:42.599 some movement within the league. So that may impact things 59 00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:45.800 as well, you know, but what we're looking for is 60 00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:48.520 is a tough spot, you know, a tough position to 61 00:02:48.599 --> 00:02:51.280 kind of fill. Always from within the league. You know, 62 00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:54.159 I think there's a few good candidates that could take 63 00:02:54.159 --> 00:02:58.199 a step and be contributors, but you know, it's a 64 00:02:58.240 --> 00:03:01.719 tough position to internally and usually have to go broad 65 00:03:01.800 --> 00:03:03.159 to get to get someone in there. 66 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:07.199 As you know, Kurt, and now we'll tell our listeners 67 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:11.199 the primary transfer window closes in two weeks, so we're 68 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:14.840 looking at a hard deadline of April to twenty third. 69 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:21.280 What's realistic to expect as far as making these additions 70 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:25.560 prior to this window and then the process of getting 71 00:03:25.560 --> 00:03:28.000 them on the ground and how long it takes to 72 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:31.039 get them acclimated to the system, and what's reasonable to 73 00:03:31.080 --> 00:03:34.680 expect when we could actually see them playing significant minutes 74 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:36.080 and hopefully helping you guys out. 75 00:03:37.639 --> 00:03:39.680 Yeah, I mean, there's obviously the deal, you know, the 76 00:03:39.719 --> 00:03:41.759 deal and time it takes that to get done, which 77 00:03:41.800 --> 00:03:44.360 is where we're at right now, and hopefully finishing that up. 78 00:03:45.599 --> 00:03:49.560 There's the immigration process, which you know can't be forgotten. 79 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:52.719 I think the the you know, that's usually three to 80 00:03:52.759 --> 00:03:55.560 four weeks, depending on a few different factors that are 81 00:03:55.599 --> 00:03:59.080 of our hands. And then you know your your comments 82 00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:03.039 about getting out acclimated and adjusted to the system, That 83 00:04:03.080 --> 00:04:06.719 obviously is the thing that takes probably the longest. You know, 84 00:04:06.800 --> 00:04:10.199 we play with with a little more structure, maybe than 85 00:04:10.520 --> 00:04:13.719 than a lot of teams where we might be recruiting from, 86 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:16.879 and so it'll take teams that take players a minute 87 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:19.319 to you know, do enough video and get on the 88 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:22.240 same page with their teammates and the coaches and fit in. 89 00:04:22.279 --> 00:04:24.040 But we still think a guy can come in and 90 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:27.839 have an immediate impact and create danger and help us 91 00:04:27.879 --> 00:04:28.279 right away. 92 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:32.240 How many players are you hoping to have signed before 93 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:33.399 April twenty third? 94 00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:38.720 I will I will say, I'm I'm really hopeful we 95 00:04:38.759 --> 00:04:43.399 get one guy in. If there's another one that we 96 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:46.759 can do, we'll do it. You know, we're we're keeping 97 00:04:46.920 --> 00:04:50.839 our ears open, our eyes open to what's out there, 98 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:54.279 whether that's internal trades or abroad. You know, obviously we 99 00:04:54.439 --> 00:04:58.839 have an international player limit which we are always kind 100 00:04:58.839 --> 00:05:02.000 of bumping up against. So the odds of an additional 101 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:04.839 signing being domestic are quite high. 102 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:08.759 So of course everybody is surmising that. And for our 103 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:11.279 listeners if you're just tuning in, Kurt Schmid is with us. 104 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:14.319 So if there's one player across the line, is it 105 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:16.600 safe to say that that player is a striker? 106 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:23.639 Uh? Yeah, sure, it's pretty safe. Okay, definitely an attacker, 107 00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:26.839 and it's someone that can play center forward for US. 108 00:05:26.920 --> 00:05:30.439 I think, you know, Ari and Forster have done well. 109 00:05:30.480 --> 00:05:32.800 You know, even hayesus has come on there and done well. 110 00:05:32.839 --> 00:05:35.360 There's still young players that you know, we'll have their 111 00:05:35.399 --> 00:05:37.480 up and ups and downs. We believe in all all 112 00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:41.199 through those guys, you know, but I think sometimes it 113 00:05:41.279 --> 00:05:45.639 helps to have more experienced player come in and you know, 114 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:48.199 shoulder some of the burden, some of the load and 115 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:50.720 and you know, teach those guys as well and help 116 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:53.160 those guys develop So we are developmental club, as you know, 117 00:05:54.079 --> 00:05:56.240 so we're gonna keep developing those guys. But yeah, we 118 00:05:56.319 --> 00:05:58.040 need to add a little more experience in that part 119 00:05:58.079 --> 00:05:58.519 of the field. 120 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:02.120 If there should be a set secondary player added, what 121 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:05.879 position would that secondary player play. 122 00:06:07.240 --> 00:06:11.560 That's a great question. Likely in the attack, but not 123 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:15.240 closed off to anything. I think some of it is 124 00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:17.959 is finding a good opportunity and something that we can 125 00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:22.160 we can exploit, but likely looking to add some more 126 00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:24.680 competition in the attack. I think our competition in the 127 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:26.800 in the middle of midfield and in the back line 128 00:06:26.839 --> 00:06:31.639 has been has been good early in the season, you know, 129 00:06:31.720 --> 00:06:34.279 but upfront is where we you know, we haven't scored 130 00:06:34.279 --> 00:06:36.639 as many goals, and our competition there is maybe quite 131 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:40.319 quite as good as it is in the back right now. 132 00:06:39.399 --> 00:06:44.279 Are you satisfied with the goal opportunities that are created, 133 00:06:44.399 --> 00:06:48.120 because it's one thing to have a pure goal scorer, 134 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:50.560 and certainly we've had a few on this team, and 135 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:53.000 one is recently last year as Chicho that was able 136 00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:55.199 to put away a lot of chances. But you can't 137 00:06:55.240 --> 00:06:57.680 put away chances that they're not created. So are you 138 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:03.000 satisfied with the create activity the attacking ability of your 139 00:07:03.079 --> 00:07:06.079 players right now that are providing the chances that hopefully 140 00:07:06.120 --> 00:07:10.040 these new players will be able to finish. 141 00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:13.959 Happy, Yes, satisfied. No, you know it's it's obviously just 142 00:07:13.959 --> 00:07:16.000 the math equation, right. You've got to score more than 143 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:18.759 you let in. So if you want to win games, 144 00:07:19.040 --> 00:07:21.160 you either got to let in fewer goals or score more. 145 00:07:21.279 --> 00:07:23.959 So I look at it, you know, as yes, we 146 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:27.959 do need to create higher quality chances, and in more games, 147 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:29.800 we need to create higher quality chances than we can 148 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:33.720 see in those games. I think defensively, you know, we can. 149 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:36.040 We can tighten things up as well, and I think 150 00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:38.879 we've been a little unlucky. We've also conceded some some 151 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:41.720 quality chances on the defensive end as well. But those 152 00:07:41.720 --> 00:07:45.319 things are always intertwined, and I know that, uh, you know, 153 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:47.560 if we're able to finish of some chances that we're 154 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:50.519 creating earlier in games, that lightens the load on those guys. 155 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:53.439 So I want to do both. I want to increase 156 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:55.839 the chances we the quality of the chances we create, 157 00:07:56.160 --> 00:07:59.800 and decrease the quality chances that we concede. But I 158 00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:01.600 think those things are interdependent. 159 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:09.120 So as somebody who is acutely aware of the difficulties 160 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:12.279 that decision makers like you face when it comes to 161 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:15.680 getting these deals done. I know that I'll ask you 162 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:18.399 about the delays as to why this has taken place, 163 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:22.399 and we could go in a million different directions. So ultimately, 164 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:25.920 how would you characterize and articulate to RSL fans why 165 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:28.879 these signings have not been able to be completed yet? 166 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:33.440 Yeah, I mean, look, it takes at two and in 167 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:35.720 this case three to tango, right, You've got to get 168 00:08:35.879 --> 00:08:38.679 us another club and another player all on the same 169 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:41.200 page at the same time to get a deal done. 170 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:43.759 And we're only in control of one of those three parties, 171 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:47.879 so we are at the whim of other parties a 172 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:53.440 lot of the time. And and sorry, they'll train a thought, 173 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:57.679 but when we when we go out and we're talking 174 00:08:57.679 --> 00:09:00.679 to these clubs, you know, they have their own motivation. Okay, 175 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:04.000 they could they could be motivated to sell or not 176 00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:06.759 their windows closed, which we seees in advantage sometimes in 177 00:09:06.919 --> 00:09:11.279 MLS that our windows stays open so long, but it 178 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:13.399 can also be disadvantaged because as we go and talk 179 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:16.240 to clubs, they you know, if they've got a player 180 00:09:16.279 --> 00:09:19.360 who's performing for them in that moment, they don't always 181 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:22.399 want to let that guy go if they can't replace him, 182 00:09:22.679 --> 00:09:26.200 so we're kind of battling battling those that pushful. 183 00:09:26.840 --> 00:09:30.919 It has been reported pretty widely widely excuse me, first 184 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:34.919 by Sportico and then ultimately the Salt Lake Tribune and others, 185 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:37.759 that there is a what I've been told is an 186 00:09:37.799 --> 00:09:41.440 eminent ownership shift where the Miller family is coming in 187 00:09:41.519 --> 00:09:44.559 to take the business interests on of the team. Ryan 188 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:47.320 Smith will exit stage left to focus on other things, 189 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:50.799 and the Blitzer group will maintain whatever control they maintain. 190 00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:54.919 The natural follow up, Kurtis, has this ownership stuff in 191 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:57.639 this transition? Has this delayed your ability to make some 192 00:09:57.679 --> 00:09:59.000 of these decisions and get it done. 193 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:04.360 I'll just tell you that I'm I'm far too worried 194 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:09.960 and busy with with trying to get some signings over 195 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:14.279 the line to comment to you about any ownership situation. 196 00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:17.279 Fair enough and smart answer, But I do want to 197 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:19.720 go back to what you referenced, because I think I 198 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:22.279 think Ralpha Kapral has been really, really good. And as 199 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:27.200 you referenced earlier, you know it's a math equation. You've 200 00:10:27.240 --> 00:10:29.279 got to put in more than you give up and 201 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:32.840 maybe lost in the attention on the attack is you 202 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:35.639 guys have given up eleven goals, which is third worst 203 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:38.919 in the West. Are we focused too much on one 204 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:42.120 area of your team when maybe there's other areas that 205 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:43.720 we need to be honed in on as well. 206 00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:48.799 Yeah, absolutely, I do think we need to tighten things 207 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:51.360 up in the back. But as I said before, the 208 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:54.919 things that those things are interdependent. So on the one hand, 209 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:58.159 there's a psychological opponent where if you feel like, you know, 210 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:00.840 if you're playing center back or goal keep for you know, 211 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:03.000 anywhere on the back line, and you feel like your 212 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:05.919 team can score a goal, you play with a little 213 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:08.320 more confidence and maybe you're a little loose or left tense, 214 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:11.360 and that helps you play better. Uh, even if that 215 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:15.120 that guy doesn't score, but if if you're worried about that, 216 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:18.000 potentially you know, and maybe we miss a good chance 217 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:20.399 or two, and now it shakes everybody a little bit. 218 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:23.919 So from that standpoint, there's a psychological component. Defense is 219 00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:26.320 also a team game. Rafa, I think Rafa has been 220 00:11:26.679 --> 00:11:30.679 you know, very good, despite the stat you mentioned, I 221 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:32.799 think he's played really well. He's led the back line, 222 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:35.440 he's been good in possession, He's made some good says, 223 00:11:36.440 --> 00:11:38.360 but you know, there's ten guys in front of him 224 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:43.200 that also have have a responsibility to limit the chances 225 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:45.759 that that we give up so that Rafa doesn't have 226 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:48.000 to be as good or have to do as much, 227 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:49.960 and so we need to we need to work on 228 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:50.919 both of them. 229 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:54.039 So of course, uh, you know, a lot of attention 230 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:58.879 right now on Diego, deservedly so with his recent national 231 00:11:58.919 --> 00:12:03.000 team call ups, his kind of cult you know status there, 232 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:05.399 with his ability to play through injury and that broken 233 00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:08.639 nose and was named the Utah Male Athlete of the Year, 234 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:11.519 got a brace for you guys against the Galaxy, becomes 235 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:15.039 the youngest RSL player to tally fifteen goals fifteen assists, 236 00:12:16.279 --> 00:12:18.679 and it's only it's only good news as you reference 237 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:21.399 your developmental club. And as Jason said on the show 238 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:24.519 last week, we're a club that you know, we don't 239 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:27.120 necessarily ride a check for ten million dollars for a player. 240 00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:29.080 We develop a check and then sell that player for 241 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:32.200 ten million dollars. I would imagine, Kurt, your phone has 242 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:34.039 to ring all the time about this young man. 243 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:39.879 Yeah, look, Diego's doing doing great. How much my phone 244 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:43.399 is or isn't ringing? In relation to him, you know, 245 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:46.919 is not really the point. I think the club, the 246 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:49.559 club values him aton I value him a ton. I 247 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:52.440 know the coaches value him a ton, and and my 248 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:54.960 goal is to keep him here where he's performing at 249 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:57.320 a good level as long as we can, you know, 250 00:12:57.399 --> 00:13:00.399 and how long that is is you know, again, like 251 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:02.159 I said, as long as we can keeping ear and 252 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:05.080 he's happy here, you know, we're happy to happy to 253 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:08.159 keep him intent. So you know, all that other stuff is, 254 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:10.240 you know, we don't want it to become a distraction, 255 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:13.200 either for us or for him, or for the fans 256 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:15.320 or anybody. Let's just you know, the point is to 257 00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:17.799 enjoying them while he's here and have him help us 258 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:19.120 be as successful as possible. 259 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:22.679 But also, by your own admission and the admission of others, 260 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:25.480 the point is, in addition to keeping them happy and 261 00:13:25.559 --> 00:13:28.039 keeping them playing well, the point, the other point is 262 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:31.200 to continue the club's ethos and belief that you are 263 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:35.200 a team that identifies young talent, develops that young talent, 264 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:38.200 and then moves that young talent on if you can, 265 00:13:38.559 --> 00:13:40.720 you know, get the right price. So what are what 266 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:43.919 are the the plates that you're juggling and spinning around 267 00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:47.000 above your head as you're balancing out what the right 268 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:49.759 thing is to do for a player that is on 269 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:52.720 record saying that he wants to play in Europe, and 270 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:55.000 as the chief decision maker for a club that is 271 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:56.679 on record saying this is what we do. 272 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:58.279 We develop young and then we sell. 273 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:03.639 Yeah we developed, we did we buy or you know, 274 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:07.240 draft or bring through the academy young players. We developed them, 275 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:09.639 and yeah we sell them, but we don't you know, 276 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:12.399 we don't need to sell all of them. We do 277 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:14.720 need to sell some to keep the sort of cycle 278 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:17.799 churning and the cycle going. But every situation is different, 279 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:20.600 right so Jego situation, it will be different and is 280 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:24.600 different from Andreas or Fodel or anyone else that we're 281 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:27.519 talking about. We're also a club, you know, and as 282 00:14:27.559 --> 00:14:30.000 I'm you know, working on the team and the roster 283 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:32.759 and building things up that you know, we we do 284 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:36.360 need to have some uh some pillars of the of 285 00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:39.039 the group right that that can be on the team 286 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:41.600 for a long time. And right now you've got guys 287 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:44.039 like Ohita, You've got guys like a Mecca to two 288 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:45.440 guys that play in the middle of the field that 289 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:49.080 you know, I think could be could be longer term 290 00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:51.120 players here. Brian has already been here, you know, a 291 00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:54.120 few years, and I think when I got here, you know, 292 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:56.679 it was sort of the end of uh or. We're 293 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:58.440 coming towards the end of a cycle where we you know, 294 00:14:58.440 --> 00:15:00.440 we had de Miror and we had Albert, we had Cello. 295 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:04.039 You know, we had some good veteran guys that has 296 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:06.159 sort of you know, aight out or left the team. 297 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:10.120 And now we've got to replace that aspect as well. 298 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:12.919 And as you know, as as you pointed out as 299 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:14.879 us and pointed out, we're maybe not going to go 300 00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:18.360 buy you know, six seven, eight, nine, ten million dollar 301 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:20.720 guy to fill that role, but we think we can 302 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:23.480 develop guys into that role as well. So the player 303 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:27.399 development aspect, you know, has has more than one logical endpoint. 304 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:32.320 So let's get an update, progress update in your opinion 305 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:35.759 or lack thereof, wherever you're at with it. For Diogo, 306 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:39.240 who on paper is your only designated player, and you know, 307 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:41.840 the breakaway against La you got to at least make 308 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:44.000 the keeper make a safe, you know. But but I 309 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:46.320 will give him credit because he's the one that won 310 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:49.919 the ball back and provided the secondary assist on Diego's 311 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:53.639 first goal. But I just think in that spot, you know, 312 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:57.440 with all the attention and fanfare he received when he 313 00:15:57.559 --> 00:16:00.200 was signed, I think there are people that are wanting more. 314 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:02.480 Where are you at hurt with the progress of Diogo? 315 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:05.799 Yeah, I think he's playing really well this year. I 316 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:09.120 think he's facilitating the game a lot. You mentioned the 317 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:12.519 first goal. Second, you know, he facilitates uh in the 318 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:15.039 in the possession for the second goal as well. And 319 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:19.600 you know, him getting those chances is a huge positive. 320 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:22.440 You know, when we look at recruitment and scouting and 321 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:25.399 evaluate players within without the league, we you know, we 322 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:28.399 look at things like expected goals and expected assists and 323 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:31.480 is this guy creating chances better a flight quality? Is 324 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:34.279 he is he taking you know, he's taking shots of 325 00:16:34.559 --> 00:16:37.200 a high quality, And you know those are areas where 326 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:40.840 Jogo's donald right this season and the execution needs to 327 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:44.159 get there. And I think, you know, when he continues 328 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:47.000 to create those chances, I do think he's going to 329 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:49.360 finish them. You know, he's obviously got the one goal 330 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:52.159 this year arguably should have uh you know, the second 331 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:53.879 one from you know, second one should have been in 332 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:57.320 LA against LA one hundred percent. But I know he's 333 00:16:57.320 --> 00:17:01.519 a team guy, and he's nobody's harder on Diogo than 334 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:05.240 Diogo for for missing a chance like that. But I'm 335 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:09.640 just I'm I couldn't be happier to see it manifest 336 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:12.400 itself in him fighting to win that ball back and 337 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:15.039 create our first goal, to help us score the second goal. 338 00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:18.039 And he's a team guy, and I know he's he's 339 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:20.400 certainly far happier that we went, that we win the 340 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:22.759 game than he is upset that he missed the chance. 341 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:26.319 One spot, Kurt, that I've felt and this this is 342 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:28.359 just you know, this is something you're gonna have to 343 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:31.000 walk me through because I just I like Alex Catranis, 344 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:33.480 and I think there's a lot to like the Alex 345 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:35.960 and Sam battle at that spot. 346 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:38.759 I think, you know, it's one thing when. 347 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:41.519 You guys had the Conky Calf Champions League kind of 348 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:43.680 schedule sneak up on you where you're gonna have a 349 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:46.079 bunch of midweek games. But when that went out at 350 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:48.400 the table, I just figured that spot was Alex's. And 351 00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:51.519 there's nothing wrong with a healthy competition, But what do 352 00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:53.200 you make of that battle and how it's kind of 353 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:53.680 played out? 354 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:59.519 I think, yeah, competition is the watchword, right, it's he's 355 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:04.000 he's had that position. Last year, he didn't have as 356 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:06.799 much competition for that spot, you know. This year Sam 357 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:09.200 came in to kind of help us out in two 358 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:11.839 spots that left center back and left back and help 359 00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:16.400 us through fix your congestion. One was in Concast Champions League, 360 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:21.640 hopefully another as a run in in Lenked Cup. But yeah, 361 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:24.359 right now, when it's one game a week, it's it's competition. 362 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:28.359 And when we have competition between two guys that can 363 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:32.880 both start in this league at the same position, that's 364 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:34.880 gonna make each of them, you know, perform at the 365 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:39.000 top of their game. So I think Sam's appearance as 366 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:42.720 Sam starts or something that's gonna motivate Alex and sharpen 367 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:44.200 him up. And I thought he had a good game 368 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:47.400 on Saturday, and I know that's gonna do the same 369 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:49.119 to Sam. And I think if we have those two 370 00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:52.079 guys pushing each other as hard as possible, it's gonna 371 00:18:52.119 --> 00:18:56.079 make us as as good as possible, regardless who starts right. 372 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:59.799 So that's that's the goal when we strive to build 373 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:02.119 that depth and competition. And as I said earlier, I 374 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:04.519 think we've done a good job of that. Along the back. 375 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:07.000 Line, how healthy are you guys? Heading into the weekend 376 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.839 in Nashville? 377 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:14.480 Picked up a knock or two that we're still working 378 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:19.000 on obviously, you know Kobe Henry last week, this week, 379 00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:22.000 you know, maybe maybe one more. Uh, it's a little 380 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:24.640 too early to kind of say, gonna gonna have to 381 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:26.160 see how the next couple of days ago. 382 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:29.920 All right, before I say you loose, Uh, I've heard 383 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:34.480 that Nashville soccer specific, Uh stadium is pretty is pretty cool? 384 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:36.559 Is this your You've been there before, haven't you? 385 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.480 Yeah? Yep? 386 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:42.440 What's your what's your favorite visiting venue? What's what's the 387 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:46.960 best atmosphere? If I take our spot away here, what's 388 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.880 what's your favorite venue to go watch a game at? 389 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:52.960 I won't I won't pick one. I mean, I think 390 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:56.240 I think places like Portland, like l a. C. Even 391 00:19:56.279 --> 00:20:01.440 like Minnesota, Austin. When those places are are alive, they're 392 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:06.920 they're really they're entertaining to watch, and they're they're intimidating 393 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:10.599 atmospheres to to play in as as a visiting team, 394 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:13.480 and I think they're just as a soccer fan, they're 395 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:15.920 just you know, like a wonderful place is to watch 396 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:19.400 a game and to experience a game. I know there's 397 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:22.319 a few others that I'm missing, and you know, apologize, 398 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:24.799 I guess, but there's some really good atmospheres, and I think, 399 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:27.519 you know, from a stadium standpoint, there's obviously been some 400 00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:30.720 really nice stadiums built recently within the league. You know, 401 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:33.960