WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:04.480 Live today seven to seventy West Riverdale Road in Ogden, 2 00:00:04.599 --> 00:00:07.679 thirteenth Dannuel Memorial Day Weekend tenth sale. 3 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:09.560 Come on by and say hello. 4 00:00:09.720 --> 00:00:12.160 We are giving away a really nice cooler, a Lone 5 00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:16.199 Mountain one ten qt cooler from Pittmaster Supplied Company in 6 00:00:16.280 --> 00:00:19.079 a draw name coming up at five o'clock. We'll get 7 00:00:19.079 --> 00:00:21.760 back to some college football storylines with Matt Brown. Do 8 00:00:21.920 --> 00:00:24.559 some NBA in the five o'clock hour. But let's switch 9 00:00:24.559 --> 00:00:27.679 gears now. Rayle saw Lake welcomes in. One of the 10 00:00:27.719 --> 00:00:30.679 best teams in Major League Soccer. Vancouver is the opponent 11 00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:35.159 coming up on Saturday. Our next guest chief soccer operator, 12 00:00:35.240 --> 00:00:39.679 technical director. He has several different titles, Kurt Schmidt, what 13 00:00:39.799 --> 00:00:42.079 is your preferred title? I guess I'll just ask you. 14 00:00:42.119 --> 00:00:45.320 Since I feel like I've got seven different answers, you. 15 00:00:45.479 --> 00:00:47.679 Can you can just call him a sporting director. 16 00:00:48.479 --> 00:00:51.079 That's the title, sporting director. 17 00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:55.119 Okay, Sporting director Kurt Schmidt on a Thursday afternoon. All right, 18 00:00:55.159 --> 00:00:58.200 some exciting news for Diego. I mean it means you 19 00:00:58.200 --> 00:00:59.840 guys are probably gonna miss him for a while. But 20 00:01:00.399 --> 00:01:03.000 Diego Luna called up to the US men's national. 21 00:01:02.719 --> 00:01:04.519 Team roster for the Gold Cup. 22 00:01:04.599 --> 00:01:07.120 Kurt, what does this mean for Diego and what does 23 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:07.879 it mean for the club. 24 00:01:09.319 --> 00:01:12.439 It's it's obviously a huge, huge opportunity for Diego, and 25 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:13.840 we're very excited for him. 26 00:01:13.840 --> 00:01:16.640 He's earned his work and his play. 27 00:01:16.439 --> 00:01:22.079 And to to have the level with both the national 28 00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:25.040 team and with US to catch the attention of the 29 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:28.359 national coaching staff is massive for him. And you know, 30 00:01:28.439 --> 00:01:32.480 he knows every every chance he gets to impress is 31 00:01:32.519 --> 00:01:35.359 an important opportunity to grab and hold on to. So 32 00:01:35.719 --> 00:01:37.760 we're really excited for him here. He's earned it, he 33 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:39.920 deserves it, and we hope he does really well. 34 00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:44.879 So from what I understand, players report June first, do 35 00:01:44.959 --> 00:01:47.519 you have well you probably know how long are you 36 00:01:47.519 --> 00:01:48.519 going to be without Diego? 37 00:01:50.439 --> 00:01:54.000 Basically the entire month of June and the first. 38 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:54.560 Few days of July. 39 00:01:56.040 --> 00:01:58.159 Okay, so it's. 40 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:02.920 A tournament, so of course at the on the US's advancement, 41 00:02:03.079 --> 00:02:04.879 but that's the end of the tournament. 42 00:02:05.239 --> 00:02:05.959 Yeah, for sure. 43 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:09.080 So the Gold Cup typically, and you'll have to educate 44 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:11.439 me here just based off of my recollection, Like I 45 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:16.000 can remember before Kyle or Nick and even Tony. I 46 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:19.120 think Tony had a Gold Cup experience before you know, 47 00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:24.080 Kyle and Nick became consistent with the US men's national 48 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:24.840 team involvement. 49 00:02:24.960 --> 00:02:27.400 The Gold Cup was kind of their first experience. 50 00:02:27.439 --> 00:02:30.080 Is it fair to say that this is just kind 51 00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:33.520 of more of an opportunity maybe for the staff with 52 00:02:33.599 --> 00:02:35.520 the US men's national team to get a look at 53 00:02:35.520 --> 00:02:38.360 some players that they wouldn't otherwise get a look at. 54 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:40.960 Is that kind of fair to say? 55 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:41.360 Yeah? 56 00:02:41.400 --> 00:02:43.000 I think, I mean, it's like a obvious up to 57 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:46.159 them to use it how they fit. But it is 58 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:49.360 a really competitive environment in which they can test some 59 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:53.080 guys who they haven't seen maybe at the highest level 60 00:02:53.120 --> 00:02:56.759 and their most important games at this stage. So yeah, 61 00:02:56.879 --> 00:02:59.280 it's it is a little bit, you know, I think 62 00:02:59.319 --> 00:03:01.759 experiment is maybe the wrong word, which is the word 63 00:03:01.800 --> 00:03:06.280 that almost almost was in my head, But it's something 64 00:03:06.280 --> 00:03:08.560 where they can let guys prove themselves essentially. 65 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:11.360 So, Kurt, is it fair to say that you listen 66 00:03:11.400 --> 00:03:14.280 to this radio show for four hours every day and 67 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:15.319 you never miss a moment? 68 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:16.120 Is that fair to say? 69 00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:22.800 Are we being honest here? It would be nice? 70 00:03:24.199 --> 00:03:26.319 I'm only asking asked, did you have a chance to 71 00:03:26.319 --> 00:03:28.919 listen to your head coach on this radio show this week? 72 00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:32.400 Yeah, I didn't. 73 00:03:32.520 --> 00:03:35.360 I didn't listen to it live, but I was, I was, 74 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:36.560 I was sent it later. 75 00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:38.240 Correct, Okay, fair enough. 76 00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:40.159 So I'm glad that somebody's sent it to you, and 77 00:03:40.199 --> 00:03:42.400 I guess it's it's my little Birdie, my little buddy, 78 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:42.960 my little Birdie. 79 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:44.520 I'm glad that it was sent to you. 80 00:03:44.520 --> 00:03:45.639 You know it? Yeah, you know? 81 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:48.360 Fair enough? Fair enough, because I did want to get so. 82 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:52.199 Pablo caught me entirely off guard with this, and my 83 00:03:52.280 --> 00:03:54.280 guess is you're aware of it, because I mean, hell, 84 00:03:54.360 --> 00:03:57.199 you run the show. But he hopped on and said 85 00:03:57.199 --> 00:03:59.560 that as a result of this new ownership change, he's 86 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:03.080 been told that they're not really interested in moving on 87 00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:07.360 from younger players, and they're not interested in selling players 88 00:04:07.400 --> 00:04:09.199 that you guys have identified and developed. 89 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:11.120 Now does that mean you'll never do it? Of course not. 90 00:04:11.719 --> 00:04:14.680 If somebody wants to write you a five hundred million 91 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:16.839 dollar check for Diego, my guess is you're going to 92 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:17.199 take that. 93 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:20.600 But can you shed any light on what. 94 00:04:20.680 --> 00:04:24.240 Pablo articulated as a bit of an ethos change for 95 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:28.079 the club now that they're new ownership in charge. 96 00:04:28.279 --> 00:04:31.600 Yeah, I think. Look, every conversation. 97 00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:33.720 That I've had with with Uh. With new ownership has 98 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:37.720 been really positive and they've been fantastic to work with, 99 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:40.600 to talk to, spend time with. And what I think 100 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:43.360 is fair to say is they're they're interested in making 101 00:04:43.399 --> 00:04:48.720 decisions that help us win. And and that's something that obviously, 102 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:52.759 you know, myself and Pablo and everyone else in the 103 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:56.800 front office is really excited to hear and we couldn't 104 00:04:56.800 --> 00:05:00.319 ask for anything more. So that obviously, you know, along 105 00:05:00.319 --> 00:05:02.000 with that, there's no absolutes. 106 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:03.759 You know, we're not going. 107 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:05.439 To say we'll never do this, We're always going to 108 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:08.399 do that, et cetera, et cetera. You know, every situation 109 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:11.680 presents a different set of variables, but the end result 110 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:13.879 and the prison through which we need to look through 111 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:17.480 those decisions is going to be does this help us win? 112 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:20.720 Does this help us be successful on and off the field? Is? 113 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:24.319 Does this help us become a team and a club 114 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:25.800 that the community can be proud of? 115 00:05:26.839 --> 00:05:28.800 So how do you balance that, Kurt? And of course 116 00:05:28.839 --> 00:05:31.120 it's going to be case by case. And I was 117 00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:34.120 being facetious with a five hundred million dollar number for Diego, 118 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:36.839 but there there is still a number, you know, there 119 00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:40.279 there's a number that exists for young players that make 120 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:43.959 sense for the organization, even if the ethos is no longer, 121 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:47.399 we identified develop and move on. So when it comes 122 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:50.519 to your role, and then obviously you have Jason, and 123 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:52.800 you have Tony, and you have your staff and the 124 00:05:52.839 --> 00:05:56.480 synergies with ownership, what are the dynamics that you balance 125 00:05:56.560 --> 00:05:59.399 when making these decisions even if the walking line now 126 00:05:59.519 --> 00:06:01.959 is we would refer to hang on to our better players. 127 00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:06.959 Analysis in terms of you know, when when an offers 128 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:10.720 do come Look, I think in an MLS, you know, 129 00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:13.800 and obviously this happened last year with Andreskomaz. I think 130 00:06:14.160 --> 00:06:17.680 when when when someone comes in and offers a significant 131 00:06:17.800 --> 00:06:20.879 enough value for or some of your better players, you know, 132 00:06:20.959 --> 00:06:24.199 it does become difficult to turn those things down. It 133 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:28.199 maybe becomes more a question of when and not if 134 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:31.959 in those scenarios, because it's because if you're if you 135 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:34.399 get an offer that represents something that you feel is 136 00:06:34.920 --> 00:06:38.480 you know, exceeds the player's current value, that you might 137 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:40.399 not you know, if if if I. 138 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:42.399 Wouldn't sell him for ten million. 139 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:44.439 Well then I'm essentially making this in that I'm buying 140 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:46.920 him for ten million. And so if if that's not 141 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:49.519 something we're comfortable with, then we feel we can deploy 142 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:53.120 those resources across two players, or we can you know, 143 00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:55.879 spend those resources in other parts of the roster. Then yeah, 144 00:06:55.959 --> 00:06:59.560 we still make those decisions. But like I said, I 145 00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:02.639 think in the future of those decision points, maybe you know, 146 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:04.600 they could be they can be a when and not 147 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:07.879 an if. And I think if we receive offers for 148 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:12.160 guys that you know we don't feel value the player 149 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:16.759 appro quickly and don't really let us both replace the 150 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:20.120 player and end up ahead in some way, those those 151 00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:21.480 things don't make sense for us. 152 00:07:21.879 --> 00:07:24.399 So as it pertains to the way this could potentially 153 00:07:24.680 --> 00:07:29.839 relate to Diego. Obviously, his star has just shot through 154 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:32.879 the roof over the past counter year, and he's still 155 00:07:32.959 --> 00:07:36.040 so young, with so much potential. I wonder if you 156 00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:38.240 could shed any light to the fan base and folks 157 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:40.240 that are just badly hoping and he stays here for 158 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:43.439 as long as possible about what this potential shift in 159 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:45.720 mindset could mean for the decisions that you have to 160 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:46.639 make for him. 161 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:50.720 Yeah. I think if if you're someone that does want 162 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:54.040 him to stay here as long as possible. His success 163 00:07:54.079 --> 00:07:58.920 with the national team is phenomenal because of the proximity 164 00:07:58.959 --> 00:08:01.680 to the World Cup and the chances that he's getting 165 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:03.800 right now with the national team while playing for US. 166 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:08.079 You know, if I'm Diego, I'm thinking how can I 167 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:11.360 keep doing this? Not how can I change everything? Because 168 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:14.439 obviously what's what he's done up to this point has 169 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:17.120 gotten him into this opportunity, and as you're heading into 170 00:08:17.160 --> 00:08:21.600 an important tournament or important series of national team games, 171 00:08:21.720 --> 00:08:25.199 you know, him playing as much as possible, at as 172 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:28.000 high level as possible is the best thing for him, 173 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:31.120 right And one thing that I think he's got going 174 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:33.639 for him. 175 00:08:32.519 --> 00:08:34.519 Even relative over and. 176 00:08:34.440 --> 00:08:36.879 Above what some of the other other players in the 177 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:40.039 pool might have, is is the level of responsibility he 178 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:43.919 has within our team. And I think that's that's a 179 00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:47.480 little bit of a unique thing for maybe this national 180 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:51.840 team pool that Diego has, I think in his favor. 181 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:54.200 So the level of responsibility that he has within our 182 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:56.559 club and our team is maybe a bit higher than 183 00:08:56.840 --> 00:08:58.919 some other guys that might be at bigger clubs that 184 00:08:59.039 --> 00:09:02.519 might have a really different role. And how that changes 185 00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:04.279 when you go to the national team and what you're 186 00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:07.440 asking of those players in that environment, you know, are 187 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:09.879 they ready to give that? Well, Diego, someone that's shown 188 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:13.039 that you can rely upon him, he can take that responsibility, 189 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:16.000 and so I think him continuing to do that is 190 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:18.399 obviously going to put him in the best position to 191 00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:20.200 succeed with with us in the national fame. 192 00:09:20.559 --> 00:09:23.159 And when it comes to the decision as far as 193 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:25.519 you know, either sending him on his way or keeping 194 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:27.639 him here, I don't know. 195 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:28.559 I'm not in the meetings. 196 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:31.639 I mean you're behind closed doors, like with the new 197 00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:35.799 ownership transition and this supposed new mindset. Do you guys 198 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:39.519 like identify a number that if a club calls and says, Okay, 199 00:09:39.559 --> 00:09:41.639 this is what we're willing to do, and that number 200 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:45.559 is hit. It's that simple. Is it a synergistic conversation 201 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:49.039 with his reps? Obviously if he wants to go, and 202 00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:51.039 you guys have shown this with other players, if you 203 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:53.840 do not want to be here, then you know, best 204 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:56.759 of luck elsewhere. But when it comes to the dynamics 205 00:09:56.759 --> 00:10:00.399 intertwined in a very very big decision for the club 206 00:10:00.399 --> 00:10:02.919 in Diego Luna, what would you say to that based 207 00:10:02.919 --> 00:10:05.519 off of conversations you've had with with the ownership group. 208 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:10.000 Yeah, look, each situation requires something a little bit different, 209 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:12.600 you know, and I know there are some scenarios in 210 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:14.799 which you know, just just name me a number and say, hey, 211 00:10:14.840 --> 00:10:18.320 look we will we'll work with you and if we 212 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:23.399 get actual, let you go. But I'm whether you believe 213 00:10:23.399 --> 00:10:25.720 this or not, I'm maybe a very collaborative person. And 214 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:30.960 so I find working working, as you said, synergistically, which 215 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:34.279 I hope is a word with the agent and the 216 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:38.559 player and ownership obviously is the best way to go 217 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:41.799 about it, and to find a pathway that is a 218 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:43.879 win win win, Kurt. 219 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:46.039 When you do radio four hours a day, five days 220 00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:48.200 a week, you invent words and you don't even think 221 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:50.600 twice about it, buddy. So if it's a word, great, 222 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:52.840 If it's not, I feel like it works and what. 223 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:55.080 Do you need it? So that's going to mean something. 224 00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:56.720 And by the way, what do you mean, believe it 225 00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:58.879 or not? That was like a personal shot. 226 00:10:58.960 --> 00:11:01.559 I believe you. I believe you to be a collaborator. 227 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:04.720 I've I've had a lot of meetings the last few days. 228 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:09.159 But so yeah, but no, I'm a collaborator. I I 229 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:11.639 I lean on my staff here a lot, Tony Jason, 230 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:15.840 you mentioned you know, John Spencer, Louke, Maulhall, and Joe Thomas. 231 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:18.840 These guys, are are massive helps for me and and 232 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:20.320 in the day to day and the things that I 233 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:23.200 do obviously over over and above you know, Poplo and 234 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:25.440 the coaching staff and and everyone is the sports staff. 235 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:27.480 So yes, very very collaborative here. 236 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:30.200 Do you lean on Trey for anything that's real? 237 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:32.080 Uh? 238 00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:37.320 Sometimes physically, but but no, just. 239 00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:39.240 Picturing Tray is great. 240 00:11:39.320 --> 00:11:42.960 Trade Tray is great, and and him coordinating with with 241 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:45.320 you guys and and being uh. 242 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:46.840 Trey is uh, you know. 243 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:51.639 A strong, strong advocate both for the club and it's 244 00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:54.279 players and employees. And I appreciate him for that. 245 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:57.639 That's enough, good, good talk of Trey. That's we've made 246 00:11:57.679 --> 00:11:58.159 his weekend. 247 00:11:58.240 --> 00:11:58.679 That's enough. 248 00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:00.240 Do you feel like you need to lean on me 249 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:03.039 for anything more during your decision making processes? 250 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:07.240 You know what, I will give that some serious thought 251 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:09.399 and come back to you. 252 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:12.919 Okay, fair enough, all right, So Diego will be gone 253 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:16.320 for a month plus and as you reference, if the 254 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:18.879 US advances and does well in the tournament, could be more. 255 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:22.320 I don't have to tell you when Diego doesn't score, 256 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:24.200 the goals are hard to come by. 257 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:26.879 So how are we going to turn this around? Buddy? 258 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:30.000 I mean, ultimately, Pablo also reference, like, look, the group 259 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:30.559 is the group. 260 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:33.720 He was very honest about his opinion that you guys 261 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:36.000 are a couple of editions away from being elite. 262 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:37.679 But of course those additions. 263 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:40.840 Can't come for a while until the summer transfer windows open. 264 00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:43.679 And I believe we're approaching two hundred and fifty minutes. 265 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:47.120 Without a goal, so what gives. Obviously the offense is 266 00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:48.039 not where it needs to be. 267 00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:52.159 Yeah, I think that's fair to say. I'm not gonna 268 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:54.399 sit here and deny that and when when it's in 269 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:58.279 black and white. But what I can say is, you know, 270 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:00.320 in Pablo said this a time, so this isn't you know, 271 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:02.679 breaking the ground. But obviously I think, you know, in 272 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:05.039 a lot of these games, I think we do really 273 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:07.200 well from box box, We do really well in the builds, 274 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:09.720 base and getting into the final third, and where we 275 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:12.639 struggle is is in that execution and those decisions making, 276 00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:15.679 you know, in and around the goal. And obviously that's 277 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:18.159 the important part when you're talking about scoring goals, and 278 00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:20.519 that's the thing we need to work on. So at 279 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:23.879 the same time as it's disappointing that we're not finishing 280 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:24.720 those chances in the. 281 00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:27.919 Final third, you know, it's important. 282 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:30.639 That we remain positive about the play. 283 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.399 Up until that point. 284 00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:35.519 And and what it I think helps us realize or 285 00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:37.919 get to is, you know, hey, look, this isn't this 286 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:41.360 isn't the you know, a massive shifts that needs to 287 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:44.120 happen to change everything, to throw the baby out with 288 00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:47.480 the bath water. There are a lot of positive things happening, 289 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:49.519 and so now how do we get that last five 290 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:52.440 or ten percent? And that's you know, that's what that's 291 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:56.960 that's why Pablo is where he's at because because his 292 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.720 job is to work with those guys and to get 293 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:01.879 that out of him. And you know, whether it's a 294 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:04.279 few new signings or these guys or whoever it is, 295 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:07.559 you know, pablo job is always to get you know, five, ten, 296 00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:10.799 fifteen percent more out of out of the players than 297 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:12.919 maybe even they think they have. And I think, I 298 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:14.480 think you can do that. And I think it's just 299 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:17.759 about polishing up from on a team team wise standpoint, 300 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:22.240 our execution in the final third. So you know, that's 301 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:26.559 obviously what the staff is working on and you know, 302 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:28.159 hopefully we see the fruits of that labor. 303 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:31.320 Excuse me, So from what I have in front of me, 304 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:35.840 a secondary transfer window opens on July twenty fourth and 305 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:39.679 closes on August twenty excuse me, August twenty fifth. So 306 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:43.679 with those dates, when you look at the potential, let's 307 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:47.320 just operate off a really fun hypothetical curtain. Put zero 308 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:50.720 pressure on you and your staff. If you sign somebody 309 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:55.039 on July twenty fourth, the first day possible, that gives 310 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:59.480 you thirteen matches and ten league matches left. Now that's 311 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:02.399 not nothing. It's not the entire season, but it's also 312 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:07.000 not nothing. Help our listeners, and quite frankly me understand 313 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:11.840 the processes put in place between now and July twenty 314 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:14.919 fourth to potentially bring in the reinforcements that a lot 315 00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:17.240 of people thought you were going to bring in during 316 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:20.320 the primary transfer window. To do that in the secondary 317 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:23.000 transfer window, is it even realistic to expect that maybe 318 00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:26.360 the day that it opens, we could have some reinforcements 319 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:26.759 on the way. 320 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:30.600 Yeah, I think I think that. You know, one of 321 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:32.879 the most important things that I that I think is 322 00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:38.240 maybe missing from that thought process or or mind of reasoning, 323 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:43.039 is is that you know, we can't be consistently thinking 324 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:45.679 in short term, you know, with short term mindset, and 325 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:48.919 so you know we can't we can't see the results 326 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:52.679 right now, and you know, make a rass decision as well. 327 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:55.559 Let's just do this. Hopefully this will help us in 328 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:59.720 August and September and you know, and then we'll deal 329 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:01.960 with the rest of it later. I think it's important 330 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:05.519 that we continue to make good long term decisions and 331 00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:07.480 not and not be focused on the short term. But 332 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:10.120 that being said, obviously that doesn't mean we're not looking 333 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:10.559 to add. 334 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.480 A piece in summer. We are. 335 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:14.480 It is realistic, and we want to make sure that 336 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:16.279 we find the right guy that can fit in and 337 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:20.000 that is here for not six months or eighteen months, 338 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:22.840 but many years, right and is a difference maker for 339 00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:25.159 us for many years because you know, hey, I don't 340 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:26.639 you know, I don't need to go looking for a 341 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:30.360 difference maker every window. That'd be a great thing. But 342 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:33.159 but again, beyond that, it's the process, which is what 343 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:36.000 you asked about, and you know it. And it's a 344 00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:38.120 little bit of just a continuation of what we did 345 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:43.000 in the winter, you know, which which obviously we weren't 346 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:45.080 able to get towed in over the line in time. 347 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:47.600 But now as you get into the summer window in 348 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:51.720 Europe and we're able to you know, get out a 349 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:55.240 little bit more scouting over the past few weeks and 350 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:58.559 see Seymour guys live and we broaden our our net 351 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:01.200 and and Seymore players in summer window in Europe means 352 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:04.279 there's more guys that are available, whether that's free transfers 353 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:06.200 or GUIDs that are just on the move in the 354 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:09.759 European offseason, and so the pool of players that we're 355 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:12.680 looking at is a lot bigger. So you know, I 356 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:15.440 think the the odds of or the chances or the 357 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:18.160 ease of which doing a deal becomes becomes. 358 00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:18.400 A lot better. 359 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:22.680 You know, once upon a time, Kurt, in MLS, you 360 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:27.960 could piece together a team with you know, teams or 361 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:32.319 players that weren't necessarily among the highest paid in MLS. 362 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:36.000 And you know, before we had this massive economic boom 363 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:39.720 of owners being willing to write checks for millions of 364 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:42.759 dollars sometimes for bid pieces. You can win a Cup 365 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:44.960 in two thousand and nine with a roster that wasn't 366 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:48.359 necessarily among the highest paid. Of course, that's changed, and 367 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:52.359 that's good. It indicates growth, It indicates economic and investment. 368 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:55.240 And now I just don't think there's any other way 369 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:58.279 to put it other than if you're going to be 370 00:17:58.480 --> 00:18:00.440 one of the best teams in MLS, you have to 371 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:04.359 have an ownership group that is willing to economically invest 372 00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:06.039 in the roster. 373 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:07.720 I've just asked you. 374 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:11.000 Have you received assurances from this ownership group that they 375 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:14.200 are willing to write checks for good players to help 376 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:16.000 this team grow in the right direction. 377 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:21.079 Yeah, and look, obviously that's that's a really important question. 378 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:23.880 And you know, I'll say, nobody comes to you and says, 379 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:26.720 here's a blank check, do whatever you want with it, right, 380 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:30.400 But like I said earlier, you know, they've they've come 381 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:34.039 to be and we've had really positive meetings and conversations 382 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:36.319 about this, and they said, look, you know, find the 383 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:38.880 right guy that can help the team win, and that 384 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:40.839 can create a team that can be a difference maker 385 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:43.279 on the team and help us be a club you 386 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:46.359 know that represents the community. Well, and we'll we'll get 387 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:49.359 that done. So you know, what do I take that 388 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:51.440 to mean. You know, again, it's not a it's not 389 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:55.279 a blank check. And you know you mentioned how things used. 390 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:55.920 To be an MLS. 391 00:18:56.000 --> 00:19:00.680 I think you know the rules in MLS still necessity 392 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:05.000 efficiency and you've got to be efficient with your roster 393 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:08.119 build and your roster spend or you won't be successful 394 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:10.640 even if you are spending millions at the top end, 395 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:13.200 you know, and you can look at some teams in 396 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:16.720 the league now that are that are exhibiting that when 397 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:18.680 you look at you know, teams like Atlanta and Toronto 398 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:20.880 who have spent a lot of money sort of at 399 00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:23.119 the top end of their roster, but you know, aren't 400 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:26.359 achieving the results that they'd like with that spend as well. 401 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:30.759