WEBVTT 1 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:26.719 It is that time where we take the tour of 2 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:29.079 the W League in the USL and we take a 3 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:31.160 trip down to Statesborough to catch up with our friends 4 00:00:31.160 --> 00:00:32.000 down at Tormenta. 5 00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:35.240 He is properly hydrated. He is ready to go. 6 00:00:35.799 --> 00:00:37.640 He is gassed up and ready to talk about the 7 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:40.240 twenty twenty five season. Ken Brownie, the new head coach 8 00:00:40.359 --> 00:00:43.439 for a Tormento's USL W League franchise, Thanks for dropping 9 00:00:43.479 --> 00:00:44.439 by for a one v one. 10 00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:47.280 We really appreciate it absolutely, John, thanks for having me. 11 00:00:47.479 --> 00:00:47.799 All right. 12 00:00:48.479 --> 00:00:53.119 So when and I know that your time is you know, 13 00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:55.719 before your time in Statesboro, you got to spend some 14 00:00:55.799 --> 00:00:59.159 time at USC Beaufort and you got to find out 15 00:00:59.200 --> 00:01:00.600 what it's like to be a lane and shark and 16 00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:01.679 all those kinds of things. 17 00:01:02.799 --> 00:01:04.200 When you first. 18 00:01:04.040 --> 00:01:07.840 Wandered in under the arch there at torment what was 19 00:01:07.879 --> 00:01:10.920 your first impression of the organization on the whole as 20 00:01:10.959 --> 00:01:13.400 you were working your way toward the women's side. 21 00:01:14.239 --> 00:01:16.480 Actually, zero expectations. 22 00:01:16.719 --> 00:01:18.920 I actually have a little bit longer history with Tormenta 23 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:22.879 in terms of the the original leadership in terms of 24 00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:27.079 on the soccer side, So I had for USLW absolutely 25 00:01:27.159 --> 00:01:31.400 zero expectations. Just I thought it was amazing to see 26 00:01:31.480 --> 00:01:33.519 what Darren and Nietzche have done here in Statesboro in 27 00:01:33.599 --> 00:01:36.640 terms of building the stadium, the training grounds, what they've 28 00:01:36.640 --> 00:01:39.920 done for the first team, then how they've set up 29 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:41.040 the U structure underneath it. 30 00:01:41.159 --> 00:01:42.840 So super impressed. 31 00:01:43.439 --> 00:01:45.280 When when my wife and I moved here back in 32 00:01:45.319 --> 00:01:49.359 twenty twenty for that USCB job, as you mentioned, for me, 33 00:01:49.439 --> 00:01:50.920 there was really only one club that I was going 34 00:01:50.959 --> 00:01:53.359 to work for outside of USCB, and that's that's been 35 00:01:53.400 --> 00:01:54.480 Tormento the whole time. 36 00:01:54.879 --> 00:02:00.280 So when you then for those that follow the WA League, 37 00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:03.760 they know about the successes that the franchise had and 38 00:02:03.760 --> 00:02:06.840 and check going up to Minnesota Aurora and the you know, 39 00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:09.560 and going in front of that big crowd and coming 40 00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:12.439 home with a with a championship and and everything that 41 00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:15.960 has been built from day one there with the program. 42 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:18.800 With Jim Robbins departing to go be the the head 43 00:02:18.800 --> 00:02:22.479 women's coach up at v M, I uh, what was 44 00:02:22.520 --> 00:02:24.439 the process like did you sit there and raise your 45 00:02:24.479 --> 00:02:26.319 hand and sit there and point and go me, me, me, 46 00:02:26.599 --> 00:02:28.439 What was that it's like, yeah, yeah, I want this 47 00:02:28.520 --> 00:02:30.919 gig or what was the process like to have you 48 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:33.039 take the step to be the man in charge. 49 00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:34.840 I was. I tell you this, I was. 50 00:02:34.919 --> 00:02:37.439 I was definitely interested, uh in getting back in on 51 00:02:37.439 --> 00:02:40.319 the women's side of the game. I didn't stand up 52 00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:43.240 and shout exactly me, me me, uh, but what might 53 00:02:43.240 --> 00:02:45.560 have mentioned to some leadership or some key key people, 54 00:02:45.800 --> 00:02:48.919 uh Darren being one of them, and Brad and I 55 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:50.680 and the head of the youth club being the other, 56 00:02:50.759 --> 00:02:53.479 and just said, hey, listen, if you're if you're struggling, 57 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:56.479 uh in terms of timing to this and in terms 58 00:02:56.520 --> 00:02:58.719 of timing to Jim's departure, and you know, you want 59 00:02:58.719 --> 00:03:00.319 to send me the details what a look so like? 60 00:03:01.159 --> 00:03:04.400 I wouldn't mind looking it over at least, So couldn't 61 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:06.360 be Actually, couldn't be more thrilled to be in this position. 62 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:10.599 It has been a fantastic first two weeks with the team. 63 00:03:10.919 --> 00:03:14.400 It's just such a fun environment and the progress and 64 00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:16.919 the pathway that's been laid before I got here. It's 65 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:18.960 just incredible. The setup we have done you. I don't 66 00:03:18.960 --> 00:03:20.719 know how much detail you have, but the support staff 67 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:24.439 is amazing. So the professionalism of the environment is it 68 00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:26.639 is probably the best environment I've ever worked in. So 69 00:03:26.919 --> 00:03:27.759 loving it right now. 70 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:30.439 Stylistically, how would you describe yourself as. 71 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:33.560 A coach stylistically in terms of tactics. 72 00:03:33.520 --> 00:03:36.960 Well, now, tactics, emotion, the whole thing. It's like, yeah, 73 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:39.639 you wander out there. Who are you when it comes 74 00:03:39.680 --> 00:03:42.199 to you know, the folks that you might have followed 75 00:03:42.240 --> 00:03:43.960 in the past, the folks that you sit there and 76 00:03:43.960 --> 00:03:45.800 you're up late at two or three o'clock in the 77 00:03:45.800 --> 00:03:48.960 morning looking at YouTube videos and sitting there going yeah, okay, yeah, 78 00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:51.280 I'm with this person. Who are those folks that you 79 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:55.159 gravitated toward to come up with your style, whether it's emotionally, 80 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:56.319 tactically all of that. 81 00:03:57.080 --> 00:04:00.280 Oh wow, that's a complicated answer. Everybody from my My 82 00:04:00.360 --> 00:04:03.199 influence is everybody from my college coach to my father 83 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:06.919 to uh the the original leader of a top Hat 84 00:04:06.919 --> 00:04:08.439 soccer club in Atlanta, which is one of the most 85 00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:13.199 famous girls youth club, Cy Strickler, you know, to to 86 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:14.960 being able to work through the n s C Double 87 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:17.319 A with antson Dorrance and and and and people like that, 88 00:04:17.399 --> 00:04:19.959 learning uh, not just from the best of but also 89 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:23.800 from their mistakes. So oftentimes when you when you participate 90 00:04:23.839 --> 00:04:27.560 in these coaching courses, you sit in education symposiums and 91 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:29.079 a lot of the stuff these guys will tell you, 92 00:04:29.160 --> 00:04:31.399 or these coaches will tell you is not everything they've 93 00:04:31.399 --> 00:04:31.879 done right. 94 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:35.600 And I think those those those influences have. 95 00:04:35.639 --> 00:04:38.560 Been huge on my life, not just the soccer side 96 00:04:38.600 --> 00:04:39.959 of it, but just life in general. 97 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:40.480 Uh. 98 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:45.680 Stylistically, I'm not a screamer. I'm maybe not as uh, 99 00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:47.839 you know, I call it Jim, mister Buddha. I'm maybe 100 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:50.920 not exactly mister Buddha. I'm maybe a little bit more intense. 101 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:53.600 I try to tone that down a little bit. But 102 00:04:53.959 --> 00:04:54.319 I'm not. 103 00:04:54.279 --> 00:04:54.839 Afraid to. 104 00:04:56.319 --> 00:04:58.519 Encourage the players and get after them, and we, you know, 105 00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:02.519 to bring the intensity and the sessions. Our goal, Our 106 00:05:02.560 --> 00:05:04.920 goal is simple, can we repeat what we did, you know, 107 00:05:04.959 --> 00:05:05.800 three or four years ago? 108 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:09.839 So how tall an order is that to try and 109 00:05:09.879 --> 00:05:12.079 get back to what happened three or four years ago? 110 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:17.199 Considering how the landscape has changed, the game itself has evolved, 111 00:05:17.639 --> 00:05:20.240 all of the different markets that are now engaged in 112 00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:24.519 the USLW competition. I mean literally, it is coming up 113 00:05:24.560 --> 00:05:27.000 in a bunch of key soccer towns here and there, 114 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:30.519 and here and there, and so competitions increased in both 115 00:05:31.199 --> 00:05:34.199 intensity and in number. And you want to go back 116 00:05:34.199 --> 00:05:36.360 to where you were How much of a challenge is 117 00:05:36.439 --> 00:05:39.680 that for Tormentedy. 118 00:05:38.480 --> 00:05:40.519 Massive, Absolutely massive. 119 00:05:41.319 --> 00:05:43.279 I can't say our expectations is to come in here 120 00:05:43.279 --> 00:05:46.079 and roll over everybody and win every game and absolutely 121 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:47.759 win a National CHAMPIONSHP. We're gonna have to work at it, 122 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:49.040 and we have to put it in and put in 123 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:50.600 the time on the training field, and we're going to 124 00:05:50.639 --> 00:05:53.439 have to have some fortune along the way as well, 125 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:57.639 some incredible opponents within our own conference, and as you mentioned, 126 00:05:57.680 --> 00:06:01.800 like the growth of the game for with the USL 127 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:05.199 Super League plus the teams that have expanded into the. 128 00:06:05.279 --> 00:06:08.720 USLW it's a super tall order. We also don't have. 129 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:12.399 You know, we have some amazing players, but I couldn't 130 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:15.079 speak highly enough of you know, City Martinez and Goal 131 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:17.680 in the original lineup, er and Amy Andrews up top. 132 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:20.759 So we've got some big shoes to fill. 133 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:25.519 When you know, and I know that when you are 134 00:06:26.040 --> 00:06:28.199 a head coach or you know you're in a position 135 00:06:28.279 --> 00:06:30.600 of stature, you always want to embrace the kind of 136 00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:34.240 challenge that is there. And in Tormentous case, it is 137 00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:37.240 maintaining that level of excellence and going back to where 138 00:06:37.240 --> 00:06:40.519 it was when you were getting the championship, when you're 139 00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:42.240 trying to prepare a roster for a. 140 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:43.959 Season in the W League. 141 00:06:44.600 --> 00:06:47.879 How much of a challenge is that because you're trying 142 00:06:47.959 --> 00:06:51.040 to you know, hit the ground running at seventy five 143 00:06:51.079 --> 00:06:54.120 miles an hour, and because you really can't kind of, 144 00:06:55.160 --> 00:06:57.439 you know, blend your way into a season because by 145 00:06:57.480 --> 00:06:59.319 the time you think you might have blended your way in, 146 00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:01.240 you're at the tail into the regular season and you're 147 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:03.240 trying to sit there and do math to figure out 148 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:04.839 what you might need to do to get into season 149 00:07:04.839 --> 00:07:08.160 three in the playoffs. So what's it like, roster assembly 150 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:10.160 trying to get something where you know you've got to 151 00:07:10.199 --> 00:07:11.839 have it and you've got to have it like right 152 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:14.319 at ground zero to make sure that you can get 153 00:07:14.360 --> 00:07:15.839 to a postseason and chase the title. 154 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:20.480 Uh And and this year being the timing of Jim's 155 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:23.680 departure for vmis you left us even in a more 156 00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:27.240 hectic situation in terms of as someone that roster. But uh, again, 157 00:07:27.279 --> 00:07:29.800 the support staff here at Torments is excellent, So Sam Jones, 158 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:33.399 the assistant coach, there's tons of connections across across the country. 159 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:33.879 Uh. 160 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:35.519 I have to till my hat to Jim as well, 161 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:37.800 because Jim was still very helpful in the transition period, 162 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:40.920 helping connect us with players that he had already previously recruited, 163 00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:42.680 getting some of that talent back. 164 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:44.759 But you're you're not wrong. 165 00:07:45.199 --> 00:07:47.399 It's it's a short two weeks in terms of training 166 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:49.959 leading into your first game and trying to have all 167 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:52.319 your all your players and all your all your thoughts 168 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:54.639 and all your tactics ready for that that first match. 169 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:57.160 And there's there's teams again in our conference. I think 170 00:07:57.240 --> 00:07:59.600 Carolina has sent uh, you know, put on quite a 171 00:07:59.639 --> 00:08:02.959 performance the other night against Fusion. I think I think 172 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:05.920 the Ascent also have some you know, players in camp 173 00:08:05.959 --> 00:08:08.240 already for their Super League teams, so they're you know, 174 00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:10.240 we're we're definitely against it. 175 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:13.879 Ten on the board for Carolina Ascent in their ten 176 00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:16.839 to three win. And just so folks know, this season, 177 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:19.519 you're in the South Atlantic Division, so it's Carolina Ascent, 178 00:08:20.040 --> 00:08:24.879 Charlotte Eagles, North Carolina Fusion. You encourage you twenty threes, 179 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:29.120 South Carolina United, Bantams and Wake FC. When you look 180 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:32.320 at this division, you mentioned the challenge obviously with a 181 00:08:32.440 --> 00:08:34.919 scent at the top of the ladder immediately out of 182 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:36.919 the blocks, But when you look at this division on 183 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:39.919 the whole. What speaks out to you about the talent 184 00:08:40.039 --> 00:08:41.759 level and the challenges that are here this year. 185 00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:45.200 Oh, quality of the players that these teams have, but 186 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:47.679 also the quality of the organizations that are supporting them. 187 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:49.840 So I think that Charlotte Eagles have been around since 188 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:54.320 I was a kid, so they they're not to be 189 00:08:54.360 --> 00:08:56.559 taken lightly a cent obviously at the top of the 190 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:59.279 Super League right now and have a massive roster, excellent 191 00:08:59.320 --> 00:09:03.120 coaching staff, good organization NC Courage before they were Courage 192 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:06.519 in their n CFC and thirty years ago Castle Like 193 00:09:06.519 --> 00:09:08.919 they've been one of the monster youth clubs in the 194 00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:12.759 entire country. So they've got an incredible support system. So 195 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:16.519 we are we are certainly hoping to finish at the top, 196 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:18.960 you know, so we can get into playoffs, but we've 197 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:21.080 we've got some work to do, especially against those top 198 00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:21.600 end teams. 199 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:25.480 And I mean it's I know that it's it's a 200 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:28.440 fun challenge, But at the same time, when it comes 201 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:32.399 to the coaching pedigree and challenges, how much of a 202 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:35.840 different challenge is this? Considering that you're trying to jam 203 00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:38.600 all of this stuff into this short space, you don't 204 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:40.679 there's not a lot of build up. It's not like, 205 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:42.399 you know, you're playing one hundred and sixty two games 206 00:09:42.440 --> 00:09:44.639 in Major League Baseball or something and you can you know, 207 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:46.519 you have a game against the Pirates in the middle 208 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:49.159 of July that you can sit there and maybe, you know, 209 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:51.399 bring up a pitcher from the minor leagues. I mean literally, 210 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:53.159 you've got to hit this, right, I mean, this is 211 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:54.759 this is no messing around territory. 212 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:57.240 Yeah, absolutely, absolutely is not. I'll tell you that. 213 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:59.039 The most impressive thing to me so far by the 214 00:09:59.039 --> 00:10:01.879 players we are able to recruit in and again credit to 215 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:05.000 Sam Jones, credit to Jim Robbins, Uh than than other 216 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:08.000 connections like this. The soccer community is much smaller than 217 00:10:08.080 --> 00:10:10.080 you think it is, and that the players we've been 218 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:12.639 able to bring in uh have really, as you just said, 219 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:15.000 hit the ground running. They've they've meshed so well together. 220 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:18.840 We're really excited about Saturday. I can't say enough about 221 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:21.240 the the the intensity and the focus of the players 222 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:23.360 that we have here. Like most of the players that 223 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:25.279 we've cruited in are are truly looking to go to 224 00:10:25.320 --> 00:10:25.919 the next level. 225 00:10:26.200 --> 00:10:26.320 Uh. 226 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:28.960 Their aspiration isn't just to play with us at the 227 00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:31.000 w League. It's it's it's to continue to move on 228 00:10:31.080 --> 00:10:33.240 to get to the Super League. Players that want to 229 00:10:33.279 --> 00:10:35.879 go play in the Premier League with Newcastle and Amy 230 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:38.320 Andrews and this and that like these, the players that 231 00:10:38.360 --> 00:10:40.879 we have are are are the reason we're. 232 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:41.639 Going to have the success. 233 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:44.639 Sam and I are just here to to organize and 234 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:47.240 put them in the right system and let them do 235 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:48.440 their thing all right. 236 00:10:48.440 --> 00:10:50.279 Time to brag a little bit for those that will 237 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:53.720 be wandering in for the first time or might have 238 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:55.679 their season tickets and they come and wandering to see 239 00:10:55.720 --> 00:10:57.480 the roster this year, who are some of the folks 240 00:10:57.480 --> 00:11:01.039 that will They will instantly gravitate hoard, whether it's offense 241 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:04.399 or defense, what have you? Uh you know, it's like, oh, okay, 242 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:06.639 now I know what I'm looking at with Tormento, who 243 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:08.000 are we gravitating towards this year? 244 00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:11.960 I've got a returner and goal in Core Brendle big times. 245 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:15.080 She's great with dealing with She's obviously on the tall side, 246 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:18.320 she's excellent dealing with crosses and obviously all the perfect 247 00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:21.240 technique in terms of shot stopping and managing our box. 248 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:23.879 We've got a new player, de Linda sol In from 249 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:27.759 FIU that is just has been way better in person, 250 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:29.639 even more so than she was on tape. And Fyu 251 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:33.759 won their conference championship this past year. Chinatsu Kyo, that's 252 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:36.679 playing going to play more in the midfield with us 253 00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:40.240 as a ten behind the Strikers. Super creative, great acceleration, Uh, 254 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:43.480 incredibly technical. Then I think I think that our fans 255 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:44.960 are going to be excited about the type of soccer 256 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:46.519 we're going to play this year. So we've we've got 257 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:49.320 some players up front and Constance at Gyuming and my 258 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:52.080 Gier Sumier that's are going to be a force to 259 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:55.120 be reckoned with. And I think at the professional level 260 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:56.919 of the game, at this level, you have to have 261 00:11:56.960 --> 00:11:59.759 players up top that are are difficult. You got to 262 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:01.919 have them produce. So I think our fans are going 263 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:02.840 to enjoy that a good bit. 264 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:06.960 Okay, So when things in a perfect world, when when 265 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:09.720 things are humming along for you, how would you describe 266 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:12.559 what folks are going to be seeing out out there 267 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:15.200 on the pitch at at Tormentus Stadium. What's it what's 268 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:16.200 it going to be looking like. 269 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:17.720 Against the ball? 270 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:20.279 You're going to see a well organized press in our system, uh, 271 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:22.480 and the system that's set up for our for for 272 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:25.120 the players that we have in camp to be successful, uh, 273 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:27.600 to recover the ball quickly, to recover the ball higher 274 00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:30.080 up the field, but then also to break with skill. 275 00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:32.480 So we're you're not going to see us lumping balls 276 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:34.600 into the box from the midfield area. You're going to 277 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:37.320 see us using the ball and using our technical players 278 00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:39.000 to try to get in. So we're gonna we're gonna 279 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:41.159 have some flair and creativity. You're gonna see players driving 280 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:43.759 the in lines, getting in the box and scoring goals. 281 00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:47.320 And I know that you know you're you're you want 282 00:12:47.480 --> 00:12:49.440 you want folks to score goals. I know that with 283 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:52.240 everybody that you've assembled, you also wanted to to get 284 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:53.679 back on I feel like I should do this with 285 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:57.200 my microphone, get you know, get back on defense. 286 00:12:57.399 --> 00:13:01.159 But I mean, and that's this key you got. 287 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:02.840 I mean, we always get them back to this idea 288 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:06.559 of making sure that everything meshes. Where in training camp 289 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:09.159 do you think they are when it comes to understanding 290 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:12.960 the messaging, understanding the game plan, and understanding what you 291 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:14.720 are looking for them to do you and the staff 292 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:16.840 are looking for them to do out there on the field. 293 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:18.879 How do you think they're receiving it so far, and 294 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:21.480 where do you think they are in the progress report. 295 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:24.679 I think I'll say right now, we're ninety percent there. 296 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:30.480 I think the ten percent is the the implement implementation 297 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:32.840 of more confidence, and that's in the final third. 298 00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:33.360 Less doubt. 299 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:35.720 I think that's any new group of players that you 300 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:39.279 have in any type of preseason camp, or players coming 301 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:41.039 together for the first time, they don't know each other, 302 00:13:41.320 --> 00:13:43.200 there's always a little bit of hesitation, a little bit 303 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:45.600 of doubt and the fear of making mistakes. And one 304 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:48.080 thing you asked a question earlier in this interview in 305 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:50.200 terms of who I am as a coach, I'm the 306 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:51.960 type of coach that wants to give the players confidence. 307 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:55.320 I want them to be free to play, to use 308 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:58.240 their talent, to get after the game, not worry about 309 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:59.960 the mistakes, but move on and do the next thing. 310 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:02.159 So I think we're about ninety percent there. We've had 311 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:05.399 a great two weeks of training. I think we'll be 312 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:08.559 one hundred percent there when we have that total focus 313 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:10.480 of we're just gonna dominate our opponent in the final 314 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:12.759 third and we're gonna we're gonna, We're gonna play without fear. 315 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:15.600 The entire match and just enjoy it and enjoy each other. 316 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:20.200 How difficult is that to play without fear knowing that 317 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:23.679 you're on a short runway and it's like the on 318 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:25.480 ramp is short. You know you got to hop on 319 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:27.200 the freeway and you've got it. You want to play 320 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:29.240 fearless or as fearless as you can get away with, 321 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:32.919 knowing that almost things are amplified because of that runway 322 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:33.440 that you're. 323 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:35.720 On, because the window. I don't think there's another way 324 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:36.320 to play, is there? 325 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:40.679 No, that's true. I'm down with that. 326 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:43.600 We're going for it. We're just going for it. 327 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:47.080 Well, how long did it take you to come up 328 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:50.799 with that idea of it to be comfortable in that 329 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:53.360 as a part of your coaching DNA, it's like, all right, 330 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:56.039 we're gonna we're gonna do our thing and they're gonna 331 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:57.960 have to adjust to us. How long did it take 332 00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:59.799 you as a coach to sit there and go, Yeah, 333 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:02.320 this this is me and this is who I am. Stylistically, 334 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:05.519 from everyone that you've been able to glean advice from. 335 00:15:05.279 --> 00:15:08.240 In your career, I think maybe there's there's pieces along 336 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.799 the way. I think there's there's certain things that are 337 00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:12.519 in your DNA that you've grown up with as as 338 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:15.080 a player, and your your first your first couple of 339 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:17.679 years of coaching, but I think really that's your your 340 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:20.039 first ten years of coaching, you're at least on my 341 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:22.519 side of a spend with too much ego. Then your 342 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:24.840 next next five and ten years are kind of reflection 343 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:26.840 and looking back on how do I get better? And 344 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:29.000 then finally as you get twenty years in where I 345 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:31.600 am now or twenty five years in now, then you're 346 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:33.519 really your total focus has nothing to do with you. 347 00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:34.519 It's just the players. 348 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:37.159 So what impact you can have on the players in 349 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:38.519 terms of getting the most out of them? 350 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:40.679 So what does it take? 351 00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:44.159 I don't know, twenty five years? 352 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:47.720 But hey, it's it's hey, you know what, maybe maybe. 353 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:49.360 It's maybe it's quicker for some you know I I'm 354 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:50.799 you know, a slow learner. 355 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:53.279 Well, but but at the same time, you know, you 356 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:56.240 you want to be comfortable in your own coaching skin 357 00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:58.799 because you want to be the first. You want to 358 00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:00.440 be the first brownly you don't want to be the 359 00:16:00.440 --> 00:16:02.399 second so and so or the third son. So hey, yeah, 360 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:05.000 you remind me of you know that that person over there. 361 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:08.120 You want to be known for you and your style 362 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:10.840 and your approach on the field and off. It's not 363 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:13.440 just something where yeah, I'm gonna be the next Pep, 364 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:15.200 I'm gonna be the next Bielsa and you know I'm 365 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:16.960 gonna do that. No, I want to be comfortable with 366 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:19.159 me and I want folks to learn who I am 367 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.679 and through what I'm trying to do. 368 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:23.840 Yeah, well, I love that you just mentioned those guys. 369 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:26.519 Those are like massive influences and in the game over 370 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:28.240 the past twenty years, and like love to love to 371 00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:28.720 learn from them. 372 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:30.240 Y Elsa is such an interesting character. 373 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:32.879 So yeah, you have to you have to have your 374 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:35.279 own identity and and and part of your identity as 375 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:36.679 a coach has to do with the players around you 376 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:38.720 in the environment that you're in as well. You know, 377 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:40.679 we're not we can't all be Pep Guardiola. And we 378 00:16:40.679 --> 00:16:42.360 also don't have a you know, one hundred million dollar 379 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:44.799 budget to work with a year, uh in terms of 380 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:46.759 you know, bringing in the players you want versus the 381 00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:47.320 ones you don't. 382 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:50.039 So uh. 383 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:53.919 I can't speak enough to the coaches that have influenced 384 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:56.080 my life and Jim, Jim's one of them. Jim's one 385 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:57.879 of them, watching watching what he's done over the past 386 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.519 four years here. 387 00:16:58.840 --> 00:16:59.000 Uh. 388 00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:01.799 Sam Jones is brought a fresh, unique perspective to me, 389 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:05.200 and he's been a great influence so far on the 390 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.680 team and a slid afying factor. 391 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:14.160 So yeah, yeah, you're in a twelve match regular season sprint. 392 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:16.839 Your first three are on the road. You've got three 393 00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:20.519 in a week, tough start, all on the road. You 394 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:22.680 got to talk to the schedule maker. Man, It's like, 395 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:24.319 it's like, can you can you help me out here 396 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:27.720 a little bit? Uh, You're against Fusion on the road, 397 00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:30.759 against Charlotte on the road, against Courage on the road. 398 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:32.640 Now are you going and coming back or are you 399 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:34.480 staying out that whole week for team bonding? 400 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.279 How's that gonna work? 401 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:38.119