You're listening to Raising Anchor, the Rhode Island FC podcast. Now part of the Blazing Musket family. We're glad you're here. Hello and welcome to Raising Anchor, your podcast and source for all things Rhode Island FC. My name is Matt Etrigan, and I'm sitting here joined by the legend himself, Michael Parkhurst. He's a co -founder and owner here at Rhode Island FC. We're sitting in the beautiful suite number nine, I believe, at the newly ready -to -go Centerville Bank Stadium.
Michael, how are you doing, first and foremost? Welcome back to the Rhode Island State. How's life been? Thank you. It's good to be here. No complaints. Life is good. My kids are happy, healthy, and... doing well in their sports. So no complaints at all. No weather complaints out in Columbus right now? Everything's good? We can all complain about the weather, but it doesn't help things. And summer is soon upon us. So that's what I'm focused on. What are the priorities
for you? Obviously, we're launching the stadium this weekend, San Antonio. It's going to be a big game. But what have been your priorities in life? I know you have the mentorship. How's everything going beyond your responsibilities of being a football investor? Yeah, aside from Rhode Island FC, yeah, the mentoring is my main focus. I really enjoy what we do there, me and myself and Greg Garza, a former teammate of mine.
Yeah, it's a really cool project that we do, and it leads to different opportunities and connecting with different people and helping a lot of youth athletes, so that's awesome. And then other than that, watching my kids play their softball and baseball. Brings me a ton of joy. And so that's my focus. And that's why we're in full force here as we get into spring. It's that season. So yeah, it makes traveling difficult. A different type of mentoring, right? It's just your kids
on that one. They don't like to be mentored at all by me because I am dad and I don't know anything. But I know a lot of people can relate. A story as old as time on that one. Why did I sit here today and talk to you about a couple of different things? Because I think... With all of the performances that are coming up very quickly, you're probably one of the most uniquely positioned individuals here right now in Rhode Island to talk about
it. So I want to jump straight into the Open Cup and your connection to the big game next week against the Revolution. First and foremost, you're a champion of the Open Cup, having won it with the Revolution. I won't give the date because I don't want to age anyone here in the conversation. But as someone who's played in the Open Cup many times, who's won the Open Cup, I want to ask you first and foremost, what makes this soccer tournament, what makes the U .S.
Open Cup so special? Yeah, I think it's unique when you get to play in competitive games against teams that are outside of your... normal league. And that's what makes the FA Cup special and all the league cups of different countries, because it means a little bit more to these lower division clubs. And it's a huge opportunity for them. And that's why, you know, from an MLS perspective, there is no such thing as an easy game in the Open Cup, right? You see teams, top teams lose
all the time. It was so challenging for us when I was playing in MLS to go to a USL, even a League One team or a championship team. It didn't matter because you knew like you were up against it and they were going to give everything they had. And it was just always a battle and always so challenging. So, you know, from now being on the opposite side of it, you look at it and you're like, it's such a cool opportunity. It really is. Bring MLS here, right, to show everyone,
you know, the competition level. And so, yeah, really looking forward to watching that one. It's going to be fun. You know, interesting to drill in on that for a second. We obviously hear, you know, people live for the cup sets, the quote -unquote, right? David slaying Goliath. We've heard that the lower division teams will always play 10 % tougher. We actually heard Coach Cano say that last week with Westchester playing against
Rhode Island FC in the Jägermeister Cup. On the other side of it, as the veteran MLS presence that is playing these lower division clubs, is it just as similar as it's the same game for them? You're just taking it as it's 90 minutes on the pitch, or is there something more about making sure that that lower division team doesn't cup set you? Is there a matter of pride that changes, or is it just business as usual? No,
it's tough. It's a really tough balance. I think there's one part of, God, I got to play this midweek game against a lower division team. You know, and for me as a defender, it's kind of like this is a tough place because if I play perfectly and we have a zero, well, that's the way it should be. And if I make a mistake and they score, it's how the heck is that possible? You know, so it's a tough situation sometimes. But and you do have that pride of like, hey,
this is why. we're up here and you're not type of attitude you know as far as players and you want to show that and so it's conflicting a little bit and it brings a lot of challenges because i do think that some of the top players in mls don't really want to play a midweek game against a lower division team on a midweek you know um it's tough um but it provides other opportunities for other guys on those rosters to show why they're a part of that roster so um yeah i think kano
is right though as far as the lower division teams get a little extra motivation right and and they should right we've said that from day one like we want guys motivated to go on and play at a higher level and we understand that there is a higher level and we want guys to have that aspiration will they all get that opportunity of course not but we want to have that aspiration so yeah i hope that they bring a little extra
on for that night. I know it'll be tough because I talked to the team already today and I said, hey, tomorrow is going to feel like a cup final with the energy. And so then they've got another cup final on Wednesday. It sounds like to me, too, that maybe Coach Kano has it a little easier in his playing days as an attacker against a lower division team. I didn't really think about the pressures of being a goalkeeper or a defender having to maintain the superiority of the better
product, so to speak. So that's a fascinating part. Speaking of Kano himself, what was the conversation between the two of you when you guys found out that the Revolution were going to be the seeded draw for the Open Cup, a hosted match here? The first time these two teams will play each other and it's here at Centerville Bank Stadium. What was that dialogue like? Yeah, I think it was, I mean, obviously we knew it was a strong possibility going into the draw.
We knew that we weren't going to be matched up against the USL team. So it's kind of one of two. And so, but I think we were all just, we were both just like, you know, it's a dream. It's a dream matchup. It's honestly to have that. to experience an opportunity in such a new stadium for a pretty new club is pretty cool. You know, result aside, just to have them in our stadium and some of their fans come here and see what we are building here and what we're trying to
accomplish here, I think is really cool. And just an opportunity for our fans and our players to match up against an MLS team. So for sure, it's going to be exciting. Having both of you been winners in the Open Cup, now in the leadership side of things, do loyalties get tested in a match like this? We've heard from lots of fans because, like you said, these two teams don't
normally see each other. So it's easy and acceptable to be a fan of the New England Revolution and also be a fan of Rhode Island Football Club. That all changes for 90 minutes this week coming up. How do you guys feel about it personally, like literally lifting that trophy and then also now being on the other side of things? Where's the loyalty? The loyalty on Wednesday will be with Rhode Island. And, you know, that's I'm not afraid to say that out loud and clear. So
that is definitely the case. And, you know, we've of course, we've had our successes with New England and had some good relationships there and good ties. But, you know, for me, full focus is on Rhode Island FC and the project that we've got going here and building it and growing it. opening up this beautiful stadium. So yeah, no issues there on Wednesday night. How significant is the meeting of these two teams right now? It's so early in Centerville Bank's opening. Is it
something that was destined? I mean, you kind of said it was almost like lined up for the Open Cup, but in terms of the optics of it overall, is it more important now than ever that these two teams see each other now? Or is this something that it would have had the same table stakes if this happened two years down the road? Yeah, I don't know. I'm not sure. Because in one sense, I don't think that most of Rhode Island knows
yet what lies here in the stadium, right? And the uniqueness of it and the experience of it. And so not everyone's going to have experience or the opportunity to experience that before this game comes. You know, 10 ,000 people will, but a whole lot of other people won't yet. You know, in a perfect world, do I wish it was a few weeks away? Sure, maybe. But, you know, I think we're really, really thrilled to have the opportunity to host it and show that where we
line up and how we line up and stack up. And I think that, you know, of course, when you have a local game like that, it's always more intriguing. So a lot of good storylines and great opportunity for us as an organization. macro level for the Open Cup itself. Do you think that the tournament is in a better place than it was in your time playing? Do you think that there's still more room for it to grow? And if so, are there ideas on how the tournament overall can improve for
all players participating? Yeah, I think that it's... I don't know if it's in a better place or not. I think that last year was tough, obviously, with the controversy of MLS teams. So I'm glad that... They're trying to figure that out. And this year is a balance between, you know, first teams and MLS next pro teams. So that's good. I understand that there's challenges and travel and finances. And, you know, there's a lot of
different components to it. And honestly, some of the surfaces that teams need to play on when they go on the road. And so I get it. We have to figure out a way to make sure that this carries on because there's a long legacy of this cup and it means a lot. And like we talked about earlier, it's unique and there's different opportunities. So, you know, I think that U .S. soccer understands that and we're trying to figure it out. But I'm glad that this year there's MLS teams involved
and that's the way it should be. And then, you know, final topic here on the Open Cup. What was your favorite memory? And it can't be lifting the trophy. There's got to be something else that uniquely stuck out to you about your time. Maybe it was an off -the -pitch moment. Maybe it was a traveling moment. Maybe it was something that did happen. But what's something that when you think back to the Open Cup, close your eyes, and not lifting that trophy, what is something
that always rings out true to you? I think just... bus trips to random stadiums where you don't know what's going to be there when you get there. And this was true with both my time with New England, but also Atlanta and Columbus and, you know, going to Akron for a game and, you know, in Atlanta going, I mean, Charleston, you knew what you're going to get, but just different. I mean, Charleston road trip, our bus broke down. on the way to the game. And so I think we ended
up flying. I think they, yeah. And that's the Open Cup. It's just crazy things happen. I remember in Columbus going to Akron and you play 120 minutes because of course the game goes into extra time. And it's a grind. And there's no easy games in Open Cup. And that's what I learned over my time. It doesn't matter who you're playing. There's
just not an easy game. uh but yeah a lot of a lot of good memories and yeah glad i got to win it a couple times it was fun you know moving on to rhode island fc now here for a minute uh when we last connected one of the things i asked you was what was one of the biggest learning curves thrown your way being a participant now being a co -founder and owner of a sports franchise at the time you had mentioned a lot of red tape. Ironically, Brett Johnson, Dan Krober, they've
all said the same thing. And I have seen firsthand the complications of getting this stadium online. But, you know, looking at it now, you're under your belt with the product on the field. What's something beyond the red tape that you had to learn and grow as an owner and co -founder with this organization? Yeah, I think, you know, for me, obviously the focus is on the technical side. So it is just the roster construction year over
year. When you have success as a team like we did last year, I get why it's difficult to keep a team together. Everybody wants a new contract and bumps and raises and to be recognized for their contributions to a successful team. And
I understand that. part of that on the other side as a player so i get it um and so we're doing our best to try and do that and keep the core together and obviously we've done that you know from last year to this year we had very little turnover some here and there but um overall the same team and um but that's that's tough and so i think that for me it's always a learning curve understanding the contracts and players and budgets and relationships with agents and
and all that stuff so um that's a part of my job and part of my gig and um but that's that's a challenge for sure because you want to do do right by players because i've seen clubs not do right by players from the other side of things and i never want to be that the club right now managing through a extensive number of injuries i think there's seven that are at some point between day to day to longer term injuries From the technical side of things, you don't have
the deep reserves of an MLS side, a billion -dollar backer. What goes through your mind as you help Kano try to navigate through the trials and tribulations of a depleted roster? Yeah, it's something you
can never plan for. It's just tough. You might go through a whole year and have very little injuries, or you get some here and there, and that's why you've got a roster of... backups and 20 odd guys uh but yeah you can never plan for having five six seven injuries at the same time it's tough and i've seen it occur before and uh you try and get through it the best you can you know we had a conversation last night of kind of like you know who do who do we have
relationships with that we can call if we need some extra bodies and extra players and you know for short -term loans and things and uh It's a tough time of year, though, because all clubs are dealing with different competitions, and that makes it challenging because really nobody wants to give up anybody because they need their bodies. So it's tough. That being said, no one's going to feel bad for us, and we need to continue to put the best product on the field as we can.
So it's definitely one of the challenges that every team faces, and right now it's us. It's a strategy, and obviously you can't get into it. giving out the secrets here, but we saw the 25 -day contract to Riojo Gund. That now gets extended through the remainder of the season, whether that was because of a need or just also in combination of the performances that he put in the defensive work over the games he was able
to showcase himself. You know, looking back, I don't think 25 -day contracts was a thing in your playing time. Is that a mechanism that helps or is it really... a band -aid to the longer term problem? Is it something where you'd like to see the loan options? You'd like to be able to navigate and maneuver through having players get a little bit longer consistency than just showcasing less than a month's time with a team? Yeah, I think it's both. There's a combination
of things, right? It gives us an opportunity maybe to sign a player that we're not 100 % sure on, but we're going on somebody's recommendation or we've seen a little bit, but... We're not 100 % sure yet. And so let's give him a contract here and get him in. And it's a good opportunity for that individual to prove himself. But doesn't tie us down long term if things don't work out. The loans are good options. It just depends on how much of the salary are we picking up? What
does that contract look like? What are the details of it as far as recalls for them and things? But those are good options as well because it provides us with usually a little bit more flexibility if things don't work out or just financially, right? Where we try and have some of the MLS team cover some of the salary. And so you try and get a pretty good player for a lesser salary than it would normally cost us. So everything's on the table all the time. There's no doubt about
it. And especially when you're going through an injury crisis like we are. Eyes and ears open to everyone and anyone. So what I'm hearing is you may put the boots back on and give Karno 15 minutes at the end of a game? That is not what you're hearing. We're trying to win games here. So, you know, talking more onto the technical side of your participation with this club, how invested are you in the day -to -day? I know
you guys have... Daily calls, I think I've heard this a couple of times, but are you watching tape at the end of the game? Are you looking at the Y -Scout details that come out, the Opta breakouts afterwards? What is the level of your time in relation to this team's on -field performance? That sways. I get all the training sessions, all the games, all the information, so it's available. I watch all the games. I don't miss anything. So I rarely have to go back and watch anything.
And to me, statistics, I don't know. Some of them are good. Some of them I don't really care for. If things were based off statistics, I would not have had the career I had. That's for sure. They didn't really do me any favors. So, you know, here and there. But, you know, I think that those things become more relevant maybe when things aren't going well and you're kind
of. trying to figure out why or what's underlying problems maybe what are your eyes deceiving you of type thing but um you know day to day i try not to get into the weeds you know we hired kano because we believe in him and the staff and so i'm very cognizant of staying in my lane giving him his space and you know i'm there as a resource and a guide and an extra set of ears and eyes I take a look at every player we sign. Week to week it varies, but pretty heavily involved.
As a player, first and foremost, now an owner, when you watch a Rhode Island FC game, can you actually enjoy the game or are you in that technical... you know, analyst mode. And, you know, I look at like a chef, right? Like a chef looks at the presentation, the temperature, the way the ingredients combine. They very rarely get to enjoy the meal that they made because they're so critical of what they've done and contributed to it. Can you actually enjoy watching a Rhode Island FC
game? I can, I can. And I've said this where, you know, even for teams that I've played on. I'm not as heavily invested. When I watch New England or Atlanta United or Columbus play, I root for them. But I don't get... My palms don't get sweaty. My heart rate doesn't rise. If they lose, I'm going to enjoy my night no matter if they won, lost, or tied. It doesn't matter. With Rhode Island, it's different where I actually
get that sense of... I'm rooting for the team, like really want them to do well and, you know, get nervous at the end of a game when it's close and things like that. So that part of it's really cool for me because I didn't have that before this, other than the Red Sox when I was little. But even though I am that heavily invested, I still enjoy the games. I don't get that crazy
emotionally. I'm not the head coach, and even if things don't go that well, it's not on me right away to solve it for the next game tactically. If I see things, I might mention it to Kano if he asks. Maybe I'll give my opinion, but again, otherwise, that's why we hired him. I more look at big picture stuff, but yes, I do enjoy the games, and I like that. Looking at the idea of big picture, I think... Again, you're so uniquely positioned here. A professional player in New
England. You also were someone who grew up as a Rhode Island native. You got to watch the Stingrays play what Pierce Field in East Providence. Here we are. Gosh, what has that been? How many years is that? I don't want to age it, but at least two decades. Professional soccer now once again here in this beautiful stadium. Bring this full
circle for us. What's this like knowing that you're basically a kid watching a level of professional soccer in Rhode Island, and here you are after a very, very exhausting player career that you had. What's this like for you kind of sitting
here now? Yeah, that's the coolest part for me is I know that tomorrow and throughout the next decades, there's going to be hundreds and thousands of... young kids that come into this stadium that can then really see themselves playing professional soccer or having role models and idols that play in front of them like I did when I was with the Stingrays. And those guys came to like our camps in the summer and you got to play soccer tennis with them. Right. Javier was a legend in for
us growing up. And, you know, so now I think that. those kids are going to be able to come here and experience such a different atmosphere and a different level that we experienced at Pierce, which was awesome at the time. But we're definitely taking it to the next level here. So I think that part of it is so, so cool to me that really going to help fulfill some dreams there for local kids. I get that some of them get it when they go to Foxborough, but we think
it's going to be a unique experience here. How important is the local and regional game outside of the professional landscape for you? Brett has often talked about you're the glue to the community. You're the one that understands the system, having been a part of it yourself. How important is that aspect to the future of Rhode Island FC? Yeah, very important. And that's why we want to make sure that everyone feels included.
We know that, you know, the communities are tight -knit here and we want to make sure that we are a uniter of those tight -knit communities and everyone feels like they've got a place here and this team represents them and they're welcome here. It's one of the reasons why, you know, when people ask us, do you have an academy, we're like... No, we don't have an academy right now. Are we going to take the best players from each club? Like, how is that going to affect our relationships
within the state? So, no, it's really important. I mean, growing up, you know, I played for Bayside, but we played in Laza. And it's like, you know, you've got these Portuguese leagues and you've got these Hispanic leagues. And, you know, then you've got, you know, surf down south. And, you know, there's things all over in different pockets. And the game is there. So, you know, we just need to make sure that we are. including everyone.
And that's the plan and giving them a space and hopefully bringing everybody together, rallying around the sport. I know you've said, and you just re -echoed it about, you know, there's, there's no immediate plan for an RFC Academy, but how do you make sure you're the front runner when it comes to the local talent that's developing? You know, how do you get, I think most recently, like the Damien Rivera's to not go to the New
England Academy. How do we, how do we get them, you know, signing for, for Rhode Island FC in
a future state? yeah it's a good question and uh it's a tough one right now obviously they've been around for a long time and um have things set up and um they've got which is great and you know they that was a long time coming right that academy didn't exist when i was there uh so you know it's it's come a long long way which is great for the sport in this country but yeah of course we want some young Rhode Islanders to be a part of our squad in the future. And
so, yeah, we still need to figure that out. But we do hope that, you know, through being local, through providing a really good atmosphere here and to be welcoming to those players that maybe need training opportunities or to be seen here and there or different things that we can be a little bit more accessible and open to those players and provide some different opportunities
that, you know, maybe they couldn't get. you know from other clubs moving on here just want to ask your early thoughts on the whole conversation about division one now opening up for the usl as well as pro rail kind of coming in tandem it it was like we didn't have it and now we're going to have both at the same time it feels very fast uh what's your overall confidence in this in this you know it what's the overall perspective as the ownership group like what do you need
to start doing to set yourself up for success for that longer -term phase or project of the club. I asked Kano the day it got announced. He's like, I'm taking this game by game. My focus is on, I think it was Phoenix Rising at the time. So for you, though, macro level, what are your overall thoughts, and how are you preparing yourself and the club to handle the eventuality of Pro
Rel and Division I coming? Yeah, I think that we've... thought or known that there was a possibility for a while so you know that's why the stadium was built in a way where it could expand pretty easily if we ever need to and so I think the concept of ProRail is very exciting I think that it does make a difference to the competition and once fans get accustomed to it and learn it and can appreciate it I think that it does
provide next level. type of excitement and entertainment but i also think it's a long ways off i think that there's a lot that needs to be figured out and there's a lot of logistics that go into it and and how division one is classified right now uh we're just a little ways off of it um so i do think that it's a way to differentiate ourselves from mls and um maybe bring in some more fans that way but you know i'm also cognizant i'm a realist of like there's a lot that needs
to be accomplished before this is a reality and we can actually do it uh so for me you know i need to see that and and some more commitment from different ownerships in usl i think that we or i view us as you know like atlanta united and mls like newcomers push the league forward right that's hopefully how things occur, right? That's what Atlanta United did and LAFC and all
the new coming teams did for MLS. We're one of those for USL, like bring it to the next level, the next new team, bring us to the next level and keep bringing us up and dragging the lower teams with us and say, Hey, it's not good enough. Bring it up. Let's go invest more type thing. So, you know, I think that as that occurs, that'll become more realistic. we can do it the right way. You've experienced promotion and relegation directly. I think it was in the Danish League
that you helped the team move up. What is, since you've been such a world traveler in your professional playing career, what in your eyes is the best version of a style of Pro -El that you'd like to see adopted? You know, a lot of people are instantly saying it's the English style, you know, three up, three down, and then a playoff in -game for that third slot. There's so many different versions of pro -rel out there. What would you like to see from having been a player
yourself in a pro -rel system? Yeah, I think it totally is dependent on the league and the size of the leagues and how are they going to structure it. And also, what is the likelihood of the teams in the lower division being able to bump up as far as infrastructure -wise to the top league and things like that. So I'd imagine it'd probably be one team to start. But I do get the English way of having the playoff. It's exciting. It is really, really cool. I think
Bundesliga also does a playoff as well. So that is really, really entertaining. If there's two teams and one gets automatic and one's got to play a playoff, I really like that idea. That would really intrigue me for sure. Yeah, I don't know. I've never thought about it, but some sort of combination would be pretty cool. Do you think ProRail can live independent of American fans' desire for the playoff format for the rest of
it? Because I look at it as you've got the USL Cup, but what does that mean against promotion then in a championship where there's a Premier League ahead of it? Do you think that you're going to need both to be a viable solution, or do you think the fan base can be educated to kind of... be weaned off of one and embrace this other version. Yeah, my personal opinion is I think you can do both. I think that we don't need to really become like everyone else. We
can have some uniqueness, I think. I don't know what the plans are for USL. I'm not privy to all those conversations, so I have no idea. Personal opinion, though, I think that we keep the playoffs, and you have the top teams, and maybe it's just less are getting in the playoffs, and you still have that battle for the championship after the playoffs. I want to touch really quickly here into the players' CBA. It's expiring for the USL, I think, in June. I'm sure negotiations
are already getting ready to ramp up. But where I'm really interested is in the USLPA's efforts. I remember back that you were once on the bargaining committee for the CBA for MLS. So I know how personal that is for you as a player. And then now moving into the ownership side of things, I guess asking you this, you know, one, how important is it that the league gets this contract right,
knowing that it will? potentially bump into the beginning of division one pro rel and then also two for you as both first and owner and then a former player how do you mentally navigate through the the the turns of a cba discussion like that yeah i think that you know right now you need to have flexibility right because the future is so unknown all right so you know with the world cup coming next year with difference of and talks of pro rel and calendars and this
and that, you know, it's, we just don't know where the future lies. And so I think that there needs to be, you know, probably opt outs and structure of like, you know, Hey, we need to have flexibility in the future because there's a lot of unknown. But yeah, no, I think it's, it's important for the players. I do view it from a player perspective because that's where I've spent most of my life. So I think that that's
important. From the ownership side, for me anyways, I want what's best for the players in a way that the league can still grow. That's super important. We're not at a place where I think MLS is right now, where valuations are crazy and there's a lot of finances being involved and the players should be getting more cuts of that. And they are now, which is great. We can't constrain ourselves so much where it's impossible to grow or to bring
in new teams or things like that. So just finding that balance of like, hey, we need to take care of players and treat them the right way and make sure that they are in a position to be at their best, but also be in a position where we can continue to grow and put money into the league and really flourish. do you think that a contract, whatever the outcome of that is, does it need to be put into whatever the implementation of
D1 becomes? Because I feel like everything gets, all bets are off the table again once you, because it's salary restructure, a new level of competitive requirement, who knows what the international game will look like in terms of players coming abroad. Is this maybe at best probably a two - to three -year contract, and then we'll see where things go from there? Is that what's right for the players? That would be my assumption.
I think that's – and I haven't been involved in any of the PA conversations up until this point, none. So I don't know. But that would
be my assumption from the outside. There's just so much unknown, and there's – I've heard things of like, are the D1 – parameters going to get changed a little bit um so i think because of the unknown it's really difficult to try and forecast and you know create that and it just we're negotiating something that's like maybe gonna happen possibly gonna happen don't know when it's gonna happen that just seems like a waste of time to me where it's like hey let's
focus on the now and the next couple years or next year or whatever and then good faith, hey, let's revisit this if this becomes a possibility or whatever. That's how I would view it, but again, I'm not really making those decisions, I don't think, until they ask me to help out, but that would be my recommendation. I can say, having talked with some of the players, that they don't even feel the CBA affecting them because they've gone on multiple times, multiple lengths
to say... The Rhode Island FC treats them far better. And they are one of them. I won't name the player, but even said, like, I didn't know that these were problems that, you know, other USL teams face. And like, I would hope that I never get traded to one of those teams and not knowing that such a high standard has been set here by the club. I want to kind of end here on just the conversation with your relationship
to Atlanta United specifically. I'm always fascinated about the relationships that owners, that coaches have. You know, I think. To last year, we saw the Jack Pan EO2 loan. We saw the Morris Dugan loan. So obviously there's some bridges that have been built between New England and Minnesota. But then I think to the ownership side of things, right? Like there's the Ipswich connection with Brett. And of course, you're such a fan favorite. You know, I look at your interactions. I look
at your dialogue with Atlanta United. You seem very much still invested in the success of that team. Not rooting for them, as you said earlier, because it's Rhode Island FC now. Is there a pipeline, especially to your mentoring, to the way that you're still connected to that club? Is there any potential success where we could see a talent pipeline develop between the two organizations? Could you be the facilitator of bridging that gap at some future point? I hope
so. I hope so. There's been some conversations and nothing's come of them yet, but we've had dialogues and just like with a lot of different clubs, but it's just finding the right. player in the right situation. And I think that, you know, we're still in the phase of prove it to us type thing of, you know, do you have the infrastructure? Are our players going to get the right training and the right games and the right this and the
right that, right? We're so young. So, you know, I think that that's why it's important that we, you know, had those early loans and, you know, gain respect of MLS clubs and like how we do things and how we treat players and things. So I think that all helps us. So, you know, I think. With that comes more opportunities for us, and hopefully I would love to have an Atlanta United player or two up here and helping us and help grow them and give them experiences that honestly
they can't get in MLS Next Pro. What's made it easy for you to have these continued dialogues now? Is it the stadium finally being here, the tangible product established? Is it the result all the way up until the USL Cup Final in Colorado
Springs? as that person that will facilitate those conversations what what makes your job easier when you go out and have those uh those reach outs yeah i think it's how our players are treated so if their player reaches out to any player on our team of what their experience is like what the training sessions are like how kano is as a coach the results on the field the atmosphere at the stadium right that's a huge huge thing mls next pro right they they don't
They don't get the experiences that you get in USL Championship as far as atmospheres, as far as pressure, as far as playing against men. That's a big differentiator. And so, you know, I think that MLS Next Pro is great for what it is. But I think there's definitely opportunities. And that's why their loans happen, that top end players that aren't quite ready for first teams. need something more than MLS Next Pro, and need to be pushed a little bit more, and need to play
against men. And so that's why these opportunities arise, and I think that they will continue to arise. And then without getting yourself in trouble here, if you could change one thing about the way the USL operates today, since you're so close to it, your finger is on the pulse, what would you do if you could to make a positive change with how the USL operates today? I think that we need to take a look at the standards of some
of the fields. I think that it's an issue when the fields are really affecting the play on the field. And it affects the quality on the field. It affects when you're watching it and what you
see. So it needs to be examined, and I get that the league is young and we're growing and it's difficult and it takes huge investments, but I will say it's just different when you watch a game that's on grass or it's on good, wet turf versus if it's on a rock -hard turf field that's dry and you can't dribble because the ball is getting stuck under your foot and you can't get it under control because it's bouncing up at your shin every time. There's a big difference.
in the quality of play uh so i've noticed that numerous times and uh so i think at some point it needs to be addressed and final thoughts you know here we are the game by the time this goes out the game will have already happened against san antonio but what are your overall thoughts you know is it all real for you now how are you feeling about everything going on with yourself with rhode island of sea with the state this
project overall? What are those, what are those final thoughts to impart with, with listeners? Yeah, I think we're in a good place. I think that's, um, it's been a long, tough road to get to where we are. Um, there's a lot of people who have lost a lot of years and got a lot of gray hairs, um, in the process of getting to where we are this weekend. So, you know, and a lot of people have been grinding. working crazy
hours. I got emails last night at 3 a .m. in the morning from somebody that works here at RIFC, and it's like people are just working around the clock right now. And it doesn't go unnoticed. It's a lot. It's a lot to put together this and to provide this. And so it's going to be a celebration. It really is. A lot of people are going to be thrilled, and we're looking forward to it. It's having people come into our home and making it their home and feeling like they're a part of
the club. Michael, thanks for joining the podcast. Always a pleasure to get your unique perspectives. Can't wait to see the results both on and off the pitch for the remainder of this season. And you are welcome back anytime. to join us and have a talk about Rhode Island FC. Awesome. Thanks, Matt. Appreciate it. Thank you. In the meantime, don't forget to check out our friends at the Blazing Musket for all of your New England soccer
coverage, including Rhode Island FC. You can also find us on Instagram at Raising Anchor and the rest of the social media accounts, RAFC Podcast. Don't forget to check out our website, RaisingAnchorPodcast .com. And remember that we are on Thursdays every week at 8 p .m. for live podcasts. Talk to you guys soon and anchors up.