Hey, what's up, everyone? Welcome to another episode of the Sounders FC podcast. Excitement's in the air. The MLS opener is just a couple of days away. By the time you hear this, it might be just about 24 hours away. The Sounders opening up to Charlotte FC, but...
The season did begin technically last night with the Champions Cup game. The Sounders coming out victorious. We're going to recap that game and then we're going to preview the game against Charlotte FC. Let's recap a game that took place last night, but it's not the one you're thinking of. There was a massive...
indoor game last night that Brad Evans was a part of. So we're going to recap the indoor game that Brad played in first and then we'll get to the Sounders. Thank you. I cannot move today. I don't know why you play. Because it feels good. So I went, so this is funny. I played Tuesday night also. Oh, man. And we got smashed. 7-2.
And then I played last night, but yesterday I went to yoga and the yoga teacher was asking, what are you grateful for? And I couldn't think of anything on the spot, but I was so sore from even Tuesday night. I was like, you know what? I'm grateful.
to be sore right now yeah yeah and because i i like i hate it but i love it at the same time it's the only thing that can take us back to playing 100 because we'll never replicate the games we'll never replicate walking out in front of a crowd but if you work hard You're gonna feel the effects afterward. Yeah, and it's different than going on a jog because it's so dynamic Yeah, and I woke up today. I honestly felt like I got hit by you guys win
Yeah, we won last night. Like 7-2. 7-2 or 7-3. Scored a banger at the end. It was a good night. I think you guys need a supporter section. Absolutely. A supporters group. Yeah. Come on out. Wednesday nights. We do have some ladies that play before us that we'll hang out and watch that are super familiar with the club. They've been involved with the Rave Foundation, too. It's always great to see them. We have this player named Ollie.
English guy, but he went to Montana to play at an NAIA school. His senior year was Player of the Year for NAIA. This was 2013 season. Went to MLS Combine, got injured. And he actually told me last night he was here on a Sounders, like... combine and schmetz was his coach and he was saying i love this guy oh wow he was like i love this guy because he sat there just
He just looked like a normal guy coaching the team. He loved his demeanor, his attitude. Yeah, I loved him. Dude, you got to come watch this guy play. No, I would. This is a guy I think you mentioned. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You can tell when someone's been around the game. That's what I was thinking today. When you see it, you see it, and you know it. This guy, I mean, his feet and his brain. It's really fun to watch. I think he's probably like 33.
Just being 40 years old, though, I wish I was 33. I would do anything to be 33 again. And just be able to play two, three, four games in a week. That would be amazing. It was a good win for us. Just a morale booster for myself. But it's good because we kick off at 10 p.m. I know. And then.
I can't sleep at it. Just like normal games, I can't sleep. So it's 1.30 by the time you go to bed. And then you wake up for some reason super early. You can't sleep. It's so fun, dude. No, that's amazing. And these are every week. You're playing once or twice a week. Twice a week, yeah. Arena sports. Yeah.
It's so fun. If anyone's listening, just go play because they have like pickup there now too. And if you just want to drop, they have these drop-ins. And if you just want to dip your foot into soccer, just jump out and play. It's a different game. Way different. It's not the same. These guys.
know the game exactly you remember the name Christian Soto UW kid two years ago yeah he played on our team last night I didn't know who he was he's so good 24 just like he honestly he is Christian Roldan like 2.0 pretty much So fit. Plays the same way and just demeanor, calm, but so good on the ball. I mean, he was in a national championship game just three years ago in college soccer. And I didn't know who –
I recognized the name when he said it, but then afterwards I had to ask the guys who it was. So the level on our teams is, I think it's pretty dang high. Super fun. And it's just a good time. It's just great to feel sore. Love that. Love that. And then big win as well. But it wasn't an only win. that any Sounders will be celebrating. The Sounders did get off to a winning start in that game. I watched that game. The lineup, it probably was what I would have guessed.
I could be wrong, but it looked like De La Vega was lining up on the right. That's what it kind of looked like. We'd love to talk to Schmetz, which we were at some point. Kind of he's thinking behind that. But your first look at the 2025 Sounders in a real game.
Obviously, they took care of business, but your overall impression is kind of what they were able to do. I mean, overall, you're really happy about the result. And I think scoring goals in preseason and then you want that to translate into a game. We talked about it a couple of weeks ago. Does it mean anything? Who knows? But to see them go.
from home it's a long travel we forget how far away we are from Guatemala it's got to be at least two flights yeah for the guys and it's a tough place to play right it's it's probably at some sort of altitude down there and the stadium wasn't
It wasn't crazy, like the crazy atmosphere I think we were really used to playing down there. But still, it's good to go into a hostile place, difficult, and then put the ball in the back of the net. And good things happen when you shoot. That's all we can say. And for the Sounders, it's...
let it rip whenever you can. Because I think you have enough firepower that you're not just going to get one chance in a game. You're going to get three and four. And so with that aggregate score, I think it gives them a little confidence going into Saturday. I was thinking that exactly. Because now Schmetz can start his number one lineup. Exactly.
have to worry about, oh, do I have to sit this guy a little bit? Exactly. And we've got to win on win. So it gives them a cushion, a great result for the team. Defensively, again, Time's a little bit shaky sometimes. I'm not on the same page, but it's what's to be expected at this point. It didn't take long to see kind of what the new signings are going to bring for Arreola. I think it took a little bit of a deflection, but he scored within three minutes. the game. Are we... I mean...
I read Matt Doyle from MLS did a piece on it, and he graded the Sounders really high. They said if they had the U22 signing, they'd be above Miami. He was like, are we almost underplaying what these signings are? You're seeing a lot more interleagues. signings like you know Acosta going to Dallas like you know Nico's going to the Dynamo now yeah big players moving within the league we never saw that in our time at all Devander
Unbelievable. He's one of the best players in the league. He could have been MVP last year, if not for Messi. Are we kind of even underplaying Areola and Ferreira? Have so much experience. I mean, we just have them here. We're even saying, oh, they might start, they might not start. They start on most MLS teams.
this point right yeah i think we do i think with the sounders we have this cautious optimism and we love to fly under the radar and it's different when you get a clint dempsey you get the name I think the expectation is that he's going to carry the team and he's going to be the guy. On this team, we still don't have the guy, I don't think. I think that this offense is going to be spread around and you just see Ferreira's vision on the field.
And it's just different. It's just different. And so, and Areola's work rate is fantastic. And you couple that with Pedro, Albert comes off the bench and you see his calmness as soon as he steps on the pitch too. I think this team can definitely make a run. They have to do it on Saturday. Agreed. That's the only thing that matters. You're going to a team that you should beat 10 out of 10, even away from home. And you get the result. Great. We applaud. But I don't think that we can just.
set the bar super, super high just yet. We have to see what they can do in MLS play against what is going to be a really tough team in Charlotte. It will be. Last thing on last night, pleasure was encouraging.
he just looks like we said it last year and sometimes you can say things so much and it becomes cliche or give him a pre-season and he's a pre-season but he's had one and for me he just looks more comfortable he just looks like yeah he's again what's he going to eventually become for this club who's the say but if he is what we think he might be which would be a lot even improved from last season that's even like a third big signing almost technically because he wasn't really
Last year, you got what you can from him. Now you're kind of going into games expecting, okay, Pedro's going to produce. And I think, I thought he was, I mean, he scored, which is good. And he's been scoring in preseason. So he looks a lot more comfortable to me. Yeah, he looks more confident. I think that's the key.
When you battle injuries, it's really tough to get... back to where you think you should be yeah and sometimes it just takes time right my first year i was injured started the season in columbus pulled my quad three times and they were like all right we're just going to shut you down yeah go through the rest of the season and get and then come back and get a full preseason. That sentiment and knowledge is echoed.
since you know a average MLS player came into the league that wasn't really a starter so it doesn't matter if you're a young kid yeah like a Reed Baker Whiting continual injuries it may just take more time yeah and i think for pedro the expectations were very high he came off a couple injuries also and then he comes to the team it's a different style of play i mean we'll we'll hear from your your brother and i think he'll probably echo the same thing is
It's a different place to play. And you're traveling and it's different surfaces. Yeah. But he's got a little something under his belt. And I think he's got a little chip on his shoulder. Because I think he's not, everyone goes on social media. They're not blind to it. And so he's obviously listening to, especially at that age. And I think he has something to prove. And that's great. You want a player with a chip on their shoulder. Yeah, no, I love that. So it's a great way to start the season.
We turned that around to the MLS opener. The Sounders playing at 7.30 this Saturday at home to Charlotte. Charlotte is managed by Dean Smith, someone I know well. He actually played with my brother, so we'll have him on talk about Dean Smith. They're a big kind of marquee off-season. signing was Wilfred Zaha who for me you know growing up in London you know I've seen like before they were pros I saw Raheem Sterling I saw a lot of different people Wilf is the best I've ever seen
Like, he was so unpredictable. So, again, he's 31, 32. I don't know where he's at now. His past couple days haven't been great. But... He's very good. He's not someone that you can game plan for. He's so unpredictable, can go left, right. And the thing about him, he's big. He's tall and he's physically imposing as well. So it won't be an easy game. So we'll get to Charlotte in a second.
with Sounders how much rotation would make sense or does that result just by Schmetz just hey I can just run out these guys as long as I can and then I can probably rotate for the midweek game
Yeah, I think you start the same lineup. Unless Albert's saying, oh, actually, I felt really good and I'm ready to go. But I don't think he's had enough minutes to start. They all did well. Yeah, that's the big question. I think you roll with the same squad. Yeah, there's good problems to have. Yeah, I love it.
So I think you have to roll with the strongest lineup because you're going to face a Charlotte team that's chomping at the bit. They had a pretty early exit from last year's playoffs, so that was their best year last year in Major League Soccer play after three seasons. So like you said, they're going to be...
Chomping at the bit. And defensively, they were one of the best teams defensively in MLS. They had the goalkeeper of the year. And they're no slouch. And so we faced them two years ago in 2023. Went down there. It was a 3-3 thriller. i remember now you come here and um they're gonna be flying yeah and so and they've had an addition and i just think
The Sounders have a tough task on Saturday night, and it's going to take a full team effort. Guys are going to have to come off the bench. But what we can talk about now is we can actually say, Guys are coming off the bench that are going to make a big, big difference. Exactly. The depth is what I'm most impressed with. And I think back to some of the best teams this club has had, teams we've played on, teams we've watched and covered. It just, for me, felt like the past couple of years.
you were 12 deep, 13 at best. And even your 14th, 15th were X factors. Sometimes we're depending on a Cody Baker or Reed Baker-White. We still don't know what they were going to do. And that was kind of like who you need to come in and change a game for you. They need some time. So I just think... now you generally are going 14 15 deep i mean rough rock had a tremendous season last year he's a sub georgie amazing player to bring off the bench for just what he can do and
I want to be cautiously optimistic, but I'm very high on what the Sounders can potentially do this season, just from the depth perspective. You mentioned last night was a bit, you know... shaky-ish defensively. I think over the course of the last two years, that's at least the era we have been strong in. They're going to figure that out. And I think you have options for formations and even not formations for personnel. How...
you know Dele Vega plays out wide with Areola if you switch those personnel same formation but how you're going to play is going to be very different as well just Schmetz having those options with the staff he has I think what I mean it's so many competitions you never know but I think we are poised for a very good season But you have to get off to a good start. Yeah, you have to. A defeat's going to deflate us. But, I mean...
The game has changed a little bit with the players that you have. So in your day, you're bringing off. If you come off, Lamar's coming on or Sana. And then maybe on the right. You know, Sana starting or Roger or Alvaro. Right. And so it's just a different type of player. I think what you're seeing now are more similar players position for position. Yeah. Because I think.
Paul and Paul, I think they play pretty similar. Agreed. I think they're both very aggressive. They'll fight for headers. They're going to track back. They're going to have a little bit of flair, but not... too much right you're getting the same out of those type of players pedro and georgie a little bit different right georgie's a little bit more explosive but that's what you want in a sub
Anyways, you want someone that's going to change the game late in the game that's going to put a left back under pressure or right back, whichever side he plays on. So I just think the game has changed a little bit in the players that you're bringing off the bench. And the Sounders have been concise in their moves that when they do. bring on a player, the style of play isn't changing all that much.
youth products i mean jordan kind of counts because he went i know he went to college as well but he was from the academy deandre probably those two um but the sound is even now i think they're in Doha, Qatar. Yes. I'm actually familiar with the Aspire zone where the tournament's been held because I was in Doha for the World Cup and amazing facility. I actually went and actually trained. We need to do a whole episode about your experience there. Unbelievable. World Cup final, midfield.
seats watching bad pace I think that the jealousy has now passed I know I went to every game so that was really cool but the Sounders Academy is there Playing games now, they lost this morning. Yeah, 2-0 to Real Madrid. I mean, here's what I'm going to say. I grew up playing in the Arsenal Youth Academy. I was having this conversation with one of my former teammates a couple nights ago. And I said this.
I never played any American teams when I was in the Arsenal Youth Academy, and we kind of looked down on the American teams, whatever. Based on what I'm seeing in the past few years, I think the MLS is still not EPL or La Liga.
At the academy level, they compete. It's close. It's close, right? And I'm not sure what's happening, but they've beaten Arsenal. They can play Man City in tie. I mean, Real Madrid beating you just 2-0 in that sense. And I would not have been shocked if the Sounders won 2-0. So...
here we do a great job on the academy front, but it really is, I don't think there's that much of a gap with here and the rest of the world from the academy perspective. Then it changes when it gets to the top level. But at this club, especially, we do emphasize youth development and we've seen it with the guys breaking through. Uh, So yeah, I think...
Fans should get excited and kind of check out the prospects that are coming through next because this academy, they've won trophies. They're going around the world competing in games that I think, you know, from my generation, you didn't really see. American teams, they weren't even academies. You didn't compete.
Pete were the best players in the world, and they're getting a chance to do that. By the time they step into Schmetz's training or first team, they're kind of used to a pretty fast environment, I think. Yeah, and for that team to do as well as they did is great. I mean, you go just to have the experience to play, and if they'd left the field...
feeling like there was something there for them that's even better. That's a confidence booster. You have Omar Hassan, who signed for Defiance last year, who was 15 years old. signing for Defiance, and now he scored an unbelievable goal a couple games ago. I mean, a breakaway pretty much, and then he chips a goalkeeper from just inside the 18. It's just a class finish, and you just don't see that very often. So it's getting there, right? And that's the most important thing.
You experienced it. The guys that you saw who were better than you turned out to not be anything. That's very true. It takes a lot of luck. It takes the right coaches. It takes the right move sometimes to get the most out of a player.
So it's not a guarantee, but it's encouraging to see this group move forward. Hats off to them. I know it's a long way to go, but to advance, and then to have just the opportunity to play Real Madrid. I mean, the Sounders, same thing in the Club World Cup. If you advance out of that game.
You play Real Madrid in a game that means something in a tournament. Who would have said that 15 years ago when I was in the league or 20 years ago when I first started? So you would have thought, what are you talking about? This is Major League Soccer. So it's always going to progress, and we're doing all this. the right things the academy is a big piece of that
Yeah. And I mean, Josh was a part of that too. They're in the third place game on Saturday against Rangers FC. Oh, they play Rangers in the third place. Yeah, they play Rangers on Saturday, 4.30 a.m. Pacific time. Oh, that's a massive one. Yeah, it would be a good game. Rangers, yeah. Probably a bit more similar playing style.
Yes. So that'll be a big one. Rangers, one of the biggest clubs in the UK, obviously. The Scottish Premier League for years and years. So yeah, if you can check that out, make sure you do. I think those boys will really appreciate the support, obviously. Before we go...
Home opener this weekend. For me, there's something special about home openers. Well, actually, before we get to that, you're holding the new jersey in your hands. What's your official name for it? The Salish Sea Kit. I love it. We've had some really good jerseys.
It's maybe 2C. Where did you rank this one in terms of some of the secondary jerseys we've had over the years? This is top for me. Even more than the Xbox Black Wonder? I mean, those are legendary kits. But this is one that I wish I could have worn. Because I think it was so clean. Last night, they looked awesome. They're going to wear green this weekend, and they'll wear this one in the second game of the season. Yeah. But...
I just think it's so clean and I just love the story behind it. And I think our community kits have done such an awesome job of just honoring the Pacific Northwest. the weaving tradition of, of the people that were, you know, here before us. Yeah. No, I love it. Yeah. Water is sacred is what it says on the bottom. So it's just an ode to, to Seattle, um, the water, the peoples that were here before us and really honoring.
their their traditions of weaving and i think it just came out unbelievable i mean it's already number one on sports illustrated list espn list and and it's good what's what's cool is that it's not just a oh at the new year, what's our kit going to be? I mean, this is like two, three year project to get it right. Tell the story and really speak to, to this, this city. And it just, honestly, it just gets me excited for another two years, what it's going to be. And so I just think.
We, again, just knocked it out of the park. Yeah. There's been some really cool kits, but this would be one that I think I would have really, really loved to wear. Yeah, he's in my top three already, and it probably would end up being number one. The more you see it, the more you see it out there.
Best home opener memories from you? I mean, you assisting me against Philadelphia. You know what's crazy? I'm glad you said that because I was going to say, well, you can say both because you scored in an inaugural game as well. The inaugural game, I was injured. So I ended up being on the bench. I didn't get fit in time. I came on like the last 15, 20 minutes. So I actually enjoyed that game more as a fan.
Like, there's that famous picture of, like, the reaction from the bench. On the bench, yeah. And you can see that I'm, like, halfway in the air. Like, I was, like, so excited that we scored first. Were you hugging Ziggy in there? I didn't hug Ziggy. No. That wasn't me. No. But. Dad. So. I have celebrated with Ziggy before. It wasn't that one. DeAndre is the one who hugs Ziggy when he scored his first ever goal. He ran straight to Zig. But...
Like that, no game for me, I was able to be an observer. I didn't feel the pressure that you guys might have felt starting the game. It's always different when you kind of were a sub because you didn't carry the same pressure on game day. You're a bit more relaxed. So that second year, you know, I think at that point, I felt I'd established myself more in the team.
super excited for it. And then we kind of did it again. Again, so an expansion team who were trying to prove that they were going to be, you know, what we had been and we kind of put them in their place and we set. So I'll never forget that game for me. It was just like...
We played so well. We came out. I mean, they had no chance. I think Danny Califf got sent off in the 35th minute and then that was curtains for them. So that's my favourite memory from a home opener here was that second year against the inaugural game stands by itself.
what it meant for the league and for the club but performance wise and what we did to that Philly team to do it again a second year you scored Montero scored it was so dominant that for me it was just like yeah that's I'll take that one yeah I mean, back then, the stadium was packed on a home opener. Crazy, huh? These fans better come out. Yeah, we need you out there. It makes a difference. It actually makes me angry. Yeah. That this is by far in the past 15. Yeah.
plus years the most successful sports franchise in seattle yeah and i i i selfishly need it to be packed at least on opening night yeah and The season comes fast and furious, but it's an opportunity to show up. And does this go back to like, oh, they're going to be good. We'll see them in the playoffs. We know they're going to make the playoffs. Is there something there about that? If you're a sports fan in that sense, yeah.
you have so much success and it's almost expected. And, oh, it's just the Sounders. We're kind of used to it. Yeah, we'll get to a game at some point. But I would just say, I have a feeling that this season... It feels different. It is different. It's a new team. It's no longer the Nico, Raul generation. Great servants for the club. They've moved on. It feels very brand new. Last year, kind of, but you still had Raul there who cast such a large presence. This is brand new.
And, you know, I think, you know, bringing the two players, particularly that we brought in and we spoke about with the experience they have, there's a chance for this team to kind of create a new identity, write some history, what we're looking forward to, the Club World Cup coming here. I don't think that's sunk in for people too. Atletico Madrid,
PSG who I just watched in the Champions League yesterday are going to be playing here in a real game like we need to understand and I think yeah I would love to see the fans come out and support this because it makes a difference man I remember when I used to play and
All my friends on opposing teams would always comment about just how intimidating Dinosaur was. I mean, after the first game, I remember getting a text from Chad Marshall. And he was like, that was insane. Exactly. No one had ever seen anything like it. nope and and you you felt it in our performances and that's what spurred us on so to go back to your point is yeah
That Philly game was another packed stadium. Crazy. It was wild. The weather was perfect. It was rain. It just was great. Yeah, perfect. And I remember – feeling so confident in that game that we were going to win. But that's also the game where I got stuck in traffic and I had to run a mile to the stadium in a suit down James Street and then through the north lot.
It was a disaster. Me, Nate Sturgis, and Patty Yanni. And we were already sweating bullets before we got in. I thought for sure I was going to, like, rip a muscle in the first five minutes of the game. But the adrenaline kicks in. You go in front of the fans, and all of a sudden the lights turn on, and it's time to go.
Yeah, yeah. So, yeah, that'll be Saturday night. Keeley, broadcast info? Yes, broadcast information. We're back on 93.3 FM for this one. Very exciting. Bringing Danny Jackson back as play-by-play. Steve Zakawani will be color commentary right next to him.
And our pre-match halftime and post-show, we're going to keep it a little bit more regular. Jackson Feltz hosting, as per usual. And then Pete Ewing and Kellen Rowe will be back this season. And Michelle Letka on the sideline. And by the way, Michelle Letka, shout it out. Full female referee crew during last night's CONCACAF game. So don't want to forget that. That was wild. I'm not sure I've ever seen that. I don't know that I've seen that. Maybe in a preseason game, but not in an actual game.
that I've ever played in or seen. Yeah, I've not seen that. I'm trying to think, yeah. No, I've not seen, I think it did happen in MLS at some point. There was some kind of historic, yeah, it did, but yeah, it's not common. I loved it. Did a fantastic job. It was a really good game to watch.
I know, may I say, it was much less of a typical CONCACAF game. It wasn't. Yeah, it was less CONCACAF. I mean, I don't know. Yeah, it felt like a very nice game. And then obviously Apple TV as well. Yes, Apple TV, MLS Season Pass. Check that out if you're not getting tickets. But of course...
honorsfc.com slash tickets please come guys it's going to be so much fun yeah like they said it's a totally new team new look new fan experiences yeah brad and steve will be on the field to like welcome you guys it's going to be at the north
I think I'll be out there for a little bit. It's going to be fun. Yeah, man. It'll be a good day. Engaging all you crazy people. Expecting a little rain. Should be like just a perfect Seattle evening. And I think, you know, last point I'll make, I think it's going to be a very tough game.
We actually need that kind of extra push. They're going to be good, I think. I think they've had their time now. They've built a good squad. Yeah, I think it won't be like an easy cakewalk. The football game itself is going to be quite tough.
You're going to come out and actually see a very good game, two good teams. And I said, we want to start as we mean to go on. And it's going to be very important to start with three points, I think. And the extra boost from the fans, you can never say too much about that. We're going to get a preview from your brother.
about Dean Smith and Zaha as well, which is going to be... Dean Smith, yeah. It's crazy because... It's going to break it down. Yeah. Before I went to Akron, I was trying to get fit, and I went to train with my local club, which was Leighton Orient. They were in League One at the time, and I trained a reserve team for a month and played two or three reserve games.
Smith was the coach and he had just retired he was figuring it out and then I saw him like no he listen this is a guy who coached Aston Villa and he had Steven Gerrard as his assistant
Like he has a lot, he's very well known, very respected in the English game. And he, again, he mentored my brother and they played the first two years of his career as Dean Smith was transitioning out. He was a captain, great leader, great organizer. So they'll be good defensively. But it's so weird because he's...
such a defensive player but he loves attacking flair players like he loves me because yeah just goal and he encourages that and he'll do the same keep highlighting Zaha but my brother will confirm this if we get a version of Zaha that made Alex Ferguson's last signing he's a top player he's motivated hungry just so much flair fantastic so um we'll see what happens with that but
As always, it's been a Sounders FC podcast. Comment, like, subscribe wherever you get a podcast. We hope to see you all at the game on Saturday as you try and kick off this season with three points. It's just to keep going, like I said before, to just not give up. There will be bad days, but just carry on, keep going and keep working hard. Alright, so thank you very much for making time here. I've been speaking to Gabriel Abdelah.
Zakwani, of course, you know, he's popularly known for his days or his time with DR Congo, played some exciting football in defense as well. in several teams in england and of course in greece as well uh mainly fulham stoke city peterborough and that's where he actually made his name all right well guys good to have you on um It's crazy because the Sounders obviously opened the season this weekend against Charlotte and their head coach, someone that you know well.
You know, back in the day when we used to go watch you, you made your debut playing centre-back with him. He was a captain. He was kind of the experienced guy. What can you say about kind of Dean Smith, first the player? What kind of player was he and what kind of guidance he gave you in your career? Yeah, Dean Smith played a major role in my career. As a young star, he was the guy at the back who's organising everything. And he's taken that step into his management. He's very authoritative.
he gets results and that's something that he's always had. He's got a way of playing, which sometimes isn't the best on the eye, but he always does tend to have good wingers and good attacking players who... The fact that they'll be a very hard team to beat, I can say that already. They'll be a hard team to beat.
But they always have little stars here and there who can make the difference. And he's taken that on. When he was at Walsall, it was the same. At Brentford, it was the same. And even when he got to the Premier League, it was the same. He always has a couple star players. But he's very disciplined. And they'll certainly know how to...
work hard because he demands nothing less than hard work so in our experience watching from from from across the pond we uh we always assume with the championship And the Premier League, the teams that aren't vying for, you know, a top four Champions League spot are playing.
in Europa League, whatever it is, do have a different style playing and it's just about getting the job done. Is that what Dean Smith brings to all those squads? Is it just we're going to maybe we're going to play when we can play, but ultimately we're going to keep it as tight as we can defensively.
And hopefully, like you said, you get a sprinkle of a star here and there that can put the ball in the back of the net, get a result, and just stay alive or put yourself in a position to be mid-table. Yeah, I would say I kind of agree with that. But it's the step up from the Championship to the Premier League. It's huge here in the UK. So in the Championship, he would be a top.
top two top three manager you know so he would be he would have all the stars and played a good football and make it easy for himself it's just when he's got to that to the Premier League he's learnt very quickly he's had he's had teams that maybe haven't aren't your traditional top four teams so he's had to adapt so he's very adaptable and I think he'll work himself out very quickly
in the MLS and then to realise where he stands. If he thinks he's got one of the better teams, then expect him to play good football. But if he's got a side that maybe needs to grind out points, believe me, he'll find a way to grind out the points. Let's talk about Wolfrey Zaha. Obviously, we've had so many convos about him for years. He's one of the best wingers I've ever seen. Like, I just think, you know...
The Man United move that he made for it didn't work out with David Moyes. He was Alex Ferguson's last signing. It would have been nice to see Fergie stay there. You've obviously played for Alex Ferguson's son for many years as well. But obviously for Alex Ferguson to go and get someone, they have to. be good right so just how good is Wilfred Zaha and then if you were a defender or talking to a soundless the soundless right back or left back what advice are you giving them
Oh, I think that's a very good point you make. It's very hard to stop him. But I would go back to my experience. In terms of Wilford Zaha's... it could be anything he wants to be on the day. You know, he plays like he's still playing with his friends in the park. He doesn't feel the pressure. You know, for him, the pressure is even better. You know, you talk about defenders. If they kick Zaha or they try and make...
make it a bit rough for him, that will spur him more. That makes him even more dangerous. So it's quite hard to actually defend against someone like that. But I've had experience of playing against him and it's... It's nearly an impossible task when he's on his game. He does tend to get frustrated with his teammates. Sometimes they're not on his wavelength. But once you give him the ball, you'll see that he can make anything happen at any given moment.
The only advice I would give to the Sounders defence is probably double up on him. That's probably the only... the best way we always had to double up on him because he just seems to have a way of gliding past players so you have two on him at a time and I know that frees up another player somewhere else on the pitch but that usually helps you know to sort of stop the assault he'll cause on the defence Yeah, that's a great point. I think what can we expect from a player like Zaha who, you know.
has had his ups and downs to a certain extent, but I think it was just a product of not finding the right coaching fit. And I think he has someone probably more familiar in Dean Smith, and that's probably why he went to Charlotte. Do you think that he can have sort of this like rejuvenation and kind of get back into his rhythm? And what will it take for him to really make an impact as a DP in this league?
I think he will make an impact because he's settled down now. He was probably the turbulent... at the time when he went to Man United, it wasn't the right time for him to really shine there. But I think he's at the right time now in his life. He's very settled. He wants to now...
make a name for himself, you know, outside of the UK. He's done okay in Turkey, but I think now it suits his lifestyle at this present time. So he's very relaxed. He's family-orientated now. So I do think he's going there, not just...
for the easier lifestyle maybe. You know, in England, we do have the MLS and we think it's a bit more laid back. You get to cheer because it's very, very, you know, very pressured here in England. But I do believe that him going out there, I've seen tips of him working.
you know, in the off-season and he wants to make an impact, you know. So I think he's not going there for just a payday and to relax. He wants to go there and make an impact and, you know, and really still show that he is the top player because there are a few doubts.
about him still at this present time, you know, about him maybe down tools in a little bit. But I think he's still a top player. And I think going there, it's time for him to now show he is a top DP and he can be a top player in MLS. So this is always, I think, a great question that we ponder is in the States. I mean, we had a nice summary and kind of what's going to happen this season with the Sounders. you don't really read too much in the papers about it
What is the perception right now in your mind in a move like Zaha coming to MLS? Will it be on a tabloid or in the news on TV? Is he still that present there? the guy who's trying to make it and what is the perception? The perception for Zaha, because he's been a top player in the Premier League, there's no doubt about it. So when the move did come, it did make all the social media pages.
out here in the UK and it was in the top tabloids, maybe not front page or anything like that, but it was worth mentioning because he has had an impact on English football, you know? So the sort of general consensus is that he's going there to... to establish himself as the top player and that he can do it, you know, not just in England or not.
Justin can do it everywhere. I think that's what we're looking at. We're intrigued as well to see what Zaha you guys get to see. If you lot get to see half the Zaha we've had here in the UK, then you're in for a treat because he can be sublime and he can win. games on his own
And I think just the impact the MLS has had, especially with, you know, the Miami sort of all-stars out there now to have a big name like Zaha there as well. It's getting eyeballs to the MLS as well. You know, we want to see now and see how... his stars are getting on. He'll be up there as one of the top players in the MLS if he can hit the sort of form we expect him to. All right, man. We appreciate it.
You got one question? Yeah, we want stories about Steve. What's an embarrassing story about Steve Zakawani, please? Just one. Just one. There's not even one. I'll be there. There could be a few, I think. Come on, guys. No, Steve's actually, he's actually been, you know, he was very talented from a very, very young age, you know. He's got a few troubles outside football, I would say.
being in terms of the pitch, you know, he was excellent. You know, I mean, he was very naughty in school, so I don't know if that can... That can be something, you know. There wouldn't be a day where, you know, Steve hasn't been kicked out of his lesson in school. But apart from that, on the pitch, he was top draw.
Since we have you, I want to ask you a question as well. I don't know if I've even ever asked you because I probably have. Obviously, you know, you made your debut at 16 playing in League One and you went up to the championship. You had that massive move.
to fulham after you know beating them in the fa cup going to the premier league then you're playing against arsenal teams like that um for yourself for people here in america and brad made a point earlier where the pressure might not always because we're at the fifth biggest sport for example
So explain to people listening that kind of just what the pressure actually is somewhat like England, especially when you get to like Fulham, that spotlight, like the pressure to have to win every game, to have to show up every game, which is obviously where Dee Smith's coming from and Zah's coming from as well.
The more we get those people here, obviously Messi's done it. We're seeing it. It helps the whole league here grow as well. But in England, there is a pressure where you have to win or your whole week is pretty much ruined.
Yeah, I mean, as you probably know, that pressure starts from the youth. You know, you start from the youth. It ruins your whole weekend if you don't get three points. And I think it's the culture, the culture of English football. It starts from... respecting the professionals when you're young.
you have to make sure that you clean the professional's boots. I'm not sure something like that happens in the MLS. You clean the change rooms, you make sure the place is clean and that discipline. So by the time you get into the first team, it's just about discipline.
and making sure you get the results you know everything is analyzed here in the uk every single thing is analyzed so if you miss the tackle you you win the game comfortably you win the game but when you have that video meeting you may spend half an hour on that tackle that you you missed so it's just so i don't know i don't know how to explain the fans i don't i've never seen
fans like here in the UK. So the pressure just mounts from the minute you step on that pitch, you're playing outside of yourself because you're playing for the public. You're not playing for yourself. So you know that if you don't get three points, it ruins the weekend. And then on Monday, in all the papers, there's the ratings of what you got out of 10. And I think the pressure starts from...
from even League 1, League 2. From there, I was already under pressure. But when you get to the Premier League, then it's maximised because then you've got Gary Neville on Sky Sports talking about where you made a mistake and every inch is analysed. If you're... one yard the wrong side of a striker, that will be called out. So I just think it doesn't escape, you know, and the pressure in England is pressure that I haven't felt anywhere else. I played in Greece.
he's relaxed after a game we lose the game i'll go and have a coffee and then no one bombarded me but in england you can't do that you don't go out if you lose the game it's impossible yeah crazy real quick i mean you knew that steve was playing here yeah Why not make the move to come to MLS? Listen, I'm going to give an exclusive. We spoke about it with Adrian and Hendel back in 2011, 2012. We did. Yeah. Yeah.
I don't know what happened though. I left it to you guys. But yeah, I think you considered before you went to Greece. Yeah, I considered trying to come there because I did come to a game. I did see that the culture was different. So I would have to adapt. Even the whole playoff system is completely different, you know. For us.
You know, you need a relegation and a promotion or you need that, you know, you need that. That's how the pressure works, you know. So the fact that teams don't get relegated and I don't know if I can adapt sort of to that style at the time. But now, obviously, you know, you look at the name. that are there now and and you're attracted to it just to see to get a taste of it but at the time i think it was still transitioning to become what it is now
Yeah, no, that's a great point. All right, man. Well, we appreciate it. I don't know if you still talk to Dean Smith or not, but I'll see him at the weekend. So I'll definitely say hello from you as well. And if I happen to see Zaha, I'll do the same as well. But yeah, I really appreciate you coming on, man. Thank you. Thanks for having me on, guys. Thank you.